Single player is little more than a flashy tutorial. Multiplayer receives several improvements and holds impressive value. Without the numerous technical faults, Battlefield 4 would be a great entry in the franchise.
Contrast is underwhelming due to basic and unrefined platforming mechanics. The adventure fails to capitalize on strengths and the resulting experience falls flat.
Age of Wonders 3 is a magical turned-based sequel with many intricacies. It provides outstanding value and compelling reasons to keep growing your empire each turn.
If you like Slender, play that instead and pretend you are navigating a maze of corridors. If you hate Slender, run far away from Daylight as though evil witches are chasing you.
Bests the original with sensible improvements to combat and world design. Tower defense missions are packed with great action and other additional features improve replay value.
Reusing tracks drags the career down and highlights other flaws. Multiplayer has good features, but is hurt by paltry income and wait times. GRID Autosport is a disappointing racing grind that falls well short of the original.
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter uses ambiguity to tell an interesting tale. Unfortunately the lack of direction can mean you spend too much time aimlessly fumbling through a pretty world.
Alien: Isolation could have been a superb experience if some components were better balanced or removed. There is still enough tension to make you fear the dark.
Even with the Exo Suit, the campaign is more derivative than any previous Call of Duty game. The multiplayer action is frenetic, but various shortcomings prevent it being a leap forward.
Dragon Age: Inquisition is nothing short of astounding, from its immense world to the deep characters. The memorable adventure has flaws, but they pale in comparison to its numerous triumphs.
With a working adventure formula that utilizes light and shadow, White Night offers a haunted house full of atmosphere and ripe for exploration. Just don't run out of matches.
With two great new multiplayer modes, solid maps and interesting gadgets, Battlefield Hardline carefully folds a police theme into the franchise. The result is a chaotic and rewarding experience.
With Van Helsing III, the franchise stumbles at the final hurdle, failing to capitalize on ideas from its predecessors and even regressing in some areas. While still a competent action-RPG, it is a disappointing finish to a good series.
Escape Dead Island is an unnecessary spinoff to a franchise that deserved better. The awkward melee, flawed stealth and erratic shooting produce a bland adventure.
Resident Evil: Revelations 2 offers an interesting campaign in a unique format, cleverly promoting switching between four diverse characters.
Victor Vran offers basic dungeon crawling action with limited replay value. The online portion may be enough to sustain some players.
Trine 3 is fun, but also a step back for the series. While the levels are glorious, the 3D movement is imprecise and the story is incomplete.
Act of Aggression is a visually appealing and well-designed strategy title that stands amid its peers as a worthwhile and slightly flawed throwback to a bygone era.
SOMA creates a tangible underwater facility with overpowering tension and a haunting atmosphere. It paces the horror carefully and will captivate minds with its narrative.
Life is Strange is an endearing adventure title where time folds naturally around two good friends trying to uncover a dark mystery.