James Wynne
Nier: Automata is a perfect introduction to Yoko Taro and Platinum Games. Masterful story telling and silky smooth combat come together to highlight why video games are the superior form of entertainment media. Playing Nier: Automata until the true ending will reveal what it means to be a gamer, and a good human.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an excellent game that every Nintendo Switch owner should consider purchasing. Mario Kart 8 was a 9/10 experience, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a vast improvement over the original. There’s really nowhere to go with the score but up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kirby Planet Robobot is what you get when the developers of the solid Kirby: Triple Deluxe watch a Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, play Platinum's games, and say “F%*k it, we can do that!” Solid Kirby gameplay, satisfying puzzles, quick genre shifts that help avoid monotony, tons of special homages, and a pair of endings that are going to make Platinum/Anime fans lose their sh*t. This is a game every 3DS owner should look into.
The missed opportunities of the of the single-player are the only criticism for a near perfect title that offers exceptional multiplayer, vivid visuals, and solid gameplay.
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.
A few flaws keep Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice from perfection, particularly other characters, but it succeeds at being a simple game about going fast. Pick this one up and go for the time trials, it's a lot of fun.
Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 is a refined version of the first game, with a second campaign that focuses more on action than picking your shots. This makes it an excellent choices for fans of the first installment and newcomers alike.
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.
There are a lot of areas in which I Am Setsuna could be improved, but it’s still a beautiful game that fully captures the spirit of SNES era JRPGs.
The Game Bakers have made something special with Furi, capturing the spirit of stylish action and bullet hell in one refreshing package, with minimal fuss.
A few minor flaws hold back this updated version of Corpse Party, but it's still an intense horror experience that fans of the genre should check out. It even offers more content than previous versions, via extra chapters.
The final boss fight of the DLC is one of the best in the series. We're talking Sir Alonne and Lady Maria levels of awesomeness. The quality is here, but Ashes of Ariandel's shorter nature would be completely offset by the new PvP options, if the arena weren't so laggy.
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.
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.
Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness is a classically made JRPG for the modern day. It's not perfect, and certainly not for everybody, but if you enjoy science fiction and JRPGs, then definitely check this game out.
Aragami is a solid, interesting game that suffers from some rough performance issues on PS4. Still, it you enjoy stealth and can overlook performance issues, this game is for you.