Sometimes it’s hard to determine what the best game in a series is. This time, it’s not. Regardless of what charms the Monster Hunter games of the past might have to offer, they’re no match for Rise‘s huge jump in overall quality and polish. I’m sure that Capcom will make a new Monster Hunter game someday and, when they do, maybe it will dethrone this one. But, until that time comes, Rise will be sitting at the top—and I’m very happy that it’s there.

Star Ocean The Second Story R is a true treat for both series veterans and newcomers alike, going far beyond the scope of traditional remakes and bringing The Second Story to a brand-new, and completely wonderful, level.

Elex II presents a world and narrative of immeasurable depth in terms of the freedom you have to play your way and the choices you’re presented with as a player. Couple that with an extremely gratifying sense of progression, and you have a world that begs to be visited for repeat playthroughs. If you can look past the inevitable lack of polish, and archaic presentation issues, do yourself a favor and don't let this absolute gem pass you by.

There’s a lot more to Bayonetta 3 than there was to the series’ prior titles. A lot of it works really well, offering a game that’s far larger in scale while still nailing the core action the series is known for. While the lack of focus may stop it from being quite as strong a total package as its predecessor, the high points here are as good as the series has ever been.

Few games released in 2022, or any year for that matter, are as well designed and made as God of War Ragnarök. While it doesn’t completely move beyond its predecessor, it eventually offers enough fresh content to stand apart, and additional variety helps make it the stronger game of the two, even if it’s perhaps a bit less focused. A beautifully told story that carries the themes of the prior game while allowing Atreus to stand on his own kept my interest until the very end. If you didn’t care for 2018’s God of War, then Ragnarök won’t change your mind, but everyone else should absolutely check it out.

I didn’t know what to expect when I decided to review Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley. Least of all, did I expect that it would make me a fan of the works of Tove Jansson and help me fall in love with the cozy game genre. While there are a few minor visual issues on Switch, this is still an absolutely charming and relaxing adventure with a good message for generations to come.

With Diablo IV starting to grow stale and my patience for Path of Exile’s impenetrable nature wearing thin, Last Epoch couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Its timely arrival and the fact that it is perhaps the most fun I’ve had with an ARPG since Diablo II speaks volumes. Satisfying progression where every build feels like it has the potential to be meta, rather than just a select few, and its accessible endgame that downplays the genre’s usual reliance on RNG have come together to create something that feels like a true middle ground between the extremes that current competitors represent. In expertly striking that balance, Last Epoch is already a huge threat in the ARPG space, and I cannot wait to see where the developers take it from here as we dive headfirst into future seasons.

So there you have it. Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles is easily the best game I’ve played from Akupara Games thus far. It’s challenging, beautiful, complex, and an utter joy to play. Not only is it an amazing example of the rogue-like genre, but it’s also one of the first dice-builders I’ve ever played. If you’re at all a fan of the genre, do yourself a favor and get a copy.

Ultimately Sea Horizon was a very solid and enjoyable experience. While the quite steep difficulty and dual-component RNG can be tricky to deal with, and may push some gamers away, this is sure to appeal to hardcore fans of the deckbuilding genre. If you’re looking for something challenging and unique, I’d give Sea Horizon a shot.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics may not have some of the single-player content or historical context I’d love to see in the very best collections, but what it does offer are six of the best fighting games ever made in arcade perfect form with seemingly excellent online infrastructure. That’s more than enough to make this a must-own for anyone remotely interested in the genre.

Earthion is one of the most impressive retro-style shooters in recent memory. While Ancient’s latest offering doesn’t reinvent the genre, it delivers on all fronts with tight controls, satisfying combat, and a few smart updates to the classic formula. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned shmup veteran, there’s plenty here to enjoy, from the clever upgrade system to the solid weapon variety and striking stage designs. The fact that it was built for the Genesis makes it all the more impressive, but even judged by modern standards, it more than holds its own. If you have any love for the genre or retro games in general, Earthion deserves a spot in your Steam library.

Visions of Mana on PlayStation 5 is a remarkable and heartfelt revival of the Seiken Densetsuseries. It might not have the appeal of some of Square Enix’s mainline franchises, but it’s filled with tons of heart and love from an old school JRPG perspective. Ouka Studios has created a magical and memorable adventure that breathes new life into a beloved franchise that shouldn’t be forgotten.

If you’re a Turn-Based Strategy or Mecha anime fan, then you owe it to yourself to give this a try. As for me, I plan to delve once again into the endless war these heroes fight so that, one day, true peace will once again return to humanity.

A Monster’s Expedition is a brilliant little puzzler. It gets incredible mileage out of a simple mechanic and manages to use it in unexpected ways. The game’s Zen-like presentation, open-ended exploration, and sense of humor create a relaxing environment that soothes away the frustrations found in other puzzle games. I do wish I had a little assistance in the late-game portion, but maybe I’m the only one who needs it.

The First Berserker: Khazan is a brutal, beautiful delight. Its elegant parry system, demonic boss battles, and flexible yet approachable take on character development have come together to create a package that may pull directly from many sources in the genre but ultimately delivers a standout experience that easily stands amongst the stiffest competition the genre has to offer. Its early hours may suffer from linearity, and its parry-heavy combat system may not sit well with everyone, but if you’re up for the challenge and willing to adapt to how The First Berserker: Khazan requires you to play, then you’re in for an absolute treat.

Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush returns to the stage with an encore on the PlayStation 5. If you missed playing it last year for whatever reason, do yourself a favor and snag it up right now! Its innovative gameplay combining action-combat with rhythm-based timings, coupled with a charming narrative and stunning visuals, makes it an outstanding performance worth attending.

Despite a few minor quibbles, Forza Horizon 5 is a triumph for its series, taking everything the last several titles set up so well and making a bigger and better game than its predecessors. Any fan of racing games needs to check it out now, and even if you’re not usually into the genre, you may surprise yourself with how well it pulls you in. Forza Horizon 5 is a taste of gaming nirvana that is not to be missed.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is a resounding success and is easily the most fun I’ve had with the series since the release of Borderlands 2. In some respects, I actually think there is a case to be made that this is the best playing game that Gearbox has made, so positive are the changes made to the narrative delivery, class system, and the introduction of the overworld. If you’re a fan of Borderlands, Wonderlands is an extremely easy sell. But, even if you’re a lapsed fan feeling the burn after so many years of Borderlands products, there is so much that is fresh on display that I think you owe yourself a visit to the Wonderlands.

Capcom Fighting Collection is a must-own for Darkstalkers fans, but even those who aren’t in love with the series should consider it. There’s enough variety in titles, interesting games which could use more exposure, and beloved classics which hold up, to keep players busy for a long time. Add in excellent supplemental materials and killer online play and it stands among the best fighting game collections ever released.

Eastward pays homage to all things loved about SNES-era gaming, looking and feeling like the games of our childhood locked deep within our hearts. At times, I wondered if the experience would be enhanced playing Eastward sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of a giant CRT television, tethered way to close to the screen by a wired controller. For gamers of a certain age, Eastward feels an awful lot like home, and one I didn’t realize I missed so dearly.

I’ve played a lot of retro-inspired games this year, and Chained Echoes easily stands out as one of the best – and it’s not even particularly close. With gorgeous artwork, addicting mechanics, and a world that blends steampunk with high fantasy seamlessly, Chained Echoes is a loving homage to old-school RPGs while still managing to proudly blaze its own path. If you’re looking for a challenging (but not punishing) RPG with an engaging story, enjoyable characters, and mechanics that will keep you coming back for hours at a time, Chained Echoes is an absolute must.

All in all, I really had a good time playing Athena Crisis. It’s not only an incredibly competent tactical adventure inspired by Advance Wars, it’s even a tool to creature user generated content and share it with others. Throw in the ability to jump into the campaigns of other players and a lighthearted story of adventure, and you have a game that’s very easy to recommend.

Alan Wake II is a masterfully made horror title filled with audacious storytelling and some of the best moments in any game released this year. The moment-to-moment gameplay may not be quite as satisfying as some of Remedy’s other titles, but its atmosphere is perhaps the company’s best. After thirteen years of waiting, fans finally get to see what comes next for Alan Wake. It was worth the wait.

Honestly, I have very little criticism for Roguebook. You can feel the inspiration from earlier deck-builders, but it’s very much its own thing. Unique combat mechanics, gorgeous visuals, and addicting exploration make for a roguelike deck-builder that’s polished and keeps you going back for more.

With a game like The Oregon Trail, there’s always the concern that it’s simply a cash-grab banking on nostalgia of Millennials and Gen Xers. I’m quite happy to report that isn’t the case here. While there’s clearly a lot of nostalgia to be found, this iteration of The Oregon Trail proudly stands on its own. With one foot in the past and one in the present, it brings together all the best aspects of the original, and adds modern flourishes to give us a near-perfect game. Add in infinite replayability, as well as several different play modes, and this game is an absolute must-have for anybody who grew up with the original.

Seriously, if you’re a Katamari Damacy fan, you don’t need me to tell you twice that this is a must-buy. And for newcomers wondering what the commotion is about, why not pick up Katamari Damacy REROLL on the most intuitive console for it — the PS4? For half the price of a AAA game, I guarantee it’s easy to put in Skyrim-level hours into this unrelentingly silly, delightfully absurd title. Don’t disappoint your dad, aka The King of All Cosmos (in fact, do so at your own peril…) — roll up Katamari Damacy REROLL on your PS4 ASAP.

I refuse to spoil Before Your Eyes for you by telling you anything more about the story. All you really need to know is that it’s got an underutilized mechanic integrated perfectly into a heartbreakingly beautiful tale of a life well lived, no matter how short it was.

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse has refined the franchise the most and gave fans a lot to hope for and look forward to. While I can see an argument that Seven Sirens is the best game of the franchise, for me, that honor belongs to Pirate’s Curse. And this replay on the PlayStation 5 only served to crystalize that fact for me. So, if you haven’t tried it yet, give the best Shantae game a chance and discover why so many people love this underrated franchise.