David Sanchez
You'll likely have a really good time with Gods Will Fall. Straight up, it's a good game. A lack of polish keeps it from being a great game, but there's still plenty of fun to be had here.
Olija is, simply put, a great 2D action-adventure game. Developers Thomas Olsson and Skeleton Crew Studio knew exactly what they set out to deliver. This is a focused, refined adventure that'll captivate you for a short while and provide you with a bite-sized albeit worthwhile journey.
Super Meat Boy Forever is a fun little distraction. Though it fails to live up to the legacy of its predecessor, it's entertaining for a few playthroughs. If you loved Super Meat Boy, you might just get a kick out of Forever… or you may not.
The Pathless is as majestic as it is haunting. It's ruminative and captivating. Above all, it's one of the most incredible meditative adventures ever created.
Ghostrunner is an all-around great action game. The first-person parkour mechanics will make you feel like a badass, as will chopping up bad guys. The game doesn't always control perfectly, but everything still comes together to create an awesome, action-packed cyberpunk experience.
Orangeblood offers a unique spin on the offbeat RPG formula that was popularized by EarthBound. This is very much a quirky turn-based game, but its foul language, hip hop music, '90s-inspired tone, and adult themes make it a weird, enjoyable curveball. Performance is stunted slightly compared to the PC version, but the game is still a good time.
Cloudpunk succeeds in delivering a worthwhile open-world adventure. The story isn't perfect, but the characters are extremely well-written. The audiovisual design also drives the game forward, presenting a world that's dark, futuristic, and mysterious. You might struggle with the camera and controls at times, but don't let that detract from what is an otherwise awesome character-driven game.
9 Monkeys of Shaolin is the type of game you pick up and play over the course of a weekend or after a long day at work. The martial arts movie style works well and wears its grindhouse love on its sleeve. Combat is entertaining and challenging, and like a proper beat 'em up, you can have a friend join you for the ride. It's over after about five hours, but in that time you're treated to a really good time.
It may not top Serious Sam 3, but even then, this latest entry in Croteam's beloved series is still a winner. Serious Sam 4 is fast, loud, insane, and just straight-up cool.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds is the best WWE game in a long time. Its over-the-top combat leans heavily on cartoon violence, so if you're looking for a wrestling sim, you won't find that here. What you will get, though, is a fun, fast-paced, and lighthearted wrestling game.
Wasteland 3 is an outstanding RPG. It features a rich world with fun battles, great characters, and plenty of choices to keep you busy for a very long time. This is a best-in-class game that achieves what it sets out to accomplish. Players who opt to take the deep dive into the game's awesome end-of-the-world landscape are in for something spectacular.
Battletoads is a highly entertaining beat 'em up. It's a throwback to the series' roots while still managing to reinvent that series. The action is fast and flows smoothly, and the whole thing is just filled with slick style. This is a revival done right.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is worth playing for multiple reasons. It's fast-paced, silly, and fun. It's a unique take on the battle royale formula. It's great in short bursts or longer play sessions. This is just a really entertaining online multiplayer game, and it's some of the most fun you'll have with a game this summer.
Skully is an attractive 3D platformer, but that's all it is. The gameplay is hit-or-miss and is severely hampered by poor controls. On top of that, the story is cliché and predictable, and none of the characters — not even the ones you're supposed to root for — are very likable. It's disappointing, but even if you're looking for a throwback to old school 3D platformers, Skully is a hard pass.
CrossCode is a love letter to 16-bit RPGs and action-adventure games and features a fun projectile-based combat system. Its lengthy development time was well-spent, and it's clear that time was used to put together an RPG experience that's completely worthwhile. Whether or not you play a lot of RPGs, there's a lot to love here.
Carrion is a fun but flawed 2D horror game with a fun hook. It doesn't play perfectly, and the controls are particularly hit-or-miss, but overall, there's a lot of fun to be had when you get to be the monster and leave a path of destruction in your wake.
Superhot: Mind Control Delete may have gotten its start as an expansion, but it ultimately evolved into a very complete-feeling standalone product. The new gameplay mechanics are awesome, and there's a lot to love about its dozens and dozens of levels. Taking on a room full of enemies in slow motion continues to feel incredible, and there's really nothing quite like it outside of the Superhot series.
Rite captures the magic and difficulty of games like Celeste, but by scaling down the overall level of challenge, it's a more inviting 2D platformer. It's still pretty tough, and if you're a completionist, you'll have your work cut out for you. Thankfully, the slick level designs make playing through the game a worthwhile venture.
Neon Abyss is one of the best roguelite action games to come along in recent memory. Given how many great roguelites we've seen the past few years, that's definitely a tall order. But thanks to its smooth gameplay and compelling upgrade systems, there's no denying just how entertaining and exhilarating Neon Abyss is.
Ninjala may very well be Nintendo's next hot online multiplayer game. It's free-to-play and totally worth a look, and the action is so fast-paced and addictive that you'll likely find yourself with a new ongoing game to eat up all your free time.