13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a very unique experience, even in the realm of video games. It's gameplay systems gel well together and the non-linear storytelling could only work in this medium. While some plot points aren't as well explored as others and it uncomfortably sexualizes high school students, it's still a game you absolutely need to play if you're a fan of science fiction or enjoy video game storytelling.
Supergiant has made another modern classic. Hades offers some of the best rogue-like gameplay out there and delivers a satisfying experience in all aspects. From the wonderfully voiced characters to the fluidity of combat, there's a lot to love here as you die over and over again.
Paradise Killer is a fascinating murder mystery set in a strange world with even stranger characters. The game lets you put the evidence together to find out what really happened in a way most don't. With its unique aesthetic and bumpin' soundtrack, it's well worth letting love die to find the facts.
Crash 4 will delight fans new and old with its stylized visuals, delightful sense of humor, and hard as nails platforming. While the new characters have a few control issues, the game is an absolute blast from start to finish.
Ikenfell has a unique battle system and story that can make for some of the best moments in an RPG this year, but unfortunately it doesn't always use these to its advantage and has multiple boring boss fights with the plot meandering in the first half. Still, its highs are so high that it is well worth seeing through to the end.
Professor Lupo: Ocean attempts to be a small expansion on the first game with its central gimmick, but fails to really improve over the original and doubles down on its faults.
Jackbox Party Pack 7 is yet another fantastic party game with something for everyone. While Talking Points and Blather 'Round are the highlights here, every game is still bundles of fun. I wonder, does Jackbox Games get tired of putting out banger after banger every year? Because I'm sure not tired of their innovation and creativity.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV is a fitting end to the saga of Erebonia. While there are tons of characters returning and plot threads from previous games, newcomers will still be able to enjoy the complicated, political tale along with a deep battle system.
While it looks and performs better on console, a port simply cannot fix the problems at Oceanhorn 2's core. Still, it may be worth dipping your toes in if you're a 3D Zelda fanatic.
While Little Hope may not be the fright fest some wanted, it's still a fascinating game that's well worth playing once or twice, if you can get over the nonsensical ending.
While the first game is missing some content from the PS3 version, No More Heroes 1 and 2 on Switch are easily the best versions of these fantastic games. While it's disappointing they didn't take the time to fix any of the games issues like the tedious minigames, both are still well worth playing.
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit may have had its heyday, but this particular entry feels well past its prime with bland visuals, uninteresting courses, and terrible controls.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the best open world RPG this year. It's colorful locals are a joy to discover, combat and stealth feel deep and rewarding, and there's a viking hoard of things to do.
If your connection is strong enough to reliably stream it, Stadia is a good place to play Watch Dogs: Legion. The technology focused stealth compensates for the input lag nicely, and the game looks and runs far better than my mid to low range desktop could hope to.
While Sam & Max Save the World remastered makes a few concessions for its console release and the touch screen support is lacking, it's still a gorgeous and hilarious game that is well worth playing in any form.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Heart of the Forest is a great visual novel with tons of impactful choices, great visuals, and excellent sound design. While it slowly loses steam after the introductory chapters, it's still well worth multiple playthroughs.
Collection of SaGa Final Fantasy Legend contains three good games, but lacks any extras like manuals, save states, or cheats other than game speed to make it stand out. It's certainly a better effort than any of Nintendo's recent re-releases, but we can do much better to preserve the history of games.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: the Game is one of the best modern beat-em ups, despite a lack of much competition in the genre. It's gorgeous visuals and amazing soundtrack complement its surprising depth in combat perfectly. Scott Pilgrim is back, and hopefully here to stay.
Hitman 3 is the ultimate Hitman experience, period. The game runs almost improbably crisp, and each location is a ton of fun to explore. Replayability is a must, but not just because of the brevity of the campaign, but because there is so much to do in each one. Adding the missions of yesteryear appends even more to the package, along with the ability to be the assassin in VR or take it on the go with Stadia or Switch. I could try and nitpick it for what it doesn't do or where it comes up short (of which there's almost nothing), but when it comes to being an early contender for Game Of The Year, Hitman 3 hits its target dead center.
While Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood may contain interesting ideas, like being able to shift forms in an instant, its gameplay and story are too generic and boring to be worthwhile.