Overall, New Tales from the Borderlands is a great addition to the series, and despite switching developers, it hasn’t skipped a beat. Borderlands fans will certainly enjoy the many references that will get you past the fact that you can’t fire too many guns in this one. Even if you’re not a fan of Borderlands but enjoy story-centric Choose Your Own Adventure books and games, basically titles like any of the old Telltale releases, you’re in for a treat. The game feels distinctly more Gearbox now than Telltale – not necessarily for better or worse, but it’s a more refreshing version of the game genre that can easily get stagnant if not done right, and New Tales from the Borderlands is hilarious world-building and storytelling done right.
Gotham Knights does a lot of things right but keeps flying low and fails to push past the point of just good to great. Crime fighting is best done with another Knight by your side, and the untethered nature of its co-op play feels great until you experience the massive performance drops. Players will need to look past a number of things before considering the game, which could be a tough ask, especially with other big-ticket titles launching within its release window. It’s a shame, because Gotham Knights has some interesting ideas that simply suffer from average implementation. A lot of things in the game feels ok but not great, but fans of the Bat-universe can find quite a decent adventure that can easily entertain.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a triumphant return for Mario and the Rabbids, offering a fun and engaging experience from start to finish that will be appreciated by both newcomers and fans of the first game. The changes made here are significant, providing players with a refreshing take on the genre all while bringing the familiarity that makes it easy to pick up and play. All of the systems in the game don’t feel overwhelming, and introducing each element is paced just right to get players onboard without much confusion.
NBA 2K23 is by no means a bad game. Year after year, the team has been adding tweaks and making changes to the formula that further solidify it as the best basketball game out there. The addition of the Jordan Challenge is a cherry on top of the cake that makes this content-complete package truly delectable. Once a highlight, it feels like MyCAREER has been relegated to the background in NBA 2K23. The lack of an engaging story is sorely felt, and this year, more than ever, the decision boils down to what mode you actually enjoy playing the most. Overall, NBA 2K23 feels like the most realistic it’s ever been, and that may be a good or bad thing depending on who you ask. While the gameplay remains fun and engaging, some parts of the whole feel like they have regressed in favor of others. There’s a definite give-and-take here that’s more pronounced than in previous years, and players will just have to pick their poison.
Return to Monkey Island is a delight for both fans and newcomers, showcasing the genius of Ron Gilbert and providing an unmissable experience from start to finish. The latest entry makes changes and upgrades to where it matters and keeps the personality of the series by still making it a point-and-click affair, resulting in a charming and heartfelt entry that surely makes the 30-year wait worth it.
Metal: Hellsinger is a smashing good time thanks to its unique mix of mechanics and heavy metal soundtrack that delights and excites. The pace is extremely fast, and players will have to manage by juggling many things at the same time, but its satisfying and rewarding gunplay is enough to keep you locked in. That said, the game is not for everybody, and less coordinated players will rue the lack of auto-beat matching options. The game has a decent difficulty curve, but some won’t even make it past the tutorial because of its rhythm mechanics.
It bears repeating that The Last of Us Part I is an absolutely essential experience. There are no two ways about it; the $70 tag will be a sore point for those who have already played past iterations, which merits waiting for a sale, but the quality and experience brought about by a Naughty Dog release are unmatched. The visual upgrades are truly noteworthy, upping the drama of each scene and doing wonders for an already stellar script. From the heart-wrenching opening scene with Sarah to the many tense conversations between Joel and Ellie, each line delivered hits harder, making for an unforgettable playthrough. The suite of accessibility options also opens the game up to a much wider audience. Not content with just copying from The Last of Us Part II, Naughty Dog has also improved on it by adding options like allowing the players to feel the emotion of the lines delivered through haptic feedback. Whether or not the game is worth the price tag will be a tricky argument that will persist long after its launch, but The Last of Us Part I is an exceptional title that can stand on its own merits and is the best version of a classic that will be enjoyed by a whole new generation of players for years to come.
Rollerdrome is made up of a smart mix of mechanics that gel together effortlessly, creating a game that's a blast to play while looking stylish to boot. With a boppin' soundtrack, slick visuals, and flawless controls, there's something here for the curious as well as the hardcore. While the difficulty spikes up in some of the later levels, which could be a source of frustration to some, the game offers flexibility in approach that can prioritize effectiveness over style but also appeal to those skilled enough to take on a challenge. Overall, Rollerdrome is another gem from Roll7 that will surely be a sleeper hit on many 2022 lists. There's very little that this title does wrong, all while creating a unique experience that makes it a must-play in between the big AAA offerings.
Spider-Man Remastered is an amazing experience that’s headed to a platform that can push it to its visual limits. While it is a full-priced affair compared to its console counterpart, a point of friction for some, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it is a must-play title.
Two Point Campus is a joy to experience thanks to its easy-to-learn but hard-to-master gameplay. Newcomers to the Two Point series of games will find a lot to like, and it is commendable how the developers have made the onboarding process easy to understand despite its very deep gameplay. Veterans will appreciate an engaging and immersive sim, with multiple systems layered on top of each other that promotes a highly-addictive gameplay loop. There’s a lot to uncover for those that want to dabble in the deep end of the game, which is sure to keep things interesting. Overall, Two Point Campus is another fantastic and enjoyable outing that will scratch your management sim itch. These types of games are few and far in between all of the action-adventure titles out there, but you can be assured that Two Point Campus scores high marks and deserves a place among the best of them.
Monster Hunter Rise is a success and Sunbreak just builds on top of the formula by adding more of the same of what made past installments great. Both Rise and Sunbreak are easy to love, easy to hook you in but hard to let go. Considering that Rise is arguably the easiest generation to get into for newcomers, Sunbreak really caps the experience off and massively upgrades the base game in more ways than one. Sunbreak isn’t really breaking any molds, but at this point in the series – it doesn’t have to, at least not yet. It’s an amalgamation of new and old Monster Hunter and a worthy capstone for Rise, in a so-tasty digestible package that’s just beckoning you to sink your teeth in it.
F1 22 is in a bit of a strange situation because while it doesn’t add drastic changes or updates to the game, it still is the best F1 game out there that’s as easily accessible to newcomers as well as F1-heads looking for a deep experience. One thing it adds is F1 Life, a lackluster experience when compared to Braking Point, which I would expect to make a return next year. Other than this, F1 22 will feel overly similar to last year, especially for casual players that won’t pay too much attention to the finer details and will simply enjoy the game for what it is – a fun and exciting racing experience. F1 22 is far from a bad game, but its current offering this year features a laundry list of changes that don’t do too much to change the overall experience unless you know what to look for. Some will like the consistency while others will rue the lack of updates, and it will really depend on how much these mean to you when thinking of that eventual purchase.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a great in-between game, something that can be greatly appreciated after the deluge of heavy and tiring games from the past couple of months. Offering charming gameplay that is simple to pick up and understand, players will find some respite here that is easily worth the price of admission. For some, the idea of countless fetch quests might be an immediate turn-off, and with such a simple core loop, the game does little to deviate or add something new to the mix. Instead, it doubles down on the basics, making it feel like a game that doesn't look like but plays similarly to previous console generations.
Trek to Yomi often feels like it prioritizes looks over gameplay and to a certain extent, that's fine. The game flawlessly executes exquisite camera angles that give off a highly-cinematic feel that is a joy to both watch and play. While its close-up visuals are average at best, the game exceeds at framing scenes that look 'gram-worthy whenever the screenshot button is pressed. Its combat system, while decent, boils down to repeated patterns at easier difficulties but gets excruciatingly difficult at the next level, without finding a good middle ground that makes the experience feel satisfying. That said, it is very easy to pick up and play but will require players to prioritize timing over dexterity.
MLB The Show 22 is the latest installment in the long-running series and, like most annual sports games, introduces some new features that make it an arguably better product than last year. One of my gripes from last year was that MLB The Show 21 didn't really take advantage of the more powerful hardware of the PS5 and Xbox Series and it's mostly the same complaint I have now. Maybe next year? Similar to the likes of NBA 2K, many will most likely flock to its campaign mode called Road to the Show, and while it is a competent mode, there's very little difference from last year's outing, which is getting rather old at this point. Other features like Diamond Dynasty and March to October make a return, rounding up a full-featured installment.
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is quite the curious case. On one hand, the game is an absolute classic that everyone needs to experience, and this release just does that. By releasing on more modern platforms, especially on the Switch (which is probably the best way to play this game), a brand new audience can come to realize the greatness of the RPGs of old wrapped in a shiny new package. On the other hand, the remaster isn't something you'd expect for a game of this stature. Maybe it would have been wrong to expect more, but I certainly expected more from it and was disappointed, mainly because of the performance issues, something that is inexcusable given the technology we have currently. Some may overlook this, but it doesn't change the fact that it exists.
Stranger of Paradise: FF Origin is a surprisingly fun game that has very competent systems and features that work together to bring a good technical action RPG. Anchored by a deep job system and excellent combat with precise controls, hunting down Chaos can be quite fun if you let it. Despite its ridiculous premise and story, the game can easily attract both fans and newcomers to the Final Fantasy franchise and action RPG titles in general. There is a possibility that some players may feel overwhelmed with its many systems, but seeing it through is rewarding enough.
Overall, Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach is a solid entry in the long-running series that has garnered a cult following throughout the years. It is the best-looking game in the series and really excels at creating a tension-filled atmosphere that will keep you on your toes. Despite its many bugs and glitches, the core gameplay remains enjoyable as long as you can learn to put up with some of its questionable design decisions that can pile up to be a source of frustration while playing the game.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is certainly aimed at the looter-shooter crowd wanting a familiar formula wrapped in a crazy comedic package anchored by spectacular performances from the cast. However, players looking for something that's a lot more different, disappointment might set in because this is basically Borderlands in everything but name. There are a ton of guns to use and choose from, and while the feel isn't as solid as other shooters out there, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands delivers well enough in other areas to merit a playthrough.
Chocobo GP is a serviceable racer that will, unfortunately, be compared to Mario Kart until the end of time, as with any other kart racer. That's not to say that the game is bad, and it isn't, by a longshot. Despite several similar features, the game has enough spin to it to give it its own identity. In particular, the Magicite system is surprisingly good, offering a layer of strategy on top of the chaos that ensues during a race.