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The camera problems do threaten to take this off-road game into a ditch, but you'll likely come back and persevere with MudRunner far more generously and readily than you would expect. Providing a reason why driving at a glacial pace through the game's muddy tracks is so gloriously satisfying is as tricky as trying to explain why another episode of Ice Road Truckers always seems like a good idea. There's absolutely no doubt that it isn't perfect, and that more patient players will get more out of this than those with a shorter fuse, but it's impressive how such a relatively simple concept can provide so many hours of entertainment.
World War II was the right move. Call of Duty reaches back to its roots to bring players an entry worthy of the series' namesake. The campaign is emotional, multiplayer is classic, and Nazi Zombies is downright dark and terrifying. No matter which kind of player you are, there is something for everyone, whether it's a cinematic story, a competitive and social multiplayer, or an immensely difficult battle against undead Nazis. Call of Duty: WWII is another incredible package of experiences, each distinct from the others, but tied together by the unifying themes of World War II that deserve your attention.
Raiden V doesn't feature any crazy features or design choices that turn the shoot 'em up genre on its head, but it doesn't need to. Instead, it offers up an extremely polished shooter that sticks to the basics, while also having plenty of customizability due to a robust weapon system. There's enough missions and story branches to keep players busy for quite some time, and it's a great addition to any SHMUP fan's library.
Hidden Agenda has all the trappings of a Supermassive game, but its potential is cut short as Crime Thriller: The Party Game. Stiff animations give the impression that Hidden Agenda was rushed. While the PlayLink technology has potential and does some really cool things by turning your phone into a controller, it also adds unnecessary complications to a game that uses the second screen functionality as more of a gimmick than a core gameplay mechanic. Hidden Agenda is a good game, but is held back from being great by trying to fit it into the party game mold.
Summon Night 6: Lost Borders really surprised me. I can honestly say I am not usually a fan of visual novels, but this one to me never felt like one. This is a colorful and fun VSRPG (I think that works!) with loads of enjoyable characters, an interesting story, and a fluid combat system. While the game might have a bit too much extra dialogue, the story itself is full of charm, doing a great job of keeping you engaged. The combat flows along at a brisk pace, never feeling like you are on the battle field for too long, but not feeling rushed either. The ability to carry your progress between PlayStation 4 and Vita is a welcome addition, with the game looking and playing great both across both platforms. Gaijinworks should be commended for a great job in localization, and Western gamers should hope that this series continues to make its way out of Japan.
It's easy to crack jokes about the return of Bubsy not turning out great, but I don't feel that The Woolies Strike Back is a pure misfire. After all, the boss fights are filled with smart and satisfying design. If that type of level design was seen in the main game (and there was simply more to do in general), then we'd be looking at a very different game. There's potential for Bubsy to be a relevant 2D platformer in the future, and I'd like to see Accolade take another shot at bringing the furball back to prominence.
SingStar Celebration doesn't change the face of the karaoke genre, but it's one hell of a way to jumpstart a party. The 30 songs on offer are a blast to sing along with friends to, and it's a solid value as long as they don't clash with your existing SingStar DLC library. It's a perfect example of the types of social games that can thrive under the PlayLink banner.
The sad fact is that this is a simple shooting gallery without the things that would make a simple shooting gallery enjoyable.
Detention has something to say. It has something to say about the sweeping themes of militant government regimes. It has something to say about each one of our personal hells and the journey towards even the smallest bit of redemption. It has something to say but it never shouts. It slides its message in silently like a blade into your gut. Even with some of the miscues in storytelling, Detention never lets up on making sure that players feel uneasy and uncomfortable, pressing you until that final twist of the knife. It's not a difficult game. It's not a long game. But it's a game that will stick with you well after the credits have rolled.
Unless it somehow convinces you to go after the "legendary" fish that exist in the game, you'll more than likely find that it'll only take a few short jaunts out onto the water before you've had your fill.
I had high expectations going into Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, but MachineGames managed to outdo them in every way imaginable. They've created one of the most ridiculous video games ever made, and one that is never afraid to be clear about its message of equality & justice. While it's easy to focus on the over-the-top story beats and memorable scenes, The New Colossus is carried by an incredible amount of heart from start to finish.
Assassin's Creed Origins blew my expectations away in so many areas, but there's still something missing that made the likes of Assassin's Creed II and Brotherhood so special. However, this is most definitely the best title since then, and one that I'll be jumping back into very soon. The new combat system makes for some incredibly satisfying moments, while the design of the world is only matched by the likes of The Witcher III. Ubisoft Montreal can be proud knowing that they've delivered a level of AAA-production that likely won't be seen again until Cyberpunk 2077 rolls around, but there's just that last leap of faith that needs to be made to once again deliver a generation defining game.
All criticisms aside, though, Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon never really pretended as though it was going to be anything different than what players have gotten with its release. It's quick and dirty, the video game equivalent of a greasy burger, and Nights of Azure 2 will leave all but the most hardcore fans of yuri tropes feeling the same kind of shame that comes after consuming fast food as well. Nights of Azure 2 isn't a bad game, but it certainly isn't a good one either—it's just empty calories, with nothing having been gained or lost after a playthrough.
At its core, I understand what AER: Memories of Old was trying to do. AER has a deep story to tell and it has a beautiful way that it wants to do it, but it never manages to marry those ideas. Wanton exploration with little-to-no real payoff becomes a chore—a beautiful chore sure, but a chore nonetheless. There are only so many times I can shift back and forth between bird and human midair before I need something else to drive my engagement. Telling the story through environment, providing better direction, and rewarding extensive exploration are just a few things that could have really helped AER to escape the high res, low poly shell that it is, but AER: Memories of Old is simply too empty to feel like anything more.
There isn't a deeply strategic RTS hiding within No More Heroes! VR, but it does offer a clever commentary on one of gaming's most persistent and often silliest mechanics, and sometimes it's nice to kick back and be the bad guy for a change.
Yomawari: Midnight Shadows is a cute-looking survival horror game, with unexpected twists and a surprisingly dark narrative.
Two episodes in, and I'm absolutely astonished at just how good Life is Strange: Before the Storm is.
One's enjoyment of Gran Turismo Sport will solely be determined by whether the prospect of learning different tracks and competing in three different online races per day is exciting to them. If you can't get into that gameplay loop then you'll want to play something else, as the single-player content is extremely limited, and even the online offerings aren't rich with features. GT Sport does a few things exceptionally well (you won't find a better looking and playing racing game), but it ultimately left me wanting more content out of it.
What's most disappointing about WWE 2K18 is that there are so many good ideas present. Being able to go backstage and interact with larger-than-life wrestlers should be great fun, not a monotonous annoyance. The goals should add some much needed structure to the career, but instead they're so oddly specific that many players won't be bothered to even advance pass them. That's not even mentioning the horrendous artificial intelligence, which is somehow leaps and bounds worse than previous years. Clearly a lot of work went into this year's installment, but the end result simply did not come together in the slightest.
When you take a step back and look at what Raw Data is attempting to accomplish on the PSVR, it's remarkable what they were able to pull off. Better yet, it's one of the few VR experiences that I've played that feel like they've graduated from extended tech demo to a fully formed gaming experience. Unfortunately, while the ambition is certainly there, it feels like the hardware is once again preventing a standout title from achieving its potential greatness. Raw Data is an experience that is most definitely worth exploring, just don't expect your eyes to be overwhelmed with what they see. Suit up soldier. It's about time you cause an oil clean-up in aisle everywhere.