Hardcore Gamer

• PC
• XONE
• PS4
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Hand of Fate isn’t perfect, but its various systems click together with rare elegance. Few antagonists are quite so compelling or vexing as The Dealer, and his theatrics help to sell the game’s odd conceit. If you’re looking for a fun and rewarding roguelike to play, I can’t recommend this game enough – at least on PC. Unfortunately, this version is inexplicably and inexcusably broken, prone to game-ruining bugs and frequent crashes. If all you have is a PS4, then I’m sad to say you should give Hand of Fate a pass.

• 3DS
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

• PS4
• 2.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• 3DS
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• 3DS
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

It would be easy to write off Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate as nothing more than an incremental update to an already fantastic franchise, but that would be wholly unfair to a game that makes a number of intelligent tweaks and additions to its historically solid foundation. Online multiplayer extends what is already a near endless single-player campaign, and many of the barriers to entry have been lowered (or removed) for players looking to hunt for the first time. Capcom's execution isn't always perfect, and the lack of quest variety may wear on some, but Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is just about everything it strives to be: a sprawling adventure full of charm, customization and a whole lot of monsters.

• XONE
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

While The Escapists on the Xbox One may not be the most definitive version of the title, it’s still a soundly optimized and immensely original gaming experience that stands out from the crowd in the One’s digital library. Unlike anything you’ll ever play, The Escapists is among the most thoroughly and thoughtfully designed simulation RPGs. In an era where gamers continue to cry for a departure from tradition, The Escapists not only satisfies the demand for a definitive prison escape video game, but sets the benchmark as well.

• XONE
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

#IDARB is a game that keeps on giving and the quintessential Xbox One multiplayer experience. Nintendo systems have Mario Kart and Mario Party, many moons ago the SEGA Saturn offered the ultimate multiplayer mayhem in Saturn Bomberman and now we have #IDARB for the Xbox One as one of the best and most inclusive multiplayer havens. #IDARB is quite possibly the first real example of a marriage between classic arcade gaming values and all the volatile antics of social media. It may have resulted in a seemingly incoherent fusion of ideas and pixels, but at its heart, #IDARB is a classic sports game that will click with just about anybody, and the extra helping of random chaos will never cease to entertain.

• IOS
• PC
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

There’s no end to the criticisms that can be leveled at Fahrenheit, but it’s hard to deny the game’s eminent playability. The original game is a cult classic for a reason, and even fundamentally bad writing and game design don’t detract from that. Unfortunately, the various technical failings of this remastered version do. It feels sloppy, cheap, and rushed – and that’s if you can get it to work at all. If you’ve never played Indigo Prophecy before then you ought to give it a try, but you’d be better off digging up a PS2 copy than playing this mess.

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• PS4
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Beyond Apotheon’s amazing presentation and story is a clunky, combat-heavy Metroidvania that rarely ever pushes players outside their comfort zone. The controls are already weak and frustrating, but even they pale in comparison to a combat system that can be easily abused. Apotheon doesn’t challenge the way it should, and with so many available weapons and tools, it’s insulting that the action is so one-note. The Metroidvania elements are honed well enough, though, with some unique twists on the gameplay that give the game (and its characters) personality. It’s also a stunning use of art in a platformer, complemented with a sophisticated approach to Greek mythology. It’s just a shame that so much of the gameplay in Apotheon feels so undercooked. Deep in personality, but shallow in mechanics, Apotheon is a classic case of style over substance.

• VITA
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Despite effectively being a game from 2011, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2 still provides an enjoyable experience today. Sure, the graphics might not be incredible and the reuse of stages is a little off-putting, but none of that kills its core gameplay or storyline. Both Re;Birth games seem to prove that Hyperdimension Neptunia may have come out a generation too soon as it seems best served on handheld consoles. With the Vita you can play a dungeon or two, quit, and then dive right back into Gamindustri’s troubles later on. Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2 provides many hours of gaming jokes, silly plot developments and strategic battles which adds up to a mostly lovable JRPG.

• VITA
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Atelier Ayesha Plus: The Alchemist of Dusk doesn't significantly subtract from or add to the original 2013 release. It does, however, incorporate some new elements that do just enough to make this the more complete edition of the game. It still lacks depth due to Gust's mission to streamline much of the series' nuances so as to rope in new players and broaden the title's appeal, sacrificing some of what gives Atelier its identity. Make no mistake, though, this is still a sound installment in the much adored franchise; it's just not the best one out there. If you never got around to playing the original Ayesha, but have been wanting to, then there's no better time or option. Those who haven't played any of the games before may also find something to enjoy here, as this feels like the most ideal entry point to the Atelier universe.

• PC
• PS4
• XONE
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Taking a bizarre concept and cranking it up to eleven, Saints Row IV is still one of the best open-world games ever made, a landmark in creative freedom unbound by the narrow halls of logic or coherence. Delivering a near-endless supply of side-content and addictive combat, Saints Row IV is ridiculously easy to recommend, but Re-Elected’s limited enhancements and unwelcome technical issues keep this version from being the definitive version that it should be. You’re better off picking up the last-gen console or PC versions. In a generation cluttered with remasters and re-releases, Saints Row IV: Re-Elected is a lackluster re-release of a phenomenal game. Saints Row IV: Re-Elected can be recommended to those only with a PS4 or Xbox One in a superpowered heartbeat, but those with any other system to play it on are better off saving funds on DLC and getting another version at a discount.

• PSP
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• PS4
• VITA
• WIIU
• 3DS
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

If Earthbound is a Japanese interpretation of Americana as seen through a filter of sitcoms, b-movies and news reels, then Citizens of Earth offers a Canadian take on the country we see through The Daily Show and the front page of Reddit. But where Shigesato Itoi displays deep fondness for his source material, Eden Industries is clearly more attached to the games that inspired them than they are to their game’s setting. The results of this difference in focus are clear: Citizens of Earth is uproariously funny, but ultimately lacks in emotional depth. In its place we find mechanical depth, with a battle system and world left wide open to exploration. It might not resonate as strongly as Earthbound, but Citizens of Earth is arguably more fun to play.

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell captures the madness and destruction that made the series so fun, but even as an expansion pack, there’s not much new here. So much of it is cut from the same cloth of Saints Row IV that the nuances end up meaning much less than they should. The animations, the powers: it’s all too familiar. That being said, it’s still a joy. It’s open-world design at its finest, with constant distractions and an excellent transportation method. The flight is amazing, a pitch-perfect example of how to make open-world exploration fun. It’s a shame that the story is so unfulfilling, though, because Saints Row has always nailed its presentation. Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell is Saints Row IV Lite. It doesn’t do enough new to be a must-buy, but for anyone looking for a quick, easy way to get into this devil-may-care sandbox series, it’s still a solid act. Hell yeah.

• PC
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

If there’s one game that deserves the remaster treatment, it’s Resident Evil. The thirteen year old remake is arguably the best game in the long running series, not only staying true to its source material, but expanding upon it greatly with new content directly built into the core story. While the HD Remaster isn’t a full blown remodel, what Capcom has done allows for an even greater audience to experience the Gamecube classic. The alternative control scheme ensures a new generation of gamers can play the survival horror title while quickly understanding the movements, and at the same time allowing old school fans the ability to relive the memorable tank controls. It certainly helps that the visuals have been touched up, and the PC version supports multiple graphical options and a smooth 60fps. Whether you missed out on the greatest remake available or you’re a dedicated fan, Resident Evil HD Remaster deserves to be in everyone's collection.

• WIIU
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse works just as well on a console as it did on a handheld. There isn't much in the way of improvements here -- just some visual enhancements -- but the gameplay didn't need any tweaks to begin with. The graphics don't look quite as sharp on a TV, but there is a charming nostalgia to seeing this sort of game on the big screen again -- like sitting down in front of Super Metroid back in the day. This is still one of the most satisfying games I’ve played all year, and I’m still excited to see how WayForward will use their filthy crowdfunding loot in crafting the series’ first fully HD entry, ½ Genie Hero.