Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
On paper, a Breath of the Wild prequel is a no-brainer. The original was fantastic and set up characters and scenarios that are well worth exploring in another game.
Deciding to make the prequel into another hack and slash Hyrule Warriors title instead of an action-adventure game gave plenty of people pause, though. Despite some doubts, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity still turned out to be another excellent installment in The Legend of Zelda series.
The game features characters that are just as charming and lovable as in Breath of the Wild, a quest system that results in a satisfying gameplay loop, and surprisingly tactical musou-style gameplay.
Even if you’re not a huge fan of the genre, everyone should at least give Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity a chance if they’re interested, especially Legend of Zelda fans.
Demon’s Souls (2020)
While just about anyone who loves the challenge that comes alongside playing Souls-like games, even a masochist can admit that Demon’s Souls was in desperate need of a remake. The graphics were outdated, and combat needed a bit of a touch-up.
After their work on the remake for Shadow of the Colossus, Bluepoint Games took up the challenge of remaking this beloved title, and boy did they ever succeed.
Alongside the fact that it looks incredible on the PS5, Demon’s Souls (2020) implements quality of life changes without sacrificing what made fans love it originally. Enemies are as tricky as ever, and boss battles once again seamlessly integrate puzzles to work in tandem with the game’s considerable difficulty.
If you missed out on the original back in 2009, playing this version of Demon’s Souls is something you’ll want to experience at least once in your gaming career.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Ever since Assassin’s Creed Origins released back in 2017, the series has seen a revitalization of sorts. Gameplay and story elements have shifted to make the games feel more modern, introducing mechanics like dialogue trees and a handful of different RPG-like leveling systems.
While Assassin’s Creed Valhalla certainly builds upon those improvements, it also doesn’t sit on its hands either. Instead, the game innovates on what came before it.
An example of this can be found in the decision to dials back grindy elements in favor of allowing players to explore the game’s vast open world. You’ll spend hours finding new places and exploring, meeting all of the interesting new characters and experiencing the unique stories the title has to offer all the while.
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to jump back into the series, the latest installment is more than enough to satisfy your interest.
Destiny 2: Beyond Light
Ever since Bungie stated that Destiny 2 would be an ongoing series they plan to stick with for the next decade (second time’s the charm), fans have been yearning for a foundation for things to come. Destiny 2: Beyond Light is exactly that.
The newest DLC introduces the usual staples that usually come with new content in the series: weapons, areas, and a new raid. What’s most impressive about Beyond Light is that it actually tells a story in-game instead of lore-dumping with text or Grimoire cards.
The story centers around The Fallen, giving this enemy some much-needed backstory and worldbuilding. Specifically, Beyond Light tells is about a Kell named Eramis who accepts a powerful gift known as the Darkness.
The Darkness makes enemies far more dangerous, making The Fallen a powerful threat once again. The only way to stop them is by using the power of Stasis, a new ice-aspected power that deals devistating damage of its own.
While it may seem intimidating to jump into, given all the content already released in Destiny 2, even beginners should consider giving it a try, especially since it’s all on GamePass.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Another franchise that decided to change up its genre in their new installment, Yakuza: Like A Dragon forgoes the series’ usual arcade brawling mechanics in favor of a turn-based JRPG design. Yet, just because the style changed, it doesn’t mean that all of its usual quirks aren’t still present and hilarious.
Hilarious side quests, characters, and costumes are still mixed in with a gripping story, which follows Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking member of the Arakawa Family. His life unfolds similar to Kiryu, as his loyalty is tested and not rewarded, causing him to go down his own path.
Veterans and newcomers alike will enjoy Yakuza: Like A Dragon. It’s different enough that you don’t need to have played any games in the franchise before it to understand what is going on, but it also rewards you with a lot of inside jokes and lore if you have.
Astro’s Playroom
Just like its predecessor, Astro Bot Rescue Mission, Astro’s Playroom flew under the radar when it released for PS5 this month. The sequel once again places players in the shoes of Astro Bot, as he platforms his way across numerous challenging areas.
Gameplay is very similar to the original, allowing players to control the robot as he jumps, hovers, and combats enemies to complete levels and time trials. What’s groundbreaking about the game is its use of the PS5’s new controller, the DualSense.
When playing Astro’s Playroom, you’ll notice that the DualSense feels alive in your hand, providing realistic tactile vibrations on everything ranging from wind to walking on different materials. This added element might seem small, but it really helps to immerse you in the entire experience.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
When it comes to Call of Duty, all you can really ask for is that the multiplayer is up to snuff. More specifically, competitive and zombies need to have a combination of the same features fans love and innovative idea to help set it apart from previous iterations.
Black Ops Cold War once again provides excellent gameplay in both, looking and playing as incredible as ever. Zombies, in particular, stands out this time around, as it puts more of a focus on its levels, even going as far as to add puzzles and dynamic maps.
Zombies also has a new storyline that expands on the original Dark Aether plot that concluded Black Ops 4.
The single-player story is also worth playing, following events inspired by the Cold War, with multiple endings based on decisions players make throughout the playthrough.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
While many questioned whether Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales would be a full-fledged game or not, few doubted its potential to be another great game. Thankfully, Insomniac delivered once again.
The game picks up shortly after the events of the original, as Miles finishes his training with Pete, who is on holiday in Europe with his girlfriend. In total, it only takes around seven hours to complete the main campaign, but there is still plenty of content that makes the game worth playing.
Alongside another gripping narrative, Miles has a bunch of new suits and powers to explore. An example of this being his unique ability to go invisible and use camouflage, allowing for a boatload of new strategies for taking down enemies.
Longtime fans will love hopping into this one, as it’s a perfect quick game to test out the PS5’s shiny new features.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is another victim of releasing amidst a jam-packed November, as it hasn’t had much publicity, despite reviewing well.
While it once again follows the titular protagonist, Sackboy, and his platforming adventures, this Little Big Planet spin-off is the first title in the series to move away from a 2.5D perspective. Movement is now fully 3D, opening up the ability for more creativity for you and up to four of your friends to enjoy.
The level designs are cute and imaginative, with some even boasting unique powerups that modify how Sackboy moves and fights. There are also enough collectibles hidden throughout each level to satisfying anyone who loves taking the time to find them.
Whether playing alone or with friends, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a fun little romp you won’t want to miss.
Published: Dec 3, 2020 09:16 am