As the sun sets on the PS4, Sucker Punch has given the console a noble send-off with Ghost of Tsushima. Although it takes some time to feel engaged by its beautifully tragic narrative, its brutal yet eloquent gameplay and picture-esque world never fail to capture you.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the end of one generation and the start of another. It serves as yet another defining title for PlayStation but also an essential story for Marvel's greatest hero. With new innovations in Spidey gameplay as well as loads of refinement and a wildly impactful story, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the game we need right now.
While Hitman 3 is the end of this trilogy, it's clear IO will be coming back to 47 after they play around in the 007 sandbox for a while. This isn't so much the end of Hitman as it is this iteration of 47 and I will be eagerly awaiting his return.
Rockstar has outdone themselves once again showing that they have the utmost care for all of their titles, no matter how old they are. [Cade Onder separately reviewed the Xbox One (8) and Switch (8.5) versions. Their scores have been averaged]
Adios is a powerful tale of regret and reflection.
Cities: Skylines is the spiritual successor to Simcity you've been waiting for.
Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin is everything you know and love about the series except with a different perspective. It retains the humor and style while successfully adding a new type of gameplay.
Madden 18 innovates in a lot of areas and while it fumbles with some of the modes, it manages to make up for it with incredible gameplay, visuals, and online play.
FIFA 18 may take a few steps back in the gameplay department but the well-written, multi-layered story that deals with Alex's life on and off the pitch is one worth experiencing.
Call of Duty: WWII is a glorious and triumphant return to the series that delivers a stellar experience across the board via a high-quality campaign and an ingenious and riveting multiplayer despite a number of technical hiccups.
A Way Out truly excels at being a really unique video game experience. It tells a familiar cinematic story in a way no other medium can thanks to its brilliant execution. Some may find elements of the game lacking due to it being a bit simple but it can also be seen as a positive due to the fact that it allows more people to play the game. It could alienate some hardcore gamers but if you're looking for a good co-op experience, A Way Out is one of the best of its kind.
Its fun, creative presentation feels so refreshing and a true escape into something wonderful for people of all ages. Strange Brigade had me yearning for a new Indiana Jones just because I crave that campy kind of adventure. If you're someone who wants something simple yet totally gripping or a fan of Call of Duty's massively popular zombies mode, Strange Brigade is for you. Should you happen to sleep on it, you're likely going to miss out on one of the most enjoyable co-op experiences of 2018.
The beauty of Hitman 2 is that the first game was already so good that it didn't need some radical shake-up to the formula with a sequel. IO Interactive knew that they essentially struck gold the first time around and instead of overhauling the whole thing, they've taken a closer look at what could be done to improve things rather than take an entire step back and shuffle everything around.
Despite shortcomings like a rather by the numbers level of quality of side missions, poor performance both visually and audibly, Metro Exodus still manages to deliver a compelling experience. Thanks to its meaty crafting and gun customization, a beautiful character-driven story focused more on humans than the fantastical, and a world built around fear, desolation, and tension, Exodus will definitely be one of 2019's most talked about games by the end of the year.
Observation is one of 2019's most unique and interesting games both with its gameplay and overall execution. It delivers a unique sense of horror we typically don't see in games, compelling puzzles, and it has a profound impact on you when the credits roll. While it can sometimes be a tad unpleasant to play with annoying, unsmooth controls and being disorienting, Observation is still a fantastic sci-fi experience.
The Outer Worlds cements itself as an incredibly memorable RPG. Obsidian has built a vibrant and freeing world that is fresh, exciting, and ripe with galactic potential that will hopefully continue being explored in sequels. Even with its shortcomings, its easy to see Obsidian's newest RPG bordering on instant classic status.
Patapon 2 is still best-in-class when it comes to the rhythm-action genre but there are some areas where it doesn't hold up, specifically in its clarity and technical prowess. However, if you're looking for an incredibly engaging and euphoric game to help tide you over until 2020's big hitters start to drop, you can't go wrong with this remaster of this beloved PSP title.
By delivering the thrills of being part of "The Show" through energetic, immersive gameplay and a plethora of varying content, MLB the Show 20 is another great entry in the annual series. Despite some modes not getting the love they deserve and some additions not adding a ton of value to the experience, Sony San Diego still continues to prove they're more than deserving of the MLB license.
Playing Maneater, I personally had a lot of fun going around playing as a huge shark controlling the ocean despite being repetitive. The repetitiveness along with the lack of a worthwhile story did lessen my enjoyment with the game. In the end, though, I did enjoy the game greatly with its stunning visuals and fun game mechanics.
While it won't be a game of the year contender, Destroy All Humans stands tall against other 2020 competitors by updating itself for the modern age. With smooth and efficient gameplay, across the board upgrades, and a timeless satire on the 1950s, Destroy All Humans almost effortlessly sets the stage to rebuild itself as a prominent franchise once again.