Cameron Corliss
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Game RantLatest Reviews
It's not all bad, of course. Battlefield 2042's Specialist system is entirely the wrong direction for the franchise – a point that couldn't be stressed enough if one were to write an entire book on the subject – but some of the equipment they bring to the table changes up the experience in interesting ways. The best example of this is the grappling hook gun that Webster Mackay uses, which allows players to take up interesting angles against enemies. But while the extra verticality is nice, it's an element that all players should have access to regardless of their specialist, as Battlefield 2042 is severely lacking verticality out of the box.
Forza Horizon 5 is flashy and vibrant. It packs in pretty much everything one could want out of a racing game, with a broad selection of cars, tracks, and challenges to complete. Its addition to Xbox Game Pass alone should be reason enough to try it, but it stands as one of the best Xbox exclusives out right now regardless. It might not do much to separate itself from the other entries mechanically, but Forza Horizon 5 is the best the series has felt yet.
Those that enjoy games that are bloody, bombastic, and have a pinch of humor will find an excellent experience in Chivalry 2. It's approachable, smooth, and an excellent time with friends. Plus, there's the promise of free content on the horizon, which should make the current offering even more appealing to those that engage with it. While there are some minor technical issues to be sorted out here and there, it's still one of the most enjoyable experiences to come out of 2021 so far.
BioMutant is teeming with potential, but a lot of that potential has been squandered. It's not a bad game, but it isn't going to be the standout project THQ Nordic fans were hoping for. Still, even with all of its issues, players may find themself booting up New Game Plus mode once their journey has been finished, despite breathing a sigh of relief when they finally see the credits roll.
Returnal is an excellent video game flirting with perfection. It has the most satisfying gameplay loop Housemarque has crafted to date, which says a lot considering the studio's pedigree. If PlayStation's other PS5 exclusives feel even half as satisfying as Returnal does, fans are in for one hell of a console generation.
All told, though, Hitman 3 is one of the best stealth games ever made. Those that have enjoyed the last two games in the rebooted trilogy will find more to appreciate here, while newcomers to the franchise will get a highly replayable romp through expertly crafted levels. The disjointed narrative may be off-putting to some, but those willing to overlook the shortcomings of the story are getting an otherwise near-perfect stealth game with exceptional replay value and astounding visual fidelity.
There's a great RPG buried somewhere beneath Cyberpunk 2077's mountain of issues, but it's going to be a while before that RPG is revealed to the world. Those that have followed the game's development since the reveal may want to hold off on picking it up until the problems are sorted out. Journey in now, and there's a good chance that Cyberpunk 2077 will leave behind a sour taste. Night City and a well-realized cast of characters may help with some of the disappointment, but Cyberpunk 2077 still needs some time in the oven.
Those looking for a nostalgia trip will find it here, but there are some huge asterisks to consider before diving in. Mafia: Definitive Edition is just right for those looking to kill a few evenings before the fall's bigger games start rolling in, or those that have fond memories of the franchise. It's got a pile of problems to sort out, but at the same time, it scratches an itch that few other games can.
Mortal Shell offers an experience that longtime Dark Souls fans will likely cling to. Its early hours can be painfully slow, and there are a smattering of issues with the world design, but it's not enough to ruin the experience. Once players find their groove with the right loadout, Mortal Shell's biggest problems evaporate, and its offering of new additions to the Souls-like formula makes it stand out in an increasingly crowded genre.
There's a profound sense of exploration and discovery in Journey to the Savage Planet. It's constantly motivating the player to double back and take another look at an area without ever explicitly telling them to. It's like being let into an amusement park with no lines and no rules, giving players the freedom to make their own fun whenever they need a break from an incredibly vertical, and hardly ever uninteresting, scavenger hunt for new resources and upgrades. It may not be an entire planet to explore, but it could easily fill one up.