Gaming Trend

• PS4
• 40%
• États-Unis

Angry Birds Star Wars is a shameless 50 dollar repackaging of a 99 cent iPhone game. There's little to nothing added in the console release. The only person I can see this appealing to is an Angry Birds fan whose level of obsession gets into the clinically problematic spectrum. Do yourself a favor and either skip this one, or if you absolutely must get your Angry Birds fix, then find a way to play it on iOS.

• XONE
• PS4
• 90%
• États-Unis

This next-generation launch has been described as a little anemic, but I’d have to disagree. There are some incredible games hitting the market this holiday season, and this is one of them. The PlayStation 4 version of the game is mechanically the same as the PlayStation 3 version, but the new engine is eye-poppingly awesome. The new visual tech has gameplay implications, which is rare and highly appreciated. In the end you really can’t go wrong with either version, but the PlayStation 4 version has entirely too many bells and whistles to not recommend. The fact that I’ve had a bout of OCD and needed to find each and every thing in the game speaks volumes.

• PC
• 85%
• États-Unis

Like the soldiers in the game, XCOM: Enemy Within takes everything introduced in Enemy Unknown, polishes it, enhances it, and redeploys it into the field. It’s stronger, it’s meaner, and it’s awesome. The new additions force your hand to make tactical decisions that can and will lead to the death of soldiers that you’ll become attached to now more than ever.

• PS4
• 85%
• États-Unis

Need for Speed Rivals is a great entry in the series and a huge improvement from Most Wanted and Hot Pursuit. AllDrive brings multiplayer to a new level, and the experience sets the bar for all racing games from now on. That said, since AllDrive is so important to the overall experience, multiplayer gamers will likely get a lot more out of it than those who play alone. But, if you're looking for a racing game that's rewarding, fun, and visually impressive, then Need for Speed Rivals is the game for you.

• 3DS
• 90%
• États-Unis

More than just fan service, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is a modern approach to the world established by the 1991 SNES adventure, A Link to the Past. Traverse the same overworld to uncover a brand new system of delightful dungeons -- a familiar formula injected with fresh abilities and mechanics. This homage to a classic is itself an instant classic on the Nintendo 3DS.

• WIIU
• 70%
• États-Unis

Once again, we run into the same problem we did with Black Ops 2. The Wii U version of Call of Duty: Ghosts is a perfectly fine port, and its added second screen features almost negate its washed out textures. But if you’re looking for a competitive multiplayer experience on the Wii U, you won’t find it here -- the audience just doesn’t exist.

• PC
• 55%
• États-Unis

Deadfall Adventures is a game that doesn’t stand out. It has few redeeming qualities, and if you’re a FPS fanatic, there are much better games out there for you to play.

• PC
• 40%
• États-Unis

Slender: The Arrival wants to be seen as a serious entry into the horror genre, but it fails to put the effort into the gameplay mechanics and artificial intelligence that would merit the honor. It seems almost afraid to spend too much time on the atmosphere and tension-building that make for a truly frightening experience, as if players will forget their fear unless an enemy is consistently in sight. Unfortunately, this overexposure breeds immunity rather than hypersensitivity, and makes the game's brevity a welcome respite from the resultant boredom and disappointment.

• PC
• 85%
• États-Unis

Whatever downsides Risk of Rain has are absolutely outweighed by the many things the game does right. The gameplay is refreshing and fun, the graphics are charming, the setting is unique, the music is pleasant to listen to. On top of all of this, there’s a slew of unlocks on offer that make the game an achievement-addict’s dream, and each of the ten available classes (which, I stress, require unlocking in order to acquire) are wonderfully distinct, giving Risk of Rain some serious replay value. At $9.99 brand new in the Steam Store, this is a game for anyone who loves both platformer style gameplay with a Roguelike element, and a worthy addition to any indie fan’s library. Pick it up and get ready for a whole lot of fun and the good kind of gameplay frustration.

• X360
• 35%
• États-Unis

Alien Rage is as bad as you expect, and something that all video game lovers should keep their hard earned dollars away from. That is, in case you enjoy dying randomly, putrid visuals, and watching a story that couldn’t keep interest from the simplest of minds for more than thirty seconds. If that sounds like something you desire, then I have a game for you. If not, may I recommend saving your money up for one of these nice new consoles?

• XONE
• 90%
• États-Unis

We had a lot of praise for Rocksmith 2014 on previous gen, and it’s transition to new platforms has only improved on that. At least in my household it remains a fantastic family event that yields a real skill. Who said videogames never taught you anything?

• WIIU
• 85%
• États-Unis

Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut may be overlooked by those who have already played it, but it is a robust experience worthy of a playthrough by its own right. The innovations offered via the Wii U pad enhance the game in ways that we all hoped the console would when we first heard about it, and it shows the potential of this under-rated platform. The improvements to the boss fights and inclusion of the DLC alone have made this game worth my while, and anyone who didn't play this game before now has the single best reason to do so.

• WIIU
• 50%
• États-Unis

As a $10 pack-in with a Wii Remote, Wii Party U isn’t necessarily a bad deal. The games are worth playing through once with some friends, but it seems like the developers’ only real success is boring you to tears with its uninspired presentation. Once you’ve seen everything this party has to offer, you’ll quickly start making excuses as you reach for your keys and try to get the hell out of there.

• X360
• 90%
• États-Unis

So here I sit, fingers raw from playing. Rocksmith 2014 has done something I didn’t think was possible after its predecessor failed at the same task - it has made me want to learn the guitar and bass. As I was working on other reviews I was thinking about when I’d be able to get back to practice. Listening to music on my way to work I was running the mental fretboard for the bassline. I love music, but it’s been a long time since I was in love with music. I can confirm that Rocksmith 2014 is the fastest way to learn guitar, but it is also the most fun I’ve had with music in many years.

• PS3
• 85%
• États-Unis

It isn’t for everyone, and it’s definitely not the game that will convince you to pick up a JRPG if you’ve been avoiding them for this long. Even so, I find myself entirely entranced by Ni no Kuni, and I’m willing to look past its flaws as I return to its magical, whimsical world.

• PC
• 90%
• États-Unis

Psychonauts is an incredibly unique experience from beginning to end and is worth playing and replaying over and over. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, memorable, and a joy to play.