The report also notes that that FMC is a multiplatform project, and that its development is in advanced enough of a stage where the title could even come out next year. It is also worth noting that the fact that it is a multiplatform game is what differentiates it from The Duskbloods, which is coming exclusively to the Switch 2.

Going by the codenames of previous projects in FromSoftware’s history, those starting with the letter F have historically been either games in the Dark Souls series, or the Armored Core series. The FMC codename could mean that FromSoftware is either reviving the Dark Souls series in some form—despite Dark Souls 3 and its DLCs providing a fairly definitive ending to that series—or something new for Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon.

While Armored Core 6 is still a relatively recent title having come out just a couple of years ago, the franchise has traditionally seen follow-up games shortly after the release of a mainline numbered sequel. For example, 2006’s Armored Core 4 got Armored Core: For Answer in 2008. Armored Core 5 from 2012, similarly got Armored Core: Verdict Day in 2013. This tradition would indicate that we might get a similar follow-up to Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon.

When it comes to Dark Souls, series creator Hidetaka Miyazaki has previously established that he wasn’t interested in revisiting the franchise. If project FMC doesn’t turn out to be an Armored Core 6 follow-up, it could potentially be a remaster or remake of Dark Souls 2 or 3. With Gamescom being just over the horizon, we might end up seeing a new announcement by FromSoftware quite soon.

As for some of the other games that FromSoftware has worked on, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice used the NTCG and NTC codenames, while Bloodborne used SPRJ, and Elden Ring used GR. Interestingly, these codenames would also indicate that Elden Ring: Nightreign might not internally be considered a part of the overall Elden Ring franchise, since it got CL as its codename.

In the meantime, Elden Ring: Nightreign has been a major experiment for FromSoftware since the studio hasn’t previously worked on a game that was designed from the ground-up to be multiplayer. Leading up to its release, director Junya Ishizaki spoke about how the studio is looking at how players react to Nightreign to figure out things for The Duskbloods as well. In an interview, Ishizaki said Nightreign is “going to tell us how players feel about this kind of game and this kind of new challenge for us.”

Elden Ring: Nightreign is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. For more details, check out our review.

Demon’s Souls

What better place to start your journey with some of the best single-player titles on the PS5 than with the remake of a classic that also happens to be a launch title for Sony’s current generation of consoles? Sure, the remake of Demon’s Souls, courtesy of Bluepoint, doesn’t quite nail the intense atmosphere of the original, but the game still happens to be an absolute treat when it comes to visuals, and more importantly, it’s still excellent evidence that FromSoftware – the studio behind the original Demon’s Souls – knew what it was doing when it came to gameplay, combat, and level design, even all the way back in 2009.

Evil West

While the current landscape of video game releases is largely populated by massive big-budget AAA games as well as indie titles made by smaller crews, Evil West manages to prove that there also exists a solid middle-ground. While not polished to a mirror sheen like a AAA title would have been, Evil West is an excellent third-person action-adventure game that, despite looking like it was ripped straight out of the PS3/Xbox 360 console generation, still happens to be a good time even today.

Returnal

Quite easily one of the more challenging games on the PS5, Returnal is a great example of some of the capabilities of the console. Alongside featuring excellent gunplay, Returnal also makes great use of some of the PS5’s core features, including near-instant load times, the use of haptic feedback on the DualSense controller, and even offering resistance through the controller’s triggers to offer up multiple firing modes for your weapons. The plot in Returnal is also quite interesting, playing into some classic tragedies through the lens of a sci-fi time-loop story.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

How does one follow up on what is widely regarded as one of the best superhero titles out there? Why, you make it bigger and better, of course. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 builds on both of its predecessors by featuring multiple protagonists, as well as a whole new set of antagonists Peter Parker and Miles Morales to fight against. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is essentially an improvement over the last couple of games in every way, complete with more content, as well as expanded gameplay features and new abilities. Playing as Venom was just an icing on the cake!

The Last of Us Part 1

While the fact that The Last of Us Part 1 is essentially the third time the same game is being re-released, there is a good reason for this: it’s just an all-round excellent game. Featuring intense gameplay that seamlessly switches between a variety of genres, from running-and-gunning, to stealthily taking out groups of human enemies, to even a fair bit of horror as you try and avoid the horrific cordyceps as you journey alongside Joel and Ellie across America. The story and characters of The Last of Us Part 1 are especially notable, with strong writing and character dynamics good enough that it inspired an HBO adaptation.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered follows up on what is considered by many to be one of the best games ever made by giving us a wide, sweeping story that tells us a story about vengeance, and the cycle of hatred that keeps getting perpetuated. Featuring multiple playable characters throughout the game, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered goes to great lengths in not only humanizing even the enemies you often end up fighting, but also allowing us to understand their actions, as heinous as they may have been. This is paired with some excellent gameplay that expertly blends melee and ranged combat, as well as a heavy dose of stealth.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade

Final Fantasy 7 Remake kicks off what is set to be a trilogy in retelling the story of the seminal Final Fantasy 7, complete with modern visuals, as well as gameplay that blends the original’s turn-based combat with real-time action in a way that not only feels satisfying thanks to the tactical options it opens up, but also allows for some great gameplay customization. The game is also notable since, rather than just being a 1:1 remake of the original, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is also trying to explore what the very concept of a remake can be, complete with a meta narrative that shifts the core themes and foundations of Final Fantasy 7 in meaningful and interesting ways.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Following up on Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth sets players loose in a vast, expansive open world. Picking up right after the events of the first game, Rebirth not only gives us a greater look at the world, but thanks to its many bits of side-content strewn throughout its world, also allows us to understand the various nations, civilizations, and even flora and fauna that dot the landscape. While zooming out for its grand tale, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth also zooms into its individual characters, giving us a much deeper look at various characters like Cloud, Aerith, and Barret.

Astro Bot

While 3D platformers are quite rare outside of the indie space and Nintendo’s platforms, Team Asobi knocked it out of the park with Astro Bot, giving us one of the most fun, endearing, and joyful games on the system. Astro Bot features levels and characters from all over PlayStation’s history, along with a great soundtrack that pays homage to many of these games, as well as fantastic platforming gameplay that, while accessible for just about anyone that might be interested in playing games, can also offer up a decent level of challenge in its later stages.

God of War Ragnarok

Following up on the story of the 2018 reboot, Fimbulwintr has arrived, and things are looking quite grim in all the realms. While Atreus has to figure out how he can deal with the coming apocalypse as well as the machinations of their foes, Kratos, on the other hand, has to figure out how to deal with a particularly vengeful mother, while also keeping his son safe. Ragnarok builds on the gameplay foundations laid by its predecessor, bringing with it a large variety in terms of not only combat options, but also enemy types, locations, and challenges that can be taken on.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

An excellent entry in the long-running franchise, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart brings with it quite a few new interesting gameplay twists that make full use of the PS5’s hardware. One of its biggest contributions to the franchise is the introduction of a new protagonist in Rivet, who, much like Ratchet, is a Lombax that has a knack for using improbable weapons to deal with problems at hand. The game also features excellent visuals, as well as frantic combat thanks to the rift mechanic that allows players to instantly transport themselves between various places during a fight.

Final Fantasy 16

While far from the most-loved game in the RPG genre, Final Fantasy 16 still proves itself to be an excellent entry thanks to its fantastic combat mechanics. Final Fantasy 16 tells the story of former slave Clive Rosfield, who has set out to rid the world of slavery, while also fighting to take on challenging encounters that threatens the existence of all humanity in the land of Valisthea. Along with its fast-paced action gameplay, Final Fantasy 16 players can also expect to enjoy epic boss fights where Eikons clash against each other in arenas of improbable scale and size.

Control Ultimate Edition

Control is quite easily one of the strangest modern games to have been released. Taking place in a mysterious building known as the Oldest House, which also happens to serve as the headquarters for an inter-dimensional government agency known as the Federal Bureau of Control, players take on the role of Jesse Faden, who is exploring the building in an effort to find her long-lost brother. Thanks to a series of strange events, Jesse finds herself becoming the new Director of the FBC, uncovering and using new powers as she continues her exploration. The gameplay in Control revolves around fast-paced shootouts, coupled with players making use of Jesse’s psychic abilities to throw things around and fly in the air.

The Nioh Collection

Two of the most unique takes on the Souls-like genre, both of the Nioh games have an emphasis on precise, fast-paced combat which serves a sharp contrast to the more slow-paced gameplay the genre is known for. Players also have an incredibly-vast arsenal of weapons, each with different movesets that also change depending on the stance the player takes. It’s also worth noting that both games also feature loot-based progression along with character-based mechanics, which encourages further replayability, thanks to the presence of ever more challenging encounters as the players experience their own rise in power.

Baldur’s Gate 3

One of the most celebrated titles of recent times, Baldur’s Gate 3 is an expansive RPG that is absolutely stunning. Playable characters tend to have their own stories, motivations, and goals. The game also features an in-depth turn-based combat system that gives players an immense level of freedom in taking on encounters, which can range from simple hack-and-slash tactics, to throwing your Halfling friend at an enemy Ogre to keep them distracted while you lay explosive traps all over the place.

Elden Ring

FromSoftware’s most recent Souls-like release has essentially become one of the definitive takes on the genre. The game features excellent combat that rewards players striking their enemies with efficiency, along with a large open world that players are completely free to explore, as long as they can survive. Elden Ring got a DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, which takes place in the Land of Shadows, where players take on a journey to discover why they decided to come to the Lands Between to begin with.

Resident Evil Village

While Resident Evil Village is more action-oriented than its predecessor, it still manages to maintain the classic horror vibes that the series is well-known for. The game puts players in the shoes of Ethan Winters, who has set off to a rural European city to find his daughter. The game features a number of different styles of horror, ranging from classic gothic horror in dealing with Lady Dimitrescu, to more stealth-based body horror when the player finds themselves trapped in that haunted house. Resident Evil Village also serves as an ending to the story of Ethan Winters, complete with an expansion that explores the physical and mental state of a grown up Rosemary Winters.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Following in the foundations of the new gameplay systems laid by Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth once again returns players into the shoes of Ichiban Kasuga, who finds himself traveling to Hawaii because of events that derail his life in Yokohama. The game sees the return of the turn-based combat system from the previous game, but with more gameplay features to make better use of environmental weapons, as well as an expanded list of Jobs that players can switch between for a larger variety of abilities to use in fights. And if that isn’t enough, there’s also an entire Pokemon-style game, complete with its own combat system and storyline.

Alan Wake 2

A sequel more than a decade in the making, Alan Wake 2 is one of the best horror experiences out there. The game features some downright fantastic gameplay, dual protagonists each with their own unique gameplay mechanics, and a story that, while also tying up the threads left dangling by the original Alan Wake, also manages to tell its own tale in a fun way. Alan Wake 2 puts players in the shoes of the titular Alan Wake, as well as FBI agent Saga Anderson, each of whom is trying to solve the mysteries surrounding Bright Falls. A big theme in Alan Wake 2 is light, and along with some great level design and fun combat, the game also features a fantastic two DLCs that are an absolute must play.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 puts players in the shoes of protagonist V and sets them loose in Night City where they aim to build up their own legend and become remembered like the mercenaries of old. The game features a fantastic story that has V grapple with their own mortality, as well as question the very nature of a person’s soul. Along with a fun cast of side characters, including Johnny Silverhand played by Keanu Reeves, the game also got a DLC release – Phantom Liberty – which features a whole new area, as well as a new story, and new characters. Cyberpunk 2077 is also a visual treat, pushing even modern console hardware to its limits in its gorgeous rendition of Night City.

Hi-Fi Rush

Developed by the studio behind The Evil Within and its sequel, Hi-Fi Rush is a bright, cheerful, colourful third-person hack-and-slash action game with a twist: it’s also a rhythm game. The protagonist, Chai, has a music player implanted into his heart, which not only ends up giving the game a rather fantastic soundtrack, but also encourages players to hack-and-slash their way through enemies to the rhythm of the music. The unique title features a fun cast of characters, as well as some rather fantastic boss fights, all with excellent gameplay mechanics.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 offers one of the most unique open-world RPGs out there. The game features a dynamic combat system that encourages players to come up with their own combinations of attacks and special ability, as well as a progression system that doesn’t limit the player to any single archetype, allowing them to freely switch between ranged combat as a Ranger, to melee combat as a Knight, and even spell-casting. While the game suffered from performance issues at launch, constant updates since then have made playing the title a much smoother experience.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

While Mass Effect 3 stumbled quite a bit in its storytelling, the original Mass Effect trilogy is still remembered fondly, and the Legendary Edition proves that nostalgia doesn’t have anything to do with it. Even when compared to modern contemporaries, the Mass Effect trilogy features a downright fantastic sci-fi story set in a believable galaxy where humanity finally achieved interstellar travel. The game also presents players with plenty of choices to make along the way, which further define not only how the world reacts to them, but how the story plays out as well.

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut

Set during the Mongol invasion of the island of Tsushima, Ghost of Tsushima revolves around Jin Sakai, who takes up arms and rallies the survivors into driving the Mongols out. Throughout his time on the island, Sakai is forced to grapple with the duality of the Samurai code of honor, as well as the need to take out powerful enemies stealthily. The game features fast-paced combat, a fun stealth system, plenty of tools to use in and out of fights, and a drop-dead gorgeous island to explore in order to find better equipment and materials to upgrade your swords. It can also often be just as fun to relax in a hot spring, pet some foxes, or write a haiku every once in a while. Oh and don’t miss its fantasy expansion, Iki Island!

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown provides a platforming experience that would rival some of the best titles in the genre. The game puts players in the shoes of Sargon, who finds himself trapped in a temporal labyrinth. In his quest to discover the mysteries surrounding the kidnapping of a certain character, Sargon must fight his way out of the labyrinth as he explores the game’s intricate world and unlocks new powers to unleash on his enemies.

Stray

Far from a high-stakes action game like many other titles in this list, Stray is a more relaxing adventure title where players take on the role of a cat that is trying to get back to their family. The game focuses more on environmental storytelling than using traditional methods, and has players explore an intricately-made cyberpunk world where humans don’t seem to exist anymore, and the world is instead populated by robots.

Jusant

A unique title about self-discovery, Jusant is a game about climbing. Taking on the role of an unnamed boy, players will get to work, climbing up a gigantic rock tower. As they get higher and higher, players will discover just what happened to the world through environmental storytelling, as well as notes or pieces of art left behind. Interestingly, players can’t really die in Jusant, which acts as encouragement to continue exploring and discovering the secrets of the tower.

Horizon Forbidden West

A follow-up to Horizon Zero Dawn, Forbidden West once again has players take on the role of Aloy who must respond to a new threat, since the Derangement hasn’t yet stopped. As its name might imply, the game takes place in the lawless land in the west, where Aloy is equipped with new abilities and tools at her disposal to explore, as well as take on new machines. Along the way, Aloy will also find new technologies, as well as secrets about her own past. Its expansion Burning Shores is a visual masterpiece and something you should not miss.

Lost Judgment

While protagonist Takayuki Yagami developed quite a bit thanks to the events of Judgment, Lost Judgment puts his convictions to the test with an intense story about schoolyard bullying gone too far, and resulting in a series of deaths. The game takes place in Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon’s setting of Yokohama, revolving around the local high school. When it comes to gameplay, Lost Judgment features a number of enhancements to its combat system, including new stances that Yagami can learn to help him better take on enemies through either counter-based gameplay, or straight-up boxing.

Lies of P

While most Souls-like games tend to be more inspired from titles like Dark Souls, Lies of P instead decided to take its lessons from Bloodborne. Taking on the role of a Pinocchio in a dark retelling of the classic tale, players will explore the city of Krat as they try and look for Mr. Geppetto. The game features an intense, fast-paced combat system that also has players mix-and-match between various weapon parts to violent results.

The Quarry

The first standalone game by developer Supermassive Games since it started its Dark Pictures Anthology, The Quarry is a throwback to classic horror movies of old. The game puts players in the shoes of a number of teenagers who manage to find themselves at the mercy of a mysterious, seemingly monstrous killer on their last day as camp counselors. As they play through the game’s story, players will find themselves making choices that not only affect the story in minor ways, but will also essentially decide who survives the whole ordeal. It’s worth noting that The Quarry has quite an impressive cast, played by actors like David Arquette, Ted Raimi, and Justice Smith.

Black Myth: Wukong

Set some time after the events of the Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong puts players in the shoes of the Destined One. His enemies launch an assault on the monkey people, which prompts the Wukong, into action. Along the way, players will have to take on several challenges, including combat against mysterious creatures. The graphics are outstanding, the gameplay is simply superb and there are a ton of secrets to be found. Quite easily, Black Myth Wukong is this year’s game of the year contender.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

Taking place in a distant future full of giant mechs, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon puts players in the shoes of a mercenary Armored Core pilot that is taking on missions from the highest bidder in order to carve out a place for themselves in a war scarred world. The game features fast-paced mech combat that not only rewards reflexes, but also strategy thanks to the in-depth mechanics of your mech’s loadouts. The game also features an intricate story that tells the grand story of an epic war through the lens of the various missions you take on.

System Shock Remake

While it doesn’t really deviate too much from what the original System Shock, the remake certainly manages to make itself the definitive way to experience the classic first-person horror title. Not only does it feature more modern gameplay, complete with a redesigned HUD, it also expertly simulates the original’s visual style in a modern way by making use of high-resolution visuals that somehow look retro in all the best ways. System Shock Remake is one of those rare remakes out there that manages to hang on to its roots, while also bringing in more accessible gameplay that would allow more players to experience the classic.

Nobody Wants to Die

A narrative adventure game, Nobody Wants to Die is a cyberpunk noir story that puts players in the shoes of James Karra, a detective with the NYPD’s Department of Morality. Karra is tasked with figuring out the secrets behind a murder of an important person in a world where dying – especially for the rich – isn’t really a problem anymore. As players uncover layers of conspiracies happening all around them, they will also find themselves making choices that affect the world, all while they’re hot in the trail of a serial killer that is targeting the elite of New York.

Dead Space Remake

Dead Space Remake manages to be more than just a fresh coat of paint. While it manages to hang on to the original’s core identity, the remake also brings with it a host of changes to various aspects, including a better-balanced arsenal that protagonist Isaac Clarke has more reason to use, as well as some impressive gory visuals thanks to how detailed the horrifying necromorphs can look at times. The Dead Space Remake is definitely well worth your time, especially if the thought of dismembering your enemies from a distance sound like an appealing prospect.

Sniper Elite 5

Taking place directly after the events of Sniper Elite 4’s Deathstorm DLC, Sniper Elite 5 once again puts players in the shoes of Karl Fairburne as he takes on Nazi forces. The game takes place before the events of the infamous Normandy’s landing on D-Day, with players tasked with taking out key targets and gathering intel that will allow the allied powers to take on the Nazis. While a third-person shooter, Sniper Elite 5 places a heavy emphasis on scouting and sniping enemies, as well as stealth–based gameplay. Much like other titles in the franchise, Sniper Elite 5 also features the special camera angles that allow players to see exactly how they’re killing enemies from a distance.

Sifu

An intense martial arts experience, Sifu tells the story of a student who sets out to avenge the murder of their master. The game features a unique mechanic where, the more the player dies, the older their character gets, allowing them to do more damage. On the other hand, being older also means that you have less health, and can’t take as many hits from enemies. The game’s fast-paced combat system allows players to live out their favourite martial arts movie fantasies, allowing players to take on enemies with quick hand-to-hand combos, intricate grapples, and even improvised weapons grabbed from all over the level.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy has players taking on the role of Star-Lord, joined by other members of the eponymous Guardians, including Gamora, Draxx, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot. The game features a unique combat system that has players make use of all of their crew members’ various abilities, each with unique effects, along with a fun story that could just as easily be ripped right out of the pages of a comic book. The game is well-regarded for its excellent dialogue and writing, and the scoring system manages to keep the combat interesting throughout its runtime.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Developed by a studio known for its work in animation in the film industry, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is definitely a visual treat. The game features some downright wonderful art and animations that could just as easily be ripped out of a big-budget animated movie, while also featuring good action gameplay. The story revolves around the titular Kena, who is on a journey to uncover the secrets of an old abandoned village. Kena: Bridge of Spirits features fast-paced combat, adorable critters, and downright jaw-dropping visuals and animations.

Conscript

A unique take on the horror genre, Conscript throws players into the trenches of the World War as they take on not only enemy soldiers, but also try and scavenge for supplies. The game features pixel-art visuals that, despite their simplicity, do a great job of instilling a sense of dread and urgency in players. As they continue their journey of survival through the trenches, players will also find themselves trapped in an intricate web of trenches and bunkers that they must navigate if they want to have any hope of surviving. There is also quite a bit of replayability, thanks to additional difficulty options, as well as endings to unlock.

Stellar Blade

A stylish sci-fi action game Stellar Blade, the player is tasked with reclaiming Earth for humanity. The game features fast-paced combat, and players will take on a variety of different enemies with various weapons and abilities that they find throughout their time.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

A remaster of a game originally released on the Xbox 360, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster has players take on the role of reporter Frank West, as he sets out to investigate the mysterious events surrounding a mall in Willamette, Colorado. The game features a unique gameplay structure where players are expected to make slow progress, often involving dying and restarting, and finding more powerful improvised weaponry, as they take on massive zombie hordes in a mall. The game also features a 72-hour time limit, giving players a sense of urgency in their hunt for answers and fight for survival.

Until Dawn Remake

While the original PS4 release is well-regarded in its own right, the remake for Until Dawn allows more players than ever before to experience the classic schlocky slasher horror story. Featuring a memorable cast and crew, the actions of whom lies in the player’s hands depending on the choices they make, Until Dawn also promotes replayability thanks to the fact that the story and endings can change in interesting ways depending on who lives and who dies throughout the harrowing encounters the game offers.

Silent Hill 2 Remake

Developed by Bloober Team, the remake of Silent Hill 2 pays homage to the seminal PS2 horror game while still maintaining its own identity. While it focuses on retelling the story of protagonist James Sutherland who has reached the eponymous town in search of answers to mysterious questions, the remake features a number of new gameplay elements, including a new over-the-shoulder camera, as well as brand new visuals and voice acting that aim to give a new life to what is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror games ever made. And boy, it succeeded with a bang!

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

A follow-up to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Survivor once again puts players into the shoes of Jedi Knight Cal Kestis. The game takes place five years after the original, with Kestis taking the responsibility of rebuilding the Jedi order on his own shoulders. The title features the same gameplay as Fallen Order, along with new additions, including the ability to make use of different types of lightsabers, including the iconic dual-bladed lightsaber first introduced in the hands of Darth Maul in A Phantom Menace. The game also features new force abilities, as well as additional lightsaber stances that players can make use of to take on the various combat challenges the game throws their way.

Hitman: World of Assassination

Hitman: World of Assassination allows players to play through the entire storyline of the Hitman games, complete with new gameplay mechanics. Taking on the role of Agent 47, players will travel to various locations as they take on contracts to eliminate key characters in a vast criminal conspiracy. The game also features its own unique take on the roguelite genre in the form of the Freelancer mode, which gives players randomised targets and methods of assassination as they build up their arsenal of weapons, tools, and even disguises by making money.

Hogwarts Legacy

Widely accepted as one of the first great games set in the expansive Harry Potter universe, Hogwarts Legacy divorces itself from its source material by taking place in the past, well before the events of the original books take place. As a fresh transfer to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, players will have the chance to create their own character and live out their fantasies of learning magic among the school’s iconic teaching staff. Along the way, players will also take part in magical duels, as well as take on threats including a goblin uprising, as well as wizard criminals.

Dead Island 2

In Dead Island 2, players take on the role of one of six survivors who find themselves in Los Angeles. The world has moved on from being scared of the walking dead, and some people have even found themselves enjoying the carnage that results from fighting the shambling hordes. The game features crazy weapons, as well as a host of new tools and items which will allow you to pull off some crazy zombie kills.

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals

Taking place six years after the events of the original Oxenfree, Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is a brand new coming-of-age story, this time around focusing on Riley Poverly, who is investigating a mysterious radio interference coming from Edwards Islands. Players have to explore the island while completing their mission of placing transmitters at key locations, and ultimately deal with a malevolent force that is threatening the world. Much like the original, gameplay in Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals once again revolves around the player interacting with the locals as they try and figure out what is happening on the island.

Viewfinder

A unique game that relies more on the player’s sense of perception and logical puzzle-solving than their twitch action reflexes, Viewfinder gives players a camera and sets them loose in a virtual reality world. The game features many themes, especially ones dealing with environmental issues, as players are forced to deal with the problems created by man-made structures, including a weather-control machine that might end up being the solution to the global problem of climate change.

Lords of the Fallen

Lords of the Fallen is a unique take on the Souls-like genre. Lords of the Fallen takes place in a Mournstead that is on the brink of collapse. The player, referred to in the game as the Lampbearer, has to travel between the material and Umbral world as they take on the hellish new challenges throughout the land. The game features an excellent combat system that gives players a greater level of freedom in how they tackle enemies.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

Featuring Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: Lost Legacy, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is a bundle that tells the story of the final adventure of series protagonist Nathan Drake, as well as a side adventure featuring characters that Drake has encountered throughout his different games – Chloe Frazer from Uncharted 2 and Nadine Ross from Uncharted 4. While featuring the same over the top action that the series is well-regarded for, the duo of Uncharted games in the bundle also feature their own unique twists in the series, including the addition of a small, open world in Uncharted: Lost Legacy where players have more freedom to take on objectives in a variety of different ways.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

Taking place in a time well after the zombie apocalypse has ravaged mankind, Dying Light 2: Stay Human puts players in the shoes of Aiden Caldwell, who finds himself in the city of Villedor in search of his missing sister. The game features a number of new gameplay mechanics over its predecessor, supplementing the melee combat and parkour-based movement with a variety of new abilities, including a glider and a grappling hook that greatly increases the mobility offered to players. The game also got a series of DLC releases, each of which added new gameplay elements as well as new story content for players to experience and earn epic loot in.

Ghostwire: Tokyo

A single-player action-horror title, Ghostwire: Tokyo is an interesting game thanks to the unique look it offers players with Tokyo’s famous Shibuya district. The city has been struck by a strange fog that has allowed spirits to roam its streets, and the protagonist, Akito, finds himself torn between the living and dead thanks to the machinations of the spirit KK. The game features a dense open-world where players can explore the various nooks and crannies of Shibuya to their heart’s content, while also taking on malicious spirits with a host of spiritual weapons. The game also got a DLC in the form of Spider’s Thread, which brought with it a new map, along with new abilities, and even a new roguelite game mode.

Grand Theft Auto V

Sure, the game might be more than a decade old at this point, but few other titles out there can provide players with the same experience as Grand Theft Auto 5. The single-player campaign of the game puts players in the shoes of Michael, Trevor and Franklin as they pull off a series of escalating heists, all of which ultimately pits them against more conspiratorial forces, while also making each one of the characters question their loyalty to each other. GTA 5 also features the multiplayer Grand Theft Auto Online mode, which allows players to become the ultimate crime boss in Los Santos, while also teaming up with, or fighting off other players with similar aspirations.

Sword and Fairy: Together Forever

A unique take in the RPG genre that makes use of the developers’ East-Asian influences, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever sets players free in a world that mixes classical Asian aesthetics with ancient stories. The game features a whole party of unique characters, each with their own personalities, motivations, and abilities, as they take on the massive challenges that will ultimately decide the fate of the game’s world. Despite being the latest entry in a long-running franchise, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is meant to be a good point of entry for newcomers to the series, featuring a standalone story that doesn’t rely on a player’s knowledge of the previous titles.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is the first mainline entry in the classic platforming franchise since all the way back in the PSOne days. Featuring the return of classic mascot character in Crash Bandicoot and his friends, the game involves players trying to fix a hole in the space-time continuum that was caused due to the events of Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. The game features excellent platforming gameplay that players expect from the series, along with new gameplay mechanics, as well as incredibly trippy visuals.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

A follow-up to A Plague Tale: Innocence, Requiem once again puts players in the shoes of Amicia and Hugo de Rune in their journey through hell. The game picks up right where its predecessor left off, with the two siblings trying to find the cure for the ailment Hugo is suffering from. A Plague Tale: Requiem will have players fight and sneak their way through plague-infested locations, while making use of Amicia’s new abilities thanks to her experience in dealing with fraught situations in the first game. And the rat hordes…those are hordes are absolutely massive this time around.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Although admittedly not Bioware’s best work, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a decent action role playing game that will give you dozens of hours of gameplay. Sure, the game has issues but it features excellent combat mechanics, beautiful graphics and great looking environments that are filled with details. If the developer had put in more work into the game, The Veilguard would have surely been a better game but as it stands right now, it’s a fine single player experience that is fun in more ways than one.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Expectation was moderate following Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s announcement, perhaps given the mediocracy of Assassins Creed’s side-scrolling Chronicles games, but The Lost Crown, in fact, will be remembered as a modern platforming masterpiece. Deep combat, enthralling, satisfying platforming, and time manipulation powers to unleash upon a host of enemies render this action-adventure game an exhilarating must play.

]]> 605136 https://gamingbolt.com/armored-core-6-fires-of-rubicon-crosses-3-million-units-sold Thu, 25 Jul 2024 15:22:27 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=594386 FromSoftware announced that Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, its latest title in the mech combat action series, has sold over three million units. Sales figures have remained unknown since its launch in August 2023, with only voice actor Ryo Shimokawa reporting 2.8 million sold as of October 2023.

As a fresh start for the franchise, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon focuses on pilot Augmented Human C4-621 as they arrive on Rubicon 3 seeking work. Various corporations and groups are fighting over the mysterious Coral, which suddenly re-emerged following a widescale disaster on the planet long ago.

Taking the call sign of Raven, 621 completes various missions while learning more about Coral and the vested interests of other parties. The title features many aspects of previous titles, from extensive customization and PvP, while adding faster combat and new mechanics like breaking and stunning enemies.

It also has New Game Plus, with new routes for the story. Check out our review for more details. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC.

#ARMOREDCORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON has sold over 3 million units!
Thank you to all Ravens, new and old, who have braved the fires and flown on borrowed wings. pic.twitter.com/6pJ9LE5UmQ

— ARMORED CORE (@armoredcore) July 25, 2024

Do keep in mind that this list only includes games that are natively available on PS5- no PS4 titles that are only playable on PS5 via backward compatibility won’t be featured. No, no Bloodborne, either.

#15. HADES

Roguelites love to push back against the player, and Hades does that quite effectively. Obviously, there’s a lot of RNG involved, with the upgrades that you unlock across the length of any given run having a significant impact on how things pan out for you, but ultimately, this is a game that isn’t afraid to throw some real challenge your way.

Speaking in a recent interview with IGN Japan, FromSoftware boss Hidetaka Miyazaki called Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon a “success”, and said that FromSoftware has “a strong desire” to continue making more instalments in the series. That said, even though Miyazaki says the studio hopes to further improve the series’ quality with future outings, right now, nothing specific has been decided.

“As you can see from the fact that we made Armored Core 6, the Armored Core series is very important to FromSoftware. We have a strong will to continue to make it in the future,” he said. “I think Armored Core 6 was a success. On the other hand, not everything was perfect, and there is still room to make it better, so I have no intention of stopping there. However, nothing concrete has been decided yet.”

In October last year, voice actor Yasuyuki Kase, who voiced Rusty (V.IV) in Armored Core 6, revealed that the game had sold around 2.8 million units worldwide.

In our review of the game, we awarded it a score of 9/10, saying, “Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is a wonderful return to form for a franchise that has been dormant for a very long time. Its unique mission structure that encourages experimentation, coupled with an insane level of customization is one of the game’s major highlights, and while its story takes time to get started, no two missions ever really feel the same thanks to varied objectives and excellent encounter design.” Read the full review through here.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Primordial Malzeno – Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

The final post-launch monster added to Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, Primordial Malzeno is an enhanced version of Malzeno with way more health and damage. He’ll pummel you with smashes and swipes and unleashes Qurio projectiles, tail strikes and lasers in his frenzied state. Did we mention he can teleport around? All of this is before his insane supernova attack, which unleashes even more projectiles and energy waves before culminating in a big explosion. If that weren’t enough, he enters a Risen state near the end and goes insane with big attacks.

Dragon – Ark: Survival Ascended

The Dragon has remained a threat since Ark: Survival Evolved launched, and with Survival Ascended only having the island, it’s now the toughest boss in the remake. Regardless of which version is faced, its fire breath will deal damage equivalent to 20 percent of max health, regardless of armor or resistance (though dinosaurs immune to fire are safe). Other attacks, like its fireballs, are also dangerous, and it has Dimorphs and Pteranodons to help as well. Those playing solo should prepare for a long grueling fight.

Richter – Wanted: Dead

As the final boss of Wanted: Dead, Richter is fought one-on-one, which means no revives. He’ll dodge all bullets and can only be damaged with a katana. Which is fine, except you must parry almost every attack, and counter to stun and damage him. It’s all easier said than done when dealing with his fast strikes, and he becomes much more dangerous in the second phase, adding an insta-kill move to his arsenal. He also gains the option to heal because, of course, he does.

Horus Titan – Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores

Even with the new Specter Gauntlet, the battle against the Horus Titan can be a doozy. It’s massive and constantly moving, with Aloy needing to expose its heat vents and deal damage. The second part of the fight involves avoiding its tendrils while facing it head-on, which is also challenging. Once it finally falls, you still need to venture inside and take out Walter Londra, which isn’t as difficult but still somewhat tricky.

Metroid Prime – Metroid Prime Remastered

Sure, Metroid Prime originally launched in 2002, but its final boss remains one of the toughest in the entire series to this day. It adapts to your weapons in the first phase, so switching it up is necessary, and things become even more unhinged when its core is exposed. Not only is it more aggressive and dangerous, but you need to use different visors to find it while using Phazon pools to charge up Samus and deal damage.

King of Puppets – Lies of P

You feel bad for the King of Puppets, especially when he’s trying to rescue P from a dark fate. Unfortunately, a puppet king spurned is a puppet king mad, and his first phase consists of slow but heavy attacks with extensive range. They become more complex and tougher to parry, and when you think he’s down for the count, Romeo, the actual King, emerges from the oversized suit. The battle becomes fast-paced, as you must keep track of his movements and slices, presumably with very little healing after the first phase.

The Unbroken Promise – Lords of the Fallen

What’s scarier? Having to face Harrower Dervla with her wide-range attacks or a version of her that’s stronger and wields Umbral Magic? The Unbroken Promise proved to be the latter, unleashing powerful attacks and magic with little downtime after taking over Dervla’s body. It can manifest an Umbral set of nails to follow and strike you or circle it at a moment’s notice with surprising speed.

Kale – Hi-Fi Rush

As the leader of Vandelay Technologies, Kale proves to be more than just a snobby executive. On top of devastating slashes and lightning strikes, he reveals four mechanical tentacles, which can slam the ground, create barriers, Z-shielding and more. His final phase is even wilder, as he starts summoning pillars of fire on top of wide-arcing slashes.

Annihilation – Remnant 2

This is easily the most challenging boss in the game and especially brutal at launch before the nerfs. It has three faces, from homing projectiles and massive sword swings to a giant energy ball, while flying around the place. The second phase takes place in a different dimension with a new form and brand new attacks, with Annihilation switching back and forth between both phases mid-attack. It’s disorienting, and attacks are brutal, but even after surviving, you need to deal with hordes of enemies in the third phase before it finally dies.

Mitra – Ghostrunner 2

How difficult you find Mitra will depend on how challenging a bullet hell fight with excessive platforming can be. From that perspective, he’s especially punishing as the fight wears on, with the Cybervoid presenting all kinds of traversal challenges as you avoid his projectiles. Due to the nature of the game, a single hit is fatal, which means you need to execute everything without any flaws.

Tsukuyomi – WILD HEARTS

For all the things WILD HEARTS suffered from throughout its lifespan, the Kemono continue to pose a challenge. Tsukuyomi is the toughest yet, with excessive health, immense damage and a predisposition to attack off-camera when you can barely set it coming. The fact that you must rely on specific elements to defeat it isn’t a new concept (see Alatreon from Monster Hunter World: Iceborne), but this is still a slog of a fight.

Lu Bu – Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Good ol’ Lu Bu remains a tough boss, even after all these months. Maybe it’s the fact that he deals absurd damage from range with arrows or up close with his spear. Maybe it’s the horse running around the arena, disrupting you even after Lu Bu is knocked off (which he can also get back on whenever). Regardless, he’s still rough, especially at this point in the game.

Ranrok Dragon – Hogwarts Legacy

As a final boss, Ranrok Dragon has a fair amount of attacks in his arsenal, unleashing projectiles and sweeping beams, the latter doing excessive damage. There’s also a massive explosive field in the second phase that must be avoided. You must destroy the floating orbs to deal any real damage, which becomes more challenging in the third phase when he lands and assails you with physical attacks.

Behemoth King – Final Fantasy 16

As one of five S-Rank Notorious Marks, Behemoth King is an optional boss fight and not required to finish the game. Nevertheless, it’s a worthy challenge for those who want to push their combat skills. If the name wasn’t a clue, it’s akin to regular Behemoth in some ways, but with more health and damage. It throws out tornados and meteors casually, with Reign of Fire triggering a storm of meteors when it’s at half health. Perhaps the only comfort is that Behemoth King dies when its health is depleted, unlike the regular version.

Bode Akuna (2nd Fight) – Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Unlike the first fight, you’re taking on Bode proper, with Merrin assisting. The first phase isn’t too rough despite several fast attacks and his unorthodox fighting style. However, when he starts dealing with wide-ranging attacks and chucking grenades, it becomes tougher. The second phase sees Bode throwing his lightsaber, which follows you, and throws stun grenades while firing at range. He also throws some unblockable attacks, and having to complete another phase after this while not being able to recharge health or Stims makes this the most challenging encounter in the game.

IB-01: CEL 240 – Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

As one of the C-weapons powered by Coral, the IB-01: CEL 240 is fast, unleashes waves with its energy swords and even relies on remote satellites to hit you with lasers, often all at once. Getting a bead on it can be difficult, but with enough perseverance, it’ll fall. That is until it suddenly reactivates and adds new moves, like unleashing even more satellites to rain down lasers, more aggressive melee attacks, and even transforming into a firebird to ram into you.

Here are the best Xbox games of 2023, from the endearing and mindlessly fun to the peaks of artistic accomplishment.

NOTE: All entries and rankings were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

#21. DIABLO 4

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Xbox One | Developer: Blizzard Entertainment | Read Our Review

Diablo 4 was a long time coming for Blizzard, combining the dark aesthetic of Diablo 2 with more fluid gameplay from Diablo 3. With a large open world and new mechanics, results ranged from positive throughout the campaign due to mixed in the end-game, but things have improved. As it stands, it’s still one of the easier action RPGs to get into while still offering dozens of hours of fun.

#20. LIKE A DRAGON: ISHIN!

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio | Read Our Review

RGG Studio’s remake of Like a Dragon: Ishin! marks the title’s long-awaited debut in the West. Mixing a tale of revenge during the Bakumatsu with the series’ trademark side stories and wacky mini-games, Ishin! also offered some solid combat with its mix of swordplay, firearms and power-ups. Some aspects could use more significant improvements, but this is still Like a Dragon.

#19. LORDS OF THE FALLEN

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Hexworks | Read Our Review

It’s a good year when not one but two solid Souls-like titles are released. Hexworks’ Lords of the Fallen evolves on the original game’s formula by introducing dual worlds, Axiom and Umbral, and the Umbral Lamp to traverse between them in creative ways. The Dark Souls style of gameplay remains, backed by incredible visuals and a great spread of classes, weapons and spells. While it may not overcome its inspiration, Lords of the Fallen is still a worthy enough tribute.

=#18. ROBOCOP: ROGUE CITY

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Teyon | Read Our Review

After delivering the goods with Terminator: Resistance, Teyon turned its attention to another beloved action movie property in Robocop. Though it offers some investigative mechanics and decision-making, Rogue City is just a straight-up shooter where you slay gang members in extremely violent ways. And that’s all that counts, though capturing the property in all its retro-futuristic glory helped as well.

=#18. JUSANT

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Don’t Nod | Read Our Review

For every climbing game that makes you question your sanity, DON’T NOD’s Jusant is a decidedly chill experience. Its responsive controls and meditative approach contrast with the mysterious summit and post-apocalyptic world ravaged by an environmental disaster. Gorgeous aesthetics and a wordless narrative with extensive lore made for an even more compelling journey upward.

#16. DEAD ISLAND 2

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Dambuster Studios | Read Our Review

Dambuster Studios’ Dead Island 2 must feature Skill Decks, elemental damage and multiple mods for weapons, but at the end of the day, it asks some simple questions. Would you prefer your zombies dismembered or scorched? Exploded or electrocuted? Finding the answers to these questions resulted in some incredible fun with oodles of content to complete and secrets to uncover.

#15. EVERSPACE 2

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Rockfish Games | Read Our Review

Embodying a more Freelancer-like gameplay loop over the original’s rogue-lite approach, Everspace 2 features a massive campaign, extensive side content, the same fast-paced action as the original and some stunning visuals. Space combat is as fast and fluid as ever, with more build-crafting options and companions offering more ways to customize one’s playstyle. It’s a dark horse compared to many other titles this year, but still worth your time.

#14. WILD HEARTS

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Omega Force | Read Our Review

Sometimes, it’s not enough to hunt. Sometimes, you want to climb on a monster’s back and rip out Karakuri threads to make a giant bomb or hammer to smack it in the face. Koei Tecmo’s WILD HEARTS offered large environments, imaginative Kemono to battle and some wild weapons to master, complete with the typical hunting RPG armor sets and upgrades. It wouldn’t beat Monster Hunter, but it offers a strong alternative for those wanting something different.

#13. FORZA MOTORSPORT

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Turn 10 Studios | Read Our Review

Despite mixed receptions to its car leveling, not to mention various bugs, Forza Motorsport is a solid racer. Its streamlined approach returns to the series’ roots of learning each track in and out while tuning your cars to perfection. New tire physics, track temperature that affects conditions and realistic visuals place it above earlier titles, while the revamped multiplayer allows for more frequent competitions.

#12. LIES OF P

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Neowiz Games, Round8 Studio | Read Our Review

Belle Epoque era aesthetics and architecture meet a gruesome take on Pinocchio in Lies of P. Fortunately, NEOWIZ’s Souls-like action RPG offered some solid gameplay with its gorgeous visuals on top of memorable bosses and a deep weapon system. Considering the sheer range of Souls clones that just don’t hit the mark, Lies of P is a revelation for fans and a strong title in its own right.

#11. CYBERPUNK 2077: PHANTOM LIBERTY

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: CD Projekt RED | Read Our Review

Memorable characters, a brand new district in Dogtown with gorgeous locales, and heaps of new weapons, cars and Cyberware to play with – Phantom Liberty is the perfect capstone to the journey of Cyberpunk 2077. It also didn’t hurt that the story was interesting while presenting some morally ambiguous choices with long-lasting effects.

#10. RESIDENT EVIL 4

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PC | Developer: Capcom | Read Our Review

The remake to rule them all, Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 stuck close to the original’s gameplay, but did away with QTEs, added parrying and revamped entire sections in incredible ways. To say it was a success would be an understatement, as the remake polishes and reinterprets a classic for the modern generation to great success.

#9. STREET FIGHTER 6

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PC | Developer: Capcom | Read Our Review

Capcom had its work cut out with Street Fighter 6 but still knocked it out of the park. Arcade Mode is back in all its glory, and the new Battle Hub channeled the arcades of old to provide a more socially competitive experience. Each character is tuned to perfection, with the Drive System adding extensive depth and incredibly hype moments, and even World Tour could be fun with its beat ’em up gameplay.

#8. STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Respawn Entertainment | Read Our Review

Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor didn’t just offer better visuals than its predecessors. It also went bigger in pretty much every way. Bigger worlds, more Lightsaber styles, a darker story, more side activities – it had everything that fans of the original could want and more. Performance issues mired its impact out of the gate, but Cal Kestis’s struggle against the Empire still carried exceptional emotional weight.

=#7. HOGWARTS LEGACY

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Avalanche Software | Read Our Review

With all the adaptations Harry Potter has seen through the years, it’s fun to fulfill one’s dream of being a student in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Of course, Hogwarts Legacy goes bigger, opening up the neighboring highlands for exploration with tons of quests and activities. The stellar combat and visuals are just the icing on the cake for what’s an enjoyable fantasy adventure.

=#7. HI-FI RUSH

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Tango Gameworks | Read Our Review

Hi-Fi Rush is more than just a drop-dead gorgeous character-driven action title with excellently implemented rhythm game mechanics. It was a clear message from Xbox at the start of the year that it could drop straight-up bangers out of the blue and give players what they want. Whether it’s the rocking soundtrack, stellar boss fights or the new Rhythm Tower mode, Hi-Fi Rush is a fast, fluid and fantastic title.

#5. DEAD SPACE

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Motive Studio | Read Our Review

Inspired by Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 remake, Motive Studios’ Dead Space adapts the 2008 sci-fi horror for a new generation. It sticks with the same third-person gameplay but layers on more elements, like the Peeling system, revamped Zero G mechanics and random threats. Exploration is seamless, and the scary atmosphere is enhanced thanks to the remade visuals. While it may have been relegated in the face of so many other big games, Dead Space is still an excellent title and a welcome resurgence for the franchise.

#4. ARMORED CORE 6: FIRES OF RUBICON

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: FromSoftware | Read Our Review

FromSoftware had its share of expectations after delivering one of the best games of all time last year with Elden Ring. However, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon chose to focus on the series’ strengths – extensive customization of mechs – while providing fast-paced action and challenging boss fights. The results speak for themselves as Armored Core 6 stands as the series’ peak and one of the best action titles this year.

#3. BALDUR’S GATE 3

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Larian Studios | Read Our Review (PC | PS5)

Fans of Baldur’s Gate have been craving a sequel since the second game’s release in 2000. While it initially raised some eyebrows with its first gameplay reveal, Larian Studios’ epic RPG is everything that fans of Dungeons and Dragons could want and more. Excellent writing and characters, tons of quests with numerous outcomes, fun turn-based combat with broken combinations – the list truly goes on. Even if it may seem daunting, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a fantastic adventure and one of the finest RPGs ever made.

#2. STARFIELD

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Bethesda Game Studios | Read Our Review

With over 1500 planets – minus the ice and gas giants that you can’t land on – Starfield is a video game space odyssey of unimaginable scale. While its procedural generation tends to repeat in some areas, it still offers memorable sights and sounds, from exotic alien wildlife to stunning skyboxes and landscapes. Coupled with solid gunplay, fun space combat and a myriad of activities (from smuggling to space piracy), Starfield is certainly something, even if it isn’t for everyone.

GAMINGBOLT’S BEST XBOX GAME OF 2023 – ALAN WAKE 2

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Remedy Entertainment | Read Our Review

It’s somewhat poetic that Alan Wake 2 should launch over 13 years after the original after numerous efforts by Remedy Entertainment and capture our hearts. Featuring two protagonists with wildly different viewpoints and gameplay, the sequel’s strength lies in its presentation and taut story-telling, employing live-action footage and surreal occurrences without skipping a beat. Its visuals and music are excellent, but Alan Wake 2’s unabashed presentation as art that should be savored and studied for a long time is perhaps its most endearing trait, making it our pick for Best Xbox Game of 2023.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Created by the same team that brought us the Ace Attorney series, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is all about uncovering the mystery of your own death as a ghostly version of yourself. Phantom. The gameplay revolves around exploring the curious case in complete depth and then reaching a conclusion – which really makes you feel like a detective making important decisions. It’s all accompanied by some smart writing that never fails to keep you guessing, which makes it such an endearing experience.

Fatal Frame / Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse

Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse released in 2008 to some great critical and commercial reception, and Koei Tecmo has been trying to bring the series back into the limelight with HD remasters for these game. The remaster of Mask of the Lunar Eclipse released earlier this year, and it does a really good job of souping up the visuals and smoothing out certain jagged edges to make the experience a lot more palatable for modern audiences. Of course, it isn’t perfect by any means – but it’s a great horror game nevertheless.

Cocoon

Cocoon is a wonderful puzzle game that’s entirely built around the concept of worlds existing within worlds, and players can combine and manipulate these worlds through the use of certain orbs to solve puzzles and proceed with the story. Cocoon comes from the lead designer for INSIDE and Limbo, so you can be confident that it’s a solid game with a minimalist control scheme and an emotional story that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Hi-Fi Rush

Tango Gameworks delivered an excellent rhythmic adventure with Hi-Fi Rush, which has quickly gone on to become one of the biggest surprise hits of this year. Hi-Fi Rush features a world where everything taps to a beat, and you must time your actions and attacks to that beat to be able to dish out damage to your opponents. It’s a wonderfully imaginative game that’s executed with great attention to detail, and should be experienced by more fans.

Season: A Letter to the Future

Season: A Letter to the Future is a game that talks about the nature of change. As the protagonist, your job is to capture the sights and sounds and take them to the next Season – a time when everyone will be unaware of what happened in the last Season. It’s a simple and laid back game with a strong focus on exploration and engaging in conversations, but the many themes that it manages to effectively convey through its story is what makes it so beautiful.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a Soulslike with a complex web of action and progression mechanics that beautifully flow into one another, and what we get is a game that’s surprisingly fun and approachable despite the many mechanics and systems at play. There are a few erratic difficulty spikes here and there, but Wo Long is a largely fun experience where you must overcome brutal but fair challenges ranging from petty enemies to large bosses with multiple health bars and much more.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is FromSoftware’s attempt at modernizing its long-running mech adventure series, and it’s fair to say that the team has largely succeeded in its objective of providing a modern experience for audiences. Armored Core 6 features a fast and frenetic combat lop that’s just a joy to engage with, and the bevy of customization options makes it all so much more compelling.

Deliver Us Mars

Deliver Us Mars is a spiritual successor to Deliver Us The Moon, and the many merits of the 2018 release shine brightly in Deliver Us Mars as well. The story revolves around a space crew embarking on Mars in the hopes of retrieving some stolen spaceships from a mysterious race of aliens called the Outward. It’s all written and performed well, and while the gameplay doesn’t have too many action elements – it does a good job of keeping you engaged through the compelling plot and a wide variety of gameplay options like exploration, puzzle solving, and much more.

Fort Solis

Developer Fallen Leaf’s latest Fort Solis also sends players to explore the furthest depths of the planet Mars, as our protagonist Jack Leary embarks on a search mission for his missing crew. Fort Solis boasts a star cast with the likes of Roger Clark (the voice behind Arthur Morgan) and Troy Baker (the voice behind Joel from The Last of Us) coming to play important characters in this well-written story. Between this and a strong visual presentation powered by Unreal Engine 5, Fort Solis is a solid game that should be experienced by a lot more people.

Jusant

Jusant comes from the guys at Dontnod, the studio best known for its work on the Life is Strange series. Jusant is all about reaching the top of a tall tower while overcoming the many obstacles that lie in your way. It beautifully combines mechanical challenge with immersive storytelling to create something that’s just hard to put down – once you get the hang of it.

Risk of Rain Returns

The original Risk of Rain was an excellent roguelike that featured some amazing combat and compelling progression mechanics, and Risk of Rain Returns is a remaster that knows how to package that experience in a way that feels worthwhile for veterans and newcomers alike. In addition to the base content, Risk of Rain also features enhanced multiplayer options and new build types to experiment with on your repeat playthroughs.

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe

Originally released in 2011 for the Nintendo Wii, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land now has a Deluxe Edition that comes with updated graphics and smoothed-out gameplay designed for the Nintendo Switch. Much like every other Kirby game, Return to Dream Land is a simple yet fun adventure where you make your way through a wide variety of levels while consuming your enemies to get their powers and become even stronger.

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider

JoyMasher’s Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider feels like a glorious throwback to 16-bit games, thanks to some incredible art direction and smooth-flowing gameplay that remains interesting for the entire duration of the experience. Of course, there are some elements and mechanics in place to make the gameplay feel more palatable for modern audiences which makes it feel like you are reliving the glory days of SNES complete with rose-tinted glasses.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Horizon: Call of the Mountain was one of the first games to be released for PSVR2, and it’s an excellent adaptation of the full-fat Horizon experience in VR format. Sure, the open-world aspect has been swapped out for a more linear game where you make your way through carefully curated combat challenges and platforming runs – but it all works surprisingly well within the context of the game. And then of course, getting to experience the post-post-apocalyptic world of Horizon from up close is also a really distinct kind of joy in and of itself.

Planet of Lana

Planet of Lana puts players in the teeny tiny shoes of Lana as she kickstarts a grand adventure through fantastical realms inhabited by all sorts of robotic and humanoid creatures. Created by developer Wishfully, Planet of Lana takes players on a joyous ride through a wonderfully well-realized world and tells a heartwarming story that hits just the right notes at every moment. Add to that some amazing visuals and cinematic gameplay, and Planet of Lana becomes a thrill ride like no other.

Horizon Forbidden West – Burning Shores

Guerrilla Games set several bars for excellent visuals with Horizon and its Decima Engine. Burning Shores offered the same stellar graphics but built on it with innovations in cloud generation, delivering massive frankenclouds that appeared like their own landscapes. Such was the fidelity and scale on display – especially during one encounter – that the expansion was only possible on PS5.

Resident Evil 4

There were some stellar remakes this year, but Capcom still proved it was the king with Resident Evil 4. The differences between the remake and the original are incredible in terms of lighting and color grading, not to mention the environments, which pack significantly more details. You also have the usual upgrades to character models, textures, effects and more. It’s expected from the developer, but it still never ceases to amaze even after all these years.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Cyberpunk 2077 was already a gorgeous-looking game at launch, specifically on PC. CD Projekt RED would make improvements over the years, implementing proper Xbox Series X/S and PS5 support, and it all led to Phantom Liberty. The expansion is a tour de force of incredible lighting, atmospheric environments, realistic animations and a stellar level of detail. That’s not even delving into the facial animations, which are still incredibly well done.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

In a year of incredible technical marvels, no game featured ray tracing across the board like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Regardless of the graphical mode chosen, it remained on and looked phenomenal, bringing the city to life even more realistically than in previous games. The significantly improved texture work and facial animations, not to mention the increased scale and seamless loading times, also didn’t hurt.

Dead Space

Motive Studio’s remake of Dead Space offered more than higher-resolution textures and sharper-looking environments (which were still pivotal in delivering a gorgeous experience). It also significantly enhanced the Ishimura’s mood thanks to new atmospherics and effects. Then there’s the new Peeling system, where Necromorph bodies had layers of skin and bones to destroy, providing more visual feedback on the use of certain weapons.

Hogwarts Legacy

Avalanche Software and Portkey Games went the extra mile to deliver an authentic experience in Hogwarts Legacy, and it shows. From the iconic castle and its classrooms to the surrounding landscape and locations like Hogsmeade, it’s all packed with details for fans. As a whole, the experience is visually rich, especially during combat with all the spells going off, and it’s a joy to wander the world, taking it all in.

Atomic Heart

There’s plenty to say about its writing, characters and gameplay, but no one can deny how incredible Atomic Heart looks. From all the subtleties, like the Polymer Glove’s wiring, to the scenes packed with details and atmospherics, Mundfish delivered visual fidelity while nailing the aesthetic. Doing all this while still offering excellent performance out of the gate is also noteworthy.

Dead Island 2

Over eight years after its initial announcement, Dead Island 2 finally released and honed in on a single aspect – the detailed and absolute destruction of the undead. A new system, FLESH, was implemented, allowing players to realistically break zombie bones, melt their skin and much more in over-the-top ways. Of course, doing so with so many zombies on screen, while offering excellent texture work in the models, environments and more is also worthy of note, especially during the more chaotic moments.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Respawn Entertainment’s long-awaited sequel got flak – and rightfully so – for its launch performance. It’s improved since then (unless you’re on PC, in which case results may vary,) but the fidelity and sheer attention to detail have never been in doubt. Whether you’re admiring the hustle and bustle of Coruscant, the extensive reaches of Koboh, the incredible facial animations or tense fights, Jedi: Survivor is a visual treat.

Mortal Kombat 1

Forget about the Nintendo Switch version for a second (WB Games certainly did at launch) and take some time to appreciate Mortal Kombat 1’s visuals. It’s a strong step up from Mortal Kombat 11, which is already an excellent-looking game, with its environments, character animations, effects and rock-solid performance on current-gen platforms. As much as NetherRealm has eroded goodwill with its monetization practices, Mortal Kombat 1 is still one of the best-looking fighters on the market.

Final Fantasy 16

There’s something to be said about Final Fantasy 16 and its aesthetics. While it can come across as dark and moody, the focus on a more grounded medieval fantasy, interspersed with incredibly detailed environments and cities, works well. It also doesn’t hurt that the animation and cinematics are top-notch, while the Eikon battles are another level in terms of fidelity. Performance could still use some improvements, but the series’ latest is still a sight to behold.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

Following the performance issues of Elden Ring at launch, it was nice to jump into FromSoftware’s Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon and enjoy some fast and fluid gameplay without any hangups. Though the scale is nowhere near the same, Rubicon 3’s environments are still brimming with details and gorgeously rendered. Of course, the real stars are the Armored Cores, from their animations to the over-the-top weapon effects, which popped incredibly without overwhelming the experience (most times).

Lies of P

Neowiz’s Lies of P is one of the bigger surprises of the year, not just in terms of how fun it is but also in how well it performs. The Souls-like offers a gorgeous Belle Epoque art style with excellent environmental lighting and detailed animations for its bosses and characters (even down to all the weapon animations). Its effects and texture work are also on point, and it achieves all of this while still scaling well across all platforms, not to mention multiple configurations on PC.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

One of the dark horses of the year in visuals, mainly due to launching at the tail end of everything else, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is simply a delight to observe. The Western Frontier is teeming with unknown flora and fauna, not to mention Na’vi roaming the world and going about their business. Incredible draw distances, stunning skyboxes, detailed foliage – the Snowdrop Engine does it all, and optimization across all platforms is pretty good. It may not get as much recognition as the other titles, but graphically, Frontiers of Pandora is stunning.

Alan Wake 2

It’s almost impossible for Remedy Entertainment to deliver anything less than a stellar visual experience, but it truly upped the ante with Alan Wake 2. The interplay between light and shadows, the meshing of in-game scenes and live action, the art direction and cinematography – it all comes together seamlessly, and that’s before getting into the excellent texture work and animation.