World War Z takes the fun gameplay of the Left 4 Dead series and adds nice touches that create a fun and frantic zombie co-op experience. Some technical issues aside, World War Z is a blast with friends and scratches that Left 4 Dead itch that you might have.
In a way, game mechanics of Degrees of Separation keep you from having a fun, immersive experience. The collecting of scarves takes you out of the story, which is unfortunate. The narrator continually gives you clues and story exposition, but it's easy to ignore as you get knee deep in finding the scarves. It's a shame, really. The narrator's voice acting is lovely and the story is very sweet and endearing. It's a fantasy story with star crossed lovers that can't be together. The focus should be on the story and not finding scarves. Degrees of Separation can be enjoyed in small bursts, but overall it's hard to recommend.
A Plague Tale: Innocence is a genuine surprise in terms of story depth and beauty. The game mechanics drive the plot further, giving us a truly terrifying look at siblings who are in way over their head. I can imagine that some will find the constant escort and stealth tedious over time, but I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I would consider A Plague Tale an earlier contender for surprise hit of the year. Don't miss out on this game!
Overall, Alt-Frequencies has some nice puzzles and a great change of pace from your typical puzzle game. The gameplay may be too simple for some, but I think it works thanks to the short run time. I would be excited to see what the team does next with the concept because I would like more auditory games like this one to hit the market.
If you love a good action game, then My Friend Pedro is a must own. The slow-motion gunplay is incredibly satisfying and fun. The story leaves a little to be desired, but the action makes up for it. The story is relatively short, but you will go back again and again to raise your score. Plus, with its handy gif generator, you will be replaying levels over and over again in order to make the perfect action moment to share with friends.
Sniper Elite V2 Remastered still has the great shooting mechanics as the original. I had a blast sneaking my way behind enemy lines and seeing all of the glorious x-ray kill cams. Single player is really fun, and the multiplayer modes can be fun with the right set of friends. The graphics are great, but I wish some more time was put into remastering some of the linear levels and technical anomolies. Overall, if you are a fan of the series, this is a great addition to your gaming libary.
I absolutely love Trine 4! It's a whimsical fantasy puzzle game with fun characters and challenging puzzles. The campaign is relatively short, but fun to play by yourself or with friends. If you have the option, I would definitely invite friends over to play with you. It's a blast playing with multiple people. I wish the combat was a little more intuitive, but it never took away my enjoyment of the game. If you want a fun co-op experience with challenging puzzles, then you owe it to yourself to give Trine 4 a try.
Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair is one of those rare games where the development team makes a substantial change that completely works in its favor. The platforming levels are a blast to play, and each level is colorful and unique. The Lair itself is very challenging, which encourages you to play through all the levels and their variations. If you are a fan of 2.5D platformers, then you really need to add this to your collection.
Felix the Reaper might not be for everyone. The mechanics are easy to figure out, but meeting the objectives is very challenging. It's also very much a game about death. However, Felix is someone that is easy to root for. His dancing personality and the use of the game's soundtrack are highlights. If you are in the market for a challenging puzzle game, then Felix the Reaper that is a unique game that is worth trying.
It doesn't drastically change the genre, but Stranded Sails is enjoyable. The stamina bar can be very annoying, but don't let it stop you from enjoying what the game has to offer. The straightforward approach to task completion is a benefit for those who need more guidance in their sim games. If you are looking to try out a simulation game, then Stranded Sails might be a good jumping-off point.
The remaster of Ghostbusters: The Video Game has a specific audience. That audience, because of my love of the franchise, includes me. However, I don't consider this game to be a "must play." The remaster helped improve the graphic quality, but it still feels like an average game from yesteryear. If you love Ghostbusters, then you will love the story and voice cast, for obvious reasons.
Modern Warfare is a reimagining of arguably the franchise's best games. And I hope that it is the first step in a new direction for the series in terms of quality. The graphics and sound are the best in the entire series. The single-player campaign is exhilarating, exhausting, and moving in some instances. The multiplayer and Spec Ops are a little weak at launch, but will no doubt be bolstered with more fan feedback and continued support by the development team. Modern Warfare is a game for a modern generation, and I can't wait to see where it goes in the future.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympics is a great party game. It can be challenging, especially if you hate when button commands don't respond at the quickness you want it to. I hope that additional events will be added. As is, the 2D and Dream Events are far too few in number. Still, it's worth a playthrough, especially with family and friends this holiday season.
Tools Up! is a great entry in the simulation/party genre. It's a blast to play with friends and provides a good deal of challenge. If you have someone who struggles with time limits, the party mode is a great option because the timer counts up instead of down, giving you more time to play. I hope that Tools Up! will be supported with future levels that add a little more creativity and wackiness to the game. It would be great to have more environmental challenges instead of only using lava and slippery floors in later levels. As is, Tools Up! is a great party game that will entertain your family...or frustrate them if they don't communicate well.
A great multiplayer game in a time where we need it the most. Simple concept made great with easy to learn controls, nice art design, and chaotic moving fun.
If you are looking for a unique puzzler, or want to connect with characters as you live through social distancing, then I would recommend you pick up A Fold Apart.
Hands down, Streets of Rage 4 is the best game of the franchise and one of my favorite modern brawlers. Those who lean heavily on retro games will no doubt love the story and action. It's beautiful and has an amazing soundtrack. Fans of the franchise will love this entry, and those looking for a few hours to kill will also be entertained. Streets of Rage 4 is easily one of my favorite games of 2020.
Overall, Golf With Your Friends is a fun multiplayer experience. The courses are challenging and very fun with friends. Just make sure to look through the settings before starting, and choose things that will improve your experience. If anything else, channel your inner Happy Gilmore and smack the crap out of the ball.
Saints Row the Third: Remastered is one of the better remasters on the market. Overall, the improvements in graphics are very noticeable and appreciated in my opinion. Fans of the series will appreciate jumping back into the game after all these years, and it still provides hours of content and entertainment. It's not perfect (and some of the humor is a bit outdated), but this remaster is worth picking up, especially if you are a fan of the franchise.
I have been really enjoying Zombie Army 4, and I highly recommend you give it a shot. If you have played any of the previous games, or if you are looking for a short, multiplayer shooter, then you are in for a treat. It is a blast to play with friends, and if you are a fan of zombie games, you owe it to yourself to play it.