The Vertical Slice's Reviews
Star Wars Battlefront is a game for the casual shooter fan. No one ever planned an attack, no one ever talked. So, if you're going into this game expecting a Star Wars skin on Battlefield, expect to be dissapointed, as there is no aspect of team play in this game. While I like a game I can just hop into every few months, I expected more from a franchise that I basically grew up with.
Black Ops III's story doesn't support the campaign in any way. It tells a story that makes no sense, and while that's mildly amusing at points, it wears thin real fast. Furthermore, I'm not entirely sure that this should've been Black Ops III. There's no Woods or Mason here, the only link you remotely get is a passing mention of Black Ops II's Raul Menendez and a confronation with Dr.Salim. So, don't play the story. Skip straight to the multiplayer and zombies modes,and you'll do just fine…for a few hours.
Just Cause 3 is a goddamn fun game. Well, it's fun whenever you're just going around and liberating bases or towns. Everything else just falls on its face (as I have done many times in-flight). The problem, though, is that every other system you use in the game pulls you away from the craziness at hand. As I said in the opening, the game is a damn blast to play, but the way your skill trees unlock, ticking off bases and towns from a big checklist, and gunning down every bad dude you see.
Amplitude is a good time whether you are playing alone or with friends, since the game adjusts to whoever's playing. Single-player is about being precise and focused, asking that you use your power-ups wisely and mantain your streak. Harmonix has also included a little treat — FreQ mode. In this mode, it's basically like you're playing Frequency again. You can't play online, but the options in the local play are robust. Four-player free-for-all quickplay encourages competition, using your power-ups to attack other players. Cooperative and team-based play offer further options for enjoying Amplitude with your friends, and it's really fun to feel like you and your friends are making your own music.
For every high concept, there's this underlying truth that grounds That Dragon, Cancer: the battle the Greens are facing is not the mere act of mourning, but how to mourn. Amy turns to God, while Ryan struggles with God. They get in fights, then reunite, then fight again. At the same time, you're coming in and out of the picture as the curious and helpless observer as they plead to God, each other, and Joel. When it came time for the credits to roll, I couldn't help but appreciate the game and the story the Greens want to tell the world.
I can't recommend this game (and the original REmake HD) more for fans of Resident Evil. If you've grown up with them like I have, it's a no-brainer. If you're a bit younger or haven't really played any RE games other than the recent ones (or even worse, none at all), I do believe this is worth a look.
For what Fortified offers, you could do a hell of a lot worse with fun factor on the marketplace. This is a game that I know I will find myself going back to and I suspect I won't be the only one with that thought. In fact, I can hear it calling to me right now. Excuse me, I have to go save the world. Or, in my case, try to save the world and end up failing miserably.
The Witness is a very interesting game, when you first hear the premise for it. You're just a person going around an abandoned island, solving puzzles, and learning the story along the way. How that is portrayed is wonderful, but the execution is downright sloppy.
I feel like this is a game that you need to either get your hands on yourself, or see it in action to really understand what it's all about. I think the bigger focus is on the arcade and multiplayer as somewhere you'll be getting the most fun, online, with friends, or with bots. If that's where your heart lies with this I do think you'll get enough bang for your buck at full price.
Firewatch was #6 on my Top Ten Most Wanted Games of 2016, so I don't think it will come as much of a surprise when I say that Firewatch was a game I truly couldn't wait for, and that's also why I am very pleased to tell you that the game is an utter delight.
All things considered, I really wanted to enjoy Telltale's first outing into the comics with The Walking Dead: Michonne, but right now, given the tone deaf story, deadpan characters, lack of any choice and length, I feel comfortable in saying that you should hold off on playing this episode.
I love this game. It feels great to play, it’s super fun, and I didn’t want to put it down. Some of the Achievements look to be really challenging, so if you’re an Achievement hunter, keep that in mind. A fun challenge, but a challenge all the same. If you’re a fan of old-school gaming (right down to the final level that may have you questioning your sanity after failing so often), this has that with a new-school coat of paint.
So, while the initial thrill of basically flying around Medici sounds fun, the story and the new mechanic of the Bavarium Wingsuit don’t really do much for me, given that most of the encounters I thought were really cool took place within very tight spaces, which isn’t very conducive to using a wingsuit in.
All things considered, Hitman isn't a bad game. It's just overly repetitive, lacks true planning of objectives, and doesn't make sense as an episodic game.
Overall, this puzzle game is certainly enjoyable. At times, it can feel too repetitious, and when that starts to hit, it's best to take a breather. Burn out on something like this can ruin the next experience, whether it be the next time you boot up this game, or another game like it. If you're looking for a different kind of puzzle experience than what you're used to, you could do worse than this game.
I had a blast playing, both single player and multiplayer. If you're looking for an unconventional racer/combat game, you could do way worse than this, especially for the price it goes for.
Aside from any of the nitpicks and unfortunate realities of the game, I did have fun with Organic Panic! and everything the game had to offer. The load times were good, the colorful graphics kept things engaging visually, and the fun lasted to the end, wanting to punch a wall sometimes, included. You’re likely not going to find your game of the year here, but you certainly won’t find a dud, either. If you’re into physics based games or just puzzle games in general, you’ll find fun playing with your food, even though we’re constantly told as kids not to.
You’d probably guess this game isn’t a home run. It’s really just a bunt you planned out and managed a single. Which, in baseball, is fine in certain situations. In this situation, I do think it’s fine, and I do feel like I will revisit this game every now and then during this baseball season to scratch that itch I feel when the summer nights are long. I enjoyed the game in small doses. R.B.I. Baseball isn’t trying to blow your Sox off (har har). It’s taking a very minimalistic approach to the national pastime, and for some people, that’s all they’re looking for. This series seems to be doing exactly what it wants to do, and that’s recreate the classic game for modern times. If you’re a casual baseball fan, or just a casual baseball game fan, this very well could satisfy that itch. If you’re looking for incredible graphics, realistic animations, lots of game modes, etc., I hope you have a PS4, because that’s the only way you’re going to get that near perfect baseball experience. Otherwise, especially on Xbox One, this is all you’re going to get.
Throughout Grimm’s journey to enjoy pizza, I had a bast playing. I spent many hours jamming out to the music and spelling out “dirty” words while trying to obtain every star I could. When I failed, I didn’t feel the kind of defeat where I wanted to stop. No, this was the kind where I NEEDED to try again. The mark of a great puzzle game in my eyes. I had many moments where I told myself it would be the last round only to keep going and find ways rearrange my day just to fit more time in.
Quantum Break is a game I have been waiting on for a very long time. 3 years, almost. Since the Xbox One reveal in May of 2013, that was the one game I wanted to buy right that second. The game that would make me go all-in on the Xbox One, $500 price point, DRM, Kinect inclusion and all. I mean, these were the same people who created my favorite video game of all time, Alan Wake. This had to be good, right? At the time, and even to this day, Quantum Break is way ahead of its time.