Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition gives a classic a makeover, and helps touch up some areas that haven't aged as well.
If Found... is a visually impressive and deeply personal experience that centers on emotional resonance above all else
When it wants to imitate the 1987 movie, Predator: Hunting Grounds is a lot of fun, but doesn't really have anything past that
Man of Medan is a solid horror experience that relies on the strengths of the developers' past success. It's admittedly trashier than its campy predecessor, but the prospect of playing through it with friends feels like the ultimate evening of entertainment. A great mix of creepiness, suspense, and just the right amount of genre silliness.
Catherine: Full Body is yet another respectable remastered title from the guys at Atlus. Everything that made the original great is still here and there are honest attempts to address or fix story or character issues with the addition of new scenes and scenarios. If you enjoyed the original, there is just enough to have you come back, and if you missed out on this underrated gem before, now's the best time to jump in.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a mediocre spin-off. There's some charm and fun to be had, but it is not worth suffering through the tedium.
Whenever it's fully embracing its detective murder mystery identity, Judgment is a fantastic gritty action experience that takes Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios' formula into a refreshing new direction. The characters are likeable, the central mystery is intriguing, and even when it leans back on its own established formula, the gameplay remains satisfying and fun.
Devil May Cry 5 is the perfect distillation of what has made the series great. Satisfying combat, gorgeous visuals, cutting edge speed and fluidity, and a bold, brazen and completely devil-may-care attitude towards seriousness or self-consciousness.
Dead or Alive 6 has some of the most polished gameplay in the series, but is let down by poorly implemented half-measures with its other content.
Darksiders III still has some entertainment hidden behind all of its cut corners, but it is buried under the obvious signs of a strained and troubled production.
If you've been waiting for a return to glory for Swery65, The Missing is definitely worth your time. It might be the most conventional experience carrying his name in recent memory, but even then it will stick in your head. Whether it will be from the audacity of figuring out how to chop yourself in half to avoid some twirling death machine, or from the surreal nature of the unraveling narrative, it's a truly unique experience worth your time.
Call of Cthulhu is a case of the whole being better than the sum of its parts.
While the overarching plot isn't exactly high drama and the gameplay can feel limited by artificial busywork, Starlink: Battle For Atlas is the kind of game I've been craving for a while.
While the main story can get too melodramatic for its own good and Majima's side story doesn't amount to much, I can recommend Yakuza Kiwami 2 on its level of presentation alone. The twists and turns of the plot kept me wanting to see what would happen next, the gorgeous production provided by the Dragon Engine left me wandering the streets just taking in the sites, and the combat is as satisfying as hitting someone you don't like with a bicycle. While I can't say that Yakuza 2 still holds up under a modern lens, I can say that this remake kept my attention to the end. And in that regard, the developers should give themselves a round of applause.
Blazblue Cross Tag Battle does have some fun parts, but on the whole, feels lacking.
But with gaming constantly evolving in complexity in both narrative and real-world commentary, Ubisoft's latest adventure feels like an artifact. Trying to say something profound and winds up toothlessly paying lip service, leading to a flat and hollow narrative.
If you can groove on a game that takes its time with cutscenes and characters, ignore some subpar visuals in some spots, and have a love for gangland crime thrillers mixed with high-octane martial arts madness, this is the game for you.
The remake of Shadow of the Colossus lives up to its own legacy. Everything that made this experience powerful, emotionally resonant, and exciting is still here. Everything that was added only enhances and improves what was already in the foundation. What was already a masterpiece has been given a makeover in all the right places. If you loved the original game and want to experience it again, you will find a lot to love. If this is your first time hearing about this all-time great, now is the best time to try.
It all boils down to a simple conclusion. If you love fighting large dragons and dinosaurs, playing with friends, and enjoy a lighthearted experience full of pulpy action, you will love Monster Hunter World. The story presented isn't exactly one for the ages and there are some nitpicks to be found with the control scheme, but it's a game that sinks its teeth into you and doesn't let go.
If you love Star Wars and want to play online with friends, you be better off picking up the Ultimate Edition of the original Star Wars Battlefront or just wait until this embarrassment is in the bargain bin. The Force is not with this one.