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Poncho is a fun but sometimes ponderous platform puzzler, with an impressive core mechanic and fun visuals that are slightly let down by moments of frustrating gameplay.
The graphics may not be cutting-edge enough for some gamers, but Fallout 4 offers a revamped leveling system, an amazing story, and near endless content in post-apocalyptic Boston.
The latest installment of the Tomb Raider franchise is easily the best one yet, with massive set pieces and gripping action. That said, replayability may be a factor.
Yo-Kai Watch is filled with charm, monsters to befriend, unique battle mechanics, and gameplay that keeps players engaged. Still, the title is filled with redundancies.
With the game giving such an importance on the audio of conversations and the inclusion of real-life video scenes, one wonders if Cibele would have been better off as a YouTube short, instead of forcing itself into an interactive medium. Nevertheless, the game still manages to be a somewhat enjoyable tale of first love, even if it feels like a 'you had to be there for it' story.
This year's Need for Speed reboot feels like a fresh start for the series — and one that will likely be improved upon when its inevitable 2016 sequel rolls around.
Dragon Quest Heroes adds the large-scale hack and slash battles of Dynasty Warriors to the RPG world of Dragon Quest to give new and old fans of the fantasy series endless hordes or adorable monsters to slay.
Halo 5: Guardians is a true step forward for Microsoft's Halo franchise that makes for a no-brainer buy on Xbox One, but it's not a flawless experience.
Guitar Hero Live rejuvenates a tired franchise from top to bottom, making broad changes to its gameplay and presentation that largely work for the better.
Assassin's Creed Syndicate uses alternating sibling protagonists and a gang of English street toughs to put the stealth-action series back on the right track.
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a disappointing Wii U exclusive horror story that is more likely to put players to sleep than it is to scare them.
All this being said, Devastation isn't just an '80s throwback in the character designs that it uses. Higher difficulty levels can get punishing, and the focus on core gameplay mechanics might put off some players. It's a rewarding experience for anyone who can get into the groove, but the combat and the franchise are the game's two biggest selling points.
The Talos Principle plays like a marriage between Portal and a game from the 'walking simulator' genre, complete with an intriguing narrative and challenging puzzles.
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer is a brand new take on the series that manages to make moving furniture fun, but fails to innovate in a meaningful way.
Rock Band 4 offers the same party-focused, addictive experience as its predecessors, but potential song limitations and price point will hold it back for some.
Robomodo's attempt to resurrect the long-dormant Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series is not a success — in fact, fans of previous games will likely see it as a slap in the face.
Ultimately, After Dark doesn't rock the boat when it comes to game-changing expansions. In fact, it comes quietly – the new features are nice additions to the gameplay, but this flavor pack doesn't dramatically change how players will interact with Cities: Skylines. It introduces some great elements that compliment the free update, but only hardcore fans of the simulation genre will want to pay $15 to access the new features.
SOMA is a survival horror game that is undoubtedly one of the best of the genre, and its setting and plot are shining examples of how to engage an audience.
Extreme Exorcism is a basic but fun sugar rush of manic arcade-style platforming and intense local multiplayer, all built around an interesting and unique game mechanic.
Castle Crashers Remastered is basically the same game as before, but the various improvements make it an adventure worth playing through all over again.