It may not reinvent the wheel for classic Grand Theft Auto experiences, but it’s nice that it keeps that spin going.
Out of all the retro compilations Konami has coming our way, Anniversary Collection is probably going to be the weakest. Its collection of games is questionable, especially with “classics” that are anything but. That said, though, it’s a sure-fire hit for fans of hard shooters, especially with the Life Force and Scramble games thrown in.
Everything about Cuphead just feels right, even all these months after its original release. As it stands right now, this game is nearly flawless in its own right, thanks to its responsive controls and signature style.
Claybook is a game that could’ve easily built upon its foundation (like actual clay) with a little bit of better programming and the inclusion of more options. As it stands, the potential is there to be a truly great game, but it’s not quite strong enough to get there. Not yet, anyway.
We’ll see how Nightdive’s seemingly upward trend continues as they start bringing other Acclaim classics to the system but for now, we’re perfectly content with enjoying what Turok has to offer.
This chapter of the series has something to offer for everyone with its array of characters, unpredictable story and impressive combat. Don’t think about it, just jump in and enjoy the Devil Trigger goodness.
RemiLore would’ve gone much further with its journey if it had a fairer saving system and some form of evolution with its combat. But it’s not bad in its current form, with hours worth of combat-based gameplay to enjoy, along with a fun, bouncy visual style and humorous dialogue.
Pirate Pop Plus has its simple pleasures, but in the face of superior competition like Pang Adventures, it comes up just a bit short. Game Boy fans may want to give it a look, especially for its cheap price tag and entertaining gameplay, but don’t expect a fantastic voyage across the sea.
Even with mild inconsistencies with storytelling and some weird Titan skills, Titanfall 2 is everything we could’ve hoped for a sequel to be. Everything comes together quite beautifully here, from the fluid gameplay to the wonderful presentation, and whether you prefer single or multiplayer, there’s a lot to get through here.
Really, there’s not much good I can find with Mark McMorris Infinite Air. The control system is frustrating beyond belief, and the game provides minimal guidance when it comes to figuring it out and moving forward.
If you can look past the shortcomings (length, glitches) and enjoy the awesome experience that comes with Battlefield 1, you’ll find it to be a welcome addition to your library. It’s definitely found a spot in my best-of-year list.
With competitive leaderboards, fun twists on the gameplay, a number of levels and goodies to unlock and a solid presentation, Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is a fun sequel that continues to buck the trend for one of gaming’s biggest titans. Here’s hoping it continues for more competitive efforts down the road…I mean, aren’t we do for a Battle Royale sequel any day now?
FIFA 17 is a nice little tweaking of a package that didn’t necessarily need it, and as a result, it’s even better than before. If EA Sports can continue to maneuver this series in the direction it’s going, there’s no doubt that it will keep its tight grip as ruler of the soccer world.
No, Dragon Quest Builders won’t take everyone off the Minecraft building path, but it’s a great diversion for those that can’t get into that game, or simply want a role-playing hook that rewards them as they continue on quests and fight against the Dragonlord’s minions. It’s a fun follow-up to last year’s The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below, offering a unique take that will attract a different kind of audience. There’s nothing wrong with building on that.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is solid proof of what can be done with a franchise if you take the ideas that worked so well with its return in Human Revolution, and build upon them with great care. There are times the missions can run a little tiring (particularly with certain boss fights), as well as wishing the voice acting was better. Still, it tells one hell of a story, and watching it play out with so many possibilities is a great part of the fun. This is one world you won't get enough of – even if you're tired of issues in the current one.
So, yeah, while Color Splash isn’t quite perfect when it comes to its battle system, there’s still more than enough to enjoy here, especially when it comes to exploration, storyline, genuine laughs and solid presentation. If all you have is a Wii U this holiday season, consider this a colorful addition to your collection.
You may be tempted to make the rounds with NASCAR Heat Evolution, but, honestly, you’re better off just watching the races at home.
Cut-scenes, visuals and music aside, there's really not much game here, what with the somewhat average puzzle design and lacking rewards to keep on going. I'm happy that Tennapel and the team at Pencil Test were able to get back into the whole clay-mation business, but I can't help but think more could've been done with this.
Maybe with Yo-Kai Watch 3 – which is a sure-fire bet at this point – Level-5 can take off the safety gloves and really give us an adventure that moves the series forward. But for now, it just proceeds with caution, and buyers may want to take the same route.
BoxBoxBoy has a level of charm that’s sure to infatuate veterans of the genre and young players alike. It certainly stacks up to a good time to us.