Playstation 4 Games - ranked by preference

Release Date: November 18, 2014 (NA/EU/AU)
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North
Genre: Action

When Grand Theft Auto V originally released, I proclaimed that it had finally surpassed Grand Theft Auto III as my favorite in the franchise. The re-release has solidified that, improving on an already amazing game. Plus, this re-made GTA V also introduced a first-person mode that you can switch between at will, providing a whole new way to experience the game if you so desire. If you enjoyed this game on the previous console generation, then this re-release makes Grand Theft Auto V definitely worth playing all over again.

Release Date: July 29, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Naughty Dog
Genre: Adventure

The Last of Us on Playstation 3 was one of the best games in 2013. The Last of Us - Remastered is updated graphically and includes all of the DLC from the PS3 original. It's just as good as you remember it being...it's just a little prettier now and it has new content for you if you're like me and never really buy any DLC. It's definitely worth a purchase if you haven't played it before. It may be a re-release, but it's still one of the best games available for the PS4.

Release Date: September 1, 2015 (NA/EU/AU)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Kojima Productions
Genre: Action

I really like Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain....I REALLY like it...Unfortunately, it does not feel complete. The gameplay is still amazing, and what you get is fantastic...but by no means does it feel like a complete game by the time that you finish it...It really looks like it was supposed to be more, but Kojima's departure from Konami likely put an end to it. That said, what is here is still amazing. It's not quite what Metal Gear Solid fans are used to - fewer cinematics and an open world to explore instead of a story to follow - but this is still one of the best games of this console generation...I just can't help but feel that without Konami and Kojima falling out, this could have been even better.

Release Date: December 5, 2015 (US/EU/AU)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: RPG

While this is technically a port of the PC version of the game, not the Playstation version, it has been tweaked so that all of the glitches and flaws of the PC version have been eliminated. Essentially, what you have here is the Final Fantasy VII that you know and love, with slightly different dialogue and a few "enhancements" in the form of some cheats. But anyway, if you haven't experienced Final Fantasy VII before, and own a PS4, this would be a good time to give it a try. It's not a perfect game (as many snobs like to point out on the internet) but there is a reason that it's beloved by most that have played it.

Release Date: November 10, 2015 (NA)
Publisher: Bethesda
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Genre: Adventure

Fallout 4 continues on the formula found in Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, and that's about it. There really isn't a ton added to Fallout 4 to make it really stand out among the other games in the series since Bethesda took the helm for the franchise. One could argue that the games are so fun that they didn't really need to do much, and if you say that, you're right...but regardless of how fun it is, I just can't justify a perfect score to a game that essentially feels like DLC for the previous games (same basic gameplay, new city to explore), but with updated graphics....even if it is must-play DLC.

Release Date: August 12, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: 7780s Studio
Developer: 7780s Studio
Genre: Adventure - Horror

P.T. stands for "Promotional Teaser" or "Playable Teaser" (I've seen it listed as both, so I'll name both) and is called a demo...But in my opinion, it's not. Demos generally are a demonstration of a game with no end or goal, where as P.T. is a complete, albeit short, game and serves as a very good promotional tool to get folks ready for the new Silent Hill game with Hideo Kojima at the helm. It's been a long time since a game created this kind of creepy atmosphere in my opinion. If Silent Hills is only a fraction of what this amazing free game is in terms of scares and atmosphere, then I think the Silent Hill franchise will finally regain much of its lost popularity.

Release Date: October 28, 2016 (NA/EU/AU)
Publisher: Bethesda
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Genre: Adventure

My time through the world of Skyrim was wonderful again...until after 120 hours worth of sidequests into the game, I attempted to progress the story and came across a glitch that prevented me from continuing. I was level 64. Thankfully I had a save at level 23 that allowed me to complete the game (and platinum it) but it was quite disappointing that those 40 levels of gameplay were essentially put to waste. Glitches aside, Skyrim is just as fun today as it was when it was initially released. It would have been great if the glitches had been fixed for this re-release, but when a game is this fun, a glitch here and there is tolerable...even if one ends your game.

Release Date: October 14, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Telltale Games
Developer: Telltale Games
Genre: Adventure

The Walking Dead is a pretty nifty game that has a great story that pushes you along mixed in with a point-and-click adventure game with some action elements and quick-time events to give the game enough action to go along with the puzzles and difficult decisions along the way. I didn't quite buy all of the hype of this being 2012's Game of the Year by so many publications and websites, but after playing it, I understand why it got the hype it did. It's entertaining, it's fun, and with so many branching points in the story, it's a game that you can play over and over again and get different scenarios and conversations. It's fantastic. If you haven't played it yet, play it. You'll be glad you did.

Release Date: October 27, 2015 (NA)
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Yuke's
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

WWE 2K16 is one of the better wrestling games to come out in the last several years. It fixes nearly every problem with WWE 2K15, keeps the innovations from 2K15 and makes them better, and brings back most of the older features that fans of the series knew and loved. For the first time in several years, I've found myself not entirely focused on WWE Universe mode, but also enjoying the other modes as well - the in-ring gameplay is the best it has ever been in the history of the Smackdown/WWE 2K game series, and as a result I find myself wanting to actually play matches rather than simply book and simulate them. If you're a wrestling fan, you'll likely love everything that WWE 2K16 offers...If you feel burned by WWE 2K15, then 2K16 is a suitable ointment to heal your pain.

Release Date: January 28, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Nixxes Software
Genre: Adventure

Square Enix successfully resurrected the Tomb Raider franchise with a game simply called "Tomb Raider." That game became the best game in the franchise with a great overall experience. Fast forward a year and it has been re-released as the "Definitive Edition" with updated graphics and a few other bells and whistles...And it's still just as fun as it was a year prior. If you haven't played the original, the next-gen Definitive Edition is definitely a must-buy.

Release Date: November 29, 2016 (ALL)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: Adventure

I'm conflicted about Final Fantasy XV...On one hand, this is not a bad game at all. In fact, it's a very good game. On the other hand, this isn't what I want out of a Final Fantasy game. In an attempt to make the Final Fantasy series "more mainstream," Square Enix seems set to go further away from what made the series so beloved by its millions of fans to begin with. In all honesty, being able to listen to songs from previous Final Fantasy games while drivng around is nice and all...but it just reminded me of what I'd rather be playing instead. For what it is, Final Fantasy XV is still an enjoyable action/adventure game with hack 'n' slash combat and some RPG elements...but this is not what most fans seemed to expect or want. Look past the title of the game, however, and you'll still find a good, solid game worth checking out.

Release Date: September 2, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Mojang AB
Developer: 4J Studios
Genre: Adventure

I'm VERY late to the Minecraft party. I first heard about it about 6 years ago on a podcast, and it sounded really interesting to me...But I never bothered to sit down and give this little-known game a try. Fast forward and now the world is obsessed with this game and while I've known about it for a long time, I am just now finally playing it for the first time. It's good. This being a console version, I'm assuming that the PC version is better, since that's what it was originally designed for, but this console edition is still quite good in its own right. Whether you like building things or just exploring the world around you, Minecraft has plenty to to love.

Release Date: September 13, 2016 (ALL)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Action - Brawler

The original Dead Rising is still enjoyable after all of these years. I popped it into my PS4 and the next thing I knew, I wasn't playing anything else for the next two weeks. Sure, the controls could have been improved a tad, but even with everything largely unchanged, Dead Rising still holds up roughly a decade after it was released. If you missed out on the fun of this back when it first hit store shelves, now's a good time to get caught up - the bargain bin price of $20 is an extra bonus.

Release Date: September 20, 2016 (NA)
Publisher: Necrophone
Developer: Necrophone
Genre: Adventure

I LOVED Jazzpunk on Steam...when it was released on PS4, I had to buy myself a copy there as well. This wonderful game is a must-play for anyone that loves the bizarre...because Jazzpunk is nothing but bizarre. It's a short game, and the platinum trophy can be gotten for it in a matter of an hour or two if that's all you plan on doing...but if you wander and explore around to see everything in each level, you can add a few more hours to the overall playthrough time. Anyway, if you're a trophy hunter and want an easy trophy, this is a good game to get...Likewise, if you like games that are just plain odd and entertaining, you can't get much better than this game.

Release Date: August 9, 2016 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Hello Games
Genre: Adventure

I absolutely love No Man's Sky...but this is a prime example of me loving a game, but not letting that get in the way of a deserving score. No Man's Sky is basically a "walking simulator," which is a good thing in my book. I like those types of games. The problem instead is repetition. The first few planets that you visit are fun and interesting...naming all of the rocks, plantlife, wildlife, locations, planets, and star systems is fun at first, but after a while you'll likely revert to just accepting whatever the name already is for what you discovered. Especially when you try to name an animal "clownshoes" and it's rejected by the profanity filter. You'll also begin to realize that you're just doing the exact same thing over and over again, just in a different environment. For those reasons, and a few others that I won't list here, I've got to give it a lower score...However, I can easily see No Man's Sky being a game that I'll pop in every now and then just to wander around on a random world...I just don't know if I'll spend as many hours playing it at a time as I did when it initially released.

Release Date: April 14, 2015 (NA/EU/AU)
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Developer: NeatherRealm Studios
Genre: Fighting

I like Mortal Kombat X quite a bit, but at the same time, I also feel a tad disappointed with it. The last Mortal Kombat game had a nice, long, excellent story mode. This one, while not horrible, was very short in comparison and often felt more like a teaser for upcoming DLC characters than an actual story mode, with non-playable characters like Baraka and Tanya popping up...Which is nice and all, but as many argue, if they're already on the disc that I paid for, why don't I have access to them? But anyway, Mortal Kombat X is a nice fighting game and I spent plenty of time with it. If you're looking for a current-gen fighting game, Mortal Kombat X is a nice way to go.

Release Date: November 4, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Telltale Games
Developer: Telltale Games
Genre: Adventure - Point-and-Click

The Wolf Among Us is really good, and the story and setting is pretty cool...But it doesn't even come close to matching all of the emotional feelings that the Walking Dead put you through, which made that such a great game. But, basically, if you're familiar with the Walking Dead's controls, you'll be right at home here, and you'll still be given a good story and interesting characters...But just don't expect it to live up to the quality of Telltale Game's previous adventure game. That said, it's still very good and well worth checking out if you like the way Telltale makes their adventure games.

Release Date: November 12, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Genre: Fighting

If you like the modern Mortal Kombat games, and you were a fan of the story modes found in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe and the latest Mortal Kombat release, then you'll likely love Injustice. Story mode aside, there's also a unique take on the traditional arcade mode, with the arcade mode we all know and love with the player facing random opponents until they reach the final boss. In Injustice, there are a large assortment of variations of this formula to prevent the arcade mode from feeling too stale. With all the extra DLC from the original released added into the package, Injustice: Ultimate Edition is very much a worthy purchase for fighting fans, and fans of the DC Universe alike.

Release Date: August 19, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Developer: Dennaton
Genre: Action

I liked Hotline Miami a lot on PC, and the Playstation Network version is just as good. I seemed to get stuck on a level less often and die a lot less in the Playstation Network version of the game, but at the same time, I seem to not get as good of grades in the levels, either. So, take that for what it's worth, I suppose. But anyway, if you haven't had a chance to play the PC version and have a PS4, PS3, or a Vita (or all three - if you buy this game for one, you get the version for them all for free) then give it a try. You'll probably be glad that you did.

Release Date: December 5, 2015 (NA/EU/AU)
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North
Genre: Action

I've always loved Grand Theft Auto III, and I still do. I really enjoyed going back and revisiting this game, along with trophy support. Exploring and driving around is just as fun as it always has been...Unfortunately, when you're trying to shoot an enemy, you quickly find out that the targeting and combat system have not aged well at all. That said, in this particular entry in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, combat is not often needed, which is why I still feel like I can give the game an 8 out of 10 by today's standards. Despite its flaws, it's still fun exploring around Liberty City all these years later.

Release Date: May 23, 2016 (NA)
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Genre: Shooter - 1st Person

Overwatch is fun, and with a large assortment of characters to play as, each with their own unique play styles, the fun can last for quite a while. Unfortunately, it has one glaring hit against it - online only. In other words, you cannot play this locally with your friends - if you want to play this game with friends locally, you'll need to have two televisions, two consoles, two copies of this game, and an internet connection for both setups...and that's just ridiculous. Secondly, with this being online only, you can only play this game as long as their servers are up. In a few years from now, when the game is a bit older, the servers could be shut down and now, with a lack of local, offline multiplayer, your game disc is useless and the game that Blizzard put a lot of time in is no longer playable. I feel this is significant because Overwatch IS that fun, where I can see people still playing this years from now...if the servers allow it, or if an update comes out that allows the game to be played offline, mind you. Overwatch is fantastic in just about every way...but the puzzling lack of local multiplayer in a game that is nothing but multiplayer is just too much to ignore for this fellow.

Release Date: January 12, 2016 (NA)
Publisher: Majesco
Developer: Midnight City
Genre: Adventure

I really liked Gone Home on PC, and the Console Edition is basically the same game as you may have already played. If you haven't played this before, here's the gist of it - essentially, this is a "walking simulator" as all you do is wander around and explore a seemingly abandoned house to find clues as to why nobody is home. As you do, you'll discover a fairly interesting story that is likely completely different than what you might expect after playing the first few minutes. Gone Home is definitely not for everyone, but since I appreciate games that lack action and focus more on exploration and story, I'm a pretty big fan of this game.

Release Date: September 25, 2015 (NA)
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Visual Concepts
Genre: Sports

For the most part, I really liked NBA 2K16...what I didn't like was the lame "Spike Lee joint" beginning to the career mode. The story was terrible, it had no impact, and the character that you were supposed to feel bad for at the end was such an annoying, terrible person that you really didn't want to hear his little monologue at the end where he attempts to redeem himself to the audience. Also, I'm all for games being focused towards a certain demographic...but this game does it to the point where it takes away from the story being told if you don't fit in that demographic. Okay, so I'm white and my parents are black...no big deal, I was adopted by some wonderful people. What? I have a twin sister? And she's black, too? Looks like Mom has some expaining to do to Dad since I clearly didn't get my genetics from either one of them. Fortunately, once the goofy story is done, you're left with some quality basketball on the court...and honestly, that's what everyone bought this game for anyway, right?

Release Date: November 18, 2014 (NA/EU)
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North
Genre: Action

Much like Grand Theft Auto III, it was nice to go back to this game and revisit it...And after doing so, I remember why everyone loves this game, but I also remember why I preferred III and San Andreas to this one in the PS2 library. As much as I love the 80's and the pastel colors, I really enjoy wandering around and doing nothing, too...And Vice City presents a world that is kind of dull to explore and randomly drive around in. That said, story-wise, this is probably one of the best in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, and my very minor gripe aside, this was a fantastic game when it came out and is still an enjoyable experience all these years later.

Release Date: November 12, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Genre: Sports - Soccer

I'll be honest with you. I've never really been a huge fan of EA's soccer games. The FIFA franchise just never seemed as good as Konami's soccer offerings to me. That said, I think FIFA 14 may be the best soccer game that I've ever played. If anyone out there can point me in the direction of a better one from the past or present, let me know 'cause I'd love to play it. The controls in FIFA 14 feel tight, the game modes are plentiful and well done, and it's just plain fun to play. If you like soccer (or football, if you're from pretty much anywhere outside of the United States...I got you guys covered) then this is a must-buy launch title for the PS4. It's very, very good.

Release Date: March 18, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Kojima Productions
Genre: Action

A glorified demo? I don't think so. Sure, the main mission does not take long to complete...But there's plenty of other side-quests to do that increase the playtime drastically. Personally, I think it was neat for Konami to release a small game, at a discounted price, to let fans see what the upcoming game in the series is going to be like, introduce them to some of the characters, etc. It's a solid purchase that will provide you with a few good hours of entertainment while it lasts.

Release Date: November 15, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: ThatGameCompany
Genre: Action

Flower is a very relaxing, very soothing game to play. It doesn't require a lot of skill or know-how to play, which makes it fun for people who have never touched a video game before, and yet it's still just as entertaining to play if you've played hundreds or thousands of games....It's so artistic and beautiful as well. If you haven't played Flower yet, do yourself a favor and play it. It's unique and absolutely fantastic. The PS4 version of Flower is pretty much exactly the same as the PS3 version, which isn't a bad thing. Hopefully it'll allow a new batch of people to experience this beautiful game for the first time.

Release Date: December 2, 2014 (NA/EU/AU)
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ivory Tower
Genre: Racing

Hey, I liked my time with The Crew. I played quite a bit of it over at a friend's house, and to be completely honest with you, I played very little of the story. I just had fun driving around and exploring. To a degree, The Crew is a walking simulator, but with driving instead of walking, and then when you're ready for some story and tasks to do, then you can always trigger that as well. I did see the entire story, as my friend and I took turns playing...and that's part of why I explored - the story is rather cheesy and unsatisfying. Thankfully the game is still fun. My friend even liked it, and he hates everything, so there's an endorsement. If you're looking for a fun racing game with an open world, The Crew is a good choice. Just be aware that an online connection is required to play.

Release Date: November 15, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: XDEV
Genre: Shooter - Third-Person

Resogun is a horizontal-scrolling shooter where your goal is to not just shoot up the enemy, but to also save the humans that pop up on screen. Saving folks helps boost this up from being a basic shooter into something with a little more depth. It was a very good launch title for the PS4 and one of their best exclusives thus far.

Release Date: March 11, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Matt Makes Games, Inc.
Developer: Matt Thorson
Genre: Action

I first played Towerfall Ascension at the Midwest Gaming Classic, getting roped into a multi-player tournament with absolutely no experience in the game. I lost in the first round (though I did begin to make a bit of a comeback once I got used to everything) but I still found it fun. Once I got the game for myself, I found the single player mode fun and all, but this game shines in the multi-player with all of the trash talk between friends. If you've got a group of friends to play with, this game is a blast. If you plan on playing it solo, it's still good, but you may not be quite as smitten.

Release Date: May 6, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SCEA San Diego Studios
Genre: Sports - Baseball

The Show has consistently been one of the best sports games released each year. MLB 14 is no different. Unfortunately, these games haven't really improved on themselves much over the past few years. The end result is that MLB 14 is still a great game, but if you still have your PS3 and one of the past few MLB: The Show games, then you don't really have a reason to want to go out and get this game unless you're a baseball nut that absolutely must have updated rosters when you play. MLB 14 is a good game - it's just lacking in anything really innovative.

Release Date: November 18, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Genre: Shooter - 1st Person

Far Cry 3 was the first game in the series that I had played and I really enjoyed it...So, when Far Cry 4 came out, I was looking forward to it. While I wasn't necessarily disappointed by Far Cry 4, it just didn't live up to the fun I had in Far Cry 3....which is probably because it's nearly the same game, but with a different story and setting. Far Cry 4 is still very fun and quite enjoyable, but if you had your fill of Far Cry when playing 3, you might not find much here to make you desire more.

Release Date: October 11, 2016 (NA)
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Yuke's
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

WWE 2K17 is a decent wrestling game, but it feels like a step back from the previous year. The giant roster is a welcome addition, but the gameplay feels like its lacking in comparison to 2K16. Likewise, WWE Universe mode gets a facelift, with show intros and such...which sounds cool until you realize that show intros are basically glorified load screens that you're unable to skip...WWE Universe mode as a whole doesn't feel nearly as user-friendly as it has in the past. Overall, this is an okay game if you're a diehard wrestling fan like myself...Otherwise, you're better off just sticking with the superior WWE 2K16 instead.

Release Date: December 10, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Adventure

I won't lie. Most of my time spent with Doki-Doki Universe involved me just taking the personality quizzes. Once I did one, I quickly searched for all of them so I could complete them. Outside of the little quizzes, Doki-Doki Universe is a simplistic, but charming adventure game that it worth checking out for its personality alone. It's not a must-play game by any means, but you could do a whole lot worse than choose to experience this neat little game.

Release Date: February 4, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Red Barrels
Developer: Red Barrels
Genre: Adventure - Horror

Outlast is essentially a game of cat and mouse in a horror setting...Except unlike in Tom and Jerry, the mouse can't fight back. As you wander around the asylum, sometimes in complete darkness, you'll occasionally get attacked, in which you'll then have to run away and hide until they go away. You also have a trusty camcorder with you with night vision, but limited batteries to use, so it's necessary to wander around in the darkness at times in order to save battery life. It's well done in an atmospheric sense, but a few tweaks to the gameplay mechanics would have made this game quite a bit better as a whole. It's worth playing through for horror fans, but if you feel the need to shoot everything in sight in your video games, you may not appreciate what this game has to offer.

Release Date: October 30, 2014 (JP)
Publisher: XSEED Games
Developer: Tamsoft
Genre: Action - Brawler

I've always enjoed the Onechanbara series - it's been like a guilty pleasure of mine. Mostly mindless hack and slash with a B-movie story and feel, there's a certain charm to hacking zombies to pieces while controlling a woman in a bikini wearing a cowboy hat. Anyway, Onechanbara Z2: Chaos, from what I've played in the series, is the best of the bunch. My biggest complaint about this series (which was mostly a low-budget, bargain-bin series in Japan) was that everything from the gameplay to the environments to the enemies tend to get very repetitive as you advance in the games. While that isn't completely eliminated here, it's very much improved. Onechanbara Z2: Chaos isn't a must-buy title by any means, but if you want a decent, oddball game in your PS4 library, this game may be the choice for you.

Release Date: February 18, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Double Helix Games
Genre: Action

Strider looks great, it plays okay, and overall, it's a solid game...But it falls short of the original game that this is a re-imagining of. It is neat that the original game has been re-imagined as a Metroidvania-style game, but the lack of challenge and how most of the game's enemies can be beaten by simply mashing the attack button until they die hurts what is otherwise a fine game. Strider is still decent and worth checking out, but the arcade original is still the version that I'd recommend checking out.

Release Date: February 20, 2015 (ALL)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Ready at Dawn
Genre: Action

I've seen a lot of mixed reviews about The Order - some love it, some hate it. I can see both sides. The story telling is good, the graphics and voice acting are fantastic, and the setting is unique and different. I don't really consider it to be the "interactive movie" that people complaining about it claim it to be. There are definitely slow spots in the game, but there's plenty of action as well. My only real gripe with The Order: 1886 is that it was clearly made with sequels planned down the road - the game ends when the story really just seems to be getting started. When/if more games get made, I'm assuming it'll be neat to work through the story one game at a time, but right now it's kind of irritating with the game ending with so many loose holes. Anyway, The Order isn't for everyone, but it's not bad either. Could it be better? Sure. But it could also be much, much worse.

Release Date: April 15, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: RedLynx
Genre: Racing

Trials Fusion may remind one of Excitebike. Basically, you race the clock to the end of a course, trying to prevent from crashing along the way. You've also got the option of creating your own tracks, which again, may remind one of Excitebike. While Trials Fusion's tracks are definitely more interesting than those found in the 8-bit classic, I feel like it lacks the overall quality of Nintendo's beloved dirt bike game. But still, if you enjoyed Excitebike in the past, you'll probably find a few things to enjoy about Trials Fusion.

Release Date: November 18, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Yuke's
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

WWE 2K15 would have likely been touted as the greatest wrestling game ever made by critics...if it was released ten years ago. Today, after years of building up the creation and customization options, about two thirds of it all has been removed in WWE 2K15. Considering that much of the fun of modern wrestling games involves all of the customizing you can do, that's a pretty big blow. The gameplay itself has been mildly improved, but not nearly enough to justify the removal of the gameplay aspects that the majority of the game's fanbase wants and enjoys. WWE 2K15 is still passable, but fans are much better off sticking with last year's game for their WWE wrestling needs.

Release Date: July 7, 2015 (NA/EU/AU)
Publisher: 505 Games
Developer: Psyonix
Genre: Sports

I'm not going to lie...I'm not really a fan of Rocket League. I get the appeal to a degree, but the game feels extremely limited to me in terms of replay value. My friends and I beat a season, then we won a game of every other variation...of which most don't have their own season modes...and I don't know. There are people that absolutely love this game, and nothing against those folks, but I just don't see it. It's kind of neat for what it is, but to me, that's about as much praise as I can give it.

Release Date: November 15, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Guerrilla
Genre: Shooter - First-Person

Killzone: Shadow Fall is an absolutely gorgeous game to look at, but like we've been told since our grade school days - don't judge a book by its cover. Shadow Fall is just an average shooter. I thought that it would be more up my alley with some stealth aspects seemingly added in and larger areas to explore to allow for a more strategic approach to missions, but that's not always the case. The single-player campaign is just disappointing...And in this world where single player experiences sometimes get little or no development to focus on the muliplayer, it's to be expected, but that doesn't mean that it's alright to do. If all you plan to do is multiplayer, then you might like Shadow Fall. As a fellow that primarily prefers single player experiences, Shadow Fall falls pretty flat.

Release Date: June 17, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Sports
Genre: Fighting - MMA

Electronic Arts finally got their hands on the UFC license...And it's not as bad as I was expecting. EA's last attempt at an MMA game wasn't exactly well done...This attempt, while flawed, is still playable. I'd recommend sticking with the THQ UFC games from years gone by for your MMA fighting needs, but if you absolutely must have a game with the most recent roster of UFC fighters, then EA Sports UFC may be worth picking up - it could have been much, much worse than it is.

Release Date: December 17, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Alliance Digital Media
Developer: Farsight Studios
Genre: Pinball

The Pinball Arcade is different fron Zen Pinball 2 in that rather than having players play on original-for-the-game tables, the Pinball Arcade actually simulates real pinball tables that you may have played at your local pizza parlor, gas station, arcade, etc. This brings some nostalgia to it for pinball enthusiasts. Like, I got to play the Ripley's Believe it or Not pinball machine that I enjoyed at the local bowling alley a few years back. The downside is that while it may be a pretty accurate simulation, it's still nowhere near as fun as playing the real tables. That said, this is a good choice for a traditional pinball experience.

Release Date: December 18, 2013 (EU)
Publisher: Zen Studios
Developer: Zen Studios
Genre: Pinball

Zen Pinball 2 is an interesting approach to pinball. It plays just like your average pinball game, but in Zen Pinball 2, it's like the tables are alive. Say you're on one of the Marvel tables, you'll see Thanos threatening you and Silver Surfer and Adam Warlock helping you out on either side of the table by pushing the ball back at certain times. Aside from the animated aspects, the pinball tables aren't particularly interesting...But the pinball physics are done well enough and the animated aspects of the game provide enough of an original experience that pinball fans will likely enjoy their time here.

Release Date: November 15, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Developer: TT Games
Genre: Action

I dunno. I've never really been in love with a Lego game. Lego Marvel Super Heroes seems neat enough, but playing it at a friend's house...I just didn't enjoy it. It's a well made game and all, but I suppose that it just isn't my cup of tea, like most Lego games, I guess. If you're a fan of the Lego games, you'll probably be a fan of this. If you're not, then this game won't convert you.

Release Date: August 5, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Spry Fox
Developer: Spry Fox
Genre: Puzzle - Action

For lack of a better description, Road Not Taken reminds me a bit of the Adventures of Lolo on the NES - action-based puzzle gameplay. Basically, you want to push children to their mothers while also matching stuff like trees and the like to continue on. It's a solid game, but it does also get really repetitive as you advance on. If you enjoyed the action-based puzzle games from the 8-bit era of games, but want a fancier look to it all, then Road Not Taken is well worth giving a try.

Release Date: September 9, 2014 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Sports
Genre: Sports - Hockey

When you get to the next generation of consoles, what's the best course of action for a sports game franchise? Why deleting most of the content from the previous year and releasing a shell of a game in comparison, of course. NHL 15 removed most of its modes (including basic Season mode, which should be a staple in every sports game) as well as all of the leagues that aren't the NHL. Sure, the physics and overall gameplay has been tweaked. Sure, the game is rumored to be patched with various elements from last year's game that was taken out. Doesn't matter. Taking away aspects of the game that made the NHL franchise so good over the past few years does major damage. NHL 15 is still passable, and if those rumored patches add more modes, it might even be really good, but sans patches, NHL 15 is a major disappointment.

Release Date: November 8, 2016 (NA)
Publisher: Green Lava Studios
Developer: Green Lava Studios
Genre: Action

If you played My Name is Mayo on the PC, then you already know what to expect here. This is the easiest platinum trophy available by far. Simply mash buttons and ocassionally enter the menu to advance the story. In 30 minutes, you'll have a platinum. If you haven't played My Name is Mayo, it IS worth playing, platinum aside, just for the innovate use of trophies. Basically, by reading the trophy names, you get several mini stories involving the Mayo jar. It's unique and different...but after those 30 minutes of play, you'll likely never touch this game again.

Release Date: November 15, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Compulsion Games
Developer: Compulsion Games
Genre: Adventure

I like the idea of Conrast. I like the setting and the story. I don't like how mundane it feels by the end. The gameplay element of using shadows to platform to otherwise unreachable areas should open up the game to a lot of creative and unique situations for the player...But it doesn't. It just becomes routine with very obvious puzzles that results in a very underwhelming experience. Contrast is still passable due to its positives, but only barely due to its negatives.