Lumines gets the Tetris Effect treatment, and it's incredible. Is anyone really surprised? Don't worry - the gameplay is enough to sustain you through the trippy synesthesia and then some.
You would think that a Telltale-style episodic adventure game wouldn't take off in this day and age, but Dispatch will prove you wrong (and offer an incredibly endearing story to boot).
This should have been Call of Duty's year to step up, especially given Battlefield's resurgence and the success of ARC Raiders. Instead, it limps in last with an experience that barely even feels like a worthwhile expansion.
A product of its time, revamped for the present, Syberia Remastered offers a sleeker look at the start of Kate Walker's adventures but loses a bit of the original's magic in the process.
ARC Raiders' inherent value lies in its execution of the extraction shooter formula, and it's a roaring success. Even beyond that, however, it's a masterfully crafted shooter that must be experienced.
Far from reinventing the wheel, RedSec slots neatly into Battlefield 6 as a competent battle royale mode. While the future could splinter into some question directions, it's a strong start.
A dull reboot of a legendary franchise, Double Dragon Revive mixes tedium with wonky movement, boring stages and annoying bosses for an ultimately unfulfilling experience.
The Wild West setting, intriguing lore and mech combat feel promising at first, but Bounty Star wastes them with a repetitive gameplay loop and dull story.
Ninja Gaiden 4 has its missteps, especially during the story and with Ryu's sections, but it's still a triumphant comeback for the franchise.
Keeper is another unique Double Fine creation, excellently executed with incredible art direction and fun puzzles, even if it doesn't push the envelope.
Absolum is absolutely recommended for beat 'em up fans thanks to the pedigree of its developers. It's also a surprisingly deep rogue-lite with a well-developed world, bolstered all the more by its incredible presentation.
As the "definitive" version of its 2017 platformer, Yooka-Replaylee balances smooth controls and stunning visuals with annoying humor, haphazard levels, and underwhelming challenge.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger follows up on Cyber Sleuth in some solid ways but falters heavily with its narrative, characters, and exploration.
Improving and expanding on everything that made the first game so memorable, Hades 2 is an even more epic rogue-lite journey and Supergiant's best work yet.
While fans of the original may initially find it more iterative than evolutionary, Atsu's quest for vengeance is an incredible new tale from Sucker Punch that expands on Tsushima in all the best ways.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a great remake, but it's truly elevated by almost perfectly channeling the original's charm.
While most of its appeal ties into your enjoyment of the usual looting and shooting, Borderlands 4 is a major step forward for Gearbox's franchise in world design, mobility and build-crafting.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is as beautiful and endearing as it is brutal and uncompromising. It isn't a game that newcomers (or even longtime fans) can quickly come to grips with. Yet, Hornet's journey through Pharloom stands as one of the genre's greatest and a testament to pure passion.
Hell is Us knows what it wants to be, and if you're willing to take the ride, it may surprise you with its lore and approach to exploration. Just be prepared for plenty of awkward bumps along the way.
Metal Eden's fast-paced gameplay loop and harrowing sci-fi setting serve as a solid backdrop for arena combat, but be prepared for a whole lot of talking.