Jen Glennon
Unforgettable characters, sky-high stakes, nail-biting action, and impeccable pacing make The Last of Us Part I a superlative gaming experience in every possible sense.
Persona 5 isn't just the best game I've played this year, it's the best game I've played in years. And I can't wait to do it all again.
For the most part, Square Enix's ambitious project is an enormous success, with achingly beautiful aesthetics, a mesmerizing story, and snappy combat. Uneven pacing and the repetitive nature of dungeons keep it just shy of perfection, but overall, FF7 Remake is a game to cherish for fans and first-timers.
With a massive, gorgeous world and wildly satisfying combat, Genshin Impact can rival the fun-factor of any AAA game released this year, and it’s completely possible to enjoy without spending a dime.
Like a Dragon is right up there with Yakuza 0 in terms of sheer fun-factor and an almost dizzying abundance of stuff to see and do.
Call of the Mountain succeeds where so many other ambitious VR projects stumble for one reason — it keeps it simple. Core mechanics like traversal and combat have a generous margin of error, and can be customized extensively depending on your appetite (or lack thereof) for a challenge. This keeps the focus on immersion and exploration, rather than fiddling with finicky button inputs and timing.
With fast-paced action, a gripping story, and some truly startling revelations that reshape perceptions of the overall story, Episode Ignis is a must-play for FFXV fans.
Despite it's flaws, Final Fantasy XV is a milestone achievement: not just for being completed, but for being completed with polish, aplomb and love.
If you're a fan of visual novels -- and you have a strong stomach and a reliable night-light -- Chaos;Child needs to be on your must-play list.
While it retains some of the annoying quirks of the SNES original (and brings a few new ones to the table), the Secret of Mana remake is still a rollicking good time for old-school RPG fans.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is Nintendo’s answer to the unfussy greatness of a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. Is there fancier stuff on the menu? Sure. But you will keep coming back, and you’ll be satisfied every damn time.
A consistently intriguing story, varied yet approachable gameplay, and surprisingly nuanced characters set this detective story apart from the pack.
Vanillaware's latest is a true masterclass in galaxy-brain sci-fi storytelling that will keep you up well past your bedtime. 13 Sentinels thumbs its nose at your expectations about familiar sci-fi tropes to take you somewhere completely unexpected.
Bandai Namco’s latest action RPG delivers a crackling sci-fi story with electrifying and innovative combat.
Shin Megami Tensei V isn’t a casual romp for RPG dabblers, but if you love intricate, strategic combat, you’ve come to the right place. Atlus’ latest is a grueling but gratifying RPG experience where your mastery of its mechanics truly feels earned.
Kratos and Atreus’s latest adventure will tick a lot of boxes for fans of the 2018 game. But some odd narrative choices hold it back from joining the immortal pantheon.
Mask of Truth ramps up the stakes and excitement of combat and delivera loads of meaty plot twists and character development.
Endearing characters, twisty-turny plot and generous sprinkling of anime-inspired humor will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment.
I wouldn’t place Chrono Cross in the rare tier of games I’d recommend to positively anyone, but if you’re someone with a deep affinity for the RPG genre, it’s a risk-taking riff on a classic that’s still got surprises to spare.
As Dusk Falls isn’t quite the arty thinkpiece it aspires to be. But it’s a hell of a lot of fun nonetheless. This is a perfect Game Pass experience for a mellow weekend, and probably best enjoyed with an adult beverage in hand — and the company of your favorite like-minded sickos.