Reanimal feels like a deliberate evolution rather than a spiritual sequel. It abandons the safety net of stylized grotesque horror and embraces something harsher and more intimate. The result is a game that feels confident in its darkness and uninterested in softening its edges for accessibility. I'm not sure Reanimal fully surpasses Little Nightmares 2 as an overall experience, but it certainly matches it in every meaningful way.
However, issues like high cosmetic prices, lacking game modes, and overall feeling of a lack of polish, weigh heavily on the game as it stands. None of these problems feel insurmountable, but they do prevent Highguard from reaching its full potential at launch. Highguard is a good game with flashes of greatness and the possibility of becoming something truly special if its developers continue to build on its promising core.
However, it just never quite feels like an essential recommendation for anyone other than hardcore Soulslike fans who appreciate a bit of anime flair. Combat lacks that last bit of punch to elevate its encounters, presentation doesn’t always match modern standards, and missing features like co-op feel like lost opportunities. Code Vein 2 is an enjoyable Soulslike with clear strengths, but it stops short of fully realizing its potential.
Just about everything about Marvel Cosmic Invasion is so smooth and sublime, I fear it may have ruined my ability to go back and play some of my favorite genre classics like Streets of Rage 2 and Knights of the Round—it's just that good.
Dispatch is a masterclass in interactive storytelling and a must-play for absolutely everyone who can appreciate quick, witty writing, and it should absolutely be considered a late addition to the Game of the Year conversation.
Thanks to Arc Raiders, it feels like we're entering a new era of live service multiplayer games marked not by competitive min-maxing and meta build optimization, but by authentic human interaction and community-driven storytelling.
With Battlefield 2042, there were so many problems right out of the gate that by the time things had smoothed out and gotten back on track, it was far too little, too late. Comparatively, Battlefield 6 is already one of the best shooters of the past decade, and it's only been out for a few days. Chances are, at this rate, it could go down as the very best in the entire series.
Far Cry 6: Lost Between Worlds’ interdimensional structure is an inventive way to cap off Dani’s story despite playing it safe in most other ways.
Evil West is far from the most complex or innovative action game around, but it nails the most important parts of its old-school, monster-killing campaign.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War's Zombies mode has some of the best moment-to-moment gameplay in the series but its single map and lack of split-screen multiplayer sap its endurance.
Godfall's incredible visuals and stylish combat lift up an otherwise repetitive and bland hack n' slash adventure that lacks depth.
Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition makes a great game even better with a new character, new modes, and overhauled visuals for next-gen consoles.
Bugsnax is memorable for its writing, world, and creative premise, but its more gamified elements somewhat spoil a delicious meal.
This isn't the most exciting remaster, but Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is still one of the best modern arcade racers around – and now it looks better than ever.
It may have an Early Access label on it, but Second Extinction's 3vDinos co-op action is already plenty of fun and full of intense moments.
Taking clear inspiration from its contemporaries, Rogue Company is a solid team-based shooter with a great foundation and fair free-to-play model.
Spellbreak is a refreshing burst of magical fresh air for the battle royale genre thanks to its captivating combat and flashy style, but its map has room to improve.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning changes little from its original release because it doesn't need to. This is immediately one of the best RPGs you can play this entire generation.
Despite the fact that Madden NFL 21 features arguably the best core gameplay the series has ever seen and the introduction of a fun, albeit novel, new mode in The Yard, the continued neglect shown to classic Franchise mode, lack of innovation across the board, and technical issues leave this gridiron mismatch coming up short.
Hellbound is a rip-roaring homage to classic Doom that hits almost all of the right notes.