While you can't accurately judge an episodic game off just the first episode, Life is Strange: Before the Storm is shaping up to be an excellent experience.
Seeing the world from Raz’s perspective is great and something anyone with a PSVR headset should jump into. It feels very much like the original Psychonauts but updated for 2017. The environment is colorful and inventive, taking place mostly in the ‘real’ world with some minor detours for mindscapes. The sound design is excellent too, working well with the headset to form an immersive environment.
It’s a game that strives to be a lot of things and delivers on most, while falling flat on a handful of others. It’s a super stylish action RPG with one of the most satisfying combat systems I’ve played on the PS4, and it largely accomplishes what it sets out to be. The shortcomings don’t ruin the game, but they do a consistent job of reminding you that they’re there, taking away from the overall experience at times. Ultimately, if you’re looking for flashy, fast paced fights and epic robot action in a beautifully designed world and atmosphere, NieR: Automata is a must play.
Overall, Night In The Woods is a charming and well-executed slice of American life in a small town.
Wulverblade is an enjoyable update to the classic brawler genre that works well as a quick play game while also offering depth and challenge. If you don't like brawlers, this won't change that, but if you're looking to satisfy an old school craving, Wulverblade will more than settle that while delivering stunning environments and rich animations to boot.
With really no downsides, Golf Story is exactly what the Switch needs right now—a smart, lovable, and addicting game that fits the console mission perfectly.
Given that this game shares such a strong base with its predecessor, it'd be easy to get whether or not this is a sequel or a rehash, but the point is that Nidhogg did what it did perfectly and enjoyably. It was a simple game and concept that was best unadorned and uncluttered with other mechanics, modes, etc. Nidhogg 2 is fully aware of that and instead of changing what already works. It adds more in ways that don't detract from the core of the game, instead choosing to give it a healthy dose of identity, character and zany atmosphere that will stick with you much longer than bland colored square men in basic environments. It plays beautifully and the quick kills and high tension matches make for a perfect two-player experience.
Vostok Inc. is one of the year's most addicting games, seamlessly combining two genres into a beautifully executed sci-fi capitalism shooter. It's not all that robust or complex, but the sheer thrills will get your inner money goblin going, and once that happens, there's no coming back.
Luckily, Loot Rascals is so charming that the permadeath is much less of a frustration than it is in most roguelikes. The world is bright and colorful, and there’s always a collection of new, laughably weird monsters to battle. Many of the cards you pick up are humorous too like a salt sock that prevents you from slipping on ice or an inflatable pool toy for a weapon. The game is like a cartoon version of Red Dwarf by way of Adult Swim.
Superhot VR is fast, action-filled, and addictive. It's one of the few VR games that truly makes you feel a part of the action, and while the aiming mechanics can be poor at times, the game more than makes up for it in fun and flair. If you liked Superhot or are looking for the pinnacle of where VR games are at at the moment, Superhot VR won't let you down.