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.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a Flarkin Fantastic game. It's easily the best game of the year so far. My only disappointment? We need more Lipless.
Far Cry 6 is the most fun I've had in a Far Cry game for years, but it won't be for everyone. If you've grown tired of the gameplay loops of the Far Cry titles of recent times, Far Cry 6 doesn't make much of an effort to change that up. However, if the thrill of carnage and combat still appeals, it's crazy, chaotic, and an absolute blast.
Lost Judgment is another great entry in the Yakuza franchise, but one shadowed by better entries. The combat is incredible, the world still exciting and full of character, and the story is a worthwhile telling - but please, please don't make me tail anyone anymore.
King's Bounty 2 is everything turn-based fans have been screaming out for. The traditional RPG elements are executed to near perfection. The combat is challenging and engaging from start to finish. The story is dark, heartwarming, and impactful. Put simply, this game has everything.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla: The Siege of Paris is very much a creature of habit, offering more of what we've seen before and doing very little to break away from its tried and tested roots. Whether that's good or bad is entirely up to you. If you've loved the path so far, you're sure to love Eivor's latest adventure; just watch out for those bloody rats.
The Ascent delivers on every promise. The combat is fast-paced, challenging, and explosive. The environment is gorgeous, gritty, and dark. Everything about the cyberpunk theme screams out for attention. If you're a fan of twin-stick style shooters and the thematics of the cyberpunk universe, The Ascent offers an exciting and rewarding adventure that is worth every second.
Scarlet Nexus boasts a story that is impossible not to recommend. Bandai Namco has created a truly intriguing world that, even after completing the game, has me yearning for more. The option of playing the second main character, which boasts a different story direction, would be the perfect remedy if not for the other areas of the game falling short. Repetitive mechanics and frustrating combat design hamper what could otherwise be an incredible adventure.