Strider takes the best parts of its lineage to heart
Strike Vector can't quite stick the landing
Double Helix has competently filled the gaps in Killer Instinct's foundation
Peggle 2 is a burst of joy in a sea of brown and grey
Forza 5 brings multiplayer to solo play
A Link Between Worlds is the sequel I never knew I wanted
That absence of meaningful evolution might be Killzone: Shadow Fall's biggest sin. For all the next-gen bluster of its visuals and the repeated blunt-force attempts to ram a message home, Guerilla's first shot on the PS4 retreads shooter cliches, and poorly. In a launch lineup crowded with shooters, Killzone: Shadow Fall sits at the bottom.
Assassin's Creed 4 is constantly waiting for its dare-to-be-great moment
Battlefield 4 melds elements of its predecessors, but their baggage weighs it down
Fez is the most authentic exploration of the NES era of games that I've ever played, from its sound and visuals to its obtuseness. It uses the capabilities of current systems to take those ideas further, while limiting itself with specific intentions, deploying scrutability in bits and pieces. It doesn't just love the games it borrows from — it understands them. It knows what it is and what it wants to be, and doesn't compromise on it. And for those willing to bury themselves in Fez's alien world and logic, there are plenty of treasures to be found.
Borderlands 2 is unquestionably a better game than Borderlands. The new emphasis on elemental weapons and dismemberment make for better combat scenarios, and the constant character improvement is a great push forward for players looking for long-term rewards. But sticking around for those payoffs requires more patience than I'd hoped.