Author: Brad Bortone

Madden NFL 20 Review

If It’s In The Game, It Stays The Same…

HIGH “Face of the Franchise” is a nice entry point.

LOW How have the graphics gotten worse?

WTF This could have been an update for Madden NFL 19.


Earth Atlantis (Xbox One) Review

Al Gore Never Predicted This Difficulty

HIGH The sketch/parchment-like graphics are fantastic

LOW The premise is awesome… if only there was a plot to follow

WTF How does climate change result in mechanical sea beasts?


This Is Not A Review: I, Hope

Welcome to This Is Not A Review. In these articles we discuss general impressions, ideas and thoughts on any given game, but as the title implies, it’s not a review. Instead, it’s an exercise in offering a quick recommendation (or dismissal) after spending enough time to grasp the ideas and gameplay of a thing without necessarily playing it from A to Z.

The subject of this installment: I, Hope, developed by Kenny Roy and published by Double Plus and Good Games.


Q.U.B.E. 2 Review

Standing In Valve’s Shadow

HIGH Creative puzzles and striking visual design.

LOW Why does the framerate stutter in an empty room containing nothing but moving blocks?

WTF How come space scientists keep getting abandoned on planets full of puzzles?


Deep Rock Galactic Preview

I have to admit, I tense up a little whenever I see “Xbox One Game Preview” in the title of something I’m playing. It’s not that there aren’t some fantastic experience to be had (because there are!) but these words can also mean crippling bugs and glitches galore while exploring a fantasy landscape.


FIFA 18 Review

A Melodramatic Return To Form

HIGH The gameplay is both speedier and more grounded in physics.

LOW The Journey has already jumped the shark.

WTF Floating corner kick reticles are evil and must be punished.


NHL 18 Review

Slick On The Ice, But Stuck In A Rut

HIGH  Franchise mode remains the primary reason to hit the ice

LOW  Be a Pro is awkward, paling in comparison to career modes from other EA titles

WTF  Did videogame hockey really peak in 1994?


Madden NFL 18 Review

This One Could Go… All… The… Way

HIGH  Frostbite engine meets football weather? It’ll be a showcase on the One X.

LOW  The Longshot story mode needs more… um … gameplay.

WTF  “Devin Wade” and “Colt Cruise” sound like two winners from this year’s AVN Awards


Gigantic Review

A Gigantic Amount Of Enjoyment

HIGH Tight controls make complex attacks a breeze, even in the most chaotic battles.

LOW After countless beta time, this amount of downtime between matches is disappointing.

WTF Another pummeling loss, driving players straight to the Ultimate Pack upgrade.