Ken McKown's Reviews
Pumped BMX + had the potential to be a solid recommendation, but it's frustrating design and lack of fun really drag it down. I have no problem with mobile games getting the port to consoles; I just expect them to receive some care to make that port worthwhile.
The series is getting long in the tooth, but I still think it has plenty left to offer, and if they continue with the vehicles in future games, I hope they iron out the problems presented in this version.
Fans of racing, casual or otherwise need to check out Turn 10's latest creation. It is by far one of the highlights for the system this fall.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the most divisive game in the series for me. On one hand I love the game play. Building up Mother Base, the missions, the stealth and gunplay all feel so refined. The open-world sandbox is endless fun. The Metal Gear portion though sadly disappoints. The boss fights are lackluster, the cut scenes are not as wacky and outlandish as I expected, and the story never really grabbed me. The Phantom Pain is the best "game" in the series by far, but also the worst Metal Gear. Still, it will be hard to top it when it comes time to choose my game of the year.
I have always been super critical of the Infinity series, mostly because I want to love it. The characters are among the best in the genre, and it fills my childhood dreams of playing with my favorite toys. 3.0 finally hits all the right notes, and fixes most of my complaints with the previous entries. I am now on board, and ready for the next Star Wars expansion to arrive. My wallet just got a lot lighter, but the fun I will have makes it all worthwhile.
The Deer God mostly stumbles over its random nature and lack of explanation. It is the kind of game that is best enjoyed with a FAQ explaining all the systems and how to progress. Still, even with that the random nature really drags down some of the quests. Xbox One owners get to try it for free this month if they have a Gold subscription so definitely check it out, but just be prepared for the many issues the game will present along the way.
Once again Madden comes highly recommended for fans of the pigskin, and as always, kicks off the best time of year to be a gamer.
Octodad is a clever game that is fun in the same sense something like Goat Simulator is. It is hilarity, physics-based mayhem that is entirely random. The difference here is that the developers tried to streamline it with actual objectives and level progression, which can lead to frustration.
The games themselves are accurate representations of the original NES ones. The visuals are sharper, but nothing has changed. As I mentioned the slowdown is still there. The controls are spot on, but I still have to adjust to the jump and fire buttons being backward like they were in the NES days. There is a button configuration for those that simply cannot stand it though.
Adventures of Pip looks like just another 2D indie platformer on the surface, but from the first level it shows it is so much more. The experience of the team involved shines through, making this one that definitely deserves more attention.
Toy Soldiers: War Chest is a good game marred by some questionable business practices.
Super Mega Baseball is a great throwback to the baseball games I grew up with and loved. It is the perfect couch multiplayer game with friends, I just really wish online play was part of the package. For anyone who has enjoyed the classic arcade-style baseball game in the past, the genre is finally back to its original, fantastic form. Do not hesitate to pick up Metalhead's latest no matter which console you own.
Sadly this "remaster" is nothing even remotely close to that. It is two games, somehow coded to run on new consoles, and a reminder that backwards compatibility is indeed a possibility. Nothing has been added, no care given, and sadly these games deserve better than that.
Phantom Breaker: Battlegrounds Overdrive is a solid game with a steep learning curve without much in the way of tutorials. For those with patience to learn its intricacies, it is extremely rewarding, and a ton of fun. For those looking for a casual romp through a mindless beat 'em up, this is not the game for you.
Fans of puzzle games in general, especially in the vein of Super Meat Boy and Trials will have a blast. This is one massive package that will take a while to master, and perhaps a few broken controllers in the process.
Onechanbara Z2: Chaos is certainly unique. There isn't much like it, both in terms of content and…well other assets. It is great to see the improvements they have made, and they clearly know what the fans of their series want. For better or worse, I mean the physical edition comes packed with a costume I can't even post a screenshot of, it's that bad. If you think you will like Z2 Chaos, you probably will, it is clear what this game is aiming for, but it also ends up being a pretty decent action game as well.
Q.U.B.E. deserved a second chance to get noticed, and now console owners have the opportunity to experience this cerebral puzzle game. I admit I missed it the first time around and absolutely had a blast with it. I highly recommend it to those that enjoy titles such as Portal. I hope someday to see a sequel, and next time I will be there day one to experience the solitary excellence firsthand.
This collection really is a no-brainer, especially for fans of Rare's classic works. There are 30 games here, and all of them are amazingly well-designed. This isn't one of those cheap packages that boast quantity over quality, it is quite the opposite. There are titles on here some would pay $30 alone for, and the care taken to bring them to Xbox One is greatly appreciated. If you own an Xbox One, this is one collection you should definitely not miss.
Deception is also more of a niche title, so anyone interested already likely purchased the previous game, and the new content is certainly not worth $50 on its own. Still, for those that missed out, or just want to another reason to retire the PS3, The Nightmare Princess delivers all the trappings (see what I did there?) of a great game.
Tembo the Badass Elephant has an awesome name, and the game play to match. The only drawback is the archaic progression system. Those looking for a quick romp with hints of masochism for perfect runs should definitely check it out. The charm and pitch-perfect game play are more than worth the price of admission.