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Final Fantasy XVI is a monumental step forward for the franchise. Its grim and grounded narrative boasting some of the franchise’s best characters, music, and voice acting, is only outclassed by the masterful boss battles and addictive action combat system. The latest entry in the Final Fantasy series is one of the best comprehensive offerings Square Enix has released in the last decade and a must-buy title for RPG fans.
If you've got the stomach for a challenge, you'd be hard-pressed to find a title more impressive than Cuphead in any genre. This masterpiece only gets better, thanks to The Delicious Last Course. Cuphead remains my favorite indie game for the amount of love and dedication that goes into each level. Animation, music, and boss designs are all impeccable, somehow outdoing the base game's offerings. Considering that the expansion only costs $7.99, it's hard to argue that this isn't one of the best DLC packages of the last decade.
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. . . shows us what digital archival in gaming could look like. Many of these documents were fished from dumpsters when Atari went bust. These slivers of history could have been lost forever. Instead, Digital Eclipse found them, polished them up, and put them into a museum where they belong.
Jusant's reach never exceeds its grasp. Smart use of player tools, generous checkpointing options, and a full spectrum of sound take a simple premise to its absolute peak. The deceptively simple climbing and exploration constantly reminds you that you are a single point in a larger ecosystem.
Sunset Visitor’s debut stretches the clean lines of video game metacommentary into a concentrated ludonarrative taffy. There is no gotcha moment, to 1000xRESIST’s credit. The struggle for meaning is long but not fruitless. Characters slowly learn to survive in—and maybe even love—the fractured world they’ve been given. 1000xRESIST will leave you with questions, but ultimately the resolution is yours alone. The game is infinitely better for it.
Astro Bot is a flawless 3D Platformer that stands among the industry's finest and is an instant classic. Its incredible level of design, boss battles, and mechanics build upon the best platformers that came before, making this title more than just a celebration of PlayStation's past; it is a surefire staple for its future.
Though a lack of character integration in core narratives does keep this title from masterpiece status, Octopath Traveler 2 is better than the original in every possible way. Improved combat, unforgettable characters, excellent narrative structure, gorgeous visuals, and a legendary soundtrack make this one of the best Square Enix titles in years. For fans of JRPGs, Octopath Traveler 2 is worth the price of admission and then some.
TMNT: Shredder's Revenge is everything a Beat 'Em Up should be. Dotemu's title is lovingly crafted with retro-inspired visuals and an original soundtrack. Not only this, but combat is some of the best the genre has ever seen. With fantastic co-op options and high replay value, it's a title you'll revisit for years. Whether you're a fan of the Turtles or not, it's easily one of the best titles of 2022.
Bayonetta 3 is a case study of why a game that swings big and misses is often more worthy of your time than a 10/10 game that plays it safe. I just wish it could have stuck the landing story-wise.
Despite a few minor hiccups, Video Game Fables is a joy. While it covers familiar territory, the narrative and systemic liberties Matt Sharp applies to well-worn RPG systems transform them into something more forgiving and freewheeling.
Slay the Princess is a prime example of why visual novels are one of the most powerful and hard-hitting offerings in gaming today. It’s an astounding tale where nearly every aspect elevates its narrative to new heights. If you’re looking for a horror game that’ll stay with you or need a title to nudge you into visual novels, look no further than Slay the Princess.
Born of Bread’s narrative and mechanics soar despite some perplexing quality-of-life choices—and a slew of minor bugs that will hopefully be fixed soon. Although I’m always happy to see a tag-team turn-based RPG, the game sometimes hews too closely to structural and mechanical tropes better left in the distant past. Born of Bread overcomes these setbacks through sheer force of will. The game isn’t afraid to take some wild swings, either. It’s more than a simple Mario and Luigi homage and absolutely the funniest game I’ve played all year. Consider this a weighted Taylor-based average; I’m scoring Born of Bread based on how highly I recommend it, warts and all.
Let’s! Revolution! is a satisfying fusion of systematic deduction and no-holds-barred risk. Player abilities give you enough power to take powerful swings or lethal risks. If you’re looking for a puzzle game that’s all logic, you won’t find it here. But those willing to play inside the game’s initial constraints will find that with great risk comes great reward. Let’s! Revolution!‘s commitment to character and choice are what make it a rare treat. You can’t have a revolution without getting a little messy.
Please Leave Me Alone, I Need To Poop pulls off a royal flush: the swirl of surface humor reveals the foul infrastructure underneath. This team has stared into the cubicle abyss. The indignity of needing to poop but being unable to is more than a comedy pratfall, it’s a smaller fracture in a widening human rights chasm.
Riven 2024 is a true labor of love, a direct result of fan efforts to render the game in a modern style. Character models, puzzles, and other touches have been dramatically streamlined, and barring a few hard knowledge checks, my time in Riven sped by. Graphics hiccups and captioning omissions are tiny blemishes on Riven’s triumphant return. I’ll be thinking of it, pun intended, for ages.
Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip succeeds because of its manageable scale. Sprankelwater feels gloriously off-center, with a limited toolset that hits the perfect balance of freedom and constraint. The game’s open-ended nature and surreal worldbuilding won’t be for everyone, but the humor lands with oddballs like me. Alternately deadpan, tender, and zany, Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip should be held in the same high regard as A Short Hike and Lil Gator Game. Sometimes it’s worth it to push past pure “cozy.”
Despite a disinteresting narrative and lack of focus on the supporting cast, Fire Emblem Engage is another stellar entry in the franchise, improving on nearly every other aspect. Intuitive strategic gameplay, a loveable main cast, and the fascinating Engage system, which pays homage to previous mainline entries, make this a Fire Emblem any strategy game fan won't want to miss.
Stray is a short but sweet adventure game that will warm your heart. Few titles meld puzzles, world-building, and well-written characters so harmoniously. Though Stray is rough around the edges, it's a promising first title from BlueTwelve Studios with so much to appreciate. If you're in the market for a relaxing title with an adorable protagonist, invest in Stray, the cutest release of 2022. Come for the cat; stay for the adventure!
Despite an aggressive storefront and limited private game options, Fall Guys: Free for All is Mediatonic's best model. You'll have plenty to enjoy, with many levels to play and unique ways to approach the content. Whether you want solo play or partnering with friends, chasing the Crown is addictive as the first time I played. Fall Guys is a staple in my gaming catalog and a great time.
Sonic Frontiers is a wonderful addition to the Sonic series. It offers exciting exploration and high-octane gameplay that will keep players engaged. While there are minor issues with collision and controls, these do not greatly impact the overall enjoyment of the game. It is a must-play for anyone interested in Sonic.