Cory Wells's Reviews
NFL PRO ERA II offers a solid update over the original and this one would be the one to pick up for those who missed the first one. It's only thirty dollars on PSVR 2 and offers a type of immersion that isn't seen anywhere else. The improved controls are certainly that, but still far from perfect. The continuous Career Mode is a surface level addition, but like much with this game with proper investment, there's a lot more that could go into it. The fact that you can only play as a created player no matter the mode or team is both a blessing and a curse. It would be great to play with different quarterbacks of different sizes and attributes. You are playing against these players, after all. The multiplayer that was added is basically non-existent unless you have a friend who has a headset. The mini-games are more frustrating than they are fun, but the quickest way to play with friends is the Two-Minute Drill. This, and the practice mode, is the best way to get the feel for the game. NFL PRO ERA II is a must play for any football fan who has a headset to use with VR and space to play.
EA SPORTS WRC makes a few moves that are different for the franchise that work, but the difficulty that made DiRT Rally 2 so challenging yet rewarding is missing.
Outside of a straightforward Career Mode and an 0nline mode that has occasional hiccups with connectivity, however, there isn't much to do for a single-player experience. One can train and spar and focus on playing online or taking their created player online with a few different match options, but that's about it. The focus is the fighting, as it should be, and this is where UFC 5 brings home the gold. If there is one UFC game to get, this would be it.
Alan Wake 2 is the perfect release for Halloween as it presents a psychological horror movie into video game format.
If you're a returning player of the Payday franchise, you'll like what Payday 3 offers with multiple heists and keeping its core gameplay design intact.
NHL 24 does do some things that make changes to gameplay in a positive way.
Turn 10 Studios and PlayGround Games have improved the simulation racing aspect with Forza Motorsport. The racing is clearly the focus and the results are best experienced with a wheel as the tire model physics have helped to push this more into sim racing territory.
What EA has done with its relaunched soccer title is define the series going forward.
After the large strides last year, the minimal announcements for updates to this year's game raised a red flag.
Despite the lack of content at launch and the long waits to join matches, I still can't seem to put Firewall Ultra down.
Madden NFL 24 feels like the most complete game since jumping to this generation.
F1 23 makes welcome changes and additions to the series with the most beneficial being the racing.
Street Fighter 6 modernizes the series and feels like a true evolution that hits the likes of Hyper Fighting, Third Strike and SF4. This is possibly the biggest swing the series has seen and it worked out.
TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3 seems to focus more specifically on the technical aspect of the bikes while touching up other areas.
The most welcome aspect of EA SPORTS PGA TOUR is the PGA aspect itself.
INGAME STUDIOS should be commended for trying something different as they've previously worked on the Mafia series amongst other titles.
While not a lot has changed in terms of ways to play MLB The Show 23, the experience on the field is much improved.
2K and Visual Concepts continue to show commitment to this franchise in WWE 2K23 by making necessary gameplay changes and additions to an already-strong core that was established last year.
With The Official Videogame 6, The Monster Energy Supercross series from Milestone continues to feel like the pot on the back burner of all the racing series they develop and publish.
Relic has taken everything that makes the first two games great and made sufficient additions to help Company of Heroes 3 succeed in this renaissance of RTS titles.