In the end, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is a solid game. It suffers from a boring real world and being held back by the PS Vita, but the number of available Digimon, interesting story, and control over monster progression is definitely worthwhile. It may not wow PS4 owners in terms of looks and mission structure, but there is plenty to be enjoyed here.
Nitroplus Blasterz – Heroines Infinite Duel plays it too safe, to the point of taking the game's potential and squandering it. The roster is top notch, with all of the heroines being unique and fun to watch tear opponents apart.
The depth of organic interaction, witnessing the world melt seamlessly into itself, makes for a near perfect experience. The Witness is a constant idea just within reach and then, once you grasp it, a new perspective altogether. It won't be quick nor easy to solve, but you can't help but be enraptured by its beauty through every frustration and moment of clarity.
While these issues can be frustrating, LEGO Marvel's Avengers is a solid addition to the LEGO universe as well as the Marvel one. Its more direct focus does nothing to water down the grand, and often times hilarious, experiences one comes to expect from the franchise. It may not add much that is new, but it is a prime example of why you shouldn't mess too much with a good thing.
What you essentially have here is a definitive edition of one seriously amazing action RPG. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen manages to live in the same vein as the Souls, sporting the darkness and challenges so many players have come to desire, yet forges an identity all its own.
Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair has some good features. One amazing class, destructible environments, and tons of onscreen enemies sounds like the makings of something great. But the highly repetitive missions, dated graphics, forgettable story, and lack of anything worth sticking around for make the game a largely forgettable experience.
Tying all of this together are the beautiful visuals that stand in perfect contrast against the ugliness of corruption and the ash of flames. Just Cause 3 takes place in a fictional Mediterranean country and, just like you probably imagined, it is gorgeous.
Yet, even with its wonky camera and story that sometimes alienates newcomers, Sword Art Online: Lost Song is a solid game. The repetition is countered by the variety of playable characters and interesting dynamic brought on by flight, and the central story is simple yet easy to get into.
The Wasteland is every bit as deadly and seemingly uninviting as it's always been, but beneath the surface lies more life than the pre-Great War world could ever hope to witness. The way every mechanic and decision perfectly marries to each and every other one is nothing short of amazing. War may always stay the same, but Fallout 4 has grown the series in marvelous ways.
Hearts of Stone never feels tacked on at any point, and although the side activities are a bit lackluster there are more than enough highs to make the singular low seem insubstantial. This is a true expansion, one that builds excellently on the already amazing base game. CD Projekt Red did an amazing job with this one and kept true to their word that they would only charge if worth it. The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone is most definitely worth it and a testament to how an expansion should be done.
While others may be trying to come for the throne, this old dog certainly picked up some new tricks to keep itself in the fight and show everyone how it's done..
Disney Infinity 3.0 is definitely worth a look for those looking for simple, toy-centered fun. The inclusion of a juggernaut franchise in a way that doesn't feel cheap or tacked on sweetens the deal as Disney further carves out their place with all of its toys.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 does a better job of respecting the story and characters, but remains extremely safe on the gameplay front. Fun to play, but far from being the truly great gaming experience it can be.
All in all, Volume is a solid game. Its new-age telling of a certified classic is intelligently done.
This is a world that has seen an unfathomable change and walking through this empty world that still has elements of life lingering around is a unique experience that I doubt you will get anywhere else this year.
All in all, Rare Replay is a great package. 30 amazing games spanning a beloved studio's history, a low price, amazing extras that take fans behind the scenes, and a wonderful musical to kick things off make for the best collection of gaming goodness released in a long time.
Galak-Z took the simple, addictive gameplay of an arcade space shooter and built something wonderful out of it. A simple game to get into with an underlying complexity that never gets in the way of the fun of the game.
Overall, Phantom Breaker: Battlegrounds Overdrive is a really fun game, filled with fast-paced, side-scrolling beat 'em up action. It brings gamers back to days spent in arcades pumping quarters into machines.
The Swindle has some really cool ideas, and the sound and visuals make for one of the prettiest games out there. But, for players looking for something new or intrigued by the steampunk aesthetic, the randomized barrier to entry may be a bit too much.
Batgirl: A Matter of Family delivers on the promise of giving players control over Batgirl. She is a great character that completely deserves her own DLC (or entire game for that matter), but this expansion fails to do her the proper justice.