Video Game Reviews

Set your strategy adventure in either the shifting sands or the sci-fi stars.

Arts

'Total War: Pharaoh' and 'Star Trek: Infinite': boldly going where we've been before

11:01am October 12, 2023

by Alex Curley

Two big strategy games debut this week: the historical Total War: Pharaoh and the sci-fi Star Trek: Infinite. Both build on legacy predecessors, but with a heavy dose of the familiar.

The Meta Quest 3 can power augmented reality board games like Demeo.

Arts

Meta Quest 3 review: powerful augmented reality lacks the games to back it up

11:00am October 09, 2023

by Will Mitchell

Meta offers more powerful graphics and "mixed reality" experiences with their new Quest 3 VR headset. But at $500, the device lacks many stand-out games to justify the price.

Detective Pikachu Returns, a kid-friendly mystery game from Nintendo, releases the same week as Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Mirage.

Arts

Detective Pikachu Returns, Assassin's Creed Mirage and more Fall games reviewed

11:55am October 04, 2023

by James Perkins Mastromarino

Nintendo and Ubisoft both return to form this Fall, while massive games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil 4 get new expansions. NPR rounds up the best and biggest new games of the season.

Explore hundreds of planets, battle pirates, and make a galactic name for yourself in Starfield.

Arts

Bethesda's 'Starfield' is a fabulous playable space opera with a forgettable story

12:10pm August 31, 2023

by Swapna Krishna

In the massively-anticipated game Starfield, space exploration is its own reward. Good thing too, because the slow storyline isn't the star of the show.

Arts

New game by Elden Ring developer delivers ace apocalyptic mech combat

3:38pm August 23, 2023

by Justin Lucas

Elden Ring developer FromSoftware revived its long-dormant giant robot series and delivered stunning omnidirectional mech combat.

Immortals of Aveum, Baldur's Gate 3, My Friendly Neighborhood

Arts

The biggest and best video game releases of the summer

9:10pm August 22, 2023

by James Perkins Mastromarino

From long-awaited epics like Baldur's Gate 3 to indie darlings like Dave the Diver, NPR staff review this summer's surprise hits and more.

It's already been a huge year for video games. Here are some of the blockbusters

4:52am July 24, 2023

by Leila Fadel

This has been one of the biggest years for video games in recent memory. NPR's Leila Fadel talks to gaming editor James Mastromarino about some of the blockbuster releases.

Arts

Pikmin 4 review: tiny tactics, a rescue dog and a fresh face

9:01am July 19, 2023

by Tre Watson

Nintendo's Pikmin 4 streamlines a real-time strategy series that debuted over two decades ago. It also gives you a cute dog and a customizable avatar.

Grid of images from games featured in the summer 2023 edition of "Games We Love"

Arts

The best games of 2023 so far, picked by the NPR staff

5:00am July 18, 2023

by James Perkins Mastromarino

This year has been a blockbuster year for sequels and remakes, along with breakout smaller games. NPR staff and contributors bring you their favorites.