Josh Di Falco
Hitman GO: Definitive Edition is a nice little detour away from the open-world stealth-based contract killings that the main games in the franchise have been known for. Instead, playing as a miniature Agent 47 on a chessboard-like setting in a turn-based game is an addicting process, where many hours can easily be lost trying to figure out the walking patterns of the Agent's next target. Its simple gameplay makes it easy for newcomers to jump in and play. With seven campaigns consisting of roughly 15 levels each, there is a lot of fun to be had in this minor deviation from the Hitman franchise - hopefully one that will be revisited in the future.
Once again, Zen Studios has successfully delivered another exciting and interesting new pinball title. By playing on the Ant-Man's ability of being able to shrink down in size, this newest table mimics that to an extent that could never be replicated on a real life pinball machine. Hank Pym and Scott Lang help bring the table and the characters to life, and unlike previous games, the dialogue never seems to run dry here. The cooler colour scheme does help to see things clearly, especially in fast motion, and the visuals do not clash with each other once the multi-ball hits. For fans of the franchise or newcomers alike, Zen Pinball 2: Ant-Man is a must-have for the ever-growing pinball collection.
The Balls of Glory pinball pack brings to life four of the top animated sitcoms, and they each contain a variety of unique mini-games that fans of the shows will enjoy. For pinball fans, these stages bring the right amount of challenge to the game, although, at times, it may feel unfair when a ball enters the outlane. Zen Studios has done an amazing job in bringing the TV shows to life in this bundle, but for maximum enjoyment, it does require knowledge of the shows that the tables are based on. While the layout isn't quite up to par with some of the other tables that Zen Pinball 2 has to offer, the Balls of Glory pack provides plenty more hours of enjoyment.
For avid pinball players and Star Wars fans, The Force Awakens pack is a must for any table collection. The two tables featured in the pack represent all the wonder that Zen Studios has provided, and it has opened up a whole world of possibilities in what the team could deliver next. Help Rey, Finn, Poe and the Resistance, or crush planets under the might of the First Order. These two new tables are a must own, and should provide many more hours of fun and enjoyment, while providing the right amount of challenge for new and experienced pinball players.
The harsh reality is that Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence rewards patience, but quite a lot of patience is required in order to make the most of what is a difficult game to recommend to others.
Even though there's a steep learning curve that may turn many people off from venturing further into the world of Primal Carnage: Extinction, it is definitely worth breaking through that grind, because underneath is a great game with solid environments, and a fun gaming experience. Trekking through the jungles as a commando hunting large dinosaurs is a lot of fun, while hunting for prey from the skies above as a Pterodactyl is even more fun. While finding some matches may be annoying, once the online community grows even larger, this would be one franchise that won't go extinct.
While SkyScrappers is a fun arcade fighter, the enjoyment only lasts a little while, due to the easy AI and the lack of an online mode. The campaign can be completed in less than three hours with all of the characters, leaving the offline couch-multiplayer as the only mode with potential to aid the longevity of the adventure. A lack of variety in the way the characters are played also hurts its durability. While it isn't a long journey, playing in short bursts is a great way to pass the time and get some enjoyment out of battering opponents with falling debris from a collapsing skyscraper. To sum it up, as Kichirou states, "I'm exactly as one dimensional as I appear and have no hidden depths. Next!"