NBA 2K24 delivers the most authentic on-court gameplay in the series' history thanks to the new ProPLAY technology. Gameplay feels less scripted, animations feel less canned, and modern players perform closer to their real counterparts than ever before. Some modes and features still feel largely untouched from years past, while MyCAREER caters to veteran and pay-to-win players, but I guess we can't have it all.
Dust & Neon is a fun isometric twin-stick shooter, enveloped by the trappings of a roguelite that won't be for everyone. Even so, it never felt unfair, thanks largely to its tight and fun gunplay mechanics that fans of twin-stick shooters will easily latch onto.
Aliens: Dark Descent is a tense real-time strategy shooter that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you prefer not to be stressed out playing video games, it is certainly not for you. On the other hand, if you have the patience and mental fortitude to withstand relentless Xenomorphs, it is a clever take on the RTS genre that can be tough to put down.
Nova Lands is an engrossing supply chain management game that can be tough to put down. As is typical for the genre on consoles, there are some minor quality of life frustrations, but it's an easy game to recommend despite that. For newcomers to this sort of game, Nova Lands might be the perfect starting point, while genre enthusiasts can expect to spend many hours building and optimizing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pacific Drive is an intriguing blend of science fiction storytelling and simulator gameplay mechanics. If you typically shy away from roguelikes, this might be the one that finally nestles its way into your psyche as you tell yourself "Just one more run".
Towers and Powers is an excellent example of how virtual reality can enhance certain genres. I've played tower defense games before, but what I didn't know until now is that VR is the definitive way to enjoy them. Towers and Powers convinced me of that, making it an easy game to recommend on PS VR2.
EA was smart to snatch up the rights to Immortals of Aveum. It's an impressive debut from Ascendant Studio, featuring a refreshing take on FPS combat, a great fantasy story with loads of interesting lore, and an endearing cast of characters. Bottom line – I can't wait to see what Ascendant does next.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dakar Desert Rally is one of the most accessible rally racing titles on the market. Combine that with gorgeous locations and thrilling driving, and you have a game with something to offer all racing enthusiasts, regardless of their niche.
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.