8th March
Hello and welcome back to our weekly roundup of the games we’ve been diving into recently. This week, Ed shares his thoughts on Monster Hunter Wilds, Tom O delves into Avowed, and Bertie revisits a beloved mobile game. Let’s see what they have to say!
Have you been playing anything interesting lately?
If you’ve missed any of our previous editions, check out our What We’ve Been Playing archive for more.
Monster Hunter Wilds, PS5
My journey with the Monster Hunter series began with Monster Hunter World, which initially left me feeling overwhelmed and lost. Despite spending countless hours in the game, I still struggled to grasp its complexities. However, with the release of Rise, I found myself more comfortable and quickly grew to adore it.
Now, with Wilds, I expected to deepen my love for the series even further as my skills improved. However, my experience with the game has been a mix of highs and lows as I approach the end of the main campaign. While Capcom has introduced some welcome improvements, they come with their own set of drawbacks, creating a balancing act of progress and setbacks.
One highlight of Wilds is the streamlined gameplay mechanics, particularly the enhancements made to your Seikrat mount. The ability to perform various tasks while mounted, such as weapon swapping and healing, adds a new level of convenience. On the downside, the auto-run feature sometimes leads to a passive gaming experience, shifting the focus more towards battling than actual hunting.
Despite the expansive open environments and visually stunning weather effects in Wilds, the game suffers from performance issues, especially noticeable in textures and overall rendering. Compared to Rise, Wilds lacks the vibrant and engaging world that made its predecessor stand out. However, combat in Wilds shines bright, offering a satisfying experience with its new mechanics and diverse roster of monsters.
While I have reservations about certain aspects of Wilds, particularly in its early stages, I’m hopeful that the later High Rank hunts will deliver a more rewarding experience.
-Ed
Avowed, Xbox Series X
Getting immersed in large games has always been a challenge for me. Despite my initial struggles, I’ve found myself drawn to Avowed and its intriguing world of Paradis. However, the visual quality of the game on Xbox Series X has been a point of contention for me. Playing in Balanced Mode for a mix of visuals and performance, I’ve encountered issues with image stability and graphical anomalies, impacting the overall experience.
Despite these setbacks, Avowed has delivered some memorable moments, such as narrowly avoiding disaster by not accidentally consuming a crucial spell book early on. The game’s sprawling landscapes have provided moments of awe, alongside unexpected pitfalls and surprises. As I continue my journey in Avowed, the question remains: will I commit to seeing it through?
-Tom O
Slice & Dice, Android
Returning to Slice & Dice feels like rediscovering a hidden gem each time, solidifying my growing obsession with the game. Its unique blend of dice-based combat and character evolution has kept me hooked.
Featuring a diverse roster of over 100 heroes with innovative abilities, Slice & Dice offers a refreshing take on traditional RPG archetypes. The game constantly surprises me with quirky characters like Spade, whose resurrection abilities add a fresh twist to the gameplay.
I’m continually amazed by the developer’s dedication to updating and expanding the game, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for players. If you haven’t tried Slice & Dice yet, I highly recommend diving in and exploring its charm for yourself.
-Bertie