Dale North
Devil Survivor 2 was already an enormous game, but Record Breaker nearly doubles up on that with a new epilogue. It also adds new voice acting, some script tweaks, and other enhancements to the original game. It's not easy, and it's certainly not short, but Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker is one of the best strategy role-playing experiences available for the 3DS.
Make no mistake: Etrian Mystery Dungeon is hardcore game. With every floor the difficulty and pressure increases, leading to a point to where only those with nerves of steel and the patience of a saint will do well. But as the difficulty scales, so does the enjoyment. Successfully crawling out of a dungeon is supremely rewarding.
One of the best Japanese role-playing games of the last five years still reigns, and now that's on a portable, it's much more accessible. If you're open to exploration, it probably has 80 hours of gameplay. For a game that long, being able to play anywhere and at any time is nice. For a game this great, it's a privilege.
Even as a series fan, I feel OK in saying that Final Fantasy definitely needed a shot in the arm. And it got one — a big, dark, serious one. It's a bit strange to see this shot coming from something that started out as a mobile title.
Majora's Mask is an odd one, but it's a legendary game from Nintendo's library, and one that deserves a rerelease. With its graphical improvements and system enhancements, one of the best Zelda games is even better this time around — and that's really saying something.
It's then fitting that Driveclub will be offered in a free form for PlayStation Plus users. The offering gives players about a fifth of the full game's total cars and tracks, but is otherwise unlocked for exploration both offline and on. Players can see for themselves if Driveclub has enough to offer over other new and upcoming racing alternatives out there.
It has been worth the wait, as Mario Golf: World Tour took that next step and brought us an outstanding online golf experience. The learning curve is steep, and there are some issues with the camera and aiming control, but working through them is worth it as the online play is outstanding.
Bravely Default gave me an experience that seemed to put me right back in my bedroom in the middle 1990s, where I'd sit in front of a small Hitachi television set and play the day away with a Super Nintendo controller in hand, so engrossed that I'd forget to eat. It harkens back to a time where we were all in love 16-bit Japanese role-playing games, and couldn't get enough of them.
For this, Turn 10 deserves high praise.
Just be sure to take breaks when playing the racer campaign, as the grind, and the suicidal cops can wear on you.
It's not the next blockbuster platformer you'd want out of a launch title, but you need a break from shooters or want something with some personality, Knack is worth a look.
Oh, and it's beautiful. A stunner. Killzone: Shadow Fall is the game that will make you happy to own a PS4. This needs to be on your PS4 launch game list.
Resogun is a satisfying arcade-style game with a next-gen look and feel -- the ideal system launch game. It's an eye-searing blur of a loop that you'll be happy to jump into again and again. Don't miss it.