Few fighting games offer enticing background stories without neglecting the multiplayer aspect. Injustice 2 provides a balanced gameplay experience for both single and multiplayer fans, which I believe is its strongest quality. The amount of content is huge and can satisfy just about any type of gamer that wants to try it out.

Beat Slayer’s core mechanic is good. As long as players stay on the beat and mix and match their attacks, kicks, and dashes, they can deal with a wide array of enemy combinations. The game also has a good variety of upgrades for Mia and two extra weapons to unlock. This futuristic version of Berlin is interesting, although her sidekicks can be a little forgettable. The title’s rogue-lite implementation does not impress, which is disappointing considering the opportunities for innovation its universe offers. Boss battles also lack the excitement of normal arenas. Beat Slayer has good music, a strong main concept, and is welcoming to newcomers while delivering a challenge for action-rhythm fans.

While the main storyline doesn't exactly live up to expectations and it has quite a few smaller annoyances, it's still a blast to play and should offer hundreds of hours of enjoyment to any RPG fan.

Episode 3: Catch a Ride manages to continue the great showing of the adventure series made by Telltale. It's fun, intense, and manages to really develop not only its original characters but also some of the stablished Vault Hunters from previous games.

WARNO is a great World War III strategy game. It takes the best elements of previous titles created by Eugen Systems and expands on them. Battles are realistic but also fun. The five Army General campaigns will keep a fan engaged for tens of hours. Multiplayer is robust, with a variety of maps and divisions to choose from. The game looks good, and the soundtrack is fantastic. The way maps are picked for Army general battles needs to be tweaked and, of course, there’s plenty of balancing for units and divisions to be done. WARNO will appeal primarily to players who already like Wargame or Steel Division but any strategy fan interested in alternate Cold War history should also pick it up.

Godbreakers was a great game for me, even if it’s quite short. Provided that you have a good team, it will take you 3 hours or so to do a full run as you beat the final boss. However, there’s tons of content to unlock, along with countless runs to unlock everything. That being said, if you’re ok with repetitive gameplay that’s normal for roguelites, I think Godbreakers will be right up your alley. The game worlds feel very immersive and rewarding. And the game continues to impress with the visual style and incredible attention to detail. I do wish there was more content beyond the 6 worlds, and hopefully they add more content in future updates and DLCs. But even for what’s there, Godbreakers delivers on its promise, and it’s a very rewarding experience, not to mention it feels great while playing, which is the most important thing.

Synergy puts an interesting new spin on some well-known gameplay mechanics. I like how alien the world feels and the way the systems encourage players to pay attention and discover ways to exploit the environment without destroying it. Sure, sometimes water is needed fast and gourds should be ripped out of the ground, but that doesn’t translate into a solid production chain. The game also looks great, with a unique art style and a lot of attention to detail. Tighter integration between the environmental analysis and the expeditions would have been cool. Synergy’s systems have depth, the scenarios are challenging, and the mechanics offer just the right mix of familiar and innovative.

Ni no Kuni II is one of those games that delivers a positive vibe not just through gameplay, but deeper stories, solid characters, as well as outstanding visuals and soundtrack. Moreover, it comes with fresh ideas that make it more engaging and fun, something that we rarely get these days from major franchises.

Hearthstone still offers the unlikely kind of blend of strategy and accessibility that made it a hit, and now it's even better, with more fun interactions to take advantage of.

If you’re new to the game, Tom Clancy's The Division 2 will fill a void. The fact that it’s a PvE game shouldn’t be a reason not to play, even if only for the single player part. You’ll find it entertaining, and who knows, maybe you’ll also make some new friends. If you’re a Division veteran, that you’ll love Tom Clancy's The Division 2 for all the new stuff it brings, and for the way it fixed the gameplay from the first game. It never feels like a chore to go look for some better gear, and that’s pretty much the highlight of any loot shooter. Tom Clancy's The Division 2 is a winner for Ubisoft and proof that smart things can be done with loot shooters if they are handled the right way.

Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening perfectly evokes the original game's presentation on the Game Boy, while bringing the visuals up to date using ingenious toy-like character and diorama world designs. With a top-notch presentation and charming gameplay, Link's Awakening is the living proof that any good game, no matter how old it is, can be revived and brought to new audiences.

Expeditions: Rome knows how to make history exciting and engaging. The tactical engagements offer variety and challenge. Controlling a legion is makes the player feel powerful. Interacting with the likes of Mithridates through dialogue will appeal to history lovers but you don’t have to know the period to enjoy the narrative. I spend 40 hours with the game and plan on going back to try other ideas and other tactical setups. I would have liked to see a little more innovation in the tactical combat and, maybe, more mechanics for the legion side of the game. Expeditions: Rome needs a few hours to get going but once that’s done it has a lot of fun and cool historical moments for its fans.

I can’t help feel (that word again) that Call of Duty: WWII is a definite improvement in the series, and I can only hope that they will choose to remain in this time period. Now that Sledgehammer Games proved they are up to the task, it’s very likely they will continue with some great releases. The community was not expecting this kind of quality from the franchise, especially after the declining trend of the previous titles, but it’s definitely a nice surprise and worth checking out, especially if you’re a PC gamer.

After Ninja Raiden Ragebound, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance continues to offer amazing ninja platforming. However, SHINOBI stands out with a modern, hand-drawn visual style, a more methodical battle system and longer levels. That being said, the cool part that comes from finding collectibles and secrets is still there. The action is great, and they never shy away from bringing challenging bosses.

The only thing I'm sad about is the lack of the other two expansions included in the Complete version.

Pillars of Eternity is a must-buy for anyone who has played classic titles like Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights or Planescape, and it will certainly deliver the story, the conversations, the companions, the combat and the big themes that they are yearning for.

A great expansion for an already solid grand strategy title, and it feels like the first one to feel essential since Wealth of Nations.

Crusader Kings II: Conclave represents the best incarnation of the veteran grand strategy title from Paradox Development Studio, a great experience for any player who loves history and wants to explore the many what if situations of the past.

Football Manager 2021 is a very good management game. It offers more options than before, takes up more time than ever, delivers such an accurate take on the real-world sport that it is sometimes unnerving. It also makes it a little harder to create truly alternate worlds, like one where Wrexhman wins the Premier League. For those who want something that moves faster and is more focused on just tactics, the Touch version of the game is a better choice. I love the depth that the series has been adding and I don’t mind playing at the most 3 or 4 seasons in one run. But for those who want 20 year-long attempts at greatness, with plenty of regens and takeovers, delegation and quick matches are the right way to go. Football Manager 2021 is a game best enjoyed a few virtual matches a night, preferably with some real-world football in the background, wondering whether you can get Fulham out of that bind (maybe, in a season or three) or if you can be the one to lead 1. FC Koln to greatness (it might take a decade).

Rise of the Tomb Raider successfully reiterates the success of its predecessor by updating and upgrading quite a few different things, like combat, crafting, or RPG mechanics, while improving the environmental design and the general flow of the campaign. There are very few downsides, and no matter if you were a longtime fan or not, you can have plenty of intense fun with Lara’s latest adventures.

More action-focused players will be unable to enjoy Sunless Sea at first, but I hope they take their time to learn what it has to offer and enjoy their trips in the Unterzee, with all the emotion and the frustration that comes packaged in them.

While it may not please everyone and might even cause anger amongst longtime Borderlands fans due to a pretty big moment, it tells a great story and manages to set up the final chapter in a solid way.

Flashpoint Campaigns: Cold War is one of the best World War III strategy simulations, mainly because of how it simulates command and control. Players have to take into account unit capabilities and employ a classic combined arms approach when possible, with simultaneous action and command cycles adding unpredictability and tension. Streamlined postures for all units and more options for the Standard Operating Procedure sections make it easier to try and execute complex plans. The presentation is pretty classic, which might make it hard for newcomers to engage. Flashpoint Campaigns: Cold War expands on all the cool ideas of Southern Storm (a discount is offered for owners of that title), and its variety of campaigns and scenarios is impressive.

The developers have nailed the sense of progression and the tension that the genre is built around. The presentation is very old-school, which can be a problem for players who have never interacted with MS-DOS titles. It is also integral to the spirit of this game. Loop Hero is a great game for fans of its genre and has plenty of cool mechanics and hooks for those who want to try it out for the first time.

Resident Evil 2 comes in 2019 in all the glory you'd expect from such a mammoth franchise, bringing players new and old the same magnificent story but with spine-chilling new graphics and mechanics that will make even those of you with nerves of steel to experience the occasional lift-off from your gaming couch. Nothing negative can be said regarding the game, except for the difficulty and sense of dread and helplessness you get sometimes, but then again, that is the recipe for a good survival-horror title!

Wax Heads is an impressive achievement. It delivers a great mix of varied music, great record graphical design, exquisite fictional critical texts, and narrative. The universe built around Repeater Records is a lovely one, filled with cool customers and interesting co-workers. Make sure to unlock and play all the songs that were specifically recorded for the game. While the core gameplay loop of using a short prompt to find the best record for each character is great, it can become somewhat repetitive. Playing two or, at most, three days in one session is the go-to move. Wax Heads is a great example of how a two-person team can deliver a great game, infused with passion and packing great songs.

Despite a few downsides like the annoying loading times when you open a door or lack of enemy variety, Hogwarts Legacy is truly a great game that cast its spell on me from the very first few minutes.

The game’s narrative and presentation enhance gameplay without keeping players away from it for too long. The humor adds to the atmosphere and immersion. There are moments when too much is happening in Mr. Sun's Hatbox at once. But this is a game where even failure is entertaining while success opens up more variety and potential strategies.

When all is said and done, we can only marvel at what Konami is doing with PES, despite being the underdog. The latest eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 is fun and great to play, and that’s always what people truly want.

A great installment in the series. While it doesn't overhaul gameplay mechanics all that much, it delivers a fun experience that turns the table on the assassins and shows the conflict from a new angle. Shay is a great character and his assassin hunts are some of the most thrilling sequences in the series so far.

Absolum’s moment-to-moment action is very good, accessible for newcomers, and with plenty of complexity to appeal to side-scrolling combat fans. The heroes play very differently, and their unlockable powers introduce even more variety. They all look great in action, with fluid and powerful moves, and I love the design of both normal enemies and bosses. The fantasy story is decent but not on par with the combat mechanics, and the rogue-like elements are not as inventive as they could be. But, especially when playing with a friend, Absolum creates exciting and fun battles.

Overboard! is a great game for anyone who has played a previous inkle title and liked it. The characters are fun, the lines of dialogue are well-written, the possibilities are all interesting. Veronica manages to be sympathetic despite being all too capable of murder. The replay value of the experience is higher than for any of their previous titles. This means that even for newcomers to the genre this is a great title to take a chance on.

Fans of real-world sport will probably pick F1 Manager 2024 because it gives them the option to create their custom team and then take on the established powers of the sport. It’s fun to pick one of the origins and then strive to use every small competitive advantage to get at least a few wins against the likes of Ferrari or Red Bull. The morale system is a good addition, although it does need a little balancing, and mechanical issues add another level of excitement and dread to the races. The race simulation still creates some weird moments, but it generally feels solid. F1 Manager 2024 is a step forward for the racing series and a solid way to experience Formula 1 in video game form.

Remnant II brings so many improvements over the first game that I’m tempted to ask Gunslinger to remake Remnant: From the Ashes with all the systems they’ve put into the sequel. I’ve rarely been pleasantly surprised by a game like Remnant II. The feeling after managing to kill a boss, discovering a secret area or solving a puzzle and getting rewarded for it, is indescribable. It’s how all the games should be, or at least strive to be. Thanks to solid gunplay and progression systems, as well as amazing boss fights and tons of secrets and puzzles to discover, Remnant II is very close to being a masterpiece. This is one game that you don’t want to skip, regardless of whether or not you like shooters.

Sunset Overdrive is a great open world action adventure game that manages to impress through its rich environments, vibrant colors, and tongue-in-cheek attitude. While the missions are somewhat generic and the enemies are a bit cheap in their attacks, it's still an awesome investment for any Xbox One owner.

The game looks better than ever but plays the same, so newcomers to the series should not skip one of the best JRPGs of all time, I would be “brokenhearted.” On a serious note, Ni no Kuni remains the same charming game that I've played several years ago and I'm glad that Bandai Namco has decided to bring it to a larger audience.

Confidential Killings - A Detective Game is a well-plotted experience with murder cases that grow in complexity at just the right pace. The first few can be solved quickly, basically while looking for the words needed to fill in the solution. Then the number of characters and clues grows significantly, and it takes time to identify everyone and discover exactly what actually happened. The writing is solid, if sometimes designed to deliver clues rather than enhance the atmosphere. The mechanic of picking up words is accessible, while the lack of any hint system is regrettable. Play Confidential Killings - A Detective Game one case at a time and savor its quirky characters and carefully constructed mysteries.

I’ve always liked games like Majesty, and Lessaria is meant to be the successor for those games. And honestly, I think it’s an excellent game in that regard. Not only does it manage to take the core fantasy kingdom simulation gameplay, but it adds its own twists, great buildings and a wonderful hero system. I am a huge fan of the combat system, which is refreshing, especially considering the fact that you can also join heroes in combat. Or you can just be passive and guide them, without being involved in combat yourself. The game’s story is very interesting, I felt involved in the overarching quest, and the game continued to impress with each mission. However, the primary focus is on the gameplay, and you can see that. It’s very polished, beginner-friendly, without being boring. And considering the genre, doing this is certainly a tall order. But Lessaria manages to succeed here, and they do that with flying colors. It’s definitely a must-play for anyone that likes strategy games, but honestly, it’s a good pickup for any cozy gamer that doesn’t mind a bit of combat as well.

Metal Slug Tactics is a tight turn-based tactics video game that gives players a lot of toys to play with and asks them to carefully plan and execute battleplans. Sync moves are cool, especially once the three-man team picks up some solid upgrades, and the Adrenaline mechanic encourages players to move and find efficient combos. Fans of the franchise will probably connect more with the story bits, which can seem a little under-baked. But I like the pixel-driven look and the booming announcer. Metal Slug Tactics successfully delivers the “just one more run” feeling of a good rogue-lite and solid tactical engagements.

F1 22 is without a doubt one of the best titles of the year in the racing sim world. Excellent graphics that take full advantage of the PS5 hardware power, the updated regulations, the new Immersive feature that makes it possible for gamers to control their cars when the Safety Car is on the track, and the pit stop experience overall, all make the game provide an even more realistic Formula One experience.

Wildfrost takes the core ideas of the very popular card-driven genre and makes enough changes to add freshness to it. It does take some time to unlock all the town buildings and the three tribes that can provide leaders and cards. But once that happens, the game offers a wide range of tactical options and it’s fun to discover how various combinations will perform against the capable bosses. The game’s presentation also stands out, with a good level of detail and a strong connection to the theme. Wildfrost features some tough challenges but also offers a constant sense of progression. Playing a few runs every day is a great way to sharpen tactical thinking.

DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition lives up to its name. It offers the already-solid hack and slash experience, plus all of its different add-ons, not to mention a few all-new enhancements that make the game a must-buy.

Bloodborne is the kind of game that keeps you engaged with it long after you put it down, haunting you with a unique mix of hope and hopelessness, flaunting your own shortcomings and provoking you to overcome them through constant struggle, at the end of which awaits only more dread.

The Rise of the Golden Idol is a great sequel and will give all fans of the original plenty of new interesting and violent scenarios to solve. The game’s mechanics are easy to pick up, even for newcomers, with a solid raft of quality-of-life improvements to make it easier to gather clues and find solutions. It would be lovely if the various windows could be resized. The title can cause some frustration when it comes to the big end of the chapter narratives, mainly because of wording that lacks a certain precision. When that happens, do not hesitate to breathe in and out and use the hint system. The Rise of the Golden Idol is good enough that it makes sense to play one or two scenes per session, savoring the many details and the joy associated with some clever deductions.

ICBM: Escalation is a complex game with good real-time strategy mechanics that asks players to overcome existential angst. Winning, after the nukes start flying across the globe, is possible but it involves the death of tons of abstracted-out people. Still, the title makes it compelling to both plan the nuclear annihilation of others and to try and minimize losses. Make sure to play through the tutorial first and it’s a good idea to first engage with the campaign and its more limited scenarios. Standoff and Blitz offer a ton of variety both in terms of setup and potential strategies. ICBM: Escalation is a big game that allows players to set up a variety of scenarios and test out many ways to manage a world-ending nuclear exchange.

Sure, it can get rather hectic at times, but that’s the nature of the beast, after all. Yes, it can take a bit to learn all of its elements and figure out how to create an excellent build. But once you do, you’ll become unstoppable, as you rush through enemies. Shape of Dreams feels very satisfying to play, there’s never a dull moment, and you’ll always feel the itch for one more run.

I loved Destiny 2: Forsaken and I liked Destiny 2. Now that the floodgates are open, I am really interested in seeing what Bungie is planning next. In any case, if you're having any kind of doubts about Destiny 2, that you won’t like it or that it might not be for you, Forsaken should dispel them.

Ratchet & Clank is not an entirely new video game, but it is neither part of the epidemic of remasters for older titles that fail to add anything interesting to the package. Insomniac Games has done a great job of taking the best elements of the original while upgrading both the gameplay and the graphics in order to appeal to modern players.

I'm quite sure that Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn't redefine the open-world genre, but it surely brings it to a much higher level. And it's not just through sheer size that it does that, but by combining writing, visuals, music, voice acting, and gameplay mechanics to deliver an engrossing experience that sometimes is better than the one in the real world.

Being an EA game, albeit developed by Respawn Entertainment, I had some doubts, but they were quickly dispelled. It stands as proof that single-player games can stand on their own. The only problem is that if you rush through it, you could finish Fallen Order in about 12 hours, but that excludes finding the secrets and unlocking all the cool stuff. Lastly, I have to mention the name, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. To me, it sounds like Star Wars Jedi could be a new line of games, with Fallen Order being just the first one. We can only dream.

Anomaly Agent is a great retro-inspired side-scrolling action title. The combat system has depth and delivers some frantic engagements. Surviving a big fight with just a sliver of health feels great. The presentation is solid, with a special mention for the music, and the narrative, despite its familiar beats, is engaging. There’s one mission that involves kicking someone around that will annoy some players and the platforming has some difficult moments. But the game is inventive and imbued with a sense of coolness. Anomaly Agent is accessible to newcomers but also has plenty of challenges for hardcore fans.

Inscryption is another great experience from Daniel Mullins and his studio. Their take on the already very crowded card game and rogue combination is a unique but recognizable one. I liked the combat, the level of complexity, the challenge posed by the bosses. And I loved the way it integrates with the wider world of the game and the story it tells. I would like to see more use for the sacrifice mechanic and some extra ways to cheat the rules. But self-aware creatures, cards that immortalize failed runs, and general creepiness add a lot to the core concepts. Inscryption has all the necessary ingredients to set a new standard of quality for its genre and keep fans engaged for tens of hours.

Imperator: Rome is an example of how hard it can be to reconcile gameplay and history. On launch, the game failed to deliver the mix that players expected from Paradox. The Marius update, especially with the tweaks to warfare, is closer to the historical record while also offering gamers plenty of agency. Heirs of Alexander is a good paid expansion, even considered apart from the free update. The Diadochi wars are fascinating and complex. I played quite a bit as the Antigonids and I still have options to explore. The other successor kingdoms have the same amount of content. For anyone who exhausts the stories of the Diadochi, there's more to discover and more places to conquer when playing as Rome, Carthage, and the rest, making Imperator a joy to return to.

Solium Infernum is an exquisite gamer, with carefully honed mechanics and a lot of freedom. Dominating Hell involves both careful plans and smart reactions to unforeseen events and surprises created by adversaries. The game does ask players to invest time and energy to learn all its mechanics and how they interact with each other. The single player is fun by itself but a willingness to engage in multiplayer unlocks more of the title’s potential. Solium Infernum is a must-have for turn-based fans who want to rule Hell using deceit and strength.

Aces & Adventures has strong deck building and an inspired twist on the card-driven combat concept. There are enough abilities that players can develop strategies and perform cool moves but poker combinations are random enough that the results are never guaranteed. The heroes cater to a variety of play styles and there’s a lot of content to explore using each of them. The campaign structure is a little familiar but a lot of effort has been put into the presentation. Aces & Adventures is sharp, tense, and has a solid grasp on what makes a deck battler sing.

Everything that Capcom included in Monster Hunter Rise feels like it's been curated by a perfectionist. The soundtrack, visuals, gameplay mechanics, monster-hunting loop, and multiplayer have been thoroughly designed to offer players the ultimate Monster Hunter experience on a handheld device. With a little bit more investment in the narrative, Monster Hunter Rise could have been a perfect game. Without that it's just one of the best games in the series, a must-play title for every Nintendo Switch owner. I'm amazed that after two incredible Monster Hunter games, Capcom still finds a way to outdo itself and push out another nearly perfect monster-hunting title.

Hitman - Episode One is a great video game for fans of the series and offers the freedom that they have long requested from IO Interactive, with Agent 47 once again offered multiple ways and means to take out his targets.

Knock on the Coffin Lid is a good representative of its genre. The core deckbuilding and combat mechanics are good but not revolutionary. After a while, it’s a good idea to turn on fast animations to speed them up. Still, there are cool synergies to find and a wide array of strategies to test and choose from. It takes a little too long to unlock all three heroes and battles can become repetitive when moving through the same spots. But the game is engaging, and the lore and presentation actually enhance the core loop. Knock on the Coffin Lid is fun and will keep gamers fighting and discovering new places across multiple runs.

Planet of Lana II is designed to improve on the original’s ideas and give fans more of what they loved. The game’s core, both in terms of story and gameplay, still lies in the connection between Lana, adventurous as ever, and Mui, now capable of engaging with puzzles in new ways. The game is well-balanced, with only a few situations where it was hard to intuit how to advance. The title’s voice acting is impressive, and I appreciate the effort to offer more biome variety, even if Lana’s animations aren’t always great. Anyone who loves the protagonists and the immersive use of an alien language should play the sequel. Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a good sequel that still impresses with its atmosphere, even as some of its new gameplay ideas don’t fully deliver.

Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power is a worthy successor to the first two games in the series. The addition of 3D environments, while a bit tricky at first, ends up enhancing the experience. There are still a few quirks, such as camera angles or some complex platforming sequences, but overall it's still a blast to play through the new title, both for veterans as well as newcomers.

Pathologic 3 is the most approachable title in the series, offering a good mix of narrative, carefully crafted atmosphere, management elements, and tense infected district sections. Players need to diagnose patients correctly to stand a chance of keeping the population alive, which in turn earns the time needed to discover all the town’s secrets. Still, individual quest chains can be confusing, and running through miasma-affected districts can become a chore. Gamers should always conserve resources and look for good trades. Pathologic 3 can frustrate at times, but it will reward players with great story moments and well-crafted interactions.

Nuclear Throne manages to walk a fine line between challenging, with options for the player who wants to succeed in the post-apocalypse, and unfairly difficult, filled with obstacles that will induce frustration for even the most hardened fans of the rogue-like genre.

MULLET MADJACK is a great first-person action gamer with a strong core idea that it executes beautifully. It plays fast, it’s violent enough, and it gives players a variety of weapons to eliminate evil robots with. There are enough difficulty levels to cater to the most hardcore FPS fans looking for a challenge while also welcoming players who simply want to enjoy the action and take in the atmosphere. The story setup is good enough for the short and adrenaline-filled runs, although some lines tend to get repetitive and slightly annoying. The game looks impressive and has a very good soundtrack. The only gameplay-related issues are the relatively uninspired bosses and the end-of-floor upgrades, which sometimes feel divorced from the player’s situation. MULLET MADJACK is fun and fast and shows how a carefully designed FPS can satisfy a large audience.

ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree is a great experience, driven by a strong story, a good mix of mechanics, and impressive atmosphere. Puzzles make sense and are satisfying to solve and combat never becomes the core mechanic. The Nordic-inspired universe is both intriguing and filled with good characters. The relatively slow pace of the experience might be an issue for some players and a more robust hint system should have been included. But these are relatively small problems when compared to the charm and immersion it creates. Play it in small chunks, don’t be afraid to walk away from a puzzle for a few hours, and allow ATONE to provide a spark of magic with its mix of story and gameplay.

When I started playing Reanimal, I was unsure where this experience would go. However, I found the game to be very surprising, not only when it comes to its story, but also the overall presentation and great sense of immersion. It retains Tarsier’s signature style, while adding some clever, new elements into the mix. Reanimal doesn’t rely on jumpscares, instead its focus is on psychological horror and a sense of uneasiness that follows you from beginning until the end. It's also nice to see that the game’s performance is outstanding, and the co-op aspect is one of the highlights. Yes, it’s not a very long game, but it tells a very refreshing story that we can easily connect with challenging moments in our lives. Plus, mechanics like scuba diving or driving break the mold, while offering yet another way to experience this troublesome, yet beautiful world they created.

The Homeworld Remastered Collection offers players access to two of the best space based strategy titles ever created and to do so on modern machines, with no worries about compatibility or other hardware problems, which means that the fan community should be grateful for the work that Gearbox has put in.

Civilization VII is a great 4X experience and every gamer interested in the genre should give it a try. The turn-based mechanics support a wide variety of playstyles and there’s a ton of diversity in leader and civ combinations. The eras system comes across as limited at first, but it basically allows players to play three potentially very different games of Civ in one campaign. A few systems, like religion and internal politics, are limited but will probably get fleshed out in expansions. The end-of-era crisis moments aren’t challenging enough, even on the higher difficulty levels, especially if players pay attention and min-max their cities. Civilization VII changes the formula of the series in interesting ways, although it needs balancing and a better user interface as quickly as possible.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain makes good on its word and delivers a great experience that's more than worthy of the saga's heritage. However, it's not exactly perfect, as the story requires a lot of pre-established knowledge, not to mention cassette-listening to make sense.

TR-49 is delightful, a game that takes an interesting core concept and builds an intriguing and complex story around it. The two parallel narratives unfold slowly, while the atmosphere remains dark and mysterious. The voice acting, both for the protagonists and the people whose writing was fed into the machine, is impressive. Sure, the core gameplay loop of inputting codes to move from page to page will become repetitive for many players. Thankfully, the players do a lot of thinking, and the game’s puzzles are constructed with care. TR-49 is one of the best mysteries of the past few years and is best enjoyed in short sessions to make it last.

Technobabylon is a must-play for every science fiction fan who enjoys point and click adventure games. Even if its low resolution façade puts you off, do yourself a favor and look beyond this impediment, as its personality will win you over in no time.

As someone that loved Platypus and its sequel, I was not sure what to expect from the Platypus Reclayed version. But now that I played and finished it, I am happy to say that this is the definitive version for all Platypus players. It has enough improvements that even the older players will play this one many times to get that high score. Yet at the same time, they also added some new weapons and updated the visuals. The new power-ups don’t appear very often, but when they do, they feel like a game-changer. Also, the music is excellent, as always, and the visuals make it feel like an entirely new game. I think the 4K update is excellent, and the game didn’t have any glitches or technical problems while I was playing, either. Platypus always had great variety when it came to levels and combining that with mod support makes Platypus Reclayed the best version of this title. I am eagerly waiting for new Platypus Reclayed content from the devs, while also looking forward to new levels, weapons and other wacky stuff that the community will come up with.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a great game for anyone who appreciates a complex science-fiction universe, well-rounded characters, and existential musings. The new Sleeper is a great protagonist and the rest of the cast, even those with small roles, are well-written. The dice-focused gameplay has been enhanced with new mechanics, some designed to increase the challenge level, that sometimes feel unnecessary. Players annoyed by the dice rolls and the peril associated with them should play on easy and enjoy the narrative. The game, especially when players aren’t focused on one of the major drives, uniquely mixes story, tension, and a sense of discovery. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector doesn’t offer massive innovation but perfects an already effective combination of narrative and gameplay.

At the end of the day, Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires is a bit of a letdown for those who expected the same great gameplay they’ve been provided with in DW8 Empires. In many regards, the game feels like a step backward from its predecessor, and this is why so many fans are disappointed. On the other hand, it’s still an exciting release for an average player. The combat system is nice, though it takes time to get used to it, and the more time you spend on the little things, such as friendship with officers, finding a sword sibling, and things like that, the better the whole experience is getting.

Knights of Honor II: Sovereign is a good historical strategy game. It gives players lots tools to affect their world and quickly produces results that bear little resemblance to the real past. Kingdoms fall in spectacular fashion and players need to carefully play their hand to gain new lands without attracting the attention of powerful neighbors. I do think the knights from the title should have more ways to interact with each other and the world around them. But the mix of interactions, classic development mechanics, and tactical battles offers a strong mix of ideas. Knights of Honor II: Sovereign will be fun both for long-term grand strategy fans and newcomers to this genre.

Crime O'Clock offers a great time-traveling detective experience and shows what skilled developers can achieve while re-inventing a classic mechanic. All its five era locations are attractive, packed with interesting characters, tons of details, and some truly weird ideas. The black and white look and the colorful case touches complement each other well. The point-and-click gameplay is simple to understand, and there’s a solid hint system that will ensure fans never get frustrated when they simply cannot locate someone or something. Some of the mini-games do get repetitive. Crime O'Clock is an excellent game, relaxing, respectful of the player’s time, and stunning in its attention to detail.

It’s laden with tense moments and it’s a gorgeous visual journey, with a pretty good narrative and a lot of pleasant surprises for fans of the Alien franchise.

I can’t understand the point of StarCraft: Remastered. I see that it’s much prettier, and people with high-res displays will be able to run it in all its glory. The problem is that there is no real glory, and the one that’s left exists only in the minds of the people that played the original. It’s not a particularly bad remastering of a cult game, but it’s almost futile.

Doomblade has a strong hook and an engaging core gameplay loop. The idea of attack-as-movement transforms how players see environments and approach the world. All Metroidvania systems are implemented well, especially the escalating upgrades that allow Gloom Girl to basically break the rules of this universe as she searches for the Dread Lords. The game is also demanding. It takes some time to learn how to properly use the attack move and then how to master it and other abilities to deal with capable bosses. Doomblade’s universe is not as interesting as its core mechanic but mixing combat and movement into one action is special enough to keep players trying to find and end the Dread Lords.

Broken Arrow is the game for anyone who wants good RTS mechanics focused on modern-day military hardware. Combat, while centered around the classic concept of point control, is fast and fun, with plenty of tactical options. Players get a lot of choices when building their unique force for multiplayer or skirmishes against the computer. The campaign has some great missions with unique setups but also suffers because of its cast of characters and inability to save during a battle. Broken Arrow is a great experience for players who want to engage in multiplayer with a group of friends and aren’t too annoyed at having some limitations when other game modes are involved.

Death Stranding is precisely the kind of game you would expect from a creative mind when all the reins are removed. Finally, Kojima made the game he wanted to make, without compromises. It's a beautifully crafted story, albeit weird at times. Players can best answer the question of whether this is art. All I can say is that despite the uneasiness it causes me, I'm weirdly drawn to it, always looking to take a new challenge and spend a wrecking 30 minutes trying to get to my destination without damaging the cargo.

Monster Prom 2: Monster Camp is a worthy successor to the impressive first title in the series. The setting might be less engaging but the characters and the interactions are on par if not better. The team has refined its writing and style in interesting ways. The game also makes it hard to wait and see what they can deliver with the rest of the titles in the series.

I had a great time with Jurassic World Evolution 3, and this is certainly a big improvement over the previous game. It runs better, it looks stunning, and it also comes with a very beefy campaign. They also did a very good job when it comes to adding a ton of different dinosaur types, along with a multitude of environments. It gives you a lot more possibilities when it comes to creating the park of your dreams, and that’s incredibly rewarding when you roam through the park. It’s always a thrill to see dinos go out of the incubation center for the first time. Plus, there are tons of diverse species, from megalodons to t-rex, triceratops and so on. Plus, you have hybrid species in there as well. Jurassic World Evolution 3 streamlines the interface, adds baby dinos, and the scenario mode is quite impressive, despite not topping Chaos Theory from the previous title. But all in all, Jurassic World Evolution 3 is a lot of fun, and it’s one of the best theme park games out there.

Children of the Sun is a great video game, designed for players who want a hyper-violent revenge story that remixes puzzle and slow-motion mechanics in a unique way. The narrative is familiar but gripping, delivered in small chunks and with a distinctive style. The entire presentation communicates dread and determination. The Girl’s ability to fire just one bullet and then control it to kill multiple targets is unique. It allows the developer to create impressive puzzles while also giving gamers freedom to explore and craft plans. Children of the Sun is immersive, dark, accessible, challenging, and fun.

Resident Evil Village is one of the best entries in the series, hands down. It has some minor issues, but nothing to interfere with the overall experience. There are tons of extras and plenty of replay value from new levels of difficulty, to new weapons, challenges to the new Mercenary mode. You will have to discover this for yourself, along with the story, since we do not want to cross into spoiler territory. You can rest assured that although the innovations are not as obvious as in the case of Biohazard, Village refines the gameplay experience and fixes the shortcomings and critics of the previous episode. We highly recommend Resident Evil Village to all fans of video games.

Elden Ring is everything that I dreamed of and more. Although I did expect From Software to refine the Souls recipe, I was quite surprised by the large amount of new mechanics and how well the Souls formula has been implemented in an open-world environment. But it’s not just the exploration aspect that makes Elden Ring the best Souls game out there. The massive open-world that doesn’t feel empty at all, the huge number of bosses and dungeons, as well as the boss fights elevate it to an entirely new level. Elden Ring is From Software at its best.

I’ve had a lot of fun exploring Silent Hill F’s stunning town and story, and I am glad to say that this is by far my favorite Silent Hill game to date. After playing the Silent Hill 2 remake, I thought that would be the epitome of the series, but this new one is even better. It retains the aura and style of the series, while adding more combat to it, and exploring an entirely new location. It’s not a very long game, but it’s intense and visceral at times, not to mention profound and extremely immersive.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a love letter to the platform games of the 90s, and at the same time, it also feels fresh. I don’t know how they did it, but this game is a masterpiece of the genre, and it stays true to the Ninja Gaiden universe. The level design is spectacular, and they did an amazing job at maintaining a high level of detail throughout the entire experience. It’s also nice to see that the two characters in the game seamlessly complement each other, and you need each character’s expertise/skills in order to move onward in the game. Also, boss battles are very cool, they manage to surpass expectations by adding sophisticated gameplay ideas, while still keeping everything engaging and very interesting. Whether you are a fan of Ninja Gaiden, platform games or want to speedrun a game, I think Ragebound delivers everything you’re looking for and much more. Yes, there are some frustrating levels, you might need to restart sections a few times, but that’s the nature of the beast.

The Grand Tournament brings exactly what Hearthstone needs - new mechanics and tons of fun - while keeping the game balanced. The addition of new rewards for Ranked Play is another positive aspect, even though it's not related to The Grand Tournament expansion.

To the Stars is fast and exciting. It takes a few minutes to get through a level and the pace of the action is often frantic. The tutorial is good and makes it easy for players to understand the stripped-down mechanics. Surprisingly, there’s also plenty of depth and variation, especially once players unlock extra civilizations. The experience’s focused nature means there’s not much in the way of world-building. But the immersion level is high, thanks to the presentation and the silly planet faces. To the Stars is a good innovative real-time strategy game that is accessible to newcomers and has enough depth and speed for genre fans.

For what is worth, The Banners Saga 3 is a fitting end for a great adventure that's meant to highlight the qualities and downsides of the human spirit: sacrifice, love, heroism, friendship vs. malice, hate, thirst for power, cowardice. The story and the objective in The Banner Saga 3 doesn't change, it only becomes bleaker and more intense. On top of that, the sense of hopelessness and despair is present now more than ever, making The Banner Saga 3 a journey full of angst and melancholy.

I had an excellent time playing Hell Clock, especially as a fan of Diablo, Titan Quest and other ARPGs. The fact that it also has a Hades-like gameplay makes it even more interesting, and the Brazilian-focused story and characters certainly help the game stand out. It’s definitely a one-of-a-kind roguelike, and one where you want to continue progressing through the story as much as possible. Aside from that, the gameplay is intense, and the level-tiered system where you have a boss every 3 major levels is incredibly addicting. Plus, you can start collecting gear and artifacts, which for me was a delight. It’s certainly a lot of fun, especially if you like the ARPG loop. I always wanted a good combination between Diablo and roguelikes, and I think Hell Clock nails that. It’s fun, intense, you have tons of loot, great music and an interesting story, so for me, it feels like the complete package, if you’re into this genre.

There is no doubt that Assassin's Creed Origin was excellent and Assassin's Creed Odyssey is better. I think that this should have been Ubisoft’s goal, to make something better, not necessarily perfect. Odyssey builds upon the foundations of a beloved franchise and I like the way it’s going forward. If Ubisoft doesn’t get too greedy and takes its time to build a proper game, the next one is going to be even better, although I have to say that it’s going to be difficult since this one is almost perfect.

Tales of Arise is a successfully comeback story. It’s definitely one of the most refreshing Tales game and probably one of the best JRPGs launched in 2021. I’m not sure if Bandai Namco planned to make the Tales franchise mainstream, but that’s something that Tales of Arise manage to achieve, and that’s probably the best compliment I can give the game. My only concern is related to how Bandai Namco chose to advertise the paid DLC in-game, which consists of cosmetic items and spice up your adventures through Dahna. Resting in camps will always run an advert in the right corner, which totally breaks immersion. Other than that, I believe Tales of Arise is not just the best game in the Tales series, but also one of the best titles launched this year. More importantly, the Tales franchise has finally gone mainstream and I’m very happy that more players are joining its fan club.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition is a better release for 2021 than it was ten years ago. The gameplay does not push past the limits of the genre but the presentation, the music, and the setting are good enough that it does not need to. The extra featured content does not justify a new purchase for those who have already gone through the adventures of Scott Pilgrim. But for anyone who knows the comics or the movie and has not played the game the new version is a good way to have hours of fun, preferably with a group of friends in coop mode.

The story, the combat system, the art style, the possibilities, the twists and also the technical performance makes Hades one of the best roguelite games released so far. It is a game that should not be missed, no matter your genre preferences.

Ultros major issue is that it isn’t as weird and hallucinatory as it wants to be. Sure, this space burial site that overflows with life offers an interesting setting with some impressive visual touches. The narrative is somewhat obscure, and occult tinged. But neither is enough to keep players engaged in the long run if they don’t already like this mix of exploration, combat, and platforming. And the game offers limited details about many of its systems, with the constant loops adding to the confusion. Ultros requires patience and a significant time investment but it offers an immersive world and good core mechanics.

Chicken Police: Into the HIVE! is a fun, often funny, and sometimes touching experience. It knows how to work within both the noir and the adventure game genres. The cast of animal characters is well-chosen, and Sonny makes for a great protagonist. Play the game in short sessions, soak in the atmosphere, and don’t be dissuaded by the more frustrating mini-games. There are a few moments when conversations feel out of sequence, depending on player choices. The puzzle elements rarely feel like they belong. Some locations feel too small. But these are limitations of the adventure game genre and Chicken Police: Into the HIVE! works hard to push past them and manages to give fans a good plot, great characters, and cool interrogation scenes.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare offers a much more innovative take on the first-person shooter series than previous installments, but it's still shackled to the core recipe of forcing players to follow allies through set piece moments in the story campaign. The multiplayer offers a higher degree of innovation and it should certainly entertain quite a lot of fans who are open to trying the new mechanics.