Games

Many RPGs feature companions who join you on your journey. These characters add depth to the story and offer unique abilities in battles. Sometimes, you’ll encounter a companion who is incredibly powerful. You can choose to use them for an easier experience, or switch them out to keep the game challenging. However, these companions are often far stronger than typical party members – they can essentially handle most fights and make the game much easier.

In 2018, God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2 were the biggest contenders for game of the year. While God of War ultimately won the overall Game of the Year award, Red Dead Redemption 2 was recognized for its outstanding story. Both were incredible games, but many believe God of War actually had the stronger narrative.

On December 16, 2025, the game ARC Raiders received the Cold Snap update, which introduced a new weather condition and gameplay features that make exploration more challenging and rewarding. When Cold Snap is active, maps are covered in snow, making it harder to see and causing players to slip on frozen surfaces. The update also added a Frostbite mechanic – if players get too cold, they’ll slowly lose health unless they find warmth or use healing items. The upcoming Toxic Swamp area is planned to have similar environmental challenges, but it’s expected to launch roughly a month from now.

As a huge fan, I’m constantly seeing discussions about how much this thing will cost and when it’s actually coming out – those details seem to shift all the time! What it will look like and the games we’ll be able to play at launch are still pretty much up in the air, too. Everyone has a wish list of features and games they’re hoping for, so it’s going to be exciting – and a little nerve-wracking – to see how much of it actually happens.

It’s hard to believe, but SpongeBob SquarePants has been around for over 25 years! What began as a simple cartoon about a yellow sponge and his friends in Bikini Bottom has become incredibly popular. Because of this, the Nickelodeon show has expanded to include films, a wide range of merchandise, and even original video games. Just recently, Titans of the Tide came out in November, bringing a new platforming adventure featuring SpongeBob and Patrick to both consoles and computers. While there are plenty of official SpongeBob SquarePants games to choose from, many fans also enjoy creating their own tributes to Bikini Bottom and its characters in other games.

It’s great to have diverse character builds, particularly in co-op games where players explore a shared open world. This allows for well-rounded teams where one player can focus on healing and support, another on controlling enemies and absorbing damage, and a third on dealing high damage – even if they’re a bit fragile. The games below really shine in this area, offering extensive customization that dramatically changes how each player approaches combat and the overall experience.

First created in 1974, Dungeons & Dragons (DnD) is widely considered the game that started the role-playing game craze we see today, influencing both tabletop games and video games. Dungeons & Dragons features many different worlds to play in, such as Dragonlance, the Forgotten Realms, and Exandria—originally created by Matthew Mercer for the popular web series Critical Role. While DnD is traditionally played with friends over multiple sessions, video games like Baldur’s Gate 3 have also introduced many players to the Dungeons & Dragons universe.

When The Sims 4 came out in 2014, many players were disappointed by how little content it initially offered compared to earlier Sims games. But since then, the game has received a huge number of downloadable packs, adding tons of new building and design options. This has allowed fans to create the in-game worlds they’ve always wanted. While players have also created custom content to add furniture, clothes, and other items, one fan recently shared a build demonstrating just how much is possible using only the official game content.

On March 2nd, the Midnight expansion will be released for World of Warcraft, adding a wealth of new adventures. Players can explore four new zones—including updated versions of Quel’Thalas and Zul’Aman—and tackle eight dungeons and three raids. The level cap will also increase to 90 as the second part of the Worldsoul Saga begins, tasking players with stopping Xal’atath from seizing the Sunwell and endangering Azeroth.

These games aren’t about simple good versus evil. They explore the difficult realities of hardship, the burden of tough decisions, and the heartbreak of loss. The games listed below do this particularly well, but be warned – they’re likely to leave you feeling deeply affected and saddened.