Ahead of Madden NFL 23‘s launch on August 19, EA has shared a list of changes that have been made in response to player feedback from the closed beta. While the most popular piece of feedback saw players asking the devs not to change the game too much before release, a number of improvements and balance tweaks have been made.

Another popular piece of feedback asked for refs to be returned to the field, but unfortunately the developer has said “referees returning to the field during live gameplay is not something we will be able to deliver in Madden 23.” The note adds that “refs is very high on our future roadmap,” with EA determined to only return refs in a high state of polish.

Balance changes and AI tweaks have been made in various features in response to player feedback, including improvements to play awareness, pulling linemen, pass blocking, and more. Notably, EA has also improved its onboarding process for the brand-new skill-based passing system, which beta players said was a game-changer, but difficult to learn.

Madden 23 will be out on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles on August 19, though players who preorder the All Madden Edition will get a three-day headstart, unlocking on August 16.

You can read the full patch notes, including beta player feedback, below. For more on the changes that have been made in Madden 23 ahead of its August 19 release, check out our interview with gameplay producer Clint Oldenburg.

Gameplay Feedback

Don’t Drastically Change the Game/Leave Coverage Reaction Time AloneDEV NOTE: Rest assured Madden community, our vision of game balance is consistent with yours and the gameplay you experienced in the beta is what you’ll be playing on launch day. There has been polish added and bugs fixed from players’ feedback to make it even better, but the overall experience will be as you played in the beta.Add Referees back to the Game/On the FieldDEV NOTE: While referees returning to the field during live gameplay is not something we will be able to deliver in Madden 23, it is something that we want to get as badly as our players; we want to make sure that when refs do return, we are able to return them in a state where they are at a quality level on par with the rest of the characters on the field and this is something very high on our priority list for the future.Play Awareness – It’s too easy to run the same plays over and over again:DEV NOTE: We’ve made a number of changes since the beta to bring more balance to gameplay. We believe these changes will bring more variety to playcalling, but we want to hear from you, our community, when the game launches to let us know how you feel about these changes – each of these are options for further tuning via title update:Logic added so that when defensive backs are playing in linebacker positions, they will have slower reaction time to the running game.Removed the ability to hot route TE’s to a pass block assignment when in a 2-point WR stanceAdjusted the Corner Route in Bunch formations and the corner hot-route in the Hot Route Master and Slot Apprentice abilities to align with the other corner routes throughout the playbooks.Made improvements to man coverage pre-snap alignment vs. bunch formationsPulling Lineman are too slow/too indecisive:DEV NOTE: Tuning and AI changes were made to make pulling linemen be more explosive through the line of scrimmage. And on top of the foundational improvements, you’ll have to keep an eye on the Speed (SPD) rating of the pulling lineman, as slower OL’s could force you to lay off the acceleration mechanic while he navigates and faster OL’s will get through quicker allowing you to accelerate sooner on the play.Pass Blocking isn’t strong enough/Too many ‘Insta-sheds’:DEV NOTE: As noted in the Closed Beta Gridiron Notes, there was a bug causing super-wins to trigger too frequently early in the closed beta which was a primary contributor to the overpowered feeling. We do want to share that overall, having a powerful pass rush is critical to the balance of the game, and the pass rush at launch is still going to be more powerful than it was in Madden NFL 22.

Gameplay Bugs/Suggestions

Man Coverage Fake-outs are too frequent: Tuning to significantly reduce the frequency of fakeoutsAdded new logic so the fakeouts could be used in super-win situations where the ratings delta is heavily in favor of the WRUser Interceptions aren’t always responsive: Tuning to catch animations to increase range for jumping INT’sThese jumping catch animations will significantly decrease situations where the player is requesting ‘Play Ball’ without seeing the corresponding animation response.Too Many Fumbles:Tuning to significantly reduce fumble chance on QB hits inside the pocketTuning to significantly reduce fumble chance on QB hits while in the early portion of the throwTuning to reduce fumbles by non-QB ball carriers on hit-sticks and strip-ball attemptsSignificant reduction to ‘punch-out’ fumbles by AI-controlled defenders during stand-up tackles on Competitive game styleNot enough Hit-Stick Variety:Almost 30 new hit-stick animations have been added for launchMost of the existing animations have been tuned to increase varietyWR’s should win more contested catches in mismatches:Tuning to increase catch success for WR’s in contested-catch situations when in a mismatch.Logic added to include WR physical attributes such as height to play a more significant role in the success of contested catches.Skill-Based Passing can be difficult to understand:DEV NOTE: Even though it was not in the beta, when you first turn on the game at launch, you will have the opportunity to play through an onboarding flow to learn more about the new passing system. You will also have the opportunity to lab deeper in practice mode. And lastly, additional work has been done on the in-game feedback systems to make it even more user-friendly, such as color-coding the feedback text and passing reticle to match the level of accuracy. Be on the lookout for more developer deep dives closer to launch that will go into even more detail about Skill-Based Passing and what it can unlock in the passing game.

Franchise Feedback

Franchise Draft CrashDEV NOTE: Unfortunately, this was a top issue we had in the Beta and got a ton of feedback on how it wasn’t working. We have since addressed this for launchLow Interest Players are signing frequently during Re-Sign periodsDEV NOTE: We have done several rounds of tuning in this area to try and make this more realistic in how and when players will re-sign with their current team.Sim StatsDEV NOTE: We fixed an issue where the longest pass completion in simulations was 25 yards. We have also focused on tuning sim stats to try and match real life stats as closely as possible. We know these won’t be perfect by any stretch and can see a wide range of results in any sim, but we hope they are close enough to give a realistic snapshot of what happens in real life.Salary CapDEV NOTE: We had a lot of feedback around how some teams didn’t have much salary cap space available to re-sign players and during the Free Agency period. We have continued to update real life player contracts as that information becomes available along with trying to tune the amounts players will ask for during the different stages. We hope the balance we have in the game right now will be a good balance between fun and challenging especially if you take over a team that doesn’t have much cap space at the start of your Franchise.CPU Draft LogicDEV NOTE: There were Beta reports about still seeing teams drafting QB’s when they already had quality starters on their team. Since the Beta, this has been a key area of focus as we have tried to utilize the new Player Tags feature as a new way to help prevent this from happening. There are still some cases where you may question why a team is drafting a player at a certain position, but we hope that this logic is much improved from previous years.

Franchise Bugs/Suggestions

Eval Offers causing a crash in Free agencyFixed for LaunchGet Offers Trade TuningWe have done a few different rounds of tuning with our new Get Offers trade feature. There is still some more work here to do in the future, but we think we are in a good spot for Madden 23.NFL Draft Flicker IssueThere were a couple graphical issues we had during the Beta that have since been resolvedHigh Profile Players in FAWe saw several people mentioning that they were seeing several top tier players available in Free Agency. We tried to help improve this in a couple different ways: Tuned Player Motivations to help better match current teams (when it makes sense) to help give current teams a better chance of re-signing them.Continued to update real life player contracts for players that signed new deals to remove them from the list of potential Free Agents in year 1 of Franchise.As mentioned above, tuned amount of money players will ask for along with Team Salary Cap dataProgression History showing wrong training informationWe had a bug where the training history for offense and defense was flipped that has been fixed.Misaligned Assign Scout textFixed an issue where you couldn’t see the scouting region text when assigning a scoutScouting Tiers showed 4 stars in some screensFixed an issue where we showed 4 stars instead of 3.We added the stars this year to try and help better explain the Tier level of Scouts as we received feedback from players on Madden 22 that it wasn’t clear right away if Tier 1 is best or Tier 3Help TipsWe were missing new help tips for some of our new screens that we added (Free Agent Hub, Contract Negotiation, Scouting stage updates)Read MoreGameSpot – Game News

When Madden 23 launches this month, it will come, as always, with several much-touted new features, such as an on-the-field overhaul, collectively called Fieldsense, as well as new wrinkles to the game’s Franchise mode, Face of the Franchise mode, and more. With just days to go before launch and a day-zero patch now made public, Madden gameplay producer Clint Oldenburg says the major takeaway from the beta is that the always-vocal Madden fanbase is in lockstep with EA Tiburon when it comes to what this year’s game should look, play, and feel like.

“The two most active pieces of feedback from the beta were, ‘don’t significantly change gameplay for launch’ and ‘please don’t nerf the pass coverage,'” Oldenburg told GameSpot. “And we were really excited to get that feedback, because not only did we spend a lot of time working on pass coverage to bring more balance to the deep-passing game, we also brought an increase in pass rush.” The fact that players’ biggest request so far has essentially been “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,” bodes well for launch, Oldenburg believes.

Madden 23 is focused greatly on “bringing more balance to the defensive side of the ball,” Oldenburg said, and the beta helped greatly in finding the right balance between giving players more influence on defense while still holding true to the league Madden mimics–one that is now pass-happier and higher-scoring than ever before.

“In the first week or two of the beta, the pass rush was a bit more juiced than we wanted,” the producer said, but added that it came down to a bug that has now been patched out. What’s left, however, is still an amped-up pass rush in Madden 23, which the team hopes is a way to dial down the deep passing game a bit. With added pressure, pockets will collapse faster and QBs won’t always have as much time to wait for routes to develop.

Smarter AI now instructs defensive ends to disengage blockers when players hit the right trigger, which indicates they may be looking to scramble, or at the very least, dance around in the pocket a bit. Containing the QB should get easier as a result, so guys like Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray won’t as frequently be able to let their legs bail them out. In total, quarterbacks will need to learn to read the field faster, because edge rushers will be closing more quickly in this year’s game.

“What we’re trying to take away are those third-window throws, Oldenburg said before launching into an all-too-common example. “Those are the ones where you call a slant play, and you’re gonna sit back there until that guy’s turned it into a post and hit that third window between the low linebacker and the safety all the way across the field. We want you to throw the ball on time and not rely on those chunk plays to move the ball over and over.”

The beta didn’t only give players defensive buffs, however. Following some fine-tuning in the beta, the league’s elite wideouts will now more consistently leave middling or worse corners in the dirt, with Oldenburg explaining that, as the ratings delta between a receiver and a defensiveback expands, players are going to see greater separation on the field. I asked if this meant a Franchise player may then want to consider building a defense back to front. Since the pass rush is getting buffed this year anyway, perhaps you could get away with middling talent on the line and pay or develop stars at corner and safety instead? Oldenburg pushed back against the idea, and gave a very mechanical explanation as to why you’re still going to want talent on the defensive line.

Elite receivers will better separate from CBs who are severely outmatched.

“You still do want pretty good linemen up front, because there’s a wait time that each defensive lineman has before they can start their first move. And the higher the advantage for the blocker, the longer that defender has to wait. So you still do have an opportunity to slow that pass rush down with really good offensive linemen.” An additional wrinkle, which he said actually isn’t new to this year’s game, stresses the importance of an offensive line’s collective awareness rating. “As your offensive line’s awareness rating increases, and we average it across all five offensive linemen, and actually double it for the center, they can start to anticipate blitz better.”

Like when the team added X-Factors a few years ago, it seems like the North Star continues to be allowing the divide between great, good, and bad players to be felt on each play. For every elite player at one spot, like edge rusher or wideout, a counterpunch is available for a wisely-built team. Where deficiencies exist, however, elite talent looks like it will continue to take over games, much like when see on real NFL Sundays.

Speaking personally, my biggest concern during the beta was the lack of onboarding for the game’s new Skill-Based Passing mechanic, which is meant to give a new level of control over ball placement never seen before in Madden. But it was more confusing than it should be in practice. Much of the Madden community came to a similar determination: Once you get the hang of it, there’s no going back. But the initial hurdle was too daunting.

“Our onboarding experience wasn’t quite ready for the beta, Oldenburg told GameSpot. “And so people just kind of got fed from the water hose initially, and we kind of knew it would feel overwhelming. But by and large, we felt once you get your hands on it, and you feel it, it’s actually pretty intuitive to understand.”

Still, the team has added new onboarding elements to ensure players don’t just dismiss it on sight. Oldenburg said that the game will now lead players into the tutorial similar to how MLB The Show first asks new players to choose one of several control schemes for themselves. “We’re going to put out some developer deep dive videos and blogs that are going to be able to illustrate what we mean when we say you can make throws with this system that you’ve never been able to make before such as back-shoulder fades or back-pylon fade routes. And then putting the ball specifically where you want between zone defenders is really powerful once you master that system.”

Skill-Based Passing could help players succeed in ways the long-gone QB Vision failed to.

The team has also added an extra layer of visual feedback to the mechanic to help players understand when they’re using it well or not. “The reticle of the Skill-Based Passing system, that color is going to match the feedback text. So you know, if you get the perfect accuracy, I think it’s that neon green color all the way down to very inaccurate, which is that red color, the reticle is the same color as that text. So no matter where your eyes are at, you’ll be able to associate the outcome of your metering usage.” In this most up-to-date iteration, it sounds a lot like shooting the ball in NBA 2K or fielding a grounder in MLB The Show, and that’s definitely good company.

The perception of annualized sports sims is seldom hopeful or favorable, and it was clear that, as Oldenburg spoke, he spoke for the team when he said they’re feeling positive following what seems to have been a strong beta. Naturally, a lot more players having a lot more time with the game beginning on August 16 will likely reveal a crop of new issues that will dominate the Madden YouTube and forum communities, but EA Tiburon hopes the fact that the fans have generally been on the same page as the team this summer may mean the studio can better build for the future.

Read MoreGameSpot – Game News

The PS5 and PS4 are home to many incredible RPGs. Everything from JRPGs, action RPGs, to even old-school computer RPGs have a presence on Sony’s latest home consoles. There’s a lot to play, so to help those looking for their next big adventure, we put together this list of the best RPGs on PS4 and PS5.

Whether you’re after a more traditional experience with turn-based battles and a party of memorable characters, a flash action RPG with lots of loot, or even something more experimental, our list for the best PS4 and PS5 RPGs has something for you.

For more PlayStation recommendations, check out our lists of the best PS5 games and best PS4 games. If you’re a PS Plus subscriber, we also have lists dedicated to the new library of games on PS Plus Extra and Premium: best overall games on PS Plus, best PS3 games to stream, best classic games.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

On the surface, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a game about high school mecha pilots battling against world-destroying Kaiju monsters, but there’s a lot more going on here than mecha anime tropes. Be warned that this is a very story-heavy game, playing closer to visual novel with occasional side-scrolling adventure game sections and RTS-like mecha battles scattered in between. However, the story is excellent, presented in a non-linear fashion that lets players choose which part of the tale they want to experience next. The narrative time-hopping also plays into the game’s mind-bending sci-fi themes.

Read our 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim review.

Bloodborne

Bloodborne

From Software’s “soulsborne” series are among the best action-RPGs you can play on PS4 and PS5 right now, including the PS4-exclusive Bloodborne–a game that many consider the studio’s best, even in the wake of Elden Ring. Bloodborne skirts the line between action-RPG and full-on action game, resulting in more aggressive and fast-paced battles than Dark Souls, while offering more control over your character build and equipment than Sekrio: Shadows Die Twice. But the real draw is the game’s Victorian-horror-meets-Lovecraft setting, which is unlike anything else the studio has made before or since.

Read our Bloodborne review.

Dark Souls III

Dark Souls III

If you’re on a From Software kick and Bloodborne isn’t quite your thing (or you already beat it), Dark Souls III might slake your dark fantasy thirst. While technically the third and final entry in the trilogy, you can jump into Dark Souls III without playing the first two. Sure, there’s plenty of lore connecting the series together, but soulsborne games are inscrutable enough in the first place that it won’t make much of a difference. Dark Souls III’s gameplay is also more varied than its predecessors. In fact. Elden Ring’s combat cribs heavily from Dark Souls III, so newly converted fans may find Dark Souls III easier to get into than other previous FromSoft games.

Read our Dark Souls III review.

Demon’s Souls (PS5)

Demon’s Souls remake

Bluepoint’s Demon’s Souls remake on PS5 refurbishes the cult-classic PS3 title with jaw-dropping visuals. Bluepoint’s remake admittedly takes some liberties with the art direction that some purists take issue with, but we think it looks absolutely stunning. And aside from some welcome quality-of-life changes, the gameplay is largely the same as its PS3 counterpart. It’s easily the most approachable way to experience the game that kicked off From Software’s soulsborne series.

Read our Demon’s Souls Remake review.

Diablo III: Eternal Collection

Diablo III

Diablo III brought the granddaddy of all hack-and-slash action-RPGs to consoles, giving those who prefer playing games on their couch a taste of the series’ loot-driven forays through Hell (and even further beyond). Despite its PC roots, Diablo III plays great with a controller — and plays even better with a friend or four in online or offline co-op. Diablo III is also packed with tons of content designed for replayability, so this one could give you tons of game for your buck.

Read our Diablo 3: Eternal Collection review.

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

Disco Elysium is one of those rare RPGs that truly emphasizes the roleplaying: Everything in the game is decided by skill checks and dialogue options like in tabletop RPGs, and every choice you make has a tangible effect on your character’s abilities, personality, and sometimes their perception of reality. Even “combat” encounters and violent confrontations are decided with skill checks rather than a bespoke combat system like in most other RPGs. Factor in the excellent writing and outlandish urban fantasy setting, and you have one of the most interesting RPGs of recent memory.

Read our Disco Elysium: The Final Cut review.

Divinity: Original Sin 2

Divinity: Original Sin 2

Divinity: Original Sin 2 brings the classic isometric computer RPG style to modern consoles. There’s a fascinating story filled with unique characters and branching dialogue paths to experience, plus tactical combat and granular character customization to tinker with. And to top it off, there’s a co-op mode that lets you quest with a friend. This is the perfect game for anyone who wants to experience the depth of a classic CRPG from the comfort of their couch.

Read our Divinity: Original Sin 2 review.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age: Inquisition

In this action-RPG from BioWare, players take the role of the Inquisitor, tasked with closing dimension rifts that are opening throughout the world along with your various companions. Like other BioWare games, Dragon Age: Inquisition gives players plenty of roleplaying opportunities, from customizing your character’s appearance and skills to making game-changing choices that change the story’s outcome. Dragon Age: Inquisition is the third game in the Dragon Age saga, and while some familiarity with the previous games will make certain story moments more impactful, Inquisition stands well on its own.

Read our Dragon Age: Inquisition review.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is a modern JRPG classic, and the Dragon Quest 11 S edition makes it even better. Along with a far better orchestrated soundtrack, Dragon Quest XI S also added new story content and welcome quality-of-life options that speed up battle. The only downgrade to this version over the original is the visuals; Dragon Quest XI S was originally launched on the Nintendo Switch, so it isn’t quite as pretty as the original PS4 release–but we promise the changes are minimal, and the other enhancements are good enough to make up for any visual shortcomings.

Read our Dragon Quest XI review.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Capcom’s open-world action-RPG was originally released on the PS3 and 360, and while it’s starting to show its age visually, it still plays wonderfully. The in-depth class customization and fast-pace combat are particularly noteworthy; in fact, the battle system was designed by Ryota Suzuki, who also designed the combat in other notable action titles like Devil May Cry 5 and the upcoming Final Fantasy XVI. The game also features a large open world filled with secrets, dangerous roaming beasts, and plenty of side quests to keep you busy.

Read our Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen review.

Elden Ring

Eldin Ring

If you need a game you can play for hundreds of hours, Elden Ring is it. While Elden Ring can be just as tough as From Software’s previous output, the larger scale, bevy of possible character builds, and sheer breadth of content in this game makes it much more approachable for newcomers. Instead of throwing yourself against a super-hard boss fight over and over, Elden Ring’s open-world structure means there’s always something else to see on the horizon, and lets you tackle challenges at your own pace.

Read our Elden Ring review.

Fallout 4

Fallout 4

Like all Bethesda RPGs, Fallout 4 lets players explore a massive open world, and the post-apocalyptic New England wasteland is one of the studio’s most visually impressive locales to date. It also features the VATS system, which lets you pause the action during gunfights so you can target an enemy’s specific body parts. However, Fallout 4 makes major changes to Bethesda’s formula, namely the new base building mode. Fallout 4 is also the first of Bethesda’s open-world games to feature a fully voiced protagonist. While this does limit the role-playing options in some ways, players who prefer protagonists with bespoke personalities may appreciate the change.

Read our Fallout 4 review.

Final Fantasy VII Remake

Final Fantasy VII Remake

While we wouldn’t say the Final Fantasy VII remake replaces the original, it’s absolutely a worthwhile game in its own right. Final Fantasy VII Remake takes place entirely in the city of Midgar, fleshing out the first few hours of the PS1 original into a 40-hour tale that gives players a deeper look into settings and its characters, while also reimagining certain story elements in surprising ways. Gameplay-wise, Final Fantasy VII Remake finally strikes the perfect balance between action-RPG and classic turn-based combat modes, and features a revamped version of the materia system that is arguably better than the original’s.

Read our Final Fantasy VII Remake review.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD

This collection packages Final Fantasy X and its direct sequel Final Fantasy X-2, two of the best PS2-era JRPGs, in a single game. Both games are set in the tropical world of Spira, feature many of the same characters, and are built on series-staple gameplay elements. However, each offers its own unique experience: Final Fantasy X features a more classic Final Fantasy structure (sans overworld map), and a revised turn-based battle system unlike any other game in the series. Final Fantasy X-2, on the other hand, uses a more open-ended mission-based structure, but includes the classic job system and faster ATB battles.

The HD collection gives both games a new coat of paint and enhanced soundtracks, and throws in tons of extra content that bridges Final Fantasy X and X-2 and beyond.

Read our Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster review.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

While Final Fantasy XII is a major departure from previous titles, it takes many ideas from throughout the series and its spin-off and remixes them in unique ways. Final Fantasy XII features a unique combat system that melds real-time action, strategic planning, and elements of the iconic ATB (active time battle) system of the older Final Fantasy games. It’s also set in the world of Ivalice from the Final Fantasy Tactics series, and the Zodiac Age version incorporates the series’ iconic job system. It’s different from other games in the series, but it’s also one of the best.

Read our Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age review.

Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West

A direct sequel to the PS4 smash hit, Horizon Forbidden West for PS5 and PS4 sees the protagonist Aloy traveling to and exploring the game’s post-post-apocalyptic version of the western United States. Having uncovered the mysteries of the first game, Aloy’s quest now involves finding a cure for a strange plague spreading through the land. Using Alloy’s crafting, climbing, and hunting abilities, you’ll explore the world, complete side quests, and take on the deadly dinosaur-like robots stalking the wilderness.

Read our Horizon Forbidden West review.

Kingdom Hearts Series

Kingdom Hearts All-in-One Package

Kingdom Hearts is the only JRPG series where you can battle shadowy monsters alongside Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas, sing “Let it Go” with Elsa from Frozen, and duel with Cloud and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII. While Kingdom Hearts III is technically the latest entry in the series and the first made specifically for PS4, the third game’s story may be a bit overwhelming for new players. Luckily, the rest of this beloved action-RPG series is also available through Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far Collection on PS4 and PS5.

Legends of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel Series

Trails of Cold Steel IV

The Trails of Cold Steel is a multi-game saga filled with political intrigue, love stories, betrayals, and giant robots. The four games in the series follow Rean Schwarzer, member of Thors Military Academy’s Class VII. Players control Rean and his companions, duking it out with their enemies in turn-based battles. Considering the series’ overarching story, it’s best to play them all in order starting with Trails of Cold Steel I on PS4. Just note that those cool mecha battles don’t become a major part of the gameplay until the second game onwards.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

The tale of Commander Shepard and their crew of misfit companions rivals the adventures of any Skywalker or StarFleet captain, and the Mass Effect Legendary Edition is the easiest way to experience the entire trilogy at once. While the third-person shooting gameplay varies in mechanics (and quality) between the three games, the real draw of the Mass Effect series is creating and customizing your own version of Commander Shepard. Throughout all three games, you’ll be faced with difficult decisions that impact the way Shepard’s story unfolds, change who lives and dies, and even alter the ultimate fate of the galaxy.

Read our Mass Effect Legendary Edition review.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Master Edition

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is the biggest, and in our opinion the best, entry in this long-running action RPG series. It’s one of those games where there’s always a new goal to work towards. In Monster Hunter, there is no “ultimate” weapon or armor set; each monster has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, so you constantly need to craft new gear to take on new challenges.

This version of the game includes the base Monster Hunter World, plus the massive Iceborne expansion in a single package. You could easily find yourself sinking dozens–even hundreds–of hours chasing down the game’s numerous giant beasts and crafting new weapons.

Read our Monster Hunter World: Iceborne review.

Nier: Automata

NieR: Automata

Nier: Automata is one of those games that has to be played to be believed. An action-RPG about androids battling in a post-apocalyptic Earth sounds pretty generic, and while the existential themes it explores are admittedly well-worn territory, Nier: Automata tells its story and explores its setting in interactive ways that are only possible in a video game. Oh, and the soundtrack is incredible.

Nier: Automata is entirely playable on its own, but it’s worth noting a remake of the original game in the series, Nier: Replicant, is also playable on PS4 and PS5, and offers more insight into the world and its history.

Read our Nier: Automata review.

Nioh 2

Nioh 2

Team Ninja’s fast-paced samurai action-RPG incorporates gameplay elements from the studio’s Ninja Gaiden series and From Software’s soulsborne titles, then dumps piles of loot on top of it all. The result is a deeply engrossing combat-focused RPG. You’ll battle hordes of Yokai, collecting heaps of upgradable loot and unlocking new skills and powers along the way. This is a tough, but rewarding game–and there’s a robust online co-op mode and matchmaking available for those who want to take down bosses with their friends.

Read our Nioh 2 review.

Nobody Saves the World

Nobody Saves the World

Nobody Saves the World is a top-down action-RPG from Drinkbox Studios, the team behind beloved indie metroidvania series Guacamelee, and the dungeon crawler Severed. Nobody Saves the World lets players customize their non-descript humanoid hero on-the-fly with unique powers that change their appearance and abilities. There are over 18 powers to collect, including the magician, a slug, a dragon, and more, and most are earned by completing side-quests for the game’s charming NPCs. Each one has a special ability to help you clear the game’s many procedurally-generated dungeons.

Read our Nobody Saves the World review.

Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 Royal

In Persona 5, players take the role of Joker, leader of the Phantom Thieves–a secret group of masked vigilantes that explores the realm of the collective unconscious, infiltrating the hearts of criminals and other unsavory characters terrorizing Tokyo. You’ll split your game time between the real world–where you socialize with friends and other NPCs, attend high school, and even work part-time jobs–and dungeon diving. Persona 5 also incorporates the demon recruiting and fusion mechanics of other games in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, which is an important part of upgrading and enhancing each of the Phantom Thieves’ stats and skills.

Persona 5 Royal expands on the original Persona 5 with new story chapters, new party members, and new dungeons.

Read our Persona 5 Royal review.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Considering how many consoles it’s been ported to, we’d be surprised if you haven’t played Skyrim at this point, and even more surprised if you don’t know what it is. The fifth Elder Scrolls game is playable on just about every major gaming platform that can run it, and it remains one of the biggest and best RPG sandboxes ever created. The nordic-inspired realm of Skyrim is filled with so much to see and do–not to mention endless possible ways to customize your character and their abilities–that we’re not sure you’ll ever run out of anything to do.

Read our Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim review.

Tales of Arise

Tales of Arise

Tales of Arise is the latest entry in the storied Tales series. Like other Tales games, Arise’s story is unrelated to the rest of the franchise, following a group of warriors from opposing factions that join forces to free the land of Dehna from an advanced civilization that invaded the planet hundreds of years ago. Arise is also an action-RPG like previous Tales games, but features an all-new combat system that focuses on big team-up attacks, and gives players direct control over their character’s evasive maneuvers.

Read our Tales of Arise review.

Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi

Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi

Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi builds upon a solid first-person dungeon crawler foundation with novel gameplay innovations and a striking sci-fi horror setting that sets it apart from other games in this niche subgenre. Players control a squad of adventurers employed by the Undernauts: a company that explores a strange dungeon known as “Yomi” that suddenly appeared in Tokyo’s underground years earlier. Yomi is teeming with a powerful energy source and untold riches–you just have to brave the hordes of monsters and deadly traps to find it.

Undertale

Undertale

Undertale begins with your character–a human child–falling into the underground kingdom of monsters. From there, you’ll find yourself in a surprisingly moving adventure filled with memorable characters, novel iterations on classic RPG mechanics, and game-changing twists. We won’t spoil the surprises, but we highly recommend everyone play this passion project from designer Toby Fox. It’s a quick playthrough, but don’t be surprised if you’re itching to replay once the credits roll.

Read our Undertale review.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witch 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world fantasy RPG where players control Geralt, a monster hunter by trade on a quest to reunite with his long-lost lover. That might sound like “generic fantasy” the video game, but The Witcher 3 stands leagues ahead of the competition thanks to its incredible writing. Side-quests are written with the same care as the main storyline, and almost every character you interact with feels unique. That makes the world feel much more alive, and even the most mundane side-quests feel like important and worthwhile content to explore.

Read our The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt review.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

While the Yakuza series has always been RPG-adjacent, Yakuza: Like a Dragon goes all-in, ditching the brawler gameplay of previous games in favor of turn-based fights reminiscent of classic JRPGs, replete with “summons” and “magic” attacks. Characters even level up, and you can assign and unlock jobs to customize your party. These changes aren’t arbitrary stylistic shakeups, however: Like a Dragon’s main protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, is a professed Dragon Quest fan, and quite literally “imagines” the events of the game as such. Despite the “traditional” JRPG gameplay, Like a Dragon’s setting is entirely unique for the genre, taking place in Yokohama, Japan in the modern-day, and features middle-aged characters in a gripping crime drama, rather than plucky anime protags saving a fantasy world.

Read our Yakuza: Like a Dragon review.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA

After series protagonist Adol Christin is shipwrecked on a remote island, he teams up with other survivors to explore the island’s strange ruins and battle ferocious beasts. While Ys VIII focuses on the series’ staple action combat, it adds an extra layer of meta progression where you slowly build up a village. As you explore the island, you’ll find more survivors that join your band of adventurers, and collect materials you can use to upgrade your town.

You don’t need to play the other games in the series before Ys VIII, but for those who want to experience more Ys titles Ys IX: Monstrum Nox and Ys Origin are also available on PS4.

Read our Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana review.

Read MoreGameSpot – Game News

A recent Overwatch 2 microtransaction survey asking players how likely they would be to purchase various pricey cosmetics is “not indicative of the final pricing,” according to Blizzard.

The survey, posted by Twitter user Portergauge, has caused a stir in the Overwatch community, as it asks players if they would be willing to spend $45 on a Mythic skin, $25 on a Legendary skin, and $10 on a weapon charm. It also asks survey participants how likely they would be to purchase various bundles, which range anywhere from $5 for two sprays to a $30 bundle that includes a legendary skin.

“Oof, friend of mine got an Overwatch survey for his account, some of these prices they’re gauging for OW2 are really expensive,” Portergauge said on Twitter. “I hope this is just him getting one of the higher price survey and not an indication that they’re leaning towards this much monetization.”

In a statement to IGN, Blizzard has clarified that the prices listed in the survey were randomized per user and not final.

“This survey is entirely intended to better understand player preferences for different types of Overwatch 2 cosmetics,” Blizzard said. “Prices displayed in the survey were randomized per user and are not indicative of final pricing. We plan to share details on our Shop and Battle Pass system closer to our Oct. 4 launch.”

Overwatch 2 will be ditching the first game’s loot box system for the ability to buy cosmetics directly. The shooter, which will be 5v5 as opposed to the original’s 6v6 format and will essentially replace Overwatch 1, will also sport a battle pass and be free-to-play.

Worry over Overwatch 2’s microtransactions come in the wake of Blizzard finding itself in hot water over the state of microtransactions in its free-to-play ARPG Diablo Immortal. While heavily criticized, Diablo Immortal has reportedly earned more than $100 million so far, with Blizzard president Mike Ybarra defending how the game is monetized in a recent interview.

Read MoreGameSpot – Game News

Logitech G has announced that is working with Tencent Games on a dedicated cloud gaming handheld device. Expected to launch later this year, the hardware is being designed to support Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia’s GeForce Now service, although details on an exact release date or pricing haven’t been announced yet.

“As someone that grew up playing video games, the idea of being able to stream and play AAA games almost anywhere is super exciting, and we can’t wait to show everyone what we’ve been working on,” Logitech general manager Ujesh Desai said in a Logitech blog post.

Mobile gaming has grown in popularity lately, as Nintendo’s Switch handhelds continue to generate record profits and Valve’s Steam Deck handheld has made portable PC gaming a viable alternative. The Steam Deck also supports cloud gaming, a field that Microsoft has pushed heavily into for both gaming hardware and mobile devices.

Sony has also teamed up with Backbone to release the Backbone One PlayStation Edition for iPhone, which mirrors the current PS5 DualSense controller design. Microsoft does not expect streaming to replace consoles anytime soon and believes that gaming consoles will still play a vital role in the gaming industry for the foreseeable future.

For those of you who are happy to go with a more built-in approach to cloud gaming, a 2022 Samsung TV can stream games directly from the built-in app provided that you have a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and a Bluetooth controller to play those titles with.

Read MoreGameSpot – Game News