Blake "Grundy" Grundman
The sense of awe only lasts for so long and eventually gives way to the tedium that comes from padding the length of a campaign through relatively repetitive missions and challenges. It is hard to shake the feeling that this could have been something special, at least in concept, that ultimately failed executing on its overall promise. Unless you have a VR headset that you are looking to justify, you may want to skip this rescue mission.
It is nice to see that the team over at Sony San Diego has been given enough rope to try new things. The resulting product has once again shown why the MLB The Show series is still one of the best sport simulations in the industry.
As an independently produced rhythm game, LOUD on Planet X, succeeds at everything it sets out to do. It is an interesting perspective to approach the genre that is complimented by a very strong soundtrack.
There are quite a few things that make The Walking Dead: Michonne worth the fifteen dollar investment. The solid narrative and always interesting characters provide a fantastic backdrop to further flesh out the world, post-outbreak.
Gearbox attempted to think outside of the box with Battleborn and try something genuinely different. In many respects, they succeeded in this mandate.
When it comes to franchises that are worth revisiting in a new console generation, Valkyria Chronicles Remastered stands as a sterling example of how to do things right. Despite a few nagging mechanics that ultimately still feel a bit unfair on the battlefield itself, this is still an evergreen experience that stands the test of time. This should be required playing for all of the former Xbots that are newly joining the PlayStation fold.
Is Homefront: The Revolution the worst thing I have ever played? No, in fact it was far from it. However, the fact still remains that the end product is a mediocre interpretation of what could have been, and by all accounts should have been, something far more enjoyable. Compound these failings with an uninspired, borderline laughable narrative and the end product is something that I cannot, in good faith, recommend to anyone. Consider this your warning shot. Retreat while you still can!
You are most likely not going to see Lumo appearing on any “Game of the Year” lists this fall, but it is absolutely a valiant first outing for developer Gareth Noyce. The title shows that he has the chops and creativity to take another shot at a style of game that has been long-abandoned.
Some players may find the predictable stage design, repetitive art assets and regurgitated waves of the same dozen character models comforting and even entertaining. However, this was the reason that I got away from the mobile platforms to begin with.
It is one thing to have a variety of different item, crafting, spell and even botany dependent mechanics, but when all of those elements begin to cross-pollinate with each other, I found myself mentally checking out. It was just too overwhelming for my dudebro brain to process all of these tools at once.
As much passion as I had for the continuation of the Mirror's Edge franchise, it seems like DICE has effectively robbed all of the wind from my sails. Though the game is fine as a mediocre playable experience, many of the things that made the original so special have been neutered beyond repair.
Look for this to become a cautionary tale for crowdfunded projects from now until the end of time. Sometimes a legacy of success isn't enough to guarantee quantifiable quality in the future. Caveat emptor, friends. This is not the spiritual successor you're looking for.
While far from a dumpster fire, Deadlight: Director’s Cut is a mechanically sound platformer that is ultimately rather forgettable. Bluntly put, it is a game that can be fun at times, but lacks any sort of critical hook to incentivize players to see Wayne’s adventure to completion.
Though it may be initially enchanting, it won’t take long before Grimm’s spell wears off, leaving players wondering if getting some pizza is really worth all of the hassle.