It’s fair to say people held off buying DOOM on launch day due to the lack of reviews. The open beta didn’t entirely fill gamers with confidence either. Overwatch is another that didn’t receive pre-launch reviews, yet that seemingly didn’t stop gamers from coughing up cash beforehand.
The difference? Overwatch’s open beta was met with overwhelming positivity, leaving the vast majority that played it gasping for more. It also helps that Blizzard has a sterling track record, of course. We wouldn’t be surprised to learn that it’s a million seller already.
Review scores for the heavily stylised team-based shooter are starting to trickle through now, including a perfect 10/10s from both GameInformer and Destructoid and 5/5 from The Escapist.
“It’s very clear that Blizzard has put in a herculean effort into polishing Overwatch, making sure that it feels great to play, has basically no bugs or glitches, and has a solid amount of content†said the The Escapist. “If you yearn for the days of old-school Team Fortress 2, where the game was tight, lightweight, and balanced, then Overwatch is for you†they continued.
While Overwatch arrives to much fanfare and celebration, TMNT: Mutants in Manhattan is slipping out on the sly. Out of the shadows, if you will. All signs point to Activision pushing this one out the door pronto to cash-in with the imminent TMNT movie. Oddly, it hit the digital services on Tuesday; the retail release isn’t due until Friday. This strikes us as a cheeky way to squeeze a bit of cash out of hardcore TMNT fans before reviews go live.
Early impressions from those who bought it digitally at launch are far from positive, with reports of a fleeting 3 hour runtime, repetitive environments and a lazy corridor stage full of previously beaten bosses. Digital Foundry even went as far as claiming that it’s Platinum’s worst game. Worse than The Legend of Korra? We struggle to believe that.
The last two retail releases for this week come courtesy of publisher Kalypso. Tropico 5 – Penultimate Edition on Xbox One has been a long time coming – it was originally due in January (and is currently free on PS4 via PS Plus). As the game’s name suggests though, it does include a bunch of DLC and additional content. We reviewed the Xbox 360 original way back in November 2014, so yeah, it’s definitely knocking on a bit – something that makes the £34.99 asking price tough to swallow.
Kalypso’s second release is Dungeons 2 on PS4. First released on PC around a year ago, it’s the spiritual successor to Bullfrog’s Dungeon Keeper. Hardcore Gamer gave the PS4 version the review treatment earlier this week, claiming that while the interface is a little messy there’s enjoyment to be had if you put the time in.
The PS4 also sees another three new releases via PSN – Lumo, Downwell (also on PS Vita) and a re-release of SNK Playmore’s 2D brawler The Last Blade 2.
Isometric puzzler Lumo (which is due on PS Vita and Xbox One in June) gained Eurogamer’s recommendation. Those weaned on the likes of Head Over Heels, Equinox and Knight Lore will find much to enjoy here, as it’s fully intended to be a modern-day iteration of classic 8-bit isometric puzzlers.
Digital Revolver’s Downwell also has a retro tinge to it, featuring pixel art visuals. The idea to descend down a well – hence the title – while blasting enemies with the hero’s self-explanatory Gunboots. Push Square thought it was pretty good, giving it 7/10. Kudos for the “My feet are killing me†strap.
The humble PS3 gets a look in this week too with a belated conversion of Monster Jam Battlegrounds. This arena racer was first released on Xbox 360 almost a year ago. Critics weren’t too kind.
The Xbox One is also playing catch-up with Roll7’s OlliOlli2: XL Edition and Not a Hero: Super Snazzy Edition making appearances. Gold members can get either for £7.99 or both for £12.74 via the excellently named The BunnyLord Pro Hater Pack.
Next week: Dead Island: Definitive Edition (PS4/Xbox One), One Piece: Burning Blood (PS4/Xbox One/PS Vita), Dangerous Golf (PS4/Xbox One), Prison Architect (PS4/Xbox One), Anima: Gate of Memories (PS4/Xbox One), TurnOn (Xbox One), Plague Inc: Evolved (PS4) and Kick & Fennick (Xbox One).