Badland: Game of the Year Edition seems undercut by its basic nature more than the troubles that ports face. Though fun and challenging at times, it struggles to match up to the best its genre has to offer.
RONIN wants to be a thinking man's twitch slasher. It mixes intriguing visuals and a barebones but singular premise with an awkward interface and little variety. The first few missions are a template for the remaining game and there's little incentive to see it through to the end, much less replay it.
Batman: Arkham Knight may not have been the conclusion everyone expected but it's still an all-round excellent open world action adventure that brings the trilogy to a satisfying close. Not all of its mechanics gel together well but what works makes for a compelling play-through.
Heroes of the Storm isn't your new MOBA fix and it may not even appeal to every kind of strategy gamer out there. Despite a hefty amount of grinding, Blizzard presents a strong amount of content and gameplay in an aesthetically pleasing packaging. And if nothing else, it's great for a few time-wasting rounds here and there.
As a compilation, Rare Replay is one of the best deals on the market. As a look into the illustrious developer, there's a ton of great history to be experienced. As an experience, this represents three decades of gaming that must be experienced.
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition isn't the Xbox One's killer app but it's a good addition to any shooter fan's library. Some mechanics have begun to show their age but as a whole, it's a worthwhile and fun experience.
Volume mixes familiar stealth controls and perspectives with a bevy of intriguing, new mechanics. While its enemies won't really hound and hunt you - and the checkpoints provide more than enough support - Volume is a nice, low-fi experience for both casual players and hardcore stealth fans.
Mad Max seemingly had it all but ultimately stumbles in the worst way possible - by not presenting enough interesting things to in its open world. Side mission and story quest design aside, there's a whole of repetition and not a lot of substance to the game's madness. Good for the odd casual playthrough but imminently forgettable.
It may not strike the same level of outright terror that Amnesia: The Dark Descent but even in this genre, SOMA is a standout title with an interesting storyline centered around the age old debate of being human.
Shadowrun: Hong Kong may be a familiar cyberpunk paradise for some and an altogether alien destination for others. However, for tactical RPG fans, it's still home sweet home.
Destiny: The Taken King may not have made this Bungie's best series yet but it's certainly changed it for the better while offering tons of new, fun things to shoot.
Might & Magic Heroes 7 may not the series' lowest point but it's a low point all the same. Even with proper attention given to eradicating bugs, it fails to capture the magic of the franchise's best while offering a compelling experience to turn-based strategy fans.
Broforce is that action movie you pop in when you want to unwind and not think too much. It doesn't have a lot of depth and there are better action games out there but it's a quick, funny little shooter that aims to please.
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor is a fun, content-laden expansion that makes a number of changes to the WoW dynamic, even if a lot of them may not pan out well for veterans and some features feel slightly underwhelming. Regardless of how you feel about MMOs, it's worth your time and money - just be prepared to get lost in Azeroth's many twists and turns.
If Hearts of Stone were a full-length game, it would be perfect. The fact that it's an excellent expansion to an already excellent game in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is appreciable in a whole new light. Fan or not, if you crave a compelling action-adventure, Hearts of Stone is well worth the price.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is neither a revelation nor a revolution. However, it's still a gorgeous, solid and extremely fun action adventure experience. Even with its familiar platforming and combat, Rise of the Tomb Raider shouldn't be missed.
Anno 2205 seems like it had promise but was subsequently scaled back on release. It's a decent diversion with some more than decent visuals but you'll crave so much more, especially after Cities: Skylines.
While an improvement over last year, WWE 2K16 still represents a series that has a ways to go before realizing its full potential. We appreciate the large roster and 2K Showcase but this is strictly meant for the hardcore fan.
As a game, The Park's story doesn't feel fully formed - like a building crescendo that suddenly stops. That's not including the unevenness of its plot, average visuals and ho-hum frights. The Park isn't the renaissance of Funcom's adventuring prowess - it's a short, twisted, grimy tale that picks apart the human psyche and its failings. If only it had been so much more.
World of Warships serves up high-stakes action that mixes tense moments with realistic action. Yes, it can require some grinding and won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it's one of the best naval combat (and free to play) titles out there.