I could probably explain The Surge 2's shortcomings for another 10 paragraphs, but it doesn't change the fact that it's a fun game that makes a lot of mistakes. Considering there are over 80 weapons, though I only felt the need to use one, is disappointing, just like armor sets skills that are inferior to what you'd gain from using different pieces. Toss in a fairly random story about a cult, lackluster graphics, probably one of the hardest games to navigate I've ever played and it's easy to say The Surge 2 manages to build on the original but it isn't to the point where you should be rushing out to play it.
Honestly, there isn't a whole lot to say about Daemon X Machina. With an average story, enjoyment hinges on how you feel about piloting a mech. It does this fairly well, though it could be more intuitive, making the whole experience okay, rather than amazing. I could easily see an Armored Core fan loving it or even a Gundam fan, it just doesn't have the universal appeal other games manage to have.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne isn't perfect but it adds a lot to the franchise. The new monsters, gear and difficulty is the kick in the pants players need to start hunting again. Between new monsters, gear and skills it's hard to say no and you get a great deal of value for the price of the expansion. Even if it could do a bit more, by giving less skilled players a bit more to look forward to, this is an absolute must for anyone who loves Monster Hunter or just wants a harder experience.
It doesn't matter if Crystar is a bit on the simpler side or that the story has some familiar plot beats, it tells a tale that is insightful. It won't take much to want to reunite the sisters and it's an adventure that rings true for some. Toss in gameplay that might not change the world but is a blast to experience and it's a solid adventure that is easy to see the value of experiencing.
Astral Chain is weird, thrilling, unique, different and crazy, it's just held back by bad choices. Some of the design elements take a lot of getting use to and make sense in the long run, but can be frustrating to beginners. Combine this with entirely too many things going on at once and some of the most boring scenes between action packed combat sequences and you have an experience that loses a bit too much between scenes. This isn't enough to take away from Astral Chain, it just turns a title that could've been among the best games this year to something that is still among the best on the Switch.
A basic adventure that relies more on the feelings from the source to sell it. For some this will be enough, just don’t expect the most fulfilling story if you have no experience with the franchise.
Black Desert is a beautiful looking game with plenty to offer, it just has a bit of a learning curve and some rather annoying design choices. In a lot of ways, I could see it being a fun game you casually play and enjoy with a friend or your guild, but it doesn't seem to have the same inviting feeling Final Fantasy XIV or ESO have. This is a shame, though a lot of things can be fixed with patches. Plus, the core concept is at least fun enough to make it worth the initial investment.