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Angry Birds Star Wars is a shameless 50 dollar repackaging of a 99 cent iPhone game. There's little to nothing added in the console release. The only person I can see this appealing to is an Angry Birds fan whose level of obsession gets into the clinically problematic spectrum. Do yourself a favor and either skip this one, or if you absolutely must get your Angry Birds fix, then find a way to play it on iOS.
Knack would have been a passable game twenty years ago, but now it just feels tired and uninspired. It's a bland, boring adventure, made only more frustrating by its sheer difficulty curve and questionable design choices. There's a soul somewhere in this golem, but it's buried under a pile of ancient video game dreck.
This is how I hope all indie games fare on the PlayStation 4. Beautiful, high-res, 60 fps graphics, with a pulse pounding soundtrack that wonderfully compliment the chaotic yet expertly crafted gameplay. This classic arcade style shooter will keep your thumbs and your senses occupied for many, many hours.
Whatever downsides Risk of Rain has are absolutely outweighed by the many things the game does right. The gameplay is refreshing and fun, the graphics are charming, the setting is unique, the music is pleasant to listen to. On top of all of this, there's a slew of unlocks on offer that make the game an achievement-addict's dream, and each of the ten available classes (which, I stress, require unlocking in order to acquire) are wonderfully distinct, giving Risk of Rain some serious replay value.
This darker romp through a zombie outbreak is one that I will be replaying as soon as time permits, and hopefully with a friend. While Dead Rising 3 doesn't showcase the next gen visuals like that of Forza Motorsport 5 or the far more realistic presentation of Ryse: Son of Rome, it gives us more and pushes us further in an otherwise samey sandbox genre. Entertainingly enough, the game also remembers where you've ditched every item, vehicle, or parts forever – something no sandbox game can boast. Given its tight release schedule, it is one of the must-have launch titles of the new generation. The online co-op mayhem is a blast, and I heartily recommend this to any new Xbox One owner looking for an M-rated way to kill time (and reams of the undead).
The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One launch has been pretty successful, but the PlayStation 4 suffers from a gap in the initial lineup – a solid fighting game. Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition fills that gap nicely, delivering all of the previously available DLC and a staggering number of challenges to tackle for this new generation. While it doesn't knock your socks off graphically like you might expect for a 'next-gen' title, the extremely-accessible fighting mechanics make this title a must-have.
Frustrating and generic gameplay rounds out an otherwise technically impressive package. Killzone: Shadow Fall should have been another solid entry in an above-average franchise, but instead it succumbs to all of the usual launch game pitfalls, and a decent though unimpressive multiplayer suite can't save it from mediocrity.
Teslagrad is an exceptional example of non-verbal storytelling, relying on delightfully smooth animation and clever puzzles to see the player through to the end.
Problems aside, Tiny Brains is an undeniably enjoyable experience. While it may not amaze you, it'll definitely be worth your time if you and a few friends are looking to have a go at a co-op puzzle experience that isn't extremely demanding.
It's with a heavy heart that I write this review of Fighter Within. When I saw the announcement, I was excited, knowing what the Xbox One Kinect could do for a genre like this. Daoka bit off far more than they could chew, and this time it wasn't the hardware. The Kinect was purpose built for exactly this sort of game, but Daoka simply wasn't up to the task. As a fighter and a gamer, I'm deeply insulted by Fighter Within.
World of Warplanes is flying in familiar skies as World of Tanks launched in a similar state – a solid foundation on which Wargaming built the most successful MMOs in existence. From beautiful airplane models and solid sound work, to a very accessible flight model that works for any skill level, World of Warplanes is a worthy successor for Wargaming's stable of titles. It does need a bit more time in the hangar, but you can't beat the price of entry.
For a forgiving and approachable puzzle-platformer, Max lands on his feet and brings us a fantastic gaming experience. Even at a price of $15 it is easy to recommend. Great for all ages, the plot is light and the puzzles are fun from an otherwise innocuous re-imagining of a touchscreen game. Well done, Press Play – we want more!
If you're looking for a simplistic zen-like experience in a game, look no further than flOw. Simple controls and the itch to explore will keep you entertained for hours, and with the game supporting Cross-Buy play, allowing you to play it on PS3, PS4, and Vita, flOw is definitely worth having in your library.
The papercraft world of Tearaway is full of beautiful landscapes, charming characters, and creative gameplay, but it also seamlessly melds with the “real” world in unprecedented fashion. Upon completion, it will feel like your own story, different from anyone else’s. The conclusion is simple: no PlayStation Vita game collection is complete without this title.
In the end, the DLC is $9.99, or double that for a season pass. While the story is compelling, it's also fairly light on a meaningful denouement. I enjoyed my time with it, but I can't help but feel like it could have waited a little longer to polish off some of the bugs, integrate the companion app (it's unsupported for the entire adventure – no map, no fleet things, etc.) and give us maybe one more mission to add at least some level of closure. I enjoyed my time with Freedom Cry, and I suppose the fact that I want more of it says something.
I enjoyed Lococycle, but only after abandoning my sensibilities as I've learned to do when playing games from Twisted Pixel. To the uninitiated, Lococycle will prove rather perplexing as it isn't like most games. However, players looking for a short game filled with tons of laughs and ridiculous gameplay will feel right at home. Lococycle won't wow anyone with its graphics, combat system, or replayability, but it just might be the thing you are looking for in your attempts to kill a boring afternoon.
Continue?9876543210 asks for more than mere rote skill-based challenges. Rather, it forces us to reflect on existence, and explore the dark recesses of inevitability. As a game, it's unpolished, but as a rumination on mortality, it's an interactive poem.
Filled with strategic gameplay and impactful decisions, The Banner Saga is a gorgeously epic Norse-inspired adventure whose only real fault is that there isn't more of it. I can't wait for part two.
Forza Motorsport 5 is a technical triumph, offering up incredible achievement in both precision and realistic graphics good enough to show off your new Xbox One. Unfortunately a few baffling design decisions ultimately hold it back from feeling truly next-gen, making Forza Motorsport 5 a good racer, but certainly not built for everyone.
Nidhogg is the 8-bit Bushido Blade demake we never knew we wanted, offering up a sublime one-on-one fencing experience like no other. I just wish we got more.