I enjoyed my time with Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising but as I was playing more of it, I kept thinking that this is a game that can be so much more. For both the narrative, its town building, level design, and combat – each one has a solid foundation in place but never takes it up a notch.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is the best modern Borderlands game out there today. Despite its issues, Gearbox Software has delivered its best take on the Borderlands gameplay, paired with genre-appropriate humor and a setting that reminded me why I enjoy diving into this type of looter shooter every now and then.
Gran Turismo 7 checks all of the boxes of what would be expected from a palatable Gran Turismo game, but has some questionable design choices that weigh it down. With Gran Turismo Café leading the way, this is the most approachable GT game to newcomers, whether in the series, or of car racing in general.
Elden Ring is a triumph of a video game that still found ways to surprise me even after crossing the 70 hour mark. I can't get enough of this game as this is definitely one of a kind. A rare gem that only surfaces once a century. A game that will shape how open world games are made, even future souslike games, making me excited for the games that come before it.
While Horizon Forbidden West doesn’t break the mold of the action-adventure open-world genre, it further enriches its blend of entertaining combat within a unique world that still stands out among other post-apocalyptic offerings. They might not have stuck the landing very well, but that wasn’t enough to completely stain the complete experience.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is an okay option for those getting into Uncharted for the first time with the latest games on the PS5. I replayed the new versions of both titles and was reminded how entertaining they are, not only to the player, but to those fortunate enough to be spectating.
Ubisoft is playing the long game with Rainbow Six Extraction. Right now, you’re not missing much if you choose to give this one a pass on release, but there’s definitely potential here, making this title worth keeping an eye on in the near future.
The problem with Vanguard is that it’s difficult to recommend with multiplayer being its strongest asset, which is something Black Ops Cold War and the Modern Warfare reboot provided well enough, as there isn’t a big enough change in the gameplay formula to warrant a switch. In the end, Vanguard simply asks if you prefer the World War II setting enough to buy it at full price. If not, I think you’ll be good with whatever Call of Duty title you have right now.
Riders Republic is a solid game all around; even in terms of its technical aspects, I hardly experienced hiccups that would hamper the experience. It can make you a believer in games like it - Ubisoft has a clear winner on their hands that, if nurtured properly, could spawn a community that will gladly take in any new content coming their way in the future.
Diablo II: Resurrected is a great remaster that will satisfy veteran players that treat Diablo II like comfort food. Those who’ve never played Diablo II will find Resurrected more palatable than the original thanks to myriad graphics improvements and minor changes, and will soon find out why Diablo II is considered by many to be one of the greatest games of all time.
What we have here is a game that puts the franchise in a new spotlight at the start of a new generation of consoles, reminding us that the Tales Of series is alive and in good hands. This linear adventure can serve as a great escape, with enough content to keep you invested for weeks, or even months. A few issues can be found in Tales of Arise, but they weren’t enough to taint my time with the game, as this is easily one of the best JPRGs I’ve played in years.
This is a Tetris game where you can find yourself playing for hours against other players, or just relax with the soothing melodies and visuals on any of the available game modes. Tetris Effect Connected made me appreciate this beloved classic and see it in a different light, and it’s hard to see anyone deliver a more captivating experience.
I had my issues and frustrations with Cris Tales, but once I dusted myself off from the finale, I emerged with a big smile. It reminded me why I loved JRPGs. Though it featured the usual JRPG tropes, they were executed so well that I feel Cris Tales is an easy recommendation to anyone eager to find an escape, as it was a fun ride despite some hit-and-miss time travel elements.
The expansion gives me hope for future games in this franchise as it shows there’s more stories that can be told in this world, and I would gladly see more of it. If a new game does happen, I just wish it’s a new lead character, or at the very least someone already established and known to many.
Either as an adult or a kid experiencing the series for the first time, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will show you why many have stuck around with the series for this long since it first appeared in 2002, and why you'll see more of it for years to come.
Returnal isn’t for everyone, as this is a game that asks you to take a similar leap; it’s asking a lot from you with its never-ending gameplay, deep sci-fi narrative, and difficulty that could lead to frustration on long-winded runs. It’s all so well-done, however, that even though one aspect of this game might be enough to turn you off completely, another could make this a game worth playing from start to finish.
It’s a complete game straight out of the box; Outriders doesn’t feel like another one of those live service games - you know the type - where you’re encouraged to go online and do dailies, weeklies, and pretty much not miss out on limited-time rewards. It’s very refreshing, as I didn’t feel the need to question what’s next for Outriders; while I can walk away from the experience happy I’ve accomplished all I set out to do, I can easily see myself revisiting this game again in the future with another character to repeat the process all over again.
Persona 5 Strikers is easier to swallow compared to the long-winded original. The hack and slash, Dynasty Warriors-like combat felt more fitting for Persona 5 as a whole, and the Phantom Thieves are a cool bunch that it wouldn’t be so bad if Atlus stretches out more adventures in the future. They’ve clearly shown that they are capable of delivering a new and entertaining experience without ruining what made Persona 5 beloved by many since it launched back in 2016.
In time, it will likely get better, which makes it hard to recommend, as patience shouldn’t be a requirement to enjoy a video game, especially from a studio highly praised in providing great games. If you do take the plunge, there’s greatness found deep inside, you just need to dig with your hands longer than usual to get to it.
We know how crazy 2020 has been, but out of all the games I've played this year, Sackboy: A Big Adventure was the one I didn’t know I needed. It’s a fantastic platformer that appeals to players of all ages. You may feel uplifted, or encouraged, even. The game doesn’t reinvent the wheel for its genre, but the impressive execution, clever ideas, and extra effort behind this platformer proves that the world of Sackboy is a fun place to visit, and that the polish done to every aspect of the game makes it a must-buy for any enthusiast that owns a PS4 and PS5.