No, it's not the best Call of Duty ever made, but the sheer volume of content on display largely makes up for its weaknesses in specific areas. A worthwhile story would have added enormous value to the overall package, but its absence doesn't undermine what is another solid release.
When it comes down to it, it's the communication and that sense of shared success that makes Triforce Heroes such a joyous and satisfying release.
The latest in Turn 10's driving series is terrific on the track but outdated off it.
There are still problems when it comes to balancing realism with spectacle, but Madden NFL 16 manages to get the mix mostly right. Certainly, when compared to previous releases, there's a far greater sense that what you're playing tallies with what you see on Sundays.
If you're going to attempt to make a mark on a genre that already boasts an exacting pedigree you must - one, introduce new ideas, and two, execute the established rules better than your peers. Code Name S.T.E.A.M does neither and, as a result, fails to secure itself a place in its turn-based landscape.
By having the courage to rewrite the racing game rulebook, Project Cars manages to carve a space for itself alongside the genre's finest.
At this point, unless you're an Assassin's Creed diehard, this offering is difficult to recommend in the face of the competition.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is a valiant attempt at bringing an ambitious and expansive RPG to the handheld realm. For the most part it works, but the original undoubtedly shines brighter than this tweaked offering.
Bloodborne is one of those experiences that totally consumes you when you're involved in it and working to see all that it has to offer. In that sense it's the digital edition of a round-the-world trip to foreign continents, each turning of a corner providing equal helpings of excitement and trepidation. That recipe brings it own rewards by simply being a part of it, the seemingly effortless delivery indicative of a design team and philosophy that is only getting sharper.
Type-0 can often be a daring departure for the Final Fantasy series, but its uneven narrative and learning curve hold it back.
Without question it's the best game Microsoft has published since the onset of the Xbox One era and one that's pleasingly, satisfyingly easy to recommend.
If you're prepared to embrace its intimate teamwork requirements then Evolve supplies a rewarding multiplayer experience.
Its high level of difficulty means that this remains a franchise not suited to everyone, but its sheer quality means it's infinitely deserving of being given a chance. Take the plunge and allow yourself to be absorbed by the ride - it's well worth it.
The fact that everything plays out so smoothly here suggests that the finished product is extremely close to the designers' original vision for the project, a compliment that certainly can't be levelled at all games. This clarity of creation brings us a game of expert pacing and reward, as well as one that possesses more depth than the vast majority of its genre peers.
LittleBigPlanet 3's whimsical world has plenty of good ideas that struggle to form a cohesive whole.
It might be conventional as far as visuals and monsters go, but its overall appeal rests in its provision of a living world that can be sculpted and altered in ways both subtle and explicit. So long as you're prepared to put the required time in, Dragon Age: Inquisition has plenty to give.
PES 2015 is a genuine return to form for the series, one that competes with FIFA on every step, pass, and shot.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare achieves that delicate balance of providing something fresh, without diminishing the game's historical appeal.
The final result is a brilliant alteration of an old friend, shining a new light on a proven structure.
Football Manager 2015 is the same game we've come to know and love, but in this case that's no bad thing.