Boldly going where pantsless nerds have gone before.
Let's get right to it, people. There's no time to talk about current media we've been consuming, because this episode of NWP is an epic look back at the seventh console generation and a bit of a look forward at the eighth generation. So sit back, strap in, and get comfy, folks!
Another Wacky Adventure Time title, with an interesting premise.
Last year, Adventure Time: Hey Ice King, Why’d You Steal our Garbage? surprised gamers by paying homage to niche games like Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link as well as being a good representation of the television series.This year, Explore the Dungeon Because I DON’T KNOW! serves as a follow up, but is a much different game than its predecessor. Rather than being a 2D side scrolling adventure game, this game shares more in common with dungeon crawlers like Gauntlet and Diablo.
Why you shouldn't be too worried about the Caped Crusader's origin story.
The Arkham-verse has become its own thing after the resounding success of Arkham Asylum and City. Rocksteady laid a superb foundation for the Batman series and though the latest game is being handled by WB Montreal, there’s not much to worry about. The fundamentals of the series hold up, and if anything much has been added to the gameplay. Whether these additions will prove beneficial is yet to be determined, but based on some story tidbits and my brief hands on I remain excited to see what the full game has to offer.
The Kongs Return once again.
My feelings about Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze are a bit strange. After playing it, I’m looking forward to the final product. However, while the game retains the charm and tight gameplay of Returns, it didn’t seem to bring anything new to the table. The demo I played didn’t include Dixie Kong, so I was left with Donkey and Diddy, which might’ve been part of the problem.
Wii U's sultry seductress.
This should come as a surprise to no one, but Bayonetta 2 is ridiculous. I fought on a Jet Plane, jumped across crumbling buildings, and created a gigantic dog monster to devour a boss within my ten minute demo. I loved every second of it.
Quite possibly the most FUN game at NYCC.
I feel like Super Mario: 3D World has looked better each time I’ve seen it. After getting to try it, this remains true. 3D World plays it safe by remaining very similar to the 3DS outing, but many refinements to the level design and gameplay are apparent. Mario and the crew have individual specialties, like Peach’s floating ability and Toad’s extra speed. There are also extra moves that are at their disposal. If you twist the analog stick in a circle, you do a spin move which is not only cool to watch, but it’s effective against enemies.
Sonic's latest is taking the series in a new direction.
Sonic has been going through a lot lately, as Sega has been desperately trying to revitalize the franchise to its former grace. The critical reception of those titles has been mixed, but in an effort to change up the formula Sega has come up with Sonic: Lost World. What I played was solid and manages to be charming and fun, yet some changes might have hindered what I enjoy about Sonic as a whole.
Armpit tickling as a boss finisher? Yes please.
The Wonderful 101 is at times a normal action/adventure brawler that is typical of Platinum Games, with an over-the-top sense of humor to boot. On the other hand, The Wonderful 101 is a deep action game with a unique battle system that brings about a sense of joy and discovery, alongside intense action from the bygone era of the SNES. It is, right now, one of the most unique Wii U games in retail, but it is not a game that holds your hand. Instead it will stomp on your hand and make fun of you; chances are you probably deserve it.
Hello darkness, my old friend.
Even after playing, and enjoying games with heavy stealth influences like the Batman: Arkham series and The Last of Us, I wouldn’t say that I prefer stealth games. So, going into Splinter Cell: Blacklist, I was hesitant. My past experience with the series is terribly limited, having spent the most time with 2010’s Splinter Cell: Conviction. Though I initially worried that I wouldn’t find my footing, I quickly found that Blacklist had a lot to offer and by the time the credits rolled, I was more than happy to have experienced it.
