How does one innovate in what is already the best sports management simulator of this generation? Sports Interactive knows the answer: with gradual improvements and small adjustments. This translates in the introduction of the Data Center, a welcomed addition for stats enthusiasts. But Football Manager 2022 doesn't reinvent the wheel, because it doesn't have to. It's a franchise that gets deeper and deeper for players who want a true simulation, and more and more accessible for newcomers.

Forza Horizon 5 is a monument to freedom, adrenaline and arcade fun, in a Mexico whose dimension is rivaled by its breath-taking beauty. With hundreds of cars, dozens of events and an immaculate driving experience, it's by far the best arcade racing game of the year, with a surprising depth that might even surprise the sim racing purists.

Riders Republic comes with a lot to give, and one might argue that it may give too much. The Ranking and Item Unlocking systems distract from an experience that, at its core, gives us the best radical sports game since the SSX franchise. Ubisoft presented us with one of the most earnestly fun titles of the year, despite some unfortunately typical choice from the company. The biome diversity and the sheer amount of events, with Mass Races being the standout, culminate in one of the most pleasant gameplays in this genre.

Mario Party Superstars reworks much of the content that helped shape the series, which has more than 15 iterations, introducing features long requested by fans, such as online mode and the ability to play in portable mode. These decisions formulate a game with countless details to enjoy, but which limits it by trying to appeal to everyone. Still this is an essential title for all those looking for a Party Game for family and friends gatherings, compiling some of the best and funniest minigames ever in the series.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes has come to revolutionize the series with the gifts their predecessors gave them. Not only does it fill in the imperative requirements for a good horror game, it spreads the implicit message that it's only in reach of the bravest to conquer fear, in authentic tests of pressure and choices. In a scenario completely obscure, where you can see nothing but feel everything, the decisions must be made and the course of history changed... forever. House of Ashes is, without a doubt, the best game of the series so far.

In short, Age of Empires IV is first and foremost a throwback to the past, for a history lesson that we already know well. Anchored to the classic formulas and mechanics of the franchise that defined the genre, it bets on presentation quality to convince a new generation of real-time strategy game lovers. Veterans, on the other hand, have here a new battleground where they will certainly feel at home.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy surprises with a remarkable, true and emotional story with excellent performances, all in a unique graphic style, full of effects and color that give strength to the game and above all to its message. The gameplay is not at the level of everything else that is presented, but that doesn't make it a truly negative element. An ode to books, movies and fans, with a team that goes back to giving it all, something that the player won't forget, taking us to moments of laughter and sadness like no other Marvel game has ever done.

As it was 14 years ago, Crysis remains a technical marvel – although at times PlayStation 4 can't handle the titanic task of 'running Crysis'.

Back4Blood is the perfect game to play with friends, if we have enough party members to make it so our team isn't filled with Bots. This title promise complex experiences, that defy the laws of physics and communication, where hope is always the last to die. In a scenario where resources are low, and the hordes are endless, the path is long until the next safe zone. In contrast, it shows some bugs that although aren't game breaking, turn the attention from which should be a gameplay focused exclusively on the mission, without any visual distraction. Still, Back 4 Blood has potential to be one of the best zombie multiplayer games of our time.

Samus Aran's triumphant return to a genre that she herself helped to name proves once again that there are no styles worthy of being caged in the past. The risk taken by MercurySteam results in one of the best games ever in the series, a chapter with its own personality that puts the bounty hunter alongside Link and Mario, making it one of the console's must-have titles. From the memorable bosses, to the harrowing encounters with the E.M.M.I. all painted by an artistic direction that takes the most from Nintendo Switch, making Metroid Dread one of the best of 2021.

Far Cry 6 is the ultimate exponent of Ubisoft's open world formula. It’s a great pleasure to explore the island of Yara and all its corners, where we have enormous freedom and options to face all of its challenges. Giancarlo Espostio shines as Antón Castillo, a villain that will go down in Far Cry history, even if the other characters in the narrative are not up to him. A must for fans of open world games.

Hot Wheels Unleashed appeared without warning, in a fast, abrasive way, much like the miniature cars that lend it its name. The game is one of this year’s surprise hits, e one of the best arcade racing experiences in recent memory. It easily earns its place has the best Hot Wheels game ever, with slick, balanced driving and a phenomenal variety of miniatures.

Lost Judgment is more of the same, which isn't a particularly bad thing. Although it presents improvements compared to the previous game, it remains too faithful to a formula with a solid base and a lot of room for improvement, especially in the investigative department. Even so, it’s still a fun experience, especially for fans of the first game.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is the game that was missing to end 2021 in the best way possible. This title pictures a reality not far from ours, where the corruption is imminent and the salvation of the land demands a path that challenge us and makes us grow into a better version of ourselves. As a Spirit Guide, Kena took the compromise of freeing every soul that needed her. She felt fear, failed to have decisions but with the help of her Rot friends she was able to accomplish her mission, in which is the perfect balance between duty and passion.

Death Stranding Director's Cut is more than extra content, it's a new chance to experience a title that many see wrongly and that deserves to be experienced by all those who love this industry. Kojima's work, misunderstood by so many, reaches its final evolutionary state, with new technological additions that neither compromise the trip nor take away its meaning. A lonely but wonderful journey that deserves a second chance from those who threw the towel in 2019, with visual improvements that elevate the narrative experience, music that enhances a deep soundtrack, and new activities that drown us even more in an hallucinated America. Director’s Cut is the end of a piece of art that has remained closed to so many people, which is now opening doors again, re-presenting one of the most brilliant works of the past generation.

FIFA 22 is a fundamentally better experience than the one we've had in the past four years, but it is still a fundamentally flawed experience. The HyperMotion system isn't always competent, but the new ball physics, as well as a slower gameplay, make this entry much worthier of the "simulation" label.

Sonic Colors Ultimate is a worthy remaster of one of the blue hedgehog's best games in the last decade. It improves the impressive visual spectacle of the original, but adds little features that significantly enhance the experience. It was difficult to make a bad game out of Sonic Colors, but Sega has the merit of bringing this title to the newer generations in a competent manner, giving the fans of the series a good game starring the blue speedster - something very rare in the last few years, unfortunately.

Deathloop is yet another clear example of Arkane's potential, with the studio refining its Prey and Dishonored formula, injecting it with a massive dose of style, creating a game that overflows with confidence and creativity. Deathloop’s mix of genres and flawless execution makes it one of the strongest candidates for best game of 2021, burying any doubts about Arkane's talent.

Life is Strange: True Colors is a “must-play” for all those that played the first title and felt that something was missing in the second. It’s a game of landmark events, strong emotions and tough decisions. Be prepared to meet Haven Springs and unravel the secret that hides within the city and that conceals the death of so many other characters. Having the risk of becoming one more death, Alex does not give up on bringing justice and truth to all those that accompany her, including you.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous has the potential to be one of the most memorable RPGS of 2021 - not only for its scope, but also for its quality and accessibility. Fans of this forgotten genre have here a massive sequel that has learnt and grown from past mistakes, while newcomers have a fantastic game in which to take their first steps in the world of CRPGs.

The Tales series celebrates its 25 years with a fantastic title that deserves to be played by all fans of the genre, in yet another demonstration of the good path that Bandai Namco has traced over the last few years, at least with PIs that don't come from known Anime and Manga. The intricate narrative accompanied by a relatable cast bursting with personality and an artistic direction so rich that paints the game's combat and setting elevates the series and makes Tales of Arise one of the best JRPGs of 2021.

RiMS Racing is a truly unique simulator. And, for that reason, it may rub a casual player the wrong way. In fact, even the most passionate tarmac lover may have some difficulties, due to the steep learning curve, the need to manage individual components in Career Mode, etc. But, beyond that aspect, there is a truly pleasant experience, that RaceWard can improve if it develops the AI, as well as the Online modes and Career Mode. Outsite of the MotoGP titles, this seems to be the motocycling simulation with the biggest potential in the market.

The weak AI and the poor adherence from other players to Aliens: Fireteam Elite impede that the whole central idea from the game, a co-op shooter from the Aliens franchise, becomes real with its true potential. Even so, and for now, there’s a satisfactory gameplay that stands on the central mechanics of the game, which are enough to keep us interested. Until when we still don’t know.

Psychonauts 2 is a brilliant experience that makes the 16-year wait since the first game worth. Creativity is the key, in a title that offers one of the best audio-visual experiences of the year. Expectations were high, but Double Fine corresponded to the fans expectations with a game that follows the formula of the first, while adding a series of improvements and features that make it a must for any fan of the genre.

The biggest part of what lies within Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut is not new, but we are standing before a flash flood of content from the best that Playstation has given us in the past few years with new additions and improvements that are more than enough to deserve the attention of all those who complimented the game in the past. The story of Jin in Iki is well framed and is not narratively superficial, and the consequences will be felt as soon you find him again, which bears to mind that this expansion is also a good sample of what it may be a sequel free from the bindings that hold down Gen 8, with the same aesthetical identity but with a new power to explore.

12 Minutes is a welcome and delicious experience, inspired in the mystery classics by some of the best masters. It can make us feel the entire spectrum of emotions and making us think on how we deal with the truth, while navigating with equal artisanship through various genres. The small imperfections that you may find are the sign of a limited production team, but they are insignificant and incapable of meddling in this claustrophobically welcoming journey.

Humankind doesn't reinvent the fire nor the wheel, but it brings freshness, new ideas and visual beauty to a niche genre, with systems deep enough to win over 4X fans and a visual interface that open the door to new ones. Although the artificial intelligence leaves a little to be desired and some systems need tweaking, the cultural evolution mechanic allows for very interesting flexibility and dynamics.

Spelunker HD does everything a remaster should do, improving the gameplay and challenge of the 1983 original. But its biggest downfall is being a remaster for Spelunker, a platformer with very archaic mechanics, made for a specific type of audience. There is magic between the hours of suffering, but there are several titles in this genre that provide this type of challenge in a more competent manner.

It's impossible not to be impressed by The Ascent's graphics and presentation: Veles has a remarkable vividness, while it manages to be simultaneously crushing and suffocating. The RPG side of the game falters for being superfluous, which unfortunately removes some potential from the game's action elements. Still, it offers a good two dozen hours of fun, especially if in co-op mode.

A The Sims 4 expansion always seems to suffer from the base game limitations, and they are a lot. But Cottage Living goes where few expansions from this edition have gone before. Beside the return of the lore and some dear characters, it also seems to symbolize a change in the way EA and Maxis look at this game, with more and more attentiveness to player feedback.

With the console version of Microsoft Flight Simulator, Asobo and Microsoft managed the incredible feat of creating a demanding PC experience on the Xbox Series X with absolute detail and fidelity. It may not appeal to every gamer due to its structure but deserves to be played even once by all Xbox Game Pass subscribers.

Even with its wrinkles of age, Skyward Sword is a mandatory title to all its fans, with the HD version becoming the best version of the game and an excellent excuse to adventure in the skies of Skyloft, a different perspective from the standard in the franchise while we wait for a certain sequel. The celebrated bosses, unforgettable dungeons and a glorious original soundtrack allow you to forget all the problems that the game has, which are polished in this new iteration of the 2011 classic and is representative of a real turning point on the iconic series from Nintendo.

Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game gives you interesting, perhaps memorable, moments, but the lack of cohesion, the short duration of each event and the shallow gameplay make the game look more like an arcade compilation than an accurate portrayal of the Olympic Games. The fun is undeniable, but the ephemerality of this title is its biggest downfall.

Minute of Island sis a game focused on transmitting strong and realistic emoticons. It allows you to feel what in reality you already experience in real life like the pain of losing someone dear, the sadness of wasted years, the urgency of fixing something instead of preventing it and the anxiety of wanting something to happen, and it failing to do so. It is really easy to play with Mo, through a controller, than to play yourself in real life. It’s almost comforting to play through Minute of Islans because of that. Having this said, we believe that the game is very well made and achieves the purposed it was designed for, in a society in which we are all prisoners of a virus and the will to regain normality is always looking around the corner.

For less titles like Jump Force and more like Guilty Gear Stive and Scarlet Nexus, with interesting stories that lock you to the screen alongside unique mechanics that fuse the best various genres. It lacks scenery and setting variety, but that goes to a secondary stage with the sheer will of all the other presente elements. An interactive Manga/Anime with bright colors, with dynamic combat that never becomes boring with a daunting and complex tale that is both overwhelming as well as captivating.

We are enjoying Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin more than we should. It looks like Capcom may have well found a franchise bestseller. It matches beautifully the world of the series, filled with enigmatic monsters and a JRPG model filled with customization and progression potential and a unique random element that incites our curiosity and our most adventurous side. It does not have a story to fall in love with but it’s filled with memorable character. It would gain with better fluidity within the world navigation, but it is something that is easily forgotten as soon as we meet Gatovan and losing ourselves in a turn style battle that is much deeper than we first thought.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 is an extremely well-thought-out remaster that puts our resilience to the test, with a fantastic story and captivating characters. It does not completely let go of its origins, which at times are somewhat painful. It's a difficult love affair, it demands a lot of our time but it rewards us with one of the most curious and interesting stories of its genre.

The PC version of Days Gone manages to be a superior experience. More polished and better performing than the original on PS4. It doesn't escape its sins however – a story with an uneven pace associated with repetitive and sometimes unnecessary mechanics. The game would benefit if some mechanics were simplified, but it is still a very solid option for those who like open worlds, motorcycles and zombies.

Pecaminosa – A Pixel Noir Game is a bizarre RPG noir adventure, with elements taken straight from the classic 40’s and 50’s detective movies, but also with a pinch of demons, skeletons, zombies and other occult creatures thrown in. All this in a pixel-art style accompanied by a wonderful jazz soundtrack. A drastic shift in tone, repetitive boss battles and frustrating backtracking keep the game from being a masterpiece, but it's a promising starting point for the Portuguese developer, Cereal Games.

Biomutant conquers a prominent place in the ever-expanding universe of open world games. While it doesn't innovate in the mechanics it employs, it implements them intelligently, giving us plenty of reasons to explore a vibrant and gaudy world filled with adorable creatures.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is the best way to experience one of the most memorable trilogies in video game history. The remake doesn't just capitalizes on the nostalgia of an entire generation of gamers – it keeps the original experience intact while modernizing it, opening the door to a whole new legion of fans who have here the greatest example of Bioware's magic.

Guilty Gear Strive is a strong fighting title, with a surprising story, a deep and rewarding combat system and bold visuals that extol the best of Anime. Arc Systems first next-gen title is a clear winner, with the studio following its crusade in a genre where it continues to stand out. Although the series may not say much to many players, just give it an opportunity and surrender to one of the best fighting games of our days.

Born in truly independent fashion, Out of Line gained its space and collected accolades throughout its development cycle. The result of this project (which was started by college students) is a great puzzle-platform experience, with a distinct art style and a story open to interpretation. The short campaign doesn’t stop the emotional attachment with protagonist San and the fellow adventurers we find along the way. The Portuguese studio made something out of very little, intelligently using the game mechanics it introduces throughout the campaign

Mario Golf: Super Rush is another Nintendo title that promotes fun, specially when enjoyed with friends. This is not a game to be played for many hours daily, nor can you expect an experience like Odyssey. Instead, Nintendo churns out a sport in simple practice with all that's charming about the Mario universe, creative mechanics that extend it’s entertainment element.

Alone or with friends, Chivalry 2 is one of the most fun experiences that I had in recent times. It’s incredibly accessible, and brilliantly blends the theatrics of an epic Hollywood movie with humour, while not taking itself too seriously. Even though it has few maps, at least for now, the ones it has are enough to guarantee you countless hours of fun.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon takes the risky option of including RPG elements in its core, but it does this absolutely brilliantly. It's a new approach that may make those fans of action in previous games a little apprehensive, but it does deserve a chance. It's a fantastic gateway to the series and not to be missed by fans of Japanese RPGs. It maintains the series' spirit, refreshing it with Ichiban Kaguya, heroes who risk becoming the new icon of Yakuza.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War ends up mirroring what the Call of Duty franchise offered last year, with some new additions that are also welcome, especially for long-term fans. While being set during a very intense period, the campaign ends up erring for its disappointing longevity, even though the value of repetition is intrinsic to it. Zombies are back in style, while multiplayer gains an excellent new mode, but here it errs again for the arsenal's lack of variety.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla isn't a light, fast and pragmatic Viking ship. It's a Titanic, magnificent, massive, and majestic, made to lead players through a 9th-century epic. With enough content to keep players busy for hours and hours, it's not threatened by any iceberg but rather by the weight of its own size. For the most dedicated, this can be a treat, but for many others, it could be a game they'll leave unfinished, living forever in the backlog.

The slight graphical improvements and the addition of a few modes, weapons and characters provide a plausible excuse to pick up Team Ninja's vigorous games, neglecting the multiplayer of the past. The base of the problems is not found in the texture and resolution update, but in the origin of this trilogy, with the negative points of the Sigma versions making themselves felt in some moments. However, there are several moments in which we experience memorable challenges and a frenzy of blows that make us stick to the screen, just like what happened 10 years ago, reanimating a series that seemed forgotten, in the hands of a new generation of players.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the result of a studio's love for a character, a story, proving that the best of the past can be transported to the present, hand in hand with what today's technology can offer. Ratchet, Clank and Rivet deliver the best PlayStation 5 experience, a memorable story that takes its inspiration from the greatest animation. From weapons to enemies, from characters to the environment, this is a title that grabs us, being one of the most fantastic gateways for the youngest to this universe of incredible and impactful experiences that we call videogames.

Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most disturbing and mind-blowing RPGs in history, where every decision has a deep impact on our trail. CD Projekt RED tosses us to the center of a city filled with disgusting delights where every character deserves our attention in an immersive experience and overall, very rewarding. From the sarcastic and shadowy tone imposed by the countless scenes in the game, to the flexibility we have on the choices to face every situation that is presented, Night City is truly memorable. It’s a shame that the countless bugs spoil or diminish the impact of some resounding moments, but we are without a question, in the presence of one of the best games in 2020.

Hood: Outlaws and Legends brings together good ideas in a very interesting setting, it is fun if we have a team of three friends, but it does not disguise the notorious lack of content and a schematic doomed to fail into a routine of fights, which goes against the intention the of game’s design. The game would benefit from a story mode and a richer progression system with better visual feedback. It is certain that there is newer content on the horizon, which will promote other synergies and greater unpredictability. However the game runs the risk of not deserving the attention it boasts nowadays.

MLB The Show 21 is the king of the market when it comes to baseball. It has all the weapons to please newcomers as well as the most demanding players, with multiple accessibility and game mode options, although with very scarce updates in relation to its predecessor. Even though the version used for this analysis was the Playstation 4 one, visually it becomes identical to what we have seen in the past, maybe having the next generation “at fault”, but it is still a very enjoyable experience.

Judgment is a Yakuza spin-off game that presents a captivating thriller investigation narrative. The slow start and less-than-stellar detective gameplay don’t keep the game from being a solid option for anyone who wants to take their first steps into the Yakuza universe.

Without forgetting the past, and again with Ethan Winters as lead character Resident Evil Village picks different celebrated elements from the franchise throughout the years and adapts them to the modern first-person view format, in an adventure that explores different atmospheres and dimensions of interactive terror, alternating between action moments and total despair. It is not revolutionary, but it is the most complete RE ever, without fear of treading supernatural paths and trapping itself in narrative alleys.

Being used to fast-paced, visually exuberant titles Housemarque brings us one this year’s good surprises. A game that in keeping its studio’s tradition takes a step forward on a very specific genre. Returnal is aesthetically delightful and has a very important narrative basis, but the gameplay is the true protagonist and motivating agent for its fluidity and fast paced constant confrontations against creatures and machines that challenge our understanding, mainly for the certainty that the failures of the past where not in vain, and that next time everything will be different.

New Pokémon Snap offers dynamic environments and memorable meetings in a winning journey that brings back the best from the past, and restructures it to the current generation. Bandai Namco delivers us a respectful reinvention of the 99 classic, brimmed with multiple secrets to discover throughout delightful expeditions, while giving the player all the necessary tools to capture every moment. The weird scoring system and some auxiliary problems are not enough to spoil the moments of calm, beauty and surprise.

MotoGP 21 ends up disappointing on different verticals, even though it attempts to replicate everything that made it's predecessor the best game in the saga. The lack of novelty features is overwhelming, the career mode is a replica true to it's name, having only the new brake system and the arrival of the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve escaping the copying process. It is still a good game, but not on it's own merit. But for everything that MotoGP 20 was.

If the original games were part of your childhood, then Oddworld: Soulstorm deserves your visit, especially if you have a PlayStation 5, as it is one of the PS Plus offers. The journey is long and hard, loaded with moments of frustration caused by forces that exceed our expertise. But if you are willing to overcome these countless barriers you will find a title filled with good puzzles and excellent cutscenes, led by a strangely relatable protagonist.

With Outriders, People Can Fly managed to craft an extremely fun game, with mechanics that subvert the idea of a cover shooter, while maintaining a loot system that is delightfully mesmerizing. The frantic and aggressive combat system is so addictive that it helps to cover up the game’s weaknesses, such as the history or repeatability, since we are too busy dispatching endless hordes of enemies.

It Takes Two is a journey through a magical world, expertly crafted with the greatest of affections. There is not a single dull moment along the journey, which is full of humorous moments, a dash of mom and dad rivalry and a cast of characters that manage to be memorable, even with short appearances. The puzzles are imaginative, the action is fluid and the experience is a must.

Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is a shooter for all ages, from the most seasoned in titles like Battlefield, Call of Duty, or Overwatch, to the newcomers who see their great opportunity to take on a shooter like their parents or older siblings. This Complete Edition brings new content to the game which makes it highly rewarding having it's place in the market taken back to where it belongs. Although the port is not 100% up to par in the visual field, it guarantees infinite hours of gameplay filled with pure joy and competition. It becomes more than clear: plants and zombies are lifelong enemies.

Capcom did not forget Nintendo, delivering a mesmerizing and anticipated entry using what has been done so well in MHW. It adds something new to the series, with a mantle of Japanese folklore and culture. The innovations are enough to make us feel the weight of Monster Hunter Rise, a truly differentiating title that, like Monster Hunter World, will leave its mark to be replicated in future generations. Fast, fun and extremely addictive, Rise shows that Nintendo platforms continue to be one of the best places for memorable hunts.

Hitman 3 is not just the final chapter in the trilogy for the series' fans; it's also a gateway for newcomers, who have an opportunity to experiment with its best version here. The story isn't the strong point, and even though it doesn't introduce many levels, they're all exhilarating, incredibly detailed and varied, with a range of challenges that make you go back, again and again, to complete the puzzles in different ways, expressing all your macabre creativity.

The exclusive Microsoft - The Medium is yet another significant milestone in the catalogue of psychological horror games from Bloober Team, which is increasingly becoming one of the best studios in this area. Without hiding where it comes from, it's an experience horror fans won't want to miss, no matter how short. The duality approach is interesting and has enormous potential. I hope that the Bloober Team will get to work on it again and develop it more in-depth.

Not much more can be said about Werewolf: The Apocalypse: Earthblood, a good idea that deserved a lot more time and money invested in it. There's a "low-cost feel" in the models, text, dated textures and even how the levels' design is structured in biomes to give an idea of navigation, even though everything is essentially happening in the same place. These feelings were even more contrasting when I reminded myself that I was playing the game on a new generation console. It's worth it for the fantasy it explores, the possibility of shapeshifting from wolf to Werewolf, an enthralling creature that gaming has neglected for far too long.

Gods Will Fall tries to formulate a dungeon crawler based on the principles of Roguelikes and Soulslike. Although the idea is good, both narrative and gameplay, some fundamental elements of the genre don't quite hit the mark, leaving Clever Beans a few notches lower than what it could be. Many of the problems can be resolved with some patches and by adding new content, which would certainly improve the experience. We'll be waiting, but for now, you can't help getting the feeling of an opportunity missed.

Imagine a future where Volvo found a way to make car crashes absolutely harmless to humans and, consequently, built gigantic arenas where 16 cars were pitted against each other, looking for the most aggressive and skillful driver. Destruction AllStars is the latest trend on PS5, not because of the representation of this fantasy, but rather because it's accessible and fun. I don't know how long it will last without increasing the cooperative options or if it will be able to survive outside Plus offers. What I do know is that it needs a lot more to become entrenched in the habits of Sony players. When that happens, yes, they'll be able to dream of living and prospering from cosmetic microtransactions.

Little Nightmares II captures the fear of a being little in a grey, hostile and oppressive world that is exceptionally built. In a constant game of hide-and-seek, the tension is overwhelming, and you feel the weight of every heartbeat or the desperate gasping of enemies over your shoulder. Unfortunately, it's a short experience, much along the lines of the first in the series, and although it doesn't completely eliminate the weak points, it grabs on to its strong points in a sublime way.

In short, there are two things that both games do very well; they surprise you at every corner and offer more than just a way of using a certain mechanism or dealing with an issue. No matter how carefully the next "piece of the puzzle" is hidden, there's a magical hand to guide your behaviour, through inducement or muscle memory, depending on the type of problem, in a constant stream of rewards that appeal to the "completionist" in all of us. It's charming but difficult to explain, the same way it's hard to figure out where the pleasure of crushing the head of a goomba, or stomping on the shell of a turtle comes from.

Any way you look at it, Bravely Default 2 is a fantastic launch for fans of classic JRPGs, a genre that hasn't had it easy, even in the portable model. There's still a lot for me to find out, especially in terms of the systems and the interconnection of the abilities in the Jobs that are unlocked as you play. I'm more susceptible to the extrinsic values associated with the progression and micromanagement of games like this, which invariably ends up pushing the story into the background. I'm certainly going to keep on playing it; it will continue to deserve commitment and a place between the cat and me, and that's perhaps the highest praise I can give it.

Persona 5 Strikers is a wonderful spinoff for fans of the saga and far too appealing for Musou's fans to write it off. The mechanics of the genre are perfectly implemented in the concept of the Persona franchise, and although they haven't added anything new, they do promise intense, challenging and captivating combats. The narrative component is exactly what you'd expect from a Persona game, dealing with such important topics and so current in a light tone that is easily understood. A pity there's no social component, which was implemented so well in its predecessor.

Curse of The Dead Gods stands out for its combat system, phenomenally supported by a set of mechanisms that will have you constantly second-guessing your decisions. The curses' randomness gives it a lot of flexibility and transforms every attempt into a frenetic head-scratcher. The sum of all parts of the game results in an experience that will keep you playing just because you want to beat it again and again.