NHL 25 is the most visually stunning release this franchise has ever seen, and on-ice gameplay is an absolute blast. Franchise Mode was given a massive upgrade while HUT and WOC saw some solid improvements, but another year of neglecting Be A Pro leaves career mode players out in the cold.
While it’s a fantastic game once you actually reach the court, NBA 2K25 is going to full court press every player into starting MyCAREER and spending as much money as possible. There’s still an amazing basketball game in here if you can get to franchise mode or the thankfully overlooked WNBA career mode, but 2K is never going to stop pestering you to give them more money.
Whether you’re planning to dive into career mode or want to wade through history in the Djokovic Slam Challenge, hours of tennis gameplay are bolstered by crisp graphics and a deep roster. There’s just no denying that Tiebreak is the best tennis game available today.
While it’s not perfect, Madden 25 is the biggest step forward this series has seen in years. Superstar Mode and the gameplay upgrades shine brightest, but just about every area of the game is moving in the right direction.
This innovative debut visual novel from Cyrus Nemati and Little Bat Games is enlightening, endearing, and entertaining at every turn. Letting yourself get lost in this world is a must, and you’ll probably find something you really needed along the way.
Fast-paced and hard-hitting gameplay brings the excitement of the collegiate gridiron back to gaming in College Football 25. Even with a few areas for refinement, the foundational Dynasty and Road to Glory experiences make this the best football game in years.
It's nearly impossible to please players of every single skill level, but F1 24 gameplay is some of the best the series has been in recent years. An extensive amount of optional systems allows more casual players to simply focus on the track, and the dedicated veterans have even more small settings to tweak as they fine-tune high difficulty strategies. Driver Career is a blast, especially when playing as iconic drivers of the past and present. Sadly, the missing story mode and poorly executed quick play options make it difficult for F1 24 to fulfill its potential.
Even for those who aren't rabid MotoGP fans, there's a serene intensity to finally settling in while playing MotoGP 24. Every frustrating wipeout feels worth it once you're zooming around a curve without ever feeling the controller budge. If you've been waiting a few years to upgrade from a past edition, MotoGP 24 is the perfect time to leap forward. Despite a few areas that still need improvement, it's hard not to call MotoGP 24 one of the best motorcycle racing games in years.
While other games like Stray have dug deeper into the existential storytelling that playing as a cat can provide, nothing else has quite captured the whimsy and joy of a feline perspective like Little Kitty, Big City. For players who might be worried the fun goes by too quickly, this one has already been a blast to replay. This could become the cutest speedrunning game around, but it's just as easy to kick back and relax as you take charge of that city.
If you've been yearning for the fun of Top Spin 4 and wishing something would scratch that tennis gaming itch, TopSpin 2K25 is exactly what you need. Settle in for some lessons with John McEnroe, work on your timing, and smash your way all the way to international stardom. The match isn't over for TopSpin, but they've delivered a power serve to bring this franchise back to life and get it on the right track.
Whether you're a Sokoban veteran or have never tried this kind of puzzle game before, Mimi the Cat: Mimi's Scratcher might be the cutest option out there.
When it comes to sports gaming, MLB The Show 24 is just more proof of Sony San Diego's supremacy over the genre. Road to the Show is better than ever, and even with a few flaws it's still the best career mode available today. Diamond Dynasty outperforms every single ultimate team experience around, and the dual-threat of Franchise Mode and March to October delivered once again.
After hours and hours spent in this remastered release, my only complaint is that I don't have time to play it non-stop for the next week.
While it's not quite perfection, WWE 2K24 is the best this franchise has been in years. The WWE 2K24 roster is packed with even more on the way via post-launch DLC, and Community Creations continues to be the fan-driven cherry on top of that. MyRISE, MyGM, and Universe Mode use that foundation to deliver tenfold. MyFACTION isn't quite on their level yet, but it's the best that mode has been so far.
Players who want to relive that original experience without having to hunt down a classic console and game will be served a high-octane dose of nostalgia.
During a time when depictions that honor the history and majesty of the Middle East are more important than ever, this window into that ancient world provides enlightenment to some players and critical representation to others. By forcing players to have patience and rewarding their creativity, Assassin's Creed Mirage in turn is making sure that every aspect of this masterpiece is seen and savored.
There's still room for improvement in this franchise when it comes to the Creation Suite, and additional stories in the offline Career Mode could give players even more to engage with, but these hits never drag down the overall experience. It already feels fair to say this may be the best MMA fighting game of all time, and UFC 5 could hold that title for years to come.
The impact of the NHL 24 gameplay upgrades really can't be overstated. Weighted on the game mode changes only, this would feel like a fairly inferior installment for the franchise. Instead, NHL 24 has the best hockey this series has ever delivered. The sport has truly never looked or played better than it does in NHL 24.
If you were expecting Madden 24 to reinvent the wheel, maybe you should wait for Madden 25 (part two) to see if things change more next time. If you’re a longtime Madden player who expects a similar but slightly upgraded game each year with new rosters, that’s exactly what you’ll get from Madden 24.