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.

Destiny 2: The Final Shape is a must-play for any Destiny fan and I highly recommend jumping back in even if you’ve lapsed in recent years. Depending on exactly how much you’ve missed though, I’d suggest at least looking up a Lore video first to get caught up.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Truly there are not enough good things to say about Torchlight II even with the minor issues it does have. It is one of the most refreshingly fun action RPGs ever. Its predecessor was lots of fun too. But with the addition of multiplayer, the dungeon generator and the modding tools, the series becomes something special, something different on the scene and something worthy of your time and money to play. Runic Games has my vote for Developer of the Year.

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.

On a more personal level, Hearthstone is solid enough that if it gets its hooks in you, they will dig deep. The game takes on a Civilization-like level of addictiveness where instead of one more turn, you’ll often tell yourself “just one more game”. That one more game can quickly become five, or ten, or more depending on how much time you have to spend and I imagine this is going to only be amplified once the mobile versions of the game come online.

Monster Hunter Rise is some of the most fun I’ve gotten to enjoy on my Nintendo Switch since the system launched. It brings back some of the traditional aspects of Monster Hunter, but still respects my time and lets me get into the action faster than ever. I would say that Rise is probably the easiest Monster Hunter game to get into now, and the portable nature of playing it on the Switch means that it’s enjoyable virtually everywhere. Unfortunately, the list of monsters is one of the lowest in the franchise’s history and, as of right now, the story is still unfinished. It’s well-polished and fun to play, but feels incomplete and lacks any kind of endgame. I wish the fun wouldn’t end, but after only about 50 hours spent in-game, there wasn't much left to see.

My only caveat is that it may be too easy at first, even for a total newbie to the series or genre. So if you can't see yourself beating the campaign multiple times per character, you might want to consider this. Give the chance for the game to get its hooks in you, though, and you're likely to be playing Diablo III for quite a while.

Monster Hunter World is a solid title that will soak up a lot of time if you enjoy beautiful graphics, hunting beautiful, dangerous and unique creatures, and crafting buttloads of weapons and gear.

The leveling curve is stellar and the open zones make adventuring with friends a positive experience given scaling.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

Info on what skills are effective on an enemy is proudly displayed on the battle screen, you can use your last-used poke-ball without diving into the menus and so forth. Lots of time obviously went into making Pokémon feel more convenient and less tiresome to play.

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.

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.

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.

Legend of Zelda - Link’s Awakening is great remake of the classic. Beautiful visuals, updated controls and an added Dungeon builder all breath new life into the title. Despite some frame rate issues, the game is a blast to play through and worth picking up not only if you love Zelda but also for those looking for an easy point of entry into the franchise.

Info on what skills are effective on an enemy is proudly displayed on the battle screen, you can use your last-used poke-ball without diving into the menus and so forth. Lots of time obviously went into making Pokémon feel more convenient and less tiresome to play.

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.

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.