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.

Star Wars is a beloved series, and when a new game comes out, some particular hopes and expectations come with it. There are excellent games in the franchise, but it's been a while since they’ve reached those heights. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has combat that feels tight and impactful, and exploring each of its imaginative worlds gives a great sense of discovery. It’s a fantastic title that stands as one of the best Star Wars games yet.

There's nothing groundbreaking in Samus Returns, no element that strays too far from what’s established Metroid as a series all those years ago. Yet there doesn't need to be. For all of its imitators, nothing has ever completely captured what makes Metroid the captivating series that it is. There’s a mystifying quality that sparks a natural desire to see what strange things are waiting to be discovered. MercurySteam seems to understand this and has provided a striking reminder of how powerful Metroid can be.

If you’re a newcomer to the series, this is an excellent opportunity to learn the fundamentals in a laid-back setting. If you’re a pro, you’ll relish the new options in place for making your Pokémon all they can be. Sun & Moon is a Pokémon vacation we’d gladly take again.

If you’re a newcomer to the series, this is an excellent opportunity to learn the fundamentals in a laid-back setting. If you’re a pro, you’ll relish the new options in place for making your Pokémon all they can be. Sun & Moon is a Pokémon vacation we’d gladly take again.

Two weeks worth of New Horizons makes us want even more. Several parts of the day-to-day grind should be accelerated or skipped, but so much of it has already been impressively streamlined compared to prior entries. The series has been a welcoming companion on any console, but it feels especially at home on the Switch, whether you’re visiting a friend’s wonderland online, taking your tropical getaway on the road, checking your progress first thing in the morning, or gathering some last-minute supplies before you turn in for the night. This is the best Animal Crossing has ever been, and this virtual paradise is a wonderful place to escape to.

While Guilty Gear Strive definitely has shortcomings to consider, they feel almost insignificant when tallying up everything the game does so well. It’s not just another Guilty Gear, but instead a defining moment for the series. In a lot of ways, it's so far ahead of its peers in terms of online functionality and accessibility, two areas the genre fails in time and again. If you've been too intimidated to seriously get into fighting games, it's hard to think of a better game than Strive. If you're a battle hardened veteran, there's no reason to wait. Jump in and start shredding. You'll lose countless hours in the blink of an eye.

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.

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.

Link’s Awakening is as charming today as it was 26 years ago. This remake addresses many of the original’s shortcomings, but at the same time, the original still does a few things better. The new visual style is gorgeous, but the frequency of the performance issues leaves room for improvement. Despite this setback, precious few Zelda games have the emotional payoff or the narrative richness of Link’s Awakening. This is still an unbelievable adventure and an absolute must-play.

Revisiting a classic is an exciting proposition, yet there are always concerns about respecting the original. Persona 3 Reload doesn’t quite address all the shortcomings of its previous renditions, nor does it include all the extras added over the years. However, it’s another incredible take that stands proudly alongside the other stellar versions of the game. With all of its new additions and features, especially the updated visuals, rewind function, and new battle mechanics, Reload is the best way to experience Persona 3.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is an excellent sequel that expands upon the strengths of its predecessor and introduces great new ideas. Exploration is engaging, and visiting each of its vast and detailed locations is a pleasure. Combat is satisfying with some solid new additions, and its story keeps you invested until the end. It's a fantastic sequel and one of the best Star Wars games around.

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.

Donkey Kong Adventure clocks in at around 3-4 hours just to complete the story, though you can add on another few hours if you’re trying to do everything the DLC has to offer. It’s every bit as good as the main campaign, yet it manages to work in some new additions and surprises to keep things fresh. Even if you have no interest in the other components of the Mario + Rabbids season pass, Donkey Kong Adventure is easily worth the price, and it’s the next best thing to a proper sequel.

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.

Instead of aggressively sanding off any and all edges in order to appeal to the broadest audience possible, the game takes the exact opposite approach. It not only wears those edges like gleaming badges of honor, but is fully intending to stab you in the throat with them. It wants to challenge you, to desperately shake you out of complacency. SMT V is not a game for everyone, far from it, but what it trades for accessibility it gains in depth and lasting satisfaction.

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.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey doesn’t reinvent the franchise but introduces enough fresh mechanics to deliver one of the best entries to date in the long-running series. An increased emphasis on stealthy kills harkens back to the early days of Altair and Ezio. Engrossing naval exploration would make even Edward Kenway jealous, and choices that truly matter tie it all together in a meaningful way.

Outside of a few other minor blemishes like jarring animations during cutscenes, Mario + Rabbids is a great game that has a lot of unique elements you simply can’t find in other strategy RPGs. Ubisoft puts all concerns to rest with an amazing effort that hopefully paves the way for more collaborations with Nintendo.

13 Sentinels is not the first gorgeous game Vanillaware has made. The reason it’s exceptional is because of how exciting the journey is. Sure, there’s the mystery box pull as you peel away layer after layer, but a giant reason you’ll want to hungrily jump to the next chapter is because the characters are just so charming. It is relatively rare that a video game story is this captivating and it’s absolutely worth making time for.

Final Fantasy VII is an ambitious retelling that updates its systems and story for the modern era. The new battle system is fantastic and does a superb job of blending strategy and action. Additional stories and character moments are appreciated, and the way each character is portrayed is perfect. Some technical aspects could be better, but if future installments maintain this trajectory, we can all rest easy.

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.

Onrush does an admirable job of inventing an energetic new type of racer, mixing the thrill of high speed carnage with a rewarding layer of strategy. All of its various parts complement each other extremely well. More than anything, it’s just one of those games that’s easy to jump into for a few quick matches, only to find yourself hooked in hours later, still going round after round.

Despite its shorter length, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy embraces the same level of quality that we’ve come to expect from the series. Some repetitive combat encounters dampen the proceedings, but the emphasis on exploration and puzzles is a refreshing change of pace. Most importantly, Chloe and Nadine shine as the game’s leads, contributing to a high stakes adventure that’s easy to invest in.

It might not achieve the levels of ingenuity displayed by some of its counterparts, but Rime stands on its own merits. Its captivating visuals, engrossing soundtrack, and rewarding puzzles are a wonderful combination on their own, but the game’s narrative elements and ultimate payoff go well beyond expectations to deliver something truly memorable. It’s been a long journey to get here, but Rime is most certainly an experience you don’t want to miss.

After four previous tours, there’s certainly a feeling of familiarity that can lessen its impact at times, and hopefully the online issues will stabilize soon. Forza Horizon 5 is less of a leap forward than its predecessor, for sure, but that doesn’t stop it from delivering an impeccably crafted world with a staggering number of fantastic things to do and jaw-dropping places to see. As much as it’s a racing game, it’s also a driving adventure. It balances chaos and precision, exploration and speed, and it gets our wholehearted recommendation for anyone who wants to get behind the wheel.

Shadowbringers is easily the best Final Fantasy XIV expansion to date. It marks the highest point in the MMO’s lifespan, which has seen its fair share of impressive updates over the years. If you’ve been dismissing XIV because it’s not a single-player Final Fantasy, you’re missing out on one of the best installments in this series and letting an excellent game pass you by.

The burden of expectation weighs heavy and in that sense Final Fantasy XV is not a cure-all that will please everyone. At the same time, the game feels like a leap in the right direction. At its end, we aren’t thinking about story inconsistencies or derivative side quests. We’ve found ourselves attached to a group of four friends and we’re thankful for the adventure.