Gears of War: Reloaded is an interesting case study, being the second time the same studio has remastered a game. The improved visuals and additional options mean it's better than ever, even if it plays things a little safe.

While the absence of being able to select from a roster of heroes pains me, the across-the-board gains to other gameplay systems, as a result, pay off. Especially after the disaster that was Dynasty Warriors 9, Origins gets Omega Force back to their roots in a way I didn't know I craved. A must-buy for any fan of the series.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is another special entry into a series that hasn't missed in quite some time. While the engine and their need to publish on last-generation platforms may be catching up like old age chasing the protagonists, you'll find plenty of beauty in a legendary tale, swashbuckling gameplay, and freebooter friendships.

Though things can often get a little too crazy, Hyper Sentinel's mostly satisfying gameplay and excellent presentation make it a fantastic choice for retro gaming fans.

The final game turned out really well, with tight gameplay and a great selection of characters.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy is an excellent remake of the originals. It's a lot of fun to play and looks stunning. Unfortunately, the lack of a 60 FPS option, even on the Xbox One X, and the awkward camera controls in some levels detract from the experience. Despite these issues, the remake pays homage to some of the best platformers ever created, and it's evident that developer Toys for Bob spent many years crafting this package. It's a labor of love and that shines above all else.

Road Redemption, despite having a few flaws, nonetheless impresses with its sound gameplay mechanics, strong customization system, and great performance.

Two Point Hospital is the sequel fans of Theme Hospital have wanted for 2018. It brings the health tycoon game up-to-date with better graphics, enhanced gameplay, and new features.

Raid is terrific fun in co-op, with interesting objectives and fine leveling and upgrade systems. If you're looking for a cooperative multiplayer-focused alternative to this fall's other big World War II game, you can't go wrong with RAID.

It's zombie survival at its finest.

Forge of the Chaos Dwarfs is a must-buy DLC for any fans of strategy games looking to challenge themselves, but the difficulty and higher price tag should be noted.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl stands tall as one of the most captivating open-world shooters I've ever played, with a palpable atmosphere and deeply rewarding exploration that kept me glued to my seat along with addictively intense and dynamic action that kept me on the edge of it. Some major issues with certain mutant encounters and noteworthy bugs and performance snags take away from the experience, but even so, The Zone will engross you with its haunting wonders. There's truly nothing else like it.

New and old fans alike will find something to love in Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution. Featuring several generations of the iconic series and over 150 duels from the show, there's plenty of content to keep you occupied. It's not the perfect replacement for a physical deck of cards, but it sure comes close.

It's easy to see what games inspired All Walls Must Fall — think Superhot and X-Com — but developer inbetweengames managed to craft a unique setting and story that invites the player on a time-bending adventure through the Berlin nightlife in 2089. Implementing a time-sensitive system that forces you to make quick decisions and consider future actions on the spot, it's easy to pick up but difficult to master without a lot of practice.

Dirt 4 is a terrific game, and if you never played last year's release you'll likely be blown away. I just wish there was some kind of defining feature that made Dirt 4 leap ahead of last year's game.

Overall, as DLC goes, Synthetic Dawn is a great value for the money. You get a whole new species to work with, which isn't too unfamiliar to others already available, but it takes advantage of hive mind-like mechanics. The new traits, technologies and minute gameplay alterations make playing as synthetics unique and interesting, even if you already have more than 1,000 hours clocked.

Windbound was most definitely inspired by Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but with a much heavier focus on survival and crafting. If you enjoy survival games and want something to scratch that Zelda itch, you should check this game out.

If anything, Bungie has clearly refined upon the first Destiny, building upon what made the game so good, while avoiding some of its weaknesses. For those who enjoyed Destiny the first time around, Destiny 2 has so much to offer – even for returning players. But at its core, those who weren't fans of the original won't find major revelations in this sequel.

Total War: Pharaoh introduces a number of great new systems and mechanics for the long-running strategy franchise, and there's plenty of fun to be had staving off an ancient apocalypse, but a large number of bugs bring down the experience.

Though it fails to satisfyingly remaster the game's visuals, Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered nevertheless brings the original game to the Xbox One with perfect performance and every feature that made it great in the first place.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite does the franchise justice by delivering an addictive co-op shooter set in iconic locations from the films.

Alan Wake Remastered compiles a polished compilation of the original game and its DLC. A few more extras would've been nice but this is the best way to play through Remedy's horror adventure.

The port of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is a good one, although it does suffer from some problems that will bother players.

Despite the performance issues, Subnautica is definitely a title that you shouldn't sleep on. The open world exploration and survival mechanics are on point, and the world is massive, deep, and rich in detail; it's just a shame that it's being held back a little bit by problems with how it runs.

Conan Exiles is a good game which seems like a much more substantial experience than when it first appeared on Xbox One. If Funcom can perfect the console frame rate and eliminate the stuttering, then there's a chance that the title might be one of the most popular survival games on the system. However, even in its current state, Conan Exiles is addictive and will keep you coming back for more. The structured milestone system eases you in.

Kudos to Do My Best. For a debut game, I'm very impressed by the level of quality and thought that has gone into The Final Station. While some may feel like pixel-art is overdone in general, I can't fault Do My Best for going down that route for their first game -- its simple design allows for a lot of creativity.

Mortal Kombat successfully resets the timeline with a strong campaign and fun gameplay. Not everything receives the same care and attention, as customization in multiplayer leaves a fair bit to be desired, with microtransactions aplenty. It's still a game worthy of the Mortal Kombat name however, and a great excuse to test your might by yourself or with friends.

While rough around the edges in some ways, Unravel Two is ultimately a fantastic game that puzzle or platformer gamers will enjoy without a doubt.

For fans of the original, Mirrors Edge Catalyst offers a nostalgic return to a modern dystopian world, with massive improvements in gameplay mechanics. The franchise's fast-paced, fluid movement returns, combined with an immersive and engaging narrative. For gamers who aren't familiar with the first game, Mirror's Edge Catalyst's flaws are many, failing to obscure its biggest missteps.

Spellbound is a fun battle royale game that substitutes guns for elemental powers and magic. You'll want to think strategically to pair the best gauntlets with the best runes. Take on other enemies in a squad of three to prove you are the best battlemages out there.

If you enjoy fast-paced strategy games, than Overcooked 2 is guaranteed to give you a good time, though I think anyone can have fun with this game due to how simple the basics are, how lighthearted the tone is, and the fact that the game doesn't really get hard until later on. People who can't multitask well will admittedly struggle, but in general, I still think Overcooked 2 is definitely a title you should pick up.

This version of Wheel of Fortune is surprisingly robust, with a great 3D recreation of the TV studio set, completely authentic gameplay that anyone should be able to play, and some fair customization options. The only drawback is the terrible online matchmaking setup. But Wheel of Fortune is plenty of fun to play solo or with local friends, so don't let the online woes keep you from spinning that wheel.

World of Warcraft turns 20 years old this year, and despite that, the aging MMORPG is finding its footing again after years of controversial writing and gameplay systems. The War Within continues Dragonflight's positive upward trajectory, with some of the best story telling the genre has ever seen. But big questions remain over some of its systems, and the cadence of updates over time will be what truly determines The War Within's legacy.

The combat is wildly different and the tone varies, but the characters here are the same vital, meaningful core that BioWare is known to deliver. While far removed in many ways from the fantasy franchise I grew up loving, Dragon Age: The Veilguard takes its place by prior adventures in Thedas with pride. Like the Hero of Ferelden, Hawke, and the Inquisitor before them, Rook shows that Dragon Age isn't out of tricks just yet.

Prison Architect is an engaging experience, adding personality to a genre that's failed to evolve in years. Between a range of interlinking mechanics and ingeniously portrayed narrative, the game sits among the best management simulations on the Xbox One. While the game has its downfalls following a port from the PC, the game still performs amazingly on Microsoft's flagship console.

Aside from the annoying lack of matchmaking, Full Metal Furies' excellent co-op gameplay, charming visuals, and kickass score make it more than worth your time.

This game is worth every penny of the $50 you'll need to shell out to enjoy it on your PC through Steam, and it's my sincere hope that the popularity of this title on Steam is the start of an increased focus on PC players from Sony.

It's a shame the developers didn't fix up Anarchy mode or add something brand new for players who've already experienced the game. But since so many gamers (including me) missed out on Bulletstorm the first time around, the Full Clip Edition still makes for a fairly compelling package. Let's hope this version sells well enough to justify a sequel. A Bulletstorm 2 with modern gameplay refinements and improved multiplayer would be truly epic.

Where RAGE 2 truly shines is its relentless, unapologetic, apocalyptic violence, which has long been id Software's forte.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a bold co-op roguelike offshoot from FromSoftware that creatively and satisfyingly brings Soulsborne gameplay to a new genre of RPG — even if issues with map and enemy variety hold it back from true greatness.

GreedFall delivers an experience that is as satisfying as it is ambitious, although it does falter in some notable ways.

Despite performance issues, stiff animations, and a general lack of real difficulty, RoboCop: Rogue City succeeds at being a faithful adaptation of the movies. It's packed with fun action sequences and amusing dialogue with an entertaining storyline that makes you feel like you have stepped into his world. It's a must-buy for RoboCop fans while being a decent weekend romp for casual FPS fans.

Ara: History Untold is challenging the heavy hitters in a very competitive genre, but stands out thanks to its unique approach to 4X grand strategy and innovative mechanics. It's a gorgeous and polished turn-based strategy game that hooks you with "one more turn" and keeps you hooked with its flexible and varied strategy gameplay.

Despite the unimpressive graphics, Fishing Sim World is definitely a game you should get if you like simulators and want to see what a simulated fishing experience is like.

F1 2018, just as with last year's game, is a game worthy of your attention and something fans of the franchise will love. It's stunning to look at, excellent fun to drive in, and the single-player mode has more than enough depth to keep keener players entertained.

Warhammer 40,000 enthusiasts will appreciate the finer details, but anyone that just wants to carve a path through teeming alien mobs will have a lot of fun, especially if they're playing in co-op. There are some technical problems to address, but with a robust roadmap of new missions and enemies in the coming months, I'm looking forward to taking up arms with the Emperor's Angels again and again.

Warhammer: Vermintide is an amazing cooperative game. It takes the base formula created by Left 4 Dead and improves upon it with a better mission structure and loot system. Tastes will vary, but I find the Warhammer: End Times dark fantasy setting and Skaven enemies far more appealing than a typical zombie outbreak scenario. The Xbox One version looks and runs great, so much that it could almost pass for a $60 game (this one costs $40).

Assassin's Creed Mirage provides a fun time for fans of stealth and city climbing, even if it doesn't really add anything new to the series. The game only takes about 20 hours to beat rather than stretching on far too long. The world of ancient Baghdad is a beautiful place to explore, filled with puzzles, upgrade options, and historical areas.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a fun and nostalgic gore-fest that will satisfy fans of the tabletop classic and retro first-person shooters. The fast-paced gunplay combat is challenging and enjoyable, with plenty of entertaining weapons for blowing enemies up. Its 2.5D pixel-art graphics are particularly gorgeous, oozing charm and adoration for the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

ReCore leans on some beloved gameplay conventions while injecting some of its own, gloriously unique and fulfilling elements. The RPG layer provides boatloads of additional gameplay and the setting, story and characters are just something I want to see more of.

Some minor glitches aside, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition is a fun 2D beat 'em up with stellar presentation that still rocks — just not as hard as it did over 10 years ago.

Starfield: Shattered Space returns to Bethesda's design roots, giving a singular location to explore in a DLC that's tinged with terror. Despite not exploring this science-fiction horror tone as much as I'd have liked, it's still a fun experience worth checking out, with art direction that's genuinely stunning.

If you want to be the last man (or woman) standing and wish to play a game closely resembling Battle Royale and The Hunger Games, you'll be hard pressed to find a better game than PUBG, for now.

RAIDOU Remastered is a fun action RPG that successfully revitalizes one of Shin Megami Tensei’s classic PS2 games for the modern era while being faithful to the source material. While its characterization leaves something to be desired, it’s worth the price of admission for its wacky plot, revamped visuals and combat system, especially if you grew up playing the original game.

Sonic Mania is undoubtedly a tighter, more exceptional experience; Sega should really allow that team to design the levels for the next 3D release! But if you missed the 3D Sonic experience and can tolerate some bland level design and roughness, Forces is certainly a worthwhile follow-up to Generations – especially for the reduced asking price.

Fans of the series will feel rewarded for playing this years incarnation and the addition of an official, competitive league is a positive step towards the ever increasing eSports future we live in. It's fun to play, and it's so slick you'd fall over if you stepped on it...But the overall experience is still lacking, and that's down to licensing.

The Way is a great evolution of the gameplay introduced by Another World so long ago, adding welcome elements like improved gunplay, better platforming, and more abilities with which to navigate the alien world.

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands takes the classic Borderlands formula and puts its own spin on it in a mostly successful attempt to blend fantasy and sci-fi. Though the ending didn't land as well as it could have, the entire journey is well worth playing.

Despite its positive attributes, Far Cry New Dawn feels more like the endgame to Far Cry 5. It's almost like an epilogue that should've been included with the base game, maybe as part of the season pass. In order to properly conclude the story started in Far Cry 5, you have to play Far Cry New Dawn.

This is a tough one to review. I put hundreds of hours into Monster Hunter Worlds, which represents what is arguably my favorite game of last gen, and maybe even a top 5 of all time for me. As such, you can imagine how excited I was to play Wilds. Unfortunately, a variety of design oversights holds Monster Hunter Wilds from achieving the high bar set by its predecessors, which shows how fragile the ecosystem of Monster Hunter is when poorly balanced. Wilds is simply far too easy, which means you rarely need to upgrade gear, you don't need to farm mats, you don't need to adjust tactics, or repeat-fight monsters — I'm by no means "pro," but the fact I died only once all the way through to high rank is not representative of the challenge that makes the game's various systems rewarding to use. As epic as the new monsters are, as awesome as the environment design is, and as fun as hunting with friends remains — the core Monster Hunter experience felt a bit degraded in Wilds. Without some balance tweaks, I'm not sure Monster Hunter Wilds will achieve the longevity of its predecessor, but new players may appreciate the gentler learning curve.

If you're a fan old school RPGs with unconventional gameplay, I would recommend Echo Generation. If you didn't grow up with those sorts of games but enjoy mysteries involving cosmic horrors like Stranger Things and Gravity Falls, I would also recommend this title. It's certainly a worthy addition to the Xbox's extensive library of great JRPG-styled indie games.

Blasphemous may not have the best combat, but its intriguing premise and visuals elevate it.

The Medium is one of the most gorgeous horror games I've ever played. Its detailed environments, compelling characters, and unique setting make it a must-play for psychological horror fans.

The real star of the show here is the stunning facial animation which captures every detail of an actor's face.

There are things that could be improved, like the excruciating respawn times, as well as some things that feel too difficult just for the sake of it. Pre-release is also never a time to get a proper feel for online multiplayer, so hopefully it doesn't fall apart there. None of this takes away from the enjoyment of playing ONRUSH as a single player. I hope it remains supported with additional content because it's a game I'd love to keep playing.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed immerses players into the treasured universe of paranormal extermination like never before. The moment-to-moment gameplay is nothing short of enchanting, and the emphasis on authentic squad-based ghostbusting stands as the best video game interpretation we've been treated to so far. However, the fun is dictated entirely by the number of friends you play with.

The update seems to have quite a few bugs, with A.I. behaving strangely, and for large empires, the micromanagement for planets might simply be too much. Additional resources to look out for, some that are planet specific, are laborious to learn, and even more so to acquire at times, with the galactic resource trading system feeling a little basic. Overall, though, I'm still loving Stellaris, and I eagerly anticipate where it'll go next.

Pillars of Eternity II is a good game, but the Xbox One port needs more polish.

Solo players will likely be disappointed by the content offered here, but if you have a squad of dedicated friends who enjoy sinking their teeth into class-based meta, there’s so much to love with this gory, campy, and mesmerizing video game.

With menus and controls specific to controllers, Age of Empires 4 on Xbox works beautifully and provides fun strategic gameplay for up to eight players. There are plenty of different ways to enjoy the game from historic solo campaigns to skirmishes against other players (or the computer), but it might be a little harder for newcomers to the Age series to learn how to play. Still, the quality-of-life improvements for Xbox all work together to create a fantastic RTS experience on console with different features than what's available on PC. Plus, you can play with keyboard and mouse on Xbox if you want.

What Remains of Edith Finch is a real gem of a narrative game. It has a compelling story, beautiful graphics, and mechanics that are extremely easy to pick up, even for gamers new to console controllers.

FAR: Changing Tides is the follow-up to FAR: Lone Sails, following a little boy named Toe as he leaves his home in a makeshift boat after an unseen apocalyptic event. There is no dialogue or combat, leaving all of FAR's storytelling to be interpreted by the player as they solve puzzles to overcome obstacles on their travels.

A few small issues and some bugs aside, Dungeons of Hinterberg is a solid action-RPG. At its core though is some fantastic, sharp writing that asks interesting questions of its player and protagonist, all wrapped up in a cozy setting. Here's my review of Dungeons of Hinterberg.

It's the sort of loosely adapted licensed game that we don't see much anymore. With great looks, fun exploration-based gameplay, and challenging shooting-based combat, most Metroidvania fans will get their money's worth as they try to master The Mummy Demastered.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is more of a live service than a standalone game, one that continues to recover from a catastrophic launch. It relies so heavily on streaming its assets and world textures from the cloud that it's plain to see how its offerings could disappear should the service ever shut down. Nonetheless, Asobo Studio's developers have worked tirelessly to recover this visually breathtaking but temperamental simulator into something that appeals to a broader audience rather than a tight-knit niche. It could become a category-leading example of post-launch improvements if it continues its upward trajectory, and I encourage everyone to try it at least once.

While the story isn't out-of-this-world and the gameplay experience has some annoying flaws, Onimusha Warlords is, at the end of the day, a great game and a true classic that deserved to be brought to Xbox One.

UI anomalies and enemy pathing issues aside, Evil Genius 2 is a deep and addictive simulation strategy game that will satisfy your inner desire to, you know, take over the world.

Despite its flaws, Steelrising will reward those who give it the time. It's fun to explore, with a rewarding combat system and quality-of-life features that'd be welcomed in more soulslikes. While its easier difficulty and rough presentation may drive away some Dark Souls veterans, there's plenty on offer when overlooking its faults.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla provides a gorgeous playground to explore with excellent combat. Though the story seems unnecessarily long, it's a fun Viking tale mixed with the series' own flare and sci-fi elements.

Hitman 3 features some of the most complex and most creative levels in the series history while polishing the gameplay to perfection. Unfortunately, it's held back by some hefty paywalls, uneven mission pacing, and some occasional clunky AI.

Despite a few shortcomings, Back 4 Blood is nevertheless an excellent and fresh take on the beloved Left 4 Dead formula.

Stellaris really is one of those "just 10 more minutes" types of games that could keep you awake at ridiculous hours, if you let it.

The Order of Giants may not quite have the same impactful foes that permeated Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, but it's still a puzzle-laden adventure worth seeing through. Rome has never looked better in video games, and Troy Baker continues to put in a phenomenal performance as the titular hero.

It is a shame that Wild Hearts launched in the state it is in. The gameplay loop of hunting monsters and using their parts to create gear is addictive, the weapons are entertaining to use, the Karakuri system is deep and filled with secrets, and the world of Azuma is beautiful and immersive. Yet the horrendous optimization issues bring down the experience and, in worst cases, render the game unplayable on certain platforms.

Tekken is a long-running and proud series. As the first entry for the current console generation, Tekken 7 is also a great entry point (lack of tutorials aside). Loads of colorful characters, tight gameplay, and lots of fun customization and unlockables will keep fighting-game fans entertained for months.

Whether you're a novice or expert chess player, the sharp looks and wealth of features make it a great buy.

Flintlock is a fun "Soulslite" that has an interesting plot despite bad storytelling. It will hook you with its satisfying combat, fast-paced exploration, and fascinating environments. You're armed with an axe, a pistol, and magic while going up against both human and supernatural foes with a fox-like creature at your side. Knowing when to use what attack makes all the difference. There are three difficulty modes to choose from, so you can find the best playing experience. Plus, this game allows you to pause whenever you want, making it more accommodating than other Soulslike games out there.

A fantastic party game that's perfect for some couch competition.

This is a tough but addictive installment for the third SUPERHOT follow-on. This game includes multi-level stages, a variety of new enemies, and a roguelike element that puts a fresh twist on the beloved original. Mind Control Delete is also free to those who already own SUPERHOT.

An impressive experience. It's a shame that the story and limited exploration options hold the title back. The game could've rivaled some of the best space exploration games out there, but its need to appeal to a younger crowd undoubtedly takes away from the package.

While the comparisons to Super Smash Bros. are impossible to ignore, the team at Player First Games has quickly established MultiVersus as a platform fighter that's a force to be reckoned with in the competitive community. The title’s focus on gripping 2v2 matchmaking that rewards careful collaboration elevates MultiVersus above nearly every other sub-genre contender.

A short experience of about three to four hours, I was surprised the game ended when it did, because I'd become gripped by the story and revelations throughout. The horror is mild, and the only resource to worry about is oxygen, so it makes Narcosis a relatively gentle entry into the psychological survival horror fray. It's a thought-provoking and story-driven experience that I wanted more of, and a gripping narrative and boisterous sea creatures make Narcosis definitely worth a play.

IO Interactive set out to perfect the assassination sandbox with Hitman 2. Though the studio fell short, Hitman 2 is a commendable stealth experience that fans of the series shouldn't miss out on. Its future now rests in whether or not its Ghost Mode and celebrity elusive targets can hold people's attention.

FlatOut 4 is a little rough around the edges. The frame rate could be better, the single-player difficulty can be unfair at times, and online multiplayer lacks some popular event types. Still, it's an impressive package on the whole. 20 different tracks and several race types ensure that single-player and online multiplayer won't get stale too quickly. And you won't find another racing game with such a delightful emphasis on destruction.

Chernobylite's great survival horror gameplay, top-notch atmosphere, and excellent audiovisual presentation make it a must-play title for any fan of games like STALKER.

Awkward movement controls always held the original game back, but now Rush plays great with a controller – and you can still use the Kinect if that's your thing. The sheer variety of franchises and gameplay make this a game that parents and Disney-loving gamers won't want to miss.

Madden NFL 23 is a step up from Madden NFL 22, which itself was a step up from its predecessor. This continues to show that EA Sports has found a groove for itself when it comes to updating the yearly sports title, and with some new changes to gameplay, Madden NFL 23 feels even more like a brand-new title than it has in perhaps a long time.

Despite the occasional framerate stutter and character pop in, Samurai Warriors 5 manages to be a solid hack and slash experience with an interesting — albeit slightly predictable — narrative.