Devastation leverages the Transformers license masterfully and delivers tight, satisfying action with incredible flair. Honestly, I had fun just driving around trying to do donuts, and at one point, I randomly picked up a taxi and threw it over a building just for laughs. That's pretty great. And when that perfect rockin' soundtrack kicks in as you face off against Megatron, that's even better.
A more complete, more refined version of the already stellar original, though arduous progression and empty solo missions spoil some of the fun.
The combat is frantic and tense, but often feels samey and superficial. The in-match leveling works wonderfully in the campaign, but can become problematic in multiplayer. The varied cast of heroes adds longevity, but the game still feels relatively content light. With so many moving parts that never quite gel, I found plenty of things to love but just as much to feel confused by and ambivalent about.
Catalyst's combat stumbles, but the fluid freerunning and enticing open-world challenges overshadow most of its shortcomings.
Only six years have passed since the wildly inventive Bulletstorm originally released, which may be why this update looks so good and plays so smoothly.
Overcooked contains all the necessary ingredients for a truly excellent co-op game.
Despite dragging in spots, Resident Evil 7's house of horrors recaptures the tension that first made the series a household name.
Dishonored's brand of creative stealth-action mayhem returns with excellent new weapons, powers, and gameplay options that overshadow a few late-game letdowns.
Dying Light's latest DLC supplements the full game's first-person parkour with customizable dirt buggies, drastically different environments, and a conspiracy-driven mystery.
Despite oddly overpowered enemies and repetitive level grinding, The Division succeeds thanks to its rich world, strong campaign, and impressive online functionality.
Need For Speed borrows from the series' past to create an excellent street racer with a handful of obnoxious but ultimately forgivable problems.
The series that cemented the 4X strategy formula continues to stand the test of time with a stellar entry that adds richness and depth in expected places.
Abzu is deeply, transcendentally beautiful--not just visually splendid, but emotionally evocative. Without question, it is this year's Journey.