GameCrate's Reviews
While War Chest could've used better matchmaking with player match-ups and a little more variety with battle missions, it's still a fun trip through kiddie nostalgia, especially if you double down on the Hall of Fame Edition and pit G.I. Joe against He-Man. I mean, who doesn't want to see that battle happen?!
This isn't the kind of game you revisit multiple times, but rather the kind of game you tell your friends about with the utmost enthusiasm on account of just how silly and pleasant the whole thing is.
Despite the lack of replay value, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons remains a remarkable journey by the folks at Starbreeze, a game that's worth checking out for its emotional punch and fantastic soundtrack. The controls take some getting used to, and the graphics could've been a little bit better, but overall, this is a sibling rivalry you should check out.
Everybody's Gone to the Rapture has an original and engaging story to tell over its roughly 5 hours of play time. If you enjoy narrative-driven games it could be worth a look, but it's not a huge step forward for the genre.
After what seemed like an eternal wait for the game, 17-Bit Studios' Galak-Z: The Dimensional delivered on every front for me. While it may seem challenging for some, it doesn't disappoint with its space action and strategy, and the presentation is right on the money when it comes to emulating your favorite anime. This is one space adventure that's worth gearing up for.
Submerged just ends up being a disappointment. Great ideas in the storytelling and presentation are lost with a poor connection to characters and truly lacking gameplay. All the great intentions in the world don't mean anything if they don't convey into a fun game experience. Go play Journey instead.
Rare Replay is a well-done collection of titles and special features, and is almost as much of a no-brainer purchase for every Xbox One owner as Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
A worthy successor to the King's Quest name and a worthy first episode for this ongoing series. If you are a fan of the classic adventure game, A Knight To Remember is one you won't forget.
Guild of Dungeoneering can get frustrating due to all of the randomness, but even then there's just no getting around the fact that it is a wonderful game. And if it ever does come to handhelds, I'll be eager to give it another go.
What could've been a turning point for the F1 series instead feels like the same old grind. While F1 2015 has its moments, it just doesn't adapt enough to welcome new players with open arms, instead reaching out more to those who know what F1 racing is all about. Furthermore, the removal of crucial modes and meaningful multiplayer is sure to upset a few racing fans out there, especially when this game should've easily shifted into a higher gear. Maybe next year, we'll get the F1 game we truly deserve. For now, though, it's worth a rental at best.
A Matter of Family is an admirable attempt to bring a playable version of Batgirl into the Arkham fold but noticeable technical issues, severe narrative inconsistencies, and a main story that literally goes nowhere drag it down from the lofty heights of greatness.
While there are certain aspects of the game that could've used polishing, No Time To Explain remains a quirky, humorous, adventurous platformer that's built for the old-school at heart. It'll give you your money's worth, provided you have the patience to see it through to the end. Here's hoping you do – the future needs you. "DOIN' IT!"
Had the team at Gateway implemented better controls, more diversity in level design and other features, Spectra could've easily been on its way to becoming a cult classic for this generation. As it stands, it's not bad for a $5 purchase, but more could've been done with it. It's likely best left to those who want to truly test their "twitch" skills, as everyone else is bound to be frustrated by its limitations – and play a better retro-oriented game instead.
Some may wonder why it's so high-priced, or why certain aspects of the game weren't as polished as the rest of it. But God of War III Remastered shows that Sony Santa Monica is more than ready for PS4 development, and that means we're in for something cool whenever Kratos decides to cover new territory. In the meantime, give his god-pummeling journey a revisit.
Even if art isn't your bag (it sure isn't mine), Art Academy: Home Studio is worth checking out. The abundance of options available at your fingertips is very cool, and the ability to share couldn't be easier, save for direct posting to social networks – but we'll make do with what we have. If you're a budding artist or even a kid who just wants to play around with different paints (without messing up the house, mind you), this is one Academy worth enlisting in.
J-Stars Victory Vs. + mostly gets the job done when it comes to delivering a manic anime-based brawler for fans that have been waiting for the next Jump Superstars. But more could've easily been done with it, especially with the presentation and the fighting system. It has its moments, but they're more based upon the involvement of human competition instead of the evolution of the themes at hand. Worth a try, but don't expect the next Smash Bros.
If you're a fan of Jackbox's stuff, Quiplash is an easy purchase, a game that will hook you with its multiple puzzles and hilarious answers. Better connectivity and a single player component would've made it the stuff of legend, but being a consistent party favorite is a good second place spot.
Super Chibi Knight is a fun, bite-sized adventure that has a little bit of challenge but always remains welcoming enough that anyone can enjoy it. The Zelda II inspiration makes for a game that's mechanically sound and enjoyable to play, but it's the creative art style that'll win you over initially. It's short and can take as little as four hours to get through, but in those four hours you'll be treated to an entertaining adventure across fantasy lands that only an eight-year-old mind could've thought up.
If Loot Interactive and the developers at Night Light took away the hand-holding with puzzle solving and given us a speedier way to get around, Whispering Willows would've fared a lot better. As it stands, however, it's still a decent title for fans of the genre, mainly due to its effective presentation and unique abilities. It's not recommended to everyone, but if you're up for a ghost story, dig in.
The Batman Arkham trilogy from Rocksteady Studios ends with Batman: Arkham Knight and the result is a fantastic adventure in the gritty streets of Gotham, clashing with super villains and saving a city you love. Be the Batman, indeed.