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Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, PS5 Review

Insomniac Games has to be an absolute Golden Goose for Sony. In 2019 they paid a mere $230 million for a AAA studio that consistently and more importantly quickly, churns out top quality games.

Only 7 months after helping the PS5 launch with Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Insomniac have dropped a new PS5 exclusive – Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart…and as expected.

It is a stunning example of a top tier studio putting powerful next-gen hardware to work.

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Returnal, Review (PS5)

I have always hated games from the Rogue-Like genre. The lack of progression, the severe penalty for simple mistakes and if I’m honest, the feeling of games just being unfair. It does nothing for me.

Well…the genius’s at Housemarque have found the perfect Rogue-Like recipe. Cooking up a beautifully atmospheric, AAA quality, frenetic shooter.

In fact, at this stage of the year Returnal currently sits atop my Game of the Year list for 2021.

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Nier: Replicant, Byte Size Review

Nier: Automata arrived on the scene in 2017 and became an instant cult classic. Square Enix have as a result, seen fit to put some spit ‘n’ polish on the original Japanese version of Nier: Replicant, released in Japan in 2010.

Neir: Replicant ver.1.22474487139 … is a “Version Upgrade” bringing Replicant up to 60fps, adding a full voice cast and importantly modernised combat, akin to the brilliant Automata.

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The Nioh Collection, Review (PS5)

The word “Remaster” tends to go hand in hand with a console generation change. Sony and Team Ninja have seen fit to take advantage of the grunt in the new PS5 and give us a spit ‘n’ polished Nioh 1 & 2 in “The Nioh Collection”.

I for one don’t tend to find a lot of joy in the soulslike space, but the wider contribution these types of titles have made to video gaming cannot be ignored.

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Destruction AllStars, Review (PS5)

Guest writer and resident online multiplayer aficionado, Nina. Has taken Destruction AllStars for a spin.

Destruction Allstars is an enjoyable, well-made game. But if it has any hope of surviving for more than a few months Lucid Games and Sony need to keep nurturing and updating it.

The team behind Destruction AllStars is clearly passionate about this genre of game, so maybe there is hope for its future.

Only time will tell. Its true saving grace is that it is free this month on PS Plus, so why not give it a go.

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Sackboy and Demon’s Souls Remake – Combo Review (Playstation 5)

A new Playstation generation has arrived.

With that, the obligatory ‘Launch Games’ also rear their heads to show off the power of the new machine.

I have been lucky enough to get my hands on both Sackboy: A Big Adventure and Demon’s Souls Remake.

It is fitting in a way to have both a new Sackboy and Demon’s Souls come to christen the new console, as they have been stalwarts of the Playstation brand for over 10yr years.

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PS5 Hands On Feedback

Today we had the opportunity to get a PS5 hands on, in Auckland. Personally Sydney would have been handy, but you know Covid year, travel restrictions and, well, stuff.

However while the team was otherwise engaged occasional contributor Nick (@nguns on Twitter) stepped in and had a very nice morning indeed.

Thanks to PlaystationNZ for giving us the opportunity. Over to you, Nick.

The PS5 hands On Experience.

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Horizon Zero Dawn PC review: A troubled PC port

There was a time where the chances of a PlayStation game coming to PC was an impossibility but Horizon Zero Dawn is the third recent Sony title, with Detroit Become Human and Death Stranding coming before it.

It makes sense (and Sony has a history of making laptops): PC’s offer higher  resolutions, faster frame rates and mouse and keyboard controls.

I can’t speak for DBH as I didn’t play it on PC but the PC version of Death Stranding was a smooth, trouble free experience for me. Sadly, the same cannot be said for my time with the PC port of Guerrilla’s Horizon Zero Dawn: It’s a gorgeous looking game, but the PC version is hampered by technical issues that mar the experience.

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DualSense, PS5 – don’t judge a Book by its Cover

Easter 2020 came early when Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed: “the first images and design details of the DualSense wireless controller, the new wireless controller for PlayStation 5”. Being a few days before the holiday weekend it certainly gave all the thirsty gamers something to discuss. Fervently.

Given the consumable nature of Social Media and the way it spreads virus-like at unknown speeds. It was not surprising that the negativity outweighed the positive commenters. Because “Its the internet” and “They are all bored on lockdown”. Here’s an idea:

DualSense: Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover.

All the discussion and ribald rivalry was only concerned with how the controller looked. The news being supported by a decent rap sheet of features was devoid of interest for many. Personally and to get it out of the way, I love the look. Love, love, love it, love the look.

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