ZTGD

I wanted to love Superhot more than I did, but its simplistic design and lack of variety really hurt it, even with its short campaign length. Still, there is nothing like it out there, and I applaud the developer for executing such a unique idea on the first try. With a bit more variety and options to tackle situations I would definitely be interested in seeing where the series goes from here. As it stands it is hard to recommend to everyone for the entry price.

Rocketbirds 2: Evolution was a fantastic surprise for me. Having never touched the first game (even though I owned it through PS+), I had no idea what to expect. In the end what I got was a mostly solid single player campaign, with a co-op mode that could have me coming back for ages.

Star Fox Zero is exactly what I expected it would be, and I love it for that. The motion controls are not the most ideal way to play the game, but they do offer up some unique ideas on a classic formula. Players that have graduated past the simplistic design of the original Star Fox games won’t find much to bring them back in, but those that still enjoy doing barrel rolls will feel right at home with Fox’s latest adventure.

All in all, I’d say Battleborn is a very well made game. The gameplay is fun and actually well thought out, and the characters all bring something different to the table. The story mode can be hit or miss, but the competitive side of things is really where the game shines in its strategy and game play. If you have a couple of buddies that are on board with Battleborn, partying up with them can be a really fun and rewarding time.

Nathan Drake’s first and last entry on the PlayStation 4 is one that impresses. Very few games come along with the production values it delivers. The solid campaign is the best the series has seen to date, and visually it is absolutely jaw-dropping. The improvements to combat and traversal go a long way to make it feel like a refined experience, yet it retains that familiar sense of joy as I travelled into each new area.

I’m not one to really trash on games and I give most the benefit of the doubt, but I found about zero redeeming qualities in Coffin Dodgers. It’s got poorly designed, simplistic tracks, N64 like graphics, grating sound and music, floaty controls, and the only slight interest was the premises of it all, which it does absolutely nothing interesting with. The game works and I didn’t have any glitches so there is that much, but that’s about all I can say positively.

Episodic games are always a gamble, as the full product can change and alter from the time players get the first episode done to the finale. King’s Quest started off very strong, but left me with a sour taste in chapter 2. Chapter 3 has completely washed that taste out of my mouth. I hope to see chapter 4 and 5 continue the trend and round out the entire Kings Quest experience.

Shantae is a classic game in the right senses. It’s got a decent challenge, it’s fun, and seeing as it’s on almost every console now, there is no excuse not to try it. Players that grew up during the peak of this genre can surely appreciate what Shantae has to offer, and newcomers that have taken a liking to it need to give Shantae a go, it’s one of the better games the genre has to offer in today’s market.

I wanted to love Paranautical Activity a lot more than I did. I actually got addicted to Ziggurat and other titles using the same premise, at least for more than a handful of runs. Sadly, this title doesn’t bring anything new to the table, nor does it set itself apart outside of the visuals. The levels are boring and the enemies and shooting are not satisfying enough to keep it going.

Stikbold is not going to set the world on fire, but it is one of the best competitive/co-op experiences I have had in a while. There is a lot to see and do, even with a criminally short list of modes and features. The story mode is entertaining and the multiplayer had me coming back for more and more. I recommend checking it out if you enjoy local multiplayer games with an interesting twist.