David Sanchez
Super Mario Maker is more than a just an amazing toolbox for content creation — it's also a big, beautiful toy box filled with all sorts of incredible, remarkable toys each with individual parts for you to spend hundreds of hours falling in love with. Even if you've never liked this type of game, Super Mario Maker may just win you over.
Kirby platformers haven't evolved much over the years, but that's never kept these games from being a heck of a good time. Triple Deluxe delivers everything that's made the series so good, but it adds some nuances such as stereoscopic 3D environments, new abilities, and more content than ever. The game is deliciously colorful and blissfully loud — it's the sort of thing that's so crazy and exaggerated that it'll send you into total sensory overload. More than anything, though, Triple Deluxe is just an immensely satisfying game that's a ton of fun to play from start to finish.
When you hear the title My Friend Pedro, you don't really know what to expect. So you know what? Go and play My Friend Pedro, and enjoy everything this highly entertaining, bombastic, and just plain weird.
Night School Studio has delivered a shining example of narrative excellence with Oxenfree. The story, the characters, the look, and the sound all come together to create an unforgettable series of wonderful moments.
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.
Whether you loved the original Flash version of Westerado or have yet to play it, this enhanced remake is worth downloading. It's a fine choice for fans of adventure games and Wild West lore alike. The game is always giving you something fun to do, and its open-ended nature warrants multiple playthroughs. After spending four hours walking a fine line between hero and outlaw, I'm just about ready to give this impressive game another go...and this time I'll be using a more trigger happy approach. Time to avenge my family. Again.
Stardew Valley is the best and most entertaining farming RPG to come along in years, and it's filled with such sheer charm and sincerity that it'll instantly win you over.
Superhot is an absolute joy to play, and it includes some great extra modes, neat story twists, and outstanding art. It's a complete package, and even though it's all over rather quickly, it's worth revisiting again and again.
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.
SOMA isn't perfect, but it sets a certain standard for what horror games can achieve with a bit of inspiration. Though it isn't heavy on the scares, the bits of horror spread throughout work well, and the story will leave a lasting, hard-hitting impression.
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.
Super Time Force Ultra mixes shmup action and rewind mechanics to create a bold, action-packed experience that's also heavy on fun, referential, and witty writing.
The important thing to take away is that OlliOlli is finally on Nintendo platforms, and it plays, looks, and sounds just as impressive as it does on other systems. It's easy to get into, but mastering it and doing everything the game has to offer is a long journey — one that may frustrate at times, but one that will reward you immensely. There really is nothing like nailing a 360 impossible into a perfectly executed crooked grind.
The rapid, mini-game-like design of Shutshimi makes it ideal for quick bursts of play. Even then, the game is so captivating that it's hard to put down even after you've spent an hour or two playing.
Due to the fact that Pony Island only asks a minor investment in terms of both time and price point ($5), but even more so because it's just so much fun, it falls under "must-play" territory and provides a vastly different experience from other modern-day indies.
Song of the Deep tells a compelling story and presents enjoyable, captivating Metroidvania gameplay set in an enthralling underwater world.
Celeste is one of the most entertaining 2D platformers in recent years. It'll defeat you from time to time, but its inviting controls, level design, and presentation will keep you coming back until you persevere and overcome every challenge thrown your way.
Resolutiion may wear its influences on its sleeve, but even then it's managed to carve out a unique identity of its own. You'll see a little bit of Hyper Light Drifter, Dark Souls, and Metroid here, but the overall package is a wholly original sci-fi experiece that's great for folks looking to get lost in a bleak futuristic world.
West of Dead is a refreshing take on multiple genres. It's a great cover-based twin-stick shooter. It's a different kind of roguelite. And it's just a solid all-around action game that's a joy to play. It's highly challenging, and it rewards smart play, so what you ultimately get is a satisfying experience that's fun and invites you to put the time into learning its intricacies.
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.