Let’s begin with a shining pearl of wisdom—when Pokémon games go 40% off, secure a copy. Why? Because Nintendo AAAs seem to retain their value, and their prices don’t often swoop this low. Also, the fact that Brilliant Diamond hasn’t seen a similar chop suggests that this could well be an anomaly. Whatever the case, capitalise now.
In retro news, I’m celebrating the 10th birthday of Trials Fusion, an impressive follow up to 2012’s Trials Evolution. Like before, it was an arcadey, 2.5D take on the real-life sport of observed trials. My overriding memories of over-riding things in it are of an awesome track editor, epic 8-player multi, and the surprising inclusion of a quad bike. Oh, and also swearing bloody murder at my TV while trying to gold medal Inferno IV.
The titular ‘trial’ is one of patience. The ‘fusion’ being referenced is that of your controller into a nearby wall.
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Pokémon Shining Pearl
If a good remake is defined by its loyalty to the original, then Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are very good remakes indeed. 8/10, great.
So you’ve seen the TV show and you want to get back into Fallout. Well, there have been some advancements since you last played Fallout 4. There’s getting back into it, and then there’s Getting Back INTO It via the immersive magic of VR.
If you were hoping for a dramatic reinvention of EA’s soccer sim to go along with ditching the FIFA name, EA Sports FC 24 is not that. If you’ve played FIFA, you know exactly what kind of incremental improvements to expect.
Rebirth impressively builds off of what Remake set in motion as both a best-in-class action-RPG full of exciting challenge and depth, and as an awe-inspiring recreation of a world that has meant so much to so many for so long. 9/10, amazing.
