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Lost Judgment is nothing short of stunning. It's tightly-packed narrative never fails to enthrall, while its gameplay systems make navigating to each of its engrossing narrative beats an exciting experience in its own right. While Judgment felt a bit more like a proof of concept for how a Yakuza spin-off could be done, its sequel is evidence there needs to be more. Lost Judgment is a defining release from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, one of 2021's best games, and the rare sequel that preserves its series' identity while improving on nearly every element of its predecessor.
New Director's Cut content - including the Maser Gun, Firing Range, Racing Track, Cargo Catapult, and more - offer new experiences and tools for those who have played Death Stranding before, but are spread across the course of the game to accompany the steady inundation of items and activities the game already had. For new players, this means the Director's Cut is the definitive version of Kojima Productions' masterpiece. It delivers an incredibly pertinent story, with more content than ever before, to be experienced through ingenious integration of the PlayStation 5's DualSense.
Metroid Dread is an instant classic. Its seamless blend of exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, and light touches of story creates one of the most engaging experiences on Nintendo Switch.
For anyone new or returning to the Pokémon series, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl is a perfect starting point that bridges the gap between classic and modern Pokémon games. The quality-of-life additions make the game more accessible without making it feel bloated, the art style is simplistic and cute, and the gameplay mechanics will keep players moving through the adventure with ease. For veterans of the series, these versions are an easy recommendation and an excellent recreation of a fan favorite. With only a few exclusive Pokémon between Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, either one is an excellent choice for any player.
There's plenty of laughter and tears along the way, and Endwalker manages to send off the Zodiark and Hydaelyn saga on an incredibly high note. Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is a real crowdpleaser, and it should also leave everyone hopeful for what the future has in store for the MMORPG, even if this expansion is going to be incredibly difficult to top.
Square Enix did an amazing job with the port of FF7 Remake on PC. The game runs like a dream and can exceed the console versions in terms of visuals and performance, with a beefy PC. The keyboard controls are functional, but the game was originally designed with a controller in mind, so there's only so much that can be done in this regard. FF7 Remake on PC is the total package in terms of content and performance, and the people who have waited patiently for the game can be assured that the PC version is a high-quality offering, with a more complete version of the story than what was available in the PS4 version at launch.
It’s a comparison born of Dead Cells’ tradition of fond inclusions and references to other games in the past, all spun through its irreverence and charm. The persistent attention to detail seen through each of its iterative updates is present in The Queen and the Sea; for instance, eagle-eyed players may spot allusions to The Queen’s protectors in a late-stage level of the main game. The Lighthouse fight is absolutely the centerpiece of this DLC - and one of the most thrilling engagements in the wider game itself - but it all boils down to must-own material for longtime fans.
When comparing the two versions of Monster Hunter Rise, the Switch version only has the upper hand in terms of its local play option. It's the kind of game that would excel in a setting where people bring their consoles together, which hasn't exactly been an easy thing to do since the launch of Monster Hunter Rise. The PC version of Rise has the upper hand in every other aspect. Monster Hunter Rise looks better on PC, runs better on PC, has more control & online options on PC, and arrives with more content at its respective launch. Rise was one of the best games of 2021, and the improvements to the performance in the PC version are so pronounced that they make it hard to go back to the Switch version.
God of War’s PC port is a must-have for fans of games with seamless combat and gorgeous graphics. Kratos’ story and character development as a father and mourning husband presents players with a heartbreakingly beautiful tale accompanied by vivid depictions of Norse mythology. Its visuals create immersive arenas to battle the living and the undead in over 40 hours of story gameplay. Whether fans are experiencing God of War for the first time or are weathered veterans of the franchise, nearly everyone can enjoy God of War’s PC port.
With the Uncharted movie bringing more attention to the already beloved series, it's a great time to explore what the world of Nathan Drake, Chloe Frazer, and Nadine Ross has to offer. Uncharted: Legacy Of Thieves Collection is authentic, exciting, and well worth exploring, neatly tying together the series past and potential future in the best version of both to date.
Elden Ring is a nearly perfect game.
Overall, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a stunning and immersive game, offering a satisfying combat system and delightful tactical strategy mechanics. The game is a great choice for those who enjoy real-time combat or past Fire Emblem titles, as well as fans of Fire Emblem: Three Houses. While it doesn't utilize the classic, turn-based combat known of the series, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes doesn't need it to provide an action-packed and exciting gameplay experience.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 collects, iterates, and perfects JRPG mechanics.
What Obsidian has here is a reinvention of narrative gaming, however, and one that asks a question of the player everyone should at least attempt answering. Whether or not the question is too inscrutable doesn't really matter - it's how Andreas, and the player, responds. Pentiment is the kind of masterwork that Andreas chases early in the game, and it's equally as flawed, biased, subjective, and captivating as the pieces he's inspired by. Play it and decide for yourself whether it's worthy of that kind of comparison. That's the point.
As such, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition is a fantastic upgrade to the already-phenomenal original game. Since it's provided free of charge to people who already own it on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, there's no real excuse for those players not to revisit this all-time classic. And for those who have never played The Witcher 3 before, this is the perfect time to finally enjoy this incredible title.
Fans of SNES-era games (and especially JRPGs) will certainly love Chained Echoes, but there are plenty of quality-of-life improvements (like being able to save at pretty much any time) that keep the game feeling new and distinctly 21st-century. For all the aesthetics of games like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6, Chained Echoes doesn't feel like a '90s game (a trap that many retro-leaning indies fall into). Chained Echoes is a fresh, smart adventure that celebrates classic JRPGs while not being afraid to push into new directions. It's sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking - and always fun. It's a must-play.
After Metroid Prime 4's development was restarted in 2019, Metroid Dread and now Metroid Prime Remastered are reminders that Retro Studios and Nintendo have an iconic, evocative, and gripping sci-fi series that unfortunately now sees only sporadic releases. Luckily, the brilliance of Metroid Prime now has a chance to reach a much larger audience. The original 2002 release impressed with its bold new direction for the series, and now the definitive version of the classic has arrived in Metroid Prime Remastered.
For people who have been playing Dead Cells routinely since launch, Return to Castlevania offers a cathartic experience akin to your favorite author reading you their favorite book. For new players who love games like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night but haven't yet tried Dead Cells, there has never been a better time.
If it's time to move on from the Tears of the Kingdom Hyrule that's now spanned two games, it hasn't overstayed its welcome. The memories this game is capable of creating just because of its ambitious systems mean that no two players will ever have the same experience - except that of joy, and the excitement that comes with unknown possibilities. Anyone worried that there would be some fatal flaw that came to ruin what seemed to be a can't-miss Switch launch can now rest easy. Tears of the Kingdom is a monumental achievement, and it's going to be talked about relentlessly for years to come.
With everything that Street Fighter 6 includes, it's set the bar incredibly high for future fighting games. Online matches played flawlessly during the review period. The Battle Hub is an example of how online multiplayer game lobbies should be with a space where players can interact and even play other games together. A well-balanced roster of characters and new control options helps Street Fighter 6 stand tall as an excellent entry point for fighting games, while also containing the depth and precise gameplay that pros expect.