Alex Donaldson

PERSONA NON GRATA

Xbox has an embarrassing Square Enix problem

And it's not just that one publisher, either – there's still a big issue Xbox needs to address, Activision Blizzard takeover or not.

GOTTA HAND IT TO EM

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom features an awesome tribute to Nintendo's ancient past

Did you pick up on the Ultrahand in the latest trailer? And, more importantly, do you know why it's significant?

HOT SPOT

Parasite Eve has the energy that Square Enix needs to bring to new IP in 2023

Parasite Eve might be turning 25 years old, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still a template Square Enix could easily follow for modern success.

LEARNING CURVE

Nvidia’s DLSS offering expands today with 5 new titles and an upgrade for Forza Horizon 5

DLSS is arguably the best reason to own one of Nvidia's newer-generation graphics cards - and today, it becomes a little bit more useful.

HAMMER TIME

Playable Amy is great, but Sonic Origins Plus is pointless if it doesn’t address the original’s problems

Sonic Origins Plus is making a splash with playable Amy Rose. But Amy and her hammer won’t be worth squat if the rest of the game isn’t fixed.

WHEELY WEIRD

The first major update for Thrustmaster’s eSwap controller is here – and it’s as genius as it is weird

Thrustmaster’s modular controller takes a big leap into new areas with its first genre-specific add-on. It’s weird, but… it kinda works, too.

ROAD BLOCKS

Lego 2K Drive: I’m in for a new Lego Racing game no questions asked – but what we really need is Lego Island

Could this rumoured new game be the start of Lego returning to its more experimental era? If so, then I have an idea...

ATLAS BUGGED

Atlas Fallen has great combat and that joyous single-A energy

If you like your games slightly wonky –?but effortlessly charming – Atlas Fallen is likely for you.

HOUSE OF THE GUNDEAD

Devolver is releasing a new light gun shooter into arcades – but what we really need is a home port

Dodge Roll's latest, House of the Gundead, belongs in arcades, sure... but I bet a lot of players would be happier seeing it in their own homes.

PLAYSTATION PROLAPSE

PS5 Pro? Even if the spurious rumors are true, right now I just don't care

At this point in the generation, with how it's all gone so far, do we really need a PS5 Pro? I don't think so, really.

X/S BAGGAGE

The Xbox Series S is the best value in gaming – that doesn’t mean it isn’t also a problem

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S were always supposed to be treated the same, but the reality of that promise is starting to show its teeth – and it's not good news.

A HARDWARE'S NIGHT

Bring back incredible video game peripherals, you cowards

What do slot machines, party games, and arcades all have in common? The best thing about them is dying.

MONEY FOR OLD OAK

Pokemon Trading Card Game Classic is a stroke of genius

Revisiting the classic Pokemon TCG experience with a premium new set may seem like an odd move, but it's a very, very canny one.

ROLE BACK THE YEARS

As Final Fantasy 16 boss Naoki Yoshida calls it “discriminatory”, is it time to drop the term ‘JRPG’?

A brief history of the JRPG descriptor, and contemplations on the etymology of the genre – and its implications.

PIECES OF EIGHT

Octopath Traveler 2 plays it safe, but it’s subtly better than its predecessor in every way that matters

By taking what worked for the previous game and gently iterating on it, Octopath Traveler 2 offers up a delightful JRPG throwback - with many similar shortcomings to its predecessor.

STEELY MAN

Take an exclusive look at Iron Treads EX, a new card in the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet TCG expansion

Meet Iron Treads EX, a hot new card fresh from the Pokemon TCG's latest expansion.

SHORT AND SWEET

As Star Fox turns 30, it’s time for a reboot that admits: it’s okay for games to be short

Star Fox is celebrating a milestone anniversary - making now as good a time as ever to admit that what makes the games truly great is also their greatest weakness.

RHOAMING FEE

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be worth ?70, but the price highlights gaming’s possibly unsustainable future

How expensive is too expensive for a sequel to one of the best games ever made? We may be about to find out.

SAFE HANDS

Hitman Freelancer: How to open Safes

One of the most important side objectives in Hitman Freelancer is to regularly crack open safes on each mission. Here's how to do it.

ROGUE'S GALLERY

Hitman Freelancer is a fantastic bonus atop a modern masterpiece

The latest update for the generation's best stealth game is here –?and it makes a perfect game even more interesting.

I R WINNER

Age of Empires 2 on Xbox: How AI helpers are giving the console real-time strategy genre a new lease of life

Making an RTS work on console is no mean feat, but World's Edge has come up with some advanced tools that make the console experience as enjoyable as the PC one.

THINKING OUT CLOUD

Final Fantasy 7 at 26: Kitase on being inspired by Nintendo, discarded concepts, and Rebirth changes to come

In an exclusive interview, Yoshinori Kitase sheds some light Final Fantasy 7's development – and hints at changes to come in the Remake series' future.

Perfect Solution

Want to play GoldenEye 007 multiplayer online on Xbox? There is a way – sort of

If this week's Xbox Game Pass release has left you a little disappointed, you ought to read this.

NUMBERS GAME

Fire Emblem Engage Stats guide: What every Unit Stat does

The strategy combat in Fire Emblem Engage is deep - and the first step to mastering it is understanding the unit stats that power it.

A RUSH, A PUSH

Xbox's Hi-Fi Rush has that Dreamcast era vibe, and it could be one of the best games of the year

The latest Xbox Game Pass surprise drop has a really retro feel to it – and that is a very good thing.

EDGE LORD

The DualSense Edge is Sony’s best controller ever – and gives the Xbox Elite a run for its money

Move over, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller – there's a new king of premium handsets in town.

TONE POLICING

Fire Emblem Engage has some refreshing representation, especially by Nintendo standards

Without making a big deal of it, Fire Emblem Engage just casually presents a diverse fantasy world - and it's better for it.

AGE BEFORE BEAUTY

Persona 4 Golden’s new port is a perfect Japanese RPG time capsule, but as for Persona 3? It’s complicated

Atlus' first proper mainstream hit JRPG is back with a bang, and now that it's on Game Pass, you have no excuse not to play it. Just don't mention Persona 3.

SAVED BY THE FELL

Fire Emblem Engage review: brilliantly meaty strategy RPG combat meets a less compelling world

Following on from Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Engage has equal capacity to delight and frustrate – for newcomers and veterans alike.

GOUGE AWAY

Marvel Snap is incredible, but its cash prices are incredibly stupid

One of 2022's breakout mobile games continues to impress, but its monetisation methods leave a lot to be desired.

ALL ROADS TO CHROM

Fire Emblem Engage is Three Houses turned up to 11, for better or worse – preview

If you're concerned about the Persona-fication of Fire Emblem, you might want to temper your expectations for Engage.

PRIME EXAMPLE

The best gaming thing I experienced in the holidays? Sonic Prime

Turns out a new animated Sonic series is a great way to ring in the New Year.

BRICK-MAN

Latest Lego Ideas review eyes new Pac-Man and Zelda playsets

The latest Lego Ideas review has been revealed - and it includes a couple of video game icons that now have a chance to become real, retail Lego sets.

bear necessities

How to evolve Pawmi and Pawmo into Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Here's the beary well-hidden way to get Pawmot in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

GOD-TIER

Best of 2022: Elden Ring, and Alex's other GOTY picks

Sometimes picking out a best game each year is a painful, difficult choice. Sometimes it’s easy. This year, it’s… sort of both? Let me explain.

ENDLESS CYCLE

Elden Ring New Game Plus explained: How NG+ works

New Game Plus is back in Elden Ring, letting you begin another journey into The Lands Between. Here's how it works.

choices, choices

All Elden Ring endings and how to get them

Elden Ring features multiple endings, as is Soulsborne tradition - but getting each is a complex affair.

CLASS WARFARE

Best starting classes in Elden Ring and best classes for your skill level

Classes, or Origins, are a key early choice in Elden Ring. But which is the best Elden Ring starting class?

ALL HANDS ON DECK

Sony handhelds might be dead, but on its 18th birthday the promise of the PSP is as alive as ever

The PlayStation Portable and Vita dream might be over, but the Switch and the Steam Deck keep the flame alive.

JOYSTICK NOEL

Gaming gift guide: The best Christmas gifts for gamers that aren’t video games

Stuck for what to buy your gamer kids for Christmas in 2022? Need to get a present for your nerd spouse? We’ve got you covered.

THE WUTAI THAT BINDS

Crisis Core Final Fantasy 7 Reunion review: One of the most impressive remasters ever, but still a PSP game at heart

With Final Fantasy 7 Remake reinvigorating the wider compilation, is this once-niche RPG spin-off ready for another shot at relevance?

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Eevee evolutions: Where to find Eevee and how to evolve

Eevee returns in Scarlet & Violet, but it's one of the more elusive classic Pokemon to find - until your read this guide, anyway.

WITH A REBEL YELL

Andor has made me want a low-key, guerrilla warfare Star Wars Rebellion strategy game

Imagine if the world of Andor was merged with the mechanics and setup of, say, XCOM2. It'd be perfect, right?

HOTROD COW

As the rebooted show shoots for international success, now is the time for a big-budget Doctor Who game

Now, more than ever, it's time we got a decent Dr Who game that plays up to the series' strengths.

BFF EM ALL

How to raise Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Friendship Level fast: Where to find the Friendship Checker

Here's how to befriend Pokemon quickly - and where to find the friendship checker to see where you stand.

TALL ORDER

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Gym Order, Team Star Base & Titan Order Walkthrough

This order walkthrough will help you decide the exact best sequence to tackle the Gyms, Bases, and Titan encounters in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

MY TYPE ON PAPER

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Type Chart: every type strength, weakness and resistance detailed

This Type Chart will help you to blast through battles in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet by exploiting opponent weaknesses.

BUG TYPE

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s performance is truly awful – but if it’s really fun, how much does it matter?

When does a game's performance start to take away from the joy of playing it? For Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, it's a hard question to answer.

ON THE VICTORY ROAD

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet review: a super-effective new vision – with painful performance woes

When Game Freak tries to wrap its head around developing on modern platforms, it still hurts itself in its confusion – despite the greatness of everything else.

RING IT BACK

Sonic Frontiers has Dreamcast-era jank and pop-in galore - but I can't stop playing it

Despite some horrible bad bits, there are some incredible good bits – but that's sort-of par for the course with Sonic at this point, isn't it?