Curved Space is a noble attempt at a twist in the twin-stick shooter genre, yet it never reaches the highs of several other predecessors, with a synthwave soundtrack doing more to get the blood pumping than the slow gameplay and bland objectives.
Back 4 Blood edges past the competition in the packed cooperative shooter landscape by offering players a creative card system buffered by tight gameplay, just be sure to bring some friends along for the massacre as solo play features limitations.
Exoprimal will be one of the strangest releases of the past several years. Arriving during Capcom's renaissance, this multiplayer-only shooter does so many things right while still fumbling in key departments that may harm its longevity.
Nobody Saves the World is a unique and thrilling take on top-down adventure games, featuring a sharp aesthetic and genuinely addicting gameplay that fosters combat where similar titles have faltered.
Metallic Child is a wild anime dungeon crawler wrapped in a few roguelike mechanics. Though its levels can run a bit long and its combat grow repetitive, a friendly difficulty makes bashing robot masters and their ilk a joy.
Immortals Fenyx Rising's first piece of DLC, A New God, expands on the complexity of the base game's puzzles, testing the mettle of players but providing only a handful of opportunities for combat, exploration, and story.
As more than just an homage to 80s pop culture, Huntdown proudly shows off its 16-bit influences. Inspired arcade gameplay keeps a brisk pace while a wealth of inventive boss fights and neon-drenched challenge transport the player to a time when quarters reigned supreme.
The Division 2 Warlords of New York is the cherry on top of Massive's looter. The return to New York is a confident one, where overhauled systems improve and clarify build diversity. While the new play space is underutilized, forward-thinking endgame content will surely drive engagement for the long haul.
Life is Strange: True Colors is a rumination on loss, empathy, and finding your place in the word. A great cast is bolstered by improved visuals, animations, and a truly remarkable protagonist in Alex Chen, making this the true highlight of the series.
The sprawling, complex sci-fi epic of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is one of Vanillaware's best games to date, despite the passable RTS combat that can't compare to its brilliantly interconnected narrative.
More than just a competent roguelike fresh out of early access, Skul: The Hero Slayer delivers power-swapping action and a mostly satisfying loop that should sufficiently satisfy your Dead Cells or Hades cravings.
Call of Duty: Vanguard continues the high standard set by 2019's Modern Warfare, providing a grounded, classic Call of Duty campaign, coupled with a deep multiplayer experience rich with progression and an inviting Zombies mode that welcomes all skill levels.
Though not the same tectonic shift as its predecessor, God of War Ragnarök represents one of the finest pieces of interactive entertainment available. By expanding on all the ideas set forth in 2018, Ragnarök culminates in an emotional, enthralling finale for Kratos and Atreus.
They Are Billions' crucible of experimentation and failure molds players into rugged survivalists. The RTS-style resource management and tower defense test the ability to aptly devote time to the bare necessities that will fend off countless hordes of undead. Harder to master console controls may add an extra layer of tension but living another day remains the sweetest of rewards.
Warhammer: Chaosbane joins the large family of Warhammer properties in a small stable of action-RPGs. Though somewhat derivative of the genre, it offers enough new blood and style to be a valuable entry for those looking for dungeons to crawl and loot to collect.
DeadToast Entertainment's My Friend Pedro is the expected offspring of a Devolver Digital title: oozing with style and enough substance. Players looking for an addictive score-attack game in the vein of Hotline Miami will embrace the over-the-top gunplay and the emphasis on skill and replayability.
The Blackout Club manages to wedge itself into a crowded cooperative space with the use of clever tricks and an approachable atmosphere. But unless the developers build off this initial offering with new content to slice through repetition, it will soon get lost in the dark.
With The Outer Worlds, Obsidian Entertainment recaptures the secret sauce that Bethesda has let spoil in recent years. Hilarious, engaging, and rife with player possibility, this space-faring romp is everything an RPG fan has been craving.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time on PlayStation 5 is every bit the difficult, satisfying experience it was on last gen consoles. But the improved performance and new functionality make it the optimal place to experience Crash's new lease on life.
Olija juggles action and narrative in a strange, wonderful balancing act that never leans on one element too heavily. It will mystify curious players seeking a journey inspired by the past that never wears out its welcome.