NHL 16 feels like what NHL 15 should have been. The gameplay remains largely the same, but there is at least some effort to get newcomers more familiar with the mechanics. All of the modes are back and fully intact, while the presentation is solid save for a few hitches here and there. It would be nice to see something that's actually new, but considering how bare the previous entry was, getting these modes back is a good start.
Farming Simulator 15: Gold Edition can be something of a guilty pleasure for some players. It isn't the deepest when it comes to handling the business side of farming or dealing with animals. It's also rather sterile when it comes to making the levels feel alive. What it does provide, though, is the chance to drive around lots of farming equipment to provide a strangely calming experience. Those starting the game for the first time will feel helpless without external guides, but for fans of the series, the Gold Edition provides just enough to justify picking up the expansion while keeping everything that attracted fans in the first place.
Compared to last year's iteration, NBA Live 16 is merely a slight improvement compared to that game's larger overhaul. Though the other modes have received little to no attention this time, the inclusion of Pro-Am injects some fun into the series. The presentation is fine, but the flaws are becoming more apparent as some elements remain unchanged. The gameplay still needs some work, especially on the defensive side, but at least those who lean toward offensive play have a few new weapons in their arsenal. The series still isn't a real competitor to the other basketball series, but the potential is there. How long it'll take before it reaches that potential remains to be seen, especially since we expected that to occur in this year's version.
Ride represents an attempt at continuing where Tourist Trophy left off two console generations ago. The focus on more sim-based motorcycle racing and the attention paid to the bikes is great for fans of two-wheeled vehicles. However, its technical issues really hinder the enjoyment, and what's left is further marred by other problems that would turn away any motorcycle game novices. For now, only die-hard motorcycle fans should give this a rental; everyone else should wait until a sequel can hopefully polish up these shortcomings.
In the end, Fallout 4 is essentially Fallout 3 with a few more features and tweaks. That isn't a dig at the game, but that's what most fans of the series will think. The experience is top-notch, as few developers try to pull off something this large and immersive, and fewer still ever do it right. Even with the bugs, Fallout 4 is a highly addictive and fun experience that gamers of all types will enjoy.
Bard's Gold is decent. The gameplay is good enough, but many will be driven away by the high level of difficulty in the opening stages, especially with a few unfair elements at play. The presentation is fine, and the abundance of secrets gives the game some more elements to look forward to when the grind becomes too much. It doesn't do anything special in the genre, and while roguelike fans will garner the most enjoyment from it, you'd be better served by the more popular representatives — if you haven't already played them.
As said in the review of the first episode of Game of Thrones, this was going to be a wild ride, and the final episode proved that. Just about every moment was tense, and there were a few moments where the overall outcome, while still damning, would've played out a bit differently before arriving at that conclusion. Fans who have a better understanding of the George R. R. Martin world will likely be able to cope with how it concluded. Everyone else will be shocked or dismayed. No matter which group you belong to, this series is worth checking out, even if the longer-than-usual wait made it painful to bear.
Compared to past entries, keep in mind that Black Ops III falls squarely in the middle of the series in terms of overall quality.
It's a good game but not necessarily a stronger one when compared to prior titles, especially if the stuttering on the Xbox One isn't addressed. For that reason, race fans may want to hold off on this title to see if things get smoothed out on this platform.
Samurai Warriors 4-II really is an Xtreme Legends game in everything but name, but it's even more limited. Even though the original roster of characters is large, adding only one new character seems paltry. Changing the Story mode makes up for it, and Survival is good, if not familiar and expected. It's a shame that Chronicle mode couldn't make the cut since its omission renders the created characters somewhat useless, but overall, the game remains the same polished product as before. For newcomers, this is a great entry to use as a jumping point into the series. For series veterans, the changes, omissions, and small additions make it a lesser product than its predecessor, but if you're interested in the lore, 4-II is still worth checking out.
Fans of the series won't gain much from this iteration, but for those who haven't played Dishonored before, the Definitive Edition is a great game that's worth checking out.
Though it's short and not overly difficult, Leo's Fortune is a solid platforming game. The gameplay may be simple, but the variety is there, and it doesn't take away from the fun of the stages. Despite its mobile indie roots, the presentation rivals that of big-budget titles. Though you're not going to spend a tremendous amount of time on it, you'll enjoy the experience, and with the low price point of $6.99, it is worth checking out for those who want a breezy, satisfying puzzle platformer for all ages.
There's no word on when the next episode will hit, but for those willing to take a chance, Blues and Bullets is worth checking out.
Legend of Kay: Anniversary is a below-average adventure platforming game. The platforming and combat have flaws but are otherwise fine, while the camera makes bad situations seem worse. The presentation has been buffed up a bit, but the terrible voice acting drags down any excitement one may have from the simple story.
With randomly generated levels played at a breakneck speed, Velocibox is definitely for those who thrive on frustrating challenges. Few will have the patience to get through to the next stage without quitting in frustration, let alone fuss with online rankings.
Submerged tries to go for the same vibe as Journey but falls short. The game world is interesting, but the brief stay in it is tiresome since you're only given one environment. The climbing mechanics are so easy that the courses don't provide any challenge, so the only tough part is in finding the supply drop locations. It doesn't help that the main story isn't very intriguing, and neither is the story of the city, especially since you figure it out faster via the cut scenes than from the illustrations you pick up. There's no need to rush and check out Submerged right away.
In the end, No Time to Explain is hurt by inconsistency. The laser gun physics produce platforming that relies on luck more than skill, and the boss fight pacing, with the limited lives in tow, sucks away some of the joy you'd get from the battles. That's a shame since there are some pretty good puzzles present, and the sections where you don't use the laser gun are very enjoyable. If you're really craving the Super Meat Boy caliber of difficult platforming, you might want to give the demo a shot before committing to No Time to Explain.
Game of Thrones: Episode 5 - A Nest of Vipers reinforces the idea that happiness doesn't last. All of your victories in the previous episode — and the much smaller ones here — are easily reversed, and you get the feeling that the final episode will end in a Pyrrhic victory. With this being a shorter episode, one hopes that the end comes soon with something to make this all worthwhile.
Like the other Marvel-related tables before it, Ant-Man is pretty solid. The table has a nice design that lets players do some careful planning instead of relying on flipper mashing, and the generous rewards ensure that some high scores can be obtained rather easily. The various side activities are different enough from past tables to be enjoyable, and the presentation lives up to the company's standard. As long as you can ignore the odd choice in sound effects, Ant-Man is another table that digital pinball aficionados will want in their collections.
Though not as thematically strong as its predecessor, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood still provides solid gameplay. The stealth and shooting mechanics are strong enough to create a great experience. The compromise between old and new mechanics in regards to health and weapon handling still feels fresh, while the AI battles remain exhilarating. The length and presentation value are also good, so fans of The New Order will really appreciate The Old Blood.