Examiner's Reviews
FIFA 16 delivers the beautiful game, in a beautiful way. While it's not perfect, it does the best we've seen in a football game in a long time.
Dark Souls 3 should serve as an example of a game that not only serves existing fans extremely well, but isn't so obtuse in its approach that it can't be picked up by a newbie and enjoyed, just as much as I did.
Super Mario Maker makes level creation incredibly easy and accessible for gamers of all ages. The Wii U GamePad is the perfect tool for level creation thanks to the touchscreen. Whether you are an adult or child, Mario Maker is a stress-free experience to make levels and see your vision become reality. Super Mario Maker is a brilliant Mario game, and a game that Mario fans and those aspiring to be game creators must-play.
Despite the cynics who might try to marginalize what this game truly is, it's something you must you must experience, whether that is with friends or on your own. The Division shows you can have both an incredible online multiplayer experience, while staying true to the roots of an immersive campaign. The Division is a magnificent revelation and one that was well worth the wait.
Naughty Dog has crafted a brilliant game that can stand alone as the best game on PlayStation 4. Uncharted was once referred to as a Tomb Raider clone, but it wound up being a Tomb Raider killer. Naughty Dog has elevated the video game industry as Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is pure brilliance.
Having had a great chance to digest the experience of Mirror's Edge Catalyst, I'm left with an open-world experience that doesn't sit on the crutch of weapon-driven combat, and instead lends gamers with a robust parkour system that is extremely rewarding and satisfying, all of which is set in a city that is truly worthy of a screenshot at every turn. It's a story that is touching, powerful and will have you invested in its characters. Mirror's Edge is back and it is here to stay.
Behind a wonderful Toy Box experience that actually rewards you for having the older figures in the series and a deep "Twilight of the Republic" plates, "Disney Infinity 3.0" is a wonderful addition to the series that can be played by anyone. While kids will naturally be attached to the series because of the figures, adults will love the simple, but addictive gameplay that takes them through a wonderful galaxy, far, far away.
When I step back and think about The Witness, it is a game that challenged me more than any has before. No matter what though, the challenges were always worth pushing through to find a solution because of the rewards that were hidden behind them. There will be a group of people who love this game for how rewarding it is, and at the same time, there will be a group that loathes it for how frustrating it is. All I know is I fell in the group of the former.
Xenoblade Chronicles X is a highly enjoyable game. The exploration, scale, and freedom the game delivers is unmatched by anything on the Wii U. It's one of the Wii U's best games and may be the Wii U's best game for 2015. RPG fans will love what the game has to offer.
Overall, NHL 16 is a remarkably improved experience compared to last year's. With more depth and features, addictive Be A Pro and Be A GM modes, stunning visuals and an exquisite gameplay experience, NHL 16 is exactly what people hoped NHL 15 would be: a great game.
It's difficult to effectively describe everything this game has to offer. It's difficult to think about the next time we see a new Metal Gear Solid and when that will be. It is, however, not difficult to say that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the best game of the year so far.
This game gives so many people a voice, it gives so many people an emotional outlet, and it transcends the usual thought of what a video game can be. Life is Strange is a Game of the Year nominee, and it's a game you have to experience on your own in order to truly understand.
Taking a step back and looking at the entire Ratchet & Clank picture, it's easy to see how missed this franchise has been from the gaming industry. The combination of wondrous gadgets and galaxies with its unique narrative and engaging characters, Ratchet & Clank on the PS4 has been way overdue, and this initial installment on the platform is simply incredible. I highly recommend it to any longtime fan of the series as well as newcomers who have yet to experience the awesomeness that is Ratchet & Clank.
Is the game challenging? Hell yes! Will it make you want to rage and throw your 3DS across the room? Quite possibly! Why is it so popular in Japan and you either love it or hate it here in the states? The game's appeal falls in getting past the learning curve. Learning it is half the battle, the other half takes place on the field.
Fire Emblem Fates builds off the foundation set by Fire Emblem: Awakening and expands upon it to give players a more compelling and engaging narrative along with gameplay variety. By offering distinct storylines and game experiences, Fire Emblem Fates is able to appeal to both newcomers and longtime fans of the franchise. Those looking for a lengthy and epic adventure to play on their 3DS needn't look any further, because Fire Emblem Fates is all you need. Fire Emblem Fates is fated to be one of the 3DS' best games in 2016.
At three dollars and with tons of replayable content, Gunman Clive 2 is a great contender for a modern classic. It displays the best things about the 3DS and creates an addictively entertaining time that's fun for all.
Fire Emblem Fates builds off the foundation set by Fire Emblem: Awakening and expands upon it to give players a more compelling and engaging narrative along with gameplay variety. By offering distinct storylines and game experiences, Fire Emblem Fates is able to appeal to both newcomers and longtime fans of the franchise. Those looking for a lengthy and epic adventure to play on their 3DS needn't look any further, because Fire Emblem Fates is all you need. Fire Emblem Fates is fated to be one of the 3DS' best games in 2016.
With enhanced visuals and improved gameplay, EA Sports’ “UFC 2” is the mixed-martial arts game you’ve been waiting for. While the host of improvements alone would have been enough for a solid sequel, the addition of the Ultimate Team mode makes it a game that every MMA fan should play once in their life. It also creates a more than interesting quandary this year at the EA Sports camp later this year. How do you top a game that does so many things right?
Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited is spectacular. What Persona 4 Golden did for turn-based RPGs on the PS Vita; D4 does for SRPGs. Disgaea 2 and 3 were fun, but they lacked the irritable charm of the first Disgaea. D4 matches that first game's imagination and beyond. What was great on the PS3 is now a most own for the PS Vita. There has never been a better chance to hop aboard the Disgaea train. Get on it Dood!
Some remasters can feel a bit mailed in when it comes to how much they’ve actually been improved, but Dead Island: Definitive Edition is not one of them. Who knows what is going to happen to Dead Island 2 at this stage, but one thing that is true is Deep Silver has reignited the franchise with Dead Island: Definitive Edition.