Matt Liebl
As a newcomer to Shadow of the Colossus, I probably take these improved graphics for granted. But a story is something that doesn't rely on pixel count - and Shadow of the Colossus has one of the best I've experienced in a game.
Despite the absence of Nathan Drake, this is still very much an Uncharted game, and it hasn't lost a beat.
Fans of Diablo 2's will undoubtedly be pleased with Diablo 3's version of the fan-favorite Necromancer class. The classic class returns with a horde of undead.
What Remains of Edith Finch is heartbreakingly sweet. Its stories, though grim, are enchanting. Even knowing that each story would end with a certain unhappiness, I was happy to have experienced it -- because as What Remains of Edith Finch so brilliantly manages to convey through its nearly two hours of storytelling is that life isn't about the ends; it's about the moments that got us there.
It can be argued that no game is worth waiting 10 years for, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Guardian. It's not perfect by any means, but it is an enjoyable, impactful story worthy of experiencing.
Jonathan Blow's The Witness is an interesting experience, eliciting emotions that push me away yet draw me in at the same time. The Witness exists as a fully 3D open-world, offering mystery and intrigue that is answered only by exploration and solving two-dimensional puzzles. It is both compelling, and incredibly frustrating at the same time.
Star Wars Battlefront is undoubtedly a fun game, and it's a great fan service. From the iconic characters to the recognizable set pieces, it definitely pays homage to the original trilogy. But its beauty is only skin deep.
Fallout 4 is a massive game. Simple as that. There's so much to do and I feel like not enough time to do it in. Granted, there is no character "max level" preventing me from unlocking all the perks once I do complete the main story.
Halo 5: Guardians' story and structure will likely be divisive among fans of the franchise, but I absolutely loved it. It breathes new life into a franchise whose traditional structure was beginning to get stale. 343 Industries has made some bold changes to the franchise in attempt to evolve Halo into a more modern-feeling game, and most of these changes have been for the better so far.
Armello doesn't completely replicate the feeling of tabletop games, but it's a nice alternative to play with friends who may be long distance. The spirit of tabletop gaming is there, even if all of the designs aren't.
What Media Molecule does well with Tearaway Unfolded's gameplay is avoid the gimmicks. The world and the puzzles you encounter in Tearaway Unfolded are carefully constructed to highlight the DualShock 4's features. The result is fun, innovative gameplay, and an experience unlike anything I've had on PlayStation 4.
With just one episode left, I'm both anxious and intrigued to see how it all comes together -- or does it?
God of War 3 Remastered on PS4 is all the fun you had with God of War 3 on PS3, but with slight improvements. With no backwards compatibility offered on the PS4, it's worth a pickup if you're a fan of the game looking to relive some pretty epic moments. For newcomers, regardless of story, you'll appreciate the graphical fidelity and fast-fluid combat God of War 3 offers.
Now officially more than halfway through the first season, Telltale's Game of Thrones is really starting to hit its stride. Though my decisions don't feel as impactful as I would like, and this is a constant gripe I have with Telltale's whole "Decisions Matter" approach, Telltale is carving out a nice side story to go along with the books and HBO show.
With just two episodes remaining in Life is Strange (at least the first season), I'm more lost than ever; but, it's a good lost. Though not without risks, introducing this new wrinkle in Max's powers has left me both heartbroken and ecstatic for Episode 4.Lill
Wolfenstein: The Old Blood offers another serving of the action we saw with The New Order in 2014, but with the perspective as a prequel.
At this point, there's a ton of sh*t going down in Arcadia Bay. It isn't until the end of the episode that you get a sense for how it's all coming together in an overarching plot. There's still a lot I'm unsure about, but a cliffhanger at the end of Out of Time has me waiting on edge for the release of Episode 3: Chaos Theory.
We're not at Sims 3 level of things to do quite yet, but Get to Work is a decent expansion that adds new, unique experiences to The Sims 4's gameplay.
Following a disappointing Episode 2, The Sword in Darkness puts Telltale's Game of Thrones back on track and sets the stage for an intriguing second half.
Despite new technology, Mario Party 10 remains true to its roots. New modes add some flair, but odd design choices limit the overall fun.