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Gemini: Heroes Reborn may be flawed, but it is fun while it lasts. The powers don't get old, and although there isn't much variety in terms of what you can do, they remain enjoyable due to the game's short length. Its brevity also makes the number of puzzles and the story more palatable. It could use some tune-ups in the presentation department, but it isn't bad for a game that's meant to be completed in an afternoon. Fans of the series will likely dig this, as will anyone who's looking for a brief first-person adventure.
If you can ignore the nonsensical story and execution, Shooting Stars is a decent arcade shooter. It isn't necessarily bullet hell, but it remains challenging, and the randomized power-ups and bosses make up for an otherwise repetitive level of difficulty. Despite the game's short length, the various combinations give it some legs since no two playthroughs are thoroughly the same unless you're gunning for the daily challenge. For arcade shooting fans who want something traditional but ultimately casual and don't mind an off-the-wall paint job, Shooting Stars is worth checking out as long as you don't expect too much.
Gravity Rush Remastered is a very solid adventure game whose charm really comes from movement. It may take some getting used to before it becomes effortless, but taming your personal gravity field is one of the better experiences in a video game. While the title could use more variety as far as missions go, they still make good use of your powers, and the story that goes along with it is told well enough that you're motivated to see where it goes next. It does a good job of whetting people's appetites for the upcoming sequel, and those who want to experience something distinctive will have a good time with this title if they missed it the first time around.
Far Cry: Primal is an example of how ambition doesn't always translate to success. It's overly familiar and overly safe, and it does little with its concept. In many ways, it feels more primitive (pun intended) than its predecessors. It's still fun in the way that all Far Cry games can be fun, but it brings little to the table. Hunting with the mammoth is cool from a thematic perspective but doesn't translate into particularly engaging gameplay that you haven't seen before in another Far Cry title. At the end of the day, Primal doesn't have enough meat on its bones to be a satisfying entry in the franchise.
Your opinion on Street Fighter V is going to be completely dependent on what you're looking for. If you're into local competition, this game does a great job of upholding what makes the series great while introducing new mechanics and making a few tweaks to make it more inviting for new players. If you're into getting your opposition online, then you'll still be fine even though you'll experience a delay when finding a match every now and then. A few expected things, like a rematch option, aren't available. If you're a fan of single-player modes, then you're pretty much out of luck. With control options on the PC being rather limited, the game is only good for those who care about competition. For everyone else looking for something closer to what the older games provided, give it a month to see if things improve.
Ultimately, LEGO Marvel's Avengers delivers plenty of fan service, but it fails to top its predecessors. Instead of something new and innovative, LEGO Marvel's Avengers is a by-the-numbers sequel that scratches the LEGO itch but doesn't offer much more than that. It's also the easiest LEGO game yet.
If you consider the original title to be a proof of concept, then Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is the true realization of the game. The fun of the original title is still here but has been amplified with the addition of new maps and classes. The expansion of the split-screen local multiplayer is very much needed, but the new single-player modes round out the package. This is especially true of Backyard Battleground, which proves to be an enjoyable time-waster, especially since it can also be played online. Though there are still some heavy hitters in the multiplayer space this year, don't be surprised if GW2 has the most staying power.
What's disappointing about Bombshell is that you can see the potential. The shooting mechanics and weapons are fine, and the idea of a female Duke Nukem doesn't hurt. Though the sound is below par most of the time, there's been some real effort in making the game look pretty gorgeous, even if the monster designs aren't that impressive. The flat humor doesn't help, and neither does the lack of any real strategy or enemy intelligence. In the end, your enjoyment of the title comes down to how much you're willing to put up with. While a few will find some genuine fun here, most may wait for a price drop and seek out other titles to satisfy their craving for a twin-stick shooter.
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.