Re-reviewing September 2014’s “must-buy” games

Back in August, I looked ahead to September’s game release calendar and, using my previous hands-on experiences, came up with a list of “must-buy” Xbox One and PS4 games. I also came up with five games releasing in September, not named Destiny, that would be worth purchasing. Now, as we near the end of the month, with most games either released or reviewed, it’s time to revisit these lists and see which games still hold up.

Destiny – No longer a must-buy

Prior to the release, Destiny had the promise of a game that would revolutionize the industry. It would change the way we play games, the way we interact with others. Nothing was stopping this hype train. Destiny racked up the pre-orders; even with mediocre reviews, it managed to hit $325 million in sales in just its first five days. Hype is what sold this game, but if you managed to refrain from buying in early then congratulations — you managed to save $60 bucks that you can now spend on probably another overhyped game.

To be fair, I don’t find Destiny to be a bad game. I’m actually having quite a bit of fun with it. Sometimes I feel like the only one enjoying it. But there’s no denying that, right now, it’s not a complete game. It’s not what Activision or Bungie promised us. It’s repetitive; it lacks content; and there are some odd game design choices. It may someday be — maybe 10 years from now if Bungie keeps to their word — but right now, it’s not a must-buy game.

Forza Horizon 2 – Must buy for Xbox One racing fans

If you own an Xbox One and enjoy racing games, odds are you already had your eyes set on Forza Horizon 2. The game isn’t technically out until September 30, but reviews solidified what we already expected; Forza Horizon 2 is beautiful, open, inviting, and exciting.

Hyrule Warriors – Not a must buy, but worth checking out

Wii U owners don’t get much these days. Hyrule Warriors is one of the rare game releases for Nintendo’s struggling system. The problem is, Hyrule Warriors takes to beloved franchises and combines them together in a weird mash-up that, while well-received by us, is getting mixed reviews. Rightfully so, too. I mean, I’d imagine The Legend of Zelda fans want a game more like what they’ve played in the past. Hyrule Warriors isn’t a must-buy, due to its niche genre; but, for Wii U owners who enjoy the idea of mixing their favorite Legend of Zelda characters with Dynasty Warriors gameplay, it might be worth checking out.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor – Must buy

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor doesn’t make its debut until next week, but reveiws for the game — which I originally compared to Assassin’s Creed — have painted a promising picture. Scores for the action-adventure range anywhere from 8s to perfect 10s.

Murasaki Baby – Fun, but niche

Murasaki Baby is a fun, but slightly disturbing game. It scored a 9.5/10 here on GameZone, which by all accounts would signify a must-buy game. But the niche appeal for a game in which you guide a disfigured Baby through a Tim Burton-esque world might not appeal to everyone. Because of that, I can’t say it’s a must-buy, but if you’re looking for an intriguing game on the Vita, definitely check it out. It is very short, though.

Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes – Must-buy depending on the playset

So Disney Infinity 2.0’s base game comes with The Avengers playset. It’s fun, but the real enjoyment with 2.0 are the improvements everywhere else, from the graphics to the Toy Box. Unfortunately, to experience other campaigns in Disney Infinity 2.0 you have to buy the separate playsets. While we can also recommend the Guardians of the Galaxy playset, the Ultimate Spider-Man playset just didn’t live up to expectations.


Keep in mind, these are just a few of the games that released in September 2014 — the ones I originally deemed worthy of checking out. September also saw the release of The Sims 4, FIFA 15, NHL 15, and Fenix Rage, to name a few.