It’s an appealing revenge story that many will love, hate, or at the very least appreciate. This is a game that may challenge your moral compass. I can foresee that this will be talked about by players for weeks, even months, making it a rare experience worth soldiering through.
"There are a few setbacks, but none of them so much as taint the fact that Horizon Chase Turbo: Deluxe Edition - a simple and fun experience either alone or with friends - is a solid choice worth considering for arcade racing enthusiasts."
Mortal Shell is bleak, twisted, and poses a challenge from start to finish. It will leave you wanting more, and while some mechanics weren't as fleshed out and diverse as I’d hoped, this game from Cold Symmetry is a commendable adventure that deserves the attention of those who love the subgenre.
All of these elements make Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, whether you love it or hate it, make a complete open-world RPG package. Like any large vessel with multiple shipwrights, some decisions and elements weigh the game down, but I would go as far as considering this one of the best Assassin’s Creed titles to come around in a long time.
I had fun with Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War, especially with the campaign. Zombies remain great and is now easier to swallow, but multiplayer - being the main selling point for a Call of Duty game - is the weakest link in the package. With a strong entry last year, and numerous online games now available that are viable alternatives, Treyarch’s approach in multiplayer this year didn’t sell a good enough case to invest more time on it in the coming months. Time will tell how the first season will go, but the initial burst of content out the gate could fall flat, making some look elsewhere to satisfy that FPS multiplayer itch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.