Author Profile
- Username
- BenTarrant
- Articles
- 76 (33 reviews)
- First Article
- Thu 25th, April 2013
- Avg. Review Score
- 6.1
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DLC Review Is Evolve's DLC a Colossal Scam?
Monstrous pricing
Just over a month since we donned the monster hunting boots of Evolve, we're now greeted with the anticipated Hunting Season Pass and, for those of you who pre-ordered, the Monster Expansion pack. The core release was received in a rather mixed fashion by most – gleaning a solid if unspectacular 6/10 in our review – but with...
Review Doodle Kingdom (PlayStation Vita)
Variety is the spice of life
If you didn't think that you had a God complex, you certainly will after a few hours with JoyBits' return to its flagship seller, the Doodle series. While Doodle Kingdom certainly upholds the traditional formula the franchise is renowned for – albeit with a fresh thematic twist – it also tries its creative hand at a...
Play your f***ing class
In a generation littered with server issues, campaign length fears, and a heightened interest in getting more for your money, it seems odd that a title would launch with some online-only multiplayer modes, no real campaign, and more DLC than you can probably afford. That's exactly what Evolve has done. However, this...
Review Gravity Badgers (PlayStation Vita)
Honey badger don't care
Don't let the incomprehensible combination of words that make up Gravity Badgers' title fool you. Taking more than its share of inspiration from the bird-tossing behemoth that is Angry Birds, does this flick-to-throw clone do enough to stand on its own four paws in a genre that's quite literally overflowing with trash? To...
Review Assassin's Creed Rogue (PlayStation 3)
A touch of frost
You’d be forgiven for branding Assassin’s Creed Rogue an afterthought, as its next-gen brother, Assassin’s Creed Unity, overshadowed its release. Although appearing as a cash-in for those still waiting to upgrade their PlayStation 3s, though, this is actually a solid instalment in Ubisoft’s historical franchise, bringing...
Review Natural Doctrine (PlayStation 4)
Doctorate encouraged
Most strategy games have consistent traits, from the required line of sight to turn-based attacks and environmental multipliers. Natural Doctrine takes these basics and develops them beyond recognition. This is a devilishly intelligent title that’s perhaps a little too clever, and it alienates itself somewhat as a result...
Review Surgeon Simulator: Anniversary Edition (PlayStation 4)
Who needs a degree?
Some games just like to poke fun at you, often by being notoriously difficult, with the likes of Dark Souls, Flappy Bird, and QWOP springing to mind. These titles frequently find success through their brutal difficulty levels, and even amass cult followings of dedicated fans, who are able to succeed where so many fail. Surgeon...
Review Pure Pool (PlayStation 4)
A game with balls
It’s undeniable that VooFoo Studios is swiftly making a name for itself by producing incredibly photo realistic digital renditions of classic games. We’ve already covered the British-based outfit’s Backgammon and Chess endeavours, and now we’re onto Pure Pool, an adaptation of the quintessential pub pastime that’s...
Review Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition (PlayStation 4)
Nacho average platformer
Not content with causing a ruckus on Sony’s previous systems, Drinkbox Studios’ Mexican-themed Metroidvania marvel Guacamelee! is back for more in this amped up, definitive release. Featuring a host of extra content, Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition – which we’ll refer to as ‘STCE’ from now on for the...
Review MouseCraft (PlayStation 4)
Feta than you might think
Taking two loved classics and splicing them together is no mean feat, but the cheese obsessed minds at Crunching Koalas have done just that with their debut title MouseCraft. Taking strong whiffs from both Tetris and Lemmings, this title certainly has a solid premise – but does it do enough to differentiate itself from...
Review Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (PlayStation 4)
Less than meets the eye
Even the emotionless Galvatron would be saddened to see a generation of teenagers brought up on Michael Bay’s visually offensive and canon destroying Transformers flicks. Fortunately for veterans, there’s been a shining light among the countless explosions and Megan Fox pouting that has sought to preserve the authenticity...
Review Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse - Episode 2 (PlayStation Vita)
Be kind, rewind
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse has been made possible due to the generosity of franchise fans courtesy of a successful Kickstarter campaign. The only catch with this funding drive was that the game would be split into two episodes, with the intention to get the package into the hands of backers as quickly as possible. This...
Hands On Playing Hide and Seek with PS4's Alien: Isolation
Fresh undies encouraged
From the ashes of Gearbox’s dismal Aliens: Colonial Marines rises an experience that promises not only to reinvigorate its parent property but also the entire survival horror genre. Alien: Isolation bleeds with the key components of Ridley Scott’s blockbuster, and weaves it into a thrilling fight for your life that never...
First Impressions PS4 Puzzler The Swapper Is a Ridley Scott Meets Metroid Masterclass
Do the old switcheroo
Games are the perfect medium for escapism, transporting us anywhere from the depths of the ocean to the furthest reaches of the universe. The Swapper depicts an unnerving return to the desolate realm of space, as you’re whisked away to the apparently abandoned Theseus Space Station. Using an experimental device, can you...
First Impressions PS4 Puzzler MouseCraft Whiffs of Tetris, Lemmings, and Mature Cheddar
Dairy glee
Freed from the shackles of financially motivated businessmen, the indie space is awash with bonkers ideas, and Crunching Koala’s upcoming MouseCraft is no exception. The lovechild of Tetris and Lemmings, the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Vita titles puts you in the steampunk shoes of a crazy cat scientist – aptly named...
Review Pure Chess (PlayStation 4)
Rookies welcome
Way back in 2012, UK developer VooFoo Studios converted the mighty game of chess to the PlayStation 3 and Vita. Despite looking the part, however, Pure Chess was hindered by its limited multiplayer options. Now, the Hustle Kings developer has returned for a second round, wielding the power of the PlayStation 4 in the process. Has it...
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...
Hands On Ubisoft Abandons Weapons for Watercolours in Child of Light on PS4
Sweet child o' mine
Female protagonists are a rare sight. Most games lean towards a male lead, allowing women to – at most – occupy the role of a sidekick. Child of Light, however, sees a young girl take centre stage in an intriguing PlayStation 4 production. Elaborately named Aurora, the protagonist is a princess, and although her crown slips...
Review Awesomenauts Assemble! (PlayStation 4)
It's rude to double-dip
If you only tend to focus on the big titles released for Sony’s parallelogram-shaped machine, then you may have missed out on some of the memorable indie experiences deployed over the past few months. One such game is Ronimo Games' recently re-visited Awesomenauts Assemble!, a next-gen version of the 2012 multiplayer online...
First Impressions Turtle Rock Is Transforming Co-Op with Evolve on PS4
Evolve or die
Boss battles are quite common in games. Usually equipped with a sequence of rules, they give you the opportunity to face a gargantuan challenge in search of closure or progression. So what happens when you open this ideology up and create a game that’s a constant non-scripted, unpredictable, and intense boss fight? Well, Turtle Rock...
Review Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse - Episode 1 (PlayStation Vita)
Not broken, just bent
Kickstarter has been the proud parent to many creations over the past few years, the latest of which is the fifth instalment in the legendary point-and-click adventure franchise, Broken Sword. Split into two parts for some bewildering reason – with the second episode due out in the first quarter of this year – Broken Sword...
Review Backgammon Blitz (PlayStation 4)
Cured to perfection
Backgammon is one of the oldest games in existence, dating back thousands of years, and although in modern society it’s overshadowed by more popular timewasters like chess, it’s managed to find a home on the PlayStation 4 and its accompanying handheld, the PlayStation Vita. It’s true that in some instances the classics are...
Review The Amazing Spider-Man (PlayStation Vita)
Not-so-amazing
Cast your minds back to 2012. You may remember seeing The Amazing Spider-Man reboot at the movies, and you may even recall playing Beenox’s anticipated PlayStation 3 tie-in on your beloved console – but you probably won’t remember booting it up on your PlayStation Vita. That’s because someone at publisher Activision forgot...
Review Valhalla Knights 3 (PlayStation Vita)
This ain't heaven
With such a miserable and lacklustre franchise history, you’d be forgiven for expecting Valhalla Knights 3 to fall short of almost all expectations, and unfortunately, you’d probably be right. Where does this apparently doomed franchise keep making wrong turns – and has anything improved over the three years since the last...
