This sequel went wide, and while that comes with benefits, like new ways to explore this beloved world and its various sights, it also comes with drawbacks. They aren't unlike anything fans of the genre have experienced before, and playing as cherished characters certainly eases the pain, but the tedium and bloat of the open-world checklist can sometimes get in the way of where Rebirth truly shines. The best of Remake exists in Rebirth, but the various open-world areas surrounding it – the parts that make Rebirth unique from its predecessor – sometimes miss the mark.

Rock Band is the best music game ever made... It’s immensely fun and consistently rewarding. Nearly endless replay is bolstered by the promise of a musical catalogue that will have already dramatically expanded by the time you read this.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder surprises and delights from the moment you turn on the game. Though the gameplay feels familiar, Nintendo’s ability to iterate on the established formula in unique ways kept me on my toes throughout the journey all the way up to the memorable final battle. After all this time, I thought I had a grasp on the breadth of the tricks the 2D Mario series had up its sleeve, but that Super Mario Bros. Wonder so consistently surprised me speaks to just how much gas is left in the iconic franchise’s tank.

If you judge a game solely by its complex battle systems, intricate puzzles, or branching upgrade systems, Journey is likely a disappointment. If you’re open to that often nebulous realm of how a game might elicit emotion and the artistic potential of interactive narrative, Journey is an absolute must-play.

Bloodborne succeeds through sparse storytelling, lush atmospheres (conjuring up notions of the best of Lovecraft’s work), and tight combat that forces you to be aggressive. While this new IP doesn’t stray far from the established Souls franchise, it is a magical, wondrous work that admirably instills both terror and triumph in those brave enough to delve into it.

A wonderfully successful psychological thriller meant to screw with gamers' minds, emotions, and fears to the nth degree. [August 2002, p.81]

The multiplayer is amazing (of course), and the world editor is impressive, but the single-player experience is a masterstroke. [Sept 2002, p.92]

I was doing stuff that at least looked neat right away. Then, the game got harder, and I got better. This is one of the title's strongest points - a perfect ramp-up of difficulty and skill acquisition. [Nov 2003, p.154]

If there's an overall problem with Forza, it's that the game isn't polished into the slick experience that others have recently offered. [June 2005, p.130]

Madden is still excellent, but has left the door open to its competitors. [Sept 2003, p.117]

I put nearly 100 hours into IV, and I can easily see myself pumping dozens more into this update. If you haven't played IV at all, then $40 is an absolute steal for the ultimate version of the best fighting game in recent memory. [May 2010, p.87]

At every turn, Forza Horizon 5 impresses in ways few games have. From the first mile, I was on the edge of my seat. With so much to do in such a relentlessly gorgeous world, I suspect it won’t be long before I get the itch to jump back into the driver’s seat of my favorite car. Even amidst a competitive racing field, Forza Horizon 5 is a finely tuned supercar.

As the series that pioneered fighting games, each new Street Fighter comes with weighty expectations. Street Fighter 6 confidently meets this hype, catering to neophytes and genre veterans by offering the most extensive array of offline offerings the franchise has ever seen alongside a flexible set of core systems and a diverse cast. Between its cohesive aesthetic, the bounty of clever features, and crisp central gameplay, it’s one of the most impressive entries the genre has seen in some time.

Blue Prince is everything I want in an indie game: a unique, creative idea brought to life with expert execution. Its combination of roguelikes and puzzle games feels effortless, with each aspect boosting my enjoyment of the other. Like the best puzzle games, it makes the player feel smart, and like the best roguelikes, it makes the player infinitely hungry for another run. Ultimately, Blue Prince is about mysteries. It harnesses the innate, burning curiosity one feels when seeing a closed door at the end of a hallway and crafts it into an unforgettable experience.

Writing in video games is a subject that doesn't get a lot of attention, but Chaos Theory features a simply great script. Not only is it complex and deep, it's also surprisingly funny. [Apr 2005, p.112]

Where this games shines the brightest is in the new path it blazes, not the traditions it revisits. [Nov. 2006, p.132]

The GameCube version seems to hamper players a little bit just because of the odd configuration of the controller, but everything else is smooth and silky. [Sept 2002, p.85]

The game rewards strategy and patience time and time again, and you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not having it on your iOS devices.

It stands out for its wonderful writing, variety of quests and things to do in the world, and how your choices have impact in interesting ways.

Super Mario World represented the best of gaming a decade ago, and it has only become better with age. [Apr 2002, p.86]

Don't just get this game because it's 20 bucks, buy it becuase it's the best football title there is and the only one that's a must have. [Sept 2004, p.100]

Melee is wholesome original, and the most rewarding multiplayer experience available for any console. [Feb 2002, p.86]

I would recommend buying Madden over all other franchises 100 times out of 100 to any Xbox owner. [Sept 2002, p.89]

As it stands, Rome: Total War is merely a good empire simulation with a minor real-time strategy diversion built in. [Nov 2004, p.165]

Forza 3 redefines the franchise, but it definitely didn't take me to anywhere I hadn't already been before. [Nov 2009, p.106]

For newcomers, Demon’s Souls will be the first exploration into the duality of despair and triumph, and hopefully go on to become a starting point for new Souls fans. For veterans, it’s a homage to an experiment that kicked off a fantastic genre. Either way, it’s wonderful that the nascent ethers from the original classic have coalesced and given us this delightful treat.

Undertale may not be the prettiest game at the ball, but it is a fantastic, unique take on a classic genre that defies all expectations.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is this year's "BioShock," not just from the connection established with the world, but from its ability to innovate where new ideas are needed, and moreover, deliver an adventure unlike any other. [Sept 2009, p.82]