Sony PlayStation has an expansive library of exclusive titles – such as God of War, Death Stranding and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Microsoft will soon launch State of Decay 3.
Hellblade 2 is the sequel to 2017’s Senua’s Sacrifice and features haunting visuals and an engaging story about mental health issues.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet & Clank takes its storytelling to an entirely new level with this instalment, deepening existing characters while giving rise to intriguing new ones. The dimension-hopping setup makes this game stand out, while its story will enthral even those unfamiliar with its origins.
The gameplay in Dead Island remains stellar; weapons come in various varieties, and spaces are enjoyable to move through; plus, there are fun platforming challenges! Each world you visit features different tonal palettes, geography features and character interactions – later planets even uniquely play with the multiverse concept!
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart marks the return of full-length Ratchet & Clank games since 2006 and one of its most visually stunning titles on PlayStation. With impressive ray-tracing effects that look gorgeous in lush environments and fluid and expressive character models that bring them alive, Rift Apart makes a first impression on its longtime fans and will surely leave lasting impressions for new ones as they dive into it!
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is an exceptional addition to the franchise and an ideal choice for anyone seeking a challenging action-adventure game. While not as easily accessible as older titles such as Into the Nexus or Deadlocked, Rift Apart does provide plenty of backstory on Ratchet and Clank and their relationship – including adding new depth and dimension between Ratchet and his miniature companion Clank; more information on Emperor Nefarious as the main villain; additionally it adds depth and information on Emperor Nefarious who plays his part; plus its 2016 re-imagining adds even more backstory on them while also adding key new characters too.
Returnal
Returnal was one of the flagship titles released post-launch for PlayStation 5. A rogue-lite (a game in which level layouts change with each death)placed players into Selene’s shoes as an astronaut stranded on an unknown planet called Atropos.
Returnal’s signature gameplay lies in its mix of bullet hell-inspired third-person shooter with roguelike elements, where weapon pickups, enemies and geography vary with each run and death to provide an unchanging yet fresh experience every time you play. Furthermore, Selena can acquire new weapons over multiple runs to build proficiency with them, which helps alleviate some of the repetition caused by dying frequently.
Returnal’s world is stunningly realistic and dynamic, each space exuding mystery. PS5’s immersive 3D audio adds even greater immersion; bullets sound like they fly alongside you or appear out of nowhere to attack or sneak up behind.
The PC version is an absolute treat for visual fans, pushing hardware to its limit in a hard way to look away from. Ultrawide implementation works flawlessly, with in-engine cutscenes fully using each frame and the user interface adapting perfectly for full-screen mode. Ultrawide implementation works beautifully, too. Unfortunately, PC players are restricted to one resolution only with no cross-platform multiplayer support being offered – quite disappointing considering its ambitious release – yet its visuals remain stunning; returning to familiar territory is always rewarding when playing together, yet this particular type of game requires specialization so may not appeal to everyone despite being so beautiful visually striking and immersive!
Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey proves that Nintendo’s iconic 3D character remains just as charming and beloved. Packed with nostalgic references and unique design features, Super Mario Odyssey makes an outstanding statement of this character’s appeal and legacy.
Odyssey brings back the open world style seen in Super Mario 64 and Sunshine with its large and diverse environments that provide ample room to explore while keeping every corner unique and genuinely captivating – from New Donk City with its bustling urban environment filled with surprises, all the way down to desert kingdoms such as Sand Kingdom and Cap Kingdom where each area stands on its theme and aesthetic.
As is often the case in Mario games, his capabilities are expanded thanks to Cappy. This intelligent hat allows Mario to control it like his own character and grab objects like his own character, thus adding depth and variety to platforming gameplay. Players can use Cappy to reach previously out-of-reach areas or take on harder bosses; it may also help explore more intricate corners of the world!
Super Mario Odyssey’s visuals are an absolute treat for the eyes, with each environment meticulously crafted and designed. Everything from clouds you hop upon to peach fuzz covering Bowser is painstakingly designed; from rusty machinery juxtaposed against rivers of water and flowers, each location offers something new!
Odyssey has an outstanding soundtrack featuring memorable orchestrated tracks for each world. This welcome change from previous entries’ generic pop songs creates an uplifting and hopeful mood that perfectly fits its worldly themes.
The Director’s Cut
“Director’s Cut” has come to be understood as more than just an extended version of films; it now refers to any form of media with enhanced editions that address criticism or feature additional footage or an entirely different storyline. These improved versions may prove significant and provide audiences with new material they might otherwise miss out on.
Sucker Punch Productions’ Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut is another prime example. It features Iki Island as an expansion and an overhauled boss battle system designed to give players more options depending on their play style.
Notably, the Director’s Cut features small changes that will benefit veteran players and newcomers. Notably, its yellow filter has been removed, as have several enhancements designed to make enemies easier to take down, such as using Gravity Glove to collect items without walking over them and the Maser Gun, which quickly incapacitates human enemies with electricity bolts.
The Director’s Cut stands out with its enhanced visual fidelity, thanks to a refined version of DLSS that helps reduce ghosting trails seen in its initial release and provides more consistent image quality across scenes with various lighting conditions. Furthermore, PS5 users can use 4K targeting at 60 FPS, further boosting the game’s stunning visual fidelity.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Insomniac’s latest Spider-Man game takes the action to a new level, turning New York City into a vibrant playground of scale and spectacle. From its opening mission forward, this thrilling action game showcases all PS5’s capabilities with breathtaking set pieces.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 offers a large, revitalized recreation of New York City that spans Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Players can surf across the water between Manhattan and its neighbours, allowing them to cover great distances with just one button press. Furthermore, a new wingsuit lets players glide for extended periods and create high-wire paths connecting specific points across the map.
Players can switch between Peter and Miles throughout the story, testing their relationships as the power of Symbiote tests them. Quick switching allows players to explore all sides of the tale from different viewpoints; Kraven the Hunter returns alongside iconic Spider-Man nemeses such as Lizard and Venom – among many other familiar villains!
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 features improved gameplay compared to its predecessor, offering more aggression and raw power in combat and an additional swinging mechanic that adds momentum to character movements. Graphics have also been improved significantly, and voice acting is phenomenal, with many returning cast members from its predecessor.
Overall, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 received widespread acclaim from critics for its gameplay and storytelling; however, certain aspects fell short. Joe Donnelly of GamesRadar+ noted the improved combat, while Ramee of GameSpot called it “nowhere near as good” as Batman: Arkham Knight; however, IGN’s Cardy found some side content sparse compared with other open-world superhero games.