The new gaming generation is here, ushering in the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. But, as with all new generations, the industry is still struggling to find its footing. The biggest blockbuster new gen games have yet to arrive, making an expensive upgrade somewhat difficult to justify. There are, however, a few incredible games that have already landed. They may not be the best that the generation will see, but are still well worth a look.
Scorn
Releasing exclusively for Xbox consoles and PC, Scorn is a game that took everyone by surprise. Not because it revolutionised gameplay, or because it has particularly engaging characters. What it does do is offer up visuals so incredible as to defy belief. The graphics of Scorn are based on the iconic works of HR Giger, an artist most known for designing the Hollywood Xenomorph. So, it goes without saying that Scorn is perhaps the most visually disturbing release in decades.
The simple story is that a vaguely humanoid creature awakes on an alien planet. It stumbles around, attempts to decipher strange, seemingly living alien technology, and ultimately dies alone in a wasteland. It’s as troubling as it sounds, though is also certainly profoundly good eye candy.
Elden Ring
The big game of the generation so far, and likely a release that will be seen as a classic for years to come, Elden Ring is phenomenal. Courtesy of From Software, makers of the Dark Souls series, Elden Ring truly is a remarkable achievement. Featuring an open world so packed with detail as to be staggering, plus featuring the Souls-Like gameplay everyone loves to hate, it really doesn’t get much better than this.
Of course, Souls-Like frustration isn’t for everyone. After a few dozen deaths many will probably prefer to head to an online casino and hit live dealer Roulette instead.
Resident Evil: Village
The latest in the Resident Evil franchise, Village truly is amongst the best games to have hit the new generation. Like Resident Evil 7, but dramatically expanded in every department, Village shines with an incredible level of polish.
Players take on the role of Ethan Winters, an unlikely hero that seems to attract the attention of all sorts of horrors. Winters must face vampires, werewolves, and human-tech hybrid atrocities, all while trying to keep his hands attached to his body. Yes, the franchise stuck to mutilating the only part of Ethan visible to the player.
Village truly is exceptional, and well worth a purchase.
God Of War: Ragnarok
The most recent new gen release, and a predictable smash hit, we continue the story of Kratos in God Of War: Ragnarok. The latest entry doesn’t do much different from its predecessor, but then why mess with a winning formula?
Ragnarok is everything that fans wanted; more fighting, more father/son relationship drama, a whole lot more mythical monsters, and more Atreus. Technically speaking, this is the second part in a planned trilogy, though it can only be imagined how the next entry will outdo this masterpiece. Santa Monica Studios are certainly under lot of pressure for the inevitable finale of the series.