Although it may be a very bad Contra entry, Rogue Corps isn't a total wash. The upgrade system provides decent customization, and the gameplay is serviceable, but far from extraordinary. It's just not what you want from the long-buried franchise.
Visually marvelous and musically infectious, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a unique experience unlike almost anything else out there. It may not be for everyone, but for a certain audience, it's going to be dynamite.
The Sojourn is an average, middle-of-the-road puzzler, that struggles to be memorable after the first few hours. There are interesting ideas here, both in terms of gameplay and aesthetic. However, they both suffer from the same problem, which is unfortunate repetition.
NBA 2K20 continues to deliver excellent on-court action with unmatched presentation and mode variety. However, the series' continued reliance on microtransactions is still a glaring issue.
Blair Witch, much like the rest of the franchise, is a disappointment. It's not scary, it's rarely interesting and it's not particularly fun to play. It has a solid look, but is lacking in just about every other department. I say this begrudgingly, but you're better off watching the films.
Faith is a tough, methodically paced episode of Life is Strange 2. While the chapter could have used a little more direction, excellent character development sets the sequel on track for a strong finish.
With a whimsical, delightful story that isn't afraid to get emotional, Knights and Bikes is a charming adventure that is perfect to tackle with a good friend.
Exception is a bog-standard platformer that rarely rises above mediocrity. Its saving grace is an excellent presentation and a fire soundtrack that you should check out even if you have no interest in playing the actual game. Otherwise, look elsewhere for your platforming kicks.
Madden NFL 20 remains solid from a fundamental perspective, and the addition of X-Factor abilities is a welcome change. However, the usual litany of bugs and a lackluster single-player story mode prevent this entry from taking home the Lombardi.
Etherborn is a creative and occasionally maddening puzzler that will test your brainpower. However, there's not a ton of content here, and the backing narration often comes across as pretentious nonsense.
Sea of Solitude boasts an abundance of heart, and has a genuinely great look, but the gameplay struggles to rise above anything other than basic.
Although certainly rough around the edges, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a solid adventure that will please Castlevania fans who have been longing for a new game to sink their teeth into.
RAGE 2 held plenty of potential, but even considering how great the combat is, falls well short of that goal. The sequel is hampered by the same issues that cropped up in the original. The campaign is a non-factor and the open-world needed more life in it. Third time's the charm?
Slay The Spire is an ingenious and addicting blend of card game strategy and rogue-like mechanics. It's a potent mix that will keep you coming back for more, even if death often awaits you.
By choosing to flesh out the supporting cast, Life is Strange 2 reaches a new high with the release of Wastelands. It's an emotionally intense episode that both builds and destroys the bonds Sean has worked so hard to forge.
BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! is far from a total reinvention, but the series remains as charmingly enjoyable as it always has. The addition of a fun co-op adventure is just the cherry on top of an already solid package.
Outside of the excellent co-op play, World War Z is a mixed bag of issues. With no story to get invested in, the progression system is a total drag and there's little here you haven't seen done better before. However, as long as you have friends willing to join in, this shooter can be an intensely enjoyable time.
Mortal Kombat 11 is arguably the most enjoyable entry in the long-running franchise. It's visually incredible and a blast to play. However, questionable design decisions -- namely, a grind-heavy approach to progression -- hold it back from true fighting game greatness.
Design and technical issues aside, Hob: The Definitive Edition is a solid little dungeon crawler that will hopefully find a new, more appreciative audience on the Nintendo Switch.
Generation Zero holds plenty of promise, but its current state makes it impossible to recommend. From the painful inventory management to the lifeless open world to the haphazard multiplayer, there's little positive to be found here.