Games of the week – Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Dirt 5 and Chicken Police.
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Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Platform: PS4, PS5
Genre: Action/adventure
Price: £69.99
Web-slinging into the new PlayStation generation
Launch titles aren’t always the best standard-bearers for a new console, but this soft sequel is a strong start to life for the PlayStation 5. Building on the great open-world and sharp combat of 2018’s original, Miles Morales sees the lead character of the same name embracing his place as New York’s latest hero. This version of Spider-Man comes with powerful new moves, and general exploration and combat are both more vibrant than the original. A very enjoyable experience that feels like a scaled-down taste of what is to come in the inevitable full sequel.
Skip to the end: Miles Morales takes his place as New York’s new hero.
Score: 8/10
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Google Stadia, PC
Genre: Role-playing game
Price: £59.99
Striking Vikings
Making its way onto both new platforms and old, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla acts as a Viking-led successor to 2018’s Creed Odyssey, during the invasion of a gloomy Britain in 873 AD, brimming with vast, stunning open worlds to explore. Of course, it would be an injustice to portray such a period in history without bloody battles, though they are done meaningfully. You play horn-blowing warrior Eivor, who is building a new life in England after their parents were killed years earlier. While there are nods to the previous games, newcomers won’t struggle to dive into this rich adventure, which switches from looting and pillaging to diplomacy across four kingdoms.
Skip to the end: Valhalla shows the true beauty heights capable of next-gen consoles, with expansive open-worlds – but beyond that this title has a strong story that comes alive with the huge breadth of challenges.
Score: 8/10
Dirt 5
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Racing
Price: £54.99
Fifth gear
Dirt takes on an arcade approach to off-road racing in its fifth outing, which also capitalises on the next-gen consoles’ graphical prowess. Dirt 5 is gloriously garish and in your face, but above all, loads of fun. There’s a decent amount of race modes to choose from, though the main career mode feels a little short. However, those committed to completing every task will enjoy the added objectives you can attempt during a race, such as keeping yourself in first place for at least 10 seconds. And let’s not forget a generous selection of cars.
Skip to the end: Racing takes a less serious edge in Dirt 5 which serves to boost the game’s appeal.
Score: 8/10
Chicken Police
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Genre: Adventure
Price: From £15.99
What the cluck
Chicken Police deserves full marks for its clucking madness – as the title accurately suggests, you play an anthropomorphic ex-cop rooster. Forced to work on a case with your former partner, this cop noir point and click adventure sees you interrogating and clue-hunting your way ahead. While the animal heads on human bodies is undeniable disturbing, the story holds substance with a sprinkling of good humour. The only real gripe would be its length, as it’s over before you know it.
Skip to the end: Chicken Police takes the crown for weirdest game we’ve seen in 2020, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun to play.
Score: 7/10
