Jon Hueber
MLB The Show 23 dives deep into its best modes, refreshing the experience with a bevy of new features and tweaks to make the old feel new. The addition of the WBC and the long-awaited inclusion of the Negro Leagues makes this year's version the best Show to date.
Octopath Traveler II sticks with what works, weaving the lives of eight unique characters -- each with their own story and motivations -- to create an epic narrative that old-school gamers will absolutely love.
Wild Hearts treads familiar ground as you hunt one monstrous beast after another, but Omega Force has added new tricks and gimmicks that help separate it from the games it draws inspiration from. At the end of the day, it proudly stands as a unique experience with its own identity.
Iron Man VR has made its way onto Quest 2, and many of the issues that plagued the previous release have been fixed, solidifying it as the definitive Iron Man experience.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is a wonderful remaster of the first part of the Final Fantasy VII story, and the move from handheld to the TV screen, along with new graphics and voice acting, makes this a solid starting point for fans who may have never had the pleasure of meeting these iconic characters.
Sonic Frontiers marks an ambitious, seismic shift for the series, with a massive open-world adventure that both honors its past and pushes the boundaries of what this franchise can look like moving forward.
NHL 23 completely revamps crowd reactions and adds women IIHF players and new desperation moves, and it all works splendidly to create not only the best hockey game in a generation -- but one of the best sports games ever.
Valkyrie Elysium brings the 20-year-old franchise to the PlayStation 4 and 5, switching out turn-based combat for hack 'n slash battles, and while the experience is fun, you just can't shake the feeling that we've seen this before.
Madden NFL 23 honors its namesake in nearly every facet of the game, but the highly-touted FieldSense is overcomplicated and detracts from what should have been a fun and heartfelt tribute to the great John Madden.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 continues the series' tradition of massive maps and intuitive combat, but this time offers a story that elevates the experience to new heights.
MLB The Show 22 remains the sport's one true constant, and some fresh tweaks to existing modes, along with a much-welcomed gameplay addition, prove the game can only get better year after year, even with some features being mysteriously omitted at launch.
After a year off, WWE 2K22 returns with new modes, new controls, and a new attitude. Turns out, taking a break can be a good thing.
Gran Turismo 7 is a "real-driving simulation" revelation, taking full advantage of the PlayStation 5's power and the DualSense controller to create one of the best racing games ever.
Sifu preaches patience as it brutalizes your very existence in every way imaginable. But if you stick with it, and continue to learn from your mistakes, you'll eventually get your revenge and find the peace you were looking for.
Jurassic World Evolution 2 changes the game in more ways than one, letting players spend less time creating parks and attractions and more time reacting to a world where dinosaurs already exist.
Tales of Arise offers fast and fluid combat and an epic story, paving the way for the first great JRPG of a new console generation.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy takes the action RPG and draws from both the films and comics to create a stunning gaming experience. With plenty of humor, an amazing soundtrack, and stellar gameplay, this is one of the best team-based comic book games ever.
It's odd that it took EA this long to bring their flagship Frostbite engine to their NHL franchise, but now that it's here in NHL 22, the wait was certainly worth it, as the game has never looked or played better.
NBA 2K22 is the best-looking sports game of this generation, but flashy looks and incredibly deep game modes can't mask the on-court issues that plague this year's offering.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite (finally) proves that a great game based on the Alien films is possible in the modern era. A solid story, amazing action, deep customization, and intense battles make this one of the best adaptations of the franchise to date.