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Doki-Doki Universe is a unique and quirky timewaster that unfortunately runs out of steam due to a lack of challenge and variety in its gameplay. While the colourful characters and brilliant art style keep it off the scrap heap, those craving a more involved experience would be better off summoning a different title to add to their collection.
It's not perfect, but Outlast is still arguably one of the best survival horror games in recent memory. You'll need a strong stomach to get through the campaign, but if you can cope with jump scares and graphic content, then this is an exhilarating experience from bloody beginning to chilling conclusion. With fantastic audio work and a clever camera mechanic, Red Barrels' debut fear fest really will make you afraid of the dark.
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is an exceptional port of an already entertaining escapade, but outside of the extravagant visuals, there's not a whole lot to sweeten the purchase a second time. If you have a perverse penchant for grave robbing, or you've never stepped foot on the strange shores of Yamatai before, then this is an enjoyable band-aid for the emerging next-gen drought. Just don't expect it to change your mind if you didn't like the original game.
Don't Starve may make your stomach rumble in frustration if you're not willing to invest the required time to master its complex systems, but triumph over its crushing difficulty, and you may find a satisfactory dish here. The beautiful art style, entertaining music, and solid gameplay mean that you owe it to yourself to at least give the title a try – but know that not everyone will want to stick around for seconds.
Tiny Brains definitely isn't great. In fact, it's not even very good. However, for the group of friends that opt to enjoy it together, it may just provide enough laughs for a decent night in. Technical issues, an extortionate price point, and a slender running time mean that you should approach with caution – but if you're looking for something to play with your buddies, then you may enjoy the experience all the same. Just like Facebook and instant soup, this experiment is very much what you make of it.
NBA Live 14 doesn't drop the ball entirely, as the aforementioned arcade mechanics can make for some tolerable head-to-head matches in multiplayer, where the artificial intelligence is less of an issue. However, unavoidable comparisons to the infinitely superior NBA 2K14 make this look like a bit of a mess. The gameplay's poor, the modes are predictable and shallow, and it's aesthetically extremely underwhelming. Don't even consider giving this a shot unless you find it very, very cheap.
After its enjoyable outings on previous platforms, Zen Pinball 2 has arrived on the PS4 in good form. Assuming that you can get past the inflexible purchasing options and cut through the sometimes overwhelming digital gloss, you'll find a flipping fun game with an addictive core at its steel-coated centre.
Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition is packed to the brim with content, and subsequently earns its name with ease. While there's plenty for hardcore fighting fans to etch out of the release, it's still not quite as deep as the likes of Street Fighter – but anything that it lacks in depth, it more than makes up for in accessibility. It doesn't make as much use of the PS4's added horsepower as it probably should, but if you missed out on the original – or really enjoyed the title first time around – then this will prove a heroic addition to your new console's collection.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is arguably the most ambitious entry in Traveller's Tales' long-running series, and it's an extremely enjoyable one at that. The developer's delivered a title that will appeal to casual players and die-hard Marvel fans alike, which is a laudable achievement. Granted, the game doesn't do much to take advantage of the PS4's supercharged hardware – but when the core action's this fun, we're not even sure that the Hulk would be able to get angry about that.
As long as you have a Move controller in your hand, then Just Dance 2014 deserves your A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E. The impressive setlist and varied dance styles make this an incredibly fun title for both newcomers and experts alike. More consistency between modes would have been welcome, and improved standalone PlayStation Camera tracking could have certainly elevated the release even further. If you own Sony's illuminating wand, though, this is easily the best party game on the PS4.
Putty Squad isn't a good game by modern standards. It's repetitive, confusing, dull, and a reminder that the medium has evolved. That doesn't mean that there isn't a niche that may still enjoy this, and if you happen to squeeze into that cross-section then there's plenty to sink your teeth into here. Everyone else looking to relive the past may be better off tackling one of the Blue Blur's adventures, though – and letting this blue blob fester in the pipes beneath the sink.
This is agonisingly close to being at the front of the pack, and is the best arcade racer on the PS4 by default, but its missteps mean that it's a millisecond away from a podium place.
The mere mention of thatgamecompany will always elicit a reaction among gamers. Whether you see the studio's output as games, art, or a bit of both, it's hard to deny that the developer delivers unique experiences that will challenge your view of what games can be. More of an interactive experience, flOw won't float everyone's boat, but if you can overlook its shortcomings and immerse yourself in its world, then you'll be able to see why this indie hit rose to the surface when so many others sank without a trace.
Unless you're a die-hard fan of both franchises, we recommend that you leave this one in a galaxy far, far away.
Skylanders: Swap Force is clearly geared towards a younger audience, but that doesn't mean that fans of hack-and-slash platformers should ignore the title entirely. The idea of physical figures that you can control in the game is brilliant – if expensive – and it results in a solid experience that thrives with friends. Sadly, the slow pacing, repetitive combat, and awkward jump mechanics let the gameplay down in places, and prevent it from reaching its full potential.
When you're dashing and slashing with capable allies, Warframe is decent game – but there's still a lot of work that needs to be done before it can be considered a good one. The user interface isn't controller friendly, you're given little to no direction, and the title's free-to-play model hinders its overall design. Until these issues are rectified, we recommend waiting in the shadows for the release to finally emerge from its beta state.
NBA 2K14 on the PS4 is a stunning digital facsimile of basketball. The title's visually jaw dropping, technically stunning, and represents a whole different ball game to its PS3 counterpart. The new My Career and My GM campaigns don't always score a slam dunk, but they're engaging enough to dribble your way through, making this is a top option if you're eager to shoot some hoops on Sony's next generation console.
Several small gameplay niggles and the unexpected absence of a couple of modes prevent FIFA 14 from attaining the perfection of Barcelona's passing statistic – but that doesn't stop the series' PS4 debut from sitting at the top of the league in terms of atmosphere, immersion, polish, and attention to detail. This is not only the most well-realised soccer simulation on the market, it's also one of the best launch titles available for Sony's next generation system.
DC Universe Online lacks the 'pow' of the properties that it's inspired by, but it's a decent enough MMO with some solid ideas and a strong following. As a free download, it's hard not to recommend – even if you only intend to give it a try. Just remember that being a superhero isn't all about tight clothing and Christian Bale-esque angry acting, as it takes a lot of hard work to keep the grunts of Gotham in line – and that's exactly how you'll spend most of your time in Sony Online Entertainment's caped crusade.
Escape Plan has broken free of the shackles of the Vita and tunnelled onto the PS4 with a surprising degree of success. The touch controls are mostly gone, but the button prompts that replace them result in a more precise and less frustrating experience. If you haven't played the title before, then this pleasant port offers the perfect opportunity to experience the wonderfully surreal first-party exclusive on a big screen. And if you've already spent time behind bars, then at least through the power of cross-buy your second spell in the slammer will be on the house.