A few minor shortcomings aside, Battlefield 1 is just the type of reinvigoration that the franchise needed.

Due to a myriad of technical hiccups, finicky controller support and some uneven changes, Disco Elyisum – The Final Cut is disappointingly not the best version of this otherwise sophisticated and ingenious game.

Horizon Zero Dawn is the gaming equivalent of realizing that sounding too much like the legends—when done well—is just fine.

Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut on PC is a fantastic port and an absolute joy to play, far eclipsing its PlayStation 5 equivalent.

Stardew Valley has been the most rich and heartwarming experience I’ve had in a game in years.

Naughty Dog have created a masterpiece of a remake in The Last of Us Part 1. All of the emotion and action has been brought to the PS5 in stunning fashion.

Alto’s Odyssey not only serves up a fantastic succession to the original Alto’s Adventure but also delivers a gaming experience for the ages.

Monster Hunter Wilds may very well set the standard for not just how Monster Hunter plays but also how it tells its story.

What Remains of Edith Finch required me to carry out acts knowing full well how they’d play out. The game isn’t gruesome by any stretch, but it’s not a story of happy endings. It’s a story of sad retellings and painful memories, but ones that a family is desperate to preserve. And despite the painful things I saw unfold in the Finches’ home, I’m glad they preserved those memories for me to find.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes fails to capture its intended mystery-filled story because of having to headbutt against puzzles non-stop and some glaring control issues.

Super Mario Maker delivers everything you could want from it’s endearingly simple concept and it’s likely a gift that will keep on giving for years to come.

DUSK is a bloody good time on Switch that perfectly evokes the spirit of the best 90’s shooters.

Mewgenics is a standout RTS-Roguelike that Frankenstein's together the best of both genres in a freakishly delightful new breed of fun.

NieR: Automata is the rare gaming experience in which narrative, aesthetics, and gameplay all complement each other to form a perfect storm of master class game design. A truly exemplary example of what video games are capable of as an art form, and a new personal favorite.

With a wealth of new content to enjoy, on top of the already excellent and expansive base game, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration just about makes up for its late debut onto PS4.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps maintains its brilliance while introducing an incredible new combat system.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a fun and challenging action-platformer that will stimulate the part of the older gamers’ brains that loves nostalgia, while teaching a new generation that a 2D game can still be great, even in 2023.

With over a dozen games in the long-running series, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart still manages to feel fresh and exciting, taking full advantage of the PlayStation 5 by delivering what, for many, may be their first taste at a definitive next-gen feeling game for the still-budding platform.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a deftly rebuilt iteration of a foundational title—making the must-play strategy-RPG easier to enjoy than ever before.

It isn’t an overstatement to say that the attention paid to diversifying the look and tactical possibilities of the levels is key to what makes XCOM 2 work.

While Dishonored 2 takes multiple strides to improve off of the original I’m left feeling only half of them hit the mark. The gameplay and the world hooked me in exactly as before and I had high hopes for the story, but the decisive part Arkane Studios wasn’t able to execute on was the choice between playing as one of two characters.

A sequel should always be better, and Horizon Forbidden West is much better than its predecessor, by a distance as great as the journey itself.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a finely woven story with strategic elements that is a satisfying addition to the Vanillaware lineup, but fans not into anime or Sci-Fi may feel isolated in this futuristic world.

DEATHLOOP won't be a game for everyone—however, if you are a fan of sandbox styled titles or if you just like games like Dishonored, DEATHLOOP is a familiar feeling experience presented in a unique way that makes it feel fresh and fun to play.

This is a beautiful, surprisingly poignant, and simply well-designed take on a familiar genre.

The Talos Principle II gives you a philosophical deep dive into yourself while offering some challenging puzzles as well. A great entry in the series.

Metroid Dread is a wonderful, modern take on a classic game from childhood. It looks as beautiful as any of today’s games, but has a feel of the games of old. The scary tone of the game and its intense foes give you a challenge worthy of the series.

Cult of the Lamb is a fantastic game with a novel idea that gives the player many activities to do while making your very own Heaven’s Gate. A must play for fans of any genre.