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While PlayStation VR owners should already be used to the premium entry fee many titles charge, your initial reaction to the cost of Pinball FX2 VR is unlikely to be positive – especially if you've already invested in the same tables for Zen Pinball 2. Despite all this, though, if you've ever found enjoyment at the apron of a virtual pinball machine this really is the definitive experience, and while the occasionally distracting presentation – a hallmark of Zen Studios – has been heightened in VR, you'll still find yourself flipping out over the just how easily you'll lose yourself chasing that elusive high score.
The Last Guardian is a modern masterpiece, and a worthy addition to Team ICO's already flawless track record. Some will be unable to look past the mechanical shortcomings, but they'll be missing out on one of those most meaningful and truly original experiences in years.
The Voice may have the advantage of branding and licensing, but in terms of gameplay it hits a bum note. The song selection is quite good and has quite a bit of variation, but the fact that only two players can sing simultaneously really detracts from the concept of it being a party game, and the Show mode feels no different to any other karaoke game option.
Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection wasn't exactly heavily requested, but here it is anyway. While the trilogy is starting to show its age, this is unquestionably the best way to experience it if that's something you want to do. Some minor visual hiccups aside, each instalment of Ezio's story is present and intact here, and, quite frankly, having them all in a single package is an incredible amount of game for your money whichever way you cut it.
Some minor iffy moments aside, How We Soar is a beautifully relaxing game, with tight presentation and some sound controls. A lovely concept that's really well executed, this is another wonderful example of why virtual reality gaming represents the way forward, and you should certainly check it out if you haven't done so already.
Minor conversion issues aside that can likely be solved, Darksiders: Warmastered Edition has the intrinsic fortune of being a timeless looker with its distinct visuals, which benefits from appropriate resolution and performance buffs that bring it up to speed. A fantasy world that retains its wonder and gracefully aged gameplay easily ensure that this game's horseman can confidently cometh again.
Yesterday Origins has a strong cast of characters, an intriguing plot, and beautiful presentation. When you manage to work it all out, the game can be a real joy, but when things go wrong, it can be frustratingly slow and pedantic. Like its narrative, it jumps back in time to remind us of when games were far more frustrating and constrained. It brings back elements of gaming's past that we like, but it also brings back those that we don't. We've come a long way, but if all those troubles feel far away, well Yesterday Origins, to quote The Beetles, makes them look "as though they're here to stay".
Steins;Gate 0 is essential for fans of the original and a fascinating experience for newcomers. A great continuation of the classic virtual novel and anime world, it's not a format for everyone, but if you have the patience for leisurely paced sci-fi, then this is a worthy investment.
The Amnesia series is one of the best horror franchises the medium has ever known. And the fact that the entirety of the series is now available on the PS4 is a win. The hide and seek gameplay holds up well, and while more could have been done with the visual presentation, the sound design is top-tier.
While very short and suffering from some control issues, Small Radios Big Televisions mostly succeeds in delivering a fun, bizarre adventure game. Its presentation is its greatest strength, offering moments of tranquility and also of total obscurity. It's a shame that the puzzles never grow beyond their initial design, as the premise practically begs to be expanded upon. Hopefully a more fleshed out sequel can introduce some new ideas, as there's the core of a good game here. It's just not quite long enough or varied enough, so you may want to rewind your expectations before pressing play.
By throwing you into its gloriously open missions with a bag full of tricks, running wild in Dishonored 2's fascinating world of stealth playgrounds never fails to be both fun and challenging. While anyone who doesn't have the patience for its particular brand of methodical exploration will likely find the experience tedious, if you can commit to trying to ghost your way through its lengthy campaign, even disappointing shortcomings – especially in terms of its story – likely won't stop you from having a whale of a time.
Watch Dogs 2 is a solid extension of the series and not the complete load of ctOSS it could have been. It's not quite the Assassin's Creed 2 of Ubisoft's hacking brand, but it's certainly a fun-packed, exciting ride, which benefits from less generic mission design and a vibrant open world to enjoy.
Killing Floor 2 is a great co-op experience with pick up and play appeal that promises to keep delivering with frequent updates and community driven content. It's been a long time since there's been such an addictive standalone co-op game on the PS4.
An improperly paced plot and annoying artificial intelligence aside, Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization is the best Sword Art Online game on PS4. It's utterly packed with content, from the lengthy main campaign and tons of optional side quests all the way through to challenging co-op trials and even dating sim minigames. The combat's got a nice edge to it, too, and there's a lot to be said for the sense of adventure that exploring Ainground instils. For fans of the source material, this is a no-brainer, but even if you're not into the property's waifu wars, Hollow Realization still offers hours upon hours of RPG fun.
Super Dungeon Bros is a strange case. It's a pretty good dungeon crawler, with decent variety in its gameplay and enough of a fun factor in its scrappy multiplayer to keep you interested. However, the rock theme is underplayed; it lends the game some personality, but is largely ignored, leading to a muddled presentation. Some bugs also hold it back, and the online side isn't very healthy right now, but this could still be a fun distraction in couch co-op with a few friends.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has a lofty reputation, and aside from some telltale signs of age, it remains thoroughly impressive even today. This game remains a legend to be revered for its grounded, focused gameplay that will scratch an itch for anyone longing for simpler, purer shooters. Modern Warfare Remastered celebrates this legacy with updated visuals and sound that really go above and beyond the call of duty, sprucing up an old care package for a more modern age to near-perfection.
If there's ever been a polarising game, then it's Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. The campaign is a whopping amount of fun, and the addition of space combat is a large part of that. Still, there's a distinct lack of progress in both Zombies (as fun as it can be) and Multiplayer that damages the game's replay value, and then there's the unacceptable implementation of microtransactions. The single player may be stellar, but the multiplayer has come crashing down.
Skyrim is still a great RPG – one that successfully submerges you in a fantastic fantasy world that's packed with things to see and do. The remaster is the best way to play the game on console thanks to improved visuals, technical performance, and mod support – even if the latter is disappointingly limited on PS4. If you've taken part in this epic adventure before, then you may want to wait for the price to come down, but if you're a newcomer who isn't quite sure what all the fuss is about, the Special Edition presents an immersive journey that's perfect for those cold winter nights.
Terror, exhilaration and nausea. It's a testament to the power of VR that such a simple, straight-forward game as Windlands has the ability to makes its players feel so much. The biggest problem of course is trying to work out just what it's going to make you feel. Fortunately, if you can master your stomach – with help from the numerous VR comfort options – and throw yourself in head first, you just might find a frequently thrilling experience that despite its frustrations is worth falling for.
Just Dance 2017 may be a good dancing game for anyone who doesn't take themselves too seriously or wants to have a good time with friends, but if you bought 2016, then don't bother. The new Just Dance Machine mode is fun, but it's hard to justify a purchase unless you're a big Just Dance fan.