All-Star Franchises, Underrated Entries - Part Thirteen

If you've been around SuperPhillip Central for a little while (it's still okay if you haven't, so no harm done), then you know that I like talking about underrated and overlooked games. I've done various series on the subject. However, most of the time, the games mentioned in these articles are from wholly new or overlooked franchises themselves.

There are also a multitude of series that I can think of that have one, two, or a handful of games in it that aren't viewed as highly as the others, whether just or not.

These ideas are where the concept of All-Star Franchises, Underrated Entries comes from, and since our 12th edition, I've come up with six more underrated entries to big-time franchises, some bigger than others. If you'd like to see past parts of this long-running series, check them out here:

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Part Eight

Part Nine

Part Ten

Part Eleven

Part Twelve

Final Fantasy - World of Final Fantasy (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC, Vita)

Our first game on this edition of All-Star Franchises, Underrated Entries comes from a franchise that is quite storied and a long-lasting one, Final Fantasy. With Final Fantasy VII Remake officially pinned down for a March 2020 release, I figured it'd be an opportune time to talk about a Final Fantasy game that is on the opposite side of the popularity spectrum. That's not to say World of Final Fantasy and its enhanced Maxima version are bemoaned by franchise fans, but it also doesn't mean that World of Final Fantasy is considered anything more than a cult classic at best. The ability to capture and do battle with familiar Final Fantasy monsters, return to several memorable locations with Final Fantasy favorite heroes and heroines, all joined by a captivating game made World of Final Fantasy quite a treasure to behold. World of Final Fantasy is a family-friendly, sensational love letter to fans of Final Fantasy.

Valkyria Chronicles - Valkyria Chronicles 4 (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

SEGA seems to have a tremendous skill in sending out many of its games to just falter in a crowded release period. For a franchise that seldom saw sensational sales like Valkyria Chronicles, it was a death sentence for the game's fourth mainline installment to release in the busy pre-holiday season that it did. Offering a refined update to the tried and true tactical RPG action that the series is known for, Valkyria Chronicles 4 failed to become a darling on the sales charts, despite its great quality. It's an obvious shame, as now the Valkyria Chronicles series may be like a rusty old tank now, doomed to spend who knows how long in a hangar in SEGA's arsenal of retired franchises.

Trials - Trials Rising (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

You can teach an old franchise new tricks, and that's exactly what the developers at Ubisoft did with Trials Rising. Now, I'll get this out of the way that Trials Rising is far from the optimal game in the series--what, with its loot boxes, progression, and disordered level select menu, but it says something about the game where I could easily overlook those issues because of just how much fun I was having with Trials Rising. Between fully customizing the look of my rider, finding the best lines and paths to take in tracks to get those elusive Diamond medals, and simply enjoying competing against the AI or other human players made for a fantastic Trials offering. The collection of tracks and courses in Trials Rising is the best the series has yet to see, and despite the serious issues (including some nasty glitches) with the game, Trials Rising made me smile more than it got me frustrated.

Killzone - Killzone: Shadow Fall (PS4)

A previous edition of All-Star Franchises, Underrated Entries had Killzone: Mercenary from the PlayStation Vita in it. While I don't dare argue that the PlayStation 4 launch title Killzone: Shadow Fall holds a candle to it, I don't dare argue that the game is a poor first-person shooter either. In fact, it's quite good and amazed me with its quality. Between the open-ended level design, the high-octane action, and the highly enjoyable multiplayer, Killzone: Shadow Fall managed to be a game that I couldn't help but want to play through again and again--even going as far as to play through the whole campaign without dying and earning the trophy for this achievement. (Brag session over.) While Guerrilla Games has gone on to bigger and better projects such as Horizon: Zero Dawn, I still maintain that the developer's work on Killzone and Killzone: Shadow Fall is truly terrific.

Hot Shots Golf / Everybody's Golf - Everybody's Golf (PS4)

Everybody's Golf VR recently launched on PlayStation VR, so why not take to the tee with the first Everybody's Golf outing on the PlayStation 4 with--well--Everybody's Golf! Anime avatars playing realistic golf on one of five courses doesn't have a worldwide appeal, but for those that did play a round or two...hundred of Everybody's Golf found an exceptionally well built golf game. Well, I should clarify that it was exceptionally well built with its mechanics and course design. The progression system was an entirely different story, forcing players to play rounds on the same courses over and over again before unlocking new courses to enjoy. Said courses could be traversed entirely, allowing for some fun exploration, as well as some unique mini-games such as fishing. Everybody's Golf isn't the best entry in the golfing series formerly known in North America as Hot Shots Golf, but it surely maintains its high level of quality.

Katamari Damacy - Me & My Katamari (PSP)

Long before the Switch received a remaster of the original Katamari Damacy, the series turned portable with Me & My Katamari on the PSP. This iteration of the game brought the same roll-'em-up gameplay to owners of Sony's handheld, but it also brought a less than satisfactory problem to PSP players--hand cramps. The lack of a second analog nub on the PSP meant that instead of using two sticks to move The Prince's Katamari ball around, players had to use the analog nub in conjunction with the uncomfortable face buttons. This was decidedly a necessary evil to get the game to control with any semblance of competence on the platform, but it ended up making many players of Me & My Katamari dissatisfied. Still, if you can play through the discomfort of the awkward control setup, Me & My Katamari is still the well designed Katamari Damacy gameplay fans have come to expect from the franchise.

The Unpopular Opinion 5: Games SPC Liked That Many Did Not

Opinions are like tadpoles... or something that rhymes with that. Anyway, not every opinion in the world is a popular one, especially when it comes to games, which is the whole focus of SuperPhillip Central! Over the nearly nine years SuperPhillip Central has been around, we've occasionally taken the road less traveled on our opinions. Now, it isn't done to rock the boat or be difficult. Sometimes, SuperPhillip Central just likes or dislikes a game that many love or hate just because that's how we're wired. The Unpopular Opinion series of articles hits its fifth installment, detailing more games that weren't widely well received, but ended up being games we enjoyed.

For past installments for your convenience, check out these links:

The Unpopular Opinion
The Unpopular Opinion 2
The Unpopular Opinion 3
The Unpopular Opinion 4

Star Fox Zero (Wii U)

Listed by some outlets and critics on their picks for most disappointing games, SuperPhillip Central had a different take on Star Fox Zero. Now, let's not lie here and say that the unorthodox controls are for everyone. You have to sometimes turn your attention to both screens, the TV and the Wii U GamePad, but many times you're just taking a quick glimpse at the cockpit view to get a beat on surrounding enemies or to quickly shoot at an off-screen foe. With practice, this becomes second nature, and if it didn't, then I wouldn't have acquired all of the game's medals through proficient play. Perhaps it's not the Star Fox game that many wanted, but SuperPhillip Central will be darned if Star Fox Zero was a fun experiment.

Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)

Fools and children are the types of people who look at a list, see one or two games on it that they don't agree with, and then dismiss the opinion of someone immediately. These people probably shouldn't read SuperPhillip Central or sites like it, then (aka Stay off the Internet). Metroid Prime: Federation Force, like Star Fox Zero, wasn't the Metroid game fans were expecting, but unlike Zero, Federation Force wasn't like any traditional Metroid game. Instead, it was a squad shooter, best played with friends. Of course, playing the game by oneself was very much possible, and this reviewer actually did that to start, finding no problems with doing so. While Federation Force was not like Metroid at all, what it was like was a much more action-focused Metroid Prime game, having missions that rarely repeated their objectives. One you'd be luring ice titans into cages to lock them inside while another you'd be exiting your mech, stealthily entering a Space Pirate stronghold. The point here is that Metroid Prime: Federation Force wasn't what even SuperPhillip Central was expecting from Nintendo, but the end result was hardly an abomination. Instead, it was great fun.

Killzone: Shadow Fall (PS4)

Killzone is a tale of a video game franchise that had so much potential, but was marred with games that just didn't do anything too special. Though, if we're talking about the PlayStation Vita exclusive entry, Mercenary, then that's a totally different story. That game rocked. With the PlayStation 4 launch title, Killzone: Shadow Fall, what players got was more open-ended level design and pretty standard first-person shooting gameplay. Although much of Killzone: Shadow Fall was "been there, done that", a cool addition to the formula was that of OWL, a robotic buddy that could be used to temporarily stun enemies with a quick jolt, something to summon an electric shield, and a tool to create a makeshift zipline to access faraway portions of levels. The campaign was enjoyable enough to play through multiple times, even doing a no-death run, and the multiplayer wasn't too shabby either, though, developers, stop forcing multiplayer achievements and trophies into your games-- PLEASE. Anyway, Killzone: Shadow Fall might not astonish in any one area, but all in all, it's a thrilling game and fine initial showpiece of the PS4's hardware power.

LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4, PS3)

Despite launching as a buggy piece of crap, LittleBigPlanet 3 eventually went on to become another enjoyable entry in the series. Introducing some new concepts to the aging formula (seriously, we need a shake up with the series!) like new playable character types, new gadgets, and multi-tiered levels that could stretch back 16 layers instead of just 3, LittleBigPlanet 3 continued to show off the creative tool set that Media Molecule originally created back with the very first LittleBigPlanet. Creating levels and other goodies can be as simple or as complex as a creator wants it, and the end result is something one can easily be proud of, sharing it with the still-very-active community. While there are still some bugs and glitches to be found in the game, LittleBigPlanet 3 is far from the monstrosity it was when it originally launched.

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Wii U, 3DS)

The Mario & Sonic series always sees two of the most iconic characters in gaming history team up for some friendly Olympic fun*. (*Your results may vary.) While the latest Olympic release starring the portly plumber and the Blue Blur improves upon the formula in some ways, in others it wasn't so successful. Talking about the latter first, the lack of Dream Events, fantasy versions of Olympic events set in Mario and Sonic's various worlds, was very disappointing. The Duel events that replaced them weren't nearly as good substitutions. Regardless, the events play better for those who can't stand any type of motion controls. Instead, those were replaced with all analog controls, so instead of shaking a Wii Remote like a madman, you can mash on a button like a madman. Sure, some events weren't nearly as fun without motion controls, but they all still provided a certain level of fun. The local multiplayer allowed for up to four players to participate in solo events or the career mode, a nice, challenging change of pace, all adding up to a multiplayer game that remains enjoyable even long after the real Rio Olympics ended.

Mario Party 10 (Wii U)

ND Cube took over from former Mario Party developer Hudson Soft, who was swallowed up Konami. ND Cube has since tried to change up the Mario Party formula to varying degrees of success. With Mario Party 10, the formula from the Wii's Mario Party 9 continued with players sharing the same car, and depending on who was the driver, different actions would happen along the five major boards. While a traditional Mario Party experience would have been better (as seen in the Amiibo-compatible mode), there was a stronger focus on skill than usual, especially compared to Mario Party 9. The mini-games were a strong point, something that ND Cube continues to do really well with the series, and the addition of a mode where the Wii U GamePad player controlled Bowser changed things up for a nice side mode, though a short-lived one. Ultimately, Mario Party 10 was a worthwhile installment, although it's very easy to see why it wasn't liked by every player who came by to join the party.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz (Wii)

A launch title for Nintendo's mega-hit Wii, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz was part of Sega's milking of the franchise, one that would see games on a wide range of platforms within a very limited range of time. Regardless, Banana Blitz saw multiple new mechanics to the Super Monkey Ball series, such as the motion control movement, which worked as advertised; the ability to jump, which made for some interestingly designed levels; and boss battles, engagements that delivered crafty encounters and heavy hijinks. While the multiplayer featured an overabundance of lame mini-games, the ones that did shine shined rather bright. Couple that with a colorful art style and one of the most infectiously catchy soundtracks on the Wii, and you have a Super Monkey Ball entry that wasn't perfect, but something that SuperPhillip Central ended up enjoying.

ModNation Racers: Road Trip (Vita)

Sure, the lack of traditional online play seems and was a ridiculous exclusion that would have made the game much more appealing, but ModNation Racers: Road Trip possessed some worthy qualities to almost make up for that. For one, the much more streamlined single-player campaign featured wonderful track design and an AI that was fun to race against and seldom overly irritating. The item progression and drifting to get boost or shield energy made for a fairer kart racing experience than many Mario Kart games. Then, you had the ability to create, share, and download custom tracks and racers, many showcasing the amazing creativity of the small but active ModNation Racers: Road Trip community. All of these aspects of Road Trip made for a PlayStation Vita launch title that was an enjoyable and deep racing experience.

BLTN Reviews: Killzone: Shadow Fall (PS4) Review

While we may be more than halfway through the month of July, there will be plenty of new reviews coming this month to SuperPhillip Central. The first is a game that launched with the PlayStation 4 in 2014. Hence, why this is a Better Late Than Never review! It's Killzone: Shadow Fall!

Get in the zone.

Sony hasn't let go of the idea of making the Killzone franchise its Halo for the PlayStation brand. While the games don't nearly have the same level of fandom as Microsoft's illustrious FPS franchise, the games sell well enough to have Sony keep trying. While I haven't really found a lot of the past Killzone games to be much to make note of, I did very much enjoy Killzone: Mercenary on the PlayStation Vita enough to call it one of my favorite FPS games I've ever played.

Thus, after my high on Killzone: Mercenary, I was open to playing the latest game in the series, the PlayStation 4 launch title, Killzone: Shadow Fall. With an engaging single player, a robust online and offline multiplayer offering, and a story that treks into new territory for the series, I ended up enjoying what I played of Guerrilla Games's latest.

In Killzone: Shadow Fall, you take on the role of Lucas Kellan. The first chapter of the game delves into the current situation with the Vektans and the Helghast. As a child, Lucas and his father are forced out of their home, and the two stealthily move through Helghast-occupied territory to escape to somewhere much safer. In the process they meet up with an ISA soldier who assists them along the way. However, in a skirmish, Lucas's father is shot and killed right in front of the young boy's eyes. Thus, the ISA soldier takes Lucas under his wing, all the way to the present where Lucas is now a Shadow Marshall for the ISA, and the soldier is now a commander for the ISA, giving Lucas new missions.

The Vektans and Helghast now occupy the same planet and are in an uneasy cold war of sorts where any volatile jolt could result in full blown war. A gigantic wall splits up the Vektans from the Helghast, and without spoiling too much, instead of the Helghans being labeled as this wholly evil force this time around, the lines between good and bad blur considerably in Shadow Fall.

All of the plot in Killzone: Shadow Fall plays out through protagonist Lucas Kellan's eyes.

All of the narrative is told through Lucas's eyes. However, this means that there are points in the game where gameplay is interrupted by long sessions of exposition where your character just stands around or automatically moves. The lengthiest example of this is midway in the game, a story sequence that begins a chapter that last upwards of five minutes. This cannot be skipped unlike the standard scenes that begin and end each chapter, so this makes it really annoying and bothersome on repeated plays of the same chapter.

Killzone: Shadow Fall itself is a traditional shooter where you get a maximum of two guns to hold at once, a handful of grenades, and to keep yourself alive in dangerous situations, some adrenaline packs. The latter not only restores your health quickly instead of needing to hide in a corner hoping your health regenerates before enemies can get an angle on you to shoot you dead, but it also gives a brief period where everything slows down, giving you a great opportunity to pop enemies before they know what hit them.

Killzone: Shadow Fall delivers intense firefights and visceral melee action.

Further moving Shadow Fall away from just being an ordinary shooter is the addition of a robotic companion that assists Lucas on most of his missions, the OWL. OWL has four functions to it, each selected by swiping in a given direction on the PS4 controller's touch pad. Lucas can assign the OWL to shoot a given target, terrific for distracting enemies in an intense firefight; he can have OWL summon a shield that will defend temporary against enemy bullets; he can send OWL out to stun a group of enemies, or with certain shielded enemies, remove their defense; and one of my favorite uses for vertical levels is the ability to have OWL create a zipline for Lucas to zoom across, allowing him to reach otherwise inaccessible areas (or areas that would kill him if he tried to fall down to by himself).

OWL's main use is to hack terminals to open doors, shut off security panels, and other electronic systems. It can also be used when Lucas has taken too much damage and give him a shot of adrenaline to bring him back to the world of consciousness or else suffer death. However, of course, Lucas can't just keep using OWL's various abilities over and over with a cool-down period. OWL has to recharge, so players have to use it strategically. This means you probably shouldn't send OWL away from Lucas to shoot down enemies if he's about to lose all of his health. OWL will be too preoccupied to revive Lucas, pending he has a spare adrenaline pack.

Many levels offer nonlinear design, letting you as the player take on the level as you desire.

Additionally, no longer is Killzone merely mostly a corridor shooter. The level design of Killzone: Shadow Fall is much more open ended for most chapters compared to past Killzone games. While this can result in not knowing where to go, you can always just tap up on the D-pad to get a bearing on where you next objective is. Regardless, the open ended design allows for much more player control in how they handle missions which is fantastic and most welcome. For instance, one can disable security systems so enemies can't call for reinforcements, or they can simply go in guns blazing with reckless abandon. Though, the latter isn't recommended on harder difficulties. One can stealthily move through levels, entering vents and other alternate paths, or they can once again do their best Rambo impression, shooting down foes with their gun barrel blasting as play plow through levels.

After playing through the approximately 10-hour campaign by your lonesome (that time can greatly increase through going after the various collectibles and playing harder difficulties), you'll probably want to move on to what most longtime Killzone players love most about the series-- its multiplayer. I'm happy to say that despite not being hugest fan of FPS multiplayer games, Killzone: Shadow Fall's offering, both online and off, is pretty darn nice.

I see I have two attendees to my shotgun party. Welcome. Did you RSVP?

Warzones have parties of people roaming to game after game while remaining together. Of course, you can always play individual matches in a one-and-done fashion as well. There are three character classes to select from and a load of loadout options available. The lack of an experience system means that players beginning the online multiplayer experience won't have fear of feeling far behind because they are not only outmatched skill-wise compared to players who have been enjoying Shadow Fall's multiplayer modes longer, but also because they have much worse equipment. Thus, it's much easier to jump into Killzone: Shadow Fall's multiplayer than a game like Call of Duty, for instance.

Not only can you play the Warzones already manufactured by Guerrilla Games themselves, but you can customize and create your own Warzone scenarios yourself. You can select from Shadow Fall's nice selection of ten maps, choose from modes like Search & Destroy and Capture & Hold, and even include bots. Yes! Bots! In a 2014 console game with online! This gave me grand memories of fully customizing every facet of a multiplayer match in Perfect Dark, my favorite FPS game to date, so if Shadow Fall can give me memories of that awesome multiplayer game, then that's high praise coming from me.

With everyone on the same level playing field,
Killzone: Shadow Fall is good for both beginners and longtime players.

The visuals of Killzone: Shadow Fall are absolutely jaw-dropping. This in part to Shadow Fall moving away from past games' drab brown and grey color pallets to something much more bright, vivid, and vibrant in specific levels. The game manages to hold a steady frame-rate for the most part, even in the most intense firefights. Meanwhile, the sound design manages to delight with consistently well done voice acting and moody orchestrated music accentuating the action and more subdued portions of the game.

With a stellar single player campaign and lasting multiplayer goodness, Killzone: Shadow Fall was a pleasant surprise as my first PlayStation 4 game. Although the narrative can interrupt gameplay way too much and certain non-shooting segments feel shoehorned in and rather clumsy, overall, Killzone: Shadow Fall manages to be a stellar first-person shooter that is definitely worth looking into for any PlayStation 4 owner who enjoys the shooter genre. Fall in!

[SPC Says: B-]

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - First Snow of the Season Edition

Snow has fallen upon Central City for the first time this season! Let's bring out the old SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs segment to celebrate! (I was going to be posting this anyway, but don't let that spoil the celebration!) This week we have music from Killzone: Shadow Fall, Grandia, and Dark Souls! If you want to check out past VGMs featured on this weekly segment, check out the VGM Database!

v741. Killzone: Shadow Fall (PS4) - Main Theme

Let's start off this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs with a PlayStation 4 launch title. Over the weekend it was the PlayStation 4's first birthday, after all. Killzone: Shadow Fall might not have played as an outstanding first-person shooter in a seemingly endless sea of the genre, but it certainly looked and sounded tremendous. This main theme of the game may not be the most melodic, but it's certainly provides an ominous mood all the same.

v742. Grandia (PS1) - The Sandy Beach of Gumbo

A gentle and serene theme for a tranquil town, The Sandy Beach of Gumbo lulls players into a peaceful meditation with its soft piano and soothing strings. Grandia debuted on the PlayStation in 1997, and from there it spawned three sequels. As for the PS2 generation, Grandia as a series has unfortunately been missing in action.

v743. Blue Dragon (360) - Dragon Fight!

Nobuo Uematsu knows how to deliver excellent boss music, and Blue Dragon's Dragon Fight! is no exception. Well, actually, now that I think about it, that Infinity song with the Deep Purple lead vocalist singing is sort of bad... Regardless, as the name implies, this battle theme plays upon facing one of many dragons within this Xbox 360 exclusive.

v744. Dark Souls (PS3, 360) - Ornstein & Smough

A terrible twosome, a boss battle to end all Dark Souls boss battles-- well, except for every other climactic and tense encounter within the game. Ornstein & Smough's theme features an entire orchestra and a deep chorus that shakes the very foundation of the song. Motoi Sakuraba shows his mastery of magnificent boss music with this track.

v745. Sonic CD (SCD) - Collision Chaos Zone (Good Future)

I am of the camp that prefers the North American version of Sonic CD's soundtrack. It's far catchier, has better beats, more amusing melodies, and so on. Collision Chaos Zone is the second zone of several in Sonic CD. This particular rendition of the theme plays in the good future, the final act of the zone. Gotta dig that awesome guitar and the proceeding riffs it rocks out!

Nifty November: Twelve Games to Look Out for This Month

It's the first of the month, so do we even have to ask you what time it is? Okay, we'll do it anyway. It's time to check out what are the most interesting games to be releasing this upcoming month. November is the start of the holiday shopping season, and you can bet that video game publishers are putting out their big guns this month. November 2013 will mark the debut of not just one, but two brand-new gaming consoles to the market. With them comes a host of new titles to get hyped on. SuperPhillip Central has taken the liberty of listing the top twelve titles that you should be anticipating. As always, release dates are subject to change, and these releases are based off the North American launch dates. Which games will you be picking up?

Call of Duty: Ghosts (Multi)
Release Date: 11/5

This year, the Call of Duty franchise has some fierce competition. Battlefield 4 released last month on current generation platforms. It will also release on next gen platforms. The latest in the Call of Duty series, Call of Duty: Ghosts, will release on current generation systems in four days, and will also appear on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 close to their respective launches. By now, gamers know what to expect with Call of Duty-- intense gunfights, militaristic action, and perk-based multiplayer. While we don't really have a soft spot for the Call of Duty series, we understand why the series successfully entertains other gamers year after year.

Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (PS3)
Release Date: 11/12

After several failed experiments with the Ratchet & Clank series with All 4 One and Full Frontal Assault, Insomniac is returning the franchise to its roots with Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus. The game will feature a whole slew of new weaponry to upgrade and gadgets to assist Ratchet and Clank in their adventure. Many characters from past games, including Captain Qwark and the gang from Thugs-4-Less from Going Commando, will also be present. Outside of the 3D sections of Into the Nexus, special 2D platforming puzzle segments starring Clank will be featured. We can't really say no to classic Ratchet & Clank gameplay with a budget price of $29.99. We hope you can't either!

Killzone: Shadow Fall (PS4)
Release Date: 11/15

The PlayStation 4 has suffered from delays in a handful of key launch titles. That hasn't stopped the deserved hype for the platform's launch, however, which just so happens to be two weeks from today. Without a doubt the most talked about launch title for Sony's new hardware is Guerilla Games's Killzone: Shadow Fall, a first-person shooter that will be a great technical showcase of the PlayStation 4's hardware. While the genre is one that we suffer fatigue from, we're certain that many new PlayStation 4 owners will enjoy a return to the Killzone universe when the game launches on November 15.

Knack (PS4)
Release Date: 11/15

We're such suckers for a good action game, so was there ever any doubt that we'd be most excited for Knack as our most anticipated PlayStation 4 launch title? Game director Mark Cerny has been quoted as saying the game can be viewed as a combination of Crash Bandicoot, Katamari Damacy, and God of War-- an interesting mix of games for sure! The titular hero can use other substances and merge them with his body depending on the level to solve puzzles and take down enemies. We're also anticipating this title, as it comes from Sony's Japan Studio, a studio that didn't deliver much output this past generation. One of the games they did deliver, however, Puppeteer, was a great one.

Need for Speed: Rivals (Multi)
Release Date: 11/19

A cross-gen release, Need for Speed: Rivals returns the series to an open world setting, much like its predecessor, Most Wanted. The game will feature a myriad of racing types, as well as dynamic weather system to make the game world seem much more alive. The choice is available for players to become a racer or a cop, and you can be sure that each side will possess its own set of unique challenges, meaning one should eventually play both sides to get the most out of the game. Autolog from Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2012 returns, allowing players to challenge their friends and compare times. If you have the need for speed, Rivals will give it to you when the game releases on November 19.

Forza Motorsport 5 (XONE)
Release Date: 11/22

November 22 is a big day for releases, and obviously the biggest is the launch of the Xbox One. It's been a console mired in controversy, and while we have no plans to purchase one anytime soon, we have to admit that the launch lineup is much more appealing than what the PlayStation 4 offers. Forza Motorsport 5 is an absolutely brilliant-looking racing simulator with some stunning visuals. It's the type of title that you can show to your friends and family and go, "yes, THIS is the power of the Xbox One." Of course, it doesn't hurt that the Forza franchise is always highly entertaining, too!

Ryse: Son of Rome (XONE)
Release Date: 11/22

The team behind Crysis delivers this Xbox One exclusive launch title. When Ryse: Son of Rome debuted, many were not impressed with what was present content-wise. There were many quick-time events involved, which many feared dumbed-down the gameplay. The trailers that followed eased many gamers' concerns, and this action-adventure title set in alternate universe of the days of the Roman empire seems like one of the top Xbox One launch titles to pick up when the system and the game releases November 22.

Dead Rising 3 (XONE)
Release Date: 11/22

One of our favorite new franchises from the seventh generation of consoles (Wii, PS3, X360) was Dead Rising. While it wasn't everyone's cup of tea, due to requiring adept time management skills, the original is our favorite Xbox 360 exclusive. Dead Rising 3 takes the series to new heights with a larger environment to explore, a new character as the star, and the same craziness of gameplay that makes killing zombie after zombie an engaging activity. Throw in some psychopaths as bosses and practically anything you find can be used as a weapon, and you have a captivating Xbox One exclusive.

Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)
Release Date: 11/22

Since we're such big platformer fans here at SuperPhillip Central, you can be rest assured that we're insanely hyped for Mario's 3D platformer debut on Wii U. At E3, the debut trailer didn't really excite a lot of people, but subsequent footage has certainly hyped a plethora of gamers. We feel foolish for ever doubting Nintendo EAD. The number of interesting ideas present in Super Mario 3D World makes us giddy with excitement. We'll have a full review of Super Mario 3D World when it hits store shelves November 22.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS)
Release Date: 11/22

The Zelda team has recently been trying to defy expectations of what a Zelda game should be. Their latest attempt at something fresh for the franchise is The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. The shake-up for this game involves renting items instead of earning them in a dungeon, using found item to solve said dungeon's puzzles, and then using that same item to defeat the dungeon's boss. A Link Between Worlds takes place within two parallel worlds, Hyrule and Lorule. As big fans of A Link to the Past, the nods to that game present in this new 3DS installment can't stop us from being insanely happy.

Tearaway (PSV)
Release Date: 11/22

From the creators of the fantastic LittleBigPlanet, Tearaway is a PlayStation Vita exclusive that utilizes practically all of the system's unique features, such as the rear touch screen and frontal touch screen of the system. Players can choose between a male character or a female character at the beginning of the game, and then enjoy a platforming adventure that will most likely capture the imagination of its players. Media Molecule has a great track record with their games, so questioning the quality of Tearaway seems to be a bad gamble. We anxiously await our chance to try out Tearaway when it releases November 22.

Ys: Memories of Celceta (PSV)
Release Date: 11/26

The awesome Ys series finally debuts on the PlayStation Vita in North America on November 26. The game once again uses the character of Adol Christin, who at the beginning of the game suffers a not-so-nifty case of amnesia. Through exploring the forests of Celceta, Adol will piece together who he is. Ys is known for being a fantastic action-RPG franchise, and with the upgraded visuals allowed by the Vita, Memories of Celceta looks to be one of the more exciting games in this already entertaining franchise.