Mass Effect: Andromeda
PS4, Xbox One, PC, EA, cert: 16
★★★
Despite the lofty reputation that the original Mass Effect trilogy (2007-12)has garnered, it’s crucial to remember that those games had no shortage of bugs, errors and glitches on release. Bearing this in mind will make the failings of Andromeda far more palatable. Chiefly, those irritants are in the domain of animation, with characters’ facial features and physical movements feeling wooden and unnatural. Stilted voice work delivering unrealistic dialogue doesn’t help either. These are real problems in a game where relationships are central to an investment in the universe.
What a universe, though. Set 600 years after the events of Mass Effect, you play either Sara or Scott Ryder, helping guide an ark vessel to a new home world in the Andromeda Galaxy, where new threats await. While there’s still tremendous freedom in how goals are pursued, mechanical hindrances, such as inventory systems and burdensome crafting, undermine the otherwise exciting action-RPG gameplay. MK
Voez
Nintendo Switch, Circle Entertainment, cert: 3
★★★★
A Japanese rhythm action title, Voez makes a curious addition to Nintendo Switch’s software library. One of the few games to take advantage of the console’s touch screen, players tap, swipe or glide their finger through notes as they descend the screen, making it Switch’s first – and, so far, only – handheld game not playable when docked at home
Thankfully, it’s perfect for portable play, though as a smartphone title originally, that’s no surprise. The Switch release benefits from sharper visuals on a bigger screen and a staggering 348 tracks. There’s also impressive musical diversity, from J-Pop to electronica to speed metal. Unlike other beat-matching games, the notes’ positions move as they flow, so sliding your hands to meet them feels like conducting an orchestra
There’s even a story, revealed in diary pages, which unlocks as you complete challenges. It’s relatively threadbare, a slice-of-life tale of friends forming a band, but it adds depth and incentivises tackling tougher challenges. A surprisingly engaging title. MK
Ghost Blade HD
PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, Hucast Games/2Dream, cert: 7
★★★★★
With the launch of the Switch, the arrival of a new Zelda and Horizon Zero Dawn gaining all the attention, recent weeks have not been kind to some of gaming’s less mainstream releases, which in the case of Ghost Blade HD is a great disservice. This 2D shooter is of the classic arcade form inspired by late-90s titles such as DonPachi and Batsugun, which ushered in the era of “bullet hell” shoot ’em ups featuring dense clouds of bullets to dodge, high difficulty and an intensity rivalled by few other genres.
Ghost Blade HD, however, shuns the conventions of contemporary 2D shooters, which tend to focus on remarkably elaborate scoring systems despite the apparent simplicity of the genre. The result is an approachable, powerfully pure arcade experience offering devotees plenty of challenge and depth, while remaining accessible to the gamer with a casual interest. Engrossing gameplay, crisp visuals and notably sublime audio complete the package and ensure Ghost Blade HD – originally released for the long-dormant Dreamcast in 2015 – stands as one of the best 2D shooters of recent years. WF
