DeVuego ES_COR

Blasphemous 2’s distinct visuals and unique gameplay spins set it apart from other Metroidvania titles, and its superb polish puts it high on the pile. It’s a fantastic side-scrolling action title, regardless of whether or not you played the first game. The bizarre and eerie imagery, responsive controls, and expansive world should keep you thoroughly engrossed for many hours on end. If you’re a Castlevania fan or a pixel art aficionado, it's absolutely worth purchasing this Editors' Choice winner for platforming games.

Across the Obelisk falls just shy of the modern deck-building genre’s defining hits, but holds its own in an increasingly crowded field. It can struggle to keep pace with itself at times, but you should check it out if Dungeons & Dragons meets Slay the Spire sounds at all appealing. Coming to understand and master the gameplay is great fun, particularly as you tweak your creations and internalize the game’s nuances. Just be prepared to deal with its many systems and status effects.

Metroid Dread is excellent, and a worthy game to carry the title of “Metroid 5.” Building a huge, open world from scratch has let MercurySteam create a much more engaging and well-paced Metroid experience than Samus Returns, and the developer has clearly shaken the jankiness associated with its Castlevania days. It looks great, controls well, and is satisfying to play.