Tag: video games

Download, Video Games

Battlefield is back – now how will it dethrone a reinvigorated COD?

ItÔÇÖs been a while, but this year will see the return of the Battlefield franchise. Remember it? Most recently, developers DICE went old school with Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V, both set in the World Wars. While the historical settings didnÔÇÖt prevent excitement from the massive maps and set pieces the series is known for, it did feel like DICE were falling behind. Behind who? … Continue reading Battlefield is back – now how will it dethrone a reinvigorated COD?

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

Is Returnal the start of the PS5 Era?

ItÔÇÖs been 7 months since the PlayStation 5 released, and itÔÇÖs safe to say that thereÔÇÖs not been an avalanche of exclusives just yet. But thatÔÇÖs nothing to worry about – the PS4 only launched with a few big titles, though itÔÇÖs understandable fans will have been getting a bit impatient waiting for some games that really push the boundaries of the system. WeÔÇÖve had … Continue reading Is Returnal the start of the PS5 Era?

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

Mario Party is finally online, but are Nintendo late to the show?

By Marcus Yeatman-Crouch ItÔÇÖs been three long years, but Super Mario PartyÔÇÖs latest update will have many thinking itÔÇÖs a brand new game. Since its original release in 2018, the iconic couch co-op game has been restricted to, wellÔǪ just the couch. 10 out of 80 mini games were available to play online with friends, and it was impossible to play the main feature ÔÇÿMario … Continue reading Mario Party is finally online, but are Nintendo late to the show?

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

Casuals vs Completionists – Where do you stand?

By Lewis Empson and Marcus Yeatman-Crouch Two words that will often crop up in the gaming lexicon are ‘casuals’ and ‘completionists’. Pretty obvious terms, and total opposites: the casuals who will play through a game, finish the story then put it down; the completionists who will vampirically drain a game for all its worth before they move on to the next. We all know someone … Continue reading Casuals vs Completionists – Where do you stand?

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

Back to Basics: How MMOs are Rebooting their Fanbases

Some of the biggest MMOs (massively multiplayer online games) have been around for a while. World of Warcraft has entered its 17th year, while RuneScape is clocking in at the grand old age of 20. MMOs are a bit different to regular games, of course. TheyÔÇÖve got ÔÇÿlive serviceÔÇÖ, continuous updates and maintenance to the world so you can always expect more when you log … Continue reading Back to Basics: How MMOs are Rebooting their Fanbases

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

From Flop to Film Star: Sonic in the 2010’s

By Marcus Yeatman-Crouch ItÔÇÖs been a rough ten years for Sonic, the legendary SEGA mascot who once went head-to-head with Super Mario. Looking at him now of course, in the wake of a Hollywood film, youÔÇÖd think Sonic was back on the rise. That may be true, but the more recent news of the mascotÔÇÖs English language voice actor Roger Craig Smith leaving the role … Continue reading From Flop to Film Star: Sonic in the 2010’s

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

Voice Acting: The Gaming Industry Making its Mark

By Lewis Empson and Marcus Yeatman-Crouch A lot goes into making a modern video game. The programmers, graphic designers, writers and creative directors all deal with the gutty works and behind-the-scenes of a game. But, in a story focused game like Uncharted, The Last of Us, or God of War, who are we really hearing from? The character – or, more specifically, the voice actor. … Continue reading Voice Acting: The Gaming Industry Making its Mark

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

The KFConsole and Other Weird Console Ventures

When asked to think of a ÔÇÿconsoleÔÇÖ, most of us have two easy answers – Xbox and PlayStation. Throw Nintendo into the mix and you have the three biggest consoles on the market, sitting alongside PC as the core platforms for gaming. There is, however, a bit of a market for niche, third party consoles that have been attempted by different parties. HereÔÇÖs just a … Continue reading The KFConsole and Other Weird Console Ventures

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

Download’s Most Anticipated Games of 2021

By Lewis Empson and Marcus Yeatman-Crouch ItÔÇÖs a big year for gaming. After 2020 saw a massive amount of delays to highly anticipated titles, many of them shifted their release date to 2021. A loss in the short term, but now weÔÇÖve got a whole host of huge games to look forward to this year! WeÔÇÖve picked the ones weÔÇÖre most excited to get to … Continue reading Download’s Most Anticipated Games of 2021

Contributing Writer
Download, Video Games

Download’s Game Awards

By Lewis Empson and Marcus Yeatman-Crouch In this seemingly endless year there’s been a massive amount of games released, including triple A blockbusters, sleeper hits and derailed hype train disasters. If you read last week’s article, you already saw our thoughts on the official Game Awards winners of this year, but we decided to do our own spin on the awards, with some different winners … Continue reading Download’s Game Awards

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | Review

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Review by Marcus Yeatman-Crouch | ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà A massive thanks to Ubisoft UK for the review key and images. All opinions expressed in this article are my own. The AssassinÔÇÖs Creed franchise has made a bold foray into the RPG genre in recent years, starting with Egyptian-themed Origins, improving on the format with the Ancient Greek Odyssey, and now going further than ever … Continue reading Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | Review

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

Download’s Most Haunted

By Lewis Empson and Marcus Yeatman-Crouch The generation of the PS4 and Xbox One has yielded some great horror games that use the groundbreaking technology to enhance the graphics, atmospheres, and scares that players experience. There have been new IPs, continuations to beloved franchises, and blockbuster movie tie-ins that have ensured this generation will live long in the memory of horror gaming fans. WeÔÇÖve selected … Continue reading Download’s Most Haunted

Contributing Writer
Download, Video Games

Phasmophobia – Spooky Season’s New Hit?

By Marcus Yeatman-Crouch WeÔÇÖre in the middle of spooky season now, and it seems only right that the newest title grabbing the gaming communityÔÇÖs attention is a positive ÔÇÿMost HauntedÔÇÖ simulator. ThatÔÇÖs right: Phasmophobia is the spine-chilling and somehow simultaneously hilarious co-op ghostbusting game perfect for the build up to Halloween.  Phasmophobia is a multiplayer, psychological horror developed by one (yes, one!) man, but you … Continue reading Phasmophobia – Spooky Season’s New Hit?

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

Among Us: All Your Friends are Sus

By Marcus Yeatman-Crouch ThereÔÇÖs no game that quite sums up how weÔÇÖre all feeling at this point in the year than Among Us. Despite being out for 2 years already, itÔÇÖs sprung onto the scene as an accessible, addictive party game that can be enjoyed alone or with a bunch of friends. But why is it that it has so suddenly shot to fame? What … Continue reading Among Us: All Your Friends are Sus

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

What Next for EA’s Star Wars Saga?

Since EA took over the coveted Star Wars IP, you could say theyÔÇÖve given us a mixed bag. Mobile game Galaxy of Heroes aside, EA have published two revamped Battlefront titles and a singleplayer Souls-like in Jedi: Fallen Order. Of the former, Star Wars: Battlefront I was critically panned and deemed just another EA money grab, whilst its successor only achieved a steady playerbase after … Continue reading What Next for EA’s Star Wars Saga?

Marcus Yeatman-Crouch
Download, Video Games

The Games Getting Us Through Lockdown

The lockdown over the past few months has led to boredom – long swathes of time where some of us find we’re lacking a substantial activity to sink our teeth into. Video games are a perfect outlet for excitement that many have turned to in order to alleviate the monotony of life stuck inside the house. Here are just a few games that we and … Continue reading The Games Getting Us Through Lockdown

Contributing Writer
Abzu PS4
Download, Video Games

Review: Abz├╗ (PS4)

Have you ever wondered what┬áJourney underwater might look like? Then look no further as Saman Izadyar regales his Abz├╗-lutely nautical adventure! Abz├╗ is essentially a diving simulator with an endless number of fish, and a huge aquarium to house everything in. I use the term ÔÇÿaquariumÔÇÖ as Abz├╗ creates the immense illusion of total underwater freedom, but it yanks at your flippers with disappointing invisible … Continue reading Review: Abz├╗ (PS4)

elisdoyle
Video Games

Video Review: Final Fantasy XV

After ten years in development, does Final Fantasy XV make the cut? Elis Doyle takes a look. Aliens: Colonial Marines. Duke Nukem Forever. Daikatana. Prolonged development cycles can have hugely detrimental effects on highly anticipated titles, which comes as no surprise. You have to ask yourself, why have these games been passed around like a corporate game of hot potato? For some back story, in … Continue reading Video Review: Final Fantasy XV

elisdoyle
Video Games

Review: Dishonored 2

Oliver Leigh roams┬áthrough the broken streets of Dishonored 2, have Bethesda struck gold again? Set 15 years after the events of the original game, Dishonored 2 swaps the dark, rat infested streets of Dunwall city with its Victorian London styling for the more southern and sunlit basked European city of Karnaca. However there is no peace in paradiseÔǪ The story begins in with the player … Continue reading Review: Dishonored 2

elisdoyle
Super Mario Odyssey
Video Games

Hype Switched to Standby – January News Roundup

With successes and failures abound, January has been a tumultuous month for gaming. Dan Burke gives us the lowdown!┬á Switch your Exclusives? January is usually a dry month in the video game industry, but Nintendo have been renowned for not following traditional industry trends and so the biggest news for this month came straight from the Nintendo Switch conference. There was a real sense of … Continue reading Hype Switched to Standby – January News Roundup

elisdoyle