Anthem manages to offer up moments of fun, with occasionally chaotic action, Javelin gameplay variety and freeform traversal. But an overly convoluted and forgettable story, underwhelming RPG elements and outdated design choices make for a rough introduction to this brave new world.
Crackdown 3 offers occasional glimpses of fun, but it's far too bogged down by outdated mechanics, bugs, and disappointing multiplayer to be worth anywhere near the full asking price.
Rainswept delivers an engaging and often touching story, but its dated visuals, lack of worthwhile gameplay and disappointing conclusion leave it in a somewhat muddy puddle.
PC Building Simulator is one of the better entries in the genre, with nice touches of authenticity and attention to detail. It's too limited and simplistic to replicate the experience of putting a rig together yourself, but it does a good enough job to get you started in the right direction.
Though not without a little turbulence from the convoluted story and uneven difficulty, Ace Combat 7 delivers a fun and polished arcade flight experience that should entertain newcomers and veteran pilots alike.
Pikuniku offers a few amusing moments, but its underwhelming presentation and simplistic gameplay make for an easily forgettable experience.
GRIS is an enjoyable platforming adventure that lets you casually explore a mysterious world, alongside some wonderful visuals and music.
Gear.Club Unlimited 2 is a quick sequel that only marginally improves on its underwhelming predecessor. Any forward strides are largely undone by unresolved issues from last year and some new performance problems.
Pokémon: Let's Go should satisfy younger players, and those entering this virtual world for the first time after having fun with the GO app. And while some of the changes in this remake are welcome, the core fans will find this title to be a somewhat shallow and easy JRPG that's a bit overpriced.
Overkill's The Walking Dead squanders whatever little potential it had with poor presentation, unenjoyable gameplay, technical issues, and simply poor design.
The Quiet Man is a failed experiment, but unlike other games that share this fate, it doesn't seem constrained by budget or technical limitations – but rather poor execution and abnormal design choices that cause its own undoing.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an enjoyable sequel that builds on the foundation of its predecessor, with much to do and plenty to see, all wrapped up in some of the best visuals you've ever seen on a console. With great characters and satisfying action, it's a Wild West worth exploring.
Starlink: Battle for Atlas has moments of exciting combat, neat customization, and some engaging mechanics. However, this new intergalactic action adventure suffers an engine misfire due to a ton of repetition, occasionally awkward controls, and a lackluster story.
FIFA 19 is a rather rudimentary refresh for the soccer sim series, one that offers slightly retooled gameplay and plenty to do in FUT, but doesn't feel all that exciting. For the first time this console generation, it's an annual entry that's probably safe to skip for casual fans.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey improves on its predecessor, with the new RPG focus of the franchise really starting to take hold. A better story and enjoyable combat can't quite overcome the repetitiveness of this sprawling 40 hour experience, but at least we're sailing in the right direction.
Forza Horizon 4 shifts the series to a well executed shared online world with four weather seasons, and though not every aspect of the transition is perfect, excellent racing and amazing presentation will definitely entice players to stick around and explore this atmospheric recreation of Britain.
NHL 19 offers an enjoyable offline hockey simulation, with highly customizable franchise and offbeat modes. Online, the new World of CHEL tilts the ice to the casual side of things, which not everyone will appreciate. Various technical issues also linger, so this year's edition is best suited for fans of single player.
Transference is an enjoyable thriller that retains its effectiveness in a non-VR setting. Despite gameplay simplicity and underutilized live-action videos, the strong atmosphere and a few memorable scenes help this sci-fi adventure leave a lasting mark.
Marvel's Spider-Man combines exciting traversal mechanics, varied combat, great presentation and plenty of content to build up enough momentum and swing by the underwhelming story and boss battles without getting caught in a web.
PES 2019 makes minor tweaks to the formula, mostly for the better, and still strives to offer its own take on soccer simulation. However, that alone is not enough to overcome the obvious weak spots that seem to grow more noticeable year after year.