Witchfire enters early access with a bright future ahead of it. While there's certainly some rough edges, The Astronauts has assembled the skeleton of a capable fusion between FPS sensibilities and roguelite punishments, and I'm keen to see how it evolves over time from here.
Warzone 2 makes a good first impression. While it shares some similarities with its predecessor, Infinity Ward has delivered a more tactical battle royale that smartly subverts expectations.
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 campaign is a riot from its impressive opening act to its explosive finale. While we're still waiting to test the multiplayer, the campaign makes a great first impression on behalf of the entire experience.
"I love how quiet Death Stranding can be in these moments; a game soundtracked by the sounds of nature"
"All told, Rocksteady has delivered a dependable, if unspectacular third-person shooter"
Some of you will certainly enjoy the potential Fort Solis puts forward, but others may find its sharper edges a little too rough to handle.
"Like Minecraft Dungeons before it, Minecraft Legends is a great concept let down by middling execution"
Atomic Heart is a messy video game with big ideas and a desperate need for refinement
This isn't the game that Gotham deserves, and it's not the one it needs right now either
While The Ascent is a true visual showcase for the Xbox Series X, it lacks depth and clarity. There's a fun game in here, but it's ultimately overburdened.
"Web of Wyrd is a compelling concept in need of further iteration and continuing evolution"
Hogwarts Legacy is a solid first attempt. If Avalanche can be accused of anything, it's that the studio has tried to do too much all at once. Something was always going to give – between the massive open world, the messy RPG economy, exciting action combat, and adventure story that wants to cast you as a hero with homework due on Monday.
There's an Achievement permanently tied to my account now that claims I spent "15 hours at the very real in-game alien strip club." To all my friends and family who may one day read this: I promise that isn't true.
Ghostwire: Tokyo feels like a throwback to a different era of action game design. It takes an off-beat approach to world design, story encounters, and combat pacing that won't be for everyone, but if you can get it to click into place you'll have a resoundingly chill time hunting ghosts throughout Tokyo.
Battlefield 2042 is a strong foundation for future expansion. DICE's multiplayer-only FPS has scale and spectacle, but there are elements in need of careful refinement and optimization.
Frustrating boss battles and cumbersome controls distract from an otherwise fun and isolating adventure
Gears Tactics is a smart, fast, and aggressive strategy game that's in need of a little more variety
Doom Eternal is a smart iteration of what came before it that occasionally stumbles under its own desire to evolve
Hi-Fi Rush is a harmonious cacophony of raunchy rock 'n' roll and character-driven action
Riders Republic is a hell of a good time, a freeform open-world sports game that encourages you to follow your passion and find your own fun.