Alex Varankou
FIFA 15 offers a glimpse into the future with new goalkeepers and emotion system, but at the moment it is only a tease. Regardless of that, this is still a complete and enjoyable experience of virtual footy.
Forza Horizon 2 offers almost everything that arcade racing fans crave, and it does so with style.
The Sims 4 brings enticing new gameplay elements to the long running franchise, but removal of a few fan favorites and a general lack of content means it's not as easily recommended as its predecessors.
NHL 15 stumbles as it hits the ice on the new generation of consoles. Fans should wait for a price drop and a few patches, or just skip this year altogether.
For newcomers, Infamous: First Light serves as a taste of the full experience in Second Son, complete with its highs and lows. Existing fans looking for more content will get the most out of this downloadable title, but will be disappointed that some of the concerns were not addressed.
A fun and colorful shooter with unique visuals that's easy to get into. The gameplay mechanics are basic so players looking for something more may be underwhelmed; everyone else will be having too much fun with their customized characters to care.
Taking control of El Presidente and ruling over a sunny paradise used to be a unique guilty pleasure for RTS fans. Tropico 5 retains some of that, and newcomers might appreciate the gameplay alterations, but overall the franchise seems to be slipping.
Sniper Elite 3 puts in a respectable effort to improve on its predecessors, with bigger levels and more gameplay variety, but is ultimately let down by bugs and a lack of polish.
It's Worms as you remember them, with a bit of added shine and a few new weapons. If it's been a while, you can't go wrong with Battlegrounds, though be weary of the hefty price tag.
Watch Dogs refines stealth action in an interconnected open world that's worth exploring.
Kinect Sports Rivals is solid enough to get players moving, and provides entertainment when competing against friends. As much as the game may try, however, the limitations of Kinect is its biggest rival.
Infamous: Second Son is yet another technical tour de force for the PlayStation 4, but one that's lacking in other areas.
Yet another misstep for the Ninja Gaiden franchise. An attempt to offer something wholly different fails to pay off.
Rambo: The Video Game gives you a war you won't believe. You won't have much fun, either.
Like all sequels, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 attempts to improve on the original in almost every area, but ultimately fails to do so. New ideas and mechanics are let down by sloppy execution.
South Park: The Stick of Truth is a fantastic adaption of the show, and will thrill fans who have always wanted to visit this Colorado community in an interactive medium.
All-around frustrating controls, irregular physics and unfriendly level design make Max: The Curse of Brotherhood another misstep in the Xbox One digital launch library.
Forza Motorsport 5 sets the bar high for visual fidelity and simulation racing on the Xbox One. Sadly, design choices and lack of content get in the way of the fun.
Ryse: Son of Rome is a decent action trip and a good addition for the Xbox One launch lineup, but on its own there's nothing particularly memorable to help stand the test of time.
Need for Speed Rivals is a fun, addictive racing title with seamless multiplayer integration, but stiff controls and occasional technical hiccups hold it back.