Mitchell Saltzman

Super Meat Boy 3D proves that Meat Boy can work in three dimensions, even if some perspective-related issues keep it from reaching the heights of the 2010 classic.

Classic 2D anime fighting game action with all the modern conveniences

Best-in-class combat and a triumphant move to an open-world structure.

A clever martial arts roguelite that will test your wits and reflexes in equal measure.

Different from anything the series has done before and still immensely satisfying.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a triumphant revival of one of the pioneers of the 2D Fighter that doesn't land every strike it throws, but hits with all of the most important ones for figthing game fans.

Eternal Strands doesn't land every shot it takes, but it lands enough to make it an impressive action RPG.

A great action game with fantastic combat, exciting bosses, tantalizing secrets, and a few too many bugs.

Great in all of the most important ways for an action game, but lackluster elsewhere.

Final Fantasy 16's story, characters, and worldbuilding are among the best the series has to offer, with exciting and engaging combat, despite it being a departure from what longtime fans may expect.

Elden Ring is a massive iteration on what FromSoftware began with the Souls series, bringing its relentlessly challenging combat to an incredible open world that gives us the freedom to choose our own path.

From the very first punch, Sifu is utterly uncompromising in its design. Absolver developer Sloclap’s latest martial arts beat-em-up is bold, its combat exquisite, its animation top-notch, its music outstanding, and its story – while very simple – is poignant and elegantly told. It’s also unforgiving and unapologetic, with pockets of frustrating moments during which I was certainly not in my happy place. But by the end, Sifu offered me a nearly unparalleled sense of mastery and accomplishment, a

Returnal's runs are too long for their own good, but the moment-to-moment action is phenomenal in this surprisingly lengthy and deep third-person shooter roguelike

NieR Replicant is an action RPG with obvious flaws involving outdated quest design and repetitive combat, but those flaws are easily forgiven in light of its incredible characters, along with its unconventional and emotionally resonant story.

Narita Boy has the look of a stunner, but it's let down by poor exploration, one-note combat, and one particularly bad level that puts a dark cloud over what would otherwise be a ray of trichroma sunshine

Curse of the Dead Gods is an excellent roguelite that bolsters its fantastic combat with an added level of strategy thanks to the unique curse/corruption mechanic that tempts you to make dangerous deals for powerful loot.

Olija leaves a strong impression with its unique look and fantastic combat, but its over all too quick and gives little reason to return.

A great modernized take on the NES Ninja Gaiden formula that starts simple and adds just the right amount of complexity to find its own unique identity in a crowded genre

EA Sports UFC 4 doesn't rock the boat all that much, but its reworked clinch system and new grapple assist feature are welcome changes, along with a tighter career mode that does a better job of teaching the basics of MMA.

Ghost of Tsushima is an absolutely gorgeous open-world action/adventure with incredible combat and clever solutions to longstanding issues in the genre, despite dropping the ball on the stealth side of its stealth/action split.