Resident Evil Village pushes the series forward and reaches a new series high. The village setting is a fully realized place that serves as nightmare fuel and the new monsters, enemies and setting add a new layer to the lore. Where the series goes now is anyone's guess but the series is strong as ever 25 years later.
New Pokémon Snap is a wholesome reinvention of the original, bringing the best bits forward into the sequel. We’ve battled Pokémon but being able to leisurely snap photos and these creatures in their habitat is as fun as capturing them all.
Housemarque has delivered its finest title to date and while it may not be for everyone, when the clicks, it is impossible to put down. Returnal offers a satisfying loop strengthened by a sense of discovery that few games offer.
NieR Replicant is finally getting its due thanks to upgraded combat, enhanced visuals and one of the best soundtracks of all time. If you skipped out the first time or only played Automata, Replicant is where it all started and worth a visit.
With the quality of life improvements and cut content returning, diehard JRPG fans will enjoy SaGa Frontier Remastered. Finally, the series gets its due and the experience is one you won't forget.
Outriders may not excel at anything in particular but it does enough right to keep things interesting. The gunplay is good, the core loop of finding new gear is fun and exploring Enoch with friends (or solo) is a blast.
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is a marvel in storytelling, world-building, and character-building. With Disco Elysium finally on consoles, there is no excuse to skip out on one of the most interesting mysteries in years.
Feral Cat Den's Genesis Noir is a unique blend of animation, music, and innovation. While it is a simple point-and-click adventure, the story is beautifully told through its stunning presentation. Some of the puzzles might not offer many challenges but the experience is not that you won't soon forget.
It Takes Two is one of the finest co-op experiences out there and one of the best games out this year. From a gameplay standpoint, there is a consistently creative approach to how you solve challenges with your partner and there is no better game to play that uses co-op, and this highly memorable story will make you laugh and even pull at your heartstrings.
Monster Hunter Rise is the most accessible iteration of the popular series and it is easily one of the best games out this year. If you have never played Monster Hunter because of how overwhelming the games feel, this is the best entry point because of how it works. Fans of the series also get a great new entry that impresses technically and graphically on the Nintendo Switch.