Previews by Alex Donaldson

Dragon Age: The Veilguard has some deliciously deep RPG systems - hands-on preview
Dragon Age: The Veilguard has some deliciously deep RPG systems - hands-on preview

We take a deeper dive into the RPG progression and character builds of The Veilguard as part of a 7-hour in-depth hands-on session.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 19 September, 2024

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers up turn-based tradition, but with plenty of exciting twists - Preview
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 offers up turn-based tradition, but with plenty of exciting twists - Preview

Expedition 33 takes turn-based tradition and tries to augment it with reactive, twitchy additions - showcasing this game isn't all style - it's got ambitions in substance, too.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 28 August, 2024

Five take-aways from three hours with Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion DLC
Five take-aways from three hours with Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion DLC

An expansion to a good game is always an exciting proposition - but it’s obviously a little more so when it’s building on a past Game of the Year pick. Going hands-on with Elden Ring's DLC has only made that excitement all the greater.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 04 June, 2024

Three hours of hands-on play proves it: now is the perfect time for Dragon’s Dogma 2
Three hours of hands-on play proves it: now is the perfect time for Dragon’s Dogma 2

The first Dragon's Dogma took time to become a cult hit. But the time is right for the sequel to take the world by storm.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 06 March, 2024

Forspoken’s demo showcases combat with deep potential, but poor tutorials do it no favors
Forspoken’s demo showcases combat with deep potential, but poor tutorials do it no favors

There's a lot that's not ideal about Forspoken, but there's also a lot it has to get excited about.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 10 December, 2022

Elden Ring hands-on: a formidable, open adventure - and possibly FromSoftware’s best game yet
Elden Ring hands-on: a formidable, open adventure - and possibly FromSoftware’s best game yet

Most of us probably had a feeling Elden Ring was going to be pretty good - but can it live up to expectation? After hands-on, it sure seems like it might.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 10 November, 2021

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade: PS5 performance mode footage
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade: PS5 performance mode footage

Get a closer look at Yuffie's new adventure.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 26 May, 2021

Nier Replicant’s remaster fixes the worst thing about that flawed but broadly brilliant game
Nier Replicant’s remaster fixes the worst thing about that flawed but broadly brilliant game

Nier Replicant is only a remaster, not a remake - but it does do away with the absolute worst thing about the original, thank the heavens.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 29 March, 2021

Cyberpunk 2077 hands-on: 8 points for RPG fans
Cyberpunk 2077 hands-on: 8 points for RPG fans

We've played Cyberpunk 2077 - so here's eight points from our hands-on experience with this year's biggest RPG.

preview by Alex Donaldson and Bryan Vitale on 25 June, 2020

Kingdom Hearts III hands-on: 5 things you need to know about Sora's latest adventure
Kingdom Hearts III hands-on: 5 things you need to know about Sora's latest adventure

We played Kingdom Hearts 3 - so here's the five things we took away from our lengthy hands-on session.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 18 May, 2018

We played Nier Automata and it's amazing
We played Nier Automata and it's amazing

We really, really are hopeful about this game. Video inside.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 22 December, 2016

Star Ocean: Integrity & Faithlessness Hands-on Impressions
Star Ocean: Integrity & Faithlessness Hands-on Impressions

Star Ocean's 5th main-line entry arrives after an eight-year hiatus for the series. We go hands-on with the English localization.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 17 May, 2016

The Witcher 3: Blood & Wine Hands-on: Blood in Toussant
The Witcher 3: Blood & Wine Hands-on: Blood in Toussant

We check out The Witcher 3's final expansion pack, a journey to the all-new land of Toussant.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 10 May, 2016

Dark Souls 3 Hands-On: Iteration over Revolution
Dark Souls 3 Hands-On: Iteration over Revolution

Hidetaka Miyazaki returns to Dark Souls and has no plans to reinvent the wheel, but aims to polish its much-loved formula.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 02 March, 2016

Final Fantasy Explorers Hands-on - where Crystal Chronicles meets Monster Hunting
Final Fantasy Explorers Hands-on - where Crystal Chronicles meets Monster Hunting

Square Enix's latest FF spin-off venture is incredibly different, but that's a welcome thing.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 29 December, 2015

Faster and slicker but no easier: Hands-on with Dark Souls III
Faster and slicker but no easier: Hands-on with Dark Souls III

Or 'how to feel like you're terrible at video games at a hands-on event.'

preview by Alex Donaldson on 18 August, 2015

Scalebound looks like the most interesting big-budget Japanese RPG in a while
Scalebound looks like the most interesting big-budget Japanese RPG in a while

Hideki Kamiya gives us a guided tour of his new RPG - and we leave impressed.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 08 August, 2015

After hands-on time, Triforce Heroes feels a potentially worthy Zelda spin-off
After hands-on time, Triforce Heroes feels a potentially worthy Zelda spin-off

We go hands-on with Triforce Heroes, the latest addition to the Zelda universe.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 24 June, 2015

Horizon Zero Dawn may well be the most pleasant surprise of E3
Horizon Zero Dawn may well be the most pleasant surprise of E3

Guerilla Games shows up with a new IP - and it grabs us.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 21 June, 2015

Fallout 4's detailed E3 showing leaves rivals looking meagre
Fallout 4's detailed E3 showing leaves rivals looking meagre

Bethesda show up, show off, and blow the roof off.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 21 June, 2015

Rebel Yell: XCOM 2 Impressions
Rebel Yell: XCOM 2 Impressions

We hit the streets to fight Earth's new alien masters.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 20 June, 2015

Fable Legends Hands-On
Fable Legends Hands-On

Lionhead's latest seems interesting, but can a multiplayer focused experience really feel like Fable?

preview by Alex Donaldson on 15 October, 2014

Square Enix's new Adventure Game may be worth a look for RPG fans
Square Enix's new Adventure Game may be worth a look for RPG fans

Life is Strange, developed by French studio Dontnod, seems Square's most interesting project in years.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 29 August, 2014

Natural Doctrine Hands-On
Natural Doctrine Hands-On

We get our hands-on this unique Japanese Strategy RPG.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 21 August, 2014

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Impressions
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Impressions

Geralt comes to town and is as impressive as ever.

preview by Alex Donaldson on 22 June, 2014

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