Examiner's Reviews
When I look at the big picture, Assassin's Creed Syndicate is one of the best installments in years. It does nearly everything perfect, save the bug I mentioned and establishing a bit more gameplay contrast between Evie and Jacob. I think fans of the series will be quite pleased with what they find. Assassin's Creed Syndicate puts the franchise back on track, proving that it does not need a year off.
Just Dance 2016 gets the basics right. While that may be enough for most, it's in desperate need for an overhaul. It still needs a teaching mode and this writer isn't necessarily sold on the costly, poor execution of Just Dance Unlimited. Complaints aside, grab some friends, and Just Dance. It'll be okay.
This game gives so many people a voice, it gives so many people an emotional outlet, and it transcends the usual thought of what a video game can be. Life is Strange is a Game of the Year nominee, and it's a game you have to experience on your own in order to truly understand.
Guitar Hero Live has a few issues, and the buying plays thing doesn't feel on the level, but that doesn't really hold it back from the end goal of a great time, and it's just that. A great and extremely (as well as surprising) variety in the tracks available to play, two distinct and unique modes that mix up gameplay in a significant way, and the rush of memories it provides while defining itself as one of the best rhythm games yet prove that we're ready for a bit of a comeback, just not the overload of the mid-2000's.
Although it's not a terrible game, the Wii U's edition of "Fatal Frame" feels awfully dated, with sloppy controls and the type of presentation you would have expected a few console generations ago.
This episode is an excellent introduction as it just seems long enough. It does not seem crammed or forced, either. Everything about the first episode is extremely entertaining, and it is certainly worth the price of admission.
The focus that developer Omega Force may want is on the story itself, and potentially ruining the story with co-op might be understandable. But a game like this could easily have some sort of arcade or quick play mode where you just fight off enemies. This would add so much to this title. Overall, Dragon Age Heroes is a solidly fun action RPG experience on PS4.
Grand Ages: Medieval attempts to do something a bit new in the strategy genre, offering a more economic and diplomatic take on building an empire. Unfortunately some rough cuts between a singular style, lack of context clues, and intuitive feedback, as well as a number-driven affair that becomes apparent entirely too quickly leaves the player feeling as though there just isn't a ton of variation here.
As previously stated, there's nothing wrong with the game. It offers a decent racing experience and nothing more. But considering all the high-profiled racing games on the market, it's a shame motorcycle enthusiasts have to settle for average.
Wasteland 2 offered gamers a modern revamp of a sorely missed angle on RPG games, and the Director's Cut enhances the year-old game further, adding value, depth, and polish to an already well-rounded game. This one deserves a spot on your list of games to get to sooner than later.
Rising Tide is much needed but a bit shallow
The core gameplay of Talos feels like a distant cousin to the Portal series. While the game is absolutely beautiful and challenging, it will feel like there is a lot to accomplish at first. But once you start progressing through the game, you will pick up on the aspect that it is not as open as you originally perceived. The emotion the game creates is fantastic, but you might not like or understand the story.
The writing, humor, and story structure are such that they not only get the job done, but are actually fun to experience, making Superchargers a great option for almost any age. While older gamers might find it aimed at a younger crowd, it's still a great game and opportunity to bring together families and siblings.
There are flashes of greatness in Pro-Am and Rising Star, as well as deep customization and unlocks available, but they can't mount a comeback in the fourth for this one.
Simply put, if you loved "NBA 2K15," "NBA 2K16" is a better game with tons of small touches that will make you happy, but not overjoyed. If you've never experience a 2K basketball game on a PlayStation 4or Xbox One however, you'll about to fall in love.
FIFA 16 delivers the beautiful game, in a beautiful way. While it's not perfect, it does the best we've seen in a football game in a long time.
Although there are a fun mix of characters and the writing is what you'd expect from an "Animal Crossing" game, "Happy Home Designer" requires entirely too much work and not enough satisfaction for even the most dedicated fans of the franchise. If you're starving for some of the series' classic gameplay, you won't find it here.
Destiny: The Taken King takes what was a good foundational game, and enhances nearly everything about it, taking the great gunplay and environments, and adding more of the good, while negating the bad with system overhauls, new modes, and new ways to enjoy Destiny.
If you've never played "Year Walk" before, the Wii U version is just as solid, but it just feels like more could have been done to make it even more Wii U-friendly.
Behind a wonderful Toy Box experience that actually rewards you for having the older figures in the series and a deep "Twilight of the Republic" plates, "Disney Infinity 3.0" is a wonderful addition to the series that can be played by anyone. While kids will naturally be attached to the series because of the figures, adults will love the simple, but addictive gameplay that takes them through a wonderful galaxy, far, far away.