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Castlestorm: Definitive Edition is exactly that – a remastered edition of an enjoyable game. Bar some issues with the controls the game offers an enjoyable mix of tower defense, RTS and action all wrapped up in a fun exterior. There's probably little here to convince owners of the original game to double-dip, but for newcomers there's a huge amount of content which should keep you coming back for some time.
If anything, Super Smash Bros. For 3DS is a precursor to the main event – the Wii U version – which is arriving later this year. It's a handheld game at heart, so it can be excused where it falls short in certain modes, and it brings a wealth of new functionality to the series, including character customisations in an already expansive roster.
Whether looking to expand the original Disney Infinity experience or joining the series for the first time, 2.0 is a sound follow-up. Though mature gamers will find it hard to warm towards its basic mechanics and lack of stock content, younger audiences will relish the freedom and creativity it instills. Avalanche Studios and its cohort of developers have gone a long way to capture the essence of its super hero line-up while still ensuring plenty of heart-warming Disney magic throughout. Overall, 2.0 may not have the impact of the original but it's still one of the best "toys to life" gaming experiences on the market.
FIFA 15 is not quite the great leap forward that many would have hoped for but it's a bigger jump than it initially appears to be. The changes, although infuriating to begin with as they make you re-learn elements of your game, ultimately make for a more realistic game of football. There's more nuance, more fidelity in the tactical systems and there's greater movements from the players on the pitch. In a series that is synonymous with incremental improvements, FIFA 15 manages to feel like more of an evolutionary leap.
Destiny is far from a perfect game, with flaws quite clearly apparent in the storytelling and the repetitive formula, but it's also a game that can quite easily keep you coming back for more time and again, especially if you play with friends. It's a shame that some of the ideas in the Vault of Glass Raid couldn't trickle down into the earlier stages, for more variety and intellectual challenge, but it does at least point to an exciting future for the game.
Madden 15 is easily the most complete release in the series so far, with all of the improvements tying together to create an enjoyable and enthralling game of American Football. Even if you're not that knowledgeable about play-types or the difference between a half-back and a full-back, Madden 15 will have you playing like a pro and feeling like one as well.
Velocity 2X delivers another dose of pitch perfect shoot 'em up gameplay, but refuses the rest on the laurels of its predecessor. Taking Kai out of her Quarp Jet opens up whole other avenues for the gameplay that only gets better and better as you progress, with every other part of the game lavished with further polish and refinement. I can only think to echo the sentiment and the score that we awarded the original.
Metro Redux puts together survival horror and survival action in such a well presented first person package, that if you're a fan of any of them then this is for you. A solid story, an interesting cast of characters, and two games that make you panic in a good way. It's worth the price of entry.
Whether you're new to inFamous or not, First Light is definitely worth looking into. The only reason you won't enjoy this is if you didn't get on with Second Son at all, and although there are some improvements, there's not enough difference here to convince those who dislike inFamous. The plot may fall flat at points and there might be a sense of repetition, but a return trip to Seattle isn't something you should turn down. And if you have never visited before, then what are you waiting for?
CounterSpy was a game that caught many people's eye with it art style and Cold War setting, but it's great to see that it also has the gameplay to back it up. The mixture of side scrolling stealth with the cover-based 3D shooting is quite an ingenious one, but simple enough that when combined with the randomly generated levels, you can hop into the game for a few minutes and, ignoring a few flaws, find yourself staying for an hour.
Games like Disgaea 4 are what the Vita was built for. Although the console has recently been rebranded as the home of indie gaming on-the-go, there are dozens of stellar Japanese imports to be had, A Promise Revisited being one of them.
One key element of the game which is solely available to PS4 owners is the ability to remote play the game via their PS Vita. I thought that this would be a huge boon, and realistically given the nature of the game a good opportunity to hack my way through a horde or two via the work wifi. The truth is that the game simply hasn't been optimised enough for the smaller screen, and you're left squinting at miniscule letters and icons trying to decipher what has been said, whilst attacking creatures that make the Borrowers look like giants. The controls on the Vita just don't hold up that well either, with the rear touchpad continuing to be a poor imitation of digital buttons. It's a shame really as one of the key differentiators for people who've already played Diablo 3 would be the chance to play it on the go. I just can't recommend that you do.
In its current state the game should have been a £1.99 PlayStation Mobile title, not a £7.99 PlayStation 4 game. The title is coming to PS Vita this week and will be cross-buy but not cross save, and is certainly more suited to short bursts of gaming on a bus.
Facepalm Games have created something special with The Swapper, with Cruve Studios helping to bring the game to PlayStation. The unique cloning abilities of the mysterious Swapper device pave the way for some challenging puzzle designs and a gripping story, that sci-fi fans will no doubt love. However, you can't help but feel that it's all over far too soon.
MouseCraft is a game that manages to take inspiration from two classic titles and create something fun. The fact that I became obsessed with making sure every mouse made it through the obstacle course tells you how addictive this game can be. Of the 80 levels included, there are a few that can stop you in your tracks and put you off from returning, but that minor flaw aside, MouseCraft is a great game that puzzle fans should take a look at.
However, it's let down by certain graphical limitations and a general lack of polish to the presentation. The PlayStation 4 version is very much a transitional release, importantly getting a game out on the new console before starting to refine it over the next few years.
There's a good amount of enjoyment and a fair old challenge to be found with Sniper Elite 3. Those who are after more than just another run-and-gun game will do well here, and the inclusion of two player co-op is the icing on the cake. Unfortunately the game is dragged down slightly by the number of glitches, which somewhat ruin the immersion. Still, if you're after something both tactical and brutal, this is well worth a look.
With that said, Blue Estate's asking price is a little steep for a game that barely stretches past the four-hour mark. Sure, there are collectibles to find and high scores to beat, though this won't be enough to coax some into replaying the game.
The worries I had regarding passing the reins over to another developer and publisher are laid to rest here. It is far from a perfect game but the fighting, particularly striking, is the best it has ever been. EA Canada has done a good job of showing that the UFC series is in good hands by delivering an excellent game.
Ubisoft has certainly upped its game in the past several years, with Watch Dogs being yet another display of both the publisher's ingenuity and willingness to take risks, all for the benefit of players.