"Indiana Jones and the Great Circle shows that there's still plenty left for Lara Croft and Nathan Drake to learn about raiding tombs from the master"
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred demonstrates that Blizzard Entertainment is following the right path with its ever-evolving action-RPG. The addition of a new region and class breathe new life into Sanctuary, and smart changes to progression and core systems only improve the baseline experience further. The story could have been more impactful, but this expansion still offers a journey worth taking.
"You really do feel a part of a wider world, rather than a function of it"
"All told, Rocksteady has delivered a dependable, if unspectacular third-person shooter"
"Whenever I thought I had a handle on where Alan Wake 2 was leading me it upended my expectations"
"Web of Wyrd is a compelling concept in need of further iteration and continuing evolution"
Witchfire enters early access with a bright future ahead of it. While there's certainly some rough edges, The Astronauts has assembled the skeleton of a capable fusion between FPS sensibilities and roguelite punishments, and I'm keen to see how it evolves over time from here.
Some of you will certainly enjoy the potential Fort Solis puts forward, but others may find its sharper edges a little too rough to handle.
"After sacrificing nearly 100 hours of my life to Diablo 4, I've barely scratched the surface of what it has to offer"
"Like Minecraft Dungeons before it, Minecraft Legends is a great concept let down by middling execution"
Atomic Heart is a messy video game with big ideas and a desperate need for refinement
While some elements of its design feel antiquated, stunning changes made to Metroid Prime's visual design, performance, and controls are enough to breathe new life into one of the greatest video games of all-time. Whether this is your first journey to Talon IV or a return trip, Metroid Prime Remastered is well worth your time and attention.
Hogwarts Legacy is a solid first attempt. If Avalanche can be accused of anything, it's that the studio has tried to do too much all at once. Something was always going to give – between the massive open world, the messy RPG economy, exciting action combat, and adventure story that wants to cast you as a hero with homework due on Monday.
Hi-Fi Rush is a harmonious cacophony of raunchy rock 'n' roll and character-driven action
There's an Achievement permanently tied to my account now that claims I spent "15 hours at the very real in-game alien strip club." To all my friends and family who may one day read this: I promise that isn't true.
Warzone 2 makes a good first impression. While it shares some similarities with its predecessor, Infinity Ward has delivered a more tactical battle royale that smartly subverts expectations.
"Marvel Snap is designed for a generation of players too distracted to keep track of an overly complicated metagame"
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 campaign is a riot from its impressive opening act to its explosive finale. While we're still waiting to test the multiplayer, the campaign makes a great first impression on behalf of the entire experience.
This isn't the game that Gotham deserves, and it's not the one it needs right now either
Return to Monkey Island is a heartfelt and nostalgic return to a point-and-click adventure series that had long been left behind. It's fun, smart, and intuitive, with a story and presentation that is surprisingly self-aware. Whether this is your first brush with Guybrush Threepwood or your sixth, Return to Monkey Island is a swashbuckling adventure you won't want to miss.