Those areas where Tetris Effect drops the ball doesn’t completely negate how good the classic puzzler still is at dropping blocks.

Hitman 2 is another contract in the same mold as the last, but like that bomb I placed into one of the target’s prized cars, it still knows how to be surprising when it counts.

No matter if you’re looking for a goofy FMV good time or an engaging mystery to solve, The Shapeshifting Detective delivers. You can see where the corners were cut if you push too hard in the wrong places, but the story and characters drive the game past those shortcomings.

The issues with the track layout and the so-so presentation mean that this game won’t Grip you for long. It’s great for a Sunday drive, but it’s not going to hold your attention forever.

It’s hard to complain about the amount of game here, and if you’re a DC Comics fan you’ll have a lot of fun, even if you had that same fun before.

I primarily played the Nintendo Switch version of Mutant Football League, and the quick matches are a perfect pairing for portable play.

Konami’s brazen attitude towards its stable of classic franchises (along with Hideo Kojima) is why it doesn’t have the best relationship with the hardcore video game audience. That doesn’t factor into this Castlevania: Requiem review but this collection is almost a pure manifestation of Konami’s common perception among players since it’s a slapdash port job done with the most minimal effort imaginable.

The astounding thing about RDR 2 is that there's not only a staggering amount of story, side quests, and places to explore but that it's all high quality and doesn't feel tacked on. The high level of craftsmanship in this game is evident in all its aspects, and it's genuinely one of the best games of this generation of gaming.

Spider-Man’s first episode is fantastic in almost all the same ways that the main game is. It has a great script with well-realized characters and a combat and traversal gameplay loop that is almost endlessly satisfying.

Project Warlock‘s speedy gunplay, rockin’ soundtrack, and armory of slick weapons combine in a way that make it a bit more than a repeat of past Dooms and results in a game that’s bigger than the sum of its many recognizable parts.

A title that begs for a sequel. As a proof of concept, it’s an absolute success as there are plenty of impressive moments and pieces of tech that help it stand out from other massive action games.

Infliction is an accomplished take on a well-worn genre. Minus two glitches and one unexplained story beat, it’s a game that demands your attention and refuses to let it go until long after the credits roll.

The skating dry spell may not have been completely lifted but it’s not as dry anymore, thanks to this modest splat of paint.

The world design is second to none, and the game’s intertwining stories come together in a way that From Software—and its imitators—have failed to match. I continue to experience and find new things hidden away in Lordran’s darkest corners, and the Switch version lets me do that on the bus.

I personally loved that so much attention was paid to the single-player experience, and because of the depth of the story and fluid combat, I found this to be one of the most enjoyable fighting games I’ve ever played.

A top-class Call of Duty experience that boasts three well-executed segments, with some minor hiccups in the bugs and glitches department.

This game aims to please anyone willing to give it a shot. Whether you’ve been away for a decade or kept up with every release, you’ll find something to like here. The character variety and self-serious nonsense mesh into a breezy good time that’s easy to recommend.

The remaster is just a timeless reminder of its importance in the pantheon of sneaking games.

If you didn’t like previous WWE 2K games, then WWE 2K19 isn’t going to change your mind. However, if you’re like me and have always had a soft spot for this series, then you won’t be disappointed.

There’s an elusive elegance to The Gardens Between. It’s short, charming, and shows its rewarding puzzle mechanic in just a couple hours without stretching the game to its breaking point.

A collection of hard-as-nails platforming levels capped off by a boss fight where you get more gear so you can tackle even more hard-as-nails platforming levels and boss fights. However, its new Gear System and difficulty settings simultaneously make it more accessible and deeper while not sacrificing its core identity. The Blue Bomber may stick to his blueprint but, when it has been modernized this well, it’s hard to argue that Capcom blew it.

Although it crafts a wonderful narrative in an awe-inspiring world, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, through its stubbornness and familiarity, sometimes feels like a “best of” compilation of its predecessors without being the best of them.

Life Is Strange 2 Episode 1 is a decent introduction this new season. It stumbles and succeeds in the same areas as its predecessor, but those stumbles are a bit less severe and those victories are a tad more successful. Those heartfelt scenes and solid setup give the upcoming episodes a good foundation to stand on even if the dialogue sometimes tries its best to sabotage that goodwill.

With the changing seasons, a large variety of cars, and tighter track design, Forza Horizon 4 has done with arcade racers what Forza Motorsport has done with racing sims. It’s created an attractive package that is readily accessible and keeps you engaged even if racing isn’t really your thing. It’s fun to play for hours or just a race at a time, and it’s this that gives it the staying power that will keep you coming back for more.

The Walking Dead: The Final Season Episode 2 lacks an intriguing plot of its own and it isn’t able to write off its great character moments and writing as part of a bigger puzzle. As is, this is mostly a setup episode. And that can work but it doesn’t work as well when there is nothing to build up to.

The highs and lows of football are all here, and EA has pulled out (most of) the stops to provide a unique, utterly gleeful soccer game that leaves room for improvement but also serves as a new career best for the FIFA series.

Forsaken is a bit of a reset for pretty much everything about Destiny 2, and it’s one that gives me hope that the franchise is making a turn for the better.

Its initial focus on Lara’s character and colonialist mentality is surprisingly poignant. But it stumbles in following through on those topics and improving or changing the gameplay loop.