Qualms aside, if you can look passed the risqué nature of Senran Kagura Peach Beach Splash you'll find an enjoyable shooter that can be a lot of fun in multiplayer. Sure, it might not be able to compete with the likes of Titanfall 2 in terms of gunplay, but I've never seen any bikini tops come undone in Titanfall either. Peach Beach Splash certainly has something unique to offer, and while all of its ideas might not be ace, you have to respect the developers for committing to an idea and simply going for it.
While certainly not the best adventure game I’ve played, there’s no doubting that Maize is filled with heart. The love that went into development shows throughout, and it’s why I found myself constantly laughing at all of the game’s silly jokes throughout. If you’re looking for three or four hours of laughs, and don’t mind some standard puzzle design, then you’ll find a lot to enjoy here.
You definitely can't go wrong buying Pro Evolution Soccer 2018, as it plays as good as ever, but those who bought last year's game might want to wait until next year's installment if they're waiting for that next evolution. That's not to say that there aren't improvements, as the subtle tweaks and additions do add up to a better game, but these are more quality of life fixes rather than changes that'll sweep the player off their feet. Ultimately, PES 2018 is yet another great football game from Konami, but that might not be enough when they're trailing a behemoth.
FIFA 18 is an incredible football game that has something to offer every gamer. There's a very human and relatable story to be found in Alex Hunter's latest chapter, and those who just want polished gameplay will find just that in its many different modes. In addition, anyone who is a fan of the beautiful game will want to check out this year's installment.
Rarely have I had as many conflicting feelings about a game as much as I do with NBA 2K18. So much about the basketball sim is top-notch, but there are also so many elements that make me want to put it down and never touch it again. From gross business decisions that get in the way of enjoying modes to adding so many elements that get in the way of simply enjoying the on-court action, it winds up being its own worst enemy. Those who just want a solid basketball game to play exhibition matches won't find anything better, but the rest of the package winds up stepping on its own feet all too often.
There's no denying that there are rough edges, but one thing Electronic Arts has nailed is the feel of playing a pick-up game. It's a slightly less technical title than its competitor, but it offers up a far better single-player experience. If you're looking for something fresh, or just want to play as Diana Taurasi, then you can't go wrong with picking up NBA Live 18.
Short and sweet, Planet of the Eyes guarantees an evening's worth of entertainment. It's not the most difficult puzzle platformer, but it provides enough of a challenge to stay satisfying as the player explores the mysterious world they've entered. Paired with some gorgeous artwork and solid writing, it's hard not to be won over by the time the credits roll.
It ultimately doesn't matter if you're upset with the roster, because at the end of the day Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is a great way to spend a night with friends. The combat feels smooth, the depth is there for dedicated players, and it's a much more feature-complete offering when compared to the launch version of Street Fighter V. There's a ton here to like, and those who dismiss it will only be missing out on one of Capcom's finest fighting games.
NASCAR Heat 2 is a definite step up from its predecessor, but it's still lacking a layer of polish that would propel it towards appealing to a larger racing audience. Those who want an authentic NASCAR racer should be satisfied with this year's installment, but there's just too many minor issues that bog the racing down a level. Still, it's clear that Monster Games listened to feedback of the original, and they're certainly on the right track.
Despite feeling hesitant going into Before the Storm, Deck Nine Games' rendition of Arcadia Bay quickly reminded me of why I loved the series and its characters in the first place. Any fears of this being a cash-in on a beloved game melted away, and I was able to fully enjoy Awake without any second thoughts. I'm excited to see where Chloe and Rachel's story goes from here, even if I already know how tragic it ultimately ends.
My initial impression of Sparc had me raving about how it was the best game I've ever played in VR. I've since come down from that initial high, and while I do have some concerns about the amount of content, it remains one of the best experiences I've had on PlayStation VR. It's absolutely enthralling, and while you may look like a tremendous dork while playing it (I've seen footage of me playing and it's not a pretty sight), you feel like the coolest person in the world as you're barely managing to dodge balls at the last second.
Over 20 years since it initially released,Windjammers is finally getting its chance to shine as a competitive game. It's got the accessibility and depth to deliver memorable play sessions, and while the online play can sometimes be disappointing, I'm largely left impressed. Few multiplayer games have made me scream (and make some strange primal noises during the heat of the action) like Windjammers, and it's simply a blast when played with friends.
My hang-ups with the aiming aside, the PlayStation 4 version of Resident Evil Revelations is the best version of the survival horror outing. The problem is that it's 2017. It's been over five years since Revelations (or I guess it was technically "Revelaitons" then) released on Nintendo 3DS, and what was once a technical marvel is an outdated-looking title on current consoles. Capcom has done a nice job cleaning it up, but it's still ultimately a handheld title that was designed to be viewed on a 240p screen. That won't matter to the die hard Resident Evil fans who plan on picking up the same game for the third time, but it's becoming harder to recommend to newcomers as time passes.
Nearly two years have passed since Undertale originally released, and it still manages to be an incredibly fresh experience. Every battle is a unique puzzle that the player has to solve, and it's impossible to count how many times I laughed at the bad jokes of Sans. I'll never see all that the game has to offer, but that's okay. I'd rather make friends than destroy them.
While not the most novice-friendly racing game, those who put the hours into Codemasters' latest F1 title will find it a worthwhile endeavor. The on-track action is great, and the level of customization is rarely seen even in other simulations. Unfortunately, a lot of the finer racing concepts aren't introduced well and the gigantic R&D tree can be overwhelming when first seen during the career mode. If players can get past that, they'll have a blast.
Telltale's Guardians of the Galaxy has been circumventing my expectations ever since the crew killed Thanos in the very first episode, and that trend continued here. I really have no clue where the series will go next, and that leaves me excited. I'm more than happy to be along for the ride with Star Lord and his ragtag crew.
As a remake, Kiwami is a triumphant success. Not only is it leaps and bounds more playable than the PS2 original, the additional scenes help flesh out character motivations. This all makes the story of Kiryu's rise feel more special, and it's a perfect continuation for those who recently played Yakuza 0. There are some disappointments, though, as just roaming around Kamurocho feels like a step backwards from previous games that featured multiple cities to explore, but that's just an unfortunate side-effect of being a remake of a much-less ambitious title. The new bells and whistles make Yakuza Kiwami a worthwhile time no matter if you've played the original or not.
This closing chapter isn't perfect, and some low-quality textures can be distracting on PlayStation 4, but it does manage to put a bow on one of gaming's greatest stories.
Madden NFL 18 is an impressive leap forward for the series. Not only is Longshot an ambitious and fantastically told story, it's one that isn't limited to pre-existing football fans. There's also more ways to enjoy the game than ever before, as there are several play styles that will mold the game into either a more realistic or arcade-like experience depending on what the user desires. EA Tiburon has set a new high bar for the series, that they'll have to work towards reaching every year going forward. For now, though, NFL fans can enjoy one of the best sports games that Electronic Arts has ever put out.
As someone who played way too much of the original, Nidhogg 2 is a let-down. Like the original, it's still a lot of fun to play locally, but it fails to really excel in the areas where Nidhogg faltered before. The online play currently ranges from bad to broken, and that's a huge hit for a game that's built around playing with friends. The single-player arcade mode isn't enjoyable to play, and feels thrown in order to fulfill a checklist. It's simply lacking in areas that'd make it a more appealing party game than the original. There are still flashes of brilliance that remind me why I loved Nidhogg, but the sequel never clicked for me in the same way. Hopefully some patches will add this into my online rotation, but right now I'm left underwhelmed.