Returnal is the first big surprise of 2021, exploiting the capabilities of the DualSense and 3D audio of the PS5. It's a challenging game with well-implemented mechanics and an intriguing storyline that will keep you hooked.

MLB The Show 21 is a pretty solid game, but had questionable adjustments that will make you think a few times before buying it. On one side you have good hitting and pitching mechanics, but on the other, player progression is slower. In the name of 'innovation', some things were added and others eliminated, but the latter were working well in past entries.

Despite how much I love the world of Oddworld and its quirky characters, I did not enjoy most of my time at Soulstorm. Clunky controls, repetition, and peaks in difficulty turn this into a tedious experience and drop any sense of accomplishment. Because sometimes, when you finally achieve it... a bug kills you and all your Mudokons.

In a way, Nier Automata is both a blessing and a condemnation for Replicant. Automata's success allowed it to finally arrive in America with a good facelift. However, you will also find here many concepts that were improved in Automata and now feel more rustic, limiting the impression you can have of a game that was actually released before. If you put the comparisons and imperfect edges aside, you will ultimately find in Nier Replicant ver. 1.22 a story worth playing and an instant cult classic.

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut adds good production values and more enjoyable moments to this solid indie game from two years ago. It is a unique experience that any gamer should try. However, the PS5 version had few adjustments and was initially buggy. Play it here only if you don't have a PC that can run it.

Outriders gives players that innovation that lately seems to be fading away from video games, at least on a mechanical level, since the narrative ends up being flat and unappealing. In its more than 25 hours of campaign you will experience moments that will put you to the test, and they are really worth living, but we must say that the post-game is not so interesting.

Loop Hero is not a perfect game and its learning curve is very high, especially if you don't usually play Dungeons and Dragons. However, the most addictive feature is that in each game you get the idea that you could have done better, extending its replayability for weeks.

The true value of Monster Hunter Rise lies in three key areas. The first is adding game mechanics that strengthen the exploration of hunting scenarios, the second is the attractive design of the monsters you face, and finally, playing with others is easy. With that in mind, you have one of the most robust multiplayer games in Nintendo Switch.

There is no doubt that Marvel's Avengers did improve a lot in its new presentation for next-gen consoles. Crystal Dynamics had a long time to develop a more solid version when it comes to technical aspects such as graphics and performance, however, the game remains the same: entertaining, but repetitive, with a so-so multiplayer and an enjoyable story.

Narita Boy is a love letter to pop culture and visual references from the 80s. This indie game stands out thanks to its story, design and music, although problems with gameplay and controls prevent it from reaching its full potential.

From afar, Balan Wonderworld looks amazing and charming, but as soon as you get a little closer, its magic is lost. Balan Wonderworld got stuck in the nostalgia and success that Sonic and Nights into Dreams had during their prime. It does not take risks and its creativity falls short.

Although Myths of the Eastern is a very attractive idea because there are not many videogames that delve into Chinese mythology, the DLC is poorly executed and feels like a skin placed on Immortals Fenyx Rising. The story is interesting at times, but there are no adjustments to the game mechanics nor added value to the overall experience.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 now runs at 120 FPS or 4K thanks to next-gen hardware. If you like skating games you will immediately realize that we have a winner here, but in order to see the graphical improvements, you will need a trained eye. This update has a cost, so I would only recommend it if it's the first time you dive into this remaster, if you already had the Deluxe edition or if you feel the need to start using your Xbox Series right now.

The real value behind It Takes Two comes from its strong gameplay mechanics that create one of the best co-op experiences in the recent generation of video games. Thanks to its solid level design that adds new and simple mechanics constantly, we have a game that anyone can enjoy.

This game is a battle against yourself. A race against your own patience, response time and decision making in every second, in every race. It's something very technical. Is it the attachment to realism that makes Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Videogame 4 a title that scares off the most novice or less patient of players? Probably. But Milestone bets on those who indulge in this level of technical simulation that, although far from perfect, does invite you to lose yourself in it.

Crash Bandicoot 4 was one of the best family-friendly titles from 2020 and months later it comes back to spread the love in new platforms where it's more than welcome. The best thing is that the next-gen update improves one of the biggest weaknesses the game had initially, which was its loading times. Do not expect any kind of extra content, though.

Nioh 2 is already a remarkable game, still its additional content was not good enough to complement it. The First Sammurai is supposed to serve to complete the previous story of the franchise, but it does not offer anything beyond minor adjustments in the endgame. The latest Nioh 2 DLC offers a challenging new dungeon but getting through it may not bring great satisfaction to players. Despite its production levels with great designs on enemies, this DLC feels forced and very poorly planned.

In an era where everyone wants a new Silent Hill, The Medium is launched. This game by Bloober Team goes out of its comfort zone and shows us on a silver platter what the storage speed of the Xbox Series X | S can offer. Sure, it's not a perfect game, even the number of puzzles is questionable, however, the narrative is fresh, the use of split screen as a mechanic is something technologically remarkable, and the overall experience delivers when it comes to scaring and entertaining the audience.

Challenging the gods in Gods Will Fall is attractive at first, but its mechanics and game modes mean that, even with its random elements, it ends up being a repetitive and unappealing experience to be played more than once. Level design is beautiful and worthy of contemplation, although once you defeat the boss of the level you will not want to return again. A somewhat disposable game that only a specific niche will enjoy.

Finishing a trilogy successfully in any entertainment medium is not an easy task in videogames. However, IO Interactive managed to close the new story of Agent 47 in a remarkable way. Maybe it did not offer new gameplay mechanics, it even removed modes from past installments, but the level design did bring a new depth to Hitman III that we had not seen before. Without having to change the usual Hitman formula, IO Interactive gave us in Hitman III a game with replay value, challenges to overcome and content in the short, medium, and long term that will surely extend its life way after launch.

Little Nightmares 2 took the best elements of its predecessor, like the tense setting and art direction. In addition, it also improved the frustrating controls the original had, and finally, it gave fans what they wanted the most: a detail-filled narrative that is ready to be minced and interpreted from various standpoints, for years to come. Introducing a forced co-op with the machine and "combat" sounds controversial for a horror franchise that worked so well without it, but surprisingly, these new mechanics made it feel like an evolution from the original formula.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is a great deal for those who didn't own the original Wii U game, but what about those who did? The game has discrete adjustments to both its mechanics and graphics and it doesn't feel like a common port. On the other hand, the Bowser's Fury experience is short and good, but also a forced addition to justify the relaunch of Super Mario 3D World on Nintendo Switch.

SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium on Nintendo Switch is an option that feeds the nostalgia of many gamers, especially since it does not have noticeable adjustments nor changes and the experience remains intact. Now, the price is quite reasonable and if you like this series of crossovers, it is a must-have.

While the ending of the Immortals Fenyx Rising expansion can be satisfying, especially after putting up with bad jokes and tricky puzzles, the truth is that A New God may not have been the best idea to extend the game. You're going to find yourself with lame level design and unnecessary features for Immortals Fenyx Rising that do not feel interesting at all.

Bravely Default II is a title whose solid gameplay mechanics and job system sustain the traditional story that has been going on for decades. The grinding is excessive, sometimes even ridiculous and tiring, unbalancing the experience in a regrettable way when past installments offered a much more balanced and fair package for the final experience.

Strikers is far from being only a Dynasty Warriors game with a Persona skin. Besides being a pleasant surprise that will exceed its followers expectations, we could be facing the game that will lay the foundations for the next battle system, in order for Persona 6 to steal our hearts again.