The latest Earth Defense Force spinoff is the perfect introduction to the series for your kids, your younger siblings, or anyone who's always wanted a more cartoony approach to alien extermination. It doesn't rewrite the EDF playbook or attempt too many new things, but it's still very much an Earth Defense Force game at its voxelized heart.
Biomutant could be the sleeper hit of 2021. Not only is it downright adorable, but it's also an absolute blast to play. Developer Experiment 101 has created a world that you want to explore, and it frequently rewards you for slowing down and taking it all in. Throw in some great combat, robust character creation, and a wonderful crafting system and you've got a game that should please even the most jaded of open-world enthusiasts.
Despite often feeling like a Zelda clone with roguelite elements and town management components, Rogue Heroes succeeds at providing an enjoyable throwback experience that should appeal to those who have a soft spot for A Link to the Past.
The Yakuza Remastered Collection finally allows PC and Xbox owners to play through the entire Kiryu Kazuma saga on a single platform, and the games have never looked better. And while some of the titles have aged better than others, it's a must-have for those who want the complete Yakuza experience.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity delivers a very top-notch musou experience, one that takes both franchises very seriously. However, Zelda fans expecting something along the lines of Breath of the Wild are in for a very rude awakening.
A superior sequel in every way, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle takes everything that made the first installment so memorable and gets rid of everything else. It also tells a more focused and mature story, though it doesn't shy away from extreme bloodletting and ridiculous humor. It's truly fantastic from start to finish.
No More Heroes deserves every ounce of love it has received since its release on the Nintendo Wii. From mowing grass to slaying enemies, the game's boundless energy helps you overlook its shortcomings. If you're new to No More Heroes, now's a fantastic time to dive right in.
The latest installment in the Yakuza franchise takes the series in a brave new direction. And while it takes a moment to get used to the new characters, setting, and battle mechanics, you'll soon find yourself sinking into a fully-realized world that's charming, heartfelt, and an outright blast to play - even if you're not a Dragon Quest fan.
Since Halloween is still fresh in our minds, now is an excellent time to dim the lights and settle in for The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope, Supermassive Games' latest excursion into interactive terror. As with its like-minded theatrical brethren, Little Hope provides dialled-in scares and gigantic leaps in logic that will leave you either scratching your head in confusion or chuckling under your breath.
Although the recruitment system provides a few hours of entertainment, Watch Dogs: Legion feels like a series of systems masquerading as an open-world adventure game. Compared to the first two entries, Legion is a massive step backward, both in terms of story and execution. This is paint-by-numbers Ubisoft on autopilot.
