Compared to past games in the series, Gran Turismo Sport is an admittedly trimmed-down experience. There are fewer cars and features with no trips to the moon. However, it’s also true that much of what was lost really needed to be cut. GT Sport makes the most of its new focus on competition and it does an admirable job of training you to be a better driver. It can be intimidating to head online for the first time, but once you finish a race in a respectable position, it feels like all the time you’ve invested has truly paid off.

If you want to catch them all and check off the full list of side quests, Bugsnax takes about 10 hours or so to complete. The gameplay can feel a little clumsy here and there, but it makes up for it with the silliness and creativity of it all. There’s a lot of joy to be had with these bizarre critters, and there’s more to the story than you might guess. So if you’re curious about where this adventure ends up, pack your bags for Snaktooth Island, and be sure to bring a healthy appetite.

Though it has its issues, Lords of the Fallen is still solid overall. Its dark and brutal world is a compelling backdrop, filled with enticing exploration and deadly foes. Meanwhile, combat is engaging and offers a fair amount of flexibility. It may not be the next big breakthrough for the genre, but it's a good time and worth fighting through until the end.

Ghostwire: Tokyo stands out with distinct elemental combat that feels fun to perform, and great care has been put into its haunting urban settings. The story and tactics lack development and variety in later chapters, but it’s still worth exploring Tango’s spooky rendition of Tokyo.

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.

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.

In Sound Mind definitely has some limitations in terms of its presentation and combat, but these elements don’t take too much away from what it does well. It’s more of a spooky mystery than a full horror title, and with its hub world, clever secrets, and evolving set of tools, it continually presents new opportunities to interact with its twisted environments. If you like games that try to screw with your head, it’s worth booking a session with Dr. Wales.

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is a difficult case where strong individual aspects don’t fully come together as a strong whole. There are precious characters here that are worth getting to know, but it feels like they get lost in the macro-events of later chapters. And while there are numerous variations and endings to replay this 10-hour story, the systems governing which choices you make feel more limiting than liberating.

More than anything, such a strong and clear vision is what makes No More Heroes 3 work as well as it does. It’s beyond clear that Suda cares about this series from the bottom of his heart, and that love is what makes this game special. No More Heroes 3 is not just a good SUDA51 game, it's one of the best games of the year.

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.

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.

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.

Tokyo RPG Factory has done a fine job of capturing the spirit of classic JRPGs with I am Setsuna. It feels like returning home after a long journey. Its superb soundtrack and solid gameplay bring nostalgic feelings of joy and comfort. Even though a lack of balance holds back the creativity of its combat, it never extinguishes the emotional tone and engaging story of the game. It may not be the next classic, but it does an excellent job of honoring its heritage.

It all adds up to make Far Cry 6 a game that is obviously flawed and obviously similar to other Far Cry games before it, but has such a strong spirit that it ends up being memorable regardless. Far Cry 6 is a compelling reminder that video games can be so silly and that sometimes that's exactly what they need to be in order to be effectively cathartic. Yet in spite of that silliness, the game actually isn’t shy about having something to say. Here is a game that is many, many things all at once, but it also seems to understand itself so well.

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.

Punctuated by an impressive original score, Attack on Titan has just about everything one could ask for from a video game adaptation of the series. A few blemishes hold the game back from being something truly special, but Omega Force and Koei Tecmo are certainly on the right track.

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.

Peril on Gorgon lasts around 12 to 15 hours, depending on how much you want to read and scavenge, and there’s more than enough here to warrant the $15 price tag. It’s a solid journey, particularly if you want to reconnect to your crew and learn more about Halcyon. Digging through the ruins can get a bit lonesome after a while, but once you start meeting new characters and picking up the scent of where all this is going, it can hook you in through to the end.

One Piece Odyssey shows that the grand scale of the franchise is a good fit for a solid traditional RPG. The combat system is fun, and it’s great to get reacquainted with beloved characters and locations. If you're new to the series or just have some curiosity about it, the gameplay likely isn't strong enough on its own to keep you going. However, for fans that are already heavily invested in the Straw Hat Crew’s adventures, it's a tale worth checking out.

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.

While Kunai might not stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Ori or Hollow Knight, there’s much to love, including fantastic controls, rewarding secrets, and zesty facial expressions. This little tablet has a lot of heart, and a lot of hats.

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.

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.

On the surface, Dead Island 2 is certainly all about slicing up zombies without a lot of emotional stakes, but there’s a notable attention to depth and detail that’s evident throughout. The sense of impact as weapons crack bone and send bodies flying entices you to keep tinkering with abilities, to go back for side quests after the story’s done, and to consider giving it another run with friends. Zombies have splashed down in LA: grab a hammer and get to work.

This is an incredibly ambitious game that really feels like it is trying to push things forward in a meaningful way, and when it all is clicking, it is truly magical. But, it is on shaky legs. You definitely get the sense that the tech quite can't handle everything it is trying to do. You start to see the seams in a disappointing way. [30 Hour Impressions]

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.

While repetition sets in quickly and the rough edges can be distracting, Iron Man VR is so unique among superhero games that it feels absolutely essential for fans of this character. When the visor locks in and the weapons-HUD flashes on, it’s clear the best Iron Man games are going to be in VR. This first attempt is a solid blueprint; perhaps stronger tech and more time in the lab can generate better results.

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.

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.

The Call of Duty franchise has had a long history filled with ups and downs, and WWII stands on the better end of the series. It has a strong campaign filled with interesting characters, mission variety, and over-the-top set pieces. The multiplayer is satisfactory thanks to its deep customization and new modes like War, and Nazi Zombies is as crazy as ever. It’s a shame that loot boxes and CP make a return, but there’s still much to enjoy.

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.

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.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War is a solid addition to the zombie genre. Thoughtful enemy encounters and meaningful progression contribute to an energetic and chaotic pace. It’s also agreeably accessible for players across a range of skill levels whether you play solo or with friends. If you’ve never played a Zombie Army title and love killing Nazis, this is a great place to start.

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.

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.

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.

How much you care about these stories varies, and ultimately depends on how much you’re willing to invest to get there. Like Destiny as a whole, Rise of Iron has moments of legend, sandwiched between repetitive, forgettable tasks.

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.

The tools Watch Dogs provides give you power over your environment, and now you have dominion over who fights and who dies in a desperate and sometimes uncomfortably relevant struggle to save a troubled London. This freedom may make you feel more attached to your crew than the drama unfolding in the main story, but any investment you make to grow Dedsec is justly rewarded. There aren’t enough mission types and voice actors involved to make the whole thing as impactful and realistic as intended, but you can easily find a few recruits, or a few dozen, that are worth putting on the front lines of this bloody cyber war.

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.

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.

Somerville has some rough edges to iron out, and in both puzzle mechanics and atmosphere, it doesn’t stand quite as tall as some of its contemporaries. Also, while the family dynamic is a key part of the narrative, it feels like there’s more gameplay potential there that could have been explored. That said, Somerville still offers a worthwhile and moody sci-fi journey with a few fun tricks up its sleeve and secrets to unravel.

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.

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.

Days Gone is incredibly moving, but occasionally frustrating. Just when you start to get burnt out on resource collection and uniform side-missions, the story suddenly hooks you back in. Despite Deacon’s impatience and short temper, his story is often compelling. His actions have consequences, and the map evolves as you make positive and negative changes. Unfortunately, it can also be buggy and less than believable, which is heart-breaking considering the care given to this world and its characters.

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.

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.

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.

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.

While No Man's Sky is engrossing for the first few hours, repetition starts to set in and the proceedings grow dull. The developers stated that they plan to add significant features such as base building which could dramatically change the game for the better. There's a promising foundation present, so it's possible to envision a more substantial game down the line. As it currently stands, though, our excitement to cross the universe faded sooner than we expected.

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.

For the most part, the years haven't been kind to the Blue Blur, but while Frontiers has its problems, it's by far the most enjoyable and ambitious 3D entry in a long time. Its huge open spaces add a refreshing take, and zooming around at high speeds is still fun even after all these years. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of a glorious comeback for everyone's favorite speedy hedgehog.

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.

Ultimately, Maneater's biggest flaw is repetition. What's here is good, and playing as a shark has never felt better. But, activities can quickly feel routine as you do the same types of objectives over and over. Still, if you want to carve a bloody path of carnage as a horrifying shark, there’s nothing quite like it.

Though Code Vein starts off slow, nearly every aspect develops over time, gradually becoming more interesting and engaging. The environments and enemy designs leave much to be desired, but it also introduces intriguing ideas with its AI companions and Blood Code system. It’s not breaking any new ground, but there’s a solid game here if you stick with it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An enjoyable undersea adventure overall, and we expect it to last about 6 to 8 hours for most players. The serene music sets a relaxing pace for you to search out each nook and cranny while the friendly narration bolsters the storybook tone. It strikes a nice balance between making sure you never feel lost, while providing ample room to experiment and explore. Don’t fret over this sub’s creaks and groans. There’s much to see beneath the waves.

The Callisto Protocol is a solid first entry in what Striking Distance hopes to be the next big horror franchise. Flawed, but unique and engaging melee combat is a fun way to fight against terrifying foes, while Black Iron Prison is an alluring space to investigate. Limited exploration, a cliché story, and forgettable firearms hold it back from being truly great. However, underneath the blemishes, The Callisto Protocol pushes horrifying visual detail to emphasize tense and perilous encounters.

While there’s nothing else out there that can deliver the thrill of racing across this vast city and scaling massive buildings using insane parkour techniques, the sense of wonder isn’t as strong as before. Catalyst is held back by a horrendous combat system and a lackluster story that takes itself too seriously. If you can get past its flaws, you’ll find Mirror’s Edge Catalyst is still a modest platformer.

Star Fox Zero is a wonderful re-imagining of one of the most beloved games in the series, blending elements from its early history in a tasteful manner. The meatier story mode leaves you with a better sense of fulfillment over its predecessors, and while there isn’t an online leaderboard to compare best times or scores, there are other extras to keep you playing. Adapting to the new controls might take more patience than some players are willing to give, but those who stick it out are rewarded with a higher-degree of precision than previously possible. It’s by no means perfect, but it’s safe to say Miyamoto’s latest experiment is a success.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sea of Solitude tells an emotional story about what it means to be human and struggle with all of life's highs and lows. The gameplay itself isn’t as strong, and a few enemy encounters can drag down the pace. However, the introspective tale crafted by the team at Jo-Mei leaves an impact, and it's well worth exploring such challenging themes.

Rehydrated is a good remake that wonderfully updates aspects of the original. Even though the horde mode is bad and some aspects of the campaign can feel dated, going through Bikini Bottom as SpongeBob and his crew is still a lot of fun. Most importantly, it captures the charm of the show in a way that fans can appreciate the most. While the majority of licensed games get lost to time, it’s nice to see Battle for Bikini Bottom remembered and brought back.

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.

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.

We wish the story had a stronger narrative, the online restrictions weren’t so frustrating, and the humor had more variety. But the diversity in everyone’s abilities and playstyles should be enough to keep the light of this last star shining for dedicated Gearbox fans.

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.

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.

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.

Mafia III offers a rich narrative set in an authentic open-world. However, its memorable protagonist Lincoln Clay and beautiful setting in New Bordeux are squandered by menial, repetitive tasks, annoying glitches, and inexcusably daft AI. When the credits roll, there are surely moments to look back fondly upon, but it’s hard to recommend sifting through the trash to find them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.