Hardcore Gamer

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered doesn't include the multiplayer and spec ops components. Once you can get over that hump, you’ll realize that what’s left is a respectable remaster of a solid campaign experience from 2009. Everything is intact, with Beenox bringing the entire campaign experience to the current-generation, warts and all. It’s a campaign from a bygone area when enemies would spawn infinitely, the main objective was to follow a teammate and Michael Bay-esque set pieces were all the rage. Despite that, Modern Warfare 2’s bombastic campaign remains as fun to play as it was in 2009 thanks to excellent gameplay and well-designed arenas. An impressive visual overhaul rounds out the remaster experience, bringing the game more in line with titles from this generation. It’s short with little to do after the credits roll, but the lower price and the quality of the campaign experience help alleviate some of that concern. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered may not be the full experience, but it solidly delivers an updated take on one of the better campaigns in the series.

• SWITCH
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• XONE
• PS4
• SWITCH
• 2.5 / 5
• États-Unis

While you can't fault the visuals and the effort put in to try and mask the evident budget limitations, that cutting of corners vibe is sadly something that plays into The Complex one too few many times. Scenes that are surprisingly absent of crucial choices to make, added to via a general pointlessness of certain characters' presence. In the end, resulting in a story that eludes to high-stakes and relationships to keep in check, but seldom puts the effort to make your choices seem consequential or carrying as critical a weight as they should. And for a game to falter on its decision-making -- the crux of a genre such as this -- should speak plenty on the emotional investment one should hope to find and expect here. Credit to Michelle Mylett and Al Weaver (who play Amy and Rees, respectively) for serving what material they're given here, credit too to Wales Interactive for supporting the FMV genre still. But the pull of multiple branching endings (technically) as well as a shallow relationship mechanic mark The Complex down as, while not terrible, a safe, sterile and sadly under-utilized effort.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

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

Motorcycle simulations really haven't ever taken off in video games, but since racing games are at their peak in today's world, there is certainly a market for it. TT Isle of Man - Ride on the Edge 2 provides not only a unique riding experience for players, but is also a helpful tool. Racers are using the game to prepare for a real race and the changes to the physics system nearly replicate a real riding experience. It's amazing to get lost in the immersion of riding and cornering in these beautiful locations in Ireland and the UK, not to mention the actual Isle of Man itself. The visuals do have some way to go, but the overall feeling that comes from riding and the sound of the bikes more than make up for that. The game also only retails for $40 and I recommend that anyone who actually rides these types of bikes give TT Isle of Man Ride on the Edge 2 a go.

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• 5 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Murder by Numbers is a game for people who enjoy playing nonogram/Picross puzzles. If you have no enjoyment for these then the game will be an absolute nightmare. On the other hand, anyone who loves these puzzles will find a ton packed in the game with the addition of an enjoyable storyline told throughout to bring context to the puzzles. With so many puzzles included, you’ll have hours upon hours of gameplay ahead. The colorful characters and detective tale ensure that players won’t get bored with the world of Murder by Numbers.

• PC
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

With a lengthier campaign and better character development, The Suicide of Rachel Foster could’ve been an engrossing equivalent to first-person adventure-style mysteries prior. And while the main setting does boast an appealing-enough layout — a design that somehow manages to fuse a wide assortment of aesthetics and visual styles — the hurriedly-resolved story, as well as some frantic shifts in tone towards the closing parts, dampen what impact or effect they should’ve brought. Above all else, the game is not as thoughtful, or as provoking, to the theme of suicide and the ramifications of such as it claims to be. While it doesn’t offensively dispense with such weighted subject matter, the game’s mistaking complexity for sheer dramatics feels like desperation to what is, in actuality, a predictable and undeserved climax. Neat set design aside, The Suicide of Rachel Foster‘s middling, unremarkable progression (not to mention some odd characterization in parts) don’t quite gift the experience with the tension and unease it’s so obviously seeking.

• SWITCH
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• SWITCH
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• SWITCH
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Hero Must Die Again is a well-crafted game with a unique concept. Starting off strong and becoming weaker over time forces you to think more than you usually do in a JRPG. It’s a challenging, but rewarding game with a fun and intuitive battle system. Your hand isn’t held and you will have to use your wits to make significant progress in an efficient manner — but it’s well-worth the sacrifice. It’s a bit hit or miss visually, but sounds great — with a multi-faceted OST that fits the anime-style visuals and faster-paced combat.

• SWITCH
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Even with its unfortunate dip in visual quality from time to time, that aside, a lot of the points held against Skookum Arts can be admittedly put down to personal aspirations not met, rather than some fundamental flaw the game is undeniably guilty of. An aspiration easily ignored for The Pedestrian is a charming-enough, but crucially, surprisingly-inventive puzzle entry for a concept and premise that, on paper, sounds far from inviting. But whether it’s the complimentary add-on of its voyage through the environment — and the way the game makes one’s trip a pleasant scurry from one city region to the next — or the ample ways the game adds-to, subtracts-from and so easily flips former rules/conventions on their head, The Pedestrian taps terrifically into the many joys, frustrations and epiphanies that this genre of video game is so good at carving out. Clever, confident and a fine debut for Skookum Arts, The Pedestrian has established a clear high bar — marking itself down as this year’s first must-play for puzzle enthusiasts far and wide.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Despite having the rose-tinted glasses violently ripped away, Patapon 2 Remastered is an easy recommendation to existing fans of the series. The 4K conversion adds to the title and the asking price is right. Newcomers, however, should start with the first game, which is also available in a Remastered format for PlayStation 4. This sequel was balanced to appeal to returning players and the update doesn't change that. The original was simply better balanced to bring new players in. In the end, though, after the experience of playing through the remaster in a binge setting brought to light some foibles that went previously unnoticed, this is still a top quality entry in a series that has gone woefully underappreciated. Hopefully time will change that.

• SWITCH
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Hypercharge Unboxed is finely-tuned with a diverse amount of content for a small-scale game. The usage of real-world locales helps add an element of fun that many shooters lack, while the ability to have both traditional deathmatch and tower defense enables more kinds of players to have fun. It looks good overall in both docked and portable mode, with some sticking points in smaller details, but impressive effects all-around for reflections and larger environmental details. It's fun to look at and more fun to play -- especially with gyro controls. If you've been seeking a new FPS adventure on Switch, give Hypercharge Unboxed a shot.