Patrick Perrault's Reviews
Overall, I still emphasize the fact that for those who expect a Battlefield game, that is exactly what you are given. At its core, it’s a competent shooter from a company that knows what it is doing, but it really should have been so much more. Perhaps shifting eras will be enough for most, but it feels like EA Dice went through the motions here. From the ho-hum campaign to the by-the-numbers multiplayer, it feels like a manufactured product rather than a game that developers poured their hearts and souls into, and that’s a real shame.
Essentially, if you already have The Ship: Murder Party, don’t bother with the pointless remake. Its $20 cost does not do it any favors, and even on its current sale there are a ton of better options at this price point.
While The Dwarves is an excellent story-based experience, the gameplay surrounding it serves to quickly sour most of the enjoyment that can be found, and most fans would be better off rereading the books.
The Order of the Thorne is a title that is best left to the 80's for all intents and purchases. Buy it if you are a child of the 80's or just insanely curious.
If you are a diehard Warhammer 40K fan or desperately need a ARPG, proceed very cautiously. Everyone else can safely avoid this title, as it does nothing that hasn't been seen before.
With a ho-hum story and three run-of-the-mill missions that last for an hour of gametime, you may want to wait until you accept this particular Op.
If you are a platformer enthusiast who likes jumping around and solving puzzles, you will probably enjoy this game. Just go into the game expecting great visuals and a soundtrack, and you will not be unduly disappointed.
StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops Mission Pack 2 is a fun but short experience that any StarCraft II fan should enjoy, although the full package still hasn't entirely justified its cost of entry as of yet.
In the end, Armello does not strive for anything more than being a polished and well-rounded experience, and despite some lingering complaints on its lack of communication and interactivity, it is a worthwhile purchase for any board game fan.
Spellforce 3 is a great RTS held back by its bugs and a seemingly rushed release. Pick it up only if you are looking for a great single-player campaign.
Dungeons 3 is a title that toes the line between nostalgia and gameplay almost perfectly, although at times its humor becomes self-indulgent to the point of exasperation. Non-existent multiplayer population and bugs aside, Dungeons 3's campaign has enough going for it that it's worth a look.
Yooka-Laylee is a fun game, but its controls, plot and somewhat plentiful bugs hamper the experience. 3D platformer veterans will find something to like here, but others might be turned off.
Despite a buggy and somewhat incomplete experience, Aviary Attorney is a unique game that boasts the funniest script seen for quite some time.
If you can handle the mobile-inspired interface and lacking set of options, D&D Lords of Waterdeep offers a compelling experience for those who enjoy board games.
Spellweaver is a free TCG that will feel familiar to fans of Magic or Hearthstone, but brings its own surprises to the table.
Grim Dawn is a game that is more than the sum of its parts. Its graphics, story, and music are not particularly impressive, but its combat is so good that it elevates it over almost all of its contemporaries. This is a title that is worth it's full price.
Stellaris builds a foundation that will hopefully yield something wonderful within the next few years of patches and expansions. For now, this is a good game that I recommend for both the newcomer and the hardened veteran that probably already has this game.
Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide is an interesting conundrum. Nothing here is new or particularly innovative, but it is a well-realized experience nonetheless. Overall, it's a budget title but with more than enough content to belie its pricetag. If you are a fan of Left 4 Dead, Warhammer, or cooperative games in general, then this is a must buy.
Tormentum – Dark Sorrow is grim, depressing, and not for the faint of heart. Do not expect a traditional feeling of 'fun' whilst playing this title, but instead a deeper feeling of satisfaction as everything clicks into place. Recommended for point and click fans and the morbidly curious, or perhaps for those who look for beauty in the darkest of places.
Total War: Warhammer is a well-thought out iteration of the Total War franchise, which means that those that are still on the fence on buying the title should expect a release that is everything one may expect from a polished Total War title… for better or worse.