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Despite the issues in online, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the definitive game in the series. It’s a celebration of Nintendo’s legacy in the gaming industry, and a triumph in game design.
It’s a triumph in artistry. Along with its silky-smooth gameplay, you’ve got yourself a JRPG that you shouldn’t miss — heck, it’s a title that every Switch owner should have, even if they aren’t too interested. It’s just great to see that Square Enix is embracing that old-school JRPG flair and made a near-perfect game.
Now that my journey is over, though, there’s a part of me that misses that tedium. I want to go back and hunt all the animals, explore every mountaintop and winding river. There were so many little easter eggs that I’ve missed in Red Dead Redemption 2, and I want to take my time to find them all. Maybe it’s Stockholm syndrome. Or maybe Rockstar has built one of the most realistic depictions of life itself.
Overall, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is a very solid fighter. The game is simple enough for beginners to be able to jump in, yet has enough complexity for those who are more experienced with fighting games. The game does have its shortcomings, especially when it comes to the lack single-player options. Despite this, the game looks good, sounds good, and plays good.
Summerset is a very comprehensive chunk of DLC. The storyline is really satisfying and the new zone is by far Zenimax Online’s best work. All the other inclusions easily justify the price of this content. If Summerset is any indication as to the quality of future content, then the future is looking very bright for this MMO.
The Messenger goes beyond paying its respects to the games of the past, effectively using the time shifting as a homage to the 8- and 16-bit eras. It’s more than a gimmick, acting as both a game mechanic and a storytelling tool. The interesting narrative draws you in while the clever writing breaks the fourth wall to make you laugh. The tight controls keep you playing, despite the slight tedium of the Metroidvania segments. The Messenger toes the line between being a tribute to old-school games and being a modern game with a fresh feeling.
The first episode of Life is Strange 2, which took me roughly three hours to complete, is an emotional experience that shouldn’t be missed this year. It’s a strong start to a series that exceeds all expectations. It lays a lot of promise for the next four episodes that I hope Dontnod delivers on, and I want the political commentary to continue. This sequel has a lot of ambition and lofty goals, but if it succeeds, it has the potential to be crowned one of the best titles in the episodic narrative genre.
Monorail Stories' simplicity, fascinating characters, stunning art style, replayability, and interesting storyline make it a complete joy to play.
An interesting take on the '2D souls-like' genre that takes inspiration from hack and slash games like Muramasa: The Demon Blade as much as it does games like Elden Ring.
Terra Invicta brings grand strategy sensibilities to the alien invasion genre in a tour de force display of technical and artistic skill. Be prepared to lose large chunks of time and love every single moment of it.
Scorn is gross and disgusting in all the best ways. It's a remarkably unique experience that will alienate many, but will undoubtedly find an audience of people that cherish every part of it. How big that audience is remains to be seen.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is a hardcore, hyper-masculine sequel brimming with gorgeous visuals and ambitious action set pieces, all rolled together to serve as a faithful update to the original game. As it stands, this will be the last Call of Duty game until 2024 – and this is the best way to put a pause on the franchise. Shock and awe indeed.
God of War Ragnarok is the end of times, God of War Ragnarok is the best of times. You will not want to miss this final chapter.
Melatonin combines colourful art and catchy music to tell a story of how dreams can be an escape from reality. It is the perfect game for those who want a challenge alongside a narrative that runs deep.
"Colossal Cave" is a nostalgia bomb of early gaming's text-based adventure past mixed with the aesthetics of 90s "slideshow" adventures, masterfully combined by the oldest and most respected names in gaming. It's a short, sweet, and expertly delivered experience for gamers of any generation.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line hits all the right notes, with accessibility options that are music to my ears. The gameplay is addicting, the music is excellent and the replayability of it all is a great bonus.
Kirby's Return to Dreamland Deluxe is an expert remaster, keeping everything from the original but adding optional new content.
Storyteller is delightful, innovative, and incredible fun in a stylish package. This is one book you won't want to leave on your shelf.
Bayonetta Origin shows Bayonetta in a new format visually, mechanically, and narratively, which makes for an unforgettable ride with some serious lore implications for the series going forward.
9 Years of Shadows is an artful blend of fluid, challenging gameplay, beautiful environments, animations and user interface, and music that gets your blood pumping.