Javy Gwaltney
Outer Wilds offers an incredible world filled with memorable moments, but the experience is hamstrung by poorly implemented puzzles and wonky systems
A gorgeous and unique setting, engaging environmental puzzles, and plentiful accessibility options result in a strong, enjoyable roguelite adventure
Tales develops an interesting world filled with rich characters that was imprisoned within the shoot & loot framework of Borderlands and Borderlands 2. Free from those constraints, Tales is already well on its way to telling a damn good story, and that's the best kind of loot there is.
Outside of the flying woes, Gat Out of Hell is content to let you be an all-powerful demigod or goddess. The game is just plain, hammy entertainment. It doesn't aspire to teach you a great moral lesson—outside of "don't fuck with Ouija boards," which is pretty sage advice—and it's not trying to wow you with 60 FPS photorealism. Gat out of Hell, like its predecessors, is that essential reminder we need from time to time that, yes, sometimes it's okay for videogames to be dumb fun and little else.
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
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
Vermintide 2 is a bucket of gory fun made even better by a solid progression and loot system.
Though its battle system isn't revolutionary, Pit People mixes brain-teasing battles with a barrage of great humor that makes it an enjoyable jaunt through a fun and colorful world
What Ails You serves as the payoff to the slow burn that has been this season so far, and it's an satisfying one
Matterfall is an enjoyable, arcadey action game with a few twists even though difficulty spikes mar the endgame
Though Old Man's Journey is a short adventure, it's a gorgeous and memorable one thanks to its heartfelt storytelling and intriguing puzzles.
Half horror and half mystery, Scanner Sombre is a short and great first-person adventure game for those who want to try something weird
Full Throttle is a classic adventure game with a great story, memorable characters, and hilarious jokes. The remastered version does it justice.
The third and final episode is an action-packed and satisfying conclusion
Though rough in places, Revolution is an absorbing thriller that asks you to make tough choices and stand for something
Revelation's choice to let players have their cake and eat it too works for the most part; unfortunately, the story suffers because of it
Playing by yourself is a fun time, but Mother Russia Bleeds shines as a co-op experience
Mortal Kombat X is fascinating in how parts of it seemingly want to get away from the nasty elements that made the series a household name and yet the gravitational pull of legacy and expectation is too strong. Mortal Kombat X is, in the end, no matter how much it wants to persuade you otherwise, just another Kombat game. It also happens to be one of the best ones in spite of itself but it's difficult for me to shake the feeling that Mortal Kombat has plateaued and that there's nowhere left to go without changing the fundamentals of the series in a radical way.
For those who have played The New Order, The Old Blood is best characterized as "more Wolfenstein." For those who haven't, The Old Blood is a great introduction to the best first person shooter in recent memory.
Ape Out is a wickedly inventive, ultra-violent romp that doesn't overstay its welcome