Most players know what to expect from Telltale Games by now and they have delivered for the most part once again with Batman: The Enemy Within Episode 2 – The Pact. Being given only one real puzzle in the episode is certain a letdown after past episodes. The introduction of new enemies from Batman’s rogues gallery and another suspenseful cliffhanger that brings back a familiar character from the first game though will leave you awaiting the next episode after finishing up Batman: The Enemy Within Episode 2 – The Pact.
While the episode may not be quite as good as the first, Life is Strange: Before the Storm Episode 2 – Brave New World is another excellent addition to the Life is Strange series. If you enjoyed the first and can't wait to see more come from the Chloe and Rachel relationship, this new episode is a must play for you.
The implementation of water guns on the surface in Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash may make you think that this is a Splatoon style ripoff, but the combat is far from that. Instead of territory based missions, the gameplay actually feels like traditional Senran Kagura mixed with water guns, which fits right with the other the top nature of the series we’ve come to expect in Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash.
Most people that are interested in wrestling games know what they are going to get gameplay wise, and WWE 2K18 does not let us down in that aspect. The disappointing MyCareer and lack of any real advances in the gameplay keep the game from really rising to the top this year, but the match options, along with an extensive roster of wrestlers, make WWE 2K18 one that wrestling fans should still enjoy.
With 21 years of being on the air, South Park: The Stick of Truth was the first game that truly captured the spirit of the series and that is continued with near perfection in South Park: The Fractured But Whole. Even if you never got around to playing The Stick of Truth, South Park: The Fractured But Whole is the very epitome of South Park at the very top of its game.
Final Fantasy IX has sadly always been the most overlooked of the PS1 era Final Fantasy games, but now you have the opportunity to give it a try with its definitive version on PS4. For anyone looking to go back and play the game or give it a try for the first time, Final Fantasy IX on PS4 is definitely the way to go.
If you’re looking for the open world experience that Playground Games’ Forza Horizon series brings to the table, Forza Motorsport 7 may not be for you. But if you’re looking for a more racing focused experience that boasts an insane number of vehicle options and the best visuals in the genre, you will not want to skip Forza Motorsport 7, especially if you’re going to be getting an Xbox One X.
Cuphead has looked like something unlike anything else on the market since it was first unveiled. While it took awhile to get it, it has certainly delivered in both gameplay and visual style, proving that there is still plenty of life in this genre on a larger scale. If you enjoy platformers and don’t mind a steep difficulty curve, do yourself a favor and give Cuphead a try.
While Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was a must buy even for those that owned the game on Wii U, Pokken Tournament DX falls in a little bit different territory. It is still a lot of fun and is easily the definitive version of the game, but how much you enjoyed the original is really going to be the deciding factor on if you want to return to the world of Ferrum with Pokken Tournament DX.
2K Sports seemed to get really greedy this year with the implementation of VC in MyCareer, overshadowing the new Neighborhood layout in the mode. Regardless of this major flaw in the game, fanatics that focus more on online leagues or general play are going to absolutely love what NBA 2K18 has to offer.
There are many resource gathering and survival based games on the market and ARK: Survival Evolved almost feels like it has officially jumped in a little too late after finally leaving Early Access. If you don’t mind spending hour after hour of doing repetitive and tedious tasks, you may find some fun in the later stages of the game. However, if that doesn’t sound worth it, ARK: Survival Evolved likely isn’t going to be for you.
The original Life is Strange kind of came out of nowhere and surprised us all with just how good it was. As a result, there is a lot for Life is Strange: Before the Storm to live up to. Only one episode of three main episodes has released thus far, but so far it looks to be maintaining the quality of the original while presenting some new mechanics and building onto the backstory that we didn’t even know we needed so badly.
Sonic fans have been waiting for a game that finally built on the legacy of the Genesis era Sonic games and Sonic Mania has finally captured that magic that has been missing. Bringing in a true Sonic fan to take the reigns of the series was very much the right decision and you can tell the level of loving detail put into every aspect of the game. It may have taken a long time, but everybody’s favorite Blue Blur is finally back in Sonic Mania and it feels so good.
Telltale Games has really gotten into a rhythm in recent years with churning out game after game and yet they still manage continual quality output. If you enjoyed the first season, there is no question you need to check out Batman: The Enemy Within Episode 1 – The Enigma. If you haven’t, you really should get on that sometime.
While many Nintendo fans have moved on with the release of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo is proving that the 3DS at least has a little life left with games like Miitopia. The game certainly isn’t for everyone and is far from the most in depth experience you’ll have this year, but it’s hard to deny that I had fun while playing Miitopia.
Remasters tend to be rather hit and miss due to how many changes they have made, but Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is definitely one of the most intriguing for those in the US due to it having all of the International Version content. While the game may be over a decade old, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age may very well be one of the best RPGs to release in 2017 when all is said and done.
A lot of people were disappointed that the only way to get Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered last year was to buy the Legacy Edition of Infinite Warfare, but now it is finally available as a standalone. Everything you love about the original is here with much more visual clarity and better performance, as well as a few new multiplayer additions from future entries, making it an excellent stopgap this summer ahead of Call of Duty: WWII.
Micro Machines have been around for decades in one variation or another and Micro Machines World Series mostly disappoints in capturing the essence of the original release on NES. When the number of game options in a modern game feel like they aren’t much of an upgrade from an old NES game, you know there is a problem, which is the case with Micro Machines World Series.
The Danganronpa series may have seemed a bit daunting in the past due to its RPG gameplay, but now Spike Chunsoft has created a solid gateway game with Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls. Featuring various bullet types from those that cause enemies to dance or those that knock them back, there is plenty of fun to be had here in this often very creepy game.
Casual gamers might feel a little overwhelmed, but experienced fighting game fans are going to love the pinnacle of the Tekken series. It may take you awhile to get competitive, but there is no doubt you’ll have a lot of fun along the way in the much awaited Tekken 7, whether you are using a newcomer like Lucky Chloe or a series veteran like King.