Polygon

Polygon

Colin Campbell·Aug 17, 2017

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A surprise release from the creator of Thomas Was Alone that tells a wonderful story

Polygon

Owen Good·Aug 17, 2017

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EA Sports stretches its creative muscles with Madden’s first story mode and a worthy hero

Polygon

Philip Kollar·Aug 17, 2017

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Naughty Dog looks to a new hero to end its part in the Uncharted series on a high note

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Justin McElroy·Aug 15, 2017

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Volition’s follow-up to the Saints Row series fails to deliver on fundamentals

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Arthur Gies·Aug 14, 2017

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If more of what Sonic is what you want, then this is very much that, but more, and bigger, and faster. But for me, as someone with fond memories but key criticisms, Sonic Mania seems content to paint over some of the series' problems rather than fix them, making for a game that falls a little short of what might have been.

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Susana Polo·Aug 11, 2017

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In addition to shaking up old ideas, The Enemy Within also introduces some new things to its mechanical and narrative tool belt. The Riddler makes an early and violent debut in the game with an interesting new backstory, and with our new big villain, there's a new big ally ... maybe. Amanda Waller has brought her mysterious government task force, known only as The Agency, to Gotham on a hunt for the Riddler. Indeed, we are in something of an Amanda Waller renaissance these days, with her featuring in no less than three concurrent franchises in television, movies and games.Batman: The Enemy Within makes incremental improvements on a successful formula — and the introduction of a new, relationship-focused choice mechanic was a big hit. It might drag here and there, but it sets up for big things to come in further installments. If Enemy Within is anything like its predecessor, a little patience will pay off.

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Simone de Rochefort·Aug 10, 2017

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This silly dating sim has more heart than you might think

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Noah Caldwell-Gervais·Aug 10, 2017

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The goofiest trip you’ll take to the wild west all year

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Allegra Frank·Aug 1, 2017

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I continue to think of Tacoma as a story first, but it's more than that, clearly: It's an interactive experience, and that plays for and against it. The story is built out of the playback mechanic, which gives birth to the subtler suggestions of what's really going on with this station. But the playback system means there's a lot of talking to listen to, and a lot of wireframes to stare at. For a game about an abandoned space station, Tacoma gave me plenty of company. But the moments where I had to reckon with being alone in space were the ones that stuck with me.

Polygon

Colin Campbell·Jul 25, 2017

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I spent the equivalent of a working week playing Aven Colony and it was hard labor. This is a game of relentless concentration and chore-work, with only the briefest flashes of magic and relief, offering almost nothing new to the city building, or resource management genres.

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Philip Kollar·Jul 24, 2017

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What happens when you mix basketball, fantasy RPGs and a visual novel? Something special

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Noah Caldwell-Gervais·Jul 24, 2017

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Like all successful pieces of nostalgia, Kingsway knows the adventure on the screen is less important than the adventure in your mind. Kingsway took me far down those winding paths, deeper and deeper with each hesitant chitter of nonexistent hardware.

Polygon

Jeff Ramos·Jul 21, 2017

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Do we really need another MOBA? Developer Motiga makes a strong argument that we do

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Chelsea Stark·Jul 18, 2017

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What the first Splatoon did well is still built into the sequel's barnacle-encrusted DNA, and now it's on a system that you can stuff in your bag or play on the couch. It's baffling that Splatoon 2's best feature is held back by a frustrating lack of proper online support, and in many ways, it's the same game with some new tricks. But there are still enough imaginative additions for anyone who played the first game to death, especially via its strange, captivating supporting cast. It may be much more of the same, but the same is still pretty fresh.

Polygon

Matt Paprocki·Jul 17, 2017

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In the end, Yonder isn't inventive, exactly, as the multitude of ideas and cross-media inspirations converge somehow into something infinitely familiar. Missions are cut down to absolute basics to fulfill an open world quota, but it's possible to forgive this when traipsing through this aesthetically pleasing land and helping these delighted folk. And as importantly, there's bravery in eliminating things like combat and leveling, allowing Yonder a rare, distinctive brevity.