ZTGD

Fable Anniversary continues a solid tradition for Microsoft’s ‘Anniversary’ series, and I hope to see more in the future. Though I imagine I am the only one who wants to see Blinx the Time Sweeper or Voodoo Vince appear. It is still fantastic to see where the series started and how far it has come. It is also great to see how much influence this unique action RPG has had on current games in the genre.

Surge Deluxe is perfect for a handheld system, allowing the player to dip in and out as they please. A long wait in a queue or a 15 minute bus ride is the ideal opportunity to whip out the Vita and take another crack at the high score. It may just be following in a long line of similar puzzle type games, but it does bring colour and energy to the genre (literally).

Lighting returns is a good game with some interesting mechanics and a well acted story. It has some game play quirks that I could have done without, but in the end, I enjoyed my time with it. It takes some getting used to with both the combat and the time mechanics, but after adjusting to how it wants to be played, it offers up a nice installment of the XIII series.

While Strike Vector has a very solid foundation to work with, it seems as though it might have been better served in development a little longer to flush out the bugs with the servers, and perhaps add more content in the form of different game modes. As it stands, it’s a difficult title to recommend at the current asking price, except to those that are die-hard fans of the genre.

Master Reboot reminds me of two games that were released twenty years apart. 2013’s Remember Me presents a future world in which technology allows memories to be digitally uploaded and shared via a brain implant. It follows a protagonist stripped of all her memories fighting to regain her identity.

The most important thing is that while I wasn’t in as much of a shock when I got to the cliffhanger at the end of this episode, I was left wanting more, and if episode three was installed and ready to go, there is no doubt in my mind that I would’ve happily played on. Nothing else needs to be said.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition has the luxury of being the first disc-based release for these new consoles in a while, meaning starving gamers are sure to snag it up; even those that have already taken to Lara’s adventure. Thankfully this isn’t a quick or cheap port that does a disservice to the original experience.

It’s a simple game, with simple mechanics, but I still had a fun time with it. I highly suggest playing it online over playing it single player due to the dull AI, but even single player has it’s moments of fun. Battle of Z may not be revolutionary, but it does offer something a little different and rather fun for the DBZ fans out there.

While Insurgency isn’t the greatest looking FPS, it presents itself fairly well and even though it suffers from a few minor graphical and clipping bugs, at the bargain price of $14.99, it’s a hard price to turn down for what it offers. Those tired of the main stream Michael Bay FPS offerings can try Insurgency in confidence, with the knowledge they’re about to play a different brand of FPS.

For series fans who missed it on the Vita, it’s a solid choice on consoles. Players looking for the full Assassin’s Creed experience will be better off with Black Flag, but anyone looking for a more streamlined, less daunting game will find a lot to like here.