Koira has an emotional journey at its core that has made me better appreciate the bond I share with my own dog, and that despite obstacles being in our way, that bond will see us through. The short adventure can see a few mechanics used a bit too often, but the few moments that stand out do shine a light on the darkness plaguing Koira’s surroundings. 

Shadows of the Orient should be right up my alley. Pixel platformers are often joyous and engaging, but here, the game felt like it was fighting me at every step. You cannot mount up ledges, so you can only rely on the wall bounce, making some platforming to be obnoxious than enjoyable.

Monster Hunter Wilds doesn’t stray too far from the pack, but the update via the RE Engine and some added mobility do make their presence known. While Wilds is certainly easier than previous editions, it carves its own path and delivers a truly memorable adventure.

Based on the classic character, The Phantom travels across the globe in search of his son. With gorgeous artwork and presentation, it’s unfortunate that every other aspect of this beat’em up brawler is undercooked, miserable, and lacking in every way.

Ubisoft takes the series to Japan, allowing you to play as both Naoe and Yasuke, two warriors caught in the struggle of honoring their legacy and escaping their past. As a mysterious group is behind the scenes of several tragic events, the pair will unite against a common foe.

However, for as great as It Takes Two was, Split Fiction is the evolution of what Hazelight was building towards: a tour de force of creative ideas, stellar co-op mechanics, and a story that satisfies with characters you’ll actually care about. 

As RGG has made a career of bringing life to the same location for over 20 years, Yakuza in Hawaii is a solid entry that can feel thin on its own ideas but nonetheless has some incredibly fun moments and some strong combat that allow this new adventure to set sail. 

Kingdom Come Deliverance II excels and innovates in ways the genre has desperately needed in years. Warhorse Studios has delivered a wealth of smart design and function here to craft an absolutely impressive saga that is as brutal as the era requires.

Shadow dropped during Sony’s most recent State of Play, Warriors Abyss is KOEI TECMO’s take on the Hades formula. As you fight in service of King Enma, to rid the underworld of its most notorious bad guy, you’ll summon 100 characters from the Samurai and Dynasty Warriors franchises.

As Don’t Nod is no longer the stewards of the Life is Strange franchise, they have returned to their roots in Lost Records: Bloom and Rage. As it is split into two episodes, it follows the exact structure of its now decade-old predecessor, for better and worse.

While the added new location provides some engaging bosses, it's the hockey stick wielding badass in Casey Jones that makes this DLC an absolute no-brainer.

With the appearance of a crimson beast on the rampage, Van and company set forth on another adventure and case to solve. With some new additions to combat and some fresh faces joining the ranks, the fate of Calvard hangs in the balance.

Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos is a complete miss. It feels like a glorified DLC pack for a previous game that never approaches anything deserving of its own release. The story and presentation feel like the first draft of what could have been special, and the driving itself is lackluster and boring.

Tails of Iron 2 is a bloody adventure that tells the story of Arlo, a young rodent that looks to avenge the death of his father at the hands of the Dark Wings. Arlo must gather his courage and rebuild his kingdom and then take the fight to enact his revenge and save the kingdom.

Big Helmet Heroes is a 3D successor to Castle Crashers, a fun beat’em brawler with fun characters, impressive abilities, and some engaging levels. While flawed in certain areas, it is nonetheless a great time for two players.

Eternal Strands takes the climbing of Shadow of the Colossus and Dragon’s Dogma can places it in a world full of life and color. As you attempted to uncover a decades long mystery and attempt to survive, you’ll track down beasts and monsters, harvesting their power for your own needs.

Sniper Elite: Resistance is more of the same, and while that is somewhat damning, it is at least more of what Sniper Elite 5 gave us, a damn fun multiplayer experience both in competitive and co-op.

Dynasty Warriors Origins is a staggeringly solid comeback after the disastrous Dynasty Warriors 9. Whether new to the series or a veteran of the franchise, Origins is hands-down the best in the series. 

Star Wars: Episode One: Jedi Power Battles Remastered could have been a charming beat’em up and fixed the list of issues that plagued it several years ago. However, with no real changes to gameplay, visuals, or its structure, Jedi Power Battles is the same bad Star Wars game it was 25 years ago.

While certainly influenced by the likes of Vampire Survivors, Jötunnslayer: Hordes of Hel brings the iconic Norse legends to life with impressive visuals and design. From the Berserker to the Seeress and beyond, you’ll fight in several areas to vanquish all foes in your path.