Hatoful Boyfriend tells an endearingly crazy story that will have you smiling, laughing, crying and feverishly turning the virtual page. It takes some buy-in, but pays off if you're looking for something way off the beaten path.
A unique concept, brilliant execution and excellent mechanics make Galak-Z: The Dimensional a stellar title. Perfectly capturing the Gundam pilot inside all of us, this is must-have material for anyone who's always wanted to fly away in a mech and take down some imperial scum.
Submerged is a short but impactful experience, crafting sound and sight together to create something unique and different from the mold. It won't keep you coming back for days and weeks, but in its runtime it stands out as one of the most intimate and interesting interactive set pieces I've played this year.
Godzilla faithful will be once again disappointed by this lackluster offering. Unintuitive controls, poor responsiveness, broken combat, repetitive missions… Not even Jet Jaguar can save this game from itself.
God of War III Remastered delivers exactly what it says: a prettier version of the same game you played five years ago. Those looking for the same experience will find it, and those looking for something new or a fresh take on the series won't get much out of this remaster.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt ends Geralt's tale in spectacular fashion, finding ways to fill a giant world with thrilling combat, beautiful sights, and a bevy of compelling content. A strong conclusion to The Witcher trilogy, and a masterpiece that will keep you enthralled for weeks and months to come.
Heroes of the Storm is a more user-friendly approach to the genre, but lacks the depth and complexity of other offerings. A great game to pick up for a quick couple matches, filled with Blizzard star power and fun matches that last just long enough, but no real meta-gaming or theory yet.
Ultra Street Fighter IV for the PS4 is the comprehensive, definitive edition of one of the best fighting games around. While you might want to be the competitive type if you plan to play, there's something here for the warrior in everyone. Just be wary of early launch bugs.
Chroma Squad isn't particularly deep or epic, but makes up for it in heart and charm, nailing the Saturday morning antics of its inspiration and creating a cheery game that anyone can enjoy.
Fresh and engaging, The Weaponographist is a succinct package of roguelike goodness. If you need a quick fix of something new for a weekend, this weapon-breaking dungeon-delver will suit that need perfectly.
Record Breaker is a masterful retelling of an already amazing SRPG. Engaging battles, a wonderful cast of characters, in-depth meta-systems and a great atmosphere make this one of the best strategy handheld experiences ever.
Omega Quintet is a promise that fails to execute, and squanders most its intriguing battle mechanics and interesting characters with over-the-top fan service and rote, trope-filled plots.
The Charnel House Trilogy is a great rainy afternoon pulp horror game, with just enough creepy imagery and top-notch atmosphere to mull over in the days after. It ends up feeling like a short, albeit exciting, prologue to a great adventure game.
Neverwinter fails to nail the social aspects and adapt to consoles effectively, but it's still a great solo experience. A solid F2P loot-grind with D&D flavor, but it lacks the social aspects that highlight the MMO genre elsewhere.
Tom Happ's Axiom Verge keeps the best of the past and improves on every facet, crafting a game about singularity, identity and pure pixellated fun. This is concentrated, unfiltered, Super-Nintendo-excellence given the modern treatment, and a landmark indie title.
Bloodborne takes what made Souls amazing in the past, and infuses it with speed, risk-reward play, and a haunting atmosphere. Only a few technical hiccups hold back a masterpiece from Miyazaki and From Software. This is a must-play game for any PS4 owner with a masochistic side.
Dreamfall Chapters is a strong adventure game, held back only by the required knowledge base for entry. A fascinating game with interwoven tales, beautiful set pieces and believeable protagonists, Dreamfall is going strong and only getting started.
Wrong Number is the right call for anyone looking for just more of the same, but some problematic focus on the wrong things keep it from feeling as fresh and exciting as the original. You should still buy the soundtrack, though.
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. blazes ahead with entertaining characters, a robust host of missions, and engaging combat. Just the right amount of difficulty will keep any strategy fan engaged, and collectibles and multiplayer will keep you in long after the credits roll. Nintendo's IP is going at only one speed: full S.T.E.A.M. ahead.
Monster Hunter 4 has a lot of repetition and grinding, but succeeds at capturing the thrill of the big game hunt like no other game can. If you're looking for a long-term game with plenty of loot to grind, quests to beat and bosses to kill, this is your game.