Hardcore Gamer

• VITA
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Hotline Miami is an outstanding title that manages to stand out despite both retro-styled games and overhead shooters being crowded genres. While I wish it supported controllers, particularly twin sticked-ones, the default control setup works well once you put some time into it. It's an easy recommendation for those who love overhead shooters, games with creepy tones or retro styles and enjoy either dubstep or synth music. The soundtrack is one of the game's greatest assets, and would be worth buying on its own regardless of interest in the game itself. Anyone used to a WASD control setup will want to play this ASAP, while those who aren't may be better served to wait for a sale.

• X360
• 1 / 5
• États-Unis

07 Legends is the product of those who think the only appeal of the franchise is when James Bond shoots people. With no style to speak of, the entire affair plays out like a generic thirty-minute action climax stretched to a ten hour game, where the best motivation for avoiding death is having to suffer through the same area again. Not only does it fail to inspire nostalgia, but sours the franchise as a whole. Lacking a single inspired trait, 007 Legends is the kind of game released simply to bilk $60 out of uninformed gamers before a swift trip to the bargain bin.

• VITA
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Dokuro is an off-beat and unique puzzle-platformer with a beautiful aesthetic and haunting soundtrack. Its logic-based puzzles may not be for everyone, but the anti-frustration measures built into the game make it an easy recommendation for folks who don’t usually like puzzle-platformers due to their difficulty. A very accessible game even with its heavy Vita hardware usage, Dokuro should please both veteran and casual fans of the genre.

• VITA
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• PS3
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

While the soundtrack doesn’t do much for me, I love everything else about Retro City Rampage. Dropping the price down to $7.50 per version, Cross-buy makes it a must-buy for anyone who owns a PS3 and either has a Vita or is looking to get one. The short mission structure works well either on the big or little screen, and it controls just about perfectly on either platform. Buying it on PC from the developers gets a DRM-free download and a Steam key, while buying from Steam gets a discount of $1.50. If you grew up in the ’90s, you’ll easily get $15 out of it just for the trip down memory lane. Younger players who like open-world games and have an appreciation for that time, even if it’s just for ironic purpose, will like it as well.

• X360
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

If you can only buy one dance game this holiday season -- get another job. Even though they have the same core concept, similar soundtracks and were released within a week of each other, Dance Central and Just Dance are very different beasts. More fun can be had at parties with Just Dance, but the richness of Dance Central makes it the clear winner for those going it alone or serious about learning authentic moves. It may not have the best soundtrack, but Dance Central 3 is polished, packed with content and utilizes the Kinect better than any other dance game.

• PC
• 5 / 5
• États-Unis

There's nothing like Mark of the Ninja on Xbox Live Arcade, and now, Steam. Others may taunt fast action stealth, but this is the true evolution of that concept with speedy and thought-provoking mechanics. Keyboard and mouse controls can take a while to get used to, but once you've got it down, you feel like a master assassin. Mark of the Ninja is a triumphant victory that is a must-buy for any and all stealth fans.

• X360
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Just Dance 4 is a hard game not to like. It’s completely unpretentious and simply exists to make you have fun, hopefully starting a party in the process. The soundtrack is strong and the Kinect tracks your movements with just the right precision -- not strict enough to be frustrating, yet not loose enough to feel worthless. With Dance Central 3 just around the corner, it’s a mystery which game come out on top (although, we suspect Just Dance 4 will win the sales contest), but the low price point and high entertainment value here add up to forty dollars well spent.

• VITA
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

If publishers are willing to take the risk of keeping the spirit of classic games alive, it’s a shame the same courtesy isn’t extended to budgets and development windows. With tried and true elements combined with attractive new features, Spy Hunter is a blast throughout its meaty campaign. The fact that such a poor presentation doesn’t completely hinder the enjoyment of the title speaks volumes to the strength of the gameplay. As it stands, fans of arcade-style mayhem will adore Spy Hunter, but its low rent appearance will prove a nagging reminder of missed opportunities.

• X360
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• X360
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

• PS3
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

I am conflicted, though, on how I feel about Way of the Samurai 4 after completing it. For years I have appreciated XSEED's work in bringing Japanese games Stateside, but much of the time while playing I felt they could have focused on bringing over a better game than this. An involving, evolving story and effective customizability just aren't quite enough to save a game marred by annoying graphical issues and uninspiring gameplay. As a sucker for anything historical Japan, I fell in love with the environment and story, but I couldn't get accustomed to the bland gameplay. Fans of the series may be more forgiving, but newcomers should practice careful consideration before heading to the PlayStation Store.

• 3DS
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• PS3
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure HD Ver. is a strange fighting game, but thankfully, one with a free demo available. Give it a whirl, and if you like its insane sense of humor, or loved the original game, you’ll get your $20 out of it. The redone graphics are a net positive with none of the changes hurting the presentation, even if they aren’t as extensively redone as other HD-named games, and the online play is smoother than I expected for a faster-paced fighting game. It’s hurt by having a bare-bones online setup, not including the PS1 version’s story mode, and not improving upon the blah soundtrack of the original game. There are a lot of downloadable fighters on the market now available for less money that are better than this. JJBA HD is a top-shelf bizarre game, but not exactly a top-shelf game in its own right.

• PC
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Despite its abrupt stopping point, Unmechanical is a really satisfying experience while it lasts. Every single puzzle had that lovely feeling of “Oh, I get it!”, and no two used the same type of solution. One section will require a series of switches to be activated by bombs in a specific order, while another has you figuring out the pattern on a giant wheel of colors to unlock a door. One area has you exploring the lovely underwater terrain to find a rock to weight down a switch, while another has you figuring out an icon-based numbering system and using it to place blocks in the correct order on a series of switches. The only real problem with the length is the pacing, with no indication given that you're on the last area and solving the final puzzle until, surprise!, end credits. It's analagous to reading a review that, while technically it's said everything it needs to, simply comes to a stop.

• X360
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD was an intriguing experiment to revive the Tony Hawk name, but it didn’t pan out as hoped. While the game invokes memories with those who grew up playing the Neversoft games, the content is a bit skimpy and the gameplay behind its time. Still, if you have fond memories of the early Tony Hawk Pro Skater games, the nostalgia alone may be worth the price of admission.