Elden Ring will go down as FromSoftware’s most successful entry and its most played to completion as well. While there is no direct easy mode, the sheer flexibility of its open world, and how you engage with it, can certainly make the game more accessible. While Elden Ring is full of challenge and intrigue, its vast open-world is the first in years where I felt a true sense of discovery.

KOF XV feels like a greatest hits of the series, featuring a wealth of past favorites, and is a gorgeous game to boot. Its fighting systems are deep enough for the hardcore player yet friendly enough for newcomers, which is sadly not shared with its nonsensical story. Despite its great presentation and gameplay, it lacks staying power in its few modes, which hopefully will see some love via various DLC additions later on.

Horizon Forbidden West is a damn impressive adventure with stunning visuals, a solid story, and a presentation that is often unrivaled. However, the game is also plagued by several technical problems, a map that has already labeled where all the fun is, and a collection of activities that can often feel like filler.

Shadow Warrior 3 certainly lacks the depth of its predecessor but does in some ways make up for it with its fast-paced action and focus on delivering a gory and mobility-centric experience. With a satisfying grappling hook and the ability to wall-run and rip apart enemies for new weaponry, Lo Wang’s newest adventure is a flawed but enjoyable action-shooter.