Jeff Gerstmann

Gears 5 plays around with the formula a bit, but it’s still at its best when it’s just being a solid-ass Gears of War game.

Far Cry 5’s story is a real let-down, but the action still makes for a solid co-op experience.

The long list of options available in Injustice 2 means that players of all skill levels should be able to find something exciting to do.

Guerrilla’s got something really special here.

Horizon 3 doesn’t make dramatic changes to the formula, meaning it’s a beautiful and pleasant experience that’s best experienced at a somewhat leisurely pace.

Far Cry: Primal feels like one long, optional side mission.

Existing Rez with a helmet on and actually potentially some brand-new Rez, too? Whaaaaat?

Fallout 4 may feel overly familiar to some, but there are plenty of places to go, people to see, and mutants to shoot, and most of those things are still exciting to visit, look at, and murder (though not necessarily in that order).

Mortal Kombat X moves forward with a snappier version of the previous game’s fighting and some cool new characters, but the story and other features around the edges feel a bit rough in spots.

Advanced Warfare’s increased focus on player mobility makes a huge impact that freshens up the action and, in some ways, makes every other game in the franchise feel obsolete by comparison.

Forza Horizon 2 is a solid open-world racing game that takes Forza’s slavish devotion to car culture in a friendlier direction.

This frantic fighting game just doesn’t pack in enough PlayStation flavor to truly earn the title of “All-Star.”

The most dramatic changes in this year’s Call of Duty come on the campaign side, with a story so full of choices big and small that you might not even be aware that you’re making them.

Borderlands 2 gives you more Borderlands. No more, no less.

Darksiders II builds upon the previous game in some really exciting ways, but even people who can’t make that comparison will enjoy the weighty combat and multifaceted character development.

Spec Ops: The Line is a mostly standard shooter with its share of rough edges, but it handles the subject matter of armed conflict in some extremely interesting ways.

The Run starts with an incredible idea for a racing game, but everything surrounding this year’s Need for Speed feels like a cross-country calamity.

TrackMania 2: Canyon is a weird, wonderful driving game, but everything surrounding the game itself feels like it’s actively trying to discourage you from playing at all.

Activision shows off a couple single-player encounters, and Giant Bomb is there.

Sony’s violent, angry dude is set for a guest appearance. Also, audio files for unannounced characters spring from a leaky website.