Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is a strong return to the franchise’s roots. The combat is excellent, the traversal feels fantastic, and player-driven exploration is a big part of why it works. The music is easily the weakest part, but it does not drastically diminish what is otherwise a near-perfect revival.
When I think of the best adventure games, I think of experiences like What Remains of Edith Finch, which push player interactivity in unique ways despite simple gameplay.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 only provides small improvements over its predecessor. The jump to a four-person squad and the new Specialist class are genuine improvements, and playing with a well-drilled fireteam to clear hordes is still satisfying, at least with friends on the mic. Everything else is buried under cluttered menus, unsatisfying gunplay, a mediocre story, and a handful of bugs.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush is a solid racing game when on the track, but the limitations on local co-op play and the frequency of immersion-breaking load screens hold back what could’ve been a great open-world racer.