Stray succeeds because it’s an engrossing adventure title with atmosphere, well-made aesthetics, a cool but not quite on-the-nose plot about a crumbled society trying to break out of its self-made chains, and some great adventure gaming gameplay that mixes puzzles with cat grace action. And it's a game made for cat people and lovers in mind.
Fans who miss an actual Contra game can find Spidersaurs to be a great substitute, from its controls to its unforgiving-yet-kinda-fair gameplay.
DNF Duel is flashy, easy to get into, and has enough content to keep you entertained. While I feel that the game could use a tad more content beyond Story Mode and a few other challenges that are pretty standard, it's at least a bit more substantial than Guilty Gear Strive's launch version.
Long story short: if you're not an avid collector of the Blue Blur, Sonic Origins is a good place as any to start with the best Sonic games available. [...]As for the rest who has seen a lot that's offered by Sega back in the day up to now? You could do worse.
The Quarry is not a huge game-changer in the genre, but it's a well-made one and is a big step up. It's definitely worth a purchase as long as you know what you're going into.
TMNT: Shredder's Revenge is a hella fun and cheery beat-em-up that feels meaty and doesn't wear out its welcome, especially with friends. And when's the last time you've touched a Ninja Turtles game with this much love dedicated to the franchise and its 90s 16-bit & arcade video game legacy? Exactly.
If you want the kind of game that makes you suffer and enjoy it, consider enlisting Souldiers and its fantasy trappings.
Kao's 2022 venture is serviceable and by-the-numbers at best. Its developers have their hearts in the right place in using this 2000s mascot in their new 3D platformer reboot, but this sure isn't even a bronze medal effort if we're being honest.
Chalk this 2D action RPG platformer under the “charming and inoffensive” category of entertainment. At the very least, this diversion from the actual Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes game will at least be worth 10 hours or so of your time.
Loot River is a heckuva fun time if you don’t mind squinting your eyes every once in a while to see your player character doing his action RPG thing. The concept of moving platforms you’re on with the right analog stick while simultaneously attacking enemies on-screen, adjusting your positioning or even hightailing it when the action gets too hot, is overall exhilarating.
Young Souls is certainly no Streets of Rage 4, but it's still worthy of your time if you like more RPGing and loot-collecting in your 2D beat-em-up experience.
The Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster is a masterclass on how a company should handle its JRPG legacy, especially if it’s a game as monumental as this.
Long story short: immerse yourself into the Wonderlands if you fancy a long-term first-person shooter loot-driven RPG experience. You won't regret it.
You could do worse than with Square Enix's brave new venture into Soulslike territory that's roughly 20 hours or less depending on your skill level. I personally would love to see Team Ninja continue on with this take on Final Fantasy, but with better level design and a less banal plot thread that's a bit more accessible to non-fans.
Long story short: I'd definitely recommend this beautiful and fine-playing 2.5D pixel-esque action title if you need a 2022-made cyberpunk-laden experience.
For the price of US$14.99, Ghostrunner’s new DLC offers a good amount of high-octane stages and challenges, not to mention a new character playstyle that’s not too different but still fun. If you crave more Ghostrunner parkour and slice-and-dicing, you’ll want to jump into this neon-lit thrill ride.
Elden Ring is a triumph in game design. I respect and like Elden Ring and From Software for sticking to its guns but also adding in much-welcome changes and additions to make it more “accessible”.
KOF XV is what you want from a series that's getting a second wind in a post-pandemic fighting game world: mandatory rollback netcode, great online fighting, a good roster that caters to old-school fans and a few new characters that add a bit more flavour, and all-around breakneck speed and depth.
Grapple Dog may not be wholly innovative, groundbreaking, and meaty, but it is a fun and bright diversion for what it's worth.
Sifu is definitely the 2022 current-gen spiritual successor to Karateka in plot and design, but with kung-fu, naturally. If you jive with that concept and its unrelenting challenges, go all out with this showdown.