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Warner Brothers has promised three pieces of story content for the 'Arkham Knight' season pass. If this little fragment of a game is what players can expect, then the pricey $40 season pass is going to be a disappointment. 'A Matter of Family' releases on July 21st for non-season pass holders at $7, but I wouldn't recommend it.
'Tachyon Project' does stand out on its own from 'Geometry Wars', but its inspiration borders on the derivative. The cadence of the campaign poses a problem, what with the first three-quarters being a bit too easy and the last quarter being much too hard. The challenge mode also seems like a missed opportunity. 'Tachyon Project' is a competent shmup, but isn't much more than that.
Compared to the plug and play nature of the still awesome 'Excitebike', 'MotoGP 15' presents itself as one of those extremely detailed simulation titles that successfully attempts to suck the fun out of the genre. Don't get me wrong: 'MotoGP 2015' is mightily impressive, a virtual tour de force and a marvel to, well, marvel at. It's just so realistic and so real, that it ends up becoming soulless, mechanically, technologic and boring. After all, if you want this kind of realism, why don't you just pick up real-life motorcycle racing yourself?
While this title may not take full advantage of the PlayStation 4 hardware, 'Shantae: Risky's Revenge Director's Cut' is an enjoyable platformer adventure that's worth the time for most anyone that enjoys the genre. It is not a perfect title, and it's also not a particularly long game, but anyone who considers themselves a fan of Metriodvanias, platformers, or wishes there was a sequel to 'Monster World IV,Shantae: Risky's Revenge Director's Cut PS4 review' should not hesitate to pick this up.
While remastering Ninja Theory's take on 'Devil May Cry' on current gen consoles felt like giving an underappreciated reinvention the platform it deserved, re-releasing 'Devil May Cry 4' on them is a sobering mirror, showing what the series should be leaving behind as we move forward. It's the kind of throwback that's more important for educational purposes than anything, a rough sketch homage where the series is capable of wild, vibrant ambition. There are those who still prefer the ain't-broke-don't-fix-it approach of the game, and more power to them. They will be pleased by the TLC, But the reboot showed the way forward. The fandom should follow suit.
'Super Chibi Knight' isn't the perfect game, but that doesn't stop it from being a lot of fun. Its short playtime makes sure that the Steam title doesn't overstay its welcome, and there's a lot to enjoy in its simplistic nature. If you have a free afternoon and want to take a break from that latest AAA game, give 'Super Chibi Knight' a download, and have a somewhat relaxing, enjoyable time.
'Tales from the Borderlands: Catch a Ride' is one of the stronger episodes in the series in terms of writing and especially characterization. I find myself actually kind of liking these people, which is more than can be said for the often mute Vault Hunters of previous games (with the exception of Claptrap, who is rarely tongue-tied). I wish we could tone down the quick time events a bit, as they turn out to be more frustrating than fun, but Telltale is still doing a good job growing an interesting world with 'Tales from the Borderlands'.
I would not go so far as to say that 'Batman: Arkham Knight' is the best 'Arkham', but it's pretty close. The Batmobile is not without its flaws, and there are some mild complaints with the script and the side content, but this is still one of the best superhero games to date. Rocksteady's Batman swan song is a treat.
'LEGO Jurassic World' is a light-hearted, funny and generally excellent take on the four movies. Filled with enough chuckle-worthy moments to lighten up even the sourest of sourpusses, and featuring addictive and worthy gameplay, the game is a no-brainer for 'Jurassic' fans and a must for casual gamers. The only downside is that it's more of the same. If you are tired of TT Games' LEGO offerings by now, steer well clear. All others can safely pick up this title – get it now while the free LEGO Gallimimus is still included!
I wish I had better things to say about 'Payday 2: Crimewave Edition'. On the surface it looks a lot like a less shiny 'Grand Theft Auto' with a heavy emphasis on co-op, but in the right circumstances it can be a fun experience. It has many of the common hallmarks of online games, right down to the leveling system, but there is just something about pulling off a slick bank job that is deeply satisfying. Still, until its broken multiplayer has been repaired, it's best to steer clear of this one.
Double Fine has produced a good tactical strategy game with 'Massive Chalice'. It wears its inspirations on its sleeve, but also brings some of its own ideas to the table. It's not without its faults, but if you can look past those, you may find an engaging strategy experience.
The indie platforming scene is thriving, and the 'Adventures of Pip' is another example of why that's happening. It tells a light and fluffy story but does it with panache, love, and great controls and mechanics. It's perfect for platform fans who want to take a trip down memory lane, or anyone who enjoys jumping on the heads of bad guys.
The conversion from the smartphone to the Xbox is not perfect, but 'Badland: GOTY Edition' brings a decent, inexpensive, and fun platformer to the table. It is addictive in spite of its eccentric and sometimes maddening tics. While the single-player is the best part, the co-op is no slouch.
'Heroes of the Storm' is an easy MOBA to get into and stick with. I have been hooked since beta, and that is unusual because MOBAs typically do not appeal to me. While the prices are a bit high and the grinding a bit much, 'Heroes' is still something I will be playing for quite awhile.
'Sons of Winter' is another strong showing from Telltale and their take on the morbid, morally ambiguous 'Game of Thrones'. The writing, pacing, and production value are all top notch, it's just the engine holding them back now. This, in terms of the story, is probably the best so far in the season.
'House of Wolves' is a better attempt at post-release content than 'The Dark Below', although that particular achievement is of questionable difficulty. We get some fun new things that have the potential to hold our attention for awhile, at least. I wouldn't say it's worth $20, but if you've already purchased the season pass and have been neglecting 'Destiny', it might be worth your while to come back and take a peek.
CD Projekt RED have addressed many of the complaints registered with previous entries, and leave me very little to criticize in 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt'. Gameplay, world design, and the story are big draws as the Witcher's world is as well realized and deep as anything going. This is an easy title to recommend to just about any gamer.
'Chaos Theory' is the best episode so far in the 'Life is Strange' series, easily outpacing 'Out of Time' in narrative quality. The cliffhanger at the end makes me very excited for the next episode. So long as it continues to take risks, there is a lot of potential for the remaining episodes.
'Not A Hero' is a tough, repetitive, and older-looking game, and it is also quite a bit of fun. The levels can get grating after attempting them for the dozenth or more try, especially because defeat can happen at any time (including right before a victory). But, the push to complete it perfectly, with a shorter time, or by completing more objectives, brings its own appeal. The campaign can be completed in just a few hours, but it's a worthwhile experience for fans of brutal, energetic indies.
'Omega Quintet' feels like it has a lot of potential. There's an interesting setting with some quirkiness to it, and the game's battle system is pretty fun, if maybe a bit overly complex. However, several flaws really bring the PS4 game down, and eventually bogs down this title to the point where it's difficult to recommend to most. Those that like Compile Heart's typical output will probably find a decent game, but everyone else might want to wait for a possible sequel to iron out some of the design fallacies.