Treyarch's big gamble pays off with Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. Zombies may still do nothing for me, but the reworked gameplay, impressive suite of multiplayer modes -- especially Blackout -- make this the best entry in quite some time.
Mega Man 11 doesn't reinvent the wheel, but for this fan of the franchise, that's not the worst thing. While it could have used more innovation and better boss battles, the core gameplay remains as enjoyable as ever. For long-suffering fans of the series, it's nice just to have something new to jump into.
With seven games of varying quality, Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle is an intriguing package. While the online play may be shoddy, and the lack of extras is disappointing, the overall quality of the set can't be discounted.
SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy was created with a specific audience in mind, and if you're not in that audience, you can do much better. The fighter just isn't particularly enjoyable to play, with a tepid combat engine and poor Switch performance.
Beautifully designed and painfully creative, The Gardens Between is an absolute delight. It's a shame that the lack of levels and short runtime prevent it from reaching true classic status.
The on-court action of NBA 2K19 has never been better, and the new Takeover system adds a fresh wrinkle to the gameplay. However, the continued presence of microtransactions continues to bog down the otherwise overwhelming amount of content.
As long as you have good company, Strange Brigade is an expedition worth undertaking. However, that doesn't excuse the many issues the title has. The game would have benefited from refinements both to the aiming system, as well as puzzle design. Still, this cadaver-blasting, treasure looting adventure is an enjoyable enough reason to gather a few friends together for, as long as you know what you're getting into.
Even with a shaky back-half, The Messenger is still an adventure worth seeking out. The agility focused platforming provides a satisfying challenge, the writing is surprisingly clever, and the graphical shifting is more than just a simple gimmick.
Guacamelee! 2 is another solid, platforming gem from DrinkBox Studios. The world is bigger and badder, and improvements to the shop and Pollo power make Juan's latest quest a success. However, the sequel's extreme similarity to the original may be off-putting for those wanting more.
Between the engaging base management and tense espionage missions, Phantom Doctrine is genuinely excellent at times. However, the frustrating combat and often unhelpful tutorials slide this tactical-stealth release down a few pegs.
Boasting an excellent progression system, top-notch gameplay, and gorgeous art design, Dead Cells is a remarkable achievement. If you consider yourself a fan of platformers in any shape or form, you owe it to yourself to grab Motion Twin's masterpiece.
Despite suffering from a gamut of technical issues, Ripples is a solid bounce-back for The Council. The plot continues to unfold in an interesting way, and the stronger focus on character interaction was a welcome development for this episode.
The Spectrum Retreat is a perfectly serviceable puzzler, but it rarely rises above mediocrity. There's potential within the ground of the Penrose Hotel, but it's never capitalized on.
Slime-san: Superslime Edition doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it is one of the better variations of the classic platformer out there. The controls are excellent, and the plethora of content here will keep you busy for months. And if your eyes aren't broken like mine, you might even appreciate the visuals.
The Crew 2 improves upon the many missteps of the original. The controls have been significantly improved, the grim story has been abandoned and the graphics are better than ever. However, thanks to limited online play and a lack of open-world activities, this sequel feels strangely unfinished.
Unravel Two improves upon the original title by not only introducing co-op play, but by also refining the series' uncompromising mechanics. It's a shame that the perplexing story can't match the emotional beats of the last Yarny adventure, though.
Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is a misfire in just about every way. The gameplay is dull and simplistic, the art and sound design are low quality, and the story is not only unfunny, but also surprisingly offensive. In other words, it's exactly what you would expect a Shaq Fu sequel to be like.
Aggressively unpleasant and a chore to play, Milanoir is a bloody dud of a tale. A slick visual style is the only positive to take away from this lousy slog of a game.
Although slightly lacking in features, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is still a well-put together set that brings together 11 arcade-perfect versions of the some of the best fighters ever developed.
Omensight is perfectly competent in every major category, but isn't strong enough in any one instance to truly stand out. The unique story-telling from Spearhead Games is definitely engaging, but I can't say the same for the rest of the game.