Nicholas Leon
An astounding triumph that will certainly stand above the pack this season, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a unique game about unique people. The writing, visuals, and gameplay combine to make an absolute standout of a title, one that has been well worth the wait.
Devil May Cry 5 is frigging great. I think I'll leave it at that.
Resident Evil 2 is a breath of fresh (or should I say foul and dead?) air into the bloated world of open-ended gameplay mechanics that, instead of leaving the player feeling empty and exhausted for the amount of options, leave them with a constant sense of tension but knowledge and will to push on. Truly an innovation that proves its necessity.
Sonic Mania is a franchise's identity found. It's simple, it's straightforward, it's what Sonic should be. The developers have gone back to the drawing board and have given new life to a franchise hat was on its last legs just a few years ago. This may be new life into the series, and here's hoping that it continues to be so.
It is a truly welcome gem in the medium that takes risks and propels the experience with new energy nearly every step of the way. The player constantly moves forward and the game gets tension done in a way seldom seen in gaming. A Way Out is an example of a triumph in new ideas, while using traditional methods of gameplay to get the point across that this is a different beast.
If you haven't already, go get this game, and then tell your friends to get this game, and then go have some fun.
This is a refreshingly unique take on the old school swords and sorcery genre. The time trial aspect may turn some players off, but it's a challenge that is actually a joy to play.
Unravel 2 is more than just a puzzle game. It's a journey of working with someone, sometimes that someone being yourself, and going on a journey that will change you. It's a marvel how the developers evoked such feeling out of this slick combination of gameplay and visual storytelling, even one without words. Like me, it will leave you speechless at the end.
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled is a refreshing take on the aggressive kart racing genre. While it’s certainly not perfect, it’s packed with content that can keep the player engaged for a long time.
This is it, this is the one we've all been waiting for. Here's to hoping that, in the future, whether it's DLC or another installment altogether, that this team from the developers at Respawn can come at this again.
And that sums it all up. Bye-Bye Boxboy! packs a lot of punch for its size. Its combination of platforming and puzzle-solving is unique, and its simple premise gets complex early in the game. The additional content is anything but slim, and not only adds, but enhances the experience of the game. The developers did a great job of crossing classic platforming with new puzzle-solving to create a new style of game that exercises the mind.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus follows up on its predecessor with a bang. With a dynamic protagonist and amazing characters, this is an entry in the foundation of what modern shooters, if not narrative games in general, can be. The mechanics are as stellar as the guns are loud, and it'll leave the player itching for more even when it's over.
This is a good collection that runs the gauntlet of arcade fighting games of the '80s and '90s. Whether or not you are a fan, this is a good entry point in the series, and there is something here for everyone.
My Friend Pedro, packing a punch, a kick, and quite a few guns, is a breath of fresh air in the shooter genre. While it runs the risk of becoming samey, though, it always manages to give the player something new.
Modern Warfare is the most astounding Call of Duty I've played since World at War. But they haven't gone as far they could, in the campaign especially. The multiplayer is outstanding, as always, with the slightest modifications eking out big results. But in the game's attempt to shock and awe, I don't think they're quite there yet.
It's refreshing to play a game like this. I don't think I've experienced one since Conker. Although this game is not nearly as complex as that, it works well to send Scrat on his way.
This game is good. I have made good memories, and hope to make many more. I'm going to miss these characters, their quirks, their catch-phrases, and their flaws. It's a good egg.
A solid remake that shows the highs and lows of the Crash franchise.
The LEGO Ninjago Movie Game doesn't try to be anything but fun. There will always be another LEGO game coming out very few months. But this one is pretty good.
I have no skill when it comes to playing this game, yet I enjoyed my time with it. The two most important aspects of the game could have used a lot more support, but I choose to view that as a sign of greater things to come from the developers, whether in the form of a sequel or another product.