Anthony Taormina's Reviews
'LittleBigPlanet 3' shows flashes of potential to current-gen gamers but comes across as a proof of concept more than anything else.
After nearly a dozen releases, the LEGO franchise has found a concept and a set-up that work well, even if it doesn't stretch the limits of gameplay ingenuity. It is for that reason that LEGO Batman 3 serves as a solid entry in the library, but not an exceptional one.
'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare' doesn't change the franchise's identity, but its near future setting and tech help make the component parts exciting again.
Every facet of 'Sunset Overdrive' is bursting with personality, and despite some faults it's still a must-play on Xbox One.
'Alien: Isolation' evokes the atmosphere and tension of the movies, but inconsistent xenomorph AI and antiquated design turn fear into frustration.
'FIFA 15' represents a significant leap forward for the series and offers one of the the best soccer experiences from EA Sports.
Madden NFL 15 is the best the series has looked and played in years, and is very close to coalescing into something truly impressive. One or two more years under these new consoles and more changes like those featured this year, and Madden just might reclaim its old glory.
There's no doubt that Rebellion is on to something with Sniper Elite 3, but their inability to make draw clear gameplay distinctions pulls the overall experience down dramatically. On the one hand, the game smartly incorporates realistic sniping concepts (using sound for cover, adrenaline impacting aim, etc.) into its gunplay, but it undermines those clever ideas with half-baked stealth mechanics. At the end of the day, it leans too far away from the full-blown sniper sim to strike a chord with fans of the genre and its stealth isn't strong enough to hit those marks either. Instead, the game is left floating somewhere in the middle – where each element has its moments, but as a cohesive whole Sniper Elite 3 falls apart more often than it succeeds.
Valiant Hearts is confident in its direction and thoughtful in its design. As a puzzle-focused, story-driven experience it isn't going to be for everyone, but those who relish the days of LucasArts' point-and-click adventures will certainly find a lot to enjoy here — doubly so if you are a history buff.
A game like this, where the mechanics fall extremely short, needed a strong story to carry players through, and that's not the case here. The game is by no means broken, save for one or two bugs, it just isn't very fun to play. Much like its protagonist, Murdered: Soul Suspect is lifeless.
[T]hose who can get three or more friends together for a lengthy Sportsfriends play session will come away feeling like they did back when local multiplayer was an endless addiction fueled by caffeine and heated arguments. Some of the games are more successful in delivering that feeling, or in generating excitement, than others, but as a whole the collection works more often than not. Get a group of friends together – even those who might not be particularly adept at video games – and you'll likely have a good time.
Diminishing returns may come into play if the next game doesn't push the formula forward, but as it stands, Trials Fusion is another great time with a unique franchise.
In a way, Goat Simulator calls to mind the other big "Simulator" game, Surgeon Simulator 2013, in that it doesn't try to take players money and run. It acknowledges its silly premise and gets a surprising amount of mileage out of it. Only a very particular type of gamer will give Goat Simulator a try, but those who do will be pleasantly surprised.
Burial at Sea: Episode 2 is a perfect send-off for a franchise that defined a generation of console shooters. It isn't without its faults, but the new stealth gameplay is a welcome re-purposing of the tried and true BioShock mechanics. More importantly, Episode 2 is a marvel of storytelling: a careful navigation of the existing BioShock universe that provides new insights into a narrative that was already rich with detail. Finally, against all odds, Irrational stuck the landing, bringing everything full circle as only they could. Needless to say, this is a must-play for fans of BioShock.
What might have seemed like a good idea to Kojima Productions at a glance instead comes across as a slight to fans. The limited scope and depth of the title scream cash grab, and the fact that Ground Zeroes' story is so razor thin makes that even more apparent. The game is a great showpiece for the FOX engine and for MGS 5's new stealth mechanics, but we definitely expected something more substantial. Even then, the short length or the price tag are not the issue here, it's the fact that Ground Zeroes feels incomplete, like somebody pulled a single mission out of a full game. That's what makes the game hard to recommend to any one but the most die hard fans.
It would have been nice to see an online mode for those gamers who can't corral a group at the drop of a hat, but, at the same time, the idea of hopping online runs opposite the game's main goal of delivering the instant satisfaction, or crushing defeat, that comes from competing with the person right next to you. TowerFall: Ascension calls to mind the communal experience of past console generations, and is well worth recommending to those looking to reignite that nostalgia.
Is it the next evolution of multiplayer? Probably not, but it's so much fun to play that many will overlook its faults and find little time for anything else.
There is some fun to be had in the combat, and the bosses are so creative that players will want to push forward just to see what's next, but the journey is ultimately an unfulfilling one. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2's lack of focus is its downfall, and plants it firmly in the mediocre pile.
It has its flaws, but they are easy to overlook because the game is just plain, unadulterated fun. In fact, the only thing that would make the game more enjoyable is playing in an actual arcade setting.
Fans of anything Marvel has created in the last 75+ years will come away from LEGO Marvel Super Heroes satisfied, as will those who regularly turn up for and enjoy TT Games' LEGO releases. The game by no means introduces any fundamental changes, but it's charming, well designed, and endless engaging all the same.