Max Parker's Reviews
"Mario Odyssey" is the perfect blend of wonder, creativity and nostalgia. This is the truest evolution of video games' most iconic character. When the world seem bleak, "Mario Odyssey" is a wonderful, whimsical counterbalance that's custom made for escapism. The video game world doesn't just need more Mario. The world needs more Mario.
There are plenty of first-person shooters out there, but there's nothing else quite like "Wolfenstein 2." This is a game that pushes what a narrative can be in video games. If you know someone who loves historical fiction, but isn't really into games, sit them down and watch you play through the game on an easy difficulty. "Wolfenstein 2" deserves all of its praise, but none of it does it justice. This is a rare game has to be experienced first hand.
"TFBW" has everything a good sequel should have. It builds on the groundwork laid by original while staying true to the classic and hilarious South Park tone. The original was no slouch, especially considering it was the first RPG set in the South Park universe, but "TFBW" surpasses it in every way. It's not just the best South Park game. It's one of this year's best RPGs.
Since nobody really expected "The Evil Within" to get a sequel, expectations for "The Evil Within 2" were basically nonexistent. It was up to Tango Gameworks to show us why we should want this sequel, and they have accomplished this. It succeeds where the previous game failed, while adding more to the formula that could win over those who didn't care for the first game. For those looking for something creepy this October, or for those who want to give the series a second look, "The Evil Within 2" is worth your time.
Anyone who was Team Sega in the 90s remembers the "Sonic" series fondly. "Sonic Mania" is tailor made for this audience. Sonic's first spin dash through a loop of rings brings a wave of nostalgia that Sonic hasn't been able to muster in decades. This game makes up for lost time and reminds gamers why the Blue Blur is one of the most beloved game characters in the medium.
It's difficult not to recommend "Mega Man Legacy Collection 2," but it's just doesn't quite reach the nostalgic overload of its predecessor.
"Splatoon 2" is entirely held together by its premise and gameplay. It's charming. It's different. It works and it's fun. But once a closer look is taken at the limitations of the different modes, an embarrassingly outdated set of online features and lack of onboard voice chat that those bright colors start to fade. "Splatoon 2" has the potential to be one of the best games of the year, but Nintendo needs to start taking notes on how modern game makers create an experience for a competitive scene.
Creative, unique and just plain fun first-party games continue to be the best reason to have a Switch. This is the beginning of a new franchise, and an excellent starting point for this fresh new idea. "Arms" is poised to appeal to kids who are new to games, experienced gamers and can even support a competitive esports scene. There's room for "Arms" to grow, but this is already the new big thing for the Switch.
"Injustice 2" does everything a fighting game sequel should do. The original "Injustice" was a great game that added some new ideas to the fighting genre. "Injustice 2" just polishes areas that needed to be polished when it comes to the gameplay, and added a gear system that's never been seen before in the genre. The game has plenty of content for DC fans, hardcore followers of fighting games and casual gamers just looking for a fun experience.
"Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" is so complete that it made me wonder how the original Wii U release even made it to shelves in its original state. This is everything kart fans could want from the series: fast action that can be enjoyed by beginners and seasoned veterans, plenty of unlockables, an assortment of tracks and fun modes for parties. This is the new pinnacle for the "Mario Kart" series. Nintendo was smart to take us on another lap around the track.
"Yooka-Laylee" accomplishes what it sets out to do. It reminds players what was so appealing about collectathons at the height of their popularity. Even if it overstay its welcome toward the end, it's mostly a joyful journey through a long forgotten genre.
"Andromeda" missed its mark by lightyears.
"Horizon Zero Dawn" hits the mark in almost everything it sets out to do, and it's that much more impressive that it's the team's first attempt at an open world game such as this one. Unfortunately, the character experience gets stale toward the second half. But, story woes don't ruin everything the game has to offer. It's still absolutely gorgeous and the combat is varied enough to be satisfying. There's room for improvement, but that just makes me more excited to see what's possible in the eventual sequel.
“RE7” marks the return to form for the long-running series. This is the best “Resident Evil” game since “RE4.” It combines scares, puzzles and gameplay, and its inclusion of VR is a bold choice that pays off for those who want to experience the scares on another level. Even if it doesn’t quite stick its landing, “RE7” is one of the best mainstream horror games in a long time.
“Titanfall 2” is everything “Titanfall” could’ve been. It could get lost in the holiday shuffle, since it’s wedged in between “Battlefield 1” and “Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare,” and it would be a shame if it did. “Titanfall 2” shows that there is still magic left in the competitive first-person shooter genre, whether that magic is found in multiplayer or single-player campaigns. It’s not only one of the best shooters of the year; it’s one of the best games of the year.
As far as the driving goes, it’s hard to find a game that is more finely tuned than “Forza Horizon 3,” but a racing game needs to be more than just the racing in 2016. Just because it’s huge and the map is littered with things to do doesn’t make it a meaningful experience for the player. Those things to do need to be enjoyable. “Forza Horizon 3” needs more variety for both solo players and multiplayer modes. There’s plenty to see in this game, but like any vacation, sightseeing gets old after a while.
It’s hard not to compare “Rise of Iron” to “The Taken King.” “The Taken King” was “Destiny’s” finest and most robust expansion. Even at its $40 asking price, it seemed like it was just shy of achieving full sequel status rather than an expansion. “Rise of Iron” doesn’t quite reach those heights, but it’s still better than other expansions like “House of Wolves” and “The Dark Below.” Bungie has learned from its experience. “Rise of Iron” mostly adds more of what “Destiny” players want. Year Two of “Destiny has been a huge success for players who want the game to head in the right direction. If this is indeed the final expansion, expectations will be high for “Destiny 2.”
FIFA 17 is another strong entry in the iconic series, and one that looks to lay the groundwork for future titles by switching to a new engine. The hyper-realistic graphics are great, with facial expressions finally helping players look more than mannequins.
“No Man’s Sky” is a modern marvel in game development. There has never been anything close to a game of this size or scope. But size doesn’t always translate to enjoyment. The game is about exploration and exploration alone. There’s no drama or story-driven hook to keep players wanting to turn the next page. There’s enough game here to keep players engaged for multiple lifetimes. How long they will stay with it will depend on the patience of the player. The game’s reach and beauty can only take players so far.
Despite some of its problems, "Lego The force Awakens" is still a step in the right direction for the series, and is enjoyable for any "Star Wars" fan. It's a great way to revisit the excellent movie, or introduce a younger audience to the iconic series.