Few franchises over the past 20 years have been as important to the overall gaming landscape as Halo. From the moment Halo: Combat Evolved launched in November, 2001, Halo has been synonymous with the Xbox brand; you can’t really talk…

In an alternative history Nikola Tesla won out and his imagination comes to life aboard the Helios. Read our review for Close to the Sun.

When Hideo Kojima released Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty in 2001, it was one of the most anticipated games in history up to that point. It was met with critical praise, but also a lot of ridicule from…

Despite its seemingly unwavering, and unending, popularity the Need for Speed franchise has really fallen off my radar since 2012’s Most Wanted. The further the franchise strayed from the stripped down thrills of earlier entries into attempts at recreating the…

My first foray into the city building/management simulation genre came with 2009’s Tropico 3. As the (usually) benevolent dictator of a small Caribbean island nation, I immediately fell in love with the prospect of controlling every aspect of my country’s…

The top-down view survival game The Wild Eight was released in Early Access back in February 2017. Ever since then the game had a lot of ups and downs. Most of them reflected by the ever-fluctuating user reviews. However, with…

Neo Cab is a game that has depth, that offers a unique take on issues that touch our daily lives closely. It’s a game made to make you think, that forces you to emphasize with the people around you, in order to survive. It is the perfect embodiment and representation of how life is built on an intricate web of social interactions and survival.

Borderlands 3 delivers to the fan-base exactly what we were expecting. Hours of absolutely random shooter-looter action, packed with not-as-great comedy. No matter how underwhelming the narrative aspect might feel at times, the good old looting formula that made Borderlands so great in the first place outweighs all the bad.

Ever since World War II, killing Nazis has been as American as baseball and apple pie. It makes sense, then, that it would also become a favorite pastime of gamers everywhere. Wolfenstein 3D, one of the seminal first person shooters…

I’ve always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the NBA 2K series. It can, and often does, get so many things right, such as the usually top-notch presentation and plethora of game modes to choose from. Just as…

If you ever wanted to be a wizard and cast spells, with actual gestures, then you may want to check this out. To put it simply, The Wizards makes you feel like a wizard. It’s accessible enough to get into…

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is very much like the games that came before it. Is that a good thing though? Can it stand on its own? Check out our review.

Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle improves on what the first game did (and didn’t do well) and brings the game series that much closer to the popular anime.

Bubsy: Paws on Fire launched May 16, 2019, and encompasses the sixth total game in the Bubsy franchise. But, is this game proving that the developers still have faith in their little bobcat creation?

My Time at Portia is a life simulation game that is unique in several ways. If you’re into the genre, this one gives you something a little bit different.

Years after Party Hard’s release, developers Pinokl Game, Kverta and developer tinyBuild are back once again. It’s time to make these nightclubbers experience their most fun party yet, as well as their last, through the sequel “Party Hard 2”, featuring new mechanics and graphics.

Rainbow Skies is the sequel to the much liked Rainbow Moon. It takes what made the first game great and adds some more features with new characters and a new world. Check out how well Rainbow Skies did.

One of the most cherished memories of my childhood, and my father, is the night when I was 12 years old and he let me stay up late to watch Gunfight at the O.K. Corral with him. Burt Lancaster’s turn…

The Soulcalibur series has brought its specific brand of weapon-combat to the world for quite a while. Starting as a 1995 Japanese arcade game under the name Soul Edge. This series has been majorly developed by Project Soul and published…

Like a lot of folks these days, especially parents of young children like me, I have superhero fatigue. The relentless onslaught of Marvel and DC movies over the past ten years has often made it feel like I never go…

Remothered: Tormented Fathers is a survival horror game from developers Stormind Games, that left me on edge for the whole playthrough and is a worthy addition to the genre, with a very old-school vibe and great, albeit terrifying, atmosphere. In…

It’s been a while since a solid game based on vampires has graced our screens. Developers Dontnod does just that and quite well. Vampyr is dirty, gloomy, and dark in all the best ways. It has a great setting and…

If you’re anything like me, you love a good challenge. When something says “you can’t do this”, I like to roll my sleeves and prove that I can. So when I got into Slime-san Superslime Edition for the first time,…

As a fan of folktales, mythology, and lore, Through the Woods was right up my alley. I’m happy to say that if that’s the sort of thing you are into you will definitely find something to enjoy with this game.…

When I was a wee lad, I was a voracious reader. I read everything I could get my hands on. Inevitably, I discovered the Choose Your Own Adventure book series. At the age of 7, having the capability to change…

In this job I play a lot of games from a lot of different genres, but like anyone else I have my favorites, and ever since the first time I played Metal Gear Solid for the original PlayStation, I’ve been…

Subaeria has a lot going for it. I really wanted to like this game. The locale is interesting and it tries some new concepts with the genre. Without a doubt, the game is fun and definitely unique. Unfortunately Subaeria falls…

Have you ever played dodgeball to the heavy kick of loud electronic music? A simple child’s game suddenly becomes a battlefield as natural selection separates the warriors from the weak. Add in neon rooms and robots, and you have Disco…

Edtior’s Note: Today we welcome yet another new contributor to the review staff here at PSXE, Kurt Collins. A former Gamespot.com staffer and huge VR fan, Kurt is a veteran writer who brings a lot of value and insight to…

Dungeon Rushers is a 2016, turn-based combat, RPG game from Goblinz studio. Originally released on Steam Early Access and mobile, it has now made its way onto consoles. Dungeon Rushers is an enjoyable game with a lot of really great…

One major problem for the PlayStation 4 that most people don’t seem to want to talk about is the serious lack of quality racing games on the system. Sim-lite fans really only have GT Sport and Project Cars to choose…

There’s a certain allure to the detective power fantasy. The idea of living out the exciting, yet dangerous life of a sharp and cunning lawman has an appeal unlike any other. Bringing evildoers to justice by sheer force of will…

Editor’s Note: First I want to apologize for the tardiness of our Far Cry 5 review.  We’ve had this review lined up for awhile and some logistical problems prevented us from getting it done sooner. As Reviews Editor, that falls…

In 1980, designers Michael Toy and Glenn Wichman released a small freeware game known as Rogue: Exploring the Dungeons of Doom. It featured some entirely original concepts for its time, such as randomly generated maps, endless levels and the concept…

Welcome back to Second Look, our semi-regular feature where we check in with ongoing games a few years down the road to see how they’re faring today. Today’s feature on Rocket League is by guest columnist Baljot Bhatti, a visual…

Watershed moments in this business are rare. It is not often that you see any one game or decision fundamentally change the landscape of the industry, but it does happen. The first Metal Gear Solid comes to mind, as do…

I may as well be honest at the outset, here – I’ve never played Pinball FX 3 before now. It wasn’t until Zen Studios sent me review copy of their latest release that I’d given it any thought, so for…

Editor’s Note – This article is based on my time with the PC version of The Division. Given that Second Look features do not cover visual or input issues that would vary based on version, we do not believe any…

At first glance it would be easy to mistake NeuroVoider for one of many other twin stick shooters. While the game does have some of those typical gameplay elements such as dodging bullets and shooting down enemies, NeuroVoider is surprisingly…

As a single father of a 10-year-old boy, video games would likely be a big part of my life even if I didn’t write about them. Over the past few years, games have become one of the primary ways in…

Until last week, I had never even heard of Epic Dumpster Bear, a “throwback to 16-bit classics” that first appeared on Nintendo’s ill-fated Wii U. Apparently it proved popular enough for a PS4 port, this time named Epic Dumpster Bear:…

Alchemy with a hint of slice-of-life anime. Pastel colors and cheery characters with high hopes. I never thought I’d say this, but I genuinely enjoyed Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings. Celebrating 20 years of Gust…

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started Suicide Guy. The name alone had me questioning the content. The whole point of the game is to kill yourself in various, and most times, in ridiculous ways. After playing through,…

Editor’s Note – This review covers only the Battle Royale portion of Fortnite. We will have a separate review for Save the World at a later date. About one year ago, little known developer Bluehole Studio, Inc. launched Player Unknown’s…

I know what you’re thinking. It’s 2018, why are we talking about No Man’s Sky? Good question! The answer is our new feature – Second Look. So many games today are living, evolving things that grow and change over time,…

I may as well get this out of the way since I’m sure the review will make it abundantly clear to any fans of the series, anyway – until I played this game, I had zero experience with the Attack…

It’s been a long, long time since I’ve played a Dynasty Warriors game. A hack and slash action series with stories loosely based around ancient Chinese historical texts, Dynasty Warriors was a great way to spend an evening with a…

When people start talking about retro indie games, they usually mean 8 or 16-bit throwbacks designed to emulate the visual style of early 90s titles; it’s a popular choice for developers on a budget because sprite-based games tend to hold…

Back in 2016, Square Enix launched a new branch aimed at working with indie developers on upcoming titles. Known as the Square Enix Collective, the goal was to help talented, underexposed studios make a name for themselves by working with…

There are several Great Debates in modern pop culture that will never end because there is no possible definitive answer. Star Wars or Star Trek? Batman or Superman? Ferrari or Porsche? Somewhat less ubiquitous but just as fiercely debated: Burnout…

Does Reviews Editor Ryan Hartmann have what it takes survive on Mars?

A Hat in Time turned out to be an unexpected gem that is very reminiscent of past character platformer games such as Mario 64 or Spryo the Dragon. Well done platforming, an interesting cast of characters, excellent boss fights, and…

When Ico first launched in 2001, it was incredibly well received by players and critics alike, thanks largely to its unique setting, style and gameplay. An ambitious game in an era of big budget shooters and over the top action games, ICO was just as much arthouse film as it was blockbuster game. It was no surprise, then, that Team Ico had everybody’s attention when they announced Shadow of the Colossus, which was initially believed to be a direct sequel to Ico.

Every once in awhile you come across a game that has a unique premise, mechanic or style that you almost immediately realize should not be novel at all. Something that, upon reflection, developers should have been doing for quite awhile…

Were I to declare the PlayStation 2 the greatest console ever released, I doubt I’d get much pushback from this crowd, and for good reason. In fact, if it had any flaws at all, it was that there were simply…

Editor's Note: Hey PSX Extreme readers. How've you been? Feels like awhile since we last chatted, huh?. Before we jump into this review I just wanted to take a second to apologize for the lack of updates recently. As my…

Black Mirror is a supernatural tale that takes place in Scotland in 1926. You play as David Gordon who, after the apparent suicide of his father, visits his family castle to discover what happened. The game reeks of intrigue and…

It’s pretty obvious from the get go that Alteric is influenced by other “hardcore” platformers out there such as Super Meat Boy. I would even say this is a combination of Super Meat Boy and Thomas Was Alone but without…

Sometimes I feel like we have too many indie games coming out at any one time. As problems go, it’s a good one to have, especially as I find myself fatigued with big budget blockbusters lately, but it also means…

It is, apparently, Nazi-killing season. MachineGames released the stellar Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus at the tail end of October, and Call of Duty: WWII is following right on its heels. It’s been a long time since the Call of Duty…

If the movie Judge Dredd and the game Neon Chrome (also from the 10tons) had a baby they would make this game. Jydge is a isometric twin stick shooter that is very similar to Neon Chrome or Hotline Miami. Despite…

A boy clambers to the top of a spire, to a beacon that sends a beam of light streaming to the heavens. It calls to something ancient and powerful. Off in the distance a behemoth soars through the clouds, ripping…

In the vast industry of video games exists a breed of game which leaves big, unanswered questions at the very end. Sometimes these cliffhangers are appropriate, as they allow fans to theorize what happened after the last scene, such as The…

If you like your games full of charm and witty writing you’re in for a treat with Burly Men at Sea . At it’s heart this game is an adventure game. But it’s more akin to a choose your own…

Killing Nazis in video games is as American as baseball and apple pie. It’s been a part of the industry landscape since 1981’s Castle Wolfenstein, followed by Medal of Honor, then Call of Duty and its many clones. Yet the…

Dealing with the death of a loved one is always difficult. Fragments of Him faces that issue head on and shows how it affects people when a loved one dies so suddenly. In this, the two hour game does extremely…

Even as time marches on and new technologies give us fancier and prettier ways to blow things up on screen, there will always be a relative handful of us who can’t get enough of the old school point-and-click adventure game.…

Devespresso brings us a little Korean horror game that is starts out with a bang and has all the right elements of a good horror game but soon starts falling short. Which is saying something for a game that doesn’t…

Editor's Note – As Gundam Versus itself is a work in progress, PSXE will be revisiting this title in the weeks to come to assess any future changes to core aspects such as online gameplay. If you are interested in…

In an industry flooded with first-person shooters, annual football installments, and battle royale games, it’s nice to get away from the mainstream and into some unexplored waters. We’ve seen our fair share of racing sims and skateboarding titles but the…

Unlike most game critics my age, videogames were not a childhood passion of mine. While I received a Nintendo Entertainment System for Christmas when I was 6, just like most kids in the neighborhood, I never had more than a…

I’m just going to come out and say it right here. Ninja Theory may have outdone themselves with Hellblade. They have always been good at storytelling and creating believable and engaging worlds and characters with their games. Heavenly Sword and…

When it comes to games, I try not to play the part of the crotchety old man who always insists that the ‘old days’ were better, particularly because, in many ways, we’re currently enjoying some of the best years gaming…

I’ve never witnessed hype on the level that surrounded Destiny back in 2014. Bungie’s first post-Halo game looked to be their most ambitious, innovative title yet, with grand promises about the shared-world nature of the gameplay and a vast universe…

A game focused on the fast-paced, nail biting battle between two skilled swordsman competing to be the next sacrifice to the Nidhogg! In this sequel to the violent Tug-O-War comes at the player with crisp, vastly superior aesthetics and expertly…

After 27 entries in a little over 21 years, Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise has proven to be not only one of the most prolific in video game history, but also one of the most varied. Running the gamut from true…

Your mom is fat and smells of elderberries! Your mom and your sister wanted to be your hat, and you know it’s true! Have you ever been confronted by somebody that you absolutely despise? Have you ever wanted to insult…

Observer is a huge improvement from developer Bloober Team’s last horror game Layers of Fear. Observer is a wild ride similar to Layers of Fear but with a lot more substance. It seems that if you are a person who is…

There was a time, long ago, when shoot ‘em ups were the most dominant genre in games. Players of a certain age cut their teeth on ultra-tough classics like Gradius and 1942 at the local arcade, feeding cabinets quarters at…

Last year’s Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, was not only one of the greatest PlayStation exclusives this generation and a compelling action adventure game, it was also a surprisingly touching swan song for Nathan Drake, Sony’s most iconic character in…

Remastered games are typically ugly things. Too many publishers willing to push out lazy, sloppy ports from the previous generation leave a lot of consumers feeling cold about the prospect of spending hard-earned cash to revisit old favorites, especially if it’s…

SUPER HOT SUPER HOT That’s what I’ve been saying in my head the last couple days in between game time. Super Hot has a tendency to get in your head a bit. It’s a mind blower so to speak. The innovative…

Most of the games that come out these days are borrowing something from other games. That’s not to say it’s a bad thing. It’s a natural evolution of developing games. Imitation is the best form of flattery as they say. Even…

When I first saw the title to The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing I thought what the crap kind of title is that? In my mind I thought that something with the Van Helsing name should be something serious. So…

Seasons After Fall is a mix of art and gaming. Leaning more towards art. The gameplay is fairly simplistic in that you won’t find many platforming or puzzles that are going to give you a hard challenge, even though it…

Sniper Ghost Warrior walks an interesting line. It’s not a perfect game by any means and is marred by quite a few technical problems and a mediocre story. But when it works, it works quite well. This review is probably…

Layers of Fear was a nice little surprise. I was intrigued when the trailer was released and it turned out to be a great addition to the horror genre. There have been many horror games lately and some are good, others…

Yeah, super late. I know. I apologize. Got hit with a ton of crazy personal life stuff. I could have left it, I suppose, but I promised I would do one. So here it is! One of my more favorite…

Let me be clear with a disclaimer right off the bat here, folks. I… LOVE Mega Man. Always have. I loved it on NES, SNES, Gameboy… I loved the original series, I love the Mega Man X series… And I…

Upon completing Uncharted 4: A Thief's End , I felt sad. It wasn't because we wouldn't see this masterful IP for a while nor was it because the climax left me unsatisfied. It was a singular sensation, one I hadn't…

Somehow the over the top wannabe lothario Zack has another island, or has reconstructed his; I’m not quite clear on that. Let’s face it though, nobody is too interested in how Zack Island got here, just that it exists and…

What have we here? A Gust Action/JRPG? Sounds like a blast. Let's dig in. So, to dispense with the rumors yes this is a lesbian love story. More importantly it's a damn good one, because it really never functions as…

Video games have evolved. One could even argue that of all entertainment industries, gaming has evolved at a faster clip than any other, as 40 years isn’t exactly a long time in the bigger scheme things. Even broken down into…

Developer From Software has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a market for challenging, rewarding games. Despite the mainstream titles that have flooded the industry over the years, most of which always reluctant to punish the…

Hey, remember when we thought those old Madden games in the ‘90s were just mind-bogglingly realistic? Sure, they still didn’t look like the real games on TV but we figured, “well, how much better can they look?” Oh, we learned…

In this day and age, developing a game that will cater to a huge number of consumers requires a very distinct talent. It's a balancing act between offering enough accessibility for the casual gamers and enough depth and customization for…

I've been reviewing video games in some capacity for the past two decades. One thing you learn is that in a ceaselessly changing industry, you have to keep adapting. During the early days of gaming criticism, we were faced with…

No, I don't care a fig about Digimon . The Pokemon craze made me physically ill. I despised the rise of mediocre anime that tempted kids with little else besides incessantly flashing, poorly drawn pictures and too-stupid-even-for-children characters and storylines.…

You have to applaud when a franchise veers off the beaten path and tackles something very much outside the realm of the standard first-person shooter. While Far Cry is undeniably a quality franchise, Ubisoft Montreal took a bit of a…

I’m sure many of you can relate: This past Christmas, my family and I flew out to visit my parents for a week. While we were there, I stole a few moments to go through some old boxes and reminisce…

I believe we should be balanced and well-rounded in all things, including our hobbies. That's why I always like to have simple pick-up-and-play games to go alongside the longer, occasionally downright epic productions. It's why there are some days when…

Street Fighter is an extremely long-running franchise. Publishers and developers that produce such iconic IPs often face an impossible task at the behest of demanding fans: Continue to upgrade and improve the experience we love without actually losing the original…

When you're feeling guilty and alone, the wilderness almost seems inviting. Sure, it might not do wonders for your state of mind – especially if your environment holds a potentially dangerous secret – but the ashamed soul wants isolation, so…

Gravity Rush remains one of the best PlayStation Vita releases to date, and I can't wait for the sequel. In the meantime, I suppose I should be satisfied with the recently released Gravity Rush Remastered for PlayStation 4, which features…

Puzzle games really do come in all shapes and sizes. They can challenge us in wildly different ways. They can mystify us one minute and leave us with a blissful feeling of relieved euphoria the next. And even if you've…

If you say the name “Resident Evil” to a long-time gamer, a myriad of memories rockets through that person’s mind. From the moment the dogs jumped through the window and scared the ever-loving sh** out of all of us, that…

Assassin's Creed is one of my favorite franchises of all time, and when I heard they'd be offering a 2.5D spin-off, I was excited. However, I have never managed to get involved in any of them until now, so forgive…

Those who remember the early days of rhythm/music gaming will undoubtedly recall the titles FreQuency and Amplitude . The latter was one of my favorite games on PS2 and when I heard Harmonix was bringing it back for PlayStation 4,…

Being a fan of narrative-driven games like Heavy Rain and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture , one would assume I'd be all over Dontnod Entertainment's well-received episodic series, Life is Strange . But I really don't like playing games piecemeal…

Back in 2008, I reviewed this quirky little game called Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars . It was a really creative version of soccer where the players were actually little race cars; they'd race around and smack into the ball, with…

There are shooters that can easily fall into the standard “FPS” category. Then there are those rare games that qualify as first-person shooters but in fact are much more than that; this is where you enter the realm of the…

There’s something vaguely primal and undeniably appealing about Just Cause 3 . Its unabashed insistence on itself – specifically, on the brainless part that gets off on endless explosions – is what makes it so alluring. You know those silly…

I haven’t played a really good Dynasty Warriors game in a while. A few of the spin-offs were decent but in my estimation, this series hasn’t been especially impressive since the early days of the PS2. However, despite my lingering…

Ambitious, unique and decidedly challenging, Teslagrad might be the perfect game for PlayStation Vita. After releasing for other platforms over the past few years, the artistic endeavor from developer Rain Games has earned some high praise. Now, after finally coming…

Yes, there was a time when I loved JRPGs. But times change. The glory days of Squaresoft are long gone and unfortunately, most Japanese role-playing productions these days feel downright antiquated. This outdated feeling, so prevalent in Sword Art Online:…

If you’re a “Star Wars” fanatic, there’s no reason you shouldn’t love the atmosphere in Star Wars: Battlefront . If you’re a hardcore multiplayer shooter fan, however, you might be turned off by the lack of depth and customization options…

The wasteland has stories. If you’re well-equipped and determined, you might just manage to survive long enough to learn about those stories. The nuclear apocalypse has come and gone and humans struggle to forge their way in a very new…

If one wanted to be a little callous, one could simply say " Call of Duty is Call of Duty ." That might be a halfway decent summary of the latest entry in the blockbuster franchise but of course, we'd…

Need for Speed is one of the most iconic and revered names in all of video games, but even icons need to adapt and innovate from time to time. After skipping 2014, developer Ghost Games has worked to bring the…

If I’m understanding the review process correctly, we’re supposed to compare a game to the competition – recent titles and games that come out around the same time – and if it’s part of a franchise, you also compare it…

While utilizing light in a puzzle game is hardly a unique concept, I can’t recall the last time a developer focused on shadows as a puzzle-solving mechanic. Some games like Escape Plan and Limbo have used shadows as an effective…

I’m not sure what more you could want out of a single-player expansion. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was already a massive game when it launched back in May, but developer CD Projekt Red wasn’t about to rest on their…

One wonders how PlayStation 3 would’ve fared without Uncharted last generation. After getting off to a very slow start and spotting Xbox 360 to a one-year head-start, it seemed as if the glory days of the PS2 had disappeared in the…

If you’re short on time but you still require an explanation for the score, here’s a tidy little summation: The game in question is Dynasty Warriors with an attractive Dragon Quest skin. It’s an unsatisfactory and flawed blend of strangely…

I still remember when the first game in the now-esteemed and long-running Disgaea franchise arrived. It was called Hour of Darkness and after reading a ton of positive reviews, I went in search of what I figured would be a…

There was a time when NBA Live was a dominant sports franchise, even rivaling the popularity and quality of EA’s other blockbuster IP, Madden . However, the series has inexplicably fallen off the map in the past five years. There…

When I first heard that Spike Lee had been tapped to deliver a story-driven experience for the new NBA 2K installment, I was excited. Admittedly, sports games don’t really need a compelling storyline with interesting characters; Blades of Steel and…

EA Sports continues to impress this year with another top-tier production designed specifically to cater to both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. This combination of accessibility and streamlined depth has been a common theme in this year’s sports titles from…

Traditional platformers are few and far between these days, so when I heard a “handcrafted platformer” was coming to PlayStation 4, I was intrigued…despite the fact that it began its life as a mobile title. Typically, I abhor playing games…

If you produce a game every year, your goal should always be to improve on the previous effort. In the past, annualized sports games have been accused of simply rehashing the same old formulas and simply offering updated rosters and…

Mad Max is a safe, grimy, bombastic set piece that, while unable or perhaps unwilling to explore new frontiers, still delivers a solid and enjoyable wasteland experience. Provided you’re not looking for innovation or a gripping narrative and all your…

Anime lovers have gravitated toward the Danganronpa games for a few years now. These titles offer a very original and appealing combination of courtroom class trials and detective gameplay elements, which is unlike anything else you’ve played. However, the latest…

Welcome to the new generation of video games. In my mind, there are only two games thus far this generation that would fit my personal definition of “next-gen.” The first is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt but I was disappointed…

Teen slasher flicks really aren’t my thing. The hackneyed storyline, laughable acting, and generally ham-fisted approach to instilling fear just doesn’t do it for me. I might find them to be a silly diversion at best, and only if nothing…

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: “Oh yay, another roster update.” However, while I admit such a dismissive stance was probably warranted during the 11-14 years, I don’t believe it’s viable when talking about the last two Madden entries. Last…

ZombiU released as a third-party exclusive for the Wii U in 2012 and while it met with mixed critical reactions, it quickly became a cult hit. This is because those who really loved survival/horror enjoyed the game’s purposely slower pace…

The town is almost pristine. It isn’t decimated or destroyed. There are no smoking craters, blackened buildings, or burned corpses. No, this picturesque village sits in ideal tranquility; the birds twitter in the hedgerows and the sun shines brightly, bathing…

If you’re old enough, you well remember King’s Quest . One of several classic Sierra adventures released during the early days of gaming, it opened our eyes to a fantastical land of mystery and danger. Complete with the appropriate amount…

Being a super fan of the Portal games, I dove into the debut effort by Toxic Games with anticipatory relish. Other puzzle adventures, such as Quantum Conundrum , have taken a stab at the unique first-person puzzler, but Q.U.B.E. has…

Yes, I’m aware that zombies are here to stay. They’re iconic villains, especially in the world of video games. I’ve got no problem with their legendary status and let’s face it, what would Resident Evil be without zombies? I also…

Journey was a memorable experience when I first played it and it became a Game of the Year Finalist at PSXE that year. It also won several other awards, as you might well expect. Now, three years later, Thatgamecompany’s splendid,…

What do you get when you cross Dumbo and Rambo? Why, Tembo: The Badass Elephant , of course. The new side-scrolling 2D platformer from Game Freak and Sega puts you in control of an elephant soldier that, despite his weighty…

The iconic monster just can’t catch a break in the videogame world. Over the years, I’ve honestly wondered if the disappointing lack of quality in Godzilla games were simply a reflection of the cornball movies. Yes, those old films are…

Tiger’s out, Rory’s in. I don’t mind the switch at all and in fact, I welcome it. It’s absurd to put the 246th-ranked player in the world on the cover of a video game, regardless of history and obvious iconic…

In a world where many small, independent developers can make big splashes, it’s important to remember one thing: Even if you have, comparatively speaking, a tiny team and budget, you still have to produce a complete, engaging product. Great ideas…

Gotham is beyond a city in trouble. “Trouble” was evacuated and fled to safety; all that remains is fear and despair and an overwhelmingly palpable sense of chaos. The metropolis is in the iron grip of several villains and the…

Developer Traveller's Tales has a history of taking the world's most iconic film franchises and "LEGO-fying" them. We've seen everything from "Star Wars" to "Batman" to "Indiana Jones" and now, the successful team takes a whack at Jurassic Park .…

If you're old enough, you remember some of the earliest role-playing games, where you faced your enemies in turn-based, first-person encounters. Dragon Warrior and Phantasy Star were like that and developer Experience, Inc. ( Demon Gaze ) has resurrected the…

Like many other kids in the UK, Chris Davis grew up playing classic games like Skool Daze . That experience, coupled with movies that highlighted prison escapes, inspired Davis to create his latest title called The Escapists . This one-man…

New versions of older games are nothing…uh…new. That being said, it’s hard to say anything against most updated versions, simply because they’re better iterations of an existing game. In most cases, the new version becomes the definitive edition and one…

By all rights, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt should’ve been the defining game of a generation. It had all the potential in the world and although it’s arguably the most ambitious video game to release in years, it remains frustratingly…

Okay, so here’s the back story: Early last year, Bloober Team released a game called Basement Crawl for PlayStation 4. It was supposed to be a spiritual successor to the iconic Bomberman franchise, featuring the classic top-down multiplayer veteran gamers…

When I heard Toren compared to the PlayStation 2 classic ICO , I was immediately intrigued. Who wouldn’t be? ICO remains one of the most beautiful, compelling, memorable titles in history. And as Fumito Ueda and Co. don’t appear to…

Project CARS is all about the driving. Now, you may be saying to yourself, “well, of course it’s all about driving; it’s a racing game.” But let me reiterate: It’s all about the driving. There are no cars, car parts,…

There was a time when point-and-click adventures were not only common, but revered. The glorious days of Monkey Island and Myst are looked back upon with a particular fondness, which is precisely why Double Fine’s Broken Age Kickstarter campaign brought…

In case anyone is wondering, no, I didn’t play Bastion when it first released in 2011. Hence, please save your, “I knew this game was awesome four years ago; where the hell have you been?” comments. Now that Supergiant’s fantastic…

Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark was one of the most innovative and entertaining games of the year. The intoxicating blend of platforming and stealth elements, set within a dark tongue-in-cheek atmosphere that reminds one of Oddworld , was…

If you’re old enough, you remember when Mortal Kombat debuted in the arcades 22 years ago. You probably also remember the ensuing fallout; it was arguably the most controversial video game of all time. Until then, parents just assumed all…

If you remember the days of 8-bit sidescrolling goodness with a particular fondness, you’ll love Axiom Verge . Dubbed a “Metroidvania” title for its combination of old-school elements from the classic Metroid and Castlevania franchises, this one-man feat of development…

It’s time once again for baseball and as usual, Sony has anted up with their annual simulator. MLB 15: The Show was purported to faithfully represent our national pastime better than any previous entry but while improvements have been made,…

Yes, I’m perfectly aware that I gave Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype an 8.4 when it debuted on PlayStation 3 back in 2010. I’m also aware that the recently released Vita iteration is basically the same game. Hence, you’re probably wondering:…

Bloodborne does just about everything right. The palpable sense of fear and tension that permeates the entire experience leaves sweat on the controller, there's unbelievable imagination and creativity behind the nightmares you face, and the combination of an immensely deep…

Hypothetically, let’s say you’ve never played Borderlands 2 or Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel . Or, perhaps you played one but not the other. Either way, if you missed out on previous franchise fun, Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is for you. Packed…

If you weren’t aware, Final Fantasy Type-0 originally launched for PSP back in October 2011. It was only made available to Japanese gamers, though, which is why fans of the series were excited to hear about the remastered version heading…

In case you forget while playing, Battlefield: Hardline is still classified as a first-person shooter. But you probably haven’t played a strict FPS quite so methodically before, sneaking about and using a scanner to target and track foes, and handcuffing…

In a generation where updated versions of older games have become a commonality, I sometimes wonder what I'm supposed to analyze. I mean, I already reviewed the game; do enhanced visuals and maybe some slightly refined gameplay warrant a fresh…

When people say various forms of gameplay are “outdated” or “archaic,” claiming new technology has supplanted such mechanics with superior systems, I point to games like Helldivers . In my estimation, there’s plenty more that could be done with the…

OlliOlli was a great game when I played it for Vita last year. The sequel that just launched this week for PlayStation 4 is a really great game. It’s a perfect example of a proper sequel: Bigger, better, and fresher.…

When Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate launched back in 2013, I thought we were done with this particular installment. However, I was wrong. Team Ninja has opted to bring the solid fighter to new consoles and as such, they’ve once…

The Order: 1886 is the most controversial video game of the generation. Many argue that a seemingly ceaseless slew of negative headlines prior to the game’s launch are partly responsible for the lukewarm critical reception. Averaging only a mid-6 and…

Sometimes, it’s nice to kick back with a quirky little brain-buster and spend a few hours, considering and conquering. Unmechanical: Extended Edition is an upgraded version of the 2012 PC hit and while it’s a pretty straightforward puzzler, it’s a…

I grew up with shooters. There I was, silly grin plastered on my face, blasting those pig baddies in Duke Nukem and having a grand ol’ time. I still remember the early days of Wolfenstein 3D and I distinctly recall…

Resident Evil is an iconic name in video games. However, in order to properly evaluate this particular remaster, we need to understand the reason behind the franchise’s legendary status. Is it legendary because of the often infuriating tank controls and…

Dying Light isn’t quite done. It needs to go back in the oven for another ten minutes or so. It’s not cooked all the way through; nothing is raw but many ingredients simply aren’t complete. It’s one hell of a…

There was a time when adventure games, driven by a charming and compelling narrative, were actually common. As technology advanced and general interest began to gravitate toward faster and flashier, our video games changed. Priorities shifted, which is why big-budget…

Joe Danger is colorful, rambunctious and just oh-so-difficult to put down. The original blew me away and while I wasn’t quite as enamored with the sequel , it was another great game that deserved your attention. Loaded with unbelievable set…

We’re all trying to forget the travesty that was Duke Nukem Forever and to assist in our recovery, Devolver Digital and Abstraction Games brings the previously released Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition to PlayStation 3 and Vita. It’s basically a port…

Once upon a time, video game developers produced sports games that weren’t simulators. In fact, due to the lack of technology, even games that proposed to be “realistic” were hardly that. These days, though, in our ceaseless drive to make…

Loadout proves there’s a fine between raucous hilarity and cringe-worthy gore. Embedded in a cartoon-y exterior is a violent, frantic melee that results in decapitations and copious amounts of scattered blood. It’s definitely a form of wild, no-holds-barred slapstick that,…

Before the Tomb Raider reboot, the series was sort of in limbo. The big-budget blockbusters that defined the ‘90s were starting to fade in terms of quality and popularity. To shake things up, developer Crystal Dynamics delivers Lara Croft and…

Not being a huge “Game of Thrones” aficionado, I didn’t really know what to expect from the video game version. I did, however, know the following: Telltale Games has proven to be a premier developer in today’s industry, and an…

For the record, I don't mind sexual innuendo in video games. I don't even mind if an entire video game is based around an overtly sexual premise. I do, however, feel my intelligence has been insulted when I'm playing a…

Developer Telltale Games excels in the realm of narrative achievement and character development. Borderlands has always been about fast-action, constant looting, and multiplayer goodness. How to reconcile the two? Well, Telltale proves their adaptive and innovative talent beyond any shadow…

One could argue that objectionable characters are perhaps the most frightening. One could also argue that in an open-world sandbox structure, story is nowhere near as critical as it is within a linear adventure. Your enjoyment of Far Cry 4…

You know, if you say first-person shooters haven't really changed over the years, you're either painfully unobservant or you're not old enough. While the basic control scheme remains relatively similar (despite alterations to precision and weight), the biggest change is…

Grand Theft Auto V was a mammoth achievement. The upgraded version is that same mammoth achievement with another layer of gloss and intrigue. The newly added first-person mode changes the entire dynamic of this legendary franchise and while not everything…

Update: Please read the retraction editorial in addition to this review. They say you have to hook your reader in the first few lines. Okay, here goes: Assassin’s Creed Unity could’ve been the best video game we’ve seen in years.…

The Hinterlands beckon. But in the back of your mind, you might be remembering BioWare’s slight misstep with Dragon Age II ; you might wonder if the developer has continued down an unappealing path. At the same time, a little…

As a Tales fan, a JRPG fan, and an anime fan, one might be justified in accusing me of favoring the series. One would be wrong in the case of . While it has its strengths, this recrafted entry in…

The title “Call of Duty” invokes quite the array of responses when spoken aloud among a group of gamers. Steadfast cheers, unwavering and undiminished by the sour looks of distaste and even downright disgust, mingle together in a fascinating mélange…

For the sake of argument, let’s say you love the dark fantasy feel of the Dark Souls games, but you find the difficulty too overwhelming. You wish such adventures were a bit more accessible. You wish another developer would adopt…

If you tell me you’ve got an idea for a video game and it combines racing and platforming, I’m all in. But I add the following caveat: It has to present the player with intuitive, reliable mechanics, or it’s going…

The importance of a fantastic concept cannot be denied. A developer that does its damndest to scare the ever-loving crap out of you, and utilizes multiple successful methods to do so, deserves credit. For these reasons, Shinji Mikami’s The Evil…

For the record, I am not a sci-fi fan. That being said, I have always appreciated the “Alien” movies for their thrilling, edge-of-your-seat style. The original was especially Hitchcockian, in my estimation, and I respect any entertainment product that uses…

As I sat, enjoying the view and appreciating the blend of simulation and arcade, I kept asking myself: "Is this what Evolution wanted to produce? Is this what I wanted to play?" These are two very common questions any good…

What do you get when you combine the fantastical, intriguing open world of Assassin’s Creed and the legendary J.R.R. Tolkien atmosphere? The answer should be obvious: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor . You will climb tall buildings, sneak up on unsuspecting…

Make no mistake: My favorite game of all time is a turn-based strategy title ( Final Fantasy Tactics ) and while many critics often harp on trial-and-error, that style of gameplay has never really bothered me. I’m more patient and…

After attempting to grab the tail of the raging tiger that is Destiny , I figured I’d find a respite in a small, straightforward game. There’s no massive controversy surrounding a blockbuster production here. There’s no gazillion-dollar budget and legions…

Disclaimer: Any game that intends to grow and expand over a long period of time should be frequently revisited by critics and players; otherwise, you’re doing the project a grave injustice. What we review here is merely the starting point…

If your PlayStation Vita has been gathering dust lately, I feel your pain. And while Velocity 2X is also available on the PlayStation 4 (and it’s every bit as fantastic on that platform), I still say you should snag the…

Football must be one of the trickiest sports to realistically depict in the world of interactive entertainment. There’s such a wide variety of player types on the field, each with distinctly different jobs, and if even one element feels off,…

Being a fan of stealth, I have no problem with trial-and-error and strategic planning. I don’t require a more fast-paced blend of action and stealth to keep my attention. However, one has to admit that pure stealth games do suffer…

I still remember playing Diablo II into the wee hours of the morning. Playing with friends made the action last even longer and now, at long last, Diablo III has arrived. Yes, I’m aware it released last year for PC…

Full disclosure time: I have only seen the very first episode of Sword Art Online. It certainly looked great but somehow I got busy and never managed to watch the rest of the series. So I can't bring big fan…