Cheat Code Central
HomepageCheat Code Central's Reviews
Eleven years is far too long of a gap for a series of this caliber, though we can set those complaints aside for awhile, as Age of Wonders III has the potential to keep you hooked for a good long time. Whether playing a campaign against the computer or taking on eight other players in a random map, it bears the hallmark only a few empire building games have--the addiction to take "just one more turn". With a half-dozen classes, each with exclusive skills, spells, and units to unlock, as well as countless more denizens to discover, each playthrough is bound to reveal something new and interesting for you to enjoy.
We have gotten used to games like Borderlands 2's introducing us to whole new areas and multiple hours of new plot in its DLC packs, or BioShock Infinite's DLC expanding on other games in the series and introducing us to new and old characters. Reaper of Souls isn't like that. It's really only giving fans of the original a few more toys to play with. Unfortunately, the $40 price of admission weighs heavy on this title, and the sparse new content doesn't quite justify it. In short, if you weren't a huge Diablo III fan then Reaper of Souls won't change your mind. However, if you enjoyed the original then Reaper of Souls adds a new class, several new environments, and a bunch of replay value. Just be warned, the plot isn't the greatest and you'll likely have to purchase another expansion in the future to finally see some sort of satisfying conclusion.
inFAMOUS: Second Son is a title you need to own. It exemplifies what is to come from next-gen while keeping the game rooted in pure simple fun. I have played several games throughout my career, some have been glorious train wrecks, and then there are a few which scratch the surface of extraordinary. Second Son doesn't scratch the surface, it blows a damn hole through it, and you will enjoy every time a new hole is made. If you have a PS4 you have no reason to not get this game, if you don't have a PS4 what the hell are you waiting for? Second Son paves the path for next-gen capabilities by being the best there is at what it does.
So, I guess you have to ask yourself one question--How big of a Metal Gear fan are you? If you can wait, the price of this game will almost certainly go down quickly. But if you can't wait and you have the extra money, you will love Ground Zeroes no matter how short it is. It gives us a glimpse of the greatness that is sure to come in The Phantom Pain, let's us get our Metal Gear fix, and shows us the future of stealth games on next-gen consoles. While I don't agree with the price, I can most definitely say it is the most fun I've had in a MGS game in a long time and is easily worth your time. But will fans pay for it? Only time will tell on that one. Hopefully, this little experiment won't start a flood of partially completed games touting themselves as "prologues" hitting the market. If so, we may see the end of demos, and none of us want that.
I was more than a little disappointed in the lack of challenge and overall content in Yoshi's New Island. The features that are included lack cohesion, and the bare bones multiplayer is laughable. Nintendo could argue that the design of the series is meant for a younger audience, yet I was twenty-seven when I played Yoshi's Island DS and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yoshi has had some grand adventures of his own, but sadly this is not one of them.
In short, TitanFall has the goods. If you have an Xbox One, buy this game. If you don't have an Xbox One or gaming PC and love FPS multiplayer games, go buy an Xbox One and buy TitanFall. They even have a convenient bundle for you. Even though I wish TitanFall had a more complete campaign, it doesn't detract from the fact that it is probably the most fun multiplayer FPS I've ever played. Sorry Battlefield. Now, if you'll excuse me, my Titan is ready. "Order Confirmed. TitanFall incoming."
But is Resident Evil 4: Ultimate HD edition the definitive version of the game? Well that's a hard question to answer. It has all the cool extras that every other version before it had, minus Wiimote motion controls of course, but it doesn't have much more. It's just as good looking at the Wii version, just as good sounding as pretty much every other version, and has all the content of the PS2 version. So, in the end, the definitive version of the game will depend on what style of controls you like more. If you dig motion controls, pick it up for the Wii, if not, pick it up on PC.
A lot of people complained that Episode 1 didn't stand alone as its own story, and Episode 2 still doesn't But frankly, it doesn't matter. There are still unanswered questions, cliffhanger endings, and lack of any real resolution to any character's conflicts, but it's still a phenomenal story. Very much unlike Season 1, which had five episodes each sort of telling a micro story about a band of survivors, Season 2 is very much a continuous narrative, and that's what makes it great! There's no reason to skip The Walking Dead: Season 2: Episode 2: A House Divided. Heck, there's more reason to go back and purchase Season 1, and play it start to finish, just so that Season 2, has its full effect.
Perhaps the best part about Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is its price point. At only $39.99 US for Xbox One and $29.99 US for the Xbox 360 version, it's a relatively cheap and extremely fun take on shooters, which is all too rare these days. To date, this is the lowest-priced disc-based game to be released on the Xbox One, which is sorely needed to bolster the consoles anemic lineup. If you love the original PvZ games and want to try a different type of shooter, you really can't go wrong here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to call in this Corn Strike with my Garlic Drone. I'm sure you understand.
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is the apt way to finish the trilogy, tidying up all the loose ends of the prequel series, and leaving a fresh start as Layton and Luke drive towards a "Curious Village". The puzzles may have a slight lack of originality, but they are superbly crafted yet not overbearing. I would have enjoyed some more engaging minigames, but there are still plenty of other diversions to lose dozens of hours in. It's bittersweet to envision this as the final game for Hershel Layton. I feel like the series has run its proper course, but still find it hard to swallow a future without a game as unique as Professor Layton.
I'll be blunt: if you loved the original Thief series, you won't enjoy this game. If you have never played the original Thief games, there's some enjoyment to be had, but there are other stealth-heavy games around that are a far better overall package than this one. Thief has a few good ideas, but they're dragged down by the game's design as a whole. With available games that let us freely scale the outside of those wooden castles of old, why should we settle for one that sticks us on a plastic kiddy playground?
The list of first-party titles for the Wii U is growing, with several big titles on the release list this year. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a great way to start the year for Nintendo. It has an endearing quality that will capture you, and a challenge level worthy of even the most skilled players. The new characters and online features add just enough extras to keep things fresh. If you're craving an old-school platformer, need a break from all the shooters and MMOs, and just can't get enough of DK's snappy red tie, this is an absolute must buy for you.
Is Outlast the best looking game for the PS4? Certainly not. But it more than makes up for it in quality and gameplay, and with a free price tag for PlayStation Plus members, this game must be experienced by anyone who even has a passing interest in the horror genre. So, suck it up buttercup, and get ready to pee on yourself a little. Just a little. It's okay, that's what they make washers for, right?
Final verdict? Well if you enjoyed Episode 1 of The Wolf Among Us, you'll love Episode 2. If you didn't enjoy Episode 1 of The Wolf Among Us… what the heck is the matter with you? Telltale continues to prove why they are a master of their craft with Smoke and Mirrors. In fact, the only thing wrong with this episode, is that we are going to have to wait another few months before we find out what happens next. Go out and purchase The Wolf Among Us: Episode 2 today. You won't regret it.
Did Tomb Raider really need a Definitive Edition? No, it didn't. Honestly, I would have been happy with a straight port, but it did allow the developers to bring an amazing game to consoles that are desperately starving for good content. At the end of the day, Tomb Raider looks better, plays better, and (for the most part, stupid controller echo) sounds better than it ever has before, and contains all the DLC that was released in one easy-to-buy package. I guess it is a Definitive Edition after all.
In short, Bravely Default is the Japanese RPG that we've been waiting for. As many JRPG companies cram increasingly bizarre gimmicks, half naked underage-looking girls, or overly convoluted plots into their games, Bravely Default reminds us that it's possible to go back to basics without feeling stale. This classic Final Fantasy-style game is beautifully executed, fun to play, and not to be missed by anybody who has ever loved the JRPG genre.
Despite its lack of challenge, Broken Age is absolutely worth playing in order to explore its world, meet its wonderful characters and become hooked by the mystery presented by its story. I might even suggest playing Part 1 now and being forced to wait for the second half of the game to come out in the spring. It gives us time to ponder the mystery, come up with theories, discuss them with fellow fans, and get excited over the kind of mystery that's rare in this day of Let's Plays and Internet FAQs. It may not be the perfect game, but Broken Age is something special that any gamer with a taste for the fantastic won't want to miss.
Daedalic may have had the intent to spin a tale of treachery and malevolence with Blackguards, but from the outset you'll find that each character has a conscience that is rarely tested, ultimately weaving an only slightly less-than-virtuous tale. That being said, every encounter is exciting and challenging, and the massive amount of class tailoring gives you plenty of reasons to replay the adventure and sample different character choices. It's a great foundation, especially for a game developer not accustomed to the genre, and I am eager to see if Daedalic can do anything more with the series, be it with a sequel, new content, or tools for players to create their own adventures.
Overall, Dr. Luigi certainly scratches that virus-busting itch, and is especially fun with two players. Fans of the series and Tetris addicts shouldn't hesitate to pick it up from the Wii U eShop. It's the kind of game that doesn't need to change a great deal between versions, and its designers have wisely stuck to the basics while adding some entertaining twists to the gameplay with Operation L.
Don't Starve isn't perfect, but it brings something to the PS4 that is sorely needed. Its addictive qualities keep you playing, forcing you to lose hours of your life to dodging Pig Men, hunting rabbits, and gathering supplies to see how long you can last. This game will keep you playing that shiny new PS4, which is exactly what the PS4 needs right now. Now, time to jump in this rabbit hole and go to the Kingdom of the Bunnymen…hopefully.