Mel Hawthorne

Mel Hawthorne

Mel is a London-based copywriter that has been writing about video games for a few years now. After growing up in Vienna, Austria she followed her dreams and moved to London. Said dreams took her through a few different jobs (which included working as a web developer, shopkeeper and translator) before she settled on what she really wanted to do – periodically anger video game fans by expressing her opinions on games through various online publications. When she’s not writing about video games, she’s probably playing them... or walking her dog in a park. Since that depends largely on the English weather, Mel has plenty of time to indulge in her favourite games. These include but are not limited to Ark: Survival Evolved, Skyrim, GTA V, and oddly enough, Amnesia: Memories. She loves Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. She thinks Star Trek is way better than Star Wars and isn’t afraid to admit it – Live long and prosper!

New maps, new puzzles, and the beginning of more adventures makes this content DLC worth checking out.

Wednesday, 24 October 2018 04:00

WARRIORS OROCHI 4 Review

Strong mechanics, fun combat, and a lot of replay value are brought down by so-so graphics and a story that’s impossible to follow, yet you’ll still have fun mowing down scores of enemies.

Thursday, 18 October 2018 09:00

Assassin's Creed Odyssey Review

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey takes us on yet another action-and-adventure-filled ride through history. Choose from one of two unique perspectives, prepare for your decisions to have life-changing impact, and take in the beauty of Ancient Greece.

Monday, 15 October 2018 16:06

The Ballad Singer Early Access Review

The Ballad Singer is a fully illustrated, narrative adventure created by Curtel Games. It’s a text-focused storytelling experience based on classic RPGs, role-playing tabletop games, and other epic adventures. The story takes place in the fantasy world of Hesperia and is told through the eyes and experiences of four different but connected heroes (or, rather, “adventurers,” as some of them aren't all that heroic).

Wednesday, 10 October 2018 09:00

Deliver Us The Moon: Fortuna Review

Deliver us the Moon: Fortuna is a story-driven exploration puzzler just released by KeokeN Interactive. Explore space, uncover the history of a lunar base, and restore power to Earth. Mankind has once again gotten itself into a bit of trouble, and it’s up to you to save it!

Monday, 24 September 2018 14:25

Megaquarium Review

There are plenty of fish, yes, but there are also too many menus, along with repetitive music and odd sound effects. The devs have some upward swimming to do to reach the surface of the title’s potential.

Tuesday, 11 September 2018 11:55

NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER Review

Meta: Bandai Namco’s newest fighting title, developed by Soleil Ltd., is quite a bit different from previous Naruto titles—the Ultimate Ninja Storm series is, of course, beloved by many fans of both the game genre and the Naruto franchise. With Shinobi Striker, Bandai Namco has stepped away from the tried and true recipe, with (relatively) great success.

Friday, 07 September 2018 09:00

Green Hell Early Access Review

Green Hell is a brand new, single-player survival game from Creepy Jar. Its title does it justice. The game is extremely challenging and the struggle for survival is ever-present as you navigate the seemingly endless Amazon jungle.

Wednesday, 05 September 2018 09:00

Strange Brigade Review

Strange Brigade is Rebellion’s much anticipated multiplayer-adventure – and what an adventure it is! Built for 1-4 player co-op, this title doesn’t do thing by halves. Mysterious dungeons, strange cats and huge, tough enemies are the norm here.

This puzzler (with good-but-not-great puzzles) has a storyline that will make you curious about what the future holds for the crew aboard the Beaufort, as it heads ever closer toward a dangerous, albeit necessary destination.

Wednesday, 01 August 2018 20:24

Sonic Mania - Encore DLC Review

Though not without flaws, if you want to experience the original magic of Sonic without having to dig out an old Sega Genesis console (yet also be treated to a dash of newness) this is definitely a title to pick up.

Wednesday, 25 July 2018 09:00

Defiance 2050 Review

Defiance 2050 is a co-op, open world shooter from Trion Worlds. With customisable characters, classes designed to interplay well, and an expansive, immersive world, it makes for a solid entry in the free-to-play market.

Tuesday, 03 July 2018 11:08

Wreckfest Review

Wreckfest is a demolition derby-style racer with stunning physics and a hint of absurdity. Whether your vehicle of choice is a Pontiac Firebird or a lawn mower, the title is less about racing and more about the spectacular collisions.

Tuesday, 26 June 2018 09:00

MEMORIES OF MARS Early Access Review

MEMORIES OF MARS (MoM) is an early access action/survival game by Limbic Entertainment and 505 Games. MoM is a relatively new addition to the Steam Store and is currently receiving regular updates. As the name suggests, the title is set in outer space and has the player explore and colonize the Red Planet.

Friday, 22 June 2018 11:00

Gray Dawn Review

Interactive Stone’s debut, Gray Dawn, is a beautifully designed horror title with broad appeal, a compelling atmosphere, and a few minor flaws.

Thursday, 14 June 2018 07:51

MotoGP 18 Review

A true motorbike simulation, MotoGP18 provides a gritty, realistic experience for the most part, apart from flaws in braking, a wheelie ban, and some twitchy animations for the crowd.