Cheyenne Clark
- Journey
- Bayonetta
- Stardew Valley
Though it's a good entry point for series newcomers, Life is Strange Remastered Collection seems entirely unnecessary for anyone else.
Bayonetta 3 boasts improved combat with unique weapons and stylish combos, but it falls flat in nearly all other aspects, resulting in a disappointing mess.
Overwatch 2 replaces its predecessor with a similar, yet different experience, but its future feels uncertain as the franchise moves toward a more aggressive monetization structure with little to distinguish itself from every other live-service game.
It's not winning any awards for graphics, but Shin Megami Tensei V is a well-designed JRPG that has just a little too much combat. Even with such an interesting story and themes to explore, it instead focuses on grinding and fighting the same enemies over and over.
With its delightfully scary monster designs and ominous atmosphere, Little Nightmares II stands out as a truly unique horror experience. Sure, it falters in some of its puzzles and clunky controls, but it makes up for it with its art and level design.
Far Cry New Dawn suffers from clashing tones and cringey writing, but it offers some unique quests and a fun, chaotic wasteland to play around in.
WarioWare Gold brings together a handful of new microgames, and throws in plenty of the series' best ones. It might not reinvent the wheel, but you'll be too busy jumping from game to game to notice.
Though it suffers from graphical issues and bugs, as well as unsatisfying combat, Fallout 76 is fun nonetheless, and the experience is only enhanced by cooperating with other players.
The new Interior Decorator career in The Sims 4: Dream Home Decorator is more interactive than ever and provides a little something for everyone, but it's still a bit of a buggy mess. What this new pack lacks in gameplay, though, it makes up for it with beautiful furniture and build items.
With so many Pokémon to photograph and so many new areas to explore, New Pokémon Snap feels like a worthy successor to the original, if a little simple. It can be challenging at times, but its relaxing gameplay will keep you coming back for more.
The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle brings with it a sense of community I've never felt in The Sims before. Your sim's actions have consequences in the world, both for better or worse, and this new expansion gives players a ton of new ways to play. Eco Lifestyle is refreshing and unique, even if some of its new clothes are horrendously ugly.
Baba Is You has a cutesy exterior that serves only to fool you into thinking it won't be the most difficult puzzle game you've ever played.
Bury me, my Love is a beautiful, touching story about one Syrian refugee's journey. Its messaging app interface makes it easy to connect with and become emotionally invested in, making the storytelling all the more impactful. Still, without the option of going back and reviewing difficult choices, it may become repetitive upon subsequent playthroughs, despite boasting 19 different endings.
Bowser Jr.'s Journey may not offer a ton of new content, but the core game is as good as ever. It might not be as enticing for returning players, but those on the hunt for a fun, relaxing RPG with quirky humor and a silly story will feel right at home.
Although its release on 3DS doesn't provide much new content, Luigi's Mansion is clearly a classic. Its clever level design and fun characters certainly hold up after 17 years, even if the graphics may not. This release seems best suited for those new to the game, but it can be enjoyed by all Luigi fans.
If you're looking for something to play at the coffee shop or on the train, then I'd recommend picking up Persona 5 Royal on Nintendo Switch. It might be best experienced on other consoles, but playing one of the greatest games of this decade on the go sounds pretty nice to me.
A great deal of care went into Stray, and the attention to detail and its beautifully crafted world make it a unique, worthwhile experience.
Spelunky 2 offers a challenging, but rewarding experience. With so many new levels, items, and enemies, there's no shortage of exploration and mystery. It expands upon the addicting gameplay of the first game and offers an entirely unique experience each time you play.
Persona 5 Royal offers so many changes to the core game that it feels fresh, all while keeping its original charm and style. With a brand new story arc and characters, as well as combat mechanics and updates to the social aspects, it's, without a doubt, the definitive way to play Persona 5.
Luigi's Mansion 3 has some incredibly clever (and difficult) puzzles, featuring interesting new abilities and expanding on the series' classic gameplay. It's everything I wanted and more in a continuation of the franchise.