Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 feels a lot like opening a time capsule. It has so much in common with games from a decade ago that it might have been released back then. Fun moments are there to be found if you don't mind fighting a camera, frame-rate stutter and sifting through menus and load screens as you fight wave after wave of hard-hitting health sponges.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night shows how the Metroidvania genre can appeal to both purists and more modern players, offering something new while giving hearty nods at its roots.
Conan Unconquered presents some cool ideas but doesn't provide enough weight or substance to keep you coming back for more punishment.
Warhammer Chaosbane looks every bit like a hack and slash contender but misses too many of the nuances that make other games in the genre fun and addictive.
Rage 2's greatest system gets bogged down by a middling experience, making for a forgettable trip through an open world that looks like it came straight out of something a decade old.
Rise of Shadows makes Hearthstone feel more interactive again, but that might just be certain sets rotating out. While the new mechanics aren't great enough to build decks around, several cards add great value to existing archetypes.
Mortal Kombat 11's fighting, story, graphics and mechanics should have the game piercing the stratosphere, but the persistent online direction the progression systems have taken feels like something belonging to a free-to-play game.
Anno might have gone backwards in time, but don't let that fool you. This is a step forward in terms of management and keeping players thinking and responding to multiple issues all at once. Settlements look vibrant and alive, with the music helping you while away the hours (until the narrator reminds you it might be time for a break)
The Division 2 is a product of years of love, labour and listening, iterating and reiterating on what worked in the previous game, and adding and changing based on developer and community feedback. Everything feels polished and thought out, making you come back for some more.
Devil May Cry 5 feels like playing your favourite PS2 hack and slash, but with amazing current gen graphics. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of style as you pummel, slash and blast your way through all the devils.