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Coming eight years after its predecessor, Red Dead Redemption 2 is exactly what we thought it was going to be and more. Living up to the legacy of the first game was a tall task for Rockstar to undertake, but they have delivered with one of the best games of not only this console generation, but of all time.
Wolfenstein II is a beautiful blend of classic and modern first-person shooters. It masterfully combines emotional distress and comedic relief with unrelenting violence. You would be hard-pressed to find a more stellar FPS on the market than the comprehensive offering contained here. Single-player is alive and well; MachineGames have proven that.
Mario is as synonymous with Nintendo as the company is to gaming and Super Mario Odyssey is the best adventure yet for the red and blue suited plumber. Exploring the masterfully designed kingdoms is a pure joy and how can you go wrong with possessing a giant T-Rex? Super Mario Odyssey is yet another system seller for the Nintendo Switch already and is honestly one of the greatest and most joyful games I have ever played in my life.
Shadow Of The Colossus is a rare solo cinematic experience that, when originally released, many praised and loved. Years later, it still holds up favorably against the test of time in a remake that gives it a fresh coat of paint. And what a sparkling, pristine coat it is, while not changing anything that made the game so highly touted back in the day. New features like photo mode and next-generation technology allowing for smoother frame rate only improve upon the formula that made the game an instant classic. Now, an entirely new generation is able to enjoy this masterpiece in what is a new benchmark for future remakes to achieve.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the culmination of the greatest parts of the franchise. Utilizing Yakuza 6: The Song of Life’s Dragon Engine and physics-enabled combat pairs beautifully with the high stakes tale born on the PlayStation 2 over a decade ago. I might even go as far to say that this recreation could be an even more fitting send-off for Kiryu before the series embraces its new protagonist. Simply put, Kiwami 2 is the peak of Yakuza.
Playground Games could have put out a near carbon copy of Forza Horizon 3 with a new setting and fans would have been happy, but they were not satisfied with simply doing that and instead provided us with the most ambitious and best entry in the series to date.
Destiny 2 is the culmination of two years of Bungie learning what players want, enjoy, and love about the world of Destiny. It is the evolution of the team’s previous shortcomings and an improvement upon what is already working. It is everything that makes Destiny great, but better in nearly every way. A game of this quality is teetering on the edge of perfection and it’s likely Bungie’s ongoing commitment will soon find a way to give it that final push.
Yakuza Kiwami is positioned as a perfect jumping on point for newcomers just now discovering Sega’s gang-centric criminal drama. Series veterans will still find plenty to love in the carefully handcrafted remake of Kazuma Kiryu’s first appearance, with a wealth of new and enticing content. Regardless of which category you find yourself a part of, Yakuza Kiwami is hands down one of the finest remakes ever made of an already extraordinary game and provides an experience that you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life brings Kazuma Kiryu's long-running tale to an end and does so on a high note. This is the wacky-yet-serious Yakuza vision fully realized, or at least it is damn close to it. Newcomers and established fans alike will find plenty to love in this father figure's quest for answers and revenge in a world where everything can be resolved with shirtless brawls. This powerful conclusion to the Dragon of Dojima's story must not be missed.
With a cast of charming characters and captivating story that areinterwoven with downright fun gameplay, Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is without a doubt going to be right in the thick of the Game of the Year races at the end of the year as one of the next modern classics.
Even without any new stages being added outside of Angel Island Zone, the inclusion of Encore Mode and two new playable characters with Ray and Mighty make Sonic Mania Plus arguably the best in the series' history from both a quality and content standpoint.
The Messenger is easily one of the best indie games in recent years where you can see the passion of the developer in nearly every aspect of the gameplay, complete with some unique twists along the way.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is From Software at its best (so far). The developer has beautifully married the demanding nature of their Souls games to a narrative-driven action game. The swordplay is engaging, requiring quick learning and quicker reflexes. All in all, Sekiro is top of its class, offering one of the most memorable experiences of 2019.
The Nintendo Switch has been the perfect landing spot for many indie games, and now Super Meat Boy has proven even older indie games have some life on the console as well. Coming with the new Race mode this time around, Super Meat Boy is yet another must own title for those looking for new games on the Nintendo Switch.
Cuphead has looked like something unlike anything else on the market since it was first unveiled. While it took awhile to get it, it has certainly delivered in both gameplay and visual style, proving that there is still plenty of life in this genre on a larger scale. If you enjoy platformers and don’t mind a steep difficulty curve, do yourself a favor and give Cuphead a try.
With 21 years of being on the air, South Park: The Stick of Truth was the first game that truly captured the spirit of the series and that is continued with near perfection in South Park: The Fractured But Whole. Even if you never got around to playing The Stick of Truth, South Park: The Fractured But Whole is the very epitome of South Park at the very top of its game.
A lot of people were disappointed that the only way to get Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered last year was to buy the Legacy Edition of Infinite Warfare, but now it is finally available as a standalone. Everything you love about the original is here with much more visual clarity and better performance, as well as a few new multiplayer additions from future entries, making it an excellent stopgap this summer ahead of Call of Duty: WWII.
The insanely difficult platforming found in the collection certainly won't be for everybody, but there is no doubt that Crash is still every bit as charming as he was back in the day in the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. If you happened to miss out on this one last year due to the PS4 exclusivity, there is no reason not to check it out this time around.
Rime may not be the style of game that everyone will enjoy, but there is no question that it looks damn good while doing so. If you’re looking for a new game to scratch that Team Ico-like itch after the release of 2016’s The Last Guardian, Rime may just be right up your alley. Just make sure that if you are going to play, try to avoid any spoilers about the ending until after you have finished.
Remasters tend to be rather hit and miss due to how many changes they have made, but Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is definitely one of the most intriguing for those in the US due to it having all of the International Version content. While the game may be over a decade old, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age may very well be one of the best RPGs to release in 2017 when all is said and done.