The latest Earth Defense Force spinoff is the perfect introduction to the series for your kids, your younger siblings, or anyone who's always wanted a more cartoony approach to alien extermination. It doesn't rewrite the EDF playbook or attempt too many new things, but it's still very much an Earth Defense Force game at its voxelized heart.
Biomutant could be the sleeper hit of 2021. Not only is it downright adorable, but it's also an absolute blast to play. Developer Experiment 101 has created a world that you want to explore, and it frequently rewards you for slowing down and taking it all in. Throw in some great combat, robust character creation, and a wonderful crafting system and you've got a game that should please even the most jaded of open-world enthusiasts.
Despite often feeling like a Zelda clone with roguelite elements and town management components, Rogue Heroes succeeds at providing an enjoyable throwback experience that should appeal to those who have a soft spot for A Link to the Past.
The Yakuza Remastered Collection finally allows PC and Xbox owners to play through the entire Kiryu Kazuma saga on a single platform, and the games have never looked better. And while some of the titles have aged better than others, it's a must-have for those who want the complete Yakuza experience.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity delivers a very top-notch musou experience, one that takes both franchises very seriously. However, Zelda fans expecting something along the lines of Breath of the Wild are in for a very rude awakening.
A superior sequel in every way, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle takes everything that made the first installment so memorable and gets rid of everything else. It also tells a more focused and mature story, though it doesn't shy away from extreme bloodletting and ridiculous humor. It's truly fantastic from start to finish.
No More Heroes deserves every ounce of love it has received since its release on the Nintendo Wii. From mowing grass to slaying enemies, the game's boundless energy helps you overlook its shortcomings. If you're new to No More Heroes, now's a fantastic time to dive right in.
The latest installment in the Yakuza franchise takes the series in a brave new direction. And while it takes a moment to get used to the new characters, setting, and battle mechanics, you'll soon find yourself sinking into a fully-realized world that's charming, heartfelt, and an outright blast to play - even if you're not a Dragon Quest fan.
Little Hope doesn't deliver the tightly written, well-paced scares of Until Dawn, but it's a much better, more focused experience than Man of Medan. If you can overlook so ridiculous writing and a few technical shortcomings, it's a spooky adventure that's work a look.
Although the recruitment system provides a few hours of entertainment, Watch Dogs: Legion feels like a series of systems masquerading as an open-world adventure game. Compared to the first two entries, Legion is a massive step backward, both in terms of story and execution. This is paint-by-numbers Ubisoft on autopilot.
Torchlight III, while clearly wearing the franchise's skin like a badge of honor, never hits the marks of the previous entries. This is a very basic ARPG that frequently shows its free-to-play roots, and in a market overflowing with action-packed role-playing games, being a mediocre sequel isn't going to win you any favors -- especially from hardcore fans.
Hades is not only one of the best roguelites on the market today, but it's also one of the best games of the year -- if not the best. Supergiant Games, firing on all cylinders, has given us a wealth of content to explore, characters to meet, and challenges to overcome. If you're not a fan of roguelites, this one could easily change your mind.
Serious Sam 4 doesn't deviate from the other entries in the mainline series, and that's perfectly okay. The fourth installment looks and handles perfectly, though some players may succumb to the repetition before the campaign concludes. That said, it's still an absolute blast to play, and it should keep fans busy for quite some time.
Wasteland 3 balances solid turn-based gameplay with strong, tongue-in-cheek storytelling. Longtime fans of the series may despise the new streamlined interface, but those who were intimidated by Wasteland 2's dated presentation may find this one easier to approach.
Finally, after years of waiting, Samurai Jack fans finally have a game that captures the look, feel, and spirit of the cartoon series. It's not a perfect experience, mind you, but fans who've ever wanted to control the charming samurai now have an opportunity to do so.
Although players will find themselves on a blood-soaked adventure that sends its characters on a violent and controversial quest for revenge, The Last of Us Part II feels like the next logical step in this story. Technically and narratively, it's easily one of the best games available for the PlayStation 4 -- if not the entire generation. Gaming doesn't get much better than this.
Although it's hindered by performance issues, Maneater allows you to gleefully live out your wildest (and perhaps bloodiest) killer shark revenge fantasies. What's more, the game's dark sense of humor means you don't have to feel guilty about the carnage that ensues.
When it wants, the Sakura Wars reboot can deliver excellent combat and a story that's both compelling and emotionally sound. Unfortunately, the game spends way too much time wallowing in cheap sophomoric humor to truly make the most of its strengths.
Although it's incredibly easy and features one of the most stubborn cameras in recent memory, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is quite possibly one of the best Warriors-style experiences you'll have on modern consoles. It's slick, fast-paced, and weirdly charming, even if you don't know your Luffys from your Crocodiles.
Although it's super clunky and very unpolished, there's a weird charm to One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows. It may not satisfy brawler aficionados or hardcore OPM fanatics, but it should amuse those who want to experience life as a flamboyant superhero.