NBA 2k24 provides a stellar game of on-the-court basketball. Its main issues haven’t changed in years: clumsy storytelling and some of the worst microtransactions in the business. At this point, everybody knows about them, and you have to make your peace with them or not. If you can look past that, NBA 2K24 is a slam dunk of an experience, even if the rest of the game does its best to keep it on the bench.
At its worst, a game can take that formula and copy it shamelessly, which usually reminds me of the game it's drawing inspiration from in the first place. At its best, a game can take those inspirations and stand alongside them. It’s rare for the latter to happen, but Wild Hearts takes the essence of Monster Hunter and grows it with enough innovations to create a compelling experience that confidently stands on its own.
One Piece Odyssey is a slice of fan service that is easy to recommend for die-hard fans. As a game detached from its brand, it doesn’t bring anything new or exciting to turn-based combat. From the story's perspective, the plot was straightforward to predict and quickly left my mind as soon as it entered.
Marvel's Midnight Suns has a fun campaign packed with really in-depth systems. Every facet of the social interaction and the card-based combat system should clash, considering how far apart they are in presentation and function. However, the two halves come together to create a great Marvel game. It lives up to the legacy of tactical depth Firaxis is known for, without copying and pasting XCOM with Marvel heroes and calling it a day.
The Valiant is inspired by the classics, but also fails to live up to those lofty heights.
Triangle Strategy embraces its narrative to and refined tactical battles to create a compelling tactical experience.
Kratos and Atreus are the heart and steel that forge God of War Ragnarök into a flawless and fitting end to the Norse Saga.
The two-headed monster of the multiverse ending sequences and the pacing issues caused by taking action out of Bayonetta’s hands diminish what should be the triumphant, near-perfect finale that Bayonetta deserves. I enjoyed Bayonetta 3 far more after beating it, exploring chapters at my leisure, and avoiding all the sequences that take her out of the equation. Bayonetta 3 is a great action game, worthy of experience for anybody who is into the genre. It’s just not the flawless action experience it could have been.
Travis Touchdown is back to welcome some aliens to Earth, in a way only Suda 51 can manage.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak delivers one of the series’ best expansions yet.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge is far more than a nostalgia trip. Tribute Games attention to detail, additional characters and just combat depth have modernized a classic.
Stellar level design and refined gameplay mechanics firmly establish Sniper Elite 5 among the stealth action classics such as Hitman and Splinter Cell.
"Trek to Yomis’ love for the genre and cinematic ambition is its best feature and shines a light on its flaws. This is a tale of honor and blood that is worth experiencing."
Weird West feels like the next step in the immersive sim genre.
SIFU’s tight combat focus and gorgeous level design creates a compelling action experience. Sloclap has created something new, fresh and exciting to bring the beat em up genre to the next generation.
Rainbow Six Extraction blends Siege style tactics with X-Com soldier management. Extraction is a great experience with friends, and provides a deeper, challenging take on the modern co-op shooter.
The story of Master Chief and Cortana is riveting, the Banished make excellent enemies and the multiplayer is the most fun I’ve had since Halo 3.
Battlefield 2042 has elements of a good game, while Portal mode is an excellent new addition to the series
Forza Horizon 5 is the best game in the franchise, and it also might be the perfect arcade racing game.
Age of Empires IV is a fantastic sequel worthy of the lineage it follows up.