Ninja Theory has delivered a game that is equally good and important for the industry in terms of serious storytelling and the ability to create AAA experiences at a low cost.
Assassin's Creed Origins blew my expectations away in so many areas, but there's still something missing that made the likes of Assassin's Creed II and Brotherhood so special. However, this is most definitely the best title since then, and one that I'll be jumping back into very soon. The new combat system makes for some incredibly satisfying moments, while the design of the world is only matched by the likes of The Witcher III. Ubisoft Montreal can be proud knowing that they've delivered a level of AAA-production that likely won't be seen again until Cyberpunk 2077 rolls around, but there's just that last leap of faith that needs to be made to once again deliver a generation defining game.
If you're looking for a fighter, there is simply nothing better on the market than Dragon Ball FighterZ in terms of what it offers as a 2D, high action brawler.
But LEGO Marvel's Avengers is a step above its predecessors in its ability puts you in the shoes of the superheroes you love.
Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 is not exactly the biggest step forward developer PopCap Games could have taken, but it builds on a solid foundation and for now reclaims its original and unique feeling in the realm of multiplayer shooters.
A Criminal Past is a different kind of Deus Ex, and one that kept me engaged.
Awesomenauts Overdrive adds more characters to an already expansive list of mercenaries and continues to evolve the combat and tactical depth the 2D MOBA offers.
Mechanically, the gameplay feels tight and I did not have any issues with the camera or sneaking around.
Hyperdrive Massacre understands what it is, and plays to its strength of frenetic multiplayer action to perfection.
There is no better feeling than leaping off a platform and, for what seems like several seconds, not getting stopped by the level's geometry and managing to dodge the oncoming wave of bats, ghosts, and wall crawlers.
Headmaster runs away with the ‘gameplay is king’ mantra, and in this case, it’s enough to warrant a hearty recommendation.
Players are quickly thrown into the gauntlet in an almost ‘trial by fire' type of approach wherein new mechanics are introduced at a rapid pace.
12 Is Better Than 6's The Apostles campaign is a ton of fun for those who want to jump back in or even for fans of games like Hotline Miami who are looking for a different kind of top-down shooter that has some whacky characters.
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Between a few novel minigames in Neighborhood and some simple esports integration, 2K19 sometimes feels like a title update as opposed to a full-blown sequel. But what really matters, the basketball, is better than it's ever been. While I may have gripes with the design of the game outside of the court, NBA 2K19‘s mechanics are almost perfect in every imaginable way, and that is no small feat! Having played all manner of sports games this generation, it seems as though different developers are interpreting what it means to release a yearly title in different ways. While I understand the core 2K audience enjoying what they're given, there has to be a sense of quality control before the series turns into a games-as-a-service nightmare instead of a proper, AAA release with all the bells and whistles that fans expect ready at release and polished to a T.
I continuously caught myself completely zoned out and just enamoured by the sheer size of the ships and mile high structures constantly seen throughout the campaign.
Time will tell if FIFA 19's new gameplay additions serve to lift the franchise above the arcade-sim hybrid that it's turned into in recent years, but its stunning lack of game mode changes is disappointing.
Penning logs, navigating maps, and analyzing my findings in the lab menu felt like authentic and really immersed me in the experience.
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I have no affiliation with or love for rally auto sports, but after watching the 15-minute magnum opus of an intro video to the Loeb Experience mode, I was hooked.