Tyler Chancey
Breath of the Wild is a bold and powerful testament to Nintendo’s work. A grand adventure that takes a lot of risks and haves them pay off. An utterly engrossing swan song for the Wii U and a promise for the future of the Nintendo Switch. A once in a lifetime experience that soars above any minor issues it has to take its place as a modern classic.
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.
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.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition gives a classic a makeover, and helps touch up some areas that haven't aged as well.
A glorious love letter to retro ninja action, Cyber Shadow is a must for fans of high-speed fun and delicious 1990s cheesy camp.
Loop Hero combines idle game's passiveness with the mechanical depth of a fantasy RPG. The result is a deeply absorbing and rewarding game.
While there are a few difficulty issues and some iffy story beats, Returnal is a fantastically brutal, rewarding, and deeply atmospheric sci-fi action game.
While at times overwhelming in its frame of references and a little tedious in spots, No More Heroes 3 shines with unforgettable boss fights and genre bending setpieces
Nightdive Studios do a fantastic job with Quake Remastered. The 1996 classic lives yet again with some new tricks to boot.
Trolley Problem, Inc. presents ethical questions in a direct, accessible manner, covering multiple fields of discussion. At times, that depth can make it feel more of a teaching tool than a game.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a gripping, powerful story told well with a unique world and compelling characters. The combat, once it fully introduces everything, is also packed with depth and complexity.
Even by JRPG slow boil standards, Persona 5 takes forever to get going and trips over its own feet along the way, losing some progressive teeth in the process. But once it starts going it is still an absorbing experience thanks to some tight gameplay and fetching visuals. If you’re craving a new JRPG that will steal at least a hundred hours of your life while keeping you entertained, this one is for you.
Pokemon Sun and Moon mixes up its tried and true formula to create something distinctly refreshing. A must buy for Pokemon fans and those who want to get into the series.
In conclusion, Nioh is a confident and engaging action RPG that wears cultural pride on its sleeve like a badge of honor. An absolutely absorbing time sink that continues to reward and challenge the further and further you go. A masterful return to form for the action chops of Team Ninja, one that I will gladly return to with love even as it pounds me into powder.
If you bought Shovel Knight when it came out and loved every minute of it, Specter of Torment is a fantastic reason to return to this world and its characters. Sharp gameplay, taut worldbuilding, and brimming with personality, this is a trip to the dark side that is worth taking.
Glitches aside, Cosmic Star Heroine is one of those pleasant experiences made by a talented smaller studio that revels in gaming's roots. All at once a homage and a refinement of classic RPGs with just enough heart and imagination to rope in players of any age or skill.
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.
Dreamscaper combines the polished gameplay and progression of a rogulike to tell a more grounded character-driven story with aplomb.
Barring some antiquated gameplay elements from a decade ago, Alan Wake Remastered is a stellar facelift for a beloved action-horror thriller experience.
An original, imaginative dark western fantasy world with impressive immersive sim elements let down by some sloppy chaotic combat and interchangeable supporting cast.