Whether it's raging war against the Empire, uncovering the darkest secrets of mysterious cults, or testing your mettle in Disney’s latest gaming venture, the latest titles ensure there’s something for every gamer this month.
Star Wars Jedi; Survivor is a third-person action-adventure game that blurs the line between video games and Hollywood blockbusters. Set five years after the monumental Fallen Order, this sequel is everything a Star Wars fan could ever want. And more.
You play as Cal Kestis, a Jedi fugitive turned resistance fighter whose mission to secure classified Imperial documents in the game's opening moments reminds us that the hatred the galaxy harbours for the Empire remains unchanged.
From the offset, Cal is a highly capable Jedi Knight, and you'll no doubt be taken aback by the sheer array of skills and combos you can do. Finally, a sequel that considers the growth and prowess the character has already gone through.
Every lightsaber strike feels expertly executed, every push and pull from the Force god-like. A small part of you will feel sorry for those early Stormtroopers you mercilessly decapitate or push off rooftops – but you’ll soon realise the game isn’t exactly a stream-roll.
Enemies can easily swarm you, requiring precise dodges or parries to survive. You’ll be faced with a hail of blaster shots on more than one occasion. Fail to keep pace for even the slightest moment, and not even a well-timed Jedi mind trick can save you.
But it’s in these instances of impossible difficulty when you’re desperately trying to create space between you and an enemy, that the game reaches sheer perfection. Paired with mesmerizing graphics and boss fights that interlace cut-scenes so fluidly, even the smallest skirmishes will make you feel like you’re in the thick of an epic Star Wars tale.
New skills trees and stances add significant polish to the combat system, though unfortunately can only be used or swapped out at meditation points. A particular stand-out is the new Blaster stance, which allows Cal to hack and slash or shoot long-range at enemies in the ultimate form of payback.
Survivor promises an open-world experience, where you’ll frequently be coaxed off the beaten path by a series of bounty quests and Jedi temples to best. Environments are breathtakingly beautiful and beg exploration.
Thankfully, Cal is an incredibly fluid and tactile character to control, able to wall-ride, grappling hook, or double jump his way through anything. Even when no droid or blaster is in sight, the game commands your full attention.
Graphics aside, Survivor promises an engaging storyline. Cal has evolved into an even more intricate and complicated character in the five years since Fallen Order. Cameron Monaghan, who plays the protagonist, does a stellar job from beginning to end, making theories of a TV spin-off show seem all the more justifiable. Mark Hamill has already given the Jedi his blessing...
Let the Jedi Coaching Sessions begin! @MarkHamill stopped by to give @CameronMonaghan a few pointers in his role as Cal Kestis! 🫴#StarWarsJediSurvivor - Available April 28 pic.twitter.com/vBInjBfNcd
— EA Star Wars (@EAStarWars) April 27, 2023
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a force to be reckoned with. It heightens several mechanics introduced in the first game and brings new depth to a galaxy in turmoil. Flashy combat, sizeable challenges, and a gripping story make this 25+ hour epic one of the finest wars against the Empire yet.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened
Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is a Lovecraftian adventure that sees the world's most famous detective venture deep into the underbelly of the Cthulhu Mythos.
From infiltrating insane asylums to paddling through crocodile-infested swamps, the game takes you on a round-the-world trip of kidnapping, murder, and unhinged paranoia.
You’ll leave no stone unturned as you examine and collect evidence, piece together wild theories, and recreate events to catch the perp. Holme’s insatiable appetite for conspiracies is as strong as ever, and his slow mental decline forms the backdrop of the game’s larger plot.
Luckily, Dr. John Watson is on hand to pick up the pieces, as any good side-kick should. Their emerging relationship and hilarious banter are one of the game’s core strengths.
For newcomers to the series, starting with the game’s previous title, Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One, is highly recommended. It gives an excellent foundation for the storyline and has a much meaty selection of side missions. For seasoned detectives, The Awakened offers new puzzles to solve, schemes to uncover, zany characters, and even more reasons to admire the world’s greatest detective.
Sherlock Homes: The Awakened is available to play on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Disney Speedstorm
Kart racing is a notoriously fickle genre in gaming. You only need to look at the now-canceled Chocobo GP, the often-forgotten Crash Team Racing, and a myriad of other titles to realise new titles don't tend to stick their landing. Eventually, everyone just goes back to playing Mario Kart.
Disney Speedstorm is an earnest effort to carve out a new racing experience, using its enormous catalogue of iconic Disney-Pixar characters from TV, film, and more. From Mickey Mouse to Mulan, Hercules, and Jack Sparrow, to Beauty and the Beast, Monsters Inc., and more, a wide-spanning starting cast is a testament to what Disney can pull from its wheelhouse.
Each character has specific traits and unique powers that suit different driving styles. Speedsters like Belle and Mike Wazowski, for example, zip through the course at high speed. Brawlers like Donald Duck or Hercules thrive in combat. Various power-ups litter tracks and help even the odds and add chaos to every turn.
The levels are a big part of any kart racing game, and thankfully Speedstorm takes full advantage of Disney’s iconic settings. Whether it is skidding through erupting volcanoes on Mount Olympus or dodging tableware in Beast’s castle, the race tracks are colourful, quite varied, and equipped with remixed versions of Disney classics that you’ll have no option but to hum long after the race ends.
One potential crux of the game is the live-service element. As new characters are released, you’ll need to 'farm’ a series of shards to unlock and power them up. These can be collected through engaging with different race events and the game’s loot-box mechanics.
Loot boxes have always been a contentious issue in gaming, and while you can choose not to buy the battle pass or the future tokens on sale, getting these shards can be incredibly long-winded and relies heavily on pot-luck.
That said, Speedstorm is still in early access, and there’ll hopefully be a refined approach to how racers, items, and cosmetics can be earned. Flagged as a free-to-play upon official release, gamers can purchase the game ahead of schedule and get a head-start on the competition.
Disney Speedstorm is currently in early access and can be played on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
