The management and RPG style made me think of a digital board game like Antihero, but really it plays more like a visual novel — a genre that leans hard on player interaction to involve you in the story. And in that, Through the Darkest of Times was quite effective. I did feel for the struggle of these people in a way that felt more personal than if I was watching a movie or reading a book. The choices didn’t lead to branching stories, but the very act of making a choice placed responsibility for the consequences on me. That’s an extremely effective game design!

Toukiden 2 is packed with new concepts, battle mechanics, an open-world and an evolved application of previously existing elements that both fans and newcomers to the franchise will be spoiled with and enjoy.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare does everything fans of the franchise could ever want. You get the triumphant return of the single-player campaign; crossplay that actually works; maps and weapons available to everyone; and a robust multiplayer experience packed with over 25 maps (including Spec Ops maps) out of the box. Modern Warfare isn’t the best Call of Duty game in the franchise as the single-player and Spec Ops modes fall a little short. Yet, at the very least it pushes the series back in the right direction and fans should be plenty satisfied with what Infinity Ward has brought to the table this year.

Making its way to PS5 and Switch, it’s only a little disappointing that Grounded didn’t bring along a lot of new content, though it does include all updates, new ant queens, and a new game+ mode. Grounded is still an excellent and unique survival game. Its big-world crafting RPG mechanics scale down to miniature size quite well and there are a ton of ways to make the game your own. Like their PC and Xbox counterparts, Sony and Nintendo fans of the survival/crafting genre will not be disappointed by Grounded.

There’s plenty to like about Marble It Up! in its current form, but if you’re not a diehard fan of the genre, it may be worth waiting for a sale due to how short Marble It Up! feels. It’s absolutely a well-crafted experience that looks, sounds, and plays great. It’s just a little frustrating to see another indie game on the Switch eShop that feels a little light on content, especially with its price point.

It wasn’t anything close to what I expected. But in the end, I wound up being pleasantly surprised. While far from a meaty experience, what’s there is all good stuff. If this is Square Enix testing the water – so to speak – with VR, then I hope there’s much more to come from them on this platform.

Fans of Vermintide will definitely enjoy Darktide’s slightly more creative approach to character building, and anyone into fast-paced cooperative shooters — lovers of Warhammer 40,000 or not — will have a great time. Best of all, Warhammer 40,000 Darktide has all the elements for an extended life, provided Fatshark keeps fixing bugs, adding content and rewarding its fans. Darktide is off to a great start.

Disney Infinity 3.0 marks a return to form that was lost from 1.0 to 2.0.

It will only take you a lazy Sunday afternoon to finish the main campaign elements but the amount of collectibles and items you can level up gives this expansion plenty of wheels. Saints Row fans rejoice as this is a solid purchase for $20 bucks.

All in all, Ring of Pain is a different enough take on the card game genre that it’s definitely going to be a good time. While not perfect, it has enough lurking in its depths to keep you thinking “Okay, well just one more run!”

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a fantastic set of 3 Nintendo DS classics. This package contains all of the modernizations and features one could hope for in a collection of older games. But it goes above and beyond with an extensive Museum of archival extras, and an Animation Studio feature. My only complaint is that this second trilogy of Ace Attorney games follows the formula of the original trilogy exactly. If you’re already a fan of the Ace Attorney games this collection is a must-own.

Shining Resonance Refrain plays like a pretty standard yet extremely solid JRPG. Despite the slow beginning, the story is interesting and extremely well thought out. The characters are likable and the graphics are beautiful.

It might take a bit of time and effort, but once you’re past the initial start up process you’ll soon be in for a treat.

Of all the possible stories to tell in the wide universe of Star Trek, Resurgence picks a good one. It takes place in the “present” of the story, and while it has some fun with cameos, it doesn’t overdo them. It presents a galaxy in a time of uneasy peace, and a diverse Federation crew. I would certainly recommend Resurgence to anyone who loves Star Trek. If you’re a curious non-Trekkie well, how much can you tolerate quick time events? Because by the ancients there are a lot of them. But this reviewer didn’t mind one bit.

Overall, MotoGP 20 is a game for the player looking to be as close to racing on a crotch rocket at 300 mph without having to go jump on a bike themselves. With a very deep career mode, a ton of customization options, several modes of play, and stunning graphics from beautiful locales, there is a lot to do for the gaming purist looking for a hyper-realistic recreation of one of racing’s finest leagues. For the gamer who wants to shoot rockets from the sunroof and pull a barrel roll over a lake, well, this is probably not for you.

Signs of the Sojourner by Echo Night Games has my definite seal of approval to those looking for a fresh deckbuilding game. At the end of my first playthrough, it felt like I only scratched at the surface of the game. With multiple endings and a variety of decks to try out, this is a title I’m looking forward to diving into once again.

Accurate in its execution and complex in its politics, 1979 Revolution may have its flaws, but its faults do not overshadow its success of a nuanced portrayal of a history and its people.

One could make a long list of things that Jupiter Hell isn’t, but that would be missing the point and the prize. Jupiter Hell is an easy-to-understand, but challenging and addictive roguelike, with turn-based action that never gets bogged down with the minutiae of facing, hexes, grids, or overly-complex mechanics. Instead, it zeroes in on cover, position, tactics, and the smart use of the tools at hand. The procedurally generated elements are the stuff of hit and miss, luck of the draw, run-ending frustration, and occasionally some pretty barren levels. Aside from that, Jupiter Hell is a focused and fun homage to an era of shooter where you never knew what was around the next dark corner.

Ultimately, Grime is an overall successful transposition of the 2D Soulslike subgenre into a new and engaging world. Although it lacks the emotional richness of the best Souls games, Grime’s striking environments, solid combat, imaginative enemies and original mechanics all work together in harmony, and it clearly establishes a formula that is open to refinement and possibility.

Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright is a great tactical JRPG with a weird release. The game itself is fantastic though.

Between the delightful little flourishes, this is a game that wants to make you think. And feel.

An impressive, albeit expensive, zombies package. This is more than just a new splash of paint. It’s a compilation of some of the great maps that makes the mode so popular today.

Great artwork, enjoyable music, and compelling gameplay, what more could a game really need?

With a perfect mix of exploration and platforming, randomly generated maps, awesome upgrades and extremely addictive gameplay, SteamWorld Dig is a fantastic game, one that I highly recommend playing.

It won't win any beauty pageants or appraisal for artistic ingenuity, and it probably won't be marveled at for its in-depth story and character development; but if you crave that old fashioned, non-stop mayhem of an old school first-person shooter, no one does it better and with more attitude then Serious Sam.

Cattails is a surprisingly-polished and well-made game for a little indie title. The controls are easy to use, the mechanics are solid and the visuals are bright, colorful and cute. Again, it maybe lacks some of the vibrant detail of other open-world sims, and the fighting is a bit too simple. Dialogue with other cats can be fun but more response options could be added. Overall, though, the gameplay experience is an engaging one that will easily take 20-plus hours of your life away if you let it – but hey, you’ve still got eight more. If you love Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon, or just cats, you’ll find this game to be a near-purrfect choice.

Despite the lack of variety, I have to recommend Blasters of the Universe. Its addictive mix of shooting action and immersive gameplay make this a worthy addition to anyone’s VR library.

Rarely do I play a game where dying makes me excited to keep playing and I easily lost track of the time from constantly wanting to improve and build something bigger, better, and badder.

Fans of the Spellforce franchise may balk at the absence of the usual RTS/RPG mashup mechanics. Spellforce: Conquest of Eo hops on the turn-based train, but the game is every bit as engaging as earlier entries in the series. It’s just different. Even players a little fatigued by the glut of turn-based RPGs should give it a go, as the game’s combat is accessible and fun. In all honesty, I’m personally hoping the next numbered game in the franchise returns to its roots, but this change in direction has its own pleasures.

Ghost Song doesn’t try to reinvent the Metroidvania genre, but neither does it clutter it up with extra mechanics for the sake of complexity. It’s approachable but challenging. What it lacks in originality is made up for by attractive art, good level design and overall, addictive fun.

Sure it does not look as good as the PS3 version of the game and there are some technical issues that rear their ugly head from time to time, yet there is no mistaking this is an amazingly deep game for gamers on the go and one baseball fans with a PS Vita can purchase with confidence.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is a heartwarming and interesting journey with fantastic characters and a balanced combat system.

With its peculiar, charming, and ‘fairytale-esque’ ambience, Anna’s Quest manages to create a unique and memorable world all on its own.

This is a great game that still has the power to engross today’s gaming audience. However, for all those who have played it already, I hate to rain on your parade, but Heavy Rain might not be worth another visit.

Arken Age delivers an incredibly immersive adventure through its exceptional tactile gameplay. Every aspect of the game is built around this core philosophy, quickly grounding you in its world. With a diverse arsenal and unparalleled freedom of traversal, it offers the kind of complete experience VR gamers have long been craving. While it may not prioritize storytelling, it remains an essential title for VR enthusiasts.

At its height, TR-49 succeeds at making every player feel like its mystery is their very own to solve. It takes talent to distort reality like that.

The content you get from this is incredibly worthwhile, and the challenge the bosses’ present feel achievable without being frustrating. If you already own Darksiders 3 you should buy this DLC and get the full experience, but the fact you NEED the DLC to feel like you have the full game is unfortunate to say the least. Had this been included in the game at launch and the much-needed QOL upgrades been implemented, Darksiders 3 would have truly been the successor of the franchise.

While Engage didn't win me over with its story, the mechanics are a different matter. I'm pleased that level grinding is being sidestepped in such a clever manner, though I still miss it. I loved how intense the battles are, every single time. Even with the Time Crystal, the stakes feel terribly high. Sure, the narrative feels more cliché than I'm used to. I wish it wasn't a good vs evil fetch quest. But the character bonds still tell a compelling tale all on their own. And though I didn't love the side content this time around, I'm still happy there's so much of it available. Overall, Fire Emblem Engage is an excellent entry in the franchise. You won't want to miss this one.

MOTHERGUNSHIP: FORGE is a lot of fun. One of the best VR bullet-hell games I’ve experienced, it will have you ducking, bending and swiveling like a demon. It may lack variety and is best played in small doses (and big clear rooms), but If you like bullet-hell survival, and you’ve got a Meta Quest 2, this one is a title to check out.

Ara: History Untold doesn’t totally reinvent the grand strategy genre, but the changes it makes help create a fresh, engaging, and fun experience. All 4X games are dense with mechanics, decisions, and weighty outcomes. Ara: History Untold does a good job of navigating the player through its many options and paths to victory. Ara: History Untold beats the upcoming Civilization VII to the finish line, but the two approaches are different enough to sit side by side.

The one thing that all roguelikes and rogue-lites need to get right is convincing the player that the next run is going to be rewarding in some new way. In The Rogue Prince of Persia, this most often comes from increasing mastery of the game’s traversal, which is both accessible and challenging. Procedurally generated levels sometimes inhibit the flow and create frustration. At this point, The Prince of Persia is more a vague character concept than a game franchise, but it keeps inspiring developers in new directions, and that’s a win for gamers.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a solid stealth experience with a lot of variety both in hero use and level design. It’s a beautiful game that should please any strategy buff, particularly those who enjoy the whole ninja/samurai aesthetic.

Hardspace: Shipbreaker does a great job of reminding us that, no matter how marvelous our futures might be, we’ll still be working for the Man in one form or another. Aside from maybe being too long for its own good, the game is simultaneously relaxing and challenging to play. It drills down on relatively few ideas, but makes them engaging. Hardspace: Shipbreaker has developed into an outstanding sim and puzzle game.

In its day, Age of Mythology introduced some compelling new ideas into the real time strategy genre. While I think it’s overdue for a complete remake, Age of Mythology: Retold is an excellent way to reacquaint players with a genuine classic, and a perfect introduction for gamers new to the title.

As sequels go, this is what I hoped to see after playing a lot of Monster Train on my Switch and PC- more Monster Train. And the devs really proved their creativity in this game, coming up with some truly mind-bending card combinations, and a fun story that holds the chaos together. I’ve played quite a bit of the game, and I can tell that I still have tons of cards to unlock. I anticipate that Monster Train 2 stays in my rotation for a good long time.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D stands on its own just as well in portable form as it did on the Wii, but be forewarned that they really didn’t change anything from the console version.

Two classic platformers and more extras than you can shake a stick at! Disney Classic Games: Aladdin And The Lion King is the new benchmark for how to release retro games in the modern world. If you’re at all curious, or are wondering if you should give these classics another look, the answer is yes! There has never been a more thorough release of retro games.

Nights of Azure 2 doesn’t stray too far away from its predecessor but effectively deals with what it originally lacked – namely, making it highly customizable and providing variability. Battles are significantly more enticing and connected to the overarching story.

When you compare NCAA Football 14 with last year’s game there is no question the franchise has moved forward in the right direction. The enhanced running game, new physics driven animations, and the re-engineered spread and read option game make for an unparalleled NCAA football experience.

Hypnospace Outlaw is a witty, retro-styled point and click puzzle game that brings you into the depths of the ‘90s internet while testing your solving skills. While it can be suitable for all ages, it would be better catered to an older audience with its jokes that only someone who has lived through that time would understand. It may take a few sittings in order to complete the game but just make sure you remember about it in order to play it. If you are looking for a puzzle game riddled with an assortment of jokes and retro nostalgia look no further!

In the end, Colors Live is a great little program for beginners or for those who just want to do some doodling while you’re out and about. It’s got the basics that can help you learn the ins and outs of digital art while not bogging down newbies with a plethora of brushes and features. If you’re seriously considering getting into digital art, there are many programs and hardware you can pick up at the cheap, which will give you all the options to make great art. But for a younger person, picking up a physical copy of this game at $49.99 USD, which comes with the impressive Sonar Pen, is a fantastic way to let out that inner Van Gogh.

Synapse is an intense shooter that imbues you with heroic powers. Each run in this addictive rogue-lite is exhilarating. The gunplay and telekinesis perfectly combine and allows you to experiment with the mechanics. Due to the upgrade system, you progressively get stronger which gives further incentive for another round. Even with the small number of enemy types and slightly repetitive gameplay, Synapse is an essential PSVR 2 title and a promising glimpse at what the future of the medium holds.

Without a doubt, My Friend Pedro’s greatest strength is its gameplay. While its surrounding narrative and levels are not at the same level, they do not hinder what is an overall solid game. My Friend Pedro is a relatively unique game that is hard to compare with anything contemporary and plays well to its strengths. With the ability to replay the game on higher difficulty settings and compete for higher scores, we can see My Friend Pedro being a fun pickup-and-play title for the foreseeable future.

Wulverblade is a wonderful throwback to classic 90’s brawlers but there’s also a healthy dollop of newness added to the mix. The combat, while initially very simplistic, has layers upon layers of depth that slowly reveals itself with each subsequent stage. The difficulty tends to rear its ugly head a little early, but dedicated gamers will find the challenge rewarding and engaging. The heavily-researched storyline, gorgeous graphics and animation, and simple controls make Wulverblade a sharp and to-the-point beat-em-up that’s totally worth playing.

The pacing is still weird, even if it is breezier. The battle system will still turn you off if it did the first time. Still, this is Ivalice in all its glory. Enormous, beautiful, flawed and fiercely compelling. Even if you've already put a hundred hours in the original, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age can get its hooks in you, and deep.

Both new and returning players will be challenged by Aiko’s Choice, but the rewards are worth the effort. Effectively completing the game’s missions is satisfying in the same way as solving a tough puzzle. Added to that are the game’s lovely art and music, a cast of engaging characters, and an interesting story. I suggest playing the base game first, though, if for no other reason than to get up to speed on the mechanics. It’s a shame that Aiko’s Choice doesn’t welcome new players a little more, but those who persevere will be rewarded. For fans of the original, the expansion has been worth the wait.

Hazelight Studios really nails what it means to make a good cooperative narrative-based game that will have you wanting to dive back into the thick of it every time.

Letter Quest Remastered is definitely worth your time with an abundance of content and customization features, a sweet soundtrack and simple controls.

Spellforce 3: Reforced is a rare example of a genre mashup that makes sense. The two genres actually complement each other and come together to create a unique and enjoyable hybrid. Its story and setting are pretty over-reliant on well-worn high fantasy elements, but there’s more to the game than the main campaign. Controls on console work about as well as possible, given all the moving pieces inherited from the PC version. Fans of strategy and roleplaying games should find common ground in Spellforce 3: Reforced.

Traveling through the dungeons gives that rare feeling of a pen and paper RPG coming to life. The puzzles and traps are smartly done. Overall, this is a highly enjoyable VR RPG experience. Unfortunately, the weak link comes in the controls.

It’s laid back and it’s a good, clean, silly-fun game that will no doubt appeal more towards a social like audience. As for the hardcore gamers out there, I issue you a challenge: pick up Tomodachi Life, whether you rent, borrow, or play some form of demo, and tell me you haven’t cracked smile.

This simple but very effective visual style is accented by a very fitting original score, which begs to be listened to. Mixing haunting melodies with the keys of a piano, it perfectly conveys the tone of the game and what’s going on at any given time.

Gravity Rush is by no means a perfect game, as there are certainly some areas that could have used some tweaking, but when you flush it all out it is a pretty darn good game and one worthy of any Vita owners attention and money.

Moonscars is a beautiful, grimdark homage to the Soulsborne genre, with engaging art and challenging action. Not everything is well explained, and both the game’s narrative and mechanics can feel unnecessarily opaque. It takes some time and effort to master Moonscars’ combat and systems, but the effort is worth the reward. It can be punishing, but only rarely feels unfair, and it’s one of those games that will probably compel you to keep inching forward.

If you're in the market for a fun, first-person shooter, I wholeheartedly recommend Serious Sam 4. It has its flaws and might not be the shooter of the year, but it is still one-hundred percent well worth a playthrough.

WWE 2K15 offers fans of the WWE quite a bit of gaming goodness. It has received a huge face-lift graphically and is getting closer and closer to looking like the real thing in every aspect of the game.

Despite its dark themes, there is a quirky charm in its several dialogues and the game does a fine job of debating relevant societal issues. If you’re into visual novels, then you’re used to doing lots of reading and advancing through simple interactions, which is exactly what Neo Cab offers. As a branching narrative game, your choices are perceived by the system. It feels good to have an impact on the story, but the focus here is clearly on connecting with people and affecting their lives. After all, one could say “Isn’t that what life is all about?”

Ronin is an extremely challenging platformer with a hidden ton of entertaining hours within.

Life is Strange Episode 2 is where you start to truly witness and experience how the choices you make affect the story.

The Search presents you with artistic expression as a moral act, one that can change your entire world if you commit to it properly.

RPG veterans will likely love this game, whereas some of the more contemporary RPG players might find the game to move slowly.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action-packed adventure where you can pull off some sweet parkour moves all the while wielding Ninja weapons, I highly recommend checking out Kunai. The controls are incredibly easy to learn but not easy to master, making this a superb game for beginners in the genre to our hardcore speedrunning fans. Not to mention paired with a unique if, albeit simple story, interesting story design and wonderful art design, you really can’t go wrong with this title.

All talk, conjecture, and analysis aside Not Tonight is great. As I stated before, if you liked Papers Please you’ll love this game. You don’t even need to be into the graphics or politics to get a kick out of this game. Not Tonight delivers pure-bred fun and challenge in a way that rarely, if ever, feels cheap. The game is well worth your time picking up if you can manage to push through the massive pool of levels.

If there was a place Duck Game runs foul it is in the amount of content. While there are a lot of guns and interactions the rest of the game is shallow. In a party atmosphere rotating through games is no problem but playing through online multiplayer is a different story. The $13 price tag mitigates this somewhat, but I think some people will become bored should they play multiple rounds in a row. As a party game, I recommend Duck Game highly. As a personal purchase, I still recommend Duck Game because it is a simple game done well.

And now I find myself in 2014 with a shiny new 3D remake and everything is okay. Everything is more than okay. I can finally go out into the Hoenn region and discover the magic that it was supposed to have all of those years ago. And believe me, from one Pokémon master to another, the magic is there.

In the end this 3DS port is a solid game and both fans of the original and those new to the game will enjoy all that this portable version has to offer.

And now I find myself in 2014 with a shiny new 3D remake and everything is okay. Everything is more than okay. I can finally go out into the Hoenn region and discover the magic that it was supposed to have all of those years ago. And believe me, from one Pokémon master to another, the magic is there.

There is no doubt that God of War fans will certainly find much to enjoy in this latest installment, but when standing next to its colossal brethren, this game is the weakest link in this long standing iconic series.

I find it kind of ironic to have a pixilated old school themed shooter find its way on to a shiny new and very powerful Xbox One console; however, Super Time Force represents itself commendably.

Skylanders Imaginators doesn’t push the franchise forward or make any significant strides but it remains perfectly suited for kids and it’s a rock-solid addition to the Nintendo Switch launch lineup of games.

Cute and charming are perfect words to describe this game. The sign of a good platforming game is one where players want to explore and collect all the items that are found around each level. I found myself wanting to do this and more. New Super Lucky’s Tale delivers a platformer for the whole family to enjoy by being easy to play, visually appealing and introducing a new and clever mascot to the Nintendo faithful. I sure hope we get to see more of Lucky in the future.

You definitely won't find anything else like Retro/Grade on PSN, so if you're a fan of either genre (schmup or rhythm), definitely download the demo and give it a fair shot as you should find that you will be intrigued and drawn to its premise and gameplay elements that you will want buy the full game.

While this may not be suitable for newcomers, Steins;Gate 0 is an excellent visual novel for fans who already know what the original story is about. If you enjoyed the first game, you will definitely enjoy this “what-if” scenario. It provides an alternate ending with your favorite characters, allowing you to see how they would react in a new situation that threatens them. Despite not having much interaction with the player, Steins;Gate 0 is an enjoyable experience with an enthralling and clever storyline that can keep you up thinking about it all night.

This time around the development team made the decision to mix the new DLC maps with the existing ones which stinks for those who just want to get into the new maps. Regardless, this small annoyance doesn’t take away from Black Ops III’s strong first batch of DLC.

If Found…is deep and comforting, a little disorienting, and at times heartbreaking. It is by no means trying to make people feel sorry for Kasio. Instead, it is creating an experience that some of us will never go through, and walking side-by-side with a character who does makes reality more understandable. As Kasio, we meet people who accept her, but also face hostility from the ones closest to her. It helps readers relate, understand, and reflect. It may be a very short game, but it tells a warm and powerful story that is worthwhile to read.

The potential for a solid party game experience is present as the game is accessible for all skill levels. Looking for an enjoyable dance game this holiday season? Then The Hip Hop Dance Experience for the Kinect should be right up your alley.

Daunting to an almost discouraging degree at first, but once you get the hang of it you’ll get sucked right in, and afterwards you’ll probably need a cooling off period before trying again. But you WILL try again.

I think Darksiders Genesis has a really solid base, is greatly entertaining, and is definitely worth its price tag. The previously mentioned technical flaws can (hopefully) be addressed in future updates, and I would then have little gripe with the game itself. If you are a Darksiders fan, or simply want to feel the power of slaying demons left and right, I would definitely recommend picking this title up.

With a solid suite of online and multiplayer features, great use of the 3D power, and that simple but yet addictive gameplay, one can’t go wrong picking this game up.

While I still enjoyed my time with Echoes overall, I’m a bit disappointed by the approach to wholly abandon the scope of the original and lock players into one area. I also did not enjoy the spooky area as it forces a different playstyle of focusing on how far you can go before you reset. I no longer felt like an intrepid explorer and more like a speedrunner, hoping I could key up a sequence, sneak by, and just get ten feet further than I did last time. In the end, the story changes, and parts of the new area are a delight to see. Some of the new mechanics like the rafting or manipulation of light are most welcome. So while Echoes gives up parts of what made Outer Wilds so great in the grand exploration, Echoes of the Eye is a solid companion piece to the base game. I just wish I didn’t spend nearly all of it away from my spaceship.

I love Star Ocean: First Departure R. It’s a must-play for JRPG fans, and gaming historians. By modern standards, it might seem fairly simple, but this is a port of a PSP port of a Super Famicom game. It holds up very well and is by far the most accessible way to play this first story. Even players who aren’t JRPG fans might really enjoy the combat. Especially if they’re into hack and slash and beat ‘em up games.

If you can ignore the game’s obnoxious attitude and in your face corporate sponsorship, you’re richly rewarded with accessible, consistently engaging representations of biking, snow sports, and wing suiting, coupled with a massive and literally awesome environment in which to compete or explore. Those that are into riding the leaderboards–or just playing with their friends–will have plenty of opportunities to fuel their addiction, but I’m guessing that just about everyone can find joy here in just goofing around in this expansive playground, at least for a while. Whether or not Riders Republic sticks the landing and stays in the playlist of many gamers beyond launch probably depends on a steady stream of new sports to try, and if an actual, thriving community pledges allegiance to the Republic’s competitive modes.

Like the movie, Mad Max is the perfect summer time romp and should surely wet your appetite before the true Road Warrior inspired game releases later this fall, Fallout 4.

All of this new immersion really gets you leaning into those deep slants around corners that motorcycle racing is all about. Very exciting stuff! No doubt, I wouldn’t be as enthusiastic about this game if it weren’t for the PS5 DualSense controller. Milestone has gone the extra mile with MotoGP 21, even having an enhancement roadmap you can view on their website. The roadmap clearly outlines improvements planned for May through June. Those updates include adding new bike categories, expanded player controls, and joining in-progress qualifying sessions instead of having to wait as a spectator. While MotoGP 21 is available on all gaming platforms, the PS5 with the DualSense controller is the premium way to play this game.

From last year’s stripped down version of the 2015 F1 game which was the first iteration of the series on the PS4 and Xbox One (a la shades of last year’s furor over the initial bare bones release of the NHL 2015) this year’s release is a definite step in the right direction and hopefully a sign of things to come.

The dependence on luck and rolls of the dice; however, make it unpredictable and unique at the cost of perfection. But, I think the creators know that.

The Surge 2 has some marked improvements over its predecessor but doesn’t color too far outside the lines. It takes a formula that works well and continues using it in satisfying ways, just not in fresh or surprising ones. Still, that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a hell of a lot of fun, and once it sinks its hooks into you it’s tough to pull away. The Surge 2 is absolutely a compelling entry into the souls-like genre, yet I can’t help but feel it’s missing an extra spark of creativity to make it a true game-changer.

When Ghost Recon Breakpoint is working as intended, it’s a great game. I hope the visual and audio glitches are fixed over time as this is one of many constantly evolving games on the market right now. Things like the Sniper Rifles will need to be better balanced for multiplayer and upcoming DLC will likely add to the great story as gamers grind out their Year One Pass. After many hours with Breakpoint, I can safely say I’m looking forward to what’s coming next.