Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising fully realizes the potential that the vanilla game showed back in 2020. This is a feature rich and absolutely gorgeous 2D anime fighter with a deep roster of 28 fantastic characters, great netcode, and well implemented gameplay tweaks that reinvigorate the already exciting fighting system.
While the load times are a pretty big bummer, it doesn't change the fact that Bloodborne's combat is sublime, its challenge is second to none, and its world is unforgettable.
Halo 5 proves that 343 is a worthy team for taking over the Mantle of Responsibility for the Halo series from Bungie.
The Old Hunters is a worthwhile expansion to one of the best games of the year and a shining example of how DLC should be made.
The soul of Soulcalibur 6 is so strong that a few minor issues don't do much to bring down one of the best entries in the series.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles DLC for Injustice 2 is one great fanservice filled package for TMNT fans, and fits right in with Injustice 2's star-studded cast of heroes and villains. Their four distinct sets of abilities and playstyles make it feel like four characters for the price of one.
Katana Zero's adrenaline pumping action is incredible and its presentation is stellar, but its story feels cut short.
Though it lacks polish, Darksiders Genesis is a rare spinoff that equals and sometimes surpasses its mainline brethren
Between the accessible auto combos, homing attacks, and simplified command inputs, Dragon Ball FighterZ is an inviting gateway into the world of fighting games for newcomers — whether you're a Dragon Ball fan or not. Those easy controls can open the door to some spammy behavior, but just as often it's satisfying in a way that does right by the Dragon Ball name. Dragon Ball FighterZ has enough depth and complexity to glow as brilliantly as a Super Saiyan.
Excellent action leads the way with My Friend Pedro, though there is little reason to return after its short campaign.
Trine 4 is beautiful and perhaps a bit too straightforward for solo players, but it shines brilliantly in co-op.
Yacht Club Games continues to dig up gold with Shovel Knight: King of Cards, despite a momentum slowing card game.
BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle is like a jigsaw puzzle made of pieces from four entirely different sets, that by some miracle still manage to fit together to make a unique and mesmerizing tag fighting game. Aside from its unsatisfying single-player mode and aggravating paywalled characters, it's just the right blend of accessibility and depth, and one of the best entry points into fighting games you'll find.
Archaic story mode and load times aside, Samurai Shodown succeeds as a fundamentals driven 2D fighting game.
Pokkén Tournament DX serves as a definitive edition of Nintendo's fighting game, and it fits well on the Switch aside from choppy split-screen multiplayer. Five new characters and a new three-on-three mode are noteworthy additions, though the new challenge mode doesn't live up to its name.
When you're fully geared up and The Messenger is hitting you with brand new stages and challenges that you haven't seen before, The Messenger is an amazing, must-play experience. Taken as a whole, it's brought down only by fetch quests that make The Messenger last several hours longer than it feels like it should.
Despite a familiar moveset, Hero's RNG heavy moveset make him a lot of fun to play, even if a bit inconsistent.
Though light on characters and story, Granblue Fantasy: Versus is another excellent addition to the ArcSys family.
Pirate Warriors 4 is a great One Piece-flavored spin on the musou genre with a deep roster and simple but fun combat
Them's Fightin' Herds is an exceptional fighting game by any measure, only held back by its tiny roster of six characters.