Jeremy Duff
Disney Infinity 2.0 has made some big strides from the original release. There is a ton to do, especially when you dig into the toy box, which should keep fans occupied for a long, long time. Things are just a little complicated for the younger gamers to do all on their own.
Destiny is an engaging and immersive experience, albeit one that requires some serious legwork on the players half to get the most out of it. While I love it personally, I can't ignore the lack of direction given to players which robs them of all the game has to offer. At the same time, I fully recognize that this is something that is going to grow and evolve exponentially over its lifetime.
Warriors Orochi 3 is a much more accessible Warriors game the most of the others in the series, and as a result becomes a much better experience. The focus here is on the action and the fun, which is wiping out the hordes of enemies and it does so like no other. There are a variety of technical flaws, but the overall experience really out shines all of them.
While not the best "game" there is, this is one of the best displays of the latest Kinect technology. The move to digital is a great choice, as is giving you the ability to compile the soundtrack of your liking in the long run. There just needed to be a lot more meat on the bones of this meal, as well as the ability to get to the main course a bit quicker.
Easily one of the best tables that Zen has produced to date. Every aspect of this table captures the essence and spirit of Tell Tale's adventures. This is a must buy for fans of Zen's pinball platforms.
Without a doubt in my mind, this is the best version of Diablo 3 that is available on consoles. The campaign itself is a solid and enjoyable adventure, but the Adventure Mode, Nephalem Rifts, and nearly endless loot is what will keep you coming back for more time and time again. Make sure to bring friends to maximize the fun.
EA Sports UFC is absolutely amazing to see in motion. It is a lot of fun to play, too, assuming you have some friends along for the ride. Now, if the new development team can flesh out the experience with the additional modes and content fans loved in the previous release under THQ, EA could have another blockbuster sports franchise on their hands.
While it is amazing that all of this content has been squeezed down to a portable version on the Vita, it has lost a lot of its luster in the transition. There is still a ton of fun to be had here, but this is far from what has come to be expected from a Borderlands experience and nothing near the quality on either the consoles or the PC.
Kinect Sports Rivals is a great leap forward for the series but it still shows the shortcomings of the Kinect technology. While a majority of the sports work great, such as bowling and rock climbing, others (tennis in particular) really leave a lot to be desired. I love the shift in focus to offer a more well-rounded and robust gaming experience rather than being simply a polished tech-demo. Kinect Sports is one of the most played games on my 360 and this will likely hold a similar position on the Xbox One in my household.
Nintendo once again proves that they know the platforming genre better than almost anyone. While polished in its design, I can’t help but wish it was a little more challenging. You can fly through the levels rather quickly without breaking much of a sweat; extra challenges add some life for more advanced players but young ones are likely to get more out of the game.
Tearaway is an excellent 3D platformer that takes full advantage of everything that Sony’s Vita has to offer. It is amazing what results when a developer, such as Media Molecule, truly “gets” the system that they are working with. This is easily going to be one of the marquee titles for the Vita this holiday season and possibly for the system’s entire lifespan.
An incredibly robust and enjoyable take on the tower defense genre. Tight controls, a plethora of options, and a general fun factor that keeps you coming back again, and again, and again. It is hard not to love this game.