We could easily get lost talking about the details and systems of Civilization VI, but what's essential to take away is that this is absolutely a strategy game worth playing, regardless of your experience with the genre or series. Rarely are Civilization games so fully featured at launch. Future updates have a strong foundation to build upon, and there’s so much to explore in the meantime.

Final Fantasy XVI is a phenomenal game, through and through. A marvelous battle system, incredible story and characters, a wondrous world full of exploration and intrigue, plenty of RPG tropes, and an outstanding soundtrack all highlight why Final Fantasy XVI is truly something special. The last few entries stumbled out of the gates, sowing some doubt about the future of the franchise. In stark contrast, Final Fantasy XVI rises to the occasion, restoring the lofty status the series once enjoyed and taking the franchise in a new direction while still honoring its legacy. In a year full of amazing games, Final Fantasy XVI emerges as a frontrunner.

Control is an incredible marriage of storytelling, world building, exploration, and combat. The obsessive attention to detail is bolstered by a superb ensemble cast and likable lead protagonist. The Oldest House is an astonishing place to explore, rife with unexpected turns and exciting battles that continually escalate in thoughtful ways. The performance has some room for improvement, but even now Control is a must-play.

Battlefield 1 boldly takes the series into the past during one of the most deadly times in world history. Nine varied maps offer vastly different combat opportunities, while the War Stories show us the horrors of The Great War. Battlefield has looked to the past, to usher in a new era for the historic franchise, and it’s a smashing success.

Final Fantasy XIV Online has come a long way since 1.0. Heavensward was an amazing first expansion, but Stormblood outclasses it in just about every regard. It’s by no means perfect, but it’s off to a very good start. Newcomers have a wide variety of options to jump in and get started, and veterans will be amazed by many of the new changes and alterations to the core experience. Anchored by superb visuals, a fantastic soundtrack, a compelling narrative, tons of side content, and an ever-increasing amount of end-game activities, Stormblood is an amazing expansion that delivers an excellent multiplayer experience.

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.

Devil May Cry 5 has a lot going on in almost every possible way. Some ideas such as gold orbs and linked missions feel undercooked, yet it's hard to describe the fighting as anything other than spectacular. The number of options within any single battle is nothing short of ridiculous. If most games are defined by having a bunch of ideas and then trimming them down to the best ones, it's almost as if DMC5 couldn't say no when it came to weapons or abilities while also taking the time to give each a strong purpose. Beyond the mechanics, what lingers even longer is that some of the encounters, especially toward the end, are exciting because you'll care about the events that led to them. Devil May Cry 5 has been a long time coming, but it feels like hitting the jackpot.

The high-end PC settings don’t live up to our expectations, but the handling, courses, and community features are all top of their class. Forza Horizon 3 is the type of racing game that just about anyone can pick up and have fun with, but it still includes depth for committed players. Put that together with a beautiful environment that you can explore at your own pace, and Forza Horizon 3 is one of the strongest and most well-rounded open world racers we’ve ever played.

Mankind Divided isn't quite the Deus Ex game of our dreams, but it's a strong step in that direction. There's a high emphasis on choice and experimentation, killer side quests, and dense, detailed levels that are a joy to explore. With momentum pushing towards the next chapter in the story, here's to hoping it won't be another five years before we see Adam Jensen again.

There's a lot to pick at with Dragon Quest XI, be it the sometimes inconsistent storytelling, the lack of difficulty, or the MIDI quality, but these complaints feel oddly muted when playing because of how much the game fundamentally gets right. The craftsmanship of the world, loveable characters, and wide-ranging exploration add up in a truly fulfilling way. If you want an RPG to make you feel like you’re conquering a sprawling adventure, Dragon Quest XI does that handily.

The Evil Within 2 is a ruthless nightmare that constantly challenges. The unsettling atmosphere contributes to a sense of unpredictability, and the unrelenting combat constantly takes more than it gives. Just when you start to get comfortable, it pushes back harder. Whether it’s a boss fight, a new enemy, or the ever-shifting environment, the circumstances always keep you off balance. The Evil Within 2 encapsulates the best elements of classic survival horror with a modern touch.

While perhaps not reaching the heights of Ninja Gaiden during its prime, it's nonetheless a revitalization. Nioh is much, much more than a summation of its influences. The game's white-knuckle action demands a high degree of determination, but controls so well that any failure can be attributed solely to the player. Although finishing a mission in Nioh is exhausting, especially the times when you walk away with only a sliver of health, it's very much a mountain worth climbing. There are few games currently available that are so utterly rewarding.

Spider-Man 2 is an excellent sequel that smartly builds on the solid foundation set in the previous installments. The web wings are a fun addition to traversal, while combat and stealth have been improved and refined with easier access to gadgets and the new web lines. Swapping between Peter and Miles is not only fun for gameplay variety, but creates a convincing sense of individuality as they go off and do their own things. After a three year wait, Insomniac has delivered a definitive Spider-Man, yet again.

Resident Evil 7 is a glorious return to form for the celebrated franchise. Capcom has gone back to their survival horror roots while also remixing their original formula. PlayStation VR offers a unique way to play and the first-person perspective brings the horror to new heights along with an impactful cast of characters. After the concerning trend of action and explosions, subtle malevolent horror has finally come home.

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.

Cuphead has had a long journey, and it’s great to see StudioMDHR’s efforts pay off. It does a superb job of capturing the essence of the early days of animation with fantastic art and a jazzy soundtrack. Its challenging difficulty provides some heart-pounding moments and an immense feeling of satisfaction once a boss is defeated. Although it suffers a bit in co-op and platforming levels, Cuphead is more than worthy of your time.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a successful reinvention of the dormant franchise that carves out a marvelous new identity, one that clearly has a bright future. While it doesn’t revolutionize the Metroidvania genre, it certainly elevates it to new heights by refining it and blending in the best aspects of previous Prince of Persia entries. Combined with a terrific soundtrack, a stylish aesthetic, and an intriguing narrative that avoids the pitfall of becoming too overbearing, The Lost Crown marks an excellent start to 2024.

Little Nightmares II once again takes you on a disturbing journey through a vividly realized world, and the sense of danger and desperation you feel is as chilling as ever. Inventive new gameplay elements keep you thinking about how to outsmart your hunters, and your partner brings a strong sense of companionship. Whether you're a fan of the first game or a newcomer, Little Nightmares II is worth taking a journey into the dark.

Rather than trying to latch on to current trends, Borderlands 3 stands confident in the fact that there’s still no other game that does exactly what this series does so well. The sheer creativity and inventiveness presented in its arsenal is hard to match, and while the humor may not be for everyone, it keeps the gameplay in perspective as we’re all just here to have a good time. It isn’t as big of a leap forward as Borderlands 2, but it’s well-refined and there’s a lot to experiment with to keep you coming back for more.

Despite the huge gap in time, NEO: The World Ends with You manages to capture the essence of the original while simultaneously moving the series forward. Although some aspects like combat can feel repetitive at times, it does a great job of translating the frantic nature of the DS original onto modern hardware. Its strong cast of characters are endearing and connect on a satisfying level. And its stylish urban setting is an enthralling backdrop. It may not be as innovative as its predecessor, but it's an excellent return to this distinct world that’s long been overlooked.

If it isn’t obvious at this point, cat parents and cat enthusiasts are going to fall in love with Stray. Yet its appeal scratches deep below the surface by weaving a powerful story about the struggles of humanity, wrapped up in an alluring dystopian world. Stray excels at delivering simple pleasures that all add up to leave you with an overwhelming sense of fulfillment.

Despite the missteps, though, Mega Man 11 is almost exactly what the series needs. It's a vibrant, tightly designed action platformer that honors the history of the iconic character. If Mega Man 11 is trying to argue for why these games matter so much, it wholeheartedly succeeds.

Ghost of Tsushima has a lot going for it. Combat is fast and fluid, and the story is engaging thanks to some great characters. Most disappointing is that taking a stealthy approach can sometimes make victory feel simple and unearned. Despite that, the island itself is the biggest draw, taking you on a captivating adventure through its beautiful world.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time lives up to its namesake. It’s been a long wait, but Crash returns to form in this sequel with wonderful new additions. It doesn’t redefine the genre or really strive for innovation, but rather embraces some brilliant ideas first seen in its contemporaries while remaining meticulously true to the classic style of the series. The difficulty can be frustrating, but even if you don’t see and do everything, this is still a highly enjoyable platformer that marks a new high point for the series.

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is an impressive remaster from top to bottom. Beenox’s work here is certainly worthy of praise, but some of the credit also goes to Naughty Dog for crafting such an amazing game in the first place. It’s certainly one of the more complex and challenging kart racers, but it ranks right up there alongside the other greats in the genre.

A stronger story may have elevated Viewfinder more, but that does little to detract from the mind-bending mechanics of its puzzles and the smooth construction of its design. Viewfinder strikes an excellent balance between providing puzzles with intentional, satisfying solutions while also giving players freedom to experiment and come up with their own ideas. Plus, once you’ve finished, it’s a joy to then watch someone else discover its wild and inventive mechanics.

Dirt Rally 2.0 is an excellent and demanding driving game that strives for authenticity through abundant detail. A lack of primers may make newcomers hesitant, but it doesn’t take long to get up to speed. At times it can take a lot of patience, with yourself more than anything, but it’s an exhilarating ride through and through.

It’s tempting to make comparisons given the deluge of similar games in recent months, but The Messenger proves its worth through unique merits. The eventual shift from linear to open progression, the swapping back-and-forth between two retro aesthetics, and the evolving mechanics and satisfying platforming make a strong argument for why you should give The Messenger a closer look.