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Simon Miller, Editor-In-Chief – Shadowblade, iOS
Shadowblade may very well be my favourite game on iOS (other than Darts Night). As I mentioned in my review, the reason I get so frustrated with mobile games is that most control like dog. I’d love to be able to play FIFA on my iPhone, but it’s absolute garbage. I’d genuinely rather be forced to eat my own face. It’d be less painful.
Dead Mage has obviously built its platformer around this concept, and the results are exquisite – Shadowblade is just excellent to play. The idea is incredibly simple – get to the end of the level by jumping and killing – but it’s endlessly satisfying. I could go on for at least another thousand words saying how much I love it and that still wouldn’t be enough.
I may even give it my Game of the Year now, because that would be both ridiculous and stupid.
It is good, though…
Dave Scammell, Deputy News Editor – Knack, PlayStation 4
If Knack really has been designed to introduce younger players to console gaming as Cerny suggests, then it’s the equivalent to handing a toddler a set of armbands and pushing him onto the set of Deep Blue Sea. On its Normal setting, Knack is one of the most frustratingly difficult games I’ve played in recent memory, littered with insta-death and ropey checkpointing, and certainly not a title I’d recommend to a family looking to ease their children in to the world of gaming.
It isn’t, as some of the reviews suggested, particularly good either – and certainly not good enough to become the platform mascot Sony was likely looking for. I found the first hour or so reasonably enjoyable, but with four hours under my belt and little substance or variation to keep me compelled, I’m not sure whether Knack is really worth going back to.
There was a joke amongst some of the media in attendance of PlayStation 4’s New York reveal event that Knack should have perhaps been called ‘Cack’. And one year on, you can’t help but think they may have been right.
Tom Orry, Editorial Director – FIFA 14, PS4
Still only playing FIFA 14, and never anything but single friendly matches, but I think I am finally starting to get considerably better at the game. After months of being unable to beat any team on Professional difficulty, I’m now regularly beating Arsenal as Spurs on World Class. I’m sure you’ll all tell me that World Class is super easy, but I’m pleased to be making strides at last. Also, I scored two great goals this week, both of which I’d show you if I could figure out how to get a Facebook video onto YouTube – please add YouTube sharing Sony.
Brett Phipps, Staff Writer at Sportra.com – Nidhogg, PC
I still haven’t quite recovered from the loss in my epic battle with Steve in the office tournament.
Having dominated the encounter for so long, I can’t believe I let victory slip from my grasp. But, at the tournament’s end, I think we all came to the conclusion that Nidhogg was the winner. What a brilliant game.
The mechanics are flawless and make you consider every move: you can’t run across the level like a maniac because of the slide each character has; jump kicks are a powerful tool against a defensive opponent, but can also leave you out of position and are (as I found out today) blockable in the high stance. These clever little adjustments make all matches feel perfectly balanced, and the intensity never fades. It’s a chess match at 100 miles an hour.
If you’re having friends round this weekend, this is well worth the investment – it’s ideal for local multiplayer. And don’t worry, I’m preparing for the inevitable rematch.
If you’re yet to check out the VideoGamer Nidhogg deadly tournament of death, shift your eyes below.
