Lost Dimension isn't a game for the impatient. Learning the combat system and paying attention to each and every line of dialogue requires a large amount of focus but can feel massively rewarding when you get it just right. Those willing to invest will find that the loveable characters and attractive art style provide more than enough incentive to replay the game multiple times, but the generic story and often frustrating judgement system prove to be traitors at times.
The beautiful new areas, incredible story, and massive additions to existing content make Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward an amazing package. Despite some minor annoyances, the overall amount of additional, enjoyable content proves to be highly entertaining for those who have exhausted Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn. Whether you're a newbie or a returning adventurer, there's no better time than now to give the brilliant world of Eorzea a shot.
LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham feels like a step back for the sub-series. A lazy story, as well as a lack of open world content, prevents this from building upon the broad shoulders of its PlayStation 3 predecessor – even if it does have stunning visuals and some neat minigames.
Tales of Hearts R starts strong, and only gets better as it progresses. The cast may not be the best in the series, and the random encounters do feel a bit dated, but this is an overall top-notch production, which we’re thrilled has found its way overseas at last. If your Vita’s barely murmured over the past few weeks, then this is the blood that’ll bring your system back to life – and it’s a release that no self-respecting JRPG fan should bypass.
Despite the dull plot, basic character design, and occasional buggy boss fights, the overall mood of Lords of the Fallen is fantastic – even if you're forced to play it alone. The punishing difficulty may not please everyone, but fans of the Souls series should definitely consider taking a swing at the Rhogar. Those looking for a quick and easy adventure should duck and roll elsewhere, though, as this game will test your patience, skills, and dedication.
DriveClub's balanced physics and impressive presentation make for an all-around excellent racer, even if there's still a lot of room for Evolution Studios to expand and improve upon. However, the overly aggressive AI and archaic progression system may deter non-racing fans, while the ongoing online issues remain infuriating. If you can look beyond the tire smoke prompted by the release's poor launch, there is a really enjoyable game here. Still, the uncertain among you may be better off riding shotgun in the elusive PlayStation Plus version before buckling up in the full title's driver's seat.
While this castle may still have some foundation issues, it holds a lot of treasure if you're willing to devote some time and effort. The campaign and multiplayer alone make CastleStorm: Definitive Edition a worthwhile experience, with enough customisation to add depth without being too complicated.
Even without the ability to install mods and play on infinite worlds propped up by dedicated servers, Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition is still a strong addition to your next-gen library. The improved visuals and larger settings alone make for a significantly better experience than is currently available on older consoles. Granted, the title's not to everyone's tastes, but there's a reason that it's dug a path into the hearts of millions of players since its initial release in 2011 – and you'll probably have an inkling of whether you're a fan by now.
Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn proves that Square Enix's series is special, even when it's presented as an MMO. Moreover, this excellent upgrade shows that the PS4 is capable of bringing PC quality online escapades into the living room. The narrative could still use an overhaul, and the PvP content isn't up to the standard of the rest of the game, but the added horsepower of Sony's new system and overall improvements since its PS3 launch mean that you shouldn't think twice about taking the trip to Eorzea this time around.
As long as you have a Move controller in your hand, then Just Dance 2014 deserves your A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E. The impressive setlist and varied dance styles make this an incredibly fun title for both newcomers and experts alike. More consistency between modes would have been welcome, and improved standalone PlayStation Camera tracking could have certainly elevated the release even further. If you own Sony's illuminating wand, though, this is easily the best party game on the PS4.
Skylanders: Swap Force is clearly geared towards a younger audience, but that doesn't mean that fans of hack-and-slash platformers should ignore the title entirely. The idea of physical figures that you can control in the game is brilliant – if expensive – and it results in a solid experience that thrives with friends. Sadly, the slow pacing, repetitive combat, and awkward jump mechanics let the gameplay down in places, and prevent it from reaching its full potential.
The sheer simplicity of flower makes it a difficult game not to fall in love with. It's a relaxing, calming, and curiously moving experience that has the power to change the way that you look at the outside world. Moreover, the improved motion sensors inside the DualShock 4 coupled with the enhanced horsepower of Sony's fresh hardware breathe new life into the experience, ensuring that this former PS3 favourite blossoms all over again on the PS4.
Aside from the simplistic online co-op and lack of local multiplayer, it's hard to pick a fault in this explosive PS4 exclusive. Much like Super Stardust HD before it, Resogun offers an almost perfect fusion of challenging and rewarding action. While the core arcade mode does lean a little on the short side, this is a title that you'll struggle to put down while you battle your way to the top of the online leaderboards. Plus, did we mention that it looks amazing?
Despite being beyond brilliant at times, Killzone: Shadow Fall misfires in many of the same areas as previous entries. It undoubtedly does an exceptional job of demonstrating the power of Sony's next generation system, but the single player pacing issues and narrative flaws let it down. These issues are accentuated by the fact that the core combat and multiplayer is outstanding – even if the lack of voice chat augments an unnecessary obstacle when communicating with your team.