inFamous: Second Son is a blast. It shoots from the hip and revels in its spontaneous, visceral display of power vs. power.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a highly accomplished, technically impressive introduction to a brave new world. Even the most legendary franchises have to adapt and assimilate eventually, and Ground Zeroes is an example of a long-running, established IP embracing new technology and trends while still retaining its core. The story's construction is a little concerning, the length will be a definite issue for some, and I have to say, the AI could use some tweaking.
There's no matchmaking to speak of, and progression is ridiculous. You have to win a match outright; placing second will get you nowhere. You do have an online rank but that's about it.
Thief was one of my most anticipated games of 2014. I have to say, I'm disappointed in its lack of cohesiveness in terms of story, its lack of stability and solidarity in terms of technical stuff, and the missed opportunities. At the same time, I never seem to tire of looting the most difficult-to-approach treasure caches, and Garrett is a suitably entertaining character.
Strider successfully reinvents a classic. With its tight, super-fluid control, engaging and dynamic 2.5D presentation, and excellent balancing throughout, the game is destined to hook you from the outset.
Other than these small gripes, though, Outlast remains a memorable and incredibly effective survival/horror quest. There are so many moments that will make you feel legitimate fear, and that's no easy feat. It's also worth noting that despite the game's constant desire to make you jump, none of them feel cheap or contrived.
OlliOlli is great fun, provided you've got the requisite patience and diligence. I'm still not convinced that the landing mechanic was the correct design decision, and some of the later levels seem overly taxing, but it's still a solid accomplishment. No, I didn't really care for Tony Hawk and I never understood the skateboarding obsession in the first place.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.