Lou Contaldi
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DualShockersLatest Reviews
The two most recent notable releases -- Ghost of Tsushima and Paper Mario: The Oragami King should now be well outside of that 36-hour window. However, expect to see it on other forthcoming releases like Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Remastered and others in the near future.
Just like the series, Far Cry New Dawn is a game of exploration and self-discovery. Despite flaws and bumps along the way, New Dawn captures new magic and shows a glimmer of what the future of the Far Cry series looks like. Now if only Ubisoft could match the game design with equal level and story quality, we may be able to see the series capstone game in Far Cry 6.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is a must buy for established fans looking for their Nintendo Switch port, but is a far cry from the series' recent peak. Those who have tried the game and couldn't catch the bug likely won't be swayed by this version. Instead, people who have dived in and fallen in love with the franchise within the year now have a definitive way to play one of the greatest handheld iterations that Monster Hunter has seen.
Unravel Two is a standup performance by developer Coldwood Interactive, improving on the original in nearly every way. Whether you have a friend to play with or not, Unravel Two is one of the finest puzzle platformers and couch co-op games in 2018. Though not everything is quite as manageable in single-player as in the main campaign and the narrative is lacking, my five hours with Yarny still had the same wonder as the original title -- just with much better mechanics.
Tacoma's three-hour span was a delightful experience, and I can see myself booting it up once or twice more to comb through the space station. And while this game cements Fullbright as a leading voice in the storytelling, first-person-experience genre, it showcases that both the genre itself and the sophomore developer still has some growing to do before we see masterpieces. For all those who can settle for less-than-perfect, Tacoma is a sci-fi tale worth playing.
Far Cry 5 isn't revolutionizing open world gaming, but it is a perfection of one of Ubisoft's most noteworthy series. With a captivating scenario, diverse gameplay options, breathtaking background, and a colorful cast of characters, Far Cry 5 is primed as one of 2018's earliest Game of the Year contenders, and potentially the best title in the series to date. Through more thoroughly leaning into the concepts of open-world design, Ubisoft has managed to craft a game that will really scratch your itch for exploration.
Super Mario Odyssey is by no means a perfect game -- or even the best 3D Super Mario platformer -- and thankfully the game doesn't need to be. More importantly, Super Mario Odyssey is a bold re-introduction to 3D Mario and one that is flat-out mandatory in 2017. The game is not the challenging, rigorous exercise found in the series' past so much as a deep dive into abject fun originality. Placing creativity and wonder above all else, Super Mario Odyssey is Nintendo's equivalent of a Pixar movie: magical, creative, and captivating, no matter what age you are.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is no mere Zelda game -- it is a return to form for the decades-old series, showing that Nintendo still very much understands how to handle their property. Breath of the Wild may not only be the best Zelda game ever produced, but it rivals Super Mario 64 and Halo: Combat Evolved for the best launch game ever shipped with any console. With no exception, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a masterclass in game design and creativity, unprecedented from even Nintendo.
At the end of the day, Destiny: Rise of Iron is more of the same. If you are new to the series, there has never been a better time to jump on board, especially at the $60 premium for the base game with all expansions. Fans of the series will fall prey to the Destiny itch that has kept them hooked for hours on end. However, those who have felt burned or quickly lost interest after The Taken King can easily wait for Destiny 2 – there isn't much new to draw you in.
Inside won't be for everyone, and likely will never carry the prestige that Limbo garnered years ago. However, it is a game made for those able to appreciate the nuance and artistry behind game design and building atmosphere. Though short, Inside is an amazing one-sitting gameplay experience for enthusiasts and indie-lovers that frankly should not be missed, no matter where you play it.