Farworld Pioneers had a promising premise, mashing together ideas from other sci-fi survival favorites, but it simply doesn't fulfill that promise in any way. Unintuitive controls, poor AI, and a lack of show-and-tell for the game's various systems are likely to frustrate, rather than entertain you.
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.
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.
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator proves that not every occupation can become a worthwhile video game simulation. It's infested with bugs and soulless gameplay, making it more of a mundane taxi than a crazy one.
D-Day Enhanced offers fun gunplay that only sporadically functions 100% correctly, in addition to myriad bugs and a paltry player base. The bugs can be squashed in the weeks ahead, but the lack of players and subsequently poor AI make this one a tough sell.
MORDHAU exhibits flashes of brilliance, but the console port of this four year-old medieval multiplayer game is marred by combat that feels inelegant and dull on a controller.
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.
A sci-fi shooter with a strong reputation, Vertigo 2 doesn't move the needle strongly one way or the other. It's a lengthy outing by VR standards, so there is some bang for your buck, but it simply doesn't do enough to standout on PS VR2.
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.
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.
PGA Tour 2K23 is a perfectly fine golf sim that manages to neither impress nor disappoint. It's unlikely that you'll hate it, but it's likely that you'll be left wanting more out of it. If you've played a golf sim in the last decade this one will feel very familiar to you, for better or worse.
While Medieval Dynasty does not revolutionize the genre, fans of survival RPGs will likely enjoy its addictive gameplay loop and deep systems. Survival game casuals and newcomers be warned, however, as both patience and a willingness to learn are prerequisites to finding that enjoyment.
Planet Zoo: Console Edition does not completely pull off the PC-to-console transition from a control standpoint, leading to bouts of frustration. But it has enough charm and depth that will make it difficult for genre fans to ignore.
Hex Gambit: Respawned tries to view chess and checkers through the lens of a modern video game. It succeeds in some ways, but falls well short of taking down the kings.
Despite its AA veneer, Outcast – A New Beginning is a solid open-world RPG. The combat doesn't carry its weight, but the quirky characters, fun traversal, and open quest system are the real heavy lifters. It feels like a game from a bygone era and in this instance it works.
Is it the system-seller that PS VR2 fans were hoping for? Not exactly, but there is plenty to like about Firewall Ultra. It's an extremely comfortable VR shooter with fun tactical gameplay that uses the headset's features in an interesting way, though it does take some getting used to. Sluggish progression and minor bugs need to be addressed, but First Contact Entertainment has been updating the game rapidly since launch.
Atlas Fallen might not make any game of the year lists, but its inventive, refreshing combat is worth checking out. It will require a bit of patience, as the opening and closing acts are a protracted slog, in addition to numerous bugs, but the foundation is set for a sequel that capitalizes on the promise of this new IP.
In a nutshell, Stellar Blade is just that – a game with exceptionally stylish combat that is both challenging and accessible. The narrative and characterization won't land with every audience, but developer Shift Up has made a noteworthy console debut.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a deeply emotional collection of human stories, of both the protagonists, but also the settlers of New Eden. The combat is nothing great, but the stories within certainly are. You'll be surprised at how easily you can empathize with late 17th century colonials, which is the magic of developer Don't Nod.
Mirage is the ultimate Assassin's Creed comfort food for those who've been longing for a return to the classic stealth formula. It's not going to blow you away, but it's well done, and the nostalgia you'll feel playing it will remind you of why you enjoy the series in the first place. Ultimately, Basim and Baghdad coalesce to create a tantalizing vision of what the future of Assassin's Creed could be – a reincarnation of what it once was.