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Though Hellblade 2 has the power to force your jaw open and give you goosebumps, too often the whole project ends up feeling like a very expensive tech demo – an absolute tour de force of technical achievement bogged down in its own sense of gravitas and mystery. Keeping you off the stick for so many of its most impactful moments, and not giving you enough to play with when you do have control, hobbles the potential of this visual and aural masterpiece enough to make the whole experience feel like it was constantly trying to find a foothold on that dread Icelandic scree, and never really getting to its feet until you come staggering over the finish line.
WWE 2K24 is the best entry in the series since it returned in 2022, with Visual Concepts continuing to improve on what makes the series great.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is the kind of game we don’t get very often; the kind that does a lot with very little, yet in a way that speaks perfectly to my tastes as someone who enjoys video games as a storytelling art form. Don’t Nod’s latest effort transcends anything it’s made before, in my eyes, being a narrative-focused single-player RPG that places its characters firmly at the forefront, fully leaning into its unique premise to the point that Antea and Red’s nature as ghost hunters influence everything from dialogue options and combat, to the upgrade system and of course the world.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth features one of the series' best stories yet, all while packing in a wealth of fantastic side content
Tekken 8 makes great strides to sort out Tekken 7’s biggest issues, all while carving out its own identity within the series thanks to the brand-new Heat system. The wealth of single-player content available is the best I’ve seen since Tekken 5, and the cinematic story mode outclasses the likes of Mortal Kombat and Injustice in the format they pioneered.
It isn’t lost on me, though, that Asgard’s Wrath 2 is very much the exception to the rule as opposed to the norm. VR games with this much budget and creativity behind them almost barely ever come around; hence why – despite an overwhelming amount of stuff to do and the relatively complex menus and control scheme needed to back it up – the game’s scope ends up working for it rather than against it. If you’re seeking a Skyrim-level RPG primed to keep you busy in VR, look no further than Asgard’s Wrath 2.
Persona 5 Tactica is another step up for Persona spinoffs, while it doesn't bring along the overworld exploration from Persona 5 Strikers, I'd say this is a plus it feels like the fat has been trimmed to create a smoother storyline. Plus you're able to check out optional dialogue between the party members between missions to flesh out some of the games story even more.
While more seasoned players may find the experience a bit too easy until the post-game, Super Mario RPG is a great introduction to the RPG genre for newcomers. It’s also just an incredibly charming game, and it's a joy to look at from start to finish.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 amps up the core fighting found in its predecessor, but the roster choices are absolutely baffling in this sequel.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name goes toe-to-toe with the likes of Yakuza 0 and Kiwami 2. It also serves its main purpose and then some: to bring Kiryu back into the fold and get you excited for what could be his final ride in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Simply put, WarioWare: Move It! is the best the series has been since the Nintendo Wii’s WarioWare: Smooth Moves way back in 2006, with Nintendo opting to take a simpler approach than some of the convoluted entries like 2021’s WarioWare: Get It Together. While the same issues present in most entries persist, it’s undeniable that WarioWare’s core gameplay loop is still as fun as ever, over 20 years down the line.
If you expected spruced-up versions of these titles, you'll leave disappointed. But if you're after a way to play one of the best video game series ever made on modern platforms wrapped up in a nice package, you won't be disappointed.
Simply put, thanks to the inventive gameplay tweaks, and the absolutely gorgeous visuals and animation, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the best 2D Mario since the SNES era, and a strong contender for the best one yet.
Sonic Superstars is a solid attempt at pushing 2D Sonic forward, but sadly its roster of new ideas has some issues. While the problems with the Emerald Powers can be avoided, it'll take major changes to make the multiplayer worth playing. It doesn't quite hit the highs of Sonic Mania, but it's way ahead of Sonic The Hedgehog 4.
The game doesn't outstay its welcome, coming in at roughly 15-20 hours, but also offers some extra content for those looking to tackle New Game Plus multiple times. Overall, I'd recommend Armored Core 6 to those looking for an exhilarating fast-paced action game that is supplemented by an engaging metagame of designing the perfect build to adapt to each mission.
If you’re looking for a fun, frivolous-yet-high-stakes couch or online co-op game, round up your favourite fools and give Ship of Fools a go.
Most of all Pikmin 4 is just an exceptionally polished game that’s the pinnacle of the series to date and you can feel the love and attention poured into every inch of it. Pikmin 4 is the most ambitious Pikmin entry to date, and truly feels like an endeavour worthy of the 10-year wait.
AEW: Fight Forever nails what it's going for in evoking Nintendo 64 classics, but neglects a lot of modern features that even wrestling games in the PS2 era were nailing. If you're an AEW fan looking for an arcade-y pick up and play wrestling title to fill the void left by AKI's classics to play with some friends then you'll find what you're looking for with Fight Forever. But if you want an wrestling simulator in the vein of WWE games you'll need to wait a while longer.
With all that said, Diablo 4 succeeds at unabashedly returning to the franchise’s grittier roots without ever losing sight of what it means to make the constant pursuit for loot immensely satisfying and addictive. Combined with a much sharper focus on story, a true open world and classes being more flexible than ever, this is an excellently balanced mainline Diablo instalment that will no doubt occupy players for years to come. Your only real issue will be working out when to put it down, as there’s always sure to be another gear item, side quest or dungeon in Sanctuary waiting for you to find.
Street Fighter 6 feels like it’s here to send a message that it’s still the top dog of the fighting game genre.