Steamworld Heist 2 is a strong sequel, even if it may test both your skills and patience.

Zenless Zone Zero is at its best when it's delivering stylish action over puzzles.

Dungeons of Hinterberg will make you think differently about how you behave on your next vacation.

While I’ll surely continue to chip away at my best times, Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition feels more like practice than the big game itself. It’s a great way to learn the basics of speedrunning, but the outlet for those acquired skills is in another castle. Maybe it’s all building toward the return of the real Nintendo World Championships. If that’s the case, cue the ’80s training montage music. I’m going big time.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is unlike anything else you'll play in 2024, and that's why it's one of the year's best games.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn doesn't quite do enough to make it stand out in a crowded genre.

Flock will bring out the inner birdwatcher in you, even if only for a few short hours.

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail delivers an emotional gut punch, even if it takes some time to get there.

Anger Foot's one-note action gimmick can't find a second leg to stand on.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble is the robust revival this classic series deserved.

Even if it isn’t an overhaul of Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree is a massive achievement in both open-world and DLC design. It’s a daunting task to provide new content for one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time, especially with the expectations surrounding it. However, the over two-year wait was well worth it as there’s a staggering amount of content to play with here. Those who love Elden Ring will experience the same sense of awe and surprise that they felt on their first playthrough. The massive world, challenging bosses, and game-changing equipment make this expansion feel like an unofficial sequel.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance makes one of the best open-world RPGs around even better.

This isn’t a remake that completely redefines its predecessor, unlike Final Fantasy VII and Resident Evil 4. This is much more in line with Nintendo’s recent Super Mario RPG and Mario vs. Donkey Kong remakes that refurbish and update the visuals with some small quality-of-life tweaks. Those with a working GameCube and copy of The Thousand-Year Door don’t need to worry about picking this up. Still, anyone grabbing it for the first time ever or in a while on Nintendo Switch is in store for an off-kilter and memorable experience from the moment they see that first image of a gallows in Rogueport.

Though I initially worried that Hellblade 2's dark story about psychosis would trigger my anxiety, it's a surprisingly inspiring sequel about perseverance in the face of pain. It tells a story about overcoming what holds us down, and finding solace in others. It doesn't quite reach instant classic status due to uninspired gameplay that's much less creative and ambitious than its stunning presentation, but Ninja Theory's latest is still an absolute must-play for any Xbox Game Pass subscriber and an experience I certainly won't forget anytime soon.

The cryptic Lorelei and the Laser Eyes may very well be the greatest puzzle game ever made.

Homeworld 3 did keep me engaged for a time thanks to gorgeous visuals and exciting tactical combat in the vastness of space. Performance-wise, I didn’t notice too many hiccups. With an Nvidia RTX 3080, Intel i9-10900K, and 32GB of RAM, I was able to select high graphical settings without a hitch. Unfortunately, the campaign’s story is a huge step down from previous installments. Missions, whether in the campaign or in multiplayer modes, are plagued by innumerable issues related to unit pathing, controls, and commands. It’s a disappointment that was 20 years in the making.

Animal Well's deep secrets and arresting atmosphere will suck you down the rabbit hole.

Stellar Blade is a masterclass in style, but it's lacking substance.

As far as franchise revivals go, Endless Ocean: Luminous doesn't put its best fin forward.

Another Crab's Treasure utilizes its charming setting and assist mode options to become one of the most approachable Soulslikes ever.

Sand Land is a definitive adaption of a great Akira Toriyama manga, but just fine as a game.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau is more effective as a moving reflection on grief than as a Metroidvania.

As a Suikoden successor, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is perhaps faithful to a fault. Its war story is better than those found in most Fire Emblem games, and its vibrant cast of characters are a highlight. The turn-based battle system is one of the best I’ve experienced of its kind in recent years, too. It’s just a shame that frustratingly retro RPG design and lacking quality-of-life features put a damper on the whole journey. With a few adjustments, Nowa’s story could’ve been a better tale to bring back home from the frontlines.

Harold Halibut makes some key compromises to make its eye-popping claymation art style work.

Children of the Sun stumbles on story, but its unnerving hyper violence hits its mark.

South Park: Snow Day! flushes a nostalgic multiplayer premise down the toilet.

Princess Peach: Showtime! is a charming start to a new series, even if it feels like a dress rehearsal for the real show.

Rise of the Ronin has an excellent parrying system that makes its Soulslike gameplay feel challenging, yet fair compared to its contemporaries.