GR Staff
This author account hasn't been claimed yet. To claim this account, please contact the outlet owner to request access.
Writing For
Game RantLatest Reviews
All in all, Hitman 2 doesn't break too much new ground for the series, for in many respects it can be viewed as Hitman: Season Two. Nevertheless, IO Interactive has brought a bevy of remarkable updates to the table that make the sequel a worthy successor to the game that came before it. From its impressively designed locations to its deep level of replayability, Hitman 2 ought to give players more than enough reasons to remain steeped in its self-proclaimed "World of Assassination" and should serve as a superbly efficient time killer for months to come.
In short, save for the ever-encroaching reach for players' wallets with the Virtual Currency system, the sheer breadth of content alone in NBA 2K19 will be plenty to satisfy newbies and long-time fans of the franchise looking for a complete basketball sim experience. And fortunately enough, Visual Concepts' dedication to nailing practically every important detail related to gameplay and presentation shows that the developer went the extra mile to make worthwhile improvements where it could. All told, despite the loot box backlash the game incurred prior to launch, NBA 2K19 will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable and enjoyable entries in the series yet.
Ultimately, any qualms to be had with the game—which also includes its somewhat troubling sexualization of some Blades, which feels completely unnecessary and atonal to the rest of the story—are pretty minor. Monolith Soft has crafted a game in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 that takes the very best of JRPG elements and mixes it with some of the open world massiveness we've seen in titles like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Breath of the Wild this year. As a standalone title in the Xenoblade series, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 gets a very high recommendation from us to both fans of the series and newbies alike—it's the perfect game to sink way too much time into during the breaks of the holiday season.
In almost every way, the game acts as a love letter to fans of the 3D iterations of the Super Mario franchise. From the spectacular Kingdoms and all of their hidden secrets to the minute nods to past ventures and friends, the entirety of this adventure is a joyride from beginning to end – with countless hours that can be invested into the title long after the narrative has been completed. The formulaic changes have helped modernized a genre that has long been dormant, which is an immense feat in and of itself.
Try as it may, Fire Emblem Warriors may not convince gamers still unsold on the Warriors formula, but it's sure to come pretty close after expertly implementing trademark mechanics of the renown Nintendo series. Add in local co-op multiplayer, nods to the source material's permadeath option via Classic Mode, and even a History Mode that allows fans to replay key battles from the franchise's past and it's clear that developers Team Ninja and Omega Force were able to deliver some impeccable fan service to Fire Emblem fans.
All in all, it's fair to say that South Park: The Fractured but Whole stands as a great follow-up to The Stick of Truth, and a game that fans of the TV show are bound to appreciate. It may have been a long time coming, but The Fractured but Whole is certainly worth the wait, particularly for those who want to have a bit of light-hearted fun with their RPG gameplay.
Monster Hunter Stories is an enjoyable 40+ hour romp that adds depth and personality to world that often lacks narrative. Collecting monsters, becoming immersed in in-game events, and taking in the rather beautiful world that Capcom has created are all pivotal to enjoying this experience, while the tedium associated with battles can trigger a desire for multiple breaks during extended sessions. Still, Stories shines in a way that other Monster Hunter games don't, making a name for itself while honoring what came before it.
During the 20+ hours that can be plugged into Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle's campaign, fans will be exposed to a funny and visually engaging world worth exploring that features some genuinely challenging portions of combat. Reoccurring enemies may weigh down an otherwise varied universe, but the end result of this partnership between Ubisoft and Nintendo is a wonderful, tactics-heavy venture that Switch owners won't want to let pass them by.
All in all, though, F1 2017 is another extremely strong entry in the series from Codemasters. Although newcomers to Formula One in its entirety might find it a little challenging to grasp, particularly when it comes to the in-depth Career Mode, racing fans and Formula One fans in general should be revving their engines in preparation for the glamorous world of Formula One racing once again.
There's a lot more in the tank with this sequel, but it really doesn't do all that much new – and that's okay. Splatoon 2 is instead a venture that perfects the formula first explored in the original Wii U title, making for an easy recommendation for newbies and seasoned squid aficionados alike on Nintendo Switch.