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That said BlazeRush is easily recommendable as one of the experiences to show off your fancy new toy if you get a Rift. It certainly has that initial "wow factor" even though it isn't the kind of game that comes to mind when most people think virtual reality. It just isn't an experience I can recommend for gameplay as it leaves much to be desired; such as people to play with online, as there were none.
Ultimately, Star Fox Guard's relationship to the adventures of Fox McCloud is skin deep. As spin-offs go, it's not a compelling addition to the series, so much as it is a substantially unconnected, but inventive take on the tower defense genre that is lucky to be riding on the coattails of an established franchise.
It's not as impressive as Der Eisendrache or the aforementioned Shadows of Evil though. This is mostly due to fatigue from the same cast that has been around since World at War, as there's only so many times you can hear Steve Blum call a zombie a "freakbag" before your eyes start to roll in the back of your head. I really liked seeing Heather Graham kick Lovecraftian ass in the base Black Ops III map.
There is obvious talent at work behind Phantasmal. The lighting and setting are amazing and there are some great ideas buried way underneath all the bugs and issues. I hope they can learn from the mistakes of this title and release something that lives up to the potential that they display.
Bravely Second is a missed opportunity in many ways. It's too similar to the original to woo a new crowd, and any risks it takes are narrative-centric and mostly fall flat. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to still be playing JRPGs in 2016, but it's more important than ever for studios to avoid resting on their laurels.
As a product for humans though, I can't see Wasteland Workshop as anything but a bad buy. A cynical ploy to pad out the “value” of the Season Pass and maybe milk a few weirdos like me who just can't resist neon lights. If you have the Season Pass, I guess you might get some use out of this. If you were waiting to see if you wanted this al a carte, you would be better off going with Automatron. At least the robots haven't turned on me... yet.
Initially, I wasn't all that excited to hear about a Ratchet & Clank reboot, but having actually played it, I don't mind seeing a resurgence at all. This feels like a last-ditch effort for Sony to bring this series into the spotlight again, and honestly, I hope it works out.
Even with the slow grind, I have no reservations saying Stranger of Sword City is a damn fine dungeon crawler. It's challenging, it's beautiful to look at, and it kept me on my toes throughout the adventure as I walked the fine line between playing it smart and playing it dangerously. If this game can make a believer out of me, imagine what die-hard dungeon crawler fans will think of it.
The beauty of Epic Dumpster Bear is how it isn't afraid to say "This is fucking stupid and ugly, I admit that, but that's the point." The overall presentation somehow mixes great music and tight platforming with a hilariously dumb story and purchased assets to make something surprisingly playable and enjoyable. This one goes in the so bad its good category.
Since its release, Killer Instinct has slowly become one of the most competent fighters in the genre. It's accessible at all levels thanks to its approachable yet deep combo system and extensive tutorial. Its characters, including the new ones from Season 3, all have unique mechanics and tons of small touches that bring them to life. With an efficient and non-scummy free-to-play model and PC availability, there are few reasons not to jump into Killer Instinct.
It's a different sort of game when compared to its brothers, but it works very well in the space it occupies. It's unfortunate that there are quite a handful of technical issues, because otherwise this is a great excuse to head back to the Sword Coast.
It's business as usual in terms of the moment-to-moment happenings, but it benefits from the altered structure that eschews multi-episode arcs in favor of singular experiences. For the first time in the series, I'm looking forward to continuing onward, if only a little.
Aegis of Earth: Protonovus Assault is proof positive that one good idea can’t carry a title. The central gimmick is a good one, but there is just no reason to subject yourself to a game so unambitious and condescending.
With tons to find, unlock and kill, Enter the Gungeon is easily recommendable to those that don't mind a bit of repetition and difficulty, and especially to fans of Nuclear Throne and Binding of Isaac. While it doesn't totally reinvent the twin-stick shooter, it has all but perfected it and is worth every penny.
Esper 2 constantly reminded me of a bygone era and the future of VR at the same time. It borrows a lot of inspiration from classic PC adventure games, but also manages to inject some of its own signature humor in and usher us into the new dawn of virtual reality without feeling like a tech demo -- even if the experience itself is fleeting.
Even though I generally dig Outer Rim, I think it's a fairly tough sell as a standalone add-on given the current pricing. If you're way into the game, specifically the smaller modes, it has some of the better content in all of Battlefront. But otherwise, I'd stick with the free updates for now and wait to see how the three other packs in the season pass play out before committing to the full bundle.
If Dark Souls III truly is the last game for now, it makes perfect sense, since it's just as much of a love letter to fans as it is a culmination of the series. I may not have like this iteration as much as the rest, but it's still streets ahead of most current action games and deserves a warm spot on your shelf by the bonfire.
Mood and atmosphere can carry me a long way, and I adored every second I spent in Hyper Light Drifter's world. The combat and movement often left me slack-jawed and giddy, a perfect homage to the '90s RPGs that obviously inspired Heart Machine, while still feeling completely fresh and constantly surprising.
There's not a lot to complain about with the Sequence. Its clean look and atmospheric electronic music don't distract from the real meat, the puzzles. As far as that goes, there are a lot of them to take on, especially for the minuscule price. It can be tough at times, but that just makes it more gratifying when it all works out and the balls go in the hole.
Stephen's Sausage Roll is a rare, beautiful thing. It's a game where every aspect of it is designed with such incredible care and efficiency that it actually comes together as one cohesive whole. I've been intentionally vague on specifics in order to preserve the sense of exploration and excitement that comes with discovering something brand new for when you play it yourself. Please don't dismiss it because of the price or the fact that you think it looks ugly, because you'd be missing out on one of the greatest games I have ever played.