Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India looks authentic, but has lackluster audio; the story just doesn't compare to previous Creed games; the gameplay has its moments but not enough of them; and, well, China was just more of a bad-ass example, and didn't make you pace yourself through tedious segments. It leaves me wondering just where the final chapter of the Chronicles saga, Russia, will end up when it debuts in a few weeks.
Had the team at Gateway implemented better controls, more diversity in level design and other features, Spectra could've easily been on its way to becoming a cult classic for this generation. As it stands, it's not bad for a $5 purchase, but more could've been done with it. It's likely best left to those who want to truly test their "twitch" skills, as everyone else is bound to be frustrated by its limitations – and play a better retro-oriented game instead.
Styx: Master of Shadows has a promising set-up that, at times, feels like a much-needed boost to the stealth genre, and that's something fans can appreciate after being let down by Thief. However, broken combat mechanics, combined with audio and level design issues, leave this game feeling somewhat incomplete. Stealth fans may be tempted to give it a try, but not everyone needs to pick up Styx.
Thief has its hang-ups, particularly with frustrating loading times and repetitive gameplay that will have players unlocking the same doors over and over again. However, Eidos Montreal has captured the essence of stealth gameplay with their take on Thief. Players may have to work to find what makes the game special, but nobody said being a master thief was easy.
Despite its sudden conclusion and its familiar gameplay, LEGO The Hobbit is a fitting adventure, adapting the films for younger and older players alike.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 continues to swing with energy, but you can see some of the strain peeking out of his suit. Between the glitches from rushed development and some unnecessary gameplay segments (go…away…Peter!), it's not nearly as good as Beenox's other efforts. Here's to hoping that for the next game, Activision lets this team run wild on something inventive and new. Certainly couldn't hurt this web-slinger's chances.
Blue Estate shows that an on-rails shooter can work efficiently on PlayStation 4. The comical violence and responsive gameplay are more than enough to give this a look, though it's probably a good idea to download the demo first and see just how much of its raunchy content you can take.
The third Sniper Elite definitely hits the mark, even if it's a bit shaky.
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.
Zotrix could've been a spectacular homage to old-school shooters had the developers focused on tighter controls and a simpler menu interface. As it stands, though, it's deeply flawed, though some players will find mileage out of it due to its vast offerings and spectacular soundtrack. Give it a try before you buy if you can, just to see if the test drive is worth it.
It's hard to recommend Blues and Bullets Episode 1 because it feels like two games in one. The first half feels tedious, confusing and poorly paced, but then the second really shows the promise that A Crowd of Monsters has put into the game. If Episode 2 can really keep up the momentum that the second half of Episode 1 had, we're in for a treat. Otherwise, this is one cold case you probably shouldn't open again.
Had Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition addressed the real problems from the original game, while also keeping some of the high-profile additions, it could've really been something. Instead, it feels like a repackaging that doesn't quite have its heart in the right place. Some fans may have fun with it, but others will have no problem moving on to something just a little bit fresher.
What could've been a turning point for the F1 series instead feels like the same old grind. While F1 2015 has its moments, it just doesn't adapt enough to welcome new players with open arms, instead reaching out more to those who know what F1 racing is all about. Furthermore, the removal of crucial modes and meaningful multiplayer is sure to upset a few racing fans out there, especially when this game should've easily shifted into a higher gear. Maybe next year, we'll get the F1 game we truly deserve. For now, though, it's worth a rental at best.
Crimsonland delivers an adequate shoot-em-up performance for the PS4, with plenty of modes to choose from and a fun blastathon for you and your friends. However, it lacks in presentation and diversity, two areas that needed more depth in order for the game to stand out on the console. It's decent, but forgettable.
When it comes to Smash Bros. clones, Paperbound is, well, paper thin. That's not to say the game isn't fun, because if you get the right group together, it can be. The brawling tactics are good, though not great, and the change-up in certain stages can make for some interesting scenarios. But it all feels a bit one-note, especially when it comes to the presentation and lack of variety. It's worth a try considering its low price, but don't go into this expecting the next great party game.
Had Hustle Kings not existed, Pure Pool could've been considered an essential pool product, as it feels great while in practice mode and looks like a winner. Unfortunately, it's a huge step back from VooFoo's previous effort, and the inability to skip your AI's inhuman actions, shift around the jukebox selection or even get an overhead view of what's happening may be too hard for some pool sharks to take. Try it out first, if you can, before you consider buying the table.
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.
Whether or not you’ll like Gal*Gun: Double Peace really depends on your tolerance of the material. This isn’t your typical shooter, and it doesn’t even have an abundant amount of substance, despite its theme. It’s got a decent presentation, and if you can get the hang of the concept (and maybe even try out a few character settings), you’ll get decent mileage out of it.
Fans may want to give it a look, but it doesn't quite make the top "graybles" list to add to your collection.
J-Stars Victory Vs. + mostly gets the job done when it comes to delivering a manic anime-based brawler for fans that have been waiting for the next Jump Superstars. But more could've easily been done with it, especially with the presentation and the fighting system. It has its moments, but they're more based upon the involvement of human competition instead of the evolution of the themes at hand. Worth a try, but don't expect the next Smash Bros.