Softpedia
HomepageSoftpedia's Reviews
Although some design decisions don't make sense, the positives completely outshine some of the awkward mechanics implemented. Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of those games that can redefine a genre, and it's not just through sheer size that it does that, but through a combination of writing, visuals, music, voice acting and gameplay mechanics. It's an outstanding piece of work that every other game developer should strive for.
F1 Manager 22 is a great way to create alternate narratives for fans. Pick your favorite team, try to find ways to push it to ever-increasing performance, despair when races don’t go according to plan, pump your fist when you create the perfect strategy, and manage to get past Leclerc and Hamilton on the final two laps of Bahrain. The game will draw in fans who simply want to see if they can do better than real managers and obsessives that aim to tinker with the setup during each practice session.
My high hopes for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 being a great entry in the series were far exceeded after finishing the game. It’s one of the best JRPGs I’ve ever played, and I can’t recommend it enough to all those who own a Nintendo Switch.
LittleBigPlanet 3 is the greatest installment in the series so far, bringing not just a complex toolbox for imaginative players but also a great story campaign that delights and amuses practically all the time. Throw in the already amazing levels being pumped out by the community and you can expect to spend a lot of time with the game on PS4. Sure, the loading times and the limited situations in which you can use the new characters aren't that great, but it's still enjoyable nonetheless.
Grand Theft Auto 5 on the new platforms is a great comeback for the already impressive game. The first-person view mode, the enhanced visuals, and the many different smaller alterations transform the game into an even better experience. However, lingering problems with the gameplay and a few visual issues keep it from achieving perfection.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is a stellar open world action adventure experience that, while borrowing from other, more popular franchises, manages to innovate by leaps and bounds through the Nemesis system, elevating the whole game above its standard story. The combat and exploration are fun, and while the game may seem a bit difficult, don't forget that running away is always a good idea.
Velocity 2X is a stellar 2D shooter that blends all sorts of different mechanics in a successful manner. Throw in the gorgeous visuals, the smooth framerate, and the imaginative design, and you have a winner. Sure, the controls take some getting used to and getting high scores requires dedication, but that doesn't weigh the game down all that much.
Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition is a great translation of the core RPG dungeon crawler experience for consoles. While, of course, the PC edition reigns supreme, the PS4 and Xbox One versions aren't that far behind, especially when playing with friends cooperatively, either locally or online.
The Last of Us Remastered is definitely worth your money on the PS4, particularly if you haven't experienced it on the PS3. Don't, however, expect that big of a difference from the PS3 edition. Sure, the better textures and the 60fps framerate offer drastic improvements, but there are still downsides, from the aliasing to the AI problems.
Transistor is a really spectacular experience. It provides a great story, a unique weapon, and a combat system that can be as simple or as complex as you want. Throw in the splendid graphics and the impressive soundtrack and you'll have a great time. While the regular adventures may become a bit tedious, you can always relax in the backdoor area and engage in its different challenges. The boss fights can also feel a bit cheap sometimes, but they're still pretty good.
Child of Light is a hugely fun and memorable experience. The combat is intense, the visuals are unique, and the soundtrack elevates the whole game to a new level. While it might get a bit ambiguous about your goals at some points in the story, it's still really good and well worth the investment.
Tales from the Borderlands Episode 2: Atlas Mugged is the best in the series so far and a high point in recent Telltale experiences. It shines both through its story, its action sequences, its clever dialog, and the pretty impressive scenes scattered through its plot.
Tales from the Borderlands Episode 1: Zer0 Sum sets the stage for another amazing adventure experience from Telltale Games. The title perfectly complements the shooters made by Gearbox while taking things further thanks to the special characters and the crazy adventures they go through. There are a lot of hilarious moments but also some really dramatic ones that are punctuated by the choices made by players.
It might have its limitations, but it's still probably the best modern rendition of a classic PC role-playing game, one that is born out of love, and one that will surely stoke long-dormant passions for the genre, as well as spark some new ones.
Usually, I do a Good and Bad summary at the end of the reviews, but I can't remember the last time I had so much fun with an adventure game. Yes, there are some minor issues and sometimes you find yourself combing the screen for items to interact with, but the overall feeling you have after The Journey Down: Chapter Two leaves me with no doubt that I'm playing a great game.
BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea Episode 2 definitely feels worthy of the BioShock name, and delivers a fitting conclusion to the franchise. If Episode 1 was a bit lacking in both depth and length, Episode 2 is filled with the same brilliant direction Infinite had, making it easy to overlook its few lacking areas while being engrossed in the convoluted story, enjoying the flavorful dialogue and the gorgeous visuals.
Luftrausers is a stunning example of a modernized arcade game: tough but fair, with a great amount of customization and dynamic gameplay (plus soundtrack). If you've been looking for a great arcade bullet hell experience with plenty of new elements to make the gameplay feel fresh, then you can take to the sky in Vlambeer's latest title.
Invisible Inc. has a ton of deceivingly complex interactions hidden behind its glossy exterior, and although it lets you take your time when it comes to plotting, due to its turn-based nature, it's always reminding you that you're running against the clock.
The Wolf Among Us Episode 5 delivers a stellar conclusion to the adventures of Bigby Wolf. There are great conflicts in terms of dialog and combat, so players will be solicited in all sorts of ways. It also displays Bigby in all his big bad wolf glory and leaves a fair amount of possibilities for a likely second season of series.
The Wolf Among Us Episode 3: A Crooked Mile is probably the best in the series so far, managing to feature quite a few intense situations and fleshed out gameplay sequences. It also shows a bigger scope on the whole Fabletown murder mystery, so it's going to be interesting to see how it concludes in the next two parts.