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The above example sums up "Fallout 4" in a nutshell. Its changes and additions can hardly be categorized as improvements from a standpoint of player experience. The game doesn't look, sound or play particularly better than earlier games in the series. Fans of the series will enjoy touring the wasteland because "Fallout 4" feels familiar, but it doesn't have the meaningful change that is to be expected when a series debuts on a new generation of console.
From little things like a damage system to gameplay on a larger scale like world exploration, "Rise of the Tomb Raider" expertly nails everything it sets out to do. From the narrative angle, Lara is developed as a driven force better than she ever has been before. In a genre that has been dominated by characters like Nathan Drake or whichever assassin leads the annual "Assassin's Creed" series, Lara stands as the new queen of action.
"Halo 5" is a mixed bag, and its value depends on the interests of the beholder. Fans of "Halo" lore will be sorely disappointed. "Halo 5's" campaign fails to deliver the action and emotion of "Halo 4." It's clear that 343 Industries focused on multiplayer offerings, and that focus led to the most inspired multiplayer suite for the shooter genre in recent memory. Smooth Arena modes will appeal to the ultra-competitive while Warzone is terrific for casual fans. There's room for improvement when it comes to storytelling in the next "Halo" game, but multiplayer modes brilliantly usher in the series to the new generation.
"Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection" is more than the typical remastered collection. It's a great way for fans to relive some of the best games of the last generation. It's also great for anyone who never owned a PS3. This is a huge piece of Sony's exclusive pedigree. This is the adventure genre at its best.
Hours 20-through-30 have made me a believer in "The Taken King" and the future of "Destiny." Bungie has set out to right past wrongs with this expansion's wealth of content. But it's not just about the quantity of content. "The Taken King" reimagines how players interact with the game world. These changes are all for the better. In year one, it was difficult for serious "Destiny" players to defend the lack of story and the structure's repetitive nature. "The Taken King" creates a community that fans can be proud to be a part of.
The exclusion of "Mega Man 9" and "10" is really the only mark I can come up with when observing this package. It has all the features that a re-release should have, plus some extra, and it all comes with an asking price that makes the purchase seem like a no-brainer. The "Mega Man Legacy Collection" is a piece of gaming history that adds the trappings of modern gaming.
"Until Dawn's" overall experience is inconsistent. The production values are impressive, but too seldom did it rely on atmosphere and score to build its tension and regressed into predictable jump scare tactics. And as a game that bills itself as one of near endless possibilities, the choice system doesn't change much of the story. It fills the horror spot in the PS4's library that has since been vacant, but a better thriller is bound to take it's place soon.
What Rocksteady games has accomplished with the "Arkham" series is nothing short of historic for video games. This used to be a medium where games based on comic book heroes were comparable to the quality of games based on movies. Some may have had decent action or gameplay, but games based on comic heroes always lacked the depth that was found in the source material. The "Arkham" series found that depth that is essential to any great Batman story, and then built some of the most satisfying gameplay in the action genre. "Arkham Knight" is the perfect sendoff for their work; the perfect exclamation point. Batman's "Arkham" story has come to a close. Let us celebrate what it has given world of video games.
The development team at Dontnod have successfully crafted a story that explores the mental strain of growing up. The subject matter is mature, but because of its stark exploration of humanity rather than shocking violence. After three episodes, "Life is Strange" rivals some of the most intriguing prime time dramas on television.
This year's "Show" continues the series' tradition of being a gorgeous taste of what its like to play professional sports. It's so gorgeous that it's not only the best looking sports game out there, it's in the running for best looking game period. Some scenes make it difficult to differentiate from the real thing. This is the baseball sim gold standard, but compared to what? It's the best baseball game because it's the only baseball game. Marginal improvements will continue to be the trend for this series until another team comes along to give it some competition.
"The Handsome Collection" doesn't reinvent the wheel of remastered games. It's a standard fare that we should now be used to in the current-gen era of rehashing old games with new graphics. That doesn't mean this collection isn't worth the money. "Borderlands 2" alone is nearly worth the price of admission for serious vault hunters. If you're gung ho about revisiting the world of Pandora, "The Handsome Collection" is an attractive offer.
While "Bloodborne" features attack and dodge maneuvers, it is not a hack-and-slash game. Approaching it as such would result in many deaths, and wouldn't be any fun for the player. This game requires saint-like patience and its difficulty increases as patience is lost. Because of this, not everybody is going to love "Bloodborne. But if it's approached as the game is designed, it's is one of the best experiences of 2015.
"Ori and the Blind Forest" is much more than a pleasant surprise of 2015. This is a must-play game in the Xbox One and PC library. It's a rare find that molds gameplay, level design and a heartfelt story to tie it all together.
"Screamride" could have been a respectable evolution of the popular "RollerCoaster Tycoon" franchise, but it veered off the track along the way. The roller coaster design sections contain strokes of genius, but that genius is constantly mired by boring gameplay that make up two thirds of the game. This lack of cohesion creates a seriously bumpy ride.
"The Order" will likely become a long running franchise for Sony. It will be interesting to see how it evolves. It could stay in content with being a game that is only interested in presenting a cinematic story with gorgeous graphics, or it could evolve into a game that grants players with more creative freedom. Its current form is a step back from what modern games have become. "Shadow of Mordor," "Dragon Age" and "GTA V" achieved accolades because their settings were molded and enhanced by the player's freedoms. "The Order" feels confining. Galahad is trapped between the gorgeous buildings of London with nothing to do other than play out his story. The player has nothing to do but watch.
For 3DS owners and people who missed "Majora's Mask" 15 years ago, this is the perfect time to experience one of the most underrated games in the series. The game seems to force itself to take advantage of the 3DS hardware, and not every part of the game is enjoyable, but that's par for the course when it comes to the "Zelda" franchise. The layered narrative is worth your time and money. It's a shining example of why "Zelda" is such an artistic representation of the medium of video games.
"Grim Fandango Remastered" is a great opportunity to introduce a new generation of gamers to this timeless classic. It still plays like it came out recently, and the story remains unlike anything out there even after nearly 17 years. Pay the $14.99 and see how influential it is to many of today's popular games.
But is "Far Cry 4" fun? I enjoyed "Far Cry 3," so it's safe to assume that I also enjoyed "Far Cry 4." There just isn't much new here to call it a sequel. "Far Cry 3" was a change in direction from "Far Cry 2." I expected that same innovation from "Far Cry 4," but instead saw more of the same. Kyrat is a wonderfully crafted open world that encourages players to seek out all of its hidden adventures, but the sense of discovery is lost when it feels like the second time around.
If any game in the "Super Smash Bros." series has ever been the go-to game to play with your group of friends, this new Wii U version will replace it. A new "Super Smash Bros." game is the only suitable successor to a previous "Super Smash Bros." The king is dead, long live the King.