Sean Cahill
Fast paced and hard hitting, Speedball 2 HD combines full contact sports with association football and comes out pretty well. Since this title has some flaws and lacks online multiplayer, it isn't going to win the top division, but it holds its own and is certainly fun to play.
A unique twist on tower defense games is what makes Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare so fun. The monotony of standard tower defense is broken and is now a split between that and a first person shooter, though the standard defense rules are still in place. Several game modes and beautiful worlds add to the flair of the title, making this a fun choice for any Xbox One owner.
Updated graphics and player visuals are what make FIFA 14 worth picking up. The stadiums and fields look spectacular, though some minor issues with gameplay elements can bring the game back down a notch. For a title that may not have been rushed, but definitely hurried for launch, EA Sports did a good job in getting soccer fans their fix.
The bottom line on Need for Speed Rivals for the Xbox One is that it's a gorgeous world that is pushing the hardware to its limit. Gameplay, however, is as close to the same as its Xbox 360 predecessor. For those who have the Xbox 360 version, it isn't a must buy. If you're jumping into the world for the first time, though, then you will enjoy the best-looking Xbox One game outside of Titanfall.
With a deep storyline, plenty of side content, and a gorgeous rendering of Chicago to explore, Watch Dogs brings a lot to the table and truly unlocks next-generation graphics in a whole new way. Watch Dogs is a beautiful, mesmerizing title.
The gameplay and presentation of NHL 15 are arguably the best we've seen in the franchise. The new commentary team of Emrick, Olczyk, and Ferraro really add to the in-game experience. Some AI bugs do exist and may frustrate players, but the true problem with this game is the lack of modes to justify the $60 price tag. It's unfair to call this game a beta, but with so many modes missing, even though some will be patched in, it doesn't feel like a completed product. The hardcore NHL fans will pick this up, but casual players may want to wait it out and see if EA can patch in some of the features that this game desperately needs.
FIFA 15 received upgrades in all the right places: Presentation and gameplay. EA Sports outdid themselves and have shown that the beautiful game is just that on the next-gen: Beautiful.
With a gorgeous world, beautiful music in the background, and a surprisingly difficult challenge, Ori and the Blind Forest will take gamers on a journey that will test their reactions and wits, yet make them appreciate just what a beautiful game has been created for them.
Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited has addressed many of the issues that plagued the first title. There are still some issues with clipping, connections, and voice chat, but the game is still quite enjoyable with plenty of quests to complete and areas to explore. It isn't the perfect MMO by far, but at least it's one that won't cost you $15 a month and you can come back to it whenever you feel like exploring Tamriel.
The in-game experience is excellent, with beautiful scenery, accurate courses, and the true feel of a broadcast. The overall product is hurt, however, by a lack of courses, big name golfers, and stripped down modes. Gamers expect to be wowed after two years of development, not left with an empty feeling.
The original six Mega Man games have never looked better, and while the Xbox One controller provides some annoyance with button layout, there is plenty to tackle in this collection of glorious 8-bit gaming.
A revamped gameplay system allows players to take more control than ever, making Madden 16 feel like a polished product. Career mode still has some holes in it simply because of stale options, but the game truly shines online. Overall, a great experience and one to build off of for the future.
With a refined gameplay that requires a more tactical approach to achieve success, fine tuning of numerous details, and deeper options for both online and offline play, FIFA 16 has proven yet again to be the quintessential title for fans of the beautiful game.
All those stripped out game modes are back and they're just as fun as they should be. Gameplay is better than its ever been for both veterans and rookies while the presentation is spot-on and a pleasure to take in. There's no denying that the NHL franchise is back to where it should be.
With 21 authentic tracks to choose from and over 450 cars to unlock, Forza 6 has knocked it out of the park to provide gamers with an amazing experience from start to finish. Whether with the xbox controller or a steering wheel, there's so much to enjoy that you'll forget just how much time you put in.
With beautiful surroundings, a renewed focus on stealth and use of surroundings, and a fantastic story that will grip you, Lara Croft's latest chapter in the reboot will keep you entertained for hours upon hours and only make you want to keep trying to unlock every last secret.
The campaign could have been so much better, but while throwaway characters and lackluster scenes hurt the single-player product, there is no denying that Treyarch did a solid job with the multiplayer options. Killing zombies will become your favorite pastime and a great change up from all those online deathmatches you'll have against players around the world. It isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it's still a good time.
With an enthralling mystery to solve while trying to survive a supernatural event, Oxenfree challenges you to solve a mystery, care about the characters, and make you want to play through the story again and again.
Garden Warfare 2 will be fun for those who enjoy the tower defense genre. Anyone else will want to stay away from this game that suffers from lackluster controls in third person shooting and a missed opportunity to create a much larger world to explore.
Forgettable characters with a lackluster storyline do not help a puzzle game that can be, at times, enjoyable and, at worst, downright infuriating.