The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare reboot is certainly not the first game that has disappointed me at launch, and hopefully it will join the list of games I was initially disappointed with but grew to love thanks to their respective developers' continued devotion and care. I know it's not the safest of bets given the Call of Duty franchise's annualized rollout, but I honestly want to see Modern Warfare continue to flourish as much as I'm sure the folks at Infinity Ward do.
As far as narrative-driven exploration-based horror games go, Perception isn't the worst out there, but it also can't really stand alongside games like those in the Amnesia series or Gone Home. It still warrants a playthrough if you're looking for a game with a unique hook or if you're just desperate for any new horror game to play, though considering its length and lack of varied gameplay, you might be better off waiting until it's on sale.
If you’re on the hunt for a new competitive game to play with friends, Inversus is a solid choice given its price and its unique concept. However, unless you’re confident you’ll be able to recruit some friends to play with, you might want to look elsewhere for your next indie fix.
While Battleborn didn't gel as well with my gaming sensibilities as much as I'd hoped it would, even I can't deny that the game has a lot to offer to the right sort of gamer. If you're itching for a new Borderlands-esque experience which is all but guaranteed to keep you occupied over the long term, Battleborn will certainly scratch that itch. If, however, you never cared for the Borderlands style of humor, and you're more of a solo-minded gamer, you might want to look elsewhere for your next shooter fix.
While Need for Speed may look and sound great from afar, it's sadly little more than a mostly empty box wrapped in shiny wrapping paper (and one which you can only open when connected to the internet to boot). If you're desperate for a new racing game experience, you could do worse, just bear in mind that your mileage will definitely vary.
As long as you understand the sort of game it is (and the limitations of what it offers), Spartan Fist can provide a few solid hours of fun at the very least. Over time, it could grow into a more robust and complex experience that has more lasting appeal, and even in its current form there's a decent amount of content for roguelike/first-person melee fans to sink their teeth into. There are also some noticeable shortcomings to be sure, but indie fans who just want to punch some dudes with no muss and no fuss will find plenty to love about Spartan Fist.
Immortal Planet isn't the best that the Souls genre has to offer, but it certainly makes a strong effort to stand out, and as I mentioned before, it can serve as an excellent starter game if you're thinking of getting more heavily involved in the genre. If anything, the latest from teedoubleuGAMES proves that the Souls spirit will continue to live on even without the guiding hands of From Software.
It may not be the most engrossing single-player experience, but if you enjoy local co-op multiplayer, you could do a lot worse than Pac-Man 256.
In its current launch state, Catlateral Damage doesn’t offer enough content to remain compelling over the long term. However, its unique premise combined with its abundant amount of potential could eventually give it the staying power it deserves.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars is hardly a game-changer, as it plays it too safe instead of establishing a truly remarkable entry in the series. Still, thanks to some solid community-based support and a reasonable Cross-Buy program, it's a moderate enough value to build upon, especially if you're a fan of the series.
Even with a new setting and a new developer, Battlefield Hardline is still a Battlefield game which means it can be a rough road to travel for more casual shooter fans. The story campaign is fun but has zero lasting appeal once you beat it and the multiplayer is something you can only really enjoy for the long term if you're willing to invest in the game's Premium service or you have a dedicated group of friends to play with. Battlefield Hardline may have taken strides to shake up the core Battlefield experience but, in many ways, it's still more of the same old Battlefield, for better or for worse.
If you already enjoyed previous Fallen London escapades like Sunless Seas, there's a good chance you'll enjoy Cultist Simulator as well. It's certainly not the easiest game to break into, but then again it was never really meant to be either. Cultist Simulator isn't afraid to keep its greatest rewards locked away for only the most patient and clever players to find, and there's a lot of potential enjoyment to be had for players who relish the journey as much as the destination.
Given its dark and mature fantasy theme, Conan Exiles is a surprisingly accessible online survival experience. Even under the most generous conditions the game will still challenge you as you make your mark on the world, and players who fancy themselves as survival game experts will find plenty to pit their abilities against. No matter your level of experience, Conan Exiles is a survival experience that is very much worth investing in.
If you still enjoy TT Games' Lego series, or if you want to bring a younger gamer into the fold, Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a solid entry which helps to bring some lightheartedness (and new story content) to the film off which it is based.
Remnant: From the Ashes sometimes struggles to present a cohesive, balanced vision for the kind of game it's trying to be, but nestled within that chaotic swirl of ideas is a strong core that's supported by equally strong gameplay. As long as you don't mind enduring highly difficult bosses and a lack of ambient polish, Remnant is the perfect sort of game for players who appreciate both the Souls-like and tactical third-person shooting genres.
Below is not an inviting or wholly accessible experience. It does, however, have a lot to offer to players who enjoy uncovering mysteries and delving headlong into the unknown. It's a more hardcore Zelda game without the true bite of a Souls-like. Love it or hate it, Below is unabashed in what it is and what it demands of players who brave its depths.
Ashen is unique in that it borrows liberally from the Souls-like genre, but doesn't feel beholden to it. It's clear that A44 was influenced just as much by The Legend of Zelda, and even more niche adventure titles like Shadow of the Colossus, as it was by From Software's seminal Souls trilogy. Adventure game fans and Dark Souls fans alike definitely won't want to miss out on what Ashen offers.
The Messenger is a game that makes no effort to hide who its intended audience is, and its clever combining of two distinct gameplay genres ensures that it casts a rather wide net. Whether you're a die-hard retro gaming fan or a genre newbie eager to dive into the deep end, Sabotage's debut title is one adventure worth embarking on.
2K Games has once again managed to top itself by creating an incredibly in-depth wresting experience. WWE 2K17 may not be as accessible as I would have liked, but if you’ve stuck with the series this long, there are plenty of reasons why you should continue to do so.
It's actually a little hard to believe that Ubisoft plans to expand Ghost Recon Wildlands further via post-launch content updates which will add in things like new story content and even a PvP mode since the base game is already quite massive. Shooter fans who want a game they can sink many hours into while honing their tactical shooting skills (either alone or with some friends) should be immensely satisfied with the experience Ghost Recon Wildlands provides them.