Abdul Saad
Robotics;Notes Elite is a highly enjoyable experience to play through. While it isn't perfect, it is perhaps the easiest title to introduce a newcomer to the excellent SciADV series.
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is an incredible narrative experience with deep and intricate systems. While the port has a few bugs that need working out it is still objectively the best way to play the game.
Street Fighter 6 takes the series to the next stage with a wildly fun fighting system that emphasizes personal choice. Each mainline Street Fighter tends to define its era of fighting games in some way, and Street Fighter 6 confidently steps forward to that next era. From its battle system to its bevvy of modes such as World Tour, it dives deep into everything that makes fighting games great.
Tales of Arise masterfully blends its elements to produce a truly captivating experience. It’s surprisingly turned out to be my favorite in the franchise thus far. It may be lacking the multiplayer of its predecessors, but that doesn’t diminish the overall journey. As the first Tales game of the new generation, we’re already off to a fantastic start.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a highly enjoyable game that screams 'high quality production.' Despite its lack of gameplay innovation it still provides a certain level of enjoyment most JRPGs do not.
Ender Lilies is easily one of my most pleasant surprises this year. The game has fantastic visuals, challenging and satisfying gameplay, and an amazing soundtrack. If you're a fan of Metroidvania games, I implore you to give this game a shot as you'll no doubt be left feeling as satisfied as I am.
Hades is a fantastic game and is really worth all the acclaim and praise its received thus far. The game's amazing ability to both engage and challenge you is worthy of applaud and the now that the game is available on all platforms many more players will be able to enjoy this spectacular title.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is frankly a fantastic game and is objectively one of the best Star Wars games ever made. The languages are accurate, the character designs are flawless, and the art design is incredible. It's no surprise that the game is revered by both standard RPG and Star Wars fans, and thankfully, the Switch version pulls through with a highly efficient port.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is almost undeniably the definitive version of the 2007 action RPG, as despite its issues it still succeeds at presenting the player with an unforgettable experience.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered is an almost perfect package for both new players and returning fans looking to replay the game but with a new experience.
Regardless of all its faults, I still believe Mortal Shell is a solid game. It transcends itself from being another Dark Souls imitation to an excellent game based on true inspiration. This is all the more impressive once you realize that a small studio of fifteen people developed a game with such high quality. Mortal shell is a remarkable love letter to FromSoftware's Staple series, and its asking price of $29.99 is just an added reason for why Souls fans especially should be picking up this game.
All in all, there isn't much else to say about the God of War PC port. The game runs better than on any other platform and is decked out with all the settings imaginable with bonus content to boot. Replaying through the grand adventure that is Kratos and Atreus' story was also a delight. So if you're a hardcore fan of God of War like I am or have never played the game, then I implore you to do so on PC if possible as its so far the most optimal way to play it.
Blasphemous II is a fantastic game that meets expectations as a fan of the first game and leaves the player satisfied and engaged throughout.
Fate/Samurai Remnant is an incredibly impressive game with lots to offer both Fate and Musou fans. While it has its drawbacks, it still sports a compelling narrative, incredibly fun gameplay, great lore, and much more.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an amazing remake of an excellent game. While it isn’t perfect, it provides a highly entertaining experience in almost every way.
Overall, the Nier Automata: The End of YoRHa Edition is an excellent port of a fantastic game. If you're a Switch owner who was previously unable to play this gem of the game, now is your time to check it out.
Overall, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a highly entertaining game that's faithful to the franchise. It accurately depicts the nostalgic events of the series' earlier stories, and the gameplay engages the player while doing so.
In short, while Lost Judgement isn't a perfect sequel, it still lives up to its predecessor as it offers new refreshing gameplay mechanics alongside an engaging story.
While there are some elements of KOFXV I wish were given more attention to, it's great characters, eye-catching visuals, and intricate yet engaging gameplay make it appealing to both veteran players and newcomers alike.
Overall, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative is a superior game compared to its predecessor in almost every aspect. While some of the puzzle segments are a bit long-winded and can be quite complicated, the experiences they provide alone are incredibly worth it, and the characters make the game so fun to play. Additionally, as the game has different routes, some mysteries and twists are intense and can be incredibly unexpected. As a result, I can't help but recommend the game to anyone looking for a refreshing murder mystery game that will both challenge and shock them, and to visual novel fans in general especially as the game can be experienced by new and returning players.