Todd Rigney
Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland doesn't stray too far from the formula it created many, many installments ago, but that's not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to this series. This is a fun, light-hearted adventure that doesn't overstay its welcome.
With the addition of Season 3 story content, new playable characters, new weapons, and a mode that allows you to reclaim the world from those pesky titans, Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle offers up enough extra stuff to warrant a double-dip.
Shenmue IIII pushes its epic story forward while holding firmly onto dated concepts, game design, and narrative presentation, but it will likely please die-hard fans of the series. Everyone else, meanwhile, might wonder what all the fuss is about.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
We Happy Few doesn't always come together to form a cohesive video game experience, but its story and art direction are nothing short of fantastic. Had the developers dumped the stealth and survival mechanics, I'd love this game to death.
When compared to other games in the horror genre, The Evil Within 2 seems a few steps behind its contemporaries, both in terms of storytelling and execution. However, what it lacks in genuine scares and creepiness it makes up for in atmosphere and gore, especially during the final chapters.
LEGO The Incredibles gives you everything you want from a LEGO game without breaking the mold. However, it doesn't address any of the franchise's problems and ultimately feels like the same old thing.
Although it attempts to combine a number of different gameplay mechanics, Zanki Zero: Last Beginning ultimately fails to bring these together in a compelling fashion. That said, it's a great visual novel, assuming you can handle the discomfort.
Although Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain attempts to take the franchise in a bold new direction, the latest installment in the long-running series makes too many mistakes to be anything other than a letdown.
Despite some technical problems that ultimately sour the experience, The Surge 2 delivers a solid action-RPG adventure that's powered by its dystopian setting and unique combat system.
Darksiders Genesis provides a short burst of demon-crunching carnage for hardcore fans of the franchise, but the overall experience is easily eclipsed by other, deeper, more engaging action-RPGs.
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.
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.