Rodea the Sky Soldier is not without its annoying flaws, and it's certainly no Mario Galaxy, but it serves as a fitting swan song for the dearly departed Wii. It's a game that embodies everything great about the Wii, taking a simple concept and running with it, bringing us a unique and fun game.
Tri Force Heroes is the breath of fresh air in a series that's somewhat stale. It's funny, it's fun, and it's not the same story of another Zelda cycle. You can play Zelda with friends near or far, what's not to love about that? If you have friends nearby or with strong internet connections, Tri Force Heroes may be the multiplayer Zelda experience you've always wanted.
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is not your typical jump-scare-laden horror game. It blends classic survival horror elements with Japanese ghost stories that focus on the feelings of terror and dread. There's no point where you'll be horrified into leaving or quitting. Instead, you'll be subjected to a constant feeling of unease, waiting for the jump scares that may never come and wondering if you really saw something or if the game is just getting to you.
Yoshi's Woolly World provides an enjoyable experience for gamers of all skill levels. Mellow Mode and badges can save even the newest of newbies, while going for completion without badges can challenge long time fans of the genre. Yoshi's Woolly World is far and away the best successor to the original Yoshi's Island.
There's not a single area in which Transistor doesn't shine beautifully. It is objectively short and very linear which many will see as a negative, but it really works to make a tight package in Transistor's case.
Everything has been improved upon since his adventures in Super Mario 3D World. The game pad does distract from the beauty of the main screen, however it's a worthwhile tradeoff as the new abilities and level types that take advantage of it are a joy to use, it's just a shame about the inability to turn off gyroscopic camera controls for those that don't use them. Regardless, Captain Toad's first solo outing is as golden as the treasure he tracks.
Never Alone is a short but sweet indie title that shows video games can be more than just entertainment. It's an enjoyable romp through a blizzard that may just teach you something. If you've been looking for something different but not silly, grab a friend and gather around to experience a story passed through generations of Native Alaskan storytellers.
I refuse to believe that Big Red Button looked at this and said it was done. In all likelihood their efforts were kneecapped by time and money constraints. Shame on Sega for publishing this broken, obviously incomplete mess. The glimpses of a good game that occasionally break through only serve to make this failure sting more.
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments is the greatest detective experience in the gaming today. As a game though, it's fairly rough around the edges. Interesting game play mechanics and strong cases will make this a must play for any fan of Holmes, mysteries, or point and clicks. If none of those strike your fancy, this game is not for you.
Alien: Isolation is a terrifying game that looks, sounds, and feels like living in the setting of the classic movie. It may wear out its welcome for some, but there's no denying that it's successful in creating the dread players want from the genre. If you're a fan of horror in any medium, you need to play this game.
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a game you should experience. I just made an ass of myself writing a review like a bad pulp noir because this game really made me feel like an intrepid pulp detective. I was a little disappointed with the short playthrough, but it had such high quality because it was short. Even then, some of it came apart near the end simply because it's hard to keep such high expectations in tact for so long. Buy it, and do your best not to have the answers spoiled for you.
Hyrule Warriors is a true crossover, not just a Zelda skin slapped onto a Warriors title. It's not the refined experience you get from The Legend of Zelda, but it's more involved than Dynasty Warriors. It's hack and slash fun that can scale with the player, mindless to skillful.
Dark Souls II: Crown of the Old Iron King is even better than its predecessor. The fact that it's so close to perfection only makes it more painful that they marred such an excellent scenario with an uncharacteristically lazy decision for an optional boss.