So its been quite a good year for video games as it has been for films. The 8th generation is now finally underway after one full year of the PS4 and Xbox One being out with the Wii U having a significantly better year this year as well. We've had some hacking, some smashing, some racing, some assassinating, some porting, some crossovering, some delaying and even some building. All this and more. So like with last year, I will be listing all the video games that I have played this year and are worth your time and money and I will also be using this post to review any games that I have yet to review that have come out this year. So let's take a look:
The LEGO Movie Videogame
Now even though this isn't the best LEGO game to have come out in recent years, it does do well to be better than any more recent movie licensed game that came before it and that is thanks to TT Games. I think they did a pretty good job with making this game and packing as much content as possible to make it an awesome game and for what it is, it is indeed an awesome game. Though it does feel kind of rushed in a way, but given that it was released the same time as the film, I guess I can let that bit of criticism slide. Who knew being a master builder could be so much fun.
Plants VS Zombies: Garden Warfare
I think its fair to say that the series will always be at its best on mobile devices. To me, this was nothing more than just a way to try something new with the series and a cash grab too. I've never really been a fan of online multiplayer and chances are that I never will be. I played this game for about a few hours and honestly, there isn't much that it can offer. Sure the game may have you see the series from a new perspective and so forth, but if you're looking for the next best fun multiplayer game, this does have a chance of being that, it just needs more stuff added. Now its been quite a while since I played the game and its likely that more stuff has been added now so if you like the series, I'd say go for it. As for everyone else, this can be skipped in my opinion.
Theif
Now let's talk about a game that I haven't reviewed at all this year, until now. The game is a sort of sequel to the cult classic series of video game of the same name whereby as the name implies, you play as a thief who goes to stealthy steal from the rich and only use violence as a last resort. Now that alone can tell you that this sounds like something we've played before, but here's where it goes. It has you use a variety of ways to do the jobs that you're given and honestly, its actually a pretty good game, but I think you would have a much better time with Assassin's Creed than this game. I'm not saying that its bad, I'm saying that it could be better than what we get. I think its more worth being rented than being bought in my opinion, but that's just me. 7/10
South Park: The Stick of Truth
After years of criticising games based on their TV show, Matt Stone and Trey Parker finally decided to make a true game about their good but very controversial TV show, South Park. They do it with the help of Obsidian and their own digital studios. Initially, the game was supposed to come out sooner than later, but when the original publisher THQ filed for bankruptcy, the game's future was stuck in limbo. That is until Ubisoft bought the publishing rights to the game (and presumably the rights to publish any future game, based on the show) and then after a few more delays, we finally get the game this year and despite the censorship, its actually very good. Its kind of an RPG game and all the characters of the show, appear and act as if they are part of the game. It stays very true to the source material, referencing the show all the way as well as doing what the show does best, talk about different topics that affect the world and its a lot of fun. Everyone's favourite characters are in it being funny as always and what's more, the game allows you to create your own character of all things which is great. If you're a fan of the series, buy this game and if you enjoy fun games like this, still buy this game. Its totally worth your money.
Yoshi's New Island
All that I'm going to say here, is that this game is rushed. Its not that great. It lacks everything that the series is known for and just feels like you're playing the first game again and offers little to nothing new to move the series forward. Its OK for a platformer and I think fans will enjoy it, but I think its better if people wait until Yoshi's Epic Yarn comes out because I feel this game just came out to fill in the gap until Epic Yarn comes out. But that's just my opinion. Its fun and defiantly a good game, it just could've been better if it wasn't rushed.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
One of the good things about long running series of games is that some developers care so much that they give something to the gamers as a thank you for their continued support and Metal Gear Solid is no exception. So with the ongoing development of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Hideo Kojima decided to give us something while we wait and this came in the form of this very game which serves as a prologue to the events of the Phantom Pain. Now I've never really played any of the games in the series because personally, I'm not too sure about them. I mean I've played Metal Gear Rising: Vengeance and enjoyed it, but didn't really like it (although that's in a series of its own) and I've played as Raiden in PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale and Solid Snake in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but that's as far as it goes. As this was the first game of the series that I played, a lot of it didn't make sense to me, but having watched a retrospective of the series as a whole that GameTrailers did quite some time ago, I wasn't too confused as such. Still though, its not very long, but considering that its a prologue, that's to be expected and no doubt we'll get more of the stuff in this game when Phantom Pain comes out. For what it is, its an OK game. It manages to retain the gameplay style that the series is known for, but keep in mind that much like with Hitman, stealth is key. You cannot go all guns blazing because that would be asking for trouble. Its unlikely that I will actually play Phantom Pain when it comes out unless I play the other games in the series and then maybe I will consider it. But for now, I will say that you're better off waiting for Phantom Pain to come out and only play this if you like the story (also wait for a price drop because its not worth the £50 mark, no way). 7/10
InFamous: Second Son
So when you have a brand new console in the market, generally the company who made the console would want all the popular games they do, make an appearance on their next console and in the case of InFamous, everyone loves those games so yes, we would want another game. Now regarding the story, InFamous 2 kind of left it for the players to decide, but ultimately if you chose the good ending, that ending is canon according to this game. Anyway, so out of all the PS4 games that I've played so far, this one feels very much like a true next gen game. The graphics are top notch, the DualShock 4 controller is used well (you can use it like a spray can in some parts of the game) and there's more of a variety of powers to have than just electricity. Not only that, but the parkour and free running has improved greatly and its even more fun to play than in previous instalments. And also the two collector editions are worth getting if you like badges and beanie hats and also want to continue Cole's story. And also the sort of prequel First Light, is also worth checking out too.
LEGO The Hobbit
I wasn't really that surprised that a game based on The Hobbit in LEGO was going to be made. I mean, generally these days when you have a licensed LEGO theme, TT Games would follow that up with a video game based on both the theme and the films that the theme is based on. So this game follows 2 of the 3 films in the trilogy with the 3rd presumably being added as DLC (though nobody really knows if it will be added or not) and it plays out much like the Lord of the Rings one. The only difference here is that the game brings in elements from more recent games like The LEGO Movie Videogame and LEGO Marvel Superheroes and also has some battles give you close up encounters. Also similarly to Lord of the Rings, Middle-Earth is made to match up to the films. Its not the best LEGO game that has come out, but if you like both LEGO and the Hobbit, then you'll enjoy this no doubt.
NES Remix 2
So the success of the first game in the series had Nintendo make another which plays out much like the original, but with different games this time around. Personally, I like that Nintendo are trying to pay tribute to the NES days, but I think it may have worked better as a WarioWare title because let's not forget that if it wasn't for some of the minigames in that game, we would've never been able to play altered and remixed versions of our favourite games. Still though, it is a pretty decent compilation of games and if you miss those NES games, then this will let you relive those days again, just with different games this time around.
Watch Dogs
After a few delays (much like with South Park), we get another next gen game that is basically the closest we're going to get to having a Assassin's Creed game based mostly in the modern era. Still though, while hacking mechanics in a game is nothing new, the game manages to make something new out of it and it just shows that hacking can be fun, but it can have consequences as well. But long story short, if you're wanting a GTA game with a heavy emphasis on hacking, this would be it (just without the majority of the things that GTA has).
Mario Kart 8
I said Nintendo were pulling out the big guns and Mario Kart was one of their secret weapons. While the character selection and the battle modes aren't as good as they were in previous games (I mean, I don't think anyone wants to play as a clone character, especially a character like Pink Gold Peach), its one of the best Mario Kart games out there. The selection of tracks available are great and heavily detailed (some even pay tribute to past Mario games) and the DLC that comes out for the game has and will make up for some of the bad things about the game like I've said previously. Oh and I still think the question about did this save the Wii U tells me that the gaming journalists haven't got a clue on what they are talking about and I think in more recent years, many of us have looked towards true gamers about their opinions on games and the market more than journalists who are paid to eat and play games. And I can say that I am a true gamer. Always has been, always will be.
Murdered: Soul Suspect
Possibly one of the most basic and dull games that I have played this year. I mean yeah it is to do with some paranormal stuff and in a way, it has to be dark and scary. But honestly, this game just doesn't work for me. It does have a good story I will give it that, but everything else, its just basic walking around with not a lot of stuff happening. Some gamers have even compared it to another game that is pretty much the same thing. Still if you like this sort of game, then I say go for it. But if you're looking for a much better game with detective work in it, LA Noire is the way to go (minus the paranormal stuff).
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark
So we've had films that have combined several film trilogies like Avengers Assemble, X-Men: Days of Future Past and many others. And now we get one that comes in the form of Transformers where we follow 2 (and later on, 3) universes which are the Bay films and the Cybertron games with each one focusing on the so called Dark Spark. It serves as a prequel to both Fall of Cybertron and Age of Extinction and can also run parallel with both universes. Its not really anything new and the game was really nothing more than a cash grab just to get people to buy anything to do with Transformers just so that Bay can get some muther f**king money. The gameplay is pretty much standard as it retains that from the Cybertron games and doesn't really add anything new as such and even with it being played on a next gen platform, it doesn't look that great at all. 4/10
Professor Layton VS Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
The one 3DS game that everyone has been waiting for since the 3DS console first came out all those years ago, is finally here. The world's smartest professor and his apprentice teams up with the best defence lawyer around and his assistant as they enter a world that the 4 of them are very unfamiliar with and must work together to solve the mystery and return home, with both duos not seeing eye to eye for most of the game. Like most great crossovers, the game manages to bring the best of both worlds into the game, with some elements of both games merging with each other. The game as a whole works well as a crossover, but if you were expecting to see other characters from both games as well as the main ones, prepare to be disappointed, unless you like Miles Edgeworth, Inspector Chelmey and a variation of the bearded judge (the two former make cameos while the latter you'll see in most of the game). Despite this, the game does have a number of references to the two games and its worth getting, especially if you like the two games (I know I do).
Angry Birds Stella
Despite it being aimed for females, I think its good to be played by all sexes. It doesn't really bring anything new to the Angry Birds series as its pretty much shooting birds at pigs and using their special abilities while you're at it which is pretty much the same as with some of the other games. I mean there is a plot that has a bird being the main villain who has formed an alliance with the pigs, but beyond that, its just the same game all over again. But I'm OK with that as long as the levels challenge you and the levels in this game, do just that, which is great.
Angry Birds Transformers
And just because they want to get in on the action, we get the Angry Birds and Bad Piggies as the Autobirds and Deceptihogs respectively. Unlike Stella, this does bring something new to the series in the form of a shooting gallery with a plot that has the two conflicting factions team up to prevent their world from being taken over by the Egg robots. Its a pretty fun game, but maybe for only a few hours because after that, you'll be bored pretty quickly. I would say get this if you're into both things, but otherwise, its worth giving a miss in my opinion.
Hyrule Warriors
So in an attempt to keep us Zelda fans occupied until the next big Zelda game comes out, Nintendo teamed up with Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja to give us a game that combines the gameplay of Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors with the world of Legend of Zelda and thus, we get Hyrule Warriors. The game follows the traditional story of Zelda well and as a sloppy love letter to fans, you get to meet and play characters from the Zelda series including a few from Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. It is a very fun game with a lot of button mashing and fighting involved. Plus you can play the game with a friend via local co-op. Its a great game and worth picking up if you're a fan of Zelda or even a fan of Dynasty Warriors because I'm sure both fanbases will love the game even if its mostly Zelda than DW.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS
This could very well be the best that the series has had to offer in recent years. I mean it brings the best of the series so far in this game and has us play as more familiar characters than characters we may or may not know and that is thanks to the success of the franchises represented in the 2 games here which include Kid Icarus, Pokemon, Mario, Zelda, Pikmin and even Fire Emblem. Not only that, but Namco Bandai offered to help as well which is great. Its been years in the making and we now finally have the two games and while they aren't perfect, there is enough in both games to keep you amused for hours. The Wii U version is obviously the more superior just be the vast amount of stuff going on in it and it being among the first to use Nintendo's Amiibos. If you love Nintendo more than anything else in the world, then you will defiantly love these games.
Driveclub
So my opinion, this game was the best presented game at the PS4 press conference in early 2013 because out of everyone that did presentations, the guy who presented this game actually looked like he was having fun while doing it. But after a few delays, we can finally get our hands on the game and all I can say is that while I will admit that the guy who presented it did a good job of it (and I may have had a part in choosing the cover for the game, just saying), its not really my cup of tea. I mean any racing game that I play, I expect to have some fun elements in it like customisation, unique and creative tracks, power-ups and some fun characters too and Mario Kart can do just that. I've never really been a fan of driving simulators, but I gave this a try just because the guy who presented it, actually did it right out of everyone involved and honestly I think if you like games like Forza and Gran Turismo, then you'll enjoy this just as much. 7/10
Bayonetta 2
It took me 5 years to finally get the motivation to sit down and play the first game and I thought it was good and is pretty much the female equivalent of Devil May Cry. The sequel I thought was better because of the improvements and the amount of action and mayhem that the game has. If there was ever a better time to get a Wii U, now would be the time because when you have 4 big triple A games come out exclusively to it, wouldn't that make you buy a Wii U? Anyway, a fun if not chaotic game that many will enjoy, especially if you love the Devil May Cry games and the predecessor (which you can also get on Wii U too).
Sunset Overdrive
Now I may be all into zombie apocalypses but a lot of the time, they tend to be quite depressing. And then this game came along and just told everyone that a zombie apocalypse doesn't always have to be depressing even though it is all about a matter of life and death. But anyway, this game is very fun and the idea behind it is that you have to play through the game and do it in style or otherwise you're pretty much screwed. Its packed with spoofs and references to other games, breaks the 4th wall with characters talking about the gameplay mechanics among other things and it has you do things that are unhumanly possible. Of all the Xbox One games out there right now, this gave me enough reason to keep the console which at this point was gathering dust and I hope we get more fun games like this in the future.
Assassin's Creed Rouge
In a nutshell, you're playing Black Flag again, just with a new story, role reversal, new areas to explore and you're not a pirate but rather a true privateer. Its not often that we get to play as the Templars and while we did briefly play as Haytham Kenway in III, this was the first time we get to play as a Templar for a much longer time and we see the Assassins as the enemy this time which doesn't happen very often. Like with Black Flag, it is a fun game with everything that Black Flag had and a few more things too and even though it does for the most part feel like a rehash of Black Flag, that game was a great game which makes this a great game too, even if it's only a 7th gen exclusive (for now anyway).
Assassin's Creed Unity
So with the 7th gen having an exclusive game, it only made sense for the 8th gen to have something too and we do in the form of a French Revolution game that brings the game back to the series roots and changes everything that we thought we were pros of in the game by now. The combat system has changed, the parkour and free running has changed and even the actual assassinations of the Templars has changed as well. It is more difficult than other games in the series and it will take time for people to get used to it, but it does have a lot of stuff in it and plenty for you to do as well as the story. Plus, there's 4 player co-op which does work well, but it would be better if you get to play with your friends beside you and not out there in the world, but that's just me. It does have a few technical issues, but as long as Ubisoft sorts those issues out sooner than later, we should be just fine.
LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
So after two successful games and by popular demand, we get the third instalment in the series which finally expands the DC Universe its in quite a bit to the point that you can explore the different Lantern planets as well as the moon, the Batcave, the Justice League Watchtower and the Halls of Justice and Doom. It also expands the story a bit to allow other characters (good and bad) to play a bigger role in the story instead of not at all or just left for the big finale. It pays tribute to everything to do with Batman which includes things like dedicated levels to the Adam West Batman TV series (who by the way, is the guy in peril in this game), The Dark Knight Trilogy, the 75th anniversary of Batman among many other things too. Out of all the LEGO games that came out this year, this is the best just because of the fan service and the vast amount of areas that you can visit. Great game, but I think fans of Batman like me will enjoy it more.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
Until now, I have never actually played a mainstream game based on the world of Middle-Earth (the LEGO games don't count), until now and honestly, its actually pretty good. It takes place between The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings films, but as an off canon game and plays out like Batman: Arkham and Assassin's Creed, just with some more blood and gore. What's great about this game is that every time you get killed by an Orc, they will get stronger and will give you more of a challenge the next time you meet. That may not be a great thing at all, but its the thing that makes this game a fun but challenging one. It explains a little bit about Sauron's origins and Gollom from the films, makes an appearance here too. But I think if you ever had a chance at this game, you would need to be a hardcore gamer, have played both Batman: Arkham and Assassin's Creed games and also have seen at least a few of the films in order to survive and don't act confused. Enjoy.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix
And the last game that I will talk about today isn't actually a new game but rather an enhanced port of a PS2 game, a PSP game and a cinematic version of a DS game. While we wait for Kingdom Hearts 3, Tetsuya Nomura decided to give us a retelling of the old games in the series to get all of us up to speed. The first compilation came out last year which had I, Chain of Memories (the PS2 version) and a cinematic version of 358/2 Days. This game is similar in that it has II, Birth By Sleep and a cinematic version of Coded. So both games have a numbered game, a game that hold important events in it and a cinematic version of a DS game with a number of enhancements. What is unique about both games is that they finally give us the definitive verison of each game which are dubbed Final Mix which have previously only appeared in Japan. So that aside, this is a pretty darn good compilation. It definitely gets me hyped for the next game of the series and thanks to this game, I am now well up to speed with the series and cannot wait for III. If you love the series more or just as much as I do, then this is a must buy.
So that wraps up all the video games that I've enjoyed in this past year. I know I've missed a few out which is mainly because I haven't got around to playing them as of yet, but hopefully I'll get around to playing them in the new year. And please feel free to comment on the game that you enjoyed playing this year. And I will see you in 2015.
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