Amazon is reportedly adding Teresa Palmer (The Fall Guy, Warm Bodies, Hacksaw Ridge) to its pantheon of Norse gods for its God of War TV show adaptation. As first reported by Deadline, Palmer will play Sif, Thor’s wife and eventual leader of the Aesir, in the live-action adaptation. It may not carry as much weight as the casting of the video game’s protagonist that was revealed earlier this week to be Ryan Hurst, but it could hint at the direction the TV show may take.
While Sif plays a minor role in the God of War Ragnarok game, the early casting confirmation could indicate that the showrunner, Ronald D. Moore, may give the character a more involved role. In God of War Ragnarok, Sif is known as Odin’s diplomat before the events of Ragnarok, where she becomes the new leader of the Aesir, one of two tribes of Norse gods. Notably, Amazon’s adaptation is still missing the casting confirmations for Atreus, Thor, Odin and many other Norse gods seen in the video game. Even so, the God of War TV show has already secured at least two seasons.
Sony is currently running a pretty awesome sale for a number of its first-party games, particularly those in the action genre. Whether you’re looking to check out Nathan Drake’s swan song in Uncharted 4, Sam Porter Bridges’ strange trip through the apocalypse in Death Stranding, or Kratos’ dramatic shift into sad dad mode in 2018’s God of War, there’s a ton here to check out.
Most of these deals are for PS4 versions, many of which you can upgrade to the PS5 version either for free or at a small cost. All of these deals run from now until April 1, 2024.
We also threw in a list of action-adjacent games you may wish to check out as well.
On the heels of The Game Awards, this week saw the launch of two expansions for fan-fave games: God of War Ragnarok and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. We also took a meaty deep dive into Analogue’s latest and greatest new retro console and did a year-three rundown on the state of the PS5.
What’s Coming Out Beyond Pokémon: The Indigo Disk | The Week In Games
From the latest and greatest to cult gems and retro classics, these are the games and consoles we’re loving—and loathing—this week.
Valhalla takes place after the events of Ragnarök, as Kratos seeks out the titular hall of heroes due to a mysterious invitation. Once inside, he finds himself faced with combat arenas built from his memories that repeat as he ascends through Valhalla. Old vistas and enemies are a decent enough framing device, and an effective way to unpack Kratos’ nearly 20 years of baggage. While the 2018 reboot used shame and fatherhood to interrogate the pornographic violence and carnage of the series’ past, Valhalla actualizes that idea without having to be tied to his relationship with his son Atreus. – Kenneth Shepard Read More
Image: Daedalic Entertainment / Flux Games / IguanaBee / Natalie Schorr / Starbreeze Studios / Supasart Meekumrai / Kotaku (Shutterstock)
We made it. After a tumultuous 11 months of really high highs (the games) and really low lows (the layoffs), we’re finally rounding out the last month of 2023. Good riddance. And to really underscore that goodbye, we here at Kotaku thought it’d be fitting to take a look back at what felt like the longest year yet to compile some of the most buggy, broken, and busted games to drop in 2023. – Levi Winslow Read More
Today the company’s launching another retro console recreation, the Analogue Duo. And this time, it’s something of a deeper cut.
Just…god, there’s so much random info you gotta know to understand this thing’s deal. So before we get into it, here’s a tl;dr: Analogue Duo is a very solid PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 replacement that looks pretty good on modern displays and controls pretty well, too. It’s also not for everyone. It may not even be for me. – Alexandra Hall Read More
The Indigo Disk picks up with new characters Kieran and Carmine returning to their Unova-based school, Blueberry Academy. The school invites you to be an exchange student, and Blueberry Academy is a Pokémon trainer’s dream facility, as it’s built around a terarium that emulates four different biomes. Students capture and study Pokémon in habitats analogous to their natural homes. It’s a decent enough framing for a reasonably sized open-world environment, while also bringing some familiar Pokémon back into the fray. – Kenneth Shepard Read More
A slick new VR headset, a “slim” console refresh, tons of flashy new accessories, and multiple exclusives, including the fastest selling PlayStation game ever, Spider-Man 2. The PlayStation 5 made big moves in 2023. So why does it feel like the console spent most of it resting on its laurels while flailing for a new direction? – Ethan Gach Read More
It’s a quiet week for major releases, but a big week for savings and DLC from some of the biggest games in the land, like God of War Ragnarok and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
God Of War Ragnarök DLC: Spend 19 Minutes In Valhalla
Here are some of the tips and guides we found most helpful this week.
In case you still needed to do some last-minute Christmas shopping for the gamers in your life (or for yourself), Microsoft has temporarily slashed the price of its most powerful gaming console, knocking the cost down by $100. – Levi Winslow Read More
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk DLC adds a handful of new monsters to catch, one of which is, as fans had theorized, an evolution to Dipplin called Hydrapple. This means one of Applin’s diverging evolutionary lines finally has a third form. But if you’ve had a Dippllin since it was introduced in The Teal Mask DLC, you might be curious why it hasn’t evolved into this new form in the time between the two expansions. That’s because Hydrapple’s evolutionary method hadn’t been added to Scarlet and Violet until now. Here’s how to evolve your candy apple dragon into its final form. – Kenneth Shepard Read More
God of War Ragnarök’s new, free DLC Valhalla is out now, and it’s a pretty great combat showcase that has the added benefit of giving Kratos some much-needed therapy. But if you’re unfamiliar with the punishing, repetitious nature of the roguelike genre or just haven’t booted up Ragnarök lately, it can knock you on your ass. Worry not, because we’re here to give you some general tips to help you face your demons. So grab your axe, blades, and spears, and let’s walk into Valhalla together. – Kenneth Shepard Read More
Alan Wake 2, Remedy’s survival horror sequel, came out in late October, but if you’re already longing for another trip through the spiral, I have good news: “The Final Draft” update has arrived, and with it a new game plus mode and new story content. Not convinced? Then just watch this trailer and try not to lose your mind at the 30-second mark. – Claire Jackson Read More
Oh hey, we’re just burning through December, aren’t we? Well if the 2024 release calendar is lookin’ rather slim to you, might I interest you in some new additions to Sony’s PlayStation Plus service? This month includes quite a few tempting offers. – Claire Jackson Read More
George Carlin famously said “a house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it.” At its core, Lego Fortnite is the same. Epic’s new collab with Lego has become an absolute phenom since it launched December 7, seeing a daily peak of around 2 million concurrent players. Like all good sandbox survival games, it’s driven by the need to gather, store, and organize piles of stuff. But not all stuff is created equal. Some stuff, like wood and granite, is readily available. Other stuff is harder to find. This guide is concerned with the latter, giving you insight on where to find the hard-to-find materials like knotroot, flexwood, and more. – Mo Mozuch Read More
Curious about Alan Wake 2 but never played the first? Well if you’re a PC gamer, I’ve got some good news: Grab a copy of Alan Wake 2 on the Epic Games Store during its holiday sale and you’ll get a free copy of the 2021 remastered version of the first game. – Claire Jackson Read More
Yeah, so that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III campaign wasn’t great. The multiplayer though? That’s a different story. And if you’re at all curious about some shooty fun between friends across some classic maps, good news: You can play the game for free from December 14 to 18. – Claire Jackson Read More
Baldur’s Gate 3 shadow-dropped on Xbox after winning Game of the Year at The Game Awards, and Larian Studios is already pushing out updates and hotfixes as the dust settles. If you’re playing the fantasy epic on your Xbox, you may be at risk of losing your saves, and Larian is warning players to update their system to avoid the issue. – Kenneth Shepard Read More
The holiday season is upon us and video game deals are ripe for the taking. Steam is famous for its seasonal sales, but PlayStation has surprised us this year with many of its best exclusives at the lowest price ever. The Black Friday PlayStation Store sale ends on November 27 at 11:59 PST, so strike the iron while it’s hot! Here are our carefully selected picks for the best PS Store Black Fridaydeals.
God of War Ragnarok ($39.89, -43%)
Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment
God of War Ragnarok marked the apocalyptic finale of Kratos’ Norse arc and was one of the best games in 2022. The storytelling reaches its zenith in the series with this entry. The visuals and spectacle are made all the more grandiose utilizing the PS5’s graphical prowess. God of War Ragnarok has been notoriously hard to find on sale over the past year. $39.89 is the cheapest we’ve ever seen it in its lifecycle, making this one of the best deals on the PlayStation Store’s Black Friday sale.
Resident Evil 4 Remake ($39.59, -34%)
Resident Evil 4 Remake is a 2023 Game Awards GOTY nominee, and for good reason. It’s a perfect remake of one of the most beloved games of all time. Capcom nailed it with this one, unlike their underwhelming attempt with Resident Evil 3. This technically marks the lowest sale price for Resident Evil 4 Remake since its launch. The last console sale for this was $40.99 back in September. We don’t foresee another sale until Winter and Spring, so now’s a great chance to relive Leon and Ashley’s adventurous romp in full PS5 splendor.
Mortal Kombat 1 ($48.99, -30%)
Released just a couple months ago, Mortal Kombat 1 is a 2023 GOTY contender for best fighting game. The brand new Kameo system is tremendous fun and the story is a twist on the original’s lore.
This Black Friday sale marks the first real big discount that Mortal Kombat 1 has had at a healthy 30% off. Mortal Kombat 1 would make for a perfect holiday gift, or even just a great party game for get-togethers with those who can stomach the most gruesome fatalities in the series.
EA FC 24 ($34.99, -50%)
Image via EA Sports
A whopping 50% off for the new totally-not-FIFA game is a good deal, objectively speaking. Many sports game enthusiasts regard this entry quite highly, despite some expected repetition. It’s certainly one of the more positively received soccer games in recent memory. If you’ve been a FIFA fan but fell off the series, now might be a good time to come back and give it another kick. EA FC 24 may never get a deal as good as this before the next one comes out.
Street Fighter 6 ($39.59, -34%)
Image Source: Capcom
Street Fighter 6 set the fighting game community ablaze when it launched in June of this year. It marked one of those very rare occasions when pretty much everyone who played it agreed on its high quality. It wouldn’t be presumptive to say that Street Fighter 6 is the most well-received game in the series to date.
This is yet another game at its lowest price since release with this Black Friday Sale. Street Fighter 6’s base price of $59.99 is cheaper than Mortal Kombat 1’s base price of $69.99, further reducing the price with this discount. It’s well worth it since there’s so much game here to sink your teeth into. The new created character campaign mode, inclusion of mini-games, and the all-around quality make this one of the most impressive fighting games in the last decade. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or a newbie, there’s a ton of interesting content here to welcome you in.
Hogwarts Legacy ($41.99, -40%)
Image Source: Portkey Games
Hogwarts Legacy had a wild ride since its launch back in February. But controversy and crazy expectations aside, it’s a satisfying game set in the Wizarding world. Hogwarts Legacy is another one of those high $69.99 price point games, so we’re glad to see its price go down 40% for Black Friday. The dialogue choices and wizarding school role-playing can be fun for both Harry Potter fans and gamers wanting something a bit different.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage ($39.99, -20%)
Image Source: Ubisoft Entertainment
20% off may not seem like a big deal, but it’s nothing to sneeze at for a major release that just came out in October. Considering that and the fact that its base price is just $49.99, the discount to $39.99 is really attractive. This low cost of entry may be the deciding factor for Assassin’s Creed fans on the fence about this more compact adventure.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage eschews the gargantuan open worlds of Valhalla and Odyssey and instead returns to basics with assassinations in tight alleyways. Reviewers generally say it’s a solid game through and through, even if it’s a bit dull compared to the likes of the Ezio trilogy. This is the first time the game’s been discounted, so we don’t blame you for wanting to get back in the animus to try the newest AC out.
Dead Space ($34.99, -50%)
Image Source: Electronic Arts
Last December saw the release of a faithfully done Remake of the original Dead Space. The game was overshadowed by others at the time, but it’s generally regarded as a masterpiece in the way it polishes up the original and enhances its already tense horror.
This is another one of those games with the base $69.99 price. But with this sale at 50% off, you just can’t go wrong. Experience one of the best horror games around with modern PS5 technology under the hood. We won’t blame you for leaving the lights on while playing.
Need for Speed Unbound ($13.99, -80%)
Image Source: Electronic Arts
I’m a Need for Speed Unbound defender and proud of it. The game really changes a lot from the disappointing Ghost Games entries and marks a strong return for Criterion. The cell-shaded graphics add a lot of visual flair to the characters and environments. Oh, and the campaign is the most properly difficult Need for Speed since Most Wanted. This is one of the most rewarding Need for Speed games and a racing game that deserves a bit more love than it gets. If you’ve been on the fence regarding Need for Speed for a while now, give this a shot while it’s 80% off.
Lies of P ($47.99, -20%)
Image Source: Neowiz Games
Finally, we have another very recent game release on sale now with the Bloodborne-inspired Pinocchio action game, Lies of P. Yeah, it’s basically Pinocchio Bloodborne, but it’s also got real meat on its bones to stand out from the ever-increasing Soulslike crowd. The boss fights in this are something you have to experience for yourself, even if the exploration isn’t nearly as strong as FromSoftware’s titles. Black Friday is the first time Lies of P has been on sale, so it’s the perfect opportunity to prove just how much you don’t suck at games again with this oddly charming Soulsborne game.
Honorable Mentions
Final Fantasy XVI ($41.99, -40%)
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor ($41.99, -40%)
Diablo IV ($41.99, -40%)
The Crew Motorfest ($41.99, -40%)
Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn Edition ($44.99, -25%)
Star Wars: Squadrons ($1.99, -95%)
Star Ocean: The Divine Force Digital Deluxe Edition (37.49, -50%)
Resident Evil Triple Pack ($11.89, -80%)
Wasteland 3 Colorado Edition ($12.49, -75%)
Bioshock: The Collection ($9.99, -80%)
Persona 5 Strikers ($17.99, -70%)
The Quarry ($17.99, -70%)
Sifu ($15.99, -60%)
Mass Effect Legendary Edition ($11.99, -80%)
The next PS Store sale likely won’t be until the end of the year, so now’s the perfect time to pick up some games you missed when they first launched.
About the author
Matthew Carmosino
Matthew Carmosino is a freelance writer for Twinfinite. He started gaming in the mid-90s where his love for SquareSoft RPGs like Chrono Trigger changed him forever. Matthew has been working in the game industry for two years covering everything from story-rich RPGs to puzzle-platformers.
Listening to piano music on a rainy day is his idea of a really good time, which probably explains his unnatural tolerance for level-grinding.
Whether it be novels, films, or games, sequels have been a dice roll in quality through the years. Some of the worst games in a series have been sequels, such as the archaic and difficult Final Fantasy 2. And then, you have true success stories like Diablo 2 and Starcraft 2 that really outdid their prequels and set a new benchmark for quality games.
Many decades have passed with tremendous sequels. 2010-2011 alone gave us Portal 2 and Super Mario Galaxy 2, some of the greatest games of all time. Let’s see how many great sequels come out in the decade from 2013 to 2023. Here’s our updated list of top 10 game sequels from the last 10 years.
10. Psychonauts 2
Image Source: Double Fine
Psychonauts 2 takes the amazingly unique concepts from the first game and realizes them with upgraded gameplay. That’s not a total rip on the first game, just that the sequel really polished up the platforming ten notches.
Raz and his fellow cadets of psychonauts uncover the mystery of where their leader was taken and enter the minds of some truly wild characters to solve the case. There’s some wonderfully presented dark humor with clever gameplay/story integration throughout the game. The Casino level is particularly impressive with its 3D platforming challenges and narrative.
Psychonauts 2 does everything a sequel should. It takes the original concept of the original and improves the gameplay while continuing the intriguing story in satisfying ways. With great voice acting, a solid script, and some genuinely great 3D platforming levels, Psychonauts 2 is a must-play for any fans of the genre.
Sony is preparing to sell a Spider-Man 2 PlayStation 5 bundle that will include a digital download for the game, presumably at a discount, as it ramps up plans to try and sell a record-breaking 25 million consoles this year. The company is already giving away free copies of older games to any players who activate a new PS5 in the next few weeks.
Tears Of The Kingdom’s Newspaper Questline And The State Of Hyrulean Journalism
The newSpider-Man 2 PS5 bundle was teased in an October 2 tweet. Sony confirmed to Kotaku it will be $560, the same as last year’s God of War Ragnarök PS5 bundle, saving new owners $10. The Spider-Man 2 version ships on October 20 alongside the launch of the game. Pre-orders aren’t yet live.
The sequel to the 2018 action adventure by Insomniac Games, Spider-Man 2 sees Peter Parker and Miles Morales team up together, complimenting one another’s abilities and trading off on the fly as they take on the hunter Kraven and the alien symbiote Venom. It’s one of the only first-party blockbusters that is a PS5 exclusive so far this console generation.
Sony revealed its intention to sell 25 million new PS5s this fiscal year back in April, telling investors in August it was prepared to take the “necessary measures” to make that happen. So far, that’s included discounting the old God of War Ragnarök bundle by an additional $50, and even giving away free downloads for critically acclaimed games like Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part 1. This “upgrade” promotion runs until 3:00 a.m. ET on October 21, meaning anyone who buys the Spider-Man 2 bundle could potentially get an additional game at no extra cost.
The new bundle is seperate from the special edition console that includes red and black face plates for the PS5. That went for $600 and is already sold out. Fortunately, Sony won’t be running out of Spider-Man 2 codes when it comes to the regular bundle.
Update 10/2/2023 5:05 p.m. ET: Sony confirmed the price in an email.
Perhaps you feel that 2022 was, generally speaking, kind of a rough year. Fortunately, it was an all-time best year in at least two areas: anime (read that list here) and video games. The pandemic pushed release dates back on a whole legion of titles, and 2022 felt like the year when the floodgates burst open. Between long-awaited sequels and surprising dark horses, 2022 delivered so many incredible games that it was often impossible to keep up. And though that often felt frustrating—especially as a game reporter—when you step back, that’s a pretty great problem to have.
So many brilliant games were released this year that any top 10 list will inevitably leave out some truly remarkable titles. Any other year, and these games would’ve been shoo-ins. As it is, an “honorable mentions” section is absolutely required. So shout out to: Neon White, Triangle Strategy, Norco, Citizen Sleeper, Splatoon 3, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks Of Hope, Pentiment, Tunic, Marvel Snap, and probably 259 more incredible games.
10. God Of War: Ragnarök
(Santa Monica Studios)
Look, this is blindingly uncool in a gaming list such as this, but I’ll make a confession: I haven’t played God Of War: Ragnarök. I am one person, with one person’s limited amounts of time and money. If a certain studio is seeing this article and would like to help me change this, please be my guest. But that’s why it’s low on the list.
However, enough friends and colleagues whom I deeply respect have gushed about the merits of this game that having a list without it feels downright negligent. Whether it surpasses God Of War (2018), which is deemed by many as one of the best games ever made, is more of an object of contention. Still, if you can make a sequel under such pressure that delivers an emotional story and fun combat while holding its own against such a hallowed predecessor, that seems like a hell of an accomplishment to me.
9. Trombone Champ
(Holy Wow)
When poking around other Best of 2022 articles, I did not see a single list which graced itself with Trombone Champ, and I think that’s a goddamn shame. Trombone Champ is as fun to play as it is to watch videos of. In fact, it’s a rare moment when something made by one person gives the internet so much joy. Trombone Champ accomplished this feat. The game simply oozes humor and charm. Never has failing in a rhythm game been this much fun, or this funny. Plus, the game has updated itself to allow you to make and share custom songs, which is a stroke of genius. I never knew seeing the “Sephiroth” theme played on MIDI trombone would make me this happy. It makes the cut because of the joy it has brought to all of us.
8. Vampire Survivors
(Poncle)
I can’t name another game like Vampire Survivors, where so much happens while you, the player, physically do so little. It has all the growth-and-grind aspects of a roguelike (think Hades) while having all the chill “sit back and see what happens” vibes of a wind-up toy you just watch go across your floor—but for half an hour. And it does all this while being addictive as hell. To know someone who’s into Vampire Survivors is to know someone who sat down on their couch for one round and didn’t get up again for another three to five hours. What I’m trying to say is, it’s innovative as hell.
7. Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course
(Studio MDHR)
Five years after the notoriously difficult platformer’s original release, Cuphead fans had a hell of a year. For one, we got the premiere of The Cuphead Show! on Netflix, which is actually pretty good! But more preciously, we finally got the release of Cuphead‘s long-awaited DLC, The Delicious Last Course (get it?). Turns out, Cuphead is still really hard! The Delicious Last Course thrives because it delivers everything we loved about the original game, just more of it, and with enough freshness (MISS CHALICE!) to keep it feeling exciting and new.
6. Xenoblade Chronicles 3
(Monolith Soft)
The Xenoblade Chronicles series continues to feel like this somewhat-hidden gem, continually obscured in large-scale gaming discussions by the God Of Wars and Elden Rings and even the Persona 5s of the world. But a gem it remains. If you want to explore a beautiful, sprawling, well-thought-out world under a glorious digital sun, all while digging into a story whose darkness will break your heart, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is for you. The combat is interesting, as well—it strikes a middle ground between a turn-based RPG and a hands-on action game. Don’t worry about playing 1 and 2. While there are details and characters that players of previous installments will recognize and enjoy, 3 can be enjoyed in its own right.
If you are of a certain age, or close enough to a certain age that you have osmosis’d pop culture loves from your friends, you likely have a soft spot for Turtles in Time. Turtles in Time was an NES and regular-ol’ arcade game from the early ’90s, and the cabinets remained hallowed ground at any arcade throughout the decade. You picked your favorite Ninja Turtle and battled through beat ’em up levels to stop Shredder’s evil plans. It was a joy. It was a staple. It was something I never thought I would experience a fresh version of—until Shredder’s Revenge released.
Shredder’s Revenge packs in all the nostalgic points while still feeling fresh. You don’t have to have ever set eyes on Turtles in Time, or even know anything about TMNT, in order to understand the delights of Shredder’s Revenge. It’s the best possible version of a ’90s-callback beat ’em up. You can team up with so many friends. You can make the combat as simple or as intricate and combo-heavy as you’d like. You can play as April. Cowabunga, indeed.
4. The Case of the Golden Idol
(Color Gray Games)
To intrigue those who might not otherwise play The Case of the Golden Idol, it’s often compared to another indie mystery-solving darling, The Curse of the Obra Dinn. I greedily devoured The Case of the Golden Idol in two sittings, and I will tell you it’s one of the most unique and striking gaming experiences I’ve ever had. You’re given a freeze frame (more or less) of a moment in time and asked to piece together what happened. The mysteries get steadily harder and more complicated, with even some code work involved. Butcracking each puzzle makes you feel like a genius, and watching the threads of the story slowly weave together is incredibly satisfying. If you like a puzzle game and/or a mystery, you should absolutely play this game.
Hot tip: this is a fun game to play co-op with one other person. I think three would devolve into “too many cooks” territory, but having someone to bounce theories off of in the real world is a delight.
3. Pokémon Legends: Arceus
(Game Freak)
As someone who has been a Pokémon fan more-or-less since Gen 1 (I took a break as a “Cool Teenager”), I was part of an ever-growing chorus which was begging Game Freak to change up the tried-and-true formula a bit. Legends: Arceus was the first time in 25 years where Game Freak really shook things up, and the result is one of the best Pokémon games ever made.
For me, part of the reason Scarlet and Violet was a disappointment at launch (other than the glitches) was that it did not build on the best innovations Legends: Arceus crafted. We were finally allowed to catch a Pokémon by simply sneaking up and throwing a Poké Ball at it. We were introduced to a reinvented perspective of Pokémon Trainer-dom which made the average player actually want to catch multiples of the same species and made poking around feel less tedious. And for the first time ever, there was the possibility for wild Pokémon to hurt you, because they are wild freaking animals. This latter innovation was a brilliant extension upon Legends: Arceus‘s notably darker tone, which had a stink of intentionally uncomfortable colonialism to it. Hell, this game even has a robust ecosystem of fun side-quests.
No, Legends: Arceus isn’t technically a true open world game like Scarlet and Violet are, but that didn’t keep me from feeling a greater sense of adventure than I have felt in a Pokémon game since maybe Gen 2 or 3. Compared with Scarlet and Violet, I now wonder if “survey games” are going to be my most anticipated Pokémon releases from now on, should they choose to continue this route. And I hope they do. Just … add a Hard Mode, please.
2. Stray
(Annapurna Interactive)
Even before Stray released, it was already an internet phenomenon. “CAT GAME!” we all screamed. “IT’S CAT GAME! CAT GAME BRINGS JOY.”
Indie developer BlueTwelve Studio had the brilliant idea of creating an entire game around a cat strolling around dystopian underground cyber-cities—ones that often reminded me of Final Fantasy VII. As an excellent flourish, these cities would be inhabited by cute, quirky robots with faces like old, old Macintoshes. But as with all brilliant ideas, this one would be hard to pull off. What makes Stray so special is that it pulls it off. Beautifully.
Yes, Stray has a dedicated “meow” button, and that is incredibly joyful and important. But what makes it so impressive is that you’re wandering around these landscapes doing normal cat shit—scratching walls, leaping into boxes, knocking everything over—and that progresses you through the game. There’s a suspension of disbelief needed for whether a cat would do these things in such a calculated manner, but Stray managed to truly capture the feeling of embodying a cat. And they proceeded to build an emotional, engaging game around that cat. That is a feat.
1. Elden Ring
(Bandai Namco)
I know it’s entirely unoriginal to say Elden Ring is the best game of the year. But the reason everyone and their cool grandmas are putting Elden Ring at the top of their lists is because, quite simply, it’s one of the greatest games ever made. Even I, someone who got 150 hours in and threw in the towel (for now), have to admit that.
FromSoft found a way to make their notoriously hard games work for everyone: by giving you a world big enough so that when you hit a wall, there’s always something else to do. This works brilliantly because the sense of wonder this game gives you is only rivaled by Breath of the Wild, in my opinion. Everywhere you go is distinct and wondrous. You want to poke around everywhere. Though I’d argue, perhaps to a chorus of boos from the internet, that Elden Ring is maybe too big.
There’s a whole laundry list of brilliant touches that make Elden Ring work like a goddamn miracle. Counterbalancing a very dark, grim world and ambient storytelling with the likes of giant Turtle Popes and warrior jars is the kind of absurdism I love unendingly. Allowing players to build a sense of community through in-game messages was genius enough, but then we also got memorable moments like Let Me Solo Her, which united us all.
I miss my Tarnished and her Wolverine claws. Elden Ring‘s gravity is impossible to deny.
Boy … You wish to know which of the God of War games was the greatest of all my adventures? Why do you let this trouble your mind? We are currently on an adventure, doing battle against the Norse gods. Focus on the task at hand. I will suffer not foolish questions.
I can feel you staring at the back of my head, boy. Keep quiet and kill that draugr.
Boy … I GROW WEARY OF YOUR INSOLENCE! IF YOU DO NOT—(whispering to self) Deep breaths… He is still a child. I am kind. I am gentle. I am turning over a new leaf. I shall count backward from 10 … 9 … 8 …
Very well, Atreus. I will tell you which of the God of War adventures was the mightiest and which your generation would call “trash.” But suffer me not to rank the mobile games. They do not count. I like them not. Read on, boy, fora thorough ranking of the God of War games from worst to best.
My least worthy adventure: God of War: Ascension
(Sony)
To be honest, boy, I barely remember what I did during this game. My deeds were forgettable at best. I broke my vow to Ares, yes. But there had already been a game about that entire plot line: the original God of War. Indeed, there were some thrilling levels in this game. My battle with Aegaeon the Hecatonchires—a giant with 50 heads and 100 arms—was indeed a highlight, but the rest of the game went … downhill from there. There was also a silly dodge mechanic that made combat much more difficult. I spent five games doing it one way! Why should I suddenly be expected to do it another? It was nonsense. And what fool thought it would be a good idea to incorporate multiplayer?
My second least worthy adventure: God of War: Chains of Olympus
(Sony)
This game was released exclusively for the PSP, and I believe that it suffers for this very reason. My deeds are larger than life! They are of mythological proportions! And yet they were rendered on such a puny little screen! Insulting. Nevertheless, the combat was enjoyable. I was often drunk on the blood of my enemies, yet I had to sober up often to solve silly puzzles by pushing blocks around. It was degrading. The narrative is also nothing to write home about. I was an errand boy for the fickle gods. Nothing of note happened until the last act. But I had to slog through the rest of the game to get there.
A worthy game: God Of War (2005)
(Sony)
This title is where my adventure began, and is therefore worthy, even if it was a humble beginning. My particular brand of hacking and slashing elevated the hack-and-slash genre to new heights. My combos were as beautiful as they were brutal. And my narrative was good. I had firmly decided to stand against the gods, and players cared about my quest for vengeance. The only downside to the game was the silly puzzles I had to complete. So many blocks I dragged, and for what? The platforming aspect was also a foolish choice. I am nimble on my feet, but I am a Spartan soldier, not an Italian plumber. Were I granted mushrooms and flying tanuki costumes to aid me on my quest, it would have been a different matter. But the gods were cruel, and I was given no such boon.
A game worthier, still: God of War: Ghost of Sparta
(Sony)
This is the second PSP game that was ever created to detail my exploits, and yet I do not mind that it was not released on a major console. The game does not hinder itself by relying on scale and instead rewards creative gameplay. Players were also treated with a deeper look into my psyche. They got to know my family—my mother and my brother. There was pathos in this tale, enough to move even the finest of Greek tragedians. The game also takes place in Atlantis—a thrilling setting! Who is immune to the fascinating mysteries of an underwater city? No mortal man, for certain.
An exceedingly worthy game: God of War III
(Sony)
This game began with a thunderous BANG and did not stop! Who can forget my climb up Mount Olympus to do battle with the gods? Who can forget when I gouged out Poseidon’s eyes? Who can forget when I tore off the head of Helios and used it to light my way in the darkness? Who can forget when I slayed my own father, and then myself? I wish I could, boy. I wish I could. Those memories are painful to me now, but when I was a young man they thrilled me to no end. Indeed, they thrilled a generation of gamers as well. And I am thankful. Had it not been for this game, my business in Greece would have remained unfinished. And I would not have had the … privilege … of becoming your father.
The worthiest game of my youth: God of War II
(Sony)
I began this game in a foul mood. To vent my anger, I destroyed the mighty Colossus of Rhodes. I was then betrayed by the gods and sent down into the underworld. I slew Hades, the God of Hell. I railed against fate itself. And I had a good time doing it. I immensely enjoyed this game’s fluid combat and breathtaking boss battles. I even enjoyed the puzzles. I never thought I’d see the day.
Fatherhood, a worthier game still: God of War (2018)
(Sony)
Fatherhood changed me, Atreus—for the better, this I know. And learning how to be a father to you proved to be my greatest adventure of all. In doing so, the world saw a new side to me, just as I experienced a new side to myself. I became older, more mature, and more world-weary. I was filled with grief, and yet that grief was healed by love. I am told that our first adventure together moved the gaming community to tears, just as it has moved me. And what glorious things we did! We fought dragons, my boy. We conquered Valkyries. We made the gods of this northern land tremble.
My worthiest game of all: God of War: Ragnarok
(Sony)
My worthiest adventure of all is the one that you and I are on. I have seen you grow into a strong young man, and you are now a fierce warrior in combat. Our deeds are on a grander scale than ever before. We are cataclysmic. We stand against the King of the Gods—the Allfather, Odin. We stand against his son as well—the God of Thunder, Thor. Our battles have been awe-inspiring. Our story runs deeper than before, as does our love. I only hope that we see it through to the end. Whatever end that may be, I am glad to meet it with you.
