ZTGD's Reviews
Kinect Sports Rivals isn't going to sell anyone on an Xbox One, or even Kinect for that matter, but it is definitely the best use of the device to date. For those looking for a fun way to get active with their new $500 machine, this is the best example of it yet. I love Rare, and think they still make some of the best software. Rivals definitely feels polished and carrying that quality.
From the very first episode, I considered Wolf Among Us to be Telltale's finest work yet, and after episode 3, my opinion hasn't changed. Now all that remains is the excruciating wait for episode four.
For $7, King Oddball is not necessarily a bad choice. It's a decent simple game that can be played for a few minutes and then returned to later. There's a good amount of content, but most of it can get repetitive if players are not careful. It should be played in small bursts. But for fans of Angry Birds and other Crush the Castle type games will get some fun out of King Oddball.
Fans of Tolkien's work or the recent movies are sure to enjoy the journey there, and back again. For everyone else, this is another LEGO title. For better or worse, the series keeps on chugging. Thankfully it is always of high quality.
Daylight is somewhat of a strange title. It has the makings of a great horror game with its art design and world, but the game play revolves around too many of the same mechanics while the procedurally generated levels offer up more missteps than different experiences. Don't get me wrong, it is a rather creepy game and it can still frighten even the boldest of players, but in the end, it is a single play through game that lasts four hours at the most.
Triple Deluxe is great 2D platformer, with some really nice design. I needed just under 7 hours to finish the campaign, and going back to collect all of the Sun Stones and unlock bonus levels will add a few hours to that. There's also a multiplayer battle arena and platforming/rhythm hybrid game, though neither held much lasting appeal for me. For fans of 2D platformers it's a good choice, and definitely worth checking out.
It's a testament to the series brand as a whole to make an otherwise solid title feel disappointing, but I've come to expect more and I hope they find the right path through the dark in the next sequel.
There is a lot to love about Mario Golf: World Tour. For those that really enjoy the more light-hearted approach to golf that games like this and Hot Shots provide, this is a no-brainer. World Tour does so much right and mixing it with the familiar Nintendo universe seals the deal. Anyone with a 3DS has yet another must-own title to pick up for the handheld.
Collecting things for the sake of collecting them isn't a very compelling reason, and given there isn't much more to Full Bore than that, it ends up being a decent incomplete puzzle platformer and not much more.
For pinball fans looking for more, this pack is quite the steal. Of course, Star Wars fans will get the most out of it, but even with the objectives being a little obscure, the casual pinball players can have a ton of fun. There's a good amount of content to have the pinball wizards playing for a long while. Zen Studios said they were bringing more tables, and they delivered.
It is still fun to swing around the city, and some portions really shine, but a full-fledged, full-price experience Amazing Spider-Man 2 is certainly not.
While I don't know why anyone would want to play without the puzzles, even those who do will find themselves seeking them out for the extra information they provide. Ether One is a sharp, unique game that deals with a tragic subject in an empathetic way, and it's definitely worth checking out.
Fans of baseball and even those only slightly curious have yet another great title for the new console.
Players looking for a very artistic world with unique narration and an amazing soundtrack, you have just found it. Strategy fans will have a great time taking on the combat, and anyone looking for a great game for $20 should not pass this up. Transistor has the style along with the game play that makes this a must own for many.
Even if the player interaction has been toned down, there are still some really great things to see and do in Episode 3. It is a gruesome ride that is full of peril, difficult decisions and some great moments. If you have already invested time and money into Season 2, keep going; it is well worth it. If you haven't picked up the full season or are thinking about starting it up, do yourself a favor and do it already.
As someone without an existing tie to the series it was a good time, although there are certainly some rough spots in the game play. For Tex Murphy veterans it's like finding an old photo album full of happy memories, and for outsiders it's a solid, if occasionally frustrating, adventure game.
Bound by Flame is a great, terrible game. Something about it kept me wanting to push through its problems to find the enjoyment buried within. I can't explain why a game that does so much wrong entertained me so much. I couldn't stop playing it despite its issues. There is just something endearing about this game.
With all the money and development time thrown at this game, is this really all they could come up with for their DLC – three maps and no new modes? Even with a cheaper price point, it's hard to recommend this pack.
Mario Kart 8 is certainly more Mario Kart, but that isn't a bad thing. Any series that can last over two decades and still generate this much love from gamers has to be doing something right. While the latest entry doesn't set the world on fire with its innovation, it makes up for it by delivering some of the best tracks in the history of the franchise, and rock-solid visuals.
On a purely functional level Sparkle 2 is fine, but it lacks features that are not only standard for its genre, but that provide the biggest reasons to play.