Zack Hage
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Spelunky
- Metal Gear Solid 5
Zack Hage's Reviews
Shadow Blade Reload is an example of how to properly pull a platformer off without the unnecessary clutter seen in more tropey and uninspired titles. It’s to the point which ties into it’s accessibility and overall entertaining value, and it’s a game I can easily see myself going back to after finishing once, or even twice.
Despite it’s flaws, Crazy Strike EX Bowling is by far the best bowling game you can get on current generation consoles. Wii Sports may have the legacy, but if your garage sale/ swap meet made it long gone by now, this is a great way to relive those great moments. And don’t let the setting fool you, as getting a whole lot of strikes feels much more significant.
Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book is an excellent JRPG, and is recommended for anyone wary of the niche after frequent missteps. There’s still a few problems here and there (which could be a bit embarrassing considering it’s the 17th game in the series) but the innovation isn’t overloaded and instead natural.
Blue Rider is a refreshing twin-stick shooter that takes influences and innovates at the same time. It’s the best blend between these ideas I’ve seen in ages, although I do wish it was expanded more and wasn’t so choppy here and there. Besides that, it’s hard not to have fun with such a well-managed shooter.
All in all, Stranger of Sword City is a far surpassing RPG in gameplay, but is brought down to lesser degrees by a majority of flaws found everywhere else. This does not discount the fun I did have with it though, and I would still recommend it to anyone willing to explore the more forgotten parts of JRPG lineage.
ADIOS is far from an accurate description of space, but it's another game that proves that you don't need to yield from any topic to make an intriguing interactive property. In-game additions like game references and secret levels make the trip even merrier, making space feel like that one true home.
Full Mojo Rampage is another excellent game from Nicalis, that carries the torch for roguelike shooter mashups into the coming years. It's smart and creative, and holds challenge that is tough to overcome, but never insurmountable. If you need a great summer indie game, you may have just found your choice.
It didn't seem this way at first, but ImageForm proved Steamworld Heist to be the next logical step after Steamworld Dig. On top of fabulous gameplay and overall intuitiveness, it grasps a personality some other indie games could only dream of. Just get ready for a fun space challenge.
Among the Sleep is one of the better horror titles I've come across in recent memory. It's unique take doesn't take away any of the scares, and the plot doesn't overstay it's welcome and creates a collection of memorable scenarios. The same can't be said for the presentation, which is the one urgent issue of fixing.
Neverwinter is one of the better MMO's to release this generation, and especially on console. It's competence is far and wide, and the developers have clearly put in enough effort to give this game a long life-cycle. There will probably be a dip as usual, but with how great it is, I'm expecting much less so.
Spy Chameleon isn't the best indie game on the market, but it's definitely up there and sets it's place in a rather empty niche. It's not completely original, but it reminded me that shouldn't always be the case for a game to be fun. In other words, it's not completely perfect, but nowhere near cold blooded. (Oh the irony)
You can call #KILLALLZOMBIES inferior in terms of name alone, but everything else it exceeds proficiently at. If anything, it's ambitious and amazing to see this amount of concepts and ideas pressed into something that could have so easily been screwed up. It's not always perfect, but there's a lot of fun to be had.
Art of Balance is probably the best puzzle primary game I’ve played all year. Although the premise seems like it would fit better during the tediousness of a Sunday night train ride, it’s a game I can now see myself playing in nearly any occasion. Other puzzle games fall short, and Art of Balance simply shows them how it’s done.
Broken Bots is the next essential Playstation 4 competitive indie game, and I hope it finds an audience. It’s design elements are smart and rival what’s traditionally seen in it’s genre, and just enough content is there that replayability should last a good while. Overall, it’s a pleasant and greatly enjoyable experience.
Super Mutant Alien Assault may not have an excellent title, but it makes up for this with it’s fantastic and furiously frantic gameplay. I can’t wait to go back and experiment with the weapon library, which I hope gets expanded in the future. At the end of the day, this alien killing masterpiece is not a lesson in anger, just good passionate fun.
Drawful 2 is an excellent, although mechanically unsubstantial sequel to a hit party game. A small portion of gamers might be disappointed at the lack of true changes, but the hilarity outweighs the innovation, and for good reason. Drawful 2 is a comedic masterpiece.
Chambara is a multiplayer titan and courageously reinvents the wheel without fail. I could complain about the game’s lack of modes, but that goes against the entertainment you really are receiving. After all, nothing I’ve played this year matches this kinetic, effortless, and overall enticing concept.
Score Rush Extended is less of a great SHMUP and more of a lesson to others influenced by the genre on how to do it justice. It’s also a great example of how lackluster visuals doesn’t necessarily mean bad gameplay, a fact that still isn’t spread too often nowadays. By accomplishing both of these goals and being a great game overall, Score Rush Extended is a definite keeper.
Steredenn is my contender for the best twinstick shooter of 2016, and I hope it stays this way. While it doesn’t necessarily carve it’s own niche, it does so many things right that it’s rightfully hard to complain. Instead, I’m just having too much fun to worry about specific nitpicks, and let the great gameplay seep back in.
Moon Hunters is not only a wonderfully creative game, but it manages to be innovative without getting weighed down by other issues. And, with it’s pick-up-and-play like style, the significance has been added to it’s short rate of completion. The technical prowess isn’t the greatest, but everything else is supremely top-notch.