5 Big Game Reviews in 5 Minutes — Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, Dawn of War 3 & 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 convinent article, rounding up exactly what games have released, if they’re any good, and which one you should buy.

Here’s our 5 game reviews in 5 minutes:

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

What is it? A remaster of the critically-acclaimed Final Fantasy XII, albeit with some spiffed-up visuals and a revamped combat system.

Is it any good? Square Enix has put a tremendous amount of work into updating Final Fantasy XII’s visuals for a new generation, and it shows. While there are still plenty of unavoidable remnants from the PS2 era — blocky architecture and some awkward animations — the improved characters models, lighting, and particle effects all represent a massive step forward from the original. Thankfully, the core content remains the same, but the changes in various systems add a new layer of discovery. This means old fans can still relive the journey, while new players (or those who had issues with old mechanics) don’t feel trapped in an outdated adventure.

How much does it cost? Find the best price here.

Cars 3: Driven to Win

What is it? A tie-in racing game to accompany the latest instalment of the Pixar movie franchise.

Is it any good? Surprisingly, yes. While most movie tie-ins, particularly that of kid-centric films, tend to be of notably poor quality, Cars 3: Driven to Win (coming from the team that developed the Just Cause) manages to be an exception, delivering a fun, weaponised arcade racer that is accessible without holding your hand too much. There’s a lot of Cars franchise goodies in here, but the real fun comes from the simple yet addictive racing gameplay and power-ups. There’s also a welcome amount of tracks and modes, and the fact that the game has split-screen is incredibly appreciated.

How much does it cost? Find the best price here

MXGP 3

What is it? Milestone’s third entry into the official Motocross video game franchise.

Is it any good? While MXGP 3 does feature all the licensed tracks, riders, and bikes from the official Motocross GP tournament, from a gameplay perspective, it fails to offer anything substantially different from its predecessors. It’s a lot of fun and there’s a few moments that’ll rev up two-wheel fanatics, but with a lack of track deformation, dynamic weather, and reworked physics, it’s not a must-play, even for franchise followers.

How much does it cost? Find the best price here

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III

What is it? The long-awaited sequel to the popular Dawn of War II real-time strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Is it any good? After ditching base-building in Dawn of War II, developers Relic have gone back to the drawing board with DoW III, merging ideas from the first two games while adding in a few new features to flesh out the experience. The result is a mixed-bag. There have been vast improvements to certain areas of the game, such as the new Elite units to change a battle, while many tactical intricacies that made the first games so popular have been stripped away. The result is a much faster, more MOBA-like gameplay experience rather than a deep, strategic style. That said, there’s a lot to love with a meaty campaign, although the real longevity with DoW III will exist in whether you take it online or not.

How much does it cost? Find the best price

Endless Space 2

What is it? The sequel to the award-winning Endless Space, a turn-based strategy game based on 4X game model – namely eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate.

Is it any good? If you’re overwhelmed with games that feature immense depth, complexity, and require hundreds of hours of playtime, Endless Space 2 is not for you. The sequel evolves the franchise’s solid foundations with compelling quests, an interesting narrative, and smarter AI, giving players a challenge when selecting and executing their tactics to conquer new territories. Endless Space 2 isn’t a game for everyone, but if you’re looking for some cerebral processes in your weekend playtime, it’s well worth a look.

How much does it cost? Find the best price here

Played any of the above games? Tweet us @MenStuff and let us know what you think of them!

And if you want to find the best deals on other big games currently available and for pre-order, check out PriceCheck.co.za!

More gaming features to keep you busy:

WATCH: 7 Biggest Games Still Coming in 2017

Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy Review — As Good as You Remember it?

8 Awesome PS4 Games You Can Buy for Under R300

7 Awesome Xbox One Games You Can Buy for Under R300