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Regardless of the innovation that is or isn't present in "LittleBigPlanet 3," the series' PS4 debut will undoubtedly make longtime fans happy. The numerous new features will pave the way for some of the deepest user-created levels the series has ever seen. I can't wait to see where users take this experience.
"TowerFall" ascension is a must-buy for PS4 owners, but there's a caveat. You have to have local friends who are ready and willing to play it, not to mention four $60 controllers. If you have all of that, prepare to have some of the most multiplayer fun available on a gaming console. But in today's online-heavy gaming landscape, that's not the easiest thing to find.
"Don't Starve's" gameplay is unique, but it's very much a throwback to trial-and-error gaming. It's reminiscent of games that employed a baptism-by-fire approach. In turn, these aspects make the game a social experience despite being strictly single player. Half of its fun is talking to other people who have played the game to share ideas.
"Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition" would be an absolute must-buy if it were priced between $40 or $50. Even an inclusion of some single player DLC would increase the value. Currently, a 360 version of "Tomb Raider" costs $23.99 on Amazon.com, and the PS3 version is less than a dollar more than that. You're essentially paying almost $40 for updated graphics, and maps for a multiplayer mode that I was never a fan of to begin with. "Tomb Raider's" single player holds up extremely well, and was arguably better the second time around. If you never played the original, I'd suggest picking up the "Definitive Edition," but it's a steep asking price if you're revisiting the game.
"Lego Marvel Heroes" is the rare breed of game that is a delight for all ages, which is perfect due to its slant towards co-op play. At the below-average price of $50, it is well worth the money. It's one of the best family friendly games to come out this year, and will be a sure hit for fans of the Marvel series.
"Resogun" is the perfect first title to give away to PS Plus members on the PS4. It shows that a game doesn't need to be a triple-A release to shine on new hardware.
Eventually, the game's catalog will grow to contain dozens of fan-favorite tunes from different corners of popular music. When you feel the beat of your favorite song and then wave your hands to alter that song with various layers and tones from the remixes, "Fantasia: Music Evolved" feels more like magic than a video game. Walt Disney was driven by the need to create new avenues for artistic expression. He would be proud of "Fantasia: Music Evolved." It's worthy of his name.
"Rocket League" for Xbox One introduces a new audience to one of the biggest gaming phenomenons of last year. The inclusion of several sweet exclusives makes for an attractive package. With no significant dips in quality or offerings other than a couple fewer servers, this is the best $19.99 one can spend on the Xbox One's online store. If you're an Xbox One owner, prepare for that backlog to grow. Playing something else over "Rocket League" is never an easy task.
The exclusion of "Mega Man 9" and "10" is really the only mark I can come up with when observing this package. It has all the features that a re-release should have, plus some extra, and it all comes with an asking price that makes the purchase seem like a no-brainer. The "Mega Man Legacy Collection" is a piece of gaming history that adds the trappings of modern gaming.
Poor A.I. in the helper hunters can't stop "The Old Hunters" from achieving greatness. This is a meaty and challenging expansion that fans of "Bloodborne" have been waiting for. Take a step into the Hunter's Nightmare and remember why "Bloodborne" is one of the best games of 2015.
"Primal" tries something new within the "Far Cry" series, and nails nearly everything it sets out to do. Taking away guns and adding animals is a breath of fresh air not just within the series, but within video games in general. Becoming the king of the jungle is a wild ride.
“Titanfall 2” is everything “Titanfall” could’ve been. It could get lost in the holiday shuffle, since it’s wedged in between “Battlefield 1” and “Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare,” and it would be a shame if it did. “Titanfall 2” shows that there is still magic left in the competitive first-person shooter genre, whether that magic is found in multiplayer or single-player campaigns. It’s not only one of the best shooters of the year; it’s one of the best games of the year.
There are plenty of first-person shooters out there, but there's nothing else quite like "Wolfenstein 2." This is a game that pushes what a narrative can be in video games. If you know someone who loves historical fiction, but isn't really into games, sit them down and watch you play through the game on an easy difficulty. "Wolfenstein 2" deserves all of its praise, but none of it does it justice. This is a rare game has to be experienced first hand.
Since nobody really expected "The Evil Within" to get a sequel, expectations for "The Evil Within 2" were basically nonexistent. It was up to Tango Gameworks to show us why we should want this sequel, and they have accomplished this. It succeeds where the previous game failed, while adding more to the formula that could win over those who didn't care for the first game. For those looking for something creepy this October, or for those who want to give the series a second look, "The Evil Within 2" is worth your time.
Whether you're hunting by yourself or bringing on a full squad of hunters armed to the teeth, "Monster Hunter: World" is a wonderfully unique gaming experience. Even after dozens of hours I still feel like I'm scratching the surface with each new mission. That experience comes with a steep learning curve, but sticking with it just might get you to your new favorite game.
"Mega Man 11" makes the series feel new again, rather than stuck in the past. It keeps everything that makes the series challenging and rewarding, and flawlessly incorporates the gear system into its design. Even after 11 classic games, this latest sequel is one of the best in the series.
Aside from the poor sound editing and occasional lull in the action, this game is a surprising success. When a game is strictly single-player, the story needs to deliver. This story does, plus brings polished gameplay as an FPS. "Wolfenstein: The New Order" is a sleeper hit of 2014.
I hope to see "KI" on the main stage during next year's EVO Championship Series. As a pure fighter, this game is that good. It's missing a lot of what fight fans are used to as genre standards, but I'm hopeful that some of these will be added in the future. "KI's" gameplay makes it the best fighting game in years, and one of the brightest titles in the Xbox One's launch lineup.
"RE 0" is a reminder that the series used to be different. Before "RE 5" and "6" were all about displaying the awesome force of guns against the undead army, the series used to be about proving that you were smarter than them. Some of the gameplay mechanics like the still frames and the inventory system may be too obtuse for younger players. This crowd is used to today's games that allow players to save anywhere and carry enough guns to arm a small army. To this crowd, I say this: play "RE 0" and see what action games used to be like. Every puzzle is more satisfying to complete than unloading a clip into an undead corpse.