Hearthstone pulled me into a new genre and refuses to let me go
Dragon Age: Inquisition is one of the biggest games I've ever played, and I still want more
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor tells a good story but provides the tools to discover even better tales
Warlords of Draenor puts World of Warcraft back on top of the genre
Divinity: Original Sin is one of the deepest and most unforgettable games I've played all year
World of Warcraft: Legion addresses long-standing player concerns in smart ways
Horizon Zero Dawn feels like a storied developer finally finding its voice
For a character nearing 40 years old, it's amazing that Mario has remained not only a beloved character but one whose games are generally expected to be great. From that perspective, it's no surprise that Super Mario Odyssey is, yes, a great game. But more than that, it's a fantastic, even fundamental addition to Mario's legacy. From a plumber to a doctor to a tennis star to, uh, a Goomba, Mario has endured. No, this will not be the last Mario game, but it is almost certain to be lauded as one of his best.
Story has never been the pull of the Ys franchise for me, though, and if you're not yet familiar with the series, it's not why you should give this game a chance. And make no mistake: You should give Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana a chance. Developer Nihon Falcom has always been talented, but this project represents a new high for the studio, a game where each piece comes together and interlocks in a way that feels damn near perfect. Don't let the obscure name fool you; forgettable story aside, this is one of the best action-RPGs of this generation.
Rogue Legacy rewards patience with non-stop surprises.
If you have the three or four hours to devote to it and care about the future of games as a storytelling medium, Ethan Carter is must-play.
Episode 2 raises stakes and expectations for The Walking Dead's second season
Mario Kart 8 doesn't mess with the formula much, but it left me smiling
Final Fantasy 15's big heart and ambition easily outshine its flaws
It successfully pushes this series to new heights of polish, allure and charm. It has a few blemishes, enough to distract a bit from the intriguing and weighty themes that the game wrestles with. But even through the rough patches, Persona 5 doesn't give up a drop of its colorful personality.
SOMA may not be as scary as Amnesia, but it is without a doubt a stronger game
Superhot never lets its good looks or cleverness overtake its smart core design
It's hard to know if Resident Evil 7 will stand the test of time as much as classics like the original, or RE4. Taken on its own, however, it's an excellent game that pushes the series in worthy new directions.
Much of the pull of this world is delivered through Pyre's narrative, which drives the game forward in spite of the repetition of its sports game-style core. Sharply written dialogue is interspersed between rites, illuminating a story that branches in dozens of different ways. That plot is carried on the shoulders of a wonderful cast of characters – party members such as the gruff demon Jodariel, the bitter bog witch Bertrude and my personal favorite, Sir Gilman, a snake with a single large eye who wears a clunky metal helmet and wants nothing more than to be an honorable knight.
It's a brilliant horror game, one that understands when to ratchet up tension and when to pull back and let you collect yourself. If the first game was a failed attempt to capture the spirit of Shinji Mikami's classic Resident Evil 4, the sequel is a successful attempt at something much better: finding a chilling, exhilarating voice of its own.