Worth Playing
HomepageWorth Playing's Reviews
To my mind, that's what makes Dead Rising interesting in 2016. It hasn't aged well at all, and it's a sort of time capsule for late sixth/early seventh-generation design, but it still has a quiet intensity and sense of genuine dread that none of its more famous sequels even tried to match, and which in many ways stands alone in recent video game history. If you can come to grips with its relative user-unfriendliness, it's an experience worth having.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is a solid improvement over the original in most areas, but at the same time, it doesn't add much to the equation. Rather than adding a ton of new content, it focuses on fixing the flaws and annoyances of the original game. The result is a title that is at once mechanically superior to the original and less interesting. Fans of the original Xenoverse will find this to be a fun expansion, and newcomers would be better off starting with Xenoverse 2 rather than its predecessor. Some excessive loading times and a weak story drag down the experience, but it's still one of the best Dragon Ball games out there.
In the end, Ember is a good RPG that caters more to genre beginners than veterans. The trimming of the traits and the abolishment of classes makes it easier for some players to concentrate on the gameplay instead of character and party micromanagement. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as everything from the gameplay to the story is rather solid despite not really doing anything to stand out from the crowd. Some will argue that making more PC-specific changes, such as familiar mouse controls and more graphical options, would've made the game better, but for the most part, it remains a solid game at a good price. As long as you aren't expecting this to be the next great RPG masterpiece, fans who aren't too deep into the genre should give Ember a shot.
Corpse Party for the 3DS is an engaging horror title that is more than the sum of its parts. Solid writing and top-notch sound design elevate basic visuals into something more. If you're a fan of Japanese-style horror writing, there's a lot to like here. It can occasionally devolve into the ridiculous or repetitive, but there are enough genuine moments of horror to help the game over its weak points. Given the flaws and lack of replay value, however, it's difficult to give this title a full-on recommendation. If you're in the market for something spooky, Corpse Party is a good bet, but it isn't a game for everyone.
Overall, Boulder Dash: 30th Anniversary Edition is a flawed but fun experience. The base game still runs on a good formula, the challenge is great, and the curve isn't too punishing. The addition of power-ups changes things up a bit, and level creation is a nice addition to a game that's already packed with over 200 stages. However, the presentation feels flat, and the grind can be enough of a deterrent for those wanting to actually complete the game. It's worth checking out, but mostly if you can wait for a sale on it.
The Hell Followed DLC pack is certainly a worthy addition for those still playing multiplayer in Doom. The maps are tons of fun to play in, especially Orbital because of the gravity changes. The Reaper to the Threat Pulse and the three different hack modules feel much more useful than what was offered before, and the new armor looks absolutely excellent. This is certainly the best pack thus far and worth picking up.
All in all, Titanfall 2 is a well-made and enjoyable shooter that should be a good buy for any shooter fans. The main campaign is fun to play through, and it makes good use of gameplay mechanics. The multiplayer is fast, frantic and exciting, and it has enough variety that people will repeatedly come back to blast apart pilots and Titans. For PlayStation owners, this is the first chance to try out Titanfall's high-mobility gameplay, but even fans coming over from the Xbox One should enjoy the improvements.
Infinite Air with Mark McMorris can be best described as unpolished promise. The idea of a whole game centered around casual riding is pretty brilliant, the presence of a decent amount of user content this early, and a robust means of generating the content equates to a game that can seem infinitely replayable. Having said that, the learning curve for the controls can be too high for some, while others will not be happy about the little quirks that can quickly become big annoyances. Considering the small amount of snowboarding games on the market, it may be tempting to give this a shot despite its grievances, but only if it's on sale and not at the current $50 price point.
World of Final Fantasy is a solid, enjoyable and nostalgic trip through the history of the franchise. It's cheesy, cheery and a lot of fun to play. The solid combat system and enjoyable humor carry the game through some noticeable bumps in the road. A few half-baked mechanics and a somewhat unnecessary turn toward the serious dull some of the game's shine, but the issues aren't enough to take away from the enjoyment. Fans of the franchise should find a lot to like in this well-made JRPG.
It's unfortunate that the Mafia III gameplay isn't anywhere near as compelling as the storytelling. An ingenious mix of setting and characters has been established to generate a believable spin on organized crime, but the game mechanics are nowhere near as impressive in either design or execution. You'll want to see it through to the end, and there are obviously some elements that are entertaining, but the gameplay becomes a tired loop far too early on. It's perhaps one of the biggest disappointments of all that the gameplay fails to complement such believable worldbuilding.
Skylanders: Imaginators fun, accessible and easily played by gamers of any age. It doesn't break the mold, and the highlight of the game is in creating your own character. The core gameplay will feel very familiar and perhaps too safe. The ability to create your own Skylander means there's a lot of potential fun for the younger set — though it can be a hit to the wallet for parents! Players who are aging out of or burning out on Skylanders might not see much of a boost from it.
Laser Disco Defenders plays like a good arcade game with some hidden depth. The bouncing lasers alone change the game's approach from a mindless shooter to one that requires some real thought in planning your attack. The randomly generated levels and bonus equipment help, and the presentation is nice, but it is really that one change that sells the game outright. Laser Disco Defenders may be a game that you can tackle in an afternoon, but you will want to revisit it often.
In the end, Headlander is a very good adventure game for fans of the Metroidvania blueprint. The gimmicks that come from a flying head are used well, and the idea never feels tired. The action in firefights is good, and the number of areas and slightly hidden passageways in the world makes exploration equally worthwhile. It does feel like a drag whenever you have to perform the same action multiple times in different parts of a level, but the game is short enough that the padding doesn't feel too bad. Overall, genre fans will have a great time with Headlander.
Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls maintains the status quo of the RPG entries in the series. The lighthearted story is a great contrast to the other serious RPGs on the system, though the lengthy visual novel scenes can grate on your nerves if you aren't already on board with the oddball tale. It's a shame that a large swath of the game is taken wholly from older titles with minimal changes, but the improvements in the combat and skill systems make up for that transgression. In the end, it won't sway the minds of those who want deeper and more serious fare, but it will please those who are already fans of the series.
In the end, Forza Horizon 3 is still an excellent game that is worth playing. Most of the PC issues should eventually be resolved with an update. It's just mildly disappointing that Microsoft didn't have everything ready to go when the cars crossed the starting line.
Though it hasn't aged that well, Dead Rising remains a good experience. The game can be tough as nails due to the intentional design choices and flaws that stand out in comparison to modern conventions. The story is fine, and the characters are likeable enough to make it work. While it would have been nice if the presentation had been updated with more than 60fps and a gamut of resolutions, the fact that Dead Rising is playable outside of the Xbox 360 is enough of a reason for series fans to give this a shot and see what they're missing.
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is somewhere between an expansion pack and a sequel. There's a lot of familiar content bolstered by some fresh content and strong mechanical changes. It's more Shin Megami Tensei IV, so if you enjoyed the previous game, you'll find a lot to like here, even though it can sometimes feel too familiar and repetitive for its own good. The story makes it rather inaccessible to newcomers. Despite the myriad mechanical improvements, it's recommended you play SMT4 first to fully appreciate Apocalypse. If enough time has passed since you played SMT4 and you're hankering to return to postapocalyptic Tokyo, Apocalypse is the game for you.
F1 2016 is certainly one of the better representations of the sport in some time. The handling of the vehicles is just right, and once you understand the little nuances, the races are thrilling from start to finish. The career mode is more than enough to sustain any player, but the other included modes give the game real value. It still needs work in the presentation area, but for simulation junkies who want to race around in cars they'll never be able to afford, F1 2016 is the best thing going.
In the end, Seasons After Fall is another great platformer that places value in puzzles and dexterity over combat. The puzzles don't feel overly difficult, but their execution is done well. The same can be said for the season changes, where it becomes very obvious which season needs to be used, but it feels satisfying anyway. It feels like a game for those just starting out in the genre, but the presentation is so well done that more experienced gamers won't mind giving it a spin. If you have an afternoon to spend on a game, Seasons After Fall will make that time feel worthwhile.
At the end of the road, Forza Horizon 3 really isn't the type of game where you're cutting surgical lines across pristine tarmac. Instead, you're racing a variety of vehicle types against an equally diverse landscape while kicking up dust and dodging the occasional downpour. It's a wilder side of Forza where you're free to tackle Australia in whatever way you feel is the most enjoyable, and it gives you all the tools you need to make the experience yours. I've always enjoyed the Motorsport side of the track, but Horizon 3 is where you go to have flat-out fun while still sharing the series' strong racing pedigree.