Life is Strange 2 is entirely separate from the it's predecessor in terms of story and characters, yet it manages to capture the same atmosphere that makes the series so special. It isn't always subtle in its message, but the game is a powerful story about injustice and family all the same.
AereA takes the original concept of a musically themed RPG but doesn't do much with it. The combat is too easy, and exploring different regions is unexciting. While there are a few pieces that stand out, none of them make up for an overall dull experience. What could have been a unique game is, unfortunately, a boring one.
Hidden Agenda is worth a purchase if you like Until Dawn, or if you're a fan of insanely fun couch co-op experiences. PlayLink's incorporation of smartphones may or may not catch on for PlayStation, but it works well for Hidden Agenda and becomes one of the game's strengths.
While it might not reach the emotional height's of Nathan Drake's last adventure, The Lost Legacy is a welcome addition to the franchise. It features a compelling story and wonderful cast of characters, illustrating the point that this franchise is far from over. And as always, the visuals Naughty Dog is able to get out of a standard PS4 never cease to amaze.
Mages of Mystralia is not without its shortcomings, but its gameplay is too fun not to recommend. Through the use of an insanely clever system of spell-crafting, there's just the right amount of challenge in combat and puzzle-solving to be had. By pairing a lighthearted adventure with solid gameplay mechanics, there's something here for everyone.
The beauty of Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is the player's ability to choose what they want to focus on. Exploring lands full of groffles and magic sprites serves as a refreshing break from other games. Its story and quests are not the most engaging, but the world of Yonder has enough charm that its shortcomings are easy to forgive.
Get Even is not a bad game. In fact, there are moments where its storytelling and atmosphere really shine. However, it is held back by its gunplay, stealth, and at times an overly complicated plot. I felt relieved when all the pieces came together and the ultimate mystery revealed itself, but that doesn't excuse the confusion I had during much of the game. Perhaps the complex story could be forgiven if the game was a little more fun. It's unfortunate because there are elements of a good game in Get Even, but ultimately it tries to do too many things and only succeeds at a few of them.
For visual novel fans, or anyone who gets excited about Vita releases, Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds is worth checking out. It's not perfect - the story is slow to start and the writing can be a bit cheesy at times. However, its visuals are beautiful, the story is fun, and the Japanese history lesson is a bonus.
For those who can't stand the "walking simulator" genre, Edith Finch likely won't change your mind. But Edith Finch does incredibly interesting things for fans of these kinds of experiences. Telling stories from different perspectives throughout time allows it experiment with different types of gameplay in different settings. At two hours it may be a bit short, but ultimately I was satisfied with its conclusion.
Tales of Berseria is far from perfect, but the game is interesting and energetic enough that its flaws are easy to overlook. Velvet’s quest for vengeance with the help of her colorful companions is entertaining, even if it tends to drag on a little. But at the end of the day, it’s pretty damn fun, and isn’t that what really matters?
Among this year's many exciting triple-A games, Rain World holds its own for being original, exciting, and addictive. This beautifully animated indie title keeps players on their toes by facing them with threatening creatures, each with varied tactics, and imminent storms. Mechanics can be mildly frustrating at times, but there is certainly a learning curve. All in all, Rain World is delightfully weird and should not be overlooked.