Redfall is an epic miss from Arkane. The combat is mind-numbing, the quests are uninspired, co-op is a bummer, and the story doesn’t reach its potential. The only saving grace is its setting, but it’s pulled down by everything else. While co-op is the focus of the marketing, it doesn’t feel like a priority in Redfall’s design. There is some basic enjoyment in the solo campaign if you just want to turn your brain off, explore the town, and blast some goons, but there are easily better alternatives out there.

Fire Emblem Engage is a return to the series' more established format, and the renewed emphasis on combat and strategy is a boon. Yet these improvements come at the cost of losing the charm and character depth seen in Three Houses. Ideally, there needs to be a path forward that combines the best of both approaches, and in that regard, Engage feels like a missed opportunity. Additionally, the developers really need to address some quality of life issues that kill the pacing, especially when it comes to interacting with your home base. It’s a good effort, but it definitely falls short of the total package we’ve come to expect from Fire Emblem.

Blanc isn’t a heady game or a particularly sad game, it’s about the simple beauty of companionship. As you clamber over rooftops, slide down hills, or push through blinding winds, you’re doing so with someone you care about at your side, going out together for a memorable walk in the snow.

The DioField Chronicle establishes a decent framework for a fresh new strategy franchise with a solid, streamlined control scheme, but it's not quite fleshed out enough to keep gameplay interesting until the end. The lack of a more dynamic story and a flat presentation don’t help either. Despite its flaws, there’s still some fun to be had here if you’re looking for mechanics that tread different ground from the usual Square Enix tactical fare. Hopefully it will do well enough to get a sequel that can realize its full potential.

Thymesia is a solid debut for OverBorder Studio. It has some rough edges, but it's still a good time thanks to a focus on core combat mechanics, aided by the versatility of its plague weapon system. It may not stand among the best in the genre, but it has enough going for it to see it through to the end.

Nintendo Switch Sports is a tricky one to consider. It’s as fun as the series has ever been, and online interactions ensure that you have a reason to keep playing between holidays. If all you’re looking for is the chance to bowl with your family without pulling out an aging Wii, Switch Sports is great, if overpriced. It could just use more – more sports, more mini-games, more progression, more cosmetics, and so on. There are so many ways that the concept could be expanded upon and made more robust without sacrificing its simplicity.

Rising is absurdly dragged out for no real reason and suffers as a result. It's still worth checking out for anyone excited about the upcoming Eiyuden Chronicle JRPG, but it's hard not to wish the recommendation could be more fully throated than that.

Trek to Yomi doesn’t offer anything essential, but it scratches a very specific itch. Edo Era Japan is an entertaining setting, and the lethal sword duels are engaging albeit basic. A few extra enemy types and further insight into Hiroki’s struggle could have elevated Trek to Yomi to greater heights, but it’s still a fun diversion for those looking to clash swords.

At its core, Weird West is a solid game that presents a fun sandbox to play in. There are some aspects of its combat and story that aren't as strong as we'd hoped, but exploring the world and uncovering secrets with its strange and diverse cast of characters is enjoyable. It's time to saddle up and head out west.

Dying Light 2 is an enjoyable zombie survival game, but little else. It's hard to get attached to the world on any sort of deeper level because it's too overstuffed for any one thing to strongly resonate. And it really, really wants you to care since it spends so much time trying to generate those feelings. It's a good and occasionally great game buried in an abundance of ambition that is never fully realized.

The Gunk is a slippery one to pin down. It doesn’t get too bogged down in any major flaws, but it doesn’t do much to surprise either, sticking to adventuring basics, and a small toolset of abilities. That said, there is some good characterization here, and whether it ties into the SteamWorld universe or takes its own branch, it would be great to see Rani and Becks back for a more grand adventure.

There are numerous worthwhile aspects of Brilliant Diamond to dig into, but it's infuriating that you essentially have to trudge through an entire game to even gain access to so many of them. It's an absurdly high barrier to clear, one made even less palatable by the full retail price. The game is ultimately a giant missed opportunity. Instead of looking critically at Pokémon, Brilliant Diamond plays it as safe as it possibly can. The remake perfectly encapsulates all the good and bad of the series: there is something remarkable to enjoy, but you have to work through too much nonsense to get there.

Battlefield 2042 is inconsistent. The maps and vehicular combat are top tier, while the specialists and redesigned scorecard diminish teamwork. Hazard Zone does its best to offset these issues, but playing without a dedicated squad can be tricky. Portal opens the window to what could be a brighter future for the franchise, and hopefully DICE adds meaningful updates to the service at a steady rate. Battlefield 2042 has a long and windy road ahead, and only time will define its lasting legacy. As of this moment, all but the most dedicated veterans should probably wait and see how things shake out.

With every new year, we get a new Call of Duty, and while this year's entry is decent, it's not essential. There’s still some good fun to be had here, but it never goes beyond expectations. In particular, Zombies in its current state feels like a lackluster step back. If you're an avid Call of Duty fan, Vanguard may still be strong enough to hold your interest, but if you've grown skeptical over the years, it isn't likely to bring you back into the fray.

Even in retrospect, it’s easy to look at Hoa and imagine possibilities that it just doesn’t fulfill. The way it contextualizes its mechanics is wonderful, but there’s not enough depth, risk, or complexity to complement those ideas. As a result, the brief experience becomes rather flat and routine.

Taking 25 hours or so to complete, Cris Tales isn’t exactly short, but it often points to a larger world and more consequential choices than it really has to offer. The world feels small and only seems to get smaller as you get near the end and revisit past areas. It’s an absolutely beautiful game with interesting mechanics and some fun characters, but it doesn’t fully flesh out the expectations it initially sets.

Last Stop is a narrative adventure that never fully capitalizes on its potential. The characters themselves are interesting, and the finale leaves things in a fascinating place, but the journey to get there is too passive and uneven.

Mario Golf: Super Rush makes a desperate shot to score a newer, bigger audience by making the fundamentals easier, and the competition faster than ever. The adventure mode has its own unpredictable story, there’s a zany charm to becoming your own cart in Speed Golf, and Battle Golf adds a level of tactics previously unseen in the typically quiet sport. There just aren’t many ways to show these modes off, making it a tricky investment unless you’re a dedicated pro or always ready to hit the links with friends and family.

Legend of Mana never reaches any grand heights with its gameplay or storytelling, but there’s enough going for it to keep you invested. It has an undeniable charm thanks to its gorgeous visuals and great soundtrack. It's a solid adventure that's been wonderfully updated to please new and old fans alike.

Biomutant’s faults are especially frustrating because it's so wonderfully weird. The stronger and faster you get, the more you want to explore and conquer. Each new gizmo you discover presents an opportunity to change up your playstyle, and its map holds some genuinely startling surprises. But despite a rich customization system, it’s hard to connect to everything the way it's presented. It’s a clever and colorful world, it’s just not very cohesive.

Outriders blends frenetic combat and hard hitting class skills to make each encounter feel tense and rewarding. Chasing loot drops and collecting mods to bolster your collection is as addictive as using storm whip on vulnerable foes. The presentation makes it hard to connect with the characters, but players willing to read a lot may be surprised by how much thought has been put into things behind the scenes. With the current state of problems however, waiting a bit longer for things to get sorted out is recommended.

Maquette never quite delivers that sense of mind-boggling euphoria you might expect. Finicky mechanics sometimes get in the way, and it would help if there were more rewards for experimentation. That said, it’s still a fascinating premise that’s fleshed out in ways that keep pushing you to think outside the box. Paired with a love story that feels personal and authentic, it’s both intellectually and emotionally worth exploring.

The Medium has grand ambitions, but stumbles under the weight of them all. The story is emotionally engaging, but the environments fail to leave a memorable impact. Puzzles are repetitive and typically solve themselves, while slowly moving through the hotel loses its threatening aura. The Medium is a great story to watch and listen to, just not to play.

Finishing Twin Mirror takes about 6 to 8 hours. With a completed save, you can go back to specific chapters to try new choices, but there are only a few moments that feel worth such experimentation. Even though cracking the case is pretty straightforward, the more traditional aspects of investigating Basswood and talking to the people that live there end up being more interesting than traits like Sam’s mind palace and alter-ego. There’s still enough to appreciate here, but it feels underdeveloped. Like two voices in one head, Twin Mirror has a tendency to get in its own way.

Marvel’s Avengers is launching with a few cuts and bruises. It has a charming story and a surprising amount of depth and detail in the massive Initiative missions, but trying to experience it all inevitably leads to running through the same types of areas over and over, multiplied by however many Avengers you choose to make time to level up. It might not be as easy to love this crew compared to the cast we’ve been laughing and crying with for the last 10 years, but the groundwork is here to create a potentially epic-sized superhero fantasy. It just has more work to do to get there.

Battletoads tries to do a lot in a short amount of time, and mostly succeeds. The core beat ‘em up stages drag on a little too long and the comedy is hit or miss, but there are enough other ideas mixed in to break up the pace and keep things interesting. It may not be the most triumphant comeback, but it’s a decent homecoming for Rare’s irreverent heroes.

The joyous carnage of Superhot remains solid throughout Mind Control Delete, despite the fact that the road you take intentionally tries to delay and derail you. If you’ve been waiting for more of this distinct gunplay, there are at least eight hours of it here, including infinite and endless modes. VR felt like the perfect evolution of the series when it launched, but this new entry lacks an identity beyond just bringing more Superhot to the fans that crave it.

Even with a few frustrating aspects, Panzer Paladin is still a solid choice. Going through each of its stages and ripping enemies apart is a good time overall. The additional modes add some nice longevity, and its anime-inspired presentation is wonderful. It's time to suit up and save the world.

It's possible, and even likely, to walk away from Deadly Premonition 2 absolutely loving it. Few directors can construct a world or a cast as curiously compelling as Swery does. Yet it's hard not to desperately wish that these charms were presented with more capable craftsmanship. There is a special flavor that Swery games have, and that sometimes comes across in spite of the jank, but there has to be a better way of preserving that flavor while also making a stronger game overall.

Carrion starts strong with a solid premise but fails to fully capitalize on its ideas. The novelty of eating faceless humans wears thin as the sole motivation to escape isn’t expanded upon in any meaningful way. The environments fail to encourage rewarding exploration while the puzzles and combat encounters quickly become routine. It's hard to write Carrion off entirely because the novel concept has its charm, but without more depth and variety, it’s easy to lose your appetite for consuming flesh.

Disintegration is solid and does a good job with its mix of FPS and RTS elements. The strategy aspects feel a little shallow, and neither the campaign nor multiplayer modes really go above and beyond in any way, but there’s still an enjoyable and interesting premise here. Disintegration’s mashup of genres isn’t revolutionary, but its different approach is worth a look.

Resident Evil Resistance is wildly inconsistent. There are great ideas buried underneath abysmal balancing, annoying technical issues, and matchmaking woes. Playing as series icons like William Birkin and Mr. X is an appreciated novelty, but the routine objectives make playing as the survivors tiresome. With enough love and care, hopefully Resistance’s better ideas can rise to the surface, but right now there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a decent remake that nicely updates its presentation, but fails to improve upon its most prominent aspects. Exploring dungeons and battling should be standout features that excite and motivate you, but it quickly becomes a mundane routine. If you're a big Pokémon fan, you may find enough enjoyment out of recruiting new pokémon and building up your rescue team, but if you're looking for more beyond the Pokémon license, this Mystery Dungeon may not offer enough to keep you engaged.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a solid entry in the long-running line of games based on the franchise. It's clear CyberConnect2 put a lot of love into this project, and it especially shows in how the story and locations are presented. However, it's held back by repetitive combat encounters and dull side quests. Despite its shortcomings, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is still an enjoyable adventure whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer.

This latest Need for Speed doesn’t have any luck-based schemes disrupting the progression this time around, but there’s nothing moving the series forward either. The core parts that have been strong in the past aren’t quite as potent here, and the supporting elements feel directionless and half-baked. Need for Speed Heat is like a beat up old ride that’s still good to burn some rubber and get you around town, but don’t expect to turn any heads along the way.

Star Ocean: First Departure R is the best way to experience the original entry in a historically important series that often gets overlooked. It offers moderate quality of life improvements over its PSP counterpart, and retains the portable appeal with the Switch version. There’s a solid RPG here full of unique mechanics, charm, and lots of originality, but its age is definitely starting to show.

Shenmue 3 faithfully continues the next chapter of Ryo Hazuki’s journey. After an 18-year wait against seemingly impossible odds and expectations, the end result is mostly successful. Welcoming locations and an absorbing plot are held back by presentation issues, while the combat system just hasn’t come together. Regardless, Shenmue 3 is a nostalgic return to a different time and a priceless reward for anyone invested in Lan Di’s demise.

If you have a decent interest in Pokémon, there is a largely enjoyable time to be had with the latest generation. There’s still a magic present that nothing else has been able to quite replace, and the improvements and additions are meaningful. It's also easy to want a mightier effort. There are times when you can see where the game could be so much better, and it's frustrating how it falls short of ideas that seem to be right in front of it. Whether it's the fact that a beloved pokémon might not be in the game, the mediocre story, or a strong sense of having seen a lot of this before, you may be left hoping that the next effort packs a more substantial punch.

If you have a decent interest in Pokémon, there is a largely enjoyable time to be had with the latest generation. There’s still a magic present that nothing else has been able to quite replace, and the improvements and additions are meaningful. It's also easy to want a mightier effort. There are times when you can see where the game could be so much better, and it's frustrating how it falls short of ideas that seem to be right in front of it. Whether it's the fact that a beloved pokémon might not be in the game, the mediocre story, or a strong sense of having seen a lot of this before, you may be left hoping that the next effort packs a more substantial punch.

If you have a decent interest in Pokémon, there is a largely enjoyable time to be had with the latest generation. There’s still a magic present that nothing else has been able to quite replace, and the improvements and additions are meaningful. It's also easy to want a mightier effort. There are times when you can see where the game could be so much better, and it's frustrating how it falls short of ideas that seem to be right in front of it. Whether it's the fact that a beloved pokémon might not be in the game, the mediocre story, or a strong sense of having seen a lot of this before, you may be left hoping that the next effort packs a more substantial punch.

There’s a lot of potential in the combination of the Mario and Sonic universes, and the Olympic setting is one of the grandest stages of them all. Yet after over a decade, the developers simply can’t make the series live up to its massive billing. The retro angle could have been the missing ingredient, but the game doesn't lean into this strength enough. What’s left is a party game that’s fun for a few hours, but will just as quickly be forgotten.

MediEvil does a good job of addressing some of the problems found in the original while sticking close to the source material. The updated visuals and audio are great, and it’s more pleasant to play thanks to the improved interface. Even though some aspects can feel dated or way too straightforward, journeying through this dark and spooky world is still satisfying. Whether you're a fan of the original or enjoy other action-adventure games of the era, MediEvil is a solid choice.

Even though some concepts never really feel fleshed out, Concrete Genie's imaginative design is compelling. It’s often way too straightforward, and elements like the combat feel like afterthoughts. However, covering Denska's walls with vibrant illustrations brings a wonderful sense of satisfaction, and watching your genies come to life is a delight.

The prospect of playing alongside the Ghostbusters in a story that serves as a proper sequel to the original films is exciting, but this adaptation only leaves us heartbroken. Initially a captivating experience, the magic fades fast, dispelled by poorly designed sections, bad AI, and a repetitive gameplay cycle. Thankfully, the series has since been revived with new and upcoming films, but it’s a shame that Ghostbusters: The Video game squanders a golden opportunity to become something truly special in this medium.

What succeeds above all else is the script. The writers know the right times to drop references to the film and faithfully stick to the first story’s warmest moments. It’s a shame Gobbler’s Knob can’t look the same as it does in the movie, and there’s an unavoidable clunkiness to the way people move around, but there’s a surprising amount of heart in this goofy sequel. It’s worth experiencing if you’re already set up for VR and Groundhog Day is something you like to revisit again and again.

Oninaki tells an emotional tale about life, death, and the will of humanity. Its action-based combat and flexible Daemon system are enjoyable, but the game’s mundane world and presentation hold it back. Tokyo RPG Factory has done a great job of finding an identity of their own with Oninaki, and though it struggles in some areas, it's worth seeing through to the end.

It's frustrating that the elements surrounding Samurai Shodown aren't better, because the fighting itself can be so tremendous. The pace of battles, the unique mechanics, and general style all contribute to a game that feels worthwhile to learn. It's just a shame that it never really goes above and beyond when it comes to anything else.

Rage 2 has some of the most rewarding and impactful combat in the genre. However, the bland world, repetitive missions, and weak story make it hard to care about the lives you take or the lives you save. Driving controls well, but ends up feeling completely unnecessary other than getting you from point A to B. Fortunately, shooting things never gets old, and the combat shotgun will surely put a smile on your face.

SteamWorld Quest scratches the RPG itch with an accessible take on card-based battles. It’s never overwhelming which is both a benefit and detriment. The characters are lovable, but the plot fails to capitalize on its engaging foundation. In the end, it’s a solid entry in the SteamWorld franchise, just not the best.

It’s true that Falcon Age is burdened with its share of annoyances, but it overcomes them through the strength of its sense of companionship. By the end, you feel both as if the falcon is a trusted partner and a part of who you are. Even though the story may not have a satisfying payoff, it’s effective at putting you in the main character’s shoes and allowing you to identify with her struggles. There’s a greater sense of meaning here as well as a heartfelt connection that’s well worth exploring.

Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain has its heart in the right place. Instead of simply treading water, it wants to push ahead. Such a drive makes the game entertaining, especially if you're already invested in the series and are curious about the evolution. Sadly, the game doesn't match its own ambition, grasping at greater heights without fully solving the problems its ideas create. Even so, there's something valuable here, and hopefully Yuke's gets another attempt to refine its direction.

With all its design hiccups and elaborate but exhausting missions, Anthem is tiring to play, and that’s too bad. You can tell the game is capable of incredible things when you first try on a javelin and see the massive, beautiful world waiting to be explored. But it’s safe to say Anthem’s launch has not been very inspiring, despite the freedom of its excellent combat and a surprisingly broad story told by a devoted and expressive cast. We could see ourselves one day returning to this fascinating place, but we have no problem leaving our javelins in the forge for now.

Crackdown 3 is partying like it's 2010, ignoring almost every advancement the open-world genre has made in the past decade. The attempts at humor and provocation are forgettable, and if it wasn't for Echo and Goodwin in your ear, there would be almost no real meaning to any of it. Crackdown 3 excels at almost nothing, especially in comparison to several of its recent groundbreaking competitors. No matter how strong your agent can get or how much demolition you can cause, there are simply better cities to save.

Far Cry New Dawn offers a leaner take on Ubisoft’s open world formula clocking in at about 13 hours, but hardcore completionists can stretch beyond that. The characters and narrative drag down the fun, but the variety in your tactics and arsenal allow you to approach each activity in different ways. It doesn’t revolutionize the series, but New Dawn is a solid entry that makes us eager to see where the franchise goes next.

Travis Strikes Again has the right attitude, or at least an attitude you want to get behind. Yet it stumbles time and again with execution, taking an abundance of energy and squandering it in a game that’s often dull more than anything else. It's also frustrating when comparing the game to No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2. Travis Strikes again is not trying to be a direct follow-up, but those games still have a focus and flair that’s lacking here. By the time everything is over, it's hard to add up the experience in any sort of coherent way, and unfortunately, it's not even that entertaining of a trip.

While Vane may not reach the heights of its contemporaries, the bleak world it paints presents some interesting concepts. However, these ideas fails to coalesce into truly memorable moments, and it continually gets tripped up by technical issues.

After the forecasted storms turn out to be little more than hot air and the sedated story fades into bland repetition, you’re left with little more than effective new ways to customize your grapple abilities and the same gratifying destruction that the series has nailed from the beginning. Just Cause 4 clearly didn’t get as much briefing as it should have before deployment. It’s rough edges are unmissable, and its structure weighs too heavily on the simple pleasures of blowing stuff up and funneling your own creativity into how you use the chaotic tools at your disposal. It’s still fun to start a revolution, but it feels like this series can do so much better.

Darksiders III has a good framework, including the simple yet fun combat and interesting Hollow system. Unfortunately, it’s held back by its weak puzzles, uninteresting environments, and numerous technical issues. If you’re already invested in the series and want to see it through to the end, there’s enough to enjoy despite its flaws, but it’s not the strongest return for the franchise.

Déraciné maintains a calm and quiet focus on puzzle solving, characters, and its world above all else. Although it has a few underutilized mechanics and increasingly confusing time jumps, its story and atmosphere are strong enough to keep you engaged until the end.

It’s clear there’s some friction between the vision for Starlink and what we’ve come to expect for Star Fox as the two don’t mesh together perfectly, but what Ubisoft manages to accomplish is pretty remarkable. It’s a good game with a lot of small flaws, and this imperfect union shows amazing potential. It’s repetitive and certainly could use some more polish, yet it’s still strangely addictive and fun. If Nintendo is smart, they’ll continue this collaboration with Ubisoft, only hopefully next time it will be a dedicated Star Fox project instead of a tacked-on console exclusive.

Timespinner is good callback to the 90s and games that inspired it. It has some solid combat, decent exploration, and a great soundtrack. The story and side quests are a bit dull, and the time mechanic never delivers on its potential, but it’s still an enjoyable adventure overall.

Despite the piles of issues and annoyances, Little Dragons Café isn’t an unpleasant game. The overall art direction, character design, and music all present a storybook charm that pulls you in early and keeps it enjoyable in the midst of the grind. More than anything, the simple gameplay just gets stretched thin over the 40 hour story. While we don’t often focus on cost, the full $60 price tag also seems particularly difficult to justify. With a stronger investment and more developed gameplay, a sequel may still have potential, but as it is, Little Dragons Café could have used a bit more time in the oven.

Despite a notable amount of bugs and exploitable mechanics, We Happy Few presents an entrancing world to explore. Exceptional voice acting and interesting characters help alleviate the lesser qualities of combat and repetitive mission objectives, but it’s overstuffed length and half-realized ideas hold it back considerably.

Even though it makes some steps forward, The Crew 2 doesn’t offer much beyond wandering aimlessly and stumbling across landmarks. The variety of vehicle types removes any barriers on where you can go, and the creative racing scenarios keep things somewhat interesting. However, these strengths are overpowered by the annoying dialogue, pointless features, and considerable lack of challenge. Stats are king of the road in The Crew 2. Racing skill is supplanted by thoughtless RPG mechanics, and before long, it all just feels like going through the motions.

Vampyr wastes its setting and premise on tedious combat and a story that’s much longer than it needs to be. Technical problems and dimwitted AI make progression a chore, while the striking locations become mundane. Just a few standout characters and excellent story moments help Vampyr claw out of the grave from disaster to mediocrity.

PixelJunk Monsters 2 is exceedingly similar to its predecessor. The core mechanics remain simple with deep, nuanced strategy, but the short length and lack of multiplayer innovations are a letdown. It’s an easy game to recommend for fans and newcomers to the tower defense genre, but it lacks the impact of the original.

izard of Legend nails the feeling of being a grand wizard. Experimenting with all the different spells is a blast, and there are some heart-pounding boss fights. The peripheral elements fail to deepen or expand Wizard of Legend, but the core gameplay makes for a good time if you’re looking to fill a roguelike fix.

State of Decay 2 has so much potential that's not fully realized. The simple brutality of combat and the demands of keeping up a base offer noteworthy moments on their own, but that enjoyment is hurt by an array of bugs and a gameplay structure that loses much of its challenge and intrigue far too quickly.

Despite the confusion, the conflicting design choices, and the bugs, the gameplay keeps us coming back to Trailblazers. The process of forging a line around the track, coordinating with other drivers, and trying to maintain the fastest speed shines through the flaws. There’s a worthwhile racer here, but be prepared to hit some speed bumps to get to it.

Although there's still some excitement to be found in the fundamentals of Attack on Titan 2, it's a game whose lack of meaningful strides forward is its own undoing. What is new sounds promising at first, but since it's so underutilized, the game ends up feeling like an extension of the first entry rather than a true sequel. If Omega Force does tackle the story of Eren Jaeger yet again, hopefully they’ll find more compelling reasons for players to revisit this gruesome world.

Kirby’s greatest strength lies in the versatility and inventiveness of the powers he can absorb. Forming a team and combining those powers only adds to that joy of experimentation, but it’s disappointing that the places you go don’t do more to make the most of those abilities. Kirby Star Allies does get better in its later stages, it just isn’t particularly memorable as a whole.

Sea of Thieves is an ambitious game filled with some great ideas. Being able to explore the high seas with friends while collecting treasure, battling other pirates, and solving riddles is fun the first few times. However, after the short honeymoon phase is over, there’s not much left to keep your crew from abandoning ship.

The Secret of Mana remake adds a few good things like hot keys and cut-scenes, but fails to improve upon some of the most notable flaws of the 1993 original. The adventure that so many people fell in love with is still there at its heart, but this version fails to show it off in the best light.

Fe’s shortcomings definitely hold it back from being something spectacular, but what it manages to achieve is still admirable. The stunning visuals, emotional singing mechanic, and the wonder of the world itself are top shelf efforts. Beneath its initial ambiguity and occasional rough patches lies a charming adventure.

There’s no denying Dissidia takes a huge risk in trying to do something unique, but this game simply asks too much of the average person. The online features will satisfy seasoned players, but there simply isn’t enough to keep everyone else coming back, especially considering the story mode’s numerous shortcomings. There’s certainly potential here, but it’s clear Square Enix needs to go back to the drawing board if Dissidia hopes to have any sort of future.

Lost Sphear successfully captures the essence of classic role-playing games. It tells an engaging story with likeable characters and satisfying combat, though for its simplicity and shortcomings, the $50 price tag does seem a bit steep. Tokyo RPG Factory hasn’t come close to reaching the heights of the classics, but Lost Sphear is a worthwhile addition to the genre.

The Inpatient feels half-baked. The story and mechanics never come together in a satisfying way. Despite moments of terrifying audio-visual design, the cumbersome controls and a lack of interesting characters make The Inpatient a chore to play through.

Star Wars Battlefront II features stunning audiovisual design, but it sets a new low for loot crate systems. With advantages determined by random chance and possibly returning to microtransactions in the near-future, it destabilizes the fun and spirit of competition. Meanwhile, the much-touted campaign is devoid of any memorable moments. Fans will certainly enjoy playing as the heroes and villains, but it’s hard to recommend Star Wars Battlefront II.

Sonic Forces doesn't ever reach the lowest lows the series has gone through in the past. Yet it also has almost nothing in it that leaves a lasting impression. It's the kind of game you can breeze through in an afternoon and then forget about immediately after. The customization in Forces is appreciated, but it’s nowhere near enough in a game that lacks great ideas.

Assassin’s Creed Origins isn’t the reinvention of the prolific franchise that many had hoped for. Instead, it refines the formula put in place a decade ago while telling an important story about the Assassins. Ancient Egypt is a compelling playground to explore, and the RPG elements make it easy to stay engaged. If you love the franchise, Origins is an easy recommendation. Just don’t except much change.

Fire Emblem Warriors absolutely makes good on its combination of strategy and action, working better than many other licenses that have adopted the Warriors format. While it's definitely rough in spots, it does manage to capture a lot of the Fire Emblem spirit. If Nintendo keeps mixing its properties with the Warriors style, hopefully those games will learn a lot from this experiment.

The driving is excellent, there’s an enormous amount of cars to explore, and the improvements to weather and race length are appreciated. Yet there’s no defining element to really get behind aside from the ability to play in 4K after the launch of the Xbox One X. On its own, Forza Motorsport 7 has merit, but if you’ve invested a lot of time into the series, it can feel like it’s spinning its wheels.

Many of the best moments in Shadow of War come from elements returning from the first game, along with a few squabbles between Celebrimbor and Talion that begin to give them some identity. Otherwise, orcs always take center stage. The combat isn’t terribly difficult, but it’s a lot of fun to rip enemies apart. The story isn’t very satisfying, but it’s amusing to assemble a cast of murderous Captains. Shadow of War is a successful update to a smart formula, but it lacks enough depth and diversity to keep us enthralled.

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is a hard game to pin down, a task made even more difficult by the plentiful competition of other recently released fighting games. It's easy to see the areas where the game could have been so much more, an especially frustrating exercise when you consider how much it gets right. If the most important part of a fighting game is the joy you can have during an individual match, then Infinite manages to capture that. Hopefully future updates can smooth over some of its roughest aspects so the game can shine more brightly.

Knack 2 is an improvement on the original in nearly every way. Constantly changing enemies and environments, a sizeable set of abilities, and seamless co-op are hindered by a mediocre story that’s hard to invest in. Still, it’s safe to say that Knack has been redeemed.

Agents of Mayhem has some positives to work with. The animated cut scenes and original songs definitely show off some flair, and the characters present a strong range of fun play styles with room to experiment. However, the enemies and environments aren’t nearly strong enough to match, and the game is further weakened by progression issues. It maintains interest well enough as it introduces each new agent, but the repetition smothers it in the end.

When compared to past Yakuza games, Zero in particular, Yakuza Kiwami simply has less going for it. There's only one playable character, a single city to explore, and fewer activities. However, Kiwami is launching at a heavily discounted price, and when viewed from that perspective, it feels like it has a lot to offer. The story is consistently interesting, the fighting still brutally satisfying, and Majima Everywhere is a clever addition. Yakuza Kiwami may not be the biggest in the series, but it's a solid remake of the game that introduced the Dragon of Dojima.

Although LawBreakers suffers from a sparse number of maps and shallow characters, its fast and fluid movement, gravity-defying combat, and emphasis on skill blend together to make for a solid multiplayer experience. There’s a decent core to build on, but it needs to do a lot more to stand out in the long run.

Ever Oasis is a decently enjoyable game, especially if you go into it aware that it requires some patience. It's just unfortunate that for all its various ideas, each of them needs work in one way or another. Still, Ever Oasis proves that there's plenty of appeal to harvest from its mixture of genres. Hopefully another game or even a sequel can more fully capitalize on such potential.

Nintendo aims to expand the game with free updates after release, but for now Arms lays a solid foundation for the future. The vibrant cast of characters, accessible mechanics and couch friendly co-op offer a distinctive fighting game that feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch. The battles eventually become routine but offer an alternative to other complex and competitive fighting games.

For the three to four hours that it lasts, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is a largely pleasant return to a series that deserves a bit more attention. With that said, although the gorgeous art and the other updates are welcome, the game has too many points of frustration to rise to a truly great level.

What it manages to faithfully recreate from the past is merely a facade that quickly shatters as you dig deeper into the game and stumble through its numerous faults. All that’s left is a platformer that fails to rise above mediocrity, in this day and age or any other.

For all Andromeda does right, the game constantly feels like it’s going to fall apart, suffering from countless bugs and performance issues. We’re playing on a standard PS4, and the game constantly struggles to load in assets. Simply driving across the environment often results in the Nomad stopping in place for a moment before moving on. Large sections of landscape will just disappear under the right circumstances. Even in small areas, like our ship, we’ll see entire rooms missing at times. We’ve encountered doubled character models. We’ve had XP notifications cycle endlessly and minor quests that won’t complete. We’ve been forced to reset when we couldn’t choose any dialogue options, and we’ve regularly encountered enemies that get stuck in the walls or just stand there unresponsively...It’s hard to wrap your head around how much of a mess it is when other areas of Mass Effect: Andromeda are such a step forward.

Fire Emblem Heroes is a watered down version of the traditional Fire Emblem experience. While it’s completely possible to enjoy the game without spending a single cent, it’s designed with the pay to win model in mind so that spending cash will ensure a quick and fast route to victory. Coupled with the extremely aggravating and excessive stamina system, those trying to play the game for free will encounter numerous roadblocks and turnoffs. If you’ve never tried Fire Emblem before, this is a quick and easy introduction, but if any of its concepts appeal to you, you’re better off abandoning Heroes and jumping into any of the other great entries in the series.

Sniper Elite 4 is a game for stealth enthusiasts. Setting up the perfect kill from a huge distance after sneaking past a base full of Nazi soldiers feels rewarding and earned. However, the scenarios fall flat, and the scope of the game is fairly limited. Attempts to offer more options and extend its lifespan don’t really pay off, but it’s still satisfying to shoot someone’s eye out.

Dead Rising 4 offers players a chance to explore a zombie-infested open-world at their own leisure and kill throngs of enemies ad nauseam. While it’s fun to dispatch zombies with a multitude of toys, things quickly get repetitive and the lack of difficulty removes the excitement of overcoming the horde.

Parts of the Alps absolutely take our breath away, and sky-hopping across the peaks in pursuit of sweet rides is sometimes as gnarly as its riders like Billy Romero or Ruben Bosman love to claim. But Steep is a repetitive climb through a vacant landscape. If you’re hungry for fresh powder, there are miles of it, sprinkled across some of the longest courses we’ve ever conquered in a video game, but Steep is going to have to figure out who it is before it can make a name for itself.

Ratchet & Clank looks and plays as well as it ever has. Fans will enjoy the nostalgic journey through familiar planets, while newcomers will appreciate the chaotic and creative weaponry. But for the ninth game in a franchise that built its name on unique weapons, it’s a shame that the arsenal just coasts on fan-favorites. Insomniac played it safe.