No matter where it got its ideas from, there’s no denying it’s fun.
We were hoping for the next big evolution is card game design. As it stands, Artifact’s main positive quality is making us realise how good we had it with Hearthstone, Legends, and Gwent.
Starlink is a simple game, but that’s not necessarily bad.
FIFA has its ups and downs, going through years when the company seems to care more about swaying grass and player celebrations than tactics or responsiveness. Happily, FIFA 19 is one of the good ones.
We aren’t fans of how often “addictive” is used as a synonym for fun, but thanks to its loop of world map organisation and tactical missions, Phantom Doctrine is both.
Much like going back to play Ocarina of Time, you’re witnessing the foundations of many modern games here. And some pieces of magic that no other game – even a Souls game – have managed to replicate since.
It seems odd to apply the word “fun” to a game so grim, but like life in extreme circumstances, Frostpunk finds a way.
Sea of Thieves is a “make your own fun” game, but it’s difficult not to feel like the developers could’ve made a little more fun for you. Sail, stare at the water, and live the life of a corsair — ultimately, its longevity will come down to you and your crew.
Subset has taken positional play in turn-based tactics to its extreme. The result is at once unique, accessible, and mindbending. Every round is a newly created puzzle with perfectly pitched difficulty, and that is seriously impressive design.
In short, Monster Hunter World is a fantastic addition to the series. It’s never been on this many platforms before, so for many, this will be their first Monster Hunter game — and happily, Capcom has built a world that is sure to keep players coming back time and time again.
It’s easy. It’s cheesy. But make no mistake, under the hood this is a fighting system worth taking the time to master.
Developer Stunlock built a cult following around Bloodline Champions. With this spiritual successor, it’s finally ready for a bigger arena.
Call of Duty WWII plays like high production values were applied to a WWII game checklist. It’s a short blockbuster campaign going through the motions. Maybe that’s all you want.
This is a big win for Assassin’s Creed. Just about every aspect of the game is better from combat, to hunting (thanks to Senu), to stealth play with a sense of consequence. Top it off with the memorable yet vulnerable duo of Aya and Bayek, and this sequel managed to go back in time while taking several steps forward.
Atmospheric, psychological horror requires new things to think about. Things for the player to ruminate on after turning the game off. Things that stay with you. The Evil Within 2 almost gets there.