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.
Riders Republic is a truly massive extreme sports game that borrows from Ubisoft's better open world pillars. A variety of events and the ability to play against massive servers in a gorgeous sandbox provide a unique thrill that few games manage.
Culminating 8 years of Roll7's work on the series, OlliOlli World is, like its brethren, undeniably mechanically rich, rewarding players of all skill levels. But it's the joyful world and playful nature of the game that make it a triumphant skating experience akin to Tony Hawk's best.
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.
Resident Evil Village infuses the newfound first-person horror of Resident Evil 7 with the tense action survival of genre-defining Resident Evil 4. This is a game confident in its ability to terrify players while empowering them past the dread of overwhelming odds.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game Complete Edition is a faithful port of a 10-year-old game that remains mostly unchanged, mainly because it didn't need to. Thankfully, online and drop-in play give it new life and soften the edge.
Gran Turismo 7 seeks to ignite a passion for vehicles. From exceptional realism to the numbing amount of customization options, GT7 is an ocean of driving simulation that does its best to ensure newcomers won't drown but enthusiasts will be happily swept up.
Having all the updated content only further adds to the value of an already valuable package. If you’re willing to wade in these salty waters, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Ultimate Edition is worth its weight in gold.
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.
Save Me Mr. Tako: Definitive Edition is a quintessential time capsule, transporting players into a replication of Nintendo's Game Boy. While the devotion to the time period may not be for everyone, there is undeniable charm here for old-school platformer enthusiasts.
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.