Toby Berger's Reviews
Refinements to core aspects of NBA 2K23's gameplay make for some of the most fluid and enjoyable action seen in some years, and it's all capped off with the excellent Jordan Challenge. It's not perfect by any means, but this year's NBA 2K is certainly a big step up from previous entries.
Metal Hellsinger's rhythm-driven gameplay is something special, though it's marred by an uninteresting story and repetitive design.
Stripping away the flash with a bigger focus on the core basics, Madden NFL 23 feels like a breath of fresh air. It's still a series lacking an identity right now, but this year's entry is the course correction the series has desperately needed.
The new Saints Row doesn't break any new ground, however it's still a relatively fun time. If you're a fan of the series, there's no reason not to give this one a spin.
Even though it's not the 'Expanded and Enhanced' version we were hoping for, Grand Theft Auto V on current-gen is the best way to play the game on console. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles showcase their finest traits, improving load times drastically while adding minor technical improvements that make the experience that much better.
After some time away from the ring, Visual Concepts has re-emerged to deliver a wrestling game packing more than a few (superman) punches. WWE 2K22 is a significant step up from what has come before, and I'm hopeful this becomes the building block for future entries in the series.
Packed to the brim with blockbuster action sequences and a couple of well-crafted stealth-directed missions, the campaign focuses on four specialists and their mission to track down Project Phoenix – a Nazi program that could potentially swing the pendulum back in the Axis' favour.
It's not without its issues, but Battlefield 2042 is off to a fantastic start for DICE's beloved series. All-Out Warfare modes are immersive, Hazard Zone is enjoyable while Battlefield Portal steals the show. There's a lot to love here, and I'm excited to see where the game goes.
While it has promise, Riders Republic feels like it needs a bit more time in the oven. For fans of extreme sports, there's certainly something to enjoy here – just don't be surprised when a variety of issues run the experience into the ground.
FIFA 22 is the best FIFA game in years. HyperMotion pushes the action along, with a renewed focus on Career Mode more than welcome. It's a more refined, well-developed package this time around, and I'm excited to see where the series is headed in the future.
NBA 2K22 is a sound step forward for the series. While it doesn't always hit the mark thanks to the grindy MyCAREER mode and microtransaction-heavy MyTEAM, the gameplay and presentation is still second to none.
Playing FIFA 21 on the next-gen consoles is an absolute dream. Quicker load times, an increase in visual fidelity and better A.I. make it the strongest FIFA entry in the series in some time.
Godfall is often great in its moment to moment gameplay, though fails to ever make anything of its story. It's a fun time, but never feels like it reaches its full potential.
It just needs something more to it, whether that's an expanded career-type mode (like <b>Rocket League</b>'s Seasons, perhaps) or a bigger story to hold it all together. The handful of new arenas add to a large roster of locations, though without some sticking power Volta will always feel like a secondary mode compared to other stuff within FIFA.
Hangar 13's remake of Mafia is great. The story is as interesting as ever, and only minor technical issues take away from what is otherwise a welcome reintroduction to Tommy Angelo and the Salieri crew.
A great campaign and excellent gameplay can't keep Marvel's Avengers from feeling like lost potential. Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix seem to have big plans for the game, but right now the multiplayer-focused Avengers Initiative mode feels nothing more than a monotonous, boring old grind.
Project Cars 3 is bustling with things to do. It's as accessible as the series has ever been, and while marred by some inconsistencies in its presentation, is for the most part a joy to play.
I believe this is quite easily the best Smash game of all time.
It definitely has its issues, but WWE 2K19 is the best game in the 2K series so far. Packed with content to work through and enjoyable MyCareer and Showcase modes, you'd be remiss not to give it a crack if you're a wrestling fan.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is a pleasant surprise. While it's lacking in any major offering for those wanting a campaign to play through, everything else is refined and iterated on in meaningful ways. Blackout is a blast, traditional multiplayer is as good as it's been in years, and Zombies is insanity in all the right ways.