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Unmechanical: Extended's hands-off approach works wonders in the gameplay department, and the well designed puzzles – which are testing without being frustrating – make this something of a surprise treat. It would have been nice if the experience was a little longer, and we're a bit agitated that it doesn't come to a decent conclusion, but the personality throughout every aspect of its artistic design helps to overcome these modest shortcomings. As a result, if you're up for a puzzle game – but are normally turned off by more complex entries in the genre – then this is well worth beaming into your collection.
Dying Light starts out disappointing, but once you allow its brand of undead action to circulate your bloodstream, it can be difficult to put down. The storytelling is expectedly lacklustre, but with some 40 hours' worth of quests to complete, this is the type of title that's made for kicking back in co-op and culling corpses to your heart's content. The best thing about it, though, is that it gets better as the time flies by.
Life Is Strange: Episode 1 - Chrysalis certainly is strange, but perhaps not in the way that DONTNOD intended. There's enough ground work laid here to pave the way for future instalments, but a lot of the good is undone by lip sync issues and some of the most mind-bogglingly bad dialogue that we've heard in recent memory. While some of this is inadvertently hilarious, it does end up hurting the product at points. There's definitely still hope for this season, but the jury's out right now.
Grim Fandango is undoubtedly one of the greatest adventure games ever made, and, a few niggles aside, this remaster does its legacy justice. The occasionally obtuse puzzles do date the game in some ways, but the plot and setting is as refreshing as ever. If you're yearning for something a little different, then a trip to the Underworld may be what you need – just make sure that you get a good package.
Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation picks up where its predecessor left off, and offers some nifty improvements across the board. It's clear that a lot of care and attention has gone into this game, and while it certainly won't appeal to everyone, we daresay that Gamindustri veterans will be delighted with the offering.
Ironclad Tactics brings together a plethora of gameplay styles, and in the process, picks up some of their best and worst features, all the while throwing in a few of its own. Its card-based system is too random to call it a full out strategy game, but it would be degrading to say that tactical thinking plays no part here. As long as you don't try to label it, we think that you'll find a fun experience.
Love it or hate it, Saints Row IV: Re-Elected's obsession with the ridiculous is what sets it apart from the rest of the market, and the PS4 re-release is the best way to experience the madness. Coupled with extra expansions (including Gat Out of Hell if you buy the bundle), there's plenty of value to the package, even if it doesn't take the opportunity to build upon the PS3 original. A blast from start to finish, the president's tale of vengeance is the stupidest fun that you can have on Sony's newest console, and we mean that in the best possible way.
Gat Out of Hell provides a few more hours of fun for those who adored Saints Row IV, but it'll quickly outstay its welcome if you aren't down with the gang. It'll also prove to be a confusing and bogus journey for newcomers, so we recommend grabbing the full package on the PS4 if you're not even sure who Johnny Gat is. With entertaining powers and some great new weapons, the standalone expansion holds its own – but don't expect your otherworldly vacation to be anything more than a quick and familiar break.
Citizens of Earth tries to be too funny for its own good, and often feels like one long joke about politicians. Fortunately, the gameplay, in all of its nostalgic glory, is fun and charming. There are moments where it treads a little too closely to its inspirations, but this at least results in great art, a fun soundtrack, and some compelling combat. And while it fails to hit the standard set by the classics that it's attempting to imitate, it should still get your vote if you're a fan of old-school RPGs like EarthBound.
While it may have been released a couple of years ago now, the newest version of Splice looks and feels like it belongs on the PS4. Its minimalistic looks belie a real head scratching experience, which will push your brain to its absolute limits. It can be a little tricky to get into – and even then, it probably won't be for everyone – but give it a chance, and you'll find a delightfully challenging experience. Plus, if the game stresses you out too much, you can just sit back and listen to the wonderfully calming soundtrack.
Resident Evil has small issues here and there, and the silly writing and survival gameplay have never been for everybody, but these negatives don't change the fact that this is a fantastic release. The REmake is as enjoyable as ever, enhanced by small improvements that make it that much more playable, and the whole experience hints at just how great a new "classic" Resident Evil could be with today's technology behind it.
The bleak backdrop of Franciade sums up this miserable outing, as you engage in dreary underground missions built around the most rudimentary of brazier-based puzzles. We like the addition of the Raiders and the Guillotine Gun, but they're the only jewels in this expansion's smelted crown. Forget about the French revolution – this franchise needs an uprising of its own.
New shooters need to be special to stand out in an arena of bigger brands, and Loadout doesn't quite have the quality required to back up its ideas. When you've got a good gun, the game's not a complete washout – but the free-to-play affair ultimately blows its load with a lack of variety and a lousy sense of humour. You'll find the fun faster if you cough up a bit of cash, but only diehards will stick around for more than a handful of rounds.
Zen Pinball 2: South Park Pinball is a perfect extra for pinball fans also obsessed with Kenny and crew, and its score chasing action is sure to keep you occupied for hours. Much of its appeal may go missing on those that aren't in love with the source material, but everyone else should give this a look.
Trine: Enchanted Edition is a nice visual update of a classic puzzle platformer. Featuring consistently clever challenges, jaw-droppingly gorgeous visuals, and a smart script, it'll likely charm your pants right off. A lack of variety and slightly shonky combat certainly mars the experience, but not enough to ruin the game's solid core mechanics.
Super Mega Baseball definitely hits a homerun. The title's arcade leanings may not make it especially suitable for long play sessions, and the umpire may be more irritating than Phillie Phanatic, but it really excels in short bursts. With sound mechanics and some great difficulty tuning options, this should appeal to everyone – whether you're a baseball fan or not.
PES 2015: Pro Evolution Soccer is yet another step in the right direction for Konami – even if it's again let down by its lack of licensing and complicated online options. Its simulation play is better than ever, and it leads to much more satisfying victories than in EA Sports' alternative. There's room for polish and improvement, of course – but this is still a great game.
Framerate fluctuations render Tetris Ultimate almost unplayable, and while these issues only seem to occur when online, disconnecting tends to strip the title of much of its appeal. Assuming that it's eventually patched, there's a no-frills version of an all-time favourite here – but while the multiplayer is well integrated, the overall experience is far too ordinary to really recommend.
On a fundamental level, The Dark Below fails to justify its expensive price point for anyone who isn't a hardcore Destiny fan. While the story missions are enjoyable and the Strikes are some of the best, there just isn't enough new content here to reinvigorate Bungie's project for more than a few hours at most.
Secret Ponchos feels like a glimpse of what could go on to be a great game. Its comic book art style looks good, and the actual game plays well – but the slim roster of characters and stages mean that you'll quickly burn through what's on offer. With only alternative costumes available to buy at launch, the hope is that more content will be added further down the line. For now, though, unless you're already a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you're better off hanging up your six shooters.