Ken McKown's Reviews
Storm Island is a concept I got behind, but felt like it could have been more. Where is my lightning and thunder crashing down? I want some tropical storm-level insanity to race in. Still for those looking for more Forza Horizon 2 there is plenty to be found in this pack. Just know it doesn't stray far from the original game at all.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a marvelous puzzle game that stretches its initial value well beyond what I had anticipated. It will take players a hefty amount of time to master it all, and the game does a fantastic job of making you want to see and do everything. It is rare for a puzzle game to see this kind of release, and especially one of this quality.
Akiba's Trip is a weird game. Bringing it to the PS4 didn't change that, in fact it just made it more peculiar. There is certainly an audience for this type of brawler, but it is a niche one for sure. If Pantynado sounds appealing to you, this game might be in your wheelhouse. Otherwise I would steer clear of its mediocre combat, and limited world to explore.
Sonic Boom is a bad game. There is no other way to say it. I won't get excited for another return of the hedgehog…OK that is probably a lie, but either way, don't buy this game. Pick up the infinitely more enjoyable Lost World, or one of the other fantastic Wii U exclusives this holiday season. Just stay far, far away from this toxic hedgehog.
While it might not light the world on fire the way Retro Evolved and its sequel did, Dimensions is a the next evolution of the series, and a really fun way to waste time on the new consoles.
Smash is yet another reason to own Nintendo's machine, and anyone looking for a fun romp would be wise to pick it up, along with some Gamecube controllers for maximum enjoyment.
Far Cry 4 is a great game that just feels like a lot more of the same. Granted as I said earlier, it has been just long enough since the last one to drag me right back into the mix. I hope they take note though and really go outside the box for the next game. Again feel free to use my idea and make it an island full of dinosaurs, then I will completely forgive the rest of the mechanics feeling like more of the same.
With all the games vying for your dollars this holiday season, GTA V definitely delivers an amazing package well worth exploring (again).
The love poured into these games is obvious, but I can't shake the nagging feeling of the copy/paste mentality each iteration delivers. It also doesn't help that they shove out three of them a year. Still, DC fans and LEGO enthusiasts will find plenty to love with Bruce Wayne's latest blocky adventure.
Bayonetta 2 is more than just a good action game, it is a fantastic addition to the already stellar Wii U lineup, and yet another reason to own the console. The fluidity of the combat and the unique visuals really help this title stand out among other action games, and I am extremely happy it got the chance to be made. Sure I would love to see a third game down the line, but for now this package will satisfy fans for months to come. A definite must own.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare isn't going to make people who hate the series suddenly take notice, but for those that have felt the franchise has been falling flat lately, it definitely re-energizes it. This is the Call of Duty game fans have been clamoring for, and I feel sorry for the team that has to try and top it next year.
For me, being able to finally play Halo 2 multiplayer again was worth the price of admission, but toss in 100 maps, Forge, Spartan Ops (coming) and four of the best FPS campaigns in history and it is impossible not to recommend this. If you own an Xbox One this game is a must own. If not, it might be time to buy one.
Costume Quest 2 on consoles is not a bad game by any means, but it failed to keep me interested during most of its short duration. I wanted to laugh more and I wanted navigating these charming environments to not feel like such a chore, but most importantly I wanted to have more fun than I did.
NBA Live 15 is a nice step in the right direction, but it still falls short of its competition. It is definitely fun to play, but the late game AI and lack of any real additions or modes is sorely disappointing.
There simply isn't anything here to interest fans of the show, fans of good combat games, or even budget gamers looking for a solid downloadable title for their new consoles.
Fans of the original should definitely not miss this, and those who still love the twitch feel of old-school PC FPS should definitely give it a whirl.
It is fun, and that is the most important aspect of any game for me nowadays. I spent double-digit hours exploring the city, collecting items, and simply destroying anything in my path, and I can't wait to do more. That speaks volumes about a game, and Sunset Overdrive is certainly not one to be missed this holiday season.
Project Spark is a fantastic creation tool with some severe growing pains. The complexity will scare off lots of creators, and the customization items locked behind a pay-wall will deter even more. I worry that no one will be creating gems on the system outside of a few dedicated creators. A game like this lives and dies on its community, and I am not sure Project Spark has the legs to keep things interesting for years to come.
Alien Isolation is a great game marred with problems that make it frustrating the longer it goes on, and it goes on for a lot longer than it should. I love the ideas, I love the environments and the atmosphere and I wanted to love the entire game, but it kept giving me reasons not to.
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition is a better-looking console version of a solid open-world game. That might be the most generic description of a game I have ever concocted, but it breaks it down perfectly. I enjoyed playing through Wei Shen's story again, but the hefty price tag makes it a little hard to recommend, especially to those who have already played it