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"Yooka-Laylee" accomplishes what it sets out to do. It reminds players what was so appealing about collectathons at the height of their popularity. Even if it overstay its welcome toward the end, it's mostly a joyful journey through a long forgotten genre.
"Andromeda" missed its mark by lightyears.
"Horizon Zero Dawn" hits the mark in almost everything it sets out to do, and it's that much more impressive that it's the team's first attempt at an open world game such as this one. Unfortunately, the character experience gets stale toward the second half. But, story woes don't ruin everything the game has to offer. It's still absolutely gorgeous and the combat is varied enough to be satisfying. There's room for improvement, but that just makes me more excited to see what's possible in the eventual sequel.
“RE7” marks the return to form for the long-running series. This is the best “Resident Evil” game since “RE4.” It combines scares, puzzles and gameplay, and its inclusion of VR is a bold choice that pays off for those who want to experience the scares on another level. Even if it doesn’t quite stick its landing, “RE7” is one of the best mainstream horror games in a long time.
“Titanfall 2” is everything “Titanfall” could’ve been. It could get lost in the holiday shuffle, since it’s wedged in between “Battlefield 1” and “Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare,” and it would be a shame if it did. “Titanfall 2” shows that there is still magic left in the competitive first-person shooter genre, whether that magic is found in multiplayer or single-player campaigns. It’s not only one of the best shooters of the year; it’s one of the best games of the year.
As far as the driving goes, it’s hard to find a game that is more finely tuned than “Forza Horizon 3,” but a racing game needs to be more than just the racing in 2016. Just because it’s huge and the map is littered with things to do doesn’t make it a meaningful experience for the player. Those things to do need to be enjoyable. “Forza Horizon 3” needs more variety for both solo players and multiplayer modes. There’s plenty to see in this game, but like any vacation, sightseeing gets old after a while.
It’s hard not to compare “Rise of Iron” to “The Taken King.” “The Taken King” was “Destiny’s” finest and most robust expansion. Even at its $40 asking price, it seemed like it was just shy of achieving full sequel status rather than an expansion. “Rise of Iron” doesn’t quite reach those heights, but it’s still better than other expansions like “House of Wolves” and “The Dark Below.” Bungie has learned from its experience. “Rise of Iron” mostly adds more of what “Destiny” players want. Year Two of “Destiny has been a huge success for players who want the game to head in the right direction. If this is indeed the final expansion, expectations will be high for “Destiny 2.”
“No Man’s Sky” is a modern marvel in game development. There has never been anything close to a game of this size or scope. But size doesn’t always translate to enjoyment. The game is about exploration and exploration alone. There’s no drama or story-driven hook to keep players wanting to turn the next page. There’s enough game here to keep players engaged for multiple lifetimes. How long they will stay with it will depend on the patience of the player. The game’s reach and beauty can only take players so far.
Despite some of its problems, "Lego The force Awakens" is still a step in the right direction for the series, and is enjoyable for any "Star Wars" fan. It's a great way to revisit the excellent movie, or introduce a younger audience to the iconic series.
It was unclear if the "Uncharted" series had any new ground to explore after three successful chapters. "Uncharted 4" could've just been a bigger version of the "Uncharted" games before it, but instead it grew up. It's the most sophisticated story of Nathan Drake's illustrious career that sets out to discover humanity in the character that was never found in his previous tales. That narrative, plus the best action gameplay in the genre, make the game an outstanding achievement. "Uncharted 4" reaches the peak of what the series can be.
Give it a chance, stick with it and make each death a learning experience. It might just become your new favorite series.
In its current form, "The Division" is an impressive newcomer in the shoot-and-loot genre, but success in the genre is defined by more than just first impressions. Games with no end need regular support from developers that adds new missions, gear and areas to explore. It's too early to tell how "The Division" will evolve in the coming months and years, but the current offering is an excellent starting point.
“EA UFC 2” is an improvement on its predecessor. The next chapter needs to go the distance.
"Primal" tries something new within the "Far Cry" series, and nails nearly everything it sets out to do. Taking away guns and adding animals is a breath of fresh air not just within the series, but within video games in general. Becoming the king of the jungle is a wild ride.
Like "Street Fighter IV" before it, "SFV" will be an ever changing game over the next couple years thanks to downloadable updates, new fighters and added functionality. The core fighting mechanics of the game are an excellent base to start from, but "SFV" could use some additional features to elevate it to the current crop of fighting games.
"Rocket League" for Xbox One introduces a new audience to one of the biggest gaming phenomenons of last year. The inclusion of several sweet exclusives makes for an attractive package. With no significant dips in quality or offerings other than a couple fewer servers, this is the best $19.99 one can spend on the Xbox One's online store. If you're an Xbox One owner, prepare for that backlog to grow. Playing something else over "Rocket League" is never an easy task.
The lush environments of "Firewatch" are a joy to explore, but the story at the heart of the woods leaves something to be desired. The early emotion felt in the game's intro loses its trail among a bramble of side plots and head scratching character decisions. "Firewatch" gets lost like Henry on his first day on the job.
This review is slightly vague, but that's for the reader's benefit. "The Witness" is at its best when it's discovered within an isolation chamber. It's not going to be a game for everyone. For those who are impatient or who are unwilling to test your mental moxie, then steer clear of "The Witness." If you're looking for a beautiful brain teaser that rewards as well as it punishes, this should be the next game you play. It's unlike anything else out there.
"RE 0" is a reminder that the series used to be different. Before "RE 5" and "6" were all about displaying the awesome force of guns against the undead army, the series used to be about proving that you were smarter than them. Some of the gameplay mechanics like the still frames and the inventory system may be too obtuse for younger players. This crowd is used to today's games that allow players to save anywhere and carry enough guns to arm a small army. To this crowd, I say this: play "RE 0" and see what action games used to be like. Every puzzle is more satisfying to complete than unloading a clip into an undead corpse.
Poor A.I. in the helper hunters can't stop "The Old Hunters" from achieving greatness. This is a meaty and challenging expansion that fans of "Bloodborne" have been waiting for. Take a step into the Hunter's Nightmare and remember why "Bloodborne" is one of the best games of 2015.