Francis DiPersio's Reviews
Excellent presentation alone doesn't make a great game, and without a real hook to pull players into the experience, Small Radios Big Televisions feels like a teaser for something that could have been much more than the sum of its parts.
To be perfectly candid, I didn’t expect to be floored by Titanfall 2. Given publisher EA’s relative radio silence on this title and my personal lack of enthusiasm for the original game, I went into this titanic sequel hoping for the best but honestly expecting more of the same. That said, I can’t think of the last time I was so eager to eat some crow with a side of humble pie, because Titanfall 2 is a shooter that defies all expectations.
Loading Human isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. Sure, it’s occasionally clunky and in many ways a superficial experience thanks to its mundane puzzles and the menial tasks you have to perform to move the story forward. But despite these flaws, the game’s impressive world-building and excellent cast supporting characters have me anxious to step back into the shoes of Prometheus Baarick.
World Tour may not be a game for the modern shooter crowd, but those looking to take a blood-soaked stroll down memory lane with the King himself should come get some!
While Snow Place Like Home admittedly feels like a step backwards for the series, it’s still well worth experiencing. It’s often plodding. And the episode may not deliver the most compelling puzzles we’ve seen so far, but when it comes to storytelling, The Odd Gentlemen have once again hit the mark.
Much like its weathered and minimalist setting, Colorado smartly abandons the excessive clutter and distractions we’ve seen in previous chapters. And honestly, it’s all the better for it. What’s left is a deeply utilitarian contract that smartly trims the fat, allowing players to focus purely on perfecting their bloody craft.
When all is said and done, playing MeiQ: Labyrinth of Death is a bit like eating sushi from your local supermarket. Sure, you know it isn’t as good as the stuff at your favorite haunt downtown, but it’s (probably) not going to kill you. And while it might leave you feeling full and somewhat satisfied in the end, you’ll probably have to steel your nerves to swallow some of the more squishy, unappealing bits peppered throughout MeiQ’s experience.
Worms: W.M.D may not pack the glitziest graphics or a compelling narrative, but the consistently hilarious blend of wiggly warfare and wealth of wacky weaponry make it stand out from the pack. If you’re a veteran of the series who’s been waiting for these segmented superstars to return to their former glory, look no further than Worms: W.M.D. And if you’re a newcomer looking for a bit of lighthearted destruction, there’s never been a better time to enlist.
I certainly have a soft spot for the beat 'em ups, and I'm happy to report that Le Cartel's debut release is one of the best ones I've played in my nearly thirty year love affair with the genre. It's a bone-breaking homage to such classics as Final Fight and Streets of Rage that's guaranteed to both shock and entertain. Whether you're diving in solo or teaming up with friends or paint Russia red, Mother Russia Bleeds is a damn good time, and a masterclass brawler that deserves a spot in your library.
When all is said and done, you’ll be hard pressed to find another game that rivals Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet’s bizarre yet captivating premise in the PlayStation 4’s library. While it may not be much of a looker, don’t let the scaled-down presentation fool you: CUBETYPE and NIS America’s latest release is a high-energy mashup that fans of both fighting games and shoot ’em ups who are looking for craving something a bit different should definitely add to their collection.
Though it may feel a bit repetitive at times, the game's impressive emphasis on story, varied cast of playable characters and welcome customization features will keep all but the most jaded players engaged from start to finish. If you're a fan of the series who's been eagerly anticipating a proper Attack on Titan game deserving of the name, this is the experience you've been waiting for.
If you’re looking for a pair of games that will test your thumbs’ dexterity as well as your patience to reward you with pure gaming zen, look no further than this curb-crushing compilation.
When all is said and done, what’s perhaps the most impressive thing about The King of Fighters XIV is that the game has managed to do what many thought was impossible by putting SNK back on the map as a world class developer.
Though it may not be the most shining chapter in Hitman’s ongoing episodic saga, Agent 47’s sojourn into Southeast Asia is still a contract well worth taking. The setting may feel uninspired, and the episode may suffer from some unwelcome technical issues, but these nagging problems don’t keep this bloody tour of Bangkok’s luxurious resort from delivering another successful hit.