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

God of War Ragnarok will give PC gamers their money's worth and then some. It's a lengthy adventure and one of Kratos' greatest outings to date. Still, there are some pacing issues and the PSN account requirement is a disappointment. It's unlikely that Sony is going to let-up on the latter, so PC gamers that want to enjoy the company's games without buying a PS5 should keep that in mind.

The game is not perfect, and some may find the odd all-or-nothing decision regarding forces to recruit jarring, or the locations within the world itself a little too devoid of scope to be a truly immersive experience. However, it’s in the large concepts, and in its gentle manipulation of the player’s trained responses, that Tyranny finds its purpose. A must-have for fans of the genre, and a worthwhile title for those after a truly different experience.

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.

Some flow hiccups will do little to interrupt the fun for most players, who will instead see a uniquely clever game, full of wonderful idiosyncrasies, that tells a delightful tale of murder and deceit.

Ghostrunner feels like an extended challenge that manages to never get repetitive or frustrating. Whether it's traversing a narrow hallway full of laser traps or slicing through a bipedal robot sentry, this title will have players feeling satisfied as if they had accomplished these feats in real life.

Even without knowing the lore around Warhammer 40,000, Space Marine 2 does a great job of inviting new fans into the franchise by showing the unwavering courage, sacrifice, and devotion of these super soldiers, but that doesn't mean things are dumbed-down to disrespect die-hard fans. Being a veteran of the franchise isn’t essential to the enjoyment of Space Marine 2; while it might further satisfy the experience, the universe is brought to life with such detail that it makes for the perfect gateway for newcomers.

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.

The game may not be an evolution of the genre but it is one of the best versions of it. By mixing a beautiful setting with visceral combat, Ghost of Tsushima hopes that its lesser elements won’t be as bothersome and its story will be able to propel players forward. Personally, the compulsion to uncover every question mark, complete every Tale, and master the combat was very strong. If the idea of controlling a deadly Samurai in an Assassin’s Creed-style open world sounds enticing, the game more than delivers.

In spite of its few shortcomings, Minecraft Legends is still a bold and exciting new direction for a franchise that continues to stand the test of time. It's a game that understands why Minecraft is so compelling in the first place and then twists those elements into an action strategy experience that can be hard to put down. Its only missteps come from its limited scope and how it leaves players wanting more because its core gameplay loop is so good. Minecraft Legends is approachable, captivating, and just a really good time.

Having played Tales of Symphonia and Tales of Vesperia, I went into Tales of Graces f Remastered feeling like I knew what to expect, given that the title is part of the same era of the franchise. But to say that my expectations were exceeded is an understatement. Tales of Graces f Remastered is an important first step in bringing a whole new audience to the Tales series as part of Bandai Namco's franchise initiative, and it's hard to think of a better entry to endear players to all that Tales has to offer.

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

The colorful levels, the synth heavy soundtrack, and the varied weaponry create a feel that’s unlike anything seen today, and the boss battles are equal parts challenge and bombast.

Solitaire is hardly new, but Regency Solitaire, with its attention to detail in story, gameplay, and artistry, stands as an example of how a standard game can be reinvented with creativity.

The writing in the game is second-to-none, and Pillars of Eternity shows how quality prose can augment the role-playing experience.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne makes important quality of life improvements and gives fans of the game a ton of new content to master. While it would have been nice to have less repeat monsters, the expansion is still massive in scope and has more content than some full-fledged video game sequels do. Iceborne offers Monster Hunter World players their toughest challenges yet, and it should keep fans plenty busy until Capcom does decide to finally give fans a proper sequel.

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.

Almost everything about What Remains of Edith Finch is head and shoulders above its competition, though some may be disappointed by its ending and some of the graphical issues. The game’s short length (it can be fully completed in just a few hours) and lack of replayability may also be a turn off for some, but anyone looking for innovative gameplay and some of the best storytelling in gaming should seriously consider picking up Giant Sparrow’s latest effort.

This is the sort of game that seems destined to go down as a cult classic, but should really be enjoyed by anyone with a 3DS system. It’s a true triumph of gameplay over spectacle, and a hugely engaging experience from start to finish.

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.

Sharing too much about Wanderstop’s narrative would be doing it a disservice, but it contained more surprises than expected in a game that seemed from the start to be on the more simplistic side. This isn't a title for everyone, but it's impossible not to recommend it to everyone. A dozen hours is a small price to pay for a little sanity and quiet, and even those who prefer more active and demanding titles can take something valuable from spending time in this little tea shop. Sometimes, grinding isn't the answer.

There's a profound sense of exploration and discovery in Journey to the Savage Planet. It's constantly motivating the player to double back and take another look at an area without ever explicitly telling them to. It's like being let into an amusement park with no lines and no rules, giving players the freedom to make their own fun whenever they need a break from an incredibly vertical, and hardly ever uninteresting, scavenger hunt for new resources and upgrades. It may not be an entire planet to explore, but it could easily fill one up.

At the end of the day, Atelier Yumia is a strong entry in the beloved JRPG franchise. Despite a few growing pains, it adopts the cozy and niche franchise into something more digestible for a wider audience thanks to a well-executed open-world format, modern takes on iconic features, and an engaging, untraditional story.

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.

Whether played alone or with friends through local co-op, it’s hard to resist the urge to take to the skies for one more jaunt through Mars’ danger-filled atmosphere.

Once players have mastered story mode, there is also a powerful level editor available to create new challenges.

Even if the game would've been limited to the first Pro Skater, the remake would still well be worth it. It's a smooth experience packed with rich levels, energetic gameplay, and a ton of style. It doesn't dramatically reinvent the Tony Hawk formula, but it doesn't need to, nor should it. It's the definitive way to experience the core of the Tony Hawk franchise, elegantly surpassing what came before it, and setting a new bar for future entries in the process. For other contenders to the skating game throne, that bar will be incredibly difficult to exceed.

Ikenfell doesn't need an extra push to make its narrative more touching and well-timed, especially atop its unique mechanics and gorgeous art. Throughout the game, players are shown how everyone's relationships change each other. It meditates on the idea that these relationships serve to strengthen and ground them all as the ever-changing seasons of life bring about uncertain situations. What message could be more apt amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which has affected much of 2020.