4 star games News, Tips, Tricks & Ideas

For all the fast-paced action of football, it’s always impressive that a series like remains one of the best ways to experience the sport in a virtual format. Developer Sports Interactive has done a tremendous job of transferring the tactical and formation flexibility of the beautiful game into a strategic sim. Now, provides players with the latest entry in the franchise.

Although Don't Nod is most well-known for the series of character-driven adventure games, the developer has sometimes broken away from that dialogue and puzzle-driven model. 's impressive visual novel inspiration is one such example, while 's horror-tinged action RPG remains one of the best vampire games you can play. The latest game to show Don't Nod's ambitious side is .

Not one game, but three, are included in the remastered , offering a combined total of over 90 hours of mysteries and courtroom drama for sleuthing players to enjoy. Capcom's remastered trilogy featuring 's prodigy includes,, and along with many extras and updates. For the $50 price tag, evidence would show that there is a lot of entertainment value to be had in these courtroom text adventures.

A sequel to 2011's, expands upon its predecessor in fun new ways while still keeping the trademark silliness that made the first so beloved. Developed by Snoozy Kazoo and published by Grafitti Games, the title eschews the melee focus of the original and shifts to a more shoot 'em up style with delightful results. Though it's not a very long or complex title, its fast-paced style, inventive weaponry and quests, and frequent laugh-out-loud moments make for an incredibly enjoyable journey.

is the latest installment in the franchise from publisher and developer Ubisoft. Since the original game release in 1989, the franchise has covered a variety of storylines, and the newest iteration provides a fresh perspective once again.

has been a continual presence in the world of video games. From early titles like or, which received a revival just last year, through to recent shooters like, there’s been an army of games of varied quality over the years. Enter from Owlcat Games, taking a RPG approach for the far future setting.

is a game that promises a lot just by existing. Developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft, it's a very AAA take on a very blockbuster film franchise, hellbent on creating a beautiful world that's almost impossibly dense with vivid life. Much to the game's credit, it rises to the challenge of rendering Pandora's splendor with care, and a share of somewhat pedestrian elements never manage to overwhelm everything that it does right.

I wasn't expecting to hook me like it did, but Hibernian Workshop has combined nearly all the most entertaining aspects of games like ,, and in such a way that it has done something unthinkable in 2023 — it's gotten me interested in roguelikes again. It's not a perfect game, but with an undeniably addictive gameplay loop, great characters, and the addition of local 2-player co-op, it's impossible to call anything less than a great time.

CyberConnect2's brings changes that make the flashy, fast-paced gameplay better than ever. In recent years, anime fighting games have dramatically improved their presentation and gameplay, with games like gaining an impressive competitive following. The series began by adapting Part 1 of Masashi Kishimoto's storyline. CyberConnect2's reverence for the series shined with the series' larger-than-life boss battles, intense quick-time-events sequences not seen in the anime, and a multiplayer component for friends to have their own epic ninja battles.

asks the question: «what if was an game?» It really is that simple, as developer P-Studio borrows heavily from the latter series to fuel the latest journey through the universe. As it turns out, the answer to that question is equally simple — it's another excellent entry into a growing portfolio of spin-offs, and a successful blend of the series' trademark charming art style and the deep strategy of -style tactical RPGs.

is dancing its way into homes through the Nintendo Switch with this new rhythm game led by Sanrio characters. It is a very cheerful and upbeat endless runner experience from publisher Rogue Games, Inc. and developer Dabadu Games. The music for is incredibly catchy and gets players up on their feet while the cheerful artistry and bright colors truly do fulfill Hello Kitty's mission to spread joy. There are 23 different levels with over 40 foot-tapping songs that fill this game, as well as fun extras such as cute outfits, challenges for extra rewards, and more.

is a puzzle platformer from developer Team Ugly and publisher Graffiti Games. With the use of a unique and complex mirror mechanic that is used to solve its various levels, presents its players with both a fun gimmick and a complex way to solve problems that will require some skill to master.

For many, may just be another remake of a highly revered PlayStation title, but in all honestly, it is one of the must-play JRPGs of the year. In many ways, the remake successfully retains the characteristics of the sci-fi/fantasy themes from the franchise while introducing new features that bring it up to par with modern titles. The game’s visuals have also been overhauled and inspired by ’s aesthetics, making it a very charming world to get lost in.

is the eighth mainline installment in the Resident Evil franchise from publisher and developer Capcom. After taking home several Game of the Year awards, becomes even more accessible to players with an exciting new release on iOS devices running iOS/iPadOS 17.0.0 or later.

Rally racing may not be the most popular form of motor racing around, but it’s certainly one of the most exciting. It’s also one that has regularly proved to be a perfect fit for video games, from (and it's Sega Saturn port masterpiece) and through to modern offerings. Enter from Codemasters and EA Sports, this year’s official World Rally Championship game.

combines turn-based combat, skateboarding, and cooking to make a wholly unique experience about coming to terms with your past mistakes and mending relationships. The title comes from Outerloop Games, a studio which specializes in storytelling about underrepresented cultures, and publisher Annapurna Interactive. Though lacks complexity in some areas, it makes up for it through creativity, aesthetics, and emotional South Asian-inspired storytelling.

gets back to the microgame series' roots in many ways, eschewing some of the less favorable mechanics of its predecessor while staying true to its core principles. The Nintendo series just celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this year, but this new entry shows that there are still fresh ways to ideate on the beloved franchise. The new game returns to movement-based gameplay first established with the Wii's, taking full advantage of the Nintendo Switch's capabilities and creating something that's a lot of chaotic fun, although there's arguably less for single players to do this time around.

It's strange how climbing is a key mechanic across so many video games. Whether it's the stealthy climbing of the triumphant homage of or the fast-paced, it's a core facet of many gaming experiences. Enter from Don't Nod, which puts climbing at the center of its main mechanics.

How is it that the long-running franchise has suddenly manifested its best adaptation in years? Developer Teyon should be applauded, not just for making an enjoyable, substantive game that outshines most other attempts at this IP, but for taking such delicate care of the character and his world, resulting in possibly the finest overall narrative since the original film. The subtlest details of the art direction and sound design are a knockout, supported by a solid, if somewhat simple, FPS and action-RPG framework. The resultant package feels custom-built for devotees, overstuffed with tributes at nearly every step of the story, effectively surpassing its occasional misstep or bug.

Konami's delivers a jam-packed and pristine release of a storied franchise. Players who have wanted to dive into Hideo Kojima's beloved stealth action series have had a tough time doing so. Copyright issues took and off of digital stores, and the last time the games were sold physically was on Gen 3 systems in 2011. However, provides nearly everything a player needs to get into the series.

, from developer One More Level, combines fast ninja action, hardcore platforming, and a killer soundtrack to a game that feels twice as long as it should be. The original hit first-person platformer delighted players with its vibrant cyberpunk world and challenging levels that rewarded quick reflexes. 's one-hit death gameplay, parkour-centric level designs, and sci-fi story elements have all received drastic upgrades, but not all the additions help keep the game's pacing, which feels uneven.

marks one of the most interesting releases this year, as it is rebooting a title from 2014 that never quite found its footing among audiences. Like the 2014 release of the same name, is a Soulslike action RPG set in a dark fantasy world, pitting players against all manner of monsters, corrupted humans, and ancient gods. That's about all it shares with its predecessor though, as this release clearly seeks out to establish a new identity for the series, and it succeeds in doing so.

At first glance, doesn't look like much with its voxel-style graphics and minimalist approach that can make it appear fairly plain. With a closer look, however, it becomes clear developer Galaxy Grove has created a truly enjoyable puzzle game with music that helps players unwind for a bit and puzzles that are challenging yet approachable. It gives a practically Zen-like approach to the genre, perfect for sitting down with a cup of tea while enjoying the music and soothing graphic qualities that it offers.

is a triumphant homage to its earliest predecessors, but it still suffers from issues endemic to the series. The stealth action game from Ubisoft Bordeaux is singularly engaging and refreshing in its constricted scope; still, tiresome trends from the series at large return, making key components of its story vapid distractions from its true strengths. While is clearly built upon the back of 2020's, that foundation has been morphed into an experience heavily reminiscent of the original from 2007. is a more than worthwhile entry to the long-running saga in its own right, but it also shows that the original vision of the series still has immense potential.

The series has been the go-to racing series for Xbox players since all the way back in 2005, and in spite of various challengers nothing else has quite compared. Along the way, gamers have also been introduced to the series, with an expansive approach to racing in a series that is always improving. Now, Turn 10 Studios is back with , returning to the core franchise.

The series has maintained a consistent following while existing mostly under the radar, keeping perfect pace with new upgrades in VR gaming technology while sticking to its core retro throwback principles over a trio of releases. is the second title in the series, which now enjoys a spiffy PSVR2 update delivering smoother gameplay and some new features for Sony’s flagship headset. For millennial and adjacent gamers who grew up in the wood-paneled television age, hits that sweet spot of nostalgic resonance and good-vibes adventure, even though some of its best ideas could use a little more expansion and attention.

is a new collaborative DLC between Everbloom Games and Wizards of the Coast. With its dungeon-crawling gameplay and iconic locations from the Forgotten Realms, it's a surprisingly immersive experience that actually feels like. It also works as a nice family-friendly alternative to

It's really been an exciting era for puzzle games. Whether it's unraveling the mystery of the thematically challenging or the moving experience of, video game players have had plenty of opportunities for varied experiences that test their thinking. Enter , from Annapurna Interactive and Geometric Interactive, with another chance for gamers to expand their minds.

At first glance, can look like an game transplanted to a pulp history setting, but this tactics title is more than just a fresh coat of paint. Developed by Harebrained Schemes and published by Paradox Interactive, the game tasks an eclectic group of agents with challenging infiltration missions in the name of saving the world. With a strong array of clever ideas that feed into each other well, wears its influences on its sleeve while managing to stand out on its own as an intriguing strategic experience.

presents an adorable blend of crafting, stealth, and silliness in an artistically-inspired world, but it's sometimes brought down by bugs and overly-simple mechanics. is the debut title from developer Meowza Games and is being published by Humble Games. Despite some moments of tedium, the game does an excellent job of cultivating a cozy and inviting environment, and while the story it tells isn't a complex one, it's still an experience that will be worthwhile for many players.

Not long after the completion of their biggest heist and quiet transition into retirement, sees the infamous Payday Gang forced back into the crime scene. It appears like someone that the gang has wronged in the past is seeking revenge, as the game's opening moment reveals that an explosion nearly took out five of them. Despite failing, the gang's accounts have been frozen and seized, leaving them broke and revealing a greater conspiracy. To fight back, the gang carries out a number of heists and operations to both uncover who all is behind this and bring them down.

is a new cozy life-sim game that features a creature-collecting twist, and it manages to pack a lot of content to explore into a little Indie game. Developed by Studio Supersoft and published by Raw Fury, the game offers players well over 40 hours of relaxing gameplay that can continue even after the story has finished. It includes all the farming, crafting, decorating, and romancing of NPCs that are commonly thought of with a cozy sim, but blends it all with flying, magic, exploration, card-based combat, and creature-collecting.

wants to be VR’s end-all be-all 1v1 sword-fighting game, and its one-of-a-kind approach to combat is a strong sell. This new ported version arrives to the PlayStation VR2 with an additional playable character, but otherwise seems comparable to its previous VR platforms, with some limited training gameplay that sets things up for the main event of its online PVP. While its scant singleplayer content and limited bells and whistles may strain first impressions, primarily succeeds thanks to its limited comparable competition in the space and idiosyncratic gameplay, which is certainly not cut out for all-comers.