'NBA 2K24' brings a lot to the table this year. However, despite its advancements, it fails to move fully beyond the issues that have dogged it for years.
"Madden 24" is an enjoyable, polished ride that will please newcomers and veterans alike, but it doesn't necessarily deliver a transformative experience.
"Marble It Up! Ultra's" single-player campaign and multiplayer modes provide plenty reason to get friends and family together for some marble-based fun.
"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" isn't a perfect title, but it still effectively presents a game of cat-and-mouse that can be as terrifying as it is exhilarating.
"ANVIL" offers a mix of shooter mechanics, strategic gameplay, and cooperative multiplayer. However, the game still needs some fine-tuning here and there.
"REMEDIUM: Sentinels" is a delightful and addictive autoshooter, striking the perfect balance between simplicity and strategy.
"Touhou: New World" successfully weaves together elements of old-school bullet hell and RPG mechanics, creating a unique and fun Touhou Project experience.
If you're a "Peaky Blinders" fan, this is one VR experience you won't want to miss.
There are plenty of things to enjoy about "WWE 2K23," but it doesn't do much to step outside of the already established "WWE 2K" formula.
After all the controversy, "Hogwarts Legacy" feels like an expected "Harry Potter" experience that ultimately boils down to an underwhelming game.
"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.
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.
"HEROish" is a simple, yet engaging and wildly addicting card-battling MOBA-lite.
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."
The character placement and controls in Cannibal Cuisine could use a bit of tightening - for instance, there seems to be a pretty wide and inconsistent margin as to when a player falls into a gap and when they don’t - but for the most part, Cannibal Cuisine is just as fun as other co-op party games such as Overcooked and Tools Up! Its bloody cartoon violence - and, you know, cannibalism - is probably a bit too much for younger players. But for groups of older gamers who are fans of this sort of game, you’ll likely eat up Cannibal Cuisine. Which is better than the other way around.
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.
There’s a lot to love in Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed, whether you’re a veteran or newcomer to the series. It looks and plays much like the games of yesteryear, but that’s what gives it much of its charm. You can definitely add Akihabara to my list of spots to visit when I finally make my way back to Japan. I’m no vampire demon, but perhaps I’ll wear an extra layer or two. You know, just in case.
Let me be clear: I liked The Last of Us: Part II, and I feel like I can’t succinctly convey all of the things I wish to say about the game in 1,000 words (which I am well over at this point). The dystopian world created by the Naughty Dog team is one that I enjoy exploring and surviving in. For everything that The Last of Us: Part II gets right, though, I can’t help but feel like I just played through an extension of the same game from 2013. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and like Ellie with Joel, I'm trying to accept the game as it is. Considering the impact that The Last of Us had on gaming, I guess I just expected to be blown away all over again.
While Skater XL's learning curve is steep, for those who stick with it, there is some fun and satisfying skateboarding action to be had.
If you're intrigued by the idea of a crab scouring the ocean for makeshift armor while battling existential threats, then "Another Crab's Treasure" is definitely worth a dive.