Bayonetta 3 is over-the-top in every possible way, and I get the feeling newcomers and long-time fans of the series will appreciate that.
Octopath Traveler 2 is one of those sequels that builds on the original in every way, remaining accessible even with eight stories to tell.
Bayonetta Origins is a wonderful game that shows how Cereza and Cheshire, and their friendship, grow through both gameplay and its story.
GrimGrimoire OnceMore is one of those rereleases that not only acts as a remaster, but includes meaningful quality of life adjustments that make the experience better.
Dredge manages to be both a fantastic fishing game and a horrifying look at what it's like to be alone in the ocean.
Jack Jeanne is an incredible Switch otome game, packed with lovable characters, fantastic music, and a touching story.
Chants of Sennaar is an incredible adventure that tasks you with solving puzzles and deciphering a language in a challenging, accessible way.
Super Mario Bros Wonder certainly dares to be different with its aesthetically pleasing environments and unconventional Wonder Effects in stages.
Star Ocean The Second Story is among its best games in the series, and I believe the R release cements its role as the strongest entry.
Asgard's Wrath 2 feels like the Super Mario Bros / Duck Hunt of Quest VR games, due to its range, and way it invites people to play.
Lil Guardsman absolutely surprised me with its detail, depth, humor, and heart.
While I miss the female protagonist and the dungeon-crawling element may feel a bit dated, Persona 3 Reload is a joy to play and offers everything I could want from it.
Little Kitty, Big City feels like a more innocent approach to the Untitled Goose Game formula and is an absolute delight.
Read Only Memories: Neurodiver is worth the wait. As you play through it, you can see why it took Midboss so much time to craft the adventure, its characters, and its world.
1000xResist is provocative in such a way that its characters, events, and lore keep tickling your brain and urging you to continue.
Sony has a habit of putting certain games on pedestals, heralding them as experiences that gamers only see on PlayStation. Typically, these are more experimental titles designed to evoke thoughts and feelings, artistic endeavors that test the boundaries of what games can and can't be. Hohokum fits perfectly into that category, and I'm sure we'll see it used as evidence in many "Are video games art?" debates.
Tomodachi Life is a unique game. It's a simulation, sure, but the random elements and varying personalities of the Miis keep it from being as straightforward as something conventional like The Sims. It's more of an opportunity to put Miis into a virtual world and play around with them. The players won't always have control, but they'll still have a good time. That said, I can see some people who are craving something more straightforward feeling letdown by the fact that don't have total control over the Miis lives and actions. Overall, I think anyone who takes a chance on this unorthodox property will have a positive experience, and hope Nintendo will build upon this franchise.
There are plenty of areas where Destiny 2 is doing well.
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. felt uneven to me. There's a lot of promise here, and the jovial experience was inviting. I loved the multiplayer far more than I expected to and look forward to many more hours playing it. The problem is a campaign that feels like it takes far too long for things to really happen, especially when all aliens move in real time and you have to clear multiple maps before you get a real stopping point. I like the lore and world enough to hope that this isn't the end for this series, and that instead Intelligent Systems will be given an opportunity to build on this foundation.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is a definite improvement over Shadow of Mordor. People who played the first game and wanted to see serious growth will be pleased. There are times when it can feel a bit repetitive. I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I could have spread the experience out over weeks, picking away at segments and really building up to those major sieges. But the Nemesis system does feel stronger this time around, with orcs that can be rather delightful as you continually fight them or prepare them to serve your own purposes in your army. If you don't take the story too seriously, you should have a good enough time.