Joe Juba
An enthralling experience from beginning to end, with a mixture of great narrative moments and engaging encounters. God of War is a well-paced adventure that knows when to let the action simmer and when to make it boil over
The most fun I've had with an RPG in years. Even a simple quest can turn into a multi-hour affair thanks to how well the missions, characters, and rewards tie into each other
Persona 5’s well-crafted story, exciting combat, and deep systems make it my favorite entry in the series – and the best Japanese RPG in years
Fun and inventive challenges wait around every corner. If you want something more than a barrage of thoughtful puzzles (like a story), you should look elsewhere
Many missions feel like puzzles, forcing you to use your available resources to find one of many ways to complete your objective. Applying your rewards to building, expanding, and improving your base is an irresistible joy
Finding your way through (or around) various problems is fun, and a streak of silly humor keeps the tone light enough to counterbalance the darker themes
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is full of interesting stories and fun interlocking systems, making it an engrossing world you can easily get lost in
Optional difficulty and gameplay modifiers let you customize the experience to be exactly what you want
The core game is still amazing, though the lack of any notable changes or additions in this release disappoints
Crazy moments, smooth combat, and seemingly endless options help this sequel match its predecessor
Whether you're reclaiming the city from gangs, killing Templars, or searching for hidden secrets, this is an example of the Assassin's Creed formula done right
Though the story is too wrapped up in political intrigue, the cast and combat are enough to make this a memorable journey
This is a fantastic return for a series that has been struggling with its identity. Large maps and interesting abilities give you the freedom to explore different strategic opportunities, and your ingenuity pays off with enticing rewards
The mystery has a satisfying payoff, but the bigger draw is navigating the main character's competing thoughts and weighing what kind of person you want him to be
Disco Elysium can be thoughtful, funny, sad, and profound. To see how it artfully navigates that spectrum, you simply need to play it for yourself
The diversity in the Finches' final moments means you've always got another cool story just around the corner, and Edith's personal journey is also interesting
Final Fantasy VII Remake finds a satisfying balance between innovation and tradition, delivering flashy battles and fun systems mixed with nods for old-school fans
Elizabeth has a stealthier and more tactical playstyle, which is an interesting change of pace
Combat is as cool as ever, though the basic structure feels outdated
Optimizing your ranch and collecting new slimes is engaging, and the steady stream of valuable upgrades ensures you always have a goal to reach for