Polygon's Reviews
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the most 2018 game release you can imagine, and it might be one of Activision's most forward-looking moves in recent memory.
I don't know whether the lack of conversation about the game is due to the chilled reception of VR in 2018 or too many other big games launching this month. Don't let either distract you from this gem. Astro Bot is a beautiful world and I encourage everybody to visit.
In the end, the port is the Luigi of Nintendo projects: a fun, weird game that doesn't quite get the love and attention it deserves.
Through those Joy-Con controls, the Switch version also offers a surprisingly refreshing and altogether more interesting mode of playing through the game: co-op. Instead of your partner being relegated to pin duty, a second player with a second Joy-Con can command them, using a small assortment of base pins to do different moves. This way of playing is not only intuitive and easy to pick up, but it adds a new layer to the game. Now, you have to coordinate your pin assaults with your roommate, significant other, or random stranger on the plane sitting next to you. Instead of splitting your brain in twain, you're now coordinating with someone else, only getting a good cross combo if you can figure out how to make your pin attacks work in unison. It's a fun way to replay The World Ends With You, and even feels a bit more thematic to the game's message.
The greatest testament to Blizzard's design in this expansion is that it's worth wading through Battle for Azeroth's seemingly endless and frustrating grind, all in the hopes of helping your group of four friends push their keystone up one more level than you thought was possible — at least, for now.
After 20 years of Mario Party games, this is the one you shouldn't skip
Valkyria Chronicles 4 certainly has some interesting elements, things that have the potential I feel to move strategy gaming forward.
Life is Strange 2 asserts that games are ready to expose and interrogate the wounds left on our country by institutional racism, a contentious government and steadfast ideological differences. One episode in, season two seems ready for the job.
Capcom recaptures the magic of Mega Man in its rock-solid sequel
For all its faults, Assassin's Creed Odyssey is one of the best explorable game worlds yet made.
FIFA 19's selling points may be subtle or incremental but, again, that's because the bedrock of this game has been so deep and so strong, for so long
It's sharper than previous games, more openly designed, bigger and more fun. One of Forza Horizon 4's strengths is that it tends toward freedom, letting us do just what we want, and liberating us from races and activities that we don't fancy. Most of all, this is a fun, even joyful experience, a thrilling racing fantasy.
The environments are scaled well and comfortable to move through using the standard quarter-turn method or by spinning in place in an office chair. In that regard, the technology behind Transference is a triumph.
The Gardens Between is a magical journey that's well worth your time
There seems to be a stronger foundation in place this time around, and for fans, that may be enough to keep their basketball season from ending early.
It took time to get here, but Destiny 2: Forsaken has evolved to be more than Destiny 2 or Destiny ever hoped to be. Forsaken is the return of Destiny as a hobby, but with all the improvements included in vanilla Destiny 2 readily available for all.
Wasteland 2 is a slight struggle on the Switch, but it's still worth your time
These are the kinds of upgrades you expect if you follow an annualized sports franchise. Yet I feel more impressed at the fact that EA Vancouver was able to build an online suite for NHL 19 that didn't just draw me in with the shiny trinket of outdoor play, but kept me going despite the frustrations that are sometimes inherent to online gaming.
Old School Musical is a rhythm game that revels in its retro roots
Eventually, Shadow of the Tomb Raider succumbs to the darkness, repeating many of the series' usual mistakes, but along the way it shines a thrilling and refreshing light.