Nicholas Scibetta's Reviews
Rage 2 isn't a revolution, but it's a well-executed open world shooter with satisfying core gameplay and big splashes of color.
In many ways it feels too early to judge Battlefield V, and the game doesn't feel quite as substantial as it needs to. But the foundation is strong, and upcoming free content releases should add a lot of depth to the title.
Call of Cthulhu suffers from a slow opening, but those who can make it deeper will find a satisfying horror mystery with plenty of twists and turns.
Frozen Synapse 2's tactical core remains solid and fascinating, but the lack of a sufficiently detailed tutorial makes learning the new depths of the game a frustrating experience.
Donut County's gameplay doesn't offer much of a challenge, but the mechanics work as an engaging core for a game that delivers so many charming characters and genuine laughs.
Bad North feels a lot like a mobile title in terms of its limited scope, tight focus, and simple controls, and that makes it a fantastic fit for the Switch in portable mode.
Dead Cells takes the best gameplay elements from Metroidvania and rogue-lite games and combines them into something that sinks its hooks into you and won't let go.
It's a really great package for Sonic enthusiasts, and if you don't already own Sonic Mania then buying Plus is a very easy recommendation.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a powerful game that tells a relevant story. It doesn't innovate much in terms of gameplay, but everything else about the game is executed at an impressively high level.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is a massive and ambitious action game that delivers an epic sense of scale. From single stealthy murders up to the never-ending fortress battles available via online play, Shadow of War is a blast.
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider is a worthy addition to the Dishonored franchise. It doesn't eclipse any of the core games, but it's well worth your time and money if you're a fan of the series.
Life is Strange: Before the Storm's first episode is heavy on atmosphere and emotion, but light on narrative or gameplay. It will appeal to those who loved the heart-wrenching drama of the first game, but could have a hard time attracting any new fans.
LawBreakers offers innovative gameplay and an in-your-face attitude, and the gameplay part, at least, succeeds more than it fails. The game will have to fight to survive, but there's fun to be had and incredible skins to unlock by playing right now.
Sonic Mania is a wonderful blend of classic Sonic and new ideas, and should serve as an example of the great things that can happen when game companies embrace fan creators. There's no reason Sonic Mania shouldn't be followed by multiple sequels that continue its remixing magic.
Sundered's immense sense of style carries it over any bumps in the road, and the result is one of the best Metroidvania games released in years.
Echo Arena sets a new high bar for competitive multiplayer VR, and feels like a major step forward for virtual reality.
An FPS roguelike wearing the suit of a 1996 shooter, STRAFE is a unique game that seems destined for a small but passionate following.
Prey is the best BioShock-style game we've seen in years. It gets better the more you play it, and hides secrets that encourage repeat playthroughs. For fans of single-player titles, Prey is a game that belongs in Game of the Year discussions.
Dragon Quest Heroes II takes everything people love about Musou games and ramps up the fun factor. If the core gameplay elements don't interest you this game won't change your mind, but if large-scale action RPGs appeal to you even a little bit you'll likely have a blast with this one.
If the number one thing you want from a game is a good scare, Outlast 2 is a big success. If you're looking for deep gameplay or replay value though, you'll have to look elsewhere.