It's not always about the adventure you go on, but sometimes it's the way the story is told. Bastion weaves an incredible story that goes places I wasn't expecting. The game's narrations are unlike anything I've experienced before; improving what could have been an otherwise mediocre dungeon crawler. With some clever twists and turns, Bastion stays interesting from beginning to end!
Knack is not only a miserably boring action game, but it features one of the worst heroes ever made. Knack is easy to kill, stupid looking and part of an adventure that will never end. This PlayStation 4 game is too difficult for kids and too generic for adults. It's a disappointing failure on just about every level.
From the creator of ToeJam & Earl comes a game about a robot searching for humanity. Doki-Doki Universe has players flying through twenty different planets, all in hopes of finding what makes humans tick. Meet more than a hundred characters and solve missions in this quirk, though terribly shallow, adventure game for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PS Vita!
If you thought the second season of The Walking Dead was going to be more lighthearted, then prepare to be disappointed. All That Remains sees a more mature Clementine battling to survive by herself. As first episodes go, this one definitely gets the job done. The hard part is waiting for the second episode.
Man the cannons and brace for impact, because Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is here to blow up any preconceived notions you had about the annual franchise. With a great cast of characters and a huge world to explore, this next-generation sequel is the best installment since Assassin's Creed II.
With an emphasis on improved graphics, this PlayStation 4 port is the best Tomb Raider yet. Unfortunately, this Definitive Edition doesn't add enough new content to warrant a second purchase. If you have somehow missed out on Lara's newest adventure, then Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is a must buy.
Strider's back for his first adventure in more than a dozen years. As Capcom reboots go, this is one of the best. Double Helix has managed to capture what made the original game so much fun, while fleshing out the story in some very wacky ways. Unfortunately, too much of the game is spent indoors and there's a little too much backtracking, but Strider is a great start to what will hopefully be an ongoing series.
Even if you're not completely sick of the LEGO formula, you will be by the end of LEGO The Hobbit. This is a simple action game with light puzzles and an overwhelming cast of characters. It's also a disappointing retread of games you've probably already played. There are a few memorable moments sprinkled throughout this adventure, but this newest LEGO game covers too much familiar ground.
1001 Spikes joins a growing list of retro-themed games made for modern consoles. This PSN release (also available on every other system you own) will test your resolve through a series of increasingly sadistic stages. With deadly obstacles at every step, this is one game that never lets up. But fans of this type of punishment will enjoy the clever level designs and rage-inducing traps. Good luck.
Blue Estate is a light gun game that doesn't use a light gun. Grab your DualShock 4, because this on-rails shooter uses gyroscope technology to take players through eight exciting stages. Too bad the jokes are awful and the gameplay isn't as accurate as needed, because Blue Estate does a great job of staging action.
Despite being a puzzle game with a very simple (albeit ingenious) gimmick, The Swapper manages to subvert expectations and tell one of the best science fiction stories of the year. Between its unique presentation and constantly evolving puzzles, this is one game I'll be talking about for some time to come. The Swapper is a masterpiece of design.
Another World is one of the most important video games of all time. It started the ball rolling for cinematic action games with emotional stories, and it has never looked better than it does on the PlayStation 4. Sadly, the game's short length and barebones package keeps this from being a must own, but the low asking price and three-way cross-buy may make Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition worth considering.
Based on the 2003 game of the same name, Crimsonland is a fun four-player dual-stick shooter with 60 levels and a nice variety of baddies. Unfortunately, it's also insanely dull. The levels rarely change and the weapon drops can lead to a lot of frustrating deaths. The few good ideas are overshadowed by too many questionable design decisions to count.
With a likeable character, great puzzles and an intriguing world to explore, Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty! may be the most compelling adventure game currently available on PlayStation 4. Unfortunately, some gamers will be turned off by the game's deliberate play mechanics and the steep asking price. If you can get past these problems, you'll be rewarded with a quest that is as funny as it is long.
The Last of Us has one of the best stories in recent memory. Too bad the rest of the gameplay isn't as well done. With far too many action segments and repetitive puzzles, this survival action game gets bogged down by filler. Thankfully the strong last act and great chemistry between leads makes this a must-play, warts and all.
Rogue Legacy is a devilishly clever mix of Castlevania and Spelunky. No matter how many times they die, players will never grow tired of the large variety of characters and classes, as well as a world that changes with every play. While great on all systems, it really shines as a portable action game. This is one roguelike that is hard to put down.
Sniper Elite III is a third-person action game with a heavy emphasis on stealth action and sniping. Thankfully the levels are large and the player always feels in control, even in the frequent indoor portions. Gamers looking to run and gun will be disappointed, but everybody else will get a kick out of this solid World War II shooter.
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition not only includes an updated version of the 2012 crime thriller, but also packs in all the downloadable content. While a solid collection, this port is marred by inconsistent frame rate, technical problems and a high price tag. We can argue about whether or not this is enough to warrant the $60 asking price, but there's no debate over the quality of Sleeping Dogs as an open-world action experience.
Futuridium EP Deluxe is a sight to behold. It's a triumph of both art and style, with fast-paced gameplay and diverse level designs. The whole thing comes together thanks to the mesmerizing visuals and drum 'n bass soundtrack. It may have a simple premise, but this PlayStation 4 title is one of the most exciting space shooters of the year.
Originally a homebrew Genesis role-playing game, Pier Solar and the Great Architects has made the leap from 16-bit to the modern age. While the presentation is spot on, the gameplay is marred by combat that seems to favor the enemies. Couple this with obtuse puzzles and an aimless story and you have an adventure game that is good, but doesn't stack up to the best games in the genre.