Jeremy Duff
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.
Easily the best fighting game on the market today. MK X takes all of the lessons learned with the 2011 release and turns it up to 11: content, gameplay, and overall fun. If the developers can improve the netcode a little bit, this could be a major contender on the fighting game scene for years to come.
Despite the manner in which it will punish and abuse you, Bloodborne will have you crawling back to it and saying, "Thank you, sir, may I please have another." It's a gorgeous and dreadful world that sucks you in, and then kills you. Beautiful in every single aspect of the game and sense of the word, this progression of the Souls franchise is more accessible and addicting than ever.
A year-and-a-half later and Castlestorm is still a complete blast to play. The added content and updated visuals round out an already stellar package. As long as you can get used to the controls, this is one that will keep you entertained time and time again.
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.
Far Cry Primal is truly a breath of fresh air for the FPS genre. The setting is original and the gameplay elements that go along with it work perfectly. The world of Oros is truly a thing of beauty and it is so easy to get lost just living within its confines. From hunting, to exploring, to actually pursuing mission objectives, there is so much to do that it almost feels like you're living a second life. If you're looking for the shooter that does more than just shooting, Far Cry continues to be one of your best options.
Titanfall 2 succeeds in being both accessible and fun, which is a nice change of pace in the modern era of shooters. It isn't the most complicated of shooters, nor is it the most refined. However, it very well may be the most fun, which is the most important thing to a gamer.
If there is one shooter to be had this year, it is Battlefield 1. The series’ return to classically-styled warfare is a breathe of fresh air for both the franchise and the FPS genre. The solo experience(s) are enjoyable and serve as a primer for the larger, more enjoyable multiplayer experience. That multiplayer options feel like more than just a simple mode thanks to the new Operations mode, but are more like a living and breathing world that will keep players hooked for a long, long time.
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.
Without a doubt the most accessible Guilty Gear game to date. Plus, it is absolutely stunning to see in motion thanks to its unique and impressive visual style. Screenshots alone just don't do this game justice.
Toys for Bob shows that they make better Skylander games than anyone. It's simple, fun, and there is an absolute crap-ton of things to do. Once again, I find myself completely engulfed in the Skylanders world and endlessly exploring these worlds with my daughter.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is the biggest "pleasant surprise" of 2014. A solid side-story from an established universe with spot-on gameplay makes this a surprise contender for one of the year's best games.
Disney Infinity 3.0 is an absolute blast for the entire family. The development teams have done a great job at rounding out the experience to make it both more accessible and more enjoyable for all ages.
A strange combination of both familiar territory and a fresh feeling, Gears of War 4 provides and enjoyable and robust experience. While there isn't much new ground broken in the experience, it does a lot to remind us what was so great about the original games in the first place.
Old school merely in looks, Axiom Verge is the definition of a great action and explorations game. The Metroidvania genre has rarely been done this well and this adventure deserves to be held up there among the greats like Symphony of the Night and the original Metroid.
Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is an excellent ending point for this chapter of the series. It takes all of the groundwork laid in DoA5 and polishes it off in the best way possible. Armed with an excellent roster of characters and a ton of modes, this is a great introduction to 3D fighting on the new generation of fighters. Just be prepared to be smothered with DLC options.
An absolutely gorgeous update to a timeless classic, Resident Evil is every bit as thrilling and enjoyable now as it was when it was originally released in 1996. The controls still feel rough at times, even with the updated options, but the atmosphere and experience is second to none when it comes to the survival horror genre.
Chariot is a decent adventure when you go solo, but an excellent one when you bring a friend. You'll definitely want to sit a partner down next to you to get the most out of this experience.
Yes, things feel a bit different this time around but do yourself a favor and give it a chance. Once you find the groove in Guitar Hero Live, which is the new GHTV mode, you won't look back or think about the way things used to be again. This is the future of guitar-themed video games.
Despite having a bit of a learning curve, Ant-Man has quickly become one of my favorite tables that Zen has produced. It really ties in well with the Ant-Man character and world without having to retell the events of the film.