Elite Dangerous successfully takes the original game and turns it into a true 21st century revolution as you explore the furthermost reaches of the universe as you attempt assassinations, protect spaceports and search for those illusive credits in order to better yourself in this gaming world. The learning curve is a little steep and the controls can be at times fiddle some but overall, the developers of Elite Dangerous should be commended on creating a truly visual, immersive and memorable experience on the PC that not only pays homage to the original but takes it to a new level thanks to the MMO component and inclusion of the Oculus Rift DK2.
Never Alone is beautifully presented on the Xbox One and successfully tells the story of the Iñupiat people through the eyes of Nuna and her pet fox. Sure, it may not be the most original title with its gameplay but its captivating characters and information create a thoroughly enjoyable experience on the Xbox One about a world encompassed by a never ending blizzard with magical spirit characters.
Fantasia Music Evolved is a very interesting concept from Harmonix that actually works quite well on the Kinect 2 and you do feel like a magical conductor as you manipulate the music with your gestures. The only let down with the game is that once you have finished it a few times and tried to collect all the achievements and aimed for the high score, the replay value does become a little stagnant.
If you're a fan of the previous LEGO Batman games or you love DC Comics, than I could happily recommend LEGO Batman 3 Beyond Gotham to you. As mentioned time and time again, it is a LEGO game that at times can become a little repetitive but TT Games have tried to keep it fresh and unique by adding new gaming mechanics into the title. It also has over 150 characters to unlock (yes I'm serious) that also increases the replay value but best of all, it feels like a DC Comics game and that my friends is where LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham succeeds!
Singstar Ultimate Party definitely misses the mark when it comes to all the bells and whistles from the Singstar franchise. Sure the gameplay is sturdy and the voice recognition is pretty much flawless but it's missing the heart and soul of what made this series so good. Yes it's cool that you can use your mobile phone as a microphone and that you can share your videos with social media but regrettably that's about it.
Farming Simulator 15 is not for all gamers and even though I wasn't a fan of the content, I can actually see its merits. It definitely recreates the farming experience well and it does give the player some great content in terms of what kind of farming equipment and crops are available. Needless to say, Farming Simulator 15 is also a time-hole because this game definitely requires patience to succeed but there is actually something enjoyable about this strange game based on farming!
The Vanishing Ethan Carter is definitely the must play game of the year that successfully creates a gripping and engaging tale without an ounce of input from the game itself. All the clues are right in front of the player and thus it's up to you to put back together this amazing jigsaw puzzle about a young boy and his dark family with some of the best graphics you'll witness on the PC. More importantly, the game definitely deserves another play through due to the cleverly written puzzles and wondrous links to the Carter family.
Just Dance 2015 is easily one of the best dancing games available and sure, it doesn't add much to genre but when a game is this good, there's not really a lot to change or add. With exceptional graphics, decent gameplay thanks to the Kinect 2 and a truly pumping track list, Just Dance 2015 is definitely a must have title if you love singing, dancing or both… so grab your friends and get ready to have the best dance off of 2014. Recommended!
inFamous First Light is a great addition to the franchise and I for one hope that we see more of Fetch because she's definitely one of the most interesting and likeable characters of year. The story of this DLC works well, even though it does jump around and the gameplay is just as flawless from inFamous Second Son that not only looks amazing on the PS4 but sounds phenomenal.
Diablo III Reaper of Souls boasts great graphics, sturdy gameplay and a very interesting story that will have both veterans and newcomers of Diablo III entertained and busy for months to come. With the possibility of reaching level 70 and the inclusion of fixes, tweaks and a new character, I for one cannot wait to get back into this game again because it's been far too long between drinks.
Kinect Sports Rivals is a good game on the Xbox One but it's not the game that successfully turns Kinect into a true gaming medium. I'm sure this will come but for now, it is easily the best motion controlled game on any console and developers RARE have really thought outside the square in terms of translating these real world games onto the Xbox One console. Some games such as a soccer were a little too complicated, especially with the accuracy of the motion controls but other titles such as bowling and jet ski racing almost felt like the real thing.
LEGO The Hobbit is a fun game with a sturdy gaming engine but it definitely doesn't give this genre anything new. It features some fun cutscenes and follows the first two movies closely and hopefully once the final film has been released, we'll see some additional DLC. So yes, LEGO The Hobbit may not be the greatest game due to its repetition but the humour in the game is really first class and you cannot help but smile and laugh when the silliness begins!
Strike Suit Zero Director's Cut is a good game on the XBox One and if you have a hankering for this genre than I do suggest you check out this game. It may not be the most visually impressive game and the difficulty can be a challenge at times but even with its slight flaws, it's a fun game but just a tad repetitive. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing your shields at almost zero and then somehow saving the day with your amazing space craft.
Titanfall is definitely a breath of fresh air when it comes to playing online multiplayer and although the story is largely absent in the game, the gaming mechanics really helps in creating a very sturdy gaming experience. Developers Respawn Entertainment should be commended in successfully merging a traditional first person shooter experience with Mechs, especially with the flawless gameplay.
Rayman Legends is an amazing game on the PlayStation 4 that is definitely a must have download from the PSN store. The level design is brilliant and the developers successfully take a 2D game and turn it into something very special on this new next-gen console. Highly Recommended!
Kill Zone Shadow Fall is a very enjoyable first person shooter on the PlayStation 4 that really showcases the power of this next-gen console with some fun gameplay tweaks. Graphically, it's one of the best games on this console at the moment and features a very strong single player and online experience. I love the inclusion of OWL into the gameplay, especially with the new DualShock 4 Controller. Sure, there are a few inconsistencies here and there which also includes some very difficult places in the game but overall, it's a must have game for first person shooter fans!
Knack is definitely a walk down memory lane and ironically the old school gaming mechanics used by Japan Studio work quite well on the PS4. However for a next-gen title, there is something lacking in the game and although the graphics do look nice, I was expecting a little more "wow" when it comes to the graphical abilities of this next-gen console, including some whacky new gameplay modes. However even though Knack didn't deliver on these two categories, there is something uniquely refreshing about this game that is quite addictive and very enjoyable, provided you don't get caught in a bout of controller rage.
Compared to the PS3 and Xbox 360 release, FIFA on the PlayStation 4 is a whole new ball game and even though EA have tweaked some of the gameplay modes, it is for the better and this version is definitely superior in terms of gameplay, controls and graphics.
In conclusion, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is easily the best LEGO game on any console that not only pays homage to the world of Marvel superheroes but boasts great gameplay that can be enjoyed by both adults and kids. Brilliant level design, great replay value, gaming doesn't get any better than this on the PS4. However hopefully next time, they can include online multiplayer.
On the PlayStation 4, Injustice: Gods Among Us is truly a thoroughly entertaining fighter that not only looks amazing but plays extremely well. Although you can play the game as a button masher, there is an element of skill involved as each character has their pros and cons, especially when fighting other characters so yes, there is a strategy. I also love the fanservice that NetherRealm give the players, especially with the awesome cameos in the title. Sure, it does feel a little like Mortal Kombat but this is all DC comics baby!