This game is for both veterans and newcomers alike that not only boasts excellent gameplay but great graphics to compliment your experience as a hunter. There’s some great missions to be found along the way and some clever crafting as you turn yourself into one of the best hunters in the realm. Sure, some elements do feel like grinding but somehow the developers take this and turn it into something more as you explore this living breathing world. Best of all, it’s a game that supports both single and multiplayer well so there’s really no excuse not be playing this title, especially if you like this genre. So if you need a break from Pokémon Go… Monster Hunter Generations may be right elixir.
At the end of the day, One Piece: Burning Blood is another fun instalment of this series that features a decent collection of playable characters that is cemented with a sturdy gaming engine. Sure, it may not be as realistic as some other fighters but it delivers with the entertainment factor, provided you're a fan of the anime genre. Additionally, One Piece: Burning Blood is a game that can be played by anyone and with practice, you'll soon be a master of the pirates with some deadly fighting skills to help plunder against your villainous opponents!
The Outer Rim is a fun DLC for Star Wars Battlefront that tweaks the gameplay, throws in new characters and also weapons for players to explore. The new maps are quite detailed and although there are no new worlds, it still makes for some exciting gameplay as you shoot your way through the Star Wars universe.
If you're a fan of the previous games in the series than you probably should check out Garden Warfare 2 that has enough bang for its buck to keep things fresh. This freshness includes new maps, classes, perks and modes for players to master. Add in a great local multiplayer split-screen mode and this is one versatile title with some really fun gameplay.
Assassin's Creed Chronicles Russia is probably the weaker game in the series so far and that's not to say that gameplay is flawed. Rather, the protagonist of Nikolai and the story is a little lacklustre but given the price, it's still an enjoyable experience on the PS4 that allows gamers to experience another part of the bigger Assassin's Creed mythology.
Unravel isn't a bad game on any level but it can be frustrating and the margin of error is not very forgiving for some of the puzzles. Nonetheless, it does have its moments of glory which did keep me interested and motivated to finish the game. Graphically, it's a beautiful looking title on the PlayStation 4 but at times it is hampered by the puzzle mechanics but its story without words is a combination of melancholia and hope.
Yo-Kai Watch is no Pokémon clone but rather its own unique game that gives the player a sturdy combat system with some great Japanese RPG elements thrown into the mix. It's also a well-designed game that really allows you to explore this colourful world as you solve quests and discover new Yo-Kai for your collection.
Chibi-Robo Zip Lash may not be the most original game of 2015 but it gives the player an honest arcade experience with a fun protagonist and some old-school gaming mechanics with a few twists and challenges to be found along the way. To borrow an element from the song by Devo "I say whip it… Whip it Good!"
Who would have thought that Need for Speed is still going strong after two decades and given the last few instalments of this franchise, it's good to see the game go back to basics without the over the top arcade experience which the series has become.
In the end, Halo 5 Guardians is a great start on the Xbox One that boasts decent gameplay, amazing graphics and audio to really immerse you into this futuristic warzone.
In the end, One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 is probably one of the most enjoyable One Pirate games that I've played in a long-time and it's good to see the franchise remaining strong on the PlayStation 4. It's a fun beat 'em up with some exceptional graphics and a very entertaining story with some sturdy gaming mechanics!
All in all, Devil's Third is a mixed bag on the Wii U that even with its graphical issues and at times flunky controls, there is some sort of decent game to be found, more so in multiplayer. Character designs are decent and some of the ways you dispatch your enemies is truly amazing but unfortunately some things like the frame rate or the wishy washy accuracy of the controls affect the single-player campaign. In conclusion, Devil's Third is buggy but does have a few shining moments, provided you can move past the inconsistencies.
Although some of Rare's truly classic games like Goldeneye and Diddy Kong Racing are missing from this collection (Nintendo anyone?), both Rare and Microsoft have still paid homage to their great back catalogue such as Banjo Kazooie, Jetpac and Killer Instinct which are all still quite playable and enjoyable today. Sure, they are missing that next-gen look and sometimes gameplay but overall, it's a great blast from the past that truly showcases the diverse history of Rare with 30 titles.
King's Quest: A Knight to Remember for me was a very enjoyable game that truly harkens back to a simpler time of gaming and even though it may not be the most challenging title around, it succeeds at storytelling. Well presented on the XBox One with some exceptional graphics and perfect voice acting, King's Quest a Knight to Remember is ideal for gamers who want something a little left out of centre that pushes the simple rather than the difficult.
The Crew is a very ambitious game that did suffer from day one release issues. Thankfully most have been patched but there are still a few graphical issues and gameplay nuances that can cause controller rage. Although the story is relatively forgettable, I actually did enjoy driving around American in its "free mode" and when engaged in missions, some were extremely difficult due to the control mechanics and insane difficultly of the AI. Nonetheless, it's an interesting racer that is probably a little too ambitious for most but definitely recommended for those not time poor!
With 1080p graphics running at 60 frames per second, WWE 2K15 is easily the best looking game from the series and although the core mechanics have been changed for the better, the lack of the customisation options and reduced gaming modes is a little frustrating. Nonetheless, the fighting works well and you can quite easily get lost in the MyCareer Mode. With quick matches to online modes, the developers have definitely take the series in a better direction but there was a slight cost to some of the mechanics.
Given the price of Bound by Flame, I believe that it is a little overpriced and tries to be a triple A title that unfortunately doesn't add anything new to this genre. From a gaming perspective it works but it needed some more game testing and probably a revamped skill system that makes you feel out of your depth. Nonetheless, I've seen far worse Western RPG's and thankfully Bound by Flame ticks most boxes.
Super Mario 3D World is one of the best Super Mario games (even better than Galaxy 2) to date and not only modernises the franchise but pays homage to what came before. It's fun, it's fast and it's the best multiplayer experience on the Wii U. I thoroughly enjoyed this game from start to finish and I will be returning again.