I A high five
T’S been a strange old year so far, one which has brought challenges, but also given us time to spend with those we love.
There’s also been more time to reconnect with our passions. Let’s face it, being told to spend more time indoors is a gamer’s dream.
With all the titles that have been released so far this year, you’d be forgiven for letting a few slip past.
So before the next glut of big hitters arrives and demand our attention, here are five games from the last six months you should check out.
DREAMS (PEGI 12)
PS4
ALREADY the best title of the year, for bringing us ‘30 miles to Barnard Castle’, the indie game spoofing Dominic Cummings’ lockdown adventures.
Not only is it great fun, but Dreams is one of the most important games of the last decade or so.
Developed by Media Molecule, this incredible piece of software – described as a ‘creation engine’ – allows players to bring dreams to life.
There are two aspects to the game – dream surfing, and dream shaping.
The former allows you to explore the huge wealth of amazing content created by players, while the latter gives you the freedom to create your own music, games, art, animation, whatever your heart desires, using the incredibly detailed in-game creation system.
People will get vastly different things out of a game like this. I’m not particularly artistic, and seeing some of the masterpieces which have been brought to life, can make the process feel quite daunting.
But you quickly realise the only restriction is your imagination – and once you get over yourself, then endless possibilities are opened.
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (PEGI 16)
PS4
FINAL Fantasy VII is considered to be one of the most influential, and greatest video games of all time... so how do you improve on perfection?
This is less of a remake and more of a reinvention, taking the saga of Cloud Strife and vastly building on it – a gutsy move, but one that pays off.
The remake only spans the first five hours of the original story, with the action taking place almost solely in Midgar, a cyberpunk style city suspended high above the lower class slums which populate much of the planet’s surface.
While this is a full length game – clocking in at more than 30 hours – as you can imagine, the plot does feel a tad thin in places. But by thinning out the story, the game focuses more on the characters, fleshing them out much more than the original did.
Graphically, this is breathtaking.
Rich, vibrant environments give a sense of depth and breadth, while the beautiful lighting and haunting score add atmosphere.
The characters are gorgeously rendered, although the new models do make you chuckle at just how impractical a lot of the armour is.
There are times when some of the textures lag a little, and even when loaded look a little iffy – but when you’re wandering down the neonwashed alleyways of Wall Market, you can forgive almost anything.
DOOM ETERNAL (PEGI 18)
PS4, XBOX ONE, PC, STADIA LITERALLY picking up where the reboot ended, you’re thrown head first into a maze of corridors filled with shuffling demons – with a chainsaw to despatch them to hell.
Combat is frenetic and visceral, an assault on the senses, with the roar of monsters and explosion of bullets, accompanied by a thunderous heavy metal score.
There’s a seemingly endless parade of upgrades and add-ons for Doom Slayer’s myriad weapons, and for his Praetor suit.
Doom Slayer has developed some new abilities since his last outing, and can now climb walls and dash. Although the more platforming sections of the game – built in to let the adrenalin settle – feel a little lacklustre compared to the action sections. It also doesn’t help that they can be highly frustrating, meaning they go from challengingly quick to annoying in the blink of an eye.
Packed between the ripping and shooting are hidden areas to hunt, holding secrets and items, like cheat codes and album tracks. There are even adorable toys to collect, with which to decorate the Fortress of Doom – the hub where you can rest and recoup between missions.
The solo campaign is so meaty, fans may have already had their fill before they even venture into multiplayer territory.
ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS (PEGI 7)
XBOX ONE, PC
BUILDING on the solid foundations set down by Blind Forest, Will of the Wisps feels comfortingly familiar without re-treading old ground.
The attention to detail is nothing short of stunning. As much care has been taken over items way off in the background, as to close-up stuff in the foreground.
It paints a picture of a breathing, living world you can’t wait to explore.
One of the few weak points of Blind Forest is the ‘battle’ elements, with Ori’s combat ability seen as a little wishy-washy.
Here his ability to fight back has been souped-up, with a greater array of combat tools available to him. And he needs them, as he has to face some very interesting enemies.
Don’t let the gorgeous graphics fool you, this game is hugely challenging – particularly when it comes to boss battles. But your hard work pays off, and success is rewarded beautifully.
Another lovely addition is a village where Ori can meet and interact with other creatures from the forest.
Will of the Wisps encapsulates the perfect Metroidvanian, cementing the series as one of the most important games on the XBOX.
GEARS TACTICS (PEGI 18)
PC
THE first Gears game to be specifically designed for PC gamers, it exceeded all expectations.
Set 12 years before the original Gears, Tactics allows you to relive the emergence of the Locust Horde.
This turn-based game combines signature brutal action and character-driven storytelling with customisable squads, upgradable weapons, and, of course, massive boss battles.
The action actually feels fast paced and fluid, with lovely little touches like the conversion of a dead enemy into a power-up for your squad... almost making it worth risking one of your team.
While there might be occasions when missions begin to feel just that little bit repetitive, you’ll suddenly discover a new weapon, unlock a new skill, or carry out a kill so horrifically brutal that it’s hard to wipe the massive grin off your face.