Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath lets its villains strut their stuff in a fun epilogue, and the new fighters are all welcome additions, but an overall lack of content makes it tough to wholly recommend this expansion at its full $40 price tag. Those new to Mortal Kombat 11 can get a much better deal, but if you've already bought the game, this Aftermath may not add up.
Maneater isn't exactly Jaws, but it isn't Sharknado either. Crunching up hapless beachgoers and exploring underwater wonders is fun, even if the game's bite is often blunted by clunky controls, repetitive missions, and a myriad of technical issues. Proceed with caution, but if you're into sharks and can keep your expectations in check, Maneater's treacherous waters may be worth wading into.
Streets of Rage 4 doesn't reinvent the wheel, but honestly, that's okay. The game's dazzling visuals, silky-smooth action, varied level design, and sexy sense of cool more than make up for a few minor old-school irritations. Veteran Bare Knuckle brawlers will get the most out of Streets of Rage 4, but it should provide a satisfying thumb workout for players from all eras.
Sakura Wars isn't for everyone, but fans of quirky Japanese imports or those simply looking for something a bit outside their comfort zone ought to give it a shot. The game's action is run-of-the-mill, but its heartfelt character-driven story and polished anime-infused presentation largely make up for that. Sakura Wars may not win every battle, but it stands tall in the end.
The Resident Evil multiplayer curse continues. Resident Evil Resistance presents some promising ideas, and messing with people as the Mastermind has its moments, but unsatisfying action, clunky level design, a lack of content, and manipulative microtransactions snuff out the game's potential. Sadly, trying to wring more than a few minutes of fun from Resident Evil Resistance is futile.
Resident Evil 3 is the franchise's best action-driven entry since the glory days of Resident Evil 4. A beautifully-balanced combination of white-knuckle mayhem and satisfying old-school tension, Resident Evil 3 is compulsively-munchable popcorn entertainment that, unfortunately, disappears all too quickly. If you're looking for value, there are certainly meatier games out there, but few that will leave you licking your fingers as happily as this one.
MLB The Show 20 keeps the franchise's Cal-Ripken-like streak of solid annual releases intact without swinging for the fences. The on-field action is as satisfying as ever, but developer SIE San Diego mostly plays it safe with a series of modest gameplay tweaks and new features. A bigger shakeup is likely in store when the series goes multiplatform next year, but for now, MLB The Show 20 still touches all the bases.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX doesn't really set out to bust expectations. It's a decent little remake of a decent little game. While a lack of challenge, so-so presentation, and an unsatisfying approach to Pokémon collecting limits Rescue Team DX's potential, exploring the game's dungeons has an undeniable Zen appeal and there's certainly a ton of content to work through. This Mystery Dungeon is worth unraveling, provided you don't mind a roguelike that's more relaxing than rigorous.
The Suicide of Rachel Foster tackles challenging subject matter and bravely invites comparisons to recent indie favorites, but all the ambition in the world can't make up for an unengaging story, clunky gameplay, and some unfortunate tone-deaf moments. If you loved Gone Home or Firewatch, you're better off just playing them again – Rachel Foster is a ghostly shadow of those classics.
Zombie Army 4: Dead War isn't the perfect Left 4 Dead successor fans have been champing for, but it's one of the better attempts to date. What the game lacks in raw thrills, it makes up for with depth, challenge, solid tech, and devil-may-care craziness. If you're not already tired of co-op zombie shooters, there's a heck of a lot of fun to be had taking on Hitler's hellish hordes.
Anybody pining for more Metroid Prime needs to put Journey to the Savage Planet at the top of their list. The game has a few rough edges and its sense of humor might not be to all tastes, but it captures that inviting, adventuresome Metroid spirit better than anything I've played in a while. This Savage Planet will pull you into its orbit if you give it half a chance.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York left me feeling hungry. The game is certainly well-written, but its truncated story doesn’t quite do its complex, captivating world justice. If you’re a dedicated VTM devotee, Coteries of New York is a solid appetizer, but you’ll have to wait until next year for something to truly sink your fangs into.
Arise: A Simple Story is a beautiful, moving experience I couldn't stop swearing at. The game delivers a lovely yarn and some clever level design, but clunky controls and an infuriating camera leave this platformer stranded in purgatory. Arise's story may be worth your time, but only if you're the patient type. Simple as that.
Is Shenmue III dated? Absolutely, but the game proves that, like most genres, open-world adventures still have a thing or two to learn from the past. Shenmue III isn't always as player-friendly as it could be, but its lively, uniquely-handcrafted world is truly absorbing. Here's hoping this isn't the end of Ryo and Yu Suzuki's epic journey.
Need for Speed Heat ditching its predecessor's heavy-handed microtransactions and live-service nonsense is commendable, but in most other ways, this is actually a step back for the series. The game provides some solid arcade thrills, but a limited map, so-so visuals, slapdash action, and irritating cops weigh the experience down. If you're desperate for a new open-world racer, Need for Speed Heat may be worth a spin, but most will want to wait until this one hits the used car lot.
Once you check in, you won't want to check out. Luigi's Mansion 3 is a vibrant interactive CGI movie, beautifully-designed brainteaser, and top-notch action game, all rolled into one. The game isn't perfect, but its frustrating moments are brief and don't tarnish the experience as a whole. Luigi's Mansion 3 stands shoulder to shoulder with Switch must-haves like Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey – it's scary good.
Moons of Madness is the best of the recent rash of Lovecraft games. It isn't as dark or atmospheric as some of its macabre competitors, but it's well-crafted, nicely varied, and builds to a satisfying, pulse-pounding crescendo. If you don't mind your Lovecraft with a touch of Michael Bay, don't hesitate to blast off for the Moons of Madness.
WWE 2K20 is a slap in the face. I'm sure plenty of passionate people worked on this game, but the fact that 2K Games was willing to release it in such a sorry state shows they believe WWE hardcores will blindly gobble up whatever they shovel at them. WWE 2K20 is ugly, broken, uninspired junk, written and presented with contempt for pro wrestling and its fans. I know buying the annual WWE game is a tradition for a lot of people, but I strongly urge you to reconsider this year. If 2K and Visual Concepts can't do better than this, it may be time to hang up their boots.
Your enjoyment of Little Town Hero will largely depend on your patience for quirky JRPG systems. The game's battle mechanics are unique and surprisingly deep, but can be frustratingly random and time consuming. Add in a story and world that have their charms, but are ultimately rather simplistic, and you have a Little Town that will only appeal to select tourists.
Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince is an enchanting new highwater mark for developer Frozenbyte, featuring the series' best controls, visuals, puzzles, and bosses to date. Regular combat still feels a bit tacked on, but overall, Trine 4 remains a puzzle platforming dream.