Ken McKown's Reviews
Watch Dogs 2 is the proper way to do a sequel. The series is now back in my category of games I care about, which says a lot after how forgettable the first game truly was. I love the tone, the whimsical nature, and just exploring the gorgeous interpretation of San Francisco. Sure it has some bad story pacing, and plenty of useless open world mission types, but I still had a blast playing it.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is an interesting entry for the series. The parts I enjoy have been improved, and are the best they have been in years. The campaign is one of my favorites of the year, and Zombies continues to innovate and find ways to be super fun. The multiplayer though feels throwaway and not all that exciting, which is what gives the series legs.
Going into Resident Evil 7 I was skeptical that it would not fit into the series. It felt like a new direction that didn’t capture what I had come to know it for. After playing through it, I couldn’t have been more wrong. This game epitomizes what a Resident Evil game is, and has revitalized a series I grew up adoring.
For anyone that missed these games, this collection is a no-brainer. For those that left their old consoles behind, this is a great package that delivers these games how you remember them. Outside of a few technical hiccups this collection is up there as one of the best of this generation. All three games are worth playing, and returning to them only solidifies how much I truly want a new BioShock.
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is one of the best remasters this generation. Not only is this game fantastic, but it is also one of several hidden gems a lot of gamers may have missed its first time around.
There is a lot to see and do in DiRT 4, and it is all well-designed. I feel like the career mode has a little too much micromanagement for my tastes, but I appreciate the additions. For fans of classic rally games this is by far the best it has been in years. DiRT Rally left me feeling a little empty with its focus on simulation style, but DiRT 4 strikes a nice balance between being accessible to anyone, but deep enough for hardcore fans.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a hard game to review. On one hand, the value is insane. The tracks, modes, and sheer amount of content found in the game are unmatched. On the other hand, hardly any of it is new for those of us who bought the game on Wii U. Another factor in the mix is that the Switch simply is lacking another big blockbuster to purchase after Zelda, so MK8 Deluxe is certainly tempting. Either way the game is still just as fun as it was on Wii U, and that is the most important bullet point.
Forza continues to deliver year-in and year-out. This outing will also be a showcase for Microsoft's upcoming 4K console. Turn 10 continues to deliver, and if nothing else Microsoft has this genre on lockdown for the time being. Glad to see the team not get complacent. Forza Motorsport 7 is yet another must-own for racing game fans.
Switch owners need this game, players without a Switch need to go buy one to play it. Nintendo knocks another one out of the park, and this may very well be their best year of games since the Super Nintendo.
Hellblade is an amazing achievement in game design. It is something I think everyone should play.
Ys VIII is a marvelous game that truly deserves more attention.
Dragon Ball FighterZ is simply a marvel. For Dragon Ball fans it is a no-brainer, for fighting game fans it is a must-have, even for those like me who know next to nothing about the series. It is extremely easy to get into, a blast to play, and it looks outstanding. This is a sleeper of 2018 for me, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Iconoclasts is a brilliant game that permeates from the amount of care and time put into it. It is by far one of the best of 2018, and I recommend everyone give it a go.
Spider-Man is yet another outstanding title in Sony's first party library. PS4 owners should not hesitate to snag it when it drops. The quality they put into these titles is impressive and Insomniac continues to prove they can deliver on big-budget titles. Even with its minor gripes I still thoroughly enjoyed my time with Spidey and the gang. Perhaps we will see another one in the years to come, but for now this is the best our web-slinger has been since the early days of the PS2 era.
Sonic Mania Plus is the best version of a great game. It feels good to be talking about Sonic in a positive light once again.
Mega Man 11 is exactly what I wanted from a new Mega Man game in 2018.
There is a ton to see and do in Nier: Automata. Talking about much of it does it a disservice to the player.
The Messenger is a horrible name for a game that pays homage to Ninja Gaiden. Don't let the name stop you, though. This is one of the best of its type and is worth checking out. I do wish it was more widely available across consoles, but Switch and PC owners should certainly not miss this one.
Still it is impossible not to recommend Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle. There is so much joy packed in this compilation. The genre has definitely seen a resurgence as of late, but it is impossible to deny how good these classics are. If only Capcom had been able to figure out the licenses behind some of their more popular titles like Alien vs. Predator. Perhaps in the future, but for now this is the best place to perform jump kicks anywhere.
Devil May Cry 5 is a return to the series in its truest form. Capcom has been a massive hot streak lately and I cannot wait to see what they do next. I loved DmC and thought it was a solid reboot, but I feel like continuing the original series was the right move. The combat feels great, the game looks oustanding, and the nostalgia is strong with this one.