Inside Gaming

Not every decision in Quantum Conundrum feels like its made in service of the game’s strengths. And the wrapper that surrounds its mechanics can be hit or miss. But beyond those small issues, it accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. It’s both cohesive and inviting, mechanically and aesthetically. And if you’re interested in a game with elaborate and interesting puzzles, you’re not likely to find something better this side of Portal.

It really is a question of quality over quantity. Compared against typical MMOs, it doesn’t compare in the number of quests or player classes. ...Rather than try to blow your mind with the size of its world or its innumerable named NPCs, Destiny is a game where you get to drive a speeder bike around, blow up a bunch of aliens, then shoot some people in the face.

...a brilliantly crafted episode; it does have a slow beginning, but it serves as a red herring to the chaos that ensues throughout

This second season has accomplished what season one did so well: it’s managed to keep me both eager and dreading the new episodes

...a noir stemmed in fantasy and (actual) glamour that blurs the lines of right and wrong

Valiant Hearts takes a lighthearted approach at times. If Emile needs to clean a dirty sock, he may just dump it in with the dirty dishes. At one point there’s even an epic chase with a tank synched to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. The story itself can be a bit silly at times given the situations the characters find themselves in, but it helps to marginally counteract the seriousness of the subject matter.

Episode four serves to connect most of the pieces together and potentially meet the perpetrator behind all the chaos in Fabletown

This episode is a dire reminder of how the cruelest monsters aren’t the undead, and that the worst is always lurking around the corner

Roleplaying games still have a place in the world, and Child of Light is a good reminder that it’s possible to honor what made the genre popular while still adding some modern flare. Child of Light is a charming tale of good vs. evil, light vs. dark, surprisingly just for $15. It’s proof that not all games require a triple-A budget to be memorable, and that good ideas just need that first spark to become something magical.

Despite this episode’s focus on item collecting instead of verbal crime solving, it continues to deliver on the fairytale angst

...offers a suitably complete, if uninspiring, revisit to this dark, desolate world. It’s darkly beautiful ...superbly crafted ...and fittingly familiar

...isn’t a bad game; it just doesn’t live up to the legacy set forth by its predecessors. The game’s visuals are top notch and the soundtrack is a great as well

The intricate and fun battle system will have you hooked from the first fight, and the clever writing and likable cast keep events interesting outside of combat. It’s unfortunate the same amount of awesome didn’t come from the sequel Dawn of the New World, but it’s still an alright RPG that is a nice inclusion. Tales of Symphonia Chronicles is a wonderful addition to any RPG lover’s library and a showcase of the best the Tales series has to offer.

The balance between the size and power of each combatant is a nuance that has been expertly managed, and as a result makes each map and game mode challenging. ...What matters is what Titanfall is. And that is an expertly formed shooter. It lacks many built-in charms gamers might expect, like obvious eSports functions and game modes that really promote how this experience is truly different. But it’s also clear that this is stage one of an ongoing process.

While Strider could have benefitted from a more concise overworld design, its lengthiness does give the game a “slow burn” appeal, something you don’t usually associate with Metroidvania-style games, let alone 2D side scrollers. ...Even with the game’s flaws, you can’t help but think Double Helix now has the experience and potential to make a superior follow-up. Here’s hoping that it doesn’t take another twelve years before the next sequel or reboot.

...a great representation of what Telltale does best: engrossing us in a dark world of secrets and deceit, where the walkers aren’t the only monsters lurking in the shadows

EDF 2025’s problems are far outweighed by the profound and unique experience it offers

There are more characters to play, more challenges to overcome, more secrets to find, and truly stunning visuals

...it was a good ride when appreciated as a collection, but since this is the Lords of Shadow we’ll come back to most often

It’s been almost a year since Gears of War: Judgment, and Garden Warfare took little time to renew my fondness for last-stand style missions. Yet more than anything, PopCap managed to successfully reinterpret their flagship franchise without losing sight of what made the series’ characters so memorable.

Issues with navigation and annoying load problems are impossible to ignore, and it stings to think of a version of this game that doesn’t suffer from those drawbacks. Still, Thief is just about the best modern Thief game I could ask for. Back in 2011, I said that Human Revolution “manages to live up to the impossibly high prestige set by its title.” Now I can say that about Thief. It’s the real deal, and so is Eidos Montreal.

...a touching account of two young girls struggling to make sense of a world stripped of its humanity, and it is a tale worth exploring

...the pointless melodrama of its story won’t appeal to everyone, and the game’s dated production values prevent it from being a real gem of an open-world RPG

What was old is new again, and Bravely Default illuminates a bright future for the genre

...still a great bridge for new fans to familiarize themselves with the Fables lore and old fans to connect the dots only they know exist