God of War 

There aren’t many games that are able to deliver a stunning experience in such a smooth manner as Sony Santa Monica was able to do with the 2018 reboot. This story sets the protagonist in a new setting; new boss fights and outstanding level design. It’s both fresh and recognizable at the same time, and the new combat and the camera on offer also embodies the spirit of modern third person game while making it more intentional. The 2018 reboot is definitely one of the best games on the PS4, and is a great starting point for newcomers.

Atomfall

Atomfall represents an interesting experiment by Rebellion – a studio known for its World War 2-based series of games where you take control of an elite sniper taking down hundreds of Nazi soldiers. Instead of arming the player to the gills and taking them through a roaring adventure, Atomfall instead makes sure the player is constantly scavenging for resources just to survive as they slowly uncover an epic story through their own investigations. Atomfall offers a unique single-player experience that blends investigation, stealth, survival, and just a hint of intense combat to keep things spicy.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Picking up directly after the events of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth takes us deeper into an epic story about environmentalism and the evils that mega corporations are capable of when allowed an unchecked monopoly. This time around, however, we get a massive open world to explore, complete with its own set of secrets for players to discover, as well as a host of fun minigames that help further flesh the world out. Pair this with an evolution of the already-fantastic combat system from its predecessor, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth tends to make for dozens of hours of pure fun.

Silent Hill 2 Remake

Trying to remake a game that is seen by many as one of, if not the best horror game ever made is no easy task, but Bloober Team managed to make it look almost effortless with its remake of Silent Hill 2. Much more than a remake, however, Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 gives us a look at how the seminal horror game would have been if it were made in the modern day – none of its feels even remotely dated, and the game makes use of the dense atmosphere and spookiness of its setting perfectly. Pair this with gorgeous visuals, incredible level design and wonderful creature design and you basically get one of the best horror experiences out there today.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

While it may have been a bit controversial when it first came out, The Last of Us Part 2 features some downright phenomenal storytelling thanks to strong writing and excellent voice work and facial capture, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered features some of the best third-person action combat in any game today. Add on top wonderful encounter design and clever, but tense, boss fights, and you get what essentially feels like a wild roller coaster ride of emotions along with high-octane third-person action.

Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erd Tree

What hasn’t already been said about the brilliance of FromSoftware’s single-player opus Elden Ring, as well as its critically-acclaimed DLC Shadow of the Erd Tree? The base game, on its own, is a culmination of over a decade’s worth of game design that FromSoftware had originated, improved, and ultimately mastered. Add on top some excellent and tense combat, plenty of character build options, and a wide-open world where only your own skill level can really block your path, and you have a title that deserves just about every accolade it has gotten since then. And once you’re done with the base game, Shadow of the Erd Tree offers an entirely new level of challenge, complete with a brand new landmass to explore, new bosses to fight, and even more of the intricate lore to uncover.

Astro Bot

Astro Bot is a game that proves that Nintendo isn’t the only major gaming company that can make a beloved 3D platformer. The title, essentially a love letter to just about every aspect of PlayStation, also manages to be a great game on its own thanks to its excellent level design, great visuals, fantastic soundtrack and tight gameplay. While the story is simple enough, with Captain Astro trying to reunite with the PlaySquadron after the PS5 mothership is wrecked by Nebulax, what really elevates Astro Bot along with its core gameplay is the reverence it has for all things PlayStation. The game is also filled with plenty of nods and references to the history of the console, including even references to niche titles like Loco Roco.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

While the 2017 release of Horizon Zero Dawn was no slouch when it came to visuals and gameplay, the whole game got massively upgraded thanks to the Remastered release, bringing it up to par with its sequel. Essentially an origin story, players are put into the shoes of Aloy who is trying to figure out how she can stop the wars between the neighbouring tribes. Along the way, plenty of mysteries are uncovered, including the very nature of the world and the mechanical beasts that roam its lands. Horizon Zero Dawn is an excellent open-world action-adventure game which offers a great mix of strong writing in its main campaign, as well as optional objectives through side quests as well as open-world collectibles.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

While Valhalla was met with mixed reception, especially with some of its gameplay elements, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is evidence that the genre is still capable of strong games with fun open worlds to explore. Besides Syndicate, we now get to play as two distinct protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, each with their own distinct playstyles – the combat-oriented Yasuke and the stealth-oriented Naoe. Through the two characters, we get a unique take on Sengoku-era Japan, with the duo trying to figure out the conspiracy behind not only the death of Oda Nobunaga, but also the death of Naoe’s family as well.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate feature incredibly strong writing full of interesting things to do, as well as by offering players an almost infinite amount of freedom when it comes to figure out solutions to problems. Baldur’s Gate 3 takes place during an invasion by mind flayers, with the player themselves being implanted with a tadpole that will at some point also turn them into a mind flayer. After escaping from the captivity of the mind flayers, the player finds themselves, along with other unlikely heroes, on an island, where they must work together to figure out a way to not only make it to the city of Baldur’s Gate, but also to get rid of the parasitic tadpoles that they have all been implanted with.

Days Gone Remastered

Days Gone offers a unique take on the open-world zombie survival game by giving the player one of the most important tools you can have in such a situation – a motorcycle. Along with his bike, protagonist Deacon must explore the world, deliver supplies, protect his friends, and in the process, figure out what led to the “Freaker” outbreak, and how he can save his wife. The game also has a unique system that allows for incredibly massive hordes of zombies to attack the player if Deacon accidentally trips an alarm that attracts them to his location. Coupled with fun combat courtesy of a mix of melee and ranged weapons, and Days Gone Remastered has all of the ingredients to make for a fun time.

Dead Space Remake

The original Dead Space was rightfully praised for its excellent atmosphere and strong gameplay paired with intense claustrophobia and incredible monster designs. The remake of Dead Space takes these elements and cranks it all the way up to eleven. While you’re still going to be stepping into the shoes of Isaac Clarke as he explores the USG Ishimura, several things have been redesigned, from the massive planet cracker class ship’s layout making more sense, to weapons getting rebalanced so that the Plasma Cutter isn’t the only good weapon you have access to. The story also gets some expansion thanks to Isaac no longer being a silent protagonist. The presence of a new kind of collectible also ends up adding a few more interesting wrinkles to an already-strong story.

Resident Evil Village

A few years after the series managed to reinvigorate itself thanks to Resident Evil 7, the franchise decided to take a more action oriented approach. Much like the transition from classic horror Resident Evil games to Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil Village ups the ante on not only the action, but also the scares and the story. Taking place after the events of RE7, Village involves protagonist Ethan Winters once more setting out against unimaginable horrors in a mysterious village to rescue his daughter. The title features plenty of boss fights, great combat encounters, and one of the most insane endings to a game out there. The Winters Expansion also brings with it new content, as well as a third-person mode for the main campaign.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 

The first title by studio Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition managed to set the world on fire in large part thanks to its deep and thoughtful story, imaginative and gorgeous visuals, and a clever combat. What sets Clair Obscur apart from others in the genre is how it makes use of not only parrying and dodging as active actions the player has to time with enemy attacks, but also the fact that each of its characters has unique mechanics of their own, be it Gustave’s Overcharge system, or Lune’s element juggling, or Maelle’s stance system.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

A remastered release of a classic open-world RPG that came out all the way back in 2006, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is not only a great game in its own right, but also acts as a fun history lesson to help us understand just how Bethesda got to its follow-up, Skyrim. Oblivion Remastered takes place in idyllic pastures of Cyrodiil in the midst of an invasion from the various Oblivion realms. The player will also get to explore several cities and villages, while also partaking in epic questlines for various activities, from stealing to assassination, and even gladiatorial combat. Despite the almost two decades since its original release, the level of freedom offered by Oblivion still manages to feel unparalleled.

Cyberpunk 2077 + Phantom Liberty

With Cyberpunk 2077 and its Phantom Liberty expansion CD Projekt RED ended up creating one of the most ambitious urban open-world games out there. Along with telling a deep and compelling story with themes about rebellion, mortality, and the sense of self, Cyberpunk 2077, along with its spy thriller expansion, also managed to offer plenty of fun side-activities for players to do as they drive around Night City and try out their fancy cybernetic implants against gang members, corrupt cops, and corporate mercenaries.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is one of the most unique open-world fantasy RPGs out there. Along with a unique class system where the player is encouraged to keep switching between different classes to mix and match abilities, the game also features some epic boss fights in the form of mythical monsters to kill. Oh, and there’s also the Pawn system, where a player can create a companion for themselves who can also be sent out to other players’ games to assist them and come back with experience and new items. Pair this with a mind-bending plot that involves the world also getting messed up because of the player’s own actions, in turn opening up even more epic boss fights for adventurous players to take on. And now that most of its technical issues have been ironed out, Dragon’s Dogma 2 has become an excellent way to spend a weekend or two.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

While several games have tried to put players in the shoes of characters inspired by Indiana Jones, few have done it as well as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The first-person action-adventure game melds puzzle solving with intense action sequences, some platforming courtesy of Indy’s whip, and plenty of stealth as players try to avoid crossing paths with hostile soldiers.

Lies of P + Overture

While we may not be getting ports or remasters for FromSoftware’s Bloodborne any time soon, we did get the next best thing in the form of Lies of P and its Overture DLC. The Soulslike action RPG puts players in the shoes of “puppet mechanoid” Pinocchio with a simple mission – find Mr. Geppetto. As he explores the city of Krat, however, he comes across deranged hostile puppets that he must deal with. Along the way, players get plenty of choices when it comes to what kind of weapon they’ll use thanks to the game’s unique weapon system where a player is free to mix-and-match different handles and edges to get unique weapons with their own movesets and special abilities. The Overture DLC expands things further by sending players into Krat’s past, where they get to see the city before its fall.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

A remastered release of classic hack-and-slash action game Ninja Gaiden 2, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is by far one of the toughest games available these days. Putting players in the role of ninja Ryu Hayabusa, the story revolves around the machinations of the Black Spider Ninja Clan as they launch an assault against Hayabusa Village. As Ryu fights off these threats, players will have to learn how to effectively wield his various tools, from the straightforward katana to more advanced items. The game also allows players to dismember enemies, and while they can still attack after losing limbs, they can at least be killed off for good by using the Obliteration Technique.

Shadow Labyrinth

While Shadow Labyrinth might not look like much from the outset, it ends up being quite a clever platforming game that melds exploration with gameplay inspired by classic arcade titles. Players take on the role of Swordsman No. 8, who wakes up on a mysterious planet. As they spend time exploring this planet accompanied by Puck, players will have to discover secrets and get new abilities as they figure out how to take on many of the various challenges they will face throughout their time in Shadow Labyrinth.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

While the Ratchet & Clank franchise had gone mostly silent after the 2016 reboot, it came back with a bang on the PS5, not only acting as a great showcase for the hardware capabilities of the at-the-time new console, but also being a fantastic action/adventure game in its own right. Along with telling a fun story with everyone’s favorite Lombax, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart also introduces us to new character Rivet, who serves as a deuteragonist in the story. As the two desperately jump across different dimensions to stop the evil machinations of Dr. Nefarious, players will also find themselves making use of new, strange and funny weapons to take on the enemies they face.

RoboCop: Rogue City + Unfinished Business

RoboCop: Rogue City being such a fun experience with a surprising level of polish is the biggest example for the fact that the AA games scene still exists, and maybe even thriving. The game puts players in the shoes of RoboCop as he takes on a variety of different missions in crime-ridden Old Detroit. Along the way, players will get to make plenty of choices that further help define just how much humanity RoboCop still has within him. The standalone expansion Unfinished Business adds even more content to the game, bringing with it a host of new challenges for RoboCop to take on as he takes on mercenaries and new enemy types occupying OmniTower.

Sifu

While action games have always been incredibly popular, few have ever managed to nail the martial arts genre as well as Sloclap did with Sifu. With players taking on the role of a martial artist out for revenge for the murder of their mentor, Sifu features unique action mechanics where players can make use of their own Kung Fu-styled movesets, as well as the environment to take on groups of enemies. The title features 15 different locations, across which players will get to take on a wide variety of enemies. Along with this, the title also features a unique mechanic where a death leads to the protagonist aging, making their strikes deadlier but also making them more frail. Sifu has also gotten quite a bit more content thanks to extensive post-launch support by Sloclap.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

While Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors franchise has seen its fair share of ups and downs, the company undoubtedly struck gold with the release of Dynasty Warriors: Origins. The game, introducing a brand new protagonist, also brings with it some of the grandest battles that the franchise has ever seen. The gameplay largely revolves around the player cutting down large swathes of enemy soldiers across various battlefields as they also try and complete objectives to further continue the campaign of the various factions warring for supremacy over Mainland China.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

After the success of Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the sequel served as a way for the studio to expand on every aspect of the game. With five years having passed since the events of Fallen Order, Survivor once more puts players in the shoes of Cal Kestis as he sets off on a battle against the Empire. While things start out well enough, a mission eventually goes badly enough to force Cal to get some allies for his struggle, including brand new characters as well as returning characters from Fallen Order. The gameplay offers considerably more options than its predecessor, with new stances that offer more chances for unique gameplay, as well as a more interesting skill tree this time around.

Suikoden 1 & 2 Remaster

A remastered release of seminal RPGs that were originally made for the original PlayStation, Suikoden 1 & 2 Remaster is a great way for a new generation of players to experience a pair of the most unique RPGs to have ever been made. Along with the player taking on the role of a protagonist, players will also have to find and recruit special characters known as the Stars of Destiny into their own army as they fight off the forces of evil. Both titles also feature heavily political storylines, with corruption playing a central role throughout their stories. What makes both titles even more fun to play back-to-back is the fact that they take place in the same world, so the sequel becomes a great way to see what has changed since the events of the first game.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

While the Uncharted series has been one of the most iconic franchises for PlayStation since the first game came out on the PS3, all good things must come to an end. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves features two titles – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: Lost Legacy. While A Thief’s End focuses on the final adventure of protagonist Nathan Drake, Lost Legacy is a smaller-scaled game with brand new protagonists in Chloe and Nadine, as they face off against a warlord named Asav can get it. When it comes to gameplay, both titles feature third-person action, plenty of areas to explore, puzzles to solve, and in the case of Legacy of Thieves, even one larger space where more experimental gameplay can be tried out.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

While many of the best games out there can be described as being subtle, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is not one of them. Every bit as loud, brutal, and exaggerated as the Warhammer 40,000 setting demands, Space Marine 2 puts players in the power armour of Ultramarine-turned-Deathwatch Soldier-turned-back-into-Ultramarine Demetrian Titus as he ends up on Imperial planets Avarax and Kadaku in the midst of the first Tyrannic War. Facing off against hordes of Tyrannids, players must make use of the game’s hybrid ranged and melee combat system to stop all opposition and complete various objectives. Once you’re done with the campaign, the game also features extra missions in the Operations mode which, while meant to be played in co-op, can also be enjoyed solo along with AI-controlled team mates.

God of War Ragnarok

Taking place a few years after the events of 2018’s reboot, Ragnarok kicks things off with the coming of Fimbulwintr, as the player figures out how to best keep their people safe from their enemies. Ragnarok features a blend of excellent level design and offers several enhancements to gameplay, with bigger worlds to explore, and plenty of more skills to make use of in the game’s frantic, high-impact combat.

System Shock Remake

A remake of a classic sci-fi shooter/RPG hybrid from 1994, System Shock Remake does a masterful job of recreating the feeling of playing the original thanks to its unique art style that melds modern graphical technologies with a low-fi look that maintains the vibrant color palette of the original. System Shock Remake is also one of the best ways to experience the origins of iconic evil AI SHODAN, who serves as the primary antagonist for the player as they explore Citadel Station and try to figure out how they can survive, and ultimately, escape. Along the way, players will have to fight, sneak, and shoot their way through enemies that were once the human inhabitants of Citadel station.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

While the indie game space has many 2D platforming titles, few have reached the quality that Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist manages to reach thanks to the title’s strong level design, well thought out upgrades, and interesting story. The game takes place in the Land of Fumes which, because of unchecked science, has started turning artificial beings, dubbed Homunculi, into feral monsters. Players take on the role of an Attuner named Lilac who can save the Homunculi from their gruesome fate. Players will get to explore a variety of zones, from abandoned laboratories to ancient caverns and vibrant fields, as they explore the Land of Fumes and unlock new abilities to further aid exploration and combat.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

The genre is no stranger to crafting compelling open-world games, and this quality is shown off quite well in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. While it might be easy to brush aside as a movie tie-in game, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora ends up being a fantastic way to explore the world first seen in James Cameron’s Avatar movies. In Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, players must ultimately defend Pandora against the forces of the RDA. The game features a compelling main campaign, along with several side missions that help further flesh out the world.

Gran Turismo 7

Quite easily the standard bearer for the modern driving sim game, Gran Turismo 7 has just about everything that a fan of cars and the culture surrounding cars and driving could hope for. Along with franchise classic gameplay mechanics like license tests returning, Gran Turismo 7 also features a massive collection of cars for players to collect, as well as constant updates that further improves the car collection of the game, as well as bringing in new events across various vehicle classes that players can compete for.

Hitman World of Assassination

Essentially the most complete package in terms of the Hitman trilogy, Hitman World of Assassination features quite a bit of content for the intrepid single-player game fan. Along with an epic campaign spanning three games’ worth of locations and targets, the title also features the Freelancer mode, which combines the title’s free-form gameplay with a roguelite progression mechanic. Hitman World of Assassination offers players plenty of unique ways to take out their targets, alongside a wide variety of items and weapons that can be used to accomplish just about any task the game throws the player’s way throughout its levels, which span from the US, to South America, to India, and even Dubai.

Alan Wake 2

Quite easily one of the strangest games to have come out in recent times, Alan Wake 2 is a survival horror title that picks up more than a decade after the original Alan Wake. While the titular character serves as one of the protagonists, quite a few parts of the game have players take on the role of FBI agent Saga Anderson who is visiting Bright Falls to investigate the brutal, ritualistic murder of fellow FBI agent Robert Nightingale. Along the way, the paths of Saga and Alan intersect in interesting, fourth wall-breaking ways, and Alan Wake must ultimately figure out the best way to end the story of Saga Anderson.

Neva

Equal parts platforming game and atmospheric experience, Neva puts players in the shoes of a young woman, Alba, and a friendly wolf as they explore a world that is on the verge of dying. As is to be expected from a game by the developers of Gris, Neva features downright gorgeous art and a gripping soundtrack that adds several layers to the atmosphere as they explore a dying world. The gameplay revolves around Alba and her wolf companion slowly learning to work together as they complete platforming sections, combat encounters, and even a few puzzles along the way, all while the duo try and figure out how they can survive.

Little Nightmares 2

A low-key experience, Little Nightmares 2 explores the wider world outside of the first game’s setting of the Maw. With players in the shoes of a young boy named Mono, as he explores the Pale City. The game makes use of a more minimalistic style of storytelling, leaving it up to the player to figure out the secrets behind the Pale City, the signal tower, and the things that lurk within the tower.

Nobody Wants to Die

While narrative adventure games can often be quite fun, few match the level of polish and visual fidelity of Critical Hit Games’ Nobody Wants to Die. Taking place in the year 2329, the player takes on the role of NYPD detective in the Department of Mortality James Karra. With the gameplay largely revolving around puzzle solving and exploring the overall narrative, players will have to figure out the strange circumstances behind a mysterious death affecting a victim that wasn’t supposed to die – a member of the New York City elite. As the mystery unfurls, players will find themselves in the hunt for a serial killer, as they also explore concepts of morality, and what immortality truly means for a person that has more money than they could spend over several lifetimes.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

A direct sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, A Plague Tale: Requiem picks things up around six months after the events of its predecessor. The story revolves around siblings Amicia and Hugo de Rune, who decide to travel south in order to try and look for a cure for Hugo’s affliction. The gameplay is an iteration over the first title, with players taking control of Amicia and being helped out by Hugo from time to time. However, both characters also have plenty of new abilities to play around with in combat encounters. A Plague Tale: Requiem also acts as an absolute feast for the eyes considering its incredible level of visual fidelity and strong art direction.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

An RE Engine remake of a classic zombie game, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster has players take on the role of intrepid photojournalist Frank West as he is exploring the circumstances surrounding a military-enforced lockdown in the sleepy town of Willamette, Colorado. In a series of events, West, along with a bunch of other survivors, find themselves trapped in a mall that also happens to house hordes of zombies, as well as a few psychotic lunatics lurking around. West only has three days of real-world time to figure out a way to escape from the mall with as many allies as he can. The original Dead Rising, and by extension the Deluxe Remaster, is famous for the immense level of customisation offered by the game when it comes to its weapon crafting system, focusing primarily on melee weapons.

Pacific Drive

A unique take on the roguelite formula, Pacific Drive combines the sense of adventure one might find in exploring randomly-generated levels, along with the joy that often comes from working on a beaten up car to gradually improve it with better parts over time. The player is put into the shoes of “The Driver” as they explore the Olympic Exclusion Zone after accidentally getting pulled into it through a vortex. The zone is full of strange activity, however, with even roads constantly shifting and moving about, and the player must find other survivors and eventually, a way out. To help the player accomplish this, they have a car known only as the Remnant, which can be improved with new loot that you find, as well as new parts that you can craft once you get the right materials.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

While the original Citizen Sleeper was a, pardon the pun, sleeper hit in its own right thanks to excellent writing and unique gameplay elements inspired by Disco Elysium, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is an improvement in just about every aspect. Carrying over its predecessor’s strong anti-capitalism slant with an interesting story, Citizen Sleeper 2 revolves around the player trying to figure out a way to escape the “ownership” of Laine, and in the process, ending up in a lawless portion of the Hellion star system, known only as the Belt.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

While Kojima Productions’ first outing as an independent studio after Konami – Death Stranding – was an interesting and unique game in its own right, the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, takes things up a notch in every way possible. Along with broadening the core gameplay loop of making deliveries across long treks, Death Stranding 2 also features a more grand story of wider scope, with more interesting main villains. Along with this, the core combat has also seen massive improvements, giving players more tools to take on an even wider variety of enemies, ranging from well-armed humans to massive kaiju-sized BTs. This along with a jump in visual fidelity makes Death Stranding 2: On the Beach a journey well worth taking.

Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong features some downright fantastic boss fights and is further elevated by the fact that the game’s combat can be described as being nothing short of absolutely joyous in how well it controls, how responsive the game feels, and how well the encounters are set up to get players to use every tool they have in their kit. There’s a reason, after all, why Black Myth: Wukong would launch to immense success in terms of concurrent player counts as well as copies sold.

Hogwarts Legacy

It’s easy to describe Hogwarts Legacy as an open-world action/adventure game, but that would be ignoring how lovingly it recreates the world of Harry Potter that long-time fans of the book series could finally explore in depth. While the title doesn’t really do anything new, it is still a fantastic way to spend some time owing to the care with which the titular Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and its surrounding areas have been recreated. Players can live out their dreams of being an aspiring wizard in the world of Harry Potter, attending classes, getting stronger at magic, and even helping quell a goblin rebellion in the process.

Star Wars Outlaws

While Star Wars Outlaws may have been released to middling reception and suffered from plenty of problems, several updates since its release have turned the game into a must-play adventure, especially for fans of Star Wars. Now that plenty of the game’s fundamental issues, like broken stealth mechanics, have been fixed, the story of Kay Vess is quite a bit of fun to experience, especially thanks to the open-world structure of the title, complete with different factions vying for your attention. The adventure also continues thanks to the release of two expansions for the game – Dead Man’s Hand and A Pirate’s Fortune – both of which add plenty more content to an already feature-rich title.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

A unique take on narrative games, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream has players exploring the city of Eriksholm in the shoes of Hanna. With an emphasis on stealth, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream gives players plenty of chances to figure out the story behind the world as Hanna slowly continues her quest to find her brother. The game also features gorgeous visuals, with the city of Eriksholm being one of the most interesting settings for a game in recent times. Along with this, players will also get to make use of an extensive arsenal of tools as they sneak around the guards of the industrializing city.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

While 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man was a fantastic return of the web-slinging superhero to video games, its sequel – appropriately titled Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – decided to expand on the original’s ideas in epic ways. Along with featuring two Spider-Men, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 also gives us a deeper look into the stories and motivations behind both of the superheroes. Pair that with an incredible open-world that is an absolute joy to traverse through thanks to Spider-Man’s set of abilities, as well as a fun rogue’s gallery to take on throughout the story and side-content, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is in many ways one of the best superhero experiences currently available on the PS5.

Horizon Forbidden West

A follow-up to Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West once again puts players in the shoes of Aloy as she decides to explore parts of the western coast of the continent. Along with brand new visuals and a deeper look into the overall world and lore behind the Horizon franchise, Forbidden West also gives us improved combat that feels a lot more dynamic, along with more fun and intense boss fights that will have players make use of just about every tool they have at their disposal. Horizon Forbidden West, along with its Burning Shores expansion, can in many ways be described as the ideal sequel, where it builds on the foundations set by its predecessor in new and interesting ways.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

In a genre that is dominated by fantasy and sci-fi works, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 manages to stand out thanks to its use of a real-world historic setting. Along with exploring the lands of Trosky in the 1400s, players – who once more take on the role of Henry – not only get embroiled in a plot that can be best described as a political-thriller-meets-war-story, but they most also live in an interestingly simulationist game world. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 of will have you squint your eyes as you try and make out text in a book, depending on Henry’s level of literacy, and train with swordmasters to learn new ways to swing your sword, all while also trying to make sure that you don’t die of starvation or villagers don’t run away from because you haven’t had a bath in a while. These gameplay systems makes for a great way to kill a few dozen hours.

Hi-Fi Rush

The last hurrah – at least for the time being – for Tango Gameworks before the studio was shut down by Microsoft last year, Hi-Fi Rush is a unique hack-and-slash action game that rewards players that have good rhythm. The unique hook of the game is that players are encouraged to attack, jump, and dodge their way through fights to the beat of the background music. While you can still finish the game if you miss every beat, landing the beat with good timing rewards you with higher damaging moves. Pair that with a vibrant art style, hilarious writing, an excellent soundtrack, and some downright fantastic boss fights, and you get one of the most fun and unique action games out there.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

When it comes to third-person action RPGs that have a heavy emphasis on their narratives, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is one of the most interesting releases of the lot. Taking place in the unique setting in 1695, players take on the role of Banishers as they set out to explore the lands, figure out the origins of curses, and most importantly, unravel mysteries that could lead to some very uneasy answers to important questions.

The First Berserker: Khazan

In the over a decade and a half since the release of the first game that could be called a Soulslike – Demon’s Souls – we’ve seen plenty of studios take a stab at making their own. Few have gotten as close to the standards set out by FromSoftware as Neople with The First Berserker: Khazan. Alongside taking place in an interesting world based on the DNF franchise, The First Berserker: Khazan also offers some strong action RPG gameplay, complete with a wide variety of weapons and incredibly challenging boss fights. Pair this with a downright gorgeous art style and you are bound to end up with a good time.

Jusant

At the outset, Jusant looks like it will be an incredibly simple game. Its core gameplay mechanic revolves entirely around climbing, after all. However, while the gameplay mechanics themselves might feel simple enough, Jusant also uses those same mechanics to deliver an incredibly powerful story that is slowly unraveled as the player – in the shoes of a nameless boy climbing a gigantic rock tower – makes their climb. Sure, there might not be much in the way of stakes, especially since you can’t really die in the game. However, the strong, often emotional writing throughout Jusant more than makes up for any shortcomings that might be present in the gameplay department.

Mafia: The Old Country

While Mafia 3 might have served as a bit of a detour for Hangar 13 with its focus on open-world gameplay, with Mafia: The Old Country, the studio went back to the franchise’s roots in more ways than one. Not only is it a linear story-based game with set missions that players will take on, its story is also taking us all the way back to the eponymous Old Country, where the Sicilian Mafia first originated. The gritty early-1990s mob story features Enzo Favara as the new protagonist, as players live out his fight for survival in his attempts to get a better life for himself after living through a brutal life filled with forced labour. Mafia: The Old Country is an incredible return to form for Hangar 13.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

While the original Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was an interesting game anchored by strong performances, especially from lead actor Melina Juergens as the titular Senua, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 cranks just about everything up to eleven. Not only has the gameplay seen plenty of improvements, the story itself, along with the presentation have been upgraded so much, the word “cinematic” hardly does the title justice. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 once again takes us to Viking Iceland where Senua has to take on difficult battles against the forces of tyranny to save not only victims, but also save herself in the process.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

When it first came out, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was widely considered to be one of the best games for its home platform – the PlayStation 2. 21 years later, we now have a remake in the form of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Not only do we get upgraded visuals and improved gameplay with modern control schemes in the remake, we also get to re-experience a fantastic spy thriller set during the Cold War, the events of which end up having repercussions for the entire Metal Gear franchise as a whole. Snake Eater has players take on the role of Naked Snake as he sets off on Operation Snake Eater to take down The Boss, her elite squad known as the Cobra Unit, as well as commander of GRU Volgin.

Gears of War: Reloaded

It’s no secret that the original Gears of War was one of the most important games on the Xbox 360, helping spawn an entire franchise that is still going on to this day. Celebrating this history, developer The Coalition has bought back the Gears of War Ultimate Edition with a fresh coat of paint. Calling it “faithful remaster”, Gears of War: Reloaded features high-resolution assets, as well as full optimisation to run on all modern-day gaming platforms, including the PS5. Along with the excellent campaign that kicks off the saga of Marcus Fenix in his war against the Locust threat, Gears of War: Reloaded also includes plenty of multiplayer features, including co-op mode for the campaign, as well as competitive multiplayer.

Echoes of the End

While a debut outing for studio Myrkur Games, it could be easy to assume that the developers behind Echoes of the End have had quite a bit of experience with game design. The game may not feature complex customization options and deep puzzles. Rather, it features fun combat, a gorgeous world, and puzzles with just the right level of complexity to not get you too frustrated. Pair that with some excellent writing and characterisation for protagonist Ryn and her travelling companion Abram Finlay, and you have a great single-player campaign that doesn’t overstay its welcome thanks to its 14-hour runtime.

Animal Well

While at first glance, Animal Well might not look like much thanks to its art style making use of stark colour contrasts, often with black backgrounds in most of its scenes. Spending a little time with the tidal, however, reveals one of the most interesting platforming titles to have come out since maybe Hollow Knight. Animal Well puts players in the shoes of a small creature that has freshly hatched from a flower, and must now explore the world to figure out their own life. What sets the title apart is how well it makes use of its art style – which features wonderfully detailed environments all over the place – not only for the sake of gameplay, but for atmosphere as well. Along with its platforming trappings, Animal Well also serves as a horror title thanks to the player not having ways to fight back against creatures that might harm you; players must instead make clever use of the world around them to figure out ways around dangerous obstacles.

Patch 1.1.0 has gone live for the acclaimed Metroidvania action-adventure title, with a boss rush mode now available in the Memories menu- where, incidentally, players can now also have rematches against every boss they’ve encountered in the game. Boss rush and boss rematches both also give Fragments as rewards.

The aforementioned New Game Plus mode, meanwhile, is unlocked only after you’ve seen a “specific” ending, and will feature a new Relic upgrade level to keep your progression going. Beyond that, the update also adds new items in the gallery to purchase with Fragments, a couple of bug fixes, and more. You can check out the full patch notes below.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Read our review of the game through here.

PATCH NOTES 1.1.0:

New features:

Test your skills by challenging the new “Boss rush” mode

• Unlocked by defeating all the bosses in the game.
• Accessed by the “Memories” menu, “Boss rush” tab from any rest point.
• Clear times and best attempts are saved as records.
• Receive “Fragments” by clearing the challenge. The number of fragment received depends on the selected difficulty.

Boss rematch feature

• Accessed by the “Memories” menu, “Bosses” tab from any rest point.
• Receive “Fragments” by clearing the challenge. The number of fragment received depends on the selected difficulty.

Carry over your progress and explore a harsher world with “New Game +”

• Unlocked by clearing the game and seeing a specific ending.
• Start the game from the beginning while keeping your parameters, skills and items.
• All enemies will be of higher difficulty, starting the game on a chapter higher than the previous maximum, and bosses will have more aggressive patterns.
  Items related to quests will not carry over.
• Items that were obtained previously will be replaced by either “Material” or “Junk” in New Game +.
  Items that were not previously obtained can still be obtained in New Game +.
  Items that were replaced in New Game + will be placed again when carrying data over a second time.
• New “Relic” upgrade level (++)
  “Relics” that were upgraded to the “+” level can be upgraded again to the “++” level at the relic refinery.
  Upgrading a relic to “++” will further increase its effect or lower its slot cost.
  “Relics” that could not be upgraded before are still not upgradable.

Other additions

• Add a set logic to Skill, Equipment and Relics to easily switch between equipments
• Add new gallery items and costumes obtainable by spending “Fragments”.

Adjustments:

• Adjust some events to make scenario specific triggers a bit easier to understand

Bug fixes:

• Translation fixes
• Small visual and gameplay fixes

If you died multiple times in the Arena Tower to various bosses, wondering why some have an annoying amount of HP, it’s not just you. Combat Puppet: No. 20, 14, and 56 have lower health, which should “increase the tempo” of the entire area. Combat Puppet No. 7 has also had the power of its attacks lowered.

There are also changes to the Reinforced Lab Rat and Experimental Manufacturer, though various enemies have received small “adjustments.” As for other fixes, some of Lorna’s skills have seen their effectiveness reduced. The Crimson Forest now also has more platforms for “better shortcuts.”

Check out the full patch notes below for more details. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is available now for PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. Head here for our review.

Patch notes: 1.0.3

Adjustments:

• Enemies parameter adjustments:
  – Reinforced Lab Rat: lower attack, stamina and resistance to status effects
  – Experimental Manufacturer (Rat generator): lower HP
  – Combat Puppet: No. 20, 14, 56 (“Arena Tower” mini bosses): lower HP to increase tempo of the battle sequence
  – Combat Puppet: No. 7 (“Arena Tower” boss): lower the power of some attacks
  – Other small adjustments on various enemies
• Add platforms in the “Crimson Forest” area to allow for better shortcuts
• Add visual representation of the general teleportation direction on warp points for easier navigation
• Lower the effectiveness of some skills of “Lorna”
• Brush up of some background visuals

Bug fixes:

• Fix the map completion that was not rendered properly on some GPU*
• In the area “Land of origin”, concerning a specific growth:
  – Fix the visibility state that would sometimes stay invisible
  – change the geometry of the level to make the growth easier to break, especially on low FPS machines
• Fix the BGM of the boss in the “Magicite Mine” area
• Parry actions:
  – Fix player collision size after parry actions that could stay bigger than normal for a few frames
  – Fix parry actions that were not resetting airborne action count correctly
• Translations and texts fixes
• Various small behaviour, visual and animation fixes

* While we believe the bug is fixed, we couldn’t test many GPU yet. If the bug is still present in the latest version, please try to launch the game using either “-dx11” or “-vulkan” as a launch option through Steam while we work on fixing it.

Developers Adglobe and Live Wire confirmed that a future update will add some much-needed features – namely Boss Rematch and Boss Rush. The former allows for battling a previously slain boss, while the latter lets you take on all bosses in successive battles. It’s unknown whether the latter provides any additional rewards for doing so.

The same update will also add New Game+, which means carrying over the player’s progress into a new playthrough after finishing the game. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights added new moves for bosses in NG+, but it remains to be seen if the sequel goes in the same direction. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

The answer, unsurprisingly for those who bought into early access last year, is yes to both. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist doesn’t stray far from the same design model, and its narrative beats will be appreciated much more by those who played Ender Lilies. Nevertheless, it’s a finely honed Metroid-style experience, presenting yet another somber tale of a fallen world.

"The pacing is strong throughout – the story doesn’t get long-winded with its dialogue exchanges. Furthermore, the memories of various Homunculi hit the right emotional notes while progressing the story."

Like its predecessor, the story begins with its protagonist, Lilac, awakening in a laboratory with almost no memories. Teaming up with the also mysterious Homunculus, Nola, the duo set out through the Land of Fumes to discover who they are. It’s easier than done due to the various Homunculi who have become mutated by the toxic fumes emanating from the land’s depths.

Of course, Lilac is special, possessing an Attuner’s skills and being able to cleanse those afflicted by the mysterious sickness. She doesn’t attack directly, instead harnessing the powers of various Homunculi to fight in her stead.

Though she starts with Nola, it isn’t long before other Homunculi join the fray, like Lito, a test subject with a powerful elemental arm; Yolvan, a gun-slinging product of animal fusion who’s close to the happy-go-lucky Levy; the Shackled Beast who relies on brute strength; and more. They quickly become a motley crew of sorts, exchanging pleasantries (and digs) at rest spots when they’re not coming to terms with their own horrific pasts.

Thematically, Ender Magnolia offers some familiar ones – greed, discrimination, classism, hubris. However, the overall direction is compelling, as you gather notes and unravel the connections between them, Houses Frost and Milius, Lilac, and more. The pacing is strong throughout – the story doesn’t get long-winded with its dialogue exchanges. Furthermore, the memories of various Homunculi hit the right emotional notes while progressing the story. Other characters add some additional layers to the goings-on, assisting Lilac when necessary, though it feels like some could be fleshed out a bit more.

"The controls are responsive and feel great. Perhaps my only nitpick with the environments is wanting some variety with the secret areas beyond finding a hidden wall that leads to some materials or a Relic with little else."

When it comes to the gameplay, Ender Magnolia makes some fundamental shifts from its predecessor. There are multiple Homunculi, but the number is significantly lower than Ender Lilies. Instead, each has different abilities to unlock and equip. Nola can attack quickly with a saber, break out a scythe for more area or double-hand an axe, while Yolvan can alternate between single shots from a distance, a buzzsaw with a slower fire rate and more power, or a drill-like vortex that ignores enemy defenses. As you collect materials, each ability can be upgraded into more powerful and slightly different versions.

Most lack multiple uses, instead relying on cooldowns, which is a relief during basic exploration and boss fights. It feels nice to have the Shackled Beast’s roar as a defensive option or Lito’s burst damage to use almost whenever instead of having to carefully ration them. There are also Attuner Arts – powerful, Ultimate-like skills for each equipped Homunculus. You’ll need to build the SP gauge to unleash them, but they’re fairly potent.

Ender Magnolia features equipment, with bangles offering stat increases, Carapaces allowing for additional skills (like counters), and Totems providing passive benefits to go with the Relics system of old. The amount of options is pretty good, and even if you stick with certain Relics for most of your playtime, there’s plenty of incentive to change things up. You can also improve Relics with Scrap, having them take up fewer slots or offer flat boosts to their benefits.

Otherwise, if you’ve played any major Metroid-style title in the last five years, you’ll know what to expect. Explore various interconnected environments, including hidden alcoves and caves, with your standard platforming tropes like double-jumps, air dashes, diving, wall-climbing, and even a grappling hook. Cut down opposing threats – and there is a wide variety, making each new area as mystifying as it is dangerous. Eventually come across a dead end which requires a future ability to explore. Repeat.

Ender Magnolia doesn’t mess with this formula, delivering on every single other aspect that matters. Level design is well done, with each area offering unique hooks without disrupting the overall flow, though the Crimson Forest can get confusing if you don’t pay attention to the map. The controls are responsive and feel great. Perhaps my only nitpick with the environments is wanting some variety with the secret areas beyond finding a hidden wall that leads to some materials or a Relic with little else. Nevertheless, it caters to that desire to explore and see what the next area holds.

"The harrowing tones of the Subterranean Testing Site, the calming ethereal vocals of Old City – even the battle music, like the Shackled Beast with its fast-paced piano keys and guitar riffs – is simply outstanding."

While the boss fights don’t quite have the intricacy of some of gaming’s more challenging encounters over the years, they’re still well-designed. Their discernible patterns are offset by how easily they could annihilate you if you get caught out once or twice. It may feel annoying at times, but there are thankfully difficulty options to tweak things on a granular level. For example, if you’re fine with enemy damage but feel like they have too much health or don’t stay stunned for long enough after depleting their break gauge, then change them.

Despite some occasionally rough subject matter, the journey through the Land of Fumes is a stunning one. If Ender Lilies deserved attention for its “ruined beauty” aesthetic, Ender Magnolia one-ups in pretty much every way. The steampunk aesthetic, characterized by ever-present fumes and architecture that calls old London to mind, is gorgeous. Each area feels perfect in its tone and color palette, whether you’re venturing through the dingy Subterranean Waterway or basking in the fantasy-leaning Crimson Forest. The mix of 2D and 3D in places is also great, like when admiring the water in places without feeling overdone.

All of this is further aided by Mili’s soundtrack. The harrowing tones of the Subterranean Testing Site, the calming ethereal vocals of Old City – even the battle music, like the Shackled Beast with its fast-paced piano keys and guitar riffs – is simply outstanding. It fits the series’ overall vibe and atmosphere yet feels completely suited to the Magnolia’s setting. The attention to detail, with separate versions of tracks for the respites, is just the cherry on top of some truly stellar work.

"This is an arresting experience backed by excellent platforming and combat which comfortably scratches that exploration itch."

In many ways, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mists is a work of art, but the development team transcends the beauty of its visuals and music with genuinely compelling gameplay. It’s a bigger adventure, for sure, yet never plods nor feels padded out. Fans of Ender Lilies are doubtless already on board, but if you were waiting for the full version to see if it delivers, rest assured.

As for Metroid-style fans who haven’t played the original, I would still recommend starting with that first, if only to appreciate the lore and references. Either way, this is an arresting experience backed by excellent platforming and combat which comfortably scratches that exploration itch.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Set much after the events of Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights, the story centres on Lilac, an Attuner in the Land of Fumes. While it’s known for magical and technological advancements, including the Homunculi, things take a turn when mystery fumes after the latter. As an Attuner, Lilac can harness different Homunculi and use their abilities to survive.

Of course, her long-term goal is restoring her memories and discovering her connection to the Homunculi. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist promises 35 hours of content with Version 1.0, though progress from early access sadly doesn’t carry over. Stay tuned for more details en route to its launch next week.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Just when it seemed like Nintendo wrapped up all its big releases ahead of its next console reveal, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD launches on January 16th for the Switch. Featuring the return of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, the classic campaign supports revamped visuals, JoyCon support, and new levels from the 3DS port. There’s even New Mode, which provides an easier on-boarding difficulty for newcomers.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

“No more open world” is already a massive selling point for Dynasty Warriors: Origins. However, Omega Force is cooking up even more with the prequel ahead of its launch on January 17th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. A new protagonist, tactics, and combat improvements alongside multiple weapons and famous warriors as teammates (who you can control for limited periods) are just a few notable features. If the demo is any indication, Dynasty Warriors: Origins should restore the series ‘ glory.

Tales of Graces f Remastered

It’s still remaster season for Tales fans, with Tales of Graces f the latest title to get said treatment. Unlike Symphonia, the next remaster is handled by Tose instead of Bandai Namco, ensuring 60 FPS on all platforms (except Nintendo Switch, sadly). Tales of Graces f Remastered also features quality-of-life additions like auto-save, English and Japanese audio, a destination marker for quests on the world map, and more. It launches on January 17th for PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Switch.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (PC)

The critically acclaimed sequel finally arrives on PC after remaining on PS5 for the better part of 2024. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth offers numerous improvements to Remake’s combat while heavily expanding on the mini-games, characters, exploration, and story. PC players can look forward to more extensive graphical settings, support for upscalers like DLSS, and improved lighting rendering. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth arrives for PC players on January 23rd.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PC)

If another 100-hour RPG isn’t what you’re after on PC, then Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 may be the solution. Featuring not one but two Spider-Men, Peter Parker and Mile Morales, it offers new locations, combat abilities, and activities to go with the darker narrative and addition of the infamous Symbiote, Venom. It’s out on January 30th for PC.

Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles

Aspyr has been working overtime to bring various Star Wars classics to modern platforms, with Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles being the latest. It arrives on January 23rd for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. While the prospect of higher resolutions and better performance is tempting, fans can also look forward to playing unlocked characters from the beginning and using a new modern control scheme.

Hyper Light Breaker Early Access

Hyper Light Breaker is an open-world rogue-lite for PC that features intense boss battles, weapons and hoverboards. After facing several delays, Heart Machine is releasing Hyper Light Breaker in early access on January 14.  It will feature three player co-op along with a variety of skins and weapons.

Eternal Strands

Action adventure title Eternal Strands, which sees players relying on the elements and environments to battle massively imposing threats, launches on January 28th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Besides intriguing us with its visuals and overall combat, the premise and journey of Brynn, a Weaver on a mission of redemption, is intriguing. If that’s not enough, post-launch content developed alongside the Final Fantasy 16 development team is also in the works.

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap

Franchises come and go, and yet somehow, Orcs Must Die! still showcases the appeal of constructing elaborate defenses and slaying hordes of Orcs. Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is the latest iteration of the series, out on January 28th for Xbox Series X/S and PC. It offers co-op for up to four players, but you can still go it alone, choosing from six new War Mages and partaking in new rogue-lite runs. Offering more extensive customization, random modifiers in each run, and more, Deathtrap retains the series’ signature chaos and charm.

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

Odd Bug’s long-awaited sequel to its brutal 2D side-scrolling action RPG finally arrives on January 28th for PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. On top of a new violent story, players will once again engage in settlement building, slaying enemies (this time with new elemental effects), and even embarking on hunts against massive beasts for greater rewards. And yes, Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt from The Witcher 3, returns to provide the same impeccable narration.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Long-range snipes into body parts with explosive results, carefully showcased with an X-Ray Killcam? You’ve come to the right place with Rebellion’s Sniper Elite: Resistance, a spin-off that runs parallel to Sniper Elite 5 and stars Harry Hawker of the SOE. Between sniping, sneaking, and assassinating Nazis across large maps, you’ll also take out Kill List targets and embody Resistance fighters in new Propaganda Missions. All this and more await on January 30th for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

A new Sleeper, a new Belt in the Helios System, and many of the same problems (with a few new ones thrown in for good measure). Jump Over the Age’s mix of sci-fi narrative, tabletop dice mechanics, and role-playing gives you a ship and various jobs to complete amid an ongoing conflict between corporations. Making new friends, temporary and permanent, and bringing them along to complete jobs is key, as is managing stress and your slowly deteriorating body. If you even mildly enjoyed the original’s characters and stories, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector launches on January 31st for PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana

Trying to unravel the origins of Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana can be a headache (especially since it’s a remaster of a remake). All you need to know is that it’s one of the better titles in the series, now presented with sharper visuals, a new voiceover for protagonist Adol, new character illustrations, and every iteration of the excellent soundtrack. It’s available on January 7th for PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.

Freedom Wars Remastered

The underrated dystopian action RPG first released in 2014 by Sony for the PlayStation Vita makes its long-awaited return on January 10th for PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. As a prisoner in the Panopticons, players must effectively work off their sentence, battling Abductors and competing against other cities for valuable resources. Offering 4K/60 FPS on PlayStation and PC, improved controls, visual improvements, and more to go with eight-player co-op, Freedom Wars Remastered is a long time coming.

Blade Chimera

From the team behind Touhou Luna Nights comes another immensely sleek platformer. As the amnesiac Shin, players work alongside Lux and fight against various monsters to unravel the mysteries of his life. Alongside shapeshifting and time manipulation, players will unlock new abilities and weapons in their quest. Launching on January 16th for PC and Nintendo Switch, Blade Chimera is shaping up into an excellent side-scroller.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

The follow-up to Ender Lilies, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist travels to the Land of Fumes and stars a new hero – Lilac, an Attuner who can control the Homunculi, each with different abilities. While there are no signs of the Rain of Death from decades prior, the world has fallen into ruin after mysterious Fumes infect the Homunculi. Survival is paramount, but Lilac must also recover her memories. While offering more excellent 2D art and animation and a new soundtrack by Mili, Ender Magnolia also provides new skills, difficulty levels, and combat changes. It exits early access on January 22nd for PC while also launching for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.

Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Binary Haze CEO and Creative Director, recently stated that because of “all the improvements and adjustments we have made, the parts of the game available throughout Early Access have changed considerably.” As a result, early adopters will need to start over.

“We understand this will disappoint some players, but we ask your understanding. Our highest priority is giving you the best, highest-quality version of Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist, and this difficult yet necessary decision resulted from that goal.”

While he didn’t outline all the content coming in Version 1.0, Kobayashi confirmed a new tutorial cutscene, changes to item locations, revisions to the level design, and map adjustments. Early access offers the first four areas with various enemies and bosses, numerous Homunculi to recruit with unique skills, and much more.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist exits early access on January 22nd, 2025, for PC, and will receive a price increase. It will also be available for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Stay tuned for further updates in the meantime.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist’s setting is The Land of Fumes from the perspective of Lilac, an “attuner.” Set decades after the first game’s Rain of Death, something terrible has gone down in this new land involving the Homunculi. Lilac must work with them and ultimately retrieve her memories.

The early access version currently features the first four areas and a single village. You’ll encounter various characters and battle bosses in each location, unlock new skills, and more. Version 1.0 promises 35 hours of content, including 30 total abilities, new biomes, and additional bosses alongside the story’s ending. Stay tuned for more details heading into the launch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvSf1pOO084