Gravity Rush 2 is a gorgeous game with stunning visuals accompanied by a stellar soundtrack that features tunes both old and new. Although there are some rough edges, it’s an emotional ride from start to finish and one amazing action adventure game. It’s a worthy successor, and an outstanding return to this enchanting world.

Resident Evil 2 manages to remain faithful to the original while simultaneously feeling new and modern. Superb visuals bring everything to life, emphasizing the constant sense of terror. Puzzles are brilliantly balanced, and slowly escaping the RPD by uncovering its many mysteries is incredibly rewarding. Meanwhile, new additions like the secondary weapons and defensive herb increase the depth of consistently dangerous combat encounters. Whether this is your first trip to Raccoon City or one-thousandth, you are not prepared for the horror that awaits.

True authorship is a rare thing to find in games, yet it’s very present in Nier: Automata. Like Yoko Taro’s past work, Automata challenges gaming norms through narrative structure, subjects discussed, and even how the nature of games can be used to convey ideas that other mediums can’t. In the past, appreciating these things meant accepting middling or even poor technical and mechanical aspects. With Nier: Automata, far fewer excuses are necessary. It’s a bold, stylish, and intelligent game that leaves an indelible mark.

Sifu is intimidating but rewards patience and perseverance. An engaging tale of revenge is presented with slick confidence, but it’s the fluid fighting mechanics that really shine. It has the perfect amount of depth without being needlessly complex, putting a sense of weight behind every blow. Sloclap has delivered something special, and it’s up to you to experience it.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fantastic game and one of the best entries in the series, and the only serious issue holding it back is the online performance. The various modes and features will satisfy those seeking a significant single player component and those desiring countless hours of local multiplayer mayhem. Ultimate celebrates the rich history of Nintendo and several other beloved franchises, and it’s the perfect game to end the year on. This is an excellent fighting game that people will clearly be playing for many years to come.

Hitman 3 is an excellent end to the World of Assassination trilogy. Each mission feels dramatically different with exceptional level design that provides countless mysteries to uncover and options to play with. The story comes to a gratifying conclusion, but even if you’re new to 47’s world of slick kills and dark comedy, there has never been a more appropriate time to take aim.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 shines with personality, and every time you take the elevator to a new floor, it feels like a pleasant surprise. The game does a lot to move the series forward, but in ways that feel so natural, it’s hard to imagine playing without its new additions. It’s easily the best game in the series, and we’re glad Luigi’s been given another chance to step out of the shadows.

In spite of any criticisms, however, it is undeniable that Sunbreak is an exceedingly excellent expansion. At their best, the battles with such incredible creatures are really the sort of win by the skin of your teeth affairs that provide such magic and excitement. Sunbreak also props up ideas that were introduced in the base game, feeling like it's actually enriching what's already there. If you've never played Monster Hunter or have always been scared to dive in, you are truly missing out — a sentiment I cannot overemphasize. The particular intricacy of the mechanics and how they all meld into something unique is really quite unlike anything I've experienced.

Xenoblade Chronicles is a landmark title, and at the very least, this Definitive Edition only adds credence to that claim. While there are undoubtedly aspects that weren't great originally and are still not great here, such as the copious side quests, it's hard to deny the overwhelming amount of things the game knocks out of the park. There is a compelling story brought to life by great characters, a thoughtful battle system, and a generous world that’s a joy to explore.

NetherRealm has raised the bar for storytelling in fighting games once again. The additional RPG elements could have gone sideways, but the long term goals and rewards create a sense of ownership with each character. The few additions to combat add thoughtful strategy to every encounter while maintaining accessibility for casual players. It’s clear that a lot of care has been put into every element of Injustice 2, making it a game that everyone should try.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is more than a simple port of the Wii U game. It’s a superior iteration of its counterpart, a superb racing game, and one of the best entries in the series. With the wide range of modes, racers, and characters at your disposal and so many different ways to play alone or with friends, you’d be remiss to pass up Mario Kart 8 a second time.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a snarling beast of a game. Both its action and story feel like riding a raging bull - it’s exhilarating yet terrifying. But that's also the point. New Colossus knows how to elicit so much emotion from the player because it absolutely refuses to back down in any sense. It knows exactly what it wants to say and what it wants the player to overcome, leaving an impression that won't soon be forgotten.

It improves on many of the ideas of the original while adding some fun new additions like the more versatile chicken form and better platforming. Its jokes are still a bit hit-or-miss and some combat sections slow down the flow, but Guacamelee 2 shouldn’t be missed.

Shovel Knight: King of Cards is a wonderful send-off to an already amazing game. Its platforming and level design are excellent, and the extra card game keeps us coming back for more. Though it's a little sad that this is the grand finale for a game we love so much, Yacht Club Games has done an excellent job with bringing the Shovel Knight saga to an end.

The Witcher 3: Blood & Wine is an exceptional expansion that reignites a sense of wonder even for players who have put in hundreds of hours so far. The breadth and variety of all that’s included stands stronger than many full-priced sequels. As a twenty-dollar add-on, it’s absolutely worthwhile.

Although Valkyria Chronicles Remastered isn't the most fully featured rerelease, it's nonetheless an excellent way of experiencing a classic. Valkyria Chronicles is every bit as good as it was last generation and reminds us how desperately we want new entries in the series. If you haven't played through Squad 7's story yet, that's a mistake you should correct as soon as possible.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a clear improvement over its predecessors in almost every way. It streamlines so much and avoids past pitfalls, though there’s still work to be done in terms of balancing the difficulty. There’s a grounded story here with a solid cast of characters, and the basic plot is much easier to digest. The world design exceeds past efforts with ease, and the implementation of Hero Quests is a game changer. While the devs have done an admirable job making the battle system easier to grasp, it feels like the series has fully explored and exhausted these core combat mechanics, signaling it’s time for the next game to change things up. As a whole, it stands as a phenomenal RPG with a one-of-a-kind sense of exploration you can’t find anywhere else.

Though the game may seem sparse on maps and modes, the exquisite art direction, over-the-top action, and emphasis on teamwork all work together to provide endless hours of exhilaration. Most significant is the large cast of characters. With recognizable heroes that play as differently as they look, Blizzard has set a new standard for shooters. Overwatch is a triumph.

Whether you’re taking in the details up close, or soaring over the freezing skyline, Spider-Man: Miles Morales looks and performs better than the first game in every way. It’s clearly setting the stage for a massive sequel, but this is more than just a stop-gap between generations. The struggles that Miles faces and the fears that he conquers to become a hero on his own terms make this short but sweet side-story memorable and meaningful. It’s an unmissable adventure for any Spider-fan that can’t wait for a second chance to suit up.

In the most vital ways, Iceborne nails what it needs to as an expansion. It's easy to marvel at both how much there is and the quality of so much of it. There are things this review hasn't even mentioned, such as the elaborate endgame, but these elements are probably better to discover on your own. There is no doubt that Iceborne is worth both the money and time, leaving such an impression that it's hard not to be optimistic about the series' future.

Although you’ll appreciate certain elements more if you’ve loved Sonic for years, the game transcends the need for such deeply held nostalgia. In this or any other era, Sonic Mania is a vibrant and challenging platformer that draws you in through its passionate design.

Despite an inconsistent frame rate once again hindering the console versions, Dark Souls III is still an undeniable success. Before playing, we felt ready to say goodbye to the series, looking forward to whatever From Software gave us next. Yet after finishing, it's hard not wanting more. Few companies can craft a world so completely enthralling. Whether you've played every entry, started with Bloodborne, or are brand new, this is a game you should absolutely make time for.

Quantum Break is an incredible game that will hook you for its ten hour duration and stay with you long after that. The story is packed with mystery, suspense, and engaging characters caught in a high stakes situation where every decision is significant. While adding TV show may not have revolutionized storytelling, Quantum Break is a must play game for those looking to sink their teeth into a meaningful adventure.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a unique achievement in interactive storytelling. An engaging combat system and rich mythology serve as backdrops to a profoundly emotional tale. Stepping into the mind of Senua and playing a small role in her life is an inspiring experience that leaves a weighty impression.

On PlayStation 5, Village looks and sounds exceptional. Locations are intricately crafted, as each new room you step into is packed with eye catching details to investigate. Paranoia easily sets in as you hear enemies lurking in dense foliage and adjacent rooms. With ray tracing on, the visuals look marginally better, but the performance takes frequent, noticeable dips. Turning it off yields a steady 60 frames-per-second. Resident Evil Village’s imposing environments lay the groundwork for exhilarating action and slow, creeping fear. Exploration and resource management are among the best of the series. A few story elements miss the mark, and Mercenaries is over too quickly, but Village is another remarkable entry in the long-running survival horror series.

The Armored Core series has a long history dating back decades, and Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon feels like the start of an exciting new era for the series. There’s a strong sense that the team has learned a lot over the years, and they’ve expertly weaved those lessons throughout this game. Combat is smooth and satisfying with good controls, fun, diverse weapons, and a wide variety of missions. And customizing your AC is addictive with a ton of options at your disposal. It may take some time for newcomers to get acclimated, but once you sink your teeth into it, it becomes apparent that Armored Core VI is something special.

An abundance of patience is required for Nier, and many will understandably be uninterested in making that commitment. But if you do, know that you are in for a genuine classic. It is a wild game that seems thrilled at the very notion of being provocative. It isn't shallow shock value, but rather something that tries to reach out, grab you, and give you an experience you can't easily get in many other places. Replicant is a second chance for the original Nier, and one it unquestionably deserves.

The name "Demon's Souls” comes with a lot of expectations, and Bluepoint has proven once again that they’re more than capable of carefully modernizing these beloved games without losing what made them special in the process. Demon's Souls on the PS5 is one of the finest examples of a remake out there thanks to its stunning visuals, great music, and numerous quality of life improvements. Most importantly, all the aspects that made the original such a classic like it's mysterious world, tight combat, and vicious bosses are painstakingly preserved. Whether you're a newcomer or a veteran, Demon's Souls is a journey worth taking and it’s an outstanding title to have out alongside the PlayStation 5’s launch.