High-Def Digest
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Rarely engaging, never inspiring and strangely shallow, 'KickBeat: Special Edition' will appeal to rhythm game junkies craving for a mash-up with 'Mortal Kombat'. However, in the musical gaming niche, a lot of better and more engrossing titles are available for purchase, albeit not on the PS4. With a questionable song selection, moderately convincing graphics and an incredible difficulty curve, 'KickBeat: Special Edition' is for hardcore gamers only. A missed opportunity.
I could say a lot about the bizarreness of 'Hyrule Warriors.' I'd never have asked for the mashup, though never would have said no to it either. In the end, it came out pretty much as expected, with a whole lot of 'Zelda' love and a whole lot of minion murdering. The 'Dynasty Warriors' battlefield management style remains just as intriguing on the surface as it is repetitive and, ultimately, disappointingly shallow.
'Fairy Fencer F', as a series, has potential. While it fails or is merely average on most of its fronts, it also gives a nice look into a world and setting that deserve some more fleshing out. … and thankfully, with the PlayStation 4 sequel recently announced, the series will get a second chance to bring RPG fans a tighter and more enjoyable package.
I still don't really know why anything I'm doing in 'Destiny' matters to the characters in the game, but I do know that getting a new gun and leveling up to 26 in preparation for the upcoming raid, or the weekly strikes, or the daily mission, or for the simple fact that I enjoy getting (admittedly generous) headshots on both the aliens and my fellow guardians, pushes me onward.
My qualms with the game's identity and lack of overt motivation likely signals a desire for more than what an arcade like title is meant to offer. Still, 'Velocity 2X' is impressive in its devotion to its namesake, and even more so in the advances it makes past the original title. Adding the sidescrolling segments was a risky idea that paid off, not because of sheer luck, but because the developer knew exactly how to accomplish that same feeling of speed and urgency on foot as in the void violent space. Not competency, but real talent in level design, highlights 'Velocity 2X' as a pristine example of the common "teach them, test them, then move on" theory of progression, all at a lightning-fast paced sure to go unmatched until the next of the series.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when first starting 'CounterSpy', but the theme and tone of the game immediately struck a chord that stayed with me throughout the experience. The easy-to-understand controls ensured that I was able to navigate the game quickly, while the shorter gameplay sessions fit nicely into my schedule and allowed me to accomplish as many missions as I may have had time for. I came away impressed with Dynamighty's first game and look forward to future offerings this small, yet determined, team may have in store for the future.
'Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited' may very well be one of the better Vita titles to make a western release. The game has a decent storyline and is simply fun to play, and the massive amount of postgame content is sure to keep players busy for hours on end.
I've played my fair share of 'ultimate' or 'definitive' editions of games over the years. Some have warranted the title, presenting truly unique and inspiring updates, while others resulted in nothing more than a rehash of the same game with obligatory DLC thrown in for good measure. 'Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition' undeniably falls into the former of these categories. It's true, I have not played much 'Diablo III' before the 'Ultimate Evil Edition', but my research prior to its release, along with the time spent playing the game as a newcomer, has convinced me that it is much more than a simple port, and that it has been designed (in some cases from scratch) to take full advantage of the technology of the PlayStation 4. Playing alone is certainly an option, but playing together with friends is the preferred method and allows for multiple opportunities to do so. Blizzard Entertainment's continued focus on social integration shines, as does their ability to develop a game that runs amazingly smooth, delivers awe-inspiring visuals, and intuitively captures the imagination and enjoyment of those looking for a grand dungeon crawl, both new to the franchise and long-standing fans.
Make no mistake, 'Another World' is the same game from 1991 in a flashy high definition disguise. But a classic is a classic no matter what, which is why 'Another World' comes recommended. Pesky, difficult and challenging, but never impossible, this 23rd Anniversay Edition impresses with a no frills attitude and tons of respectable fun.
For someone who doesn't wait in line for 'Madden' every year, I was very impressed and would consider doing that next year just to see how much better it can get. The game itself is addicting, especially the very in-depth career mode and Ultimate Team. For most 'Madden' players, the new version is almost a rite of passage for the beginning of the new NFL season. For the rest of us wondering if it is a worthwhile upgrade from last year, the answer is yes. The defensive changes, coupled with last year's offensive changes, make for the best all-around NFL offering to date, and 360 owners will be pleased to find another year of love from the folks over at EA Tiburon. 'Madden NFL 15'will tide you over very well..... at least 'til next year.
I came away from 'The Swapper' with that rare feeling of video game content and satisfaction. From the intriguing puzzles and puzzle mechanics, to the awe inspiring handcrafted visuals, there is very little that I didn't admire and appreciate. Released at a time when most gaming consoles are experiencing their yearly summer dry spell, it was a welcome addition and more than just simple filler. It prompted questions of morality with a deeper-than-expected story, while satisfying on a variety of levels with unique and challenging puzzles.
My overall negative attitude towards this episode exemplified in "The Game Itself" section is undoubtedly a little inflamed. The visual imagery actually hit some impressive highs, and the voice acting and musical backdrop did some excellent work to support the random plot, more than in past episodes, so the experience was lifted a bit by the team's artists. The writers, on the other hand, dropped the ball.
Not really a downside, but the overall familiarity of this table requires a stronger appreciation for the tribute aesthetics for prolonged enjoyment, especially for those who own the 'Plants vs. Zombies' table. Myself a fan of the goofy 'PvZ' turn, 'The Walking Dead' is darker, somber, atmospherically unique, nostalgic enough to put the sort of smile on my face only a recollection for horrified enjoyment of 'The Walking Dead: Season One' can bring. Lee and Clementine forever.
Gameplay-wise, I was happy with this episode as a function of my relief. The controller brought me back into the world a number of times, and I found myself thinking for Clementine in the quieter moments, instead of only allowing the game to think for her in the louder ones. On the story side of things, if it's Telltale's intention to replicate within me the frustrations of a zombie apocalypse, then they've recently hired a genius. An evil genius. I was driven to murder at any possible moment I could over the course of 'Amid the Ruins,' but I'm pretty sure it's not a good thing to turn sociopathic during what is supposed to be an emotional journey.
A huge improvement over the fun but flawed 'Sniper Elite' and 'Sniper Elite V2,' 'Sniper Elite III' is a welcome breath of fresh-air in the series and the WWII game genre. The trip to North Africa gives players environments unfamiliar and exciting, while the open-world approach to missions makes sure there's not just one right way to get things done. There's still a good deal of improvement left possible for the series, but the replay value of this outing, including the understated multiplayer system makes this a game worth checking out.
DrinkBox wants in on the very prestigious indie-darling club, and now players on a mess of platforms, including the Xbox One, are the benificaries. References strewn about the game are a calling card to DrinkBox's favorite developers in that club, like 'Journey' and 'Castle Crashers.' The game itself exists in adoration of Metroidvania classics. The thing is, DrinkBox only ever needed to create exactly this game for entry, because 'Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition' is its own insane, wild, extravagant, explosive, brilliant beast. It might draw from 'Metroid' and other games in a similar vein, but the pure and creative execution of those ideas, wrapped up in some Mexican glory, bow-tied with delicious melee action, makes 'Guacamelee!' a generation-crossing, 'Super Turbo Championship' classic.
'Cry Wolf' does an excellent job of concluding and capping a powerful season. (I don't know if there will be a second, but I would like one.) It also managed to instill a much greater desire to replay the whole thing than I was expecting. Even after the last episode's thrilling almost rampage, this was the first time I felt the full weight of playing as Bigby, and I don't know that the character would be proud of the choices I made. That's a good thing for the game, and Telltale must be tremendously proud of what this initially questionable series has achieved.
As stated throughout the review, the visuals are extraordinarily homely. The DS to PC path and price will prohibit most from ever trying the game. The game's beginning, while an improvement on the 1990 version, is like to doom it for many that do try it. But beyond that, it's easy to sink hour after hour into the game, embracing its retouched and demanding challenge while celebrating one of the peaks of the early series. And while I found the PC version ugly but addictive, I can't imagine trying to play such a serious game, hour after hour, on my phone, which means the PC version no one would have asked for serves an important function.
'Rise of the Dark Spark' might not reinvent the wheel in terms of third-person 'Transformers' action, in fact, in some cases it regresses, but it does offer up moments of sheer bliss, most notably its final act. Sadly, that's a very short portion of a game that feels much longer than the five to six hours I invested in my first campaign run-through. Add to that mediocre graphics and a wasted opportunity in multiplayer territory, and you have a game only for the most loyal Autobot or Decepticon supporter. Let us hope the battle surrounding Cybertron picks up where it left off and the next title restores the Transformers videogame legacy to its mark of high praise.
I'll always play a 'Worms' game, as will many other fans, but 'Worms Battlegrounds' has found new and exciting ways to test that resolve. Graphically underwhelming, lazily constructed single-player, menus and online components and a general lack of enthusiastic will on behalf of the team create a haphazard experience, lows and highs often tumultuous in their transition. It might be ugly, but so is wormy warfare. I'm often happy to take the risk, but the real sin is sometimes I'll simply opt for another game, even when teleport guns and water-fuelled jetpacks could light my child mind's fancy. That's not the 'Worms' of old.