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.