Xbox Game Studios Game Reviews
Nice town, I'll take it
Age of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition is another excellent real-time strategy game from the now venerable series that popularised the subgenre back in the late 90s and early 2000s (with 'popular' being a relative term). Developed by Relic Entertainment and initially published by Xbox Game Studios in 2021, it's now the turn...
Review The Outer Worlds 2 (PS5) - Mechanically Fantastic RPG Struggles to Be Memorable
In one ear, Outer the other
The Outer Worlds 2 is Obsidian trying to rediscover the role-playing magic that once defined it as a juggernaut within the genre. And in a lot of ways, this bigger, and generally better sequel accomplishes its goals. Compared to The Outer Worlds — and indeed, compared to many other modern RPGs — the game provides...
Review Ninja Gaiden 4 (PS5) - A Bloodthirsty Action Game Ripped Straight from the PS3 Era
Stark raven mad
Ninja Gaiden 4 feels like a game that came out 15 years ago, and we mean that as a compliment. This blood-soaked, hard-as-nails action game eschews many contemporary design decisions, instead giving players a traditional, linear experience that's refreshingly straightforward. A collaboration between action specialists PlatinumGames...
Review Gears of War: Reloaded (PS5) - Iconic Xbox Shooter Is the Perfect Intro for PlayStation Fans
Fenix rising
Gears of War: Reloaded is the remaster of a remaster of a game from 2006, and it shows. A true classic of the Xbox 360 era, it defined how cover shooters played for a generation, influencing the likes of Uncharted, Mass Effect, and spawning a long list of copycats. Without it, many third-person games wouldn’t be what they are today...
Review Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced (PS5) - Cinematic Spectacle Offers Little Else
I hear voices in my head
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is a game that’s not particularly good in a traditional sense, yet is still worth playing through. Picking up where the 2017 original left off, it’s a sequel that doubles down on the best and worst features of that first experience, leaning into cinematic storytelling, outstanding visuals,...
Mini Review Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition (PS5) - A Classic Conquers Sony's Console
All hail the King
When you think of the real-time strategy genre, Age of Empires 2 is probably the first game which springs to mind. Originally released way back in 1999, the legendary Ensemble outing served as a gateway into the world of strategy for many gamers. After a brief dalliance with the PS2, courtesy of unexpected publisher Konami, Age of...
Review Forza Horizon 5 (PS5) - Xbox Had the Best Open World Racer All This Time
Driving forza love of it
As we cruise around Mexico in a car emblazoned with Xbox logos and listening to Halo music on the radio, it's fair to say Forza Horizon 5 being on PS5 feels a little surreal. Many will already be familiar with the open world racing game, seeing as it's several years old at this stage, but for those who've never touched the...
Mini Review Age of Mythology: Retold (PS5) - Series' Best Stands the Test of Time
Real-time strategy finds a home on console
Age of Mythology: Retold is a remastered version of Ensemble Studio’s hugely influential 2002 original. With a fresh coat of HD paint, a visual overhaul for every game unit, and brand new animations, Retold is a nostalgic jaunt for seasoned veterans and an excellent jumping-on point for interested...
Review Sea of Thieves (PS5) - Xbox's Multiplayer Pirating Is Swashbuckling Fun with Friends
It's a pirate's life for us
Sea of Thieves has finally dropped its anchor in PS5 waters, bringing with it years of content updates, quality of life improvements, and some of the best-looking water in a video game. But is this now former Xbox exclusive still worth playing six years after its initial launch? And how friendly is it to newcomers like...
Review Grounded (PS5) - Little Bites Pack a Big Punch
A backyard filled with things to do
As we continue to see walls being torn down between platforms, more people are getting exposed to former exclusives than ever before. On the PlayStation side, we're getting our first look at Grounded, formerly only available to Xbox and PC players for the last four years. If you're not in the Xbox ecosystem, you...
Mini Review Pentiment (PS5) - A Slow-Burning 16th-Century Murder Mystery
When everybody plays, we all win
Set in 16th-century Bavaria, Pentiment tells the tale of the small Alpine town of Tassing and the simple people that dwell there. We play as a Nurembergian artist named Andreas Maler who is living in Tassing while he completes work on a piece for the local monastery, and through him we meet the residents of the town...
Review Psychonauts 2 (PS4) - A Brain-Bogglingly Good Return to Tim Schafer's Mindful (Grey) Matters
You were always on my mind
You'd be forgiven for thinking it was a fool's errand to follow up a game as widely acclaimed as the original Psychonauts. The odds were stacked against it: Psychonauts is a cult hit through and through and essentially the opposite of the kind of game that's most likely to get made these days. Yes, it sold close to two...
