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Dragon's Dogma is a great game that feels unique among fantasy RPGs thanks to its blend of mechanics and influences. Its flaws - repetitive quests and a somewhat aimless structure - don't block out its enormous strengths. Its core combat is great, and fighting the game's array of giant beasts is some of the most fun I've ever had in an RPG. And this PC version is absolutely the best way to play it.
Although perceptibly divisive in execution and theme, it becomes difficult to imagine an individual that would experience That Dragon, Cancer and not feel richer and better off for having been immersed in its bittersweet storytelling as the end credits roll. While some might be understandably put off by the slim pickings of traditional genre fare on offer here, That Dragon, Cancer staunchly remains as an experience that everybody should let into their lives regardless.
Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India is a stealth game with Assassin's Creed adornment. Its story barely invites you to understand more about Arbaaz Mir and Climax Studios completely fails at telling one, but if you are desperate for a stealth game, you will be challenged and fairly compensated for your time and money.
Blood and Gold is a mess of ideas that feels half-finished.
FIVE, at its core, is a competent action RPG with fun abilities and some original ideas. But with achingly slow opening hours, limited character progression, loads of meaningless loot, and an utter lack of difficulty, its appeal is limited.
Not as clever as the Devil
HellDivers is one of the best multiplayer games of the year. We've anxiously awaited the Steam version, and it delivers every bit of the experience that we've jealously spied over the shoulders of Playstation players for months now. Factoring in the excellent and unique gameplay, the beautiful and variable graphics and environments, the variety of enemy types, the hilarious satire, and the perfect sound, we happily recommend you pick this one up.
Just don't call it "Army Men"
Forget Shoot 'em ups. We need more Blow 'em ups
Thea: The Awakening is something of a surprise, really. From an unknown indie developer comes a game that blends RPG and strategy together very well, in a fashion that means one doesn't dilute the strengths of the other. It is complex, sure, and perhaps that will be off-putting for as many as it will be endearing for, but there's an original game here - one that ought to appeal to fans of both spectrum of genres.
There are bugs in the game that make it feel frustrating and unfinished. At many points I felt like I was fighting the game simply to play it, and while there's tons of promise, the current product just doesn't feel worth the effort it takes to play.
Syndicate is another Assassin's Creed. Its characters and setting are likeable, it's not a technical mess, and it has some fun new features, which certainly puts it in the upper tier of the franchise since Brotherhood. This is another pseudo-historical playground, another set of Templars to stab, and another checklist of collectables to grab. It's a solid entry in a series that's been far too prolific, and while Syndicate is good, it's tough to be excited about it.
Nevertheless it can't be denied that Battlefront is quite simply a fun multiplayer game that utilises the license very well. And in the four years since Kinect Star Wars that's all I ever wanted.
Pretty soon you're not just a part of the story, you're the storyteller. Then you realize that not all stories have happy endings, and not all heroes make it unscathed through their hero's journey.
[T]his game is the ultimate product of a bygone era made for the faithful fans it has gathered over almost two decades. It's a damn good real-time strategy game and a damn good StarCraft game.
Still, a handful of flaws aside and in light of its highly modest price tag, Circuit Breakers still reliably offers a lot of entertainment. It's clearly not perfect, but in a world increasingly dominated by time-consuming, social-life ruining games, it can sometimes be a lot of fun to hop back in time with a tight, ultra-responsive twin-stick shooter whose humble charms magnify in the presence of friends.
There are a few missteps, like a lackluster tutorial stage and no real explanation of certain mechanics (I had to watch a YouTube video before I learned how to "Subdue" enemies), but the game is fun to play even if you fail a mission or two while learning. The graphics and music are solid, but nothing that will blow your mind.
Construction Simulator 2015 is the game you never knew you wanted to play that simulates the job you never really wanted to have. Ok, apologies to construction workers worldwide. But seriously, Construction Simulator makes the hard work of the construction world fun. The games weaknesses - spotty optimization and too much early focus on transporting materials - are overshadowed by its generally solid gameplay.
It's a charming, lighthearted game of resource gathering and production. Unfortunately, it's only really fun when things work smoothly and easily. Figuring out mistakes and solving problems - which should be the core of a good strategy game - are built around solving pathfinding issues, and Valhalla Hills doesn't do much to make those problems more palatable.
In many ways, Prison Architect feels like the 'Theme Prison' game from Bullfrog's golden years that we never actually got. Certainly, if Prison Architect's extended stint in Early Access was any indication, developer Introversion, much like the aforementioned legendary British developer, had no shortage of ambition and this is certainly something that has translated into the final product because minor niggles aside, Prison Architect is a one-of-a-kind prison building experience rife with emergent stories the caliber of which we haven't seen in some time.