A decent conclusion to We Happy Few that brings interesting changes to the game's formula.

Saying this is the best Need for Speed games in years may not mean much when some of its recent predecessors were just decent, but Need for Speed Heat is a return to its roots for better or worse, and is still fun to play even if there are better racers out there.

Civilization is a legendary strategy franchise, and to finally get it on Xbox One is a dream. Just be warned, this is one hell of an addictive game.

Bee Simulator is fun for a short time, but won't keep people's attention for long. Its charm can't save it from boredom. When you throw in the price tag, it's tough to recommend.

This is the Star Wars game we've all been waiting for. It takes the best elements of Tomb Raider, Metroidvanias, and a dash of souls-likes to create a memorable and fun experience with amazing combat that makes you feel like a true Jedi.

While Valfaris is in many ways an excellent game, it's held back by some significant design flaws and technical problems.

There is some wonky balancing and AI logic evident, but Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is an absolute joy to play. Just be sure your PC can handle the requirements in order to get the full experience.

Citadel: Forged with Fire is a good game, but needs more polish.

A charming, alcoholic romp through Hell that suffers from technical issues.

While the game has an intriguing premise, an attractive art style, and sits at a breezy length, it doesn't do enough. It wants to fly close to the sun, but it can barely get off the ground.

Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville offers fleeting enjoyment, but the foundation that it's built on is solid and can be improved with the proper support.

Modern Warfare is an excellent addition to the Call of Duty franchise. The story felt like a serialized TV show, and most of the multiplayer action is fun. There are few places where the game falls, but not enough for me not to recommend it.

The Outer Worlds is an utterly tremendous achievement that showcases the best of Obsidian's writing wit, world-building detail, and character focus. The game borrows heavily from other major beloved RPG franchises that have fallen out of favor with shareholders in recent years, which is perhaps ironic given the game's extreme-Capitalism plot beats. Obsidian fills that forgotten niche with confidence and rigor.

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

Its puzzles are both simple and clever, opening it up to a wider audience, but switching between characters in order to use different abilities tends to be more frustrating than not.

Evocative, atmospherically stunning, and endlessly addictive. Frostpunk is now the best strategy simulation game on Xbox One.

The Bradwell Conspiracy doesn't do enough to deliver on puzzles, but with good writing, some big puzzle game fans might find some enjoyment.

Destiny 2: Shadowkeep elevates the gameplay, but falters on a storytelling front.

Ghost Recon Breakpoint is a good game, and one that I didn't expect to like as much as I did. I found Ghost Recon Wildlands to be an incredibly boring experience, and Ghost Recon Breakpoint redeems itself with a better story, voice acting, and gameplay enhancements.

Despite its issues, Niffelheim stands as a very competent hardcore survival game that players will be engaged with for hours on end.

Code Vein is a great game, but needs more polish.

Hunt: Showdown is a great shooter that needs stronger single-player support.

The Surge 2 is full of surprises, but not the ones you'd expect.

Though NHL 20 doesn't show massive improvements in any one area over its predecessor, there are enough additions and refinements to make it worth exploring.

As satisfying as it is for longtime fans, it's still accessible to newcomers so that nobody is left out of the fun.

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

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

The fact that Gears 5 manages to jam a truly "AAA" 12-18 hour campaign, several multiplayer modes, a map editor, and the promise of post-launch support represents one of the best deals in gaming right now. It's an even better value when you factor in Xbox Game Pass. The future of Gears of War has never been so bright — and sure, there's room for improvement, but this is the evolution that the franchise desperately needed.