Link Between Worlds ran the risk of being nothing more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting one of the most beloved games in the series, thankfully Nintendo have manage to couple the LTTP memories with some of the best, more unique design seen in the Zelda series in quite a while. If the more handholding nature of recent Zelda games has dampened your enjoyment then the open world nature of Link Between Worlds will be a blessing. In a holiday season dominated with next-gen talk, Nintendo have come out and shown that resolution and graphical power mean nothing without games. And that’s what this is, a damn great game.
A successful combination of both Layton and Wright. Maybe a little lengthy for its own good, with a story that could have ended a couple of hours earlier, it is nevertheless a great celebration of both series.
Much like Super Mario 3D World, Mario Kart 8 shows that nobody makes games quite like Nintendo. A master class in design that shows how tragic it is that the Wii U finds itself in such dire straits. A sure fire system seller that everyone who owns the console should buy, and if you don't, now's the perfect time to buy one.
Tropical Freeze is a trip to a time when games didn't hold your hand or treat you like some sort of imbecile. It revels in its challenge and while there will be many moments of screaming and frustration, it never feels unfair, and that's what makes this game great.
A mastery of games design, Super Mario 3D World shows that Nintendo are still on top of their game. Blending the old and the new into platforming gold, this is everything we could've wanted and more. The reason to own a Wii U has arrived.
A few minor annoyances aside, the developers should be commended for not just putting together any old licensed pap and waiting for the One Piece fans to lap it up. A lot of effort has clearly gone into capturing what people enjoy about the anime, coupled with some strong gameplay and you have a worthy package for fans of the series.
Criticisms aside, it's hard not to recommend Strider for those craving another Shadow Complex-like adventure. It's a highly enjoyable remake that with a bit more polish and interesting combat could've been something even more special.
As a base for what may come after, Destiny is a great starting point. It's clear Bungie aim to improve the experience and what they have here is a fine starting point that will hopefully evolve over time. Just don't expect it to revolutionise the genre the same way Halo did.
And that's the lasting impression you're left with. That while there is a solid football game underneath, the game is so riddled with bugs that it's hard to recommend the game in its current state. And if the demo is anything to go by then Pro Evolution Soccer looks to finally be ready to challenge for the crown once again.
Anomaly 2 then is a game well worth having if you've always wanted to see a tower defence game from the opposite side of the battle. Unfortunately the single player while entertaining won't last forever, and the ghost town multiplayer means there's very little reason to return once finished.