Ken McKown's Reviews
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.]
There is a ton to see and do in Nier: Automata. Talking about much of it does it a disservice to the player.
When Evolution works, it works beautifully. It is precisely the game I wanted it to be. I wish the free mode was unlocked from the start, but it doesn't take much to get it open. Future updates and some promised free DLC means I will be digging into this game for months to come.
Dark Souls Remastered is exactly what the name implies and fans will adore it.
Ys VIII is a marvelous game that truly deserves more attention.
Vampyr is a game I feel a lot of people will be discussing in a few years. It will be remembered fondly with its interesting ideas and brilliant storytelling. I wish the hindrances were not so apparent though. I feel like a lot of people will be turned off by the poorly paced intro and combat. Still if you are like me and can look past those blemishes, Vampyr is an amazing ride well worth the journey.
This is a fantastic package. While there are some things that annoy me, it is impossible to recommend a better collection of these games to date. The addition of online for select games and the inclusion of some truly obscure ones makes up for its deficiencies.
ONRUSH is a great arcade racing game that scratches so many itches. I wish the single player was a little more drawing and diverse. I also wish some of the modes were a little more exciting, but as a new take on the genre, it feels fantastic. Don't skip this one, it is a must-play for anyone that enjoys arcade racing.
If you missed out on this game on Wii U I cannot recommend it enough. However, if you are like me and already sank double-digit hours into the original, you will find it hard to justify ... this game.
There is a lot of crap to wade through in gaming today. So when something as special and fun as Horizon Chase Turbo comes along, I feel the need to shout it from the rooftops.
State of Decay 2 feels like a pretty run-of-the-mill sequel. It packs in more while refining less.