Destiny 2: The Final Shape is a poignant tribute to the franchise's journey since its debut in 2014. It breathes new life into the existing classes with the versatile Prismatic subclass, introduces fresh enemies and locations, and weaves a narrative that'll likely tug at the heartstrings of even the most casual players. With more seasonal and story content on the horizon, Destiny 2: The Final Shape propels the series to new heights, solidifying its position as one of the top PVE multiplayer shooters in the gaming world.
Fans of stylish and fast-paced adventure platforming games should give RKGK a try because, despite its shortcomings, it's a fun installment of its genre. While the main story can be completed in around 10 hours, finding all the collectibles, defeating time trials, and winning each challenge will take more time and practice to accomplish. RKGK may not be a revolutionary take on the genre, but it sticks the landing enough to be worth a look.
The ocean may seem like an immeasurable beast for new pirates, but once players spend enough time to get their bearings, the beast becomes less scary and more adventurous. Still, if players are not entertained by Sea of Thieves gameplay loop and cosmetic-only unlockables, Rare's pirate life may not be for them. For everyone else, including PS5 owners, there is more Sea of Thieves booty and timbers to shiver.
With all of the unique mechanics and a large variety of cast members, Gigantic: Rampage Edition proves it was worth bringing back. However, the cast and their incredible designs beg to be more fleshed out with a story mode that could have also introduced players to its characters and mechanics in a more interesting way than the highly recommended tutorials provide. Clash and Rush's modes indeed offer a unique MOBA experience, but more game modes and story would help Gigantic: Rampage Edition stand taller in a multiplayer market currently devoid of compelling characters with captivating storylines attached to them.
Tekken 8 is jam-packed with modes, story, and customizable options that should allow players of any skill level to have fun. Battling against veteran players in the multiple online modes will likely be a punishing experience for new players. Still, the latest installment offers the best tools in the franchise yet to master each of its 32 playable characters. Despite being more accessible than ever, Tekken 8 is challenging to master, and continues to make a case for itself as one of gaming's most complex and rewarding fighters.
Ironwood Studios' debut game accomplishes to be an immersive survival driving adventure. Its intense treks through mind-bending obstacles are balanced with humor and relaxing moments provided by crafting and upgrading useful tools and car components, along with Pacific Drive's catchy alternative rock soundtrack. It's an incredibly impressive debut game that should put the new studio on the map: "there's no peace of mind or place you'll see, like riding on Pacific Drive."
Because of the disappointing presentation and lack of engaging modes, Jujutsu Kaisen Curshed Clash is difficult to recommend to anyone other than the most invested JJK veterans. While the characters and ultimate attacks can look great with well-constructed animations, the gameplay fails to be addicting enough to entice players to keep coming back. The franchise is an incredible vehicle for a great fighting game, but unfortunately that potential has not been realized in Jujutsu Kaisen Curshed Clash.
A multiplayer game about killing the Justice League from the creators of the Batman Arkham trilogy fails to revolutionize an oversaturated genre.
Naruto Storm Connections introduces great upgrades to its addictive arena combat & a story that welcomes new players while tantalizing long-time fans.
Now that the entirety of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has been released, it's hard not to be disappointed in the anticipated title. For a franchise that once innovated and drove other shooters to be better, MW3 feels devoid of fresh ideas. Even the Warzone-like zombie mode feels like several good ideas smashed into a mode that doesn't click. Unfortunately, much of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 feels like a game stuck in the early 2000s, and players looking for something actually modern will need to look elsewhere.
Despite the game's pacing issues and ability to enrage its players, Ghostrunner 2 can be a challenging game to put down. The game's exciting synth-wave tracks and well-written supporting cast pair well with its visuals and outstanding boss battles to keep players interested. Ghostrunner 2 improves on the first game in many ways, but if the sequel were an anime, a lot of it would feel like filler material between its more engaging, epic boss battles.
Both the Quality and Performance Modes of Atlas Fallen sport incredible visuals and gameplay, especially with Performance Mode's 60fps. Atlas Fallen's photo mode was also a distracting highlight, especially when finding a rare glitch in the game and being able to have the main character express disappointment while pointing at said visual glitches to take the above screenshot. Developer Deck13 promises updates at launch will further improve the game, which did not suffer from any dramatic performance issues like other open-world games tend to release with. In its current state, Atlas Fallen is an excellent showcase of modern gaming that features some exciting mechanics that other action games could benefit from.
Remnant 2 is compelling as a single-player journey, but feels much more rewarding to play with others. To that end, the game does a solid job in making that a possibility, even for those without friends interested in the title at launch. Adventure Mode allows players to join a random quest with others, providing a quick and easy way to enjoy the cooperative multiplayer experience Remnant 2 excels at. With a large variety of playstyle customizations and a seemingly endless amount of levels on vibrant alien worlds to discover, Remnant 2 is a multiplayer shooter that'll keep players blasting enemies for a while and is well-worth a look in spite of its flaws.
Toys For Bob set out to make a unique multiplayer experience with Crash Team Rumble that's supposed to be more of a strategic multiplayer platform brawler than a MOBA. And while they succeeded in doing so, CTR feels more like a multiplayer mode for a more feature-rich game rather than an entirely new game with a Crash Bandicoot title. With more characters and modes planned for the future, Crash Team Rumble may become a bash worth playing. Still, as it stands, it's a rumble that struggles to stay fun for long.
Despite the game not having much more than its single-player and endless mode, Brotato is capable of being can't-put-down fun. Thanks to quick rounds, accessible controls, and easy upgrade options, each run has the potential to be intense and memorable. Still, Brotato's adorably violent art style and characters are begging to be more thoroughly fleshed out with lore. The game would also be a blast on handheld or mobile devices, and with a multiplayer mode where friends could join their spuds together in chaotic cooperative combat. Still, Blobfish has proven itself with Brotato, a fun action game that stars a six-weapon-wielding potato who fights alien hordes.
As far as survival horror games go, Greyhill Incident is capable of delivering some intense moments. With more fleshed-out characters and aliens as intimidating as Greyhill Incident's atmosphere, the game and its empty world would be much more exciting to interact with. As it currently stands, however, this is one best left alone unless someone is desperate for any alien content, no matter how rote its mechanics.
With everything that Street Fighter 6 includes, it's set the bar incredibly high for future fighting games. Online matches played flawlessly during the review period. The Battle Hub is an example of how online multiplayer game lobbies should be with a space where players can interact and even play other games together. A well-balanced roster of characters and new control options helps Street Fighter 6 stand tall as an excellent entry point for fighting games, while also containing the depth and precise gameplay that pros expect.
Nightdive Studios' System Shock remake is the definitive version of the classic 90s PC title whose influence is still felt in today's sci-fi shooters.
There is a lot to enjoy with Arkane's latest, even if some aspects don't feel as fleshed out as they could be. The game looks and plays great on PC with several graphics options, including performance and ultra-performance modes. Although the gameplay could use more variation, the locations and enemies in Redfall are a lot of fun to experience with friends. Redfall does more right than wrong in a gaming genre filled with multiplayer shooters competing for limited screen time - and it's worth a try, especially for friends who've dreamed of forming a group of vampire slayers.
Still, for Embers' first game, this is an especially impressive showing. Strayed Lights is a visually pleasing game with epic bosses and intense combat that any fan of action-adventure platforming games should check out, even if it's over before it really manages to create something unmissable.