IGN

April 1 has been and gone, and so has the video game industry’s penchant for April Fool’s Day gags for another year. But the one the people behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 came up may perhaps live a little longer in the memory.

Yesterday, Space Marine 2 publisher Focus Entertainment declared that the new Chaplain class would be released as DLC on April 1.

“In story mode, swap out Titus for The Chaplain and experience the game as a true Codex-compliant Ultramarine,” Focus said, no doubt sniggering from behind their monitors.

This ‘DLC’ supposedly added the new playable character to the story mode, as well as an ‘Enhanced Dialogue System’ that would have the Chaplain, every five minutes, remind everyone around him that “the Codex Astartes does not support this action,” and “I’m telling the Inquisition.”

The Chaplain even has a special ability called Discipline. This would involve instantly reporting “any and all minor deviations from the Codex Astartes for a 5% discipline bonus (but -20% brotherhood bonus).

The joke here works because as anyone who played Space Marine 2’s campaign knows, Chaplain Quintus watches Titus’ every move with a hawk-like distrust for signs of heresy, despite the protagonist’s demonstrable loyalty to the Imperium, the Ultramarines, and the Emperor himself.

Throughout the campaign, as Titus battles against the Tyranids and the Thousand Sons traitor legion, it becomes clear there is something… special about him, and Chaplain Quintus does not like that one bit. He’s a bit like the annoying school prefect who patrols the corridors for a mere whiff of deviant behavior and then— bam! You’re reported to the headmaster. Everyone hates the Chaplain.

The Chaplain has become something of a meme within the Space Marine community, and it’s this status that the Space Marine 2 April Fool’s joke leans into. But some fans have said they would love for The Chaplain to actually come to the game, not, perhaps, with this exact skill set, but as a straight-up warrior-priest who insists upon the veneration of the Emperor at all times.

“This would actually go hard if this was real,” declared ResidentDrama9739 in a post on the Space Marine subreddit that’s full of enthusiastic chatter about the Chaplain and how he might work in the game. Some are even saying

The thing is, Space Marine 2 is getting a new class soon. Focus and developer Saber Interactive have yet to say what it is, but fans certainly have their theories. Most assume it will be the Apothecary, as close to a medic class as Space Marines have. But there is hope that it could be the Librarian, which would mean super cool warp-powered space magic. Does the Chaplain’s star turn in Space Marine 2’s April Fool’s Day joke rule him out?

There’s a lot happening in the world of Space Marine 2, despite the surprise announcement that development of Space Marine 3 development had begun. Space Marine 2’s year one roadmap remains, and Patch 7 is set to be released mid-April. But in the coming months Space Marine 2 will also get the aforementioned new class as well as new PvE operations and melee weapons.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Val Kilmer — star of Batman Forever, The Doors, and Tombstone — has died at age 65, The New York Times reports and Variety has confirmed.

The actor had battled cancer for years — losing his ability to speak due to throat cancer — but his cause of death was reportedly pneumonia, according to his daughter Mercedes Kilmer.

Kilmer, a Juilliard-trained stage actor, starred on Broadway in Slab Boys opposite Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon before his big screen breakthrough in the comedy Top Secret! in 1984. Kilmer followed that with another comedy, Real Genius, before finding broader mainstream success as Tom Cruise’s rival “Ice Man” in 1986’s Top Gun. (In one of his final screen appearances, Kilmer reprised the role for Top Gun: Maverick.) He also played the charismatic swordsman Madmartigan in director Ron Howard’s fantasy film Willow.

Kilmer’s stardom reached its zenith in the early to mid-1990s when he won many accolades for playing two dissolute historical figures: rock star Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors and outlaw John “Doc” Holliday in Tombstone.

By the mid-’90s, Kilmer starred in two Warner Bros. films that added to his career luster. He succeeded Michael Keaton as Bruce in Batman Forever, but would only play the Caped Crusader that one time. (Kilmer famously clashed with its director, Joel Schumacher, who nevertheless sang the actor’s praises as Batman.) Kilmer then played a key member of Robert DeNiro’s bank robbery crew in the Michael Mann crime classic Heat. He also played the ghost of Elvis Presley in the Quentin Tarantino-scripted True Romance.

David Fincher and Brad Pitt are reportedly re-teaming to revive a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel script written by original director Quentin Tarantino.

Details on what could eventually be a groundbreaking entry in Tarantino’s resume come from The Playlist, which says the Se7en duo is propping up the unexpected film to come to Netflix, continuing Fincher’s long-lasting relationship with the streaming giant. Should everything proceed according to plan, the currently untitled Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel would see Pitt return as stunt-double star Cliff Booth.

How such a script came into Fincher’s possession is its own wild story. The Tarantino screenplay is said to be an evolved version of a story previously known as The Movie Critic, a project previously lined up to be the Pulp Fiction mastermind’s final film before it was suddenly shelved last year. Tarantino was seemingly uninterested in letting the idea fade to black and is getting Fincher to bring it to life.

The Playlist’s sources say Netflix paid $20 million to acquire the screenplay with an expected $200 million budget and plans to shoot in California in July – just three months from now. No additional casting details have been confirmed just yet, but Leonardo DiCaprio is not expected to return as Rick Dalton. Fincher and Pitt are putting aside all other projects to focus on this new Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel.

Deadline later corroborated The Playlist’s findings that a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel is in development. Its sources say Pitt received Tarantino’s blessing to present the script to Fincher, resulting in the wildly surprising project that is now in the works.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood premiered in 2019 and is largely viewed as yet another outstanding entry in the Tarantino pantheon. That said, what could eventually be known as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2 has a lot to live up to. The original project came with an unambiguous ending that tied up its story with a brutal bow. However, much of its world has been explored elsewhere.

In 2021, Tarantino released a novelization covering the movie’s events while expanding upon its take on a 1960s California. It brought a few interesting revelations about Cliff Booth’s past to the conversation, including an answer to whether or not the dog lover really did kill his wife as teased in the movie. It’s a book that will no doubt carry more meaning when the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel finally sees the light of day, though it’s unclear just how important to the story it will be.

For more on Tarantino’s catalog of hit films, you can check out how the director feels about Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and how we feel it stacks up against his other work. You can also read our original 7.8/10 review for the film.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

An extended sneak peek from James Gunn’s Superman will be shown ahead of A Minecraft Movie screenings in theaters this weekend, but it was first shown by Warner Bros. at their CinemaCon presentation on Tuesday.

DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran were on hand along with lead actors David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult to promote the film.

The preview focuses on the “take me home” scene from the trailer where a wounded Superman is saved by his super-pet Krypto. However, this preview also features Superman’s automatons and our longest, best look yet at the Fortress of Solitude.

However, it’s Krypto’s crazy dogness and misbehavior that stole the show. Gunn recalled how Krypto’s depiction is inspired by his own rescue dog.

See the #Superman Extended Preview in Theaters on @AMinecraftMovie. pic.twitter.com/lnn1I82ehu

— Superman (@Superman) April 1, 2025

For more on the Man of Steel’s return to the silver screen, find out who’s who in Superman and what James Gunn thinks makes his reboot unique.

Plus, read up on what we think should be the second Gunn-directed DCU movie and get the full rundown on all the upcoming DC movies and shows in the works.

Superman soars into theaters July 11th.

Warning: This review contains full spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again episode 7!

Many dominoes have been set up throughout the first half of Daredevil: Born Again, and boy is it great to watch them start to fall. Matt Murdock’s personal and vigilante lives collide in violent fashion in episode 7, and the fun comes from watching him fight to keep them separate. (We all know that’s a fruitless endeavor, of course.) Wilson Fisk’s story mirrors Murdock’s, but the merging of his two lives as gangster and politician isn’t a burden to him but an opportunity. This all comes about thanks to the serial killer artist known as Muse, who’s sending big shockwaves through this little corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Murdock starts off this episode feeling revitalized and energized after suiting up as Daredevil again, but his romantic moment with Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva) quickly turns sour when she calls him out on his erratic behavior. She can plainly see that Murdock is hiding something, and she may even be on to the fact that he’s Daredevil. It’s fascinating to watch her see through all of Murdock’s usual BS and use her therapist’s ways on him to highlight his rather unhealthy method of coping with trauma.

Daredevil may have just saved an innocent life, but you wouldn’t know it based on how everyone is treating him. Detective Cherry (Clark Johnson) is mad at Murdock for blowing up his life by donning the horns once more, but it’s hard to feel invested in their argument, or their relationship for that matter, when Cherry’s character has remained as paper thin as it was in the first episode. Can we please get him a flashback or dramatic monologue about his past or something?

Mayor Fisk is put in a precarious spot this episode thanks to Muse, but he manages to spin it in his favor. His task force fails to find Muse before Daredevil, but that doesn’t stop him from taking credit for his defeat and taking the opportunity to demonize all those who wear masks. Early in the episode, it’s almost funny watching Fisk explain why, yes, it would be bad for him if Daredevil were to be the one to stop Muse. Daredevil is the one who brought down his criminal empire, after all. Fisk sees New York City as his new empire, and he’s doing every rotten thing he can to protect it from Daredevil this time around. It’s truly scary how realistic his rise to political power feels, as though it were ripped from today’s headlines.

Meanwhile, in Fisk’s private life, the subplot involving Vanessa and Luca the gangster finally reaches its bloody conclusion. I was never sold on the idea that Vanessa would actually betray her husband, so this whole side plot seems a bit empty. It always felt like Fisk’s Fisk’s inability to outrun his past life as a criminal would amount to something a bit bigger and more consequential, but alas, it doesn’t. If anything, at least we got to enjoy the classic mafia-movie vibes of the final scene where Luca tries, unsuccessfully, to assassinate Fisk at dinner.

The main thrill of this episode is the bloody brawl between Daredevil and Muse. I find it hard to believe that a young man with three months of martial arts training, even from a Taekwondo master, could go toe-to-toe with Daredevil like that, but I’m willing to accept it as an excuse to have him go absolutely wild on Daredevil and push him to his limits. There isn’t a lot of suspense leading up to the reveal that this psychotic guy is Muse, but they sure do a good job of making him as creepy and unsettling as possible. It makes Daredevil’s arrival at the last second to stop him all the more satisfying. The hook-through-the-shoulder move in particular got an audible reaction out of me.

Other Thoughts

• What are the odds that Glenn is a therapist not only to the Fisks but also Muse? Daredevil’s love interests do always end up being a magnet for supervillains, so that would at least count as some consistency from Marvel.
• Okay how much did Muse’s nose have to bleed to allow him to paint that much with it?

If your wallet has been pleading for mercy, it might just have to hold on a little longer because today’s gaming deals are too good to ignore. Whether you’re into high-speed hijinks, fantasy epics, or quirky co-op chaos, there’s something to tempt every kind of gamer. With discounts this tempting, now’s the time to grab a controller, a mouse, or a magic paintbrush and dive into something new!

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I’m using a NOS burst to light 26 candles on a cake for Need For Speed: High Stakes. This beloved racing game wasn’t just about sating one’s velocity requirements while unlocking new whips; lose a High Stakes race, and you’d perma-lose your car. Us launch adopters loved that risk-versus-reward structure and the groundbreaking damage system that would go on to influence the future of racing simulations.

Better yet, we had I highly localised Aussie version with Holden VT Clubsport and Ford AU Falcon XR8 featured prominently on the cover. Even cooler, winning the special HSV Pro Cup would unlock Craig Lowndes’ MHRT VT Commo’. Using it to evade the fuzz down Durham Road (preferably in split-screen PvP) was mighty boss stuff.

Amazon is offering a great discount on one of the best budget headphones you can find. For just $49, the JLab JBuds Lux Over-Ear Headphones offers features you’d find in headphones that can cost 5x-10x as much, like wireless connectivity with Bluetooth Multipoint, active noise cancellation, spatial audio technology, and more. Most importantly, sound quality is better than any other headphone in its price range.

JLab JBuds Lux Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones for $50

SoundGuys recently reviewed the JLab JBuds Lux and gave these headphones an absolutely glowing review, mentioning that they were one of the best headphones under $100. SoundGuys considered them an extremely good value at their retail price of $79. At the current price of $49.99, it’s hard to find a better bang for your buck, and it’s especially nice that all four color options have been discounted.

The JLab JBuds Lux’s laundry list of premium features include large 40mm drivers, Dolby Atmos compatible Spatial Audio, support for PlayStation Tempest 3D AudioTech and Windows Sonic, hybrid active noise cancellation, a “Be Aware” mode that lets you listen in on your environment, built-in microphone for hands-free calling, up to 70 hours of battery life on a single charge (40 hours with ANC enabled), USB Type-C charging, and Bluetooth Multipoint.

These headphones even look the part. The JLab JBuds Lux are thoughtfully designed for both comfort and performance, with cushy earcups that conform to your ear while also providing an effective seal for passive isolation, a padded headband for prolonged comfort, and a foldable design that makes them easy to tote around.

For more options, check out our list of the best noise canceling headphones of 2025. Be forewarned that they are far more expensive than the JLab Lux. Our top pick – the Sony WH-1000XM5 – for example, sells for over $300 on Amazon.

Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Out of all the modern consoles available on the market, Nintendo Switch easily has the most diverse lineup of games available on the system. Nintendo itself has published over 130 games on the platform since it first launched, with thousands from third-party developers also available. Depending on whether or not you buy games physically or digitally, it can be challenging to search for where to overall best place to buy Nintendo Switch games is at any given time.

If you’re new to the console and don’t know where to find games, we’ve put together the ultimate guide on everything you need to know regarding where to buy Switch games online or in stores. And if you’re wondering whether your Switch games will work on the Switch 2: The new console’s official announcement confirmed it will be “mostly” backward-compatible and continue to support both physical and digital games. Take a look below and add something new to your collection!

Where to Buy Switch Games Online

There are multiple ways to purchase Nintendo Switch games for your console. Purchasing them online tends to be the easiest way to buy any of the most popular Nintendo Switch games, as you can purchase digital or physical versions. Since you don’t need to drive to pick up a game, you can either ship a physical copy to your home or purchase a digital key to start playing immediately. Take a look below to discover the best way to score deals on Nintendo Switch games.

Best Places to Buy Digital Switch Games Online

The Google Pixel line has seen its fair share of discounts so far in 2025. Amazon and Best Buy have been dropping prices on the standard Pixel 9, Pro, and XL versions of this phone pretty much every month so far this year. Now Target has decided to get in on the action by dropping the price of the Pixel 9 Pro down to just $699. The last discount we saw on this phone was at Amazon back in February, so this is a great deal to take advantage of if you’ve been looking to upgrade.

I purchased a Pixel 8 during Prime Day last year when it went on sale and have loved the phone so far. It’s a great alternative to the iPhone with an excellent camera and a pretty good battery life. The Pixel 9 series is the latest in the Pixel phone line, so it’s the newest model you can buy.

The Best Google Pixel 9 Pro Deal Today

Given the potential release of GTA VI and the possibilities presented by Nintendo’s Switch 2 launch lineup, 2025 could go down as the decade’s most memorable year in gaming. Even without those juggernauts, games like Monster Hunter Wilds and Assassin’s Creed Shadows have already set the tone for what should be another great year for new games.

Through the first quarter of the year, 18 games have earned a spot on this list, which compiles every game and expansion released in 2025 that received a review score of 8 or higher from IGN. These are IGN’s best video games of 2025.

This list will be updated as new releases receive qualifying review scores.

Review Score: 8 (“Great”)

These games leave us with something outstanding to remember them by, usually novel gameplay ideas for single-player or multiplayer, clever characters and writing, noteworthy graphics and sound, or some combination thereof. If we have major complaints, there are more than enough excellent qualities to cancel them out.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

From our review: Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes a flashing blade to the series’ established norms, trimming them to a more precise form in lieu of chopping them down outright. Combat is aggressive and requires more intentional parrying and skill management than in the past, and exploring the gorgeous provinces of Sengoku-period Japan is encouraged thanks to the revamped map that deemphasizes collecting icons and checking off lists. Naoe and Yasuke are well-realized and memorable protagonists, even though most of the story they drive follows pretty predictable paths. Both have unique playstyles that bolster each other’s weaknesses, but they are ultimately imbalanced by the fact that you can make use of the stealth and exploration skills of the master shinobi far more than the superhuman strength of the samurai. This isn’t the Assassin’s Creed that will change the minds of folks that never connected with the series before, but for those of us with lots of hours logged in the Animus, the sum of Shadows’ parts provide a refreshing realignment of the series that you should not skip. – Jarrett Green

Atomfall

From our review: Atomfall is a gripping survival-action adventure that takes some of the best elements of Fallout and Elden Ring, and synthesises them into its own fresh mutation. It presents a picturesque chunk of English countryside littered with alluring structures to pique and reward your curiosity, eccentric locals to meet, and absorbing mysteries to unravel, and uses classic iconography from British sci-fi and horror to consistently unsettling effect. In spite of some enemy behaviours that are occasionally less stable than a reactor in meltdown, Atomfall is a compelling, post-apocalyptic survival story that satisfyingly bends to your choices and discoveries no matter which direction you take. – Tristan Ogilvie

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

From our review: Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector does not stray too far from what made the first one a cult hit, but it doesn’t need to. It tells a rich and poignant story about the complex nature of control on one’s self when that self is a machine that can be rebooted and hacked, finding and enriching community in the face of overwhelming odds, and expressing personhood both to oneself and to others. It’s visual novel-like presentation is heavy on reading and dice rolling, so its not exactly pulse-pounding, but the retooled character classes and stats, new crew missions, and stress mechanics provide just enough feedback and create a sense of precarity throughout that it stays engaging. – Jarrett Green

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

From our review: Somehow, Donkey Kong Country Returns returned (again), but Nintendo’s third full release of this 2010 Wii platformer is almost as fresh and fun today as it was 15 years ago. DK’s satisfying, weighty movement paves the way for a challenging, momentum-based platformer that demands more skill and precision than the average Nintendo game. But it stays fun rather than frustrating thanks to incredibly impressive level design that explores every clever idea to the fullest and a ton of hidden collectibles worth tracking down. As a remaster specifically, it’s no more than a passable update, with graphics that can only really be described as “good enough” and some outdated elements that could have used more modern touches, like a lack of checkpoints during boss fights and a few obnoxious sections full of one-hit kill obstacles. But Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is still a competent update and easily the best way to play one of the greatest 2D platformers Nintendo has released this century. – Logan Plant

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

From our review: Propelled by a breezy and often completely bananas treasure-hunting tale, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a delightful spin-off that seamlessly shifts between street thuggery and skulduggery. Majima’s Sea Dog stance is one of the most fun and flexible fighting styles I’ve enjoyed in the series to date – at least in its classic, combo-based form – and I welcomed the challenge of carefully balancing my crew lineup in order to survive the many turbulent naval battles. While its overworld maps feel a little padded out with recycled island settings, Honolulu itself is jammed with unpredictable substories and overhauled activities that meant every moment of shore leave was full of surprises. Absolutely heaving with buried treasures and varied pleasures, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a consistently captivating voyage that kept my timbers shivering whether on land or at sea. – Tristan Ogilvie

Monster Hunter Wilds

From our review: Monster Hunter Wilds continues to smooth off the traditionally rough edges of the series in smart ways, reducing as much friction as possible that could get in the way of you grabbing any of its exceptionally fun weapons and planting them firmly in a monster’s hide. But in that quest to make Monster Hunter more approachable, Wilds has carved a little too close to the bone in some places, trimming its challenge back so much that I barely needed to dig into its in-depth equipment system at all this time to become an apex predator. Its more flexible combat is some of the most fun I’ve had with the series, but like the blustering lighting storms of its gorgeous desert, it’ll burns brightly but briefly until Capcom unleashes some real endgame beasts to challenge us. – Tom Marks

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

From our review: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is neither Ninja Gaiden 2 nor Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, but instead a secret third thing that mixes both versions together to create something that is wholly unique and by far the most beautiful version of this excellent action game yet. While I have a hard time calling it the definitive release because I prefer the original’s “more dudes who are more aggressive but die faster” approach, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a definite improvement over the Sigma 2 release, fixes several long-standing issues, and unlike the original, isn’t trapped on the Xbox 360. It isn’t the version I was hoping for (get on it, modders), but it is still an incredible game and I’m happy it exists. If this really is it for Ninja Gaiden 2, it will at least go out on a high note. This trip through time reminded me that while you can’t go home again, and nothing will ever truly be like it was, that doesn’t mean something can’t still be beautiful. Ninja Gaiden 2 is remarkable, even with its flaws, and it’s good to finally have it back in Black. – Will Borger

PGA Tour 2K25

From our review: With substantial changes to how it looks and plays, PGA Tour 2K25 feels like a different game from its predecessor. The new swing mechanics, paired with the significantly improved graphics, makes for a much more realistic ambiance, even with a lethargic performance by the announcing team. The highly customizable MyCareer campaign mode shines as one of the most enjoyable parts even though it has a tacked-on personality system, occasional unnecessary connectivity issues, and of course microtransactions. PGA Tour 2K25 is still a few strokes behind EA Sports PGA Tour as the best golfing simulator around, but if it continues to improve like this with each new iteration, we may see it close that gap relatively soon. – Andrew McMahon

Rift of the NecroDancer

From our review: I could wear out my keyboard slapping arrow keys to the beat and jamming in my seat to Rift of the NecroDancer’s excellent soundtrack, fervently chasing down a perfect run of a song for hours. Whether I was fighting stuffy puppet masters, rhythmically ridding the world of monsters, or just waddling around in a silly mole costume, it provides many excellent flavors of arcade-style rhythm action. Even though this “Greatest Hits” anthology isn’t as focused or Earth-shattering as Brace Yourself Games’ genre-bending debut album, it still continually surprised and delighted me by providing clever twists on time-tested mechanics. – Charlie Wacholz

Tokyo Xtreme Racer (Early Access)

From our review: Tokyo Xtreme Racer is an infectiously addictive time capsule of a racing game that needs little more than a bit of menu refinement and some major aggression injected into its sound to really soup it up and prep it for even more classic Japanese cars to race in and against. In fact, it’s already well worth its early access asking price. It’s narrow in scope, but its highway battle hook makes it hard to put down, and its total lack of modern baggage like microtransactions and tacked-on multiplayer is outright refreshing. – Luke Reilly

WWE 2K25

From our review: A couple of microtransaction-fueled missteps aside, WWE 2K25 is really the best wrestling game since… WWE 2K24, which was also pretty great. It looks fantastic, still feels good, and there’s a lot of it, including small but welcome updates like intergender matches or bigger updates like the new MyRise and Showcase modes. It’s an upscale wrestling buffet, if you will: It’s pretty scrumptious, there’s a wide selection of dishes on the table, and you could spend an awful lot of time in the squared circle if you’re not careful. Speaking of, I need to get back to it. I have some more Showcase things to unlock, Universe is calling my name, and… well, you get the idea. – Will Borger

Review Score: 9 (“Amazing”)

We enthusiastically recommend that you add these games to your to-play list. If we call a game Amazing, that means something about it seriously impressed us, whether it’s an inspired new idea or an exceptional take on an old one. We expect to look back at it as one of the highlights of its time and genre.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

From our review: If Dynasty Warriors: Origins is meant to be a new beginning, it’s one that gets off to a masterful start. It doesn’t just have the largest amount of enemies the series has thrown on screen at once, it also deepens its combat, improves its storytelling without getting in the way of the action, and provides a healthy amount of replayability and postgame content – all while looking better than ever. Your amnesiac hero is a bit too much of a blank slate at times, but the impressive ensemble cast made this story sing as I grew to care about the characters around him, big and small. Origins is both a great entry point for newcomers and a triumphant return for veterans like me who felt the last few entries had become stale or missed the mark. It feels like the series I once loved is finally back. – Jada Griffin

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

From our review: In many ways, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 feels like it’s picked up and run with the reactive first-person RPG torch that Bethesda left lying in the mud years ago in pursuit of a broader audience. And it has excellent melee combat, which The Elder Scrolls never came close to even at its peak. Sometimes it’s not sure if it wants to be a cinematic tale about a specific guy going on a specific adventure or a truly dynamic open-world sandbox packed with interesting and varied side quests, and that can lead to a few immersion-shattering conflicts. But most of the time, leaning into one doesn’t get in the way of the other, and you’re free to go on any of its many optional adventures along the way to a thought-provoking and rousing finale for the main plot. I was delighted to get lost in its world, and it will be a long time before I forget its exceptional story. – Leana Hafer

MLB The Show 25

From our review: MLB The Show remains one of the best sports series around. The new upgrade system and the amateur portion of your player’s journey have reinvigorated Road To The Show, while the shift away from Sets and Seasons has righted Diamond Dynasty’s biggest wrong. While it’s a bit of a bummer that the Storylines feature isn’t living up to its full potential, it remains a worthwhile and important inclusion that has reach beyond the game of baseball. All the small touches, such as updated infielder reactions and new quick time events like the swim move, have the on-field action in a great place, too. It’s not always easy for an annual franchise to justify the move to a new entry, but in the case of MLB The Show 25, it does more than enough to make me glad it has arrived. – Justin Koreis

Split Fiction

From our review: An expertly crafted and absorbing co-op adventure that pinballs from one genre extreme to another, Split Fiction is a rollercoaster of gameplay ideas and styles that are usually discarded as quickly as they’re introduced. This keeps it fabulously fresh for its full, 14-hour duration. With no idea sticking around long enough to get stale before making way for the next, it’s a victory of imagination and restraint in equal measure. Hazelight may have been rewriting the co-op rule book for a decade now, but Split Fiction is a new chapter that you (and a partner) cannot miss. – Luke Reilly

Two Point Museum

From our review: Two Point Museum is a rewarding, deep, challenging, and highly entertaining tycoon game that demonstrates Two Point Studios has really hit its groove with this third iteration of the idea. The variety of different exhibits to unlock and level up, the thrill of discovering new expedition maps, and the array of clever and easy-to-use management tools make designing and running a museum joyful and consistently rewarding. I’ve sunk more than 40 hours into it already and I could easily see doubling that without running out of stuff to do. Call the curator. They’re really going to want to take a look at this. – Leana Hafer

Wanderstop

From our review: Every inch of Wanderstop pushes the conventions you’d expect of similarly wholesome games. Its vibrant colors, quirky characters, and enchanting music are used to tell a compelling story that forces you to grapple with both its lead character’s insecurities as well as your own. It’s a powerful adventure not just about burn out, but about how deeply painful it is to free ourselves from coping mechanisms that may have previously kept us secure. At the same time, Wanderstop’s simple but satisfying tea brewing experimentation serves as a safe and entertaining space to do that deep digging. There aren’t many games like Wanderstop out there currently, but for all our sakes, I hope there will be soon. – Shailyn Cotten

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

From our review: Xenoblade Chronicles X was already one of the Wii U’s best games, and this Definitive Edition has escaped the destruction of its old home like the White Whale and settled down nicely on Switch. The quality-of-life improvements here are enough to justify another trip to Mira alone for veteran players, and it’s the perfect opportunity for newcomers to explore its beautiful landscapes for themselves. Its combat systems are deep and engaging, and the massive open world never got old to run, jump, or fly across. Its main story may not quite live up to the standards of the series, but a likable cast of characters and plenty of compelling side missions mean Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is still an adventure worth writing back home about. – George Yang

Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.