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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.
"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.
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 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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
"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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
"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.