Despite the combat being marginally better, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is peak Spider-Man thanks to better UI, better villains, a better story, a bigger world, Web Wings, and two Spider-Men.
Unimpressive build variety, strange and tedious resource collecting, and the lack of meaningful and fun progression make Wizard with a Gun a disappointment. Ultimately, Wizard with a Gun has a really great concept and some great ideas, but it fumbles the execution.
There are a few kinks to iron out and the nature of early access keeps us from experiencing everything Witchfire has to offer, but so far, Witchfire is a genre-defining accomplishment that’s spooky, rewarding, and well-polished.
Party Animals is a blast and a half! The music slaps, the animals are adorable, and the maps are magnificent - all of it works to create an addicting game that I want to keep coming back to, especially as more is added.
Though Starfield is an ambitious sci-fi adventure that's incredibly fun, beautifully nostalgic, and will age like fine wine, there are several fundamental decisions that Bethesda sticks to that makes Starfield feel like it's stuck in 2011... for better and worse. Ultimately though, Starfield is yet another Bethesda classic.
Armored Core 6 is rocket power - high-octane action, adrenaline-pumping propulsion, riveting ramifications all retrofitted to a world and a story that set the stage for greed and humanity to fight to the brink of total annihilation... and see what lies beyond. It's a fast-paced thrill ride that has a few bumps when it comes to consistent boss difficulty, viable builds, and clear storytelling, but when you're blazing at breakneck speed, you hover right over the divots.
I absolutely love Baldur's Gate 3. It's a defining RPG that masterfully blends all that's brilliant about D&D into an equally convenient and engaging video game best suited for four wide-eyed adventurers.
Minecraft Legends is the genre blend I didn't know I needed, but it's not without its flaws. While the gameplay feels fresh and refined, the strategy feels shallow. It's lots of fun at first but don't count on it sticking around long enough to replace your favorite action or RTS games.
From the expertly interwoven gameplay loops to the horrifically charming story and art design, Dredge succeeds in creating a new genre blend that I desperately need more of.
Crime Boss: Rockay City's execution isn't revolutionary or exceptional, but its shot at an innovative roguelike campaign is a praiseworthy proof of concept. It might not have the most versatile activities, best gunplay, or first-class writing, but Crime Boss: Rockay City does provide an interesting experience that, like a cheap B-movie, has that certain kind of charm you can't help but enjoy.
Destiny 2 Lightfall successfully expands upon and upgrades an already fantastic game. With Neomuna, Strand, and the numerous quality of life additions, the only big area Lightfall falters is the story. And while Lightfall's missions are really fun and well-designed, writing excluded, the overall story's biggest problems are its lack of exposition and the fact that it's just the wrong story.
Avalanche Software has done it — the comfort, the nostalgia, the freshness, the thrill — everything in Hogwarts Legacy emulsifies together to create a celebration of what the Wizarding World is and what the fans have always dreamed of. This is by far the best Wizarding World video game to ever come out and stands with a select few games that prove more is more.
"Hi-Fi Rush is a perfect bit-sized roller coaster, the kind you want to ride again and again. No game is perfect, but Hi-Fi Rush manages to pack in extremely successful and unique gameplay, highly detailed cutscenes and art style, and the comfort of a Saturday morning cartoon's plot, characters, and humor into one awesome adventure that nobody saw coming. Hi-Fi Rush is an absolutely fantastic game and you should go play it right now."
Forspoken fails to impress in several ways. Almost every good aspect of the game has a negative flip side. Though Forspoken isn't a bad game, the problems it does have hold it back from being great. All in all, Forspoken is just okay.
Ship of Fools is a very fun game that, to varying degrees, lacks engaging endgame replayability, a meaningful story, and player-centered choices. However, the fun factor and level of polish alone are high-water marks that will captivate you and draw you into the Eye, of the Storm over and over again. Although it has its shortcomings, Ship of Fools is an adventure worth setting out on.
God of War Ragnarok is an outstanding game that will stand as a beacon for what storytelling greatness should be. With an improved combat system, impressive new enemies, immersive environments, and unparalleled storytelling, God of War Ragnarok delivers one of the deepest, richest gaming experiences to date.
Overwatch 2 is a great game, but it is held back by its own identity crisis, lack of content, and questionable choices. Despite its blemishes, Overwatch 2 is a must-try experience, especially if you are playing with a dedicated squad of friends.
Cult of the Lamb is a fun and worthwhile experience, just an experience I thought that I'd be able to get over and over again. Though it is cut too short, building a cult full of my favorite animal, crusading through lush environments, and vibing to the art and music is a perfect weekend retreat, even if it doesn't last long enough to convert.
While it still has room to grow, Ghostwire: Tokyo is truly a one-of-a-kind experience thanks to its breathtaking atmosphere, gorgeous open world, impressive stories, and exhilarating combat.
With the recent influx of incredible games paired with the ample amount of innovative Norse Mythology games released in recent years, Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Dawn of Ragnarok serves as little more than a familiar midnight snack for those looking for something to nibble on in between better games.