Hardcore Gamer

• PS4
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Though its stealth-based sniping gameplay can provide some exciting moments, Sniper Elite III is a decidedly mixed bag. Its abysmal narrative, outdated mission design, boring protagonist and weak non-campaign modes overshadow everything that it does well. Fans of technical long-distance gameplay will find themselves right at home here, however, as there are some truly great things about Sniper Elite III. This is the rare game where one should miss the forest for the trees, as the sum of its parts is greater than the whole. There is a lesson to be learned here: playing it safe hampers chances for success.

• PS4
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

With new content, minor balancing, and smart new formula tweaks, Drinkbox has managed to improve their already fantastic Mexican Metroidvania title. Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition is a better version of an outstanding game, meaning that players new and old alike should take great pleasure from it. In an age where a number of games are being remade, remastered, and redone, this is a clear example of how to improve a product for new consoles. Those who purchase Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition (or download it for free during this month’s Games with Gold promotion) aren’t just getting a port of a downloadable, last-gen action-platformer — they’re receiving a thoughtfully improved version of one of the best independent titles in years.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

The first PlayStation 4 rail shooter has laid the groundwork for future successful utilization of the DualShock 4’s gyroscopic features. Easy to pick up and play, Blue Estate’s gameplay is furious and constantly engaging, while its challenging elements will have players coming back for more. Precision could have been improved if the PlayStation camera was used in combination with the DualShock 4, but controls remain smooth. Packed with solid gameplay and a small learning curve, Blue Estate breathes new life into the dying rail shooter genre.

• VITA
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Atelier Rorona Plus is a charming, lighthearted JRPG that’s more open-ended than most of its brethren. It can be a little on the repetitive side, but there’s just enough variety to make it a delight in short bursts. When you pull the game out on your commute, or when you have a bit of down time at home, there will always be something waiting to make you smile. It’s not the best RPG on Vita, but if you’ve exhausted Persona 4 Golden it’ll provide you with hours of enjoyment, and it has two sequels waiting in the wings. Plus, if you feel an itch to play on the big screen, it does support cross-save with the PS3 version.

• PC
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Shovel Knight continues 2014's fantastic indie lineup, but its polish, creativity, beauty and charm might just make it the pick of the bunch. Yacht Club Games has delivered more than anyone ever could have hoped for, and created an experience that gamers young and old will thoroughly enjoy.

• PS3
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Grid Autosport is far from a pick-up and play racing game, but franchise veterans and those willing to spend the time mastering its intricacies will find it all the more rewarding for it. With no licensed soundtrack, limited courses and conventional menu design, Autosport is all about racing. Thankfully, it delivers in spades on that front. Returning the series back to simulation after the more “arcade” stylings of Grid 2, there are nearly eighty cars that control closely to their real life counterparts and five distinct modes to drive them in. It may not be as an impressive package overall as its predecessor, but as pure simulation, Autosport is in the upper echelon of its genre.

• PS4
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

EA Sports has been developing their first UFC game for some time now and, while they have shown they know their material, it’s unfortunately weighed down by shortcomings. On one hand, the mechanics are satisfying as timing counters and ground passes are down to precision. On the other hand, this is a light package that contains unpolished gameplay. It does come with 90-or-so fighters to choose from, but there’s not much outside of the lacking career mode and decent online component. EA Sports UFC ends up as a pretty, shallow arcade fighter that UFC fans may enjoy but wish there was more.

• PS3
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack is a brief, but charming, indie game that puts a funny new spin on the scope-based progression of Katamari Damacy, while still making the player feel empowered and destructive. Leveling a city and tearing up an army of tanks, only to see your blob form grow in size is a feeling of undeniable wonder. You feel like you’re playing the role of a movie monster. The puzzles follow up on the goofiness, while also providing a nice challenge, even if some tend to suffer at the hands of imprecise control scenarios and a very disjointed design connecting them. It’s also quite short, hitting its stride within minutes of reaching its climactic conclusion and leaving the player with a slightly empty feeling. Mutant Blobs Attack is a clever and stylish game, and while its full potential is never entirely displayed, you’d be hard-pressed to find a game that makes mass destruction this adorable.

• PS4
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

It’s easy to see why Sony chose to give Entwined air-time during its conference, as it is absolutely exceptional. This is one of those games that players will go to time and time again due to its extensive replay value. Entwined has the potential to cheer up the heartbroken, enlighten the lonely, and reinvigorate the jaded. Its incredibly touching metaphor-based story brings tears to one’s eyes, while its gameplay is engaging enough to completely stand on its own. The new contender in the race for the title of Flagship PlayStation 4 Game, Entwined validates Sony’s commitment to both creativity and the indie movement. Don’t be surprised to see this small, yet emotionally giant, title competing against the big boys for Game of the Year 2014.

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Those willing to give 1001 Spikes a fair try will find that its mind-numbing challenge can lead to some incredibly satisfying moments. Its brilliantly crafted mechanics give players every opportunity to best the treacherous traps of Ukampa. Unfortunately, it’s easy to see countless players quitting after a couple of levels, as its difficulty severely limits is accessibility. This back-breaking platformer accomplishes everything it sets out to accomplish, meaning that it is a decidedly good video game. 1001 Spikes‘ challenge doesn’t hurt its cause by any means, but those who despise trying something hundreds of times in a row will find themselves quickly turned off.

• PS4
• 2.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Neither good, nor bad, Murdered: Soul Suspect is about as average of a video game experience as one could hope for. It likely would have been better served as an A&E miniseries, as its gameplay does a phenomenal job of souring the overall experience. While its concept is unique, its execution leaves an incredible amount to be desired. Unfortunately, the mystery of Ronan's murder is not nearly as thought-provoking as the mystery of when Murdered: Soul Suspect will be offered at a discount.

• X360
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

There is so much more I could praise Ultra Street Fighter IV for. It takes a game that was fundamentally amazing to begin with and substantially improves upon it in numerous ways. Just when you thought Street Fighter IV couldn't get any better, this mega update breathes new life into it. This is truly a heart filled love letter to everyone that helped Street Fighter IV remain unstoppable since 2008. Fans will wisely jump on this and skeptics will quickly grow to appreciate the value of this meaty upgrade. If you've somehow managed to stay away from the phenomenon this entire time, then Ultra Street Fighter IV is the perfect gateway to becoming a World Warrior.

• VITA
• 2.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Killer is Dead is not everybody’s cup of tea. It’s avant-garde, darkly humorous, hyper-violent and different from most every game out there. It’s like the weirdness of Killer 7, Lollipop Chainsaw, Anarchy Reigns and Catherine rolled into one game, but narratively removed from anything that’s come before it. Out of the box, the Nightmare Edition is a baffling package. The unlocked frame rate and additional render resolutions are not something any gamer should have to go looking for in the project files, but once you get past that, you will be treated to an unreal experience. It helps that the controls to keyboard and mouse have transitioned perfectly, and the greater visual fidelity only helps to increase the magic that takes place on screen. It may be confusing and an outright crazy adventure, but it’s one that will have gamers readily engaged.

• PS3
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

It’s hard to be mean to Mugen Souls Z, because despite some questionable design (and terrible frame-rate), it tries really hard to be likeable. The story is cute and silly just often enough to justify the bits where it’s rattling on endlessly, the characters get in a few good lines now and then to counterbalance their cookie-cutter personalities, and the battle system is actually decent when you stop focusing on Syrma’s Captivate skill. There’s so many systems and sub-systems that describing them would easily triple the length of this review (weapon enhancement and upgrading, Mugen Field, the Ultimate Soul attack, G-Castle battles, etc), none overly complicated but together requiring an in-game “Overwhelming Tutorial.” Mugen Souls Z isn’t a great RPG, but it’s an entertaining one, and there’s enough meat on its bones to keep you playing for a good long while.

• PC
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Tropico 5 manages to disappoint more than it excites, a balance that will hold true for many fans of the series. Tropico veterans will enjoy the campaign’s diversity and sense of humor, the new manager system, the distinctness of the time periods as well as the new tech tree which requires the player to do a little more long term planning than in previous games. The problem is that many things that you want to do and see have been omitted and not replaced, making the game seem like a stripped down version of its predecessor, except in the few places (managers, tech) where the time was clearly spent. Until the rest of the game is released in the form of DLC, at least, it’s hard to imagine a good reason to go with Tropico 5 instead of Tropico 4 unless the addition of a tech tree gets you excited.

• PS4
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Though it can be vague, strange, and inaccessible, Transistor is one of the strongest games of 2014 so far. Its unique take on standard video game practices make it feel undoubtedly fresh. With strong combat, great enemy design, and a lovely story, Transistor will reward those who put in the time. Its parts are solid, but as a whole, it's a wonderfully sound, beautiful RPG that will stick with players for a considerable amount of time. More like an effort-intensive relationship than an adrenaline-inducing one-night-stand, Transistor is a must-play for those who are committed to its cause. However, those who are looking for an instantly-gripping cheap thrill should look elsewhere as this is a game that must be seen through to the very last second.

• VITA
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Borderlands 2 on PS Vita is probably the most polarizing game I've ever played. On one hand, the mission structure is perfect for a handheld, controls are responsive (aside from the touchpad) and it looks good despite the handheld's limitations. On the other hand, the amount of bugs and problems that come with it indicate that it just wasn't ready for release and could have used some extra time in development. Borderlands 2 is serious fun, but has serious problems.