Dinoblade is equal parts fun and rough around the edges. There's clearly more work to be done before it can earn its place in the soulslike food chain. But its solid gameplay foundations, borrowed from its contemporaries, prove that this game can stand on its own. With an over-the-top premise centered around dinosaurs wielding greatswords, it's a game that thrives on its meme status, provided you can overlook its technical hiccups and barebones storytelling. For $20, you'll get a surprisingly serviceable soulslike that has plenty of bite and enough personality to avoid extinction in an increasingly crowded genre.
Denshattack! is more than just the sum of its inspirations as it constantly pushes the arcade platformer genre forward with inventive level design and delightfully over-the-top boss encounters. In many ways, it's a love letter to Japanese pop culture, packing everything from mechas and kaiju to Akira slides into one unforgettable Shonen-adventure, even if its story leaves much to be desired. Once you overcome its steep learning curve, it becomes a nonstop thrill ride that never lets up, constantly building momentum and taking you to places you never thought possible.
Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced is the definitive way to experience one of the greatest Assassin's Creed games ever made. With its stunning visual overhaul, meaningful accessibility features, and thoughtful story additions, it fully delivers on the fantasy of living life as a swashbuckling pirate. Even without the modern-day storyline that once raised the stakes, and despite the occasional bugs and glitches, Edward Kenway's unforgettable voyage across the Caribbean never feels rudderless. Resynced sets a new blueprint for the series while making the original pale by comparison, proving itself to be well worth its weight in gold.
Four years after its release, Horizon Forbidden West remains one of PlayStation's finest exclusives thanks to its gorgeous open world, refined combat, and ambitious science-fiction story, even if its narrative doesn't quite recapture the magic of Zero Dawn. Despite a few unanswered questions and an abrupt cliffhanger, Guerrilla Games' sophomore entry in the Horizon series delivers a cinematic adventure elevated by the Decima Engine's industry-leading visuals and Ashley Burch's magnetic performance as Aloy. And the best part? Her journey is far from over, with even bigger adventures still waiting on the horizon.
Meccha Chameleon feels like a “forever game” in a sea of party games on Steam, and part of its appeal is all thanks to its inventive twist on the hide-and-seek genre. The best part is that it’s only the beginning for this viral sensation as more copies are being sold every day. Its low price point, paired with endless community mod support, can even draw in non-gamers because it’s such a low-risk purchase that’s well worth gifting to friends on a boring Friday night.
There is a lot to love about Voidling Bound despite its story and missions relying on frustrating grind and predictable objectives. Still, the core gameplay remains engaging enough to carry the experience, especially when experimenting with increasingly powerful Voidlings. Once you get past the mutational flaws in its lack of variety, there is a surprising amount of fun to be had. Much of that comes from its deep customization, supported by its Evolution and Splicing systems, which encourage constant tinkering and creativity that keeps you bound for hours on end.
Coffee Talk Tokyo’s compelling new Japanese setting highlights important cultural issues tied to living in a rapidly changing world, all told through Toge Productions’ nuanced writing. While the game could have benefited from voice acting and a few exploration-focused gameplay segments, these shortcomings hardly matter when Tokyo remains committed to delivering a fascinating blend of character arcs that are easy to care about. Paired with the cozy ambiance of simply listening to people talk over a cup of joe, the experience is more than enough to leave a strong and lasting aftertaste. All you really have to do is sit down and listen.
Thick as Thieves is an odd game that suffers from its barebones campaign and questionable launch content, but its incredible stealth gameplay and low price tag at five dollars easily carry the experience. Between its immersive atmosphere and layered heist levels that reward patience and experimentation, there’s still something to appreciate in its moment-to-moment gameplay. Still, it feels like a game that needed more time to properly reveal its grander vision, showing its cards too sparsely, without the kind of prep-time you’d expect from a master thief’s plan.
Dread Neighbor delivers a terrifying slasher experience thanks to its strong atmosphere and multiple character vignettes, even if it stumbles in its linear pacing and overreliance on jumpscares. Its short two-hour runtime and low price make it an easy recommendation for those looking for some quick, intense scares. While it doesn’t evolve much from the creator's previous game, Dread Flats, its shifting perspectives and strong final sequence help it stand out as a worthwhile follow-up.