Meticulously paced to a fault, Triangle Strategy doesn't give off the best first impression. Stick with it, though, and you'll be rewarded with engaging gameplay and a gripping story that constantly delivers.
Contemplative and striking, FAR: Changing Tides is an indie adventure that should be sought out. The light gameplay and sparse storytelling may not be for everyone, but it makes up for these deficiencies with its gorgeous visual design and excellent pace.
The King of Fighters XV may lack the bells and whistles of its more famous contemporaries, but it makes up for that with strong combat mechanics and online play that manages to keep up with the fast-paced action the series is known for.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is far from perfect. The visual issues and boring opening stretch make that clear. However, the title is still a majorly fun and exciting evolution of the franchise. Getting out there in the world and interacting with the Pokémon has never felt better. I'm excited to see where Game Freak goes from here, which is not something I would have necessarily said after prior entries.
With a significantly improved movement system, an engrossing, branching narrative, and an open world that's consistently engaging, Dying Light 2 was well worth the extended wait.
I enjoyed my time with Reverie Knights Tactics, and I think there's a solid foundation of a strategy title here. However, the disappointing finish to the quest, and lack of gameplay depth outside of combat cast a cloud over the entire experience.
At its best moments, Chorus is an intense space fighter that takes you to some gorgeous locations. However, the weak plot and technical issues hold it back from its full potential.
Shin Megami Tensei V is an excellent, although quite punishing, RPG. The brutal challenge it possesses and bleak story may not make it a crowd favorite. Finding the right balance between Law and Chaos is not as clear as you may think. However, it's due to their uncompromising decisions that Atlus continues to be one of the best RPG developers around.
Call of Duty: Vanguard is another solid entry in the popular franchise, but far from an excellent one. The campaign struggles in the story department, but a good base of multiplayer options and a fun, if underdeveloped, Zombies mode help save the day.
Owing to its precise gameplay and satisfying open-world, Riders Republic has the makings of an extreme sport fan's dream. It just would have been nice if the title's exhausting and obnoxious attitude had been checked at the door.
Although it may lack the over-the-top thrills of previous entries, House of Ashes is perhaps the best entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology to date. The cast of characters is strong across the board, and the story boasts a satisfying conclusion previous titles struggled to provide.
Far Cry 6 is another well-crafted entry in Ubisoft's long-running franchise. While the framework of the series is still in place, the title introduces welcome changes such as a real protagonist and extensive customization that make this an improvement on its predecessor.
NBA 2K22 continues to assert the series' reputation as one of the best sports sims in the business. It's an incredibly enjoyable game to play, even if the options surrounding the on-court action continue to be maddeningly inconsistent.
Life is Strange: True Colors delivers an engaging and emotionally cathartic tale along with a surprisingly fulfilling new power. Its earnestness may not be for everyone, but fans of the series will find much to enjoy with this Deck Nine outing.
Road 96 is an engaging and timely adventure, but the title's poor performance on the Nintendo Switch makes it a rougher go than it should be.
The universe of Psychonauts 2 is as creative and mind-bending as you would expect, but the 3D platforming still feels rooted in the past.
Last Stop is an engaging piece of entertainment, but not really an entertaining game to play. The fun of the narrative can't overcome the lackluster gameplay and nonexistent player choice.
As Yakuza 0 did for that beloved franchise, so does The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles for its own. This pair of relatively new entries serve as the perfect entry point into the world of intense legal battles and even more intense reactions the Ace Attorney series is known for.
Scarlet Nexus succeeds largely on the back of its engaging gameplay. Bandai Namco have crafted an excellent combat engine that lets you run wild with power. The characters could have used some sprucing up, and the repetition of the environments is disappointing, but the framework of a future franchise is here.
The Last Kids On Earth and The Staff Of Doom may keep the young fans of the series entertained for a good amount of time. However, the lack of overall depth and no serious tie-ins to the plot of the show makes this an effort that more discerning gamers can safely ignore.