Anthony LaBella
The worst part about my experience with Godzilla is the fact that it didn't provide laughs or enjoyment because of its poor quality. Instead, I just sat there bored for much of the time as I endlessly destroyed cities and fought other monsters in terribly unbalanced fights.
I hate to see a game like Legions of Steel fall short, because it's the kind of gameplay experience that I typically appreciate. It offers a challenge and requires careful planning, but it's missing mechanical depth.
It's not a successful music/rhythm game and it's not a successful racing game. It's merely an adequate hybrid with a kickass soundtrack. At least the latter is worth a download.
Tiny Trooper's few problems fail to completely derail the experience and it still works as a solid mobile port. I doubt it will make any real lasting impression with most players, but I had fun with some of the missions and grew attached to a few of my squad members as they leveled up over the course of the game (and then promptly died, because war is hell). Tiny Troopers may be a middle-of-the-road experience, but sometimes that's just fine.
The variety in game modes doesn't quite make up for the lack of heroes, but Toy Soldiers: War Chest provides some quality entertainment for tower defense aficionados. Even those who typically avoid the genre might appreciate the ability to control turrets and heroes.
The fantastic pulsating soundtrack kept me hooked for a little while, but eventually Pixel Galaxy repetition sets in. The lack of meaningful content holds the game back, which is a shame because the idea itself creates a foundation for something more. I still had fun forming ships out of enemies and the boss fights in particular provided a welcome challenge, but that only remains fun for so long. At least I see myself going back to the soundtrack on occasion.
Combat is only a small portion of the overall experience, but the other aspects of the game don't particularly shine. It's as if StarDrive 2 is content in its adequacy.
The only meaningful thing separating the two versions is the inclusion of new characters and quests, and those additions aren't quite strong enough to make Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition an easy recommendation.
The days of Twisted Metal are long gone (even with the reboot), but vehicular combat still holds a special place in my heart. Even though Cel Damage HD doesn't excel in any particular area, it has its fair share of fun moments. The lack of content and limited attempts at personality hinder those moments, but at the end of the day Cel Damage HD is a solid update of a mostly forgotten 13-year-old game.
Killing a bunch of zombies still has its charms in this day and age and I'll likely have nightmares about the dying light of Dying Light, but Techland's latest proves to be an uneven experience. Ultimately it's a game I appreciate for its ideas more so than its execution.
The Destiny diehards out there might love it, but House of Wolves won't convert many skeptics.
It's unfortunate that Assault Android Cactus feels a bit slight, because the game is quite a bit of fun in short bursts. Playing through the five zones provided a strong challenge, and the inclusion of so many distinct characters rewards those who experiment and try out different combinations. The luster eventually wears off, but players that enjoy seeing their names near the top of leaderboards will find a reason to keep coming back. As for everyone else, Assault Android Cactus occupies a handful of hours with a solid dual-stick shooter campaign.
Despite its shortcomings, Invisible, Inc. offers a nerve-wracking campaign in which decisions and consequences truly matter.
The combination of humor and fast-paced gameplay is where Not a Hero shines, and the game provides plenty of exciting moments with explosions, slides, and good ol' fashioned shooting.
As it stands now, A Realm Reborn vastly improves on its predecessor and delivers a wonderful fantasy world to spend countless hours in. It has its fair share of flaws, especially in regard to the quest structure, but I imagine fans of the genre will enjoy their time with the game regardless.
Normally, this is the part where I say fans of the series will enjoy Samurai Warriors 4, but I feel it does enough to create a broader appeal than some other Warriors titles. Nothing about the game stands out as particularly amazing, but it partially masks its issues with a content-heavy package and the noteworthy Chronicle mode.
The return of super powers and introduction of flight makes it a mostly enjoyable three hours, but as a standalone experience it falls just short of typical Saints Row success.
The lack of meaningful obstacles lessens the overall experience a bit, but Shantae and the Pirate's Curse still stands as an excellent addition to a series with a devoted fan base. The Pirate's Curse adheres to the Metroidvania formula from previous games, but everything here feels bigger and better. I imagine the devoted fan base will only grow after more people play it.
The combination of fun rhythm gameplay, impressively choreographed dances, and costume variety make Persona 4: Dancing All Night a worthy addition to the Persona 4 universe. It offers a strong challenge for players and even includes in-game items to make individual tracks easier or harder depending on skill level. The narrative falls short of other games in the franchise, but at least it features the familiar faces that fans have come to love. Now put those familiar faces in wacky costumes and watch them dance for their lives. Ya know, Persona-style.
There's not much else to Mushroom 11 beyond the core movement mechanic, but the game is confident in its limited scope. It allows the simple and innovate control scheme to take center stage, and though it requires both patience and practice, it contributes greatly to the novelty of the puzzle platformer experience. If players fall into a few lava pits along the way, so be it. At least an overwhelming sense of accomplishment awaits the green organism at the end of each chapter.