Polygon's Reviews
Horizon Zero Dawn feels like a storied developer finally finding its voice
Rakuen is authentic and extraordinary
In XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, fighting a losing battle might be just as much fun as fighting and winning.
For a character nearing 40 years old, it's amazing that Mario has remained not only a beloved character but one whose games are generally expected to be great. From that perspective, it's no surprise that Super Mario Odyssey is, yes, a great game. But more than that, it's a fantastic, even fundamental addition to Mario's legacy. From a plumber to a doctor to a tennis star to, uh, a Goomba, Mario has endured. No, this will not be the last Mario game, but it is almost certain to be lauded as one of his best.
Story has never been the pull of the Ys franchise for me, though, and if you're not yet familiar with the series, it's not why you should give this game a chance. And make no mistake: You should give Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana a chance. Developer Nihon Falcom has always been talented, but this project represents a new high for the studio, a game where each piece comes together and interlocks in a way that feels damn near perfect. Don't let the obscure name fool you; forgettable story aside, this is one of the best action-RPGs of this generation.
This isn't a restoration — the team isn't simply retracing the lines and rejuvenating the colors — and yet it sets out, intentionally, to reproduce the source text, warts and all. Each time I battled with the camera and controls, I imagined the creators of this new Colossus considering niche theories on restoration that you'd expect from a city zoning board trying to protect a historic building. How much of the bad stuff must be kept? Where a classic building often retains the exterior, the answer for a classic game appears to be all interior.
Ultimately, these issues are small nicks in an otherwise intimidating facade. Halo: The Master Chief Collection sets a bar that other remasters and collections will have difficulty reaching, much less topping. For players new to Halo, who have missed any of the included games, it is a stunning introduction to one of the most beloved series in video games. For Halo fans, it's a package that shows almost as much respect and affection for the Master Chief as they do.
Shovel Knight is the kind of game people write love letters about
Sony San Diego eschewed developing splashy back-of-the-box bullet points in favor of refining an already great game, exhibiting a confidence that is itself quietly remarkable — just like this series' consistency.
Bloodborne is a shrewd turn from its souls lineage
It has a feel that no other game really captures, and a flow that's hypnotic within mere seconds of starting up a new track.
An arcade sports video game for the ages, worthy of the likes of Tecmo Super Bowl, NBA Jam, Mutant League Football and Backyard Baseball. No sports video game of 2014 approached its subject with as much imagination as Super Mega Baseball. In such a rigid genre with high barriers to new ideas, this game is a legitimate breakthrough.
From a very cynical perspective, Far Cry 4 is "more Far Cry," but it's delivered in such a sophisticated fashion that I can't really see how that's a negative. If each iteration is this smart and silly and beautiful and ridiculous, I don't see this series wearing out its welcome with me anytime soon.
Advanced Warfare shows what the series needed most was risk
Velocity 2X could have taken the easy route, sticking with proven mechanics for a predictable sequel. Instead, it makes a big bet, adding on-foot gameplay to already-sharp ship gameplay and the entire game is so much stronger for it.
This is the first time since Madden NFL 10 where I've had that a-ha moment where all I want to do is go play Madden, and it's not because of some role-playing device in the career mode, or a nifty collection of throwback uniforms, or the fact there was a military flyover before the Super Bowl...It's because the gameplay is focused to raising my knowledge and skill rather than accommodating or minimizing the lack of it.
Rogue Legacy rewards patience with non-stop surprises.
The New Order's got all the workings of a classic shooter. But in their trip back to the well, Machine Games has brought all of its talents to bear. The New Order is held together, even rocketed beyond the basic sum of its smart levels and effective mechanics by its characters. That humanity takes what would be a good shooter and makes it something truly memorable.
Sportsfriends hardly feels like a video game, and that's what makes it so special. It's an experience that anyone can enjoy, regardless of their gaming experience, totally irrespective of their specialty at sports or team-based games.
If you have the three or four hours to devote to it and care about the future of games as a storytelling medium, Ethan Carter is must-play.