Digital Chumps
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Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate feels right at home on the 3DS. The segmented environments are perfect for gaming on the go and the game's addictive item creation is perfect for bringing wherever your travels take you. The number of unique creatures to hunt, expansive number of items to collect and craft, and strong multiplayer experience make for a must-play experience on the 3DS.
The impartial reality of childhood promises tragedy is treated with same innocence as prosperity. We're better equipped to learn from mistakes than act on advice, a phase of humanity Gravity Ghost both indulges and exposes to its own limitations. Expressed as a product, Gravity Ghost is an inventive platformer with a precarious and affecting narrative. Absorbed as an experience, Gravity Ghost makes a better case for the union of interactivity and storytelling.
Dying Light presents a dynamic and frustrating parallel; it's quick to dazzle its audience with heaping stacks of energetic (if not wholly borrowed) content, but equally capable of coming apart under the burgeoning stress of weaving it all together. A reticence to acknowledge its own pratfalls leaves the responsibility of proper assembly to the player. If you're up to that particular challenge, Dying Light's one of the more impressive games of the modern generation.
Life is Strange has simplicity to it that is driven by a strong and intriguing storyline. It's one of those titles that demands your attention, but doesn't ask too much from your gaming skills. Gamers may not like the lack of control and variety of gameplay, but the freedom to dictate the character and story might be enough to warrant a go.
#IDARB shoots high. It seeks to shake up the familiar co-op sports game with simplistic controls and unstoppable energy and creates an ultra-competitive gameplay that's easy to play or watch. And while the game shines at 2v2, it falls victim to its own frenzy with any additional players. Online matchmaking could be much improved, but #IDARB remains an immensely technical game that rewards skill and luck when everything falls into place.
The Remastered version brings this masterpiece to a new generation, and does nothing to compromise the genius of the original.
There are times when Saints Row IV feels like the greatest super hero game ever made and there are times when it feels paralyzed by all of its power. Even when Saints Row IV retreats into molds it's perfectly equipped to destroy, it's always operating under the some of the most ridiculous and hilarious context seen in a videogame. Humor sharpens Saints Row IV's experience, though it won't stop you from wondering of what it could have been with a bit more focus.
Wrapping American cultural stereotypes and the feckless disposition of politicians around an effigy of Earthbound is an electrifying thesis, but not one that Citizens of Earth quite sees to its potential or conclusion. The ingenuity of its character-based progression systems is stacked against tedious battle mechanics, suspect level design, and demoralizing performance crashes. Citizens of Earth is ultimately a victory, but not without a few conspicuous bruises.
Resident Evil HD Remaster is almost everything promised. After all these years, it still doesn't miss a step.
By tying humor and outrageous context to its moving parts, Saints Row The Third and Saints Row IV became viable systems in the modern open-world paradigm. Gat out of Hell (mostly) forgets all of this, sheds (mostly) all of its psychotic humor, and bolts on (mostly) dated mechanics. Its intended function may be a stop-gap between major iterations, but its execution feels like a failed audition against its recent past.
Mystery of Mooil Rig continues Sunset Overdrive's maelstrom of colorful and chaotic action. As far as downloadable content goes, Mystery of Mooil Rig is wholly traditional - but when it's applied to a game as whimsically defiant as Sunset Overdrive, it's tough to complain.
Racing games are often iterative in nature. So retreats from the mundane are a welcome change of pace. Storm Island offers a unique perspective on Horizon 2's template without completely retooling what makes the gameplay work so well. The weather patterns are amazing eye candy, but (for better or worse) don't have quite the aggressive effect on handling as one might expect. The new vehicles are the best part of the expansion, and have great showcase races on which to properly display their best traits in a competitive setting. This DLC may not offer 50+ hours of new races, but it does include enough to be a legit extension to Horizon 2's frame, and the fresh landscape affords plenty of new casual drives. If this was at the $15 price point, I'd say go for it with no hesitation whatsoever. For $20, I caution those looking for truckloads of new content to be leery of the abbreviated collection of Championships and Gauntlets. Still, this is a very solid offering for Horizon 2 owners looking for a reason to put the virtual pedal down during the holidays.
If you go into Sportsball with friends ready to play a local multiplayer experience, and ready to screw each other over, then you're going to find a very fun and inexpensive experience on the Wii U. If you're looking for more of a solo game, then this probably isn't the game for you.
I understand the fierce criticism accompanying The Dark Below, but I don't think it merits such animosity. The new content offers more frequent loot drops and there are many options for buying higher-level loot. This expands access to high-level activities for both players who buy and those who don't buy the expansion. Making Destiny more accessible in this way is a welcome addition to a game built around its cooperative environment. This remains a game best enjoyed with friends, so the more people playing, the better.
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris has its limitations due to the dungeon crawling style of the game, especially in the presentation department. However, it does a great job with bringing some fun puzzle solving, competent enemies and level design, as well as a strong leveling system that motivates the gamer to keep going.
A good value for a well designed and developed digital tabletop game set in one of gaming's most intriguing universes.
Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms provides a great value and a superb action RPG experience.
agic: The Gathering — Duels of the Planeswalkers 2015 doesn't pull any punches with what it is and how it's played. It's a tough game that will challenge you, much like the actual card game, and will force you to think and strategize before jumping into the mix. It's certainly made for a specific audience that enjoys mathematics and forward thinking.
The charm of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker resides in the unique variety of levels built for the game, as well as the competent, yet simplistic gameplay design it delivers. Add a strong replay value to the mix and you have one of the best surprises to hit the Wii U this holiday season.
A strong first outing on the PS4 that's pretty great as is and worth considering for anyone at all interested in motocross. Next year's version should be quite interesting.