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Firefall has potential, but it's not quite there just yet. A little bit more restructuring and beefing up in some areas will help Firefall evolve, if Red 5 Studios can give more time and money to the project. Hopefully it keeps developing the title, as it does have potential.
The most complete and best version of a great game, the Ultimate Evil Edition is an excellent addition to any growing PS4 collection, especially if you enjoy dungeon crawling with friends.
Surgeon Simulator Anniversary Edition is still giant dripping bucket of stupid fun - and most of the new content is great - but absent is the howling laughter and pure novelty from its debut. Playing it all again, it's more of a tedious game and less of a pristine collection of interactive nonsense. If it's your first time, however, managing Surgeon Simulator's commitment to inane detail alongside its savage construction is a great ride.
Genuine art is meant to evoke a response from its audience, and Hohokum's diverse assortment of imaginative endeavors makes it easy to get lost inside its world. It's effective union of art, activity and music, managing a progression of open personal responses without the weight of a direct narrative or dissonant mechanics. If you're out there looking for the holy grail of emotive game design, Hohokum's declarative statement to the power of amusement is worthy of consideration.
The Last of Us finds a very appropriate home on the PS4.
Perhaps "Ninja Gaiden" is too easy a comparison to make because it, like "Wooden Sen'Sey", stars a ninja character. Goro's got spunk, though, which translates through his comedic willingness to press onward despite repeated slaughterings by my under-practiced hands. Like the famous NES title, "Wooden Sen'Sey" packs a punch in the difficulty department (though nowhere near as distressing) that might unsettle some players. And, at times, there's a sense that the developers are trying to toy with the player rather than reward them for skill mastery. Still, "Wooden Sen'Sey" is cheap, good-spirited and chuckle-inducing. It's a charming addition to the Wii U eShop that lays the groundwork for an even more ground-breaking sequel (please?)
In an era when re-releases are defined exclusively through a hurried assemblage of post-release content, it's nice to see a developer make a genuine effort to improve the whole game and not simply bolt parts on and call it a day. Guacamelee was already a great game, and while not all of the extras for Super Turbo Championship Edition are beneficial, it's tough to say the grand experience isn't better for their inclusion.
The versatility of Dark Souls' appeal is directly related to the adaptability of a strong willed player. The Crown of the Sunken King, Dark Souls II's first issue of downloadable content, engenders and engages this philosophy as well as any challenge in the proper game. In a certain light The Crown of the Sunken King actually does it better, employing different constraints and driving new ways to explore and appreciate Dark Souls II's finer details.
One Piece Unlimited World Red is a decent action-RPG. It has a solid fighting system intact that leads the way, though it does need some work, and a building/gathering element to it that will add some longevity to the overall gameplay. One Piece fans will appreciate it, but newbies might want to give it a rent before jumping at it.
Infinity Runner boasts an attractive premise - a werewolf must escape a space station - but its thinly sliced narrative doesn't contain any satisfactory hooks and its moments of player agency rarely reach any sort of plateau. Infinity Runner's beautiful premise isn't an invitation to something greater; it's an excuse for an otherwise incidental experience.
Once again, Sniper Elite proves to be a really fun and engaging game, despite its numerous bugs at launch. If you can stomach the issues, there's a lot of enjoyment to be had, but Rebellion really needs to tighten up their QA problems, and maybe then they can focus on an all around more robust entry next time.
What Killzone Shadow Fall Intercept lacks in maps and level design, it makes up with strong, team oriented gameplay and a deep points/reward system that keeps you going. Intercept certainly renews the excitement of owning Killzone Shadow Fall.
WildStar is a remarkably funny and action packed MMO that oozes with personality. Though many features aren't exactly groundbreaking, WildStar manages to build on many tried and true MMO elements. A wealth of features tailored to both casual and hardcore players ensure an enjoyable experience for all.
A fun, interesting, and altogether engaging take on tower defense, Space Run is a sleeper hit.
This is a very solid first time in the Octagon for EA. The foundation they've put in place for the gameplay is something they can definitely work with going forward. In comparison to the last time a game was released with the UFC brand attached, this does lag behind somewhat. Undisputed 3 played a little crisper, a little cleaner, while exhibiting more confidence to the player that he/she can completely wrap their head around all parts of every control aspect with efficiency. A great roster, awesome tutorials, and thorough Career teams up with local support for two as well as a handful of good online options gets things going back in the right direction. And the graphical quality of the fighters is really a sight to behold and is something the development team can display with pride. UFC has some great ideas brewing, and a wonderful base for growth. The next installment would benefit from some consolidation in a few areas while making other "finer points" a bit more accessible.
Pushmo World is a nice addition to the Wii U eShop content and should be played by any puzzle fan who hasn't yet experienced Pushmo and doesn't own a 3DS. However, if you're in either of the previous two categories, you would probably be better served to pick up the original Pushmo and/or Crashmo for an equally enjoyable experience at a discounted price with the freedom of portable gaming.
While life simulators in general give players the opportunity to create a persona and live out that avatar's life in ways they might not to live their own, this game gives the player the ability to affect dozens of lives without dictating every single moment of any given individual Mii's existence. If nothing else, "Tomodachi Life" presents a fascinating digital social realm that may, in time, shed some light on real-life interactions and allow us as a species to reflect upon our own selves. It may not be the prettiest game out there and it may not offer the most varied gameplay experience, but I'd be surprised if at the end of the year we in the gaming landscape don't look back on "Tomodachi Life" as the most unique title offered in 2014.
Entwined will put your brain to work and force you to think with both hands at the same time. It will challenge you to do better and keep you going, while at the same time relaxing your senses. It's not perfect, but it's engaging enough to warrant the time, money and effort.
It's not without its flaws to be sure, some of which are patchable, but Murdered Soul Suspect offers an interesting mystery and enough other positives to make it well worth playing.
War Thunder has some issues here and there, but it's a very competent flying and ground war game that doesn't let its microtransaction component get in the way. There's plenty of tanks and planes to try out and modify to your liking, and just enough visuals to enjoy along the way. It's not perfect, but it's a solid game.