Horizon Forbidden West

In many ways, Horizon Forbidden West is more of what made Horizon Zero Dawn so good, just enriched further. The increased fidelity fits well with the wider variety of environments, like San Francisco’s coast and the dilapidated Golden Gate Bridge. But even when traversing the deserts and forests, everything looks so crisp and detailed, from sand particle effects to the foliage and skyboxes. Of course, the animation work also deserves a nod for how much it’s expanded and enhanced, particularly in cutscenes and interactions. It helps bring every encounter to life.

MLB The Show seems very focused on broadening its player base this time around. With cross-play and cross-save functionality now including Nintendo Switch players, the game can now be played by more people than ever. This review is for the PS5 version, so I can’t speak on how well any of that performs on Switch, but it’s certainly a commendable goal for what it’s worth. On PS5 though, the game runs as well as it ever has. Going multi-platform last year seems to have done little to nothing in terms of affecting Sony San Diego’s ability to keep things running smoothly on their original platform. I didn’t notice anything in the way of fidelity or effects that last year’s game wasn’t capable of, but that really just speaks to how sharp 2021’s version was more than anything.

"MLB The Show 22 often feels like a thorough revamp that has resulted in new modes, meaningful additions to existing modes, and small conservative tweaks to general gameplay that make it really feel like a substantial follow up to last year’s game."

There really isn’t much of an equivalent of The Show to compare it to these days, but generally speaking in the sports game world, this is certainly one of the better-looking games in the genre. Clothing fabric twists and turns naturally with characters’ bodies, and crucial animations like batters regaining their balance after overstepping a base seem slightly improved over 2021’s game, making the simulation effect a little stronger. These things seem to shine even brighter when playing around with legend players for some reason, of which there are some notable new additions as well. I do wish facial expressions had seen a similar level of improvement though, as great hair and clothes don’t go as far as they could when players are still making the same cold, blank expressions that they always had 90% of the time. This doesn’t seem to be something that the community complains about much, so maybe I’m in the minority on that, but I still think it’s worth pointing out.

Along with the broadening of the player base also seems to be a very logical focus on accessibility for newer players. Lots of tutorials lightly pepper the experience – and usually only show up when they’re relevant, which mostly succeeds in striking that elusive balance between keeping you informed and keeping you in the game – but not always. You can easily turn them off when you’ve had enough though, which for me is almost immediately. Transitioning your March to October team to other modes ensures you can keep playing the way you want – even if it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Improvements to trade logic like valuing top players with higher premiums in trade negotiations, and valuing relief pitchers less than starting ones, along with several other deliberate tweaks like expanding the max contract terms to 15 years and making exclusive negotiations among free agents sparser, help players manage their teams the way they want and truly experience the baseball simulation fantasy a lot easier.

Some subtle touches to the general gameplay are also welcome, like the ability to lock in your spot on the strike zone with dynamic sensitivity, which gives batters more precision, and perfect throws now doable for in-fielders as well as outfielders, giving the pitching side more control over their team in tense moments where every second counts, which in turn results in much more satisfaction when you take somebody out on their way to the home plate. Online co-op is also a new addition to this year’s game, but sadly I wasn’t able to find anybody online to test it with before launch. Still, the numerous tweaks and adjustments made all over the game’s many modes are smart and well-calibrated. Along with more detailed difficulty and complexity settings, these changes should result in a smoother on-ramp for new and casual players alike while not sacrificing much if any of the depth that veterans enjoy.

Road to the Show, which most consider the centerpiece of the game, is also in good shape here. While it can still bog you down in charts, tips, and inconsequential text conversations for longer than I prefer, the banter of the podcast hosts and commentators that tie the events together outshine that, and make this the best version of this mode in my opinion. Although I still think a little more variety in what the commentators say in between events that reacts better to the specifics of what actually transpired could’ve really elevated this mode closer to its potential.

"MLB The Show 22 is arguably the most notable leap the series has taken in recent memory. Perhaps a result of the influx of new blood from going multiplatform last year, it seems like Sony San Diego is really trying to make the most out of this era of the franchise’s history where more eyes are on them than ever before."

When you find yourself wanting to explore the game’s many modes, exhibition, practice, and the improved stadium creator could easily give you hours of entertainment. The latter in particular seems to be beefed up a bit with several new stadium templates for you to start out with and customize to your liking with different props, seating customization, and other elements that make this feel like a more actualized mode than last year’s version.

Audio has never really been a weak point for this series, but it hasn’t really stood out either. This year’s game is no different in that regard. Some modern licensed music rumbles in the background effectively mimicking the atmosphere of a real ball game, but the banter between players, cracks of the bat, catches, and most other sound effects are moderately convincing at best. Granted, sound effects might not be as important to a baseball game as a football or basketball game, but underestimating the power of high-quality sound effects is a mistake no matter what, and as usual, it feels a bit glazed over more often than not in The Show 22.

MLB The Show 22 is arguably the most notable leap the series has taken in recent memory. Perhaps a result of the influx of new blood from going multiplatform last year, it seems like Sony San Diego is really trying to make the most out of this era of the franchise’s history where more eyes are on them than ever before. Outside of a few small gripes I do have with the somewhat clunky career mode, a mediocre soundtrack, and awkward character expressions that can subtract from the fantasy at times, this is yet another damn fine baseball game from Sony San Diego that isn’t quite a home run, but still manages to fly deep enough into left field to put some more points on the board.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

MLB The Show 22 sees Road to the Show returning with the option to create, customize and utilize multiple players. Two new difficulty settings have been added to help new players learn the ropes while March to October has been updated with the ability to use created stadiums, custom uniforms and more. If you’re short on time, then Mini Seasons are available with different kinds of challenges.

If that weren’t enough, Diamond Dynasty also returns with its brand of fantasy card playing. MLB The Show 22 costs $60 on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch while the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions retail for $70. The current-gen versions run at dynamic 4K and 60 FPS. Stay tuned for more details and updates on the title in the coming months.

For the sports enthusiasts out there, MLB The Show 22 and Cricket 22 are both available on Game Pass for console and cloud starting today. Starting April 7, cloud users will be able to play Dragon Age 2, Star Wars Squadrons, and Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare via EA Play. The same day will also see the launch of Chinatown Detective Agency, a cybernoir point and click adventure, for Game Pass on console, PC, and cloud.

April 12 is also going to see some activity, with the addition of Life is Strange: True Colors (console, cloud, and PC), strategy title Panzer Corps 2 (PC only), and tactical RPG The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk (already available on console and cloud, coming to PC).

Finally, on April 14, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will get access to Lost in Random on PC, cloud, and console via EA Play.

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Microsoft has yet to announce the latest titles coming to Xbox Game Pass this month. However, noted Game Pass and PlayStation Plus leaker BillBill-Kun has revealed the first wave of titles on Dealabs (translation via DeepL) and they’re fairly impressive. Deck Nine’s Life is Strange: True Colors is reportedly coming and will be available for cloud, consoles and PC.

Zoink’s Lost in Random is also apparently coming to the service via cloud and console along with releasing on PC via EA Play. Previously confirmed Game Pass titles for the month include MLB The Show 22, which is out today for consoles and cloud, and Chinatown Detective Agency, which releases on April 7th for cloud, consoles and PC. Cricket 22 will reportedly join PC Game Pass starting today while Panzer Corps 2 is seemingly coming at a later date.

Existing titles on the service are also apparently coming to other platforms like The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos being available on PC Game Pass. Star Wars Squadrons, Dragon Age 2 and Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare will also be available to play via the cloud. Take things with a grain of salt as usual but an official announcement should be coming soon.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Switch)

As a remaster of the Nintendo Wii version, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed tells the story of Galen Marek aka Starkiller. Raised in secret by Darth Vader and serving as his apprentice, he embarks on missions to hunt down any rogue Jedi and kill anyone that gets in his way. While titles like Jedi Knight emphasized more grounded lightsaber combat, The Force Unleashed embraced hack and slash style combos and the power fantasy of hurling TIE Fighters at enemies. While it’s unknown if the Switch version will have motion controls or multiplayer duels like the Wii, it should be a fun way to revisit the franchise when it releases on April 20^th.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Of course for those who want to experience everything Star Wars-related from a LEGO veneer, there’s LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. It packs all nine mainline films, from the prequels and original trilogy to the new trilogy, into one massive game with over 300 playable characters, 45 story missions and tons of side content. Venture to Tatooine and engage in quizzes to find out who shot first; roam space and get into a dogfight with Star Destroyers; or enter Freeplay mode and control whoever you like. It’s out on April 1^st for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

The Serpent Rogue

The premise of Sengi Games’ action adventure is fairly straightforward – the Serpent Rogue is spreading its evil from Mount Morbus. Play as an alchemist known as The Warden and venture forth to defeat it. As you explore the dark fantasy world, you’ll gather ingredients, craft potions, pursue quests and even shapeshift to grow stronger. Be careful though since certain actions have serious repercussions, like ghouls being attracted to unburied corpses. The Serpent Rogue releases on April 26^th for Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

The House of the Dead: Remake

The 1997 arcade rail-shooter is making a comeback, courtesy of Forever Entertainment. Along with remade visuals which give new life to the grotesque zombies of old, it also sports modern controls, local two-player multiplayer and multiple endings. A new game mode where players gun down hordes of the undead has also been added along with Photo Mode, Achievements, an armory with “unlockable” weapons and a gallery to better inspect all of the enemies and bosses. The House of the Dead: Remake launches on April 7^th for Nintendo Switch.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (Switch)

Releasing on April 14^th for Nintendo Switch, Vanillaware’s 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is part visual novel/adventure and part real-time strategy with pause, teeming with mechs, time travel and much more. As the Kaiju invade Tokyo, it’s up to the 13 different characters piloting their Sentinels to stop them. Of course, there’s much more to the story than that as players unravel multiple perspectives and piece them together into a cohesive whole.

MotoGP 22

If you need a break from the Forzas and Gran Turismos of the world, then Milestone’s MotoGP 22 may be worth a look. Releasing on April 21^st, it offers 120 riders and more than 20 circuits. Delve into the 2009 Grand Prix in over 17 chapters with legendary riders like Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa, or enter the Academy to undertake training and challenges. You can also create a team and manage everything, from customizing the bikes to hiring staff, or engage in some split-screen racing. MotoGP 22 will be available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Hologram

For a relatively unknown developer like Enlighteneer, Hologram looks intriguing. Set in the future, you play as Woner who must rely on the power of time manipulation to push back against the “evil horde.” Along with third person shooting, there’s mountain climbing, flying – which can be used to travel the length of planets – and “story-driven gameplay.” Despite some scuffness, it should be interesting to see how the full game is when it releases on April 26^th for PC.

TIC-TAC: Twelve o’clock

Unfortunately, this isn’t a game about calmly playing Tic-Tac-Toe at bright and sunny noon. Instead, you’re exploring Bluebird Middle School, which has somehow become a hotspot for scary creatures and dark forces. Along with puzzle solving and checking your shelter, there are random events that will test your resolve. Survive enough nights and eventually, you’ll find out what’s really going on. TIC-TAC: Twelve o’clock releases on April 29^th for PC.

Holomento

A curse has been wrought upon the land, caused by the strange book known as the Holomento. As a Traveler, you’ll take the book and venture through Eventide Hollow, restoring the region to its former glory. Fight off a variety of enemies (with weapons ranging from swords to grenade launchers, don’t ask) and explore the world for secrets, relics and other resources. Upgrade the Hollow for new stores and shops but beware – dying means starting over as a new Traveler (though you have multiple different classes to choose from). Holomento enters Steam Early Access on April 22^nd.

MLB The Show 22

Sony San Diego’s vaunted MLB The Show series returns, releasing for Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S along with PS4 and PS5 on April 5^th. Featuring Shohei Ohtani as its cover star, it also includes a dynamic Stadium Creator for current-gen platforms, online co-op, and a new commentary team with Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton. This in addition to the classic gameplay that fans know and love along with crossplay, cross saves and cross-progression.

Chernobylite (Xbox Series X/S and PS5)

If you’re seeking that classic S.T.A.L.K.E.R. feel, then Chernobylite may be worth checking out. Set in the Exclusion Zone, you play as Igor and search desperately for a loved one. That’s easier said than done though with mutants, stalkers and other foes prowling the area, not to mention the dangers of radiation. Recruit companions and assign tasks to them; build your base and craft weapons; and take a variety of approaches when playing through the story. The Xbox Series X/S and PS5 versions are out on April 7^th, and will include two graphics modes – 4K/30 FPS and 1080/60 FPS – along with ray tracing support. This is along with the Enhanced Edition PC, which is free for current owners.

Slipstream

A retro-style arcade racer in the vein of Sega’s OutRun series, ansdor’s Slipstream features gorgeous sprite-scaling and a pulsing soundtrack. It comes with five cars, 20 tracks, and four cups in Grand Prix Mode coupled with five additional modes like Time Trial, Battle Royale, Cannonball and more (along with online leaderboards). Though currently available on PC, Slipstream launches on April 7^th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.

Chinatown Detective Agency

Pixel art and gorgeous character portraits coincide with cybernoir and shady streets in this point and click adventure from General Interactive Co. Releasing on April 7^th for Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch, it focuses on new PI Amira Darma who travels across the globe to solve cases. Puzzles and a reliance on real-world trivia are necessary for success, reflecting its Carmen Sandiego inspirations, but there’s a rich narrative to discover as well. Manage your resources accordingly though or bankruptcy will come calling.

tERRORbane

Meta gaming (no, not that one) is fairly niche but it’s produced some good games from ICEY to There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension. BitNine’s tERRORbane is the latest to join the pack, starting out as a fantasy RPG that quickly falls apart due to The Developer. Venture through the world and seek out different bugs, oppose The Developer at every turn, and exploit everything in the faulty code to progress. tERRORbane is out on April 1^st for Nintendo Switch and PC.

Ed-0: Zombie Uprising

A zombie horde slayer from D3 Publisher is hardly news but Ed-0: Zombie Uprising takes a roguelike survival approach to the proceedings. Set in Edo era Japan (hence the name), players choose from one of three characters – the Samurai, Sumo Wrestler and Ninja – and embark on randomly generated runs. Launching into Steam Early Access on April 4^th, Ed-0 will have two playable characters to start with, three main quests and bosses (along with five sub-quests), multiple difficulty options and over 100 skills and items.

To highlight that support, Sony has released a new trailer for the game. Full cross-platform multiplayer will allow players on all platforms to play with and against each other, while with cross-saves and cross-progression being supported, you’ll also be able to transfer all of your progress from platform to platform should you wish to.

MLB The Show 22 will launch on April 5 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Like last year’s game, it’ll be available via Xbox Game Pass on day one. On PS5 and Xbox Series X, the game will run at a dynamic 4K resolution and 60 FPS.

As revealed via the game’s Xbox Store and PlayStation Store pages, on both the Xbox Series X and PS5, MLB The Show 22 will run at a dynamic 4K and 60 FPS- which doesn’t come as a surprise, since that was what last year’s game targeted as well. Of course, MLB The Show 21 was known to run a little better on PS5 than it did on Xbox Series X, so it should be interesting to see if that’s the case with its successors as well. It should also be interesting to see what frame rates and resolutions MLB The Show 22 targets on the Nintendo Switch and its different modes.

MLB The Show 22 is out for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on April 5.

On the PS4, Xbox One, and Switch, MLB The Show 22 will cost $59.99, while on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, it will cost $69.99, similar to last year, while details on the game’s Collector’s Edition are going to be revealed on February 2.

Sony also confirms that MLB The Show 22 will support cross-play across all platforms, and that your MLB The Show accounts can be linked to PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

There’s almost no gameplay footage in the reveal trailer (which you can view below), but expect that to begin arriving in the coming weeks, ahead of the game’s launch.

Soon, in fact, we’re going to start learning new details about it. More specifically, Sony recently took to Twitter via the series’ official page to confirm that the cover athlete for MLB The Show 22 will be revealed this Monday, January 31. That means we can probably expect a full-fledged reveal and details on the game to arrive not long afterward, as well as concrete word on when it’ll be out.

Like last year’s game, MLB The Show 22 will also launch for Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One alongside PS5 and PS4. The question, of course, is if it will follow in its predecessor’s footsteps and also launch on Xbox Game Pass day 1. Given the fact that that’s a decision that lies with the MLB, not Sony, there’s a chance that that happens again this year. It certainly worked out well for MLB The Show 21, so there’s no reason to change things up with this year’s game.

Big things are happening this Monday. Stay tuned for more news on our cover athlete reveal.https://t.co/hso8muWDSS#MLBTheShow #OwnTheShow pic.twitter.com/g4HCkWWQ3d

— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 28, 2022