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.

Many of these titles could have been a lot more expensive considering the unique experiences they brought to the table. However, in a world where there are quite a few substandard titles at much higher price points, these titles stand out as shining beacons for gamers looking to enjoy solid games at reasonable prices.

With that in mind, here are a few amazing games that are currently priced at under 50 USD at the time of writing this article.

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition

Clair Obscur earns its place on this list with its poignant, riveting , beautiful visuals, entertaining gameplay, and a soundtrack filled with tracks that you will hum long after you’ve powered down your gaming system. It’s the complete package and a love letter to RPG fans from Sandfall Interactive.

2. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

It’s been a couple of weeks since Wuchang: Fallen Feathers hit the shelves, and it has more than earned its reputation as a solid Soulslike title that doesn’t break the bank while offering a lot to do in its gorgeous world.

Bai Wuchang’s single-minded determination to save her sister quickly evolves into a deadly Feathering disease that acts as a catalyst for some truly magnificent boss fights that will keep you on your toes for hours on end.

Pick this one up if you want a deadly world full of challenges to take on and secrets to tease out.

3. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced Edition

Ninja Theory’s cinematic work of art continues the story of Senua from its 2017 predecessor. It does so with aplomb, blending absolutely stunning visuals with a gritty, dark take on psychosis and unhealed trauma that is not only mature, but also quite poignant.

With incredibly designed levels, excellent voice acting from a talented cast, and a story that can haunt you long after you roll the credits on it, Senua’s PS5 debut is a title worthy of your time despite a rather bland approach to its puzzles and combat.

This is a game you must experience at least once.

4. Shadow Labyrinth

Pac-Man’s latest outing is Bandai Namco at its finest. Joined by the mysterious Swordsman #8, Pac-Man (or Puck) attempts to escape his prison in a mysterious world while uncovering the truth about events that put him there in the first place.

With a very unique art style, challenging exploration and combat, an interesting story full of references to other Bandai Namco franchises, and even its own backdoor pilot on Amazon Prime’s Secret Level, this is a game that’s entertaining and fun to play.

Just know that there’s a learning curve to its mechanics and combat, and you’re good to go.

5. Robocop Rogue City Unfinished Business

In the mood to just let loose and shoot some bad guys in the face? Robocop Rogue City: Unfinished Business packs everything that was good about the 2023 title into a condensed, fast-paced package that explores Alex’s origin story while pitting him against a villain who has quite the chip on his shoulder in the present.

Controlling Robocop is a lot of fun and is an excellent power trip for fans of the character’s deadpan line delivery and his views on serving up justice to those who need it. It helps that the story races along from start to finish, giving Robocop reasons and new ways to take down any who stands between him and his quarry.

Time to put the Auto 9 to good use!

6. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

Team Ninja grabs another spot on this list with its remake of the 2008 classic. Ryu Hayabusa is a force to be reckoned with in the field of battle, not hesitating to dismember his enemies in order to negate the threat they present. The game’s story is nothing to scoff at either, and can be quite entertaining depending on your taste.

With its upgraded visuals and a very solid gameplay loop, this remake is definitely worth checking out and is a steal at under $50 USD.

7. The Alters

This survival game from 11 Bit Studios has been making waves since it released in June 2025 on account of a very unique premise and a gameplay loop that can quickly have you hooked. Jan Dolski’s reality-bending adventure, in which he creates alternate versions of himself in order to achieve his goals, is a lot of fun and also has a lot of replay value with multiple endings to the adventure.

The Alters stands out from the crowd and could have you sinking many hours into it once you get invested in its bizarre premise and novel mechanics.

8. Blue Prince

Blending strategy, puzzle-solving, and roguelike elements, Dogubomb and Raw Fury’s effort to create an experience like no other has largely paid off. Simon’s efforts to secure his inherited mansion by finding a hidden room within are a marvellous tale filled with compelling mysteries that are both challenging and rewarding in equal measures.

With only two rooms in the mansion remaining constant from day to day, navigating this maze is sure to win you over as you try to find ways to tease out the secrets it is trying to hide.

If you’re looking for a game that has you grinning to yourself even as you scratch your head in confusion, look no further than Blue Prince.

9. Mafia: The Old Country

Hangar 13’s return to the Mafia’s roots is sure to entertain and delight you with beautiful visuals and a gameplay loop that takes the best of the franchise’s past titles and adds in a story that sees its Sicilian protagonist join hands with the titular organization at a time when it was only beginning to spread its wings.

Authentic recreations of early Sicily and a story that is bound to feature the franchise’s traditional twists and turns could make this a game that can soon become one that you find quite hard to put down.

10. Split Fiction

Mio and Zoe’s efforts to save their hard work from the hands of a greedy corporation takes them on an adventure in which their respective imaginations place them in worlds that draw from the best of pop culture while being a very entertaining game all on its own.

The two writers’ budding friendship permeates the gameplay loop on offer, and Split Fiction is best enjoyed playing split-screen co-op with a friend. It’s the perfect game for buddies who just want to chill out on the couch and take on a game that doesn’t demand too much from them while managing to entertain them too.

11. Ready or Not

Like Split Fiction, Ready or Not is best enjoyed with friends. Unlike Split Fiction, it is not meant to be a relaxing game. Judge’s crusade against crime takes him and his team to places in which the stakes are high, and even a single mistake could mean that lives are lost.

Ready or Not is a demanding game that requires you to be on your toes and ready to improvise based on what’s waiting for you around the next corner. However, for those of you who are up to the challenge, this is a game that could be the centerpiece of many co-op sessions in which you and your team can truly work together to dominate.

12. Elden Ring Nightreign

Another one that should be enjoyed with your friends, although it’s quite easy to just dive into a run with total strangers, Elden Ring Nightreign marks FromSoftware’s successful debut in the roguelike genre. You control one of eight Nightfarers with unique abilities, tearing across the land of Limveld in search of the Nightlords.

With unique stories for each Nightfarer, and a host of incredible bosses from Elden Ring and the Dark Souls franchise, Nightreign is a perfect title to dive into after a long day for a fun time collecting gear, upgrades, and of course, taking down imposing threats with your team in tow.

13. The Midnight Walk

This fascinating take on finding the light even in the most crushing darkness is a simple, fun, and very entertaining adventure. It’s a story told over five chapters, each of which examines how light and darkness could essentially be two sides of the same coin, neither being able to exist without the other.

The Burnt One and Potboy’s combined adventure is a tale that you won’t want to miss, while the unique art style and excellent level designs keep you coming back for more.

14. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

Returning to Cyrodiil after all this time is going to be a huge draw for Elder Scrolls fans. Even if you haven’t been in touch with one of modern gaming’s most iconic franchises, Oblivion Remastered is a perfect opportunity to see what the fuss is about.

It’s a game in which you could truly get lost in, putting off the main campaign for as long as you like as you soak in the sights with its new Unreal Engine 5 makeover, while all of the side content and DLC of the original is now right there at your fingertips. Taking on The Mythic Dawn is a sure-fire way to keep you entertained for hours on end.

15. Days Gone Remastered

Deacon John’s melancholic tale of survival in a world gone horribly wrong continues to be a solid experience made even better by a remaster that brought some current-gen goodness to the table, making this the definitive way to take on hordes of terrifying zombies and living to tell the tale.

Just hopping on your motorcycle and cruising along in the game’s vast open world until something catches your attention is a viable way to enjoy this game, and is perhaps the best way to experience all it has to offer. Just be ready for its story to pull at your heartstrings along the way.

And that’s a wrap on our list of titles that are easy on your wallet but fairly challenging to get through fully. There’s a lot of value on offer in each of them, and if you’re looking for a new game to sink your teeth into, any one of these beauties will do!

Alex Murphy’s latest assignment in OmniTower, an ominous building overrun by mercenaries looking to get the OCP on their side by hook or crook, sees him take on literal armies and remain the last one standing, his deadpan expression never wavering even when faced with overwhelming odds.

If anything, I found myself wishing that Teyon had taken the time to make a full-blown sequel out of the well-paced main narrative, further fleshing out its antagonist’s motivations and an intriguing bunch of side characters who do not get enough time in the spotlight.

"Unfinished Business stands out as a solid Robocop experience."

However, that may have risked losing out on a pace that never lets up over the game’s runtime, which made the romp through Detroit City’s latest monstrosity all the more entertaining and fun. It’s a balance that Teyon has achieved with style – and substance.

Unfinished Business stands out as a solid Robocop experience that brings a lot of cool moments and a bit of brevity to the character, making it worth your while if you’re thinking of trying it out.

The OCP’s Finest Got A Whole Lot Finer

As someone who didn’t get the chance to play Rogue City back when it was released, Unfinished Business was a refreshing take on a first-person shooter that put me in the shoes of a character that can take quite a few bullet hits without folding over in agony.

The game’s normal mode proved quite a challenge while its hardest difficulty made me realize just how much I suck at shooter titles before I switched over to the easiest difficulty to breeze through its very engaging story and side missions.

And what a story it is! Teyon is very quick to introduce Robocop’s latest group of adversaries and send the titular hero quickly on his way to OmniTower. It cleverly provides a plot twist early on as a reason for Robocop launching a one-man battle against the mercs while holding back their leader for a grand entrance that carried a lot of weight.

Cassius Graves treads a dangerous line between a well-meaning anti-hero and a one-dimensional villain, partly due to the game’s shorter runtime. But his ability to keep Murphy on his toes and the little bit of insight into his motivations allows him to be a formidable opponent, making his unfinished business (pun intended) with Robocop hit hard and fast on the narrative front.

"Speaking of enemies, they come in large numbers and are found in nearly every area of OmniTower."

Other characters come and go, with the game introducing a few sequences where you get to control characters other than Robocop, with one very special addition towards the endgame that I’d rather not spoil. These sequences provide a nice break from the carnage that Murphy inflicts with his trusty Auto 9 pistol and a limited selection of weapons that quickly become familiar and forgettable once you pick them up off the corpses of your enemies and use them till their ammo runs out.

Man And Machine

Speaking of enemies, they come in large numbers and are found in nearly every area of OmniTower. Taking them down forms the crux of Unfinished Business’ gameplay loop, and things get real quite quickly once you get a rhythm going.

You get to equip a secondary weapon in addition to the Auto 9, and aside from a dash move, a flashback, and a limited supply of healing stims, Robocop is more or less all alone against the world when he’s taking on Graves’ forces in OmniTower.

Graves has managed to supply his forces with an assortment of assault rifles, SMGs, heavy caliber pistols, a cryogenic gun, and a few other killing tools that are gradually introduced as the game goes on. There are also drones that swarm you in the air, explode at your feet, or even come at you wielding deadly katanas courtesy of an arrangement with OCP rival Kanemitsu.

However, Murphy brings a few tricks of his own, with the ability to use Robovision to identify exploding barrels, special panels that let him pull off ricocheting shots, or grabbing enemies near certain environmental objects to quickly – and brutally – take them out of the equation. Health pickups and ammo were fairly generous, although I did find myself desperately searching for them in certain battle-heavy sections on higher difficulties.

When he’s not spreading carnage among enemy forces, Robocop’s time in OmniTower is spent solving mildly challenging puzzles to unlock access to his next objective or perhaps helping a few residents of OmniTower whose needs range from fairly ordinary to truly bizarre. These side quests are usually fun detours and allow you to choose a more humane side of Robocop when you select between dialogue choices in conversations.

"Completionists might have an easier time unlocking all of Murphy’s upgrades, making Robocop a formidable presence in OmniTower."

It’s a gameplay loop I found quite entertaining, with Treyon upping the ante every time I began to get too comfortable. It made me think carefully about any upgrades I made to my skills and the Auto 9’s combat capabilities. I was able to max out a couple of skill trees by sticking to the main story with an occasional side mission thrown in.

Completionists might have an easier time unlocking all of Murphy’s upgrades, making Robocop a formidable presence in OmniTower.

No Place Like Home

OmniTower does not bring a lot of variety to its hallways and open spaces, with a few notable exceptions at its higher levels. However, Teyon has done well to maintain a consistent framerate and a strong level of visual fidelity for the most part. I did not encounter any frame drops or stutter during my time in OmniTower, while Robocop’s armor looked resplendent in cutscenes.

The level of detail on display in Unfinished Business was quite impressive. Enemies exploded quite satisfactorily when sprayed with bullets, while explosions of fire and ice looked quite realistic. Teyon’s attempts to replicate the infrastructure of a tower as massive as OmniTower are pretty immersive, while character designs were top-notch.

In its residential areas, OmniTower’s presence served as a reminder of corporate greed overtaking empathy for the displaced citizens of Detroit, with piles of garbage and signs of obvious neglect showcasing how it was Detroit’s unfortunate people who once again suffered the consequences of OCP’s ravenous thirst for profits.

Realistic touches like a radio show that showcased the company’s penchant for selling products that were detrimental to Detroit’s populace while Robocop’s investigations with Robovision remain faithful to the original films with their greenish hues and overlays working well with a digital HUD that would be considered truly rudimentary by modern standards.

"Peter Weller’s return as Robocop is everything you’d expect from his take on the character, while the game’s voice acting cast does a solid job at bringing its characters to life."

The impressive visuals and smooth performance in Unfinished Business worked well with its excellent audio design that emphasizes each thump of Robocop’s footsteps and very satisfying splats whenever I managed to score a headshot or blow an enemy’s kneecaps out. While there were instances of the audio being out of sync during cutscenes, they were few and far between and did not ruin the overall immersion that Teyon has managed to achieve.

The game’s score gets the job done for the most part, with the endgame bringing some excellent tunes to accent the action, creating moments that I will look back on quite fondly whenever I’m reminded of Murphy and Robocop. Peter Weller’s return as Robocop is everything you’d expect from his take on the character, while the game’s voice acting cast does a solid job at bringing its characters to life.

A Frantic, Focused Experience

Like I said before, I wish there was more of Unfinished Business to go around. While I do appreciate Teyon’s efforts to set a narrative pace that rarely let up on the action while interspersing it with moments of character development, I can’t shake the feeling that Robocop’s latest outing could have been so much more.

Graves and the game’s supporting cast suffer the most from its short runtime despite Teyon’s best efforts to give them engaging backstories that justify their actions over the course of the story. Those backstories were so good that I can’t help but wonder at what the studio might have done with them if it had envisioned its standalone chapter as a full-blown sequel.

Alas, I must reconcile with the fact that on some occasions, less is more. And despite my griping, Robocop: Unfinished Business is a solid experience that is sure to bring a smile to anyone looking for a power trip without comparison.

If you’re returning to Detroit after Rogue City, expect a few novel twists on its gameplay loop. And if your time in OmniTower is your introduction to Teyon’s take on Robocop, expect a hell of a good time, no matter how short that is.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

In this age of $70 and $80 titles, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers from Leenzee offers a substantial action RPG experience for just $50. As Wuchang, you’ll venture through the remains of Shu in the late Ming Dynasty, desperately searching for a cure to the Feathering disease, players will battle humans and monstrous foes with 25 unique weapons and 40 spells. With a playtime of 40 to 60 hours, multiple endings, and the freedom to challenge bosses in any order, it could be the next breakout Souls-like when it launches on July 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

EA Sports College Football 26

The College Football franchise had its long-awaited resurgence last year, and despite some nitpicks, it was pretty good. Launching on July 10th for Xbox Series X/S and PS5, College Football 26 addresses those issues, upping the authenticity with light shows, drone shows, and more mascots while expanding on plays and formations, adding player Archetypes, and incorporating new mechanics like Block Steering.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4

Just when it seemed impossible, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is finally happening, providing a remake compilation of the third and fourth games in the series with gorgeous new visuals and features. Granted, it doesn’t carry over everything – Pro Skater 4’s Career Mode isn’t open-ended, instead comprising two-minute runs. However, you can increase the timer and even engage in unique objectives via Pro Goals. Even with these caveats, it should be another blast from the past when it launches on July 11th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

One of the more impressive-looking titles emerging from the Summer of Gaming, River End Games’ Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream combines a 1900s Nordic-style city with an engrossing narrative and stealth mechanics involving multiple playable characters. Despite the small size of its team, the sheer attention to detail in the world and cutscenes is something to behold. Here’s hoping it delivers some substantial gameplay as well when it launches on July 15th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Mecha BREAK

With its progression issues mostly sorted and new maps and Strikers on the way, Mecha BREAK could be the de facto competitive mecha shooter when it launches on July 1st for Xbox Series X/S and PC. Between the unique abilities of each Striker, the stunning aesthetics, and the range of modes – from 5v5 objective-based play to the extraction shooter chaos of MashMak – there’s something for almost every mecha fan.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong and a younger Pauline team up on an epic new adventure that involves extensive environmental destruction, banana collecting, and thwarting the evil Void Company. Bananza’s platforming seemingly channels Bowser’s Fury with its mix of platforming and exploration, but Donkey Kong carves out his own niche – quite literally since he can wreck just about everything. Those chunks can then function as weapons, traversal tools, and much more. With optional challenge ruins, a variety of abilities and outfits, and Bananza Powers for even more mayhem, Donkey Kong Bananza should be everything we need in a Nintendo platformer when it launches on July 17th for the Switch 2.

Shadow Labyrinth

If you thought Bomberman as a gritty post-apocalyptic action title was concerning, say hello to Pac-Man, the all-powerful devouring entity in Bandai Namco’s Shadow Labyrinth. You primarily control Swordsman No. 8, venturing through an unknown planet’s mazes aided by Puck. Defeating threats allows for the latter to devour them, and you can even fuse for traversing obstacles or even transforming into a powerful mech for more damage. As unorthodox as it seems, Shadow Labyrinth may have some meat to its gameplay when it launches on July 18th for Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Killing Floor 3

After a sudden delay, Tripwire’s Killing Floor 3 is now launching July 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. The futuristic setting and premise, where players control the rebel group Nightfall, battling the Zeds manufactured by the megacorp, Horizine, with extensive amounts of gore, is still present. However, it enhanced the overall look and feel of its maps, making them grittier and darker in the process while improving the HUD, enemy Zed AI and performance. So far, so good, and if it delivers on its predecessor’s high-octane action, it may be another incredible time.

Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV

Nintendo’s latest “Hear me out” proposition for the Switch 2 is an enhanced version of the Switch 1’s Super Mario Party Jamboree. It’s out on July 24th for $79.99 and offers improved visuals and performance, new mini-games, Frenzy Rules for faster games and support for the Joy-Con 2’s mouse controls. There’s also Jamboree TV, which requires the Switch 2’s camera, as a new means to experience the game. Whether it’s worth the full price is subjective but if you own the current game and don’t mind spending $20 for the Upgrade Pack, it may be worth checking out.

Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game

With so many titles in The Lord of the Rings series involving war scenarios and brutal combat, it’s nice to play a life sim that embraces the simpler things. Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings Game purports to fulfil that fantasy, as you control a Hobbit in the Shire, mingling with others, tending to your garden, cooking meals and hosting parties. It’s available on July 29th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

A throwback to the classic Ninja Gaiden side-scrollers, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound proved incredibly impressive in its recent demo. Alternating between Kenji Mozu and the Black Spider Clan’s Kumori, players engage in a punishing action platforming adventure, continuously chaining powerful strikes to take out enemies. Swift, savage and sleek, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound launches on July 31st for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business

If Teyon’s base game resonated with you in an old-school first-person shooter sense, then good news as Unfinished Business offers more of the same. As a standalone expansion, it features new abilities and weapons alongside a new range of mercenary enemies and challenges as Murphy ascends the OmniTower. Even more notable are the flashbacks to his pre-RoboCop life, which brings some very human vulnerabilities to the mix. RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business launches on July 17th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Ready or Not

With the SWAT franchise well and truly buried, Ready or Not could serve as a worthy substitute for those who want methodical, tactical shooting. Between managing the status of your units to enforcing real-world tactics, it promises realistic combat scenarios where planning and execution are paramount. Of course, you can also engage in five-player co-op and watch the chaos unfold. Ready or Not is already available on PC and will be launching on July 15th for Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Total Chaos

A new psychological horror title with an excessively dark color palette wouldn’t ordinarily attract much attention, but Total Chaos is from the creator of the stellar Turbo Overkill. Venturing through an unforgiving world, scavenging materials to make weapons, and battling monstrosities looks intriguing – like a first-person version of Darkwood. PC players can experience it on July 24th, but there’s a free demo available to try now.

Ratatan

If the arrival of Patapon 1 + 2 Replay wasn’t enough, rhythm game fans can look forward to its spiritual successor on July 24th for PC via Steam Early Access. The recent free demo certainly showcased room for improvement, but the appeal of rogue-like rhythm combat with co-op support and more than 100 characters, combined with the stellar soundtrack and gorgeous visuals, looks too good to resist.

The story sees armed mercenaries controlling OmniTower, a recently established housing project. Their leader seeks the core to overtake all OCP technology, with some components stolen from the precinct in Metro West. Since that includes RoboCop, stopping him is a priority.

Complications arise when it’s revealed that the leader is a former teammate of Officer Alex Murphy. Players will experience missions pre-RoboCop transformation, so it’s possible something happened to cause a split.

How things will pan out remains to be seen, but navigating OmniTower will be challenging due to various traps and turrets. The mercenaries are also no pushovers, sporting high-powered weaponry.

RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Stay tuned for more details and check out our review for the base game.

While Murphy is over-equipped for your average thugs, OmniTower’s enemies are no pushovers. Some boast extensive armor and miniguns, while others have jet packs and katanas. You also have to destroy turrets, drones, and self-destructing bots. Even the ED-209 returns for an encore.

Fortunately, Murphy has some new tools to help, including the Cryo Cannon. Aside from OmniTower, Unfinished Business includes missions where you’ll control Murphy before his transformation. It’s a different vibe since he’s much more vulnerable, but it should provide another dimension to the character (especially with actor Peter Weller returning).

RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, so stay tuned for more details. Check out our review for the base game in the meantime.