Review round-up: The games of March 2013
What a month! Now that March is well behind us (and we remembered to take a look back to ponder), I feel confident in saying that betweenBioShock InfiniteandTomb Raider, and yet anotherGears of War, we are well into this year of big-budget gaming.
Take a look at everything we reviewed in March — there’s a lot! What was your jam? What did you miss out on? I still need to grab copies ofHarmoKnightandLuigi’s Mansionfor my 3DS. The poor guy has gotten dusty and now only I’m to blame for it.
Etrian Odyssey IV(3DS)
Etrian Odyssey IVthe best series title yet, and an excellent place to start if you’ve never played one before. It is, by far, the most accessible series game yet, with its Casual mode and its wide-open, free-exploration gameplay. And for the first time, despite being a dungeon crawler at heart, anEtrian Odysseytitle feels like a sprawling adventure.
For series fans, everything you love aboutEtrian Odysseyis here, and then some — better music, art, monsters, and mapping. You willnotbe disappointed. For everyone else: fans of classic dungeon crawling, fans of planning and plotting, or fans of a sizable challenge, I cannot recommendEtrian Odyssey IVenough.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus(PlayStation Vita)
On top of the technical issues, there’s barely anything new that’s been added here to justify another purchase. It’s a shame, because I really enjoyed the originalNinja Gaiden 2andSigma 2.Team Ninja really missed the opportunity to add a killer feature like the ability to replay Time Attack missions with extra characters or enhance Ninja Race, which would have justified a double/triple-dip.
With the removal of content like Japanese audio and online co-op, this game doesn’t offer enough to truly justify the “Plus” in its name. Team Ninja really needs to get its act together going forward, or theNinja Gaidenseries will be beyond repair.
March of the Eagles(PC)
There still remains some obstacles to an enjoyable evening of name-calling and war-declaring, unfortunately. Throughout my multiplayer matches, there’s been players dropping, a shoddy “metaserver” that simply didn’t work, the need to connect directly via IP as if we were still in the ’90s, and the weirdest issue so far: the checksum of half the players changing, stopping us from being able to play together for about 30 minutes. Get past that nonsense and it’s bloody marvelous. If you have the patience.
I’d happily recommendMarch of the Eaglesbased exclusively on the multiplayer, but if you prefer your gaming to be a solo venture, then it might not really offer quite as much. Those looking to get stuck into a historical war and not a lot else may still find conquering Europe and giving ol’ Bonaparte what for entertaining, though, and as a game doesn’t tend to go on for longer than eight hours in single-player, it won’t devour your life.
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Driftmoon(PC)
[…] diehard RPG fans like myself will find things like the lack of party controls and the basic skill tree a bittoosimple when compared to games likeBaldur’s GateorThe Witcher.Driftmoonis, in its own right, an adventure worth having though, largely thanks to its witty writing and absolutely splendid humor. It’s a bit of salvation in a genre that seems to be limping by these days.
Driftmoonis very obviously a labor of love. A lot of time and dedication went into creating it, and it shows. Though it may fall short in some areas, this is a classic RPG through and through. Beginners and veterans alike should take note and try out thedemoat the very least.
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Alien vs. Predator: Evolution(Android, iPhone, iPad)
In fact, as I think about it, I have to give the devil his due.AvP: Evolutionis actuallyworsethanColonial Marines— ever soslightlyworse. At least getting from A to B in Gearbox’s insulting mess was relatively stress-free and didn’t cause me to want to break something. For that roaring triumph,Colonial Marinesnow gets to enjoy not being the worstAliensgame to be released this year.
Congratulations toAvP: Evolution! You’ve managed to be marginally worse than an unfinished, buggy, outsourced piece of trash. You must be very proud.
Read the fullAlien vs. Predator: Evolutionreview
Tomb Raider(PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Tomb Raidercould so easily have gone wrong, and its opening gambit looks like it’s heading down a most erroneous path. It starts off with some ambushing QTEs and absolutely pummels Lara Croft into the dirt to such a degree, you’d almost suspect the developers were getting off on it. This first impression is an awkward obfuscation, however, one that soon erodes to reveal a savvy, thoughtful, and above all, immensely enjoyable game. In fact, I’m happy to go on record as saying this is the bestTomb Raidergame I’ve played. Tightly produced, competent in both its puzzling and its combat, this is one reboot that manages to be unequivocally superior to its predecessors.
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Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires(PlayStation 3)
TheEmpiresseries is generally considered the best type ofDynasty Warriorsspin-off, but with Koei’s latest efforts smacking of no effort at all, this particular release comes across as unnecessary and pointless, especially withDynasty Warriors 8already out in Japan and inevitably preparing for a Western launch in a matter of months. This is still a decent enough game if you literallycannotget your fill ofWarriorsgames, but for this lifelong fan of the series, Koei’s been delivering too much of too little for a while now, and I’m about at the end of my tether.
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Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller – The Hangman(iOS, PC [Reviewed])
As a first episode,The Hangmandoes more right than it does wrong. The influence of Jane Jensen, and Phoenix Online’s previous work on its labor of love,The Silver Lining —itself inspired by the hey-day of adventure gaming — makesCognitionfeel very much like what I suspect Sierra Online would have been putting out now if they were still around. Most importantly, I’m eager to get stuck into the second episode.
Dollar Dash(PC, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade)
Dollar Dashis a serviceable game, even if it doesn’t aim very high. If you’re bored of constant deathmatches inSpelunky‘s multiplayer versus mode, or you’ve saturated every last round ofBombermanand the many clones it spawned over the years,Dollar Dashwill give you a few evenings of enjoyment.
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Mass Effect 3: Citadel(Xbox 360 [reviewed], PlayStation 3, PC)
For those of us who are heavily invested in the series, for whatever reason, it means putting away something special. This was a modern sci-fi epic that attempted, at least, to give the player a voice. I don’t think this trip quite took the path that anyone thought it would, but it’s been an interesting ride.
If this is how BioWare wants to close Shepard’s chapter, I can live with this. It’s not a perfect finale, but it’s one that highlights the best we’ve seen from the series so far, and it’s not without its own set of endearing idiosyncrasies.
Read the fullMass Effect 3: Citadelreview
DmC: Devil May Cry: Vergil’s Downfall(PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
In a way,Vergil’s Downfallrepresents the gameDmCmight have been — less fluff, more style. But at the same time, like many areas ofDmC, it lackssubstance. You’ll fight very samey enemies across five areas that also bear a resemblance to stages from the core game, which at the end of the day, just isn’tquiteenough to justify DLC pricing for everyone.
If you lovedDmC, you really can’t go wrong here. But if it wasn’t everything you had hoped for,Vergil’s Downfallwill do little than give you a glimpse into the stylishDevil May Cryof old, at least from an aesthetic perspective.
God of War: Ascension(PlayStation 3)
Ascensionhad challenges coming from every direction from early on. Some of the franchise’s core mechanics have grown a bit tired over the past years, which had gamers questioning the need for another title. Beyond this, some questioned the need for a prequel story. Most of all, the idea of a multiplayer addition was initially off-putting to vocal series fans. But, like Kratos, Sony Santa Monica ripped through every one of these challenges with their bare hands to bring us a game that is so fantastic that it should make anyone that ever questioned them feel bad for doing so.
God of Warhas never looked or played better than this. Kratos has never been as deep or interesting as this. They’ve set the bar so high that I have no idea how they’ll be able to follow this one up. Sony Santa Monica should be proud. Series fans should be proud.
Read the fullGod of War: Ascensionreview
Kersploosh!(3DS eShop)
With a bit more content and some tweaking,Kersploosh!could have been one of the best games on the 3DS eShop, because as it stands, it’s a hard sell for people who like their experiences padded with more content. If you’re okay with a short, enjoyable journey to the bottom of a well though, it’s more than enough.
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The Bridge(PC)
The Bridgesurprised me multiple times during the eight or so hours I played it. It surprised me with the devious simplicity of the level design, the dark theme that permeates the entirety of the game, and I was especially surprised by how satisfying the game was as a whole.
Some of the puzzles are a bit of trial-and-error since the more complicated mechanics take a certain amount of experience to fully understand. The difficulty can also be a bit wonky at times, alternating back and forth between “hard as a five star Sudoku” and “easy as a word search.”
Read the fullThe Bridgereview
SimCity(PC [reviewed], Mac)
There is some promise for this to be a good game, but promise alone isn’t enough. Even if they do manage to get their servers back online and functioning, I still know that if something goes wrong on their end I will lose all of my saved games. My cities are at the mercy of EA’s servers and my Internet connection, and while there are some nice things to be found inSimCity,the need to always be online and feeling forced to play with other people ruins the experience.
I wanted to like this game, I really did. At first I started to enjoy it, but soon all I found was frustration. I can’t recommend this game to anyone, and I don’t want to play it anymore myself because I am afraid of seeing all my efforts lost due to server issues. It’s a decent game if it worked right, but the online dependency, forced multiplayer, and DRM ruin it.
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The Banner Saga: Factions(PC, Mac)
ConsiderFactionsfor what it is: A testing ground and potential cash cow for Stoic’s upcoming commercial release, and a fun sample of what’s to come. If I were not in the middle ofFire Emblem, I may continue to playFactions— hell, I may play a random match here and there, anyway. This unorthodox release that has Kickstarter backers in a frenzy is not worth getting so worked up over, as it suggests the single-playerBanner Sagamay be a gem — a gem that some will haveFactionsusers to thank for helping make it what it is.
ATV Wild Ride 3D(3DS eShop)
In many ways,ATV Wild Ride 3Dis stuck in the 90s, but that isn’t wholly a bad thing. It does everything that it advertises — it allows you to ride ATV vehicles on some pretty neat courses, in 3D. Just don’t expect much more than that.
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Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds(Xbox Live Arcade)
With its colorful characters, gorgeous sprite graphics, 8-bit tracks, and multiple game modes, there’s a lot to love here. I must admit, while I wasn’t familiar with the fighting game on which it’s based, I’m seriously hoping it passes through localization, as I’d love to play that title as well. Whether playing couch co-op or online, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon with friends, though hopefully they’ll patch for having a more stable connection for the latter.
Phantom Breaker: Battle Groundsis a simple game that anyone can pick up and play, but belies a deeper feel for combos like a traditional fighting game would, while adding a minimal skill tree for damage and speed boosts like an RPG. It’s deep without beingtoodeep, which makes it just the right amount of fun.
Richard & Alice(PC)
There is a lot of text to get through, butRichard & Aliceis a well-paced adventure. Dialogue-heavy moments between the titular characters are broken up by Richard, under player control, interacting with his room, emailing the prison staff, attempting to fix the AC, all the time still chatting to Alice, and then there are the flashbacks which are evenly paced throughout.
Despite being a short tale, there are multiple endings and subtle, easy-to-miss pieces of information that makeRichard & Aliceworth at least a second playthrough, something I just did this afternoon. It isn’t required, however, as this is a complete story, and all the endings have something to offer both in terms of the closure they provide and their emotional weight.
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LEGO City Undercover(Wii U)
For all its faults, charming is absolutely the word best describingLEGOCity Undercover. While more could have been done to exploit the sandbox scenario, and while it sticks a bit too nervously to formula than it could have,Undercoveris nonetheless a frequently pleasurable, occasionally hilarious little romp in a new LEGO world full of potential. Should TT Games get another chance to revisit this idea, I hope for — and expect — a lot more of an expansion on the concept, and a lot more focus on the fresh elements that provideUndercover‘s highest points. As for this first try, we have a pretty damn good effort that I’d love to see more of.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate(3DS)
Your mileage may vary; from various impressions around the net, a lot of folks have already voiced their approval. And that’s fine. I’m happy if you are able to look past the complete exclusion of any of the traditionalCastlevaniavalues and appreciate the Western-focused approach, even if it isn’t original in the least. I simply cannot share in your enthusiasm.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fateis not the fusion of old and newCastlevaniadesigns that was teased; it merely cements MercurySteam’s ambition to keep theLords of Shadowsub-series as distant from the main branch as possible. Not the worst thing in the world, but still quite disappointing.
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Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk(PS3)
In short, Gust definitely seems to be straddling the line withAtelier Ayesha, showing that they have the talent to construct a plot which doesn’t rely on swimsuit competitions, yet aren’t quite ready to dedicate themselves to the taxing demands of a full RPG adventure.
What we’ve left with then is a game without an audience. Fans of traditional RPGs will be turned off by the minimal exploration elements; fans of anime babes in skimpy costumes are unable to get their fix, while fans of generic cutesy anime nonsense really don’t command the buying power to makeAtelier Ayeshaanything more than a niche title.
Naruto Powerful Shippuden(3DS)
It may not be a perfect brawler, but it’s certainly a fun one, and one that anyNarutofan would enjoy. Don’t let the art style dissuade you from enjoying the action here, as the RPG-esque elements of stat boosting and defense increases add a special something that future games in the genre should take note of.
The humor may also not be for everyone, but if you’re like me, you’ll love the fact that the game doesn’t take itself seriously. It fits the art style as well as the general goofy nature of the characters and situations. Plus, with it being based on Rock Lee’s spin-off, you’re already getting a unique experience gamers haven’t yet tapped into. It’s the ideal mix of fun and funny, without being too over-the-top.
Super House of Dead Ninjas(PC)
This is one game that I know I’ll be playing long after this review is finished with. The instant challenge and frantic pace makes it perfect to just pick up and play for 15 minutes, while the tight controls and potentially limitless number of floors makes it easy to pour hours into. If you’re not convinced, then check out thefree versionand see if it floats your boat.
I do have one caveat, however. Whatever you do, don’t play this with a keyboard. It’s possible, but you’ll just be giving yourself another unnecessary and fairly unpleasant challenge. Thankfully,Super House of Dead Ninjascomes with native controller support, and after a few initial hiccups, it seems to work perfectly now.
The Showdown Effect(PC)
The Showdown Effect‘s success will ultimately be dictated by the number of players that stick around. They need to host the games, and they need to provide the challenge for other players. UnlikeMagicka,it’s a multiplayer, online-only experience, and that’s something of a risky endeavor for a small studio.
It’s a game that deserves to be played, however, and it’s one that’s a hilarious spectacle to watch too — something that Arrowhead clearly realizes and is keen to exploit with its Twitch.tv integration. Maybe I should make one of those video thingymabobs? Nah, I don’t need any more people laughing at how awful I am.
Dead Space 3: Awakened(PC, Xbox 360 [reviewed], PlayStation 3)
Speaking as a fan ofDead Space, I feel I could skipAwakenedand miss absolutely nothing of value. While some of the new ideas are nice, the sense of disappointment that none of them are capitalized upon offsets any good they do, while the story is nothing you couldn’t explain in a single Tweet. While the gameplay is as solid as anything found inDead Space 3, it could also be acquired simply by replaying chapters ofDead Space 3.
Dead Space 3: Awakenedis a whole lot of not much at all.
Read the fullDead Space 3: Awakenedreview
Darkstalkers Resurrection(PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 [reviewed])
If you’re opting to play online, the netcode is extremely solid, and I had a chance to play around 50 games with little to no interruptions or issues. The GGPO-powered online system works just as advertised, and with eight-player lobby support, YouTube upload functionality, and an online tournament mode,Resurrectionreally shines online.
Although the visuals deserved a much larger upgrade than a lazy filter, the fact of the matter is, the engine still holds up amazingly well, and the netcode is near perfect.
If you’ve always been curious about this franchise, now is the time to take the plunge — if you’re a fan of old-school 2D fighters, you won’t be disappointed.
Read the fullDarkstalkers Resurrectionreview
Vampire Crystals(WiiWare)
After beating the final boss, the story pulls aGhosts ‘n Goblinsand forces you to replay the entire campaign for the true ending, only now the levels take place at night and enemies are unfathomably more aggressive. I died three times during the revamped first stage before dropping the controller and saying, “No more.” Clearing the three worlds once only requires a handful of hours, but the tedium that sets in early on makes it feel like far more time has elapsed. There was no way I was suffering through all that again.
I can appreciate the classic arcade spirit ofVampire Crystals, but it does little to mask the shortcomings of old-school design while adding its own set of issues. Playing it single-player is chore, but convincing a group to play with you might be even more laborious. There just isn’t enough meat on these dusty old bones.
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Ridiculous Fishing(iPad, iPhone [reviewed])
Yes, perfect is the word forRidiculous Fishing. Everything comes together to deliver a cohesive whole that works to alternate between making you smile, making you wonder, and most of all, making you want more. Thankfully, the game is quick to offer more. Just when you think you’ve seen the end, there’s a new area, new item, a new kick in the storyline, or new fish to savor.
Ingeniously designed, continuously compelling, painstakingly crafted, dripping with personality, packed with content — I like everything aboutRidiculous Fishing.
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Gears of War: Judgment(Xbox 360)
Gears of War 3was still a great little game, but represented the kind of step down indicative of a series that’s running out of steam.Gears of War: Judgmentputs paid to that impression, proving there’s plenty of vitality in Epic’s flagship yet; provided it’s willing to try some new spins on its established formula. OverRun alone is worthy of praise, but there’s just so muchstuffgoing on in this package, there’s something for all followers of the series. A few ofJudgment‘s experiments may not be as fondly received as others, but overall it’s hard to complain about a game that tries so much, and succeeds in almost all its endeavors.
Read the fullGears of War: Judgmentreview
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm(PC)
Heart of the Swarmis a fantastic addition to theStarCraftseries, and quite frankly feels on par with a $60 game. It brings almost nothing new to the table, but there’s nothing wrong with sticking to a formula you know works well. If you enjoyedWings of Liberty, or just like RTS games in general, there’s no reason not to pick this one up.
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Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate(3DS, Wii U [reviewed])
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimatedefinitely isn’t for everybody. It requires a lot of time and dedication that some people simply can’t put forth. It will take a while to get used to the controls, to determine which weapon is best for you, and to discover the tiny nuances to the gameplay. After all is said and done and the big monster is slain, however, nothing is more rewarding.
Encountering monsters inMonster Hunterisn’t like most other games. Monsters will take your breath away shortly before they take your life away. This is a game that will force you to learn from your mistakes, lest you repeat them and achieve the same failure as before. While the visuals are far from stunning and the online lacks any sort of host migration,Monster Hunter 3 Ultimateis one of the best and most rewarding experiences in a long time, and will certainly keep you busy for a while.
Read the fullMonster Hunter 3 Ultimatereview
Assassin’s Creed III: Tyranny of King Washington: The Betrayal(PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 [reviewed])
The Betrayaltries to offer more variety thanThe Infamydid thanks to its high flying antics, but it never truly transcends those ideas on a base level. If it offered a full sandbox with ridiculous spirit powers, it could have made for a pretty amazing superhero sideshow.
Instead, the powers feel fairly limiting, as do the worlds they take place in; which feels like a wasted opportunity. Perhaps if the third part can bring the craziness up to 11, this “what if” story will pack a little more punch. Until then, you may want to hold off on going all in, or even partly in, at this point.
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon(3DS)
In many ways,Dark Moon‘s ScareScraper is one of the best multiplayer modes I’ve ever played. There’s so much variety to it, and the formula of combining the cooperative nature with competitive, playful elements is genius. My wife and I couldn’t stop playing, and every time I had friends over who owned a 3DS, I beamed a download play version to their portables for a quick few rounds.
IfDark Moonwas just a single-player experience, it would have been a fleeting, yet enjoyable adventure. But with the addition of an infectious multiplayer element that can’t be replicated anywhere else, it makesLuigi’s Mansion Dark Mooneven better than its predecessor, and one of the clear-cut best games on the 3DS.
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2(PC [reviewed], Xbox 360, PS3)
There is an enjoyable camp quality to the script, which is full of nonsensical twists and tough guy talk (“We’ve got a major shit sandwich!”) that takes itself way too seriously. I can see some appeal in getting together friends and having some drinks while playing. The constant waypoints and enemy icons make me think that being inebriated would make for an acceptable challenge. Nevermind online, which is composed of 2 maps, 1 mode (Team Deathmatch), and 0 active servers.
The task set beforeSniper: Ghost Warrior 2is not a hard one: make sniping fun. Apparently, City Interactive didn’t get the memo, filling the game with a never-ending sequence of following an NPC guide through uneventful, recycled, and ugly environments. Even at four hours,Sniper Ghost Warrior 2requires a level of patience and commitment that even the best snipers won’t be capable of.
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Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3(PlayStation 3 [reviewed], Xbox 360)
While the game isn’t a genuine sea change from its predecessors, it stays true to the franchise’s foundations, and makes up for any lack of innovation with the grand, beautiful spectacle that is its hallmark. The iterative refinements Cyberconnect2 have implemented over the series’ history have helped to deepen the gameplay as well, bringing a more satisfying competitive experience while still maintaining accessibility. Though it stumbles somewhat due to unfortunate narrative placement,Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3is a must-play for anyNarutofan, as well as anyone looking to have a good time wallowing in fun anime ridiculousness.
The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct(PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 [reviewed], Wii U)
It’s easy to believe Terminal Reality had the skeleton in place for a unique and enthralling take on theWalking Deadfranchise, but with a deadline looming, added absolutely nothing to the bones and tossed out something woefully undercooked.Survival Instinctclearly isn’t finished, and has no business expecting money from any paying customer. It’s the kind of hurried, jury-rigged game that risks dealing damage to a property — an especially sour note considering all the excellent work achieved by Telltale’sThe Walking Dead. By contrast to 2012’s adventure game,Survival Instinctcashes in all the property’s goodwill to churn out a botched, incomplete, hideous little waste of time and energy.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity(3DS)
It’s always tough to judge whether or not a game should be commended or punished for streamlining a series that previously catered to a niche audience. In this case, it simplifies the experience a bittoo much, but given that this is the most accessible game yet, it could lead to more potential fans, which is always a good thing.
Although it may not be thebestgame in the franchise,Gates to Infinityis still an enjoyable dungeon crawl, and a beautiful-looking game to boot. So long as you can deal with an easier adventure, this is another mystery worth solving.
BioShock Infinite(PC [reviewed], PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
As a game,BioShock Infinitehas its successes and its falterings consistent with any suitably complex piece of interactive entertainment. As a story, as an exercise in drawing the player into a believable and relevant world, as proof of exactly what a videogame can mean to a person …
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HarmoKnight(3DS eShop)
[…]HarmoKnightis a wonderful bundle of charm and joy that doesn’t really punish failure but rather encourages perseverance and dedication. There isn’t even a “Game Over” when you die! Instead, the screen reads, “Oh Dear…” Reminds me of a mother who picks up a child who fell off the jungle gym, dusts him off, and gently urges him to try again. It’s such a minor touch, but it’s nonetheless uplifting. Maybe I’m sentimental like that.
It’s been seven years since Game Freak last made a non-Pokémontitle.HarmoKnightfeels like the promising start of many wonderful new experiences to come, so I can only hope we don’t have to wait another seven years for a follow-up.
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Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14(PlayStation 3 [reviewed], Xbox 360)
Satisfying gameplay is the crux of theTiger Woodsfranchise. All the new modes in the world wouldn’t matter if it didn’t feel so amazing to actuallyplay. Luckily,Tiger Woods PGA 14stays true to the core gameplay, and adds a very worthwhile mode with Legends of the Majors. All of the other new bells and whistles are either mediocre or long overdue.
The game is hard to recommend to someone who picked up last year’s outing, except perhaps to the big golf enthusiasts among you who would appreciate the Legends of the Masters mode more than anyone else. If you’re like me, though, and haven’t picked up aTiger Woodsgame in a while,PGA 14has the classic gameplay that made the series stand out from its competitors, even if it is starting to show its age graphically.
Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller – The Wise Monkey(iOS, PC [Reviewed])
ThoughThe Wise Monkeyis not all it could have been, it’s a strong second episode. Much of it, however, felt almost like filler. The murder of Erica’s brother and The Hangman case remain effectively untouched throughout most of this installment, and it does worry me that it has now set up even more mysteries while answering absolutely nothing. I don’t doubt that it will all tie togethersomehow,butCognitionthrows so few bones to the player that even the enjoyment of speculation is fruitless.
Read the fullCognition: An Erica Reed Thriller – The Wise Monkeyreview
Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel(PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 [reviewed])
The core ofArmy of Two: The Devil’s Cartelis still decent. It’s a serviceable game, and provides the kind of no-frills, unimaginative action that can at least provide cathartic fantasy violence. If that’s what you want, however, you’re better off getting the last game — one that felt more refined, offered more compelling interaction, and will likely be available to purchase for peanuts these days.The Devil’s Cartel, by contrast, is buggy, unnecessary, and outstays its welcome before the credits close.
Army of Twohas never been an especially bad series, it’s just never been an especially good one.The Devil’s Cartelis the ultimate example of this. Is it bad? Not especially. But it’s a far, far cry from good.
Sword of the Stars: The Pit(PC)
The Pitis very difficult and has that same feeling of “okay, just one more run” that bothBinding of IsaacorFTL: Faster Than Lighthave, but it still feels a bit “been there, done that.” The Easy difficulty setting in conjunction with being able to save at any time are great boons for new players, while both the Hard and Insane difficulties are present for you crazy masochists who enjoy that kind of punishment.
While there is nothing fundamentally wrong withSword of the Stars: The Pit, there just isn’t anything that is really mind-blowing. It is a well-polished roguelike that doesn’t stray far from expectations, but instead stays in a rather comfortable zone from a game design perspective.
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Dead or Alive 5 Plus(PSVita)
When it comes right down to it, one of last year’s best fighting games on home consoles has become one of this year’s best handheld fighters. Play control is never hampered by the more cramped constraints of the small button layout, graphics aren’t sacrificed on the smaller screen, and just about everything from the feature-rich home version is included here, with a few noticeable exceptions.
While not all the extra modes are fantastic, there’s something to be said for extra content at all in a port, and the cross-save and cross-play functionality is a welcome addition to any Vita game.
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DLC Quest(PC [reviewed], Xbox Live Indie Games)
Still, for less than five dollars, there’s enough charm to justify the entry fee. The game’s dialog induces anything from smirks to cringes, while the retro-themed graphics and music are joyful in their simplicity. It’s a cheap game, with a rudimentary premise, that does enough to keep its joke fresh and feels inherently validating for a player who’s grown weary of the game industry’s less savory practices.
At the very least, you’ll get your money’s worth, which often cannot be said for the many gamesDLC Questowes its creation to.
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