Attack of the Fanboy

• VITA
• États-Unis

If you’ve been waiting for the PlayStation Vita version of Axiom Verge to check out Thomas Happ’s homage to Metroidvanias, then you’ll be glad to know that the wait was worth it. Regardless of the occasional technical issues, it’s great to be able to have this engrossing adventure in your pocket. The game’s original shortcomings still stand, but they don’t take away from the things that the game gets right, and there are many things that Axiom Verge gets right.

• 3DS
• États-Unis

Bravely Second is exactly what a sequel should be, improving upon the foundation of the original while adding in its own ideas to further enhance the experience. The 60+ hour adventure is more consistent than the first game, and the main plot and side quests are more elaborate and engaging. Turn-based RPGs may not be the talk of the town as they once were, but Bravely Second stands near the top of the genre’s catalog and will hopefully be a wake up call to developers that turn-based RPGs still have plenty of life left in them.

• XONE
• États-Unis

Quantum Break has all the things we ask for from a video game and some things that we don’t. Great gameplay, impressive graphics and presentation, and an amazing story are all state of the industry from Remedy. I just wonder what this game might have been if the game aspect of it had been fleshed out just a little bit more.

• PS4
• États-Unis

While Nights of Azure isn’t going to wow anybody, it’s still worth checking out for hack ‘n’ slash fans who enjoy their games with a touch of anime charm. Hopping into a new area to take on hoards of enemies is always fun, and sending out your Servans to dish out their own damage only multiplies that. While the story isn’t really anything great, its shortcomings are easy to overlook thanks to a charming cast of characters. It has its flaws like many other hack ‘n’ slash games, but there are enough good ingredients to recommend it to those craving more from the genre.

• PS4
• États-Unis

If you find yourself getting tired of the more realistic racers out there, TrackMania Turbo could be just the remedy you’re looking for. Trading in realism for thrills, the game is able to firmly stand on its own within the crowded racing genre thanks to its fantastic arcade mechanics and sheer fun factor. There’s tons of content to get through in the campaign, and that amount is multiplied exponentially once you take on others online and start creating your own courses. It’s getting harder and harder for racing games to really come with a wow factor, but TrackMania Turbo has it in spades.

• 3DS
• États-Unis

Hyrule Warriors surprised many by bringing the Dynasty Warriors gameplay to The Legend of Zelda series together in a really fun game, which is even better now on Nintendo 3DS. The expanded Legends Mode is a pure joy for longtime fans of the series, with both the addition of Wind Waker and the likable Linkle, and the fast paced battles perform surprisingly well on a handheld, at least on the New Nintendo 3DS. Adding another excellent Zelda title to Nintendo’s handheld library, Hyrule Warriors Legends is without a doubt the definitive version of an already enjoyable game with plenty of content to keep you busy until the upcoming handheld exclusive DLC arrives.

• PC
• États-Unis

• PS4
• États-Unis

The first attempt at UFC for EA Sports was respectable in 2014, but thankfully the sequel manages to improve on it. Career Mode is back and even better this time, though a little lacking in content, but UFC Ultimate Team helps make up for that. Knockout Mode even adds somewhat of a party game element, which really helps to make EA Sports UFC 2 a fun experience by yourself or with friends for anyone who is either a fan of UFC or just can’t wait for a new Fight Night game.

• PC
• États-Unis

• PC
• États-Unis

Tom Clancy’s The Division is a sort of Frankenstein game. Taking parts from shooters, MMO’s, RPG’s, and a few other sources, the game brings everything together into an amalgamation that could have easily fallen apart, had any one of those pieces not been fit perfectly into place. Thankfully they were, and the result is a fantastic experience in almost every facet. Of course, with this type of shooter, there are inherent issues, such as the need to grind through levels, bullet-sponge enemies, and the perpetual specter of the random number generator not rolling in your favor. But it all has been designed as well as one could ask for, and gamers should rejoice at having another excellent loot-based shooter to enjoy.

• PS4
• États-Unis

The Witch and the Hundred Knight: Revival Edition is an improvement over the original, but not enough to warrant coming back to it for previous players or to even recommend it to new ones. While the combat has some interesting twists to it some of the game’s longer levels will make it feel repetitive at times, and the actual story and its characters are very difficult to really invest in. The Tower of Illusion added into the Revival Edition is the one true highlight of this remaster, as it’s a lot of fun and allows for more combat variety than the standard game does. Overall though, this is more or less a game that you can pass on without missing much.

• XONE
• États-Unis

Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 picks up right where the first game left off, delivering more fun, lighthearted multiplayer action. The improvements and additions made here are all definitely welcome, taking what worked and enhancing it, while avoiding messing anything else up by accident. However, those improvements are all fairly small in the grand scheme of the game, meaning those looking for a totally new and fresh experience will be disappointed. If you just want some more of what you loved in the first game though, then this sequel will truly impress.

• XONE
• États-Unis

Rocket League is the epitome of simplistic game design, honed to perfection. There is nothing in the game that doesn’t absolutely need to be there, aside from optional cosmetic stuff that players can unlock. The thrill of last second goals, the amazing feeling one gets from pulling off an epic move, and the sheer joy that comes when your team is playing at its best will happen over and over again. Some better tutorials could really help the game, but once you delve into its depths, Rocket League is pure video game bliss. The Xbox One version is just as great as its predecessors, with a few extras thrown in for good measure. The lack of cross-play, and some worrying technical hiccups in very rare occasions are the only things keeping it from being the definitive version of Psyonix’s sports gaming masterpiece.

• PC
• États-Unis

An excellent horror experience for both seasoned and newbie gamers. Despite some minor shortcomings, Layers of Fear brings some classic elements while adding new depth, creating a unique and fear filled journey that you won't be able to tear yourself away from.

• PS4
• États-Unis

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia brings a few new ideas to the table, but sadly it fails to execute them well. The game’s steep learning curve and trial and error style gameplay aren’t for everyone. The overuse of guns is also questionable as some elements (particularly the sniping parts) lend to losing the feel of a traditional Assassin’s Creed game. This spin-off series has had its high and low points, Assassin’s Creed Russia is decidedly on the low end.

• PS4
• États-Unis

Unravel is an endlessly surprising game in so many ways that it’s tough to pinpoint exactly what makes it all work so well. It feels like the game equivalent to your favorite art house movie, where it speaks a message that is both universal, and yet completely personal to you. Even beyond the artistic, the game functions well on a technical level, delivering both great graphics and fantastic music, while also hitting on some great gameplay. Trial and error deaths get in the way, and some puzzles might frustrate, but overall Unravel is a triumphant experience from start to finish.

• 3DS
• États-Unis

Final Fantasy Explorers includes many of the components that the long running series is known for on the surface, but the style of gameplay is quite different than one would expect. The usage of the classic style job system, along with the very enjoyable Eidolon boss battles, can provide near countless hours of gameplay, although the quests can get a little tedious after awhile. Final Fantasy Explorers may not be the best spin-off that the series has received, but it still might be worth a look for those who are fans of both Monster Hunter and Final Fantasy.

• PS4
• États-Unis

The Marvel Cinematic Universe was one of the most ambitious ventures in film history and the gamble was well worth it, which LEGO Marvel’s Avengers capitalizes on very well with the charm and humor you come to expect in these games. Like most LEGO games, the developer plays is relatively safe with the gameplay, but it is still a lot of fun to play through these very faithful recreations of many of the MCU films, complete with real audio clips from the movies. Even with a few technical bugs, the immense replay value and number of playable characters in LEGO Marvel’s Avengers is bound to provide near countless hours of fun for kids and adults alike as a perfect companion to the Marvel movies.