Dying Light 2 gives us a sandbox to live and die for. This is the premier adventure game that marries combat and parkour systems for an exceptionally thrilling experience. And while there are moments where the narrative stumbles in terms of consequences, it doesn't matter as waves of zombies move in for the kill. I look forward to the many more hours of content that await on the other side of this campaign.

Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 does more than its contemporaries, but sadly, it needs more to stay prominent in this gaming space. This is a follow-up, so you’d expect the game to grow with the fans, but as it stands, the ceiling is much too low. Regardless, I had a great time playing through these arcs and hanging out with these characters. The way this cast overcomes some of the most one-sided fights is incredible to witness with a controller in hand, and I can’t overstate how badass I feel being able to say I took down an Upper Rank demon.

Heading Out delivers a captivating narrative-driven experience, distinctively blending racing and adventure with a choice-driven storyline. Set against the backdrop of a visually stark yet intriguing open road, the game challenges players with moral dilemmas and strategic decision-making that significantly impact gameplay. While the main attraction lies in the enthralling scenarios and robust character interactions, the repetitive racing mechanics and less engaging driving portions may detract from the overall experience.

Card-en-Ciel is a highly addictive deck-building roguelite from Inti Creates, blending grid-based combat inspired by Mega Man Battle Network with fast-paced dungeon-crawling action. While the story may take a backseat, the dynamic gameplay and rewarding progression systems shine through. With excellent English voice acting and a perfect fit for portable play on the Switch, this underappreciated gem is one of the best gameplay-focused titles of 2024.

Assault Suits Valken Declassified is a superb package that not only restores and updates a Bonafide classic but comes jam-packed with worthwhile extras. The extras go beyond novelty as the strategy guide, interviews, and even a fully recorded perfect playthrough all help get the most out of this mech action game. The core experience is brutally challenging with a steep learning curve, yet it has never looked or played better than it does here. This is an easy recommendation to fans, and while it may seem intimidating to newcomers, there’s a lot to explore and discover here, and all of it is rewarding.

Volta-X manages to be a competent robot fighter, full of unique systems, and a design that will surely excite lovers of classic kaiju media. Its pacing makes it difficult to engage in its initial offerings entirely, but it ends up shaping into an enjoyable real-time strategy combat game. Through its blending of interactive team management features and one vs. one mech battles, I’d say Volta-X is worth checking out, at least for a few rounds.

If you're going to play Days Gone, do yourself a favor and play it on PC. There's a decent level of options here for PC players to fine-tune their experience and even quality-of-life features missing from other PC-only titles. The story can be messy, but the more you progress, the clearer the intent of this staggered narrative becomes. The level of immersion is high in some areas, but Days Gone knows when to be a game and when to challenge the player's patience with mundane systems. This game is a must for survival action fans.

Void Terrarium++ is a fun dungeon crawler RPG that doesn’t need to be exclusive to PS5, but it is. Fans of last-gen versions shouldn’t feel required to upgrade because this is the same adventure with a few added diseases to cure and emotes to obtain. Still, it’s a low-tension and overly charming title and one that I feel is worth it for new players. The game loop is addictive, and the reward of making Toriko safe and happy is enough to push on to the next dungeon floor.

Twelve Minutes is an engrossing adventure that is more about the journey than the destination. It’s not the most thrilling or thought-provoking story out there, but it still satiates that mystery craving. The star-studded casting elevates the atmosphere, and the involvement of the player is a unique way to take on the classic point-and-click genre. Though you’ll have to suffer through lengthy moments of tedium and irritation, there’s a lot to unpack and discover in this intriguing tale.

Rise of the Ronin masterfully combines a rich historical fantasy narrative with intricate combat mechanics, creating an immersive experience that respects and challenges player choices. Its expansive world and character-driven story offer a depth that goes beyond traditional action games, despite minor traversal issues and graphical hiccups. The game's strength lies in its narrative, testing loyalties and allowing for genuine exploration of its thematic divides. Team Ninja's venture into open-world design showcases their prowess in blending engaging storytelling with rewarding gameplay. Although it faces comparisons to visually stunning titles like Ghost of Tsushima, Rise of the Ronin stands out for its compelling narrative and strategic combat, making it a significant achievement for players seeking depth and complexity.

Hindsight offers a look into a life that could very easily be one of our own. It’s a glimpse into a very personal subject that many people can relate to and handles it with maturity and grace. As a game, it offers a short, bittersweet ride that might be too costly for some. But as an ‘experience,’ it delivers satisfying emotional catharsis and is a poignant reminder that we don’t always know the whole story regarding our friends and family.

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster is the definitive way to experience this PS2 classic. The updated visuals, voice acting, and quality-of-life changes make it a must-play for fans both new and returning. There are some heavy and impactful moments of storytelling telling here that have aged incredibly well, with the only downside being not having enough money to fuse demons for a Yaksini or Loki.

Kotama and Academy Citadel delivers a visually striking sci-fi metroidvania experience that thrives on its bold anime aesthetics and satisfying combat systems. While the story lacks cohesion and the translation often falters, the game’s inventive mechanics and weighty encounters keep players engaged. Despite some unclear systems and rough onboarding, its core gameplay loop stands strong for genre enthusiasts seeking challenge and flair.

If the Voice of Cards series continues, I hope they either refine the gameplay systems or undergo a major enough shakeup to breathe new life for returning players. Still, if you enjoyed the last two games, this one will likely be up your alley and is worth considering. Though, those who were not drawn in beforehand won’t find anything to compel them this time around either.

Until Then offers a compelling coming-of-age story infused with supernatural elements. Set in a post-disaster town, players follow high schooler Mark and his friends as they navigate personal challenges and mysterious occurrences. Despite some narrative pacing issues and a lack of supernatural exploration, the game's immersive setting, relatable character dynamics, and unique visual presentation make it a captivating experience.

There may not be a lot to say about Final Fantasy XVI Echoes of the Fallen, but that doesn’t necessarily signify a lack of quality. Its few hours of gameplay offer an enjoyable dungeon experience with memorable enemy encounters that rival and even surpass those in the base game. While the narrative may not be the main attraction, it does set the stage for The Rising Tide DLC, which has been confirmed to be a more substantial experience. Ultimately, Echoes of the Fallen is a worthwhile addition for fans, while those who are more hesitant should exercise caution.

En Garde! is a delightful action title boasting strong enemy and combat design, a likable cast, and a stellar soundtrack. Still, the adventure felt a little too brief, resulting in the gameplay mechanics not feeling like they had reached their greatest potential. While you do unlock an Arena mode that offers additional opportunities to experience the combat system thanks to modifiers, it’s not as substantial as I would have hoped. Regardless, casual and diehard action lovers will undoubtedly have a memorable time with En Garde!, as I believe it elegantly manages to be worthwhile for both general audiences.

Pac-Man 99 is an exceptionally entertaining Battle Royale boasting a genius incorporation of speedy matches and on-the-fly strategy. Its default, free mode, is where players will be spending most, if not all of their time duking it out, while it’s pricey, paid packages are tough sells that offer very little in the realms of replayability or meaning. I personally recommend sticking to the free version, but if you find yourself wanting some more variety, no matter how slight it is, those extra modes are there for you to pick up.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War acts as a return to form for the series as Treyarch takes a safe approach to design and online modes. The campaign’s choice-driven narrative is a huge plus as it helped introduce a level of immersion that the series desperately needed, but it relies a bit too heavily on the big twists than the smaller story beats. With a foundation as good as this laid out, it will be interesting to see how it evolves in future updates.

Necrobarista: Final Pour is a compelling and, I don’t use this lightly, thought-provoking tale about dealing with what comes after, told in a unique way with a cast of incredibly relatable characters. It’s like hanging out with a group of friends at a coffee shop and considering the state of things as this review is being written. So you might just need that.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen gives western players the missing piece to this almost 20-year-old story. The updated visuals and balance of narrative and battles creates an experience that's more approachable to new fans, but still true to the series.

Threefold Recital masterfully combines a rich eastern-inspired aesthetic with innovative gameplay and heartfelt storytelling. While minor localization issues and gameplay limitations detract slightly, the compelling tale of three beastlings navigating a magical yet futuristic world makes this indie adventure a memorable journey.

Love Eternal is a punishing psychological horror platformer built around a single gravity reversal mechanic that pushes precision to its limits. Brika crafts a stark, unsettling world where every room feels like a trial of patience and mastery, rewarding persistence with genuine satisfaction. While its minimalist design and focused mechanics create intense, memorable platforming highs, limited quality of life features, occasional technical issues, and a steep difficulty curve may test even seasoned players.

Watch Dogs: Legion is an interesting game in that it doesn’t feature a real main protagonist outside of the comical AI, Bagley. You may not care about each individual character, but their collective goal makes the narrative worth seeing through. The way you can take on missions any way you wish rings truest in this title, and what better set piece to do it all in than a fully realized London. Looking past some of the open-world janks may be required, but Watch Dogs: Legion is a hacking great time.

Bandle Tale offers a refreshing, exploration-focused departure from the traditional League of Legends gameplay, emphasizing crafting, community building, and personalization with your own Yordle hero. Its unique approach, combining a serene gameplay experience with strategic elements like base placement and emotional well-being progression, makes it stand out. Despite some repetitiveness in quests, the game's charm, engaging narrative, and vibrant world-building ensure a captivating experience.

The game offers a nice balance of discovery and battles as you find yourself deeper into the strange environments. Sure, the animations and AI can be a bit wonky, but it doesn’t hinder the game’s sense of fun. While the main adventure can take around 10 hours to complete, those who set off the beaten path will get the most out of this very savage planet.

The Wild at Heart has a satisfying gameplay loop of resource management and exploration. The puzzles aren’t challenging, but they serve as an acceptable means to an end of pointing players where to go. The colors and tones of Fall present a cute, yet somber accent to the bittersweet plot of running away to a hopefully better place. Wake is provided with actions that are unique to him, such as his vacuum ability, but it doesn’t quite elevate the game to surpassing genre conventions. Potential buyers should focus on whether the mysterious environments and curious characters entice them, rather than the simply adequate puzzle elements.

Voidwrought is a dark, atmospheric metroidvania that excels in audio design and exploration. While its gameplay doesn’t break new ground, it offers an accessible experience for newcomers, blending fast-paced combat with intriguing lore and light base-building mechanics.