The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is an unwelcome throwback to the era of truly awful licensed games. It looks and plays like a movie tie-in game rushed out to meet a tight deadline. This is baffling as it was one of the first ‘next-gen’ games announced in 2019, and seemingly had a long production period. But even so, it’s a game that conceptually, visually, and technically screams out for additional development time. Patches and updates may squash the bugs. But with core gameplay so dull and lacking, I can't see a saving grace for Gollum.
EA Sports FC 25 remains the default choice for anybody wanting to enjoy a virtual version of the world's most popular sport. However, the fantastic new Rush mode isn't enough to prevent this installment from feeling seriously stale.
Just playing Dead Island 2 in 2023 feels like a minor miracle after such a protracted production cycle. Nevertheless, the novelty of finally experiencing this long-in-development sequel wears off pretty quickly. Then all that remains is a hugely repetitive experience punctuated by hackneyed story beats.
Mario Golf Super Rush has plenty of initial charm, but comes up short in terms of content.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a bland co-op shooter that coasts on the strength of its license.
Battlefield 2042 occasionally captures the epic scale and multiplayer madness the series is known for. But the game often stumbles due to poor design decisions and technical issues.
Unfortunately, its rough edges leave a noticeable mark, and the poor writing and seriously disappointing performance on next-gen hardware hold it back.
Atomfall combines a highly original setting and a choice-driven narrative with a commitment to player-led exploration. It's a compelling mixture. However, lackluster combat and repetitive missions all too often tar the experience.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an RPG that is easier to recommend for its gameplay than its story and characters. While the ability-focused combat is enjoyable, the fantasy narrative is generic and your companions bland.
Alan Wake 2 weaves together two compelling protagonists across a unique, multi-dimensional, narrative that is often seriously strange but still surprisingly engrossing. However, the stretches of puzzled-laced exploration overstay their welcome, and the flabby first act may test your patience. Fortunately, even when the blemishes poke through, Alan Wake 2 always looks utterly stunning.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 packs one of the best multiplayer suites in the franchise’s history. That’s no small feat when you consider that this Modern Warfare (2019) sequel is the 19th mainline Call of Duty game. However, a lackluster campaign and bland co-op diminish the overall package.
The Quarry has blockbuster aspirations but never quite manages to rise above B-movie cheese. However, it’s still a well-structured interactive horror experience with a cast of mostly likable characters and a couple of highly effective twists.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human combines a branching narrative, a massive open world and satisfying first-person parkour. It's a potent mixture, but repetitive combat and serious technical issues often spoil the fun.
Split Fiction is one of the most creative, inventive and downright delightful action-adventure games I've ever played. The team behind It Takes Two has once again crafted a genre-defying cooperative romp. However, the overly earnest and clunky story grates and acts as a barrier to all the madcap fun.
Planet Coaster 2 successfully builds on the formula laid out by its excellent predecessor. Being able to construct water parks is a delightful addition, and the new career mode is even more engaging. But you'll have to tolerate a few rough edges.
Asgard’s Wrath 2 is an essential VR game that showcases the potential of the Meta Quest 3. It weaves a sprawling mythological epic across multiple characters and offers an astonishing amount of content. Graphically it can’t rival flagship exclusives on rival VR platforms, but it’s extremely easy to overlook its minor shortcomings because playing Asgard’s Wrath 2 is such a consistent delight.
As a remake, Resident Evil 4 is a seriously impressive conversion of a classic. It packs just about everything that made the original great while sanding down many, but not quite all, of the rough edges.
Despite its flaws, Hogwarts Legacy is clearly a game made by Potter fans, for Potter fans, and for that particular audience, it’s been more than worth the very long wait. Hogwarts Legacy is by no means a revolutionary gaming experience, but it’s still a pretty magical one.
Splatoon 3 adds little new to an increasingly familiar formula, but the game features a plethora of enjoyable modes that cater to just about every playstyle.
Don’t dismiss Stray as merely a cat simulator, as this adventure game will appeal to more than just feline fanatics. While the chance to play as an adorable kitty is appealing, the real star of the show is the game’s richly-detailed cyberpunk world. Only Stray's short length and simplistic gameplay hold it back from ranking top of the litter.