With four distinctive maps and a fun new mode, Naval Strike is a stellar pick-up for Battlefield 4 fans. [July 2014, p.77]

The overall package could stand to be more robust, but thanks to Mayday, Devastation still packs a punch. [July 2014, p.77]

Despite not including anything from the third Hobbit movie that could provide a satisfactory ending, Lego The Hobbit has enough content and charm to keep you entertained until the inevitable next Lego game. [July 2014, p.76]

Cold, Cold Heart is absolutely fine: The story is predictable but satisfying. The combat is occasionally frustrating but still fun. And the unique touches don't add much, but are welcome nonetheless. [July 2014, p.71]

And as a whimsical, sweet-natured tale of a princess who learns she must earn her right to return home, it's a warm-hearted departure we found difficult not to embrace. [July 2014, p.68]

In spite of few frustrating stretches, Revelations' enjoyably button-mashy combat and clever puzzles are worth diving back in. [June 2014, p.74]

Punishing but fair, Trials Fusion is a fast-paced platformer with fantastic level design and a few new ideas. It’s just a shame that the new ideas aren’t implemented better.

The trick that Crooked Mile pulls off particularly well is in ditching “right” and “wrong” — this is ever more the land of shades of gray, and we found our choices dictated increasingly by the impact they’d have on the characters Bigby clearly cares for.

Skydive offers a chance to experience what it’s like to fall from the sky without the fear of splattering yourself all over the ground below.

A slightly uneven but still arresting journey back to BioShock’s past, future, and present that makes a worthy protagonist out of Elizabeth, while introducing some downright cool new gameplay into the series’ mix.

If you enjoy excellent, funny voice acting and the simplicity of just exploring areas and collecting items, you'll find a lot to like. [May 2014, p.76]

No new content, but Ubisoft's Montpellier team astounds us again with just how pretty games can be. [May 2014, p.71]

Ground Zeroes' story feels a bit skimpy for the price, but it excels as a breathtakingly pretty stealth sandbox, and as a chance to try out Phantom Pain's gameplay in a smaller, more intimate open world.

From Software’s latest creation is a completely unique experience with no real analogue, even if it only occasionally surpasses its predecessor. For players new to the series, it’s a much better entry point than the first game, but Dark Souls grognards who proudly bear their scars will find it a touch too familiar and/or streamlined.

Titanfall is a wonderfully fast, open, and instantly accessible 12-player shooter, and if playing online is at all important to you, it’s an essential addition to your Xbox One library.

A House Divided makes a strong case for being the best episode of Telltale’s Walking Dead series to date, but it’s more amazing to think on what's being set up for the rest of the season.

In Stick of Truth, Obsidian has created what’s essentially an incredibly well-paced, extended playable episode of the TV show, cramming in a tightly constructed “greatest hits”–style, kitchen-sink gag reel of everything that can make the show such a riot. For fans, it’s hard to imagine a better way to wind down the Xbox 360 console generation than with this gloriously gassy, burrito-fueled send-off.

It's a bit rote, and dealing with the same two basic guard types (swordsman and crossbowman) for the bulk of the game doesn’t help. The repetition is slightly offset, however, by the wealth of tools at your disposal for staying hidden.

With a 20-hour runtime, both it and the gameplay are prone to meandering and missteps, but Lords of Shadow 2 nonetheless manages to bring the series crashing to a satisfying conclusion. [April 2014, p.70]

Combining classic action with a tried-and-true exploration-based formula, Strider is a fine update to Capcom’s long-ignored brand with plenty to recommend it to nostalgia hounds and newcomers.

If it sounds like we’re pining for Insect Armageddon, let us make it clear that 2025 is the superior game. The locales are more striking, the destruction (and particularly the feedback from your weaponry) is greatly improved, and there’s far more depth overall.

The push and pull between the great and sketchy in Fable Anniversary can wear over the course of the game, but its infallible, messy charm still manage to make it every bit the enjoyable time sink it was back in 2004.

Without any significant, newly added gameplay beyond a single additional optional tomb, we still find ourselves wishing for more side areas to explore and less of the game’s insistence on nudging us in the ribs about the locations of collectibles and secrets. Still, there’s no denying that Definitive Edition is the best way to experience Lara’s origin story for those who haven’t yet pick-axed their way through this incredibly surefooted reboot.

Technical problems aside, The Raven’s three chapters are charming and sincere, with a knack for breezy puzzles, punchy dialog, and memorable characters.

If you've already finished State of Decay and want more, Breakdown is a hugely addicting excuse to dive back into Trumbull County and spend endless hours strip-mining it.

The inclusion of new tools only complements this rawness, and even adds a distinctly unique flavor to combat.

The “a-ha” moments when you successfully combine your various marker powers to navigate a pitch-black cave, escape the clutches of a pursuing beast, or access a seemingly out-of-reach ledge made us feel like Mensa members.

Telltale has a lot to deal with out of the gate for All That Remains, and is successful managing most of it. It still doles out plenty of handwringing, emotional moments (in both brutal and overarching flavors), but we’re waiting for Telltale to tie this package together in a truly satisfying manner.