Elden Ring is a masterpiece. From its expertly crafted open-world design that rewards the player for taking the chance to explore to its riveting lore, FromSoftware has delivered what can only be described as a deliberate and thoughtful experience. While some of its visual stylings are starting to show its age already, Elden Ring's gameplay is the result of years of fine-tuning to be as rewarding as it is challenging. Many wondered if FromSoftware could put the level of detail into an open world that they have with their previous games. They've achieved that, and so much more.
Total War: Warhammer is not only a great Total War game, but one of the greatest strategy games of all time.
Thimbleweed Park is a great callback to the heyday of LucasArts-esque adventure games. It's wonderful characters and winding plot deliver a memorable and fun experience.
Call of Duty: WW2 is the best Call of Duty in years. Bombastic story, killer grounded multiplayer, and a dark and scary Zombies make up one of the most complete and enjoyable Call of Duty experiences in years.
Kingdom Hearts 3 delivers the conclusion to the story started nearly 20 years ago in extraordinary ways. It has the best gameplay of the series, wraps up all the storylines and still finds room for some surprises.
Monster Hunter: World takes the formula of what's worked with the series and turns it up to 11. Every monster encounter and every armor set to be had feels so uniquely crafted that it's hard not to marvel at the scale and complexity of the game. While new players such as myself may feel a little daunted at first glance, the game does an excellent job of easing you in before throwing everything at you. If there was ever a game in the series to feel like a jumping-in point, it would be Monster Hunter: World.
The Spyro: Reignited Trilogy is a wonderful recreation of three of the most beloved PS1 games. Not only is it beautiful, but it's a fantastic trip down memory lane for gamers looking for that quick hit of nostalgia. While it's certainly not as challenging as I remember it being as a kid, that low barrier to entry is exciting for a new gaming generation.
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection on the Nintendo Switch is a great game for old and new fans alike. Having the full Diablo 3 experience on the go is so very enticing, and is now my new preferred way to play the game. It's not the best looking Switch game out there; but with gameplay as satisfying as Diablo 3's, visuals be damned.
Jedi: Fallen Order mixes the magic of Star Wars with the stellar combat gameplay mechanics Respawn can provide. It's both challenging and exhilarating. Technical issues and minor graphical bugs plague what is otherwise the best Star Wars game in over two decades.
Not without its quirks and issues, Mortal Shell is a fun and unrelenting good time. Shell-swapping makes the experience unique, while its combat and world are ripe for experimentation and exploration. Though unabashedly inspired by other games in its genre, Mortal Shell warrants a play from the most die-hard of fans.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PS4 is fun, frantic, and full of heart. While not as large in scope as 2018's Spider-Man, Miles Morales continues to build upon the world Insomniac has crafted to deliver a heartfelt story about a kid in Harlem just trying to deal with the responsibility of balancing being a hero with protecting his family. Miles Morales doesn't add a ton to the formula, nor does it need to. Swinging through New York is just as fun as it was in 2018, and some of Miles' new Venom powers allow him to feel different than Peter Parker. You're not going to get all the bells and whistles the PS5 version offers, but the story itself is a must-play.
Horizon: Forbidden West is a masterclass open-world game for gameplay and visual flair, but falls flat with its story. While it gets close, Forbidden West never reaches the potential heights of what it attempts to set up. Instead, Forbidden West serves as a solid chapter in what could be a fairly large tale that is an absolute joy to play and take in.
The Quarry is a thrilling experience from start to finish that any fan of Supermassive's other horror games will immediately adore. If this is your first foray into their games, The Quarry is an excellent jumping-in point before diving into their other games. Standout performances, fantastic writing, and horrifying visuals are sure to delight all fans of horror.
Rollerdrome is one of the most unique combo-building games in years. Its combination of Tony Hawk-style skating with Max Payne-esque gunplay is a joy to play. Nailing combos while taking down a swath of diverse enemies does feel nice, even if it does get a bit overwhelming at times. Plenty of players will find a ton of challenges in repeat playthroughs of levels to achieve everything, and will assuredly be able to pull off some sweet moments.
Dead Space is a remarkable game, and surely one of the bigger surprises that will come out of 2023. EA Motive has done a great job in remaking one of the best horror games from the mid-to-late 2000s era; going as far as making certain segments feel wholly new again. As a player who never played the original, this remake feels like the definitive introduction to the franchise. I'm clamoring for more of Isaac's story, and even perhaps beyond.
All in all, Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX is the most robust collection available to experience all of the Kingdom Hearts games. While difficult to recommend to those who have played the games before, the collection does offer a chance for long time fans to brush up on the story. Combined with the already released Kingdom Hearts 2.8, we’re just one step closer to finally playing Kingdom Hearts 3. Whenever that may be!
Despite a lacking story, the Nemesis System is still the coolest gameplay mechanic I have ever seen in a game. Fans of Shadow of Mordor will find lots to love about Shadow of War, and new fans will surely enjoy the addictive and impressive gameplay. Just don't go in expecting a canon Tolkien story.
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs is one of the better products to come from the crowd-funded scene. Fans of classic JRPGs will find much to enjoy, especially with the lighthearted characters and story.
Far Cry 5 offers plenty for fans of the series, with a few new fun additions. The mission design is a little underwhelming, but it's a lot of bombastic fun. Eden's Gate and Joseph Seed are the best villains in the series to date.
Dragon Ball FighterZ is an exceptional fighting game. Everything about it looks and feels like the 30+ year old franchise, and many of the fights make you want to scream Kamehameha as you decimate your opponent.