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.
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.
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.
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.
DOOM Eternal is one of the most exhilarating first-person shooters in recent years. Hesitation is punished but fleet-footed and aggressive players who love a challenge are rewarded with the viscera of a demon bloodbath and spectacularly hellish worlds.
Death's Door is a whimsical adventure about a questing crow reaping souls in hopes of saving his own. The wonderfully vivid world and classic combat make for an obviously inspired game that is over far too soon.