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Media Molecule created something magical with the original Little Big Planet games and, for the most part, Sumo Digital has managed to retain the essence of what makes this series such a joy to play. However, in some departments this doesn't feel quite like a fully fledged Little Big Planet entry, even with the jump to current gen consoles.
Forza Horizon 2 Storm Island is easily the best DLC of the year because of the amount of content jam packed into this release. However rather than sitting on their laurels, Playground Games have created new events and updated the graphics engine to create some spectacular weather effects and gameplay tweaks. Add in some difficult bucket list challenges, new online features and a new twist to racing thanks to the harshness of Storm Island and this DLC is definitely a must have additional to any Forza Horizon 2 fan.
I love the new weapons, gear and areas in Destiny the Dark Below but was not a big fan of starting that grind again in terms of my gear… but damn, they've got me hooked again!
The Crew is a very ambitious game that did suffer from day one release issues. Thankfully most have been patched but there are still a few graphical issues and gameplay nuances that can cause controller rage. Although the story is relatively forgettable, I actually did enjoy driving around American in its "free mode" and when engaged in missions, some were extremely difficult due to the control mechanics and insane difficultly of the AI. Nonetheless, it's an interesting racer that is probably a little too ambitious for most but definitely recommended for those not time poor!
Telltale's Game of Thrones Episode 1: Iron from Ice is another in-depth game of storytelling that successfully links to the TV series. By giving gamers access to the Forrester clan, it helps expand the Game of Thrones universe without impeding on the current story. Although it does suffer from some graphical issues and at times clunky gameplay, the powerful story and characters far outweighs these slight inconsistencies that leaves the density of the player in their hands of whether House Forrester will survive or perish!
Ask me what the best experience is on the Wii U and I would tell you Smash Bros. in a heartbeat. After a long winter of Nintendo titles that didn't quite hit the high note that people expected, Smash Bros. makes up for any shortcomings Nintendo has had in recent years. You don't even have to be a fan of fighting games to love Super Smash Bros. because it's a genre of its own. Its Nintendo's finest hour and I'll still be enjoying this game long after %100 completion.
Never Alone is beautifully presented on the Xbox One and successfully tells the story of the Iñupiat people through the eyes of Nuna and her pet fox. Sure, it may not be the most original title with its gameplay but its captivating characters and information create a thoroughly enjoyable experience on the Xbox One about a world encompassed by a never ending blizzard with magical spirit characters.
Shaking up the formula somewhat whilst still ensuring that longtime fans and purists are catered for, Lucid Games have done the unfathomable and created a game that betters the already stellar efforts of Bizarre Creations. The gameplay additions work tremendously well and also serve to keep players on their toes by demanding that they change their tactics in accordance with the context of a particular stage.
It's a brilliant, entertaining adventure that is worth repeating over and over again, you'll never get tired of chasing the American Dream in Los Santos.
Fantasia Music Evolved is a very interesting concept from Harmonix that actually works quite well on the Kinect 2 and you do feel like a magical conductor as you manipulate the music with your gestures. The only let down with the game is that once you have finished it a few times and tried to collect all the achievements and aimed for the high score, the replay value does become a little stagnant.
With 1080p graphics running at 60 frames per second, WWE 2K15 is easily the best looking game from the series and although the core mechanics have been changed for the better, the lack of the customisation options and reduced gaming modes is a little frustrating. Nonetheless, the fighting works well and you can quite easily get lost in the MyCareer Mode. With quick matches to online modes, the developers have definitely take the series in a better direction but there was a slight cost to some of the mechanics.
Rocksmith 2014 Edition is definitely a more streamlined game on the PlayStation 4 that has been fine-tuned for this console. It's definitely faster and a more flawless experience than previous instalments and I love the fact that you can share your music experience with the world. It features a great tracklist and more importantly, you can access your previously owned DLC as you attempt to be the best damn guitar player possible. However patience is the key to success with Rocksmith!
If you're a fan of the previous LEGO Batman games or you love DC Comics, than I could happily recommend LEGO Batman 3 Beyond Gotham to you. As mentioned time and time again, it is a LEGO game that at times can become a little repetitive but TT Games have tried to keep it fresh and unique by adding new gaming mechanics into the title. It also has over 150 characters to unlock (yes I'm serious) that also increases the replay value but best of all, it feels like a DC Comics game and that my friends is where LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham succeeds!
With the mantra 'the pitch is ours', PES 15 believes that it has done enough to usurp the title from the FIFA franchise. While PES 15 has improved on a number of features, there are some issues that dampened my experience. Pro Evolution Soccer 15 might have played well, but FIFA definitely still owns the pitch.
With the possibility that anything can, and will happen in Far Cry 4, it makes Ubisoft Montreal's latest inclusion in the series an essential purchase. Granted, even though Far Cry 4 is very much a prettier version of Far Cry 3, it is still incredibly entertaining. The bar was set so high with Far Cry 3, that even though there are numerous similarities between the two games, Far Cry 4 and Kyrati is still worthy of your exploration. Ubisoft will however now face a dilemma with the undoubted arrival of Far Cry 5 in the future because they will know they've exhausted the general plot of both games. To have another story of a liberating American traveller will unlikely sit well with the community of fans the Far Cry series has, and creating a brand new experience that betters both Far Cry 3 and 4 will be tricky. Nevertheless, Far Cry 4 is an enjoyable, exhilarating thrill ride full of enough entertainment to keep you happy. Just be nice to the elephants!
Dragon Age: Inquisition definitely surpasses its predecessors in terms of its gaming mechanics that can be played by a variety of gamers of all levels. The third game in the series is easily one of the most polished RPG's on any system that boasts an engaging story, wonderful characters and flawless combat with your different classes. However where this game does shine is with its beautifully created open-world universe that although has some limitations, still gives the player an unparalleled amount of freedom as they attempt to stop this ancient evil from destroying the societal structures of Thedas!
Although Assassin's Creed Unity doesn't reach the same heights of last year's Black Flag, it definitely screams next-gen, however it is plagued by some graphical bugs and occasional slowdowns. Thankfully this doesn't hamper the gameplay experience too much.
Singstar Ultimate Party definitely misses the mark when it comes to all the bells and whistles from the Singstar franchise. Sure the gameplay is sturdy and the voice recognition is pretty much flawless but it's missing the heart and soul of what made this series so good. Yes it's cool that you can use your mobile phone as a microphone and that you can share your videos with social media but regrettably that's about it.
Company of Heroes 2 Ardennes Assault is fun standalone campaign to this franchise that successfully recreates the battles of World War II and more importantly each time you replay the missions, they can all be finished in a myriad of ways that definitely increases the longevity of this title. Developers Relic should once again be applauded for creating one of the most realistic and emotional World War II real-time strategies to date that does not glorify but highlights the atrocities and how those men involved in the war went above and beyond their call of duty.
Farming Simulator 15 is not for all gamers and even though I wasn't a fan of the content, I can actually see its merits. It definitely recreates the farming experience well and it does give the player some great content in terms of what kind of farming equipment and crops are available. Needless to say, Farming Simulator 15 is also a time-hole because this game definitely requires patience to succeed but there is actually something enjoyable about this strange game based on farming!