Godfall's monotonous structure is held together by punchy combat that can't bear the full weight.
Monster Hunter Rise's renewed focus on fully-fledged action represents the series at the peak of its powers.
MLB The Show 21 maintains the series' continued excellence on the diamond, but missing features and uneven additions hold it back.
Total War's first remaster updates a 2004 classic, but this is still a game for those wearing nostalgia-tinted glasses.
Biomutant presents a different take on the post-apocalypse, but a forgettable story and uneven gameplay hold it back.
Axiom Verge 2 is a daring sequel that shares very few similarities with its predecessor, but it's held back by one-dimensional combat.
With meaningful additions on and off the field, Madden NFL 22 marks a recent high point for the series, but technical issues get in the way.
No More Heroes 3 is at its best when you're slicing your way through alien invaders, but the rest of the game wrapped around the energetic combat is a laborious disappointment.
Detective Yagami returns for another scintillating mystery that suffers from the same problems as before.
Sable is a relaxing adventure with a satisfying focus on exploration and player freedom.
FIFA 22 excels on the pitch with a patient and more methodical style, but additions elsewhere are only incremental and microtransactions still leave a bad taste.
Back 4 Blood recaptures the spirit of Left 4 Dead while introducing some engaging modern trappings.
House of Ashes offers cinematic horror and surprising character moments amidst the conflict of the Iraq War.
Riders Republic is a varied extreme sports playground that's both thrilling and approachable.
Bright Memory: Infinite offers concise and frenetic thrills, but technical issues and that same brevity hold it back.
Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One stumbles at times, but solving its fantastic cases scratches that investigative itch like few others try.
Cleaning up the titular Gunk is satisfying, but the rest of the game surrounding it is routine and overly familiar.
Sifu's unique aging mechanic and top-tier combat make the journey from a headstrong student to a wise kung fu master utterly thrilling.
Excellent combat and an engaging endgame are undercut by Lost Ark's archaic MMO quest design and emphasis on microtransactions.
WWE 2K22 makes a surprising recovery and puts the long-running series back on track.