Super Smash Bros: Wii U

Another Game of the Year Candidate has joined the Battle! Seriously, this game has all of the makings to make an honest run at the crown for 2014. While this is the 4th installment is such a successful franchise, I think we can all agree that it is certainly the strongest title to date. There are many reasons why this is not only the strongest Wii title to come out in years, but also the strongest title to come out for the next gen.

Smash's strength lies in what has made the game so popular for years; the game play. The Game play is immaculate, so crisp and tight controls make the combat so rewarding. If you've played a Smash Bros in the past, you can easily pick up a controller today and play right where you left off. The abilities are all mapped identically to games of the past and combat is just as fluid as ever. Even in 8 play mode, which is amazing, you do not lose any framerates or experience any lag. Really, the only difficult part is keeping track of where you and whats going on. Which is all apart of the chaos! (and the fun)

The graphics in this game, for a Wii game which really hasn't had mind blowing capability are just that. Mind blowing. This game looks fantastic, the character models are gorgeous the animation is vibrant and the maps you can play on are reminiscent of games past and present. Truly, this game sets a standard for visual capability on a Nintendo console. While this may be a fighting game and you'll spend a lot less time admiring the scenery, do take some notice of where the Wii U has come in recent time.

The first thing you may notice in this game are the multitude of options to select from. There are seemingly hundreds of different gametypes to play, whether solo or up to 7 of your friends! The good ol' mini games are back, so is adventure and classic modes, as well as a new Mario Party type game used with you Mii to level them up and customize. The features in multiplayer are also just as plentiful. This game will last you a great while if you choose to pick it up.

Overall, this game brings it to the table. It has all the makeup of a true classic. The game play is near perfect, the graphics for a Wii U game are fantastic and the replay value of it more than covers the $60 price tag. It's almost unnecessary to ask, Is It Worth? Absolutely. If you were to not buy another game this Holiday season, I think you would be well off. You have the potential to party up with so many of your friends or even battle solo online. Super Smash Bros Wii U is, in my opinion, the best game of 2014.

Dragon Age: Inqusition

Forgoe every notion you have about video game trilogy's. Dragon Age: Inquisition easily breaks the mold as one of the strongest 3rd title games in a franchise...ever. Dragon Age has certainly had its identifiable strengths and weaknesses throughout it's first two titles. Bioware knows how to write a story and create in-depth dialogue. Vast worlds are also Bioware's forte, i.e. Mass Effect, and that could not be truer in Dragon Age: Inquisition..

Something always felt a little off about the first two Dragon Age titles. They had the make up of a successful title but just never quite broke out as a superior game. Historically, the 3rd movie or game in a franchise has always been held in the most critical light.  However, I feel that Inquisition has the formula necessary to stand out as one of the greatest games, if not the best game, of 2014.

Inquisition is massive. Let me get that out there immediately. Within the first 10+ hours of this game you are going to feel immersed, if not completely lost, in this game. The world has a Skyrim-esque feel to it. The landscape is beautiful and plentiful. When you're not questing and adventuring to save the world, you find yourself admiring it. To date, Inquisition is easily one of the best graphically looking games. If you are the gamer that takes stock into graphics and environment, you wont want to miss this one.

Inquisition's gameplay is by far the best of the three Dragon Age titles. The flow of combat feels so natural with a constant 4 person party. Having immediate control of any party member with the push of a button is easy and consistent monitoring of their equipment and abilities give you strategical advantages in combat. The capability of pre-determining abilities in combat is an option if you're one to not take risk in given situations, which gives an entirely new dimension to DA. As far as next-gen is concerned, Inquisition sets the tone for fluent RPG gameplay.

Inquisition really only suffers in one area; multiplayer. Multiplayer is finally an option for a game with so much potential for it. However, instead of entering a game with your friends to show off how strong your main character is, you are restricted to using a pre-generated base character if you have "collected" it in game. Also, your only option in multiplayer is to run through random "missions" in order to collect gold to buy equipment and level up your character. Multiplayer has been entirely restricted in this game to feel more like a D&D dungeon crawler and much less like its DA campaign brother.

Overall, Dragon Age:Inquisition makes a strong case for a Game of the Year title. The world is massive and immersive, the quests are exceedingly bountiful, the gameplay is sleek and addictingly fun. Multiplayer is a new addition, albeit it isn't nearly as fun as the campaign, but its hardly a deal breaker. So, Is it Worth? Yes. Regardless of platform, I would highly recommend Dragon Age: Inqusition to any RPG fan out there. Don't be surprised if you see this as a candidate for GOTY, and remember who staked that claim!

Halo:The Master Chief Collection

I have been holding off on reviewing this game because of the special place this series has held in my heart. I went through high school encountering the waves of flood, enduring the plight of the Arbiter, engaging the Brutes and Prophets, as well as suffering the rampancy of Cortana. Not to mention, the endless hours laughing, raging, and enjoying multiplayer. Halo is obviously etched into history as one of the greatest video game franchises of all-time. The abundant joy that filled me when the announcement came at E3 2014 that there would be an entire collection of remastered Halo 1 and 2, plus full versions of Halo 3 and 4 being released in one game was surreal. All of my teenage feels were in full force. Launch day was a special day because it came when SO many other titles were being released as well. Since that day...nothing has been the same. Literally, this Halo collection is not the same as anyone remembers. It is with a heavy heart that I say 343 has entirely failed at launching a finished product. This game is riddled with errors. Loading screens upon loading screens, failure to connect to any multiplayer playlists, incapability of maintaining a party of friends to engage in any sort of way are the major issues plaguing this title. 343 has recgonized and has scrambled to try and patch these errors, to which they have admitted are not working. It is truly sad, given that this game had so much promise. Single player is about the only thing operating effectively on this game. Campaign solo throughout 4 titles will give you plenty of playing time; if thats what you're interested in. I have to say, the remastered Halo 2 looks phenomenal. It is certainly the greatest console based cinematics I have ever witnessed. Looks can only take you so far, however, pretty trash is still at the end of the day, trash. Not to say that this game will always be bad. There are certainly those moments where you do connect to a game and get to relive those golden days that give you brief hope that if it is resolved this will be a fantastic game. However, much like the trend today, 343 launched a title that was half finished. So, Is It Worth? No, but maybe in a couple months. If you can wait for Christmas and have a spot open on your list, ask for this game. At least it will save you the $60 pricetag and also slot you a place in the Halo 5 beta. Hopefully by then, 343 will have all the kinks worked out and it will be a Masterful collection.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1

It is becoming commonplace in the 'teen-novel turned movie adaption'. Take the most critical and plot forming book and make multiple movies out of it in order to reap the most benefit. Well, if this movie is any indication of the trend, its going nowhere, fast. Mockingjay 1 is merely a shell of its former glory. The first two movies had context and continuity that kept the viewers interested. This formula worked because there was plenty of story and character development that you were engrossed in it in order to learn. However, Mockingjay one is like getting a lecture by your Doctor before having surgery. Mockingjay 1 has a 2 hour and 15 minute run time. A solid 75% of that is dialogue filler, building up for an obvious exciting finish in Mockingjay 2. So much dialogue, in fact, that you begin to wonder why did they not just make this one movie? One movie would have sufficed to develop the conclusion and end on a strong note. I feel that Mockingjay 1 bored enough of us that we will have no choice but to see Mockingjay 2 strictly for redemption. The final 30-45 minutes of this movie were certainly gripping and exciting. It definitely sets a stage for a strong finish, however, not even the talented acting of Jennifer Lawrence, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julianne Moore can save this movie from the hum-drum pace this movie so begrudgingly took. So, Is It Worth? No. I say save the $8 or whatever your theater so chooses to charge and see something else. This movie feels awfully less of an experience and more of a commitment to stay for the ending. The only bright side to Mockingjay is that 2 will certainly be way better.

Big Hero 6

Marvel has dominated the silver screen recently, due in large part to their acquisition from Disney. Speaking of Disney, Big Hero 6 is the first true adaption of a Marvel series by Disney to film that has been transformed from its original design. Big Hero 6 was originally a Marvel comic book series staring such characters as Silver Samurai, made famous by his feud with Wolverine. The series is not entirely well known, so, Disney used this to their advantage in order to make a movie that they could claim as an original design. Up front, you cannot argue that Disney has nailed animation. It has seriously gotten to the point where the facial features and motions by the characters in the movie can be described as human-like. If anything, the movie can be enjoyed by this facet alone. The animation throughout the movie is just fantastic, regardless of the premise or plot. Without going into great detail (as this is just a review not a synopsis), Bay Max, the leading role robot character, is an instant hit with audiences. He is a loveable, approachable, albeit aloof character that is designed for healing and love. This already has the makings of a classic Disney film, however, there is the yang to the yin in this movie. The movie does contain a lot of action and graphic violence, it is, afterall, a "super hero" movie. I found myself engrossed in the emotion of the characters in their reason for fighting. In order to truly understand the plight of the protagonist, one must be able to relate on some level, which I think we all can. As corny as the supporting cast is, they are certainly memorable characters that drive the story along. The story is, not of a typical Disney variety but it does cause some feels during the show which has become Disney's niche. All in all, this is certainly a family film that can be enjoyed at any time. The 2+ hour time slot goes quickly while the heroes do battle. If you're ok with little ones experiencing violence, then the movie has nothing but joy otherwise to enjoy. Is It Worth? Absolutely. $8 for an evening out for laughs with the family. Can't ask for more than that. Disney and Marvel are quickly proving they are the kings of the Big Screen and that ain't changing soon.

Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire

Hoenn. Virtually every Pokemon fan has been there. Voted one of the greatest regions in the Pokemon universe as well as on one of the best installments of Pokemon, Ruby and Sapphire. Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire or ORAS for short, is the newest in a long line of Pokemon games. The franchise takes you "back to the future" persay, by revisiting a remastered version of one of the previous generations of Pokemon. ORAS received the X and Y treatment for this remaster, a Full 3D overhaul which creates an entirely new dimension for the game. The Pokemon have full 3D sprites as opposed to the 2D ones we grew up with. Once you've experienced them in this new way, it's incredibly difficult to go back. The cast of Pokemon characters remain untouched to an extent. The game introduces a feature so far only seen in X and Y; Mega Evolution. An undisclosed amount of mega's are available in this game that allow your Pokemon to, while in battle, evolve past their final form and into a magnificent powerhouse in which to do battle. In order to mega evolve, you must first find a pokemon's mega stone which are scattered througout the Hoenn region. Mega evolution is a welcome addition to this already stellar game. The capablility of advancing your favorite Pokemon even further is both addiciting and exciting. This game picks up exactly where it left off; amazing. The entire Hoenn region has been revamped in 3D and also tweaked a little bit in order to better adapt to the 3D. In my opinion, no other region comes close to just how awesome the new Hoenn is. The different cities in Hoenn are all unique and offer different challenges and sights to behold. The gyms are entirely different and offer puzzles to conquer in order to tackle the gym leader. Another new addition to the game is the PokeNav. Without spoiling too much, the PokeNav is a new way to search for those particular Pokemon you're interested in, making the capturing process much quicker, although much cheaper too. All in all, you know what you're getting when you purchase a Pokemon game. It's remained the same in it's successful formula, with changes and introductions along the way, its only become stronger. Pokemon ORAS has very little downside to it. It's an expansive addition to the series, the 3D capability is beautiful, the Mega Evolutions are amazing and the game is sure to take hours of your time to complete. It's hard to compete with the 3DS pricing for the amount that you get for it's value. For me, this is an easy answer. Is It Worth: Definitely. Even if you aren't a fan of Pokemon or haven't played any in the past, pick up ORAS and embark on a new adventure. The gameplay will have you glued to your 3DS for hours, admiring the 3D environments and Pokemon that inhabit its world. Not to mention, you also have multiplayer capability to play with those you know, or may not know, extending this games playability. If you're looking for a new game to fill your time, look no further.

Assassin's Creed: Unity

Assassin's Creed: Unity, or more simply put ACU, is the second AC installment already on the next generation consoles. One would hope that being one step ahead most of the class would translate to a near perfect title at launch time...well...not exactly. You see, Ubisoft never seems to get it just entirely right the first time. Something always seems to just be missing from the final formula at the time a game that is really hyped up finally drops. In the case of ACU, I think Ubisoft left the table without cleaning their plate, persay. First, lets examine the package as a whole. ACU is entirely different from its numerous predecessors in the light that you are now capable of engaging in your stealthy missions co-operatively with other assassins. This was the selling point for this game. It goes without saying that this title has developed a following large enough to warrant multi-player campaign. Knowing this well, Ubisoft set forth to create a memorable campaign that would surely endure user tactics and playstyles. ACU takes place in revolutionary France this time, so out the gate the story is set to envoke a lot of emotion. I feel that this story, much like in AC 3, is an easy one to grasp on to and follow along with. So far, Ubisoft had nailed it with a contingent storyline and a new playable feature in multi-player campaign in which to sail their new ship. Unfortunately, this one is practically DOA. The largest glaring issue in this game is the AI. It doesn't take long to notice there is a large amount of AI in this game, I mean there are people literally everywhere. It's truly impressive to navigate throughout the endless crowds in the streets of France. However, it's quickly noted that these crowds are glitched and bugged to high heaven. Gangs of people are walking sideways instead of straight up, individuals are colliding with walls and solid objects. The main character even glitches without a face creating nightmare fuel for anyone wondering what a floating pair of eyes, teeth and hair look like. Aside from the AI, the terrain is also very exploitable. You name it, you can find it in its hilarity on YouTube. Considering its flaws, the verdict remains that this game was just unfinished at launch. Albeit the graphics are gorgeous, amongst the best i've ever seen, you get what you pay for in the parkour style, sandbox gameplay that has made AC so famous, and trolling with your buddies in multi-player is just about as fun as it gets; Ubisoft could have done better. It's essentially a Christmas gift wrapper with half the gift inside. We thought we knew what we were getting, but something is definitely missing. So, Is It worth? Yes but only slightly. Given the promise made of an eventual patch to fix its glaring issues, I still feel this game has a $60 value to it. There is still plenty to engage yourself in the campaign as well as the multi-player. If you're one that follows the AC storyline of course you dont want to miss this one. If you are patient enough to deal with the glitches and ignore the braindead AI, play ACU.