You don’t have to be a big Arena Shooter fan—or have a childhood full of campfire Capture The Flag—to find something to enjoy. If you give Last Flag a little time and meet it on its own terms, there’s a really fun, chaotic rhythm to it that starts to click. It’s weird, it’s loud, it doesn’t always go the way you want it to—but when it works, Last Flag hits in a way that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.

Saros is basically a sequel to Returnal in all but name. By building on the mechanics of its previous work, Housemarque has made Saros an even better roguelike and bullet-hell experience. It’s slick, powerful, and devilish in all the right places. The story wanes partway through, sometimes putting me on the verge of sleep, but masterful character performances from the main cast keep the sun from setting too early, and calling it a night.

I generally don’t determine where an expansion ranks compared to the other expansions until it’s finished. So much of our time is spent outside of the launch period, and quite a few expansions that have started off promising have languished. That said, Midnight might be the best World of Warcraft expansion to date. I’ve played them all. I have never experienced this level of things I can do, while also feeling the freedom that if I don’t want to do something, that is also fine. It’s amazing. Midnight isn’t perfect; there have been some bugs and hiccups here and there. In the realm of MMOs, though, that has been remarkably light, and Blizzard has been consistently patching things up. No surprise, I love it. Now, I’m off to hop back in the game.

I’m absolutely enamored with Pokopia. Its issues aside, this is a giant step forward in the cozy game genre. In fact, even though it’s only March, I’m already predicting this to be a serious contender for Best Family Game at The Game Awards in December. With 30+ hours in-game already, Pokopia has its claws in so deep that I don’t see any reason why it can’t be my next game to hit several hundred hours. I’ve got 5 towns to build or rebuild. I’ve got more secrets to learn and Pokémon to find. Pokopia will be at the tippy top of my list for quite some time.

Yet, as I sit here writing this review, I can’t help but be awed by what Pearl Abyss has built. It is a game that will push forward open-world design much like the games it was inspired by did in their day. Its combat will be the benchmark for many players moving forward, and its visuals are among the best on PC to date, full stop. I can confidently say that Crimson Desert is a modern masterpiece, despite its shortcomings.

While the best of both worlds approach largely works, offering immersive, atmospheric horror with Grace's storyline and spectacle and tense action with Leon, Requiem ultimately presents an uneven, not fully realized campaign that runs its course sooner than expected. Hopefully, with many of the long-running storylines finally being put to rest, the new foundations set by Requiem offer a new path forward for the series, presenting a clearer vision of what comes next.

Nioh 3 is a triumphant adventure that stands up to the mightiest contemporaries in the Soulslike genre… It’s impressive how consistently strong the series is, and Nioh 3 does not disappoint.

While the mechanical redundancies and mid-game pacing hurdles keep it just shy of perfection, DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined is a triumph of art direction and quality-of-life design. The bottom line: this is the Definitive way to play DRAGON QUEST VII, just don't be surprised if some things have changed since the last time you set foot in Eden!

Code Vein II is a game I could gush over for a few more pages, but I think it’s better experienced for yourselves. It’s an objective improvement over the first game in almost every aspect. The world is more fleshed out. The characters are more memorable. The weapon and Blood Code combinations are more interesting. As someone who adored the original, Code Vein II more than exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend it to RPG and Souls-like fans.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment finally gives Zelda her due, even if she already had her first time in the spotlight with last year’s Echoes of Wisdom. This journey feels much more meaningful, providing Zelda with a sense of agency and urgency within the overall Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom lore.

Bottom line, Demonschool delivers a fulfilling RPG experience using a forgiving and enjoyable turn-based combat system. Bundled with a light, fun supernatural story with enjoyable characters and there’s no way you can "Be Chrool to Your Scuel" with this game, highly recommended!

Arc Raiders is a love child of a developer that genuinely cares about quality and player enjoyment. The simple attention to detail, the fantastic graphics, and the phenomenal soundstage work together with core player systems in a way that, honestly, not many other games come close to. I was so far away from the ledge when it came to Arc Raiders, I had zero interest in it, even looking into it, and yet one slight push from some friends, and a server slam event later, here I am gushing over it. With gaming giants all attempting to capitalize on a genre made popular by Escape from Tarkov, a game that I’ve long considered the crowning jewel of the genre, Embark Studios has taken Arc Raiders and made it the epitome of what an extraction shooter should be. It’s chaotic, it’s random, it’s sometimes painstakingly frustrating. But in the end, it’s fun. In the current gaming climate, where companies are pushing the limits on what to charge for games, Arc Raiders is a simple $39.99. With a game as good as this, selling over 2.5 million copies so far, what more can I say?

Anno 117 somehow feels like both a natural progression of the franchise that took all of the seasons of DLC and quality of life updates from the previous title and a big, bold swing to keep the title as the defining game in the genre. If you’re looking for a reason to think about the Roman Empire every day, Anno 117: Pax Romana is that. The gameplay is easy to learn but challenging to master, and in terms of bringing new audiences to Anno, I think this can do it, without overwhelming them with the systems. Still, that depth and challenge are there for those seeking it, especially for those among us with hundreds of hours in one save.

It’s not without its faults, though, with crashes, stuttering and weird bugs that will, hopefully get squashed soon, but the total sum of its parts cannot be denied: Europa Universalis V is Paradox at the height of its powers, and I cannot wait to see where things land as the game matures over time.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is another slam dunk for the HD-2D genre of RPGs. It brings two classics to life in a whole new way, and it opens the door to new players to experience these games--even if that door opens a little too far at times. This remake is the best of both worlds, as new players can experience Dragon Quest's origins for the first time, while longtime DQ fans can see these mainstay RPGs in a whole new light.

When it comes to Jackbox Party Pack 11, there is likely a game for everyone in your circle of friends and family. No, I don’t like drawing on my phone but since that mode keeps appearing in every pack, I imagine it’s popular with someone. No, I didn’t like the cringe of playing a microphone-based game in the same room as people who were actively laughing about everything, but someone probably would. What I do know is that Jackbox Party Pack 11 had something for me to enjoy and will find itself in my party game rotation.

Despite some of the technical difficulties that required a workaround, I couldn't put The Outer Worlds 2 down. The expansive worlds, the near infinite choice options, and storytelling that is arguably some of the best in the business really encapsulates everything Obsidian has managed to do right for over two decades. For fans of the genre, The Outer Worlds 2 is the quintessential RPG this year. Just keep in mind that despite it's abundant strengths you'll still be dealing with some flaws.

What Absolum truly does well with its take on a roguelite is offering plenty of opportunities to get invested in its world and characters, which is such an excellent quality to have for a roguelite, which tasks players with getting used to repeated excursions. Absolum is my favorite roguelite of 2025, and it's also one of the most satisfying genre mash-ups I've seen in some time. With time, I hope that Absolum will evolve even further and take Guard Crush Games' take on a roguelite beat-em-up to the next level.

For my first Digimon experience ever, Time Stranger was the right way to go. Not that I have an aversion to the cartoony stylings of the franchise's past – I am a regular Pokémon player, after all – but the turn-based RPG hook, coupled with the interesting party-building systems, made me realize the potential that Digimon holds. While I can't guarantee I'll become as big a fan of Digimon as I am of its competition, thanks to this Digimon Story, this former Stranger will certainly give future games the Time of day.

Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles has finally made one of the best games ever accessible to nearly every audience. The addition of an amazing voice cast along with updated visuals has allowed this classic to level up, but these improvements aren’t even necessary for it to remain relevant. If you’ve never played Final Fantasy Tactics then I urge you to get The Ivalice Chronicles.

Despite Hollow Knight Silksong’s relentless difficulty, it’s one of the most rewarding games this year. Pharloom is a lively world with surprises waiting in every corner, and the suspenseful combat and exploration makes Hornet’s arduous journey memorable. Silksong can feel a bit unfair at times, but its challenging nature forces players to adapt and learn to be patient.

It’s hard to follow up on what is considered by many (myself very much included) to be one of the finest Samurai epics in video games. Yet Ghost of Yotei improves upon nearly every aspect of its predecessor; it’s easy to say that Sucker Punch once again knocked it out of the park with this one. From its quiet contemplative moments, taking in the aurora borealis atop the peaks of Mount Yotei itself, to the nail-biting assaults on castles or liberating towns from Saito’s grasp, Ghost of Yotei was an excellent experience from start to finish…Usually, when I’m finished with a review like this, the last thing I want to do is hop back into a game I just spent weeks playing almost by myself. Yet, even as I type this, Atsu is playing her Shamisen overlooking the Ishikari Plains, the work of the Onryo not yet done. And I can't wait to dive back in to finish what she started.

I found myself slowly falling in love with the game the longer I played it. I’ve never been particularly drawn to roguelike games, but this one really captured my attention and offered a fresh perspective on the genre. Not to mention, the backdrop setting of Norse mythology, of which I am fond, was definitely a good way to keep me playing and going back for more. For anyone who likes roguelikes or horde-survival games, I would definitely recommend adding this to the collection.

Cronos feels like an exemplary concept with aesthetics and lore that make a player want to dive deep into the storylines presented before me. But its bulky movement and gritty combat slowed it down exponentially, to the point of feeling like wandering through a tar-filled dystopia with no hope of relief and a pathway that gave the facsimile of an open world but was a very directed path. We had hoped for a bit more from the game, but sadly it fell a bit haggard under the weight of its own armor.

Madden NFL 26 is a good game to add to the library for the avid football fan or for someone like myself who has been away from the series for a few years. This installment is also a good entry point for someone looking to get into a football game for the first time or maybe just wanting to get into the game of football as a whole. As a fan of the series and the sport, I would recommend picking the game up and having some fun.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is very much a ‘what you see is what you get’ type of game, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The core experience is incredibly fun and the optional challenges can deliver a rush of adrenaline, even if they can feel a bit over-tuned. The biggest drawback is that once it’s over, you’ll wish there was more.

The Switch 2 launched with Mario Kart World, which is plenty of fun in its own right, but that game wasn't quite the definitive Nintendo experience early adopters were hoping for out of the gate. One month later, that experience arrived; Donkey Kong Bananza is incredible, one of the best games you'll play this year, and a game I plan on going back to over and over again throughout the life of the Switch 2. Sometimes,I just want to monkey around.

Regardless of the little bumps throughout the way, Dune Awakening’s narrative is worth pursuing. It holds Dune’s frustration with the system, reverence for the land, and respect for the figures navigating it, even the worst ones. It’s a bit cartoonish at times, and it has its values on its sleeve, but the same can be said of Dune, if we’re being honest.

If you liked Mario Kart 8, you’re likely to like Mario Kart World, and I can enthusiastically encourage you to try it if you’re on the fence. There are many kart racers on the market today, but there is a good reason why only Mario Kart has stood the test of time for over 30 years.

In the end, Nightreign manages to offer up something unique that I’m sure a certain audience will find a vast amount of enjoyment in, but in the process, it sacrifices a lot of what made Elden Ring so special. Teaming up with some friends to take on some of the most challenging bosses ever designed is certainly a good time, but the repetitive nature of the content will only sustain most players for so long, and the poor casual players who expected co-op Elden Ring will get torn to shreds. Finally, a lack of cross-platform play matchmaking is a huge disadvantage for players in terms of both compatibility and potentially longer queue times. While I appreciate the attempt at innovation, I’m wary of Nightreign’s lasting power.

Doom: The Dark Ages nails that feeling of "classic Doom in a new era," thanks to its relentless combat, interesting if not perfectly suitable levels, and hordes upon hordes of demons. The new weaponry feels great – especially my pal the Pulverizer – and some streamlined adjustments to the process makes dropping demons dead feel great, especially in large groups of them. It's not a total reinvention of the demonic wheel, but it'll offer you plenty of Hell-themed fun in a familiar setting.

Although it’s possible that Monster Hunter Wilds could put off some veterans who started early with the series, it’s made a massive jump in progress towards being a more well-rounded game that is inviting to a much broader audience. In terms of visuals, it’s the best the series has to offer and the seamless world makes the environments come to life like never before. Add on the improved combat and mount controls and it’s a game you won’t be able to put down once you start.

Despite these issues, Avowed still manages to be an engaging and ambitious RPG. Obsidian's storytelling prowess is on full display, and the game successfully immerses players in the Living Lands. [...] If you're looking for an RPG with deep lore, solid combat, and meaningful choices, Avowed is worth playing—just be ready for a few bumps along the way.

I loved my time with Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Even though the game hated me and was out to get me, by persevering through the roughest patches toward the start, I felt like I'd earned the later moments and all of the fun story beats within. [...] Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is not always fun, but man is it always great.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is an entrancing experience that draws you in and keeps you with a vice grip. I lost count of the nights I kept telling myself, “One more battle,” until it was four in the morning. There are small niggling issues here and there; I’d have preferred one or two more weapons, the storytelling still gets dry occasionally and cam suffer from slow pacing, and it’d be nice to have more visual customization for Ziluan. But Dynasty Warriors: Origins is such a success on the levels that really matter, an emotionally resonant story and unforgettable battles, that it hardly matters. It’s a game that both gets back to the basics of what makes a Dynasty Warriors game, while also striking out into new uncharted territory. If Dynasty Warriors 9 felt like a whimper that could end the franchise, Origins is a resounding shout that says it isn’t going anywhere just yet.

Don’t get me wrong - I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The 8 year old in me sitting around watching the Power Rangers on tv had been awakened. The 10 year old playing in the sprinklers with my mom while she pretended to be Rita Repulsa was sitting right there in my recliner. The 30 year old introducing my toddler to the original Power Rangers was fully engaged. Now pushing 40, I am certain of only a few things in life and one of those things is that you’re never too old to love the Power Rangers.

New World: Aeternum isn’t perfect, but it’s a fun experience that feels like the definitive version of Amazon’s flagship MMO. The question still remains whether Amazon can stick the landing with post-launch content, but the MMO is the best it has ever been and well worth a visit to the Eternal Isle if you’ve ever thought of dipping your toes into its Azoth-laden waters.

The game may stumble occasionally in its technical aspects, but its core—compelling storytelling, rich character relationships, and engaging combat—makes it an easy recommendation for not just BioWare fans, but any RPG fan.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is ATLUS at the height of its powers, and it’s a game that any fan of the studio - or any JRPG fan for that matter, should play.

Vessel of Hatred is a great entry point if you haven’t played Diablo IV before or you’ve been away for a while. Blizzard has made a lot of great changes over the last year, and this expansion brings even more. Between the new season starting on October 7th and all of the Vessel of Hatred content dropping on October 8th - Diablo IV is looking to be in an excellent place. Blizzard also seems to be laying the building blocks they can grow on in future expansions or new Diablo games. I can’t wait to see what they do next.

The original Frostpunk presented players with a simple puzzle: what are you willing to do as a society to survive the apocalypse? Its mechanics explored this magnificently, presenting us with challenges and ideas that made us second-guess what we’d do at the end of the world. Frostpunk 2 furthers that struggle by asking, “What are we willing to do to thrive?” Will we rely wholly on technology to save us, or adapt to the brutal cold and make nature our guide? Will we be the same leader we started as at the launch of the campaign? Every player will be faced with that moral conundrum, and will have to decide what it is they value most to reach the end of that journey.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 checks all the boxes for a satisfying, grim dark 40k shooter. Despite the lackluster state of PvP, I can’t help but recommend this to any fans of Warhammer 40,000, or third-person shooters in general, as the PvE campaign is phenomenal.

All in all, The War Within has been a banger of an expansion so far. The storytelling feels well done and has been paying off on moments that have been building for years. The dungeon and raiding scene is off and running and fun so far. Lastly, delves have a solid foundation that needs to be tweaked to make them the jewel they can be. I had thought it would be an impossible task to surpass Dragonflight, but The War Within may end up doing that.

All in all, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection serves its included games better than any previous bundle in franchise history. The updated graphics still impress, but the way they improve the free-roaming investigation sections is notable. The mechanics are easily mapped to a console controller – to the point where I played most of the dialogue-heavy scenes one-handed with an Xbox controller. Plus, seeing Prosecutor's Gambit finally available in the West is worthy of celebration all by itself.

Visions of Mana does a good enough job at telling a deep, interesting story with a couple of memorable characters, but it also finds too many ways to detract from what’s actually important. Additionally, the ideas around the combat systems are conceptually cool, however, in practice they’re not as interesting or fun as they could have been. Finally, the strength of the bosses could really use fine tuning, as certain bosses that were supposed to be terrifying endgame challenges were a complete push over while there were that mini-bosses almost wiped my party. Unfortunately, these inconsistencies all around prevented Visions of Mana from being a truly great game.

When the dust settles, College Football 25 is a great game and an excellent return for the franchise for EA. The development team absolutely knocked it out of the park, taking the time and care to craft something really special. While not perfect, the attention to detail put into this project shows on many levels. I would recommend the game for any football fan to jump into, as it has a little something for everyone at every skill level—even an old washed-up gamer like myself.

Dawntrail is largely about working through flaws of all kinds, which it certainly has. But it has its highs, too, that I’d argue are worth fighting for—much like the lands of Tural, full of joy, full of better things. I enjoyed this new FFXIV journey thoroughly, but I know where it needs to build from, and any good adventurer knows to pick up that experience and forge ahead.

The world of Elden Ring is fascinating, and while there are a few interesting side quests (mainly involving Needle Knight Leda and her entourage), the DLC’s ending is underwhelming and there was a missed opportunity to weave it into the main game. I do hope we will receive additional DLC in the future, and Shadow of the Erdtree is a must play for anyone who enjoyed Elden Ring.

Like Ithelia, The Elder Scrolls Online has many paths ahead of it, and it’ll be interesting to see which they take in the next decade of operation. That said, it’s a beautiful zone with some incredible quests, and the world and story boss encounters are some of the best in the ten-year history of the MMO. However, the package as a whole falls short of being great overall, especially with its tentpole feature feeling lackluster out of the gate.

Despite my concerns when Blizzard announced they would go forward with Cataclysm Classic, this has turned out to be a much better experience than I remembered. Yes, I have seen many people step away again, but many have stayed. I hope this enjoyment keeps up through the other phases as well, but for now, Cataclysm Classic has been a real win for me. Additionally, there have been a ton of updates with streamlining leveling and speeding it up, so this is also a great time to jump in if you have been out of Classic for a while or haven’t given it a try yet.

V Rising has many elements that keep things fun, engaging, and easy to get lost in for literal days at a time. The full launch might bring a lot of old players back, as it brings new content and massive amounts of new crafting tables, bosses, features I won’t mention for the sake of spoilers, and just better quality-of-life features than the early access version.

AFK Journey is a great idle-strategy game with a lot of game modes, a beautiful canvas art style, and an engaging way to interact with the community through cooperative battles. Despite allowing you to select from a small pool of characters you want for when you roll for new characters, the monetization is still incredibly predatory, and nearly every game mode is completely pay to win. Knowing this, there’s still a lot here to love whether you’re playing on PC or Mobile, as this is one of, if not the best idle strategy RPG to hit the scene in a long time.

If you’re a roguelike fan, Inkbound will surely scratch your itch for dozens of hours, and I expected nothing less from the creators of Monster Train. I am disappointed that we didn’t see new Aspects release in 1.0, especially with two very obvious slots open and waiting. Releasing a polished game built on the back of the previous release was the smart move, but the team teased new Aspects way back in 2023, so that still leaves a lot to look forward to. Despite the genre expanding exponentially over the past several years, roguelike fans can’t sleep on this one, so if you're itching for a new roguelike to steal your time, grab your Kwill and dive into your next story with Inkbound.

After spending over 90 hours in the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 I find it be a masterful example of how exploration and adventure should feel, offering a vast and immersive world to explore and conquer. With its rich lore, engaging gameplay, and expansive world, this sequel has captivated and immersed me in a world of fantasy and intrigue that only a few cult fans experienced in its predecessor. Whether battling fearsome monsters or unraveling the mysteries of Gransys, I found myself drawn into a journey of epic proportions — one that I expect will leave a lasting impression long after the final credits roll. So gather your party, sharpen your blades, and prepare to embark on the adventure of a lifetime in the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2.

All things considered, Last Epoch is in a good place a couple of weeks after its launch. With the launch issues mostly in the rearview, EHG can now focus on fixing bugs, sifting through player feedback, and putting together a plan for the future. I’m not a Traveler in real life, so I can’t tell you exactly what the future holds for EHG and Last Epoch, but I suspect that Last Epoch will be the go-to ARPG for many gamers. Will it become the best ARPG of all time? Maybe, maybe not, but I doubt that Last Epoch is just the next Steam flash-in-the-pan success that will be forgotten in a few weeks. No, I believe Last Epoch has what it takes to withstand the tests of time.

Although both are turn-based strategy games, Chaos Gate is also quite a bit different from Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. Unlike Rogue Trader, you aren’t walking around your ship or the planets in Chaos Gate. So if you want lets exploration or RPG aspects and more action then Chaos Gate is likely the better fit.

Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH is a modern RPG masterpiece and solidly sets up its third installment in the Final Fantasy VII REMAKE Project. It's ambitious and massive in scope - and that's before we even get to the daunting task of recreating one of the most iconic stories of all time. At its core, Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH retains the essence of what the original story contained, expanding on it meaningfully in a way that feels wholly new. And I can’t wait to see how it all concludes.

Persona 3 Reload is, as I said, the absolute textbook idea of what a remake should be. I'm super happy that this generation gets to experience this game and look forward to eventually seeing the same approach to Persona 4 and the Persona 1 and 2 duology. Now I must dive into Persona 4 Arena Ultimax after finishing Reload to take in the whole story!

Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown marks a strong start for 2024 game releases, as it offers plenty of entertaining action throughout its 20ish-hour runtime. The story offers some neat twists to discover, while the world of Mount Qaf is wonderfully designed and fun to explore. Combat, while not the game's strongest suit, is still cool, even if the common enemies wear out over time. I really dug what Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown accomplished here, and if this is the future of the franchise, maybe I can eventually forgive them for not following up on that 2008 entry.

In general, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader should be a great experience for any Warhammer fan or someone who likes turn-based RPGs. It’s strong enough to stand on its own feet in either genre but comes together for an overall good experience, even if it might not be the best RPG to come out recently.

Back in June, after the initial excitement of this announcement had faded, I worried that the game wouldn't translate well to the current era of gaming. Thanks to beautifully updated visuals, a few choice additions, and a wonderful soundtrack, I was proven wrong. Super Mario RPG absolutely still has a place among Nintendo's elite, and this remake removes any doubt.

Spider-Man 2 made me feel like the web-slinger himself – two versions of him, in fact – as I played through the game. I loved the feeling of getting around the city, fighting crime and saving the day. I didn't like how weak Spider-Man sometimes felt against bigger groups, nor did I like when the story slowed things down and took me away from the high-flying action sections. However, the overall experience was able to surpass both of these issues, and Spider-Man 2 is worthy of every accolade it receives.

In many ways, this feels like the version of New World that Amazon really wanted to launch. It’s not perfect, and many times bugs and issues can leave it feeling a bit messy. But it’s a great MMORPG, and now is the perfect time to hop in if you’ve been on the fence.

For the King II is a fantastic addition to your Steam library if you’re a fan of strategy and tabletop games. There is a little bit of a learning curve if you’re new to the franchise, but once you find that groove it is an absolute blast. With new adventures to be found in every hex, you’ll easily lose hours diving into the world of Fahrul with friends as you leave chaos in your wake.

Fear is what Alan Wake 2 is all about. When it's working, it's a spooky and thrilling adventure with two separate-but-equal methods of scaring the heck out of me. When it's not working, I'm afraid I may run into another weird glitch that makes me lose some progress. Thankfully, the former is far more common than the latter, and the times I did have to restart, they were small hiccups rather than major time losses. 13 years passed between Alan Wake's initiation and his return, and I am happy to say Alan Wake 2 was worth the wait.

Endless Dungeon suffers from a lot of different issues. Lore dumps are only available in a library tab in the saloon, so there isn’t much in ways of story. I like roguelike games, and I began to wonder if I really did, or I just liked the ones I had played. Single-player is painfully bland, and the random aspects will often put you in nearly unwinnable situations. There is a lot that the game doesn’t outright explain, which had me consulting things like the in-game glossary for clarification. However, co-op turns the game upside down and gives a lot more enjoyment for your time.

Simply put, The Lords Of The Fallen beat the crap out of me. I languished, I lamented, but I lingered on, and as I'm sitting here now I am looking back fondly on what I did. The dual-world idea is phenomenal, even if it contributes to the game's worst technical tendencies. The mood set by each world, however, is downright creepy and gross, which serves as a strong foundation. Enemies can be bruising, while bosses aren't quite as difficult, which doesn't quite jive right throughout the game. As much as I wanted to toss my controllers around, I would be lying if I said I didn't have fun with The Lords Of The Fallen.

In the end, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a great entry into the series, even with some of the baggage it inherits narratively from Valhalla. I can't wait to see how Ubisoft expands on Basim's journey in the entires to come.

Harebrained Schemes have done an excellent job of continuing to do what they do well - turn-based strategic combat - while adding some new game mechanics to expand the scope of combat. They have also done a fine job creating a set of unique characters for The Lamplighters League and injected some personality into the characters without flooding the gaming experience with too many extended cutscenes. Learning the traits and motivations of each character added to the experience, and I found myself more attached to this group of agents than I generally do with the generic Rifleman I and Rifleman II units of other titles.

Ultimately, Starfield is one of the best space-based RPGs ever made, one where hours fly by in minutes, and one where the only hard limit is your imagination.

Throughout the entirety of my runtime, I felt transported, compelled to help find a way to save myself and the companions I had grown to love over time. And it’s a world I don’t want to leave, at least not yet. Baldur’s Gate 3 is, simply put, the greatest RPG I’ve ever played.

Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon has everything you could want in a mech game. The tight, responsive controls leave nothing to be desired. Every battlefield is a work of art. … This is the Armored Core you've been waiting more than a decade for, and it is absolutely worth it.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is a project that should be experienced, if only to see how a musical fares in the world of video games. It's not a perfect pairing – there are traits unique to musicals which simply do not translate well into gaming – but the story being told and the voices behind that story are truly fantastic. When an all-star cast like this comes together in the same project, the work can't help but be great. Those inherent, unavoidable issues, however, keep Stray Gods from reaching true immortality.

Pikmin 4 doesn’t require players to have played Pikmin before so if you’re on the fence about it and don’t have any experience, don’t worry! You won’t be lost for not having played other games in the series. It’s fun and quirky even if a bit too chatty. I can eagerly recommend Pikmin 4 but be aware of the issues I’ve brought up. If things like online play are really important to you, it might be better to wait for a sale or to see if Nintendo can get their crap together and fix it. Despite its issues, Pikmin 4 is a great addition to the franchise, and hopefully there’s more Pikmin yet to come.

I can’t deny the fun factor of Exoprimal, but for this to be a great game, they need to address the shortcomings of their cross-play. So here’s the TLDR, would I pay sixty dollars for Exoprimal? No… It’s a forty-dollar game at best right now. If you don’t have Xbox Game Pass, Personally, I would wait for it to go on sale.

This game is not going to top of the RPG giants, it still has some work to do to earn that title match, but WrestleQuest is definitely a scrappy up-and-comer with plenty to be excited about.

Bottom line, the game might be a bit easy for die-hard action RPGers but that makes it an exceptional choice for younger gamers. Dragon Quest enthusiasts will find a spin-off here that is a nice nod to the Dragon Quest series as the references to other Dragon Quest games are abundant! There are also many features that should keep you busy for a while. Highly recommended, especially to any Dragon Quest fan!

Remnant II is a fantastic game for a base price of $49.99. I enjoyed Remnant: From the Ashes, even with the issues at release. Gunfire Games has refined what I loved from the first game, fixed the problems I noticed, and continued to expand on this post-apocalyptic universe that they had only scratched the surface of before. At the same time, they have successfully iterated on various systems to make for more fun gameplay and added a lot of replay value. Even on the base difficulty, the game can be challenging. The co-op is a great experience as your frantically clear areas and have friends cover you while reloading as the mini-boss charges, and I can’t wait to take on the Root with a few more friends.

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie won’t be for every player, but it’ll enthrall those looking for a relevant, gorgeous game at the intersections of genres: science fiction and fantasy, the interpersonal romance visual novel and the choose-your-own-adventure books of childhoods. If you like visual novels as a genre in specific, the Augural is also a neat little innovation that I think should be played through at least once. I’m sure in time, much like the world of Glory I made, ambitious developers will take this approach and build upon it in exciting ways—for now, though, Reverie is certainly worth a visit.

This isn’t going to fully replace the normal Black Desert grind, but Pearl Abyss delivered in creating a gorgeous new place to quest in for new and returning players alike. It’s a good expansion, and a good direction for potential content in the future.

As I’ve previously mentioned, Diablo IV is a blast to play. I like the much darker overall vibe than Diablo III and the unrelenting brutal storyline throughout. The variety of class builds and how Diablo IV unfolds the complexity over time helps new players get into it and delivers variation and fun for veterans. Additionally, as I mentioned in my previous Review in Progress, Diablo IV is a game that respects the player’s time and doesn’t ask us to do the same things over on all characters unless we want to. The main negative currently is server instability. Generally, that hasn’t been a huge problem, but it pops up regularly and can be a particular problem while playing a hardcore character. That said, I’ve been having a blast in Sanctuary and don’t see any sign of wanting to take a break from it, which is abnormal for Diablo games and me. Generally, I play the main campaign once, and I’m done playing until there’s a new story to play. I’m already thinking about what’s next for me in Diablo IV.

Final Fantasy XVI is a tale of loss, sorrow, revenge, and hope. It’s a story that feels human and down to earth, yet still retains the essence of what makes Final Fantasy so great. [...] Final Fantasy XVI is a masterpiece. From its stellar writing, music, world-building and incredible cast, this has easily taken the mantle as my favorite Final Fantasy in the series to date.

For the many players who enjoy ESO, sticking to the mold is not necessarily a bad thing. I enjoy the story and lore every year that is added to an already huge amount of content, even in the years when it is a bit lackluster. But “painting by the numbers” does limit how excited one can get for the new content. Thankfully, this year the Chapter’s storyline conclusion does hint at more interesting events to come. All the typical features a new ESO Chapter brings are present and well executed. Add in the new Arcanist class that is really fun to play, and you have a solid addition to the game.

The dozen or so hours of Convergence: A League Of Legends Story accomplished what it's set out to do: It told me a great story set within the League of Legends universe, and it did so with fun gameplay and a cool world to explore. Ekko is a fantastic character, and his time-bending kit is a lot of fun to mess around with while running, jumping, and climbing through the world of Zaun. However, the game plays it safe a lot of the time, which I feel holds it back from its true potential. I enjoyed Convergence, it is worthy of the franchise from which it was born, but it won't be the first game I think of when I look at the library Riot is building.

The world of Wartales is more complex than it first appeared. Once I settled down and paid attention to the depth that Wartales offers, I finally started to enjoy my time playing. Wartales is full of rules and mechanics to master. There is plenty of land to explore and mischief to be had, and although the character and party progression seem thin at first, there is a wealth of advancement options layered into the gameplay.

There is so much in Honkai Star Rail to enjoy. There’s a heavy emphasis on story, puzzles, and turn-based strategy, with so much content that free players will likely have more than enough to do to last months on their way to Trailblazer Level 70. With nearly identical systems to Genshin Impact, gamers that have really taken to the Hoyoverse’s tried and true systems should feel right at home here. New players that have been scared away from Genshin due to the action-combat nature will have no problems investing some time in this free-to-play gem. If you can temper your impulsiveness and only spend what makes sense to you, and not dive into the dangerous gacha rabbit hole, Honkai Star Rail will be the ride you never want to stop.

With the additional playtime, Age of Wonders IV still impressed me even though I am concerned about the AI. The other issues I have brought up are all easily fixed over time, if not on day one. Between the customization options, atmosphere, and Pantheon system, Paradox Interactive and developer Triumph Studios have a great start to the next entry in the Age of Wonders series. I can’t wait to see how they expand the spells and Pantheon systems further, for fans of fantasy 4x strategy games, Age of Wonders IV is worth checking out if you want to evoke that old feeling of needing to take just one more turn.

Despite performance issues throughout my gameplay, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor meaningfully improves on many of the gameplay issues from the previous title. From a more rewarding cosmetic system to side quests that give more meaning to exploring the beautifully rendered and realized worlds, it was a joy to explore the galaxy as Cal once more. Add on the much-improved combat system that fuels the Jedi fantasy beautifully and the touchingly emotional storytelling and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a triumph.

While I could see some minor tuning that may still need to be done for balance in the near future, the Chaos Dwarf faction feels great once the ball gets rolling. Creative Assembly nailed the vibe of being an evil dwarf and shook up the typical gameplay that comes to mind when I think of Dwarfs. I can’t wait to jump back in and set the Total War Warhammer III world on fire again with enchanted burning metal and chaos magic.

If you like a challenge, are a fan of Roguelikes, enjoy good humor, or are just wanting to try something new, I can eagerly recommend Have A Nice Death! I laughed. I rage-quit. I spent hours at a time trying to get farther than before. I still want to play more! Perhaps I’m addicted but I just can’t wait until the next time I get to hear “Welcome to the Afterlife!”

Everspace 2 lets me live out the outer space-related dreams of my youth thanks to its open space exploration and well-designed spacecraft combat. Moving from a roguelike to an open-world exploration game is a tall task, but Rockfish nailed it here. Flying around space is exhilarating, fighting against enemy ships is a rush, and the story keeps me guessing. There are a few issues throughout, namely with the disorienting nature of the ship's movement, but once you're used to it the game simply sings. I have a feeling I will be traveling in the dark reaches of space for hours and hours to come.

Just don't forget to bring your patience, and your twitch combat skills, you'll need them when the going gets tough, and the tough get... Ravenbound.

Remnant: From the Ashes is still an excellent game. Gunfire Game’s port to the Nintendo Switch has made an exceptionally great game accessible to a whole new group of gamers. Tight, responsive controls and consistently smooth gameplay performance make up for some downgraded visuals. This leaves you with a solid offering for the Nintendo Switch. If you’re in the market for a Souls-like with a unique story, a bit more forgiving gameplay and also like to game on the go then I can highly recommend picking up Remnant: From the Ashes on the Nintendo Store.

Octopath Traveler II is simply a better version of the original. It expands upon what made the first game great while shoring up its weaknesses. That being said, if you didn’t like Octopath Traveler then the formula is similar enough that you probably won’t like the sequel either. This is an excellent take on the classic 2D JRPG and fans of the genre won’t be let down.

All in all, Company of Heroes 3 is great, and should be on the list for any strategy fan looking to get stuck in one more turn, or one more fight. It's a fitting inclusion in Relic's library of incredible RTS games, and continues to show why the developers there are some of the best in the business. I cannot wait to tuck myself back into the fray, delighting in its beautifully crafted RTS-goodness over and over again in the coming weeks and months.

Overall, Warhammer 40000: Darktide is an immersive, fun experience that allows players to shape the game to their playstyle while still challenging them to adapt to the game mechanics. Darktide delivers graphically with RTX on gameplay but is nothing special when RTX is off. Further, though the gameplay is immensely satisfying and challenging, the repetition leaves much to be desired. Warhammer has great potential and opportunity to build a truly unique experience for gamers who want to take on its challenge and serve the God Emperor’s just will.

What Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion accomplishes is something few other remasters or remakes get right: it revives the original core experience – pun intended – of the original Crisis Core release and places it on modern consoles with modern upgrades. The combat system is more refined and responsive, the visual upgrades are serviceable if not as extreme as some may hope, and the storyline is virtually unchanged – for better or worse. That said, there were some areas that Square Enix could have made some adjustments and didn't, meaning we all have to sit through ghastly lines of dialogue that were awkward the first time around, let alone now. That's not enough to completely dull the effort, however, as Crisis Core is one of the best remasters available today.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a lot of character and base building built into a unique deck building Strategy RPG. There are some story pieces that just aren’t entirely enthralling, and you may find the exploration to be lacking. What Midnight Suns does happen to do exceptionally well, is provide a purely satisfying strategy game, once you wade through all of the monotonous upgrades to get you to the combat. With plenty of characters to unlock, and multiple difficulty levels to amp up the strategy required, this is one of the best Marvel games to release in years. The best part is, whether you’re a Marvel fan, or you’re just a strategy buff, Midnight Suns delivers. Do not make the mistake of passing on this one.