Justin Koreis
MLB The Show 22 is mostly a retread of an already great game, but more bugs than usual and the not quite ready for primetime co-op mode are signs this series may be losing some velocity.
The Madden NFL series has long had a solid gameplay foundation, maintained by small improvements year over year. Madden NFL 23 is the first iteration in a long time that rebuilds that foundation, and that’s where this year's greatest success lies. Some slippery collisions aside, the more physics-based action is a good change, and the control over ball placement from Skill-Based passing is a welcome addition. This comes at the cost of only minor updates to the core gameplay modes, but it was ultimately the right call to make, and Madden is a better game for it.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is Sony's flagship game for PSVR 2. It's an impressive technical showcase, but is it the game that makes VR a must-have?
God of War: Ragnarok is a strong follow-up to a modern masterpiece, but does it sacrifice depth for breadth?
Gotham Knights takes up the mantle of the Batman series and ably carves out an identity of its own, rather than recreating that of its predecessors.
Dying Light 2 does so much so well. You never know what you are going to get when you venture out into Villedor.
Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 delivers one of the best shooters of the year, with intense sniping, skillfully crafted progression, and engaging levels
MLB The Show 24 continues to push the genre forward – not every choice is a homerun, but it has enough hits for another all-star appearance.
The Finals is a fresh and exciting take on team based PVP shooters, featuring some of the best environmental destruction in any FPS.
Endless Dungeon is simultaneously a great roguelite, a great twin-stick shooter, and a great tower defense game.
Loopmancer is like a great cover of a classic song, in 2D action-platformer roguelite form. It may not be very creative, but it's excellent and highly replayable nonetheless.
Chivalry 2's ability to convert chaos into exuberance gifts players with an experience that brilliantly hones in on one of the greatest aspects of gaming: fun.
NieR: Automata The End of YoRHa Edition is a great port, bringing a complete version of NieR: Automata to the Nintendo Switch. Its story is as engaging as ever, and the diverse gameplay continues to wow audiences. This is an excellent way to experience a classic game.
MLB The Show 23 is a great step forward for the series, thanks in large part to its brilliant new Negro Leagues mode.
Deathloop takes elements from games like Bioshock and Dishonored, combining them with a Groundhogs Day like timeloop to create the coolest, most stylish, and best game of the year.