Super Mega Baseball 4 is simply a blast to play. It's an arcade baseball sim-lite with a focus on fun factor, and it includes a surprising amount of depth that will appeal to a wide range of baseball game fans. If you're looking for something more laid back than a full-on baseball sim, but also not mindless button-mashing, this is that game.
The racing is addictive, vehicle customization is deep, the world is charming, and there is much to see and do in LEGO 2K Drive. Some minor speed bumps are baked-in, but they cannot stop this otherwise solid racer.
Another Fisherman's Tale eventually tells a heartwarming story that many people will relate to, but whether or not they stick with it to the end is the big question. The narrative feels contorted to accommodate the gameplay, which itself stales rather quickly, and by the time it gets on track the game is over.
Minabo: A walk through life has an interesting idea at its core, but ultimately it is not a jaunt worth taking. A lack of heart and the absence of a compelling gameplay hook are obstacles simply too large to overcome.
Dead Island 2 is a fun FPS action romp that succeeds at making you feel like a zombie-slaying god. It's not going to set the gaming world on fire, and yes, there are some issues, but slaughtering my way across LA never got old.
As it turns out, Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition is a killer VR fitness app disguised as a fun boxing game. If you're looking for a sparring partner for some simple boxing fun, to blow off some steam in the ring, or even for a decent cardio workout, then look no further.
Anno 1800 is one of the most addictive city builders that I've played on console, full of gameplay intricacies that create an intoxicating experience. With so many moving parts, it suffers a bit from the typical PC-to-console control issues that plague the genre, but I doubt that will stop you from spending hours building an empire.
Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator nails the minutia of cooking, with impressively detailed recipes that most people could only dream of making in real-life. Unfortunately, the gameplay loop struggles to keep you engrossed, and the experience is rigid in ways that won't be palatable for some.
An oddly addicting fishing game that, at times, will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. The story is merely a means to an end, but fishing in the dark has never been this much fun, or this creepy.
Tchia is a gorgeous, endearing open-world adventure filled with the heart and soul of New Caledonian culture. It's a world you'll love being in despite the overall experience being stymied from reaching its true potential by tedious combat.
Beautiful locales and a valiant attempt at gamifying kayaking can't mask the fact that Kayak VR: Mirage will be rough water for some players.
An addicting, nostalgic arcade light gun-style shooter where gameplay is king. It's so difficult to not go on "one more run", and it's perhaps the most fun I've had killing zombies in a video game. Some will find it challenging while others will find its repetitive nature to be one-note, albeit a very high note indeed.
Moss is an excellent game that completely changed the way I feel about the platformer genre. An adorable main character, striking presentation, and perfectly balanced gameplay far outweighed my minor bouts of VR discomfort to create a truly special experience.
The Last Clockwinder is a must-play for VR owners – full stop. Even beyond VR, it simply doesn't get much better than this. If you're like me, and are experiencing a new reality for the first time, this is a fantastic gateway game that I can't say enough great things about. A few minor technical hiccups are present, but that's borderline nitpicking at this near-perfect package.
A competent first-person shooter set against the fascinating backdrop of an alternate history, technologically advanced Soviet Union. Atomic Heart wears its gaming inspirations on its sleeve, but never comes close to their greatness.
OddBallers is a charmingly fun dodgeball party game with a simple yet addictive gameplay loop that has snuck onto the scene without so much as a peep. Due to a non-existent online player base, the AI does an admirable job propping up this wonderful game that more people should be playing.
Monster Hunter Rise distills the fun of boss fights into an entire game, and it excels at doing so. While it is good in single-player, the best experience is found online playing with fellow hunters. Despite not adequately holding the player's hand in regard to its ancillary systems, Rise never gets in its own way, and offers a fun experience for both casual players looking for short bursts of fun, as well as the more hardcore looking for a time sink.
Firefighting Simulator – The Squad isn't a dumpster fire, but it has a hard time staying out of its own way. Perfectly fine firefighting gameplay is smothered by annoying bugs and wildly inconsistent AI. There is enjoyment to be had, but you better gear up for inconveniences along the way.
One of the best games I've played all year, and one of the best entries in the Need for Speed series. The driving is sublime, the cars are gorgeous, the art style is striking, and the soundtrack is exceptional. Despite falling short in a couple of facets, Unbound is a must-play racer.
Equal parts engrossing and buggy, Police Simulator: Patrol Officers is a couple of bug-squashing patches away from being a truly great simulator on console. Even so, Brighton and its exceedingly criminal citizenry are still worth protecting and serving, especially for fans of the genre.