Both visually and mechanically, Rayman Legends consistently sparks the imagination. The co-op play on the Wii U is something that really must be experienced, and while the implementation isn't a perfect fit on other platforms, it does little to hold the game back. While we certainly wouldn't advocate carbon copies, we hope Rayman Legends paints a vision for other 2D games to follow.
Despite some rough edges and aggravations, Need for Speed Rivals is still a fun and exciting ride. Hunting down your prey as the police or getting to your hideout in the nick of time is exhilarating, and constantly sharing a social sphere with other players feels like a natural step forward for a series intent on putting players on opposing side of the law.
In order to make room for next-gen growth, Forza Motorsport 5 comes in riding lighter than past entries in the series, but despite these big cuts, there's still a hefty driving game with lots to do. Despite infuriating DLC practices Forza remains a fantastic drive, and with some improvements, Drivatars could set a new path for competitive AI.
And that's where Octodad really shines. It keeps you laughing with the sheer absurdity of its lead character, the not-so-subtle references, and fumbling physical comedy that's made all the more potent through your participation. Like a plate of sushi, it might seem a bit pricey for what you get, but it's worth paying a small premium for a fresh catch.
InFamous: Second Son is visually stunning with rocking dynamic music to boot, but with its repetitive side-tasks, the finely crafted Seattle streets feel a bit lacking in things to do. Nevertheless, the game's characters and core story arc holds strong. The varied and eccentric powers give you a lot to experiment with, and you truly feel like a super-hero with the city at your fingertips.
If you have a tendency to rage quit and throw controllers, Trials Fusion may not be for you. Sometimes satisfaction is only found after hours of failed attempts, but the ease of giving it "just one more try" can be absolutely engrossing. The game's outside-the-box goals are brimming with creativity, and the uncompromising level design pushes you to keep digging deeper to conquer every roadblock in your path.
In all Super Time Force, is a humorous romp through the ages, but the core rewinding mechanic that makes it different fosters a love-hate relationship. It's both an asset and an obstacle, but with tons of characters and a quirky storyline, you'll find the space and time to enjoy yourself.
Watch Dogs isn't inspiring or revolutionary, but it's a well-rounded approach to open world gameplay. Completing the story and merely sampling the various side activities can last over thirty hours, with plenty more left to do. The focus on hacking lends to more cerebral gameplay, and the multiplayer is solid. So get out there and get hacked.
Picking up Pushmo World isn't the most exciting prospect up front. It takes far too long to really get going, and we wish there were additional challenges and incentives to retry old puzzles. That said, it really does get more interesting as you dig deeper in, and there are more than enough individual puzzles to keep you busy for quite some time. Add in the ability to download pushmo or craft your own, and it's a game that you can come back to again and again.
CounterSpy doesn't really develop beyond its opening concepts. It's fun to play the spy game for a while, but it quickly falls victim to tedium and repetition, with an unrewarding ending that comes off as a smoldering dud.
For fans of the story, inFamous: First Light is somewhat dimmed by rewriting events and motivations, but it's carried along by Fetch's fast, agile gameplay and a strong closing chapter. It's not a must-play, but it's a good excuse to run another lap around Seattle.
In all, Shadowgate is a formidable if sometimes frustrating return to classic adventure gameplay. If you're a fan of the original or undaunted by Shadowgate's unforgiving depths, it's worth grabbing a torch and venturing inside.
In some ways, Forza Horizon 2 doesn't feel that different from the original, but its proficiencies are expressed in new ways as you joyfully tumble across wide stretches of terrain. It gets open-world gameplay right by continually encouraging you to explore, and you may climb a hill just to look out over the scenic landscape and watch the clouds roll in.
However, while it's not as broad in scope as some of its contemporaries, we aren't finding ourselves getting bored of Driveclub. On the contrary, the more time we invest, the more we just want to keep playing. Driveclub is a focused, thrilling racer for players looking to push themselves and compete in all new territory, working up a sweat as its captivating sights and sounds fill your senses.
Perhaps where The Vanishing of Ethan Carter succeeds most is in establishing a sense of place. This is the kind of game that you'll want to get lost in. Grab a pair of headphones, listen to the wind rustle through trees, and do your best to get through its four-hour journey in a single sitting. Even something as simple as walking out of the forest into a sunlit glade has impact, and as you follow the twists and turns of its multi-threaded story, you'll be caught up in its unsettling intrigue.
Overall, even if the engine ran smoothly and the bugs were squashed, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric wouldn't be that great of a game. As-is, it's an unfinished mess, astounding only in how rapidly you can count its flaws.
Technical frustrations aside, we're glad that this piece of gaming history is finally back for anyone to try. With its oddly imaginative world and characters brimming with personality, Grim Fandango is absolutely worth this second lease on life.
In all, The Crew can be enjoyable for some casual cross-country joy rides, especially if you have some friends to drive along. However, it comes up entirely short of most of its goals, and makes a wreck of car handling and competition for the sake of lackluster MMO mechanics.
In the end, The Order: 1886 is truly an exciting spectacle in a setting that we thoroughly enjoy, elevating our expectations for PlayStation 4 games to come. However, it's held back by its limited scope and abbreviated plot. It may not have the most well-rounded strengths, but it's a remarkable game nonetheless.
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises is that Grow Home only costs eight dollars, which is a bargain for such an intriguing and inventive little game. Whether you're spending your time scrambling to out-of-reach grottos, enjoying the view from your glider, or harassing the sheep, Grow Home is well worth the climb.