5 Game Reviews in 5 Minutes — Elden Ring, GT 7, Elex 2 & More

OK, we don’t want to lie from the outset. We’re not exactly sure if this article takes 5 minutes to read, but it’s somewhere in the ballpark. We’re writers, not mathematicians here!

Anyway, with all the massive games releasing this season, it’s quite difficult for gamers out there to keep track of what’s releasing when and what’s worth picking up (for one reason or another); so, in the spirit of being as thorough as possible, we’ve reviewed 5 of the biggest titles that have released within the last month in one convenient article, rounding up exactly what games have released, if they’re any good, and which one you should buy.

Elden Ring

Available on: PS5 | Xbox Series X | PS4 | Xbox One | PC

What is it? The team behind the beloved Dark Souls and Bloodborne series has joined forces with Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin for Elden Ring, a large open-world action RPG.

Is it any good? Elden Ring is easily the biggest, most ambitious, and gorgeous game to come out of the From Software studio. While it does try and differentiate itself, it does feel like a Souls game — the look, HUD, mechanics, and overall design of the game are very similar to those entries. That’s not a bad thing, though, as fans of the previous releases will feel right at home with Elden Ring. Technical combat, grotesque beasts, and high-fantasy are still name of the game here, however, the addition of being able to travel and fight on horseback is a great addition, giving you another combat option where possible.

Of course, people always ask: “how hard is it, really?” Well, very. The game doesn’t do any hand-holding and throws you into the world to stumble upon its horrors in any order you may find yourself tackling them in, so you will get punished a few times before you find your feet and begin to systematically work through the enemies and bosses.

It’s not for everyone, and that’s a given, but those who love these types of games will feel like Elden Ring is the magnum opus of everything the brutal-but-beloved developer has been working towards.

Gran Turismo 7

Available on: PS5 | PS4

What is it? The long-awaited instalment in the veteran Gran Turismo racing franchise, bringing photorealistic cars and tracks, along with all the true-to-life tinkering and customisation of the world’s most powerful street beasts.

Is it any good? As expected, the Gran Turismo franchise has essentially perfected the presentation at this point. The game brings stunning detail and breathtakingly nuanced visuals to all the vehicles, allowing those who really like their appreciation of the minutia to be addressed. The extent of the customisation options are mindblowing, and the racing itself is as slick as ever. The GT series has never been for the casual gamer, and nothing has changed here, delivering a very comprehensive and tactical approach to racing events across all categories. It’s not trying to do anything outside of the box, it’s just doing what we’ve come to know from the franchise, and making that box look damn impressive

Elex 2

Available on: PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC

What is it? The sequel to 2017’s under-the-radar action/RPG, which mixed sci-fi and old-school fantasy into an open-world Skyrim-like adventure. While it was an interesting foray into the genre, it was a little rough around the edges.

Is it any good? There’s no doubt that the follow-up has expanded upon many of the things the first Elex set out to do. The world itself is larger and impressively detailed, the character models have seen a notable upgrade, and the story is told in a far more comprehensive way. A huge differentiator with Elex 2 is also the ability to use thrusters to boost around the environment, so you’re not stuck clumping around the entire world.

With that said, the combat itself is a little clumsy. Swinging melee weapons feels ineffective and the timing of the animations does seem a little sluggish. Enemy AI is also wildly contrasting, with some being incredibly ineffective and some having a bloodlust with murderous efficiency. There’s no doubt that Elex 2 has something other RPGs don’t, but just the unpolished nature of it makes it a hard sell in a market full of great games in the genre. If you’re looking for something completely different and have burned through what’s out there, it’s worth a discounted purchase.

Assetto Corsa Competizione – Next-Gen Edition

Available on: PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PC

What is it? While a lot of buzz floats around the Gran Turismo and Forza franchises, another lesser-known racer is making a name for itself Assetto Corsa Competizione was originally released in 2019 and was a fantastic entry into the racing sim genre, bringing something a little different from what we’re used to. The next-gen upgrade is here, bringing some spiffy visual enhancements and in-game items.

Is it any good? Assetto Corsa Competizione hasn’t changed too much with its jump to the PS5 and Xbox Series X. You’re still getting essentially the same good-looking racer, although with some notable improvements in lighting and finer details. However, that isn’t a bad thing, because it’s one of the best and most underappreciated racing sims on the market. The action itself is sublime, and managing everything on your car — from the tyres to your pit team — is incredibly satisfying and immersive. It still isn’t the most newcomer-friendly game out there, leaning more towards the ‘learn-fast-or-lose’ approach, but petrol-heads who put the time in will be pleasantly surprised with what Assetto Corsa Competizione brings to the table.

King of Fighters XV

Available on: PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC

What is it? The 15th primary instalment in the beloved 2D fighting franchise, bringing some new fighters, mechanics, and a whole new look to the series.

Is it any good? King of Fighters XV isn’t a colossal overhaul as anticipated, but it does so a lot to enhance the graphics and presentation from past instalments. It looks good and moves well, with new camera angles and a colourful cell-shaded art style to make fights pop on screen. Mechanically, it does some interesting things, forcing players to use a built-up ‘Max meter’ to either attack or break an enemy’s block. On top of that, its 3v3 fighting structure is an interesting twist that fans of the genre will enjoy, giving you more and more opportunities to try different characters and find the best balance for your picks.

There’s no real memorable single-player component to highlights, with the story mode only lasting an hour or so, but if you have friends to fight and want to take your bouts online, King of Fighters XV does provide you with something other than brutal Fatalities and Hadoukens.

Will you be picking up any of the above games? Let us know by tweeting @MenStuffZA, posting on our Facebook page, or commenting below.