5) Burnout Paradise Remastered – Average Metacritic Score: 81
EA has been against remasters for the most part, ignoring the cries for upgraded versions of Dead Space and the Mass Effect Trilogy. However, the release of Burnout Paradise Remastered may signal that that stance is changing, or it could simply be a case of EA testing the water with a view to a new Burnout game. Either way, we welcome the chance to explore Paradise City again.
Including all eight of the original release’s DLC packs, it’s the most complete version ever and the visual upgrade makes Paradise City look better than ever before. The crashes haven’t seen much of an improvement with the remaster, but the racing is still as fun as ever. The sense of speed is unmatched by any other racing game, and you can have Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend playing as you smash through the hundreds of billboards.
4) Far Cry 5 – Metacritic Score: 81
Seeing a slight change from the tropical settings of Far Crys 2, 3, and 4, Far Cry 5 takes you to Hope County, Montana to take on a doomsday cult led by the maniacal Joseph Seed. The terrain may have changed, but you’re still going to hunt, set fire to things, and shoot bad guys as you would have done in the previous games.
The altered progression system, that sees you take on each of Joseph’s crazy siblings by racking up Resistance Points, is one of the main and best changes. The crazy unpredictability of the world makes exploring a joy and, while the story may not run as deep as some may have liked, the characters are up there with Vaas and Pagan Min as the best in the series. The co-op and Arcade options offer a host of reasons to replay and mess around in the game’s world.
3) Ni No Kuni II:Revenant Kingdom – Average Metacritic Score: 84
The Revenant Kingdom gives Ni No Kuni fans a second chance to explore the series’ beautifully animated world. The JRPG switches the formula up a little this time, however, implementing a more open battle system. The story follows Evan, a young king who is usurped from his castle and sets out to build a new kingdom, yet you can control a number of characters, switching between them as you play.
In terms of gameplay, Revenant Kingdom is a welcome upgrade on the original. The real-time combat is entertaining and fast paced, and the kingdom building mechanic could be game in its own right. The story is also charming (although it does suffer from a lack of substantial voice acting) and the characters are a joy to spend time with. It also isn’t a difficult game, meaning JRPG newcomers could jump in without many issues.
2) Batman: The Enemy Within – Episode 5: Same Stitch – Average Metacritic Score: 85
As a whole, Telltale’s Batman series is probably one of the best they’ve created, but much of Season Two felt like they were coasting, holding back the twists and turns that made the likes of The Walking Dead so great. However, the final episode of The Enemy Within brought back the emotional punch the studio is known for.
Bringing John Doe and The Joker into the fray was always going to be interesting, but the way the final episode plays with your expectations when it comes to both him and Bruce Wayne is fantastic. The writing and acting are phenomenal, the locations are wonderfully designed, and your choices truly matter, making episode five one of the best single episodes Telltale has ever released.
1) DJMAX Respect – Metacritic Score: 85
Rhythm games haven’t completely disappeared from the modern gaming landscape. It may be less well known than many of the other highly regarded games of March 2018, but DJMAX Respect proves that the genre is still alive and well. The presentation doesn’t match that of the likes of Guitar Hero Live, but with more than 140 pumping tracks and a great difficulty curve, it is great fun with a Dualshock 4. Even if you’ve not played, or even heard of, the DJMAX series before, Respect would be a great point to jump in, especially if you’re willing to learn and be challenged as you progress.
Published: Apr 3, 2018 02:46 pm