Inside is a 2D puzzle platformer that builds upon what made Limbo great, and in fact builds something greater.
Mario's games have been around for almost as long as game consoles have been a thing, but thankfully, he's always evolving. We rarely get the same Mario twice. Super Mario Odyssey delivers on that ongoing promise of originality and innovation: It distills the venerable series' joyful, irreverent world and characters and best-in-class platforming action, and introduces a steady stream of new and unexpected mechanics. It's all spun together into a generational masterpiece.
Halo: MCC is like a divorced dad who stopped drinking, started going to the gym, and went to therapy to better himself.
Time has done little to diminish Grim Fandango's beauty or relevance. It is an adventure game not to be missed.
Firewatch is amazing for many reasons, but above all because it's an adult game that deals with serious issues, with realistic adult dialogue to match. And it deals with those issues just like actual adults would: sometimes with humor, sometimes with anger, and sometimes with sadness. It is among the very best of the first-person narrative genre, and it reminds us what video game storytelling is capable of in the right hands. It's a game I can see coming back to every year or two just to revisit its beautiful sights and memorable characters – just like a good book.
I never expected to compare Gears of War 4 to The Force Awakens, but I couldn’t be happier to do so. Like the latest chapter in the story from a time long ago in a galaxy far, far away, Gears of War 4 is directed by a new generation of creators, shares a lot of similar narrative structures to the beloved first piece of the trilogy it succeeds, and is an experience you’ll walk away from with a big smile on your face – in campaign, Versus, and Horde modes alike. It’s about as good of a franchise reawakening as I could’ve hoped for. J.J. Abrams would no doubt appreciate what Gears 4 accomplishes.
Peggle 2 is a joyful follow-up to one of the best puzzle games ever made.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone lead the way on the South Park video game we've always wanted.
The Devil is now on-demand in a very polished, content-rich port to Nintendo Switch.
Doom Eternal is one of the best first-person shooter campaigns in years. Its brand of fun remains unmatched in FPSes.
Halo Infinite's single-player campaign is exactly what this series needed. It brings out the best in Master Chief's unique and satisfying combat style while leveraging old ideas to create memorable new moments. Its story falls short for both new and veteran players, but it was worth the six-year wait.
Tunic is an unapologetically challenging action-adventure game that is charming, multi-layered, and immensely rewarding to solve.
Return to Monkey Island expectedly comes packed full of smartly crafted puzzles, funny dialogue, and memorable characters. But as series creator Ron Gilbert returns to the series’ director’s chair for the first time since 1991, it unexpectedly offers a lot of heart, too. It is an adventure gamer’s delight.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder looks and plays like the true next step for 2D Mario platformers. Wonder effects change each stage in both surprising and delightful ways, the Flower Kingdom makes for a vibrant and refreshing change of pace, and Elephant Mario steals the show.
NBA 2K14 on PS4 & Xbox One is not only a great basketball game, it's a showcase for your new console.
State of Decay's unique gameplay remains intact on Xbox One, as does its jankyness. Nevertheless, don't miss YOSE.
Titanfall excels at making every moment and every action a fun one. It is a breath of fresh multiplayer FPS air.
BioShock Infinite's final DLC brings brilliant closure to both Rapture and Columbia.
Rock Band 4 makes smart choices in bringing the series back, even if its setlist is somewhat disappointing.
You certainly get your $20’s worth out of Thimbleweed Park. The voice cast doesn’t elevate the script in the way they always did in the LucasArts “talky” days, but an enjoyable, self-referential story and hundreds of puzzles to solve make it worthy of a place on your shelf next to Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island.