Life is Strange 2 is one of the best stories in video games. It tackles a lot and handles all of it with grace. It's emotional, evocative, heartwarming, and heartbreaking. Every choice you make matters not only to you, but also to those around you. The journey of the brothers Diaz is one you absolutely need to take.
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition is the best version of Monolithsoft's masterpiece. Its additions serve to streamline the experience and make an already great game that much better. Its expansion Future Connected gives some much needed closure on one of the story's best and most complex characters while spicing up the exploration and combat in a fun, new way. If you're not already a fan, this version might just hook you like it has so many others.
Spiritfarer excels in every genre it dips its toes in.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the best open world RPG this year. It's colorful locals are a joy to discover, combat and stealth feel deep and rewarding, and there's a viking hoard of things to do.
Anodyne 2: Return to Dust is a work of art you absolutely must play. It's heartfelt and personal, with tons of fun puzzles to solve and locations to explore.
NieR Replicant ver. 1.22474487139… is a pitch perfect update to one of the greatest stories ever told in the medium. Combat feels fast and fluid, much like players' tears once they finish the game. The new content feels natural, magic is more useful than ever, and the reprised music and voice over bring the world to life.
NEO: The World Ends With You captures everything that made the original special and surpasses it in every way. With a great story and incredibly addicting combat, players joining the Reaper's Game will be hooked from start to finish and beyond.
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker caps off a lengthy story arc in the best way possible. The main quest has tons of unexpected twists and turns with satisfying payoff for fans both new and old. Sage and Reaper are a ton of fun to play and the new dungeons and trials will put your skills to the test. If you're not already playing, you should be.
Neon White is a ballet of bullets and death that always leaves you wanting just one more run. There are a ton of levels and powers to master, along with a witty and sincere story at the center. One of 2022's best games.
Final Fantasy XVI features excellent action combat and an intricate story, both with incredible depth. It combines gameplay, story, sound, and music together into one form all inextricably linked. It sets a new standard for action RPGs, and is quite possibly the pinnacle of the series.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is one of the best puzzle games out there, and this remaster only improves on perfection. Its sharp and witty writing is accompanied by a gripping murder mystery plot, a beautiful art style, and an ear worm soundtrack. Ghost Trick absolutely deserves more attention than it got back on the DS, and hopefully this resurrection will change its fate.
Baldur's Gate 3 is an impossibly good RPG made with a great deal of passion and skill. While there are some last minute issues to iron out, Larian Studios has delivered an adventure beyond our wildest imaginations.
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition is an incredibly polished PC port with all the bells and whistles you could possibly ask for. It looks and runs incredibly, with the ability to tweak visuals and performance to suit your device. Nixxes continues their perfect streak of ports, and this is a fantastic way to experience Aloy's second adventure.
1000xResist is one of those special games from a team of individuals laser focused on creating their masterpiece. It's story is meaningful, gripping, and heartfelt. This is a work of art you absolutely need to play.
Tangle Tower is a delightful time all the way through. Its gorgeous art style, animation, intriguing mystery, and full voice acting make it stand out, even among the best of its contemporaries. While the ending does feel rushed, there's still plenty here to love and it only makes me want more of Detective Grimoire and Sally's sleuthing.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is the best version of a great game. It's got great characters with a lot of depth (except for Itsuki), varied visual themes, wonderful music, and an addictive battle system. Its debut didn't get the attention it deserved, but maybe this encore will shine a spotlight on one of the best RPGs in recent memory.
While Devil May Cry 3 is starting to show its age, it still holds its title as one of the best character action games ever made. The new additions add a refreshing twist on this classic game, while still retaining its difficulty and depth. And who knows, after so many re-releases and playthroughs, maybe people will notice how meaningful and well told the story is.
Dandara is an excellent game and I can't believe I haven't heard people talking about it. Its unique movement is accompanied by an equally unique world, soundtrack, and symbolic story that will fascinate lore nerds. While it's controls may not support the precision combat asks of you, the Salt is definitely a world worth saving.
Summary: Persona 4 is still one of the best JRPGs of all time, and this port only further proves that while clearing up your vision of Inaba and adding a new control scheme with which to Face Yourself. With this PC version bringing along the enhancements and new features of Golden, there's never been a better time to Reach out to the Truth for newcomers or for veterans to Make History.
Supergiant has made another modern classic. Hades offers some of the best rogue-like gameplay out there and delivers a satisfying experience in all aspects. From the wonderfully voiced characters to the fluidity of combat, there's a lot to love here as you die over and over again.