EVILVEVIL is a solid throwback to the days of Left4Dead, with great action and distinct characters. However, its progression and narrative let it down. Solo players will find a lot to enjoy here, but co-op is where the title shines.
SCHiM is unlike any platformer I've ever played, telling a genuinely moving story, with tight and clever platforming. It's also gorgeous, as every level is beautifully put together.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak is another hit in the beloved series, delivering a darker narrative, revamped combat, and an excellent cast of characters. It has a ton to offer to both new players and existing fans of the series.
#BLUD is one that can’t be missed. For any cartoon fans, there’s so much to love here.
Heading Out is a fantastic, immersive driving game mixed with a visual novel, thoughtful story pieces, and great gameplay.
Stellar Blade is a fantastic addition to the PlayStation-exclusive library. The combat is slick and fun, the story deep and interesting, and the set pieces all bigger than the last. It's obvious why Sony scooped this one up, fitting into its story-rich third-party pedigree of titles.
Children of the Sun is one of my favorite games this year. It makes you feel like a badass as you guide the bullet as it soars through each level.
Ultimately, Rise of the Ronin will be a mixed bag for people. The combat will carry it for many, but the lack of variety in the open world, messy story, and performance issues will take away from others.
The gunplay is fantastic, the gameplay loop is satisfying, and the reward progression is consistent. Its live service plans are its biggest question moving forward, but right now, Helldivers 2 is a ton of fun.
Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic way to experience a classic. The graphical and gameplay enhancements are meaningful, while the base story still shines years later. While the missing features from FES and Portable are missed, this is the definitive way to experience Persona 3.