Destructoid

Halfway into playing Alien: Isolation, I stopped to watch the first four Alien movies again. It wasn't just for research purposes, but mostly because the game had me yearning for more of the universe. Isolation has some flaws, but it's faithful to the film series, and I'd love to see a follow-up with a few extra alien evolutions.

Still, my biggest complaint is the length. I don’t know what I was expecting at this price point, but I completed the game in just under three hours. Tappingo 2 is a solid choice if you are looking for a way to kill a few hours and you have run out of other puzzle game options. I would have rather had fewer, more challenging levels overall but for $2.99 it might be worth the money.

Still, it feels weird to essentially downgrade for a slightly better set of visuals and a few mechanics that aren't nearly as groundbreaking as each iteration was before it. The Sims 4 has room to grow, but right now you're better off continuing to play its predecessor. While certain features were axed in the name of progress, those features were a large reason why many have come to love the series in the first place.

While some will find the pace far too slow for their liking or the crime-scene puzzles too simplistic, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter holds up well. Having the story told almost out of sequence makes it even more chilling as you see people slowly turn on each other. The melancholy tale is matched with some wonderful visions to make a game that really sticks in the mind.

This is also one of the most difficult challenges yet in addition to the Iron King DLC.... None of Dark Souls II's DLC is particularly spectacular compared to what was already in the base game, but they are great companion pieces to the proper package. ...Everyone else who took a more casual approach to Dark Souls II should probably wait for a possible Game of the Year edition or a sale.

That's where Chariot truly shines -- its cooperative play. Going at Chariot solo adds up to a competent and unique platformer that's satisfying, yet somewhat unfulfilling because of all the opportunity that's unfortunately necessary to pass up. However, once you have a friend in the mix, any concern dissipates and you're left with a memorable social experience that just happens to be almost flawless in its execution.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is pretty much everything a fan could ask for. It's a satisfying, high-octane fighter that's synchronously accessible and fathomless. Atlus and Arc System Works have forged an experience that tops its predecessor, adding new content, characters, and story to the mix; thereby coming as an easy recommendation to both Persona fans and fighting game enthusiasts alike.

In the end, it all comes together in a most delightful way. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair is an accomplished amalgam of storytelling, character interaction, and deduction – plus, a macabre attitude that isn’t afraid to show its true colors. It's just as bizarre and engaging as its predecessor -- and in an age where sequels often crash and burn, that's reason enough to say goodbye to despair.

Gauntlet is a polished game that does right by its predecessors. It's a great mix of both old and new school sensibilities, and despite the fact that the art style isn't as pronounced as it could have been, the actual core of the game is very sound. With the addition of online play to the series, this one will have legs for quite some time and deserves a spot in the Gauntlet pantheon.

Every element in Forza Horizon 2 adds up to an exceptional experience. The story isn't over the top so as to get in the way of racing, driving feels as good as it ever did in Forza Motorsport, there's a ton of things to do, and the game looks absolutely beautiful -- especially the long-awaited dynamic weather system. Forza Horizon 2 is a must-have on the Xbox One.