It’s not often you write over 1,000 words and have virtually nothing bad to say about a game, but that’s Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. It’s a masterpiece, a work of art, bonafide breathtaking brilliance.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a therapeutic, genre-expanding experience that builds on its predecessor’s bold foundation.

It may be early, and there may still be some huge releases to come in 2024, but Dragon's Dogma 2 is without doubt a contender for Game of the Year and has set a high bar for its competitors.

Everything can go wrong during a playthrough of Kingdom Come 2, and even when it does, it’s the most fun I’ve had in a medieval RPG in a long time. The first game scratched the survival game itch I wanted to experience within a narrative, and everything’s been giving a proper facelift for the sequel. Fans of the first one will be overjoyed about the continued story and the refined features, while newcomers will be delighted with the experience and feeling like they can jump right into a living, breathing world.

Ghost of Yotei is a refined and visually stunning sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, favoring evolution over reinvention. Atsu’s revenge-driven story and her mastery of diverse weapon styles deliver fluid, impactful combat that feels both elegant and brutal.

This is a fresh story, but the respect and adoration of the original are clear at every turn. Because that original happens to be the grandfather of survival horror, Alone in the Dark is a must-play for any fan of the genre.

Stellar Blade sets a high bar, and its combination of exhilarating combat, sumptuous graphics, and deep systems makes it flourish in an era chock-full of high-class contemporaries.

Gripping, bloody gameplay and impressive hordes of enemies shine, even if the narrative might only appeal to hardcore fans.

The latest RPG is a good adventure worth its salt but carries even bigger potential. It’s hard not to imagine a follow-up title based on scenarios like steampunk or drawing from darker horror. With ReFantazio, Atlus is mostly unencumbered by traditional tenets of Persona—and that may be its biggest strength.

It’s been said before about previous titles, but Infinite Wealth feels like the ultimate Like a Dragon game. It’s bigger in every way: bigger world, bigger stakes, bigger bads to take down, but not once does it let that immense size compromise its uplifting vision. The infinite wealth Ichiban and his comrades share isn’t money; it’s each other. It’s the bonds they form, the memories they make, and their willingness to tackle life head-on and make an adventure out of every day. If you’re looking to discover that in yourself—or to sink your teeth into a massive, dazzling playground—Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a vacation worth taking.

Vengeance is the best version of Shin Megami Tensei V you can play, delivering a titanic adventure that enhances the original’s storyline and gameplay.

Whether you want to sit down for an evening and throw hands with a devil or hop online to grind ranked, there are multiple ways to enjoy both on top of plenty of extras to sink your teeth into.

If you’ve been waiting to play The Last of Us Part 2, Remastered is the perfect opportunity to experience this game at its best. Just be prepared for the heartache—in all its visually-enhanced glory.

The most complete CoD package in years, Black Ops 6 is further proof that Treyarch are the masters of this franchise.

Not only is it soulful, it’s a living, breathing embodiment of ingenuity done right, transcending all expectations and doubts I had.

Part One is the perfect beginning to a story that will stay with you for a long time to come, all set against an evocative soundtrack.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is impressively expansive, packed to the brim with secrets, and hauntingly beautiful. From the moment I set foot in the Land of Shadow, I was stunned by its gorgeous scenery and captivated by its world, but the most impressive thing of all is the sheer scale of what’s on offer.

Whether you dig Sand Land’s vibes and want to go full Mad Max with its combat or experience one of Akira Toriyama’s classic stories told in a fresh package, Bandai Namco and ILCA sold me on this world and its characters, and if you give it a try, you might just get sucked in like quicksand.

A great entry from the leading baseball sim going, MLB The Show 25 adds small but meaningful elements to its familiar formula to keep you swinging for the fences.

Xbox exclusives have been a swing and a miss recently, with even the likes of Starfield splitting fanbases. But Avowed has changed the tune—perhaps benefiting from reduced expectations after those that came before. I admittedly overlooked Avowed on the release calendar, with my eyes firmly set on other upcoming titles. Having dived headfirst into the adventure across the Living Lands, though, it’s safe to say I’ll be sticking around for the foreseeable future.

Full of hilarious moments and incredible cinematics; Split Fiction is a couch co-op powerhouse, perfect for those looking for endless fun and the ultimate escape.

You’ll be disappointed if you expect a big playground to explore or deep action mechanics. But if you want to experience one of the most emotional mob stories in games, a tale of love and betrayal set against the beautiful, cruel backdrop of early 1900s Sicily, this is the ride you should take. Be ready with tissues, though, as The Old Country is a tragedy. It doesn’t pull its punches and leaves scars that last long after the credits roll.

Monster Hunter Wilds is more of the same classic monster-slaying fun, but with new improvements and a seamless world to explore, the grind has never been better. This decades-old franchise still has plenty of fun left to discover.

My grievances with Road to the Show and Franchise aren’t enough to detract from an otherwise brilliant installment in a series I’ve truly grown to appreciate over the past few years. MLB The Show 24 is a project made by and for community members, expertly curated by the team at San Diego Studio that has found its stride and, in my opinion, set a new gold standard for sports simulation games.

Borderlands 4 lacks the polish of a flawless AAA release, but it delivers on some of the most important parts, such as offering thrilling gameplay, an expansive world, and a story that actually makes you care. The darker story and serious tone might disappoint fans who want nonstop jokes, but these changes make the game’s emotions and stakes stronger than previous games. It’s a wild, rewarding journey across a beautifully chaotic world full of secrets, explosions, and loot that never quits. Whether you play solo or with friends, Borderlands 4 reaffirms why this franchise remains a shining beacon in the looter-shooter genre, still messy, still loud, still totally and utterly addictive.

EA Sports FC 26 is a step forward, and the series desperately needed it. The backbone has never been more customizable, and Career Mode feels truly rewarding with Authentic gameplay this year. If only the issue of microtransactions and Ultimate Team’s focus on money didn’t hang over the game so heavily. That said, FC 26 truly delivers for both fans of realistic, tactical football and those who enjoy fast, arcade-style matches. Whether you want a deep and thoughtful game or play a quick and exciting online match, it offers both. Just be aware that the game will keep finding ways to encourage you to spend extra money along the way.

Black Myth: Wukong is living proof that developers other than FromSoftware can create top-tier action RPGs. Its exploration and character customization are more restrictive than I'd have liked, but its combat and boss fights are second to none.

Dynasty Warriors Origins tries very hard to reboot the series in meaningful ways, and for the most part, it’s successful in creating a more focused single-player experience. It delves deep into the richness of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms story, even if it’s at times very poorly told. The core battle mechanics are perhaps the best in the series, with many additions to keep you engaged in combat, but there’s a lot of busywork and bloat that hampers its vision.