While no one wants to call Game of the Year in March, Elden Ring stands at the top of a very tall hill. If you play one game this year, make it Elden Ring.
Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires does not give us faith that the series can be saved. Put simply, it might be best to put this series out to pasture and focus on other Warriors entries.
Fans of beat-'em-ups or kung fu movies will instantly fall in love with Sifu. If you can handle replaying levels multiple times, it's a must buy.
Dying Light 2 is so close to being great, but it is held back by a myriad of technical issues. It's fine with friends, but wait for some patches if you intend to fly solo.
For those looking for some co-op fun, Nobody Saves the World is your game. If you've got a buddy that likes top-down action RPGs, make sure to add this one to your queue.
I'll make this as simple as possible: If you like the idea of controlling a Roman Legion and conquering in the name of Rome, you will like Expeditions: Rome. If that doesn't sound like fun, then this game won't be for you.
Anyone who likes fast-paced platformers with a gorgeous sense of style will enjoy Solar Ash. Who knows - maybe fans of a certain blue hedgehog can play a good 3D game for once.
Battlefield 2042 has the potential to be a fantastic Battlefield game, but its server problems really put a damper on it. At this point, wait for a couple more patches before checking it out.
While Shin Megami Tensei 5 is rough around the edges, fans of the series will be satisfied. However, newcomers and those not impressed by the previous entries best approach with caution.
While Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles isn't the game to get me into the genre, I can't deny that it runs well and is mostly fun to play. Fans of the Demon Slayer anime - or fighting games in general - will be happy with this pickup.
While New World isn't a World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV killer, it does prove that a new MMO can succeed. We'll have to wait to see how they capitalize on their momentum.
Eastward will be on many shortlists for indie GOTY, and possibly on some main lists as well. If you like what you see, don't hesitate to pick this one up.
Deathloop is in a weird spot. It isn't as good as Dishonored, but I also don't expect to see another game in the series. If you want to support the studio or need a Dishonored fix, this will help...but honestly, the game isn't that fun.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is a prime example of developers learning from the first game to improve upon the second. While there are still technical issues, it is a great game for Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder fans alike.
While City of Gangsters is a solid mafia management sim, the combat holds it back from greatness.
NEO: The World Ends With You is a unique and colorful action RPG that packs a fun combat system. While it's certainly not for everyone, those drawn to its stylish vibe will absolutely love it.
While Samurai Warriors 5 doesn't break from the mold, it does help get the Warriors series get back on track after Dynasty Warriors 9. Fans of hack and slash or past Musou games should check it out.
Cris Tales isn't going to set your world on fire, but it proves to be good turn-based RPG comfort food. If you don't mind titles that drag a bit, this one is for you.
The Legend of Mana Remaster plays things a bit too safe with its combat system, but this action RPG still proves to be a worthwhile experience. Any old-school Mana fan will not be disappointed.
Chivalry 2 improves upon the original release by a good margin, but it still needs to work out some bugs and kinks. For those looking for some medieval madness, it might be best to wait for some more patches before diving in.