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A quirky trip back to the well, but dig a little deeper and you'll find that these small injections and remixes of classic NES games are more enjoyable than the full experiences they hail from.
As a new IP, The Swapper is one of the best around. The great puzzles, superbly told story and beautiful visuals make me excited for whatever comes next from the Finnish developer.
All-around frustrating controls, irregular physics and unfriendly level design make Max: The Curse of Brotherhood another misstep in the Xbox One digital launch library.
Lococycle isn't broken, but that's the only praise I can give it. The game offers up uncomfortably unfunny material and sandwiches it with boring gameplay. In the end, the game is a squandered opportunity and a failed attempt at an idea that could have had merit.
Forza Motorsport 5 sets the bar high for visual fidelity and simulation racing on the Xbox One. Sadly, design choices and lack of content get in the way of the fun.
Ryse: Son of Rome is a decent action trip and a good addition for the Xbox One launch lineup, but on its own there's nothing particularly memorable to help stand the test of time.
One of the better games currently inhabiting the discarded skin of the roguelike. Doesn't do anything particularly mind-blowing, but it's definitely fun while it lasts.
Those tired of Enemy Unknown's formula will not find compelling improvements or changes here, though fans will find enough new content to merit another go at vanquishing the Alien invasion.
Powerstar Golf is a competent game, but it is incomplete. Players will quickly find themselves longing for more features, a bigger roster, and more finely tuned gameplay. Due to a lack of content and some difficulty imbalances, the game is difficult to recommend.
Better than 3D Land and the New Super Mario Bros series, but doesn't quite reach the dizzying heights of Super Mario Galaxy.
Knack fails to bring anything exciting to the next-gen table. The features it advertises either do what they claim and nothing more, or they have a glaring flaw dragging down the experience. Those looking for a reason to jump onto the next-gen bandwagon will find no reassurance from Knack.
Contrast is underwhelming due to basic and unrefined platforming mechanics. The adventure fails to capitalize on strengths and the resulting experience falls flat.
Need for Speed Rivals is a fun, addictive racing title with seamless multiplayer integration, but stiff controls and occasional technical hiccups hold it back.
An ambitious attempt to take the series in a new direction crippled by the fact that the direction in question turns out to be 'down the drain'. Shoddy design and construction across the board leave this one without a leg to stand on.
Dead Rising 3 is an uneven title, one that has too many bugs to ignore. The core of the gameplay is strong, for fans of the combo making series or even fans of zombies, there is plenty to enjoy. If you don't fall into the aforementioned categories, you might want to look elsewhere.
It's nice to have some variety in the Xbox One launch lineup, but Crimson Dragon doesn't offer anything groundbreaking nor takes advantage of the new platform's capabilities.
Multiplayer is solid and technical presentation sets the bar high for PlayStation 4, but Killzone: Shadow Fall lacks any other enticing features to make it a must-have shooter.
Video games aren't solely about seeing pores on someone's face or shoving as many zombies on screen as possible. They are about gameplay, about the thrills of sneaking through enemy fire or detonating a bomb at the last second to save yourself. Resogun is a blissful reminder that no matter what system you play them on, sometimes the simple games are the best.
FIFA 14 arrives on next generation platforms with much the same content as its current-gen counterparts, plus vastly improved visuals. As such, it remains a great game of footy and easily recommended to fans who have yet to pick up a copy this year.
NBA 2K14 is one of the only sports games around that demonstrates an appreciation for the way subtext and narrative contribute to the experience of playing a sport. Like any proper RPG, it builds storylines, around careers, seasons, or single games. It's a peerless experience and an easy recommendation for any basketball fan.