GamesBeat
HomepageBeyond best-in-setting and best-in-franchise, Total War: Three Kingdoms is a game that instantly contends for best of the year, or best in its genre. The setting and franchise here give it high expectations, and Three Kingdoms surpasses those expectations at almost every level.
I’m not digging Rage 2’s story or setting. But I still have a ways to go before completing it. Maybe the plot will win me over. Maybe the world will do something surprising and evoke something besides Mad Max. But even if it doesn’t, I still like Rage 2. Artistically, it’s uninspired. But mechanically, it’s one of the best shooters I’ve played in years. Fun wins out.
It had the potential to be as good as The Last of Us, but it lost its way. It’s worth playing, especially as Bend Studio stamps out the bugs.
I never should have doubted Image & Form, and I hope the studio knows that my expectations are now sky high for whatever it does next.
The Division 2 is surely the game that fans of The Division wanted to play and that Massive Entertainment wanted to deliver the first time around. Good things come to Division agents who wait.
Etrian Odyssey Nexus feels like the finale for the series. And it certainly is on the 3DS. I bet it’s the final game I play on that old Nintendo handheld. And for this dungeon-crawler’s swan-song, it’s a pretty good way to go out.
This is yet another Yoshi game that doesn’t come close to reaching Yoshi’s Island greatness.
I’m here to see if Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice can click for someone who does not have the reverence for the “Soulsborne” games. If you are looking for validation of your tastes or how this game compares to Dark Souls, plenty of other reviews will cover that.
Devil May Cry 5 won't be a total disappointment thanks to its stunning production values. Aside from the recent Resident Evil 2 remake, this is the best-looking game Capcom has ever made. Its adventure is a fun one if you don't take it too seriously (which shouldn't be too hard). As much as I can gripe about its flaws, it's hard not to grin when you're shoving a running motorcycle wheel into a demon's face. But this isn't an action classic.
The Disney side is still the best side of Kingdom Hearts, and Kingdom Hearts III nails that part. But even it's story, as ridiculous as it is, gives fans emotional moments and satisfaction. I wouldn't say it's better than Kingdom Hearts or Kingdom Hearts II, but Kingdom Hearts III is magical enough to resonate with this big Disney geek.
Finally, Capcom has put a lot of game into Resident Evil 2. It has four remixed campaigns — two each for the playable characters Leon and Claire. But Capcom has also revealed plans to add even more. That includes a mode that randomizes where items are as well as new player characters.
This is definitely its best version thanks to the addition of Toadette. But New Super Mario Bros. U lacks imagination, and bringing it to the Switch doesn’t solve that problem.
I love Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Ultimate is better in every way I can see.
Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu is another good example of Nintendo doing what it both excels and fails at: pairing fun gameplay while introducing a new mechanic.
I missed out on these games when they first came out, but I’m glad Reignited Trilogy gave me a chance to appreciate them. All three of these titles are fun and responsive 3D platformers. But Reignited Trilogy isn’t content with celebrating the past. The new, vibrant graphics make Spyro a playable fantasy cartoon. It’s one of the most attractive kid-friendly games you’ll find.
Score: 95/100
That’s the heart of Hitman: giving players the power to create their own stories. And that’s as big and powerful as ever in Hitman 2. So I don’t care if it’s not the newest thing in the world. It’s still one of the most solid and rewarding games you can get. And it’s an ideal antidote to games that are more obsessed with looking immersive than playing great.
But make no mistake: Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece. I see these flaws as small distractions, but they don't kill my enthusiasm for the game. Those bugs seem like nitpicking against scenes like the one in the video above, as Arthur rides to the sound of a beautiful song.
Diablo III on the Switch is my new favorite way to play the game. If you ignore the lame campaign, this is a engaging and rewarding action RPG experience that you can play for minutes or hours. And you'll enjoy it alone or with friends.
If you were ever a fan of the series, Soulcalibur VI will feel familiar and fun. And even if you're newer to the franchise, the relative simplicity of Soulcalibur's mechanics will make it easy to pick up and play.