Though altering many of the original's fundamentals, Control Resonant is every bit an extension of Remedy's incredible universe. Frenzied melee combat and mind-bending exploration house yet another fascinating story across numerous planes of reality.
Ground Hero Zero throws itself into the overwhelming arena of bullet-hell games gnawing at Vampire Survivors' pie. Despite an appealing art style and some wacky mechanics, the experience is over far too quick to feel meaningful.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 features the same deluge of Xenomorphs being torn to shreds by a competent team of Colonial Marines. The addition of a fourth player slot means more friends can come along, ensuring the somewhat repetitive loop is entertaining enough.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword lives up to its name by providing intense, complex sword-based combat against a barrage of powerful bosses. But its exploration and side quests can frequently distract from the best parts of the game.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy enshrines Asobo Studio's incredible ability to deliver emotional narratives wrought with tension and adventure. Sophia's sprawling journey is a harrowing spectacle that truly masters what makes an adventure game memorable.
Mortal Shell II's eviscerating difficulty and grimdark world work to grind the player into a fine paste. But its build variety and satisfying loop often turn the tide, rewarding exploration and experimentation to brave enough players.
While Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls features a deeply complex tag system, Arc System Works incorporates enough newcomer-friendly elements that practically every player can enjoy the bombastic entertainment of a varied Marvel roster beating each other up.
Wreck Runners is a zany, malleable fest of cooperative goofing off with enough player freedom to make a game about collecting salvage with a gravity gun fun and satisfying. Though it does have its shortcomings, it's hard not to want to dive right back in.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced takes one of the most beloved Assassin's Creed games and overhauls it. While enough is cut from the original that it isn't "complete", the core experience is a feast for the eyes and has never felt better to play.
Wall World 2 creates a satisfying feedback loop as players literally and figuratively mine its depths. The hook is simple and there are familiar roguelite trappings but engaging systems make "one more run" constantly enticing.
007 First Light embodies the James Bond fantasy. The suave spy comes alive like never before due to IO Interactive's pedigree in creative solutions to escalating stakes, crafting an expertly paced action game that feels like a blockbuster film.
Swan Song's humble and inviting atmosphere creates an environment for an emotional narrative and challenging puzzles. Despite a simple premise, its music box delivery evolves in clever ways to ensure the player has a growing sense of accomplishment.
Bubsy 4D appears to get the joke. The never-a-mascot bobcat has been around for decades, scraping for relevance. While this game isn't revolutionary, it's a competent platformer that will likely garner Bubsy a few new fans.
Luna Abyss crafts a distinctly bizarre, moody universe using the framework of a first-person shooter. Through all its familiar elements it blends genres in delightful and surprising ways, constantly surpassing expectations.
Directive 8020 is very much a Dark Pictures Anthology game through and through. This sci-fi entry isn't vastly different enough to alter Supermassive Games' formula but steps in the right direction still make it an entertaining horror to play with company.
Call of the Elder Gods pulls from Lovecraftian mythos to create a pulpy puzzler that works to build off of 2020's Call of the Sea. However, its intense head-scratchers with complex solutions can often clash with the pace of a relatively short adventure.
Crimson Desert is a dense, daunting game that rewards players who invest with dedication. It is also a game that has immensely changed at launch and will continue to evolve through the efforts of Pearl Abyss and its community. While certainly flawed, it is a thing of awe.
The Spell Brigade separates itself from the pack of Vampire Survivors-adjacent games by letting up to four players engage in unruly, wave-based chaos. However, the power climb is locked behind a steep grind that takes too long to feel rewarding.
Aphelion treads familiar waters for anyone who has played an action adventure game in a post-Uncharted world. But its emotional and grounded narrative about the search for hope is potent enough to look past many shortcomings.
Life is Strange: Reunion attempts to tackle the difficult task of wrapping up the loose end for two beloved characters. Max and Chloe are the highlights of a weaker entry that struggles to navigate its simplistic gameplay and less important subplots.