GameCrate's Reviews
Sledgehammer's first full-time foray into a Call of Duty game is a success. Advanced Warfare has great ideas that were executed well that will leave the players pumping with adrenaline throughout the game.
Skylanders: Trap Team is a cute game for kids with a fun story, interesting characters, and plenty of heroes and now traps, to keep parents running back and forth from the toy store.
While Costume Quest 2 does take some getting used to as far as its simple presentation and tricky battle system go, it's still an enjoyable sequel that fans will want to indulge in. Just be careful with the tricks that come along with these treats.
While it isn't necessary for you to have played the classic titles that set the stage for Legend of Grimrock, you should be aware of what you're getting into. LoG 2 is a challenging, occasionally frustrating title with a grid-based real-time combat system that isn't for everyone and a rich collection of secrets that will necessitate back-tracking and pixel-hunting. It's also a game that makes you feel smart for doing well, which is an experience that's all too rare in modern gaming.
After figuring out the defense part of this dungeon defense game, I had a great time. Once I understood how the game mechanics worked, I really enjoyed planning my exploration and building cool modules to help me fight off monsters. My issues with character control were answered with a multiplayer experience that let me enjoy the game even more.
While Shadow Warrior is a no-frills kind of first-person shooter, it's one that will certainly stick with you, mainly due to the joy that hacking and slashing enemies brings. The upgrade system is superb, and the presentation is pretty sharp for a year-old port. It won't change the world like 2014's other brilliant shooters, but it's a good junk food snack while you're waiting for the next big thing. Now go get you some Wang!
There are some old bugs in the game that have yet to be fixed (you can still force a fullback into a corner too easily, the game freezes sometimes in the Career Mode pause menu) and there are a few things that keep the game from being perfect (no Brazilian league this year, lack of CONCACAF/CONMEBOL love), but, overall, this game is too great to pass up if you're a FIFA fan.
There are a lot of 2D platformers out there, but Fenix Rage still has a lot to offer fans of the genre new and old. Green Lava Studios professed its love for the old school with this one, giving us a game that's so damn tough that it's a sheer delight to play. If you're tenacious and can handle a dose of in-your-face NES (or Genesis) challenge, you should make it a point to play Fenix Rage immediately.
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is a fine conclusion to the current running trilogy for WayForward's heroine, and a nice approach for an all-new adventure coming to the Wii U next year. It may not follow the tradition of previous games, but it's fun in its own right, with unique gameplay and strong design that will certainly please fans of the series. She can whip her hair around us any day.
Alien: Isolation is an experience that takes you back to the vibe of the first film, where humans are powerless against the alien and must find a different way to win against it. For the die-hard Alien and survival horror fan, you won't disappointed. But if you're looking for the action of a first-person shooter, or even a stealth action game, you might be disappointed with the game's slow pacing.
Sunset Overdrive hit all of my sweet spots, delivering a hilarious campaign filled with a crazy arsenal of weapons, intense action, interesting enemies, beautiful graphics, and a fun multiplayer component. If you loved Insomniac Game's Ratchet & Clank series and are looking for a game infused with the same degree of personality, creativity and style, then Sunset Overdrive will surely fit the bill.
The Legend of Korra is a disappointment, an unbalanced action game that will likely frustrate its young fans alike – as well as die-hards who live for Platinum Games' over-the-top action roster. Its presentation hits the mark, and Pro-Bending can be fun, but, as such, it's not worth bending over backwards for.
I don't think the novelty of figure-based play and creation has worn thin. Truth be told, Disney Infinity 2.0 just isn't as enthralling as the first game. It's also not as good when you look at the bigger picture. The creation modes are solid, and the Play Sets are fun, but everything feels stripped down from last time.
NBA 2K15 continues the franchise's run as the best sports game on the market, and there's a lot to love in its MyCareer mode even for people who aren't basketball fans.
Fluster Cluck is an overall disappointment, a game that tries to recapture the magic of local N64 multiplayer sessions, only to lay a giant, stinky egg. Between the broken gameplay, lackluster AI and poor presentation, this turkey falls flat on its beak.
If anyone needs me, I'll be playing Beyond Earth for a very, very long time.
If you loved Resident Evil 4 and you're looking for more of that style of game, The Evil Within will probably push the right buttons for you. The game is a clear success in a throwback sense to that earlier title, though its lack of innovation, strategic depth, or an engaging story are all marks against it.
The South Park pinball tables are easily among the best we've seen for both Zen Pinball 2 and Pinball FX 2, offering a great deal of variety – and laughs – each time you launch the ball. Some may miss the mature-rated humor – or wonder what the heck Chef is doing here – but overall, it's a swell time in Colorado.
The best part of Endless Legend is its interesting and vibrant setting. Each faction is unique with a rich history and lore that can be uncovered through the course of gameplay. The world of Auriga is divided into regions that are claimed by a single cities, affording players with the incentive to explore further into the unknown.
Had more emphasis gone into the game's design (and, more importantly, length), Slender: The Arrival could've been one of the better horror experiences on the PS3 and Xbox 360. Instead, it's just a forgettable retread of a better PC game – and one you can easily pass over for a bigger, better game.