Michael Straw's Reviews
I'm going to pour hours upon hours into FIFA 18, and I'll have a blast the whole way, and that's really all that I could ask for.
It's just disappointing that career mode feels more like a chore rather than a fun experience where you can "live the life" of a racer trying to move up the ranks. Thankfully other modes like Challenges and Multiplayer keep the fun coming in a game that, in spite of its on-track shortcomings, represents solid progress for the series.
NHL 18 isn't a bad game by any means. EASHL, Ultimate Team, Franchise, and Threes all provide players with modes worth replaying. The problem is that there's nothing that really makes it considerably better than last year's installment. If you're hoping that the game provides a major step forward for the series, you're going to be disappointed. It's still fun to play, but with an old engine, a dry presentation and no major improvements, NHL 18 is teetering on the line of becoming a stale experience.
Super Blood Hockey is a game that has its charm. From the great music to the generally fun gameplay, it's definitely worth giving it a look at such a low price. But unless you're playing with some friends, there's not much worth coming back to after completing the challenges and playing in a tournament or two.
F1 2017 isn't a game without flaws. An extremely steep learning curve and graphical hiccups during intense racing moments can push players away from what is otherwise an incredible game. Still, with a variety of gameplay options and the deepest career mode a racing sim has ever seen, there's no doubt that F1 2017 is the best in the history of the series.
Madden 18 is a game that finally shows fans what the developers can do when harnessing the full power of the current generation of consoles.
It's not going to make you completely forget about getting Madden this year, but Axis Football 17 does a solid job of giving PC football fans who've been yearning for a fun experience an option to pick up.
Canadian Football is an okay foundation for a series that Canuck Play hopes will become an annual franchise. It offers glimpses of fun and is sure to see plenty of updates in the future, but it's a game that just lacks enough polish and substance to justify a price tag even as cheap as $15.99.
On the track it's an incredible experience that any racing fan would enjoy, especially with the Your Stage feature adding extra hours of rally-racing fun. Off the track, though, Dirt 4 comes up short with features to keep you entertained outside the vehicle.
The Golf Club 2 comes out swinging to show they took feedback from the first installment, and improves on every aspect of the original. From the customization options to the stellar game of golf on the course, The Golf Club 2 is a near perfect simulation golf game. The only thing keeping it from being the best ever are a few technical hiccups and a dry presentation offering.
At a cost of $29.99, there just isn't enough of a potential return on investment to justify Snow Moto Racing Freedom. The game wasn't bad to the point of being unplayable, it was just boring. And that can be almost worse than being unplayable.
NBA Playgrounds has potential, but it just leaves too much in the locker room to be considered anything more than unpolished. At least there's no micro-transactions in this one.
MLB The Show 17 is a great installment, and no matter how long it's been since you last picked up The Show — even if you still play The Show 16 — this game is worth the pick up.
It has the recipe for success in the indie sports market, and could become one of the hits of 2017.
Disc Jam is a nice base for something big in the future. It has a simple-to-grasp control scheme, fun and accessible gameplay, and even takes more strategy to succeed either solo or on a team than one would expect from a game like this. Sadly, it often feels too bare to spend as much time in it as other options out there.
Franchise Hockey Manager 3 isn't a game for everyone. If you're someone who's more into the on-ice action as opposed to the management – no pun intended – then this may not be what you want to play. That being said, those who are already fans of the franchise or want to know more about what a management sim is like need to look no further than Franchise Hockey Manager 3.