The history of gaming isn’t that old compared to other artistic and entertainment mediums. Many people have lived through the entirety of video game history, and more people have seen most of it. As such, you’d think that the history of video games would be pretty well documented.

Yet, there are some games that just don’t get the historical credit they deserve. It’s strange to think that some of the most important innovators in video game history can be largely forgotten, but it happens more than you may think.

With that said, here are five games that we bet you didn’t know changed gaming forever.

ChuChu Rocket

How it Changed Gaming: One of the first console games with functional, official online multiplayer.

Gamers of a certain age may remember ChuChu Rocket and the buzz it generated in 1999, but the game’s innovations have tragically been overlooked as the years go on.

ChuChu Rocket is a puzzle game that was essentially designed as a test of the Dreamcast’s online multiplayer capabilities. At a time when online console gaming was little more than a pipe dream, ChuChu Rocket offered easy-to-access competitive multiplayer that ran fairly well. It even let players upload and download custom maps!

The game itself was fairly simple (yet still a lot of fun), but it should be remembered as the game that helped a generation of developers figure out how online console multiplayer was practically going to work.

So while you may have been able to technically play other console games online before ChuChu Rocket, this is the game that made the dream a reality.

Kill Switch

How it Changed Gaming: The introduction of an active cover system.

This one is a little hard to explain. See, there were games before Kill Switch that featured a cover system. Metal Gear Solid 2, for instance, let you take cover to avoid detection or incoming damage.

Yet, Kill Switch is the game that introduced the cover system as we typically see it used today. By that, I mean that Kill Switch allowed you to rapidly move from cover to cover and pop out from your cover to engage in firefights. Whereas previous cover systems were largely defensive, Kill Switch‘s use of cover was all about staying on the offense.

Granted, Kill Switch borrowed a rough draft of that concept from games like Time Crisis, but at the time of its release in 2003, nobody had seen a third-person action game that let you move like that. Kill Switch‘s cover system was even featured in the game’s marketing and on the cover of the game’s case.

Gears of War tends to get the credit for this one, but we owe a lot to Kill Switch.

Mark of Kri

How it Changed Gaming: Use of 3D, multi-target combat.

It’s funny how a game can come along, garner critical acclaim, and over the years, kind of fall by the wayside. That’s about what happened with Mark of Kri.

Mark of Kri is a pretty great game in general, but its best feature was a dual-analog targeting system that let you assign an attack button to enemies around you. By doing so, you could easily jump between multiple enemies during combat sequences.

Does that sound familiar? It should, as it’s basically the combat system that Batman: Arkham would eventually help popularize. The difference is that Arkham came out in 2009 and Mark of Kri came out in 2002. While Kri‘s system was certainly rougher, it still feels like a generational leap ahead of everything else that was around.

At a time when 3D combat was rough, Mark of Kri figured out how to make it feel satisfying.

Jet Rocket

How it Changed Gaming: The first open-world game, first flight simulator, and first first-person game.

To be honest with you, I tend to hate talking about absolute firsts in gaming as the earliest technical examples of a concept tend to be rough.

However, Jet Rocket‘s historical accomplishments are too notable to ignore despite the very, very rough nature of the game itself.

Released in 1970, Jet Rocket allowed players to navigate an open 3D landscape while piloting a fighter jet. Its open-world design is particularly interesting, as the environment featured a few simple digital landmarks that actually offered a sense of perspective. Remarkably, the arcade cabinet was even shaped like a cockpit which enhanced the feeling of actually piloting a plane.

So why isn’t Jet Rocket typically remembered as an innovator? Sadly, a couple of companies got their hands on an early prototype of the game and ripped it off ahead of its global release. At least we now know we have Jet Rocket to thank for so many early innovations.

Marathon

How it Changed Gaming: Introduction of free-aim mouse and keyboard controls.

Go back and play the original version of Doom. If you’ve been raised on modern first-person shooters, we’re willing to bet that the first thing you’ll notice is the fact Doom does not use the mouse for aiming and looking.

Actually, the first game to really introduce that concept was Bungie’s Marathon.

Generally remembered as the series that Bungie made before Halo, the Macintosh version of Marathon featured a mouse-and-keyboard look and movement system that feels remarkably modern. It actually took a little while for this innovation to catch on, but once it did, it led to the development of FPS games that emphasized precision aim and fast movements.

It’s truly incredible to think that such a seemingly simple control concept would change gaming forever.

Note: Updated from the original article dated Nov 1, 2020.

Titles now available include:

• The entire Max Payne series and the F.E.A.R. franchise are now playable on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles for the very first time.  
• The entire Skate franchise is now complete with the addition of Skate 2 and playable on both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles.  
• We also heard the desire for more original Xbox titles to be added to the catalog. We are pleased to announce we were able to bring more than 20+ original Xbox titles to an entire new generation of gamers, including Dead or Alive Ultimate, Star Wars: Jedi Knight II, Star Wars: Starfighter, and Otogi franchises.

Click on the graphic below to see the full list.   

Source: Xbox

The best thing you can say about 2020 is that this year might make for a pretty good story at some point. At the very least, the year gave us some of the best video game stories in recent memory.

Popular perception suggests that the industry is dominated by multiplayer games, but 2020 showed that there are enough storytellers left in the industry to ensure the state of narrative-driven games is bright despite whatever concerns remain about its future.

If you’re looking for some of entertainment’s greatest adventures, you’ll find them in our look at the best video game stories of the year.

5. The Last of Us Part 2

The Last of Us Part 2‘s biggest issue from a storytelling standpoint is the game’s length. This sequel’s messages and themes are stretched thin across the length of a 20+hour game, and large sections of the campaign drag on without contributing anything substantial to what makes the story work.

That doesn’t mean the story doesn’t work, though. While The Last of Us Part 2‘s bloat hurts its grander ideas, the personal adventures of the story’s best characters and the little moments along the way work as intended. Ellie’s tragic growth reflects the scars of her twisted upbringing and Abby’s journey proves to worthy of the time it is afforded despite the vitriol the character endures from fans who feel she “doesn’t belong” in the game.

The Last of Us 2′s triumphs as a vehicle for smaller stories makes it easier to overlook the times it fails to stick the landing when making its most ambitious leaps.

4. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Yakuza games generally feature excellent stories, but their impact is negated somewhat by the fact that the game’s long-running mythology can often make it difficult for new players to really feel invested in the universe, certain characters, and what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming number of callbacks.

That’s why Like a Dragon is so special. It not only converts the Yakuza series into something closer to a JRPG, but it uses that gameplay conversion as an excuse to establish a fresh Yakuza story that invokes this series’ ability to balance absurdity with heartfelt drama.

It’s easy to judge the quality of a video game story by its weight, but there is something to be said for how Yakuza: Like a Dragon tells what is a fundamentally enjoyable narrative in a way that still leaves you feeling invested in its wide cast of characters and unable to stop playing until you’ve seen what happens next.

3.Half-Life: Alyx

The brilliance of the Half-Life franchise’s stories isn’t necessarily found on the pages of its scripts but rather through Valve’s in-game storytelling methods. Half-Life helped pioneer the art of immersive video game storytelling that doesn’t rely on an onslaught of cutscenes or text.

Half-Life: Alyx retains the series’ storytelling methods and translates them into the still-wild frontier of VR. The result is a compelling narrative that retains Half-Life‘s trademark methods but uses the enhanced immersion of VR to further all of the things that this series already excelled at.

It’s been a long time since we’ve played what you could consider to be a “true” Vale game, and while Half-Life: Alyx is a VR title, it’s also a glorious return to form for a legendary studio. The game’s ending also offers a terrific cliffhanger that we hope Valve doesn’t wait another decade to follow up on.

2. Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Final Fantasy 7 Remake‘s hype was teetering on the edge of a dangerous tipping point ahead of its release. What could have once been little more than Final Fantasy 7 remade with modern graphics took longer than most fans ever anticipated. With each passing year, the expectations for what the remake should be started to dangerously grow.

In its own way, Final Fantasy 7‘s story is all about expectations. Without diving too much into spoilers, it acknowledges that the original Final Fantasy 7‘s story not only exists but was this monumental event that forms the backbone of the remake’s adventure. The remake then attempts to somehow recapture the glory of its predecessor and simultaneously forge a new path.

Final Fantasy 7 doesn’t always make the most of its ambitious set-up, but it still stands tall as one of the best examples of meta storytelling and one of the boldest remakes in any medium.

1. Hades

The idea of a roguelike with a substantial story is already hard to believe. The idea of a roguelike that boasts the best story in a year that certainly wasn’t lacking in compelling tales feels like an impossibility.

Hades manages to take the sting out of roguelikes by almost making you root for the next death in order to see what little piece of this compelling universe is going to reveal itself next. While the game takes you on a grand adventure of mythological proportions, it’s really a collection of little adventures and examples of personal growth that so happen to form a grand tale you simply can’t see from the outset until you’ve taken the time to assemble the pieces.

Hades’ mechanics would make it one of the greatest roguelikes ever, but it’s the game’s story that makes it one of the most essential gaming experiences of the last decade.

We’ve taken a look at the most overrated games of 2020, but why just be negative when we have an equal chance to shine some light on some of the year’s more overlooked titles.

Before we dive into the list, though, let me share a quick note. You won’t find many ultra indie titles on this list, but that’s largely because those games are overlooked by their very nature. Instead, I wanted to focus on some of the year’s slightly more notable releases which, for one reason or another, not enough people played.

With that in mind, these are some of the most underrated games of 2020.

Gears Tactics

Look, Gears Tactics really is little more than an ambitious XCOM mod. Is that really a bad thing, though?

Gears Tactics could have been a cheap cash-in on a fairly popular concept, but it instead proved to be a well-made strategy game in its own right that smartly utilizes elements of the XCOM universe that even the main games in the series haven’t always taken advantage of.

Honestly, you could argue that Gears Tactics is a better overall game than Gears 4. Definitely give this one a shot on Game Pass if you haven’t already.

Minecraft Dungeons

Despite its association with one of the most popular game franchises ever (or perhaps because of it) Minecraft Dungeons failed to make much of an impact.

While the game is too simple to win over the Diablo and Path of Exile crowd, it really stands out as a gateway with a co-op experience that’s at least as fun as any of the much more popular Lego games.

This is another title you should absolutely try out on Game Pass, especially if you’ve got someone on the couch next to you to share it with.

The Falconeer

As one of the few original Xbox Series X launch titles, it’s bizarre that The Falconeer didn’t generate a little more buzz simply by default. I work in this industry full-time, and I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to anyone that’s played this game.

That’s a shame because The Facloneer is nothing if not interesting. As an open-world air combat game, The Falconeer automatically fills a genre void that has been overlooked for too long. While I suspect the game’s simple combat has contributed to its undoing, it breaks my heart that this project’s beauty and unique concepts haven’t inspired more people to give it a shot.

Maybe you should wait for a sale before you commit to this game, but it’s absolutely worth a look.

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

Granted, this game did generate some social media buzz, but I’m not sure people are paying Clubhouse Games the respect it deserves.

Clubhouse Games brilliantly utilizes the Switch’s interface to revitalize some truly timeless games. In a better world, this title would have been pre-installed on every single Nintendo Switch, but its nearly infinite replay value makes it one of the year’s best purchases.

In a year that wasn’t exactly bursting at the seams with new Nintendo Switch games, Clubhouse deserves a little more recognition.

Nioh 2

This is another one of those games that I’m not sure I’ve ever actually talked to anyone about at any point this year.

I feel like Nioh 2‘s biggest problem is that it probably should have been DLC. It doesn’t feature a lot of new ideas and the new content that is there isn’t robust in terms of innovations or even improvements.

However, as the well-made follow-up to one of the best Soulslike titles ever, Nioh 2 deserves to be played by everybody who enjoyed the first game.

Streets of Rage 4

Generally speaking, the biggest problem with old-school beat-em-up titles is that our memories of them tend to be far greater than the actual experience of replying these fundamentally simple and typically short games.

That’s what makes Streets of Rage 4 so interesting. It captures the fundamental appeal of the Streets of Rage series while introducing just enough modern innovations to revitalize the fun that is sometimes lost in translation when you try to play a legitimate old-school beat-em-up.

Much like 2016’s Doom, Streets of Rage 4 combines the best of the old and the modern.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

There was a time when PlayStation fans were begging for truly great 3D platformers to call their own. It’s a testament to the decline of that genre’s popularity in the mainstream that Sackboy hasn’t garnered more attention.

A Big Adventure is hardly the new Super Mario Odyssey, but I’d go so far as to call it a better version of the recent Yoshi platformers. It’s got a great style that perfectly complements its solid platformer gameplay.

I’d love to see this game’s team take another shot at a similar concept as I feel they’re on the verge of something truly great.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Released in Japan in 2019, 13 Sentinels made its global debut in 2020 to very little fanfare outside of those who already knew about it.

13 Sentinels will absolutely be too weird for some people, but if you happen to enjoy its blend of visual novel storytelling and hybrid side-scrolling/RTS gameplay, you’ll find that this is one of the year’s most original and well-executed games.

If you’re not entirely alienated by the concept, then you should consider giving 13 Sentinels a shot.

Despite all of the hardships it presented, 2020 ended up being a pretty special year for gamers. Against all odds, developers everywhere turned in an incredible lineup of titles that will surely make this year’s game of the year awards a challenge to figure out.

Yet, there are a few titles I see that keep popping up as candidates for those awards that just make me wince. They’re not necessarily bad games but they are, for one reason or another, games that are just getting a little too much love.

These are the most overrated games of 2020.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Assassin’s Creed Origins was a fascinating, but flawed, attempt to softly reboot the complacent Assassin’s Creed franchise. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey did a brilliant job of fixing many of those flaws, solidifying the franchise’s new direction, and setting us up for something potentially special.

Valhalla is occasionally that something special, but it’s mostly another incremental improvement that received a little too much praise for being another largely familiar entry in an increasingly familiar franchise. Not every AC game needs to reinvent the wheel, but we should also temper our praise for amounts to a better version of an already good game.

Call of Duty: Warzone

It didn’t take long for Call of Duty: Warzone to become the darling of the battle royale scene. The popularity of the Call of Duty franchise made Warzone immediately notable while the title’s free-to-play status got it into the hands of more people than may have otherwise given it a chance. On top of that, it’s a fun game in its own right.

Yet, at a time of constant updates, Warzone‘s general complacency has been frustrating to watch. The one advantage of live service games is that they typically stay fresh enough to become the only game you need for months at a time. Aside from a couple of fun events, Warzone‘s updates have largely focused on balancing the existing game.

Ghost of Tsushima

This one is tough. I actually think Ghost of Tsushima is a really good game. It’s got a great open-world, fun combat, a ton of style, and a fairly good story. There’s not a lot wrong with it from a purely critical standpoint.

Yet, at a time when Ghost of Tsushima is clearly becoming an award season darling, I feel that it’s necessary to be realistic about this game’s accomplishments. It’s a very well done version of a kind of game that we’ve seen before. Much like Valhalla, Ghost of Tsushima executes a formula to near perfection, but it perhaps plays it a bit too safe to be considered truly great.

Marvel’s Avengers

Granted, there aren’t a lot of people hyping up Marvel’s Avengers these days, but this feels like a fairly well-deserved case of “We told you so.”

After listening to everyone who wanted to defend this game for months despite an ever-growing pile of red flags surrounding it there’s an admittedly dark pleasure that comes from seeing this title turn out to be exactly what many others suspected it would be. Aside from its fairly good campaign, this is a soulless cash grab that tries and fails to cash in on a license with an unlimited amount of potential.

Star Wars: Squadrons

Squadrons is another game I actually like quite a bit. At a time of increasingly lowered expectations for Star Wars games, Squadrons offers a fun take on this universe that is often fairly clever.

However, Squadrons was hyped as a return to the glory days of Star Wars spaceship games, which it simply isn’t. It lacks the pure arcade action of the Rogue series, and it fails to replicate the simulator brilliance of the PC Star Wars space fighter titles of the ’90s. It’s stuck reminding me of better games it simply is not.

Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact caused quite a stir earlier this year with some fans going so far as to call it an improved version of Breath of the Wild that you can even play on mobile devices.

However, a little more time with Genshin Impact reveals its gameplay reliance on a microtransaction system that is too aggressive to be condoned at a time when microtransaction ethics are such a big talking point. To be honest, Genshin Impact feels like the most successful and ambitious mobile knock-off ever.

Resident Evil 3

I loved the original Resident Evil 3 and often wondered what would happen if the game got a chance to shine outside of the shadow of Resident Evil 2. Unfortunately, Capcom decided to release Resident Evil 3‘s remake in the shadow of Resident Evil 2‘s remake.

Similarities to the previous Resident Evil remake aside, one of the most disappointing elements of 2020’s Resident Evil 3 is how little new content it adds to the original game. It tends to cut some of the original game’s more frustrating moments rather than rework them which seems unambitious for a big-budget remake.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars

At the end of the day, Super Mario 3D All-Stars features three classic Mario games. It’s hard to argue with the idea of getting all of these games in one package or the merits of the original games.

Yet, nearly everything else about this collection feels like a mistake. Its ports are little more than glorified emulations that fall short of paying these games the tribute they deserved. Even if you’re willing to overlook this game’s bizarre limited digital release schedule, you’re still left to wonder where Super Mario Galaxy 2 is or why these games aren’t just straight-up available to download on Nintendo Switch.

The best Xbox Series X optimized games aren’t just impressive; they’re a vital part of a launch lineup that is lacking in traditional next-gen exclusives.

While I typically don’t expect much from third-party games that are released for both next-gen and current-gen consoles, the Xbox Series X’ optimization abilities make it uniquely equipped to breathe new life into existing titles.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most impressive Xbox Series X optimized games to see what sets them apart.

NBA 2K21

With its MASSIVE file size (over 100GB) you’d certainly expect NBA 2K21 to deliver true next-gen performance. Thankfully, that’s about what it offers.

You really feel the 60 fps advantage in NBA 2K21 while the title’s cinematic presentation makes it easier to appreciate the improved character models and reflections. NBA 2K22 will be the first game to really take advantage of next-gen technology, but this is an exciting preview of things to come.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

I never thought Ori and the Will of the Wisps would end up being one of the most visually impressive Xbox Series X launch titles, but here we are.

With the right display, it’s possible to run Ori at 120 fps in 4K. That benchmark will be just out of the reach of many users, but it’s a testament to the Series X’s ability to practically remaster older titles.

Gears Tactics

Gears Tactics was never the most visually impressive game on the market, and you shouldn’t expect the Xbox Series X to greatly enhance the quality of its visuals.

From a performance perspective, though, the optimized edition of Gears Tactics does impress. The game’s native 4K resolution is nice, but it’s that combination of 4K resolution and 60fps gameplay that really helps you appreciate the finer details in this game as well as the fluidity of its strategic action sequences.

Forza Horizon 4

If you were expecting one of the Xbox One’s best-looking games to look even better on the Xbox Series X, then please step up and claim your prize.

Along with the expected bumps in resolution and frame rate, Forza Horizon 4 benefits from noticeably improved draw distances which actually make Horizon 4 much more enjoyable to play. Honestly, this might be the most visually impressive Xbox Series X game so far.

Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves was far from a technical disaster on the Xbox One, but it did occasionally suffer from slower load times.

Well, Xbox Series X addresses those load times while offering a 4K resolution bump that is much more noticeable than I was anticipating. Sea of Thieves remains a great multiplayer game and the Xbox Series X simply offers the best way to experience it.

Gears 5

Those who played the PC version of Gears 5 on a 4K monitor know how beautiful the game is when you run it at Ultra settings. Well, the Xbox Series X version of Gears 5 will be able to replicate that experience on consoles.

Gears 5 immediately benefits from a framerate bump while the optimized version of the title features enhanced shadows and textures that really showcase just how beautiful this game always was.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Some are speculating that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla doesn’t actually feature the native 4K visuals that Ubisoft seemingly promised. In my experience, you tend not to notice the difference.

I would have loved to have seen what a true next-gen version of Valhalla looks like, but you really do notice the difference when you play the game on a next-gen console vs. a current-gen platform. The lighting in the Xbox Series X optimized edition is a particular highlight.

Watch Dogs: Legion

Much like Valhalla, it’s not a huge surprise that Legion is one of the better looking Xbox Series S optimized games. The production values of Ubisoft games are generally high and even the company’s cross-gen titles are typically better than average.

Yet, it’s hard not to be especially impressed with Legion. In fact, many outlets and testers are already turning to Legion to test the Xbox Series X’ ray tracing abilities. I didn’t expect a cross-gen game to feature more impressive ray tracing than a next-gen title, but that’s exactly what we get here.

While it’s true that the Xbox One’s exclusives just weren’t on par with the PS4’s, you’d be wrong to think that Microsoft has always struggled with securing incredible exclusive titles. In fact, a look at the history of Xbox exclusives reveals some of the best games of the last 20 years.

So, ahead of the Xbox Series X’ release and incredible backward compatibility abilities, we thought we’d count down the 10 best Xbox exclusives ever.

Just know that for this list, we considered an Xbox exclusive to be any game that was never released on another console besides an Xbox. However, if that game was released on PCs or mobile devices, it was still considered to be eligible.

10. Lost Odyssey

During Microsoft’s brief infatuation with wooing the Japanese market with high-profile JRPGs (which also included the excellent Blue Dragon), they convinced Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi to make this often-overlooked Xbox 360 exclusive.

Lost Odyssey was initially criticized for its reliance on traditional genre elements, but years later, the title’s blend of classic concepts and new ideas feels more appealing than ever before. Besides, Lost Odyssey‘s story is arguably one of the best in JRPG history.

9. MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf

Blowing stuff up with a variety of giant mechs is fun. That may sound obvious, but given that the MechAssault franchise has largely been ignored over the last 15 years, it’s apparently not as obvious as we’d like to think.

MechAssault 2 is a pure action game that’s depth comes through its various unlockables and high replayability. Its multiplayer was also shockingly good, especially for an early Xbox Live game.

8. Alan Wake

Before Control, Max Payne developer Remedy Entertainment dipped their toes into the horror genre with the surprisingly scary Alan Wake.

Alan Wake’s simple gameplay and sometimes…off voice acting won’t win everyone over, but you just can’t beat the title’s moody small-town atmosphere, various world-building tricks, and genuinely engaging story. It’s a gem of the genre.

7. Rare Replay

This spot was reserved for Viva Pinata, but while we’re at it, why not just highlight the collection that includes that game and 29 other retro classics?

Granted, most of those games are available on some other console, but the ability to play some of Rare’s greatest games (including the aforementioned Viva Pinata) in one package makes this one of the Xbox One’s best exclusives.

6. Fable 2

Truth be told, there’s never been a Fable game that’s realized the ambitious intentions of the series’ creator. However, Fable 2 is the game that proved even a taste of that ambition could be addictive.

Fable 2‘s simple (but fun) gameplay, engaging story, and incredible character-building options help it stand tall above its largely underwhelming predecessor. Even Fable 3 couldn’t quite live up to Fable 2‘s tight take on this franchise’s best ideas.

5. Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge

Anytime you ever meet a Crimson Skies fan who is a little too enthusiastic about this game, try to forgive them. After all, there’s never really been a game quite like this 2003 Xbox exclusive.

Crimson Skies‘ airtight aerial gameplay is bested only by the game’s shockingly interesting story and fascinating alternate history worldbuilding in which America has rebuilt society around air travel. We’d give anything for a proper sequel to this truly underrated classic.

4. Forza Horizon 4

As the Forza series grew from its humble origins as a Dreamcast exclusive called Metropolis Street Racer, the one thing that remained constant was developer Bizarre Creations’ ability to inject more personality into their racing titles than any other developer.

Forza Horizon 4 is the culmination of their efforts. This massive racing game is nearly perfect from a visual and gameplay standpoint, but the true joy of the experience comes from finding a way to appreciate all the little touches while you blaze past them at high speeds.

3. The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

You can’t really talk about Morrowind without acknowledging that the game was a technical nightmare, suffered from some historically slow pacing, and, in many ways, just wasn’t designed for consoles.

Yet, Morrowind‘s success on Xbox really did change the gaming industry for the better. It not only proved that games like it were viable (and desirable) on consoles, but it advanced the technological design of Western RPGs by years. Flaws aside, Morrowind remains one of the best Elder Scrolls games in terms of world-building and genuine role-playing.

2. Halo 3

We could just reserve this spot for the Halo series and call it a day, but just to make it interesting, we’ll go with the Xbox 360 exclusive, Halo 3.

We’ve praised Halo 3‘s multiplayer in the past, but in terms of the balance between multiplayer and campaign, you really could argue that this is the best overall Halo game. It represents everything that there is to love about this franchise.

1. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Few Xbox exclusives, not even the mighty Halo, are held in as high regard as BioWare’s 2003 Xbox RPG, Knights of the Old Republic. Thankfully, this is one of those cases where the hype is about more than nostalgia.

In some ways, KOTOR‘s incredible gameplay, jaw-dropping story, and memorable missions are bittersweet. As BioWare has lost its way and Star Wars games struggle to relive the glory days, there just aren’t many RPGs on the modern market that come close to replicating the stunning creative brilliance of this true masterpiece.

While the delay of Halo Infinite upset many franchise fans looking to dive into the series latest installment before 2021, the recent addition of Halo 3 ODST to Game Pass gives us a reason to dive a little deeper into this legendary franchise.

Specifically, we want to talk about Halo‘s multiplayer. While many people think of multiplayer when they think of Halo, the truth is that each new Halo game has added elements to the franchise which help distinguish them from the others in the series.

With that in mind, we thought we’d take a stab at ranking the competitive multiplayer modes in Halo‘s history in order to help determine which stand above all. For the record, this ranking only applies to each game’s multiplayer and does not extend to the single-player campaigns.

6. Halo 4

While most Halo fans disagree on the rankings of the franchise’s various multiplayer modes, it’s hard to find a Halo player who puts Halo 4‘s multiplayer above the basement of such a list.

Halo 4‘s multiplayer suffered an identity crisis that can likely be attributed to it being the first game in the series not developed by Bungie. The game’s most noteworthy shortcoming was its flawed loadout system, but generally speaking, Halo 4‘s multiplayer felt like it was trying to be something it wasn’t.

Maybe that could have worked out, but Halo 4‘s combination of popular trends just didn’t gel into something that was compelling or fun to play.

5. Halo Reach

Bungie’s last attempt at a Halo multiplayer mode ended up being a somewhat sad swan song for the revolutionary studio.

Halo Reach tried a few new things (including an early loadout-like concept), but in the process of chasing the new, it failed to retain many of the things that made Halo multiplayer so desirable in the first place. Its map design and weapon balance are particularly low points in that respect.

It’s hard to fault a studio for thinking outside of the box a bit, but this feels like it should have been Bungie’s greatest hits take on Halo instead of the largely failed experiment it proved to be.

4. Halo: Combat Evolved

Halo: CE‘s multiplayer changed gaming forever by not only bridging the gap between PC and console but by offering an iconic series of maps, modes, and weapons that live in infamy to this day.

Play Halo: CE‘s multiplayer today, though, and the cracks begin to show. It’s only natural that a 19-year-old game would show its age, but Halo‘s slow movements and absurd weapon balance feel especially dated.

It’s entirely possible to still unironically enjoy a game of Halo: CE multiplayer, but it also does feel like this really was the template for what was to come.

3. Halo 5: Guardians

While Halo 5: Guardians is somewhat controversial among series fans for quite a few reasons, its multiplayer sometimes unfairly gets lumped in with the game’s other flaws.

Halo 5 removes the previous game’s loadout system and introduces a variety of new modes and tweaks designed to appeal to old-school fans and modern players alike.

Variety is really the word to use in this instance. Halo 5 offers more play options than other Halo games even before you take into account the infinite possibilities offered by its custom creation Forge mode. Its gameplay may not be quite as solid as the series’ finest hours, but this is a generally underrated experience.

2. Halo 3

Considered by many to be the finest overall Halo game ever made, Halo 3‘s multiplayer is certainly a series highlight that sets the standard in many ways.

Halo 3‘s multiplayer brilliance is as much about the things it adds (most notably its emphasis on equipment) as it is about the things it simply does better than its predecessors. This is a tight Halo multiplayer experience that emphasizes a core group of weapons, reasonably good balance, and some truly incredible maps.

Released before the homogenization of so many popular shooters, Halo 3‘s style and finesse stand out to this day.

1. Halo 2

There’s certainly a great deal of nostalgia that comes with any Halo 2 praise, and any praise of the game must realistically be balanced by pointing out some of the multiplayer mode’s flaws. Yes, it’s dual-wielding system is often unbalanced. Yes, it lacks many of the features and refinements of Halo 2. Yes, it feels dated in many ways.

Yet, Halo 2‘s multiplayer emphasizes all of the things that make us care about Halo multiplayer games at all. Its weapon selection is an iconic blend of concepts that cater to different play styles. Its action is deliberate and diverse. Its maps may still be the greatest collection of maps in the history of the FPS genre.

When we talk about the best Halo multiplayer modes, it’s important to remember that Halo and multiplayer are both key components in the ranking. There are strictly speaking better multiplayer modes in the franchise’s history, but this is the best of everything that made Halo special.

The substantial growth of Netflix and other streaming services over the past decade was a surprise for many. Few could have foreseen the success they would have in such a short period. Now that these subscription services area mainstay in the public, it’s not surprising that game publishers want to get in on the action.

Google is using Stadia as the method for the process, attempting to use streaming to eliminate the need for hardware. Electronic Arts provided its catalog of games for a subscription, but it is mostly limited to that publisher. Microsoft, however, has been steadily improving Game Pass both on their console and on PC as its popularity has increased.

I’ve always seen this as a play to be able to have “Games as a Service” without the legal ramifications of “owning” a game. However, with the introduction of the Xbox Series S and its mobile phone-like monthly payment plan including Game Pass, it seems the goal is deeper. Microsoft seems to want to saturate the market with Game Pass-ready devices to build a subscription service for everyone.

Much like Netflix is easily accessible on numerous platforms, Game Pass is going to be available for every Windows PC and the increasingly affordable Series S. They even have cloud gaming on mobile as a possibility as well. Having these games available at every turn is a great way to get people to play a wider variety and to play them more often. The more developers and publishers that sign on, the higher chance they have of building an audience for their games.

The question remains, however, what does this do for Microsoft? Well, the obvious thing is the revenue from such a service. One of the best things in business is having a predictable income from a recurring service. It allows the company to align future endeavors based on the revenue that they know will be available without leveraging risk. It’s like having a loan without interest, assuming you can maintain the user base.

Today, Microsoft bought Zenimax, a company that owns the publisher and developer Bethesda as well as the rights to many game franchises like Doom. Acquisitions like this and that of Obsidian are notable, in part, because they will give value to Game Pass. With full games releasing on the service at launch, it’s easy to get people on board. Having an automatic backlog of every notable game under this ever-growing umbrella (including licensed games) is a shiny selling point for any of their consoles.

The biggest reason for this maneuver is one that Apple adopted years ago and prides itself on today. That is the creation of the “ecosystem.” By getting people sold on the functionality and features of Game Pass, it becomes a selling point. With this upcoming console generation, people may already be considering whether they still want to have Game Pass when deciding on a console. As physical copies of games fade away, future console generations will create the same debate.

This shift toward subscription-based gaming is one that will drive consumer adoption for the near future. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sony starts warping and twisting PlayStation Plus into a similar service structure. Just as people have been abandoning their movie collections in favor of affordable streaming subscriptions, the world of gaming will attract new patrons with this cheap alternative. For a growing number, being at the whim of your service providers seems to be an acceptable alternative to paying more and owning the content.

We’ve talked about it before, but video game remakes are awesome.

In a medium where technology and art go hand-in-hand, remakes help us fully-enjoy older titles even after their technological shortcomings have made it impossible to enjoy them as they were meant to be enjoyed. Sometimes, these remakes even contribute new content to classic games that feel almost essential to the core experience.

Which video game remakes are the best of them all, though? The answer to that question will obviously vary from person to person, but we’d imagine that anyone’s list of the best remakes would need to include at least one of these incredible games.

Shadow of the Colossus

You could easily make the argument that Shadow of the Colossus is the best video game remake ever.

Bluepoint Games’ Shadow of the Colossus not only expertly updates the original game’s graphics in such a way that retains the 2005 title’s artistic design but helps ensure that it stands as one of the best looking games of its generation. More importantly, this remake addresses some of the gameplay flaws of the original which prevented many from being able to properly enjoy it.

Resident Evil (GameCube)

It must have been tempting for Capcom to just upgrade the original Resident Evil‘s graphics and call it a remake. Instead, they did something very different.

Not only is Resident Evil for GameCube a technologically mind-blowing game that still looks good to this day, but it’s a remake that retains the spirit of the original experience while fixing nearly every flaw and adding new content that truly completes an already classic game. It’s a masterpiece.

Resident Evil 2

Two Resident Evil games on a shortlist of the best remakes ever? It sounds gratuitous, but Capcom really has set the standard for remakes with releases such as these.

Resident Evil 2 almost entirely reimagines a game that many consider to be the best in series history and does it so effectively that it’s hard to ever go back to the original. What more could you ask for from a remake?

Final Fantasy 7

We know that there are many fans out there who feel that the Final Fantasy 7 remake did too much to distinguish itself from the original. They just wanted the original game with modern visuals and a few improvements.

Yet, it’s impossible to not at least respect what the Final Fantasy 7 remake tries to accomplish. By cleverly utilizing meta elements, Final Fantasy 7 shatters our expectations and honestly comes out all the better for its considerable efforts.

Black Mesa

After over a decade of work, this fan remake of Half-Life has finally been completed. Over the years, many suspected that there was no way this remake would ever live up to the hype.

Well, it didn’t. It actually exceeded the hype. Black Mesa is a bold and beautiful reimagining of one of the most important PC games ever made. We’d go so far as to call it the definitive way to play Half-Life in 2020.

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes

Nobody really talks about The Twin Snakes these days. We strongly suspect that’s because the game is basically impossible to play (legally) if you don’t own a GameCube.

That’s truly a shame. The Twin Snakes not only incorporates some of Metal Gear Solid 2‘s best gameplay ideas but it features a variety of narrative changes and new story sequences that are absolutely bonkers. This is one of the strangest remakes ever, but it’s also one of the best.

Metroid: Samus Returns

We don’t know if we agree with Nintendo’s decision to shut down that infamous fan remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus that likely partially inspired this remake, but it’s hard to argue with the results.

Metroid: Samus Returns brilliantly combines old and new concepts to form what could very well be the most complete Metroid game ever made. Metroid 2 was always underrated, and we’re thrilled that it got a chance to shine in this remake.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Here again, we have another incredible retro Nintendo title that’s handheld limitations made it the perfect remake candidate.

Even though most people expected this game to be good, few predicted that Link’s Awakening would be such a glorious realization of everything that made classic Zelda games…well…classics. This is one of those games that nearly every Switch owner needs to experience.

Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy

Expectations were modest for the Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy. After all, most early previews suggested it would basically just be the Crash games with better graphics.

While those better graphics were certainly welcome, this remake’s brilliance is found in the little things. The subtle ways it refines and alters the original games reminded everyone just why they waited so long to play these PlayStation classics again.

Ratchet and Clank

Granted Ratchet and Clank is somewhere between a remake and a re-imagining, but we feel it’s close enough to the former to qualify for this list.

Generally speaking, this 2016 game just didn’t get the love it deserved. It’s possibly the best Ratchet & Clank game ever and one of the most enjoyable exclusives on a console that’s infamous for them.

There’s not much to the Xbox Series S. It looks somewhat odd, it’s not a next-gen gaming powerhouse by any means, and one of the biggest selling points of the Xbox brand (nearly complete backward compatibility support) will be severely hindered by the console’s missing disc drive.

On the surface, the Xbox Series S is just a step above the infamous Xbox 360 Core system which lacked its premium counterpart’s HDMI port, detachable hard drive, and promises of a largely future-proofed gaming experience. We’re already seeing thousands of people warning gamers to stay away from this console and save up for an Xbox Series X if they’re committed to the Xbox brand in the next-generation.

Yet, that doesn’t feel like a fair assessment. Actually, we’d argue that the Xbox Series S is exactly the console we need in 2020.

As you might imagine, the core of that argument is the Xbox Series S’ price. At just $299, the Xbox Series S isn’t just destined to be the most affordable next-gen console; it’s a shot across the bow to an industry that has steadily been raising the launch price of new consoles in an attempt to answer the question “How much will you pay to be first?”

While that practice is annoying in the best of times, we’re not living in the best of times (in case you didn’t notice). As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage much of the world, millions of people are left unemployed and uncertain when they will work again. Even those who have held on to their jobs through this crisis are left to wonder whether this is the time to spend $400+ on a new gaming console.

For that matter, the entire gaming industry seems uncertain regarding whether or not the next generation really begins in 2020. With major titles such as Halo Infinite being delayed until 2021 (at the very least) and company’s starting previously unheard of initiatives that let you upgrade a variety of third-party titles to their next-gen counterparts at no extra cost, the entire industry has been sending this clear message for months now:

“The start of the next video game generation isn’t going to feel like previous generations.”

Into that situation comes the Xbox Series S. Yes, it is cheaper. $299 will still be a big ask for millions of people this year, but it’s about as reasonable of a price as you could realistically expect given its abilities and additional manufacturing complications presented by the current situation. It’s an affordable way to own a next-gen console in 2020.

Yet, the Xbox Series S isn’t just a console for this year or right now. It’s a surprisingly forward-thinking device that simply offers honest answers about what the future of gaming is probably going to look like.

After all, the Xbox team’s Smart Delivery program was essentially that team’s way of admitting that their first-party exclusive titles probably won’t take meaningful advantage of the Xbox Series X’ capabilities until at least late 2021 or 2022. Until then, you’re probably going to be able to enjoy upcoming Microsoft Studios games on Xbox Series S or Xbox One S without feeling like the Series X offers a fundamentally different experience that simply can’t be replicated on lesser hardware.

More importantly, the Xbox Series S still lets you take advantage of two of Microsoft’s most exciting features: Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud. Game Pass is already the best subscription service in gaming, and xCloud is shaping up to be one of the best cloud services in the industry (as well as a way to potentially circumvent the pure power of your console). In two or three years, your $299 next-gen console won’t be able to take full advantage of high-end displays or play discs. Other than that, it will still be a next-gen console.

Even if you do decide that the Xbox Series S isn’t enough for you in two to three years, you’ll probably be able to either upgrade to whatever the new mid-generation hardware is or even just a cheaper Xbox Series X. Whereas the Xbox Core was fundamentally unprepared for the next generation of gaming, the Xbox Series S offers a way to reasonably test the waters and see what the next few years bring.

At a time when too many other aspects of the video game industry feel designed to convince you that the future is here and is going to be great, the Xbox Series S comes along to suggest that the future may be more uncertain than ever before, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend too much money or risk missing out on the simple pleasure of playing new games.

What was surprising is when Remedy revealed that this crossover isn’t a one-off event. Actually, the studio confirmed that they’re working on a new project which will help further what the studio is referring to as the “Remedy Connected Universe.”

Needless to say, the idea of a multiverse is hardly new. You’re probably already thinking of a particularly popular example of the concept. Yet, the more you hear Remedy talk about this idea (and the more you think about it) you start to realize that this is about more than just Remedy’s own projects. In fact, Remedy may just have found a way to help save smaller single-player games.

For years, Remedy has excelled at creating narrative-driven single-player experiences featuring memorable characters, levels, and gameplay mechanics. The trouble is that they typically don’t feature many of the qualities which define the most fiscally successful modern games. They’re not loaded with microtransactions, they don’t feature multiplayer modes, and they’re typically fairly short and linear. They’re pretty much exactly the kinds of games that EA and other major companies have attempted to pivot away from.

The thing is that it’s hard to blame them for moving away from such titles. In an age where open-world titles offer hundreds of hours of single-player gameplay and people spend a great deal of time (and money) on multiplayer games that become their “main” title for months, it’s a bit hard to ask someone to spend $60 on a 12-hour game no matter how good it is. It’s also becoming more expensive to produce those games.

You may recall that blockbuster films faced a somewhat similar problem not long ago. Studios like Disney were spending more and more money on the latest blockbuster and seeing diminishing returns. A big part of the problem was the quality of the movies themselves, but there was also a growing issue of demand. Streaming services and TV shows were becoming increasingly popular entertainment alternatives. Fewer people felt the need to go to theaters simply because there was a new movie out.

The MCU helped change some of that. Not only were the movies good, but they featured a twist that hadn’t been seen on the big screen for quite some time. Each of them was part of a much bigger story. Even some who weren’t necessarily interested in an individual part of the story often felt compelled to go see the next movie to see the next chapter in the larger narrative.

It’s easy to see how a similar idea could help sell the next entry into the Remedy Connected Universe, but the brilliance of this approach is really about more than just a hook. No, the great thing about a video game multiverse is that it allows Remedy to pursue the kinds of games they love to make while also enjoying the benefits of a franchise.

While games like Control, Alan Wake, and Quantum Break feature similar elements, they’re largely unique experiences. That’s great from a creative standpoint, but it’s much harder to convince the average buyer to take a chance on a name they’re not familiar with.

What a connected universe does is make it much easier for a company like Remedy to make those kinds of games while also tying them to a familiar brand. Did you like Alan Wake? See more of him in Control. Did you like Control? Find out how that adventure continues in Remedy’s next game while enjoying an entirely new adventure.

That isn’t to say that this is a perfect solution or the path that developers of all story-based single-player games will soon need to walk. What it is, though, is a relatively fresh way of thinking. It’s an example of a studio trying to find a way to sell the kinds of games people say love but just never seem to sell enough.

The future of single-player games isn’t just shared universes; it’s the acknowledgment that the 12-hour game just isn’t enough anymore no matter how good it is. Once more developers acknowledge that and start coming up with solutions such as this, maybe the industry will finally be able to support an art form it has pushed aside for too long.

Xbox Game Pass is simply the best deal in gaming. For $9.99 a month, it grants you access to a growing library of classic and modern titles. Many have even started referring to it as the fabled “Netflix of gaming.”

Much like Netflix, though, Game Pass’ extensive library makes it easy to overlook titles. When your eyes start focusing on the latest Triple-A release, you end up missing out on so many gems hidden within the catalog.

With that in mind, we’ve dove deep into the Game Pass library in order to find some of the hidden gems that you have to play. Here are the 10 most underrated games on Xbox Game Pass:

Streets of Rage 4 (Console and PC)

Streets of Rage 4 garnered some initial attention when it was released earlier this year, but we’d argue that not many enough people gave this game the proper amount of attention.

Streets of Rage 4 is more than just a throwback to the golden age of beat-em-up games. It’s a brilliant revival of that genre that captures why they were so much fun despite their simplicity.

Astrologaster (PC)

We’ll tell you now that there’s not much “game” to Astrologaster. Most of your interactions will be limited to making on-screen choices.

Yet, this comedy adventure title set within Shakespeare’s London is truly one of the most creative titles we’ve experienced in years in terms of its writing and artistic design. You’ve got to give this one a shot if you want something different.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Console and PC)

Describing Kingdom Come: Deliverance as “janky” would be generous. Glitches aside, even its core gameplay harkens back to the days of unnecessary steps and cumbersome interface.

That jankiness is absolutely part of the appeal, though. This is a truly old-school PC RPG on a grand scale. If you feel like recent RPGs have abandoned the “role-playing” part of the deal, you might just fall in love with this game.

Ape Out (PC)

We could probably just describe Ape Out as “Hotline Miami with an escaped ape” and justify its place on this or any other list.

However, Ape Out is actually much more than that. It’s a testament to minimalistic design from a gameplay and visual standpoint, and its soundtrack is one of the best in recent years. This utterly addictive action title boasts great “one more try” gameplay.

Clustertruck (Console and PC)

Clustertruck casts you into the role of a truck that must hop over other trucks in order to reach a finish line. It’s…pretty weird.

What makes Clustertruck work is its absolutely brilliant course design. Fans of games like Super Monkey Ball will find a lot to love in this challenging game that tests your reflexes and course knowledge.

The Messenger (Console and PC)

Even if you think you’re tired of retro-style indie games, we can pretty much guarantee that you’ll find room in your heart for The Messenger.

This brilliant action game combines elements of classic 8-bit and 16-bit titles to form an experience that we guarantee is much more than meets the eye. It’s simply a must-play for fans of everything from Ninja Gaiden to Super Metroid.

Quantum Break (Console)

We’d be lying if we told you that Quantum Break is Remedy’s best game. We’re not even sure if it would crack the list of the studio’s five best games.

For all of its faults, though, Quantum Break boasts some of the most unique storytelling methods in gaming history. Essentially an interactive television show in many respects, Quantum Break is thoroughly enjoyable for beginning to end even if it doesn’t land its most ambitious leaps.

Demon’s Tilt (Console and PC)

If you’ve played one digital pinball game you’ve pretty much played 99% of ever other digital pinball game that has ever or will ever be made.

Meet a member of the 1% exception. Demon’s Tilt is a chaotic and visually creative twist on the pinball genre that combines classic pinball with bullet hell action games. It’s an utterly intense and downright brilliant experience that’s just waiting to be picked up and played.

Phoenix Point (PC)

Phoenix Point is far from the best X-Com like game that’s emerged in recent years since that series’ revival. It just suffers from too many bugs and half-baked concepts to rank among the best in the genre.

Still, Phoenix Point features more of the ideas that defined classic X-Com games than even the modern entries into that franchise. This is a grand strategy experience that still lets you enjoy modern X-Com’s brilliant tactical combat.

What Remains of Edith Finch (Console)

Not long ago, What Remains of Edith Finch earned quite a bit of attention and end of the year awards. Since then, though, you never really hear anyone talk about the game.

That’s a real shame. What Remains of Edith Finch challenges popular notions of video game storytelling and level design. It’s an entirely ambitious and thoroughly compelling adventure that we can guarantee you’ll never forget.

Microsoft has made it clear that the launch of the Xbox Series X will not mean the immediate death of the Xbox One. In fact, Microsoft will not produce true Xbox Series X exclusives for at least a couple of years.

Still, the release of any next-gen console gives us cause to look back on what came before. So join us as we take a look at the legacy of the Xbox One in order to try to better understand how Microsoft’s gaming console will be remembered.

The Xbox One Will Be Remembered for Its Disastrous Debut

Few consoles in recent memory have proven the truth of the old saying “You only get one chance at first impressions” quite like the Xbox One.

When Microsoft properly debuted the Xbox One, they talked about a console that was expensive, burdened by controversial features at least a decade ahead of their time, and a high price tag. Sony presented the PlayStation 4 as a console you wanted in your life. Microsoft talked about the Xbox One like it was a drill sergeant that would force you to get your **** together.

Had the Xbox One grown into the console Microsoft tried to force it to be at the start, things could have been different. Instead, Microsoft spent too much time listening to soothsayers who foretold the coming of a new age of gaming and less time listening to common sense.

The Xbox One Will Not be Remembered For Its Games

Obviously, all discussions of console wars and similar topics are subject to often extreme levels of subjectivity. However, we think that you’re going to have a hard time arguing that the Xbox One had better exclusives than the PlayStation 4.

It’s tempting to boil the problems of the Xbox One’s library down to its lack of a killer app. To be fair, there’s some truth to that. Franchise mainstays like Gears of War and Halo failed to truly impress with their Xbox One exclusive installments, and new series (such as Sunset Overdrive) failed to quite “get there” despite their relative quality. Even “gimme” games like Halo: The Master Chief Collection were plagued by issues.

Yet, the biggest problem with the Xbox One X’ game library is its best titles either fail to inspire more than a select group of gamers (such as Forza Horizon 4) or are available elsewhere on platforms which may be a better fit for them (such as Cuphead on Nintendo Switch).

The Xbox One Will Be Microsoft’s PlayStation 3

The PlayStation 2 is more than the best-selling video game console of all-time. It was a triumphant hardware success that was bolstered by an incredible library of diverse software. Sony’s follow-up, the PlayStation 3, was less of a success. In fact, it left many shrugging their shoulder wondering how a company atop the world released something so unsubstantial.

It’s a similar story for Microsoft and the Xbox One. The Xbox 360 nearly upset the dynamic of the entire industry with its revolutionary features, incredible game library, and stellar online service. It’s arguably one of the greatest consoles ever.

The Xbox One, meanwhile, just fell flat. It wasn’t a bad console in the ways that matter most, but its generally “meh” nature felt so out of place for a console manufacturer that was seemingly at the top of its game.

The Xbox One Will Be Associated With The Start of Game Pass

It’s funny. Even though the Xbox One isn’t especially notable for many individual games, its best feature may be a service that offers you many of those games.

One way or another, cloud gaming and video game “streaming” will be a big part of the industry. Microsoft combines those concepts in Game Pass: a collection of game accessed via a monthly service fee which you download and access as you go.

No other company has been able to match Game Pass’ combination of collection, technology, and price. It’s the most practical example yet of how the future of gaming may not involve paying $60+ for every title that comes out.

The Xbox One Will Be Praised for Backward Compatibility, Cross-Play, and other Consumer-Friendly Features

Given that the Xbox One started as a relatively consumer-unfriendly console, we understand if you’re shocked to learn that the Xbox One eventually became the gold standard for consumer-friendly features.

In recent years, Microsoft has pushed for the preservation of true, hardware-enabled backward compatibility as well as the advancement of cross-play technology which allows all gamers to play together regardless of which console they own. They’ve also pushed for the development of more accessible hardware which allows a greater variety of gamers to play the games they love.

Our sincere hope is that Microsoft continues to push for inclusivity and consumer innovation in the future. They’ve already forced rival companies to keep up with their progress thus far.

GameStop has been making headlines recently due to their controversial coronavirus policies. Among other things, GameStops seem to be dangerously unprepared to meet basic safety precautions tied to the coronavirus outbreak. They’re also reportedly prepared to defy state closure orders as executives seem to be attempting to argue that GameStop offers essential services during these times.

Why is GameStop so desperate to stay open? Well, there are obviously no stores that are excited about having to close, but the situation for GameStop is reportedly especially dire. Analysts were already arguing that GameStop was fighting for its retail life even before the coronavirus spread. If GameStop is forced to close for a few months, there’s a good chance they may never re-open or never be able to fully recover.

To be honest, it’s hard to feel sorry for them even if we feel sorry for those who would lose their jobs as part of a closure, no matter how long it may be. Not only is GameStop ready to force its employees to work in dangerous situations without the promise of adequate compensation, but this is just the latest in a series of controversial GameStop corporate decisions that have been going on for years now. It’s probably time for GameStop to go.

There is one question that remains in such an event, though. If GameStop goes, what happens to the used games market?

Granted, GameStop’s used games policies aren’t always the best (the company infamously offers little money for trade-ins of even newer titles), but they’re still one of the more reliable ways to relatively easily trade in old games and buy used copies of games. These services not only cater to gamers on a budget, but it helps ensure that gamers are never stuck with titles that they really don’t intend to play again.

Used game options do exist outside of GameStop (you can obviously always sell them online) but despite all of our advancements, it’s still usually just easier to buy and sell used games via a store like GameStop. If they close, then the used game market suddenly looks a lot thinner.

The truth is that it’s not easy to imagine that digital stores will adopt straight-up used game policies. Considering that you don’t even own some fo the games that you digitally purchase (although that varies from site to site) it’s kind of tricky to sell them to someone else. Besides, a digital copy of a game is never really “used” in the sense of how we use that word to define the second-hand market.

Alternatives are possible, though. The most reasonable option would be some kind of user-to-user trade system which allows someone to essentially trade a digital key to another user for a digital key to another game. Rules would have to be set-up to regulate this, but it’s not outside of the realm of reason. There’s also a small possibility that services like GOG and Steam could allow someone to receive a small refund for a purchase after a period of time, but that feels like an unlikely policy that doesn’t really create more opportunities to buy titles on the used market.

Honestly, it sounds like one of the best “replacements” for GameStop’s used game system will be streaming services. While services like Game Pass limit you to a roster of available titles, they still let you access a greater variety of games for a reduced price. They’ll likely soon become the preferred way for people to save money and still be able to play various games.

Unless we see a new store (online or otherwise) emerge with the intentions of specifically catering to used games, the increasingly likely possibility is that the death of GameStop could mean the death of the used games market as we’ve known it. While that’s unfortunate, it doesn’t necessarily justify keeping GameStops around nor does it justify impeding the industry’s drive to find solutions to some of the problems that we’ve outlined.

There are many who feel that sequels are a blight on the entertainment industry. For every Terminator 2 and Godfather 2, you have a seemingly endless supply of uninspired follow-ups that just look to cash-in on the original installment’s legacy. Video games have traditionally fared much better in that regard, but even many of the best video game sequels tend to rely on more of the same.

Part of the problem with the whole sequel industry is that most sequels tend to be based on works that were typically successful and generally pretty good. As such, sequel makers are faced with the daunting task of trying to come up with something that is as good as the original while standing tall on its own.

That’s part of the reason why the recent rumors of a sequel to The Order: 1886 are so fascinating.

See, The Order wasn’t a good game. Actually, it was a pretty bad one. While the title initially turned heads due to its incredible graphics and wonderful presentation style, actually playing the game revealed a largely shallow cover-based shooter that relied on overly-scripted combat sequences occasionally broken up by simple story segments.

Oh, and what a story it was. The Order tells an alternate history story in which a group of highly-trained specialized soldiers must combat mythical forces such as vampires and werewolves as well as other dangerous entities that seek to end the world. It’s a fairly bonkers story that tries to surprise by having you do things like team up with inventor Nikola Tesla and try to figure out if Jack the Ripper was actually a vampire. For the most part, though, it comes across as a collection of many of the things that you thought were cool in high school but may not necessarily love to look back at now.

The Order: 1886 stands as one of the PS4’s most notable failed exclusives. Its sales were modest, but it was critically trashed by just about every outlet and many of those who purchased it. It’s seen as an embarrassment by many, but most people who experienced it in some form do still have some kind of memories of it.

All of that is our way of saying that The Order: 1886 is arguably the most intriguing sequel prospect that we’ve seen in years.

The Order may have been a bust, but it was a fascinating bust that was based on incredible technology, benefited from a fun setting and characters, and occasionally even featured some fascinating gameplay twists such as some over-the-top weapons that added new dimensions to the otherwise standard gameplay.

Granted, we’re a little inclined to shame this whole idea since The Order also featured a cliffhanger ending meant to tease a continuation that many doubted would ever be made, but when you really step back and look at the title, you start to see the ways that the core experience could have been easily improved upon. Actually, with a little more gameplay variety, a few refined story segments, and some more attempts early on to establish an identity of its own, The Order might at least have been seen as a noble experiment.

Well, maybe that can still be the franchise’s legacy. We don’t often get sequels to bad movies and games, but with The Order, Sony and developer Ready at Dawn have the chance to show the industry that something doesn’t have to be a runaway success to be worthy of revisiting.

Actually, if everyone involved plays their cards right, a sequel to The Order could show that sometimes the best use of a sequel is to give a talented group of people a second chance to get something right.

I’ve always supported single-player games, but there was a point in my life when I would actively root against multiplayer titles. There was really no good reason why, but in my mind, at that time, I saw multiplayer games as inferior works that just tried to appeal to more “mainstream” gamers. Yeah, I was that kid.

Over time, though, I not only found myself appreciating multiplayer games more and more but playing them more and more. There were times when I would primarily play one multiplayer game for months (or longer) on end instead of bouncing between multiple single-player titles as I used to do. Truth be told, I still do that more often than not.  Actually, I get the feeling from personal experience and industry revenue reports that there are potentially millions of people who also do just that.

That’s why Sony and Microsoft will likely rely on single-player games more and more to sell the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Let’s say you or someone you know primarily plays Fortnite or Apex Legends. They own a console, PC, or even a mobile device that is perfectly capable of playing their favorite game. They may even own several such devices that can achieve that feat.

For those gamers, you’ve got to wonder if there’s really any incentive to buy a new console. Titles like Fortnite aren’t exactly going to benefit from a large leap in technology. It’s still going to look like Fortnite on a PS5 or an Xbox Series X, and even more RAM or an SSD isn’t going to improve its performance all that much. There’s always the allure of the new, but for those who usually play one game and maybe dip into a couple of other titles throughout the year, you’ve really got to wonder whether they feel the urge to spend $400+ dollars for minor upgrades to their preferred experiences.

This is the strange position we find ourselves in during what seems to be the height of the games as a service era. It’s also probably part of the reason why you hear more console manufacturers speak of the death of gaming generations. If games are going to be a service meant to last for years (and those games typically don’t push technological boundaries) then what’s the point of pushing constant console upgrades?

That’s where single-player games come into play.

The basic idea is that Sony and Microsoft will have an easier time selling the PS5 and Xbox Series X if they can simply point to a game and say “You can only play this on our new console.” Microsoft is subverting that idea somewhat due to their position on not offering true Series X exclusives for the first year or so, but even that policy is partially based on their desire to sell Game Pass (and the many single-player titles it offers) regardless of which platform you subscribe to it on.

How is that approach different from what we’ve seen at the start of every other gaming generation? It’s not, but the industry is different. Previous console launch lineups were stealth boosted by the addition of the new Madden, the new Call of Duty, and other yearly installments. PS5 and Xbox Series X will almost certainly feature some of those titles, but yearly installments are starting to be slowly replaced by games as a service titles that launch free updates instead. Besides, as we’ve already noted, this upcoming generation may not feature nearly as notable as a technological leap.

With a single-player game, though, it’s all about the experience. They can certainly benefit from new technology, but it’s more about the idea that these titles offer something that you just can’t get anywhere else. Besides, the PS4 and its army of noteworthy exclusives seemingly helped showcase that even in this service era, the right single-player title can move more units than even optimistic analysts would have thought.

There will come a time when new popular multiplayer titles come out on new consoles and inspire that section of gamers to start making upgrades. Until then, though, you’ve got to think that single-player games may start getting time in the spotlight that they haven’t necessarily enjoyed on a large scale in recent years.

Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty caused quite a stir recently when he revealed that the Xbox Series X will not feature any Microsoft exclusives for years to come.

What does that mean? Well, it means that for at least the first year or two of the Xbox Series’ X availability, games made by Xbox Game Studios (and, seemingly, its partners) will not be exclusive to Microsoft’s next-gen platform. Instead, they will be available for next-gen Xbox consoles, the various Xbox One incarnations, and, most likely, PC.

That’s a, largely, unheard-of move. What kind of a first-party studio doesn’t want to use exclusives to push the sales of its next console?

The answer is “The kind of studio that proves once again that it understands the present and future of console gaming better than its competition.”

We’ve spoken before about how you might want to lower your expectations for the next generation of gaming. To reiterate, though, gaming technology is in a strange place right now. While things like ray tracing and a push for 8K gaming remain generally agreed upon technological goals, the truth of the matter is that tangible improvements in gaming technology over the last several years have been marginal. Games look better, but there are few people out there that are pushing the technological envelope.

All of that is to say that there’s a very good chance that Xbox Series X launch games (and even games released within the console’s first year or so) are likely not going to look significantly better than the games we see running on the Xbox One S and (especially) the Xbox One X.

Microsoft seems to be acknowledging that via this decision. While we’ve seen games release on both next-gen and current-gen consoles simultaneously around the time of the former’s launch, most of those games have been third-party titles. Until fairly recently, many of those third-party games incentivized gamers to splurge on a next-gen console in order to experience them “at their best.”

Microsoft will almost certainly emphasize that their games will run best on the Series X, but they’re also acknowledging that there are many times when most gamers don’t need to purchase a new console at launch. Rather than “force” those gamers to purchase a new console by withholding certain experiences, they’re preserving the lifespan of existing platforms by acknowledging that hardware upgrades and software upgrades don’t always happen at the same time and in the same ways.

While this policy is really just an extension of some of the things that Microsoft has been doing with the Xbox brand in recent years (most notably their generous backward compatibility policies, Game Pass program, and PC gaming support), it’s also more than that. It’s an example of how Microsoft is trying to move gaming forward by shedding some of the burdens of the past.

Part of the reason why exclusives are sometimes looked down upon is due to the implication that they really only exist to get you to buy multiple video game consoles. This is especially true of next-gen launch exclusives which are typically released at a time when consoles are at their most expensive (and when they’ve yet to be refined through updates and iterations).

Perhaps Microsoft isn’t entirely killing the exclusive with this decision, they are wounding the idea that the exclusive simply needs to exist in order to sell a new console. Instead, they’re saying “Yes, we have exclusive games made by ourselves and our partner studios, but your obligation to purchase a console for them is going to be rooted in the belief that there is truly no other console that is capable of playing them.”

Is that an optimistic read of this situation? Perhaps, but again, Microsoft has proven in the very recent past that they’re willing and able to make decisions that not only help move gaming towards the future but decisions that are consumer-friendly. Even if you doubt the long-term implications of this decision, there is little about it that can’t be interpreted as a good thing for gamers.

Despite the assurances of fanboys everywhere, there is rarely a “winner” of the console wars. Usually, we determine the winner by overall sales (at least if you’re trying to use a somewhat neutral metric), but even that system has its flaws.

For instance, the PlayStation outsold the N64, but the N64 is the home of some of the greatest games ever made and some irreplaceable gaming experiences. The Wii outsold the PS3 and the Xbox 360 by quite a bit, but it didn’t even feature support some of the best third-party games of its generation and lacked the online innovations of the Xbox 360.

The point is that the winner of most console wars almost always ends up being subjective. However, in the case of the PS4, you could honestly argue it might be the first objective console war winner.

To be clear, we’re talking about the PS4’s “war” against the Microsoft Xbox One and Nintendo Wii U. There was some console overlap during that time, but those three systems kicked off a new generation of gaming.

It’s when you compare the PS4 to those platforms that you start to see the extent of its dominance. That’s especially true in the case of the Wii U.

The Wii U was, by almost every tangible estimation, a failure. Reports indicate that it only sold about 14 million units, which means it was only moderately more successful than consoles like the TurboGrafx-16. Sales aside, the Wii U’s central gimmick (a tablet-like controller) was either rarely used by most developers or used in ways that failed to excite users. Like the Nintendo Wii, it also suffered from a lack of notable third party titles that essentially limited its library to the occasional Nintendo release or surprise hit.

The Xbox One featured many of those great third-party games, but it suffered from a list of problems that is “highlighted” by a lack of notable exclusive titles. The Xbox One’s best exclusives include largely uninspiring titles like Gears 5, Sea of Thieves, Forza Motorsport 7, and Halo 5: Guardians. Many of those games aren’t even truly exclusive once you account for their PC ports.

Besides, the Xbox One was pronounced dead on arrival by some who blasted Microsoft for the console’s high price point, controversial initial features, and its early reliance on the now mostly dead Kinect peripheral. Subsequent Xbox One releases later addressed many of those issues, but it proved to be too little, too late in terms of overall console sales.

The PS4, meanwhile, succeeded in most of the ways that its console competition failed.

Unlike the Xbox One, the PS4 launched as a reliable system at a fair price that offered the average gamer pretty much exactly what they wanted. Unlike the Wii U, the PS4 benefited from not only the presence of most notable third-party titles but an array of exclusives not just made by first-party studios. It certainly also bested the Xbox One in terms of both quantity of exclusives (an almost objective argument) and quality (an only slightly more subjective one).

On top of it all, you’ve got the fact that the PS4 has outsold its next closest competitor by nearly 60 million units so far. Sales may not be the only indicator of a console’s success, but you also can’t ignore those numbers.

Appropriately enough, if you’re going to argue that the PS4 wasn’t the undisputed winner of its generation, you’re best off abandoning the traditional metrics used to determine console winners and are better off arguing that its biggest shortcomings have to do with how it failed to innovate as its competitors did.

The Wii U was a  failure in many respects, but all Nintendo had to do was tweak its best ideas in order to deliver the Nintendo Switch: one of the most innovative and exciting consoles ever made. The Switch also allowed us to see that the Wii U actually hosted some incredible games that were just begging to be rescued from the platform.

The Xbox One similarly suffered from an array of problems, but it also furthered the idea of console cross-play, introduced the incredible Xbox Game Pass service, preserved the idea of backward compatibility, and even inspired other companies to give away free games every month in exchange for online subscription fees. The Xbox One stumbled out of the gate but no other console this generation took such confident steps towards the future.

Put it all together, and you’re left with the conclusion that we began this article with: there rarely is a true undisputed winner of console wars. Still, no other console has come quite as close to claiming that title as the PS4.

Considering that 2019 wasn’t exactly the most bountiful year in video game history, you’d think that every great game that came out would attract the appropriate level of attention. Yet again, though, we’re left with a series of titles that just didn’t get the amount of love they deserve.

With that in mind, here are some of the underrated games of 2019 that you absolutely need to play.

Judgment

Judgment (which was technically released in Japan in later 2018) initially drew some hype as a detective spin-off of the Yakuza series, but the hype around it kind of cooled in the weeks following its release.

While Judgement’s gameplay isn’t nearly as refined as it should be, its story and noire atmosphere hit a sweet spot that hasn’t really been explored since L.A. Noire. It’s a niche title, but its best ideas will leave a mark on anyone.

Hypnospace Outlaw

Hypnospace Outlaw’s central premise (which sees you serve as a kind of internet cop patrolling webpages ripped straight from the early internet days) sounds like a gimmick, and it kind of is. There’s a degree to which you have to be “in to” the style and culture of that time to care about this game.

Yet, Hypnospace Outlaw’s true brilliance lies in the little things. The weird world-building moments, the strange story sections, the surprisingly deep characters…this is a game about the joy of embracing the thrill of discovery.

Shenmue 3

Leading up to its release, there were quite a few people who felt that Shenmue 3 was going to be a massive, massive failure. A weird thing happened, though, when it was released and just kind of…disappeared.

The truth of it is that Shenmue 3 turned out to be a pretty good game for fans of the series. Yet, as a game that delivers something that no other games before or since really do, it’s a title that’s more unique than its premise and personal history may lead you to believe.

Risk of Rain 2

The original Risk of Rain was a cute little roguelike with old-school aesthetics, but it didn’t exactly push the envelope. Risk of Rain 2 attempts to do just that by converting those 2D concepts into a 3D world.

That transition can be a little rough, but Risk of Rain 2 ultimately nails its better ideas. It’s a game that taps into the simpler appeal of 3D action games and lets you experience it with your friends.

Astral Chain

It’s honestly bizarre that Astral Chain has seemingly been forgotten as we enter awards season. Maybe we’re just taking excellent and strange PlatinumGames action titles for granted.

Regardless, this remains one of the year’s best 3D action games. It starts off somewhat slow but soon rewards you with some truly excellent battles and one of the best overall experiences of its kind since Bayonetta.

Greedfall

Greedfall is an absolute technical mess that suffers from its ambitious attempt to recreate larger RPGs on a smaller budget. You can’t talk about the game without addressing that elephant in the room.

However, you can’t completely deny the appeal of a BioWare-like RPG at a time when even BioWare isn’t making those types of games anymore. At the very least, it’s a great first step into a fascinating future for this studio and franchise.

Pathologic 2

As an open-world horror RPG, Pathologic 2 already scratches a few itches that aren’t necessarily fulfilled by other major games out there.

Pathologic 2 essentially carries on the “legacy” of underrated games like Cthulu: Dark Corners of the Earth. It’s an ambitious and genuinely frightening horror game that also so happens to feature some of the best mythology and psychological writing of the year.

Remnant: From The Ashes

It could have been easy for Remnant: From the Ashes to phone-in the core concept of a Dark Souls-style co-op shooter. We’ve seen phoned-in Dark Souls games in the past.

What saves this title are the ways that the developers manage to expand the appeal of the co-op shooter by using Dark Souls concepts. The added sense of danger this game presents you with means that the highs it offers from victories are higher than what you get with other, similar games.

My Friend Pedro

There’s no talking around what My Friend Pedro is. It’s a glorified take on an Adobe Flash action game that offers many of the things that Max Payne and similar older action titles endeavored to offer.

At a time when such games aren’t exactly plentiful, though, My Friend Pedro is a lovely break from the more serious and weighty titles out there. It’s just a good time for anyone who loves a solid action game.

Later Alligator

The easiest way to describe Later Alligator is as a Saturday morning cartoon made specifically for video games. It’s a goofy, wild, and often light game about solving a mystery in “Alligator New York City.”

You just don’t see a lot of video games that attempt to replicate such a style, and you see fewer still that actually manage to pull that style off quite as well as this one does. It’s an especially great game for those who love brilliant original soundtracks.