Although some design decisions don't make sense, the positives completely outshine some of the awkward mechanics implemented. Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of those games that can redefine a genre, and it's not just through sheer size that it does that, but through a combination of writing, visuals, music, voice acting and gameplay mechanics. It's an outstanding piece of work that every other game developer should strive for.
F1 Manager 22 is a great way to create alternate narratives for fans. Pick your favorite team, try to find ways to push it to ever-increasing performance, despair when races don’t go according to plan, pump your fist when you create the perfect strategy, and manage to get past Leclerc and Hamilton on the final two laps of Bahrain. The game will draw in fans who simply want to see if they can do better than real managers and obsessives that aim to tinker with the setup during each practice session.
My high hopes for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 being a great entry in the series were far exceeded after finishing the game. It’s one of the best JRPGs I’ve ever played, and I can’t recommend it enough to all those who own a Nintendo Switch.
The flexibility that most of the cards in the new expansion offer when building a new deck surpasses everything that's been done in Hearthstone since the launch of the game. A word of advice before I go have some fund with my deathrattle priest deck: try not to craft too many legendary cards until the metagame is fine tuned.
With each new Hearthstone expansion, Blizzard has outdone itself, and Knights of the Frozen Throne is no exception to the rule. I can't wait to see what's next for Hearthstone and its very strong community.
If you haven't yet picked up Dead Cells, even if you're not into roguelike platformers, I strongly recommend getting it since it's one of the best of its kind.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses offers an incredible experience from beginning to end, although the "end" is not really the END, as the story certainly deserves to be viewed from more than one perspective.
Having the game take place in space opens up the future of the franchise to a wealth of sequels. If Obsidian plays its cards right, we might be witnessing the birth of a great franchise. There is no doubt The Outer Worlds is almost a masterpiece. Sure, it could use some work here and there, but it's a perfect delivery system for the hungry human imagination that longs for the stars.
The Legend of Tianding shows how indie developers can mix solid mechanics and cool history-based protagonists to deliver a fresh take on the classic side-scrolling brawler experience. The game is tough but fair, asking players to master a series of moves and constantly finding new ways to test their skills. I would have liked less backtracking and, maybe, more meaningful side quests but simply engaging with the core missions is very fun.
I wished for the game to have less of Catman's running and, maybe, more ways for its secondary characters to interact with one another. But these are minor issues with a great experience. Wolfstride shows how well OTA IMON can blend narrative and gameplay and I look forward to seeing what kind of game they work on next.
The conclusion of the Norse Saga starring Kratos and Atreus is most certainly the best part in the series. God of War Ragnarok take the formula from the previous game and refines it to almost perfection. If God of War (2018) is seen as a masterpiece, God of War Ragnarok sits one tier above, in a league of its own.
Tears of the Kingdom is without a doubt the best Zelda game to date. Although it offers a pure sandbox experience, the world is bustling with secrets to discover, treasure to loot, and puzzles to solve. It’s one of the few games that encourages exploration and rewards those who do it in full. It only takes a few hours to learn that there’s something new and exciting to discover just around the corner.
Final Fantasy XVI is one of those very rare masterpieces with issues. Developed by a stellar team, the game shines when it comes to story and combat, but fails in other aspects like narrative structure, itemization and RPG elements.
Even with some of its shortcomings on PS5, Baldur’s Gate III remains one of the best games of our time. Looking at the amazing quantity and quality of the content, you will most likely forgive the developers for the bugs – that most likely will be fixed through patches.
Against the Storm is an engrossing and fun game. Its focus is on moment-to-moment settlement management but with a ton of gameplay ideas that make each new expedition feel unique. I love the unpredictable nature of the glades as well as the many ways to interact with the Queen’s requests and the dangerous ruins.
Lil' Guardsman is a fun game that expertly combines story and gameplay. It’s built around a loveable central character who finds herself at the core of an interesting although familiar narrative. The deduction mechanics require players to pay attention, but the game also smartly gives them a rewind ability if they want to retcon some choices.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is not just the biggest expansion released by CD Projekt RED, but also one of the best pieces of content. The quality of the storytelling, art direction and level design in Phantom Liberty is incredible, even in comparison with the base game.
Heroes of Might & Magic III has aged unexpectedly well, and the release of the HD Edition should breathe new life into a franchise that hasn't received favorable reviews in quite a long time.
Overall, The Grand Tournament brings exactly what Hearthstone needs - new mechanics and tons of fun - while keeping the game balanced. The addition of new rewards for Ranked Play is another positive aspect, even though it's not related to The Grand Tournament expansion.
It might not be the best fighting game out there, but Injustice 2 is definitely the most solid among them thanks to the amount of the content it offers for single player and online experiences.