Rob Keyes
Killzone: Shadow Fall is the most beautiful next-gen console game on the PlayStation 4, and while it does wonders with its presentation value and impressive new levels of visual fidelity, it doesn't do enough to innovate on its campaign story and gameplay offerings.
Despite bugs and a few absent features, 'Battlefield 4' lays the groundwork for the most immersive and dynamic multiplayer experience in the series to date.
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter's gorgeous visuals, intimate story in intense mysteries make it an easy recommendation despite some mediocre mechanics and voice acting.
Tom Clancy's The Division is a beautiful and addictive looter shooter that lacks depth and innovation in gameplay, mission design, and story.
A massive improvement over its predecessor but is held back by a grind-heavy progression system.
This exclusive reboot for PlayStation features all-new music and visuals, but fails to live up to the original.
Gears of War 4 brings the franchise forward to Xbox One and PC with new characters, new multiplayer modes, and a redesigned co-op Horde mode.
Farpoint pushes the VR shooter genre where it needs to go and lays foundation for what these sorts of games can and should be going forward.
It looks great, plays great, and stands out in the crowded racing market.
A uniquely excellent team-based tactical shooter that's held back by some design choices and performance issues.
Players looking for a co-op experience will find something worth playing with friends casually in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, and it offers polished, harmless and simple gameplay that works for all ages but at a stiff price. The game as its currently designed however, seems to lend itself well to the free-to-play model, supported by microtransactions and we wouldn't be surprised to see it go that path in the future. Right now, there's only one barrier to entry and it's the price.
'Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel' offers more story for hardcore fans but plays like a dated clone of the older games, trading polish for gimmicks.
Beautiful and authentic sound and visuals of licensed materials fail to mask a shallow movie tie-in gaming experience.
Rico Rodriguez goes back to his homeland for a massive open-world killing spree but you'll get bored before seeing it all.
Need For Speed Payback squanders its potential, favoring grind, gambling, and loot boxes over gameplay, story, and progression.
A 4-player co-op shooter that looks and plays like a clone of the Left 4 Dead games.
Poor performance, controls, and interface design. Oh, and loot boxes.
Can Rare make this Xbox exclusive last?
Best enjoyed with alcohol.
The force is weak with this one.