The best way to describe Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is “safe.” Much like with Jedi: Fallen Order, it is clear that Respawn has a lot of good ideas for this franchise and wants to draw from a variety of influences to make something special, but it ultimately ends up making a pastiche of AAA game mechanics and fixings that are serviceable but not very refined. Jedi: Survivor doesn't have the same novelty and luster that Fallen Order had behind it, so when it rests on its laurels like this, the whole package feels underwhelming. When coupled with a clunky story and a laundry list of technical issues, it's clear that Star Wars Jedi: Survivor still has a long way to go before it reaches its full potential.

Overall, The Sims 4: Paranormal stuff pack accomplishes what it sets out to do. It provides players with a new, spooky experience that hasn’t been in the game previously. There were a few bugs, like the apartment mishap and an instance where a bed had to be removed in order to get rid of a creepy doll, but these things can be fixed easily with patches. It would be a stretch to say every Sims 4 player needs this pack, but for those who enjoy occult gameplay and artsy/boho CAS and Build/Buy items, this will definitely soothe that itch—just make sure it’s not a ghost hand doing the scratching.

Overall, Salt and Sacrifice still nails the core elements that make a 2D reimagining of Dark Souls a compelling idea thanks to its fundamental understanding of how character and level progression should flow and its expansive combat system. By adding in an extra layer of Metroidvania-style exploration and a unique approach to boss encounters with its Mage Hunt mechanic, Salt and Sacrifice sees Ska Studios carve out a space for itself as more than the studio that is good at making 2D Dark Souls games.

Fast Fusion is available at a budget price of $14.99. Compared to some other Switch 2 games, it's super cheap, and it definitely gives players their money's worth, even with the lack of proper online multiplayer and misguided progression. Racing game fans that need something a little different from Mario Kart World should consider giving Fast Fusion a look. As long as they are aware of its shortcomings, they should still walk away satisfied with the overall package. Plus, Fast Fusion has new content on the horizon that should make it even more worthwhile.

Wild Bastards is a very vibrant, very ambitious game that goes out of its way to add new gameplay mechanics and playable characters. But while that effort is certainly commendable, there's no denying that many of those elements just don't hit as hard as they should. There's still plenty of room for fans to have a good time with Wild Bastards, but that time won't be free of moments of confusion, frustration, and a little boredom.

Despite the limited content and somewhat fiddly controls, the game feels great to play. It's endlessly satisfying to turn a neglected garbage heap back into a happy home. The sandbox mode in House Flipper 2 offers lots of creative opportunities and the ability to share with fellow flippers is a big bonus, and will hopefully help the game build an ongoing community. Fingers crossed that more content comes down the road to provide players with even more possibilities.

If you fall head over heels for Invincible VS’s moment-to-moment gameplay, then you’ll wind up having a sweet spot for the game as a whole. Invincible VS is a content-lean, $50 3v3 fighting game that’s based on a popular franchise but ultimately feels optional for fans of that franchise, trying to stake a hold in an especially competitive genre with entrenched leaders. There is definitely a target demographic for Invincible VS, but it might not be a big one. Here’s hoping it’s big enough to keep the game alive for the foreseeable future.

The hand-drawn artwork is nice to look at, the turn-based tactical combat can be incredibly challenging and rewarding, and players will feel like they have an impact on the world. Broken Roads is held back a bit by its shortcomings, but those looking for something to sink their teeth into may still want to take it for a spin.

Appreciating the design of a game and investing time in its gameplay are two different things. It requires a very specific type of gamer, one who loves finding their fun in an experience with a ton of freedom, to keep progressing through No Man’s Sky. The game is part Minecraft, part Subnautica, and part its own creation, but if any of those component parts interests you then this may be worth checking out.

Paper Mario: Color Splash is the best looking installment in the series, offering the most immersive world to-date. Still, its battle system suffers in a misguided bid to innovate.

Lucid Dreams Studio's Biomorph is a solid Metroidvania that should definitely scratch the itch for any fan craving more from the genre, and with a neat Kirby gimmick to boot. Its strong platforming and level design elevate Biomorph's otherwise straightforward approach to the genre, while its main issues mostly come from a desire to see the game do more with its concepts. Despite some lacking elements that do take away from the overall experience, there is nothing here that stops Biomorph from being an easy recommendation in a genre already filled with great releases.

Jackbox Party Pack games have long relied on the quality of the people playing for the bulk of their entertainment value, and the same goes for the M-rated Jackbox Naughty Pack. It doesn't provide quite the same value as a full-blown numbered entry in the series, but it is still plenty entertaining. Dirty Drawful and Fakin' It All Night Long are the highlights of the collection, with Let Me Finish lagging very behind. It's a bummer that there are only three games available and one of them is a bust, but party game fans should have little trouble getting their money's worth and then some from Jackbox Naughty Pack.

Thank Goodness You’re Here’s humor is its strongest asset, so the trade-off is worth it. Games don't usually prioritize comedy, much less nail it, and that makes developer Coal Supper's first full title that much more impressive. Like a lot of sketch comedy shows, a decent portion of the gags in Thank Goodness You're Here don’t hit their marks, but the ones that do are utterly delightful bursts of joy that are funny to both watch and partake in.

There is a lot of beauty in Enotria: The Last Song and Jyamma Games deserves to be commended for its efforts to stand out in a saturated market. With immersive connections to Italian folklore and an adoring love of subgenre, Soulslike fans will certainly enjoy the world of challenge. But while the combat is innovative it could use some polish.

Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs stands well on its own two feet. From a technical standpoint, the tactical combat sections could do with a little more originality, and perhaps a better balance between gameplay modes. Overall, though, the game succeeds at what it aims to achieve, and gamers after a chilled-out tactical RPG with bags of character are bound to enjoy it.

The shortcomings of Raccoin are, ultimately, far from game-breaking, and I still find it fun, charming, and mechanically unique: it can net you a few dozen hours of solid gameplay, easily. However, we are living through an unprecedented era of deep and vast roguelikes, many of which offer hundreds of hours of constantly evolving gameplay. Against just a handful of these more avant-garde and ambitious titles, Raccoin, despite being well-made and enjoyable, feels unessential. It may only be marginally less compelling than something like Slay the Spire 2 or Balatro, but in this time-consuming genre space, that makes a massive difference.

Teardown is a wonderful game when it’s utilizing its strengths. Tuxedo Labs created a technical marvel of a game reminiscent of Red Faction: Guerrilla where destruction is its bread and butter and deserves endless praise on that front. Nothing’s quite as refreshing as throwing explosives at a building where it’s weakest and watching it tragically crash to the ground or explode into glorious pieces. All the surrounding elements, however, from the stunted variety and diminishing returns of the heists to the lackluster campaign, work against Teardown to create an uneven seesaw that soars during its highs but underwhelms as it slowly descends from its great heights.

Pacing issues aside, The Walking Dead: Onslaught is a solid VR experience that is a great option for anyone looking for some mindless, zombie-killing fun.

There's some real promise peeking out of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions' surface, and if the game's various kinks can be ironed out, it could become something truly special. But that pitch is long, and those goalposts are high.

Even with a few technical hiccups, checkpoint woes, and a sense that maybe going this big with such an intimate game wasn’t the best choice, The Invincible is an enjoyable experience. The Invincible is a '60s sci-fi novel brought to life that is best suited for those who love to get nerdy about hard science and love that retro sci-fi aesthetic. More casual fans will likely find plenty to enjoy with the game, but they should know that this a game about getting immersed in a world that wants to tell a story instead of the usual space-faring adventure shtick. When The Invincible gets its hooks in players, it can be a narrative experience that is thrilling, thought-provoking, and worth the ride.

Fantastic visuals and exciting gameplay are the best parts of Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition, along with its dizzying amount of content. The technical problems that still plague the game mean it will never be quite as good as Street Fighter 4 or other past games, but it's still better than many other fighting games out there.

It does something different from other RPGs currently on the device through its action-styled gameplay and town-growing focus, and the end result is a unique and enjoyable romp.

Resident Evil 0 still stands as a classic, and gamers who loved it back in the day will likely enjoy the new additions and polished appearance. Newcomers to the series, however, will miss out on some references if they play this first instead of the original Resident Evil, but it’s still a decent place to start.

Even with some of its shortcomings, Cities: Skylines 2 delivers an extremely deep and content-rich city simulator that genre fans will definitely want to check out. It should once again remind fans why Colossal Order is the perfect studio to lead the urban city-building genre after the failings of the SimCity franchise. However, it is also hard to look past the fact that this game is launching with less content than the original game currently has. Couple that with the limitations the districts have and the lack of the custom-building tools that players loved in the original, and the game feels like it is being held back a bit at launch. Much of this may be fixed with post-launch updates, but right now, it feels like a pretty glaring omission.

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.

Big Farm Story has a lot of promise but misses the mark by a hair due to its overtly mobile nature. Some minor adjustments would kick it forward and put it on the same level as other popular PC farming games, but it remains to be seen whether those changes are made. For the $20.00 price tag currently attached to this title, players should only consider purchasing it if they are looking for a casual and relaxing experience they can enjoy at a leisurely pace.

Wolfenstein: The Old Blood is a decent spin-off from The New Order, but is not an essential standalone experience.

Rematch has the potential to be the next Rocket League with its engrossing mechanics, rewarding team play, and stylized aesthetic. But the game's performance issues and lackluster progression systems might stop it from living long enough to achieve that potential.

There is plenty to praise when considering that this is Ascendant's debut game and how it ended up being an incredibly competent and entertaining experience that manages to pull off a solid combat system and a fun story. However, there really isn’t much that feels new or particularly interesting otherwise. It is clear that a lot of thought and care has been put into all systems of Immortals of Aveum, from its shooting to its puzzles, but none of it is compelling enough for another playthrough. Immortals of Aveum is well-executed, easy to digest, and remarkably solid, but overall incredibly familiar. Still, it may pleasantly surprise more than one shooter fan, and has enough going for it to likely attract a dedicated audience.

Having the game launch with this lack of polish in the first place is frustrating, but that is because the core loop is a blast to play through. If it were not for the rough launch, it would be an easy recommendation for anyone familiar with the Warhammer 40,000 franchise or those who simply want a good horde shooter to sink their teeth into.

Despite some dodgy pacing, unsatisfying mini-games, and the occasional attempt at dated humor, New Tales from the Borderlands is a funny and sometimes hilarious story full of charming characters. A game featuring performances of this quality is a true rarity and the potential replayability inherent in a choice-based game such as this makes it worth checking out.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a well-made game, but the story mode can be a drag and the multiplayer implementation may not be what fans expect. There is still room for improvement with this franchise, and it's easy to see how a third entry that addresses these concerns could very well end up being a classic.

One Piece Odyssey is a rousing adventure thanks to its engaging combat, liberating character customization, and beautiful environments. Sometimes, design choices limit player agency, but the effect rarely lasts long. The end result is a mostly satisfying JRPG that should keep fans hooked, provided they make it through the forgettable first few hours and take advantage of the various systems. After a few initial rough patches, the game lives up to most of its potential and is easy to recommend as both a One Piece experience and a JRPG.

Three decades after Romancing SaGa made its debut in Japan, players around the world have literally dozens of great choices when they decide which JRPG to tackle next, even if they’ve been exploring the genre for years. Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered doesn’t have the high profile that might allow it to jump to the top of most JRPG lists, but its quietly engaging experience is a bountiful reward for those who give it a proper chance.

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India makes some vast improvements over its predecessor in terms of style and gameplay while providing challenging 2D puzzles, but still lacks an engaging narrative.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is a solid game for true fans of the TV series and a way to introduce young gamers to the platforming genre. While its graphics and design improve on SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-Rehydrated, the lack of diversity in the Jelly enemies and Wishworld designs will be a turn off to some. All the same it's worth checking out for the endless references to the show.

Why Am I Dead At Sea is certainly worth playing for the incredible atmosphere and compelling characters. Just be sure to bring a walkthrough.

Halycon 6: Starbase Commander may lack the nuances of some of its peers, but it nonetheless delivers a charming and moreish strategy RPG for science fiction fans to enjoy.

Whilst the game is fun in short doses, the lack of online multiplayer could leave players wanting more than the title can provide.

Hard West 2 is a solid experience despite some shortcomings and missed opportunities. Ice Code Games crafted a unique and action-packed combat system while retaining much of what makes this type of strategy game so engaging. It may not have the production values or depth of either XCOM or Gears Tactics, but Hard West 2 still manages to be an addicting and satisfactory turn-based strategy experience.

Visions of Mana isn't perfect, nor will it revolutionize the JRPG genre with its approach to combat or storytelling. But for the right player, these issues won't matter, because Visions of Mana has an undeniable charm and allure to it. Its breathtaking visuals, satisfying combat, and likable characters combine for a comforting, stock-standard JRPG, and if you're in the market for that, then Visions of Mana is an easy buy.

Blair Witch is a consistently interesting horror story with outstanding audio and graphics throughout. It may not be quite as groundbreaking as the film it's based on, but Blair Witch is the next best thing to the original movie, and it's definitely worth checking out for fans of the franchise, despite its shortcomings.

Along with the pleasant narration of voice actor Kirsten Mize, the Beacon Pines development team consisted of only three other people — Matt Meyer, Ilse Harting, and Brent Calhoun — who all wore multiple hats including creative director, writer, artist, audio editor, music, and sound effects. It’s an impressive feat that makes the game that much more worthy of appreciation. Unfortunately, despite its positives, Beacon Pines simply won’t be a hit for everyone. And while its story and gameplay mechanics are interesting and fun, they aren’t necessarily memorable. This is a game that will certainly draw in a select few, but that an even smaller group will add to their list of favorites.

The more focus a player can give to Metal: Hellsinger, the more it shines. When it all clicks, a flow builds that can only be achieved by this style of rhythmic combat. It takes some powerful music and grafts it onto the iconic Doom formula. The result is that the player feels like they are in the middle of a perfectly choreographed movie or trailer. It's certainly challenging, especially on higher difficulties, but if players can think of it as less a shooter and more a rhythm game, it really opens up. Lack of enemy variety and short gameplay aside, what's on offer here is a hugely fun rip through Hell that feels great to play and sounds like something torn straight out of a nightmare - in a good way.

Pepper Grinder does a good job of making players feel like their skills are progressing as they play through the game. It does sometimes feel like a grind, but there are enjoyable aspects to Pepper's adventure that should be tried. The drilling as a travel tool is neat, and the boss monster's designs and fights are entertaining, but the fun seems to fizzle out a little too quickly. Still, despite this and the game's sometimes frustrating controls, Ahr Ech set out to create something a bit different. And while some aspects come up short, some players will find things worth drilling through to discover.

Despite issues with the narrative and the mountain of bugs and technical issues, Borderlands 3's fun factor is still undeniable.

Those after a light bite of RTS/RPG gameplay with a positive attitude will find a lot of fun with Champions of Anteria. It is unlikely to blow any players away, and fans of The Settlers will find little to keep them occupied, but there’s a nice little game here. Without expecting too much, Champions of Anteria delivers a decent injection of fantasy humor into the market.

Dragon Quest Heroes demonstrates that the Dynasty Warriors combat system can work in other universes and even manages to make some exciting improvements to the usual formula. The game’s story is likely to leave new players a little bored, but longtime fans of the franchise will have plenty of run-ins with old characters to trigger those nostalgic feels. Either way, there is a lot of fun to be had with this one.

Earth Defense Force 6 is more Earth Defense Force. It delivers everything longtime Earth Defense Force fans could want, though people that haven't been impressed by the series so far are not going to care for this entry either. Anyone hoping for Earth Defense Force 6 to take the EDF franchise in bold new directions may be disappointed, but it's sure to please longtime fans, and it's a great option for those needing a new co-op game to play with friends.

If Mask of the Lunar Eclipse has the same success found with Maiden of Black Water's port to modern platforms, then remasters of other Fatal Frame games or even a new game would have a better chance of being released. There is a lot of potential for renewed interest in the franchise, and despite gripes to be had with Mask of the Lunar Eclipse's remaster, the game itself still holds up as a solid horror game.

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin seems to prove that the Final Fantasy franchise can thrive in the action game scene with this first franchise venture from Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo. The title isn't a true home run, but it is an exciting adventure that expands the franchise lore in a unique direction. The Final Fantasy Job system is as interesting and exciting as ever and adds a unique twist on the action game format as players grind through each challenging dungeon and fill in all the Job talent trees one by one.

Even with an extra-hard difficulty mode and time-based leaderboards, it’s not a long game, and players will probably finish The Weaponographist before they get sick of it.

Underground succeeds in providing players with an interesting challenge, and the unusual control scheme makes users immediately sit up and pay attention.

Trover Saves the Universe is worth playing regardless of the uninspired combat. Players won’t be compelled to stick with it for the barebones gameplay, but rather, to see where the story goes and what crazy character they will encounter next. It’s certainly not the most engaging game from a gameplay standpoint, but its story and humor will make it difficult for anyone to quit before they reach its unexpected conclusion.

Those who were looking forward to a current-gen port will find that the game is well represented on the new platforms, and has no major flaws to speak of.

The experience will only last for a few hours, but with beautiful pixel art, a sweet protagonist, top-notch music, well-designed levels, and some neat heart-pounding surprises, it will be worth your time.

The Elder Scrolls: Legends Heroes of Skyrim is an enjoyable expansion that will sate fans of the game until the next set releases and provide some memorable, lore-infused moments along the way, but it does little to attract a new player who wasn’t already interested to check the game out.

Overall, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a stellar homage to 16-bit action platformers of the 1990s. Every detail in the game successfully recreates the feeling of playing an SNES side-scroller that demands high levels of concentration and technical skill. Aside from a few boss fights, the gameplay feels quick, fast, and exciting, despite being intentionally dated mechanically. The fact that this game intentionally limits itself to an imitation of older games might bother some players, and while more effort could have gone into expanding certain areas of the game, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider stands on its pitch-perfect aesthetic and gameplay design and will most certainly appeal to die-hard fans of old school action games.

West of Dead elevates its experience thanks to to the storytelling and art design. Some aspects of the game can be frustrating, but the total package is generally rewarding in its gameplay and beautiful in its design. And as William Mason himself says, "they say a hero dies only once, but I say a hero keeps coming back," and coming back for each playthrough in hopes to finally pull off that perfect run is a mighty fine time in West of Dead.

Metal Eden is worth recommending to those who love challenging, fast-paced, sci-fi action similar to games like Doom — that is, if the price tag matches its length. Otherwise, this might be one of those "wait-for-sale" games, but it's nonetheless one that is worth a play once it becomes worth the money.

People who enjoy Gang Beasts and other physics-based multiplayer games will have a blast with Party Animals as it's easily the most polished and fully-featured game of its kind. However, it's unlikely to convert any newcomers, and it remains to be seen how its monetization will play out. The game's budget price and its availability on Xbox Game Pass make it an easy recommendation for those needing a new mindless multiplayer game for their rotation, but don't go in expecting anything groundbreaking.

Although the story doesn't deliver anything fresh, it serves the game well and provides a platform for the game's excellent design and well-crafted horror. Go into MADiSON without any pretense of a groundbreaking story to find a terrifying journey through the minds of pained and neglected killers. Overall, MADiSON is a great first game by a new developer and is sure to provide plenty of scares.

At launch, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of the better-looking, more-polished asymmetrical multiplayer games on the market. It does a fantastic job of capturing the grotesque vibes of the 1974 horror film and translates its themes brilliantly into a gaming experience. Playing as the victims with a group of friends is a great deal of fun, though playing as the killers is not nearly as exciting. Only having three maps at launch is also not ideal and the game's lack of offline options is disappointing, but hopefully future updates will make The Texas Chain Saw Massacre an even better horror game than it is now.

Playing on real-life courses in PGA TOUR 2K21, scoring a perfect hole in one, and hearing the crowd erupt is special. Career mode is a blast, and beating Justin Thomas (cover athlete and number one player in the world) to the FedEx Cup is great. The difficulty level of the game can be brutal, with the timing of the swing being a legitimate pain. But the options that are available allow players to progress at their own speed, which is nice. Thanks to this, a deep multiplayer experience, and endless course options from the Course Designer, PGA TOUR 2K21 is about as replayable as a golf game can get. PGA TOUR 2K21 is a very fun game, and with it, the golfing simulator is officially back.

Back 4 Blood still comes out as the best Left 4 Dead-inspired game in recent memory, taking the core design and innovating on it just enough to keep everything fresh and fun. Where Back 4 Blood gets things right, it does them really well, but where it doesn’t is often quite obvious.

Layers of Fear delivers on its promise of a unique vision of gothic horror, but the game leans heavily on creepy dolls and other cliche genre gimmicks to jump scare players as they explore its shifting corridors.

Endless Dungeon is a tough one to critique, though it fully deserves it in some areas. The team at Amplitude succeeded in creating a fun roguelite, tower defense, twin-stick dungeon crawler that will entertain for hours. At the same time, it doesn’t excel in anything it brings to the table, fails to innovate, and even falls inexplicably short in some obvious places. This is one to buy on sale.

Hero Generations is a challenge to say the least. It is difficult and addicting, which makes it perfect for strategy lovers.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate doesn't offer much room for the player to get frustrated or, quite frankly, challenged, as a lot of its difficulty is transparently manufactured and tied to linear progression systems that give the game its structure and longevity. At times, this makes it more enjoyable than even the most well-crafted roguelikes, but this is comparable to the difference between fast food and fine dining: one gives you quick and easy satisfaction, but the other offers an experience you'll remember for months or even years. It's up to the consumer to decide what they are more in the mood for.

Gunbrella has a lot of potential, both in its storytelling and combat. Unfortunately there never feels like there is enough of either that will or could catapult the game into the upper echelons of pixilated side-scrollers. It is very close to being something special, even when it is embracing some familiar adventure tropes. Hopefully, the world of Gunbrella will be expanded on and grow, because it deserves more of the things that make it great.

SORS is pretty gutsy, which helps offset some of its flaws. The devs aim to make games that incorporate real science, and the desire to do that without making it boring—while also including an intriguing story and engaging gameplay—is a lot to balance.

As far as virtual reality games go, Transference isn’t the best, but it’s definitely one of the scariest. Anyone looking for a solid horror game will want to give it a go despite its shortcomings.

The game is most entertaining and least frustrating when playing in co-op, though it lacks online matchmaking options. It manages to deliver a better balance between combat and platforming, but is bogged down by boring puzzles. Knack 2 is an improvement in many ways, but it’s clear that there is still room to make it even better.

Ultimately, Remnant 2 still hits more than it misses. This mish-mashing of two wildly different styles of games still largely succeeds despite not being an entirely clean fusion, and best of all, Gunfire Games has expanded the foundation laid by the first game into something that is truly unique and interesting. Remnant 2 is still rough around the edges, but its interesting worlds, incredible procedural generation system, and variety of playstyles do enough to hold up a game that might not always feel as refined or intuitive as the inspirations it draws from.

If you played MLB The Show 25, you can probably skip MLB The Show 26, but if you are someone that didn't check out last year's version, the new game will likely provide more value. MLB The Show 26 is iterative, not essential, and while it delivers fantastic core gameplay and enough content to keep hardcore baseball fans busy for hours on end, the franchise could definitely benefit from a more significant and daring upgrade soon.

For fans of horror, what you find in The Charnel House Trilogy may not be enough. It’s creepy and atmospheric, but the lack of answers may be frustrating—there’s no real conclusion, just a promise of more to come. That being said, this point and click game does instill a great sense of dread.

Problems aside, Destroy All Humans' raw, chaotic energy is matched by few other games. It's by no stretch of the imagination perfect, but for those looking for a trip down memory lane, it's hard to beat

An experience that’s best enjoyed in short bursts.

Revelations 2 offers an engaging story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, enjoyable co-op multiplayer, and a worthwhile reason to revisit the game thanks to its surprisingly addictive Raid Mode.

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.

Ape Tribe Games succeeded in making a game with a daring story, interesting characters, and unique setting that players will love their first time through. Subsequent playthroughs have the potential to be even more interesting, as players will likely need to completely change their strategies in order to see the different endings. Aside from some minor and mostly inconsequential issues, Disjunction is a real treat and acts as a love letter to fans of the Cyberpunk genre and stealth games as a whole.

The latest Art Academy title arrives, throwing in the ability to draw iconic Disney characters. It’s a solid and soothing way to kill time, but is a little basic in its delivery.

There are certainly short-comings that veteran shooter aficionados will pick up on right away, but the game’s willingness to march to the beat of its own drum is admirable and often enjoyable – if not occasionally frustrating.

The two gameplay styles blend together very well, taking the best mechanics of both shooters and match-four puzzle games and combining them into one solid title.

The Swindle is a visually beautiful and enjoyable rogue-like game for the experienced, but may not be the best choice for players who’ve never tried games like Spelunky or Rogue Legacy before.

Tron: Identity is an entertaining, but short, visual novel mystery. It uses the history and atmosphere of Tron in pleasing ways to create an interactive story that fans will enjoy the first time through. It looks pretty and reads easy, and the only other obvious stumble is with a non-challenging mini-game that players will quickly grow bored with. Despite its confined exploration, fans of the Tron universe that like visual novels will enjoy the decision-making of a story set far away from the usual digital and non-digital protagonists.

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is good, but in a very workmanlike sort of way. Although it's not the most surprising or inventive multiplayer game on the market, it upholds the strong balance of strategy and real-time gameplay that made the franchise so beloved in the first place. Fans of previous entries may be somewhat split on things like the roguelike progression and heavier emphasis on multiplayer at the cost of solo play, but the strengths of the series are still there, and in some ways, they're more finely tuned than ever.

The Outlast Trials is a fun, but flawed addition to the Outlast series, trading in the original titles’ claustrophobic horror for in-your-face multiplayer mayhem. The title’s core gameplay loop offers a thrilling challenge and high replayability, delivering plenty of trials for fans to sink their teeth into across its Core, Advanced, and Ultra Programs, with immersive audio-visual elements that deliver on all fronts. Unfortunately, The Outlast Trials' balancing issues, unjustified gratuity, and complete lack of scares may leave some players disappointed. Fans of the Outlast series will likely find plenty of reasons to explore and overcome the Murkoff Corporation’s various testing facilities, as the title offers enough challenge to keep them engaged. However, for general horror audiences, and those new to Outlast, The Outlast Trials may struggle to live up to the legendary reputation of the series’ original entries.

Solar Ash is repetitive and short, but that doesn't take away from how fun the core gameplay is. The developers have nailed Solar Ash's traversal system, making it genuinely fun to explore and complete the various platforming challenges. The art style is striking, the bosses are impressive, and while it may not have the same lasting impact Hyper Light Drifter did, Solar Ash is still worth checking out for fans of Heart Machine's work and the 3D platformer genre in general.

An enjoyable sign that Nintendo is still willing to experiment with the series. More importantly, it’s proof that the developer will go out of its way to accommodate those hoping to play with nearby friends, and that’s a noteworthy selling point for a notorious multiplayer title.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind is a small, but well-rounded package that Power Rangers fans should adore, and unfamiliar friends can enjoy alongside them. Rita’s Rewind would have been a hit in late 90s arcades, and its competence and love for the source material means it should find an audience today alongside the Once & Always special it sprang from. Even if its competitors do what it does better, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind is still a rollicking good time that no one will regret experiencing.

Mortal Kombat 11 was always a perfectly fine game, and Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath gives it a few extra hours of story, a few more characters and moves, and not much else.

Madden NFL 21 is an imperfect game, with some modes like Franchise and MUT lacking any meaningful upgrades. Fans of those modes will still have fun, but they will have to wait for next year's Madden to see where the major evolutions take place. Meanwhile, Face of the Franchise is awkward from a story perspective and lacks player agency. But the core gameplay experience feels better than ever, with things like the new Skill Stick controls allowing for creatively on the field. Lastly, The Yard is so good it could be its own stand-alone game.

Weak voice acting and poorly written dialogue coupled with some frustrating game design choice hold The Vanishing of Ethan Carter back from its true potential.

The combat in Lysfanga really seems to do all the heavy lifting, and it’s unfortunate that the rest of the game leaves so much to be desired and feels like it’s just there as ungratifying filler. However, it’s a hack-and-slash game, and the fighting is what’s ultimately most important. For non-completionists, the game can be finished in about 15-20 hours, and most of that time will thankfully be spent in combat taking out bad guys.

From a studio that's never really ventured into the genre of traditional JRPGs, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is an impressive inaugural effort. It's not perfect by any means, as the turn-based combat still has some growing pains in its current iteration. Coupled with repetitive dungeon design and an unfair endgame grinding requirement, these downsides cast an unfortunate sting on an otherwise very solid JRPG.

The story and haunting world of Hell is Us overshadow most shortcomings, and Rogue Factor’s message is a powerful one. The team’s refusal to hold the player’s hand may frustrate, but it also creates a unique sense of immersion and discovery. Hell is Us is meant to unsettle and provoke thought, not just entertain, and where it stumbles in one area, it succeeds in another. For players willing to overlook missing variety and conveniences, and who value atmosphere over a perfect presentation, Hell is Us offers a journey well worth taking.

The Command and Conquer Remastered Collection looks great, it sounds great, and there's so much polished content to enjoy, including never-before-seen bonuses. But the dated core mechanics turn an otherwise intriguing strategy game into a sometimes unfair slog against a computer that will inherently have an easier time working around its own limitations. It's worth a play for fans of the franchise or RTS games in general, but newcomers might find there are a few too many cobwebs to overcome compared to contemporary offerings.