Mike Splechta
Even if you've already played through Guacamelee! when it first made its rounds on the PS3 and Vita, the Super Turbo Championship Edition is packed with enough new content and tweaks, that it more than begs you to dive right back in and bust some skulls.
I'd like to say that the co-op more than makes up for the terrible controls with the DualShock 4, but that might be stretching it. However, if you do have a few buddies who wouldn't mind splitting the cost of the game with you, only to dive into the co-op and let the hilarity and chaos ensue, that wouldn't be a bad idea at all.
If you've waited to pick this title up or perhaps didn't have a Vita to play it on, then the Steam version, given that it's priced the same, is the way to go.
If you have a high tolerance of extremely inappropriate dialogue, racist comments, and other demeaning lines, then maybe you might have a slightly better time appreciating the sorry excuse for a narrative. For the rest, even though Blue Estate does deliver some satisfying rail-shooter lightgun combat, sans the lightgun, it's bogged down by stupid swipe controls that completely break up the action.
[F]ans have a reason to rejoice.
With a ton of levels, a bunch of unlockable characters, a few multiplayer modes and tough yet immensely satisfying gameplay, it's very easy to recommend 1001 Spikes to anyone that enjoys a good challenge that harks back to the good old days of the NES.
Watch Dogs might not be the defining next-gen experience that Ubisoft has claimed it would be, however, being able to hack your way through Chicago might be one of the must fun open-world experience I've had to date, save for Saints Row 4 of course.
It's not surprising that Mario Kart 8 is phenomenal. And while it's still not nearly as experimental as Double Dash, the new anti-gravity segments add enough skill-based gameplay to make even seasoned veterans rethink their kart racing strategies. In the realm of mascot kart racing games, there is no doubt that Mario Kart is still king.
Super Time Force is an absolutely phenomenal game that's packed to the brim with action, humor, and easily one of the best time-manipulation mechanics I've ever seen in a game. I can't say that I've ever played a game that let me co-op with myself, with myself, with myself and also with myself, until now.
It's not that Kinect Sports Rivals is a terrible game, but it certainly doesn't utilize the Kinect in any new meaningful ways. After Microsoft's claims of improving the Kinect, I just wanted RARE to be a little more experimental with the tech, and sadly, that doesn't happen here.
Bound by Flame by all accounts ends up being a rather mediocre experience. There are various systems and mechanics that work brilliantly, but are sadly overshadowed by a largely forgettable story and a flawed combat system that ends up testing your patience rather than testing your mettle.
It's no show stopper, but I appreciate the game's commitment of sticking to the genre's old-school roots.
Trials Fusion doesn't change up the formula drastically from its predecessors, but adds some nuances that helps it distinguish itself. It might come with a few graphical hiccups that detract from its beauty, but the fun factor eclipses any of these issues.
inFamous: Second Son might not be leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessors in gameplay, as it never really strays from the core inFAMOUS mechanics, and doesn't take any heavy risks with storytelling. However, it's undeniable that beating up bad guys with various super-powers in a seemingly living and breathing city is a perfect combination for a hell of a good time.
At full disclosure, my score fully reflects my willingness to dive deeper into the game, and also the fact that I'm genuinely into the Metal Gear franchise. For me, the short mission time wasn't completely awful. If anything, Ground Zeroes helped me build excitement for what's to come.
Titanfall isn't the most amazing shooter I've ever played. It doesn't live up to the unreasonable amount of hype it has received, but it is a fun game, and a good one at that. What it lacks in depth and variety, it makes up for in map design, maneuverability, action and balance. Titanfall is probably the most balanced and versatile shooter that equips players with multiple tools to get the job done.
Don't let the thought of a Plants vs. Zombies shooter scare you off; it actually is a really fun game. Yes it needs more game modes and split-screen play options, but everything else about the game shines.
Some might be able to look past Thief's shortcomings and instead only focus on the moments of brilliance. However, I imagine long-time Thief fans hoping for Garrett's grand return might be somewhat disappointed.
The LEGO Movie Videogame isn't bad by any means. Chances are, if you love the movie, you won't mind experiencing it all over again. It's just a little ironic that for a movie that touts the importance of imagination, and not just sticking to the script, that the LEGO Movie Videogame does the exact opposite.
It's got gorgeous visuals, and it's some fun, occasionally, and it's also got some great level design.