Luckily the foundation of the series is still strong in and out of the campaign, with the multiplayer suite of Horde and Versus being as fun as ever. Escape, clearly inspired by Left 4 Dead, is also a great way to kill an hour if you've got competent squaddies for the ride. Ultimately, I had a fair amount of fun tearing my way through swarms of foes with shotguns and chainsaws, but there's definitely a part of me that's disappointed Gears 5 isn't the evolution its bloody heart is set on being.
More than just a throwback to frenzied '90s shooters, Ion Fury is a fantastic game filled with creative weaponry, oodles of humor, and memorable levels.
This side chapter provides a steady dollop of Nazi-massacring fun, especially if you have a pal along for the ride
My Friend Pedro is a fun little bloody romp that gets tripped up too many times by its frustrating controls
If you can push past the steep learning curve, Mordhau's brand of chaos is addictive and hilarious
Outer Wilds offers an incredible world filled with memorable moments, but the experience is hamstrung by poorly implemented puzzles and wonky systems
Observation is a fantastic horror game thanks to its twisting plot, well-realized setting, and challenging puzzles
A barrage of technical issues and poor design brings the promising thrills of Generation Zero's concept to a screeching halt
If you're willing to push past a large number of technical issues and poor stealth gameplay, there's a fantastic story buried deep in The Occupation's heart
Ape Out is a wickedly inventive, ultra-violent romp that doesn't overstay its welcome
Respawn successfully blends battle royale and hero shooters to great effect, raising the bar for free-to-play first-person shooters
At The Gates' opening hours are vicious, but those who stick with it are rewarded with a satisfying blend of strategy and rogue-like gameplay
The Eternal Castle successfully captures the visual magic of cinematic platforming, but it's unnecessarily frustrating thanks to poor controls
The delightful story and atmosphere just narrowly make up for the lack of compelling gameplay
Return of the Obra Dinn marries challenging investigation puzzles to a striking visual presentation to create an adventure worth taking.
Hunting dangerous quarry is a thrill thanks to a preparation-focused loop and fun crafting, though the lack of substantial additional content makes the value of a return trip questionable
Kiwami 2 is more than a great remake: it's the best this strange, wonderful series has to offer and it shouldn't be missed by fans of action or RPG titles
This concluding chapter is uneven due to breakneck pacing and minimal characterization, but it's ultimately a satisfying finale that remains true to the melancholy soul of the series
A pale imitation of its influences, Earthfall is mostly functional but shows little sign of life
Wolfenstein II on Switch is the real deal, offering an only slightly degraded version of the bloody and memorable adventure