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'Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak' is a good game and a worthy addition to the lofty 'Homeworld' canon, but its technical issues are a serious concern. Despite the weaknesses in its visuals and performance, it is a strong RTS with a first-class tactical formula and decent narrative.
A tremendous remaster of a really great game. 'Resident Evil 0' might be a little too difficult at times, and the inventory system really could've used some tweaking, but there's never been a better way to experience this survival horror classic. If you've never played the game before, it's a fantastic time, and if you have, it's hard not to appreciate just how much has been done to make this version of it extremely worthwhile.
These are strong tables, especially the 'Force Awakens' one. They rank right up there with Zen's other great offerings, like most of the Marvel superhero franchises. For 'Star Wars' fans and those who spend a lot of time with 'Zen Pinball' in general, these tables will not disappoint.
'Jack the Ripper' is a miniature 'Assassin's Creed' experience. Rather than enlarge the existing 'Syndicate', everything about it is smaller - the story, the open world, the Assassin skills. It isn't exactly innovative, but nor is it cheap or boring. Hopefully it is a stepping stone to even better expansions to come.
In spite of some odd quirks, and a little bit of age starting to show, 'Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen' still feels incredibly fresh, is tons of fun to play, and is a great addition to the wealth of the PC platform. It can take a little while before things really start to get going, but once they do, it's a compelling game that has a lot to love for both action and RPG fans. If there's ever going to be a 'Dragon's Dogma 2', it could turn out to be something of a masterpiece.
I had preconceived notions about 'Batman: Arkham Knight - Season of Infamy' when I started it; I'll be honest. The series as a whole has been much better about making great campaigns than it has great downloadable packs, which of course is still much better than that litany of games out there that can't get either one right. But, with 'Infamy', the series has perhaps saved the best DLC for last. It is a welcome addition to Gotham, but just a bit too small for my liking.
'Starcraft II' remains a household name in the RTS genre, and 'Legacy of the Void' joins an already great pair of games to make a compelling trilogy. The replay value is high and strategy gamers can enjoy many hours of play after finishing the decent campaign, especially those interested in the robust multiplayer options.
'King's Quest: Rubble Without a Cause' is no slouch, but its gameplay doesn't quite live up to the standards set by 'A Knight to Remember'. It is definitely still worth playing, especially for those who fondly remember the golden age of adventure gaming.
'A Block and a Hard Place' is a return to form for 'Story Mode', shoring up the series after the last few episodes have faltered. The climax comes a bit sooner than expected, but the pacing during the wither episodes felt rushed at times, so there's no harm in moving on before the final outing.
'Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition' sits firmly in the camp of "probably didn't need a remake, but here it is and it's actually not bad". It takes care of some video issues from the original release while adding a few of its own, has no new content, and premieres at a relatively high price point fo a returning title. What it does offer is a very competent action adventure game from 2012. It has little to entice the diehard 'Darksiders' fans but if you're new to the series, this is a worthwhile outing.
I'm keeping my expectations in check for 'Minecraft: Story Mode', but I can't shake this nagging suspicion that we've seen the best the series has to offer, in 'Order of the Stone'. The characters and their motivations just can't seem to keep me invested. At any rate, we'll be sticking with the season until the bitter end, hoping for redemption.
'God's Acre' continues to provide a great story for the overall 'Republique' title, but has some major flaws with its technical presentation. They are not game-breaking but definitely drag down what otherwise would have been a very sharp episode. I still heartily recommend the series, but players should expect to notice some touche engine level changes in the fourth episode.
While 'The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel' is definitely a good game, and one that JRPG fans are likely to get a kick out of, I do wish it could've been a little more noteworthy. The combat system is excellent, and the game has some really fun side activities that serve as nice distractions (the playable card game, Blade, is a major highlight) from the central adventure. Still, the wonderful gameplay mechanics don't gel perfectly story format, which leads to pacing issues that hurt both aspects. 'Cold Steel 2' is due out next year, and if that speeds things up just a little bit, it'll absolutely be worth your time, but as it stands, 'Cold Steel' is a pleasant game that I really wish I could've fallen in love with. It's worth a look, but there are a few hurdles to get over before things really start to get moving.
'Undertale' doesn't seem like much, but it is really just a wonderful experience. This title really stuck with me this year, even beyond beating the game itself. 'Undertale' may appear unassuming, but it's full of charm, humor, and emotion. Everyone playing games in search of distinct experiences owes it to themselves to play beyond the first slow hour or so. It may not resonate with absolutely everyone, but it's a game that is best played to truly experience, at which point, the debate can begin.
The reboot of 'Star Wars Battlefront' rises above the mediocre level of many licensed games to be something quite enjoyable. But as I play, and the energy level slowly wanes, I can't help the feeling that it could have been more. Like 'Evolve' and 'Titanfall' before it, 'Battlefront' has a great premise and strong initial gameplay, but a short honeymoon period.
Call me nostalgic, but I miss the great 'Rainbow Six' campaigns of yore. The franchise has been rebranded as a different kind of game, similar to its predecessors but with more style than substance. A few days of casual play with 'Rainbow Six Siege' is quite enough to sample most of its charms, and while I enjoyed it, I doubt it will remain lodged in my memory for very long.
Telltale's 'Game of Thrones' does far more than just trade on the good name of the accompanying TV show. In fact, it has nearly surpassed it in storytelling on several occasions over the last year. Even its low points have been entertaining, and I have relished the chance to have my own little story within Martin's sweeping fantasy epic. Like most of Telltale's recent work, the season is worth every penny.
'Rise of the Tomb Raider' is a slightly larger, slightly better version of the last game. The devs have played it safe in terms of adding new mechanics and content, opting for what has worked in the past. It still works, of that there is no doubt - 'Rise of the Tomb Raider' is a great game and should be played by any action fan. It could have been more, but is far better than most games of its ilk.
Being an unconventional indie game, 'Her Story' is like to illicit a strong response. The heavy use of FMV is also like to turn many away, and the interface isn't the friendliest. Fortunately, those that do play the game will find a special experience that easily justifies the price. This is definitely a "have you ever played it" kind of enduring title.
'Just Cause 3' does a few things that are just ok, but it also does explosions and crazy physics on a big scale very well. By easing up on some of the restrictions typical to openworld games and dialing up Rico's special abilities, 'Just Cause 3' survives its early rough opening to become a worthy diversion for many and an endless playground for others.