Indeed, much like the original Descenders, Descenders Next is already an incredibly addictive and enjoyable game, one that transports this really sweet game formula into a whole new extreme sport style. There’s already a high variety included and plenty of unlocks to go for, though many of the game’s sports and features are yet to arrive. But the first Descenders was a game I kept going back to for years, just keeping it installed on my console and sometimes going back for a single run, or for hours at a time. This sequel is already setting up to be one of the next Game Pass addictions for me and many other gamers out there, and I’m excited to see what Descenders Next’s future bring us. The transformation for Descenders worked, and this Game Preview version is already a very strong starting point – go check it out, will ya? [Review in Progress score = 82]

I’m really happy with the features that are available in inZOI right now and I’m really looking forward to what will be added in its future. Right now, I hope the developer can resolve some of the more basic but key features such as more hair styles and presets for body characteristics. This is a really charming game (fluffy cats and their ability to help aside) and I’ll be coming to inZOI very often over the coming months for further impressions and to follow the game’s progress. If you’re a life simulation fan, you’ve got to try out inZOI [Early Access Impressions]

Destiny 2: Lightfall has been a great experience thus far. The gameplay additions, the Quality of Life improvements, and the music and sound design are all best in class. The Lightfall campaign is going to be divisive for a long time to come and I think that’s okay. Its storytelling doesn’t live up to the Witch Queen’s standards, but the level design is top-notch. I loved the characters we met along the way, the post-campaign content, and Neomuna itself. I’m looking forward to the day-one raid coming up very soon and to see what else might happen in this world after it has been beaten by whichever team might be the World’s First. I still have some things I’d like to wrap up in Destiny 2: Lightfall before I deliver my final verdict, but right now, I’m having just as much fun as I ever have in Destiny.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s Campaign is excellent. While the story might not be perfect it was just logical enough to keep me happy. It’s available at launch for Xbox Game Pass Console, PC, and Ultimate members on Cloud, Console, and PC. I’d only recommend a purchase if you’re into the MP and Zombies as well, as $70 is a big ask. Still, if you’re looking to shoot the ever loving shit out of a lot of people, there’s nothing quite like a good Call of Duty campaign. It helps that this one is great. [Campaign Review Score = 85]

I’ve decided to make this a review-in-progress, rather than a final score, for a couple of reasons. The first is that getting 4-6 players together to pump in twenty or so hours in a week is a tough ask, and I want to play a bit more before I render a final verdict. I also feel like Void Crew is the sort of game I could recommend, especially for gamers that enjoy the chaos of multiplayer co-operative games. However, that recommendation can only come once it’s had a few more patches to resolve what I feel are some pretty glaring issues. Until then, fans of these sorts of titles should be aware that the fun is in there, but there are number of issues standing in the way of finding it. Perhaps they’re lost in the Void? [Review-In-Progress Score = 60]

Taking everything into account, Vampires Bloodlords Rising earns a very nice score. It’s a game with large, strong ideas and compelling vampire fantasy and systems that clearly support the long-term growth vision they have, from the arcane skill tree to castle building to followers and cooperative play. But it’s also a very much an early access experience. Some systems lack depth. Onboarding can be a little rough and polish is still coming. If you’re willing to grow with it, there’s something very special here. Just know what you’re buying into, which is potential just as much as what’s already present. [Early Access Provisional Score = 80]

This review might seem a little contradictory, critiquing and then partially absolving those critiques, but this is a review in progress after all. I’m still forming my final opinion of the game as I keep playing it, but what I can tell you now is that if you’re interested in Elden Ring combat and exploration, and also have a couple of friends who are, Elden Ring: Nightreign is a game full of depth and plenty of things to kill and places to explore. That being said, my mostly solo-play experiences were a mixed bag at best, preventing me from praising the game too much or giving a high “review-in-progress” temporary score. [Provisional Score = 72]

Right now I’m not having nearly as much fun as I was hoping. Gorgeous visuals, occasionally stellar combat, and an intriguing narrative have been held back by progression issues, and far too much busywork in-between runs. I have confidence that Moon Studios will figure things out, though, and that by version 1.0 this game could be an all-timer. [Early Access Provisional Score = 65]

As finer an example of “AAA” Hollywood gaming spectacle as ever there was – full of incredible visuals and set-pieces with a tonne of gameplay variety and only a few moments that fall flat. It can’t help but occasionally feel to be a greatest hits collection of previous Call of Duty moments at times, despite the earnest and well intentioned efforts to mix things up a bit, and that’s okay. For fans of the series, they’ll be more than satisfied. [Campaign Score = 85]

If you’re a fan of the original game, I’d say there’s nothing ground(ed) breaking here. In fact, it’s very easy to like Grounded 2 because in many ways, it’s the first game again, albeit at a much bigger scale, with new mysteries to solve and an entirely new map to explore and survive in. The core strengths of the original are here and intact, from the gorgeous world and solid survival mechanics, to another intriguing story to unpack, but I can’t help but feel there should have been more from the start that feels truly new. Still, it is a lot of fun, and as we begin another early access journey, this peblet and clay foundation is pretty solid – I can’t wait to see what else is in store. [Early Access Provisional Score = 70]

Battlefield 6‘s multiplayer is the most Battlefield-coded entry in the franchise in many years, taking us back to the series’ glory days. Tight gunplay, excellent presentation, impressive polish and a surprisingly robust launch arsenal. [Multiplayer Score = 90]

It’s one of the best multiplayer games of the year, standing toe to toe with the giants in the genre. I’ll see you topside. [Review-In-Progress score = 90]

It may not be the most polished or spectacular racing game on a surface level, but you get used to its jank, as you fill up its immense sandbox with cool things to do – alone or with buddies – there simply is no racing game with such an exhilarating and creative sandbox out there. This in turn makes me forgive some of its oddities and problems. If the community lives up to the game’s lofty ambitions, we might have quite the game on our hands. I will surely revisit Wreckreation after launch, as I’m very curious to see how it evolves from here. [Review in progress/ Provisional Score = 80]

The design decisions that Keepsake Games have made so far for Jump Space have resulted in a compelling, rock-solid foundation for what promises to be a genre-defining game. Jump Space puts fun, intrigue and slick gameplay systems first, mashing together multiple genres into something that is oozing with charm, replayability and jaw dropping wow-moments. I am hooked. [Provisional Score = 85]

For fans of the franchise, the game has both a gallery where you can look at previously seen story moments, and a jukebox where you can listen to music from various games in the series. I also appreciated how the game lets you customize the colour tones for the characters, such as making Billy’s jacket a bright neon green. I didn’t come across any bugs at all in my time with the game; everything felt polished and smooth playing on an Xbox Series X. Oh, and Ronaldo is in this game. Like the football player Ronaldo. Not really sure how I feel about that still…

STAR WARS Outlaws is the dream 3rd-person open world title so many of us wanted. It’s big, and fun, and while it has some flaws I have greatly enjoyed my time with it. A massive progression blocking soft-lock is a bit of a bummer and instead of this being a final score it’s going to be a review-in-progress one as I wait to see the rest of the title once it’s fixed. [Provisional Score = 80]