Ken McKown's Reviews
Bastion is the epitome of why XBLA alone is worth owning an Xbox 360 for. The game defines what passionate developers can accomplish on the platform, and if you appreciate old-school design with a modern twist, not playing this game could be considered a crime. It has so much to love and is one of the few games I was not ready to be over when the credits rolled. The Summer of Arcade starts off with a massive bang, and I suggest everyone give this one a go when it lands this week.
One of the best things about Resident Evil 6 is its immense amount of content. The game is packed with four campaigns, playable in online and split-screen co-op. That alone is 20+ hours of content, even if only experienced once. Factor in all the online modes, and the experience is more than worth its price tag. Fans looking to scratch the survival horror itch will likely still not come away impressed by the direction the series has taken. Resident Evil has become more of an action-horror game; a change I have welcomed with open arms.
Being a three-year old game, Lords of Shadow still feels fresh. This adventure is just as much fun as I remember it, and digging back into it only furthers my excitement for the sequel.
Knack is a charming romp, but not one I could recommend shelling out full price for.
Super Mario 3D World justifies a Wii U. It is rare these days that there is one game to make a console worthy of purchase, but I cannot express how much pure fun I had with this title. If you own a Wii U it is a no-brainer, you should own this game. If you don't own one, but have considered buying one, this is the game that makes it all worthwhile.
Need for Speed: Rivals is one of the most impressive launch games for PS4. It is very pretty visually, and it has enough content to keep players busy for quite some time. There are some drawbacks to its design, but nothing that will derail the fun. For those looking for that next-gen racing experience…well this is really your only option on PS4. But I am glad it is an option, because it is incredibly impressive and fun.
Madden NFL 25 is a ton of fun on its own, but certainly not worth the double dip. If you held out this long, go ahead and grab it. All the features are there, and if you have Xbox One (or both machines) CoachGlass is worth it on that system alone.
The Drivatar system is a great idea that again needs some tweaks, and the lack of tracks disappoints, but this is still a solid launch title to showcase Microsoft's shiny new black box.
I wanted to love LocoCycle, but in the end, I just liked it. It has moments where I had a lot of fun with it, and others where I was forcing myself to play another level. This is probably my least favorite TP game to date, and that is depressing.
I wanted to love the second offering from Ubisoft of a Kinect fighting game, but this simply falls flat on every level. If you own an Xbox One, do not go anywhere near this game.
Peggle 2 is a great follow-up to the addiction we all have. I am happy to once again play in short bursts, especially on Xbox One where I can do it while other games are downloading or installing. It isn't going to set the world on fire, or change the series. It is Peggle, and if you want more Peggle, you will get exactly that here. For the price it is impossible to complain. Plus you just feel all warm and fuzzy while playing it.
The crisper visuals and weekly challenges are nice, but if you already own it elsewhere, there is zero reason to upgrade to the next generation of Angry Birds.
NBA Live 14 is a hot mess. There is simply no other way to describe it. I wanted to derive some enjoyment from the game, hell I was a fan of NBA Inside Drive back in the days of the original Xbox, but this is simply broken on so many levels.
Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a solid puzzle/platformer that was just what I needed right now. It was definitely a nice palette cleanser from some of the holiday shooting and action, plus it is only $15, which is a fantastic price for what you get. If you have an Xbox One and are looking for a novel title to tie you over, I definitely recommend giving Max a shot.
Just remember before going in where this game originated, and set expectations accordingly.
NES Remix is a fun time waster that had me reliving the memories of my childhood once again. For $15 though it feels like a bit overpriced for what I got out of it. Still, with the Wii U library needing a bit more diversity it is a fun purchase and one that will entertain fans of NES era games enough to warrant picking it up. Just don't expect a lot of modern design to make its way into the experience.
I love seeing Nintendo re-imagining classic franchises, especially ones like Dr. Mario that don't get enough love, but this small package does more to whet my appetite than satiate it. Still, for $15 fans of the formula cannot go wrong. This is as close as we are going to get to a proper Dr. Mario sequel for a while, so while the prescription doesn't cure all woes; it does help dull the pain.
Thankfully this isn't a quick or cheap port that does a disservice to the original experience. This is still one of the best games of last year, and the enhancements make it one of the best looking games to come out in a while.
Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze might be a disappointment in theory, but once I started playing it, I couldn't help but fall in love. The level designs are some of the best I have seen in the genre, the soundtrack is stellar, and the difficulty is tough but never unfair. For the audience that owns a Wii U and desires platformers crafted to perfection, this is a must-own. Nintendo continues to pump out stellar releases for its console; I just wish the audience was there to purchase them.
[I]t takes a lot to bring me back into the online shooter fold, and Titanfall has definitely dragged me back in. I can see myself enjoying this for months to come; I just hope they deliver enough support to keep it interesting beyond that.