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Elegy for a Dead World is a game so unique that there is no point of reference for it. Nothing like this has been done before, and it fills a niche that many gamers will appreciate.
The Talos Principle is a delightful puzzle experience that spurs the curiosity of players both in terms of solutions to the challenges and to the philosophical nature of our existence. It's certainly worth it to go through the game as there are just a few downsides, from the freezes to the slightly repetitive solutions or the jump scares caused by unnoticed obstacles.
The first chapter of Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms is pretty solid, offering a great mix of narrative and combat, but the following ones seem to favor combat over substance, which is a bit of a disappointment.
The Old City: Leviathan is a great game for those who manage to understand it. If not for the huge blocks of text that offer as little and useful information as possible and for the more lively environments, I would have considered it an excellent exploration game.
Not being a fan of Russian roulette, I like it when my saved states are neatly stacked on top of each other, to the point where I can always go back and alter recent events in a way that will help me finish the game faster so I can go on to the next one, instead of repeating the same unrewarding experience that teaches me nothing new.
LittleBigPlanet 3 is the greatest installment in the series so far, bringing not just a complex toolbox for imaginative players but also a great story campaign that delights and amuses practically all the time. Throw in the already amazing levels being pumped out by the community and you can expect to spend a lot of time with the game on PS4. Sure, the loading times and the limited situations in which you can use the new characters aren't that great, but it's still enjoyable nonetheless.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is the perfect opening for a much richer experience that Phantom Pain promises to offer. Ground Zeroes is intense, philosophical, dark, brutal, but full of hope at the same time.
The Witcher Adventure game is a decent experience, but it's weighed down by its random nature and the lack of good early game options for less combat-heavy characters. Further balancing is needed, as is a more fleshed out first tutorial to ensure that newcomers aren't overwhelmed in their first match.
The game is deceptively fun and captivating, in spite of its seemingly basic interactions. Every screen is a new puzzle tasking you with figuring out what the best way to deal with the enemies is, and after your plain is laid down, there is still the issue of mechanical execution, as some of the action sequences require you to move in time with your foes.
In a nutshell, this isn't a revolution, but rather an evolution of the game in the same direction that Blizzard has been pushing the game for the last few years.
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is a fun experience that shines when played alone but also with a few friends. Bear in mind that cooperation is key and you might need some time before you get accustomed to the problematic controls.
Company of Heroes 2 – Ardennes Assault is a good standalone package and the campaign that Relic has created manages to capture the tension associated with the Battle of the Bulge, although there are some moments when the company deviates from historical reality in order to increase the dramatic element.
The Crew is a decent racing game that's weighed down by its constantly online mechanics. The missions and challenges are nice, but if you don't have friends, you'll be hard pressed to find them in the game. This drastically reduces the amount of fun you can have in it, but even if you do have buddies, you might be hit with surprise disconnects or errors that can temper most groups, no matter how enthusiastic.
Game of Thrones Episode 1 acts more or less as a prologue by setting the stage for the many events that will happen in the next five chapters. It delivers a decent experience in terms of dialog but falls short when it comes to action sequences or impactful choices. The visuals in particular weigh it down, so let's hope some improvement can be made with the next few episodes.
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is a great new entry in the series. It offers plenty of things for all players, as the Adventure mode draws in new fans, the Classic mode appeals to veterans, and the leaderboards manage to fuel their competitive natures.
Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon is an interesting mix of the complex universe created by Games Workshop and the mechanics of the Panzer Corps which should offer fans of either of the two products hours of fun tactical engagements.
Starpoint Gemini 2 is a very solid entry in the space simulation genre and a dedicated gamer can spend tens of hours exploring every area of the included Gemini sector, finding cool secrets and battling a range of enemies, some capable and some not.
Tales from the Borderlands Episode 1: Zer0 Sum sets the stage for another amazing adventure experience from Telltale Games. The title perfectly complements the shooters made by Gearbox while taking things further thanks to the special characters and the crazy adventures they go through. There are a lot of hilarious moments but also some really dramatic ones that are punctuated by the choices made by players.
Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is a fun experience but it would've benefited more if it had embraced the whole Justice League theme. What's more, its puzzles need a bit of tuning, as some are really tricky to figure out, which can grow frustrating even for experienced Lego fans. Still, you'll find quite a lot of amusing moments and a pretty fun story, once you get past the opening stages.
Football Manager 2015 does not feel like a must-have update for the series and I suspect that many fans will play their copies of FM 2014 for a while longer and will wait to see how the title evolves before they get it.