Are you looking for the Best New Video Games? At polarservicecenter.net, we understand the thrill of discovering new virtual worlds and unforgettable gaming experiences. Our goal is to guide you through the latest and greatest titles, ensuring you find the perfect game to dive into. Whether you’re seeking action-packed adventures or immersive narratives, we’re here to help you explore the best offerings in gaming with expert reviews and recommendations.
Dive into top-rated games, and exciting adventures.
1. Understanding The Best New Video Games Landscape
What constitutes the best new video games? It’s more than just high review scores; it’s about innovation, engagement, and lasting impact. These games push the boundaries of what’s possible, offering unique experiences that captivate players for hours on end. From groundbreaking gameplay mechanics to stunning graphics and compelling storytelling, the best new video games leave a lasting impression.
1.1 What Makes a Video Game “The Best?”
Several elements come together to make a video game truly exceptional. Key factors include:
- Innovative Gameplay: Games that introduce new mechanics or twist familiar ones in exciting ways stand out.
- Engaging Story: A compelling narrative with well-developed characters and meaningful choices can elevate a game from fun to unforgettable.
- Stunning Visuals: High-quality graphics and art design create immersive worlds that draw players in.
- Lasting Impact: Games that influence the industry, set new standards, or create devoted communities earn a special place in gaming history.
1.2 The Evolution of Gaming and The Latest Trends
The gaming industry constantly evolves, with new trends emerging each year. In 2024, we see a strong emphasis on:
- Open World Games: Expansive worlds that encourage exploration and offer numerous side quests.
- Multiplayer Experiences: Games that foster community and competition.
- Narrative-Driven Adventures: Stories that focus on character development and emotional impact.
- Indie Game Excellence: Creative and innovative titles from independent developers that often defy genre conventions.
2. Top-Rated Games of 2024
Let’s explore some of the best new video games that have earned high praise from critics and players alike. These titles represent the pinnacle of gaming excellence in 2024.
2.1 Alan Wake 2: The Lake House
What is it? A DLC expansion for the acclaimed psychological horror game Alan Wake 2, immersing players in eerie environments and thrilling investigations.
Why is it great? “The Lake House DLC is another spectacular and spooky slice of Alan Wake II action,” according to IGN’s review. It introduces fantastic new characters, a terrifying new enemy type, and wonderfully eerie environments to explore. The gripping investigation and challenging combat make it an absorbing addendum to the main game.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC
2.2 Alan Wake 2: Night Springs
What is it? A collection of standalone stories within the Alan Wake II universe, offering a mix of violent shootouts and tense survival horror.
Why is it great? IGN notes that “Alan Wake II: Night Springs is a compact collection of standalone stories that veer from entertainingly violent shootouts, to tense stretches of survival horror, before settling on and reveling in the utterly batshit craziness that makes Remedy’s multiverse of madness so keenly absorbing to explore.” The return to Alan Wake’s universe is filled with high moments and captivating side stories.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC
2.3 Another Crab’s Treasure
What is it? A soulslike game with a colorful and charming twist, where you play as a hermit crab using different shells for protection.
Why is it great? “Another Crab’s Treasure is one of my favorite soulslikes in quite some time,” says IGN. It borrows from the genre playbook but adds a unique and irresistible charm. The story is well-written, the shell-swapping mechanic is unique, and the cheerful mood is refreshing.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
2.4 Animal Well
What is it? A puzzle-focused Metroidvania that emphasizes exploration and brain-teasing challenges over combat.
Why is it great? According to IGN, “Animal Well is a veritable feast of brain teasers that’s far more concerned with twisting your mind into knots than any grueling platforming challenges.” It features gorgeous pixel art, dynamic lighting, and a rewarding system of tools that encourage curiosity and experimentation.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5
2.5 Astro Bot
What is it? A delightful platformer packed with endlessly inventive levels and fantastically fun abilities, designed to bring joy to players of all ages.
Why is it great? IGN raves, “Astro Bot made me smile from beginning to end. A collection of endlessly inventive levels and fantastically fun abilities, it delivers joy in spades, never once becoming even remotely dull or repetitive.” Its charming characters, innovative gameplay, and overall sense of fun make it a standout title.
Platforms: PlayStation 5
2.6 Balatro
What is it? A roguelike deck-builder that reimagines poker with deep mechanics and thrilling strategic possibilities.
Why is it great? IGN describes it as “Remarkably approachable with complex systems waiting for those willing to lose themselves to it.” It takes the simple nature of poker and introduces deep mechanics that are thrilling to exploit.
Platforms: iPhone, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
2.7 Batman: Arkham Shadow
What is it? A VR game that adapts the beloved Arkham series, allowing players to experience the Dark Knight’s world in an immersive new way.
Why is it great? IGN praises its adaptation of the Arkham series to VR, noting that it “does an admirable job of adapting almost everything I love about the Arkham series to work in a full-fledged VR game.” The brawling, exploration, and puzzle-solving are all in full effect, making for a thrilling experience.
Platforms: +1
2.8 Black Myth: Wukong
What is it? An action game inspired by Journey to the West, offering a challenging combat system and a visually stunning world.
Why is it great? IGN lauds its combat as “fantastic thanks to a great balance of careful resource management and lightning-fast, twitch-reaction gameplay.” The game features exciting boss battles, a variety of enemies, and a world that is a treat for the eyes and ears.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5
2.9 Botany Manor
What is it? A first-person puzzle game set in a charming old English manor, where you must figure out how to grow fantastical plants.
Why is it great? IGN describes it as a game where “clever clues entwine with Botany Manor’s charming old English setting to make a lighthearted first-person puzzler worth tending to.” Figuring out how to grow its fantastical plants is engaging, and the blossoming flora gives a comforting sense of achievement.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
2.10 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Campaign
What is it? The single-player campaign mode for the latest installment in the Call of Duty franchise, offering a thrilling and varied series of missions.
Why is it great? IGN celebrates it as “an excellent string of missions that offer variety and flexibility come together to make the best Call of Duty campaign in many, many years. Black Ops 6 is a fantastic return to form for the series.” It features engaging storytelling, exceptional level design, and creative gameplay.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
2.11 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Multiplayer
What is it? The multiplayer mode for the latest Call of Duty title, known for its polished gameplay and well-designed maps.
Why is it great? IGN praises the polish of the experience, saying, “With Black Ops 6, Treyarch and Raven Software have taken almost everything I love about the Call of Duty multiplayer experience and given it a beautiful polish.” The maps are excellent, and the weapon handling is precise.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
2.12 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Zombies
What is it? The Zombies mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, offering absurd and campy zombie-slaying action.
Why is it great? IGN sums it up as “absurd and campy and amazing and goofy in all the right ways.” The mode is filled with exciting challenges and rewarding tasks that leave players feeling exhausted and triumphant.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
2.13 Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile
What is it? A mobile version of the popular battle royale game, bringing the full-scale multiplayer experience to your fingertips.
Why is it great? IGN notes that “it’s tough to think of a mobile game that comes as close to giving the full-scale multiplayer experience as Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile does.” It provides a fast and fun battle royale experience with cross-progression.
Platforms: Android, iPhone
2.14 Capes
What is it? A superhero-themed, turn-based tactical combat game with clever mechanics and challenging gameplay.
Why is it great? IGN praises its “clever and challenging take on superhero-flavored turn-based tactical combat.” The characters combine their powers effectively, and the optional objectives add depth to each mission.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series X|S
2.15 Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster
What is it? A remastered version of the classic zombie game, preserving the original’s experience with modern adjustments.
Why is it great? IGN says that it “preserves the iconic original’s experience while including some very logical and welcome modern adjustments.” The return to the Willamette Parkview Mall is as compulsive as it was nearly two decades ago.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC
2.16 Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Early Access
What is it? A single-player roguelite that translates the spirit of Deep Rock Galactic into a top-down shooter.
Why is it great? IGN states that it “doesn’t feel unpolished or annoying to play at all. Translating the adventurous, raucous, party game spirit of its shooter big brother to a single-player roguelite about as well as anyone could have.” The weapons are punchy, and the caverns are filled with critters to battle.
Platforms: PC
2.17 Destiny 2: The Final Shape
What is it? A story driven adventure. The finale expansion for Destiny 2, delivering a satisfying ending and fresh content to the game.
Why is it great? “This finale expansion’s story largely succeeds at delivering a satisfying ending, the raid is brutal and epic, the Prismatic subclasses breathe fresh life into combat,” states IGN.
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2.18 Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred
What is it? An expansion for Diablo 4, adding a new area to explore, a new character class, and a raid activity.
Why is it great? IGN describes it as “an awesome expansion that adds an excellent new area to explore, a gloriously modular character class that I can’t stop playing, an impressive debut raid activity, and lots more.” The changes to the meta and improved progression system are major wins.
Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 4
2.19 Disney Dreamlight Valley
What is it? A cozy game where you meet cartoonish and colorful areas to explore and loads of charming characters to meet.
Why is it great? “There’s something undeniably riveting about chilling with the goofy oddballs and loveable toons from Disney’s impressive catalog, and returning to this zen-like simulator washed my troubles away like few cozy games can,” says IGN.
Platforms: Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Macintosh, Xbox Series X|S
2.20 Dragon Age: The Veilguard
What is it? A game that refreshes and reinvigorates a storied series, bringing enjoyable action combat, a fantastic cast of allies, and top-notch cinematics.
Why is it great? “The next Mass Effect is going to have a very tough act to follow, which is not something I ever imagined I’d be saying before I got swept away on this adventure” as stated by IGN.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC
2.21 Dragon’s Dogma II
What is it? A game that includes an awesome dynamic world and some of the best combat in the genre that integrates a subtle but amazingly complex physics system.
Why is it great? “There’s an action-RPG here that’s richly rewarding and incomparable to its contemporaries if you can be patient with its quirks and open to embracing its hands-off open-world and quest designs.” says IGN.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5
2.22 Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
What is it? FromSoftware says Shadow of the Erdtree is the only expansion Elden Ring will get, so it’s fortunate that it’s hard to imagine a better DLC than this” says IGN.
Why is it great? “Elden Ring’s world has memorably brutal battles, has cool new weapons, spells, Ashes of War, Spirit Ashes, talismans, and more to play around with and use to find even more novel ways to tackle its memorably brutal battles.” as stated by IGN.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
2.23 Enshrouded Early Access
What is it? A survival action role-playing game. Enshrouded’s RPG systems are already solid enough to carry you through its open world for a few dozen hours.
Why is it great? It will likely be an instant hit for anyone who’s ever wanted to build a castle in a fantasy world full of danger, and it makes all that building fun and easy with an intuitive set of tools, according to IGN.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
2.24 Expeditions: A Mudrunner Game
What is it? Expeditions’ untamed wilderness maps and huge truckload of exploration-focused missions function as a worthwhile complementary experience.
Why is it great? Successfully taking a truck on a trek through terrain that the toughest trailblazers would fear to tread is still an oddly satisfying challenge. The journey is always more important than the destination, according to IGN.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 4
2.25 F1 Manager 2024
What is it? A Formula 1 management simulator. New features like creating your own team offer strong customization options, and securing victories with a tailor-made squad feels even sweeter than building upon an existing one.
Why is it great? IGN says that the evolutionary changes make this a welcome third outing. The mechanical faults and expanded sponsorship systems add welcome strategic depth, too.
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5
2.26 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
What is it? A game that impressively builds off of what Remake set in motion as both a best-in-class action-RPG full of exciting challenge and depth.
Why is it great? Minigames, sidequests, and other enticing diversions fill the spaces of its vast and sprawling regions, painting a new and more vivid picture of these familiar locations, according to IGN.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5
2.27 Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
What is it? A massive multiplayer online role-playing game. Dawntrail has some growing pains and notable lulls as it establishes a new era for Final Fantasy XIV
Why is it great? Dawntrail left me floored with a unique sense of self-reflection and stunned by spectacular combat encounters, and to go through that journey with characters I’ve grown to love, both new and old, proves that this experience can only exist in the form that it does, according to IGN.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC, Macintosh, PlayStation 5
2.28 Frostpunk 2
What is it? Thanks to a ground-up rethinking of its ice-age city builder mechanics, Frostpunk 2’s larger scale is less intimate but more socially and politically complex than the original.
Why is it great? Building up multiple colonies, researching technologies, and passing laws is quite the act of plate-spinning. This is a city-building sequel that might have lost some of the intimacy of the original by thinking bigger, according to IGN.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Macintosh, PC
2.29 Granblue Fantasy: Relink
What is it? A game where questing with friends in multiplayer is very exciting. Relink’s fun action combat and interesting cast of characters has kept me happily playing long after I beat the final boss.
Why is it great? According to IGN the relative brevity of its campaign doesn’t compromise on the quality of its storytelling. Its mobile game origins don’t always translate over well, feeling a little thin in some aspects
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC
2.30 Hades 2 Early Access
What is it? A game that feels impossibly huge and unbelievably polished by any standard, much less an early access game.
Why is it great? IGN notes that it feels impossibly huge and unbelievably polished by any standard, much less an early access game. Mel is awesome, the new tweaks to the combat and progression are excellent, and its just unbelievably feature packed with twice the content of the first.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
2.31 Harold Halibut
What is it? A game that both funny and full of surprises, Harold Halibut is a wholesome, handcrafted adventure with plenty of heart.
Why is it great? According to IGN it may take place at the bottom of the ocean on a distant alien planet, but Harold Halibut’s story is an entirely human one, both in terms of its carefully handmade environments and its strong emphasis on empathy towards its eccentric cast of characters.
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
2.32 Helldivers 2
What is it? A game where it gives you a ton of freedom, feels fantastic to play, and has a smart progression system that doesn’t nickel and dime you or rely too much on a paid battle pass.
Why is it great? IGN celebrates that it manages to keep its missions fresh by introducing a ton of enemies, modifiers, and objectives, and varying them in interesting ways, It manages to keep its missions fresh by introducing a ton of enemies, modifiers, and objectives, and varying them in interesting ways.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5
2.33 Homeworld 3 Multiplayer
What is it? Homeworld 3’s multiplayer modes deliver both a safe, traditional skirmish sandbox that we expect from any RTS and also a more novel, three-player co-op mode in War Games.
Why is it great? The fact that the two factions are only slightly asymmetrical and the map selection is so slim makes skirmishes feel a little barebones, though as always Homeworld’s three-dimensional strategy gameplay offers different opportunities, according to IGN.
Platforms: PC
2.34 Homeworld 3 Single-Player
What is it? The resulting battle of wills feels more consequential than the off-screen galactic threat behind it and the resulting battle of wills feels more consequential than the off-screen galactic threat behind it.
Why is it great? Being able to pause time and give orders makes managing your fleet much less overwhelming, especially given the tricky controls and sometimes disobedient friendly ship AI. Straightforward tech upgrades and a limited selection of ship types limit the campaign’s replayability, according to IGN.
Platforms: PC
2.35 Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
What is it? An exciting action-strategy hybrid that left me yearning to know more about its inspirations and intricacies and the satisfying day-night structure of its stages.
Why is it great? Its satisfying day-night structure of its stages evoked that overwhelming “just one more thing” feeling that easily had me losing track of time. It’s not the most challenging action game around, but the strategy it demands is still satisfying, according to IGN.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One
2.36 Last Epoch
What is it? In the mechanical sense, it serves as an important stepping stone between Diablo and Path of Exile – but even without making direct comparisons, it competently stands on its own merits.
Why is it great? In the mechanical sense, it serves as an important stepping stone between Diablo and Path of Exile. It competently stands on its own merits thanks to a flurry of unique, intertwining systems and a strong endgame that make it difficult to resist pouring an entire weekend into its endless loops, according to IGN.
Platforms: PC
2.37 Life is Strange: Double Exposure
What is it? The writing is great, the music is excellent, the cinematography and acting are top-notch, and Max’s new powers are a fun and intuitive fit for its murder mystery structure as celebrated by IGN.
Why is it great? After several attempts to recapture what made the original Life is Strange so enduring, developer Deck Nine Games really knocked it out of the park with Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
2.38 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
What is it? Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s overhauled combat system injects some welcome flexibility and flash into every turn.
Why is it great? A compelling, country-hopping crime story kept me on the hook like a freshly lured barracuda for the 50 hours it took to complete, and the vibrant new job classes and unique combat arenas ensured that the fighting continued to feel fresh, according to IGN.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
2.39 Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
What is it? Shoving playing cards and letters and other objects into my pockets in the hopes that they’ll help me decode a lock or solve some mystery down the line would fit right at home with the best of the classic point-and-click adventure game genre.
Why is it great? IGN notes that the lovely, low-fi presentation, eerie story, and creative puzzles wrapped around that are all impressively fresh. An unwavering dedication to being a one-button game adds some unnecessary annoyances, but it doesn’t stop it from being a captivating journey just the same.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch
2.40 Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD
What is it? Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is undoubtedly the definitive version of Luigi’s second apparition-filled adventure as stated by IGN.
Why is it great? With its substantially enhanced graphics and more flexible twin-stick control setup, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is undoubtedly the definitive version of Luigi’s second apparition-filled adventure
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
2.41 MechWarrior 5: Clans
What is it? The campaign is carried by a thoughtful, well-told story, great mission design, fantastic walking-tank combat, and all of the customization you could want according to IGN.
Why is it great? It simultaneously made me consider the ethical questions of war while grouping my rockets and lasers to obliterate a target and turning my damaged armor out of harm’s way” as stated by IGN.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X|S
2.42 Metaphor: ReFantazio
What is it? Atlus takes the principles of its already excellent RPGs and refines them in a way that effortlessly ushers you through its brutal, and sometimes beautiful, new fantasy world according to IGN.
Why is it great? The Archetype system and all the new wrinkles it added to the turn-based battles build upon a strong foundation, and the social elements are streamlined to better deliver the most important aspects of the stories they tell.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
2.43 Metal Slug Tactics
What is it? A meticulously crafted ode to the arcade classic that never gets lost blindly chasing its adoration for the series without understanding what makes Metal Slug great according to IGN.
Why is it great? It introduces a handful of distinct innovations to the tactics genre that masterfully meld Metal Slug’s action-packed platforming and shooting onto a tactics grid
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
2.44 MLB The Show 24
What is it? Continues to push the envelope for what a baseball sim can be by adding a deep respect for the history of the sport on top of its already excellent gameplay according to IGN.
Why is it great? With great new features like Custom Game Entry in Franchise, and seamless integration of Major League Baseball’s latest changes, not even a lackluster Storyline and a Diamond Dynasty mode in flux can change the fact that this is a great way to play baseball.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2.45 Once Human
What is it? A game where survival-crafting that is simple and accessible, but still rewarding to dig into. Building a house is amusing, even if pieces aren’t always cooperative about snapping together in the right orientation.
Why is it great? IGN notes that the combat is generally pretty basic, the grotesque weirdness of the monsters more than makes up for that, especially when you get a menagerie of weird little creatures of your own to fight with.
Platforms: iPhone, Android, PC
2.46 Palworld Early Access (Steam Version)
What is it? A game that is amusingly irreverent, has a surprising amount of content and deep survival mechanics, and is absurdly difficult to put down says IGN.
Why is it great? According to IGN it is impossible to overlook just how shamelessly it takes ideas and designs from Pokémon, it’s got some unsurprising bugs and performance issues, and the work of keeping your base’s supplies topped off needs a little retuning
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
2.47 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
What is it? Paper Mario has finally returned to its RPG roots with an amazingly loyal and visually dazzling remake, including a delightfully varied turn-based battle system says IGN.
Why is it great? Everything fans have been begging Nintendo to bring back is here, including a delightfully varied turn-based battle system with satisfying real-time elements and unique, lovable party members who are essential to both the story and gameplay.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
2.48 Persona 3 Reload
What is it? Stellar visual overhaul and countless small changes and additions beyond it leave a significant impact, making Persona 3 Reload a more fully realized version of a beloved RPG as noted by IGN.
Why is it great? Although still dated in some respects, quality of life improvements and new features refresh its exciting turn-based combat and add depth to its touching story moments.
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
2.49 Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis – The Answer
What is it? The Answer finds new ways to be just as powerful by understanding the pain that comes from heartbreak and loss in all its complexities, and how that changes a person according to IGN.
Why is it great? If you are always found The Answer to be thematically affecting, and having it repackaged for Reload means it’s no longer isolated as a dated PS2 game – and if anything, it’s a bittersweet epilogue to the series’ best story.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X|S
2.50 Planet Coaster 2
What is it? It’s a detailer’s dream, with a colossal variety of rides, scenery, terrain tools, and sometimes terrifyingly vast options for customization claims IGN.
Why is it great? With the addition of water attractions alone is enough reason to dive in even if you have hundreds of hours sunk into the first Planet Coaster. All told, it’s the best sim of its type your money can buy.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5
2.51 Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
What is it? Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown captures not only what made games such as The Sands of Time so good, but it irons out a lot of the little issues that plagued the 3D games in this series by opting for a 2D perspective says IGN.
Why is it great? It also works extremely well as a traditional Metroidvania, sticking with tried-and-true elements of the genre but executing on them with precision.
Platforms: Android, iPhone, Macintosh, PlayStation 4
2.52 Satisfactory
What is it? It is the best automation game ever made. Every moment of the 130 hours-plus it took to build messy conveyor belt disasters and delightfully efficient factories was engaging, ridiculous, and an absolute blast with friends as described by IGN.
Why is it great? Exploring this gorgeous, bespoke world in search of secrets and resources serves as a fantastic change of pace from constructing assembly lines, even when combat doesn’t offer much more than a few generic aliens to shoot at while doing so.
Platforms: PC
2.53 Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
What is it? Delivers a spellbinding adventure packed with cinematic spectacle and story surprises that maintains a surging sense of forward momentum and never wastes a second of its slender run time.
Why is it great? IGN states that journey as brutal as it is beautiful delivered with hardware-pushing visuals and persistently absorbing audio, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is another Viking-worthy feast for the senses that meets the high bar set by its predecessor, even if it never really manages to clear it.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
2.54 Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
What is it? Doesn’t necessarily make drastic improvements per se, but I enjoyed the new twists, content, and quality of life upgrades it does bring all the same according to IGN.
Why is it great? There’s never been a better time to play this hard-nosed RPG, if not for its satisfying turn-based combat, then for its masterful execution of a uniquely demonic world.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
2.55 Silent Hill 2
What is it? Is a welcome modernisation of a survival horror masterpiece. It smoothly polishes down the rough edges of the original game’s combat claims IGN.
Why is it great? Previously primitive boss battles have been transformed into substantially more intense encounters, and its intimidating audio design kept me acutely aware that every fog-cloaked street I walked down could quickly hurry me towards my own dead end.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
2.56 Sonic X Shadow Generations
What is it? Takes an already excellent game and spring jumps it to new heights at a blistering pace by doubling up the campaign length with creative level design, fantastic bosses, plenty of collectibles, and an appreciable graphical upgrade
Why is it great? There’s an exciting new story that’s filled in as you explore the overworld for collectibles, activities, and challenges and it is a nice change of pace to the collection of all-time great Sonic stages Generations already contained according to IGN.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
2.57 Sons of the Forest
What is it? Takes everything its predecessor did well and does it a little bit better.
Why is it great? IGN notes that exploring a huge, beautiful, deadly island through the changing seasons is a treat on its own. The new base building mechanics could entertain me for days without ever touching the main story.
Platforms: PC
2.58 Splatoon 3: Side Order
What is it? It is a perfect fit for a roguelite game mode. Side Order’s outstanding new enemies and powerful set of abilities result in the craziest combat power trips Splatoon has ever seen according to IGN.
Why is it great? It does occasionally stumble when implementing its roguelite elements, leading to some repetitive boss fights and poor pacing. But even with those issues, this DLC is still a blast.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
2.59 Stargate: Timekeepers
What is it? It is an experience that combines both of those bygone things I adore so effectively is a great surprise claims IGN.
Why is it great? It sounds like we won’t be getting any more Shadow Tactics games, so to get an experience that combines both of those bygone things I adore so effectively is a great surprise.
Platforms: PC
2.60 SteamWorld Heist 2
What is it? SteamWorld Heist 2’s charming adventure refines the original game’s clever turn-based combat with a flexible mix-and-match class system and handmade maps according to IGN.
Why is it great? It serves up a light and entertaining real-time nautical exploration game as a palette cleanser between battles, and swapping between them helps things stay fresh for more than twice the first game’s 15-hour length.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, PC
2.61 Super Mario Party Jamboree
What is it? It faithfully returns to the classic formula established in the Nintendo 64 entries, it confidently improves upon it with a fantastic set of boards that introduce unique and memorable mechanics claims IGN.
Why is it great? It’s also the most flexible Mario Party has ever been, with tons of ways to customize your game, including its brilliant new optional Pro Rules that reduce luck-based elements to a minimum and crank up the strategy for those who want it.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
2.62 Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
What is it? Monkey Ball has finally found its way home again with a set of 200 fantastic courses that range from delightfully charming to devilishly challenging.
Why is it great? IGN praises that this isn’t just a cover album of Monkey Ball’s greatest hits, though, as the new spin dash ability is a genius evolution of the franchise’s core ideas, and smartly-implemented online play adds fresh layers of cooperation and strategy.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
2.63 Tactical Breach Wizards
What is it? Tactical Breach Wizards doesn’t demand knowledge from lost magical tomes to conquer its character-focused missions.
Why is it great? It is easy thanks to the creative kits on every unit and how dynamic the combinations between them can be. Wrap that up in a vibrant and weird world with some truly incredible writing and it’s hard not to get entranced in its spell, according to IGN.
Platforms: PC
2.64 Tekken 8
What is it? The latest entry in the legendary fighting game franchise.
Interesting tweaks to its classic fighting systems, a full suite of fun offline modes, great new characters, incredible training tools, and a vastly improved online experience all add up to a fighting game I will be playing for many years to come.
Why is it great? By honoring its legacy, but
