Wild Hearts S’ big new addition will be seamless four-player co-op – which, as you can imagine, is a pretty major new feature for a Monster Hunter-style experience – and Koei Tecmo has offered an extended new look at it with a new gameplay video. The video showcases roughly 14 minutes of gameplay footage with Japanese commentary from members of the development team, showcasing traversal across several areas, combat against multiple monsters, and more. Check out the video below. 

Wild Hearts S launches for the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 25. There’s no word yet on when (or if) it’ll release for other platforms.

PS5 players gain access to the Standard Edition of Wild Hearts, Koei Tecmo’s ill-fated action RPG, and Ride 5. On the PS4 side, there are PS Plus re-releases like Watch Dogs 2 and Naruto to Bortuo: Shinobi Striker alongside Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet, and Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization.

If that’s not enough SAO, Premium subscribers gain exclusive access to the PS3 version of Sword Art Online: Lost Song, playable on PS4. Everyone else can settle in with TimeSplitters, TimeSplitters 2, and TimeSplitters: Future Perfect for PS4 and PS5. Finally, PS VR/VR2 users can experience Vacation Simulator. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks, especially for titles leaving the service.

NOTE: All entries and rankings were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

#12. DIABLO 4

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Xbox One | Developer: Blizzard Entertainment | Read Our Review

Not counting all the controversy surrounding Blizzard Entertainment and former director Luis Barriga, Diablo 4 had a rough start when it launched in June. Despite praise for its open world, lore and overall presentation, its build-crafting was fairly simplistic, while the end-game was decent at best and grindy at worst. The pre-Season 1 patch also did no favors with its hefty nerfs.

Nevertheless, the development team stuck with it, making several much-needed improvements to classes like the Sorcerer, reducing the XP grind and quality of life changes like porting to Nightmare Dungeons directly from sigils. The variety of viable builds has gone up, and there are even tough end-game challenges like Abattoir of Zir (which still requires some fine-tuning). If you’re burned out on Diablo 2 or 3, can’t get into Path of Exile or just want a solid action RPG looter, Diablo 4 is in a much better state and worth checking out.

#11. LORDS OF THE FALLEN

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 | Developer: Hexworks | Read Our Review

Announced nine years ago, Lords of the Fallen finally launched this year. Hexworks delivered a massive world five times larger than the original, introduced a dual-realm mechanic that impacted the gameplay and combat, and stuffed it with a memorable dark fantasy aesthetic. It also didn’t hurt that combat felt meaty and responsive, with a variety of spells and weapons to dip into.

Lords of the Fallen isn’t without its issues (like some rough encounters with too many enemies), but over two dozen patches, splitting PvE and PvP balancing, new spells, stability and performance improvements, and more have made it even more appealing to Dark Souls fans, even if it’s far from the best Souls-like experience this year (which we’ll get to soon).

#10. DEAD ISLAND 2

Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 | Developer: Dambuster Studios | Read Our Review

If we had a dime for every title considered vaporware that miraculously released this year, we would have two dimes. Blah blah blah, you know the rest, but it still applies because Dead Island 2 is fantastic. Set in post-zombie outbreak Los Angeles, the first-person title emphasized combat and creative ways to slay over a deep story (though the lore is still interesting) or an open world.

Despite this, you can customize the six Slayers in interesting ways thanks to Skill Cards, customize weapons with different status effects, discover unique armaments and more. There’s a healthy amount of side quests, ranging from the straightforward scavenger quests to the bizarre (Body Art. Not even once). Most importantly, the combat is as strategic and visceral as you’d like while rewarding straightforward hacking and slashing.

#9. EVERSPACE 2

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 | Developer: Rockfish Games | Read Our Review

It’s incredible how the Everspace series started as a rogue-lite space shooter, especially with the sequel offering in-depth action RPG mechanics and boatloads of handcrafted content. There are extensive systems to explore, allies to recruit (each providing unique perks) and tons of loot to discover, including unique ships.

While the story may not be for everyone, each system is packed with things to do, whether you jump into massive battles against capital ships or venture into endgame rifts. The incredible fidelity makes the space-hopping that much more endearing.

#8. WILD HEARTS

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 | Developer: Omega Force | Read Our Review

Omega Force’s WILD HEARTS admittedly didn’t pass much muster when it was announced to be a hunting title in the vein of Monster Hunter. Thankfully, the gameplay spoke for itself, showcasing a unique approach to action RPG combat with some inventive combat. The Karakuri mechanic, which facilitated building different tools to explore and fight, added some spice to battles.

Each weapon, from the aerial brilliance of the Claw Blade to the unconventional Bladed Wagasa, is fun to use. Couple this with memorable Kemono to battle, massive regions to explore, and a sizable endgame to go with the campaign, and WILD HEARTS stands capably on its own.

#7. HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST: BURNING SHORES

Available on: PS5 | Developer: Guerrilla Games | Read Our Review

A year after Horizon Forbidden West blew our expectations away with its gorgeous visuals, deep skill system, customization and combat, Burning Shores came along to remind us of its quality. Set in a separate region where lava streams and water meet, the expansion adds lots of new content, memorable new characters and quests, and one of the most epic final bosses yet.

Whether you’re venturing underwater or soaring through the skies, combing through new frankenclouds while avoiding lighting, Burning Shores further builds on the base game’s brilliance and offers some great development for Aloy’s character.

#6. LIES OF P

Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 | Developer: Neowiz Games, Round8 Studio | Read Our Review

It’s 2023, and no Bloodborne remaster or remake. Not even a hint that it’s ever happening. Enter NEOWIZ’s Lies of P, a Belle Epoque-era action RPG based on the tale of Pinocchio. This time, however, you venture through the ruined city of Krat, battling killer puppets to find Geppetto and hopefully set things right.

The mood is already on point – it’s the combat and pacing where Lies of P shows its hand. Special attacks and Legion Arms, customizable and unique weapons, memorable encounters against challenging enemies – it had everything a Souls-like fan could want.

#5. CYBERPUNK 2077: PHANTOM LIBERTY

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 | Developer: CD Projekt RED | Read Our Review

With how extensive update 2.0 turned out, Cyberpunk 2077 alone is a noteworthy RPG experience. However, Phantom Liberty does more than add new content, including courier missions to steal vehicles or Airdrops to claim loot before rival gangs can. It told a compelling story – a spy fantasy rife with intrigue and betrayal, where the good guys were never what they seemed, and your decisions profoundly impacted the characters.

Of course, for combat junkies, there are Relic abilities, from emergency cloaking to sending enemies flying with Gorilla Arms. If that weren’t enough, Phantom Liberty added over 100 new items, from weapons and vehicles to new Cyberware, and even offered a new ending to the main story. Altogether, it’s a fitting finale in Cyberpunk 2077’s redemption arc.

#4. FINAL FANTASY 16

Available on: PS5 | Developer: Square Enix Creative Business Unit 3 | Read Our Review

Final Fantasy means many different things to different people. Final Fantasy 16 may not have catered to every fan’s wish, especially those craving turn-based or ATB combat, but it certainly excelled with its story, characters and setting. The world of Valisthea and darker presentation fit the more mature tones well, even as Clive Rosfield’s journey morphed from revenge to redemption.

The combat is also incredibly on point, especially when you gain more abilities to diversify combos. Stunning environments and an incredible soundtrack round out the package, and while it could have used more extensive side quests, deeper role-playing mechanics and more complex dungeons, Final Fantasy 16 is still a fun and enthralling action RPG from start to finish.

#3. HOGWARTS LEGACY

Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Avalanche Software | Read Our Review

Despite the controversy, Hogwarts Legacy offered something most Potterheads have desired for years – a proper triple-A title to fulfill that wizarding fantasy. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is captured in immaculate detail, coupled with memorable characters (with a select few offering some great side quests).

Shuffling between spells during combat, especially Avada Kedavra-ing someone into dust, felt great, but it was all the little things – from raising creatures in the Vivarium to riding a broom through the highlands – which really cemented the fantasy. All that’s needed is actual classes to attend, and Quidditch, and Hogwarts Legacy will be perfect.

#2. BALDURS GATE 3

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 | Developer: Larian Studios | Read Our Review (PC | PS5)

Six years in development, with a lengthy period in early access, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a reminder of Larian Studios’ status as one of the best RPG developers in history. The range of customization, from the numerous classes and subclasses to the spells and actions, caters to the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy of letting you roleplay as who you want.

It’s bolstered by a strong story, decisions with far-reaching consequences, and incredible characterization that stays with you, even over a hundred hours in. There’s plenty to criticize, like Act 3’s performance, but Larian has been working hard to address other complaints, adding a hefty Epilogue to provide a more well-rounded conclusion based on your choices. Whether you started at launch or are jumping in today, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a masterpiece.

GAMINGBOLT’S BEST RPG GAME OF 2023 – STARFIELD

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S | Developer: Bethesda Game Studios | Read Our Review

Bethesda Game Studios’ Starfield is our role-playing game of 2023, narrowly beating out some stiff competition. Don’t get us wrong – several areas could be improved, from the user interface and variety of weapons to point of interest generation. Mods also needed to be added yesterday. However, for those who get into it, Starfield has a quiet appeal as you wander the desolate planets, create an outpost to either settle down or mine resources, and soak in the atmosphere.

The sheer range of stuff to do, from surveying and space battles to smuggling and bounty-hunting, is pretty solid and backed by some responsive shooter. Where it goes next is anyone’s guess, but Starfield is currently an intriguing sci-fi adventure with tons of content. It’s certainly not for everyone, but those who love it will swear by it.

Primordial Malzeno – Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

The final post-launch monster added to Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, Primordial Malzeno is an enhanced version of Malzeno with way more health and damage. He’ll pummel you with smashes and swipes and unleashes Qurio projectiles, tail strikes and lasers in his frenzied state. Did we mention he can teleport around? All of this is before his insane supernova attack, which unleashes even more projectiles and energy waves before culminating in a big explosion. If that weren’t enough, he enters a Risen state near the end and goes insane with big attacks.

Dragon – Ark: Survival Ascended

The Dragon has remained a threat since Ark: Survival Evolved launched, and with Survival Ascended only having the island, it’s now the toughest boss in the remake. Regardless of which version is faced, its fire breath will deal damage equivalent to 20 percent of max health, regardless of armor or resistance (though dinosaurs immune to fire are safe). Other attacks, like its fireballs, are also dangerous, and it has Dimorphs and Pteranodons to help as well. Those playing solo should prepare for a long grueling fight.

Richter – Wanted: Dead

As the final boss of Wanted: Dead, Richter is fought one-on-one, which means no revives. He’ll dodge all bullets and can only be damaged with a katana. Which is fine, except you must parry almost every attack, and counter to stun and damage him. It’s all easier said than done when dealing with his fast strikes, and he becomes much more dangerous in the second phase, adding an insta-kill move to his arsenal. He also gains the option to heal because, of course, he does.

Horus Titan – Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores

Even with the new Specter Gauntlet, the battle against the Horus Titan can be a doozy. It’s massive and constantly moving, with Aloy needing to expose its heat vents and deal damage. The second part of the fight involves avoiding its tendrils while facing it head-on, which is also challenging. Once it finally falls, you still need to venture inside and take out Walter Londra, which isn’t as difficult but still somewhat tricky.

Metroid Prime – Metroid Prime Remastered

Sure, Metroid Prime originally launched in 2002, but its final boss remains one of the toughest in the entire series to this day. It adapts to your weapons in the first phase, so switching it up is necessary, and things become even more unhinged when its core is exposed. Not only is it more aggressive and dangerous, but you need to use different visors to find it while using Phazon pools to charge up Samus and deal damage.

King of Puppets – Lies of P

You feel bad for the King of Puppets, especially when he’s trying to rescue P from a dark fate. Unfortunately, a puppet king spurned is a puppet king mad, and his first phase consists of slow but heavy attacks with extensive range. They become more complex and tougher to parry, and when you think he’s down for the count, Romeo, the actual King, emerges from the oversized suit. The battle becomes fast-paced, as you must keep track of his movements and slices, presumably with very little healing after the first phase.

The Unbroken Promise – Lords of the Fallen

What’s scarier? Having to face Harrower Dervla with her wide-range attacks or a version of her that’s stronger and wields Umbral Magic? The Unbroken Promise proved to be the latter, unleashing powerful attacks and magic with little downtime after taking over Dervla’s body. It can manifest an Umbral set of nails to follow and strike you or circle it at a moment’s notice with surprising speed.

Kale – Hi-Fi Rush

As the leader of Vandelay Technologies, Kale proves to be more than just a snobby executive. On top of devastating slashes and lightning strikes, he reveals four mechanical tentacles, which can slam the ground, create barriers, Z-shielding and more. His final phase is even wilder, as he starts summoning pillars of fire on top of wide-arcing slashes.

Annihilation – Remnant 2

This is easily the most challenging boss in the game and especially brutal at launch before the nerfs. It has three faces, from homing projectiles and massive sword swings to a giant energy ball, while flying around the place. The second phase takes place in a different dimension with a new form and brand new attacks, with Annihilation switching back and forth between both phases mid-attack. It’s disorienting, and attacks are brutal, but even after surviving, you need to deal with hordes of enemies in the third phase before it finally dies.

Mitra – Ghostrunner 2

How difficult you find Mitra will depend on how challenging a bullet hell fight with excessive platforming can be. From that perspective, he’s especially punishing as the fight wears on, with the Cybervoid presenting all kinds of traversal challenges as you avoid his projectiles. Due to the nature of the game, a single hit is fatal, which means you need to execute everything without any flaws.

Tsukuyomi – WILD HEARTS

For all the things WILD HEARTS suffered from throughout its lifespan, the Kemono continue to pose a challenge. Tsukuyomi is the toughest yet, with excessive health, immense damage and a predisposition to attack off-camera when you can barely set it coming. The fact that you must rely on specific elements to defeat it isn’t a new concept (see Alatreon from Monster Hunter World: Iceborne), but this is still a slog of a fight.

Lu Bu – Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Good ol’ Lu Bu remains a tough boss, even after all these months. Maybe it’s the fact that he deals absurd damage from range with arrows or up close with his spear. Maybe it’s the horse running around the arena, disrupting you even after Lu Bu is knocked off (which he can also get back on whenever). Regardless, he’s still rough, especially at this point in the game.

Ranrok Dragon – Hogwarts Legacy

As a final boss, Ranrok Dragon has a fair amount of attacks in his arsenal, unleashing projectiles and sweeping beams, the latter doing excessive damage. There’s also a massive explosive field in the second phase that must be avoided. You must destroy the floating orbs to deal any real damage, which becomes more challenging in the third phase when he lands and assails you with physical attacks.

Behemoth King – Final Fantasy 16

As one of five S-Rank Notorious Marks, Behemoth King is an optional boss fight and not required to finish the game. Nevertheless, it’s a worthy challenge for those who want to push their combat skills. If the name wasn’t a clue, it’s akin to regular Behemoth in some ways, but with more health and damage. It throws out tornados and meteors casually, with Reign of Fire triggering a storm of meteors when it’s at half health. Perhaps the only comfort is that Behemoth King dies when its health is depleted, unlike the regular version.

Bode Akuna (2nd Fight) – Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Unlike the first fight, you’re taking on Bode proper, with Merrin assisting. The first phase isn’t too rough despite several fast attacks and his unorthodox fighting style. However, when he starts dealing with wide-ranging attacks and chucking grenades, it becomes tougher. The second phase sees Bode throwing his lightsaber, which follows you, and throws stun grenades while firing at range. He also throws some unblockable attacks, and having to complete another phase after this while not being able to recharge health or Stims makes this the most challenging encounter in the game.

IB-01: CEL 240 – Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

As one of the C-weapons powered by Coral, the IB-01: CEL 240 is fast, unleashes waves with its energy swords and even relies on remote satellites to hit you with lasers, often all at once. Getting a bead on it can be difficult, but with enough perseverance, it’ll fall. That is until it suddenly reactivates and adds new moves, like unleashing even more satellites to rain down lasers, more aggressive melee attacks, and even transforming into a firebird to ram into you.

Here are the best Xbox games of 2023, from the endearing and mindlessly fun to the peaks of artistic accomplishment.

NOTE: All entries and rankings were decided by an internal vote held among the entire GamingBolt staff.

#21. DIABLO 4

Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Xbox One | Developer: Blizzard Entertainment | Read Our Review

Diablo 4 was a long time coming for Blizzard, combining the dark aesthetic of Diablo 2 with more fluid gameplay from Diablo 3. With a large open world and new mechanics, results ranged from positive throughout the campaign due to mixed in the end-game, but things have improved. As it stands, it’s still one of the easier action RPGs to get into while still offering dozens of hours of fun.

#20. LIKE A DRAGON: ISHIN!

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio | Read Our Review

RGG Studio’s remake of Like a Dragon: Ishin! marks the title’s long-awaited debut in the West. Mixing a tale of revenge during the Bakumatsu with the series’ trademark side stories and wacky mini-games, Ishin! also offered some solid combat with its mix of swordplay, firearms and power-ups. Some aspects could use more significant improvements, but this is still Like a Dragon.

#19. LORDS OF THE FALLEN

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Hexworks | Read Our Review

It’s a good year when not one but two solid Souls-like titles are released. Hexworks’ Lords of the Fallen evolves on the original game’s formula by introducing dual worlds, Axiom and Umbral, and the Umbral Lamp to traverse between them in creative ways. The Dark Souls style of gameplay remains, backed by incredible visuals and a great spread of classes, weapons and spells. While it may not overcome its inspiration, Lords of the Fallen is still a worthy enough tribute.

=#18. ROBOCOP: ROGUE CITY

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Teyon | Read Our Review

After delivering the goods with Terminator: Resistance, Teyon turned its attention to another beloved action movie property in Robocop. Though it offers some investigative mechanics and decision-making, Rogue City is just a straight-up shooter where you slay gang members in extremely violent ways. And that’s all that counts, though capturing the property in all its retro-futuristic glory helped as well.

=#18. JUSANT

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Don’t Nod | Read Our Review

For every climbing game that makes you question your sanity, DON’T NOD’s Jusant is a decidedly chill experience. Its responsive controls and meditative approach contrast with the mysterious summit and post-apocalyptic world ravaged by an environmental disaster. Gorgeous aesthetics and a wordless narrative with extensive lore made for an even more compelling journey upward.

#16. DEAD ISLAND 2

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Dambuster Studios | Read Our Review

Dambuster Studios’ Dead Island 2 must feature Skill Decks, elemental damage and multiple mods for weapons, but at the end of the day, it asks some simple questions. Would you prefer your zombies dismembered or scorched? Exploded or electrocuted? Finding the answers to these questions resulted in some incredible fun with oodles of content to complete and secrets to uncover.

#15. EVERSPACE 2

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Rockfish Games | Read Our Review

Embodying a more Freelancer-like gameplay loop over the original’s rogue-lite approach, Everspace 2 features a massive campaign, extensive side content, the same fast-paced action as the original and some stunning visuals. Space combat is as fast and fluid as ever, with more build-crafting options and companions offering more ways to customize one’s playstyle. It’s a dark horse compared to many other titles this year, but still worth your time.

#14. WILD HEARTS

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Omega Force | Read Our Review

Sometimes, it’s not enough to hunt. Sometimes, you want to climb on a monster’s back and rip out Karakuri threads to make a giant bomb or hammer to smack it in the face. Koei Tecmo’s WILD HEARTS offered large environments, imaginative Kemono to battle and some wild weapons to master, complete with the typical hunting RPG armor sets and upgrades. It wouldn’t beat Monster Hunter, but it offers a strong alternative for those wanting something different.

#13. FORZA MOTORSPORT

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Turn 10 Studios | Read Our Review

Despite mixed receptions to its car leveling, not to mention various bugs, Forza Motorsport is a solid racer. Its streamlined approach returns to the series’ roots of learning each track in and out while tuning your cars to perfection. New tire physics, track temperature that affects conditions and realistic visuals place it above earlier titles, while the revamped multiplayer allows for more frequent competitions.

#12. LIES OF P

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: Neowiz Games, Round8 Studio | Read Our Review

Belle Epoque era aesthetics and architecture meet a gruesome take on Pinocchio in Lies of P. Fortunately, NEOWIZ’s Souls-like action RPG offered some solid gameplay with its gorgeous visuals on top of memorable bosses and a deep weapon system. Considering the sheer range of Souls clones that just don’t hit the mark, Lies of P is a revelation for fans and a strong title in its own right.

#11. CYBERPUNK 2077: PHANTOM LIBERTY

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: CD Projekt RED | Read Our Review

Memorable characters, a brand new district in Dogtown with gorgeous locales, and heaps of new weapons, cars and Cyberware to play with – Phantom Liberty is the perfect capstone to the journey of Cyberpunk 2077. It also didn’t hurt that the story was interesting while presenting some morally ambiguous choices with long-lasting effects.

#10. RESIDENT EVIL 4

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PC | Developer: Capcom | Read Our Review

The remake to rule them all, Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 stuck close to the original’s gameplay, but did away with QTEs, added parrying and revamped entire sections in incredible ways. To say it was a success would be an understatement, as the remake polishes and reinterprets a classic for the modern generation to great success.

#9. STREET FIGHTER 6

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PC | Developer: Capcom | Read Our Review

Capcom had its work cut out with Street Fighter 6 but still knocked it out of the park. Arcade Mode is back in all its glory, and the new Battle Hub channeled the arcades of old to provide a more socially competitive experience. Each character is tuned to perfection, with the Drive System adding extensive depth and incredibly hype moments, and even World Tour could be fun with its beat ’em up gameplay.

#8. STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Respawn Entertainment | Read Our Review

Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor didn’t just offer better visuals than its predecessors. It also went bigger in pretty much every way. Bigger worlds, more Lightsaber styles, a darker story, more side activities – it had everything that fans of the original could want and more. Performance issues mired its impact out of the gate, but Cal Kestis’s struggle against the Empire still carried exceptional emotional weight.

=#7. HOGWARTS LEGACY

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Developer: Avalanche Software | Read Our Review

With all the adaptations Harry Potter has seen through the years, it’s fun to fulfill one’s dream of being a student in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Of course, Hogwarts Legacy goes bigger, opening up the neighboring highlands for exploration with tons of quests and activities. The stellar combat and visuals are just the icing on the cake for what’s an enjoyable fantasy adventure.

=#7. HI-FI RUSH

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Tango Gameworks | Read Our Review

Hi-Fi Rush is more than just a drop-dead gorgeous character-driven action title with excellently implemented rhythm game mechanics. It was a clear message from Xbox at the start of the year that it could drop straight-up bangers out of the blue and give players what they want. Whether it’s the rocking soundtrack, stellar boss fights or the new Rhythm Tower mode, Hi-Fi Rush is a fast, fluid and fantastic title.

#5. DEAD SPACE

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Motive Studio | Read Our Review

Inspired by Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 remake, Motive Studios’ Dead Space adapts the 2008 sci-fi horror for a new generation. It sticks with the same third-person gameplay but layers on more elements, like the Peeling system, revamped Zero G mechanics and random threats. Exploration is seamless, and the scary atmosphere is enhanced thanks to the remade visuals. While it may have been relegated in the face of so many other big games, Dead Space is still an excellent title and a welcome resurgence for the franchise.

#4. ARMORED CORE 6: FIRES OF RUBICON

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Developer: FromSoftware | Read Our Review

FromSoftware had its share of expectations after delivering one of the best games of all time last year with Elden Ring. However, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon chose to focus on the series’ strengths – extensive customization of mechs – while providing fast-paced action and challenging boss fights. The results speak for themselves as Armored Core 6 stands as the series’ peak and one of the best action titles this year.

#3. BALDUR’S GATE 3

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Larian Studios | Read Our Review (PC | PS5)

Fans of Baldur’s Gate have been craving a sequel since the second game’s release in 2000. While it initially raised some eyebrows with its first gameplay reveal, Larian Studios’ epic RPG is everything that fans of Dungeons and Dragons could want and more. Excellent writing and characters, tons of quests with numerous outcomes, fun turn-based combat with broken combinations – the list truly goes on. Even if it may seem daunting, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a fantastic adventure and one of the finest RPGs ever made.

#2. STARFIELD

Available on: Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Bethesda Game Studios | Read Our Review

With over 1500 planets – minus the ice and gas giants that you can’t land on – Starfield is a video game space odyssey of unimaginable scale. While its procedural generation tends to repeat in some areas, it still offers memorable sights and sounds, from exotic alien wildlife to stunning skyboxes and landscapes. Coupled with solid gunplay, fun space combat and a myriad of activities (from smuggling to space piracy), Starfield is certainly something, even if it isn’t for everyone.

GAMINGBOLT’S BEST XBOX GAME OF 2023 – ALAN WAKE 2

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Developer: Remedy Entertainment | Read Our Review

It’s somewhat poetic that Alan Wake 2 should launch over 13 years after the original after numerous efforts by Remedy Entertainment and capture our hearts. Featuring two protagonists with wildly different viewpoints and gameplay, the sequel’s strength lies in its presentation and taut story-telling, employing live-action footage and surreal occurrences without skipping a beat. Its visuals and music are excellent, but Alan Wake 2’s unabashed presentation as art that should be savored and studied for a long time is perhaps its most endearing trait, making it our pick for Best Xbox Game of 2023.

THE CREW MOTORFEST

The change in scenery in The Crew Motorfest from mainland United States to the island of Oahu was easily one of its biggest strengths. The open world clearly takes a lot of cues from the Forza Horizon series, and honestly, it’s better for it. With plenty of environmental variety, gorgeous locales, and a festive vibe throughout the map, The Crew Motofest’s open world is a fun one to simply exist in.

SONS OF THE FOREST

We’re pivoting here and going from a festive location to an oppressively dire one, but Sons of the Forest absolutely deserves its flowers. Even in early access forms, it’s one of the most memorable experiences of the year. Struggling to survive in its hostile and horrific world, which is so densely laden with atmosphere, remains an enthralling experience no matter how much time you put into the game.

DIABLO 4

Diablo joined the ever-growing list of franchises making the switch to an open world format, and it did so in mostly successful fashion. Though Diablo 4 loses the trademark claustrophobia that the series has always been known for in going for an open world setting, it balances the scales with a large, desolate, gorgeously designed map, which it crams full of addictive, repeatable content.

LIKE A DRAGON: ISHIN!

The Yakuza franchise, now known as Like a Dragon, has always excelled at crafting small but dense semi-open world maps, and Like a Dragon: Ishin! benefits from those strengths as well. In addition to boasting a smattering of engaging side content – something the franchise has always been known for – Ishin also boasts the unique strengths of its wonderfully atmospheric period setting, which it brings to life expertly.

LORDS OF THE FALLEN

Lords of the Fallen’s semi-open world approach is very much focused on tighter and linearly designed interconnected areas in the fashion of the Dark Souls series, and it boasts a lot of the strengths that those games do as well. Slowly unlocking the world and consistently making it slightly less hostile to navigate always remains a rewarding experience, made all the more compelling by the game’s dual realm system.

DEAD ISLAND 2

Dambuster Studios’ decision to develop Dead Island 2 as a semi-open world experience with a lot of open and explorable maps, rather than as a full-fledged open world title, proved to be quite a smart one. The zombie slasher-basher is able to exhibit an impressive level of variety in locations throughout its runtime, and each of them not only does a great job of capturing the vibe and personality of an LA setting, but is also rendered in visually spectacular manner.

EVERSPACE 2

Everspace 2 took a big swing with its switch to an open world format, and it’s safe to say at this point that the risk paid off. Exploring the vast expanses of space is always an alluring prospect in a gaming experience, and that’s basically what the entirety of Everspace 2 is built around. Thanks to a strong environmental design and flying and combat mechanics that never lose their sharpness, exploring the game’s map always remains enjoyable.

LIES OF P

There was a lot to love about Lies of P, as is evidenced by the widespread acclaim it has enjoyed, and its atmospheric gothic horror Belle Epoque setting had a big role to play in that. It brings the city of Krat to live in excellent fashion, and exploring its ominous and dilapidated remains is a consistently engaging experience, not least because of the incredible design and art style the game exhibits across its entire world.

WILD HEARTS

Map design and traversal are probably among Wild Hearts’ biggest strengths. Each of its unique open world maps are not only sufficiently large, they’re also gorgeous, vibrant, and brimming with a ton of environmental detail and diversity. On top of that, exploration and traversal is always a blast, thanks in large part to Karakuri devices and the emphasis placed on on-the-fly crafting.

HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST: BURNING SHORES

The Horizon franchise has always excelled at putting players in incredibly well-realized post-post-apocalyptic renditions of real-world locations, and that’s very much the case in Forbidden West’s expansion, Burning Shores as well. It looks gorgeous, as is expected of the franchise, and the imaginative and visually striking way in which it portrays its version of a half-destroyed, half-sunken, volcanic Los Angeles is hard not to be impressed by.

CYBERPUNK 2077: PHANTOM LIBERTY

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (in conjunction with Update 2.0) uplifts so much of the game in so many ways, including its open world. For starters, the new district of Dogtown is easily among the best areas in the entire map, and somehow manages to boast an impressive level of density and variety in spite of its smaller size. Beyond that, the underlying systems also see significant improvements, which breathes new life into all of Night City, even beyond the walls of Dogtown.

SEASON: A LETTER TO THE FUTURE

Given how dense and eventful 2023 has been for gaming, SEASON: A Letter to the Future has slipped under the radar for money, but those who’ve played it will gladly tell you how good it was. Exploration in the game is deliberately slow-paced and encourages you to take in its gorgeously rendered environments, memorializing them in anticipation of an upcoming catastrophe. With its stunning visuals to the melancholic vibe, SEASON leaves a lasting impression.

FINAL FANTASY 16

Final Fantasy 16’s decision to not have an open world setting may have proved controversial, but the game still placed plenty of focus on exploration. Traveling throughout Valisthea, Clive and his companions explore a variety of different locations, from forests and cities to deserts and wastelands, and though the level of freedom they offer can vary, overall, the game rewards exploration just enough to ensure that it remains an important part of the experience.

STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor obviously excels at being a Metroidvania game, build as it does on the solid foundations of its predecessors, but on top of that, it also expands significantly with semi-open world elements sprinkled in as well. The planet of Koboh in particular is particularly expansive, offering a massive amount of play space in which to navigate excellently crafted areas and discover all manner of optional content, secrets, and more.

HOGWARTS LEGACY

An open world Hogwarts game has been something many people have dreamed of for years, but Hogwarts Legacy proves equal to those lofty expectations. Iconic, memorable locations from in and around Hogwarts are brought to life with incredible authenticity and detail, and the game does an excellent job of thoroughly immersing you in its world. Meanwhile, exploring the vast areas around the castle itself – whether you’re flying through the air or remaining grounded – also never loses its charm.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s open world perhaps doesn’t make the same kind of impact that its predecessor did, owing simply to its familiarity, but make no mistake about it- it’s a far, far better version of it. On top of retaining the incredible design and traversal mechanics of Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom also makes a number of smart and significant changes to the otherwise familiar Hyrule, while also adding in a staggering amount of new real estate in the form of the Sky Islands and, much more significantly, the unsettling Depths, which is an entirely new, mind-bogglingly massive underground map that you can spend dozens upon dozens of hours in.

BALDUR’S GATE 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 might not have a traditional, seamless open world structure, but you’ll struggle to find many games that place as little limits on players as Larian’s RPG does. There’s no shortage of large, open, freely explorable locations throughout the game, and each of them is brimming with engaging, incredibly designed, and expertly written quests that emphasize player agency and choice-and-consequence mechanics above all else. What’s even more impressive is just how organic exploration in Baldur’s Gate 3, how seamlessly and easily all the content available in the game seems to flow into each other, and how, no matter what you’re doing, you always feel like you’re headed in the right direction and making progress.

ALAN WAKE 2

Remedy Entertainment has always been associated with tight, linear design, and while Alan Wake 2 obviously still does exhibit those strengths, it blends them with a more open-ended structure. Across Saga and Alan’s stories, there are four large semi-open world hubs to explore, each bringing with it its own unique and incredibly crafted areas, with plenty of optional content and hidden rewards tucked away. That structure fits particularly well with the game’s more deliberate pacing as a survival horror experience.

PIKMIN 4

Pikmin has always placed a great deal of emphasis on exploration, but never has that been truer than in Pikmin 4. With the almost complete removal of time limits, the game allows players to explore all of its maps at their own pace, and boy is it a rewarding experience. With secret collectibles, hidden dungeons, optional battles, shortcuts to unlock, and more, each of its large and intricately designed maps remains a constant joy to explore, not least because of how the game contextualizes the scale and size of each of these locations.

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2

You’d think that having a third successive game set in the same open world New York map would be a bit boring, but Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 circumvents any potential issues in a number of key ways. For starers, the map is a significantly larger one, thanks to the addition of Queens and Brooklyn, while it also feels much more lived in, dense, and dynamic. More crucially though, making your way through the map is also more enjoyable than it has ever been, thanks to a combination of significant improvements made to the already excellent traversal mechanics.

STARFIELD

Bethesda Game Studios has always had an incredible knack for crafting immersive open worlds, and though Starfield’s open world structure is quite different from the studio’s past games, here at GamingBolt, we found it to be just as magical, and just as easy to get lost in. From the typically strong and captivating lore to the vast, endless amounts of content on offer, from the variety it exhibits across its four main locations to the absolute freedom the game affords to players, from being able to plant your flag on desolate planets and build massive outposts there to creating your own ship and flying it through space, Starfield’s open world had a grip on us in a way very few open worlds have managed in recent memory.

Armored Core 6 

FromSoftware has done an excellent job with Armored Core 6 and made this entry a glorious comeback for the long-running series. Taking place on the planet of Rubicon 3, Armored Core 6 tasks players to partake in increasingly tough battles against different kinds of mechs. There’s just a distinct sense of power fantasy that comes from controlling a heavily armed mech, and the developer’s signature difficulty makes sure that this power fantasy always feels earned.

Street Fighter 6 

Street Fighter 6 adds plenty of new elements to this long-running fighting franchise including but not limited to a full-fledged open-world, and it gets all the better for it. The core fighting mechanics are extremely solid, and it’s a lot of fun to experiment with different characters and find out what catches your fancy. Street Fighter 6 has a really high skill ceiling, and it makes climbing to the top ranks really fun with its selection of diverse game modes.

Mortal Kombat 1 2023 

Mortal Kombat 1 2023 is an excellent new fighter that’s easy to pick up but difficult to master. There’s just a vast list of combos available for each of the dozens of characters, and mastering each of these moves lists one by one is a consistently enjoyable experience. The combat really kicks into high gear on higher difficulties, where you must study your opponent’s moves and quickly devise a strategy to defeat them all in a matter of seconds – and that is something that will keep you coming back for more.

Dead Space Remake

Dead Space Remake is a faithful recreation of the 2008 horror classic, and developer EA Motive has done a job of cleaning up its many rough edges. What we get as a result is a modern first-person shooter that’s every bit as addictive as it is scary. Sure, the encounters are not as frequent as other action horror games – but Dead Space Remake offers plenty of player freedom with its selection of different weapons, abilities, and dismemberment mechanics which makes it all so endearing in the first place.

Hi-Fi Rush 

Tango Gameworks surprised us all with the recently released Hi-Fi Rush, which is easily one of the most well-designed games in recent memory. The entirety of the game world moves to the beat, and you must keep in time with the rhythm as you dish out damage to your foes. It’s a simple gameplay loop that manages to be extremely satisfying due to its rhythmic nature, and it’s made all the better through the use of catchy tunes among others.

Final Fantasy 16 

Final Fantasy 16 features over-the-top, fast-paced, hack-and-slash combat, which makes the resulting experience nothing short of extraordinary. The combat feels extremely polished and fast-paced, and using your abilities and weapons in creative ways not only looks really flashy but also provides a distinct sense of power fantasy. Add to that some amazing Eikon fights, and Final Fantasy 16 becomes a really addictive game.

Batman Arkham Knight

Batman Arkham Knight might just be the end of the Arkham games as we know, and it wouldn’t be an understatement that Batman went down in style. There are a few rough edges here and there, but Arkham Knight nails the rhythmic combat that the series is known for. The parry timings are generously large, the moves really flow into one another, and there are plenty of combat challenges for players to test their mettle.

Ghostrunner 2 

Ghostrunner 2 excellently builds upon what came before in new and interesting ways, and what we get is a sequel that is bigger and better than the original in almost every conceivable way. The one-hit one-kill mechanic is utilized to the fullest extent, and players are expected to do a meticulous ballet of wall slides, slashes, and slides to clear out large rooms of enemies. Ghostrunner 2 has a really high skill ceiling, which is what motivates you to go back and do it all over again – and that is what makes it all so intrinsically addictive in the first place.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus 

MachineGames’ delivered an excellent shooter with Wolfenstein: The New Colossus, which smartly marries the chaotic shooting of 90s first-person-shooters with modern gameplay conveniences and open-ended design. The New Colossus really embraces the chaos with dozens upon dozens of enemies filling the arena at any given point and the ability to dual wield any weapon type, and that makes the experience really fun and replayable.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is an excellent sequel that does a fantastic job of taking what worked in the original and ramping it up to eleven. Everything from the traversal to the story and the combat has been improved in significant ways, which makes it all the more addictive. Parker and Miles both have different movesets and special abilities and chaining them together to create a flurry of hard-hitting combos delivers a power fantasy like no other. Add to that plenty of combat challenges, and Spider-Man 2 becomes a really fun action game. 

Soulstice 

Soulstice is in many ways a glorious throwback to hack-and-slash classics like Onimusha, and it does a really good job of simulating that flashy combat design that made those games so great in the first place. Soulstice’s unique mechanic of controlling two conjoined characters also adds a fresh twist to the experience.

Lies of P

Lies of P tells the story of Pinocchio in a rather unique fashion thanks to its dark fantasy setting, but it’s an experience that has plenty to love as well. The combat draws heavy influence from Bloodborne, so it naturally revolves around striking a careful balance between aggressive strikes and calculative dodges. It also infuses some of its own mechanics like attachable prosthetic tools and customizable weapons into the mix, which makes it feel unique in a way. It obviously has a learning curve to it, but once you really get to grips with the systems – Lies of P becomes a really captivating experience.

Elden Ring

FromSoftware knocked it out of the park with Elden Ring, and it truly feels like an amalgamation of the developer’s best works to date. The combat system is still about managing stamina and carefully dishing out damage to your opponents, but what makes it so addictive is the sheer variety of weapons on offer. You can be a master sorcerer with a buffet of spells under your belt or you could be tank dual-wielding heavy swords. The challenging enemies and compelling NG+ options make it really difficult for players, which is what makes Elden Ring so much more addictive. 

Wild Hearts

Wild Hearts might have looked like a Monster Hunter ripoff at first glance, but the game was able to legitimize its existence upon launch with its fun gameplay and unique set of crafting ideas. The Kemono battles offer a diverse set of challenges to overcome, and you can use your knowledge of the Karakuri technology to craft interesting solutions to these challenges. The progression loop and the general smooth-flowing gameplay loop makes it all really addictive, and fans of Monster Hunter should definitely check this one out.

Gears 5

Gears 5 puts players in the shoes of Kait Diaz as she embarks on a grand quest to find the origin of the Locusts, and it’s a journey that’s punctuated with some really amazing firefights. The cover-based third-person shooting has been refined to an immaculate sheen and everything from the feedback to the balance and intensity are on point – which makes it all such an amazing experience. 

Football Manager 2024, for instance, will be available to subscribers on PC, cloud, and console on November 6, which is the day of its release, while another upcoming game, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, will also be available on the service on the day of its release, November 9.

EA and Koei Tecmo’s Monster Hunter-like Wild Hearts will also be available to PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers via EA Play on console, cloud, and PC on the same day. Meanwhile, Thirsty Suitors arrives on November 2 (console, cloud, and PC), Dungeons 4 on November 9 (console, cloud, and PC), Spirittea on November 13 (console, cloud, and PC), and Coral Island on November 14 (Xbox Series X/S and cloud).

Additionally, three titles have also been added to the service’s catalog today, with Jusant, Wartales, and Headbangers: Rhythm Royale.

Bahamut – Final Fantasy 16

This fight is impressive in many ways, not just because it’s coming after the battles with Titan but because of how much more epic the scale feels. You’re fighting on the ground as Ifrit and get an awesome beam attack. Then you transition to a Panzeer Dragoon-style shoot ’em up as Phoenix, which is way cooler than the first time you played him in the Prologue. Ifrit and Phoenix then team up before combining and battling Bahamut in the planet’s orbit. It’s flashy but substantial and becomes even more exciting with each new sequence.

Golden Tempest – WILD HEARTS

The Golden Tempest is first spotted grooming its paws like a cat would. How cute. It then proceeds to obliterate you with sand projectiles that expand on impact, sometimes covering the immediate area. Of course, its physical attacks are arguably worse since they chunk a significant amount of health on hit. Perhaps the coolest part is when it creates a sand orb in the air and slam-dunks it for a massive explosion. Difficult? Yes, but Golden Tempest also feels fair and is still one of the best bosses in the game, despite so many new additions post-launch.

Metroid Prime – Metroid Prime Remastered

Metroid Prime isn’t just one of the greatest bosses ever made – it’s also one of the toughest out there. That still holds in Metroid Prime Remastered as it adapts to your attacks and even changes forms as the battle progresses, requiring different weapons, scanning modes, and more to succeed. It’s an exceptional final boss that tests your mastery of every mechanic and doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Lu Bu – Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty has its share of tough fights, and for many, Lu Bu is one of the toughest, despite being in the middle of the game. He starts on horseback, riding around, firing arrows and leaping into the air to slam back down. While things seem like they’ll be easier when he’s knocked off, Lu Bu doesn’t miss a beat, firing off rapid shots and unleashing flaming spear strikes that deal massive damage. His horse is also running around during all this and can hurt you if you get in its path. Even with Cao Cao and Guan Yu fighting alongside you, Lu Bu takes on anyone and everyone without missing a beat.

Leviathan Remnant – Dead Space Remake

If you ever felt like the Leviathan was too much of a pushover, then good news: The remake adds the Leviathan Remnant, which requires activating cannons and targeting it to destroy. More than combat, it’s a showcase and test of your Zero-G traversal skills as you float from one objective to the next to deal damage while avoiding the Remnant’s projectiles and even traverse a minefield before taking it.

Roquefort – Hi-Fi Rush

Hi-Fi Rush is full of incredible boss battles, but there’s something about Roquefort. Maybe it’s the high-powered, sleek-looking mecha wolf suit or him moving around quickly, using hit-and-run tactics. The fight eventually progresses to other areas, as you call in Korsica, to help during a rhythm mini-game, dodge laser nets, and avoid attacks from below in a giant vault with gold coins. Best of all is the ending, where Roquefort gets his just deserts.

Titan Lost – Final Fantasy 16

If any battle could emulate the feel of the old-school God of War games, it’s Titan Lost in Final Fantasy 16. Fresh off of a knock-down, drag-out brawl with Titan, Hugo Kupka absorbs the surrounding Aether and becomes absolutely massive, towering over Clive and Ifrit. What follows are auto-running sequences firing boulders out of the sky and cinematic moments as Ifrit jumps from one stone tentacle to another and turns them against Titan Lost, culminating in a crazy final attack. The crazy part is that the battle continues beyond this and still manages exceptional heights in epicness.

Primordial Malzeno – Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

As the last free monster added to Sunbreak, Primordial Malzeno is a force to reckon with. It has similar attacks as the original while mixing in new combos with its wing swipes and tail lashes. When powered up, it begins unleashing beams, flames, rupturing the ground, and much more in an over-the-top display. It’s overwhelming and almost a force of nature, which fits well with its almost uncontrollable destructive power.

Ultima – Final Fantasy 16

Breaking down every part that makes this fight great would take a while. Long story short, it’s everything that a final boss should be. Challenging, but also testing your knowledge of all the Dominants fought thus far. Epic, as seen in the Eikon battle, when it unleashes swathes of beams and attacks. Above all, however, it’s fun, and that final single punch for 999,999 damage, the highest in the game, is just satisfying.

Bode Akuna (2nd Fight) – Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

After Bode’s betrayal, you finally exact some revenge and take him on. The fight is exceptional because Bode is a competent Jedi and very good at mixing in Blaster attacks. Having Merrin’s help also leads to some cool moments, and eventually, Bode will become serious enough to two-hand his Lightsaber, changing up his move set entirely. Of course, the conclusion is also top-tier, calling back to a classic Star Wars moment, but with a twist.

Ranrok Dragon – Hogwarts Legacy

Ranrok Dragon is the final encounter in Hogwarts Legacy, and it moves from one part of the stage to the next, attacking and encouraging you to give chase, adding to the big fight feel. When there’s nowhere left to run, it starts unleashing a massive damaging field alongside its breath attacks and projectiles. It’ll even land on the ground and attack up close, necessitating staying on the move and attacking.

Horus Titan – Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores

Guerrilla Games was touting the power of the PS5 and how essential it was for one particular sequence in Burning Shores. That sequence is the battle with the Horus Titan, a powerful Machine responsible for the old world’s collapse. Aloy has to move to keep up with it, firing at vents and exposing its weak points before climbing up its tendrils and dealing more damage. It then transitions into a straight-up brawl as the Horus Titan slams its legs down while firing projectiles. The sheer spectacle of the fight is undeniable and feels like a step up over the base game’s final boss.

Ganondorf – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

This fight is so great because it starts one-on-one, and Ganondorf shows off his exceptional swordplay and uses Link’s tactics, like Flurry Rush, against him. Of course, he calls in some clones in phase 2, but then the Sages show up to even the odds. It’s all just the precursor to the real epic final battle with the Light Dragon showing up to save Link, and the two work together to take out Ganon’s dragon form and end him for good. In terms of mechanics and sheer awesomeness, this fight had it all.

Astaroth – Diablo 4

While the Uber boss may be most people’s pick due to its difficulty and patterns, Astaroth is still an enjoyable fight. It’s set in Cerrigar, as innocents are burned to death, emphasizing the situation’s urgency. Astaroth is also constantly on the move, with his Cerberus-style mount emitting fire while meteors file from the sky. It can be a pushover when geared properly, but it’s still fun, especially given the emotional stakes involved.

JP – Street Fighter 6

JP isn’t an end-boss in the traditional sense – he’s playable from the start, unlike M. Bison or Akuma were in their first appearances. However, he’ll often show up at the end of several routes in Arcade Mode as the final challenge. Given his skills as a zoning fighter, setting up portals and attacking from range, keeping you guessing all the time, he can be an exceptional threat. Bump up the CPU Level to the max and experience true terror as you get hit from every angle without much chance to fight back. His victory animation, where he casually steps over you without a care in the world, is just salt in the wound.

Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy 16 may start fairly linear with some levels but quickly expands into more open environments like Rosaria and Sanbreque. The vistas are gorgeously rendered, and you’ll discover more side quests, interesting characters, and Notorious Marks to take down. Later, you’ll probably search for some rare materials and maybe take on some high-level Hunt targets.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Tears of the Kingdom’s events are in the same Hyrule as Breath of the Wild, and while there are similarities between the two maps, the sequel’s size is simply breathtaking. The Sky Islands hold numerous secrets, while the surface has been revamped with new dungeons, Shrines, Skyview Towers and areas. Then there are the Depths with overwhelming Gloom and hidden secrets that beg to be explored. Suffice it to say that the new Zonai vehicles are a must when getting around.

Diablo 4

Even if one region can blend into another at times, Diablo 4 has an impressive scale. The Fractured Peaks with their snow-covered surroundings; Scosglen with its creepy woods and shores – there’s a lot to take in, and that’s before you wander off towards the dozens of different Dungeons. When that’s not enough, Strongholds with unique goals, side quests, World Events, and more await your frantic clicking.

Everspace 2

It’s crazy to think that Everspace 2 wasn’t supposed to start with this massive scale when it entered early access. The full title offers multiple star systems, each with random distress calls, side missions, puzzles, High-Risk Areas and much more to explore. You can pick up new spaceships, mine materials, take on new companions and maybe venture into Ancient Rifts for some end-game challenges.

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores

Burning Shores is an expansion, meaning it won’t approach the base game’s scope and scale. However, considering Forbidden West’s massive size, being one-third as big is still pretty significant. Along with venturing into Fleet’s End and meeting its various characters or venturing to the newest Cauldron, underwater exploration expands significantly thanks to the new Waterwing, while the skies are like their own region due to the massive clouds.

Forspoken

Its open-world design leaves much to be desired, but you can’t accuse Forspoken of not being large in scale. Each region has its share of treasure chests, resources, activities and hidden Labyrinths. There are even powerful world bosses providing a tough challenge, side quests, the standard towers, refuges and much more to discover. Traversing all of it is also pretty enjoyable once you master the magical parkour.

Hogwarts Legacy

Not factoring in the 100-plus side quests, the world of Hogwarts Legacy can be pretty absurd in its scale. When you venture outside the school and start taking in the Highlands with its enemy outposts, Trials and powerful foes, there is much to discover. Whether you’re content with raising fantastic beasts in the Vivarium or battling in Dark Arts Arenas, the world provides plenty of chances to test your spell-wielding.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was already incredibly vast with its environments, but Jedi: Survivor goes much bigger. Some areas like Coruscant are straightforward but offer plenty of chests, Bounty Targets and secrets.

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series has prided itself on packing its worlds with stuff to do, and Like a Dragon: Ishin! is no exception. Kyo during the Bakumatsu is full of restaurants to eat at, schools to train and even underground arenas to fight (not counting the dungeons). You’ll spend much time running around, helping people in deep Side Stories, and maybe some farming on the side. Even if its structure is from 2014, Ishin!’s world design carries over into the modern era quite well.

Sons of the Forest

Despite being in early access, Sons of the Forest offers a vast sandbox to mess around in. The expanded building and options allow for creating extensive bases, but there’s plenty to see when you venture into the caves or discern the island’s mysteries. Foraging for resources during different seasons with Kelvin, sledding off the highest peak or fighting for your life – Sons of the Forest truly has it all.

Dead Island 2

Forgoing its predecessor’s open-world approach, Dead Island 2 relies on self-contained levels teeming with zombies. However, when you’re not progressing through the main story, there are plenty of weapon quests, Missing Person reports, Special Infected and more. There are tons of activities to experience, even if you’re just looking for better weapons to slay the undead.

Miasma Chronicles

Like Mutant Year Zero, Miasma Chronicles offers a massive world with side quests and secrets to explore. However, the post-apocalyptic United States is two to three times larger, with varied locales, tons of buildings to explore, containers to loot and enemy outposts to sneak through or attack head-on. It further feeds into letting you approach conflicts in any way you choose, even if combat could be improved.

Atomic Heart

Much like several other titles on this list, Mundfish’s action RPG shooter isn’t a massive open world but one broken up into different biomes. There are dozens of main story chapters to complete, but wandering through the different biomes reveals memorable side content, lore, loot, flying houses to find and robots to alert and subsequently fight. The story is the main appeal, but these little detours are worth it.

LEGO 2K Drive

LEGO 2K Drive has its share of issues, which is a shame, given the game’s potential. Bricklania is a fully realized playground with lots of content to experience, whether you’re venturing through the canyons and rivers of Big Butte Country and taking in the sights at Prospecto Valley. It’s not a seamlessly connected world like Forza Horizon, but each of the four biomes has enough to keep you busy.

WILD HEARTS

While Monster Hunter Rise saw Capcom going smaller scale with its levels, Omega Force saw the scale of Monster Hunter World’s levels and went even bigger. The different Hunting Grounds of Azuma each sport unique Kemono to hunt and are massive, making traversing them equally enthralling thanks to the combination of zip-lines, Rollers, and gliders.