11. Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army 2

After the Nazi Zombies wreaked havoc in the first standalone expansion to Sniper Elite V2, who could guess they’d return for another around? Nazi Zombie Army 2 offers a new campaign with fresh locations and enemy types, and you’ll once again slay undead by the droves solo or with up to three other players. Don’t fix what isn’t broken, but when it feels more repetitive than its predecessor, you have to wonder if it’s really worth it. Nevertheless, it’s more maps for slaying zombies, which counts most for some.

10. Sniper Elite VR: Winter Warrior

Another follow-up that noticeably falls short of the original, Winter Warrior is developed by Just Add Water of Oddworld fame. Given how well the first title fared, you would expect the momentum to continue. A forgettable narrative and iffy controls later, and you realize that’s not the case. The sequel doesn’t even do enough to switch up the formula or spruce up the visuals. The gunplay is still on point, but there isn’t enough content to justify jumping in. A mixed bag overall.

9. Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army

The original and Rebellion’s first attempt at a Left 4 Dead-style undead spinoff starring Karl Fairburne but set in an alternate universe World War 2. The shift from careful and methodical sniping and stealth to gunning down zombie hordes en masse is still a huge shift for the series. Nazi Zombie Army handles it well enough, combining the realistic gunplay and X-Ray Kill Cam with new kinds of threats and co-op. Though it won’t be competing with the best co-op zombie shooters in the genre, it’s a fun ol’ time, if nothing else.

8. Sniper Elite V2

The first sequel in the series, Sniper Elite V2 focuses on Fairburne attempting to stop the V-2 rocket program in Berlin (which explains why it didn’t get a simple “2” in its title). While it received some praise for the realistic ballistics, the AI was a mixed bag, alternating between competent and imbecilic. Respawning enemies and stealth were also points of contention, with sniping being the only aspect that resonated. That’s because Sniper Elite V2 introduced what would become a staple of the series for over a decade – the X-Ray Kill Cam, rewarding kills with a bloody showcase.

7. Zombie Army Trilogy

It’s a close tie between Sniper Elite V2 and Zombie Army Trilogy in quality. However, the latter wins out by not only remastering the first Nazi Zombie Army expansions but including a third campaign. You can play through them with up to four players, choosing from eight different characters (with Left 4 Dead 1 and 2’s cast joining later for an additional eight), and even adjusting the difficulty. The famed ballistics and X-Ray Kill Cam are also present alongside dismemberment, which adds a bit more strategy. It’s still pretty repetitive and lacks much of the series’ nuance, but it’s still good for mindless fun with friends.

6. Sniper Elite VR

The first Sniper Elite VR title and one that boasts a poor narrative with some strange gates stopping you from completing the last few missions. No autosaves, bugs, underwhelming melee combat – it’s almost hard to get on board. Where it excels is in the fine mix of arcade shooting and realistic ballistics. It’s also responsive enough to make racking up points with the most creative kills enjoyable. Still far from the best in the series, but a solid option for those who want a fun sniping title in VR.

6. Sniper Elite 3

After Sniper Elite V2 underwhelmed, Sniper Elite 3 came along and…marginally improved things (while flailing even more in other departments). Technically a prequel, it saw Fairburne venture to North Africa, with new desert locations to deal with. Unfortunately, the story wasn’t much to write home about, and the AI still had its failings. Where Sniper Elite 3 succeeded is in presenting larger more open levels for players to plan out a myriad of approaches.

Sabotaging generators to mask your shots with the sound, leveraging the revamped stealth to tactically take out threats, scrounging for weapon parts, setting up traps – it all felt so liberating (and, of course, the sniping was still on point). Add on improvements to the X-Ray Kill Cam to factor in organs and bone shattering, and on several gameplay levels, Sniper Elite 3 could be a fun time.

4. Sniper Elite 1

It’s somewhat ironic that one of the better games in the franchise is the one that started it all. Sniper Elite launched in 2005, and as far as sniping-focused titles were concerned, it was unlike anything else in the WW2 shooter space. The realistic depiction of ballistics, where factoring in things like the wind, felt fresh and challenging. Sure, you didn’t get the explosive viscera of the X-Ray Kill Cam, but it was still satisfying for a bullet to dramatically reach your target in slow motion. With all the other relatively new tactics, like using louder sounds to mask your shots, it’s no wonder it received attention despite some shortcomings.

3. Zombie Army 4: Dead War

Considering its predecessors, there may not have been many expectations from Zombie Army 4. Yet somehow, everything fell in place, from the campy campaign with its zombie sharks and zoo to the X-Ray Kill-Cam triggering off explosions and well-placed shots alike. Each character has extensive progression and some fun talents; the weaponry went above and beyond, straight-up embracing the elemental and bizarre new enemies debuted, including a zombie tank. Yes, it has overpriced DLC, and yes, the gameplay can still get repetitive, but it’s the series’ – and one of Sniper Elite’s – best offerings yet.

2. Sniper Elite 5

Sniper Elite 5 is not where the series’ truly started to take a turn and really come into its own with the sandbox-style levels and freedom of playstyles. It still excels in those regards, refining the realistic sniping we know and love while presenting some of the best levels in the series. There’s also Axis Invasion, a new mode where an enemy sniper can invade your game, leading to even more tense encounters. The key shortcomings of the series remained, but it felt like Sniper Elite finally carved its winning formula.

1. Sniper Elite 4

And it all truly began with Sniper Elite 4, which took the sandbox-like maps of Sniper Elite 3 and went even bigger. Fairburne was more agile than before, capable of clambering up structures to set up his shots. Night missions introduced new twists to the stealth formula and players were freer than ever to strategically take down enemies, go guns-blazing or take a completely silent approach. While it couldn’t overcome the series’ curse of middling story-telling and AI, Sniper Elite 4 achieved a new level, elevating it into something incredibly fun.

Demon’s Souls

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

Evil West

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

Returnal

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

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

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

The Last of Us Part 1

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

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

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

Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade

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

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

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

Astro Bot

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

God of War Ragnarok

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

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

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

Final Fantasy 16

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

Control Ultimate Edition

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

The Nioh Collection

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

Baldur’s Gate 3

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

Elden Ring

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

Resident Evil Village

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

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

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

Alan Wake 2

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

Cyberpunk 2077

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

Hi-Fi Rush

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

Dragon’s Dogma 2

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

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

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

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut

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

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

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

Stray

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

Jusant

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

Horizon Forbidden West

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

Lost Judgment

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

Lies of P

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

The Quarry

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

Black Myth: Wukong

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

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

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

System Shock Remake

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

Nobody Wants to Die

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

Dead Space Remake

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

Sniper Elite 5

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

Sifu

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

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

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

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

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

Conscript

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

Stellar Blade

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

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

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

Until Dawn Remake

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

Silent Hill 2 Remake

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

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

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

Hitman: World of Assassination

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

Hogwarts Legacy

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

Dead Island 2

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

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals

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

Viewfinder

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

Lords of the Fallen

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

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

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

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

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

Ghostwire: Tokyo

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

Grand Theft Auto V

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

Sword and Fairy: Together Forever

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

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

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

A Plague Tale: Requiem

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

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

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

GOD OF WAR RANGAROK

God of War Ragnarok’s approach to wide-linear design differs a bit from its predecessor, because rather than using the hub-and-spoke design of the 2018 title, it instead takes you to numerous larger maps throughout its experience, and it’s a change that works out for the best. In addition to boasting excellent design that constantly encourages exploration, God of War Ragnarok’s maps also exhibit an impressive amount of visual and design variety.

RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE

The Resident Evil franchise has always held up exploration as one of its key pillars (with some notable exceptions), so expanding that to a setting that emphasizes that aspect even more heavily felt like a natural step forward in Resident Evil Village. The titular village is a large environment that remains immensely fun to navigate throughout the experience, especially as more of it opens up over time, while at the same time, through the four main areas connected to the village, the game also delivers the tight, claustrophobic design the series is known for in spades.

ALAN WAKE 2

Where the original Alan Wake was a hyper-linear series of shooting galleries, its sequel goes in the exact opposite direction. Alan Wake 2 revels in slowing down the pace and allowing players to thoroughly immerse themselves across its main locations, where you have quite a bit of freedom to explore at your own pace (the rewards for which are almost always well worth the effort). Backtracking through older locations also always remains satisfying as you gain access to previously inaccessible sections, while there are, of course, plenty of meticulously crafted linear sections to enjoy as well.

PIKMIN 4

Exploration is king in Pikmin 4 in a way it never has been in any previous Pikmin games. By almost completely removing the concept of time limits, Pikmin 4 lets you explore every nook and cranny of its areas to your heart’s content, without anything urgently pushing you towards your next main objective, and that is reflected in the way the game’s maps are designed as well. Each of them is significantly larger and boasts impressive variety, not only in visual terms, but also in terms of how you interact with the environment and make it easier to navigate for yourself and your army of Pikmin.

LIKE A DRAGON: ISHIN!

Like all other RGG Studio games, Like a Dragon: Ishin! focuses on depth and detail over pure expanse. The bulk of the game takes place on one not-all-that-big map set in Edo-era Kyoto. As far as pure map design in the series goes, this isn’t a particularly special map- it’s good, but nothing that stands out. What pushes it over the edge is the incredible sense of place and atmosphere that it drips with, properly recreating the architecture, layout, and aesthetic of Japan in the dawn of its modern era. RGG Studio has made a lot of great maps- few are as memorable as this.

UNCHARTED: THE LOST LEGACY

Uncharted 4 introduced elements of wide-linear and semi-open world design to Naughty Dog’s traditionally hyper-linear series, and its standalone follow-up, The Lost Legacy, took that to even greater heights. Though those design sensibilities are limited only to the early sections of the game where you’re exploring the Western Ghats of India, that section is also surprisingly sizable, and leaves quite an impression. From navigating the terrain, both on foot and in a four-by-four, to uncovering its secrets and optional content, it stands as one of the game’s strongest sections.

SUPER MARIO: BOWSER’S FURY

People have been wondering what an open world Mario game would look like for a long time, and never have we come closer to seeing what something like that would look like than with Bowser’s Fury. Released to the world as a standalone addendum to Super Mario 3D World’s Switch port, Bowser’s Fury is an incredible four-hour romp that somehow manages to perfectly blend Super Mario’s tight platforming and level design with open-ended design and an emphasis on exploration. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing more of that from the franchise in the not-too-distant future.

LIES OF P

Soulslike design has become like a second language to many by now, but even though there’s no shortage of games that try their hand at it, very few of them in recent years have done it as well as Lies of P. The city of Krat is massive and winding, and making your way through its intertwining areas that loop in and around themselves never loses its spark. It helps, of course, that the game looks as gorgeous as it does, because around nearly every corner is something new and exciting to see.

LORDS OF THE FALLEN

Developer Hexworks said prior to Lords of the Fallen’s launch that it was building the game as a Dark Spuls 4.5, and while the Soulslike action RPG doesn’t quite hit that level of quality, it does have plenty of the right elements in place. Its expansive world, though not fully open by any means, encourages exploration constantly, which is made that much more interesting by the game’s dual realm mechanic. That feeling of gradually mastering and unlocking the world around you is one of the biggest strengths of the Soulslike genre, and Lords of the Fallen delivers that in spades.

MONSTER HUNTER RISE

Monster Hunter Rise continued the move towards more open maps that Monster Hunter World started. Rise’s maps are actually smaller,and have less going on than World’s, which had a lot of environmental effects and interactions independent of the player. What Rise’s maps do have, however, is design that is perfectly tuned to all the wonderful new traversal tools the game gives you in the wirebug and the Palamute. The act of actually moving through the maps to find the monsters has never been as fun in Monster Hunter as it is in Rise, and the traversal tools, as well as the maps designed around those tools, are both to credit for that.

OUTER WILDS

Outer Wilds’s exploration serves as the perfect marriage between gameplay and narrative, thanks to how intrinsically those two elements are tied together throughout the experience. In each loop, the more you explore, the more you learn the Nomai, the solar system they once used to be spread out across, and the time loop that it’s currently caught in, and the game paces that almost to pitch-perfection. Pretty much the entirety of Outer Wilds is unlike anything else you’ll play, and how rewarding it makes its exploration through narrative discoveries contributes to that uniqueness massively.

STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was a solid first foray into Metroidvania design for Respawn Entertainment, and with its sequel, Jedi: Survivor, the developer expanded that idea with significantly larger play spaces. There are, of course, plenty of Metroidvania locations scattered throughout the game, but the Koboh map in particular is where Jedi: Survivor taps into a much more expansive and open-ended design style. And it does that excellently, somehow managing to sprinkle that large, semi-open world map with plenty of Metroidvania design elements.

PREY

Prey’s Talos I is probably the best setting we’ve ever seen in an Arkane game, which, as those who’ve played other Arkane titles will tell you, is high praise, to say the least. The space station is not only dripping with atmosphere, it’s also spectacularly designed. Navigating its environments and slowly being able to unlock more and more of it as you grow more powerful makes for an incredibly satisfying and organic progression curve throughout the experience.

DEATHLOOP

Deathloop is decidedly more linear than most other Arkane titles (Prey especially), but in spite of being much more focused on action and forward momentum, it does still retain its fair share of the open-ended design that you expect to see in the studio’s games. There are multiple maps to explore, and going out of your way to do that is always encouraged. Not only do you learn more about the world and the people you are targeting, you’re also constantly treated to the incredible art design that’s so abundantly found throughout Deathloop’s world.

SNIPER ELITE 5

The Sniper Elite franchise probably doesn’t get as much credit for its level design as it should, and Sniper Elite 5 exemplifies that perfectly. Every single map is designed as an incredible stealth sandbox where player freedom is emphasized first and foremost. By allowing you to constantly discover new and creative ways to tackle obstacles and sprinkling in a healthy dose of optional content, every map in Sniper Elite 5 becomes an absolute blast to explore as thoroughly as possible, while also making replays that much more rewarding.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Set against the backdrop of Prague, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided presents a dense network of systems and gives players ample tools to bend those systems to their will. Missions take place in open-ended sandboxes with multiple paths to your objective, and depending on your character build – you can choose to sweet talk your way through guards, hack into security systems for a convenient backdoor entry, or just blow everything in your path with sheer brute force. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is arguably the series at its best both visually and mechanically, and it remains a joyous experience even after all these years.

For PS4 players, there’s Circus Electrique, Dynasty Warriors 9, Melty Blood: Type Lumina, Monster Jam Steel Titans, Samurai Warriors 5, SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated and Undertale. PS Plus Premium players gain access to three new Classics, starting with Twisted Metal and Twisted Metal 2 on the PlayStation One.

Gravity Crash Portable on the PlayStation Portable is also playable. All three titles are available for PS4 and PS5. PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers can also download titles from the Essential tier, like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Alan Wake Remastered and Endling – Extinction is Forever. These are available till July 31st, so claim them now.

Kicking off its second Season Pass, Sniper Elite 5 has seen the launch of the Rough Landing DLC, which is available via the Season Pass and can also be purchased separately, and adds a new titular mission set “deep in a forest and featuring a cramped mine shaft”. The DLC also adds two new weapons with the Mosin-Nagant rifle and Sjögren shotgun.

Meanwhile, Rebellion has also released the new Trench Warfare Content Pack for free, which adds more weapons to the game with the Carl Gustav M/1945 SMG, the Trench Gun shotgun, and the Double 1866 pistol.

Sniper Elite 5 is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Read our review of the base game through here.

THE LAST OF US PART 1

Intensity and tension are hallmarks of The Last of Us’ gameplay, and if you want to kick that up yet another notch, Grounded difficulty is the way to go. On top of making enemies deadlier and things such as ammo and resources scarcer, not only does it completely remove Listen mode, it also removes several elements of the HUD, and truly lives up to its name in delivering a tough-as-nails experience. Combine it with permadeath turned on, and you get an even more nail-biting experience.

Season 2 is set to launch sometime this year, and it will add two new campaign missions, six weapon packs, two weapon skin packs, and four character skins. Meanwhile, following that, players can also look forward to another free weapons pack and “several” new multiplayer maps. Check out the video below for more details on what to expect from Season 2.

Meanwhile, Rebellion has also dropped some new free content for players, including the free Winter Weapon Skin Pack, and the free addition of Landing Zone as an available map in multiplayer mode No-Cross. It will also come with a unique twist for the mode.

Rebellion explains, “Rather than the central No-Cross map divide, we’re introducing a circular divide to this map for the very first time. In this instance, that means restricting one team to the central part of the village, whilst the opposition surrounds them on all sides.

God of War Ragnarok

If it wasn’t clear already after the onslaught of media in November, God of War Ragnarok is a massive experience. The base game’s story involves exploring the Nine Realms, including new ones like Svartalfheim and Vanaheim. But even the returning locations like Midgard and Alfheim have plenty of new things to see. Each realm is packed with Favors to complete, Yggdrasil Rifts, optional bosses, armor, Runic Attacks, weapon attachments, upgrade materials, you name it. The story isn’t even close to the end as a massive new area opens up in the post-game.

Elden Ring

Mechanically, Elden Ring takes many cues from developer FromSoftware’s previous works, Dark Souls being the most prominent. Influences like Berserk are also prominent throughout the design, but nothing could quite prepare Souls fans for the sheer breadth of The Lands Between. Limgrave appears unassuming enough but contains enough horrors to keep you honest. Caelid is a nightmarish wasteland, Leyndell is a sprawling capital city…and that’s only a taste of what the entire game has to offer. Bosses, unique enemies, loot, whatever the hell is going on in Volcano Manor – there’s a lot to see, and kill.

Horizon Forbidden West

You’d think that exploring the world of Zero Dawn would prepare you for Guerrilla Games’ next. However, the sheer scale of Horizon Forbidden West is incredible to behold, even when you’re a ways off from the shores. Horizon Forbidden West expands on everything from its predecessor, whether it’s the side quests and gear variety or the number of collectibles, secrets, and Machines to hunt.

Throughout all of this, there are thick new jungles to explore, arid wastelands teeming with terrifying Slitherfangs and Thunderjaws, snow-covered mountains, and of course, the gorgeous beaches with their Tiderippers. It’s a stunning game, and being able to go just about anywhere – yes, even the ruins of the Golden Gate Bridge – is incredible.

Need For Speed Unbound

Lakeshore City, the setting for Unbound, is based on Chicago and leans even deeper into the street culture scene than previous entries with its Tags, graffiti art, and personalities. As you race through the streets, you’ll encounter a variety of locales, from the City Pier and Kennedy Test Track to the picturesque Mountain Road on Kennedy Drive. Everything looks vibrant and alive, especially at night when the cops are in pursuit, and the dozens of cars and events will keep you busy.

Ghostwire Tokyo

Unlike its previous efforts, Ghostwire Tokyo by Tango Gameworks is a completely open-world game. Set in Tokyo, facing a constant downpour in the wake of the Visitors’ abduction of most residents, it’s a stunning game teeming with gorgeous lighting and reflections. But there are also tasks to complete, Torii Gates to cleanse and visit, spirits to assist, cat merchants to buy from, and rooftops to grapple on. The mix of grounded and ethereal presents enough to keep you busy.

Sonic Frontiers

The “open-zone” format in Sonic Frontiers is most decidedly not open world. But each region is incredibly huge, teeming with puzzles, Koco to rescue, time trials, roaming enemies, and much more, whether you’re gathering Memory Tokens or the Chaos Emeralds. There are also various Cyber Space Stages, fishing with Big the Cat, and massive Titans to battle. It’s expansive but still well-paced and fits Sonic’s overall sense of speed. Except for that grass-cutting mini-game, probably.

Dakar Desert Rally

Is this a great racing game? No, and the controls aren’t exactly going to satisfy rally enthusiasts. But the open world is fun to explore, with weather effects like blizzards and sandstorms mixing up the vistas in unique ways. It’s gorgeous to drive through, as long as you ignore some of the more lacklustre gameplay elements.

Gotham Knights

The Gotham City in Gotham Knights may not live up to that in Arkham Knight, but the fidelity is impressive enough. Even if you stick to one hero, enough is going on in each district, from crimes in progress to challenges, to keep them occupied. If nothing else, it’s still nice to perch up high and gaze upon the city’s lights, soaking up the atmosphere.

Saints Row

Saints Row may falter in several aspects, but Santo Ileso is still a worthwhile playground for some mayhem. From the bustling lights of El Dorado to the deserts of the Gehenna Badlands and skyscrapers of Lakeshore, there’s a good variety of environments as you wingsuit or recklessly drive through them. The amount of activities and Criminal Ventures is also pretty healthy, and thanks to a recent patch, they should be less grindy and more palatable.

Sniper Elite 5

Sniper Elite 4’s levels were already embracing larger, more sandbox-like scenarios, but Sniper Elite 5 is on another level. Karl Fairburne is again battling the Nazis in various missions set in WW2 France, but the scale and the overall number of opportunities are much higher as you search for that perfect sniping spot. The visuals and attention to detail are stunning, and aspects like deeper weapon customization, shortcuts for future kills, and Invasion Mode, where another player enters your game as a rival sniper keeps things interesting.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Though technically not an open-world title, instead employing giant regions that are connected, Pokemon Legends: Arceus still offers a massive, captivating world to explore. Hisui is based on Hokkaido, Japan in the early times and offers a variety of incredible vistas to explore. They’re also teeming with danger from regular Pokemon to Alpha and Noble Pokemon, and being directly involved in the battle makes each experience more visceral. Despite having “only” 242 Pokemon, the journey to capture all of the same, through various story and side quests, and post-game activities, is still incredibly fun.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Say what you will about the performance and fidelity, but Paldea in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is a pretty massive place. Whether you’re pursuing the Path of Legends, fighting Titan Pokemon or facing down Team Star, there is a wealth of content available, from the four main Provinces to the mysterious Great Crater. You’ll discover hundreds of Pokemon, and maybe a few Legendaries if you’re intuitive enough. Also, unlike Pokemon Legends: Arceus, the entire world is seamlessly explorable in co-op with up to three other players.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

The sheer number of delays for this game is due to its massive size. Covering all nine mainline films in the series, from Episode 1: The Phantom Menace to the Rise of Skywalker, it also features hundreds of characters, upgrades, secrets, collectibles, side quests, space battles, and more. It’s a lot to take in, and while it may not offer as much freedom as other games on this list, The Skywalker Saga is still a huge experience.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

The City is a big step up from Harran in terms of size and scale, with numerous detailed buildings to enter – some teeming with Infected Nests – and characters to interact with. Even with some aspects being stripped back, there are several side quests to undertake, and the sheer expanse lends itself well to challenges, time trials and so on. The improved controls and parkour mechanics make it much more seamless to explore.

Star Wars: Battlefront 2

Before Electronic Arts, live service, and tie-ins with every new film, there was LucasArts’ Star Wars: Battlefront 2. Published in 2005, it featured first, and third-person perspectives with four multiplayer modes and 24 maps. Of course, along with a campaign of 18 missions, there was Galactic Conquest, where players led their fleet through the galaxy and conquered or protected planets.

Upon encountering an enemy on a planet, it would shift to combat, resulting in massive battles. With the addition of Heroes, new modes like Hero Assault, and more content than its predecessor, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is still a strong benchmark for Star Wars titles.