Killzone: Shadow Fall is a good game, and it hints at a rosy future for shooters and video game in general. I remain disappointed at the surprisingly outdated drawbacks, such as audio balancing, silly AI and occasionally unconvincing acting, but the result is still agreeable. The graphics are a definite highlight, the OWL drone works very well, and the more open and immensely detailed landscape infuses the campaign with branching, compelling energy.
Knack probably looked great on the drawing board. Had I been one of the developers in the room, I would've been excited to get started. But I wouldn't have expected that somewhere along the way, we would've stopped implementing ideas to expand upon that admittedly rock solid foundation.
Contrast is aptly named. Its disappointing instability contrasts sharply with its wonderful ambiance and concept, and you're left feeling somewhat unsatisfied. The adventure is moderately fulfilling, the story is worth hearing, and the atmosphere is captivating, but in the back of your mind, you know what it could've been.
Need for Speed: Rivals is an exceedingly high-powered racer with all sorts of flash and panache. It insists that you pay attention; it demands that you continually seek out the next adrenaline rush, and it pushes you to take bigger and bigger risks. When there's a little too much overlap between the open-world action and the single events, I get irritated, but it's a worthy sacrifice.
Resogun also falls a little short when it comes to a lack of variety. It's nice to have three ships but there are only five stages, and this – coupled with the basic nature of the gameplay – makes things feel somewhat repetitive. Besides that, this is an old-school shooter with a massive, awesome upgrade, one that's slick, polished, and ceaselessly entertaining.
FIFA 14 is a rip-roaring success on the PlayStation 4. The older version is great, too; it's just an understated greatness when compared to the upgraded version. For the record, I'd probably give the PS3 iteration an 8.
That's about all we've got, though. NBA Live is a colossal disappointment in more ways then one; the technical aspects are well below average, the physics and animations are some of the worst we've seen this year, the AI is mentally deficient, and worst of all, nothing about this feels real. There are a few positives to which to cling, if you're a die-hard basketball fanatic.
Rainbow Moon for the Vita is everything you expect it to be and maybe a touch more. There isn't much different when compared to the PS3 version, with the exception of the cross-save feature and the better menu presentation. But of course, this means you can now take your addictive adventuring on the go, and that's reason to celebrate.
Terraria is a micromanager's dream come true. It's the perfect representation of addictive, in-depth gaming with a simplified visage. There's a boatload of content and from the first moment you stumble upon a glorious treasure trove, you're determined to do it all.
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is indeed "definitive." It's a definite step up and that's undeniable. We can argue all day long about whether or not it's "worth it.