Issa Maki
If it's not the best game in the series, it's not too far behind, which is saying quite a bit for one that has spent the entire eighth generation improving itself.
Chris Nordgren and Jordi Roca have captured lightning in a bottle with a highly original game that has the potential to become the next Undertale.
It almost feels like nitpicking to find flaws in ScourgeBringer, as it has an answer for almost anything that might be a problem.
Coromon isn't an RPG, it's a mental and physical skillcheck masquerading under the veneer of a beloved children's title. Should you go into it with a thinking cap on instead of nostalgia goggles, you'll walk away with a consistently great game in search of a strong player.
Intergrade continues the legacy of Final Fantasy VII with some great new content, but those coming from the PS4 version will have less to celebrate about.
Afterburner Studios enters the gaming world with a very strong roguelite that has the gameplay to rival its ambition.
The most polarizing AAA game of 2019 receives a fresh coat of paint, elevating it beyond its 8th generation confines.
There won't be a shortage of games to celebrate in 2022, but if you get the chance to rock out with your Wang hung Lo then, by all means, take it!
When I compare Sword and Fairy: Together Forever to the heavy-hitting JRPGs of the 8th generation such as Persona 5, Final Fantasy XV, Tales of Beseria, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, not only is the outcome favorable, it can flat out surpass them at will.
Rift Apart improves upon its predecessor in virtually every way possible, becoming a technical marvel for ninth-generation hardware from PS5 to Steam Deck – even if Insomniac doesn't quite run as far with the concept as I would have hoped.
If you're a fan of indie games, JRPGs, or a combination of either, Wandering Sword is certainly worth the investment. But just keep in mind the cowboy's sad, sad song: every rose has its thorn – or in this case, thorns.
Sackboy turns in a solid performance, but treads over ground that has clearly been walked on by others.
Battle Brothers isn't for everyone, but those willing to take the beating will have access to a rewarding game with tons of replay value.
While House of Ashes may fall just short of eclipsing Until Dawn's brilliance, it's easily the best entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology, representing that significant bump needed to move the genre forward in a meaningful way.
Blackwind is an ambitious game that proves it can do it all – just not at once.
What we're left with is a Frankenstein's monster of a game, with nowhere to call home and no one to love it. The worst part is that it's a damn fun time that deserves attention for its merits.
Wo Long is fun and well made, but the features that allow it to shine aren't quite as developed as they should be.
Fans will be pleased with Little Nightmares II, but others might not be convinced by the premium entry fee and low replay value.
Like most developers in the virtual trenches, Survios deserves more credit for its efforts than it receives, and Onslaught will probably go down as another example of this.
Supermassive's latest entry will please fans, but the improvements to its gameplay continue to lag behind the well-crafted story.