In theory, Hitman GO (iOS, Android, Windows Phone) — a strategic puzzle game inspired by the stealth action series — shouldn’t have worked. Though because it employed increasingly clever mechanics, and both embraced and ejected the Hitman games’ tenet where necessary, it managed to be a rather impressive spin-off that was as fun for puzzle fans as it was for those who like the regular Hitman games. But while the new Hitman GO Definitive Edition (PlayStation 4, Vita) doesn’t add anything new, those who skipped the mobile version finally have their chance to get smart and sneaky.
In his 2008 novel The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman wrote, “If you dare nothing, then when the day is over, nothing is all you will have gained.” It’s something I thought about a lot as I explored the vast wilderness of Far Cry Primal (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC). Because while this continues what was done in 2008’s Far Cry 2, 2012’s Far Cry 3, and 2014’s Far Cry 4, it also dares to add new some new elements to this open world, first-person action series.
In promoting the new Plants Vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC), both the publisher, Electronic Arts, and the developer, PopCap, have repeatedly said that this sequel would feature a single player mode. But having a single player mode and having a mode you want play on your own are not always the same thing. Which is why I decided to play this game solo to see whether it’s worth buying if you don’t play well with others.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As someone who liked, but still saw the flaws in, the original Afro Samuraigame, 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.
Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION by Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions
Though they’ve all been entertaining, some Mission Impossible movies have certainly been better than others. But while Mission Impossible Rogue Nation comes in at the top of the middle, and its Blu-ray follows suit, its DVD edition leaves a lot to be desired. Like parity.
One of the great things about both the current and previous generations of video games is that no matter what kind you enjoy, you can find classics to play again as well as new games in those styles. But making a new game in an old style can be tricky. Take Zotrix, an arcade-style shooter that was previously released on PC, Mac, and Linux via Steam, but is now available on PlayStation 4. While it captures some of that old school arcade fun, there are times when it’s too old school for its own good, and others where it’s not old school-ish enough.
While people insist that size doesn’t matter, we all know it does. Just consider The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit movies, the extended versions of which have all been better than their shorter, theatrical counterparts. And that’s once again the case with The Hobbit The Battle Of The Five Armies Extended Edition, which is now available on Blu-ray, DVD, and 3D Blu-ray.
