While unsurprisingly riddled with bugs at launch, and with other aspects just missing (DLC and scopes, as an example), the community steps in to make this incredible game one of the best titles on the VR platform. Delivering nearly 80 hours of gameplay, even without addons, it's easily the largest and most compelling reason to own a VR HMD.
Sparc is what would happen if racquetball existed in the world of TRON. With extensive customization, a handful of modes, and frantic well-executed gameplay, the only thing holding this game back is CCP's recent push away from the VR table. This is doubly unfortunate as what's here is a fantastic platform on which to build.
A touch on the short side, and with more than a few gripes around the control mechanisms, DOOM VFR, like most Bethesda games, is made better through mods and community support. That said, even without it, there's a serviceable vertical slice of the best parts of last year's flatscreen title. I just wish the damned game would let me punch something!
High Noon VR is WAY more fun than any $9.99 stationary shooter has any right to be. With stellar (albeit repetitive and occasionally janky) voice acting, excellent gunplay, and more than a few laugh-out-loud moments, this is one you should add to your library. Come for the gunplay, stay for the deep-seated worry that might just be a cold blooded well-intentioned murderer.
UNO's empty lobbies might be a disappointment, but local play, house rules, and the Ubisoft game themed cards breathe new life into the family game night staple.
Though riddled with localization oddities and misspellings, Fishing Master is a $20 relaxing day at the lake. If you focus on just pulling photorealistic fish into your boat and ignore the grind-heavy nature of the RPG-lite upgrade mechanics, there's a shiny lure here. I'm not sure what to do with this other hand...
Seeing one of the most celebrated open worlds brought to Nintendo's portable flagship is a welcome surprise. Being able to take a game this expansive on the go is an amazing feat, and seeing it come in this feature complete is Bethesda at its best. While the motion controls have a bit of wonk, come for the HD rumble, and stay for the chance to explain why you are yelling “Fus Ro Dah!” on the bus.
With some excellent improvements to car control, customization, and cinematic moments, Need for Speed Payback delivers on the promise of a better racing game. That said, it occasionally has a few engine knocks with chunky dialogue and invisible walls barring your path in the vast open world they've created. It's a good step for the series, and it should provide a good foundation for Ghost's next time behind the wheel.
Massive in scope and improving on its predecessor, Middle-earth: Shadow of War is a triumph in every way that matters. While certain aspects are underdeveloped, or simplified to embrace “player choice”, the Nemesis 2.0 system, combat improvements, and genuinely engaging combat system keep things fresh for the 40 hour adventure. If only they hadn't followed the movies and extended the ending well past its welcome.
Real talk? I've tried for weeks to get into Empyre: Lords of the Sea Gates, but the clunky controls, obtuse UI, and incomplete concepts made it impossible for me to engage. The concept and setting for Empyre is top shelf, but the gameplay came out a little water logged.
The team at Survios have done something few others have accomplished in the VR sphere - they've put out a whole game. It's not a concept, it isn't Early Access, and it's not a half baked demo - Raw Data is a complete product featuring a single-player campaign, cooperative multiplayer, PVP, multiple classes, and more. While there are still a few bugs to iron out, Raw Data manages to elevate itself above the usual wave shooter fare.
More accessible than ever, Forza Motorsport 7 delivers a gorgeous racer that will likely be a fantastic launch title for Microsoft's Xbox One X. We will revisit this review to give it a thorough update when that platform launches, but until then, enjoy the 700 vehicles, new livery options, and bulletproof multiplayer experiences.
No game has captured the nuance of pen-and-paper RPG quite like Divinity: Original Sin 2. Every moment is filled with meaningful choice with real consequences, and every character has a story to tell. In an RPG landscape where dialogue options are dumbed down, and quests have become package delivery to a specific map coordinate, Divinity: Original Sin 2 stands out as one of the best RPGs I've played in a decade...maybe even longer than that.
It would have been very easy for Digital Domain to make a low-effort Voltron knockoff, but instead Voltron VR Chronicles feels like a small slice of the show brought to life. While it is a little short, and the interactivity is somewhat basic, if you are a fan, this game is a must have. Next time, just let us form Voltron and give us sword and shield VR controls to take out the next episode's Robeast!
Seventeen years after its original release, Final Fantasy IX continues to bring lovable characters full of whimsy.
While Knack remains an uninspired protagonist, Knack II's gameplay more than makes up for his bland character. Vast improvements in combat, visual fidelity, platforming, and the addition of cooperative play realize much of the potential the original Knack was meant to achieve. Knack II is a fine example of how a sequel can improve on its predecessor in nearly every way.
If this sounds like a bit of a love letter, it is still underselling just how fantastic Samus Returns has turned out. Stunning animations, a fantastic soundtrack, and awesome cinematic moments come together to remind us of the amazing roots of this series, while updating it for a fresh audience. Metroid: Samus Returns is one of the best Nintendo 3DS games of all time, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
At its core, Sneaky Bears VR is a wave-based shooter, but that doesn't account for the excellent writing and genuinely funny premise. Sure, it's a little short, but if you own a PSVR, this is a great title for younger audiences, as well as VR newcomers.
While I will continue to miss Sully, Nathan, Elena, and young would-be adventurer Cassie, The Lost Legacy is another amazing adventure in the living Uncharted world. Whether it spells the start of a new direction for the series, or a fun encore, it's an excellent experience for any Uncharted fan.
>observer_ takes the beats from Bloober Team's own Layers of Fear, adds a layer of cyberpunk, and somehow comes out the other end both unnerving, and more than the sum of its parts. There are a few small technical hiccups present, and some infrequent uneven voice work, but beyond that there's an amazing story about the human toll of investigation and observation.