Loopmancer has difficulty committing to the hallmarks of better roguelites, making progression a chore. But past the questionable localization and writing is an action-focused platformer with personality and a few good ideas.
Deathloop brilliantly transcends its shackles as an amalgamation of "Arkane's Greatest Hits" by offering players a thrilling, stylish take on shooters. Combat puzzles involving webs of untruths and harrowing escapes turn Blackreef into a time loop you won't want to break from.
Star Wars Outlaws captures the thrilling unrest of the criminal underworld players rarely get to see in a Star Wars game. Shepherded by the charming Kay Vess, the game has many open-world hallmarks but carves out an identity by allowing players to shape the action.
Taking cues from Zelda and Stardew Valley, Garden Story is a charming adventure packed with action and crafting that can often be oddly paced, dampening the fun of an otherwise delightful time.
Star Ocean The Second Story R may well serve as the blueprint going forward if Square Enix or any other developer wishes to remake games from this classic era of RPGs. An unquestionably gorgeous art style uplifts all modern touches, breathing life into a 25-year-old game.
Wayward Strand revels in its ability to funnel players' curiosity down multiple avenues of branching intrigue. Though light on actual "game" there is little excuse not to become easily transfixed by its whimsical, touching nature.
The Crew Motorfest is a wildly engaging arcade racer that excels through its diverse Hawaiian setting and unique vehicle playlists. Players who enjoy Ubisoft's dense open worlds will find plenty of activities to keep them satiated.
RoboCop: Rogue City is a gritty and fascinatingly faithful rendition of the 1987 Verhoeven film. It shirks trends of most modern-day shooters to deliver weighty combat in an imperfect, yet wholly entertaining, package.
Biomutant is an amalgamation of familiar concepts and mechanics most players will have encountered across dozens of games. Despite being busy and sometimes under-cooked, Biomutant aims high enough to mostly reach its unique aspirations.
Diablo 2: Resurrected is a near perfect preservation of one of gaming's storied entries. Yet what was seen as revolutionary two decades ago may not be entirely apparent to newer audiences, despite its breathtaking visual overhaul.
A Musical Story wants to be an inspired rhythm game but its vibrant soundtrack and pleasant visuals do little to distract from the sole, central mechanic that never evolves, resulting in frustration and obscuring meaningful progression.
Dead Island 2's uncompromising nature to merely exist is a story unto itself. Throughout its symphony of spectacular undead slaughter there's little to do outside of comic melee combat and semi-rewarding exploration. And really, that's okay.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II continues the pace of Infinity Ward's 2019 reboot. An adrenaline-fueled campaign tackles present day threats but also takes a backseat to a gun-centric multiplayer experience that goes against the grain in surprising ways, allowing players a chance to fine-tune their operators.
If players can get around its bulky tutorial and the heft of crafting, Wizard With a Gun offers a brisk roguelike. Building an arsenal of magic bullets and guns makes dispatching enemies fun but it's even better with a partner.
While its dystopian, futuristic London may smell of Grand Theft Auto open worlds, Watch Dogs Legion's approach to recruiting any NPC differentiates the formula in a unique way, creating a fascinating blend of freedom, action, stealth, and roguelikes.
The Last of Us Part II is an emotionally jarring epic. Players are plunged into the bleak world of the fragile human psyche, twinged with poignant moments of hope and calm and smeared with the violence of reality.
As another varied entry in the expansive franchise, Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus gives players a gloomy turn-based adventure with enough good ideas and personality to differentiate it from similar titles, while overcoming a few minor downfalls.
It Takes Two is undoubtedly a triumph in cooperative gaming. While blending a touching story with meaningful gameplay that constantly diversifies itself, Hazelight has created a must-play title that may even have the power to bring people closer together.
Narita Boy is an explosion of 80s-inspired excess, splattering the player with a viscera of technobabble and cathode rays. Yet after peeling away the fragmented flesh, some may find the splendor of nostalgic reverence does not supplant equally memorable gameplay.
Far Cry 6 is a frenzied whirlwind of chaos. This tyrannical trip to Yara is a series highlight, bursting at the seams with content and diverse gameplay. Unafraid to embrace the wildest sides of the genre, letting players be their own agent of tonal destruction.