Ken McKown's Reviews
Assassin's Creed Odyssey is a game that is worth its price tag and so much more.
Overall Forza Horizon 4 is the greatest game I feel just kind of meh about. I mean there is absolutely nothing wrong with so many aspects of this title. It is polished, fun, smooth, and gorgeous. I think I am just growing tired of its structure.
NHL 19 is a solid game and one that packs plenty of ways to enjoy its core mechanics.
Mega Man 11 is exactly what I wanted from a new Mega Man game in 2018.
That doesn't take away from the fact that I enjoyed nearly my entire time with it. Those that pick it up will likely not be disappointed; it is just getting someone to take the plunge that could cause problems. This is the kind of game that would have benefitted from being just a bit cheaper at the outset.e
Still it is impossible not to recommend Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle. There is so much joy packed in this compilation. The genre has definitely seen a resurgence as of late, but it is impossible to deny how good these classics are. If only Capcom had been able to figure out the licenses behind some of their more popular titles like Alien vs. Predator. Perhaps in the future, but for now this is the best place to perform jump kicks anywhere.
SNK Heroines is a game that attempts to appeal to a very specific audience, but it is not even a good "one of those" games. It mishandles the aspects it is attempting to nail and is just not a lot of fun to play.
Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor Martyr (told you the name was ridiculous) is a solid game that I had a lot of fun with…once I got past its blemishes. A patch or two and this game might be a must-own for ARPG fans. Right now though, it is hard to recommend due to its hindrances.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a spectacular close to an amazing trilogy. It has been a fantastic ride and I cannot wait to see where the series goes from here. Shadow is a must play game for those that have enjoyed the series up to this point. It continues the trend of excellence set forth by Crystal Dynamics.
Spider-Man is yet another outstanding title in Sony's first party library. PS4 owners should not hesitate to snag it when it drops. The quality they put into these titles is impressive and Insomniac continues to prove they can deliver on big-budget titles. Even with its minor gripes I still thoroughly enjoyed my time with Spidey and the gang. Perhaps we will see another one in the years to come, but for now this is the best our web-slinger has been since the early days of the PS2 era.
The Messenger is a horrible name for a game that pays homage to Ninja Gaiden. Don't let the name stop you, though. This is one of the best of its type and is worth checking out. I do wish it was more widely available across consoles, but Switch and PC owners should certainly not miss this one.
Madden NFL 19 is a solid outing this year, but again it is more a refinement than anything else. It feels like a game targeted at the usual players and not bringing in anyone new.
Fighting EX Layer is a hard sell to casual fighting game fans.
Iconoclasts is a brilliant game that permeates from the amount of care and time put into it. It is by far one of the best of 2018, and I recommend everyone give it a go.
Sonic Mania Plus is the best version of a great game. It feels good to be talking about Sonic in a positive light once again.
Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered brings back the best destruction in gaming. It also opens the door for another game in the series.
Tempest 4000 is another Tempest game. If you are OK with that and perhaps need an excuse to retire the Vita version, then this package will be worth it. Otherwise this game feels like a relic that didn't really need the 4K upgrade.
Shining Resonance Refrain is a good, albeit predictable JRPG.
Mario Tennis Aces is a fine addition to the series and a far cry from the bare-bones offering from the Wii U. The single player mode offers up plenty for solo players while the online and local play will keep me coming back.
Overall Super Bomberman R is a great take on the classic formula. I enjoyed what it delivered and the extra characters add that nostalgia meter rise for me. I just wish Konami was bringing them to more franchises outside of this one. Still, this game serves its purpose and it is nice to finally see it on other consoles outside of the Switch. [OpenCritic note: Ken McKown separately reviewed the Switch (6) and Xbox One (7) versions. The scores have been averaged.]