Games of the week – Bravely Default II, Cyber Shadow, Control Ultimate Edition and Monster Jam Steel Titans 2
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Cyber Shadow
Platform: Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC
Genre: Side scroller / action
Price: From £15.99 (Free with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
Retro goodness
Looking glossy with high spec graphics is not the be-all-and-end-all, as Cyber Shadow proves. With its 8-bit arcade feel and techno music to boot, it is completely retro, and felt like stepping back in the early-nineties for all the right reasons. Sure, the controls are basic, limited to jumps and punches, and the story is so-so – but there is a good balance of challenge, although there are frustrating cheap deaths. A flying foe could be heading your way taking a bar of health, but in the process it knocks you into a pit of fire, taking even more and practically guaranteeing your death. Boo. It stinks and it annoys you. Thankfully there are check points. Overall, we enjoyed the setup.
Skip to the end: Bar the cheap deaths, this is a gripping 8-bit retro side scrolling action title that will have you hooked.
Score: 8/10
Bravely Default II
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Role playing game
Price: £49.99
Crystal clear
We last saw from the Bravely Default series in 2016. This time around focuses on Seth, who washes up on shore, saved by Gloria the Princess from the lost kingdom of Musa, who reveals the history of four powerful crystals. They eventually team up with Elvis the scholar and his companion Adelle to find these crystals. The story is solid, well scripted and voiced throughout, alongside the undeniable beautiful visuals. The main gameplay focus is on a turn-based battle system, which can be very testing – if a little too hard – forcing you to seriously weigh up risks, defence and rewards. There are plenty of side quests to keep you going for some time as well.
Skip to the end: A strong addition to the Bravely Default series, if a little too hard at times.
Score: 8/10
Control Ultimate Edition
Platform: Xbox, PlayStation
Genre: Action / Adventure
Price: £34.99
Can you stop a corruptive presence inside the Federal Bureau of Control?
Control Ultimate Edition is an all-encompassing round-up of the original base game and two subsequent expansions, re-kitted for next-generation consoles. For those who haven’t played before, you take the role of Jesse Fadens, as you seek to master supernatural abilities, modifiable loadouts, and reactive environments thrown your way, after a secretive agency in New York is invaded by an otherworldly threat. Sure enough, this upgrade has improved the graphics, load times and frame rates, providing a well-rounded, gripping story.
Skip to the end: Great upgrades to an already good game, though it may be hard to justify for those who have already bought it and/or missed the free download available to PS+ subscribers.
Score: 7/10
Monster Jam Steel Titans 2
Platform: Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Stadia, PC
Genre: Racing / Simulation
Price: From £34.99
Truck mashing
There is always something enjoyable about bashing around in a truck, but it can only last so long. With new online multiplayer modes, a choice of 38 trucks and five new outdoor worlds, developers have definitely thrown in as much variety as possible for Monster Jam Steel Titans 2, but quantity is never a replacement for quality. The graphics are not great and championships are a bit too repetitive for our liking, lacking any substantial challenge to keep us hooked. For senseless messing about, it could do the job, especially for children, but otherwise it is stuck in the slow lane.
Skip to the end: Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 does not add anything seriously compelling to keep us playing due to a lack of challenge factor.
Score: 6/10
