XCOM 2 Review: The Stress of Strategy Now on Consoles

Now, this might be because the original Nintendo Switch hardware is struggling to keep up with development in its fifth year. Either way the frequent use of loads and the time itself adds up into annoyances however small they may

If it isn’t evident already, this is a meaty expansion. Firaxis Games has done a splendid job adding details that have far-reaching implications for the game as whole, and this makes playing through the game with the expansion enabled feel like a completely new experience. It’s a huge challenge to take all the new introductions in stride at once, but nobody plays XCOM because it’s e

Project Octopath Traveler was one of the first games shown for the Nintendo Switch. While it did eventually go to PC, it remains one of Nintendo’s bigger console exclusives. Now that team at Square Enix is back with the same strategy in a new 2D game in

Why You Should Play It: Quantum Break is an experiment in combining video game and TV series that, while admittedly full of stumbles, offers something unique. It’s gameplay calls back to the days of Max Payne in some fun ways, the time travel story is well thought out, and there are some clever visual flourishes throughout. Those who own an Xbox One owe it to themselves to give the game a try; they might find more than they were expect

What We Said: «Despite only a handful of maps, no story , and no ranking system upon release, Overwatch more than makes up for all of that with its masterful focus on teamwork. The game is clearly designed with teamwork at its heart, which is a major strength, but can also lead to frustrations for any lone wolf game

The 2D pixels on 3D pixelated backgrounds is a cool visual gimmick. It was one of the best things about Octopath Traveler. However, that game had some issues that have carried over into this game as well. The backgrounds, for one, are too dark. Even what seems to be the brightest of settings can look dingy because of the lighting. TV settings can only do so much so it would be good to see these backgrounds brightened, or touched up in any other

What We Said: «Independent of the hype or the series’ legacy, Uncharted 4 is worth the recommendation on its own merits. From the tremendous environments to the incredible character work to the globetrotting story, the design of the game is second to none, setting a new bar for interactive experiences. It’s true that Naughty Dog puts a lot more stock into story and character, but even then Uncharted 4 is pure, unadulterated fun . Those who want to dig deeper, however, will find a story that’s engaging, mechanics that are refined, animations that are technically excellent, and writing that’s mature but also playful. In every way the game feels like the perfect send-off to a beloved character and a major Slg advanced Strategies Sony mascot. Uncharted 4 is the best game of this generation, proving once again that Naughty Dog is filled with master storytellers and brilliant designe

While Enemy Unknown ‘s basic gameplay loop saw players taking uneasy steps into hostile territory, unsure of ambushes, it’s the player who now stalks their alien prey. Squad members can be led, one by one, up to the very fringe of monitored areas. From there, it’s possible to identify secondary targets or assets (now a core layer of the mission objectives), and surround enemy troops and traitors before they know what’s about to hit them. And when it hits them… it’s glori

Soldiers all start as the same class, now able to choose from 14 base specializations and 98 abilities total. Players truly get to build their own classes this way. Musashi’s recommended list of plugin mods can add everything from specific class loadouts — like a Jedi class with force abilities — to weapons like…lightsabers for the Jedi. RPGO works well on its own, but to get the fullest experience possible, be ready to download a lot of mods and weed out confli

The PSP re-release of Final Fantasy Tactics was mostly just the PS1 game’s graphics. The one big addition the port got was animated cutscenes drawn in a style that fit the game’s theme. That is what this game and its predecessor, Octopath Traveler, lacked. The in-game animations are fine but they still look goofy. Square Enix definitely has the budget for cutscenes since this style is trying to harken back to the PS1 days alre

Managing skills and load-outs of even one player character can be a hassle in some RPGs. Now, imagine a game where players control, level up, and customize dozens of different characters over the course of a 40+-hour campaign. What a headache! Luckily for all War of the Chosen players out there, Robojumper made squad management much less of a headache with his Squad Select overha

If there’s anything Blizzard ‘s StarCraft 2 can teach gamers, it’s: there can never be enough pylons. Anyone who loves RTS game will likely remember the StarCraft sequel for reinvigorating the gaming community’s love for intense tactical gameplay. Thanks to this gem of an RTS, players who want a fast-paced RTS can rely on the hardiness of the Terran, the unique abilities of the Protoss, and the sheer numbers of the Zerg to entertain t