While going 3D literally adds another dimension, the game's clunky menus and systems detract from the fun of building, crafting, and selling, but the general gameplay, dungeons, art style, characters, and light-hearted storylines are enough to make the early confusion worth suffering through.
Despite the relatively mixed reception and rapidly dwindling player base post-launch, Ubisoft stuck with The Division and eventually built it up into a rewarding and diverse RPG shooter. It really does feel as though the studios that worked on The Division 2 have taken the feedback to heart and have poured it into the sequel, enhancing almost every aspect we've experienced.
Stellaris is a personal favorite, and it's great to see it make the leap to Xbox One, but Paradox and its partners could really seal the deal by bringing across mouse support, which the Xbox One now has. Hopefully we'll see it materialize down the line, but for now, the gamepad controls are pretty great as is.
Crackdown 3 is a decent sandbox experience that falls short of modern standards, but as an Xbox Game Pass title, it offers some good mindless fun.
Exodus's combat has room for improvement, particularly when it comes to enemy A.I. behavior. The gunplay is tight and well-built, with an emphasis on customization, allowing you to play how you want to play.
Capcom has shown the world exactly how classic games should be remade, and its name is Resident Evil 2.
I'm still loving Stellaris, and I eagerly anticipate where it'll go next.
The lack of polish in some of the systems will get improved with patches, but the missed opportunities with the campaign content frustrate the full package. But ultimately, this is one of the best multiplayer shooters you will play this year, and maybe the best until the next Battlefield. So if you love competitive FPS games, yes, you have to buy this.
If you enjoyed Assassin's Creed IV's naval combat and Assassin Creed Origins' shift to an RPG-like progression system, Odyssey is a match made in Elysium. Odyssey does not revolutionize the franchise, but it's a capable entry that will satisfy fans for dozens and dozens of hours.
There are few games I love as much as World of Warcraft, which is why I'm delivering some tough love to Blizzard, which has a lot of work to do to set Battle for Azeroth on the right path.
If you can forgive its quirks, State of Decay 2 will infect you like few other games can.
My attention has been held captive for weeks by Darkest Dungeon. It's well worth a look for fans of punishing, tactical games.
Ultimately, Far Cry 5 is a relentlessly fun, aggressively varied open world shooter that will keep you hooked for dozens and dozens of hours. The game's world has never felt more alive, brimming with animal ecosystems, serene lakes, and verdant forests, with spectacular scenery just begging to be screenshotted.
If you're a fan of city-building gameplay Surviving Mars is a must-buy title. Even if you prefer a more creative experience you can tailor the difficulty to that end, or ramp up the scarcity for a true survival experience, where battling the elements almost feels more like a real-time strategy.
If there's a line to cross, EA didn't just step over it, they blew it up with the Death Star.
Wolfenstein II is a moving and evocative game that you won't soon forget – a quintessential first-person shooter experience.
If you enjoyed Shadow of Mordor, you'll also enjoy Shadow of War, but if you feel fatigued as I do from this type of formulaic open world game, Shadow of War amplifies the issues with the genre rather than improves upon them.
Cuphead is an instant classic that will build a solid fanbase across Xbox One and Windows PCs, and hopefully, spawn bigger and bolder sequels in the years to come. Amazing job, Studio MDHR.
Aven Colony is a capable sci-fi city-builder with great visuals and satisfying gameplay systems.
Serial Cleaner is a worthwhile purchase if you're looking for a light puzzle game to play in short bursts, because trust me, you will get mad at it here and there.