GamingBolt
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LEGO DC Super-Villains is definitely one of the best in the series, with many improvements that not only build on the strengths of the previous titles but also fixes some of the issues they faced. The massive change to player-created characters and the star-studded voice cast makes the game significantly more enjoyable and offers much more replayability than previous titles. LEGO DC Super-Villains may very well end up becoming the benchmark for future games in the franchise.
SoulCalibur VI is a statement game from Project Soul that does almost everything right. Smart gameplay refinements, a ton of content, the return of the original cast, and excellent teaching tools makes this the best SoulCalibur in years and prove that the soul still burns 20 years later.
Warriors Orochi 4 is the peak of the Warriors formula at the moment and is a a great addition to any fan's collection or even for a curious newcomer.
Blackout is the highlight mode in this year's iteration and zombies mode is fun, but the awful single player content drags down the overall experience.
Super Mario Party is a conservative return to form that makes the most of its core modes, but you'll need to get some friends in the same room to get the most out of everything it has to offer.
Space Hulk: Tactics is a more deliberate and slower-paced game than its contemporaries but is a solid experience and a definite play for those with interest in the Space Hulk property.
The Good, The Bad and The Augmented isn't exactly bad, it's just that it does so surprisingly little compared to the last piece of content, that it feels lacking with the sequel expected within the next year. And this town isn't big enough for the both of them. Pretty hard pass unless you're dying for more Surge.
Thanks to key improvements and additions, WWE 2K19 is perhaps the most impressive game in the series in years. There are still issues that need sorting out, mostly on the technical side, while somewhat ageing mechanics and the microtransactions model also need to be given a bit more thought, but after years of stumbling around, 2K Sports at least have a very solid base to work with now.
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise can be fun for someone invested in the series, but has too many hurdles that can prevent a new player from enjoying it.
The Bard's Tale 4 has some positives and a whole lot of potential but it's also dragged down by a number of design and technical issues. Hopefully, a revamp and optimization helps it realize the full extent of its charm.
The return of the Blue Bomber is something we've all been desperately hoping and waiting for for many years now, and thankfully, Mega Man 11 proves to be a worthy comeback for this industry icon. It successfully modernizes the series in a lot of ways, making sure that it doesn't feel out of place in today's day and age, but does so while making sure that at its core, it still very much feels like the Mega Man we know and love.
This is one of the best Assassin's Creed games Ubisoft has ever made, joining the likes of Assassin's Creed 2 and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood at the very top of the franchise's hierarchy. While its choice and consequence mechanics aren't radical reinventions, they add a great deal of agency and variation to the proceedings, while a beautiful and varied setting, a meaningful progression system, a ton of enjoyable content, and the series' best combat system all come together to deliver a memorable odyssey.
Even without Seasons and shared world aspects, the design and overall quality of Forza Horizon 4 can't be ignored. Fundamentally similar to its predecessors but still incredibly well crafted, Playground Games' latest is another amazing journey.
While in the last few years, FIFA games have been focused on making flashy, headline improvements in terms of modes or presentation, FIFA 19 instead chooses to make those improvements on the pitch. Off the pitch, there's not quite as much to talk about (other than the excellent House Rules Kick-Off matches), which is obviously a little disappointing, but thanks to a consciously slowed down pace and much more involved and methodical on-pitch gameplay, FIFA 19 proves to be a solid upgrade, and an excellent simulation of the beautiful game.
Destiny 2 Forsaken provides one of the best narratives the franchise has ever given us and the wealth of content available in both the Tangled Shore and the Dreaming City will undoubtedly be more than enough for players to enjoy for quite a long time. And with the promise of even more content coming out in Year Two, Destiny 2 is in the best place it can be right now and for the months to come.
Boundless is tons of fun for any fan of the crafting and building genre but it won't be the game to convert a non-believer.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna, The Golden Country is a hell of a package, and a must-have for Switch owners who are JRPG fans, and who enjoy the Xeno- games. Monolith Soft have, yet again, crafted a world worth fighting for.
EA has an impressive sports line-up, but this year's NHL entry clearly got a bit less love than some of the more universally adored sports.
A few hiccups along the way, especially in relation to some pretty serious online multiplayer instabilities, definitely bring down the experience in 2K19. Thankfully though, these quibbles don't tarnish what is definitely the best option for your basketball fix this year.
The improvements to NASCAR Heat 3 are so profound that it's hard to believe that this is even from the same team. It's still no Forza, or even Driveclub, but the game is moving in a decent direction that makes it easier and fun to play than previous games.