Josh Tolentino

Despite many shortcomings undermining its ambitions, Dragon Age: The Veilguard engages with its RPG systems, visual flair, and strong, heartfelt storytelling.

Stellar Blade is a substantial and gorgeous-looking action RPG with exciting combat, but its narrative is undermined by flat characterization and frequently lifeless storytelling.

A massive game that synthesizes two distinct eras of blockbuster game design, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth feels fresh and familiar simultaneously, while forging a new path for Cloud and the crew.

Despite its unique weapon system and generally friendlier structuring, Lies of P hews a little too closely to its inspirations to rise above feeling like something of an also-ran. But even also-rans can be polished, attractive, and exciting experiences in their own right.

I didn’t even last ten minutes into my first session with Outer Wilds, the intriguing open-world adventure game from Annapurna Interactive and Mobius Digital. A freshly minted astronaut from the tiny world of Timber Hearth, I took a bit too long admiring my spiffy new spaceship on the platform, before accidentally stepping off the edge and falling to my demise.