Rise of the Tomb Raider has had no shortage of enjoyable DLC up to this point, but the Blood Ties season pass update is the bow on top that sends it all out with a bang. Featuring solid new modes with various types of gameplay, it's a fitting end to what has been a great ride from Crystal Dynamics.
Dead Rising Triple Pack is a great way for those who have never played these games to dive in and see what all the fuss is about, but it might not be quite enough to warrant those who have already played them to take the double dip. Still, these 3 games are capable of offering dozens upon dozens of hours of zombie-mutilating fun and this package is the definitive way to experience them.
The Tomorrow Children is a very interesting game, but one that left me feeling lukewarm towards it. I was drawn in by its post-apocalyptic theme and its bizarre structures that beg to be explored, but was left underwhelmed by the lack of depth that lies under the hood. Exploring, gathering resources and then slowly building a town doesn't result in the best gameplay loop here, and the game's lack of scale means that you'll see everything it has to offer before long.
God Eater 2: Rage Burst is worth checking out for fans of the first game, as it essentially offers more of that game with just enough to shake things up a little. Every pro and con found in the first game can more or less be applied to this one, meaning that there's nothing here to convert newcomers. Still, the game provides a good time for those looking for epic battles and not too much more.
Four Sided Fantasy is a very unique game despite appearing as the opposite on the surface. Puzzle platformers may not be on the cutting edge of what's fresh and original in gaming these days, but Four Sided Fantasy shows the genre can still deliver surprises.
The complex and engrossing world of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is one that sinks its teeth into you right from the beginning, and as you journey through it you never want it to let go. We had to wait awhile for it to finally arrive, but our patience was rewarded with a definite game of the year contender.
If you've never played Little King's Story before and don't have access to a Wii, then picking up this new remastered PC version is definitely recommended. However, not much has been added or altered to really entice owners of the Wii version to consider upgrading to this one.
Double Fine was able to take a classic gaming genre and imbue new life into it with their trademark humor, and the resulting experience is solid. It could use some tweaks here and there, but fans of metroidvanias are sure to have a great time floating through the ridiculous world of Headlander.
Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs-Force has its weak points, but if you're able to overlook its shortcomings then you'll be able to find some solid gameplay. It's just unfortunate that more attention wasn't put into the localization effort, as it leaves a lot to be desired. Hardcore fans of the Gundam series should give it a shot, but everyone else should proceed with caution.
Crush Your Enemies offers a quicker take on the RTS genre that both hardcore and casual fans will be able to get wrapped up in. It may not be a game-changer, but if you’ve been looking for an RTS with no nonsense then this is the one to get.
God Eater Resurrection may not be a must-have game, but seeing that its genre isn’t over-saturated allows it to stand firmly on its own. Whether you’re returning from the PSP game or are just looking for a new Monster Hunter-esque fix, this game will definitely scratch the hunting itch for you.
Trials of the Blood Dragon gets some things very right and other things very wrong, and unfortunately it ends up being a mixed bag. Hopefully we get a true Blood Dragon sequel at some point, because this would be an unfortunate sendoff for this promising series.
The Technomancer's big sci-fi ambition is marred by its lack of polish and botched execution in a couple of big areas. It won't win any awards on the presentation side of things, but the core gameplay nevertheless elevates it and delivers some fast and chaotic fun. It's just too bad that the overall package wasn't able to come together as well as it could have.
Umbrella Corps can’t decide if it wants to be Counter Strike or Quake, but there’s still some solid gunplay action to be had with the right teams despite its problems. It’s not the disaster that it could have been, but it also isn’t something that’s worth putting at the top of your game pile.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE takes a lot from the Shin Megami Tensei series and mixes in some Fire Emblem-flavored icing, and the results were fantastic. It's a superb RPG with a lot to offer, and is a must-have game for Wii U owners.
While some of the big criticisms that people had with the original version of the game still stand, Deadlight: Director's Cut still feels like a fresh take on the zombie genre 4 years later. It probably isn't worth a return trip if you've already played the original game, but if this is your first time checking out the Deadlight world then this version is definitely the one to get.
Blood and Wine feels like it was made as a loving goodbye to both Geralt and the Witcher series in general, as there’s so much attention to detail that it’s impossible not to regularly be in awe of it all. It’s the perfect bow on a game that has been nothing short of a gift that keeps on giving, and I expect it will continuing doing just that for all who fancy an adventure with a certain Witcher.
Dead Island: Definitive Collection may not be enough of a reason for those who have already experienced the original and Riptide to warrant making the return trip, but for everyone else this is the best way to experience these games. The improved visuals and lack of bugs makes getting through the main courses less of a chore, and Retro Revenge is a fun little side dish.
Battleborn is a well-oiled machine with the potential for some great times to be had, but sometimes getting to those great times can take some patience.
DrinkBox has succeeded in not only making a fantastic game, but also making the PlayStation Vita relevant again in a time where most have left it for dead. Severed is the call to all gamers to dig out their dusty Vitas once more, as the neglected handheld has quietly acquired one of the must-have games of 2016.