Rainbow Six Extraction is fun when it leans into its absurd premise, but it also tends to take itself too seriously. Ubisoft apply all the knowledge gained from tweaking Siege's gameplay and it works well in the gameplay department, but it's a bit uninspired in other areas.
Farming Simulator 22 is an experience I can only describe as highly demanding, but almost as equally rewarding. Thanks to the bolstered business management elements of the game, you have several new opportunities to expand your business and truly feel like you're dominating the agriculture market.
There's an ebb and flow to Halo Infinite's rhythm that perfectly balances exploration, combat and storytelling. It all synergizes in an experience that feels unique without alienating fans; feels familiar without retreading old ideas; and feels nostalgic without relying on the past.
Putting aside any nagging technical issues and the games simply not aging as well as one might've hoped, the Crysis Remastered Trilogy is worth a visit for curious newcomers to the series, and for veterans to absorb all the new visual improvements.
Forza Horizon 5 is a triumphant achievement, and puts Playground Games in the pole position of being one of the most talented developers in the gaming industry.
Thanks to a likeable cast of fleshed-out characters, an immersive atmosphere drenched in evil and a gripping story with a sinister setting, it exceeds expectations and trumps the highs of Man of Medan, Little Hope and in some cases, even Until Dawn.
The gameplay and combat is fun and engaging, the Ridden are terrifying and diverse, and the campaign packs a solid punch in terms of what you get out of it. When it does stumble though, the fall hurts.
Ghostrunner on PS5 is probably the best way to experience developer One More Level's rage-inducingly difficult but absolutely addictive and enjoyable cyberpunk assassin game.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an admirable start for Ember Lab's journey into gaming that still has a bit of room to improve. However, what you'll find here is a special, cute and endearing game that gives players a blast of nostalgia thanks to its retro-inspired level design and objectives.
The new UI tweaks, slight gameplay changes, small bits of story content and more all add up to a worthwhile and wonderfully bizarre package that still proves Kojima Productions have truly crafted a game unlike any other.
If you're a fan of the original game, there's nothing here that will surprise you, but for newcomers, you can experience one of the better 3D Sonic games.
Bandai Namco have yet to really miss the mark when it comes to their trademark anime games, but Scarlet Nexus isn't exactly a massive step forward. Instead, it's a serviceable - if at times great - sidestep that brings little else to the table beyond gloriously flashy gameplay and smoking style.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition is a classic trilogy completely revitalized and improved for new and old fans to experience. The vast number of technical improvements really gives it a fresh coat of paint, all the while tweaking and enhancing the gameplay fronts to make them superior to their originals in almost every way.
Resident Evil Village is the best game in the franchise since Resident Evil 4, and one of the best horror games I've ever played - a praise that I genuinely thought long and hard about. Very few games have given me the exhilarating rush, the well-choreographed scares, or the masterful immersion of this game. It's a powerhouse of the genre brimming with creativity thanks to spot-on art direction and a vast list of monsters from almost every corner of horror.
The Nioh Collection is a great bundle that offers truckloads of great content across both critically acclaimed Nioh titles, complete with all the bells and whistles you'd come to expect from remasters.
Cyberpunk 2077 is a grand-scaled, unique and unforgettable RPG, but sometimes for all the wrong reasons. It never quite scales the narrative heights of The Witcher 3, nor does it wholeheartedly lean into its role-playing elements all the time. Yet, it offers something truly special in the gaming world that few developers could pull off to this ambitious length.
When you step away from the controller and really think about the cracks in its foundations, though, Godfall simply becomes another looter with a poor launch that can't seem to do much of anything right beyond being just fine. A terribly uninteresting story and a severe lack of content turns it into a game that will only provide you the bare minimum fun factor, and there's a lot better you can do with your time and money right now.
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition just made my 2019 Game of the Year pick even better. Vergil is arguably now the best character to play in the game, with a playstyle that's fast, aggressive and super-stylish - and best of all, it contrasts beautifully with the core group of characters.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is easily one of the most charming and delightful games of the year, and another knockout launch title for the PlayStation 5 - and that's saying something considering it has to compete with Astro's Playroom. The levels are all creatively designed and endearing, the customizable choices for Sackboy is reminiscent of LittleBigPlanet, and the music is top-notch.
Bluepoint Games have once again proven to be masters of their craft with the Demon's Souls remake. The visuals are jaw-dropping, making it feel like the most next-gen game out on the market. However, it does nothing to jeopardize the novelty of From Software's classic; instead, it simply enhances and improves the experience.