Attack of the Fanboy

• XONE
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Short and not very good, Crackdown 3 has few things to point to as reasons to exist. Sumo Digital did very little with the 2007 formula to usher the series into 2019. While it’s hard to recommend anyone taking the plunge for the full, new game price, the fact that the game will launch into Xbox Game Pass is going to make it tolerable and accessible for most. As something that comes free with your subscription to the service, it might be worth seeing the short campaign, but there just doesn’t seem to be enough game and good enough content to warrant experiencing this release any other way.

• XONE
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Far Cry New Dawn takes players on an interesting journey to tell the story of what happened after the cliffhanger events of Far Cry 5. It mixes and matches franchise staples with new RPG mechanics and gameplay ideas to offer something familiar, but fresh.

• XONE
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Kingdom Hearts 3 has been a long time coming, leading some fans to wonder if it would ever finally get there. The long wait proved to be well worth it though, with Tetsuya Nomura ending the Xehanort saga in strong fashion. Though probably the easiest game in the series, even on Proud Mode, the gameplay is better and more fluid than it has ever been alongside some of the best worlds the series has ever had to offer. Not only can newcomers greatly enjoy the game for its combat and gorgeous visuals, but Kingdom Hearts 3 gives hardcore fans the satisfying ending they’ve been wanting for years, while also managing to setup the future of the franchise as well.

• XONE
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Following off the stellar Metro 2033 and Last Light, Exodus feels like a misstep for this series. The underlying design is partially broken, creating a lesser experience than its predecessors in almost every way. The open-world sections don’t add much beyond eye candy. Gameplay feels unpolished and slow, and not in a realistic/good way. And the whole thing feels unfinished with a few hard crashes, perpetually long load times, and poor audio throughout. This series has built a reputation on its quality, but Exodus falls flat in some ways that truly matter. It does look gorgeous though, and this is still a unique world to explore, if you can ignore these many other problems.

• PS4
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God Eater 3, much like Monster Hunter: World, has ditched its handheld roots and is now exclusive to the PlayStation 4 and PC. However, whereas the latter fully embraced its new home, the former has shortcomings that don’t use the transition to its advantage. The zones are still lacking in depth, and it’s in desperate need of QoL features that should be a standard in the subgenre. That said, it still succeeds where it counts. There’s plenty of enemies to defeat and a wide array of weapons to do so with, all done at a pace this is simply exhilarating to participate in. If you liked the scent of Monster Hunter, but couldn’t stomach the execution, then God Eater 3 will likely be a meal you’ll be willing to devour.

• PC
• États-Unis

• XONE
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From top to bottom, Resident Evil 2 is a stellar achievement from a team that obviously loved the source material and went to great lengths to update and enhance it without losing that original magic. Its few faults either lie in the original source material, or are added elements that don’t truly detract from the game’s worth. Like its predecessor, this is one of the best remakes of all time, hands down.

• PS4
• États-Unis

With an updated UI and modernized features, Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal takes the franchise’s most cohesive story and couples it with the gameplay it deserves. With fast and fluid combat, endearing characters and a grounded story that isn’t afraid to crack a few jokes while interrogating the notion of morality from the perspective of big-breasted ninja schoolgirls, this remake represents the franchise at its best. If you dislike fanservice or object to the sexualization of game characters then I urge you to stay away. As for everyone else? Do give this a shot — if you like brawlers and don’t mind a good deal of perversion, then Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal may very well be your cup of tea.

• PS4
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Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition is in a unique territory where it’s still recent enough to not be considered a classic, but can be looked back upon by fans as if it were. With a more measured approach to combat, a distinct lack of QoL features and uneven voicework, there’s no doubt that this is a game from 2008 — even if it looks like one from 2019. However, even with those faults considered, Vesperia was great back in 2008 and it’s just as good in 2019. Just like with Shining Resonance Refrain, the mindset you approach this game with is critical. You won’t be doing yourself (or the game) any favors if you approach it with a modern lens, but it’s hard not to fall in love when judged on its own merits. With its enjoyable characters, interesting story, beautiful aesthetic and fun combat, ten years was worth the wait.

• XONE
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Jack of all trades, master of none. The Crew 2 is ultimately a more enjoyable experience than the first game, but one that also buckles under its own broad ambition.

• PS4
• États-Unis

Just Cause 4 still has some of the best sandbox action around, but it’s a game where making your own fun is the best part about it. If the developers could help players along in this regard by tuning missions to actually use these tools more frequently it could help this game feel more engaging. As it stands, Just Cause 4 more often than not feels like an average open world third person shooter than it does the explosion filled bonanza that it should be.

• PS4
• États-Unis

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds on the PlayStation 4 is a port of a bad version of a great concept. Whether the developers have more console optimizations in store is yet to be seen. If you’re ok with a game that is a little rough around the edges when it comes to gameplay and the technical aspects of it, there’s definitely a lot of fun to be had in this brand of Battle Royale.

• XONE
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Worth the wait, Below is a Rouge lite that doesn’t hold your hand and asks you figure out the rules of this world on your own. It makes for a fulfilling, albeit difficult journey.

• SWITCH
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• SWITCH
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• PC
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Fallout 76 is a bold experiment with one of gaming’s biggest and most beloved franchises. Unfortunately the experiment seems like a failure so far. Bugs and glitches are everywhere, but worse is that the core principles of design just don’t function the way they seem like they should. Concessions had to be made in all facets of the experience to make multiplayer work, and sadly the benefits do not outweigh the costs. If you have a good group of dedicated players that will help you dig into the deeper, higher level parts of the game then it starts to grow into something unique and fun. Without that though, most players will abandon the game long before the more interesting elements develop.

• PS4
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Toys for Bob has hit a home run with the Spyro Reignited Trilogy. Not only does it recreate the original gameplay experience in every way that’s important, but it also adds subtle improvements that make it feel just that much better. The new art direction works wonderfully for these games, and all the extra fine details put into character designs, interactions, and behavior really make everything come alive in a wonderful way. New players might not get as much out of it as fans of the originals, and they’ll be very disappointed if they go into it expecting a modern gameplay experience with all the trimmings. For old fans and those who’d like a glimpse at what the height of triple-A quality was like twenty years ago though, the Spyro Reignited Trilogy will deliver in spades!

• PS4
• États-Unis

SoulCalibur 6 is a brilliant return to form for the series, combining a robust single-player campaign and intense, dynamic combat to bring the franchise to a level it hasn’t been at in years. The barrier for entry might be somewhat high, but it makes the feeling of clearing it all the greater. I’m interested in seeing where the series goes from here — assuming it’s going anywhere at all. The story is rebooted and already has connections to both 2 and 3; so will the next hypothetical game skip those events and head straight to 4’s, go in order again or tell a new story altogether? The past is great and all, but after seeing what was done here, I can’t help but feel excited about what comes next.