Madeline Ricchiuto
Octopath Traveler II is a mixed bag. Most of it is good, and fans of turn-based JRPGs will enjoy the game, but it can be a difficult sell if you aren’t willing to overlook some of its major faults.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet adds a number of changes to the classic Pokémon formula, and most of them pay off, particularly the auto-battles, vast open world, and the three distinct storylines. The games do suffer from performance and stability issues, as well as some troubles with scaling the open world difficulty. Those problems are far from game-breaking, leaving them an overall enjoyable experience.
A Plague Tale: Requiem is an engrossing tale about a pair of siblings trying to survive the horrors of the Inquisition and hordes of hungry plague rats. It boasts a strong linear narrative with engaging characters and challenging stealth puzzles. Strange character animations and limited combat hold it back from being best in class.
Outer Wilds is an indie space exploration game, with a fascinating and deadly mystery to unravel at the heart of the universe. The experience is both addicting and charming.
It's not a Final Fantasy 7 style remake, but the Definitive Edition comes closer to a remake than a simple remaster can, and that goes a long way to making the game enjoyable for the modern gaming audience.