25. F1 2019
Right before the imminent arrival of their upcoming installment, Codemasters clearly
retains the quality of the series with their last entry still rising up the all-time charts.
With Improved handling and physics, new cars, plus a dynamic day-and-night cycle, F1 2019
is the best formula one experience yet, receiving a playscore of 8.61
24. Dragon Age: Inquisition
Some things just last and that goes for this entry to BioWare's Dragon Age saga. Though
it's known to have more than a bit of filler content and MMO grinding, the purchase is
worth it if only to experience its open-world of epic hero journeys and intriguing companions.
Even for a game that's more than 5 years old, the visuals still feel spectacular to this
day.
It has a playscore of 8.61 23. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Still on the same numbers: After 6 long years, the Shovel Knight saga is finally completed.
And people who supported Yacht Club Games since the beginning are awarded a literal
treasure trove of unique adventures and an all-new game mode. For its many fans and longtime
backers, this will be an 8-bit platformer at its most complete, and it doesn't take
much to know that it's worth every last penny.
It has a score of 8.61 22. Life is Strange: Before the Storm
Arcadia Bay wouldn’t be the same without Chloe Price. Before she turned her hair blue,
she was still the same stubborn girl that befriended Rachel Amber. Developed by Deck
Nine, this game takes us back before the storms of Chloe and Max's tragic relationship. It's
not from the same studio but it packs the heartfelt emotionality that we loved from
the first game.
It's only slightly ahead with a score of 8.62 21. Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition
An early addition to the Diablo III title, Ultimate Evil Edition added smooth framerates
and resolutions, as well as the Reaper of Souls expansion's new character class and
fifth act. It might not seem like much now, but in its time, it was just the revamp that
the series needed. It may not include the Rise of the Necromancer content pack, but
it's an investment you can always opt for. The appeal for multiplayer loot collection
is as strong as ever, and with Diablo IV still looming vaguely on the horizon, this could
still be a strong bet on the console.
It has a playscore of 8.63 20. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
In the latest installment of the massively popular FPS franchise, Infinity Ward takes
us back to the roots of the series with a reboot of their Modern Warfare sub-series.
The reception may have been mixed before release, but it proved itself worthy of the name, gaining
praise for gameplay, story, graphics and their multiplayer modes.
Now a record-breaking series title, it's well-loved on the Xbox One too with a score of 8.65
19. Cuphead
The scourge on casual gamers and gamer journalists alike. But, the appeal of Studio MDHR's platformer
begins even before you even start playing. Inspired by the sometimes grim cartoons of
the early 20th century, Cuphead is pure joy to witness. It might be a little too hard
for some casual players, it's still fun to enjoy it as a co-op experience, or brutal
but beautiful battle for those super marks.
It has a playscore of 8.65 18. Fallout 4
Taking the cake for exploration and combat, Bethesda's Fallout 4 had everything that made
the Fallout series great and more. This time, in a radioactive Boston that enables you to
build bases, horde items, meet quirky characters and make tough decisions. That, along with
the scores of mods you can install and try out, There may have been plenty of issues,
but it's nothing against all the things you can do to while the hours away.
It receives a score of 8.66 17. What Remains of Edith Finch
A puzzle game from Giant Sparrow and Annapurna Interactive. Powered by the Unreal Engine
4, it's a different level of immersion in this adventure fuelled by haunting mystery.
See-through the eyes of Edith Finch as she goes to investigate the death of her family.
More an exploration game than horror, it has been widely praised for its story, presentation,
and gameplay. Learn each corner of the Finch estate, and uncover her traumatizing history.
It gets a score of 8.71 16. Outer Wilds
No, it's not that Obsidian RPG. Still from Annapurna Interactive, this open-world action-adventure
was developed by Mobius Digital. Despite not being a triple-A game, it has all the energy
and ingenuity that makes it a top-tier title. Bound to relive the same 22 minutes, make
subtle changes to the landscape and uncover each of the mysteries of an ancient race and
the dying solar system.
A next-level experience for a budget price, and a score of 8.72
15. NieR: Automata - BECOME AS GODS Edition
Yoko Taro’s spin-off of the Drakengard series have you come for the intriguing robotic main
character and her hack and slash skills, but stay for the whole existential ride. Packed
with a range of endings, Nier's is a story that has plenty of layers. And it's made all
the more worthwhile in this Become As Gods Edition that contains all of its major DLCs.
A recent hack and slash favorite from Platinum Games, it's bound to be a mainstay on the
console with a score of 8.73 14. OKAMI HD
Seeing an old game with fresh eyes has its own perks. We saw it first on the PlayStation
2, and now it remains one of the most gorgeous games on the Xbox One. Take Amaterasu's brush
and weave through Japan's magical tainted lands once more.
Presented in today's eye-popping HD visuals, there's obviously still a lot to love about
this classic game, with a score of 8.74 13. Titanfall 2
If you want action that will last, that's what you can expect from Respawn's futuristic
shooter. Released in 2016, you can get this game at a fraction of the price by now, and
you'll be served with shooting, storylines, and movement that can live up even to this
day's standards. Underrated seems to be what most people would call it. If you find this
in your next bargain deal, you can almost be certain it's worth your time.
It has a playscore of 8.78 12. Rise of the Tomb Raider
Rebooting Lara Croft's adventures may have been a risk but it all paid for Crystal Dynamics,
and most especially in this exceptional sequel. The rise was a massive upgrade from the first
game. Not only did it have more versatile combat, but its gunplay was also fantastic.
Most of all, the cinematic punches of its story drove home the fact that Lara Croft
is here in the modern age, and she's here to stay.
It has a playscore of 8.78 11. Mortal Kombat 11
NetherRealm has culminated years of gory tradition into one ultimate Mortal Kombat fighting experience.
Sure, it's still the campy and gratuitously gory game we always loved. But, with the time
travel twist of their storyline, we also get to witness the return of old characters, as
well as their new crop of fierce new fighters. All of them making use of bumped up features
like repurposed Xrays, fatal blows, and so much more.
With still more coming in new patches, it's an all-time hit with a score of 8.81
10. Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition
It's one thing to bring back classics in HD, it's another to completely revamp it into
something new but familiar. It's what Larian Studios is known for doing in their RPG series,
and it continues to be a poster boy for that blend of modern and traditional. The sequel
isn't the best avenue for newcomers to the series, but this definitive edition especially
is a haven of new features--multiplayer, GM mode, fleshed out storylines--that round up
the already excellent RPG experience.
It has a playscore of 8.82 9. GEARS 5
After a long wait, we finally got our hands on the latest installment of the Microsoft
exclusive series. This entry from The Coalition saw them rebranding in more ways than one.
Not just in name, but also in its shift away from war for humanity and into the exploration
of an open world that's bigger and unbelievably more gorgeous than ever before.
It sets the standard for Microsoft's next-gen exclusives and it receives a playscore of
8.82 8. INSIDE
A shining example of videogame as art, PlayDead's next puzzle platformer has the same minimalist
style, but this time, dedicated to portraying an Orwellian dystopia. It perfectly captures
a world of dread and hopelessness and tells the story of a boy who accidentally discovers
all its dark secrets.
Showing off a rich atmosphere and an intriguing storyline combined INSIDE is something you'll
remember long after you play it. A score of 8.84
7. Ori and the Blind Forest
The sequel might be out, but while it was close, it’s yet to hold a candle to the
majesty of the original. Developed by Moon Studios, Ori has been a remarkable presence
on the Microsoft stage, impressing in terms of charming backdrops, challenging platforming,
and emotional storytelling. Ori's enchanted decaying forest has become an icon, giving
birth to a sequel that almost equals it, and perhaps even more than that.
Simple but oh so memorable, it earns a score of 8.92
6. Grand Theft Auto V
Without even the slightest hint of confirmation for a new entry, this 5th installment from
2014 continues to reign supreme. From one of the pioneers of the open-world genre, GTA
V almost feels like the height of perfection, rolling 3 stories into one explosive criminal
adventure. And, even after the story, there are still hours of sociopathic fun to be had
in their online mode.
Going strong after so many years, it has a playscore of 8.99
5. Resident Evil 2
CAPCOM seems to have found the winning formula for their resident evil reboot series. While
Resident Evil 3 may have that balance of horror and adrenaline-pumping action, this entry
was a pure concoction of the survival horror they built their name on. With Leon and Claire's
revamped gameplay and elevated storyline, CAPCOM impressed not just long-time fans but
newcomers to the series too.
It earns its score of 9.03 4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
It's been five years, and it looks like we haven't seen the last of this final chapter
to the bewitching Witcher saga yet. On top of the fantasy action of finding the sword
of destiny, CD Projekt RED's The Witcher 3 was just one breathtaking sight after the
next. Even with Gwent already out on its own, its world of fictional medieval political
conspiracies has so much to offer still.
It has a score of 9.06 3. Forza Motorsport 7
It has been a while since the last Motorsport title, and with the Series X out, it probably
won't be long till then. Meanwhile, Motorsport 7 remains the go-to for a jaw-dropping racing
experience on the Microsoft console. Aside from its 4K and HDR support, it also offers
plenty on the content side, with a palette of over 700 cars to drive over 30 different
tracks.
Already complete with events, leagues, and auction houses, it has only gotten better
and it gets a score of 9.06 2. Forza Horizon 4
Still under the same Forza banner, this is the latest in Turn 10's offering of open-world
racing and it's showered with just the same quality and polish as all the rest. Ride around
their noticeably less gray version of the British Isles, collect up to 450 powerful
and luxurious cars, and share the roads with other racers. Forza's always been about the
wow factor, and you can have it here, whichever road you take.
A playscore of 9.25 1. Red Dead Redemption 2
It hasn't been long since RDR2 released, but the anticipation it built and it's ultimately
delivering everything it promised makes it clear that the game will be a hell of a legacy--just
like the first. A showcase of Rockstar's open-world capabilities in a Wild West setting, the sequel
has everything from great characters, immersive music, and realistic graphics combined. It's
practically a world inside a world, with a few enlightening historical field trips packed
in too.
Number one, to nobody's surprise, it receives a playscore of 9.37