Ken McKown's Reviews
Battlefield: Hardline may seem like simply an expansion to the fourth entry in the game, but after diving in I enjoy it a lot more than the previous effort. The campaign is a breath of fresh air, and the multiplayer adds enough to make it stand out.
Just be prepared for what you are going into, this was a PSP game, and there is only so much a remaster can change.
[I]ssues aside, this is one of the most pulse-pounding experiences I have had in a while. The Evil Within did a fantastic job of bringing the true terror and stress of the genre back into light, and this first DLC pack offers up some new spin on the game itself.
LA Cops is a neat diversion with some fantastic style. I had a blast in the short time I played it, but feel like it grows stale far too fast. This is the perfect game to snag during a sale, it is fun for the time it lasts, I just wish there was more to come back to once the raiding was over.
Shiftlings is a decent puzzler that relies too heavily on having a second player, and not getting tired of the simple mechanic.
Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires feels about as much of an afterthought as you can get. Nothing about this game feels evolutionary. I have recently become more invested in the Musou-style games, but Empires feels like a lot of half-baked ideas that don't form a cohesive experience.
Ori and the Blind Forest is a beautiful, punishing game that harkens back to the classic side-scrolling titles of the SNES. It will beat you down and test every ounce of patience, but not without reward. This is one of those games people will be talking about down the road, not unlike Shadow Complex or Geometry Wars. It once again showcases that there are so many games and so many ways to deliver and experience them; and this is one experience you can't afford to miss.
Whatever reason you haven't played this, it is time to finally dive in, and for those like me who already beat it to death on previous consoles, it is more than worth jumping back into. It really is one of the best releases and the ideal way to craft a remaster.
Screamride is unlike anything else I have played, and certainly packs a ton of fun.
Roundabout is a weird game. I found myself struggling to play it at times, but always willing to go back. The cut scenes are truly worth the price of admission, but the game play left me a bit cold at times.
Outside of a few issues though Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is still a super enjoyable fighting game. There is a superb amount of content, and for those not wanting to invest fully, Core Fighters is a great alternative to check out what it has to offer.
Evolve accomplished what it set out to do, and I am having a blast learning all the concepts it delivers. As long as I have friends to play with, it will continue to be in my rotation of games to play. My only concern is fatigue setting in with some players, and the base dwindling. This will kill the game, as playing solo is simply not the route to go.
Riptide GP2 carries a lot of what I loved about classic arcade racing games, but also a lot of what I hate about mobile games.
For those never venturing into Saints Row IV this is a must-buy, and for those that did, Gat Out of Hell is a solid expansion that should satiate the hunger for the inevitable Saints Row V we all hope is coming sooner rather than later.
Still considered one of the best (if not THE best in the series) REmake still holds up today as a trendsetter in the gaming world. Every other title wanted to be it, but none ever quite nailed the formula the way this Gamecube remake does. Definitely recommended for fans of the genre, as this is the pinnacle of what Shinji Mikami created all those years ago.
Tetris hasn't changed much over the years, but it is always a sign that a generation has started when an iteration finally lands on that console. XB1 and PS4 owners finally have the classic puzzle game on their platforms, albeit with a lack of explanation on new features, and some online lag. Still this is Tetris, and those looking for that experience will not be disappointed.
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.