Super Mario Run (iOS)

Date Purchased:  December 15, 2016
Date Completed: December 24, 2016
Price: $12.99 (iTunes)

The long awaited mobile game from Nintendo.  At first I was like "nah" then I was like, "well" and now I'm like "yeah!".  I can tell you this is not a traditional Mario game, and it takes some getting used to.  It's not the best Mario game ever by any means, and not even the best Mario game released this season, but for whatever reason I can't stop playing it ... yet I still have this lingering feeling ...

Super Mario Maker (3DS)

Date Purchased: December 9, 2016
Date Completed: December 14, 2016
Price: $30 (Amazon/Kijiji)

Needless to say, I love Super Mario Maker.  When I'd heard about the disappointing lack of online sharing of this one, I was going to pass, but I ended up buying it ... twice.  I know, it's crazy, but I got them for a good deal and both my son and I love Mario.  This game is quite good for what it is.  I remember reading on Reddit they should have called it "Super Mario Player" and if that's what you're going for, then it's just fine.  It can access infinite levels created on the Wii U, and if you do want to create, you can exchange levels locally and via streetpass.  I had a great time with the 100 included challenge stages, and after playing some "Super Mario Run", I can safely say this is the better game. If you can get past rando's not liking your created levels, then what have you got to lose? Recommend.

INSIDE (Xbox One)

Date Purchased:  November 25, 2016
Date Completed: December 7, 2016

Price: $13.49  (Xbox Marketplace)

This time of year is always filled with game of the year discussion, and a game that keeps coming up is “Inside”.  It won the “Indy game of the year” at the Game Awards last week, and is sure to be on many top 10 lists in the weeks to come.  Inside is a fantastic puzzle platformer that has pacing completely nailed down.  There was only one sequence that I found particularly tedious, but that was due to an oversight of my part.  The graphics are simple but very effective, the sound is amazing, and the story, while still out for the jury, is interesting to say the least.  This game is from the same studio that brought you Limbo, and while I enjoyed my time with it, I like this game better.  My greatest regret was hearing about a giant “twist” on the Giant Bombcast and I kept waiting for it.  No doubt it’s there, but it’s not as mind blowing as I was expecting, I’m a victim of the hype on that unfortunately.  Go in with expectations tempered and you’re sure to have an amazing time. Highest Recommendation.

Tearaway (Vita)

Date Purchased:  October 15, 2016
Date Completed:  December 04, 2016
Price: $7.99 (PSN)

Tearaway is a cool game and by far the most innovative game I've played on Vita, or any console for that matter in a long long time.  The game has so much promise, and creative types (which I would consider myself one) could get a lot of mileage out of this games decorating.  To draw an item on screen, cut it out and decorate  your world opens up a lot of customization, problem was, I didn't give a shit about any of it.  Nobody else is going to see this, and really, who cares?  I know, lots of people out there probably do and are tweeting out screenshots (or did when the game came out) but that's not me.  The platforming is quite enjoyable though, the graphics and art style are well done, this is probably my favorite Media Molecule game to date, which really isn't saying much.  The game sets it up for an amazing ending which left me a little unsatisfied.  All the negatives aside, the platforming and the combat can be quite fun, enough that I'd give this game a recommend.

NBA 2K16 (PS4)

Date Purchased:  June 1, 2016
Date Completed:  November 29, 2016
Price: Free (PS+)

A quality free game in June that I took my time playing.   This is a fantastic game, with amazing presentation, the gameplay is tight, and there's a lot to master.  I prefer my basketball games a little more on the arcade side, but I still had a good run with this one.

Like I mentioned earlier, the presentation is great, pregame show, halftime show, postgame show, in game interviews with real players voices, it really is a great simulation of watching a game on TV. After a few games however, that gets really old, and while there are some options to turn some replays off, there just aren't enough is all you wanna do is break some ankles and throw some down.

I'll keep playing this though.  Recommend.

Batman: Arkham Knight (Xbox One)

Date Purchased N/A (Borrowed Nov. 06, 2016)
Date Completed:  November 27, 2016
Price: Borrowed from a friend.

I've played a number of these games, but every time I come back I'm overwhelmed by the number of game mechanics they throw at you.  It usually only takes a few sessions to get through, but man, they come fast and furious!  AAA, then B.  Double tab A to eject from the Batmobile, Hold R and press A when running off a ledge to go into a bat dive, here's a few button prompts for driving the Batmobile, here's a whole new set for when you're in tank mode.  Press RT and A to do this stealth move, now press x, shift the camera, and  press X again, now turn the camera and press X again.  Got all that? Okay now upgrade your suit, Batmobile, and abilities to learn some new moves!

There there's the Batmobile tank.  Man the tank missions suck.  So repetitive.  I celebrated when the Batmobile was destroyed only for it to come back like 2 minutes later.   I didn't mind the driving, I quite liked ripping around Gotham, but the tank missions were so repetitive.  The hand to hand combat gives you many ways to approach a situation, but the tank is the same thing over and over and over again.

Before I start to sound completely negative, I will say the story is fantastic and kept me intrigued. Perhaps the story was a little too good as it made the side missions feel incredibly mundane.  Some of the side stories were good, and I did see them to completion, but many consisted of "beat up a group of bad guys" over and over and over again.  This is where the biggest disappointment personally came for me.  The ending.  The game doesn't end unless you complete every side quest.  I went back to try, but gave up after a couple hours seeing that this would take me far too long.  Again, I have a pile of games here, this is not my lone purchase for 2016.

This review turned out to be pretty long for a game I'm going to ultimately say pass to.

Oh, and the button mashing gave me a flare up of carpal tunnel .  SCREW YOU BATMAN!  #oldman

Dead Space (Xbox 360)

Date Purchased: April 1, 2016
Date Completed: November 10, 2016
Price: Free (Games with Gold)

There are a few series I've heard a lot about, but never tried.  Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed (until recently), Just Cause, and until now, Dead Space.  Some, I can "just tell" they're not going to be for me, others, I just haven't had the time or money to play.  So when Dead Space became free via Games with Gold, I decided it was time to give it a spin, I'm very glad I did.

Dead Space is awesome.  It's the perfect game for me. The game took me just under 12 hours to finish, consisting of 12 chapters, so you can do the math.  If you can't do math, each mission ran about 60 minutes, some a little shorter, some longer, but just about every moment satisfying.  I really enjoyed the slow pace of the game, it was "relaxing" in a weird sense.  The game depends on jump scares, but I can tell you I only had one jump to avoid spoilers I won't say when.  I didn't find it particularly scary, but I don't typically find games/movies too scary ... that's just me.

The game holds up extremely well for a game made in 2008, the graphics are "fine" and the sound is really well done.  I enjoyed it so much when I saw Dead Space 2 and 3 were on sale on PSN Halloween sale for $6 each I picked them up without hesitation.  Absolutely recommend.

Reddit post with comments.