Hellraiser: Revival makes the most of Clive Barker’s world and proves that you don’t need to shave off every rough edge to adapt a horror property into a video game… Much like the property it’s based on, Hellraiser: Revival balances its debauchery with concepts of holy beauty and pushes its audience to shift uncomfortably in their seats.
Forever Ago’s journey through grief and the complex emotions buried in those moments is unparalleled. And despite some technical difficulties, there is too much heart, love, and life in Forever Ago to let this title slip away.
The Dune: Awakening console launch is exciting. The console experience largely matches what players have on PC, but its single-player mode also opens the door to more players who want to play alone without sacrificing quality for them or the game’s existing multiplayer base.
There are many elements of CFB 27 that are a giant step forward for the franchise as the game looks to meet the changing state of college football.
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round lands with its combat and maintains all that was good and not so good in the past release. While it’s hard to lambast a game you know that you can easily put hours in, even if it never stops feeling like a predatory rerelease.
Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is about how small acts of kindness can drive out the cold and the fear that comes with it. It’s about opening your door and asking someone how you can help. While Moomin starts the game as a scared child, he discovers the warmth and joy that community can bring, but only when brought together through kindness.
Directive 8020 is a love letter to the space horror that looks beyond just going bump in the night. The distrust sown across the small team, the dialogue choices, and the interactions all craft a game that feels like it belongs on the shelf alongside titles like Dead Space, Sunshine, Event Horizon, and even The Thing.
Mixtape offers a unique experience, even if it looks familiar at first. The narrative approach to memory and growing up creates a coming-of-age story that weaves through the messiness of teenage emotions. While the very small amount of gameplay can feel repetitive, the story mitigates that weakness.
Aphelion is a small game that hits hard with big emotions by embracing the very best elements of science fiction. It embraces humanity and connection while still showcasing the genre’s love of alien planets and condemnation of evil corporations.
This is a massive undertaking for any development team. It's ambitious to a point that it becomes curious that it was attempted. But unlike Captain Ahab, this is a level of investment and ambition that ultimately pays off in the highest order. The level of detail in Crimson Desert is unlike anything we have seen in this console generation.
High on Life 2 is an improvement on the first and one hell of a time. The humor shows just how much in-tune the writers at Squanch game are with their players and that speaks volumes… making it a good time even through its complications.
The gameplay is easy to learn but challenging to master, and in terms of bringing new audiences to Anno, I think this can do it, without overwhelming them with the systems. Still, that depth and challenge are there for those seeking it, especially for those among us with hundreds of hours in one save.
It’s hard to be both a great introductory game into management sims and also offer the die-hards a level of depth that doesn’t leave them wanting, but Jurassic World Evolution 3 does it perfectly.
LEGO Voyagers is whimsical, charming, and honestly, the perfect game to play when you need to relax and connect with someone else.
Whether it’s the game’s not-too-subtle commentary about climate change or Nava’s explanation of the Wraith, Sword of the Sea is trying and succeeding at making an impact
There is something magical in Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings Game, but it’s sometimes hard to find it… Still, I keep thinking that while a Hobbit hole means comfort, Tolkien’s favorite characters also deserve a bit more depth than just resting on genre fundamentals.
DOOM The Dark Ages is aggressive as hell, loud, fast, and all the fun you want. Sometimes you just need to pick up a shotgun, a flail, and a saw-bladed shield and rip through baddies. To put it simply, DOOM The Dark Ages is rewarding. The gameplay matters and ultimately makes up for any weaknesses in the story.
Revenge of the Savage Planet is a testament to building on a solid foundation and letting creativity lead the way. Whether it’s the puzzles, the platforming, the creature design, or the ace comedic dialogue, this game delivers in every single way.
Ultimately, Compulsion Games has created a love letter to the South, to its beauty and its stories. The dark fairytale we see in South of Midnight is narratively one of the heaviest hitters I've played, and that's something special.
Ivy Road has made a game that has impact and one that doesn’t change its protagonist, but you, the player, too. Wanderstop is monumental because it provides comfort by simply giving us all permission to slow down.