PS4

Aloy, the heroine of Horizon Forbidden West. (Photos: Sony, Image Design: Tina Tiller)

Review: Horizon Forbidden West flies close to the sun, but ultimately soars

Sony’s new exclusive makes an early play for game of the year.

By Sam Brooks | 18th February, 2022

Contributing writer

Just one of the many times Shepard will have to get her omniblade out in the Mass Effect trilogy.

Review: Mass Effect Legendary Edition more than lives up to the title

Fans got what they want: the original Mass Effect trilogy in one package. But how does the series fare in a modern landscape?

By Sam Brooks | 21st May, 2021

Contributing writer

Persona 5 Strikers is the result of one blessed recipe. One part JRPG, one part hack and slash equals a whole lot of fun. (Photo: Atlus)

Review: Persona 5 Strikers is a match made in crossover heaven

What do you get if you mix a little bit of Persona with a little bit of Musou? A whole lot of fun.

By Sam Brooks | 27th February, 2021

Contributing writer

This is about as cool – and as good – as Cyberpunk 2077 gets.

Review: Cyberpunk 2077 is more glitch than game

It was all set to be the biggest game of the year, but Cyberpunk 2077's release has been overshadowed by technical hitches and multiple controversies.

By Sam Brooks | 17th December, 2020

Contributing writer

Eivor, the protagonist of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, on the verge of pillaging and colonising England. It’s as fun as it sounds. (Photo: Ubisoft)

Review: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla fails to make colonisation fun

In the mood for some good old fashioned pillaging? Then play this. But if you want to have a good time while doing so, best to look elsewhere.

By Sam Brooks | 2nd December, 2020

Contributing writer

If only the game was as fun as this screenshot looked. (Photo: Supplied)

Review: No Straight Roads is more fun to watch than it is to play

While musically and visually on point, much-anticipated indie game No Straight Roads is all sensory overload and little substance.

By Sam Brooks | 28th August, 2020

Contributing writer

Ghost of Tsushima, from studio Sucker Punch, is a fitting end to the PS4. It’s slick, it’s solid, and it’s huge. (Photo: Supplied)

Review: Ghost of Tsushima is a slick conclusion to the PS4’s lifecycle

Another PS4 exclusive, another game about the cost of violence.

By Sam Brooks | 17th July, 2020

Contributing writer

The cast of Sakura Wars, looking as anime as ever. (Photo: Supplied)

Review: Dating sim legend Sakura Wars returns

Sam Brooks reviews dating sim legend Sakura Wars, which returns after 15 years with a soft reboot.

By Sam Brooks | 3rd May, 2020

Contributing writer

A remade Cloud looks up at a remade Shinra Building, in the fantastic Final Fantasy VII remake. Photo: Supplied.

Review: The Final Fantasy VII Remake is the definitive version of Final Fantasy VII

Sam Brooks reviews the most anticipated game of the year: the Final Fantasy VII Remake.

By Sam Brooks | 6th April, 2020

Contributing writer

One of the dreams from Dreams, the game that lets you turn your dreams into gaming reality.

Review: Dreams shows the endless bounds and limits of the gamer’s imagination

Sam Brooks reviews Media Molecule's Dreams, the game that allows you to turn your dreams into (virtual) reality.

By Sam Brooks | 7th March, 2020

Contributing writer

The cast of Trails of Cold Steel 3, that rare game where it feels like the developers care as much as they want the players to.

Review: Trails of Cold Steel is as good as video game storytelling gets

Sam Brooks reviews the latest Trails of Cold Steel entry and finds a rare thing: a game full of love and care.

By Sam Brooks | 30th October, 2019

Contributing writer

It’s OLAF!

Plant zombies, Frozen fanfiction and Harry Potter: The most anticipated games of 2019

Another year, another twelve months full of video games that seem to exist only to drain your bank account - but which of these should you be hanging out for? Sam Brooks rounds up the most anticipated games of 2019.

By Sam Brooks | 8th January, 2019

Contributing writer

All the gifts you could want to give and more, this Christmas.

The gaming gift guide for non-gamers this Christmas

You have to buy a gift for someone, and the one thing you know they're into is video games. But what the hell are you meant to buy them without looking like a fool?

By Sam Brooks | 4th December, 2018

Contributing writer

Astro Bot could be PSVR’s Mario 64 moment

Astro Bot could be PSVR’s Mario 64 moment

Not only is Astro Bot: Rescue Mission a platformer on par with anything you’d expect from Nintendo’s moustachioed plumber, it’s also the first ‘killer app’ for PlayStation VR.

By Lee Henaghan | 12th October, 2018

God of War is a landmark achievement worthy of the myths that inspire it

God of War is a landmark achievement worthy of the myths that inspire it

An epic tale of Scandinavian myths and the father-son duo that fight them, God of War is a defining AAA game that pushes the boundaries graphically and thematically. Don Rowe reviews.

By Don Rowe | 21st April, 2018

Contributing writer

This is about as deep and intelligent as Far Cry 5 gets.

Far Cry 5 shows off Ubisoft’s mastery of open world gameplay – and little else

With the latest entry in the Far Cry series, Ubisoft has shown they can master open world gameplay – but when are they going to actually master how to tell a story? Sam Brooks reviews.

By Sam Brooks | 6th April, 2018

Contributing writer

Vincent and Leo, the slightly interchangeable leads of A Way Out.

A Way Out: A forward-looking game held back by macho bullshit

A game where two dudes break out of prison isn't groundbreaking, but A Way Out still tries to play with expectations. But is it successful? Sam Brooks reviews.

By Sam Brooks | 3rd April, 2018

Contributing writer

Exclusive: God of War and Kant’s theory of the sublime

Exclusive: God of War and Kant’s theory of the sublime

Through clever manipulation of scale and mythos, the latest iteration of God of War makes the most of Immanuel Kant's theory of the sublime to deliver a truly beautiful game. Don Rowe travelled to Sydney to gets his hands on a preview.

By Don Rowe | 20th March, 2018

Contributing writer

This is potentially the least crazy thing to happen in any Metal Gear game, ever.

A definitive list of all the weird shit that happens in the Metal Gear series

The latest addition to the Metal Gear series, the non-canon zombie game Metal Gear Survive, is out tomorrow. The series has been around for an incredible 31 years – and oh boy, the things we've seen.

By Sam Brooks | 19th February, 2018

Contributing writer

The world of Little Red Lie is one of depression, lying to others, and to yourself.

The deep nihilism and faux-profundity of Little Red Lie

Little Red Lie is the misanthropic, dark-as-tar game from indie developer Will O'Neill. Gaming editor Sam Brooks played it – and was disturbed by what he found.

By Sam Brooks | 18th January, 2018

Contributing writer