Far Cry 6 isn't quite the powerful, cinematic experience that Ubisoft promised, but this flawed adventure is still great fun for open-world shooter fans.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order suffers from some annoying pacing issues, but the attention to detail and fundamentally solid gameplay makes it the best Star Wars game in over a decade.
Gears 5 is a beautiful balancing act of new and old, and it manages to offer the franchise's trademark action and gore while telling a compelling story that sets up the future of the series in a big way.
It's obvious from its opening moments that Indivisible has a lot of loved poured into it, boasting gorgeous visuals and interesting characters sure to win over your heart. It isn't a perfect example of either of the two genres it blends together, but it does plenty with each of them to make for an exciting adventure.
Concrete Genie is held back slightly by its reluctance to trust us with more freedom of creation, and its third act combat feels somewhat out of place. Still, it still manages to do a wonderful job of giving players a reason to explore its eerie and beautiful town and interact with its colorful genies, and its narrative is successful in merging two very different tones to tell a tale that bounces admirably between somber and lighthearted.
Code Vein invents as much as it mimics, and while it doesn't pull everything together perfectly, it manages to be an exceptionally fun Souls-like romp through a post-apocalyptic anime world. It's just a shame the developers didn't spend a little more time polishing the game's balance and less time on its unstimulating story.
Despite a few disappointing presentation issues. WRC 8 is an otherwise solid outing for the franchise. Improvements to car handling and physics set WRC 8 well above its predecessor, and the new career mode is a hugely appreciated addition for anyone looking to get the most out of a simulation racer.
Not everything works flawlessly in Blood & Truth, but pushing past its quirks grants a rewarding, action-packed romp fully equipped with a great crime story and movie-quality acting from its lovable characters.
MLB The Show 19 is both improved in some important spots and disappointingly unimproved in others that really need love. But though it may not be perfect, it's still the best baseball game money can buy and well worth any baseball enthusiast's time.
Yoshi's Crafted World brings together everything that makes the series so amazing to begin with, and expands on it exponentially with new mechanics and design decisions. It's not perfect, but it's a magical adventure in creativity from beginning to end and a textbook example of Nintendo's dedication to pure fun.
Sonic Team Racing is possibly the most consistently fun kart racer since Mario 64.
A few hiccups along the way, especially in relation to some pretty serious online multiplayer instabilities, definitely bring down the experience in 2K19. Thankfully though, these quibbles don't tarnish what is definitely the best option for your basketball fix this year.
Spider-Man Remastered is the absolute best way to experience the original's engrossing gameplay and emotional story beats -- even its occasional banal elements are overshadowed by the immense improvements made to almost every aspect of the visual and tangible experience.
MLB The Show 21 is still the best baseball game available by far. But don't buy it expecting a substantial next-gen showcase.
Twelve Minutes is a celebrity-led adventure title, but its time looping mechanic and riveting narrative are the real stars.
Call of Duty: Vanguard doesn't drive the franchise forward in any major ways, but its tense, cinematic campaign and satisfying multiplayer modes are worth experiencing.
Despite some hokey voice acting and a few technical quibbles, Darksiders: Genesis manages to be every bit as significant to the franchise as the mainline games.
Trine 4 is a love letter to fans, providing a fully-realized puzzle game rife with experimentation, quality-of-life features, and utterly breathtaking visuals, all but guaranteeing a bright and beautiful future for the franchise.
Astral Chain constantly impresses with its enthralling premise, frenetic action, and abundance of content. Even in its quietest moments, it exudes heart and intrigue, and for those willing to dig deeper, The Ark and its mysteries are a joy to discover. Beautiful visuals and incredible presentation values round things out to make it one of the Switch's must-own titles.
Though some may be disappointed that its story never capitalizes on its full potential, It Takes Two is a masterpiece of creativity and cooperative gameplay that makes it one of the most memorable experiences in modern gaming.