Praey for the Gods is another showcase of what a small team can accomplish when a far larger team won't. While the controls can be occasionally floaty, the pure enjoyment of tackling these puzzle monsters is an absolute joy. Don't sleep on this one – it's worth your time.
Icarus is an absolutely gorgeous, engaging, and challenging survival crafting game. When it's working correctly, it is a fantastic entry into the genre. When it's not, the problems are deep and varied. Disconnects, corrupt characters, bugs, and balance problems abound. I look forward to seeing it reach its potential, but it's hard to see it as anything other than a game that exited Early Access too soon.
With lackluster modes, and an even more lackluster soundtrack, Let's Sing 2022 needs to take a beat and figure out what fans of karaoke want out of a singing game.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun was one of my favorite games of 2017, and Aiko's Choice is a return to form. Mimimi Games continues to deliver tight gameplay, incredible stealth, and a compelling story to tie it all together.
While the combat may have some holes in it, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Tempestfall gives us a taste of the battle against the Nighthaunt. It could use a little more polish, but it should scratch the power fantasy itch. Sigmar preserves those who fight, and now you can jump directly into the battle.
If you enjoy Choose Your Own Adventure type games, you'll love This is the President. It scratches a Schadenfreude itch for the dystopian hellscape we currently live in, and it's equal parts fun, funny, and quite disturbing along the way, even with the odd choice baked in..
Put simply, Halo Infinite is a return to form. 343 Industries has managed to deliver a campaign with a compelling storyline, fresh ideas, and familiar gunplay that takes the series in a brand new direction without breaking the formula. It was well worth the wait, even if there are a few bugs remaining to hammer out.
With incredible combat, a solid story and voice acting, and gorgeous graphics from top to bottom, the handful of bugs in Chorus can't hold it back. Come for the story, and stay for the high-speed power drift as you unleash your vengeance.
With a shift from stationary puzzling to action-oriented (but still with puzzles!) Shadowgate VR is an important step for the franchise. It preserves the soul of the original, but modernizes it for a whole new audience. This first chapter is a taste of things to come, and I'm excited for it. Now I've just gotta get over those Buick-sized spiders...
Age of Empires helped define an entire genre, and under the steady hand of RTS masters Relic Entertainment, it may once again wear that crown -- Age of Empires IV is that good.
Tinytopia is a casual city builder that hits all the fun notes without asking too much of the architect. About a dozen hours of pure fun, only a few bugs, and an easily-gamed happiness meter hold it back. It's good city-building comfort food.
Far Cry 6 is the next iteration of the Far Cry universe, and you can see some of the blending from other Ubisoft properties here. While the formula may be a little more visible than we'd like, and the AI could use a shot in the arm, what is here is a thrill ride adventure sure to give fans of the franchise exactly what they are looking for.
Diablo II: Resurrected delivers on the promise of a rebuilt original, without tampering with the soul of what made it amazing in the first place. With completely remastered graphics, all-new cutscenes, and console cross-progression, Diablo II: Resurrected takes us back to Hell, and it's every bit as amazing as it was when we played it 20 years ago.
Like some sort of peasant Animal Crossing, Medieval Dynasty casts us in the role of mayor of Dysentery Village. You'll slowly grow from labor-intensive shacks to a semi-self-sufficient hamlet through the sweat of your brow, building a dynasty that will last generations. You'll just wish your peons would pitch in and carry their own water...and stop eating the buckets.
Underneath stability problems and bugs lies one of the most ambitious games I've played, bringing a tabletop game level of choice to RPG enthusiasts. The rich story and excellent writing delivers in a huge way...if you can get the game to cooperate.
This is an excellent VR title for newcomers and VR veterans alike, with pickup and play action, and a well-paced challenge throughout. Hopefully we'll see additional content expansion post launch to help keep our food fight fresh, but Clash of Chefs VR is fun for the whole foodie family.
I Expect You To Die 2's half dozen hours is easily one of the best ways to introduce somebody to VR. It's funny, well written, nausea free, and incredibly engaging at every turn. Regardless of which VR headset you have, this one needs to be in your library -- it's a must have.
We've waited far too long for an Aliens game this good, but it's finally here. With an exciting campaign, five exciting classes, a dazzling array of weapons, and a staggering array of monsters to use them on, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a perfect organism.
A mashup of many genres, Tribes of Midgard manages to do many things well. It does ask a great deal from you, and it offers little in the way of instruction, but if cooperation and discovery under pressure is your jam, this is the game for you.
Ghost of Tsushima Tales of Iki delivers an absolute masterpiece to Sony's PlayStation 5, alongside a remarkable expansion to an already phenomenal game. Some new mechanics keep things fresh, as does another excellent story from Sucker Punch. While there are a few hiccups to contend with, this is easily a must-have title for the year.