here are so many moments of triumph, so many things to explore, and so many new creatures to see that it's fun letting it all surround you and simply settling in. The game lends enough of a guiding hand to get you in on that fun and excitement but never oversteps its bounds, creating something remarkable that really anyone can be a part of.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an exhilarating journey that demands your full attention. Taking advantage of stealth and mastering its posture-based swordplay is immensely satisfying. Meanwhile, the wonderful, expansive world is a joy to explore thanks to intriguing design and the emphasis on grappling to new heights. Sekiro often feels daunting, leaving you bloodied and broken at its feet, but overcoming each challenge it throws your way fills you with a triumphant sense of accomplishment.

Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a good platformer with tight controls that’s greatly enhanced by making the most of VR. Platforming, exploring environments, and fighting bosses, are all given additional layers of depth and scale that feel completely fresh and unique. Not only is it a good proof of concept for the PlayStation VR, it’s a legitimately great game, and one of the best uses of the technology so far.

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.

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.

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.

Put it all together and Sea of Stars is a work of incredible craftsmanship that captures the essence of the classics that inspired it without feeling like a mere copycat. It’s easy to feel the love that went into every inch of making it, and it simply gets better as it goes. Not only that, but in a year with so many massive games with complex systems and inventories to manage, Sea of Stars feels genuinely refreshing, like a splash of cool water on your face.

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.

Super Mario 3D World holds up well after all these years with solid platforming, dazzling power-ups, and a fantastic soundtrack, but the camera work holds the experience back. The various quality of life improvements are a nice touch, as is the ability to play with friends, even if the online functionality doesn’t rise above the low expectations typical of Nintendo’s offerings. The addition of Bowser’s Fury is a wonderful treat that teases a potential new direction for 3D Mario with a truly open-world platformer that allows a degree of exploration that surpasses even the impressive worlds of Super Mario Odyssey. By pairing these two very different, yet captivating styles of platformers in one package, Nintendo delivers the best of both worlds.

This new version of Dead Space is the gold standard for what a remake can be. Remaining faithful to the original game while also creating meaningful additions to exploration and character interactions. It’s perfect for either new players or those who have trekked through the Ishimura countless times. After being dormant for nearly a decade, Dead Space has finally returned, and it’s better than ever.

In a lot of ways, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is exactly what you would want a well-respected series to do when transitioning to a new console. It pushes the series in a discernible new direction with purpose. The game's problems are relatively minor and Three Houses largely nails the most important aspects, namely having excellent characters and tactical combat that contains depth without being overwhelming, leading to a strategy game that's very easy to feel connected to.

It's been a long time coming, but The Delicious Last Course is an excellent addition to Cuphead. Its presentation is a rare treasure that’s worth celebrating, showcasing outstanding animation and music alike. The new bosses are glorious spectacles, Ms. Chalice is a great companion to the original team, and The King's Leap challenges you in all new ways. If this is the last we see of our cup-headed buddies, it's a fantastic farewell.

Resident Evil Requiem is an outstanding mutation of two distinct gameplay styles. Grace’s more intimate and grounded exploration is married beautifully with Leon’s combat heavy focus. The story offers a nice balance between franchise history and telling a new chapter of its sprawling decades-long narrative. Capcom continues its unbelievable run of excellence, managing to make each entry have its own distinct identity while staying true to what makes Resident Evil special.

It’s obvious you get a tremendous amount of value for the price. If you crave a creative outlet, the tools here are effective and easy to learn, and the army of full or part-time developers appear ready to embrace your work. If you just want a wide range of weird games to play, you’ll find your queue refilled on a regular basis with surprises that couldn’t have been realized any other way. There are definitely things Media Molecule needs to focus on now that early access is over, and it’ll be a treat to see the game grow over time, but what’s here now is absolutely incredible.

Alan Wake 2 is both a survival horror and psychological horror masterpiece. It represents the best of the genre with extraordinary atmosphere, characters you root for, and a high stakes narrative with horrifying and emotional weight. Exploration is rewarding, its presentation is pioneering, and it continually makes you question just how much you think you know about what’s going on. Remedy has delivered a special game that will be adored forever.

Horizon Zero Dawn feels like a franchise in the making. While not packed with narrative high points, it’s still a compelling introduction to a world in turmoil that answers a lot of questions, but still gestures toward a more climactic future. Its primary element, squaring off against mechanized animals, is such a success, it makes up for the ongoing repetition of the game’s activities. When we look into Horizon’s future, we see a sequel that can take this world and make it into something remarkable.

The Last of Us Part I is faithful to the original masterpiece, preserving the emotions of Naughty Dog’s groundbreaking tale while removing some limitations of aging technology that held it back. The story is still as powerful now as it ever was, and the stealth action combat remains tense and meaningful. The visuals are undeniably breathtaking, but contribute to a different vibe that isn’t always better. The world will surely debate which version of The Last of Us is superior in the years to come, but really, there’s no right or wrong answer.

While there are only brief glimpses into the life of each person, there’s a sense of connection that grows with the Finch family over time. The episodes that make up its story explore a variety of subject matters, tapping into the psyche of getting to know your roots, with all of the flaws and mistakes of the past laid bare. What Remains of Edith Finch isn’t a long tale, but it’s a sensory journey, imaginative and thoughtfully realized. It makes an impact that keeps us thinking well after it’s done.

In all, Cocoon lasts about four to five hours, and it twists your brain up in knots the further you go. Despite its heady concepts, puzzle solutions never feel too frustrating or obscure, and interacting with different objects feels tangible and tactile. It’s mesmerizing from beginning to end, tightly crafted and wonderfully creative. If anything, the succinct length just means that there’s no excuse to let this one pass you by.

The biggest point of praise for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 is that you just end up wanting more of it. For the first time in forever, the series not only feels back on track, but is being executed with the proficiency that it absolutely deserves. There are things to quibble about, but these are small when placed next to the overwhelming amount that soars like Superman. Vicarious Visions is no pretender. They have raised the dead.

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.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps retains what the original did well, trims what held it back, and then manages to add in wonderful new elements that elevate this follow-up to new heights. It boasts a fantastic soundtrack and stunning visuals that work perfectly together to craft a beautiful atmosphere. It tops it all off with an emotional story culminating in a great ending that ties together both games. Meanwhile optional side quests offer wonderful insights into this new world. It’s an exceptional game that you don’t want to miss.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is an exceptional entry in the storied franchise. It doesn’t reinvent the series, but instead uses Insomniac's decades of experience to create a familiar and refined take on the universe. Newcomer Rivet is immediately relatable and a great addition to the wonderful cast. Modern technology like the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller and SSD enrich the experience of exploration and combat. Whether you’ve been following the series since 2002, or you’re just hopping in for the first time, Rift Apart is a must-play summer blockbuster.

Dishonored 2 offers players an immense amount of freedom to solve each scenario and imprint their own choices into the story. Exploration is not only encouraged but rewarded, and the use of powers to navigate the environments and eliminate targets adds a complex layer of strategy to nearly every moment of the journey. Bland story and combat hold Dishonored 2 back, but the quality of everything else make the journey to Karnaca a memorable one.

Horizon Forbidden West is a long game set in a huge world, but it earns that massive scope. The length is bolstered by performances as unique as the faces that bring them to life and a topical story that remains compelling throughout. The big map is stacked with small icons, but it all leads in the same direction as you cross expansive hostile terrain toward a threat the game never stops hyping up. Aloy’s observatory dialogue can get redundant and there are some other minor distractions, but the rest of the game is so excellent that none of that matters much in the end. It’s a potent evolution of the first game’s strengths, and the enthusiasm put into every element, from its distinct creatures to its signature combat, always shines through.

Deathloop absolutely has its issues, but none of them ultimately get in the way of the experience the game is trying to provide. There is so much delicious freedom available that you really feel as though you get to form your own identity in the game. It's a point that's made abundantly clear as you study the various playstyles of the people who invade you as well as the ones you invade. Arkane has built a reputation on making smart games that play as well as they're designed, and Deathloop is only further evidence of that fact.

For as fantastic as Dread looks and generally runs, there are infrequent but quite noticeable instances when the framerate drops. It's also mildly annoying how long the transitions are from one area to another. While these are criticisms worth noting, they almost feel petty when compared to the staggering amount of things that the game crushes. Honestly, it's a relief that Metroid is finally getting the kind of care it so justly deserves. Metroid Dread is the very definition of a must-play title.

Even with a few complaints, Monster Hunter Rise is an excellent addition to a series that carries high expectations. Rather than just follow what’s been successful in the past, Rise goes out of its way to experiment with bold new ideas that make it a more captivating game, whether it's your first Monster Hunter or you've cooked thousands of well-done steaks before. The modest power of the Switch does little to diminish the thrill of the hunt, considering how great the game looks and runs. Without a doubt, Rise isn't just a worthwhile Monster Hunter entry, but an essential game for anyone who owns Nintendo's hybrid console.