A Year in Review: App Trigger’s video game reviews of 2017

September

• Knack 2 (PS4) – 6/10 – “I have no idea what the hell Knack 2 is supposed to be about. If they gutted the entire B-level Pixar script and left it as a game where you just indiscriminately smash stuff, Knack 2 would be infinitely improved.”
• Angry Birds Match (Android) – 6.5/10 – “Great graphics and sound, but the lack of difficulty makes Angry Birds Match nothing more than a game for little kids, and no novelty can make up for that.”
• Metroid: Samus Returns (3DS) – 9/10 – “Story aside, Metroid: Samus Returns functions more as a new installment that brings the best bits of multiple Metroid games together.”
• Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition (NS) – 8.5/10 – “Perhaps it could have done with something new to freshen things up for returning players, but even on its own, Rayman Legends is one of the must-play platformers of the past two console generations.”
• NHL 18 (PS4) – 7/10 – “…being able to make Mike Emrick and Eddie Olzyk sound stale and unimaginative is a Herculean feat of a misstep.”
• Pokken Tournament DX (NS) – 7.5/10 – “For all the pomp and circumstance of a new release, my feelings on Pokken Tournament DX haven’t changed much. If you’re into competitive fighting titles, you’ll enjoy it, especially with the new characters and newfound portability.”
• Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (PS4) – 7.5/10 – “Danganronpa V3 doesn’t manage to completely shake that feeling of “been there, done that” for anyone who is a little bored of the formula, but that won’t be a problem for anyone new to the series.”
• Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash (PS4) – 8/10 – “Beneath the countless layers of anime trash, Peach Beach Splash is a surprisingly well-rounded game with a wealth of customizable options to choose from.”
• Another Lost Phone: Laura’s Story (Android) – 9/10 – “Though it’s a brief, one-way ride, the takeaways (and music tracks!) will stay with you long after you’ve pocketed the device.”
• Project CARS 2 (PC) – 8.5/10 – “Nowhere else can you find as detailed a racing experience on track, driver and racing crew level, diving deep into the minutiae of racing culture to an absurd degree.”
• Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite (PS4) – 5.5/10 – “Though casuals should probably proceed with caution, Infinite has a decent game just lying beneath everything bad about it; it’ll just take those patient and forgiving enough to find it.”
• NBA 2K18 (PS4) – 7.5/10 – “NBA 2K18 is a game that really understands a ton of the community around basketball and what makes it special. Unfortunately, it requires microtransactions, a bit of patience and an internet connection to enjoy a lot of it.”
• RUINER (PC) – 8.5/10 – “RUINER is more than just a cyberpunk action shooter – it’s an exercise in ability experimentation and heart pumping combat.”
• Star Fox 2 (SNES Classic) – 9/10 – “Treating this by 1995 gameplay standards of gameplay, console limitations and what was available at the time, Star Fox 2 serves as an awesome farewell to the SNES.”
• SNES Classic (Hardware review) – “A murderer’s row of games, improved functionality, an insatiable demand and a window into one of the greatest consoles in video game history; the SNES Classic is a console to behold.”
• One Piece: Unlimited World Red Deluxe Edition (PS4) – 6.5/10 – “Unlimited World Red shines when it puts forth an effort such as in the combat or original characters. Unfortunately, those bits are found too sporadically to make up for the game’s glaring flaws.”

October

• Battle Chasers: Nightwar (PS4) – 5/10 – “In essence, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a pretty average RPG with some interesting tweaks to combat, but suffers from tedious crafting, bad party management, and padding and serious crashing issues that need to be addressed immediately.”
• Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions (3DS) – 7.5/10 – “Though lacking the difficulty, complexity, and ribbing humor of its successors, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions is an aesthetically pleasing and fun enough remake of a beloved GBA title.”
• Telltale’s Batman: The Enemy Within episode 2 (PC) – 5.5/10 – “After a high-stakes opening salvo, Batman: The Enemy Within episode 2 feels more like a retaliating sling of an arrow.”
• Culdcept Revolt (3DS) – 6.5/10 – “If you are a masochistic tabletop guru, then this is right up your alley.”
• Stardew Valley (NS) – 9/10 – “Aside from a few technical blips, Stardew Valley remains a shining Stardrop in its genre, welcoming back fans of the series that inspired it and inviting newcomers to relax in the valley, too.”
• The Evil Within 2 (PC) – 9/10 – “Don’t let minor transgressions get in the way of the stronger praise, here, as The Evil Within 2 answers criticisms of the first game with a resplendent title worthy of your time.”
• South Park: The Fractured But Whole (PS4) – 7/10 – “The game looks amazing, the combat system is great, and some of the comedy is extremely funny. But in terms of plot and humor and even customization, it feels like a step back from the first game, which should never be the case for a video game sequel.”
• Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth (3DS) – 6.5/10 – “Etrian Odyssey V can offer the right player a fun experience, but many players will find this game either lacking in story or just flat out too hard. Those with series experience, however, will enjoy the robust customization options and the extreme challenge.”
• Jackbox Party Pack 4 (PC) – 7/10 – “The Jackbox Party Pack 4, as with its predecessors, is a great crowd-pleaser at parties, family gatherings, or for online streaming.”
• Telltale’s Guardians of the Galaxy episode 4: Who Needs You (PC) – 5.5/10 – “After weaving an excellent buddy adventure story in the first three episodes, Guardians of the Galaxy episode 4 brings the series to a screeching halt.”
• Life is Strange: Before the Storm episode two (PC) – 8/10 – “Brave New World continues to explore the dramatic relationship of Chloe and Rachel, while everything else falls by the wayside.”

• Mages of Mystralia (PC) – 7.5/10 -“Mages of Mystralia’s colorful atmosphere and great spell mechanics are more than enough to make up for a slightly muted narrative.”
• WWE2K18 (PS4) – 5/10 – “Sure, the game looks great and the Creation Suite is just as good as ever, but with every other mode and even gameplay lacking improvement in some ways, it feels more like a jobber and less like John Cena.”
• Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (PS4) – 9/10 – “Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is easily one of the best shooters in recent times, improving on the previous installment and showing surprising humanity for a Nazi-killing gore fest.”
• SIMULACRA (Android) – 7/10 – “Beyond a few lacking voice actors and a somewhat unnatural tone at moments, this is a well-made piece of psychological horror.”
• Fire Emblem Warriors (NS) – 7/10 – “Fire Emblem Warriors exceeded the expectations of fans and newcomers alike. The intense battles are a balanced combination of satisfying attacks and careful direction of your allies to take down generals.”
• Hidden Agenda (PS4) – 6.5/10 – “Technical hurdles can be frustrating to overcome, and there’s very little replay value with the same group of people, but if you regularly host friends and family, even those who don’t play games much, Hidden Agenda makes for a surprising and enjoyable evening.”
• Super Mario Odyssey (NS) – 9.5/10 – “Almost every single element of the world beams at you as you pass, hoping you’ll visit and walk away happy. I’ve never before played a game so endlessly pleased with itself and with the player.”
• Just Dance 2018 (NS) – 6/10 – “It’s a cute game, easy to play, and now family-friendly, but beyond that, nothing exceedingly special.”
• Assassin’s Creed: Origins (PC) – 8.5/10 – “Assassin’s Creed: Origins marks a new beginning for the series as this open-world prequel successfully merges the old and new.”
• Knowledge is Power (PS4) – 5/10 – “Knowledge is Power offers nothing that any other trivia game in any other medium doesn’t already offer, and what’s there is presented at such a drawn-out pace your party will start to snore.”