I have vague memories of playing the first Dragon’s Dogma, mainly the enhanced Dark Arisen version, but I’ll be the first to admit that nothing stuck. I don’t remember hating it, but hadn’t really held enough love in my heart to make a return. Dragon’s Dogma 2 felt like the fresh start I needed, that…
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It’s been a long time coming for Princess Peach to take the main stage in her own game. In a world where characters like Captain Toad and Luigi have their unique spin-off titles, the hype after the Super Mario Bros. Movie has certainly helped build hype for a title that fans of the Mushroom Kingdom…
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My past couple of weeks with Rise of the Ronin have left me feeling a little conflicted. I’ve been bouncing back and forth between the logic of my mind and the feeling of my heart. In many ways, this is a true cut above developer Team Ninja’s previous efforts with something like Nioh. Its combat…
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I’ve been a huge fan of the Contra series over the years, and still go back to the original when it pops up. Upon hearing that Contra: Operation Galuga would reimagine the first entry with some fresh visuals and gameplay, I was pumped. Contra: Operation Galuga is certainly a good time as far as 2D…
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We all remember WWE 2K20. If you don’t, there isn’t much to see before you realise exactly why the franchise took some time off to revitalise and regroup. That being said, recent iterations have been much better for it, with WWE 2K24 wrapping up pretty much all there is to love about the sport and…
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Ahoy, there mateys! Insert all the pirate puns here! The long-awaited Ubisoft open-world pirate adventure fans have clamouring for since 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is finally here. After lengthy delays, cancellations and then government grants forcing the game to see the light of day, we’re ready to sail the high seas. So after…
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When the Final Fantasy VII remake was initially announced, you could say it broke the internet. That original 1997 game changed the gaming landscape forever and hearing that it would be released to a new generation on a new platform made you feel like you were witnessing the second coming of Christ in gaming pop…
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In the timeless clash between plumber and primate, Mario vs. Donkey Kong for 2024 revitalizes the classic rivalry with a fresh twist. This iteration earns its stripes with upgraded graphics, engaging cutscenes, and addictive puzzle gameplay that will please fans of both franchises. The Iconic Rivalry While we have seen Mario and DK team up…
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Helldivers 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the cult classic, has finally landed on both PlayStation 5 and PC, delivering intense action and strategic cooperative gameplay. Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, this instalment brings significant changes, notably shifting from a top-down perspective to a first-person view. While this feels like a major departure from the…
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I’ll be the first to admit that Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden remained relatively low on my radar up until its release. It looked interesting but was yet to draw me in with anything I hadn’t seen before. I am now incredibly glad that I gave this a chance. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden borrows…
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Persona 3 Reload ultimately delivers a masterful refinement of a beloved classic, offering a compelling blend of dark themes, stylish visuals, and streamlined gameplay mechanics that work well in the 2024 gaming landscape. As a reimagined version of the iconic Persona 3, Reload doesn’t just revisit the past; it revitalises it, bringing the game to…
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I’ve always had a soft spot for the Tekken franchise. In fact, Tekken 3 was one of the first games I ever played, back when I got my original PlayStation all those years ago. Since then, I’ve stuck with the franchise, and while most entries have been good, not all have been great. Be it…
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A lot has been said about game studio Rocksteady in the last few months leading up to the release of their new game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The studio famous for its single-player Batman games that had defined a generation of superhero gaming, has taken a different approach in joining the live service…
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I consider myself a casual fan of the Yakuza (now Like a Dragon) franchise, yet, I’ve played almost all of them. Having played this game’s predecessor Yakuza: Like a Dragon sometime after its launch, I was pleasantly surprised at the decision to bring combat into the turn-based frontier, making for a more tactical blend of…
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The Prince of Persia franchise might have been in hibernation for the past few years, but there’s no doubt that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, the latest entry in the franchise, looked to bring things back to the old school. With the franchise beginning back in 1989 as a 2D side-scrolling adventure, it’s simply…
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After the success of recent PS5 remakes like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and The Last of Us Part 1, it was inevitable that a full upgrade of The Last of Us Part II was on its way for the PlayStation 5. Fortunately, this time around it comes with an A$20 upgrade price tag for existing…
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Hot off the heels of one of the most commercially successful film sequels of all time, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora delivers a visually stunning experience that showcases the capabilities of the PS5, and earns its stripes as a graphical powerhouse. Running at a smooth 60 frames per second, its visuals are simply breathtaking, and the…
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SteelSeries has spent the better part of the past two years redesigning and reinvigorating its entire range, along with the introduction of the Alias; a new pro-grade PC microphone aimed at not only gamers but those interested in all types of content creation and streaming. While its price is admittedly a little steep at A$399,…
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I use my Nintendo Switch quite often, and usually in handheld mode when I’m on the couch or out and about. And while I’ve put up with the standard joycons for several years now, there’s no denying that they’re not really the comfiest things to hold during longer play sessions. Enter the CRKD Nitro Deck….
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For what it’s worth, I tend to enjoy the yearly Call of Duty, even if it’s just for a few months. The breakneck pace and punchy gameplay are generally enough, while some of the recent Modern Warfare entries have pretty much kept me around throughout the entire year. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 looks…
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It’s a long title, but this is also a long franchise. With the Like a Dragon series heading in a new direction, we see the Gaiden games coming back to piece together some of the missing pieces. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name picks up the story of the previous protagonist…
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In 1996, Nintendo and Square Enix teamed up to release what would go on to become the acclaimed Super Mario RPG, successfully combining Nintendo’s Mario franchise with Square Enix’s Final Fantasy style of game to become a cultural icon. It was such a gigantic hit, even if they forgot to make a PAL version, meaning…
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I’m a somewhat casual UFC fan when it comes to the real-life sport. But I’ve rather enjoyed the past few EA Sports UFC games for their balanced gameplay and variety of modes. If our UFC 4 review had anything to say about the context and position of the MMA franchise in video game form, it’s…
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The Jackbox Party series has been a staple in the world of party gaming for an entire decade now, and its 10th-anniversary instalment, aptly named The Jackbox Party Pack 10, is an absolute triumph. It brilliantly combines the classic formula that fans have grown to love with innovative new games, making it the best entry…
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The first Ghostrunner admittedly caught me off guard. While I had managed to get around to it and finish it multiple times since its release, I had always been waiting on something to follow up on the parkour-infused action of Mirror’s Edge. Ghostrunner 2 is a solid extension in this regard, providing many of those…
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WarioWare stands as one of the most unique and ambitious Nintendo franchises of the bunch. An opposite take on the Mario Party series, this game throws hundreds of mini-games at you in a chaotic fashion that makes this one of the most entertaining and joyous titles in an overcrowded game release month. While there isn’t…
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I’m going to come out swinging. Mike Mignola’s Hellboy is simply one of the best comic book characters ever made. While I’m not an avid reader of comics in general, I’ve certainly read most of these, complete with a unique, yet unmistakable art style, complex and diverse themes and some impressive writing across the board….
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Since 1991, Sega’s blue blur mascot Sonic the Hedgehog has dominated the gaming industry with classic side-scrolling adventures, many defining a particular decade or console genertaion. After Sonic Mania re-invented the series again in 2017, the next big 2D platforming game starring our blue hero is finally here. This time around it is 2.5D expereince…
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I grew up in the late 90s watching most of these animated Disney shows, but Gargoyles seemingly evaded me. Be it the limited exposure here in Australia, or my own ignorance, I never really had much of a connection to it. While I’ve certainly watched a few episodes of the series since then, my knowledge…
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Providing some of the most memorable titles across nine generations of consoles, from the NES to the PlayStation 5, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 wraps up a significant portion of this franchise’s history in one convenient package. While there are plenty of reasons to return for the ride, this collection feels like a missed…
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