Ken McKown's Reviews
Even with these issues I still enjoyed the lengthy adventure Evil Within delivers. It has been a long time coming, but Mikami has definitely delivered classic survival horror. Fans of the genre should not miss this. While it is plagued with visual problems, the pacing is almost perfect, and the tension is unmatched. There is a lot to love with Mikami's latest title, and I cannot wait to see where he goes next.
Styx: Master of Shadows surprised me. The fluid controls and inventive game play kept me coming back to its lengthy campaign. I also liked Styx as a character. I might not have remembered what he did, but I had a good time getting him there. The price might be a little scary at $30, but for those that enjoy a pure stealth game, this one is definitely worth a look.
Even with these quirks Trap Team is still the best game in the series to date. Sure it is yet another massive investment, but I am glad to see that the team continues to improve the core game and make it even more fun with each iteration.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is the first game on these new consoles that screams next generation game play. Even those not so sweet on the source material need to check this game out.
Forza Horizon 2 is a fantastic racing game, probably the best released so far in this short-lived generation of consoles. Xbox One owners should definitely check it out. The amount of content is impressive, but even more impressive is that most of it is really fun to play. Horizon 2 starts off a laundry list of exclusive titles for MS, we can only hope the rest are as excellent as Playground's latest racer.
I kept coming back wanting to play more, even after unlocking almost everything the game had to offer. That is the ultimate compliment I can pay to the latest exclusive title on the Wii U. Fans of Zelda and musou games, this is a no-brainer, but for anyone else on the fence, it is definitely a game worth checking out.
Disney Infinity remains a series with a host of potential that never seems to get fleshed out. The Toy Box once again reigns as the sole reason to purchase the game, and it doesn't come cheap. Disney knows what they are doing though, adding in Marvel only makes kids scream for the figures even more than before.
Even with everything missing NHL 15 is still a great playing game. The on-ice action is still hard to top, and if EA does patch in all the missing features, this could end up being the best in the series in years. Sadly, as it stands right now there is too much missing to make it feel like a complete package.
It is clear Minecraft is an absolute beast in terms of sales. With the pending purchase of developer Mojang by Microsoft, I wonder where the series will venture to next. Still, there is a lot of things to see and do, and if you are one of the five people that have yet to experience this game, there has never been a better time than now.
Those craving a solid shooter to enjoy with friends and have no interest in taking on the Fallen alone should definitely give Destiny a shot.
If you love the genre, this is like an all-star package; and even for those a little cold on the idea of the games this is definitely worth a look.
inFamous: First Light once again shows Sony makes some stellar content post-release. Being able to enjoy this adventure even without owning the original game is a huge plus. For those that might have parted ways with their original copy, this $15 continuation is more than worth the price of admission. It also helps that I actually enjoyed this piece of content more than the original game.
The swing mechanics are excellent, and the course editor is second to none. I just wish there was more of a sense of progression to the core game. As it stands it is expensive, and can sometimes feel like a tech demo fleshed out with menus.
When all is said and done, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is just a delightful game, and a ton of fun to play with friends. I can't recommend it enough for even the most jaded gamer. I have spent countless hours with the title, and still play it months after release, which is more than I can say for almost every shooter ever released on a console
Football fans need not worry, it is time once again for the NFL season to begin. Madden NFL 15 will easily keep you engaged for months to come.
The journey through the Metro is more than worth the price of admission, plus the visuals are great at showcasing the new hardware. I am really looking forward to what 4A Games has in store next.
Even with these downsides I cannot recommend New 'n' Tasty enough. There are not enough games of this type on the market these days, especially ones of this quality. Anyone who enjoys puzzle games owes it to themselves to check out this series. The Oddworld games hold a special place in my heart, and are definitely some of the most charming titles from a forgotten genre.
Sniper Elite III is a mediocre game with a gimmick that escalates it to be more enjoyable than it should be. Remove that particular mechanic though and we are left with a pretty bland shooter. Still, those that play games like Mortal Kombat just for the gore will be pleased, making this a fun summer diversion for new console owners starving for something new to play.
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark is not a great game, but for those like me who still dream of reliving my childhood, Escalation scratches that itch. The collection of characters make it worthwhile, but not at $60. I suggest holding out until the price comes down, grabbing three friends, and having a blast. Just be sure to stay as far away from the campaign mode as possible.
There is a lot to love about Dead Rising 3's latest DLC. For $10 it is impossible not to recommend to Xbox One owners who still have the game, especially those with a fondness for classic Capcom titles. The grind for costumes and the stiff controls are the only things holding this back, the rest is pure chaotic fun, and when I bring my friends, the intensity only increases.