Alex Santa Maria
- Halo: Combat Evolved
- Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
- Burnout 3: Takedown
Alex Santa Maria's Reviews
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is a chaotic good time that takes everything that was great about the first game, gives it a fresh coat of paint, and adds in more nonsense on top.
Bandai Namco isn't reinventing the wheel with Tekken 7, but it's been long enough that a solid entry in the franchise feels fresh. The new additions are small in scope but deliver in a big way, making this easily one of the best entries in the series.
Sonic Mania is one of those games that many thought would never happen. A true sequel to Sonic and Knuckles that takes the series to new heights, this is the 2D arcade platformer that everyone who owned a Genesis has been waiting for.
After a decade of waiting, Burnout's heir apparent is here. With a mix of reckless driving, team-based objectives, and just a dash of neon superpowers, Onrush is an explosive cocktail that's not to be missed.
Tetris Effect is a dazzling display of all aspects of gaming coming together for a singular experience. It's also a fully featured edition of the best puzzle game of all time. Overall, that's a pretty good combo.
Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath's story expansion and new characters add the cherry on top of NetherRealm's fighting game sundae.
Thanks to a moody atmosphere and precise mechanics, West of Dead perfectly wraps the tense feeling of cover shooting around a solid roguelike core.
Not only does Huntdown perfect what's been done in 2D shooters, it offers several new ways forward for the genre. A retro-minded tour-de-force that feels right at home in 2020.
Shredder's Revenge brings the turtles out of their shells with great combat, a huge rogues' gallery, and a delightfully bright '80s environment.
Metal: Hellsinger masters its genre mashup and provides metalheads and shooter fans alike with an innovative campaign they won't soon forget.
Everspace 2 tells an interesting story in a massive galaxy that's worth exploring, even if the limitations of its scope creep in from time to time.
An action RPG that stands among the titans of the genre, Marvel Heroes is a glorious romp for any member of the Mighty Marvel Marching Brigade.
Rainbow Six Siege makes a strong case that every AAA shooter doesn't need a campaign to succeed. The gameplay is rich and there is plenty of depth to uncover for those players who are willing to stick it out despite lackluster progression and server issues.
LawBreakers innovates at every turn, backing up its demanding learning curve with rock solid gameplay that rewards skill and style in equal measure.
Kirby: Planet Robobot is another fun ride through Planet Popstar that only falters in its lack of innovation and short length.
The Turing Test strikes an impressive balance between Portal and Planet of the Apes that will keep players blasting through test chambers in search of more answers.
Learning from games both old and new, Immortal Redneck is a gameplay focused old school shooter at heart. Once you get up to speed, you'll have a tough time putting this excellent game down.
Zen Studios haven't faltered yet, and their Pinball FX series continues to be a bright spot in the digital pinball landscape. Outside of licensing troubles and new tables featuring less than accurate presentation, there's a great game of skill to be had here.
Let Them Come is the ultimate turret sequence. The game blasts past expectations with simple arcade gameplay and a solid presentation that combines the best of 90s shooters with heavy synth beats.
Dragon Ball FighterZ is no mere licensed game or anime fighter. Sporting a fan-friendly story mode, a robust online experience and a host of other ways for you and your friends to trade ki blasts, it's clear that Arc have delivered a 2D fighter that's worthy of respect.