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Star Wars Pinball: Heroes Within not only contains some of the best Star Wars tables that Zen Studios has produced, but also some of the best that it's released full-stop. While the Zen Pinball 2 wrapping is still the same – for all of the good and the bad that that brings – it's clear that lessons have been learned from previous designs. This change of approach has brought the studio back from the dark side, as it's managed to make tables that are first and foremost fun to play, while still finding a way to apply some digital gloss.
Stick It to the Man will make you laugh, and then it'll be gone. The game's short story and lack of additional content mean that this is a trip that you can take in a single evening – but its originality makes it more than worth the ride. Indeed, while this zany affair may be fleeting, its characters and dialogue will stick with you long after the credits roll, and that's reason enough to engross yourself in its wacky world.
Child of Light has a few flaws, but these don't prevent it from being an instant classic. A lot like Braid in 2008, this will be a title that comes to represent a whole new generation of 'artsy' affairs, and while its running time leans a little on the short side, its excellent battle system and outstanding art style will ensure that you enjoy every minute while it lasts. If you're looking for something a little different for your PS4 – or you just want to reward the poor writer who had to spend months slumped over a rhyming dictionary in order to concoct the cunningly clever plot – then this is very much a must buy.
In the pantheon of LEGO games, LEGO The Hobbit isn't the worst by a long shot – but the formula's certainly getting tired. While the decision to release the game with only two-thirds of the story complete is an odd one, there's still more than enough content to keep you occupied for a good while, and the presentation is still as charming as ever.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a game that embraces its craziness. The title's zany controls lead to some even stranger onscreen occurrences, and that culminates in a lot of unexpected entertainment. The release does start to grate in long sessions, and perhaps doesn't have enough gameplay variety to carry its core idea, but with PlayStation Move support and a ridiculous co-op component, the package will spread a smile across even the sternest countenance.
Trials Fusion is one of the best games on the PlayStation 4, there's no doubt about that. Convince your friends to get it, and established relationships will turn sour faster than an Evel Knievel-esque stunt. Challenging, funny, and exciting – gaming rarely gets any better than this.
Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn proves that Square Enix's series is special, even when it's presented as an MMO. Moreover, this excellent upgrade shows that the PS4 is capable of bringing PC quality online escapades into the living room. The narrative could still use an overhaul, and the PvP content isn't up to the standard of the rest of the game, but the added horsepower of Sony's new system and overall improvements since its PS3 launch mean that you shouldn't think twice about taking the trip to Eorzea this time around.
When it's at its absolute best, Strike Suit Zero: Director's Cut is a brilliantly bombastic, incredibly intense space combat game that's sure to give you wings. Complex controls, a couple of poor design choices, and some iffy mechanics can make it difficult to love, but conquering the final frontier will leave you with a sense of accomplishment that's currently unrivalled on the PS4.
King Oddball is an incredibly competent puzzler. While it's certainly not going to blow your mind, it will provide you with a couple of hours of rock solid, if slightly uninteresting, physics-based gameplay. Comparisons to its high-flying contemporary are inevitable, but a gleefully absurd premise combined with equally bizarre presentation go a long way in differentiating it from the competition. Hail to the king, baby.
Initial control issues detract from Mercenary Kings' old school ambitions a little, but this is still an enjoyable romp that comes wrapped in a charming pixelated package. The ability to customise your weapons and armour is what sets this release apart, allowing you to inject the kind of personality into the action that its predecessors lack. The mission time limits seem unnecessary, but look past them and you'll find plenty of fun here – especially if you recruit three real-life soldiers to share the frantic foray with.
Without question the biggest, best looking, and most refined Warriors title on the battlefield, Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition is an absolute must buy for fans, while newcomers will find themselves jumping into the action at the most opportune time. Although the franchise will have to grind its recurring issues into dust before its next outing, we have a feeling that you won't be seeing an entry that's this robust for a long, long time.
TowerFall Ascension is a game that relies heavily on your social life. The mechanics are entertaining, the presentation is charming, and the whole affair is top fun – assuming that you have some friends to play with. The lack of an online option is a great shame, but don't let that deter you from the Quest mode, which is still good fun played solo. You'll need pals to get the most out of this package, though, as multiplayer is where the release really shines.
Outside of the new playable characters and patched up gameplay, Awesomenauts Assemble! does little to distance itself from its PS3 counterpart. Fortunately, it's still an enjoyable MOBA, with smooth – if a little slow – gameplay and a refreshing visual style. It's without a doubt the best and most complete version of Ronimo Games' excellent eighties homage to date – but it never quite does enough to make it worth a double-dip.
While the controls take a little getting used to, the crazy art style and musical levels more than compensate, and are worth the price of admission alone. If you also take into account the discounted price point, massive amount of variety, and local multiplayer, then it's impossible not to recommend this dream package to anyone with even a passing interest in the side-scrolling genre.
There's an unparalleled sense of empowerment in inFAMOUS: Second Son that makes it a release to be reckoned with. Bursting with more attitude than a high school hardcore band, this out-of-control excursion effortlessly nails the sensation of possessing superpowers. It may put its plot forward a little too forcefully at first, but persevere and you'll be richly rewarded with an appetising roster of outlandish abilities. While it does little to push the open world format forward, this is still a series that's very much in bloom.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes would undoubtedly make a powerful introductory mission to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, so it seems a little insidious of Konami to hold it to ransom. That being said, we really can't fault what little we played – as far as the mechanics and design are concerned – but although the additional content does go some way towards sweetening the pot, we find it difficult to recommend this on those merits alone. Although long-time fans of the series are likely to pick it up regardless, we believe that this single mission should never have been released on its own.
With its catchy Wild West soundtrack and rustic good looks, SteamWorld Dig saunters onto PlayStation platforms with confidence. Its aesthetics will charm you, but it's the game's tight platforming and addictive sense of progression that allow it to mine its way into your heart. While we wish that Rusty's expedition lasted a little longer and didn't require quite as much backtracking, there are still plenty of reasons to sink your pickaxe into this little gem.
While it lacks the endearing appeal of some of its older siblings, The LEGO Movie Videogame is still a strong cinematic tie-in that serves as a perfect accompaniment to the big screen blockbuster – even if you should ensure that you visit the theatre first. It's never going to set your next-gen system alight, but there's a kind of enjoyable comfort food here that makes for a familiar but thoroughly entertaining romp.
Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition doesn't solve the core gunplay issues that plagued the release's original outing, but this is still a fine upgrade for those merely looking for some rotten flesh to fire at. Once again, the survival horror aspects feel at odds with the arcade-inspired gameplay, but the new social features just about justify a return to this resurrected digital download.
At its blistering best, Strider is a joy to play – its silky smooth controls making it difficult to not feel like the unstoppable agent himself. It's a welcome return to a beloved franchise, but it falls just short of maintaining the momentum that's expected of it, and instead opts to slice its way into a new generation with some less than exhilarating gameplay additions.