Masquerada: Songs and Shadows is a game with an interesting world and plenty of different viewpoints to consider. The game’s narrative and dialogue are strengths and weaknesses, and it has a codex for the player to keep it all straight. Not everyone will enjoy having to invest the time to get there, but, if you can move beyond that and the frequent loading screens, the game will deliver a story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged.
Elite Dangerous is a simulation with a steep learning curve, but the freedom to explore the Milky Way Galaxy and its 400 billion star systems is unlike anything else on the PS4. Whether playing solo or with friends, you have multiple ways to earn credits to buy and fine-tune your newest space chariot with better parts. You can also just be a tourist on a sightseeing trip. Even though it does not have PSVR support, if you have wanted to go to infinity and beyond in your own ship, this may be the closest we get to the real thing. Despite any other issues, that sense of realism makes Elite Dangerous easy to recommend for anyone who has ever dreamed of voyaging across the cosmos.
Although it is not for everyone, The Town of Light is unique. It is a serious game that is deliberate in its storytelling and design choices, and it is purposely looking to provoke an emotional response in the player, as it tells Renée’s story of being confined to an asylum. It has some technical issues and text size issues that can pull you out of the story, but the ending will leave a strong impression on anyone with an ounce of empathy.
Aaero is an on-rails shooter mixed with a rhythm game, and the combination works very well. It offers multiple levels of difficulty and a no-fail mode to ensure everyone can play. With a stylized neon world, boss fights, and some good replayability, I would recommend this to anyone looking for their next rhythm game fix.
I really enjoyed my time with Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star, but it is a game for fans of the Warriors franchise style of combat and fans of the show. The combat can become repetitive, and the story can be a little tough to understand at times. However, it knows its audience, and it provides a wonderful experience for anyone looking to have more fun in the Fate universe. If that is you, I recommend you give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
The Flame in the Flood is a survival game for people who may not like survival games. There is enough information to keep you from being continuously frustrated, but it does not completely hold your hand. The world and music add to its unique character, and the different modes will allow you to play at the difficulty you want. If you like survival games, I recommend you give it a try.
Episode 5 is an overall disappointment for the end of the season. Batman is victorious, but the villain’s motivations are tired. The detective and fight choreography scenes only ask the player to draw lines, and the entire season feels like a setup for later seasons, sacrificing a more focused story with deeper character interaction. I can only hope the next season will avoid some of the problems in season one.
Episode 4 brought back what I enjoyed about the series. The plot and characters were more interesting, and the choices were tougher with bigger ramifications. The villains are actually evil in this episode, and the pressure for everyone is pushing to an explosive conclusion. No one walks away from this unscathed, and that is how I like it. If episode 3 let you down, episode 4 will pick you back up.
Despite being a very good episode, I thought it was still a step down in character interaction, and it fell a little flat in some places. Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle are fine, but they do not seem to have the same pizzazz, either separately or together. I love villains more than heroes, but I never felt like the episode gave me enough reason to actually fear Oswald Cobblepot as The Penguin, instead of a petulant figurehead. Harvey Dent was really the one to watch as he begins his slow, downward descent from bureaucrat to beast, and I hope the next episode will be back to the usual, lofty standard.
I think Seraph is a good game burdened with some crippling technical problems. They are not insurmountable, and there is fun to be had here. With a patch or two, it could be a great game for a fan of Spelunky or roguelikes. It looks incredible in motion and the auto-aim feature works better than you would expect. When it is running as it should, it is easy to recommend for fans of the genre. Unfortunately, the load times and occasional bugs ruin an otherwise great experience.
The Bug Butcher is a fun arcade game that has you chasing and killing alien bugs to clear out a laboratory. Along with the clever writing, the music and art style work together to create a great presentation. Even though it is short, it adds a lot of value by encouraging you to play for a higher score, giving you a separate Panic mode, and providing a local co-op mode. If you are looking for your next obsession, try The Bug Butcher.
Strategy games are still rare on consoles, and Reus is a good example of the how to make a game easy to play but difficult to master. It does not offer the amount of choices or depth that a 4X strategy title would offer, but if you are willing to put the time into it learning how the game needs to be played, you will find an enjoyable strategy game unlike any other on the PS4.
Touhou: Scarlet Curiosity mixes up different styles into a delicious pie. You can still see the different elements, but they complement each other in the overall game. It is fun and addictive with a clean and cute, modern retro style. Although there are some annoyances such as the camera, it was never enough to make me want to stop playing. The individual game elements are never as deep as they would be on their own, but the game has a great rhythm and feel. It was a very pleasant surprise for me, and I now look forward to future Touhou games.
Episode 2 is the great tasting, less filling sequel to episode 1. It throws more action at you and digs a little deeper into the characters that episode 1 was only able to introduce. I am still digging the Bruce Wayne part of the story, and Selina Kyle’s character is very engaging. There are some minor technical issues, but they do not prevent you from enjoying the total experience. If you like Batman or enjoy the way Telltale Games creates a world, I have no reservations recommending this game.
Claire: Extended Cut is a good addition to a survival horror fan’s personal library, especially if you like the psychological aspect of games like Silent Hill. The 2.5D graphics do a great job of presenting the story and the sound kept the game tense. I did find the bugs, the occasional aimless wandering, and somewhat obscure puzzles to be a problem in some parts of the game. If you can overlook these issues, Claire: Extended Cut is a scary and fun experience that becomes better and more sinister as you continue to play.
PSYCHO-PASS: Mandatory Happiness is a visual novel based on the anime series. I liked seeing the characters, learning more about the world, and I liked the ability to make choices that impact the story to fit how I thought the character might respond - even if it resulted in death and the end of the game. The few times the game let you see the stitching on the story was a little annoying, but it never dampened the entire experience. If you hate anime or visual novels, this game will not change your mind, but it is a well-crafted one. Fans of the show or genre should not miss it.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided gives the player a lot of choice in how to solve problems, and is arguably its most interesting and powerful feature. You can really tailor the game to your preferred play style of stealth, action, or a mix of the two. This choice extends to the story, and, considering Adam Jensen is never Mr. Enthusiasm, that is a good thing. Outside some minor issues, the visuals are good, and the music is solid. The story and world are why you should play this game, and they deliver. The ending could have been a little more gradual, but it sets up the sequel perfectly. We can all hope to not have to wait five more years to get the answers this game leaves waiting to be explored.
Abzu is a beautiful experience, and the visuals are some of the best I have seen all year. The soundtrack for the game is something that needs to be heard and seen in context to truly be appreciated, but it is good enough to give it a listen separately. The game is relaxing and peaceful to play. If there are others in the room, they will be entranced. Unfortunately, the game is extremely short and does not offer much variety. If this type of game appeals to you, buy it immediately. If not, you may want to wait for a sale. Either way, I look forward to visiting the world again soon.
The first episode of Batman: The Telltale Series sets a foundation that gives Bruce Wayne the same narrative importance as Batman. The game allows the player a lot of choice throughout the episode to determine how both characters will respond to the world and shape it through those responses.The new engine, the voice acting, music, and sound breathe life into a two dimensional Gotham. The graphics are definitely the best Telltale has ever produced, but there was a slight, but noticeable, judder in a couple areas. The story and dialogue are very good. This is only the first episode, but it promises great potential for future episodes.
Doom is a game that I did not ever expect to be remade, but it feels great. The combat is fierce, and the game's focus on combat is right on target. The guns feel solid, and the monsters feel vicious. The game looks great and plays smoothly with music and sound that is responsive and as intense as the action in front of you. The glory kills and arenas keep the blood pumping from beginning to end and you definitely earn those upgrade points. Although the load times can be a little annoying, the levels themselves play without any issues after the initial load. Overall, the game is an excellent package, bringing Doom back into modern gaming with the spirit of the old gameplay intact for long time fans and adding features that enhance the experience. If you have a PS4 and you have a passing interest in shooters, do not miss this excellent game.