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Project X Zone 2 is an improvement over the original game in a lot of ways but still maintains some of its fundamental flaws. The core combat and game design have sped up the base gameplay, but it still suffers from an overly slow pace that contributes to the game feeling long and bloated. Fans of the franchises will enjoy the fun crossover elements and engaging experience, but general SRPG fans may find the title too slow to hold their attention. There is a simple and satisfying appeal in seeing Phoenix Wright help Heihachi beat the living daylights out of Metal Face, and at the end of the day, that's what Project X Zone 2 is about.
From the moment Deadpool appeared in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," fans have been clamoring for a solo Deadpool movie, and that day is finally here. This is Tim Miller's feature film directorial debut, and to his credit, the opening sequence reels you in, and the action sequences are solid. The plot isn't the strongest, but Reynolds is there to shoulder the burden and deliver more laughs than you can handle.
The Deadly Tower of Monsters is a very enjoyable romp. The action is mostly what you'd expect, but the vertical moments make for some excellent additions to the gameplay. The presentation is good, and the commentary and the humor will keep you glued to the game even if there's not much reason to stick around once the credits roll. Overall, The Deadly Tower of Monsters is a very solid action title that most gamers will enjoy.
Unravel is pure charm from start to finish. It's not going to redefine the platformer genre, but it's a wonderfully atmospheric and enjoyable title with solid gameplay and delightful visuals. Sometimes, a heartfelt game is enough to make you smile. A short length and some annoying quibbles detract a bit from the experience, but it never lingers on any one idea for too long. Yarny is one of the most adorable game characters, and his adventure is certainly worth experiencing for gamers of all ages.
The Witness is a masterpiece of game design and an early contender for one of the best titles of the year. Boiled down to the basics, it's just a series of increasingly complex puzzle-mazes, but the presentation and execution are stellar, and the sense of exploration really adds to the game. It captures just the right sense of maddening and enticing to keep you moving forward. Its high price might scare off some gamers, but those who give it a shot will find it to be a worthwhile experience.
XCOM 2 took a formula that was already deeply compelling and made it even better. The game is even more punishing due to the expanded gameplay and the emphasis on urgency, but it gives you plenty of opportunity to succeed all the same. You'll celebrate every victory, you'll learn from each defeat, and either way, the game manages to be amazing. As good as the previous release was, XCOM 2 is an even better game in every conceivable way.
Tharsis isn't a game for everyone. Strategy may be an important factor in determining how long you'll survive, but luck plays a much bigger role in things toward the end. The game is punishingly difficult early on, but it throws you a bone every now and then with character unlocks that can make things feel different. With the likelihood of failing more often than winning due to streaks of near-impossible situations, some may be disenchanted from the get-go. For those who love to conquer big challenges, this digital board game can be very appealing.
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is a great RPG that can really shine on more powerful hardware. Without any restrictions to the graphical fidelity and frame rate, players can appreciate the game's depth and engaging combat system. Although real multiplayer would've been nice, the pawn system more than makes up for it, and the sheer amount of content and a New Game+ mode makes this an experience to savor. Unless you're burned out by open-world RPGs, Dragon's Dogma is worth checking out.
Shadow Puppeteer is a fun and simple co-op game. It's dragged down a tad by awkward controls and difficulty spikes. As a single-player game, it's significantly more flawed and should be avoided unless you've got a high tolerance for struggling with controls. For players with a friend who's ready to play co-op, the game can really shine and show off its stronger points. It's not a game for everyone, but for parents and kids, it's an enjoyable experience and well worth a shot.
In the end, Amplitude isn't quite the masterpiece that many had expected. The idea of a concept album for the Campaign mode is good, but the execution has too many interruptions that prevent the concept from being fully realized. Also, the idea for song unlocks is good considering the game only has 30+ to choose from, but some of the unlocking requirements aren't good incentives to keep playing. On the other hand, the gameplay is fun and interesting for the rhythm genre, and the song selection is very good for fans of electronic music. Fans of rhythm games should check it out.
Final Fantasy Explorers is a poor Monster Hunter clone but still a reasonably fun game. It's a lot of fun to team up with three friends and beat your way through Bombs, Chocobos and Tonberries, even if it ends up feeling repetitive after a while. Those who've cut their teeth on Capcom's beasts will probably find the gameplay too basic, but newcomers to the genre, especially Final Fantasy fans, should find it to be a good introduction to the basics. It's not the best hunting game on the market, but it's one of the most accessible, especially to those used to the slower pace of RPGs.
If you didn't like Rise of the Tomb Raider, the Baba Yaga DLC isn't going to change your mind, but fans of the base game will find plenty to love here. The content is finely polished, the additional rewards are worthwhile, and the story fits in well with the world, even if the finer bits are a tad predictable. The Baba Yaga DLC is also priced right, retailing for $9.99 when purchased by itself, ensuring that you'll get your money's worth with this one.
If you can live with that, Oxenfree ends up being a great experience for modern adventure fans. It may have a lot more dialogue than puzzles, but it is so well written that you miss it in the silent moments. The interesting story is backed up by likeable characters, and the whole thing is wrapped up with a presentation that bleeds style. Unless you want to wait to see if the issues are addressed in a future patch, Oxenfree is worth checking out now.
Sword Art Online - Re: Hollow Fragment is definitely for the fans, especially since it makes no real effort to ease newcomers into the world. At least it has a better translation for fans to enjoy, and the combat remains solid, especially around bosses. Nothing else was added to this version, but the game remains absolutely packed with content, and that's before you factor in online play, which has a decent community going for it. While outsiders may want to wait and see if the sequel serves as a better entry point, fans who skipped the Vita version will enjoy this iteration, despite the flaws.
The HD remastering of Resident Evil Zero may not have everything that the remake of the first game had, but it does feel like a more improved version of the original GameCube release. In particular, the analog movements make the game feel more modern even when everything else adheres to the original mechanics. The game still looks and sounds good even if there are parts that could have been done better, but the most important part — the gameplay — remains as good as it was all those years ago. If anything, it will be the fans who never owned any of the latter Nintendo consoles that will be thrilled with this release, since they can finally experience the game for the first time. Luckily for them and for anyone else who's a fan of the older style of Resident Evil games, the experience is better than ever.
Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls is for those who care more about story than shooting. The amount of time given to cut scenes is on par with earlier games in the series, and the tale is fascinating as long as you can handle some pretty dark content. The shooting is serviceable, but it works more as a device for solving puzzles since it feels too slow for an action game. As long as you know to temper your expectations in that regard, Ultra Despair Girls makes for an interesting spin-off, but it would be nice to see improvements if the series goes down this route again.
With a striking yet simple presentation, Zenzizenzic is a fresh take on the twin-stick shooter. The slew of new mechanics provides your attacks some diversity, especially with the new bullet hell setting. The idea of trade-offs is a good new addition since it forces you to strategize more in a genre that's not really known for that. The roguelike mode is what will attract players. Anyone looking for a distinctive shooter will be very happy with Zenzizenzic.
Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive is a solid brawler that gets a little bit of a boost on the PS4 simply because the system doesn't yet have a comparable brawler. Though it can be more technical due to the inclusion of some fighting game mechanics, the brawler is simple enough for button mashers to grasp. The increased enemy count ensures that action is constant, and the leveling system makes you want to play through the story multiple times. It stands better as a single-player game than a multiplayer one, and it is certainly a better couch co-op game than an online one because of the almost-absent community. If you want classic brawling action, this is a good one to check out.
Zombie Vikings is an experience that would've been better if the bugs had been cleaned up and there were more meat to the gameplay. Nevertheless, what's here is pretty enjoyable. The presentation is different but inviting, while the humor hits more often than it misses. Though the gameplay can feel repetitive, the amount of content is great for brawling fans who love local co-op play or can organize themselves for some online. Though other games are better, Zombie Vikings is still worth checking out.
Sword Art Online: Lost Song is a game for fans of the anime. It relies heavily on players recognizing the story twists and turns and grasping how the anime mechanics translate into gameplay. Without that familiarity with the franchise, the game is a combination of fun, simple combat with the more tedious aspects of an MMO. The online play adds some extra spice to the game but won't keep players coming back unless they're big fans of the show. If you're interested in seeing a different side of Kirito and his pals, there's a fair bit of content here and you'll get the chance to play as some of the lesser-known characters.