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Star Wars The Force Awakens Pinball Review

Though it was clearly delayed to avoid spoiling the film — what, Han Solo has turned into a silver metal ball!?! — Zen Studios have finally released their Star Wars The Force Awakens Pack for Zen Pinball 2 (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Vita), Pinball FX 2 (Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC), Zen Pinball (iOS), and Zen Pinball HD (Android, Amazon), which includes two tables inspired by the titular film. Though it may be a spoiler for the next movie that the better table is the one that embraces the Dark Side.

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Worst Games Of 2015

While there were some great games in 2015, there were also a bunch that weren’t so great.

And then there was the following bunch of crap that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, even if they stepped on my foot and didn’t say “Sorry.”

Here now, in no particular order, are the worst games of 2015.

 

The Order 1886 02

The Order: 1886

Developers: Ready At Dawn

Publisher: Sony

Systems: PlayStation 4

While much was made about this game’s length, or lack there of, the real issue was how it wasted that time with dated mechanics and way too many cutscenes. But my biggest problem with The Order: 1886 was that it took a cool idea — a Gears Of War-style shooter set in a proto-steampunk London — and squandered it.

SCORE: 4.0/10 (read my full review here)

 

Helldivers 03

Helldivers

Developers: Arrowhead Game Studios

Publisher: Sony

Systems: PlayStation 4PlayStation 3Vita

What should’ve been a fun and frantic arcadey, top-down, sci-fi shooter was instead a frustrating slog thanks to a lot of little problems that included, but were not limited to, pointless mechanics (I mean, seriously, what kind of a trained soldier doesn’t know to reload their weapon), bad graphical choices, and a wildly inconsistent difficulty.

SCORE: 3.5/10 (read my full review here)

 

Godzilla 01

Godzilla

Developers: Natsume

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Systems: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3

Caught somewhere between low-budget and low-rent, this game is not only overly simplistic and repetitive, but it also has counter-intuitive movement that makes this more frustrating than fun.

SCORE: 6.5/10 (read my full review here)

 

Resident Evil 01

Resident Evil (HD remake)

Developers: Capcom

Publisher: Capcom

Systems: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC

This game isn’t so much bad as it is a waste of your money. I would’ve loved a new version of this classic 1996 game with upgraded graphics and better controls. I can even understand why someone would want a faithful recreation of the original game with the original controls and the original graphics. But what we got instead was the 2002 remake of the game that Capcom put out on the GameCube, but with that game’s awkward controls and the original graphics in HD. And why would I want that? Oh, right, I don’t.

SCORE: 3.0/10 (read my full review here)

 

Onechanbara Z2 Chaos 02

Onechanbara Z2 Chaos

Developers: Tamsoft

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Systems: PlayStation 4

While it would be easy to condemn this game for being overtly sexual but not all that sexy, it actually has bigger problems than just being potentially offensive. It’s terribly redundant, which makes it rather tiresome after a while, and I say that as someone who really likes hack & slash games you can just button mash to victory.

SCORE: 6.5/10 (read my full review here)

 

Afro Samurai 2 Revenge Of Kuma Volume 1 02

Afro Samurai 2: Revenge Of Kuma: Volume 1

Developers: Redacted Software

Publisher: Versus Evil

Systems: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

As someone who liked, but still saw the flaws in, the original Afro Samurai game, I was encouraged when the people behind this sequel said they weren’t happy with the original either, and we’re striving to make something better. Which makes it even more sad that they failed. Miserably. Not only was it a bad game, but it was so flawed and buggy that the publisher gave everyone refunds and cancelled the other two volumes.

SCORE: 2.0/10 (read my full review here)

 

So, what were your least favorite games of 2015. Let me know in the comments below.

 

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Best Games Of 2015

 

While 2015 wasn’t the best year for video games, there were a bunch that I had a lot of fun playing.

Here now, in no particular order, are the best games I played in 2015.

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Pinball Arcade Season Four Tables Review

Since its release in 2012, FarSight Studio’s Pinball Arcade (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, iOS, Android, PC, Mac) has consistently added new recreations of classic pinball tables from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and even the ’00s.

Here’s a critical look at the ten tables they’ve released for Season Four.

 

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Balls Of Glory Pinball (Archer, Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, American Dad) Review

 

For me, Sunday evening’s TV used to be all about watching the cartoons on Fox: The Simpsons, Family Guy, and so on. But while the network may have neutered the night by adding such non-animated shows as Brooklyn 99 and Last Man On Earth to the schedule, Zen Studios are bringing “Animation Domination” back with the Ball Of Glory pack for Zen Pinball 2 and Pinball FX 2 (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, Vita, iOS, Android, Amazon), which features tables inspired by Archer, Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, and American Dad. Though after playing all four, it’s clear you’ll want to play them more than one night a week.

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Disney Infinity 3.0 Toy Box Speedway Video Game Review

 

Given that it’s just an add-on to Disney Infinity 3.0, you might expect the arcadey racing game Toy Box Speedway (all systems) to be somewhat shallow. But it not only has more depth and options than you might expect, but thanks to its tight controls and twisty tracks, it’s a really fun Sunday drive.

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Transformers Devastation Video Game Review

For the last couple years, the Transformers games have mostly been third-person shooters. But by switching the combat to a hack & slash motif, Transformers Devastation (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC) feels like a welcome change. It’s just too bad it sometimes feels like a redundant one as well.

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Disney Infinity 3.0 Rise Against The Empire Playset Video Game Review

Much like the Marvel Comics and Pixar films that inspired its earlier incarnations, the Disney Infinity games have always tried to appeal to adults as well as children, though with decidedly less success. In fact, it wasn’t until the Disney Infinity 3.0 Twilight Of The Republic playset, which was essentially a Clone Wars game, that it managed to pull it off. But while you might expect the same from the Disney Infinity 3.0 Rise Against The Empire playset, which is set during the time of the original Star Wars trilogy that adults love so much, it actually falls a bit short for lots of little reasons.

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5 Reasons Why Hideo Kojima Leaving Could Be Good For Metal Gear Solid

With the release of Metal Gear Solid V The Phantom Pain (PlayStation 4PlayStation 3Xbox OneXbox 360PC), mastermind Hideo Kojima says goodbye to a series he’s steered since 1987’s Metal Gear. But while he’s going out on a high note — as you can see from my review of the game — I couldn’t help but think his departure might actually be a good thing. Here’s why.