LEVEL ZERO: EXTRACTION

Doghowl Games’ extraction shooter is currently in early access, so technically, it can get better- but that isn’t the trajectory it has followed thus far. Level Zero: Extraction had a promising enough premise, but was let down by significant gameplay and balancing issues even at launch. In the time since then, the developer has consistently made updates that have proven unpopular with players, leading some to wonder just how healthy the game’s future is going to be.

15. Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs

Considering how successful Pac-Man 99 was, it’s understandable that Bandai Namco Entertainment sought to make a follow-up. Chomp Champs even took a multi-dimensional approach, allowing players to escape the confines of their mazes and devour the opposition (and their Ghosts). However, this isn’t so much a spiritual successor as a port of PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle, which launched in November 2020 and sank alongside Google Stadia.

All these years later, Chomp Champs is little more than the same experience for other platforms but with cross-play. The gameplay can be fun for a bit and performance is solid, but the overall package is so barren that it’s impossible to ignore the flaws. Whether it’s the embarrassingly low-rent user interface, lack of offline modes, the bland music or the terrible Ranked experience, Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs is imminently forgettable.

14. Graven

Boomer shooters are common these days, but the sheer variety and creativity many exude is great. As a spiritual successor to Hexen, Slipgate Ironworks’ Graven seemed like a winner from the moment early access was announced. Sure, there were some rough edges but there was hope that subsequent Acts would be even better. However, the final product is left wanting.

A reliance on checkpoints instead of a traditional save system seems fine until you’re hard stuck or puzzles begin to break, setting progress back by a fair amount. The immersive sim elements are intriguing but ultimately lacking, the stamina system is restrictive, and the enemy design is frustrating. Couple this with numerous bugs and glitches, some game-breaking, and Graven fails to measure up to its inspiration.

13. Endless Ocean Luminous

As a follow-up to Endless Ocean: Adventures of the Deep from 2009, Endless Ocean Luminous could have offered a relaxing aquatic exploration experience with some bits to help you learn more about various species underwater. Unfortunately, its focus is all over the place, bogging down the overall product. There is a story, but progression is an annoyance due to the clunky scanning, which you must constantly engage with. The lack of realism to the whole affair is also a bummer, and the dull visuals don’t help either.

12. Alone in the Dark

Not only is it another failed attempt to bring the classic survival horror franchise into the new generation, but the developer shut down shortly after due to its lackluster reception. Nevertheless, there’s no denying that the reboot just wasn’t good. Combat feels unpolished and rough, but given the lack of compelling challenges, it’s more of an inconvenience. The sheer amount of bugs with the audio alone is enough to keep fans away, and despite the intriguing set-up, the writing and performances from its lead actors are simply lackluster.

11. Sker Ritual

Have you ever played Maid of Sker and felt, “Hm, this needs a first-person shooter spin-off with multiplayer”? Probably not, but that didn’t stop Capcom and its awful Resident Evil multiplayer modes. Thus we have Sker Ritual, which essentially borrows the round-based format from Call of Duty’s Zombies mode. However, it’s lacking in many ways, from the matchmaking and UI to the glitches and messy visuals. Couple this with an issue at launch where the host could retain their XP on quitting while other players couldn’t, and it’s easy to see why Sker Ritual is essentially dead.

10. Outpost: Infinity Siege

Team Ranger’s Outpost: Infinity Siege is a genre mash-up that could have worked with more focus and less tedium. A tower defense/first-person shooter hybrid can be great – as evidenced by the beginning of the game, despite the laughable dialogue and increasingly absurd plot. However, once the rogue-like and extraction shooter elements come into play, things fall apart. The horrible AI, dull map designs, grindy progression and numerous glitches on release didn’t help either. Though it’s seen many improvements and updates since then, Outpost: Infinity Siege needs a rethink of its fundamentals.

9. Die by The Blade

Outside of Tekken, Street Fighter, Guilty Gear, and whatnot are more niche fighting games that could use some exposure. Die by the Blade isn’t one of those games. It’s not even in the same stratosphere based on the mechanics alone, with clunky combos and movement that feels like molasses. Matches devolve into little more than rock-paper-scissors, and the lack of content beyond that, including no campaign or proper ranked mode, results in a tedious experience.

8. Undead Inc.

Ndemic Creations’ Plague Inc. was one of my favorite mobile games back in the day, and there was some hope that Undead Inc. from Rightsized Games would channel some of that nostalgia. It doesn’t, unfortunately, and can’t even provide a compelling management experience on its own. Numerous bugs, lackluster content, be it in the biomes or facilities, crashes, horrible interface – the list goes on. What is a compelling concept that could have explored the darker side of pharmaceutical companies ends up way out of its depth.

7. Winter Survival (Early Access)

Yes, it’s early access, but Winter Survival is seemingly set on doing everything wrong with its survival sandbox premise. An empty world lacking in much to do, a lackluster crafting UI, awful combat that focuses on timed strikes and often ends in disaster – it’s all the worse when you’re constantly nagged about having to sleep, eat and drink. The injury and trauma system could have been something unique, but as it stands, Winter Survival has a ways to go with its fundamentals.

6. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

For all the backlash it received after its initial gameplay reveal, you would think Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League would have something on its sleeve to win players. Honestly, the opening hours of the story were intriguing, even if each squad member, their CO, Amanda Waller, the Rogue’s Gallery, the brainwashed heroes, you name it, couldn’t go five minutes without chatter. Once the Elseworlds kick in, the plot promptly falls off a cliff. The awful boss battles and recycled open-world activities further kill the enthusiasm (even if the gunplay was passable).

Even with the marketing might of Warner Bros. Discovery and recognition of the Suicide Squad property, Kill the Justice League fell short of expectations, contributing to a $200 million impact on revenue. Its first season is a dud, and player numbers range in the hundreds on Steam nowadays. On the bright side, at least WB is committed to completing the current roadmap. After that? It could end up joining the likes of Anthem and Marvel’s Avengers.

5. Skull and Bones

What are the chances that February would bring not one but two long-in-development, live-service titles that failed to resonate with players? Of course, nothing is ever guaranteed with Skull and Bones, announced at E3 2017 and facing multiple delays, reported reboots, leadership changes and more throughout its nightmarish development.

The fact that it finally launched is shocking enough…until you play the game and grind through the menial labor that is the story. Activities served as little more than sailing from point A to point B, shooting some ships and/or mythical creatures, and maybe plundering a few hapless souls. The loot felt menial; the actual pirate aspects felt empty and soulless, and the game is just the same grind with a dash of PvEvP thrown in. Skull and Bones didn’t exactly have every opportunity to succeed but seeing it flop so succinctly is sad.

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants

As a port of Raw Thrills’ 2017 beat ’em up, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants seems unassuming enough. Then you see that GameMill Entertainment of The Walking Dead: Destinies and Skull Island: Rise of Kong is involved. While not a disaster on the level of those two titles, it’s still a miserable experience. The combat is terrible. The movement is terrible. The visuals are bland and the distinctions between characters are almost non-existent. Even if all those issues were shored up, there isn’t enough content or replay value to justify revisiting it.

3. Bulletstorm VR

How do you mess up Bulletstorm, one of the most fun first-person shooters ever made? As it turns out, very easily. Though original developer People Can Fly published it, Bulletstorm VR is developed by Incuvo, who worked on Green Hell VR (released to a mixed response on Steam). The gunplay is cooked right out of the gate, from its horrid aiming and reload mechanics to the lackluster impact. Then there were the crashes, missing textures on Quest headsets and poor performance.

If that wasn’t enough, several missions were outright cut. Remember your emotional bond with Waggleton P. Tallylicker and controlling it to wreak havoc on enemies? Gone. Not even the extra missions focused on Trishka could salvage this mess. Several updates were released to improve the experience and even add the vulgarity back in but alas, it’s too little, too late.

2. Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator

Nacon’s had some pretty horrendous releases over the years like Gangs of Sherwood and Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood, but it’s also had winners like RoboCop: Rogue City and Session: Skate Sim. Taxi Life unfortunately falls into the former, as part of the publisher’s iffy “Simulator” series.

The “simulation” part has its share of problems, from the unrealistic behavior of the traffic and passengers to the infuriating pedestrians, who will walk in front of you when the light is green with joyous abandon. The lack of support for many steering wheels is bad enough yet the default controls are equally shabby. Performance, despite the admittedly decent-looking visuals, leaves much to be desired. Creating any sim is a tall task, but Taxi Life makes it seem like a herculean effort.

1. Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash

Imagine being able to launch a video game based on the popular Jujutsu Kaisen series, that too just a few months after the conclusion of the Shibuya Incident. What better publisher than Bandai Namco Entertainment with its success on other shounen franchises like Naruto and Dragon Ball? Unfortunately, Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash isn’t it. It’s little more than a shameless cash-in, existing for no other reason than to cash in on a peak moment in the series’ popularity.

The combat is exceedingly dull, marking a new low for any sense of depth an arena fighter could have. The balance is all over the place, the visuals are ugly and the Story Mode does a horrendous job of representing the first season and Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Any hope of deriving fun from the online multiplayer is quickly dashed by the terrible netcode. Even if you’re a die-hard fan of anime games, Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash is little more than cursed.

The fundamental core of Die by the Blade lies in its 1v1 duels against fellow players and AI opponents. The game’s modes are structured between Offline, Online, and Single Player. None of the Versus or Tournament modes have any story or progression to speak of, instead giving you exactly what it describes: 1v1 duels. Winning bouts against friends and AI opponents rewards you with XP and currency. However, I found the pool of rewards and unlockable content pretty dry, failing to whet the appetite or offer satisfying progression. Single Player mode isn’t any more exciting than the Offline and Online modes, merely containing a tutorial, practice mode, and a very barebones Challenge mode.

"Challenge Mode is just a marathon of one 1v1 fight after another. There’s no set of interesting challenges or a checklist of stuff to accomplish here."

I was pretty pumped to finally unlock Challenge mode. It’s a mode just sitting there in the Single Player tab waiting to be unlocked upon reaching level 7. But alas, after hours of bouts and grinding, I was promptly disappointed by its scant offerings. Challenge is not at all what you initially think it’ll be; it’s just a last-man-standing string of bouts, and that’s it. There are no actual ‘challenges’ to speak of, nor are there any scenarios or varied ways to experience Die by the Blade‘s 1v1 content. It was precisely when I unlocked Challenge mode when I was struck by just how shallow Die by the Blade’s content actually is. Every mode is just the same 1v1 duel wrapped in a different menu. The only real variety present in Die by the Blade are the cosmetic items you can purchase with currency obtained through duels.

"You can customize the cosmetics of your characters and various weapon skins."

The Customize menu contains all purchasable weapon skins, character apparel, banners, and taunts. Thankfully, Die by the Blade offers a generous variety of outfits and weapons to purchase so you can look cool winning all those ranked matches. Even better, there’s no microtransactions or online purchases here to speak of, which is always something worth praising considering the state of the industry. There’s not much else to say regarding customization, other than this game has it. I just wish character faces had any semblance of emotion or animation to them so I could actually enjoy looking at the cosmetics worn by characters. The team at Grindstone has addressed the facial animation issue, stating that they’re patching it near release, but I’m not holding my breath for a markedly drastic improvement.

But on to the real reason anyone will want to play this game in the first place: the fighting mechanics. Die by the Blade’s battles are 1 versus 1 duels where a single stab or slice spells defeat. You must rely on twitch reflexes and samurai concentration to win these lightning-fast bouts. Switching between the high, mid, and low stances should be seamless in a swordfighting game like this, but it feels a tad clunkier than it should due to stances locking during attacks. You can queue up another stance when it’s locked, but I found this to disrupt triplet links (combos), hurting combat flow as a result.

"Combo finishers break through enemy stamina and win the fight with a gory spectacle, but they’re irritating to pull off."

Linked triplets are devastating combos that break through auto blocks, cost less stamina, and strike quicker. It’s yet another technique that should feel seamless to execute, yet rarely is. There’s no indication when to time your attack chains, so it comes down to trial and error. Other fighting games give the player intuitive ways to perceive attack timings that combos require, whether through blinking lights, indicative sound cues, or unique animations; Die by the Blade has none of that to aid you in executing combos. In particular, I found the vertical slices the most stubborn to link with combos. To the game’s credit, each weapon type has its own unique combos; good luck memorizing all their unintuitive timings.

After 5 hours of play, I still found linking triplets to be a clunky risk not worth mastering. The disruptive stance locking, lack of input cues, and general pace of the combat flow make Die by the Blade a bigger hassle than it’s worth at times.

"Parrying attacks is smooth and reliable in Die by the Blade."

By far the most fun and reliable way to fight in Die by the Blade is countering by matching stances with your opponent. As long as your opponent doesn’t execute a finisher, you can auto-block attacks merely by matching your opponent’s stance. Parries are executed by tapping L1 right as your opponent lands a strike. Just be wary of your stamina; if it depletes, your blocks will get broken and you won’t be able to attack. Canceling your attack mid-swing, also known as a feint, feels pretty good in this game, especially when you’re duking it out against other intelligent human players in PvP.

At the end of the day, I just never found the combat in Die by the Blade to feel particularly fluid, fun, or exciting. Achieving winning streaks after pulling off triplet finishers failed to reward me with a sense of accomplishment and dopamine, at least less than I’d have expected. Let’s analyze why.

The combat in Die by the Blade rarely rises above its rock-paper-scissors DNA. Sure, you can string combos and do things like roll around in four directions, but with how unintuitive and unreliable combos are to pull off, you’ll find yourself sticking to the tried and true reactionary parry strategy. Winning matches comes down to reacting to other players’ movements and whittling down their stamina. This combat pattern is fun to master for a time, but it starts feeling repetitive pretty quick. Even with the different weapon types and combos available, there’s a lack of depth here, making it feel like a glorified rock-paper-scissors game of fast twitch reflexes. It doesn’t help that movement feels slow and stiff, with no way to run or jump and an excruciating walking pace accompanying every move.

"Die by the Blade may lack story, but character bios hint at some samurai-punk worldbuilding that I wish was in the actual game."

Unfortunately, Die by the Blade doesn’t have any other content that can mitigate its combat shortcomings. There’s no campaign mode to speak of, and the scant amount of story and lore are relegated to brief character and weapon bios written in a shoddy translation. Reading the character bios makes it pretty clear that the developers wanted to worldbuild and give each character unique backgrounds and motivations. Whether due to time constraints or the limited Kickstarter budget, the seeds of worldbuilding within the character bios don’t get used anywhere else in the game. An absence of cutscenes and story isn’t necessarily a bad thing in such a combat-oriented game, but it does put more pressure on the core combat to hold this game up, which it fails to do after the initial novelty wears off.

The most succinct way I can sum up Die by the Blade is ‘lost potential’. The core combat can be fun in quick spurts, but the frustrating combo system and lack of meaningful progression and modes render it incapable of holding up the game by itself. I found myself failing to find any kernel of joy I could out of this game. By the end of such a contemplation, it dawned on me that the local multiplayer novelty is at least something worth celebrating. The best thing I can say about Die by the Blade is that it feels like a cool, slightly more fleshed-out version of the samurai mini-game from Kirby Super Star. Distilled to its fundamental essence, Die by the Blade is a reaction-based 1v1 samurai dueler. It’s decently fun for some quick skirmishes with friends, but the novelty only lasts so long before you leave it behind to play a game with more meat on its bones.

This game was reviewed on the PC.

PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs

We’ve seen the likes of Pac-Man 99 and its take on the battle royale format. Amber Studio’s PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs – try saying that five times fast – offers another spin, allowing up to 64 players to venture into each other’s mazes to consume them. It’s a dangerous game as mazes continually collapse during matches, but it’s a unique spin on a classic arcade formula.

Throw in some cosmetics and even indulge in Ranked Mode to place on the leaderboards. There are even private lobbies, complete with spectator support. PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs launches on May 9th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch, and thankfully, supports cross-platform play.

Homeworld 3

It’s been almost 21 years since the release of Homeworld 2, and while Deserts of Kharak received a good reception in 2016, the franchise is finally moving forward with Homeworld 3. Launching on May 13th after multiple delays, the story sees the Hyperspace Gate Network in shambles and humanity embarking on another mission for survival. All the strategic tenets are here, from your fleet carrying over between missions to utilizing the Z-axis to flank and outmaneuver opponents.

New Megaliths mix things up, providing cover, while Fortresses demand clever flanking and trench runs to overcome. In addition to the story and PvP, there’s War Games, a rogue-like mode where players play through challenges and gain Artifacts to improve their fleet. It even supports up to three players.

The Rogue Prince of Persia

The Rogue Prince of Persia embraces an animated art style and sees the Prince fighting to halt an invasion from the Huns. The robust combat system offers several weapon types and opportunities for environmental kills. Launching on May 14th for PC via Steam Early Access, The Rogue Prince of Persia offers the first story Act with six levels and two bosses, with plans to effectively double the content with the 1.0 release.

Die by the Blade

Remember Bushido Blade and its emphasis on realistic, 1v1 fights between sword-wielding warriors? Die by the Blade by Triple Hill Interactive, Toko Midori Games, and Grindstone look to channel that visceral combat feel, albeit in a cyberpunk setting. You can customize the playable characters and blades alike, though opting for heavier weapons like the Nodachi could come at the cost of speed (which the katana is skilled at). Parrying and dodging are all here, with Practice, Tournament and Ranked modes, but remember: a single decisive blow is enough to end it all. Die by the Blade launches on May 16th for PC.

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut

Finally, Sucker Punch’s acclaimed open-world action-adventure is coming to PC. Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut has garnered acclaim for many reasons. Jin Sakai’s struggle between honor and fighting the Mongol invasion of Tsushima by any means necessary. The combat with its fluid mix of styles and Ghost Tools, from kunai and explosives to bows and powerful Ghost Techniques. The various side quests, whether it’s helping out your would-be companions or investigating the legends of Tsushima.

There’s just so much to get into, and that’s before venturing to Iki Island in the expansion. On PC, the Director’s Cut offers unlocked frame rates, Ultrawide and triple-monitor support, fully customizable mouse and keyboard support and various upscaling solutions from Nvidia DLSS 3 and AMD FSR 3 to Intel XeSS. Whether you loved it on console or have waited for its PC release, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut can’t be missed when it launches on May 16th.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Despite the baffling lack of marketing from Microsoft, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is probably the company’s standout release for the year thus (if not the biggest game in May). It continues the story of Senua as she ventures through a Viking Iceland to seek revenge and save those who “have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny.” Meanwhile, the Furies continue to ring through Senua’s thoughts, guiding her but still weighing on her mind.

Developed on Unreal Engine 5, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is an absolutely gorgeous title, from its realistic weather effects and photo-realistic lighting and textures to the lifelike facial animations. It’s almost enough to make you forget that this is a digital-only release for $49.99 and lasts about as long as the first game. Despite all that and the 30 FPS lock on consoles, it’s a long time coming and worth checking out when it launches on May 21st for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

MultiVersus

MultiVersus finally makes its long-awaited return after its beta was delisted from storefronts last year. Player First Games has retooled it extensively, from shifting to Unreal Engine 5 and overhauling the netcode to adding new fighters like the Powerpuff Girls, new stages like Dexter’s Laboratory, and adding new moves for all existing fighters.

There are even new mechanics like Dash Attacks and Parrying, with improved readability during combat and a more responsive camera that dynamically zooms in and out. A new PvE mode is also finally on the way and even promises “unique rewards.” MultiVersus will be available on May 28th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and PC.

F1 24

Say what you will about Codemasters’ yearly sequels in the F1 series, but F1 24 is looking quite good. It’s out on May 31st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4 and PC, and delivers some brand new content. Driver Career lets you actually control one of 20 real-world Formula 1 drivers, earning accolades and earning recognition, while Challenge Career takes an episodic approach with unique events for community members vote on. With new Dynamic Handling, updates to iconic tracks, and much more, F1 24 could be the best new entry in years.

World of Goo 2

The first World of Goo launched in 2008 and received such extensive acclaim from critics that then-EA Sports head Peter Moore was annoyed that it was on a top 50 games list and FIFA 09 wasn’t. Believe it or not, World of Goo 2 is very much the same, as you use the gooey living creatures in various ways. Create bridges and other structures, reshape the world and, most importantly, survive through all kinds of new and potentially maddening puzzles when it launches on May 23rd for Nintendo Switch and PC.

MotoGP 24

Milestone’s MotoGP series hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire these past few years, but there are fans, and they’ll probably be happy that MotoGP 24 is out on May 2nd for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch. Career Mode is still here, but the game now offers Adaptive Difficulty to tune the challenge to your tastes. MotoGP Stewards helps curb rule-skirting, and LiveGP Championships promises monthly challenges for players to pursue. It may not unseat the usual racing sim kings, but MotoGP 24 could prove a fun alternative.

Undead Inc

Undead Inc. is described as a mix of Fallout Shelter and Two Point Hospital. Your job is to create a subsidiary for the totally-not shady Endswell Medical Corporation, building different officers, hiring staff, conducting research into bioweapons and viruses, and, of course, driving profits, ethics be damned. It’s not all smooth sailing – politicians and officials need to be kept in line, and there are rival corporations to deal with. Probably the best part is that it’s only a matter of time before things go south and descend into chaos. Undead Inc. launches on May 2nd for PC.

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Classic

What’s better than Blizzard monetizing your nostalgia for World of Warcraft’s good ol’ days? Monetizing the expansions as well. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Classic is the “latest” and “greatest” new addition to the lineup, seeing players take on Deathwing to prevent the end of the world. Cataclysm offers seven new zones, two new races (Goblins and Worgen), transmog, a new level cap, new dungeons and raids and the Elemental Plane for players to venture into. The re-release also offers a new dungeon difficulty system, smoother leveling and a “streamlined” Auction House. It goes live on May 20th for PC.

Morbid: The Lords of Ire

Launching for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch (with a demo out now on PS5 and PC), it features a new 3D perspective for more immersive combat and there are five lands to explore and five factions awaiting your challenge, not to mention all the terrifying bosses to face. As a hack-and-slash action adventure, Morbid: The Lords of Ire could be a dark horse when it launches on May 23rd.

System Shock (Xbox and PlayStation)

One of the more underrated releases of last year, not to mention a solid remake in its own right, Nightdive Studios’ System Shock is finally coming to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5 and PS4 on May 21st. While it’s enough to bask in the overhauled visuals and interface, a new update went live recently, improving the game even further. It added an option to play as a female hacker, reworks the final battle, and incorporates cloud sync. Furthermore, enemies have new attacks, and there are even waypoints on Easy difficulty for those focused on the story. Overall, these should make for an even better experience on consoles.

Braid: Anniversary Edition

Previously slated for April 30th, Braid: Anniversary Edition was delayed to May 14th on PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and Netflix. Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One users have to wait until May 15th to get their hands on it, though the reason for the delay is unknown. It should still be worth the wait, whether you’re someone keen on experiencing the original with sumptuous new visuals and delve into the 35 new levels. The developer commentary should also be a treat, providing over 15 hours of worthwhile development details.

Die by the Blade 

Currently in development at Triple Hill Interactive, Die by the Blade is a fighting game that operates on an interesting principle which is that a single hit is the difference between victory and defeat. The fighting mechanics are extremely realistic, and players will have to be mindful of each move during battle to ensure their chances of success. The character designs and visuals might not be too great, but Die by the Blade’s set of gameplay ideas is what helps it stand out from the rest of the crowd. It releases for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on 16 May, 2024. 

Gladiators Manager

Gladiators Manager thrusts you into ancient Rome where you must take charge of a crumbling school of gladiators and build it up to be a prestigious institution for the best fighters of the nation. Developed by Ancient Games, Gladiators Manager is more of a management sim than a real-time fighter since you need to keep tabs on resources and consistently upgrade buildings to expand your school. There are fighting sequences as well, but those are of turn-based nature where you have to make good use of the gladiator’s skills to win in battle. It comes out for PC sometime in Q4 2024.

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys: Celes

Arc System Works is a master of creating nuanced fighting games with a compelling set of mechanics and a signature anime-esque art style, and its latest UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH 2 Sys: Celes is no different. With a vast roster of 24 distinct characters and mechanics that are easy to pick but difficult to master, UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH 2 is a game that should serve fighting fans well for dozens of hours. It’s available now on PC, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.

First Cut: Samurai Duel

Clearly inspired by classics like Ninja Gaiden and Double Dragon, First Cut: Samurai Duel puts you on a warrior’s path where enemies lie in wait for a fight to the death. The fighting mechanics might look simple on the surface, but there’s a surprising amount of depth to the actual affair as you need to parry attacks and strike only when there’s an opening – and mastering that careful dance is the true essence of First Cut. It’s available now on PC.

Bam Boom Blade

Bam Boom Blade is all about dueling against opponents whilst riding on top of a meter-long bamboo, and it’s just as weird as it sounds. Developed by Blaer Zhang, Bam Boom Blade is a physics-based fighter where you have to smartly take control of the bamboo and use that momentum to slash away at your opponent for a shot at victory. It is now available for PC.

Orbitals 

Orbitals describes itself as a bullet-brawling game, and there’s perhaps no more fitting description for this kind of gameplay. Players have to duke it out against one another in closed arenas and shoot each other off by using a wide variety of weapons ranging from laser beams to shotguns and much more. It looks like a really fun experience and there’s plenty of potential in this formula, so we are definitely excited to experience Orbitals in full when it releases for PC sometime in the near future.

Rivals 2

Rivals 2 is a platform fighter where players have the singular objective of fighting their opponent and pushing them out of the arena. Much like the original game, Rivals 2 features a bunch of elemental fighters that both look and play differently – and players can spend dozens of hours mastering each character and their playstyles. It comes out for PC sometime this year.

Blazing Worldstars

Speaking of throwbacks to the glory days of fighting games, we have Blazing Worldstars from developer Bloodrune Entertainment. The game makes a strong first impression with its retro aesthetics, but Blazing Worldstars also features gameplay elements of its inspirations like Street Fighter 5’s parry system while also introducing its own mechanics like the Enhance system that should make it a game worth sinking your teeth into. It comes out for PC sometime in the near future.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Developer SNK of The King of Fighters game is hard at work on Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, which is set to take the series to new heights. Due to release sometime in 2025, City of the Wolves will feature updated visuals that are inspired by Marvel Comics and improved gameplay that also includes easy control options – which should make the fighting experience a lot more polished and inclusive than ever before.

Umbral Core

Umbral Core takes place in a dark fantasy world brimming with fierce warriors capable of using dark magic to completely and utterly decimate opposing forces. As one of eight such warriors, you get to take part in fierce fights to the death where you must utilize your moves and skills judiciously to trickle down the opponent’s health bar and eventually win fights. The developer also promises convenient online play with rollback netcode, so Umbral Core might be a game that’s worth looking into when it comes out sometime in the near future.

Shattered 

Team 18k’s upcoming Shattered is a glorious tribute to the fighting games of the 90s. The game presents itself in a gorgeous 16-bit aesthetic with impressive sprite work and smoothed-out animations, and it also adds a few new touches to the gameplay loop while remaining faithful to its inspirations. The character roster is both visually and functionally different, which makes Shattered feel like the perfect nostalgia trip complete with rose-tinted glasses. It comes out for PC sometime in the near future.

WWE 2K24

The WWE 2K series has been pumping out great games for the last couple of years, and WWE 2K24 is a game that definitely belongs to the upper echelon of entries in the franchise. With its solid wrestling mechanics and a bevy of different game modes, WWE 2K24 is a game that will keep fans of the entertainment sport occupied for dozens upon dozens of hours. Whether you are taking part in a Royal Rumble or building a business through the MyGM mode or duking it out against friends in co-op, WWE 2K24 wouldn’t disappoint you. It’s available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.

Project: The Outcast 

Based on the popular Donghua Hitori No Shita, Project: The Outcast is a game that manages to translate the best parts of the series into a mobile game. Project: The Outcast combines bone-chilling horror with fighting sequences that are simply spectacular. The animation work here is especially noteworthy, and the game looks extremely gorgeous with its art style. It will be released for mobile platforms at some point in the near future.

Coreupt 

Set against the backdrop of a dystopian future, Coreupt is a fighting game that tasks players to take part in deadly duels against the most fierce warriors of the galaxy in an effort to save the universe from the clutches of a dark warlord. The Mortal Kombat and Tekken influences are pretty clear here, but Coreupt does manage to impress with its assortment of moves and smooth animations. It comes out for PC sometime this year.

Tekken 8

The latest entry in the long-running fighting franchise, Tekken 8 takes the fight to the next level with its innovations and refinements over past franchises. The new Heat system promotes aggressive play, and the Arcade Quest lets you embark on a grand fighting adventure with your own custom character. The visual presentation is a massive step up from what we saw in Tekken 7, and that combined with the aforementioned gameplay enhancements makes Tekken 8 a worthy entry that is unmissable for fighting games fans. Tekken 8 is available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

STREET FIGHTER 6

Obviously, we have to start fight Street Fighter 6. Capcom’s legendary fighting series will be back in June with a new mainline instalment, and everything that we’ve seen of it so far has looked excellent. From its expanded single player offerings to its mechanical tweaks and improvements to its suite of multiplayer content, Street Fighter 6 is shaping up to be one of the biggest games of the year.