Honest Reviews. Smarter Play

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Red Dead 2 Sold 70m – Why Was It Abandoned?

One of my favourite times of the year is when Take-Two updates sales figures for Rockstar Games. GTA5 has sold to 210m people and Red Dead Redemption 2 is a relative flop at only 70m. Yes, a mere 70m copies. So why does it feel like it was abandoned? Don’t get me wrong, nobody is going to complain about the amount of content in that game. It’s a colossal world with systems upon systems, and we’re still discovering new things…

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Robobeat Review

Robobeat on the PlayStation 5 presents a compelling fusion of rhythm-based gameplay and fast-paced action, offering a unique experience for players seeking a challenge that engages both reflexes and musicality. This review will delve into the various aspects of Robobeat, assessing its strengths and weaknesses to determine its overall value. The core mechanic of Robobeat revolves around synchronizing player actions with the pulsating beat of the music. Success in combat, movement, and even defensive maneuvers is intrinsically linked to rhythmic…

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Towers & Powers VR Review

Towers & Powers, the physics-based puzzle game that has captivated players across platforms, makes its leap into virtual reality on the Meta Quest 3. This VR iteration promises to immerse players deeper into the world of whimsical contraptions and ingenious engineering. However, while the core gameplay remains undeniably charming and the VR implementation offers unique advantages, a number of technical hurdles and a somewhat limited scope prevent Towers & Powers from fully realizing its potential on the Quest 3. At…

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Stilt Review VR

Stilt, a VR platformer that casts players as a bouncing furball navigating whimsical worlds, offers a unique and captivating experience. Its innovative locomotion system, centered around stilt-based movement, immediately sets it apart from the crowd. A Unique Twist on Platformers: The core gameplay loop revolves around mastering the art of bouncing on stilts. This novel approach transforms familiar platforming challenges into exhilarating feats of balance and precision. Players must learn to anticipate jumps, navigate treacherous gaps, and overcome obstacles ...

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Masterchef: Learn to Cook Review

So, you’re into cooking shows, maybe you secretly dream of rocking a chef’s hat and whipping up culinary masterpieces under pressure, just like on MasterChef. Well, “MasterChef: Learn to Cook” on Xbox tries to bring that TV kitchen drama right into your living room, and for the most part, it’s a pretty entertaining experience. The core idea is simple: you’re a contestant on a virtual MasterChef competition. You get recipes, you gotta cook them, and then the judges (who are…

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2025: Predictions for the Year Ahead

The New Year is upon us. Filled with possibility, 2025 could see new highs and lows hit our industry. Here are just a few we can see happening. For the first time in a while, 2025 feels like it can stand alone without reference to Covid. While the last couple of years have been chocked full of delayed titles, this year seems quieter somehow. Then again, we’ve said that before. While there may not be the bulk of anticipated titles…

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2024: A Gaming Year In Review

For the second year in a row, I’m writing a gaming round-up that will feel less about the games and more about the industry. Unfortunately there’s no escaping that in 2024. After a packed 2023, this year felt like it had the potential to be a bit quieter. Not the case. Release after release came and went. Nearly 19,000 games released on Steam. A few of them were successful. But most people weren’t playing new games. For all the releases…

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Should I Buy a PlayStation 5 or PS5 Pro in 2025?

Thirty years ago, Sony released the PlayStation onto the world. It has been the standard console ever since. It certainly still is. If someone walks into a shop and asks for a traditional gaming experience, they’re walking out with a PlayStation 5. It’s just the way it is, for better or for worse. Sony have made a great show of the nostalgia associated with them over the last few months, first with Astrobot and then with a series of adverts…

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Early Access and Indy: Here We Nearly Are Again

Outrage! Calls of unfairness and exploitation! Broken features without a day one patch! This is Indiana Jones weekend for the privileged few and conversation has once more tipped towards early access. On the face of it, it’s a pretty obvious ploy. If you want to enjoy the latest game over the weekend, you have to pay a premium for it. If you want to be part of the initial conversation instead of nursing your FOMO from a distance, you have…

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Balatro Deserves the Hype

You saw it when the Game Awards announced its top nominees for 2024. There, hidden amongst AAA games from big name publishers. You saw the comments. “Balatro? Haven’t heard of it. Why the hell are they including a card game?” And frankly, it’s lucky for all involved that the Elden Ring DLC became a lighting rod for the really negative conversation this year. People got to take out their frustration on something not directly related to the games for the…

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