Cyberpunk 2077 was never going to live up to the grand promises made by CD Projekt Red, but its problems stem deeper than bugs resulting from its rushed development.
A reinvention of a childhood favorite of mine, The Powder Toy, Noita amazes with its pixel-perfect simulation of physics, chemistry, and magic.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a lackluster collection of three (mostly) excellent, timeless games. Nintendo has shown us what it can do when the effort is put in with 2004's Super Mario 64 DS, so the lack of attention afforded here stings all the more.
A revitalization of two classic games, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 proves that even in an industry laden with battle passes and massively multiplayer offerings, gameplay is king. Two minutes have never gone by so fast.
The biggest downfall of Mind Control Delete is also its slogan: MORE. The gameplay is still great, but the focus on quantity over quality makes the experience feel shallow.
SnowRunner is the stay-inside game we need right now. Slow, rewarding, and providing just enough resistance to keep the player sharp, it's a singularly zen experience that's made for a particular kind of person -- even those who avoid more genre-standard titles.
Doom Eternal's "play cool or die" philosophy shakes up retro shooter norms for the better. It's the confident sequel we all knew it would be, but it tries to be even more than that. In almost every way, it succeeds at both.
Dreams' unlimited potential for creativity is both a blessing and a curse, but putting the power of game development into the hands of just about anyone is Media Molecule's crowning achievement.
Kunai knows grappling hooks are cool, so it gives you two of them. But beyond its best feature, it's an indie adventure that falls just a bit short of its excellent peers.
The Star Wars spirit is strong with Fallen Order, and it came as close to making me feel the way I did when watching the original trilogy for the first time. However, unlike those movies, this one could use some post-release touch-ups.
Sparklite is a safe, stock-standard rogue-lite RPG that attempts to mimic The Legend of Zelda, but never manages to emulate it. An otherwise brief journey that requires some samey exploration to prepare for late-game hurdles leaves this adventure feeling a little stale.
Like any genre-pushing work of art, Death Stranding is sure to be divisive. That said, the unflinching vision of its director is a breath of fresh air in an industry increasingly unwilling to swing for the fences.
Borderlands 3, besides being technically unsound, plays it a little too safe to stand out. While the gunplay is excellent and the weapons wild, cringeworthy writing weighs it down.
Iceborne retroactively enhances Monster Hunter: World while adding so much content that you could safely call it a sequel. It's clear Capcom has perfected their winning formula.
Astral Chain combines all the best impulses of Platinum Games with a unique combat system and rich RPG mechanics. The world, story, and atmosphere are icing on the cake - this is one of the best overall packages from the studio and a remarkable directorial debut for Takahisa Taura.
For a game set in space, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is rich in atmosphere. While some activities are a bit of a letdown, there's a lot of gratification in cashing in a hefty profit from a lengthy space-truckin' session.
Gato Roboto is a refreshingly simple take on the Metroidvania formula. It's not going to impress everyone, but if you're just looking for solid side-scrolling action and a pretty cute cat, it won't disappoint.
Void Bastards is a pure, crystalline distillation of the immersive sim genre - all the feeling with none of the fluff. Full of variables, it invites the player to experiment and be experimented upon.
The combat of Rage 2 is its saving grace, and depending on how many gibs you're producing it can be a blast. Like a string of neon pink Christmas lights, there are fleeting moments of brilliance, but every moment in between feels dull.
Despite its humor, Duck Game is far from a joke of a game. Tightly designed and easy to jump into, it's a sure pick for anyone looking to entertain some company.