Blaine Smith
Ultimately, WWE 2K23 has something for everyone. Whether you’re a casual wrestling fan looking to jump into the squared circle for a quick match, or a die hard WWE fan looking to create and brand your own WWE Universe, each game mode brings something new and exciting to the table – even if the depth is somewhat lacking. The gameplay and combat is the best the franchise has seen for over a decade, the customization suite offers near endless possibilities, and the community content portal is incredible. All this, but I still can’t help but feel the game was so close to something more.
I have absolutely no doubt that 18-24 months from now Blood Bowl 3 is going to be the game the community has dreamed of for so long. However, as it stands today, it's the game we all hoped it wouldn't be.
I ultimately think SpellForce: Conquest of Eo is going to be a turbulent release. As a fan of turn-based combat, I loved every minute. Exploring the world finding new and powerful allies to add to my armies, discovering new Necromancer recipes to summon deadly hordes of the undead, fighting off the constant attacks from The Circle - it's a game I will return to time and time again. However, long-time fans of the franchise may struggle with the stark differences between turn-based and real-time strategy in a franchise they've grown to love for the latter.
Marvel's Midnight Suns is, without question, my Game of the Year and has quickly become one of my favorite games of all time.
Marvel's Iron Man VR on Quest 2 is an upgrade on the PSVR in every sense of the word, it's the Mark 3 suit compared to the Mark 1 suit. Both suits get the job done but if you had a choice, you'd be rocking that Mark 3 all day long.
Summoners War: Chronicles is a fantastic new addition to the Summoners War franchise. While it may not appeal to all fans of the MMO space, it's definitely going to entice more fans of mobile gaming into bigger and broader open-worlds. There's already a lot to love about the game, but I cannot wait to see where the developers take it after launch.
There is no other game like Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. It's a fantastic experience, one unique in the gaming space. The constant grind to manage and progress with your kingdom is hard work - really hard work - but the payoff is spectacular. This is not a game for everyone but if this is your kind of thing, you're going to love every blood-stained minute of it.
Gotham Knights is up there with Elden Ring as a Game of the Year contender. Its fast, responsive, and action-packed combat is surpassed only by a narrative that had me glued from the very first cutscene. A must-play for fans of open-world titles, and an easy pickup for anyone invested with the Gotham Knights or DC Universe.
LEGO Bricktales is exactly the kind of game you would expect as both a work of Thunderful Games and a product of the LEGO brand. Seeing your creations come to life, even visually sickening ones, is a rewarding experience and a must-play for LEGO enthusiasts.
To keep it simple, Two Point Campus delivers. It’s everything fans of Two Point Studios’ works would expect. An expertly crafted management simulation experience with the perfect amount of humor, wonderfully designed characters, and charming graphics, it is a game full of heart from start to finish.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong tells an incredible story, one the player can truly influence, but it falls short in many of the efforts to translate the World of Darkness into video game form. A must-play for fans of the universe, but fans of the narrative-driven RPG may find more frustration than enjoyment.
King Arthur: Knight’s Tale boasts a deep and engaging combat system that is as rewarding as it is ruthless. A worthwhile adventure into Arthurian Legend, it’s a fantastic entry into the tactical RPG space that unfortunately begins to suffer with technical issues as the story unfolds. As many of the cutscenes tell you, it’s a work in progress.
I didn't dive into LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga expecting to have a lot of fun, but that's exactly what I had: a lot of fun. The witty writing is well timed and expertly delivered, reliving the events of the Star Wars franchise was a welcomed nostalgia trip. Even after completing the game, I woke up excited to dive in and explore more worlds, solve more puzzles, and unlock more characters.
Ghostwire: Tokyo is set up to be one of the most unique and interesting titles of the year, and it doesn't disappoint. Darken the room, turn the volume up loud, and keep out any distractions; Ghostwire: Tokyo is one hell of a spooky ride.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok continues to showcase Ubisoft's greatest works. It's a rewarding addition to an already impressive list of DLC, designed for one of the best RPGs they've ever made.
My time with Babylon's Fall was a strange one. I don't recall ever disliking a game so heavily, only to fall in love with it moments later. The satisfaction driven nature of the experience is a road worth taking, but the slow burn isn't for everyone.
Despite its brilliance, Lost Ark's ARPG nature won't be for everyone. However, if you've been yearning for a new free-to-play experience to explore, you won't get much better than this. The combat is exciting, the progression is quick and accessible, everything about Lost Ark screams a level of quality we've not seen in an MMO for many years.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction is one of the most intense and exciting co-op experiences available today. It's an incredible addition to the Siege universe and one that stands alone as a fantastic demonstration of innovation in an otherwise stagnating genre.
If you enjoyed the original game, Jurassic World Evolution 2 is sure to bring you hours of entertainment (not including the "campaign"). However, for players hoping for more than a full priced DLC, disappointment is unavoidable.
Forza Horizon 5 is still an incredible racing game, one only overshadowed by the brilliance of its predecessor. Those with a lot of time behind the wheel in Forza Horizon 4 may feel this is one step forward for two steps back, but there's still a ton of fun to be had in this high-octane adventure.