Genre: Platformer
Platform: XBone, PC

Let me start off by saying that this is not a bad game. This is, in fact, an excellent game, I just don’t seem to be up to the task of mastering it. The graphics in this game are gorgeous. I have a 4K Ultra TV and I was blown away at how beautiful this game is. It feels less like a game and more like you’re playing in a fantastic animated movie. The soundtrack is also stunning and I get goosebumps when I hear it. This is because it ties in so well with the incredible story telling, which you are immersed in from the beginning. All three of these things make for an amazing game. I was near tears in the first five minutes of the game, that’s how incredible the story telling is.

But, this is a platformer, and it’s not your parents’ platformer, either. It does have slight RPG elements in that you level up your character and pick skills from a skills tree. However, the game play is HARD. I would frequently get stuck at sections and replay them 20 times, only to save and come back later and breeze through it. This game requires a lot of thought and patience to get through. I don’t have enough of the latter, I’m afraid.

It also toys with save points. Instead of being set throughout the game, you have to absorb enough orbs, earned by killing mobs, to charge up your ability to save. This sounds well and good until you don’t have enough for a save point after a particularly difficult part and you have to start back 15 minutes. This adds to the frustration, but again, also adds to your sense of accomplishment.

But alas, I’m crying uncle on this one and moving it out of my “now playing” list. I’ll likely still take a stab at it now and again, but it’s not on my immediate radar anymore.

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Chey’s Top 25 – #20 – Peggle

Genre: Puzzle/Arcade
Platform: Pretty much all; I have it for PC, Nintendo DS, XBox 360 and XBone (Peggle 2). It’s on iOS (Apple phones) and Android as well.

Peggle was another one of those games that I instantly said “YES MORE PLEASE” and played for hours until I realized that a lack of sleep will, in fact, make you insane. This is a highly addictive game. It’s also a fairly simple one. Simply clear all of the orange pegs from the board by bouncing a metal ball off of them. It’s not too difficult, but it is if you take into account some of the additional challenges for each level.

There are different “masters” to unlock as you play. Each has a special ability to help you complete the levels in new and fun ways. For example, there’s one that gives you a multiball and another that gives you pinball-like flippers at the bottom. Each character has their own personality and the game can be funny at times.

There is no learning curve at all with this game, either. You will instantly know how to play it, so there’s no excuse for not picking it up (I’m looking at you, Mom!). There was an expansion for Peggle – Peggle Nights – which is more of the same, but there is a slightly different twist on the story. Totally worth it.

One of the things that I like most about this game is how it makes a big deal if you succeed. You’ll be treated to fireworks on the screen, loud “Hallelujah” music and flashy text. You’re awesome, and it lets you know it! The other sounds effects are playful and fun as well.

There’s also Peggle 2, which I’m going to bundle right in here as well. It has different masters, except two. My favorite is the homage to The Big Lebowski. The game play is the same basic concept. Aim ball, shoot at pegs, get high score.

Everyone should play this game. It’s fun, funny and will keep you entertained for hours!

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Chey’s Top 25 – #23 – Sunset Overdrive

Humor. Chaos. Guns. Freedom. This is #23 on my top 25 list, Sunset Overdrive.

Genre: Platformer, Third-Person Shooter
Platform: XBone

This is the newest game on my list by far and I’m not fully done playing. I did complete the story, but there are so many things yet to do. I know I have said that I don’t like shooters, but this game is a key example of how good story writing can make up for an element that I’m not too keen on. And this game has EXCELLENT writing. I LOL’d many, many times while I was playing. It doesn’t take itself seriously at all and breaks the fourth wall quite often.

So what is this game? It’s an open-world game, meaning you can go where you want when you want. It’s all about the guns you can have, and it’s got a lot of them:

Sunset weapons

But there’s so much to it than that. It’s also got heavy platform elements, which means that there are places that you need to get to, but it’s not always obvious how to do it and you have to use your brain to get there. It’s also got some extreme-sports elements such as grinding rails and wall running. What I enjoyed just about as much as the story were the collectibles. I am a sucker for a lot of collectibles in a game. There are 150 of five different items to collect and various other collectibles to get. What’s unique here is that these aren’t just there for something to do – they make your character better by allowing for upgrades of weapons or abilities.

Similar to Grand Theft Auto and other open-world games, there are loads of side missions and quests to do. My favorite series was helping a group of larpers defend themselves from the mutants which want to destroy their base. I won’t give away any more of the story in case you intend to play.

This is an XBone-exclusive, but honestly, this game was a driver for me getting the console. And I wasn’t disappointed. It’s colorful, raucous and fun!

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Chey’s Top 25 – #24 – Rocket League

Genre – Sports
Platform – PC (Steam), XBone

Rocket League was one of those games that I started playing and immediately said “YES MORE PLEASE!”. I was pretty good from the start and it made me feel awesome. It’s one of the newer games to make my list, but according to Steam, I’ve played this game for 101 hours. I’ve probably put in another 20 or so on the XBone.

This game has you driving an RC car and playing soccer. They’ve got a basketball mode, too, but I haven’t played it. It’s a simple concept, but it’s hard enough that you feel truly accomplished when you score a goal or make an epic save. You can play single-player against bots, but the real fun is playing against real people online. I am really not a fan of multiplayer games, but this is the exception. The competition online can be fierce and again, it adds to that awesome feeling.

As you play, you unlock new cars and other ways to customize your vehicle. My preferred vehicle is the Merchant, which is a van. The idea of a van driving around an arena is funny to me. You can also add little hats and antennas to your car. You can play 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 or 4v4. I’ve tried all of these, but I’ve found 3v3 to be my favorite.

The graphics are great, but if you play online, sometimes lag will creep in and “rubber band” you around the arena. This can make it tough to play. A strong internet connection is suggested. The sound really adds to the experience with fog horns and fans and different sounds for the different boosts. I strongly recommend you check this one out! If you have a PS4, I believe it is free for you.

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Chey’s Top 25 Games – #25 -Pinball FX 2

Genre – Arcade/Pinball
Platform – XBox 360, XBone and PC (Steam)

I have been playing pinball games since I got my first Windows 3.1 Tandy computer (thanks Mom and Dad!). I started with DOS-based Epic pinball, moved to Sierra’s 3D Ultra pinball, Kirby pinball on the Gameboy, then a gap until Pinball FX on the XBox original and finally Pinball FX 2 on both the 360 and XBone.

This game carries forth the fine traditions of the pinball games before it. It is a collection of downloadable tables (for a fee, of course). The graphics are great. The tables are very busy, but it (usually) doesn’t get in your way of tracking the ball. The sound effects are also good and unique from table to table. I would recommend playing with a spotter, though, because you will be so transfixed on the ball that you’ll have no idea what is going on around the table. The physics are also very good and do change from table to table. Some tables are really fast, others are ramp-heavy and yet others have an older-school feel. On some tables you’ll score 50 million without much trouble, and others, 2 million is a feat.

What really makes this game stand out, though, is the sheer number of tables. I have probably downloaded about 40. If you like Marvel, you’ll like this game. There are games of many different characters – Deadpool, X-Men, Avengers, Spiderman, Fantastic Four, Ghost Rider, Dr. Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy, etc. There are about 15 Star Wars tables. I also like the South Park and Animation (Archer, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy and American Dad) tables. There are also a lot of Zen originals that are fun.

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