Oxenfree might just be a big next step for adventure games, particularly when it comes to the way it presents dialogue choices. Night School Studio has managed to execute an interactive story that treats player choice in a mature and subtle way. It's an emotional experience with wonderful characters and great writing, and it's one that masters its 70s and 80s influences.
If you can ride out the learning curve, there's plenty to enjoy in Galak-Z, and it could very well last you for 20 hours, but be prepared to endure a lot of frustration along the way.
All three Uncharted games are must-plays, and Bluepoint Games has done an exceptional job porting the trilogy over on PlayStation 4 with The Nathan Drake Collection. The 1080p HD visuals and 60 frames-per-second add a fresh coat of paint that make all three entries look and feel relatively ageless. The set pieces are as thrilling as ever, and the characters are still charming and well written. But the lack of a multiplayer component is one strange and noticeable decision.
The Magic Circle is a delightful puzzler brimming with creativity.
Heavy Rain is definitely not for everyone.
Volume is one of the most engaging and fun stealth games in years.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an exhilarating game to play that has massive narrative shortcomings.
Icey is a fun action packed little indie game that isn’t afraid to get weird.
Republique still remains as one of the more challenging and fun stealth games to release in a long while.
FIFA 16 doesn't introduce a whole lot of interesting new changes, but it's still an exceptional soccer simulator.
Chambara lacks solo play, but its fast-paced kinetic action makes for a thrilling co-op experience.
RE Zero is a great example of why old-school horror releases are beloved and special. With a few new technical upgrades, it has largely made a graceful return on current systems. The emphasis on resource management, exploration, and puzzle solving are enjoyable features I wish more modern horror games employed. But, RE Zero still isn't without its flaws, especially with the way it handles combat.
Mad Max isn't a terrible game — it's actually well crafted. The problem here isn't that it's broken or unplayable but that it's just boring. It feels a game that should've released three years ago when designers hadn't mastered the open-world formula or reiterated on it hundreds of times already.
[T]he poor camera, lackluster new levels and story beats, and overall larger size of Unfolded makes it a lesser experience than it is on the Vita. It's a semi-remake that fails to match all the charm of the original.
Dungeons 2 isn't all that original, but its classic Dungeon Keepers roots makes for an enjoyable RTS game.
Street Fighter V employs complex and engaging mechanics, but it lacks enough content to keep the casual player interested.
The Legend of Kay Anniversary is an overlooked gem that is getting a proper HD treatment.
Fall Flat’s weird controls can frustrate at times, but it still manages to be enjoyable and hilarious throughout.
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition only works if you look at it as a time capsule of a bygone era.
Xanadu Next is a game from a different time, but lovers of older titles and RPG fans will find something to love here.