Pure Xbox's Reviews
Sparkle Unleashed is tremendously addictive and gets the basics of the genre right whilst adding a few changes to the mix. If you liked Zuma – which unfortunately for Sparkle Unleashed now runs on Xbox One via backward compatibility – you'll probably enjoy the challenge this provides, even if there isn't anything majorly groundbreaking going on.
Payday 2: Crimewave Edition is an embarrassing, broken release that should be avoided by consumers and is a black eye on the current state of video game publishing.
If you've ever wanted to truly feel like the Batman, this is likely the closest you'll get. Enable your detective vision and seek out a copy of Arkham Knight right away.
Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition is the best way to experience an already great game. With new characters, additional difficulty options, and fan-service galore, there's no reason not to pick up this package if you're a fan of Devil May Cry. While the remaster may not fix all of the flaws of the original game, it does manage to breathe new life into one of Capcom's most beloved series.
While it will only take you a few hours to beat SteamWorld Dig, it's a game that makes every moment count. There is no filler, only excellent content to be experienced. Whether it is a player's first or sixth time playing through SteamWorld Dig, they are in for an absolute treat. This is one platform game that should not be missed.
Beach Buggy Racing is a decent attempt at bringing a kart racer to the Xbox One. It runs into a lot of the same troubles that most of the other karting titles that have been released over the years have done, however. There's little innovation in terms of the courses on offer but it provides good - albeit somewhat throwaway - fun at times. Local multiplayer is what will keep most playing.
What it comes down to is that, even though it's a redesigned version of its mobile counterpart, BADLAND: Game of the Year Edition is experimental and rich enough to justify its existence on a home console.
Despite Spy Chameleon being developer Unfinished Pixel's first game, the Barcelona-based studio has done a great job at simplifying a genre that can be daunting to newcomers. While some may be worried that this simplicity comes at a cost, the game also offers up a healthy challenge to experienced players. It may never reach the high points of a Metal Gear Solid or Thief game, but it does provide a constant helping of highly polished fun.
It's a crowning achievement from the developer, and it's a definite contender for game of the year.
Few games fully realize their potential. Thankfully The Swapper is able to execute all of its ideas. The challenging and thought-provoking puzzles are only outdone by the rich narrative which will stay in your mind well after the credits roll. The Swapper is a masterpiece that needs to be experienced.
If you are willing to overlook some repetitive backtracking, then you'll be rewarded with a hilarious puzzle platformer that manages to be a memorable experience.
Hardcore fans of the Wolfenstein series can find a lot to enjoy with The Old Blood. It's practically much of the same when comparing it to The New Order, though it features none of those irritating 'errand boy' segments, and that's a very good thing! The Old Blood is nothing but action that can entertain for a few hours. Plus, completists will find that there are plenty of collectibles to discover.
The final product that's on offer here is confused, confusing, guilty of not providing a smooth on ramp for new players, and also of not providing enough to keep veterans playing after the initial novelty of the new features – some of which are broken - has died down. Initially the game is engaging enough but the problems start to show through very, very quickly.
Mega Coin Squad is a superbly entertaining title. Not everyone will be down with the speedrunning single-player style which sees you completing the admittedly short game multiple times with different characters, but there's fun to be had even for those that oppose the style the most. With multiple players, the game really shines and if you're looking for some fun and competitive action with your friends locally, this is right on the money.
Rogue Legacy does procedural generation right, offering countless hours of action, platforming, and exploration to anyone that's attracted to it. The amount of grinding that's present throughout the adventure does occasionally lead to stretches of monotony, but when every other facet of the game shines the way it does, it's not enough to massively damage its reputation.
Your mileage may vary depending on how much the story grabs you, but most will find that the asking price here is too high for what you get.
Ultratron is a slick twin-stick shooter with some great and novel ideas at its core. The initially laid out challenge is a pretty simple one, meaning that some players will ultimately be left wanting. Achievement hunters and score hunters will absolutely relish what's in front of them, however.
Lifeless Planet isn't a bad game, far from it, in fact, but it seems to slightly miss the mark in everything it tries to do. Whether this was due to the title being overly ambitious, or just needing a little more time to bake in the oven, we'll never know. That being said, the game offers a lot of memorable moments throughout its several hour journey. Even if it may be flawed, Lifeless Planet is a game that wanted to do something different and that desire should be celebrated.
Project CARS is not for the faint of heart. It undoubtedly has the ability to grab players and take them on an outstanding tour of Simply Mad's racing world, and does look absolutely stunning at times. However, the game is ultimately frustrating with a controller and features more than its fair share of bugs. With a wheel, it's a more rewarding proposition.
There's scope here for a good game were a bit more work put in, but the smart money says that you'll be way more frustrated with Project Root's patently unfair gameplay than you are impressed by it.