Stellaris is not a perfect game and there are aspects that Paradox could (and, judging by their track record, probably will) improve, including an unexciting range of technologies, a potentially plodding mid-game and timid enemy AI.
The Banner Saga 2 picks up the pace and loses focus in the process
Suggesting that a game developer should consider transitioning to film is usually regarded as a derogatory remark, but in the case of The Game Kitchen it should be taken as high praise.
The majesty of Hyper Light Drifter's lonely pilgrimage is worth fighting for
Sorcery! Part 3: The Seven Serpents is a leap forward in sophistication that, almost miraculously, transcends the static linearity of the gamebook formula and manages to produce a fantasy world as dynamic and exciting as any traditional adventure in recent memory.
Despite suffering from low production values and lack of variety, Aegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault is a solid, if unexceptional, tower defense game. It may have nothing new to offer, but the combination of tried and tested mechanics with a dash of teen-soap drama turn its eleventh-hour attempt to organize humanity’s last line of defense into an adequate diversion.
Slain! looks as gorgeous as we expected, but despite the numerous delays, the game is still a broken mess. Numerous bugs, a simplistic, unresponsive and repetitive combat system, balance issues and awful writing all amount to a cavalcade of nuisances that will break your will to persist and reach the next spectacular vista.
Sheltered starts off brilliantly, hooking you with the immediate and pressing needs of a family seeking sanctuary against the perils of its post-apocalyptic world, but there's not enough content to reward prolonged play. Once your vault has been fully upgraded, the experience becomes bland and meaningless, veering dangerously close to authenticity of the undesirable sort.
Though the hardcore crowd may scoff at its unsophisticated combat system and the lack of a serious challenge, Moon Hunters' gorgeous presentation and unique brand of storytelling will absorb anyone who wishes to explore the countless sagas of an enchanting fantasy world.
With an exhilarating combat system and all the right intentions, Blood Alloy: Reborn had the potential to become an excellent score-based title. As it stands, however, its glaring omissions mark it as a missed opportunity.
The King's Challenge is a serviceable old school point 'n' click adventure that should appeal to fans that found the recent remake by Sierra a tad too removed from the spirit of the original.
It's a shame that the game loses the player so early, and that it takes so much of its length to win one back.
Sorcery! Parts 1 & 2 is an enjoyable enough attempt to recreate the gamebook experience and, as such, is more suitable to players familiar with the format and its inherent limitations, or those that are more interested in following a well-written fantasy than exploring a fictional world.
The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human may have its share of flaws, but is a highly original and mostly enjoyable entry into the increasingly congested metroidvania subgenre. That it would acquire some of its inspiration's inherent flaws was inevitable; that it would manage to replicate, even partly, the experience of traversing a hauntingly beautiful world populated by majestic creatures and generate a similar sense of guilt in destroying them, marks it already as a success.
Players will remain invested in a story that, if not entirely original, remains exciting and poignant in equal measure.
Nuclear Throne is impeccably presented and tightly designed. There is enough variety in characters, upgrades and weapons to ensure that playthroughs never get repetitive and its visceral combat is a joy in itself. Its frustrating unfairness, however, holds it back and may alienate even hardcore roguelike fans. Not the heir to Isaac's throne many had hoped for then, but still the best action roguelike of 2015.
Judging a primarily multiplayer title always comes with a caveat. Chainsawesome has developed a game of excellent fundamentals that, under ideal conditions, could provide endless hours of fast-paced, chaotic fun. The lack of meaningful content for the single player is not a major issue – this is not a title meant for gaming's recluses. With already shaky matchmaking, and the chances of regularly rounding up four or five spare Xbox controllers (let alone willing playmates) in the same living room rather slim, however, some of Knight Squad's potential is sadly squandered.
Unfortunately, Sileni Studios, in attempting to present something deeper and more original than your run-of-the-mill artillery title, has painted itself into a corner.
We now have a complete, perfect version of The Binding of Isaac, one which can sustain no further refinement.
The campaign, predictably for a title whose main focus is its editor, remains serviceable but fails to impress.