Hardcore Gamer

• X360
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

It may not have the over-the-top humor of Ratchet & Clank or the dark, serious sci-fi story of Resistance, but Fuse is a fine addition to Insomniac’s legacy that puts focus on a balanced co-op experience like many shooters don’t. There may be a few spots where combat feels repetitive and the stealth elements are half-baked, but the sheer audacity on display here deserves commendation. This isn’t a generic military shooter, but a game that takes you to the ocean floor and into outer space as you face off against larger than life enemies (sometimes literally) with some of the most creative weapons in any shooter grounded in a shred of reality. In case none of this is getting through, just take one thing away from this review: Fuse is great.

• 3DS
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is the best version of the game. Its natural design lends itself perfectly to pick-up-and-play, on-the-go gaming, and the new features do just enough to round out the package. There are all sorts of brilliantly crafted puzzles to solve, intense bosses to trounce, a head-whirling number of collectibles and hidden secrets to discover and some of the most refined platforming to experience. These polished mechanics, thrown in with the new levels, 3D effects and a casual-friendly mode, make Returns 3D feel even more complete than before. The game has a few occasional issues with its framerate, but these problems are so minor in comparison to the bevvy of sophisticated elements present everywhere else, that they hardly matter in the end. On the whole, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D offers up one of the most challenging and rewarding platforming adventures in recent memory. Take note, developers, this is how a port should be done.

• PC
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• PS3
• 2.5 / 5
• États-Unis

DUST 514’s address is located at the intersection of great potential and poor execution. It’s mangled with technical flaws, a lack of modes and disappointing microtransactions that sometimes feel almost mandatory unless folks want to put in hours and hours just to obtain slightly above-average equipment. Its social features and emphasis on community are great, and will appease those players wanting to further enhance their experience with the EVE universe. Knowing that a simple ground battle is going to play a much larger role in some interstellar conflict that could change the economy and flow of the MMORPG gives weight to one's actions -- but again, that stuff only matters if players are invested in the idea of this cross-connectivity feature. So while this link between 514 and EVE is pretty incredible, it's also part of the game’s main issue; its enjoyment is simply conditional. In fact, DUST 514 puts parameters on how much fun the casual player, or just anyone that isn’t already involved with EVE, can have while playing the game. There shouldn’t be stipulations on how someone can get the best possible experience from a game, but that’s what’s happened here. With all of its issues, and in its current state, DUST 514 is a title that has lofty ambitions, but also far too many problems and contingencies to deal with right now. Only the hardcore EVE enthusiasts need apply.

• X360
• 1 / 5
• États-Unis

Those with even a shred of self-respect should head to a seedy truck stop, bowling alley or other similar establishment and use the forty dollars this retails for to instead play the vastly superior The Fast and the Furious arcade game. And when most of the time playing a game is spent longing about an experience at a truck stop, something has gone horribly awry. Tie-ins are expected to be second rate, but at least give a halfhearted attempt at some braindead fun instead of picking quite possibly the most pathetic development résume to take advantage of an uninformed fanbase. We’re talking about a video game adaption of a film that has a car crash through the cockpit of a cargo plane; it’s offensive that this isn’t at least remotely fun to play.

• X360
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is an easy recommendation for anyone seeking a fast-paced shooter. The story mode is engaging, while the arcade shooting mode lets you brush up on your skills for the campaign or just go on a shooting spree without having to worry about a storyline beyond "kill everyone in sight, then do it again if you so desire." Dueling is unique to this franchise and works well at creating a sense of tension during them, disappointment afterwards if you fail, or a huge sense of accomplishment when you succeed. Gunslinger is one of the best downloadable shooters on consoles and easily the best entry in the series.

• PC
• 5 / 5
• États-Unis

Fez was one of the most enjoyable and entertaining games I’ve experienced last year and the same thing applies with the PC version. It’s a charming, charismatic adventure that will leave you with a smile across your face for the duration of your play. It’s also incredibly cryptic and is far more than skin deep, introducing a deceivingly vague world. I can’t decide if Phil Fish and his team are geniuses or completely out of their minds.

• X360
• 1.5 / 5
• États-Unis

We’re only four months into the year, but Star Trek The Video Game is already aiming for worst game of 2013. It has some production values and I give it credit for not directly following a film, but it falls completely on its ass in every category. Generic shooting, incredibly poor artificial intelligence and glitchy bug-ridden gameplay amounts to nothing more than a meager attempt to cash in on next month’s film. We salute you for trying, but this is better left untouched and propelled into space.

• PSP
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

• X360
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Dead Island: Riptide is a game where enjoyment hinges entirely on personal satisfaction of repetitively killing thousands of zombies and having friends with the same passion. For these select people, Riptide can be a whole lot of fun; but for anybody going it solo or demanding more from a game than just mindless violence, however, it will prove increasingly tedious. Much like the first game, there’s elements in play giving it depth and appeal that are never honed in on thanks to the commitment of sending wave after wave of zombies at you in an utterly generic (and sometimes glitchy) way. There’s a chance for the Dead Island series to become an addictive online experience, but the developers have to admit and work on their faults and not ignore them as they did in Riptide.

• WII
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

It’s taken Pandora’s Tower a long time to get to North America, but the wait was worth it. Interestingly enough, the game reminds us of the RPG NiER in that it’s a crude-looking game, but one that also has more heart than most others on the market. Sure, it has some technical blips, some AI issues and gameplay that lacks depth, but developer Ganbarion has provided solid hack-and-slash mechanics, thrilling boss encounters and one of the most powerful love stories this side of Final Fantasy VIII to make up for those detriments. In fact, we’d be surprised if the game doesn’t get remembered solely for its genuinely touching tale of two lovers. In the end, it’s not the most polished game, and in actuality it is the least poignant of the three Operation Rainfall JRPGs. But being the weakest in a lineup of Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story means it's better than most other games of its kind by default. It's hard to think of another Big N game that has its heroine munching on monster flesh, so here's hoping that Nintendo recognizes what a fantastic action-roleplaying experience they missed localizing and gives stateside players more of this kind of mature title in the future.

• 3DS
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Perhaps the most impressive feat of Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers is its ability to withstand the test of time. Despite it fast approaching the age of 20-years-old, it remains relevant and more than playable by today’s gaming standards. Better yet, it manages to even best some of the most recent turn-based JRPGs. This can be attributed to sound game design and the use of tried-and-true mechanics that have not faltered much, even in their age. Soul Hackers is also a game that isn’t afraid to give players a shedload of options. Sure there’s the main story to tackle, but then there are tons of mini-games and side-quests to check out. This coupled with a truly unique story and setting, as well as rock-solid gameplay, means Soul Hackers is a triumph through and through. This isn’t just some shoddy port; outside of the ugly visuals, this feels like a fully updated iteration of a game those outside of Japan never got to fully experience. We should feel privileged that we finally got this gem, as it’s a reminder of how a game with damn good mechanics can out-do even the latest and greatest ones. In 2013, this sixteen-year-old game feels fresh, revitalizing and just downright good. That’s an accomplishment all of its own.

• X360
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Regardless of the game's pitfalls, Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds is a lovely little title for XBLA. It exudes charm and personality, and it's clearly been handled by a team that really believes in their game. With a solid fighting engine, plenty of room for customization, a copious offering of modes, delightfully oldschool graphics and sound and some solid controls, Battle Grounds is a game that should be played by anyone who loves nostalgic beat'em ups, especially ones that are very stylized and very Japanese.

• 3DS
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

I found myself going back for one more quest or trying to farm specific items for just ten more minutes far too often, and the game is as tremendously addictive as any of the other titles in the series. Still, it's difficult to classify this addiction as a particularly entertaining one and while the game kind of took over my life, I wouldn't classify what I was feeling as "fun". I was a Monster Hunter junkie, going back to the woods for my latest fix, blacking out, and waking up three hours later with a pile of bones and pelts next to me but only the faintest recollection of how they got there. While fans of the series and aficionados of farming or grinding are definitely going to want to check out Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, the the frustrating camera and lack of easily accessible multiplayer on the 3DS make the WiiU version the superior option. People who want a portable experience are going to absolute require the Circle Pad Pro, in addition to a suitable explanation for your friends and family as to where you were for the month you disappeared and couldn't be found.

• X360
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Terraria was utterly fantastic on PC, and has made a near-perfect jump to console. It’s always fun to generate a new world, get a sense of where the biomes are this time around, dig to the deepest depths, and power your character up to ridiculous levels with the equipment you create. Building giant structures may not be the game’s primary focus but it’s still fun to do, and there’s plenty of items that can be made to make your house more homey, or trap-y if you’re in a deadlier mood. Terraria creates a giant sprawling world to conquer, and the satisfaction of progression is always enough to drag you down to its most perilous depths.

• X360
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

BattleBlock Theater is a game that manages to overcome its flaws due to its incredibly funny writing, narration, and enjoyable platforming gameplay that works in both single and multiplayer setups. There's a lot to do in the game and it's impossible not to recommend at a mere $15 when either modes alone would make it worth that price due to how fun game is. Anybody who loved anything The Behemoth has done before will dig this, as will platforming fans who were raised on Super Mario Bros. and enjoy a challenging game of Super Meat Boy from time to time.

• X360
• 5 / 5
• États-Unis

Bioshock Infinite recreates the feeling of a unique new IP while maintaining service to existing fans. Irrational has crafted a stunning and creative world populated by lively characters you don’t see in many games today. Mix in the unbelievably memorable conclusion and you have a neatly constructed story that will put many adventures to shame. Whether or not you enjoy first-person shooters is irrelevant. It is whether or not you want an experience like no other; one that will be left in the back of your mind for years to come.

• X360
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Tiger Woods PGA Tour '14 offers up a satisfying golf experience that will certainly please fans of the sport. Serious fans will get a lot of use out of the online modes, and the ability to relive key moments in the careers of legendary players should keep die-hards happy for a long time. The game is very accessible for newcomers as well, although they may want to either pick up an older game in the series or try out the demo before paying full price for the latest incarnation.