Hardcore Gamer

• XONE
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Remaking a game that is inherently flawed has to be an incredible challenge and tinyBuild did the best it possibly could. While its physics are largely suspect, its pacing ranges from great to dreadful and its boss battles are universally poor, the new version of No Time to Explain could potentially warrant a playthrough from someone looking for something inherently stupid (with this last word being used in the most endearing way possible). There are interesting concepts and mechanics at play here, and it would have been nice to see the weirder gameplay moments get a bit more time in the spotlight. Raising a game from the realm of the dreadful into the world of the okay is something that should be applauded, even if the final product isn't something that you're going to flock to anytime soon. To be fair, there are a ton of collectible hats though, so there's that.

• PS4
• 2 / 5
• États-Unis

It boggles the mind that a good Godzilla game hasn't been produced yet; it's a franchise about a giant lizard destroying things for Pete's sake. Until a studio like Platinum is given the reigns, however, perhaps it's time for the King of Monsters to hang up his size 1000 video game shoes for good. Bandai Namco's stab at the icon is mostly a rehash of a terrible Dreamcast game that does little to distinguish itself to fans. It's clear that the developer's hearts were in the right place; as much content as possible was clearly eked out of the likely meager budget and mindlessly destroying things is fun enough to not feel like a chore. Faint praise, however, as while this could have become a so-bad-it's-good Earth Defense Force type experience, it's instead held back by clunky controls, dated visuals, confined level design and a lack of gameplay variety. There's some fun to be had here, but this use of "some" is coming dangerously close to meaning minutes instead of hours. Perhaps Godzilla will get a decent game by his hundredth anniversary, but this isn't it.

• PS4
• 2.5 / 5
• États-Unis

J-Stars Victory VS+ fumbles what should have been a glorious, celebratory experience. It's combat is banal, its design is overcomplicated and its presentation is completely halfhearted. Even so, there's a lot to be said for the pure fanservice of J-Stars Victory VS+. It's disappointing in comparison to other manga-inspired fighters, sure, but it's also the only place you can make your manga crossover dreams a reality, and for some that may be all they really need.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

God of War III has aged surprisingly gracefully. Although it’s over five years old, somebody inexperienced with the series could easily mistake Remastered for an original PS4 game. In that sense, the release is a resounding success. It brings the experience into the current generation and allows it to stand side by side with the inevitable original PS4 debut of the franchise. There’s never a moment that pushes the boundaries of the console, but it feels like a 2015 PS4 title through and through. The main issue with this release is the fact that there’s not a whole lot of value here. After all, God of War III is a game that can be had for around six bucks for PS3 on the secondary market and God of War Saga can be had for under twenty. In fact, the existence of the Saga is the real issue with this release given that just three years ago Sony released God of War III along with four other games for the same price they’re charging for just God of War III now. More content, a lower price point or throwing the original trilogy on the same disc would have made this an essential package, but as it stands, God of War III remains a fantastic game that can now be enjoyed as if it were designed for PS4.

• PC
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• VITA
• 2.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• 3DS
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven is a quality, albeit quirky, JRPG. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and doesn't dabble too much in the story department. Instead, it focuses its attention on combat, which excels in big ways. The vibrant aesthetic and charming soundtrack also do a lot to offset the lackluster story and character development. Those looking for a unique take on the genre or are wanting an engaging tactical combat system might find Lord of Magna worth the investment.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Batman: Arkham Knight is a dense and enthralling action-adventure game with a winding, if predictable, story that does make you feel like the Batman both inside and outside the Batmobile. There are too many Batmobile gameplay segments, however, making this predominantly similar in theme to that Batmobile-focused Batman arcade game. This is unfortunate, as the presence of the Batmobile ensured a much larger, multi-layered Gotham City that looks wonderful and was crafted with an unnecessary level of detail. The combat and stealth are the same as before, but their adjustments and brevity keep the familiar Batman sections just different enough to feel new. As intended, the Batmobile is a nice change of pace, even if its numerous sections get old and nearly overstay their welcome. From start to finish, there is constantly something interesting to take in and someone interesting to take down, making Batman: Arkham Knight the inspiring ride we deserve for the duration of its 10 to 25 hour experience. Until next time, hero.

• XONE
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition is a good game wrapped in a great remastered package. Capcom could have just slapped together something with a higher resolution and called it an HD remaster like many are doing, but they elected to actually build upon their seven year old game by adding meaningful content. Granted, they didn’t reinvent the wheel with these extras, but playing as Trish, Lady and especially Vergil are more than welcome additions. With that said, Devil May Cry 4 isn’t without its faults. The story has all the clichés of a bad anime, and the progression, especially when it swaps to Dante, becomes a repetitive slog with both combat scenarios and bosses failing to add meaningful variety. It doesn’t help that the camera is still wonky and get in the way of platforming. Thankfully, Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition has a ton of charm thanks to its visual fidelity and combat fluidness that makes up for many of its shortcomings.

• PC
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

The amount of content, style and polish in BattleBlock Theater is incredible and puts the efforts of many AAA developers to shame. The story and writing alone could fill a comedy club, but the accessible, addictive gameplay demonstrates a mastery of platformer fundamentals. The levels don’t push any polygons nor do they break the mold of how the genre should be played, but when it comes to tight design and constant creativity, The Behemoth have cracked that code wide open. For $15 US, you will get one of the most comprehensive indie titles ever released, one that will keep you engaged during the tough stages and laughing during every second of downtime. BattleBlock Theater doesn’t do anything particularly new, but that’s perfectly okay, because everything it does do it does without a hitch to speak of.

• PC
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Payday 2: Crimewave Edition isn't broken to the point of being unplayable, but it has just enough issues to make it annoying. While the dynamic, exciting gameplay that Payday fans have come to expect is certainly here, this port would have wound up better with a bit more polish and testing. The combination of a sluggish user interface and enjoyment-deflating connection issues makes for a frustrating experience rather than an exciting one. For every moment of joy, there's a moment that will leave you scratching your head in confusion. In a couple of months, there's little doubt that Overkill and 505 Games will have all of the issues ironed out, but as it stands, it's a bit difficult to wholeheartedly recommend Payday 2: Crimewave Edition at launch.

• VITA
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy is a fine DRPG. It has all the facets one would expect from a game of its genre and manages to implement those features effectively. What it does not do a lot of, however, is think outside the box in big ways. This is a cookie-cutter dungeon-crawling experience, the likes of which we've already seen many times before. Of course, it makes for an extremely accessible game because of this, and is quite possibly one of the best entry-points for newbies. While its level of polish may indeed be phenomenal -- thanks to the strongest presentation values perhaps ever seen in the genre -- it still never finds a way to surpass its rivals from a mechanics standpoint. Had it been comprised of a combat system that empowered the player rather than strip them of certain tactical decisions, incorporated more monster and environment variety and had better overall pacing, it would have easily superseded Experience's previous Vita DRPG Demon Gaze.

• WIIU
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Adventures of Pip is a delightful little platformer full of charm, challenge and impeccable level design. While still a little rough around the edges, its mechanics are unquestionably solid, and it's clearly been crafted with the love and talent of a team determined to realize their vision. The foundation is firmly set for a superior sequel, and I can only hope that Tic Toc Games can further refine their fantastic concept given the chance. Until then, though, Adventures of Pip is absolutely worth your time.

• PC
• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Much like its predecessor, Magicka 2 is a flawed game whose faults generally contribute to its charm. There's something wonderfully engaging about a game that knows exactly what it is, doesn't try to be anything more, and succeeds on nearly all fronts. Sure, its actual narrative isn't that great and its campaign has a couple of major low points; that isn't what's important here. As critics, we often forget how fun is often the most important factor in whether or not a game is good, and Magicka 2 comes jam-packed with pure, unadulterated amusement. Yes, it has its flaws, but in the end, who cares? To lambast a title this hysterical, this full of bliss would be a crime to gamers, and the industry as a whole. If you're looking for a game that'll put a smile on your face and potentially make your evening with friends a bit more memorable, you could do a hell of a lot worse than Magicka 2.

• PS4
• 5 / 5
• États-Unis

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is equal parts daunting, accessible, beautiful and hideous, but every aspect combines in such a remarkable way that it's nearly impossible to not give it a sweeping recommendation. Geralt's story and his interactions with the world provide both an immediately gripping experience for newcomes and enjoyable fanservice to those who have stuck around since the beginning. 2015's largest game to date is its best so far, as the marriage of seemingly endless open-world content and engaging storytelling make The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt a superlative experience. From rounds of the in-game card game Gwent to its robust crafting and alchemy systems, those who are looking for the all of the minutia that comes from a deep western role-playing experience will find it here in droves.

• VITA
• 2.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Existing fans of the Hyperdimension Neptunia series may feel a bit like lab rats being consistently subjected to different genres while the next main RPG is in the works. It would be acceptable if every game were a masterwork of its respective genre, but of course that isn’t the case here. Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed offers a fairly robust playtime if you go for 100% completion. It also manages to be free of bugs, glitches, or even typos, but none of that turns this completely average gameplay into something more engaging. Without that key element, it just feels absolutely ordinary.

• PS4
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

A year later, its still hard to say bad things about this compilation. Final Fantasy X is still one of the best installments in the franchise, and the fresh coat of paint is a delightful treat. Final Fantasy X-2 may not live up to the high standards of its predecessor, but it’s still a solid game. The PS4 version is the best way to enjoy Spira thanks to slightly upgraded visuals and the ability to switch between soundtracks. There’s nothing new here if you’ve already played the PS3 or PS Vita versions. If you haven’t played any version yet, then the PS4 version is the best way to experience one of the greatest games in this legendary franchise.

• PC
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis