Recent reviews by Lock

This is not a sequel to DD1, and it's not a game for me. There is basically no permanency to your characters, so unlike the first title, you can't build up a squad of treasured adventurers to try and keep alive. Outside of major class advancements, nothing that happens on a run really matters, and the whole wagon ride gets boring very quickly.

The art, animations and narration are all fantastic, but the aspects that made the first title enjoyable for me are gone.

I've enjoyed this game, quite a bit considering the price, however your mileage may vary and if you've never enjoyed a Magic duel previously there's a number of things which should give you pause:

- The user interface is aggravatingly slow.
- Features from previous iterations are missing and card variety could be improved.

On the upside you can now build your own deck however you like and this is rewarding. The system of grinding out boosters isn't as bad as some have made it sound - there are at least four exploration battles in each area and they're quite varied.

In the end however I cannot give this game a recommendation - those who will enjoy this game will likely buy it anyway, and the rest of you need to be warned.

This is not a good game. Far too many aspects are frustrating or badly designed for it to be worth any of your time or money. If you need further persuasion than that - read on:

I bought and played this game after watching the trailer - and for what it shows it's accurate enough. Parts of the game do look stylishly good and there are some free-running sections which work well and are even exhilerating. But in almost every other aspect the game falls flat - and is on the whole entirely frustrating.

The story is abysmal - punctuated by truly horrible voice acting that will make you cringe and which is, for the most part, unskippable. Additionally you are likely, even certain, to be forced to relisten to this terrible dialogue due to the checkpoint system and the game's mechanic of progression through death (or just plain old bugs). On many occasions there will be no way to know that an upcoming location is deadly until you step into it - and you will have to repeat lengthy sections through no fault of your own. This will get very old very quickly. Especially in locations where the finicky and unreliable fence-climbing controls will lead to your demise right at the end of a section that you're now replaying for the fifth time.

There is no aspect of inventory / ammunition management or conservation as you will be given all the ammunition you need directly before you need it. Find a box of shotgun shells? Zombie hoard dead ahead. Two bullets? Lonely zombie coming up. Any ammunition you bother to save will periodically and suddently be taken from you by "plot developments".

The only redeeming feature is that it ends very quickly and suddently.

Don't buy this game.

Game of the Year. Captivating, punishing and severely cool. Top it off with what is undeniably one of the best soundtracks of recent years and you have a game you won't forget (or be able to put down). 2012 was a very good year for PC gaming.

Easily one of 2012's greatest games. Amazing gameplay, visuals and freedom. The story was quite underrated - possibly by those who rushed through the game too quickly, as Farcry 3 has a world you can (and should) get lost in. The multiplayer is also worth a strong mention and its separate capaigns will easily add another 20 hours on top of what is already a robust experience. 9.4 / 10.

Tomb Raider's 2012 reboot sees a reimagining of Lara's beginnings that is both engaging and riveting. The gameplay is a mix of classic Tomb Raider exploration (in the best possible way) and more modern and intimate combat systems. The visuals are frequently incredible and certainly underrated. Strong voice acting drives a great story that will have you transfixed up to (and past) the game's final cresendo. 10/10 from this reveiwer - I couldn't imagine it being better.

As an added bonus - the multiplayer is actually very fun and has a small but dedicated community. If you're after more once you finish the game's core experience don't hesistate to jump in.

To call Portal anything less than one of the greatest games ever would be an injustice. I finally played this, years after it's humour had become pop culture, and I can attest to it's magnificence. Highlights of a flawless experience include the puzzling gameplay, a masterfully crafted and voiced antagonist in GLaDOS and humour and cleverless that is unsurpassed.

As the credits rolled (which are a masterpeice in themselves) I was ready to do it all over again in an instant. If you have somehow managed to avoid playing Portal until now, like I had, do yourself a favour and dive in - there will be not regrets (just cake*).

*The cake may be a lie.