Nioh may borrow Onimusha‘s art style, Dark Souls‘ challenging combat, and Diablo‘s loot-farming, but it combine these elements in a way that makes it feel like a unique experience. Everything comes together to create a wholly engrossing action-RPG that’s hard to put down, with Nioh standing as an impressive return to form for Team Ninja after spending a decade in development hell. In short, Nioh is Team Ninja’s best game in years, and should leave fans plenty excited for the next Ninja Gaiden.

PC gamers are in for a treat when Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection launches on Steam and the Epic Games Store on October 19. The long-awaited arrival of a Naughty Dog modern classic on PC could not have been handled better, offering excellent performance across multiple PC setups featuring the latest upscaling tech to make the whole experience run, feel, and look as good as possible. The Legacy of Thieves Collection contains two of Sony's best exclusive games from the past ten years, and the port on display lives up to the standard for quality that Uncharted has established in its almost fifteen-year run.

From its superb visual presentation to its wildly successful combat system, Devil May Cry 5 is the perfect action game. The developers put all their energy into providing a constant string of exciting, over-the-top battles that push players to the limit and test their abilities to pull off the most stylish combos possible, and the result is a game that keeps a breakneck pace and never slows down. There isn’t a single dull moment in Devil May Cry 5, and it’s arguably the best game in the series to date.

Do yourself a favor and lose yourself in the world of Hydaelyn for a good month at the very least. You won’t regret it.

Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic package that offers enough new content to satisfy fans of the original, while remaining faithful to what made that entry so special. It's also an incredibly approachable entry for newcomers thanks to the myriad of enhancements to the Persona series' combat and social mechanics. It's clear that Persona 3 Reload isn't just a remake of an outdated game, it's an entry that is entirely its own and signals a bright future for the franchise in the post-Persona 5 era.

Injustice 2 is a triumph for NetherRealm. The game expertly builds upon the foundation laid by the original with an endearing narrative, memorable fighters, gorgeous animations, and a slew of different modes and features that’ll keep fans engaged for countless hours.

As it stands, Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut is the comprehensive, definitive Ghost of Tsushima experience. Its new multiplayer mode isn't in the game yet but will be coming soon, and in the meantime, fans still have the current Ghost of Tsushima: Legends experience to check out, the base game's story mode with PS5 features, and the substantial Iki Island expansion. Newcomers and returning fans alike have reason to check out Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut, with it hopefully keeping fans satisfied until they can get their hands on Sucker Punch's first game built exclusively with the PlayStation 5 in mind.

Dark Souls 3 offers a unique experience that blends subtle storytelling, dark settings, and painfully difficult encounters to stand out from the crowd of other action games. The challenge is well worth the countless deaths and hours of practice for players who have the patience, but is likely one that should be skipped by gamers who prefer to get things right on the first try.

Sabotage’s retro-inspired RPG is a strong offering that is doubly impressive considering it’s only the second project from this budding indie studio. There are too many points to expound upon — be it the soundtrack, story, combat, gameplay, or graphics — but they are all skillfully implemented. Even on the technical side, there are no complaints. Sea of Stars is simply a really fun, well-rounded game that any fan of RPGs will surely enjoy.

Brace Yourself Games has brought some real ingenuity into the indie game circuit, and the developer deserves great praise for creating an incredibly fun roguelike that’s filled to the brim with addictive gameplay and fiendish enemies.

Sun and Moon are the biggest changes that the core Pokemon series has ever attempted. Removing gyms, Hidden Machines (HMs), and altering original Pocket Monsters was a huge gamble – and all of it has paid off. Honoring the franchise’s past while looking to the future must have been a difficult ideal for Nintendo and The Pokemon Company to nail down, but the end result of this undertaking is a pair of lovingly-crafted, must-haves for fans new and old. Truly, this is the celebration of Pokemon that gamers have been waiting for.

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit is both an exceptional addition to the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise and a truly remarkable piece of retro-inspired horror. Melding haunting pixelated visuals, rich animations, and disturbingly realistic sound, the title delivers on all fronts, marking FNAF’s 10th anniversary with an experience unlike any before. While FNAF’s mainline titles move the story forward, balancing kid-friendly scares with a bleak and disturbing backstory, Five Nights at Freddy’s:Into the Pit goes back to where it all began, immersing fans in the series’ darkest and most straightforward horror title to date. In doing so, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit delivers a can’t-miss experience for fans of the FNAF franchise that any fan of the genre can sink their teeth into.

If Shinobi: Art of Vengeance was more challenging and had more depth to it, it would potentially be the best game in the franchise to date. As it stands, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is still a mostly triumphant return that will keep genre fans thoroughly entertained while it lasts, and it would be great to see a follow-up that builds on its foundation to create something even bigger and better.

While every Pikmin game has followed the winning formula that was established two decades ago, each has added its own tweaks here and there. Pikmin 4 seems to have taken the biggest leap in that regard, and yet everything feels like a logical and fitting next step. The core of the gameplay is the same and provides the hours of whimsical RTS challenge and fun that fans expect, while the new modes and mechanics keep it from feeling stale. Every mainline game has been an improvement on the last, and Pikmin 4 is no exception. Other than the co-op, there’s really nothing negative about the game, besides perhaps the loading times. But it’s really a testament to how great Pikmin 4 is that waiting 30 seconds to get back into it is too long.

The game is by no means perfect – its pacing is inconsistent and side quests can be hit or miss – but the combination of the combat and the story at large are strong enough to reduce any complaints to minor quibbles. Recently, Square Enix has come out to say that Final Fantasy can take on many different forms depending on the team behind it, and the folks at Creative Business Unit III have found a way to make this latest game their own. There is so much joy and care put into making sure that this experience feels epic and rewards its fan base, even though it’s doing a lot of new things. Final Fantasy 16 is proof that the unexpected can be just as enjoyable as the tried and true.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is a fantastic collection that greatly enhances two top-tier games. The lack of multiplayer is disappointing, but it's hardly a deal-breaker. And after seeing how great Uncharted looks and plays on PS5, fans will be clamoring for a proper Uncharted sequel built for the ground-up for the platform.

Time will tell how fans will react to Gran Turismo 7's microtransactions, but putting them aside, what's there is still a deep racing game experience that will keep fans of the genre busy for hours on end. It's a gorgeous racing game and while it's not going to be knocking down any boundaries to convert non-racing game fans, Gran Turismo 7 should greatly appeal to its target audience.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has elements that match right up with any of Spielberg’s movies. Its puzzles are a genuine highlight, its story fits the type of adventure that only Indy would go on, and it’s bolstered by some standout performances from its cast. Even though the combat and stealth are middle-of-the-road, the entire presentation is strong enough that fans will have a great time donning the hat and whip.

For sheer artistry and inventiveness, Year Walk is a must play that demonstrates the power of folklore, games, and a familiar journey made strange.

Ubisoft's The Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a throwback to the franchise's early 2D days, albeit with a heavy focus on stylish combat. Inspired by Persian mythology and set on Mount Qaf, the game features platforming, parkour, action, and storytelling.

It plays great, it looks great, and its story is better than many Hollywood blockbusters out there.

Saros is an excellent, heart-pounding action game that is easily one of the PS5's best exclusives. The combat is exhilarating and Carcosa is a blast to explore. The quality-of-life features make it more accessible than Returnal, and while that might upset some purists, it helps Saros avoid some of the frustrating pitfalls that roguelite games sometimes fall into. Saros is one of the year's best releases and a must-have for PS5 gamers.

From the story to the exploration to the combat to seemingly endless upgrades, Spider-Man is packed full of things worth doing and that are fun to do. Insomniac Games has made it seem effortless with the way they can bring this character to life in all the ways a video game can. Spider-Man is a great superhero game, a great PS4 exclusive, but most importantly a great game all its own.

Sun and Moon are the biggest changes that the core Pokemon series has ever attempted. Removing gyms, Hidden Machines (HMs), and altering original Pocket Monsters was a huge gamble – and all of it has paid off. Honoring the franchise’s past while looking to the future must have been a difficult ideal for Nintendo and The Pokemon Company to nail down, but the end result of this undertaking is a pair of lovingly-crafted, must-haves for fans new and old. Truly, this is the celebration of Pokemon that gamers have been waiting for.

Monster Hunter Rise is an absolute joy to play regardless of the platform chosen. Console players who do not have a Switch and have been eagerly awaiting this port can finally rejoice because they now have the opportunity to try out this wonderful game. The gameplay improvements found here can make it difficult to go back to World and while it does not have the same overall graphical quality as that game, this newest version is an absolute blast to play and was well worth the wait.

As the series celebrates its tenth anniversary, Forza Motorsport 6 demonstrates that Turn 10 has found the ideal balance of sim gameplay and accessibility.

The finished product is just as arresting and enthralling as anyone could have expected.

There’s little doubt that Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest delivers on every front that it promised fans, serving up an interesting narrative and tough-as-nails gameplay.

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line scratches a particular itch, which means the game is unlikely to hold a great deal of immediate appeal for people who aren’t already familiar with the Final Fantasy series. That franchise has produced some amazing music over the years, though, and the fans who already love it will likely welcome a fresh excuse to listen to some of their favorite compositions once again. The combination of music and visual assets could also help franchise newcomers see what they’ve been missing. A little more variety in the compositions included would have been nice, but otherwise, the package contains the right bells, whistles, and nostalgia to keep players busy and happy for a very long time.

Anyone that was a fan of the original game will likely love Psychonauts 2, as it improves on everything that made the first game great. But newcomers should also make it a point to check the game out, as it's a phenomenal 3D platformer and a Game of the Year contender. And while it's worth every penny, Psychonauts 2 is also on Xbox Game Pass thanks to Microsoft's acquisition of Double Fine, so anyone interested can try it out without making a big financial commitment.

All told, though, Hitman 3 is one of the best stealth games ever made. Those that have enjoyed the last two games in the rebooted trilogy will find more to appreciate here, while newcomers to the franchise will get a highly replayable romp through expertly crafted levels. The disjointed narrative may be off-putting to some, but those willing to overlook the shortcomings of the story are getting an otherwise near-perfect stealth game with exceptional replay value and astounding visual fidelity.

The story in Doom Eternal can be completely ignored and one won't have any less fun with the game, so it's not a huge blemish on the experience by any means. Doom Eternal is a non-stop thrill ride, barraging players with incredible fast-paced action from the opening mission to its blood-soaked finale. Fans of the franchise should be thrilled with it, and anyone looking for a meaty FPS to fill their time can't go wrong with this game.

Overall, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition advertised itself as taking the already-popular trilogy, bringing it to modern consoles, and giving it smart improvements. There's a lot that it does to improve the games without detracting from the core experience, and that says something. The first game is 13 years old and the third game is 9 years old at the time of this writing, and Mass Effect: Legendary Edition makes them feel much more current and recent. It's hard to imagine making the original trilogy any better, but these remasters definitely make them much more current.

Small gripes aside, Monster Hunter Stories 3 is a fantastic, one-of-a-kind experience that I won’t soon forget. Its monster-collecting and battle systems are uniquely engaging on a level far beyond typical JRPG grinding, which injects almost every other element of the game with depth that would otherwise be lacking. It doesn’t have the mass appeal of something like Clair Obscur—I don’t imagine it will stray too far beyond its target demographic—but Monster Hunter Stories 3 proves that Capcom is on the right track with this franchise, positioning it to grow into a JRPG institution on the level of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.

From the side quests to the main story, Chicory: A Colorful tale is a fun time that will hold players' attention to the end, especially fans of The Legend of Zelda franchise. There are some nitpicks one could make about certain gameplay moments that require pinpoint brush accuracy not working correctly or some of the platforming sections feeling off, but really the only big knock against it are the lackluster boss fights. It's otherwise close to being perfect for what it is and is certainly one of the better Zelda-like indie games.

Persona 4 Golden is a massive JRPG that looks better than ever on PC. Those that have already played through the PS2 or PS Vita versions of the game may not find the HD visuals to be a good enough reason to double dip, but the game is highly recommended to new players. Anyone wanting more Persona after getting their fill of Persona 5 Royal should most definitely give Persona 4 Golden on PC a try.

I truly think that everyone should play Neva at some point; it's hard to imagine someone not feeling profound emotion from this trim but unforgettable release, which now sits comfortably on the short list of video games that have brought tears to my eyes. If it has captured your attention in any way, then it's safe to say that it's worth your time. It's certainly worth far more than the $20 Devolver Digital and Nomada Studios are asking for it.

Indeed, Tales of Arise is a game designed for long-term Tales franchise fans and those who have never picked up a franchise entry before, where story, combat, and various features come together to deliver a high-quality, highly-detailed JRPG. All of that makes it not just one of the best JRPGs on the market today, but one of the best games hands-down.

Spelunky 2 takes the baton from Spelunky 1 and hits its stride immediately. Jumping into the caverns, whipping bats, chucking rocks, and smashing pots is just as fun and challenging 8 years later. Mossmouth has kept true to its original vision in a way that will satisfy fans, but packaged enough new content to ensure things don't feel like a rehash. As a result, Spelunky 2 isn't attempting to convert any who weren't fans of the first game. The game has a very specific approach and will not be for everyone, but those who adored the first game are guaranteed to feel the same about its sequel. At a time when gamers are less inclined to take risks with their purchases, Spelunky 2 offers the comfort of the familiar.

Six Marvel fighting games and one obscure beat-’em-up might sound like a downgrade compared to the other, larger Capcom Fighting Collections, but the star power of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics makes it more than worth investing in. Despite a lack of evolution compared to its predecessor, the respect for these titles is felt regardless, and it makes the case for an MvC4 better than anything else. Anyone with an interest in the fighting genre should find something to love here, and The Punisher might even spark love for a different corner of Capcom's catalog. A thorough Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection has been a long time coming, and its arrival feels like the celebration it should be.

Regardless of where users’ settings might land, Spider-Man Remastered is still one of Sony’s best games, of any generation. Insomniac Games crafted an experience that is thrilling even when Spider-Man is just swinging through the city, but the combat and story add fun layers that keep it engaging throughout. Not to mention, this PC version includes the Miles Morales DLC that adds new layers to the combat and has an equally compelling narrative. So while mileage may vary in terms of how much visual fidelity a system can offer the game, Spider-Man Remastered is still well worth playing and the PC version is the best looking version. Over time performance should get even better, but right now the game is still a must-play.

Absolum is one of those rare roguelikes that feels like it knows exactly what it wants to be, even if it's not ashamed to imitate games like Hades in many ways. Its world is intriguing with its characters and lore, its combat is punishing but rewards patience and persistence, and every run feels like a whole new experience. Even after dozens of hours, the mix of beat-em-up mechanics and roguelike structure still surprises. It's challenging, fulfilling, and full of personality, and the more time players spend with it, the more they will realize that Absolum's magic extends beyond the wizards themselves.

Armored Core VI: The Fires of Rubicon will undoubtedly be the go-to vehicular combat game for a lot of fans, and most pilots will be unable to park their mech and put the game down for a long time.

F1 2017 is another extremely strong entry in the series from Codemasters. Although newcomers to Formula One in its entirety might find it a little challenging to grasp, particularly when it comes to the in-depth Career Mode, racing fans and Formula One fans in general should be revving their engines in preparation for the glamorous world of Formula One racing once again.

Unicorn Overlord is a standout tactics RPG landing just when the genre is coming back to life. It's deep, creative, gorgeous, and incredibly addicting, with plenty to offer for those who want to dig into all its systems. The game may stumble a bit with its simple plot, tedious UI, and quantity over quality side character stories, but those feel like small issues in an overall impressive and well-rounded game. Great for newcomers and genre veterans alike, Unicorn Overlord is a can’t-miss title.

Truly, Cuphead is a game which will give victorious gamers a sense of satisfaction that few modern games manage to accomplish. The nostalgic visual prowess supplied by the game’s hand-drawn animations are second to none, and its period-appropriate soundtrack will force its way into gamers’ heads. Precision gameplay is key here, and the mechanics behind it – aside of an improvable control scheme – deliver a delightfully challenging title that doesn’t hold your hand through the process.

Those that have been waiting to try Disco Elysium have no reason to hold out any longer. The game is available on pretty much every platform out there now, and it’s well worth playing. It’s unlike just about anything else, and it begs the question of what developer ZA/UM will manage to craft next.

Blizzard has taken twenty years of game design lessons and put all of them into Diablo 4. The variety of things to do in the game and the plethora of build choices feel like they come from a company that has experienced the highest highs and lowest lows in game development and taken some of those hard-learned lessons to heart. There is a lot of love built into every aspect of Diablo 4, and users will find it in every system and corner of Sanctuary. With the first simultaneous release on PC and consoles in the series' history, Diablo players are finally getting back into the fight between Heaven and Hell, and they will more than likely still be fighting for many years to come.

Total War: Warhammer manages to keep fans of both the Total War and Warhammer franchises happy, delivering excellent strategy gameplay and the best Warhammer video game to date.

Gradius Origins would almost be worth recommending just for Salamander 3 alone, which makes it that much easier to recommend since it contains impeccable ports of other classic games in the Gradius series. Like other M2 ports, input lag is minimal, modern features make the games more enjoyable, and having them readily available under a single umbrella makes playing them more convenient. For shmup fans, Gradius Origins is the full package, and for genre newcomers, it's one of the best introductions money can buy, only held back by its lack of Gradius 4 and 5.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC is a near-perfect port of the fantastic PS5 game, giving those on PC the chance to experience its exciting action sequences, emotional character moments, and cutting-edge graphics. There have been a number of poorly-optimized PC ports this year, but luckily, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart has bucked the trend and redeemed the PlayStation-to-PC ports after the disappointing Last of Us Part 1. It's an incredible game no matter where one plays it, but it's definitely cheaper to play it on PS5, so fans should keep that in mind.

Asgard’s Wrath 2 is without a doubt one of the best VR games and a surefire system seller for Quest 3. It presents an engaging character action experience that leverages the power of Meta’s new VR headset and tech to ensure fast and fluid combat, a rich set of environments, and a scope that is consistently jaw-dropping. Some precision quirks with the combat and the lower fidelity graphics are small gripes but they ultimately do little to hold the game back from being a compelling adventure that is hard to put down. If there is a game to showcase how VR can match the scope and the scale of games like God of War and Zelda, Asgard’s Wrath 2 makes the strongest case yet.

The new game retains the core feeling of the original while expanding on it in brilliant and surprising ways. Bloober Team has elevated its game with the Silent Hill 2 remake and delivered what is quite simply one of the best Silent Hill games to date. I sincerely hope Bloober Team gets to keep working with Konami, and we get remakes of the other Silent Hill games with the same level of care that Silent Hill 2 has received.

Her Story is an achievement in interactive storytelling that never spoon-feeds the player information, instead letting you do the digging yourself.

I am disappointed with Mario Kart World's Free Roam, but the game nails everything else. It's good for near-endless hours of entertainment, and it will definitely stay in my Switch 2 rotation for years to come. Mario Kart World is the best the series has ever looked or played and a definite must-have for Switch 2 early adopters.

Ultimately, Nioh 3 feels like a confident step forward for the series, expanding player freedom through its Ninja style, Style Shift system, and deep build-crafting without losing what makes Nioh work. While its open-field design can lean on tired ideas, it rarely drags the experience down, and the game's combat is the strongest it has ever been. I enjoyed my time with Nioh 3 enough to immediately jump into New Game Plus, which says a lot on its own, and I'm looking forward to seeing how things play out now with the increased difficulty and customization options it offers. It also helps how well the game runs on the PS5, where it has performed smoothly for me from start to finish with no technical issues to speak of. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Nioh 3 proves that the series still has room to grow, experiment, and surprise.

It took five years for Nintendo Switch gamers to get their hands on Bayonetta 3, and it was well worth the wait. If Nintendo decides to fund a sequel, then it seems likely that Bayonetta 4 will wind up on the next-generation Nintendo console, and perhaps that entry can address this one's sometimes-disappointing graphics and story problems. Platinum apparently has ideas for at least nine Bayonetta games, and if they're even half as good as Bayonetta 3, they should all be an incredibly fun time.

It’s a great game that’s bustling with creativity, and it’s a gripping experience whether you’re a fan of the horror genre or otherwise.

More than the Myst remake (which is also excellent), Riven shines in a way that few puzzle games do nowadays. Great care has been taken to provide a meaningful challenge, but in a way that doesn't feel obtuse or impossible. For fans of puzzle games, Riven is an incredibly rewarding experience.

Ghost of Tsushima walked so Ghost of Yotei could run. Yotei beats Tsushima in every category, with better graphics, better music, better gameplay, and a better story, despite the occasional narrative lull. Ghost of Yotei is the kind of game that you can't stop playing, and when you're not playing it, you'll be thinking about when you can play it again. It's a masterful open world game and one of the best exclusives on the PS5.

The game does a great job of letting players logically put together clues. It hides them well at the center of the Roottree's web, but the farther out it goes, it may grate over time. The writing is worth absorbing as players go along and this feels like a real family that could have existed. While this story is certainly told in a way that makes it one of the more unique mystery games out there, it's the method in which players are asked to discover it that holds it back.

As much as I've already tried, Arc Raiders keeps pulling me back in for reasons I can't always explain. It's fast, punishing, and unpredictable, yet it never forgets to be fun. Its world feels alive in a way that makes every step Topside matter, every run tell its own story, and every narrow escape feel like something worth bragging about. The sound design, traversal, and enemy AI all come together to create a rhythm that's equal parts chaos and control, and it rewards players who learn to move with it instead of against it. After more than thirty hours, I’m still discovering new ways to survive, new risks to take, and new reasons to go back.

Hinako's journey in Silent Hill f is brutal, beautiful, and brilliant. As someone that has been playing survival-horror games for decades, Silent Hill f is exactly what I want from a modern-day entry in the genre. It features challenging puzzles, gruesome monsters, and a ton of replay value wrapped in stunning graphics, great performance, and smart quality-of-life features that ensure it meets today's standards. Silent Hill f is a masterful horror game that stands tall alongside the likes of Silent Hill 2 and other survival-horror classics.

Returnal on PC has all the content on day one that was released for the original game in the year after its launch, meaning that it's debuting on PC in a better state than it was in when it first came to PS5. Developer Climax Studios has hit it out of the park with this port, so any PC gamers curious about Returnal can feel confident picking it up, but they might want to consider getting a DualSense to go with their purchase.

Crystal Dynamics has put together one of the most riveting action/adventure titles of this generation. Even then, Rise of the Tomb Raider is a game that people will play, love, and be done with, and that’s okay. It’s said to take dedicated completionists over 30 hours of playing to gather all of the hidden treasures, survival caches, golden coins, and weapon parts, which makes for a solid bang for consumers’ hard-earned bucks. Plus, who doesn’t want to fight a bear?

Luigi's Mansion 3's ScreamPark and ScareScraper modes could have used more content, but the main story still provides plenty of things for players to do. The filler at the end of it hurts the pacing, but players will have a blast with the game until they reach that point. Luigi's Mansion 3 is still an easy recommendation for Nintendo Switch owners or anyone looking for a fun local co-op game.

Titanfall 2 has succeeded in surpassing the original title in every way. It delivers an emotional, action-packed single player experience that will leave fans new and old feeling satisfied, and the fluid combat mechanic both in and out of one’s titan packs plenty of punches and doesn’t hold back when it comes to the visceral brutality of pilot warfare.

For fans of the Zero Escape games, AI: The Somnium Files is an absolute must-buy, and its more accessible story, interesting puzzle gameplay, and slightly muted anime aesthetic hopefully means it can enjoy a more mainstream success and potentially kick-start a new series for Spike Chunsoft.

As far as turn-based JRPGs go, Dragon Quest 11 is one of the best we’ve seen in years. The game delivers a classic-style JRPG adventure with small, smart tweaks that make it feel like a more modern take on the genre.

As long as new heroes and maps continue arriving in frequent content updates, we expect Heroes of the Storm to have a very long and profitable lifespan.

If one has managed to get their hands on a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X console, they can't go wrong with Crash Bandicoot 4, as it's a tremendous platforming game and one of the genre's best. Those that already own the last-gen version of the game will be happy to know that, unlike other Activision titles, the Crash Bandicoot 4 next-gen upgrade is free, so there's no reason not to try it out.

Returnal is an excellent video game flirting with perfection. It has the most satisfying gameplay loop Housemarque has crafted to date, which says a lot considering the studio's pedigree. If PlayStation's other PS5 exclusives feel even half as satisfying as Returnal does, fans are in for one hell of a console generation.

At only $20, Braid: Anniversary Edition is an easy recommendation for those nostalgic for the original game or anyone that's simply looking for a solid puzzle platformer to play. Braid might not be the industry-shaking revolution that it was when it first released, but it still holds up in 2024, with challenging puzzles and a powerful story. The considerable graphical upgrade would make Braid: Anniversary Edition worth the price of admission alone, but the added content is the cherry on top. If nothing else, it's great to have Braid playable on modern platforms, and hopefully, the game is able to find an even larger audience than it did 16 years ago.

With attractive new graphics and sensible tweaks to the game’s interaction interface, Day of the Tentacle Remastered is the definitive version of a classic.

Despite downgraded visuals, the core of what made the original game so appealing is still very much intact.

The extra coat of paint may not dry properly on all facets of the project, thanks to the amiibo-based paywall that will block some users from the new dungeon, but it’s a nice stop-gap that will easily tide fans over amidst the wait for the brand new The Legend of Zelda game arriving for Wii U later this year.

Cities: Skylines achieves everything we wanted in SimCity with ease.

OlliOlli World is a unique and fun skateboarding game, despite a few flaws here and there, and it holds its own against more “mainstream” skateboarding games like Skate. Even if players have never picked up an OlliOlli title before, OlliOlli World is worth its price tag.

While MercurySteam has done a wonderful job piecing together an engaging world, it feels like there may have been some added benefit in adding additional bosses – something the game sorely lacks.

Pragmata certainly starts strong, but it doesn't have quite enough to stay completely engaging all the way to the end credits. It's a highly-polished sci-fi game with fun combat and exploration, but its lackluster story and characters keep it from reaching its full potential. Still, it's exciting to have a completely original IP from Capcom, and while Pragmata doesn't live up to the high bar set by some of the studio's other efforts, it's a mostly worthwhile adventure.

Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King is an incredibly long game filled with standard offerings from the tried and true JRPG genre. While the battle mechanics remain traditional, the narrative and characters that push it forward are incredibly charming. So much so that they surround the game’s design with ample incentive to keep playing until bitter sweet farewells are made. DQ8 is goofy, charming, and endearing, but more importantly it’s still constantly enjoyable even after spending an absurd amount of time with it.

Wasteland 3 is an easy recommendation for RPG fans. It's a wild ride from start to finish - one that is well worth every hour and playthrough spent on it. Prior to launch, one developer stated that Wasteland 3 was "epic in size", but experiencing it first-hand proves that this is an understatement, that the game has much more to offer players than first glance, and that the game is worth playing, time and again.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a wonderful package that delivers on its mission statement of merging a compelling sci-fi story led by 13 protagonists with a unique take on the classic RTS formula. Despite some points of confusion early on due to time travel shenanigans in Remembrance and a sometimes hard-to-read battlefield in Destruction, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is one of 2020's must-play games and will make players want to mount up in a Sentinel of their own.

It packs so much RPG goodness into a tight package that fans are going to be engrossed from beginning to end. More importantly, the choices presented to them are so inviting and diverse that it will be easy to start up a second playthrough and feel like new experiences are on the horizon. Put simply, The Outer Worlds is the deep sci-fi RPG that gamers have been promised from so many franchises, and only now has been delivered.

Assessed in a vacuum, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is an undeniable improvement over the original game with better graphics and it makes great use of the PS5's unique features. It doesn't do enough new for those that have already played through Horizon Zero Dawn to make a return trip, but it's the perfect jumping on point for newcomers and is a worthwhile upgrade for those that have yet to finish their playthroughs.

Co-op support like in other Soulslike games would have put Lies of P over the top, but even without it, the game will still greatly appeal to Soulslike fans. It has a lot going for it, and from a technical standpoint, it's basically perfect. It runs smooth as butter, looks fantastic, and has no glitches that we discovered. And while the writing can be clunky at times, the ending is legitimately wild and worth suffering through the worst bosses to reach. It's true that Lies of P gives in to some of the worst Soulslike instincts at times, but it can be extremely fun when the combat clicks. Just expect a significant time investment and a lot of frustration before that happens.

Combat may become a little tedious after long stretches of play, the load times are a little lengthy, multiplayer is a smudge unbalanced, and SnapMap is a so-so addition, but the adrenaline-fueled gameplay and the ample replayability featured within the campaign makes this a standout entry in the FPS genre – let alone a worthwhile resurrection of DOOM.

It simply has more options than many other first-person shooters on the market, and even though it’s lacking a campaign, it doesn’t feel content deficient at all. Between the multiplayer, Blackout battle royale mode, and Zombies, players will more than get their money’s worth with this game.

What 11 Bit Studios has crafted here is truly special, as it lives up to its city-building survival name. Those looking to test their mettle in a different type of city-builder may want to take this one for a spin. However, those that may be looking for something a bit calmer will not find it here. Because although there are calmer points, this will keep even city-builder experts constantly moving, especially if they increase the difficulty. And if the first one is anything to go by, then that adventure is only just getting started.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales is an exceptional follow-up to Marvel's Spider-Man, even if a lot of the formula feels familiar. On PS5, though, it is a must-play just to see the potential of the new hardware and what it will offer from both a visual and a performance standpoint. For many console gamers, this will be their first taste of steady 4K 60FPS or Ray-Tracing that adds meaningful improvements to the presentation. Insomniac's work on the game is stunning.

Batman: Arkham Shadow is a legitimately great Arkham game, one that mostly lives up to the high bar set by the Rocksteady trilogy. A few patches will go a long way in making Arkham Shadow even better, but even now, it's an easy recommendation for Quest 3 and 3S owners.

Doom: The Dark Ages is action-packed and has really high highs, though the last quarter of the game doesn't quite maintain its momentum. Still, Dark Ages is a no-brainer for fans of the 2016 Doom game and Doom Eternal, as well as anyone who is in the mood for a high-quality and exciting first-person shooter experience.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess isn't perfect, but it's a fascinating game and one that begs for a more refined sequel that builds on its ideas. What's here is still mostly great and should greatly appeal to fans of tower defense games, the Pikmin series, and even the Demon Slayer anime. It's great to see Capcom willing to roll the dice on such a unique concept, and hopefully there's more of Kunitsu-Gami to come.

Tunic is more than a Zelda clone and will win over many players — those who enjoy the art style, the relentless challenge, the sense of exploration and discovery. But people picking up the game should be aware that it is a niche title that some gamers simply won’t have the patience to complete. Those who do take up the gauntlet will find an enjoyable, albeit sometimes frustrating, experience that fully deserves praise.

In ending Clementine’s story and the Walking Dead Final Season, players get a sense of fulfillment, as the ending only feels natural for everything that Clem and AJ have been through.

Nioh 2 is a worthy successor to its original, hitting nearly every beat there is to make it the best it can be. Where it drops the ball doesn't prevent Team Ninja from taking the bases it needs or hitting its homerun with the game. It's an easy recommendation for any lover of action RPGs.

There’s a reason The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is considered one of the greatest action-RPGs ever made. The world is brilliantly realized, everything from the gameplay to the story contains a great amount of depth, and it gives players the power to make a meaningful impact on the world through the choices they make. And with arguably the most impressive Switch port of any game to date, players have a whole new way to experience CD Projekt RED’s massive hit, one that just might be the preferred way for those who can stomach mildly-reduced visuals.

There are a lot of neat little touches here and there that make Sunbreak a fun all-around experience, even without the game-changer that was the Clutch Claw back in Iceborne. For Monster Hunter Rise fans still looking to grind out some armor for dozens of more hours, Sunbreak will definitely deliver on that front. But for the die-hard Monster Hunter fans out there that are looking for something a little different than the base game, there's not much new stuff to partake in this time around. Sunbreak feels like DLC for Monster Hunter Rise's Endgame rather than being a proper full-blown expansion.