Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 does a disservice to returning fans and newcomers alike by removing most of what gave the original games flare while being simultaneously riddled with glitches.
There was potential here, but it is lost in a sea of technical issues that are nearly impossible to look past.
Yakuza 0 takes it back to where it all began, but a mildly interesting setting and story don’t quite make up for the game’s more tedious elements.
Cleverly designed combat may make up for the general content deficiency and lackluster story, but those interested should definitely do their research before diving in.
Almost as bad as a viral outbreak
Many of the issues Fallout 76 currently faces could eventually be fixed, which is why this mess is such a pity. The potential is clear, but a reluctance to commit to one direction or another leaves the game in an awkward and broken void.
Firewall Zero Hour is one of the most precise and tactical VR shooters out there. Too bad the systems surrounding it are so wanting.
Absolver can be rewarding for those that dedicate the appropriate amount of time and attention it requires, but its complexities can be hard to break into. Even when Absolver is mastered, the resulting expertise seems to have little impact on the competitive side of the experience.
The journey of Metro Exodus is more rollercoaster than train ride, with peaks and troughs rather than a steady level of quality throughout. Its technical issues make the product feel rushed, but these are worth suffering for a series that's ultimately heading down the right track.
Just Cause 4 has so many good systems in place, but it seems to have lost sight of what to do with them. While it's a relatively decent game in its own right, it continues the series' decline.
With a confusing and frustrating jumping-off point, it may be hard to break into Metal Gear Survive. Those that manage to stick around, however, should expect to find something worth surviving for.
Star Wars Battlefront II still tips more toward the causal side of multiplayer competition, but that doesn't mean there isn't a fair amount fun to be had. That said, the game's potentially pay-to-win progression model doesn't do it any favors.
Bugs and clunky controls can often stop an experience in its tracks. Fortunately, the beautiful world and strategic stealth of Ghost Recon Wildlands manages to overcome its hiccups usually and still deliver an adventure that is both fresh and familiar.
A competent and fun stealth experience brought down by some technical issues and the inexplicable lack of new game plus.
LawBreakers is a tight, comprehensive shooter experience that stakes its claim in the crowded class-based shooter genre with a fun anti-gravity gimmick, but occasionally frustrating gameplay and poor controls hold it back at times.
The Star Wars Battlefront name is holding strong, but if this is set to reboot the franchise, they could have packed a little more meat on its bones.
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition does a fine job of remastering the original, but a new coat of paint and some minor upgrades can't disguise the fact that the gameplay experience hasn't aged particularly well.
Anthem is a beautiful car that is an absolute joy to drive, but so far, it only has enough gas to get you a couple miles. Also, the wheels will periodically fall off. Sold as a live-service game, fans of Anthem's exhilarating gameplay have to hold out hope that things will improve, but there's no denying the initial expedition was rough.
If you've been longing for a driving game with more destruction than you can keep up with, Onrush delivers. There are many things unique about this new arcade racer, the top being that the term “racer” is a misnomer.
Far Cry 5 had much to live up to coming in under the shadow of previous games in the series. While it doesn't quite reach the same level, it stays true to enough of its series staples that fans and newcomers alike should expect a good time.