March2015
Review Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor - The Bright Lord (PlayStation 4)
Back for Mor(e)dor
Over the several months since its release, minor pieces of DLC have been released for Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, but the prized package that fans have been clamouring for is The Bright Lord. This short campaign story puts you in the armoured boots of the legendary Celebrimbor: the Elf wraith that Talion is bound to throughout...
February2015
Review Dying Light (PlayStation 4)
Run to the kills
Unlike a zombie bite, Dying Light gets better with time. You'll feel a little underpowered during the undead-'em-up's opening exchanges, but as you gradually cross quests off your multiplying mission log and sink your teeth into the title's story, Polish developer Techland's parkour-inspired escapade really comes into its own. This...
December2014
Review LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (PlayStation 4)
Bat to basics
The LEGO series has been on a roll lately, with multiple high scoring titles over the past 12 months or so. The question is: does LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham have what it takes to topple the others – or should it have simply stayed in the shadows? Contrary to LEGO game tradition, the story in this edition is fairly forgettable...
November2014
Review LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids (PlayStation Vita)
Portable ninjas to go
The ever growing collection of LEGO video games has become a mammoth in the industry. With over 50 titles to choose from, including both licensed and original properties, fans of the digital bricks have had a vast variety to explore. Showing no signs of slowing down, the latest game in the pantheon has made its way to the...
October2014
Review Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (PlayStation 4)
That’s what we’re Tolkien about
It’s natural to be sceptical about licensed video games, and everyone has the right to feel this way about them, especially when a blockbuster-sized one comes around with a burden of expectations and hype to live up to, despite having a broad ancestry of mediocre releases. Of course, we’re referring to...
April2014
Review LEGO The Hobbit (PlayStation 4)
There and brick again
Veteran developer Traveller’s Tales has been making LEGO games for nearly a decade, giving the brick treatment to a wide variety of movie and comic book brands, including Lord of the Rings. Therefore, it’s not a huge surprise to see the studio tackle The Hobbit. The big question, though, is whether this latest addition to...
Review Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate - Deluxe Edition (PlayStation 3)
Wayne too far
You may remember the side-scrolling Arkham spin-off that graced your PlayStation Vita last year. Well, as with so many other franchises before it, the Dark Knight has been transported from the handheld to your living room in Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate – Deluxe Edition. While the portable version was widely criticised for...
March2014
Review The LEGO Movie Videogame (PlayStation 4)
Block buster
Traveller’s Tales’ familiar LEGO game formula has transformed many famous film franchises into enjoyable family games, with the recreation of iconic protagonists and comic book heroes waving an endearing spell in the direction of consumers around the world. It’s fitting, then, that the recently released flick based on the...
December2013
Review Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition (PlayStation 4)
Clash of the titans
Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition makes the fighting game genre highly accessible. This DC Comics-themed brawler may be covered in Mortal Kombat’s blood, but that basis means that it’s built around a solid combative core, some classic input commands, and a surprisingly engrossing storyline. Granted, the differences...
Review LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (PlayStation 4)
Miniature marvel
Over the years, the LEGO video game franchise has expanded into something of a phenomenon. It all started in a galaxy far, far away when British developer Traveller’s Tales took it upon itself to re-imagine George Lucas’ sci-fi blockbuster Star Wars in brick form. After much critical praise, the studio decided to do the same to...
October2013
Review Batman: Arkham Origins (PlayStation 3)
Flatman
Over the course of two games, the Batman: Arkham franchise has solidified itself as one of the most critically acclaimed properties of this generation. Both instalments have proven that with a lot of love for the source material, licensed titles don't have to be horribly rushed, soulless productions – but without developer Rocksteady at...
April2013
Review Injustice: Gods Among Us (PlayStation 3)
Immortal Kombat
When it comes to the fighting game genre, you're often forced to select your preferred type. Are you a player of 2D or 3D titles? Tekken or Dead or Alive? Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat? Each series has its own unique identity, restricting its audience to a specific brand. As such, you'd expect Injustice: Gods Among Us, the latest...
July2012
Review LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (PlayStation Vita)
Let’s talk LEGOs
If you’ve played one LEGO game, you’ve essentially played them all. It’s a phrase that’s been heard a time or two since Traveller’s Tales started recreating blockbuster movie hits into block-buster video games since LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game released back in 2005. Their ease of play and whimsical storylines are told...
June2012
Review LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (PlayStation 3)
Blockbusters
Even the Dark Knight needs a little help now and then. Bruce Wayne returns in blocky form after his critically acclaimed first outing, and this time he's brought along a huge gang of friends – and their enemies. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes still hangs on Batman and Gotham City, but the scope has been expanded to give you the chance...
May2012
Review Mortal Kombat (PlayStation Vita)
Goresome
Warner Bros. and NetherRealm Studios released Mortal Kombat on PS3 last year, returning the series to its über-violent 2D roots and right back into the top tier of fighting games. The lengthy story mode and robust online options were only the start of what the game had on offer, and that’s before the DLC started rolling in. With the Vita...
April2012
Review LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 (PlayStation Vita)
Block-tastically magical
There’s no question that Vita's gaming experience can be called “magical,” but with the release of LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, the enchanting experiences of the final films in Harry Potter’s epic adventures are charmingly downsized LEGO-style and placed right upon your fingertips, allowing the magical series to...
February2012
Review Gotham City Impostors (PlayStation 3)
Call of Batman: Gotham Warfare
Gotham City: the home of Batman, along with thousands of denizens who either look to the skies for the caped crusader when in need, or faithfully follow his crazed evil nemesis, the Joker. But there’s also the demented wannabes that will do anything to try and gain their 15 minutes of fame and Gotham City Impostors...
December2011
Review Happy Feet Two: The Video Game (PlayStation 3)
Let's tap
Packed with wholesome fun for all the family, Happy Feet Two: The Video Game proves to be far more than any old run-of-the-mill movie tie-in, offering thrills, spills, and more than a modicum of outright fun that may even appeal to the inner child of adults, not merely youngsters alone How often do truly great video games based on movies...
October2011
Review Batman: Arkham City (PlayStation 3)
Crisis city
A gluttony of content; Batman: Arkham City takes everything that made its predecessor brilliant and improves upon it. It's really not hard to recall the period before Batman: Arkham Asylum released. At the time, the video game media was embroiled in a discussion about how the promising looking licenced title couldn't possibly turn out...
April2011
Review Mortal Kombat (PlayStation 3)
Mortal Kombat is the most comprehensive fighting game we've ever played
It puts its immediate contemporaries to shame with a pool of modes, features and unlockables that have been on the wishlist of fighting fans for some time. What's more, the content is built upon an accessible and satisfying fighting system that's deep enough to hold your...
November2010
Review The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest (PlayStation 3)
Son of Samwise
Aragorn's Quest is the first fruit from a decision by Warner Bros to acquire the rights from Electronic Arts and produce its own spin on games set in The Lord of the Rings universe. Originally developed by Headstrong Games with the Wii as its lead platform, but it was later converted to PS3 by TT Fusion. It's a third-person...