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Ghost of Yōtei: Complete Edition is chock-full of enjoyable new content that makes an already excellent game even better. The added campaign strengthens the game’s world, while the Most Wanted roguelike mode lets you experience intense combat in a fresh way. There’s no better time or way to experience Sucker Punch’s most recent banger, so I fully recommend giving it a go.
Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] is an excellent way to experience most of the Kingdom Hearts franchise, whether for the first time or for the umpteenth. Most of the bundled games deliver essentially perfect performance on the Nintendo Switch 2, while the more recent games still maintain consistent enough frame rates to please most. Being able to play the entire franchise on the go is a thrilling prospect, and I’ll likely be doing so for a good long while to come. This is a great way to get ready for Kingdom Hearts IV, and I’m sure many Nintendo-exclusive fans will be doing just that with this top-notch bundle.
Gears of War: E-Day is an excellent-feeling third-person shooter. It's gorgeous, runs well (even in split-screen), and is a ton of fun when it focuses on firefights. It lacks an interesting take on being both a prequel and an invasion day story mechanically, slipping back into classic Gears a little too quickly. The open zone levels are dull, checklist-filled areas that create unnecessary downtime. Multiplayer is sharp and well executed, but also doesn't rise above being more Gears. Horde Siege takes on the faults of the open campaign levels and becomes too focused on meta upgrades, losing sight of having fun in the current match, not the next one. It's well-crafted, but ultimately feels at its best when it's trying the least.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is a fantastic racing game that perfectly captures the breakneck speed of the source material’s iconic vehicles. The story and abundance of modes make for a unique racing experience, and though a couple of small rough edges exist in how it’s presented, this is a brilliant title that had me frequently jolting to the edge of my seat. Whether you like Star Wars, racing games, or both, there’s lots here for you to sink your teeth into.
Qliphah in Providence's Shadow will likely attract a small group of enthusiasts who enjoy digging into its unique combat system and mastering its timeline-based mechanics. However, its chaotic presentation, frustrating design, and repetitive structure make it a hard sell for most, and its lackluster story isn't enough to carry it.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve exemplifies “High-Flying Action” and takes it to another level, while also giving new fans options to ease into it. Personally, I say dive into the deep end; flying directly into the ground a few times puts some hair on your chest. If you enjoy exploring an action game in a massive 3D space, love jets and airplanes, or are already a fan of the franchise, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a masterclass in its category.
While Silent Hill: Townfall focuses a bit too much on stealth for my tastes, it has a tense atmosphere and a somber story that make it a worthy entry in the Silent Hill series, even though it isn't set in the town itself.
Control Resonant is a top class action RPG, with some of the most mind bending imagery you've ever seen. The story isn't as strong as its predecessor, but the gameplay more than makes up for it.
Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko's Mystery Dungeon may have some bumpy parts that are tough to revisit all these years of iteration later, but it serves as a pleasant enough adventure and a fascinating piece of gaming history. I hope the next couple of Torneko games follow suit, as I’d love to have an excuse to see how each subsequent game builds on the last. Plus, I’ll never say no to more official releases of the past Dragon Quest games that the West missed out on.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is a great addition to the Master Collection series. It finally brings MGS4 out of its PlayStation 3 jail and brings it up to modern standards. As I played through the game, I couldn't help but get emotional. Even without multiplayer, it's still worth the experience. On top of that, Peace Walker looks as great as I remember, and it plays incredibly well.
Marvel’s Wolverine is another impressive example of just how great Insomniac Games is at adapting iconic superheroes into the video game medium. The combat isn’t especially complicated, but there’s something uncomfortably satisfying about just how fun it is to mow down foes as Marvel’s most famous mutant. I’m curious to see where this version of Logan’s story goes next, as Marvel’s Wolverine has proven that Insomniac’s take on the Marvel universe just keeps getting more intriguing.
Star Wars Zero Company is a worthy tactics experience, with a fun and exciting Star Wars theme. The exact time and place of the setting creates a unique feeling story, while also letting all of the staples of the universe be present in gameplay and presentation. The tactics offer a ton of depth and creativity, allowing you to put together some all-star squads. The main story doesn’t have the juice the way the setting and side stories do, and the technical faults are numerous, but that doesn’t stop this from being a fantastic tactics and Star Wars experience.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush is a solid racing game when on the track, but the limitations on local co-op play and the frequency of immersion-breaking load screens hold back what could’ve been a great open-world racer.
Even though Blood Dungeon occasionally stumbles when it comes to its platforming or its hub world, it’s hard to deny just how effectively it sinks its teeth into you, convincing you to do “just one more run,” even though that’s the exact same thing you said to yourself over an hour ago. The slow drip feed of new unlocks, completed quests, and bosses to conquer is more than worth the price of admission, and I don’t see myself uninstalling this one any time soon.
In short, Orbitals is another must-play for co-op lovers and those looking for a good time with a friend or significant other. While a bit too short in many areas, there’s no denying the charm and fun puzzles deliver on all fronts. It keeps you engaged and emphasizes teamwork, leading to great memories. I hope there’s more in store for Maki and Omura, as I (and Matty) are ready to explore space again at a moment’s notice.
Lord of the Rings: War In The North Legacy Edition is limited, dated, and silly. It didn’t do anything particularly well back when it was released, and the re-release doesn’t change that. However, it does provide an enjoyable co-op experience, especially in local co-op. As a Steam Deck game, it offers a good medium-length play session and runs smoothly, bar the odd hiccup. For the price, War in the North is a simple, decent (and accessible for all levels) co-op experience. Frustratingly, it still touches the edges of being something better, but never quite gets there.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is one of the most impressive games I’ve played this generation. The sprawling world and multifaceted story are wonders to behold, while the combat walks the perfect line between complexity and accessibility. Though there is a little bit of open-world jank to contend with, you’d be missing out by choosing not to play this game, as it may already be the best release in an extremely competitive September.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is easily a contender for game of the year, as it blends merciless action with skill-based combat in a near-seamless way. The story and visuals complement the ridiculously sharp gameplay extremely well, and though the camera can be a little problematic on rare occasions, that shouldn’t stop you from experiencing Capcom’s latest banger.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is an entertaining enough prequel to A Plague Tale; I just wish it had a bit more substance to match the style it exudes.
Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters is a flashy and extreme soccer game that anyone can enjoy. Though the pacing of matches in the story mode can be a little bit bumpy, the narrative itself, in addition to the satisfying gameplay and solid visuals, makes this an accessible and highly enjoyable sports title – even if you’ve never interacted with the source material.