With better graphics, gameplay, and worthwhile additions, it’s an easy recommendation to pay and upgrade to The Last of Us Part II Remastered if you own the original. If you didn’t play the PS4 original, then it’s even more of a no-brainer, as this is one of the most polished and memorable games ever made. Not afraid to deal with dark subject matter and fully explore its characters, The Last of Us Part II remains a slightly flawed yet incredible experience.
While I do wish there were a few more single-player modes, such as a mode reliving epic fights or Octagon moments, the core gameplay in EA Sports UFC 5 is as good as ever.
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 earns its Turbocharged subtitle as it builds on the original’s base to deliver a more polished and enjoyable sequel.
While Avatar: The Last Airbender – Quest for Balance never really impresses, it winds up becoming aggressively fine as it goes on and expectations are lowered.
While it’s worth going through once, don’t expect it to reach the highs of the previous entries or offer too much new to the winning formula.
Never resting on its laurels, it’s clear that the series has the Mamba mentality to succeed.
The Dimension Shellshock DLC is a great addition to TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge. Both characters are meaningful additions that are fun to use, although Karai takes a bit more effort to learn, and the survival mode has me hooked.
The Making of Karateka isn’t just a meaningful step forward for game preservation and history. This is proof-positive of what makes video games such a fascinating and thrilling medium.
Fort Solis isn't without its issues, but the sci-fi adventure game tells an interesting mystery and is unafraid to deal with ambiguity. Troy Baker puts on a marvelous performance that is likely the year's best in video games, and he has enough compelling material for it not to be wasted.
Ride 5 is yet another impressive offering from Milestone. By focusing on the current generation of hardware, the motorcycle racer isn’t held back and is able to live to its full potential.
You can't go wrong with Madden NFL 24 as the new superstar showdown mode is a compelling selling point for fans pining for arcade gameplay.
It’s a shame that the animation and songwriting can’t match the quality of the other elements, but Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is still well worth checking out.
You can tell that Marble It Up! Ultra had a great foundation to build upon, as it is as polished as the marbles you roll around inside the game.
Without a defined selling point, a dozen or so engaging boss fights don’t propel Zombie Soup much past the hoards of twin-stick shooters that continue to shamble onto every digital storefront at a steady pace.
Frank and Drake has a few interesting story beats, but they never culminate in a truly compelling mystery.
F1 Manager 2023 is a great sequel that improves on every aspect of its predecessor. While the sheer amount of options can be overwhelming, they all serve their purpose and wind up adding to the overall experience.
The Expanse: A Telltale Series Episode 1 is a strong start for the series and this iteration of Telltale Games.
It’s doesn’t add a ton to the franchise’s legacy, but it’s easy enough to settle into and be a worthwhile new diversion, especially in co-op.
While it’s not a must-own shoot ’em up collection, any shmup fan will have a good time with Ray’z Arcade Chronology.
Exoprimal’s biggest strength is that it’s easy to get friends into, and you’re basically guaranteed to have a decent time whether you win or lose.