Hannah Douglass
Valhalla Hills is charming, but it lacks compelling problem-solving scenarios, is too repetitive, and has players relying too much trial and error to progress.
Lego Dimensions gets its crazy pop culture mash-up right, and adds some interesting real-world mechanics to the toys-to-life genre. The financial barrier to entry is high, but it's not bad value by any stretch. Recommended.
Super Mario Maker is a beautifully crafted and unique game and it feels like Nintendo have put honest time and love into creating it. Other than the fact that timing a jump on the springboards is still horrifically challenging (but it has been for as long as I've been playing Super Mario), you simply cannot fault the meticulous production quality. The simplistic charm and fabulously colourful world will keep you coming back for more, but for how long is really dependent on the player and the reasons they love Super Mario in the first place.
One of the first rules of game design, or design in general, is to establish function before working on the form of the piece. There is simply no point in having a game that is stunning to look at and listen to, when it just isn't fun to play.
A tremendous title on PS3, Journey is even better on PS4 thanks to a better resolution, improved frame rate, and sharper textures.
Heroes of the Storm isn't a perfect game - but it's not far off. The faults are minor and largely overshadowed by the many positive aspects. There really is very little risk in giving this game a go - it's free, the games are short and you don't have to take it completely seriously - and the payoff is well worth it, and more.
Cuddly cute, surprisingly, outrageously fun and best of all minimally flawed.
There is so much potential with this game, but it just needs work. It feels like a first draft of something that, if taken further, will be something less irritating and more awesome.