Stopharage wrote:

32. Life is Strange: Before the Storm. Not quite as good as the original but a bloody decent effort. Whilst I loved the storyline and characterisation, I was occasionally frustrated at the lack of conversational options or similarity between the choices. 8/10.

Moot_Geeza wrote:

It's a different game afaik, or maybe the PS4 one (Unfolded) is rejigged.  I deleted it pretty quickly on PS4, was far from impressed, but I actually reinstalled it this morning because the Vita game was so good.  Even the rear touch pad stuff was fine, never thought I'd type that.  Unfolded might be a case of perfect fit shoehorned elsewhere, but I'll try it again.

20. EA SPORTS Rory McIlroy PGA Tour
12th July 2015 - 15th May 2018
Prompted by its imminent removal from the EA Vault, I thought I'd batter through and finish this.  I finished the season, won all majors, completed all Night Club challenges.  This never felt like a creditable replacement for Shagger Woods, light on content at launch and further content never really arrived so the franchise feels dead in the water right now.  Technically a competent golf game, just light on soul or character. 6

21. Final Fight: Double Impact
19th May 2018 - 30th May 2018
A double header of arcade classics Final Fight and Magic Sword.  As with Golden Axe, stuff like this evokes rose tinted memories but the reality is it all dates terribly.  Final Fight was always an iconic title for me and whilst it plays better than Golden Axe it still is a clunky old pile of jank.  Magic Sword I'd never played before but its mechanics held a little interest, being able to rescue AI buddies to fight alongside and the ability to skip floors seem to add an extra layer of thinking over other arcade games of that era. 4

22. State of Decay 2
22nd May 2018 - 9th June 2018
I enjoyed this, for me it addressed mostly the issues I had with the first game and added a few new tricks of its own.  I was highly critical of the dismissive Eurogamer review which I felt focused far too much on its rough edges rather than the quality within.  The sense of peril had increased over the first, and having to manage yourself and the community felt better realised, resources still felt plentiful but attaining them was more risky than previously.  Vehicles are now scarcer and nursing them more crucial, with them now requiring fuel too.  The co-op hasn't really taken off as this probably wasn't as well realised as it could be so again its strength is in the solo campaign.  This offers multiple playthroughs as you can elect different leaders which provide a unique set of missions to that leader and with three maps available you are able to resettle a community for another run.  For me a very good, under-rated game, not without its flaws but much to admire. 8

23. Life is Strange: Before the Storm
12th June 2018 - 27th June 2018
The prequel to what is one of my favourite games, this time in the hands of Deck Nine Games.  It was great to be back in Arcadia Bay, this time playing as Chloe Price as you befriend Rachel Amber, the missing friend from the first game.  This was a more conventional, straight forward story compared to LiS, with less fantastical elements and drama.  It was interesting to explore Chloe and Rachel's relationship however so the shift in tone didn't adversely affect the game.  This was very touching in parts and the quality of the storytelling drew me in emotionally so I took care in the conversation choices and actions.  It didn't hit the heights of LiS but this almost felt standalone to the first game so maybe it is unfair to draw too many comparisons.  A very good game overall and I look forward to another chapter in the Life is Strange world. 8.5

24. ABZÛ
1st July 2018 - 3rd July 2018
A walking simulator in the water?  A swimulator?  Whatever you call it, this was a pleasant water based experience with an ecological bent.  Not much to go on storywise, you play a character with flippers with the main aim of restoring marine life to various areas that seem to have succumbed to a form of alien industry.  The swimming is the star here, and the freedom of movement it affords.  The ability to observe and swim with all manner of marine life is another treat; sharks, turtles, whales, and a decent orchestral score all add to the brief experience. 7.5

25. Unmechanical: Extended
4th July 2018 - 7th July 2018
A short little indie puzzler, you play a hovering robot sucked into the underworld.  You must travel through a labyrinth of puzzle lite rooms in the quest to find your freedom.  Not overly taxing in its story or puzzling, this was a fairly basic experience, neither exciting or long enough to become dull, but pleasant enough with just enough charm to carry it through. 6.5

26. Absolute Drift: Zen Edition
8th July 2018 - 15th July 2018
A Unity based minimalist game based on that least liked aspect of car culture, drifting?  OK I'll give it a go then.  Quite a decent little game all told, the graphical look is stark and clean and sits with the Japanese, zen like pitch.  The game has a top down, three quarter view, and offers various drifting disciplines; drift circuits, point to point tracks, driftkhana and free roam.  The drifting is easy to pick up but tricky to master, a multiplier ticks over and rewards you with the bigger scores if managed well.  The satisfaction of nailing a long drift is great as is the frustration of binning a decent run, thankfully the game has an instant restart button that gets you straight back into the action.  I really enjoyed the electronic soundtrack, the drum and bass tracks in particular lent themselves to the theme, overall a very good game to chill to and zone into score chasing. 7.5