Forza Motorsport 5 sets the bar high for visual fidelity and simulation racing on the Xbox One. Sadly, design choices and lack of content get in the way of the fun.
Guitar Hero Live ushers in a new era for the music game genre. It's bold, innovative, but it won't be a hit with everyone.
Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 offers more of the same multiplayer action and enjoyable presentation with a few new features coming to fruition. It's charming and accessible, though the game doesn't break any new ground.
NHL 16 marks what some would call a rebuild year. Most of the content that was inexcusably cut last year is back, but that's about it. The gameplay remains solid, and there is hope that the franchise can finally break away from the past and create something great in the future.
PES 2017 produces some of the best action on the pitch that the franchise has seen in many years, but the rest of the experience is still left trying to catch up.
Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is an engaging and entertaining horror launch title for the PlayStation VR.
Developer Quantic Dream continues to solidify their pedigree in creating narrative driven cinematic experiences. Aside from a few story and design stumbles, Detroit: Become Human offers an engaging adventure with great presentation, meaningful choices, and plenty of replay value.
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.
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.
Traffix is nice little game that takes a seemingly straightforward puzzle concept and makes a fun experience out of it.
NHL 20 finally offers some forward momentum for this sports franchise, and though it's not all smooth as ice, at least fans have a variety of good reasons to lace up the skates again this year.
Gran Turismo 7 continues to go about its brand of racing simulation in a uniquely eccentric and elegant way. It looks and handles as great as ever, though there is not much novelty here to get excited about, and the always-online requirement remains unwarranted.
Company of Heroes 3 proves that its unique and addicting RTS formula remains intact, and while it has plenty of solo and multiplayer content to keep you engaged for hours, a few design issues and presentation weaknesses prevent it from being declared an outright triumph.
Last Train Home is a well-executed mix of two different gameplay genres that benefits from a unique setting and engaging mechanics. There are a few bumps along the track, but it makes for a memorable trip.
The Fidelio Incident is a solid exploration adventure that's elevated by an interesting premise, engaging story and great voice acting.
Slime Rancher successfully taps into the addictive nature of farming simulators, while managing to make the gameplay loop more engaging and instantly rewarding. Seasoned vets of the genre may find some aspects to be lacking, but if you've never really found the appeal in maintaining your own virtual farm – this may be the game to change your mind.
Concrete Genie is a charming and wholesome adventure that makes up for its rather ordinary gameplay with striking art and personable creatures.
Despite a full year since the launch of the new console generation, FIFA 22 doesn't offer anything groundbreaking, on or off the pitch. The changes are largely minor and exclusive features are not worth fretting over. It plays a solid game of football, as always, but we're still left waiting for a true next-gen leap.
LittleBigPlanet 3 brings a box of new toys and drops them at your feet. Your enjoyment of the game will greatly depend on what you decide (and are able) to do with that assortment of goodies.
Assassin's Creed: Unity leaps into the new console generation with uncertainty. There are moments of excellence here, but the overall experience is very familiar and brings its own set of problems.