Tag: Hands On - Page 2
Hands On Don't Sleep on Machine Strike, Horizon Forbidden West's Chess-Like Board Game
Putting all the pieces together
While Horizon Zero Dawn was a wonderful debut entry from Guerrilla Games — a studio that was entering all-new territory with an open world action RPG — it did have its flaws. Built up towns were one of them; they looked cool from a distance, but had little to do once you got inside. Horizon Forbidden West goes to...
Hands On Cyberpunk 2077's PS5 Version Actually Feels Like a Finished Game
It only took 14 months
When CD Projekt Red announced that it was going to host a Cyberpunk 2077 livestream following months of silence on the game's future, we felt a small jolt of hope. But when the developer kicked said livestream off with a hugely underwhelming 'next-gen' demo, we knew that we'd have to play the newly released PlayStation 5...
Hands On They Made Destruction AllStars on PS5 Good
Like, for real
When it released last year, Destruction AllStars ultimately disappointed. Lucid Games’ chaotic crash-‘em-up was not a dud – in fact, between its diverse cast of well-animated characters and compelling use of the DualSense controller, there was much to like – but it just didn’t feel quite right. It was hard to put into words,...
Hands On Atelier Sophie 2 Seems Like a Very Promising JRPG Sequel
The story continues
Atelier’s Mysterious Trilogy was recently re-released on the PlayStation 4 but Gust has obviously decided that it isn’t quite finished with that story. Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream takes place in between the first and second games, and we were recently given access to the opening couple of hours on...
Hands On OlliOlli World Is a Bold and Brilliant New Spin on the Skateboarding Series
JollyOlli good
Before getting our hands on the PlayStation 5 version of OlliOlli World for this preview, we refreshed ourselves on the basics in OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood. We quickly remembered the challenging but intuitive controls, the ridiculously addictive allure of besting your scores on each level, and the clean, understated...
Hands On God of War PC Is a Great Way to Play a PS4 Classic
RT-Axe on
In 2018 Sony Santa Monica shipped God of War, a soft reboot of the fan-favourite action-adventure trilogy that traded the Greek pantheon for Norse mythology. Featuring an emotional narrative that focused on the relationship between the rough-edged Kratos and his young son Atreus, God of War reinvigorated the series without straying too far...
Hands On The Matrix Awakens Is an Unreal Demonstration of PS5's Power
The truth, nothing more
There are some who would argue that the PlayStation 5 has yet to have its true next-gen moment. Exclusives like Demon’s Souls and even Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart look phenomenal, of course, but are they really a significant step-up from the PS4? Sony, in many ways, made a rod for its own back with its generational...
Hands On Kid A Mnesia: Exhibition Is a Truly Haunting Tribute to Everything Radiohead
You won't forget it
It’s almost quaint to think that Radiohead’s Kid A and Amnesiac albums were considered such esoteric, difficult listening twenty years ago. With the benefit of hindsight they are simply part of the natural progression in sound from The Bends to the beloved OK Computer, doubling down on that album’s themes of alienation and...
Hands On FromSoftware Puts Its All into Elden Ring
Rise, Tarnished
Elden Ring feels like everything FromSoftware has been doing for the past 12 years all at once. Sure, you could probably describe its latest title as open world Dark Souls and be more than halfway there, but to do so would ignore the obvious undertones of Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice that help make this new title stand...
Hands On Is the GTA Trilogy Really That Bad on PS5, PS4?
A number six with extra dip
In response to the headline: honestly, no. As is so often the case when there’s an online backlash, the reality isn’t quite as bad as the memes would lead you to believe – but make no mistake, the GTA Trilogy deserves better, and Rockstar has its work cut out rectifying this sorry state of affairs. This is a...
Hands On All Hallows' Dreams: Ghost Train Is a Frightfully Fun Halloween Event on PS4
Dreams' latest community collab is a treat
Dreams provides players with a toolset with which to make more or less anything they please, but as with any creative medium, a blank canvas can be the most daunting thing of all. It's why one of the game's best ongoing features is the community jam, which provides everyone with a theme, and a deadline to...
Hands On FIFA 22's Underrated VOLTA Arcade Is Football Fall Guys
Minigame madness
Hated, adored, never ignored. The motto may predominantly be used by Man United fans who argue that, win or lose, the club is rarely out of the headlines – but it also applies to FIFA Ultimate Team. Look, here’s a mode that draws the angst of hardcore gamers all around the world – and yet franchise fans absolutely adore it...
Hands On Conquering the Capital in Train Sim World 2's Latest London DLC on PS5
London's calling
After almost two years of pandemic enforced solitude, this author was practically pining for the hustle and bustle of London last weekend: the rising heat of the London Underground, the oft-ignored ‘Stand to the Right’ signs next to the rubber staircase banisters, and the shrill sound of the train’s brakes pulling into Euston...
Hands On Tales of Arise Sword Art Online DLC Is Pricey but Pretty Cool
Is it worth buying?
It's a crossover that we didn't see coming: Tales of Arise recently got a premium DLC pack that lets you fight against Kirito and Asuna from Sword Art Online. The unimaginatively titled 'Sword Art Online Collaboration Pack' is currently available to buy from the PlayStation Store — but is it actually worth the rather steep...
Hands On It'll Take More Than Sam Allardyce to Save eFootball on PS5, PS4
Own goal
Of all the years for Konami to cock up Pro Evolution Soccer, now renamed eFootball, this is arguably the worst one. FIFA 22, for all of the franchise’s overarching flaws, feels fantastic: the ball physics are greatly improved, the heavily advertised HyperMotion Technology makes for a much more fluid experience, and even goalkeepers have...
Hands On Don't Sleep on Voice of Cards - It Could Be a Special RPG
No, it's not really a card game
The awkwardly titled Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars was revealed during the latest Nintendo Direct, and if you're anything like us, you quickly realised that it was some kind of card game (it's in the name!) and then stopped paying attention. Look, we want our role-playing games to whisk us away to gorgeous...
Hands On FIFA 22 Feels Like Real Football for Once
Balled over
As far as this author is concerned, FIFA has never felt quite right. For a franchise sold as a soccer simulator, there’s a case for EA Sports getting done under the trade descriptions act – it’s never really resembled real football, more an analogue of the sport like the distinctly arcade Rocket League. But based on over six hours...
Hands On Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Is Mass Effect in Comic Book Clothing
Kree whiz
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy doesn’t just wear its Mass Effect influences on its sleeve: it prances them about like Chris Pratt in the opening exchanges of the franchise’s first movie. The similarities to BioWare’s space-faring soap opera are so plentiful that they’re almost impossible to ignore, but following the success of...
Hands On Jett: The Far Shore Is at Its Best Without Baddies on PS5
Expect some turbulence
Amid all the highly exciting games revealed alongside the PlayStation 5, it'd be easy to forget smaller titles, such as Jett: The Far Shore. The sci-fi action adventure game has always looked very intriguing in trailers, but until now, precisely how it plays has been something of a mystery. Fortunately, we've played it on PS5...
Hands On Riders Republic Is Obnoxious But Awesome on PS5
Totally rad
Opening the map in the PlayStation 5 version of open world extreme sports outing Riders Republic is a mesmerising moment. You’ll see hundreds – perhaps even thousands – of player icons, swarming down mountains in a synchronised fashion. Building on the foundations of Steep, this is a connected sandbox where every player exists in...
Hands On Life Finds a Way in Jurassic World Evolution 2 on PS5, PS4
John Hammond would certainly be proud
If you’re an old-school PlayStation fan, then Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis probably holds a special place in your heart. The park builder launched in 2003 and was a huge hit on PS2, offering a simulation experience set within the universe of Steven Spielberg’s legendary film franchise. It took nearly 15...
Hands On GTA Online Meets Mario Kart in Crazy Kart Krash Adversary Mode
Just Peachy
A big part of GTA Online’s enduring appeal is just how versatile it is. Some of the Best Jobs in the game include Slasher, a Dead by Daylight rip-off, all the way through to Overtime Rumble, which is basically Monkey Target with sports cars. Rockstar must have been paying attention to recent virtual cosplayers who rocked up to the LS...
Hands On Lock-On Magazine Is a Love-Letter to the World of PlayStation
Shame it's now sold out
Print media is dead. It's a fact which has been clear for some time, at least in the realm of video games. The internet has rendered the majority of magazines irrelevant, because print can never hope to keep up with the fast-paced nature of the games industry, nor can it be expected to challenge a media which is capable of...
Hands On Back 4 Blood Wears Its Inspiration with Pride
Counter Strike x Left 4 Dead x Cards
Back 4 Blood could be a video game adaptation of the classic Avengers: Age of Ultron quote: "Fine, I'll do it myself." With countless villains failing to put an end to the superhero task force, Thanos takes it upon himself to show them how it's done. And after a long list of Left 4 Dead clones fell short of...
Hands On Arcadegeddon Shows Serious Potential in Early Access on PS5
'geddon a bad rap
Arcadegeddon was announced during Sony's last State of Play broadcast, but we get the feeling that a lot of people already forgot it exists. This third person shooter is a brand new IP developed and published by Illfonic, and it's available right now on PlayStation 5 in early access. It would be all too easy to write it off; a game...
Hands On Streets of Rage 4 DLC Packs a Punch with New Characters and Modes
Mr. X Nightmare is a dream
In many ways, Mr. X Nightmare is the best kind of DLC. Streets of Rage 4 is already a very fun beat-'em-up, but this add-on pack just makes it even better with its various additions to the experience. If you're a fan of the game, this is a no-brainer — especially as it's at such a low price point. We've had a look...
Hands On Media Molecule Flexes with Megapenguin Rehatched's Opening Levels in Dreams
Collaborative project's primer is fantastic
We'll openly admit to being a little late to the party on this, but we've just played Megapenguin Rehatched in Dreams and have to tell you about it. As we reported a couple of weeks ago, Megapenuin Rehatched is a collaborative project within Media Molecule's creation game. The idea is brilliant: the...
Hands On Samurai Warriors 5 Has the Potential to Be a Special Musou Game
Destiny intertwined
It's crazy to think that the last mainline instalment in the Samurai Warriors series — Samurai Warriors 4 — released almost seven years ago. There have been a few spinoff titles since, but after so long, it's clear that Koei Tecmo wanted to do something relatively new with the franchise. And so we have Samurai Warriors 5,...
Hands On The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Is a Victorian Spin on a Classic Formula
It's elementary
With The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, two entries in the series are finally being brought to the West. Capcom's courtroom visual novels are a real treat with their melodramatic legal battles, charming characters, and zany writing. While PlayStation users became acquainted with the franchise via the Phoenix Wright Trilogy, the...
Hands On OlliOlli World's Striking New Identity Sticks the Landing on PS5, PS4
Kickflippin' fab
Goodness, OlliOlli World is a delight. Yes, we know it’s a cliché, but when it comes to Roll7’s upcoming skateboarding sequel there’s no other word to describe it. It simply oozes personality, and based on our recent hands-on preview, the team are on track to deliver their best game to date. For the uninitiated, OlliOlli is...
Hands On Vibrant JRPG Tales of Arise Looks to Tantalise Newcomers and Franchise Fans Alike
We play Bandai Namco's latest RPG
It’s been several years since we’ve seen a mainline Tales game. After 2017’s Tales of Berseria, we now find Tales of Arise launching on 10th September 2021, commemorating the JRPG series' 35th anniversary. While Tales of Arise received a lengthy delay last year, it’s close to completion and in preparation,...
Hands On Forget the Chaos Memes, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin Has Potential
Jack in
When the dreadfully named Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin was revealed during Square Enix's E3 showcase, we didn't know what to think. Right out of the gate, it looked like the kind of grimdark, PS2 or early PS3-era action game that wore edginess like a badge of pride. Add the fact that main character Jack said the word "chaos"...
Hands On NEO: The World Ends With You Brings a Stylish Afterlife to PS4
Put a pin in it
A little-known but well-loved entry in Square Enix's JRPG pantheon, The World Ends With You is a unique experience with gorgeous art from Kingdom Hearts director Tetsuyo Nomura. The game looked at concepts like social media influence and memetic learning way before those things were as pervasive as they are today. Nomura's designs,...
Hands On Knockout City Could Be Your New Favourite Multiplayer Game on PS4
It's a knockout?
To be honest, our time playing Knockout City in a recent review event hasn't changed our opinion much at all. After spending time previously with the beta, we came away quite impressed with what Velan Studios has made, and as the title launches on PlayStation 4, we find ourselves itching to play more. The game, an online multiplayer...
Hands On Mass Effect Legendary Edition Is a Massive Upgrade That Plays Better Than Ever
Good to see you, Commander
We've waited an entire console generation for BioWare to finally remaster the Mass Effect trilogy, but it looks as though our patience has been rewarded with a collection that goes above and beyond. Ideally, we would be bringing you a full review of Mass Effect Legendary Edition right now, but we simply haven't had it long...
Hands On Gravity Rush, Freedom Wars Fans Will Feel at Home in Scarlet Nexus on PS5, PS4
Other bother
The disbandment of Japan Studio hit PlayStation fans hard this year, but playing the first three hours of Scarlet Nexus this month left us reminiscing about Gravity Rush and Freedom Wars. Make no mistake, the Bandai Namco action role-playing release very much has its own identity – but if you find yourself yearning for the...
Hands On Why You Should Be Hyped for Returnal, the Next Great PS5 Exclusive
Helios abandoned
Returnal is easily the biggest game Housemarque has made to date. It's important to remember that the team behind this sci-fi shooter is relatively small, but the game is being positioned alongside other key PlayStation 5 software like Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon's Souls. In some ways, it's an unfair equivalence,...
One more God rejected
We've been playing through the opening hours of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster, and we've got to say, it's quite nice to be back — despite the story opening on the end of the world and all that. You play as a high school student who, of course, is transformed into the power-hungry Demi-Fiend following the...
Hands On PS5's External Storage Feature Offers Speedy Solution to Launch Fears
Commitment issues aside
The PlayStation 5's internal SSD does not have anywhere near enough space to last hardcore gamers the entire generation — we all immediately recognised that the moment its storage capabilities were confirmed. Roughly 667GB of space is all Sony could muster up, which isn't even enough to house all of the system's launch...
Hands On Knockout City Is One Game You Shouldn't Dodge in 2021
A true underdog story
We'll be honest, expectations for Knockout City were fairly low as we booted up the recent open beta. This next game from the EA Originals program is an online multiplayer title from a small indie team, and we've seen enough of those come and go to be just a little wary. However, this dodgeball-inspired action game really...
Hands On Maybe Don't Buy Disco Elysium on PS5 at Launch
Update: Frame rate issues fixed, mostly
Update: Since the publication of this article, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut has taken a small patch that fixes many of the frame rate issues detailed below. Following a quick bit of testing, we have found there to still be dips here and there, but they're not nearly as egregious following the update. However,...
Hands On Touring London, Marseille, and the Alps During Lockdown in Train Sim World 2
Rail nice
Lockdown has been a desperately depressing period for everyone, with many of us barely venturing a few kilometres from our front door for the past 12 months. Being stuck inside for such long stretches of time has proved a strain on our mental health, but it’s also helped us to recognise and appreciate the escapism enabled by video games...
Meanwhile, in Night City
Cyberpunk 2077 update 1.2 is here. The long awaited patch is gigantic, promising to fix a veritable catalogue of stability issues, bugs, and other problems. But is it the update that finally transforms Cyberpunk 2077 into a game that doesn't crash every couple of hours on PlayStation consoles? We returned to Night City in...
Hands On Co-Op Puzzle Adventure It Takes Two Offers Outrageous Variety
Toy story
After the grounded reality of his co-op prison break game A Way Out, film director and game designer Josef Fares is returning to the bright fantasy of his studio’s debut game, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. It Takes Two follows May and Cody, soon-to-be divorcees who find themselves enchanted into dolls by their daughter. The distraught...
Hands On Incredibly Rough Outriders Demo Kills Our Hope for This Looter Shooter's Launch
Fade to black
Ever since its reveal at E3 2019, Outriders has struggled to leave a mark, but more recent gameplay videos have at least shown promise. As such, the announcement of a playable demo had us excited to finally go hands-on with this new looter shooter, to see whether it could offer something a bit different. But as it happens, our hope for...
Hands On Guilty Gear Strive Is Shaping Up to Be the Next Great Fighting Game
Let's rock
Boy are we impressed with Guilty Gear Strive. We sank hours and hours and hours into the game's open beta over the last weekend, and we were still itching to play more when it shut down midweek. In short, we haven't been this excited for a fighting game since... Tekken 7, maybe, and that turned out to be a banger as well. Now don't get...
Hands On Roller Champions Shows Wheel Promise in PS4 Closed Beta
On a roll
Since its announcement, Roller Champions has had a clear concept. Like Rocket League, you can boil it down to just a few words; it's a sort-of blend of roller derby and basketball. You only need to play it for a minute to understand what it's trying to do, and from our experience, it has the potential to score big when it finally launches...
Hands On God of War PS5 Update Makes for a Truly Godlike Experience
Improving a masterpiece
2018's God of War is excellent on PlayStation 4, and will always be remembered as one of the console's most important exclusives. But the game's latest update makes it feel like Kratos' axe-hurling adventure was always meant to be played on PlayStation 5. Offering an absolutely rock solid 60 frames-per-second at 4K...
Hands On Balan Wonderworld Is an Unusual PS5, PS4 Platformer That Doesn't Style It Out
Crimes of fashion
We're not entirely sure where to begin with Balan Wonderworld. Granted early access to the demo — available to all from tomorrow — we've been playing this somewhat mysterious title, and we're not wholly convinced. The demo itself is fairly large, but from our experience, we're not sold on this new concept from Yuji Naka. After...
Hands On Persona 5 Strikers Is a Streamlined Sequel That's Smashed Our Expectations
Never see it coming
We've said this before, but Persona 5 Strikers is not the game that a lot of people think it is. Yes, it's co-developed by Omega Force — the Koei Tecmo studio responsible for the Dynasty Warriors series and its many, many adaptations — but this isn't just some hack and slash spinoff. We've spent around ten hours playing...