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Despite great advances in graphical fidelity and core gameplay, there's not enough here to make up for WWE 2K15's stripped back features, teensy roster, and mind numbing My Career mode. The series' PS4 debut is very much a case of one step forward, two steps back – and while it lays the groundwork for a great game, 2K Sports has a lot of work to do to unlock it.
Tales from the Borderlands: Episode 1 – Zer0 Sum is quite possibly the strongest debut episode in Telltale Games' storied history. It combines a frantic pace with some genuinely funny dialogue, and offers more than enough fresh gameplay systems to make it stand out from the rest of the studio's output. Short of not being a fan of the Borderlands franchise, this an incredibly impressive outing – and the fact that it's not riddled with bugs is just the icing on the cake.
For a game named Tennis in the Face, this curious new indie from Finnish outfit 10tons is delightfully inoffensive. Outside of its outlandish energy drink-inspired storyline, this is a straightforward arcade game which revels in the base appeal of hitting people with balls. Lively presentation belies comatose gameplay, but its simplicity serves as a solid palette cleanser between longer gaming rallies.
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions marks a triumphant PlayStation debut for an already popular property – and a solid start for the resurrected Sierra label. Offering a wealth of content as well as endless replayability, this game is a real winner. While the introduction of 3D stages doesn't change the franchise's core formula as much as you may expect, it still manages to breathe new life into a solid starting point – and even minor presentation and difficulty niggles can't sully this shapely treat.
It comes as no surprise that Grand Theft Auto V on the PS4 is the same great game that millions of us have already played, but thoughtful additions, both big and small, mean that it's easily the definitive edition of Rockstar's stellar creation. Los Santos feels more alive than ever, and whether you're a frequent visitor or not, we'd recommend booking a seat on the next-gen flight if you haven't already.
Set aside a good few weeks of your life, because the Inquisition takes no prisoners when it comes to your free time. An RPG that manages to successfully tie an engrossing, engaging narrative to a vast, explorable world, BioWare's fantasy epic is one of the studio's greatest achievements. With superb writing and rewarding gameplay, Dragon Age: Inquisition offers just about everything that you could want from a genre that's been sorely missed on the PS4.
While Far Cry 4 doesn't feel like a major upgrade over its predecessor – except on the graphical front – the series still manages to retain its crown as the finest open world first-person shooter. The introduction of player choice to the narrative is great, but the lack of an interesting story makes this addition feel like a step forward followed by a step back. It's fortunate, then, that the game's negatives are eclipsed by its sublime sandbox gameplay.
With a string of new tools on offer, creator curators will have a blast exploring all of the possibilities available here – and while you'll certainly need dedication to get the best out of them, the lazy among you will more than get your fill via the output of more industrious players over time.
As a platformer, Never Alone is solid, but not exactly revolutionary. It's the cultural aspects that go hand-in-hand with this release that make it so special, then. With incredible art and audio, as well as a compelling narrative, this is an interesting indie that deserves your attention. And while there are a few niggles that prevent it from reaching its full potential, you shouldn't let them stand in the way of your opportunity to meet up with the Iñupiaq.
It's the repetitiveness that really hurts Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops – there's just not a lot else to see beyond the first few missions. There are some good ideas here – the squad system being the real highlight – but relatively easy gameplay and flawed AI let it down. Worse still, at the time of writing, this series is free on mobile platforms, meaning that even with cross-buy, it's a purchase that's somewhat hard to justify.
Tales of Hearts R starts strong, and only gets better as it progresses. The cast may not be the best in the series, and the random encounters do feel a bit dated, but this is an overall top-notch production, which we’re thrilled has found its way overseas at last. If your Vita’s barely murmured over the past few weeks, then this is the blood that’ll bring your system back to life – and it’s a release that no self-respecting JRPG fan should bypass.
With Assassin's Creed Unity, there's a great game buried somewhere beneath an unforgivable amount of technical issues, from annoying glitches to frustrating crashes. It's a perfect example of how Ubisoft's insistence to annualise the series has backfired, as it's clearly an unfinished product.
#killallzombies feels like an unfinished product, and it's a shame because there's an enjoyable and moreish foundation to be found here. The gameplay is addictive despite its lack of variety, and the streaming features are a neat trick – even if you won't ever be guaranteed an audience to play with. There are better twin-stick shooters already available on the PS4, but if you happen to like the genre, this may be worth a look once Beatshapers adds in its extra modes.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a fast-paced and fun twin-stick shooter. Its strengths lie in its tight gameplay, and the almost infinite replayability created by its endlessly inventive special abilities. Similarly, its darkly humorous story and visuals are nothing if not memorable. However, if you aren't prepared to truck with this deranged premise, then you probably won't enjoy your time in the basement.
The Wolf Among Us is an exceptionally well written and paced title from Telltale Games. . . . This is still a great game, but it's not the polished up final product that you may have been hoping for.
Those with zero existing understanding will find that Rocksmith 2014 Edition will cause their guitar to gently weep, but when used as an accompaniment to real lessons, the software really sings. With a wealth of songs to learn and excellent arcade minigames that make typically tedious practice exercises actually entertaining, anyone with the right attitude will find real value here.
Escape Goat 2 is a great puzzle platformer that never sign posts the way. It believes that you're smart enough to work things out for yourself, and thanks to some really clever level design, continually trains you so that you're ready for the challenges ahead. While many will lack the patience for the trials within, those willing to butt heads with its puzzles will get a lot from this challenging but fun title.
Someone considerably more famous and intelligent than us once said that simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication, and Race the Sun is the interactive embodiment of that idea. This is an incredibly humble game, both in gameplay and presentation, but one that is tense, satisfying, and totally hypnotic.
Natural Doctrine's combat system is ingenious, but it's obstructed by its complexity, while the remaining aspects of the release just about fulfil their roles to the point of adequacy. Although the game's intricacies will instantly cut itself out of most of the market, it's certainly a fantastic strategy title in its own right, which will challenge even the most adept players. This is a must buy for genre fans, then – and a cautionary tale for newcomers.
Punchy, futuristic weapons, even faster gameplay, and additional agility make Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare a joy to play, both offline and online. With a campaign that features several spectacular scenarios and a brilliantly robust and incredibly moreish multiplayer offering, Sledgehammer Games has succeeded in crafting a title that feels fresh but familiar, and does just enough to put the franchise back on track after the disappointing Call of Duty: Ghosts.