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Offering more of the same, but for the better, Hand of Fate 2 is more of what you liked, none of what you didn't over the original. Defiant Development have done exactly what you need to do for a sequel, improve and cut out the fat. The improved missions and importance of character creation and development make it feel more personal and like your story, rather than playing someone else's. Hand of Fate 2 offers a lot of variety you would have to play several other games to get in the quality that's available here.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus has a campaign I highly implore people play. The pacing is all over the place, but its quick emotional shifts are to the game’s benefit – one moment has you seething with what you’ve just witnessed, and others have you laughing at the well-timed humor in contrast to a world so wrought with evil. Bethesda has resurrected the most iconic first-person shooter franchises, and MachineGames have elevated the genre with Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus.
I found Spintires: MudRunner to be an improvement over the original, but not enough to come fully recommended. The physics and simulation that goes into the game puts Euro Truck Simulator to shame. It does seem that Saber Interactive really went through the list of complaints, even adding a model of a driver to the barren cockpits of the prior game. But it seems no matter the improvements, the game is only as good as much as you enjoy the challenge and desire to make it to your destination – if the terrain lets you.
With all these new systems, it distracts from how great Forza is to play and how gorgeous it is to look at. The dynamic weather is magnificently done and the night races are a hoot to race in. You can feel the road surface changing to the weather and your car responding accordingly. It’s such an amazing game to drive. It’s sad that there are now credit draining hoops you have to go through. New level restrictions placed upon you; creating this vision of a roadblock keeping you from playing a Forza game your way. Not something Turn 10 has forced upon players in the past. Then there is the ever looming threat of those pesky loot boxes. Forza Motorsport is my comfort food, my mac and cheese if you will. It always has been. It’s sad that I have to tear into extra layers of packaging before I can enjoy my meal this year.
Raiden V: Director’s Cut is very accessible for those who have yet to play a shoot’em up, and while the series is known to be rather challenging, the many difficulties it offers will ease players of any skill level right in. And those looking for a high level of challenge will still find it here, as the hardcore nature of the game has not been diluted. The story is mostly forgettable, but the way it gets presented during gameplay is a huge step forward for the genre. Raiden V: Director’s Cut is simply a must have.
The Mummy Demastered has small issues that are appropriate for the era it recalls, but they are quickly overshadowed by the excellent gameplay and feel of exploration and discovery amid blasting your way from room to room. The Mummy Demastered is wonderfully executed and full of surprises. WayForward didn't just make " another one of those". There are real and meaningful changes to the formula you wouldn't expect, and flipping them on their head is well worth the price of admission.
Rogue Trooper Redux is a nice throwback to an era that’s long since passed, but despite its updates, is still held back by the limitations of the original design. Though, I can’t discredit the mechanics and systems throughout the campaign, and the updates done to bring it to the modern era. It does not look like a PS2 game by any means. If you haven’t played it before, it is worth seeing the innovations and mechanics that this carved a path for others to follow. Now, I would rather have seen a sequel, but I think the sales of this are likely to justify whether that cliffhanger ending is worth following up on.
Destiny 2 is definitely more Destiny, and it’s Destiny done well. The story is fun and more engaging, the worlds are gorgeous albeit tighter than I would like, and having the ability to hop to another world from anywhere is a huge improvement. There’s plenty of loot to find while playing any of the campaign missions, side-quests, and community events. If it weren’t for the shader system, Bungie would have hit a grand slam, but for right now, I can settle for a home run.
Heat Signature is such a surprise to play. It’s freedom, and cycling number of missions allow you to take the tools which you’ve been given and craft and experience all your own. The incredibly smart integration of your Steam friends finding their way into your game adds reference and value to the tasks you’re given. Heat Signature is easily one of my favorite games of the year.
When One Piece originally debuted it wasn’t to a huge reception and bringing it to the Switch seems like it was a simple enough of an idea to provide a portable version on Nintendo latest console. That could have been a selling point but it having debuted portable on Vita and 3DS, maybe not. Which really just makes this release seem all the more weird. It’s a mildly entertaining game for players looking for something anime like to play, ad a bit more for those who are actually fans of the franchise, yet were still looking at a bare bones port that most likely no one was really asking for. Only the most diehard of fans will most likely grab it again.
Runic Games has something special here and every facet of the game reeks of quality aside from one element. System performance on PS4 has a ton of stuttering or slow down moments. They have already updated the game a few times since it launched and the post support seems great, but this issue is literally my biggest and only issue. In an otherwise fantastic experience, captivating in its grandeur, this always took me right out of the experience. That blemish aside, every time I played Hob, I just got lost in its world, exciting to see everything the game would throw at me next. Exploration, combat, and the world all merge together in such a cohesive thought with almost no frustration, it’s just a sublime experience even with its performance issues.. Hob wasn’t on my list of must play games, or even known games for 2017. Don’t make the same mistake I did, Hob is definitely worth playing and a huge surprise.
I can't begin to think of the monumental effort that went in to making this game over the past several years. Cuphead is a challenging gameplay experience that is at odds with its whimsical-looking animation. I never found the difficulty to be off-putting, but it rather forced me to be more mindful during each encounter, which then led to every victory being so sublime. Be forewarned at it being a hard game, but know that Cuphead is a masterpiece worth enduring such hardships.
In all regards Heat 2 is an upgrade over last years game but the change to the Career Mode is a big sting to the game overall. What should have been a bigger and more fully fleshed out Career turned into a revamping and starting over. The racing is still fun and you can easily have a great time in NASCAR Heat 2, but it’s not without its flaws.
RUINER is absolutely a difficult game, but not one I would call unfair. I did find I found it more enjoyable when I played it in short bursts than longer sessions because of how frustrating it can be. That said, it is so satisfying when you conquer a hard room or a boss, and then you feel energized to continue. The game asks the question, “Are you the Ruiner or the Ruined?” – depending on how things go for you while playing, can be either. The best games challenge us and push us to our limits, and RUINER is among those.
While I enjoyed it a great deal, things need to change for WRC 8 next year. As it stands, WRC 7 is a solid game with “to the point” racing that works, but is growing stale. If you’ve been away from the series for a while, this is an excellent entry to get back to. If you liked WRC 6, returning players will find very little that’s new in WRC 7 for the money. The attention to detail is applaudable, and the realism and authenticity Kylotonn brings is unmatched, but is in need of something more to liven this series up for future entries.
If I’ve not stressed enough how this is isn’t just another strategy game, it bares worth mentioning Tooth and Tail features split-screen multiplayer, which is a very smart idea for a game such as this. When your play session’s length is entirely determined by how matched you are in your skill level against your opponent I can see that being a really smart way to play against like-minded friends. Sadly I didn’t get the opportunity to try this out, but if it’s anything like the campaign it’ll be one hell of a challenge.
While the Death of the Outsider opens up immediately and feels familiar yet refreshing without chaos holding back from how you really want to play. Now, traversing familiar areas does get tiresome but its short enough that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. I don’t know where the series goes from here, but if it’s done, that’s a shame because the contracts make this game. The story is short and interesting all its own, but the contracts really explored what you can do in the world of Dishonored with its freedom and power.
Even with my issues with the game, it leaves me with a good impression. I enjoyed my time with All-Stars and if you like the Warriors games, you’ll enjoy your time too. I wished they had a wider cast of characters though and decided to dial back the team aspect a bit. But playing All-Stars got me itching to hop back into a Warriors game and definitely has me excited for what Koei Tecmo may be bringing with Dynasty Warriors 9, set to be released in 2018.
SteamWorld Dig 2 permeates with beautiful art, excellent music, and great gameplay. Dorothy is a wonderful character to play is, is in incredibly agile and nimble, and the companion Fen is never annoying. Image & Form have improved on everything to make the game enjoyable. The story is full of mystery, the new tools are exciting to use, and the handcrafted mines are a treasure to explore. SteamWorld Dig 2 is a must-own game for whatever platform you get it on.
Thimbleweed Park isn’t going to bring any newcomers to the genre if it’s never been the type of game to draw player’s attention. Otherwise this is a wonderful love letter to the genre from one of the original creators. It’s funny, brain busting, and just a fun title that truly brings out the best aspects of the point and click genre.