Ken McKown's Reviews
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.
Trials Fusion: Awesome Level Max is a solid DLC entry that just feels a bit overpriced. The adventure mode tends to be more frustrating than it should be, and the included tracks are over far too soon. I really enjoy the content offered up by the Season Pass, but this $10 add-on feels about $5 too expensive.
Red Goddess: Inner World is kind of a mess technically, and that just drags down the experience. I truly hope the developers get a working patch to sort out the issues, but as of now it is just too much to recommend. The ideas are sound, and the story is interesting, but too much holds it back. I feel like it should have waited for release, as once again this title will likely be forgotten long before it is fixed.
God of War III Remastered feels like an empty shell of a great game. It is fantastic for those that never had a chance to experience it, but the price tag hurts the most. If it had included Ascension or any of the previous games it would definitely be more enticing, but as just one stand alone title, this is one remaster I feel needs a serious price drop before considering diving in.
If you are looking for a unique distraction from all the serious fighting games, this is the one to own. Fans of anime need not even hesitate.
Shantae: Risky's Revenge is a classic that deserves more attention, and only makes me that much more excited to finally see the new title come to PS4. It is great for players who enjoy a solid character-action game, and of course the Metroid-style so many games have adopted over the year.-Combine that with likable characters and a colorful, gorgeously pixelated visual style, and this game is a must own.
I tend to take one or two iterations off to keep the series feeling fresh, and Extend has rekindled my love for the series. Definitely recommended for those that still enjoy the wackiness that is BlazBlue.
Batman: Arkham Knight may mark the end of Rocksteady's trilogy, but it goes out with a bang. There is so much to love about it, it is easily in contention for one of the best of 2015. I am truly excited to see what the team is up to next, but their take on the Dark Knight has been the best, and this final entry is no exception.
Capcom has delivered yet another fantastic HD remake. While the company has said they have begun to focus more on these types of packages, it still makes me wish we would see more new entries in our beloved franchises. Before that happens though, can we get that Onimusha HD collection along with an updated Dragon's Dogma package for XB1 and PS4? You know, for science?
LEGO Jurassic World is a fantastic addition to the series, and if it ends up being one of the last ones, it is going out with a bang. Life found a way, so make sure you find a way to play this amazing game.
However, anyone growing tired of the LEGO game formula will likely find nothing here to reignite that love. I really enjoy reviewing and playing each of these games as they come out, but it is definitely starting to feel like some new ideas are becoming necessary.
Spy Chameleon is simple and easy to recommend to players. What it does, it does well, and the price point is spot on. There isn't much to the game, but there is plenty to keep me coming back. Earning better times is fun, and competing with friends is a blast. This is the perfect solution to one of those "I have no idea what to play tonight" moods. Snag it for $5 and thank me later.
Xbox One owners looking for something to fill that Mario Kart void will find plenty to enjoy with Beach Buggy Racing. While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, it definitely handles what it sets out to do admirably. Just know what you are getting into before taking the plunge
I could spend pages raving about how good The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is. Rarely do I hand out this score, and I think that speaks volumes about this game. This is easily one of the best games of 2015, but beyond that it is the best fantasy RPG I have played to date, alongside being the best open-world game since Rockstar's phenomenal Red Dead Redemption. This game is a must own, it is worth buying one of these new consoles (or a hefty PC if you have the cash). It will take something special to replace this game for years to come.
Rayman Legends is one of the best games that no one played last year. Now is the time to remedy that.
Splatoon is a novel title that is a blast to play. My biggest concern is longevity. With certain modes and features locked behind players reaching a certain level, I wonder how long its legs truly are. I want it to catch on, but with the paltry Wii U user base, and a quirky new IP at the helm, my fears are that no one will care about Splatoon in a month's time.