kilo54

It was shaping up to be yet another entry. Nothing amazing but still entertaining. However the singleplayer campaign had far too much filler between sections. It's a nice game in itself, but some of it felt like I was just grinding to get to the next story level. The style of previous incarnations may not have been original with one level after the next, but it worked a whole lot better.

Kept in perspective of it being a mobile game, it's shortcomings are understandable. Regardless, while the plot and characters aren't anything to write home about and the touch controls can be awkward (probably because of it's touch nature though), it still managed to distill the much of the core Deus Ex experience into one that fits onto a mobile device. And they even threw in the gold-heavy color scheme. It's an enjoyable Deus Ex experience on-the-go and ends far too soon.

[Played on Windows Phone 8.1] This isn't the first-person game a Halo fan might be looking for; but in and of itself it is a fine game. Decent music and art, being well-integrated into the Halo mythos and still having that sandbox freedom makes for a well-done experience. Spartan Strike builds upon the strengths and weaknesses of Spartan Strike; presenting gameplay that is fundamentally the same, but has been improved to be about as good as its going to get overall. Additional vehicles and weapons are welcome, as well as the overall freedom to use them as you choose to achieve your objective. I certainly enjoyed it, but didn't find the music to be anything more than Spartan Assault's.

Starfront is a Starcraft clone, no doubt about it. Very little of it is what I would call original. But what it delivers is a fine RTS experience on mobile. It handles about as well as a game of this genre ever could on a touchscreen. The three factions present varied scenarios in the singleplayer mode and certainly is fun for a fan of the genre.

Urban Terror is a realistic/modern-styled, multiplayer-only, first-person shooter that I certainly enjoy. There is a learning curve, but nothing intimidating like Planetside 2 for example. (it'll be best to read a bit beforehand to get a feel for equipment, and also remapping the keys can be beneficial depending on you.) It's weapons are based upon actual models for the most part and are overall well-balanced and all have their pros and cons. The loadout system is one of the best I have used, making me think about what I value most for a given scenario. (an extra gun means one less inventory space, "do I want a smoke grenade for cover or extra ammunition?" etc.) Movement in-game can be wacky in that wall-jumping and other odd techniques for enhanced speed and mobility are available and offer a tactical advantage if you choose to learn them. You don't have to, but you'll certainly see them in action. Graphics take a hit but given it's nature it's perfectly acceptable. You know it'll run well. Gameplay is solid, with all the core FPS gametypes and a more granular damage system as well as a bleeding and bandaging mechanic. Maps are memorable as well.

The solid gameplay, multiplayer, art design, ideas and an excellent score is heavily weighed down by it's frustratingly short campaign and subpar story as well as subpar delivery.

To The Moon looks like it'll be more at home on a Gameboy Advance, but beneath it's pixelated appearance is a touching tale combined with an excellent soundtrack. The tale ranges from humorous to being a tearjerker, but it's worth the ride. It's not quite as interactive as the usual videogame since the entire experience is well on-rails, but when thought of as a sort of visual novel or movie, expectations align and if you're up for it, jump in. If you enjoyed Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls and maybe Undertale, this is definitely worth a look.

Set on Mata Nui in LEGO's expansive BIONICLE universe, this videogame is one for the kids. As for the game itself, the coolness of BIONICLE, enjoyable music and decent appearance are well outweighed by the short campaign attempting to cram in the entire first act of BIONICLE (and does it poorly), clunky controls, nonexistent camera controls, and sometimes awkwardly unforgiving sections. Kids won't mind too much and its worth a play for a fan (on a console or old XP PC that is) but otherwise, pass.

Undertale is a kind of game that is surprising in its depth. It's a simple retro RPG on the surface with graphics more at home a couple decades ago, but once it gets going, it becomes quite the experience. It's clever writing ranges from light-hearted fun to tearjerker material. It's lovable cast of characters can become like family. It's soundtrack is one of the best I've heard yet. If you're a videogame dork, Undertale will subvert your expectations in many ways, ranging from horrific to humorous. A downside is that the otherwise innovative battles can be too difficult for some, but its ultimately part of the experience. It just may pose a barrier unfortunately. My advice? Go in blind. It's best played with little prior knowledge. And stay determined!