Gaming

Master Chief returns to Zeta Halo with a few extra tricks up his sleeve for a romp through an open-world campaign that's impressively cinematic and free-flowing fun. The free multiplayer experience adds thrilling action too with more modes and maps to come.  

It's great to revisit the streets of Liberty City, Vice City and the multiple locations in San Andreas. Added to the great stories and acting are new combat and movement controls from GTA: V and some nice looking textures in 4K. Unfortunately, no amount of nostalgic, rose-tinted fuzziness can skirt the fact there are loads of bugs and some odd remastering choices.  

Focusing purely on multiplayer, with up to 128 players causing unbridled chaos across PCs and new-gen consoles, 2042 certainly delivers on spectacle; but when it comes to the actual gameplay it’s a little more hit and miss…  

It's good to be back in the WWII fray with a punchy, great-looking campaign mode employing a number of strategies and gameplay styles. There's a slightly underwhelming multiplayer mode but the zombies make up for it.  

Forza Horizon 5 features the largest and most diverse map in the arcade driving series, a new weather system and mini multiplayer games alongside a huge number of cars to add to your collection. Is all this enough to make it stand out from its excellent predecessor?  

With gaming being such a time (and often resource) sink, how does your partner handle your hobby? Do they just 'tolerate' it or actively engage with it. Are you both in the same room doing separate activities or do you have a specific time /space for gaming? Let us know how the games go down in your household.  

After the po-faced and worthy The Avengers, Square Enix shifts gear to an altogether more light-hearted and bants filled experience for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, which maintains a decidedly old school single player approach. And remember, don't call them 'Plucky', they don't know what it means,...  

Netflix has started a global rollout of its first video games to Android mobile users as it expands its content options beyond just video.  

Sony's makeover of 2019's Death Stranding for the PS5 polishes an already stunning world and adds some new weapons and side missions... but does it make the story any less bamboozling?  

What's the first gaming experience that you can recall? Something age-appropriate or did you 'borrow' an older sibling's wildly unsuitable titles? Recall your traumatic childhood (or adulthood if you were a late starter!) here.  

The only revolution on display is the uprising you’ll get to lead into battle, as Far Cry 6 focuses purely on delivering more of what made the series great in the first place.  

The annual upgrade offers some nice touches and impressive visual polish for new-gen consoles but bereft of any big-name signings the series is beginning to lack real personality.  

Two big game releases are coming soon to the Xbox and Smyths Toys Gaming. Find out more by clicking here...  

A question to which there's unlikely to be a correct or agreed-upon answer. Still, member LiamBeran has come right out and asked it, so have at it in the comments.  

It’s far from perfect, but this delightfully twisted adventure combines a great backdrop and quirky storyline with a strategic combat system for a frequently weird and wonderful experience.  

If the 2005 original was something of a sleeper hit, the hotly-anticipated Psychonauts 2 jumps straight into the mainstream with a wonderfully creative and beautifully presented sequel.  

Ghost of Tsushima was one of the last great PlayStation 4 exclusives and quite possibly the best-looking game of the last generation. Now available as an updated Director's Cut version, we see how it looks and plays on Sony's newest console.  

What are the video games which sold poorly or are generally looked down upon by the gaming fraternity but which are a big hit with you? Let us know why they clicked with you in the thread.