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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a addition to the turn-based RPG genre, one that boasts challenging, engaging combat mechanics and plays out in a distinct and utterly beautiful fantasy world. From start to finish, I was fascinated by the sights,sounds and tasks that lay ahead. If you love RPGs, it should be at the top of your list; I really can't recommend it enough.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a fighting game for fighting game fans, thanks to its deep gameplay mechanics and diverse character roster. Offering a slew of single-player and multi-player modes, this game has something for just about everyone.
South of Midnight is the modern folktale of the American Deep South I never knew I wanted, with stunning stop-motion art style, an enthralling cast of mythical, gothic creatures and engaging stories. While combat can fall flat after a while, and taking the path less traveled doesn't bear many rewards, the haunting yet charming allure of this action adventure will have you coming back for more. TODAY'S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Check Walmart
Atomfall combines a highly original setting and a choice-driven narrative with a commitment to player-led exploration. It's a compelling mixture. However, lackluster combat and repetitive missions all too often tar the experience.
Assassin's Creed Shadows delivers on its promise of bringing back classic stealth mechanics while introducing new ones and combining the best of the older and RPG titles. The detailed open-world of feudal Japan feels full of life with compelling playable and non-playable characters, and different fighting tactics enrich the combat. But the game struggles to balance its two playable protagonists, and player choices are still inconsequential. TODAY'S BEST DEALS $69.99 at Amazon(Download) $69.99 at Best Buy $69.99 at Walmart
MLB The Show 25 offers several improvements to Sony's iterative baseball title. San Diego Studio continues to produce an excellent baseball game. Whether or not it's enough to replace your copy of The Show 24 or even 23 is a different story, as the additions are good but not so much to make last year's title a lame duck.
Split Fiction is one of the most creative, inventive and downright delightful action-adventure games I've ever played. The team behind It Takes Two has once again crafted a genre-defying cooperative romp. However, the overly earnest and clunky story grates and acts as a barrier to all the madcap fun.
Against all odds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii delivers everything I love about the series alongside a full-fledged pirate sim. Its modest scope can't facilitate the level of immersion of other seafaring titles but what it lacks in spectacle, it more than makes up for in charm and heart.
If you like Obsidian RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and Outer Worlds, Avowed will be the game for you. It serves up everything you know and love about the company's games, with plenty of quirky elements and strange characters. Its lore is as profound as it is confusing and convoluted from minute one. But in the end, it's a fun RPG that'll keep you busy for a while.
Civilization VII is just as habit-forming as its predecessors, and sports the same excellent core design alongside some outstanding new ideas. But these struggle to make themselves known among clunky changes that simplify its trademark complex gameplay for the worse.
Playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 feels like stepping back through the pages of history. The game's commitment to authenticity is remarkable, and its focus on realistic gameplay makes it one of the most immersive RPGs ever. However, its lack of player conveniences is often a double-edged sword.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an exhilarating adventure that features fun combat, engaging exploration and a story that perfectly embodies the warmth of the iconic franchise. While it occasionally faces traversal hiccups, it remains a thrilling action-packed experience.
Lego Horizon Adventures takes the best aspects of the Lego and Horizon series and delivers a surprisingly compelling experience thanks to its adorable graphics, endearing characters, high customization and approachable gameplay loop. It's a title that kids and adults alike can enjoy
Planet Coaster 2 successfully builds on the formula laid out by its excellent predecessor. Being able to construct water parks is a delightful addition, and the new career mode is even more engaging. But you'll have to tolerate a few rough edges.
Super Mario Party Jamboree sticks to the series' winning formula and provides a ton of fun mini-games and boards. It's truly a super experience whether you're playing with friends or going up against the best online. However, the lack of fresh ideas may disappoint longtime Mario Party players.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure brings back our time-altering protagonist Max Caulfield after nearly a decade. While the character work largely succeeds in recapturing the original's charm, clunky mechanics and an occasionally grating supporting cast make this return an overall mixed experience.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is another solid entry in the long-running shooter series. Its excellent multiplayer suite is the biggest draw, while its single-player campaign and round-based Zombies mode serve mostly as disposable distractions.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an RPG that is easier to recommend for its gameplay than its story and characters. While the ability-focused combat is enjoyable, the fantasy narrative is generic and your companions bland.
Sonic x Shadow Generations is exactly what a remastered re-release should be. 2011's Sonic Generations looks and performs much better, while the new Shadow Generations puts Shadow in the limelight and gives his story closure. With bosses and stages old and new, it's a fantastic action platformer with just the right dash of nostalgia.
Metaphor ReFantazio feels like a breath of fresh air thanks to the stunning fantasy world developer Atlus has created. The stylized look helps make up for the less demanding visuals, and the soundtrack is catchy. Though framerate hiccups and a slow start present roadblocks. TODAY'S BEST DEALS $69.99 at Amazon $69.99 at Best Buy $69.99 at Walmart