Death Stranding is an absolute masterpiece. It’s a triumph of one man’s unrelenting, uncompromised vision of hope. So powerful was this vision that it gave a deeply cynical individual like me a reason to hope. It’s a technological achievement on so many levels. But perhaps most of all, its revolutionary story, outstanding characters, and singular theme of human connection is the lingering triumph of Death Stranding. It is simply one of the greatest games I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. It is, in every single glorious way, a Hideo Kojima Game.

If you’re looking for the next, and perhaps greatest, grand cRPG; if you’re aching for an epic single player adventure; if you’re seeking a setting outside the norm; if you’re hoping for a story that takes you in and hangs on, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire fills the bill. It is something special, something you’ll want to play again and again and is a game that will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the genre’s best.

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.

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.

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.

I’m honestly happy I waited until Persona 5 Royal came out to play Persona 5. It is well polished and feels like a game that could have come out for the first time this year. This is absolutely an excellent example of how to rerelease a game and make paying full price for it worthwhile. For me to only have minor complaints about a game, which is easily well over 100 hours of gameplay, even if you don’t do everything is rare. If you loved original Persona 5, Royal is worth your time. If you’ve never played the original or any other Persona game, Persona 5 Royal is a perfect game to pick-up and get into the series.

RDR2's start is slow, measured, but as the layers begin to unfold and the scope of the game's sandbox is known, you see just how impressive it all really is. This is easily a top candidate for one of the greatest open world RPGs of all time.

I honestly can’t express in such a limited space how amazingly good Divinity: Original Sin 2 truly is. From the astonishing amount of replayability it provides to the gorgeously detailed world you and your party will inhabit to the awesome and though-provoking combat and so so much more, DOS2 is a game that you do not want to miss. With over 60 hours in, I only want more, I’m mourning the inevitable end of this play through and I’m already planning my next adventure. I will not soon forget Rivellon. If you love RPGs, if you love excellence in game design, if you appreciate a great story, then Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a must have.

CD Projekt Red has raised the bar on what it takes to make a high quality story driven RPG. They did not fail to deliver on Geralt’s final tale either. If this is our last hurrah with the White Wolf it was time well spent.

Hearts of Stone has pulled me back into The Witcher Universe with its finely crafted story and menagerie of clever side characters. A cat burglar acrobat, a suicidal Firestarter dwarf, a lifelorn ghost, and more are all people that will stick with you for a while even after you are done playing. While this story may only take you 10 hours to complete make sure to set aside more time than that because you will probably need it.

So as the story unfolds, along with your map and you get into this gathering, parkouring and hunting rhythm here comes the main reason that has me rate Odyssey right up there with Origins. Next to Kassandra herself and animal taming, it’s the Naval component that really makes this Assassins Creed epic.

Bungie has delivered an experience that, down to the last bullet, is truly satisfying.

For those who prioritize combat, you may be left frustrated. But I prioritize a beautiful world, wonderful music, magnificent platforming, and phenomenal tech. And on those grounds alone, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a triumph, an utterly brilliant experience. And when each of those parts are this good, this lovingly crafted, this polished, it’s incredibly difficult to ignore. Ember Lab have created something truly special. This is a gem. Kena: Bridge of Spirits is the best game I’ve played all year. And you should play it.

Solasta: Crown of the Magister is an excellent game for anyone who loves turn-based RPGs or D&D in general. Since there are so many options for difficulty and game rules, pretty much anyone can play it regardless if you want something easy to experience the story, something extremely challenging, or something in between. Additionally, although I did run into some issues early on, all of them got better as I moved further into the story, which is the reverse of most games that typically start super polished and get rougher as you move closer to the end. This isn't a game to sleep on.

Horizon: Forbidden West is everything I wanted from a follow-up to the excellent Zero Dawn, from the twisting story and fierce combat to the cast of memorable characters. Playing this for the first time felt like getting back on a bicycle, and before long I was traveling the wilds with Aloy just as we did before. There are a few technical missteps, and some of Aloy's dialogue sounds forced, but the majority of the game is simply amazing. I couldn't wait to get back into the world of Horizon after Zero Dawn, and now I can't wait to return again after playing Forbidden West.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With the release of The Witch Queen, Bungie has taken Destiny 2 several steps in the right direction. The length of the campaign is nearly perfect and when coupled with higher difficulties as well as replayable campaign missions, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen delivers a stunning experience of rewarding gameplay that values a player’s time investment within it. All of that would be incredible on its own, but these are backed by incredibly well-developed stories and mysteries that have yet to be uncovered. It is a truly awesome thing to be a witness to!

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.

You will enjoy this game if you can stomach the abuse that Elden Ring dishes out. Even if you cannot, there is so much out there that you can do if you aren't afraid of running from scary fights. Some locations can be less fun than others, and some bosses create skill-based stopgaps. Elden Ring is all about picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and sometimes finding something more enjoyable to do. It's worth the investment.

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.

The new monsters in Iceborne are the main topic worth talking about. The return of some from other games in the Monster Hunter franchise is enough to make Iceborne a worthy purchase. It’s a chance to see monsters in higher definition quality than the graphics of older consoles and in many cases, handheld ones. Capcom presents a way to appreciate old monsters as if seeing them for the first time through new eyes.

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.

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.

[Endwalker] is a lofty, ambitious epic that ties together story threads, characters, and powerful themes in a way that only a story so trusting of its players can pull off. It’s not perfect, but Endwalker’s tale feels so authentically conveyed, even despite how big FFXIV has become, that many players will feel like it might as well be.

Grim Dawn: Ashes of Malmouth is an excellent expansion to an already excellent ARPG. As I have spent time with the title’s expansion I cannot help but remember and compare it to how it felt to play through Diablo 2’s Lord of Destruction expansion. In many ways, Ashes offers the same types of refinement, story rich campaign and quality of life features that LOD did to D2. This is high praise for any expansion and if you are an owner of Grim Dawn I highly recommend picking up Ashes of Malmouth as it will be a great addition and continuation to an amazing Indie ARPG.

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.

What faults I've found in my time with the title are minor in comparison to the leaps and bounds the game has made towards taking MMORPGs to new places. ArenaNet set out to make a game they wanted to play. Along the way, they've created one of the best titles of the year in any genre, and indeed one of the best MMORPGs ever made.

There is no question that Grim Dawn moves along familiar lines: Base classes, a tragic world inhabited by monsters in a wide variety of flavors, nearly constant loot drops, action-oriented combat, somewhat "lite" yet interesting story, etc. Somehow, though, Grim Dawn just does it better than any other ARPG in recent memory.

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!

Although the true potential of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 feels held back by the limitations of the Switch’s hardware, developer Monolithsoft has clearly taken all of the lessons and experiences that they’ve accumulated over the years and crafted a gem that even Riku the Nopon would consider priceless.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is an excellent game. There are few cyberpunk RPGs available, and none that offer such freeform stealth, and because of that it almost always feels novel. Though the game did suffer some issues with stuttering over time and the rare, brief audio drop out in dialogue, those issues couldn’t hold a candle to the sublime experience of immersing myself into that world. With numerous ways to complete every mission and two rich and satisfying secondary modes, it’s a game that begs to be returned to. In fact, I’ll do just that.

It’s a magnificent foundation for the coming months of patches. Long may it continue.

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.

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.

Even as horrible as I am at the combat it is impossible to deny the melee fighting is a welcome reprieve from the usual first-person shooter or Diablo-esque hack-n-slash combat.

I think that, despite showing its age, Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition lives up to being one of the greatest JRPGs in the last couple decades. Its story and gameplay are timeless and, although I was personally overwhelmed by its inventory system, the amount of customizability and freedom that comes with the plethora of gear available makes it highly replay-able to boot. The additional content, including the new Casual and Expert modes, the Time Attack Challenges, and the extra story Future Connected epilogue, makes this the best version of Xenoblade Chronicles available to date, as well as cements it as one of the best values in gaming on the Nintendo Switch.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a triumph for Ubisoft, and one of the best games I’ve played all year. After almost 70 hours in Viking-era England, I still have more to explore and uncover with Eivor, and I can’t wait to dive back in for more. The story is excellent, leaving me eager to see what’s next, and while it had moments where it felt a little dissonant with what Eivor was doing as well as some pacing problems, overall I enjoyed my romp through England.

Beyond Light is an incredibly strong reminder that what Bungie has been delivering to Destiny is more than an expansion-a-year live service game, but an ever-evolving, grim dark world filled with rich lore, nuanced characters, and questions yet unanswered. While the plot has a mix of missed (or purposefully delayed) opportunities with developing some characters while creating some powerful, gut-wrenchingly emotional moments with others.

When A Plague Tale: Innocence was released in 2019, it quickly became my favorite game of the year. It was dark and emotional while combining puzzles and combat in a way that separated it from other games released at the time. Therefore, it should be no surprise that I found A Plague Tale: Requiem to be absolutely brilliant. It expands on and surpasses everything that the original did well. The only difference is the competition is a bit stiffer and it has to settle for my second favorite game of the year.

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.

The magic of the franchise is still there and I emotionally connected with this game the same now as I did with some of the other great entries at different points through my life. I may have ended up skipping a few along the way but XV definitely brought the allure and luster back. This really is a Final Fantasy for both new and old hats to the franchise alike.

Victoria 3 is a game that has captivated me now for weeks. I love the level of granular detail Paradox Games allow me to dive into, and Victoria 3 has this in droves. But my favorite parts of Paradox Games are the alternate history playthroughs. I found myself talking to friends and family about the quirks of the countries in my playthrough as if it were real geopolitical news. Every second in Vicky 3 I was hooked, sometimes finding myself sitting at my desk for hours into the night, losing track of the time yet never getting tired of the simulation. I craved more. And for me, that is high praise. As someone for who it takes quite a bit to really hook me, Victoria 3 certainly has in a big way. In fact, I think I’ll start my next campaign right now.

Tyranny is a game that must be played by any RPG fan. Some may knock its “old school” approach and style, but that’s about the only complaint that could be levied against such a wonderfully unique and deep RPG. It does everything Pillars of Eternity tried to do and it does so better. Consider Tyranny highly recommended and one of the best RPGs of the year.

Assassin’s Creed Origins is the best Assassin’s Creed game in years. I’m really tempted to say it’s my favorite game in the series period but it’s too soon to know for sure on that count. Hopefully this is a rebirth for the series and we’ll see further iterations and continuing in this style moving forward.

Ghost of Tsushima is the samurai game I’ve personally always wanted, and it’s one I can find myself diving into just to explore the world and take in the sights as I play, helping Jin find some small measure of peace along the way, assuming the wind guides us there.

The remakes of these two classic games were masterfully done. Square Enix is no stranger to remakes and upgrades but they have outdone themselves with this iteration of X / X-2. From the orchestrated score, to the increased polygon count and improved textures the game is atheistically better in every way. If you missed out on playing these games on the PS2 this new layer of polish on these classic gems will leave you unable to guess one is 14 years old this year.

When Morrowind was released last year, it was what I’d call Peak ESO. Now that Summerset is here, it’s raised that bar even more. Where Zenimax takes the game next is anyone’s guess, but I know I’ll be there to find out.

While my frustration and bitterness towards the multiplayer remains stubbornly rigid in this most recent Call of Duty outing, it simply isn’t enough to impede my adulation for the campaign. If nothing else, you should play Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War for the campaign alone. I really do believe it’s a worthwhile experience, and marks a return to form for Treyarch of old.

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.

Overall I enjoyed the Kingdom Hearts 3 Re:Mind DLC and finding out about the endings and what it could hold for the future of the series. The Re:Mind DLC was not long, but I didn’t really expect it to be long at all as it was just neat wrap up to a great story so far. The Limit Cut Episode brought a lot of questions, and I have so much speculation with how it ended, which I’ll not state here in order to avoid spoilers. I did not like high level requirements for the Limit Cut Episode, but I love the game so I will level up to unlock the endings for myself. Either way, the KH3 Re:Mind DLC was very cinematic with its cutscenes, and a very enjoyable DLC for a very enjoyable game.

Both a fantastic port and still a fantastic game.

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.

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.

Persona 5 Strikers is a brilliantly executed melding of the Dynasty Warriors style gameplay with Persona 5 characters and systems. It delivers a solid story while staying true to the roots of both games. There were some small issues with how some of the systems were set up, the default sorting for the items list for one, and I wish some of the actual content of my P5R saves would have carried over. Despite these minor issues, I had a blast hanging with the Phantom Thieves again and working to make the world a better place. I would never have thought to ask for this melding, but it's a beautiful experience.

Zenimax Online’s inaugural Chapter is a fresh start for game that’s already proven itself as one of the genre’s best titles. It didn’t need to get as good as Morrowind, but here we are. Morrowind, along with all the rest of the DLC we’ve received, has made it so that I don’t care to ever see the basic content of ESO again. That’s profound.

It’s one of the best action RPGs I’ve ever played. It’s brutally difficult, but never cheap, and it’s one of the most atmospheric games in recent years. If you fancy hard games, if you love a good deep RPG that doesn’t hold your hand, then you owe it to yourself to play this one. It’s a shame it’s only on the PS4, but frankly, Bloodborne is worth buying the system to play.

Deathloop is one of the best games to hit in 2021. It’s confident, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it combines what makes Arkane games great – and makes it better.

Dishonored 2’s beautifully bleak world, incredibly level design, and top notch AI make for an altogether grand experience that will have fans of the classic Thief series truly enthralled.

I greatly enjoyed my time playing Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. The combat feels great, even though it can get repetitive, and the lightsaber gameplay is some of the best there has ever been in a Star Wars game... There are so many aspects of Jedi: Fallen Order that I loved, and I hope we get to see more from Respawn in the future. For now, I think this is the Star Wars game we’ve been looking for.

Is Pillars of Eternity the perfect game? No, but it is an incredibly good one. When fans backed the Kickstarter to the tune of nearly four million dollars, they did so on the promise of Obsidian returning to their roots; more than that, that they would return we RPG players to our roots. By taking cues from the past, Pillars of Eternity bears lessons for future developers. Accessibility is fine, but players learn to love depth. Cutscenes are important, but less so than a well-crafted story. And the world itself should be the reason to explore, not the experience from the 100th bandit. Pillars isn’t perfect, no, but it may just be a modern classic.

Burning Crusade Classic has been an excellent launch of some of Blizzard’s best expansion content to date. It’s an excellent experience for veterans and players who never got to experience Burning Crusade the first time around. However, if you are looking for an authentic TBC experience, this isn’t it. I mean, you can’t get that no matter what because part of the experience is we all knew so little about WoW’s inner workings, and there’s no way to recreate that. If you’re looking for a version of WoW, that’s a bit of a slower pace and less handholding (unless, of course, you get certain addons), then you should probably give Burning Crusade Classic a try.

When you finish Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, you’re going to be elated. MachineGames’ sequel is probably one of the most cathartic experiences I’ve had in gaming.

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.

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?

Overall, in spite of things that should bring Genshin Impact down, the game is so much fun to play that the negatives are ultimately minor gripes. [...] The gameplay is smooth and simplistic, and it works great on all platforms - though I’m still not sure why the PlayStation version can’t be linked to a Mihoyo account so I could play on my phone when I’m not at home (PS Vita version please??) but it’s a small gripe to an otherwise terrific game.

These games were BioWare at the height of their powers. BioWare showed us the culmination of everything they learned from their previous games and created a story truly epic in scale…and they actually pulled it off. It devastates me, then, to know these games are from a bygone era. The BioWare which crafted these games simply doesn’t exist anymore. Replaying these three titles continues to hammer that point home. I know I’m cherishing every second I’m spending within Legendary Edition. These games are a treasure and deserve to be recognized as such.

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.

Obviously, Shadowlands isn't perfect. There are some balancing and tweaking which need to be done and will continue throughout the expansion. However, this is an expansion where I can honestly say the core systems feel solid.[...] Blizzard has struck an outstanding balance between giving us plenty to do and respecting the fact not everyone can play 24/7. I'm currently at a point where when I have free time, I want to log in and do things instead of feeling like I have to for x, y, or z reason. It's a great feeling.

Dragonflight has been the revitalization that World of Warcraft sorely needed after Shadowlands. Yes, there are some issues that still could use some work, but that’s the nature of MMO development, especially when you change things up to such a degree as this expansion did. I’m also heartened to see them willing to make big adjustments like they have planned in 10.0.5. I honestly thought Guardians were going to have to suck it up until 10.1, at the least for a talent tree rework. If they can keep this up and regularly deliver content and adjustments, Dragonflight could be the best expansion World of Warcraft has ever done.

What makes Darkest Dungeon a fascinating experience isn't the rich character progression and overarching strategy, but the way it manages to make each character feel like a living, breathing human before asking you how much you'll ruin them to increase your bottom line. There's pockets of subtext that I continually filled with my own moral struggle. Spaces left ingeniously blank where, when I allow myself to reflect on my actions, I realize that the greatest evil isn't waiting at the end of a dimly lit crypt. It is sitting right in this chair, typing these words.

Cyberpunk 2077 is not perfect. But the fact is, it doesn’t need to be to completely surpass my expectations. Given my experience and placing that against my expectations, I can unequivocally say that Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the greatest games I have ever played. The brilliant world, outstanding level design, seemingly endless density of detail paired with exceptional performances in incredibly engaging stories, all backed by truly groundbreaking graphics technology combine to create a supremely exceptional experience.

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.

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.

If you liked Final Fantasy VII Remake, you're going to love Intergrade. I know that sentence has a lot of "well DUH" energy, but it's the truth; at its core this is an enhanced version of one of 2020's best games. From visuals to framerate, Intergrade improves upon the original, with some scenes really popping off of the screen thanks to the PlayStation 5's prowess. Intermission is at its core more of the same, but the tandem attacks are an excellent addition and the story implications are intriguing. It's not Part 2, and Lord knows when that's actually happening, but for now Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade scratches the FFVII Remake itch.

The gameplay loop is tight and rewarding. You are left feeling you have accomplished something each time you take down a monster. Some of the monsters are truly giant and monstrous and offer a variety of different challenges. Capcom has managed to make one of the first must-play titles of 2018.

Final Fantasy XV may not feel like an older game from the franchise, but that doesn't mean it's bad. I grew up with the older Final Fantasy game and while XV is different, that doesn't make it a bad game in the franchise. I enjoyed my time spent in game and look forward to doing more.

It has a beautiful art style going for it and fun behemoth fights as well as weapon mechanics.

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.

Hitman 3 defies every expectation I had for it, from the size of its maps to the scope of its missions. I am truly free to approach these jobs however I wish, so long as the objectives are met, and that freedom is downright exhilarating. It’s not without its foibles, the inconsistency with its enemies being one that I ran into, but any issues are easily overcome by the quality of the overall experience. This may be 47’s last hurrah for a while, but dang if he doesn’t go out swinging.

Skyrim may be aging, but it’s still easily one of the best RPGs ever made, and a pure joy to play on the Switch. Add-on support would be nice, and the PC version is still definitely the most “complete” version because of the modding, but if you’ve ever wished you could have Skyrim on the go - Bethesda and Nintendo just granted that wish.

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.

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.

Overall, End of Dragons feels like ArenaNet has taken all the lessons of both Heart of Thorns and Path of Fire and honed their newest expansion into the best of both. The few areas where things aren't quite there, they are working hard at fixing them in the right way, which will be best over the long term, rather than quick kneejerk solutions. This is the perfect capstone to the story they have been telling for the last ten years, and this expansion makes me excited to see where they will go from here.

In the end, Final Fantasy VII REMAKE is a fantastic game – one that fans of the original should play. The new story beats and incredibly jaw-dropping conclusion left me yearning for more. And while some might be bummed this is simply the first installment in an episodic series of remakes, I don’t feel gipped by the episodic nature here. After forty hours with the JRPG, I’m eager to go back to relive chapters of the game, finding collectibles and powerups I might have missed throughout my first playthrough.

When it comes to first-person shooters, Doom Eternal is one of those games that you can get lost in. The combination of graphics, story, and intense action is enough to keep you playing for hours, pushing for “one more try” after a demon inevitably eats your lunch. In a time when people are grasping for something to occupy their minds, Doom Eternal couldn’t have come at a better time.

I can’t recommend Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire enough. It’s no secret that GW2 has been one of my favorite MMORPGs for the last five years, but Heart of Thorns really tested that notion for me. Path of Fire puts things squarely back in the right direction for ArenaNet’s flagship. The Mounts, the zones, the Masteries, and the story all bundle up together to make one delicious stew of gaming goodness. For $30 (Standard Edition), you really can’t go wrong. Welcome back to the best of the best, Guild Wars 2. Keep it up.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a stupendous achievement for CD Projekt Red. This is a studio rich in love for the RPG genre, and it shows. With each consecutive release, their craft has been finer and finer tuned. If Wild Hunt is any indication, the next game from the Polish band of gamers will be something to behold. Most of you are probably already playing Wild Hunt and loving it. If for some reason you’re on the fence, hop off and go to your favorite gaming retailer now. This is not one you want to miss. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt an absolute classic.

Overall, Dauntless is a ton of fun and a great game to play alone or with friends. It occupies realm of easy to pick-up hard to master perfectly and offers a ridiculous amount of gameplay for free. There are seven different weapons which you can freely switch between, and all of them offer a unique playstyle and abilities to master. Dauntless is the perfect game to run around with your friends in or to play by yourself focusing on your goals.

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!

My overall experience with the mechanics of Planetfall is that their complexity brings the worlds to life, but the mechanics described above may be too much for beginners, even with the comprehensive tutorial system. That said, I really hope that Triumph Studios takes some design decisions for future fantasy installments.

I think Nioh 2 is one of the most underrated titles of 2020 and launched at a dreadfully inopportune time. Thankfully, The Complete Edition brings all of the new missions, weapons, magic, and ninjutsu skills that were added post-launch and brings it to PC. This is by far my favorite Souls-like or Soulsborne game and I applaud Team Ninja for pushing Nioh to an elevated status in Nioh 2 and introducing new mechanics, like Burst Counter, instead of letting the combat remain static. Despite the lack of graphical options to choose from, Nioh 2 still ran fantastic and much smoother than on my PS4 Pro. If you are at all interested in a new and challenging Souls-like game, or just love grinding for loot, then Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition is a must-buy on PC.

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.

There are bound to be two camps this year. One which loves the Witcher 3 with all of its heart, and one whose love belongs to Fallout 4. For my part, I’m torn between the two. But for what it’s worth Fallout 4 has certainly topped its predecessors as my favorite game in the series and sets a new bar for what to expect from a Bethesda RPG in the future.

This is your grandpappy’s old-school RPG, but it is made for the modern day. It’s made for RPG lovers of all types, ages, and experience. Bard’s Tale 4 follows squarely in the footsteps of giants without missing a beat. It has taken all those classic features and brought them into modern game play. It feels both fresh and true to its roots, at the same time. I highly recommend this to veterans and newcomers to the series alike.

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.