Claustrophobic and eerie, End of Abyss is survival horror through the eyes of Little Nightmares. Section 9 expresses its roots in new ways but still placing the protagonist and player in a harsh world of dangerous paths and twisting secrets.
SPRAWL zero encapsulates the early 2000s era of first-person shooters. Hearkening back to a time where developers wanted to immerse players in more than just gunplay, MAETH gives players a crunchy, accurate time capsule.
Well Dweller does not wholly transform the Metroidvania genre. It undeniably features a deliciously rendered storybook world with a grim underbelly. However, some basic combat also makes it apparent that there are places where the game could have felt significantly more special. This genre is a hard nut to crack and with so many entrants year after year, it becomes increasingly challenging to differentiate from the pack. But in many ways, Kyle Thompson succeeded. And as this talented solo developer’s journey continues, I’m sure all the lessons learned will deliver something truly different and masterful.
Keeper is an alluring swan song for Double Fine’s Xbox tenure, resplendent in its ferocity, boldness, and beauty. Among these subdued, silent adventure games, there are few peers able to make this kind of thunderous impact in short order.
Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko’s Mystery Dungeon Classic HD is every bit a remastered version of a Japan-exclusive Super Famicom game from 1993. While it may be a white whale that inspired a genre, it does feel somewhat ancient and in need of a few updates.
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.