Amazing setting, entertaining protagonists, well-written dialogue and some truly fun new gameplay mechanics make Syndicate shine above the rest. It may not match the excitement of being a pirate assassin on the open seas of the Caribbean, but Syndicate proves that perhaps this eight year old franchise still has some new tricks up its sleeve.
It's a game for kids, sure, but adults can easily find a lot to love about this game, and the franchise as a whole. It's nice that this time around players aren't expected to buy every single vehicle to unlock everything in the story mode, but seriously, how can you resist Shark Tank?!
I don't usually recommend buying a console for a video game, and when I do, the core game has to be so stellar, so addicting, that the thought of not having the console to play it would drive you mad. I didn't say that for Rise of the Tomb Raider. I am, however, saying it for Xenoblade Chronicles X.
Guitar Hero Live is a wonderful evolution of the music genre. Everything from presentation, to mechanics, to the new controller was an advancement for the better. Whether or not this picks up steam with the gaming crowd is left to be seen, but the effort on both FreeStyle Games and Activision is apparent.
It's nice to know that Travelers' Tales has built on the extremely popular toys-to-life formula, and put their own spin on it, rather than simply copying their competition.
PC players who have already delved into Original Sin get the Enhanced Edition free, which comes with all the new goodies as well, so it's worth revisiting there as well. However, the biggest triumph is that console owners will get to experience this otherwise PC-centric title with fantastically translated controls, stellar voiceovers for all characters, and some gorgeous graphics for good measure.
The VerdictJust Cause 3 is a great game. It's a fantastic game even. The few nitpicks I had with Fast Travel and Supply Drops are issues I was willing to overlook. But I can't in good conscience recommend this game to anyone at the moment, not while the performance issues are so bad.
If you've enjoyed Crystal Dynamics' reboot, then chances are you'll love Rise of the Tomb Raider that much more. Lara's latest adventure is bigger and better in nearly every way. The settings and environments are bigger, the tombs are plentiful, the combat is exciting and Lara herself is once again brought to life thanks to Camilla Luddington's fantastic performance.
There is a lot of customization in terms of the various equipment you can outfit each character with, but it doesn't come close to the variety of builds that would have been available had the game employed a traditional loot system. Alas, Gauntlet isn't that game.
I wouldn't call a game like Super Mario Maker a system seller by any means, so if you don't own a Wii U yet, I'm not sure that this game will make you change your mind, however for those that love Mario's 2D adventures and always wished they could create their own level creations that could potentially outshine Miyamoto-san himself, then this game was literally made for them.
The new reboot gets a definite recommendation from me, especially if you're a fan of older Need for Speed titles, and arcade racers alike.
[F]ans have a reason to rejoice.
The core Pokémon franchise has largely remained unchanged, both graphically and mechanically, since its inception with Pokémon Red and Blue. While Game Freak has kept adding on various elements to keep the games fresh, each new title didn’t really present a whole lot in terms of variety. I also admit that both Pokémon Black and White 1 and 2 completely lost my interest. I never even got past the second gym. It was Pokémon fatigue at its worst. Pokémon X and Y changed all of that. I was a fan again. I couldn’t stop playing. I couldn’t stop catching and collecting.
There's no denying that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is Kojima's masterpiece; A culmination of 30 years of Metal Gear games, and an evolution for the series. I know that Ground Zeroes was supposed to be the first taste of what The Phantom Pain would be like, but I don't think I was ever fully prepared.
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.
Chrysalis is a fantastic setup episode
Fighter Within really showcases the larger problem with Kinect only games: they just don't work.
A completely unique idea that's unfortunately unplayable and most importantly, boring. You're better off wandering to find a better game to play.
It's ugly by today's standards, too slow and un-engaging, and simply too damn repetitive to enjoy. Unless you've grown up on Godzilla movies and are fueled by intense nostalgia, this is probably not a game for you.
It's got gorgeous visuals, and it's some fun, occasionally, and it's also got some great level design.