It's really too bad that MLB The Show 18 launched in its current state. Nearly everything about the game, from how it handles difficulty to making sure every part of baseball feels dynamic, is handled brilliantly and is the result of years of hard work coming together. That amount of polish makes it all the more jarring that Sony has failed to get the online working right after so many iterations of this yearly series. It very well might be the best baseball game ever made, but it has to come with a huge asterisk at the moment.
A Way Out is a true achievement in game design. Not only does it manage to take players on a true journey of emotion, it does so in a way that is only possible through the medium of video games. It manages to do something truly special by making two players to cooperate for an extended amount of time, and the discussions that happen on the couch or over voice chat can be just as revealing as the game itself. Josef Fares and Hazelight have undoubtedly raised the bar for co-op gaming.
While it's slightly disappointing to see so many members of Yakuza‘s great ensemble cast take a back seat in Yakuza 6, it ultimately works out for the best. Song of Life is Kiryu's story and focusing on something larger would only be a disservice to one of gaming's most fully realized characters. It's only fitting that he bows out in Ryu ga Gotoku Studio's most mature and focused game.
Those looking for some cooperative fun will definitely want to check it out, as there are few better reasons to separate the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Cons.
If you're strictly concerned with comprehending a story then you can probably skip The 25th Ward: The Silver Case. However, if you're down to take some glimpses into a strange world that doesn't operate under the same rules as our own then you'll be treated to some of the sharpest dialogue and scenes seen in any game. I may not understand everything about The 25th Ward, but that's by design. After all, sometimes it's important to quit worrying about the minutia, and take time to appreciate the bigger picture.
If you played through Kyoto Winds then you largely owe it to yourself to finish the story here in Edo Blossoms. The story's finale isn't quite as interesting as its beginning, but the romantic fireworks that occur are certainly a payoff. It's just too bad that the best way to experience Hakuoki is through two awkwardly split in half releases.
Before the Storm's bonus episode doesn't feature the series' best writing or any pivotal choices, but it all works as intended here. It's just a fond farewell to a friend. One that gives players one more opportunity to see two of their favorite characters interacting with each other, and one final chance for the player to say their own goodbyes.
Those who are able to accept Metal Gear Survive for what it is will find one of the most captivating survival games in recent memory. It's an incredibly unforgiving experience, which can definitely be detrimental at times, but one that ultimately feels fulfilling. Konami has taken the series in yet another new direction, but one that also feels in line with a lot of the series' past. It's still very much a Metal Gear game down to its story, which might be more out there than some of Kojima's own, even if it doesn't quite match them narratively. Embrace the bleakness of reality and simply try to survive.
Mulaka has some neat ideas and a sometimes gorgeous look to it, but little else to offer. The individual locations fail to stand out, and the game quickly becomes overly formulaic. The combat is too sloppy to impress, the platforming is plagued by a stiff moving character, and the puzzles are never captivating. It's a completely forgettable experience with a few really nice sights that are better experienced as screenshots.
Ultimately, Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus is proof that bigger isn't always better. The additional gameplay mechanics only get in the way of how fun the original was, and makes the screen a busy mess at times. The saving grace is that the Switch version of the game is perfect for short play sessions, which makes it a decent purchase for those that want Pac-Man on the go.
OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes won't end up on many year-end lists, but it should go down as an important title. It's one that shows that licensed kids cartoon adaptations don't have to be mediocre, and that they can be filled with the same charm as the television shows that made them beloved in the first place. Let's Play Heroes is a success because of how respectful it is towards its source material, and is one of the few licensed games that feel like a true extension of its world rather than a hollow recreation.
Although there are certainly stumbling points, it's the aspect of exploration that really makes Fe a memorable experience. There's seemingly always something to do from stumbling upon ferocious animals that are hidden in a cave to figuring out how to get an upgrade shard. The game world that Zoink has crafted is truly wondrous, and learning to work together with its inhabitants is a truly rewarding experience. Sometimes we just need to learn how to understand each other.
Crossing Souls has a bunch of elements that should be right up my alley, but some flat writing and uninspired design really keeps it from hitting the desired marks. There's a good idea here, and I have no doubt that a teen adventure starring ghosts and Egyptian Gods could be really dope, but a cool concept doesn't make a great game. Instead, it just makes the end result all the more disappointing.
There's no fun to be had in Baseball Riot, just monotony.
I've been very vocal in the past about how I don't find the Joker to be the most compelling Batman villain, but I have to give credit where it's due. Telltale has not only managed to make one of the most interesting incarnations of the Harlequin of Hate, but the slow build has paid off wonderfully over two seasons. It doesn't feel rushed at all, and it has all built up to a natural point where John Doe is finally embracing his madness in a way that was impacted by the player. I'm incredibly excited to see what happens next, and to see what sort of chaos I accidentally helped cause.
This is the modernization that Monster Hunter definitely needed. Not only is it the most dynamic title in the series to date, it's just a fantastic action role-playing game. Even if you've bounced off the series in the past, I highly recommend giving Monster Hunter: World a try. It's where the series finally truly clicked for me, and that is very much by design. Capcom has updated their formula for a new generation, and it's a real treat for all.
Besides dealing with computer-controlled submission attempts, I largely feel that EA Sports UFC 3 is the best playing mixed martial arts game to date. That's why it was so disappointing to find out that so few of the modes managed to capture my interest. Perhaps it's more of a statement on the current over-saturation of the UFC, but there's not a ton of appeal of going into the exhibition mode and seeing meaningless fights play out anymore. I need something more than that, and I don't feel like either Ultimate Team or the career mode provide it. It's in the weird position of being a game that I like playing, but one that I'm not drawn to at all. But hey, at least there's Snoop Dogg.
There's a lot to like about Iconoclasts, but it unfortunately never makes the jump from good to great. Not only does it fall into some of the pitfalls that other platformers have exposed throughout the years, it also lacks any innovation that truly wows. That's ultimately fine, as players are treated to a very polished puzzle-platformer with a surprisingly interesting story. Those who pick up the game will surely enjoy their time with it, but don't be surprised if you've felt like you've played certain segments a dozen times before.
While I'm not sure if Before the Storm will hold the same place in my heart as the original, I'm certainly glad that Deck Nine Games got to tell their own story in Arcadia Bay. It's a very different tale, one on a completely smaller scale both in terms of narrative and length, but one that still manages to make an impact. It's a more personal story, and it wound up being quite bittersweet having to say goodbye to the duo of Chloe and Rachel.
8-bit Adventure Anthology Volume I does exactly what it advertises. It allows players to play three classic adventure games on modern consoles without any hassle. That said, it's important to know exactly what you're getting into since this doesn't featured remastered versions, and the design is absolutely old school. Those who are fine with those caveats will find a lot to like here, but even then, there could've been a little bit more put into the presentation of these classics.