World of Final Fantasy certainly is an inconsistent, yet intriguing experience. There’s a touching tale set against wonderful locations and characters drawn from Final Fantasy’s rich history, but its best parts are short-lived. The visuals nail the storybook vibe, and they’re accompanied by a solid soundtrack featuring original compositions and beautiful new arrangements of classic pieces. Yes, the combat system is obviously heavily influenced by a certain popular Nintendo franchise, but Square Enix has put a unique spin on the formula with the stacking mechanic.

Back 4 Blood is a solid return to the genre Turtle Rock helped define. Intense encounters and essential teamwork highlight the bonds of multiplayer, but uninspired missions leave many of the chapters feeling unmemorable. Meanwhile, the card and loot systems are easy to learn and deep enough without getting in the way. It will take more to keep players eager to return for another decade, but the foundation is a firm starting point.

Nintendo aims to expand the game with free updates after release, but for now Arms lays a solid foundation for the future. The vibrant cast of characters, accessible mechanics and couch friendly co-op offer a distinctive fighting game that feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch. The battles eventually become routine but offer an alternative to other complex and competitive fighting games.

The Pathless is beautiful but repetitive. There is a somber emptiness to its world that tries to convey a sense of loss and impending doom, but it can also make the proceedings tiring if you don’t regularly redirect yourself toward the things you need to find and fix. It makes bold strides in exploration and world-building, but movement can feel awkward or overly simplistic, and the ruins you seek out house little more than a puzzle and some foggy memories. On a positive note, load times are wonderfully brief on PlayStation 5, and the controller pulses differently for each type of target you fire at. Navigating this world can be both a calming and thrilling experience, there’s just not enough to find to make the journey more than a pleasant trip through the trees.

Despite having to endure a small yet annoying cast of characters, and the usual performance weirdness inherent in open worlds, Riders Republic is a huge step up from Steep. Newcomers can slowly develop their skills, focus on being creative, or just enjoy some of the most incredible places on earth. The truly competitive can get knocked around in Mass Races or replay events for every last star. It’s an inviting world that’s packed with crazy competitors and an addictive series of trials to master.

Ever since entering the modern era, Call of Duty has rapidly improved its tech, but Infinite Warfare is not the pinnacle in this era of drones and starships. That said, there is a lot going on this year’s Call of Duty, including moments no game in the series has given us before. The campaign is a little dry, but multiplayer is deep and rewards you often, incorporating the best ideas from years past. Zombies continues to be a zany palate-cleanser for those that crave it, and your ticket lets you revisit one of the best shooters ever made. Infinite Warfare’s defects hurt the Call of Duty series much more this year, going up against several incredible and highly competitive shooters, but you still get your money’s worth if you enlist.

Even with a few frustrating aspects, Panzer Paladin is still a solid choice. Going through each of its stages and ripping enemies apart is a good time overall. The additional modes add some nice longevity, and its anime-inspired presentation is wonderful. It's time to suit up and save the world.

Sniper Elite 4 is a game for stealth enthusiasts. Setting up the perfect kill from a huge distance after sneaking past a base full of Nazi soldiers feels rewarding and earned. However, the scenarios fall flat, and the scope of the game is fairly limited. Attempts to offer more options and extend its lifespan don’t really pay off, but it’s still satisfying to shoot someone’s eye out.

With a first run taking 10 hours or less, Solar Ash is a focused affair that delivers on its vision without getting distracted by extraneous missions or checklists. The scale of its massive creatures pairs well with strong level design and interesting characters. It’s hard to avoid comparisons, but bold visuals and a sense of agility help separate Solar Ash from its inspirations and provide a surreal journey that’s all its own.

Immortals Fenyx Rising lays a solid foundation for a new open world game by drawing inspiration from other successful contemporaries. It boasts an impressive combat system, but the limited enemy roster fails to showcase its true potential. Yet there’s so much to do and see, with numerous opportunities that highlight the amazing puzzle designs and the enormous scale of the world to explore, all set to a wonderful soundtrack composed by Gareth Coker. For those looking for a more stylized open world experience that doesn’t strive for realism, but rather revels in its mythology, Immortals is your type of odyssey.

Bravely Default II is a familiar yet enjoyable JRPG. Though some aspects like its visuals may not hit the mark, the job and combat system are excellent and give you freedom with your party. It can feel a little safe at times, but Bravely Default II is still a solid choice worth seeing through to the end.

Though it’s a little shorter compared to its predecessors, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is a collection worthy of your time. The HD treatment on Dream Drop Distance is excellent. Birth by Sleep 0.2 - A Fragmentary Passage is a gorgeous prologue to Kingdom Hearts III, and while Kingdom Hearts X (key) Back Cover is the weakest link in the collection, it lets fans efficiently catch up on that chapter of the story. While it may just be an appetizer, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is a fine example of why we’re still excited for the future of the franchise.

Although LawBreakers suffers from a sparse number of maps and shallow characters, its fast and fluid movement, gravity-defying combat, and emphasis on skill blend together to make for a solid multiplayer experience. There’s a decent core to build on, but it needs to do a lot more to stand out in the long run.

Tchia is a strong example of how such personal love and care can shine through every part of a game’s craftsmanship. Its environments, animals, clothing, dances, music, food, and folklore all convey a sense of deep cultural heritage as much as just being a fun video game to explore. Despite having a few rough edges to iron out, Tchia keeps you looking around every corner for the next thing to jump into, whether it’s a dolphin or a skateboard.

With its crisscrossing alternate storylines and the various possibilities of its branching class system, Trials of Mana is an interesting game to experiment with. There are some elements of this remake’s production that are worth griping about, but at the same time, it unquestionably improves on some of the more convoluted aspects of the original. What’s key is that whether you’re brawling with Kevin or casting spells with Angela, battles feel fun and active. Trials of Mana is not only worth giving a shot, but also worth coming back to for a second or third run as well.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a strong return to the original identity of the series. The increased emphasis on stealth encourages you to get more invested in your surroundings, while the streamlined equipment options and shortened length ensure Basim doesn’t wear out his welcome. Open combat and the story aren’t anything particularly special, but learning about Baghdad continues the series tradition of celebrating different time periods. With multiple Assassin’s Creed projects in the works, hopefully Ubisoft embraces the intimate focus of Mirage.

At 10 to 12 hours, Röki is a substantial adventure that avoids some of the typical pitfalls of the genre. While there is a fair bit of backtracking, puzzles feel naturally entwined with the story as it unfolds, with significant new elements that change things up just when it’s needed. Meanwhile, the nature of where this story goes effectively draws you closer to this family’s struggles, taking it beyond a simple fable. It’s a small game with a lot of heart.

While there’s certainly more to be desired in terms of exploration and discovery, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a solid first take from Surgent Studios. There are enough tools to keep combat from getting stale, and the platforming challenges are sure to keep most players on their toes. (Although they could throw in a couple checkpoints between the instant death spikes.) With full completion taking just ten to twelve hours, it’s worth joining Zau on his journey and experiencing everything Kenzera has to offer. There’s clearly a lot of love put in from the team, and that passion comes through in every aspect of its presentation.

While Mortal Shell may not stand at the upper echelon of the genre, there's still plenty to enjoy. The combat and world are engaging, and its swappable body system feels unique and fresh. Despite its shortcomings, Mortal Shell brings enough new ideas to the table, and with less pressure and investment required, there’s plenty of freedom to experiment with them.

If you're looking for a quick and bloody challenge, Bloodroots is a great pick. Running through levels and cutting down foes always feels satisfying, and its wide array of weapons is a pleasure to use. Bloodroots is a fast and frantic rush of violence.

If you have an attachment to the world and characters of Persona 5, you owe it to yourself to play Strikers. The shift in genre makes combat exciting, and the story manages to capture so much of what made Persona 5 such an outstanding game. The Phantom Thieves are back, not in some watered down spin off, but in a way that will very likely steal your heart all over again.

Mafia Definitive Edition is a loving and faithful remake of an underappreciated gem. The story, atmosphere, and sense of place have aged particularly well. The cover-based shootouts feature memorable scenarios, but the controls and Free Ride mode have room for improvement. After 18 years, Tommy Angelo’s violent tale of organized crime is still as memorable as ever.

It may not push its combat as hard as the original, but Axiom Verge 2 isn’t afraid of letting you forge your own path. Power-ups are spread out in a way that prevents them from simply feeling like keys needed to unlock the next area, and there are lots of extra goodies and fun secrets along the way. Axiom Verge 2 has a way of getting into your system and enticing you to uncover absolutely every last inch of its world.

At its core, Weird West is a solid game that presents a fun sandbox to play in. There are some aspects of its combat and story that aren't as strong as we'd hoped, but exploring the world and uncovering secrets with its strange and diverse cast of characters is enjoyable. It's time to saddle up and head out west.

The Surge 2 is a good follow-up to its predecessor. The level design and lock-on based combat are really enjoyable, but boss encounters and the story’s presentation feel a bit lacking. It won’t blow you away by any means, but it does well for what it is. If you’re a fan of the first game or simply want to see this type of game in a more futuristic setting, The Surge 2 is a fine choice.

Ever Oasis is a decently enjoyable game, especially if you go into it aware that it requires some patience. It's just unfortunate that for all its various ideas, each of them needs work in one way or another. Still, Ever Oasis proves that there's plenty of appeal to harvest from its mixture of genres. Hopefully another game or even a sequel can more fully capitalize on such potential.

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.

Call of Duty has been an annual franchise for 15 years, but this year feels particularly unnecessary because Warzone and Modern Warfare continue to thrive. It’s a solid game, but with limited maps and a campaign that fizzles out, it’s a hard sell for players already committed to where they are. As the seasons continue, Cold War could certainly improve, but for now, it isn’t an essential purchase.