With those yearly grievances aired, Madden NFL 22 is still a worthwhile pickup if you were on the fence. There's nothing that's painstakingly new in this year's release. However, next-gen technology elevates gameplay with more realistic player movements, while home field advantage is, finally, exactly that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go draft Tim Tebow as my starting tight end.
I’m not going to say “buyer beware” in regards to the Switch version of Skatebird. By all means, if you have younger gamers or Switch is your primary gaming device, then playing Skatebird on Switch will probably be just fine for you. However, if you have the option, go with the PC version of the game, especially considering that the game is coming to Xbox Game Pass next month. Even though many of its tropes are a bit played out within the genre, Skatebird is a game that knows it’s silly, and embraces it in a way that makes it fun to play (on PC).
If cyberpunk was the genre of 2020, time loops are undoubtedly the flavor of the second half of 2021. Aeon Drive subtly throws its pixelated hat into the proverbial zeitgeist with its fast-paced, pinpoint-accurate platforming that is as addicting and, at times, satisfyingly frustrating as any quality masocore title out there. Aeon Drive is a speedrunner's dream, offering hours of replayability for completionists and those looking to have their name atop online leaderboards.
If you played Left 4 Dead, you’ll feel right at home. Back 4 Blood is a more mature and more bad-ass version of L4D, elevating every mechanic from the former series and making it better while adding in new features that makes playing far more rewarding. I can’t wait for my friends from the former Friday night L4D group to get their hands on Back 4 Blood when it launches next week on Game Pass. We’ve already made plans to play together, meaning a large Little Caesars pizza is in my future.
When I’m playing Shadow Corridor, I can’t help but get random chills while walking down every one of its dimly lit hallways. Even the open outdoor areas manage to give off unsettlingly claustrophobic vibes. I do think the game is probably best experienced on PC, but if you’re on the go or a glutton for punishment and feel like playing in the comfort and safety of your own bed, Shadow Corridor on Switch will provide you with a great survival horror experience. Just don’t blame me when you have nightmares.
Collectively, Forza Horizon 5 does everything right, and in doing so makes Playground Games’ latest entry into the Forza franchise an absolute must-play for any racing enthusiast or casual racing fan.
There’s a lot to take in and comprehend when you first start Treasures of the Aegean. It’s never frustrating or off putting, though. In fact, with every new run (whether it was successful or not), I found myself just wanting to know more about the lore of this mysterious ancient city and what exactly the time loop was all about. For lore buffs, puzzle solvers, and platforming fans, Treasures of the Aegean is right up your alley.
As confusing as this might sound, Exo One is every bit relaxing as it is intense. Its exploration of the mysterious and deep reaches of space combined with its perfectly arranged soundtrack creates a different kind of sci-fi experience that should definitely be checked out by fans of the genre. As far as I know, this is Exbleative’s first title, but it’s an absolute banger. I’ll be eager to see future projects from the studio, science fiction-based or otherwise.
Despite some clunkiness in its controls and camera, along with a surface-level narrative, "Samurai Maiden" knows exactly what it is and what it's trying to do.
It might not be the most refined title out there, but "Choo-Choo Charles" continues Two Star Games' trend of creating "artistic, atmospheric horror games."
If you're booting up "High on Life" this weekend, you probably know exactly what you're getting into.
"HEROish" is a simple, yet engaging and wildly addicting card-battling MOBA-lite.
Mothergunship: Forge is a must-buy VR title for any new player while offering enough challenge to satiate even the most experienced VR players.
Kandria blends the unique features of deep exploration, old-world lore, and combat into a nostalgic, mysterious world that is just waiting to be uncovered.
Despite some elements of "Persona 4 Golden's" narrative at points being out dated and wildly bigoted, it is still a classic that is absolutely worth playing.
"A Space for the Unbound" is a delightful homage to nostalgia-driven whimsy, with a unique art style and engaging story.
Fans of the franchise may be eager to try out "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake "and compare it to the series - to which they will be plenty delighted.
The visually stunning and thoughful Season: A Letter To The Future encapsulates what it means to be alive - and that's something worth writing home about.
"Forspoken" probably deserves more credit than it's gotten up to this point. It just falls short of reaching the heights that we all expected it to achieve.
"Straylight" is a delight and does an exemplary job that other VR titles should strive to emulate when it comes to preventing VR motion sickness.