With the school year coming to a close, it is a fitting time to reflect on some of the releases this year that have had the biggest impact on gaming.

Just within the first months of the school year, there were two big releases from two very different studios. 

The first impactful release was the indie hit RV There Yet? This is a multiplayer game where players go on a chaotic, challenge-filled adventure, overcoming difficult terrain and trying not to destroy the RV.

The second big release was the Double A game Arc Raiders. This is an extraction shooter set in the far future where players have to scavenge for resources and weapons as they are hunted by other players and the forgotten machines of this desolate world.

Arc Raiders is a game that sparked some controversy early on for its usage of AI in making more dynamic animations and creating voices for some characters. This was only temporary, though, as the developers hired new talent to voice their characters after the game’s large success. 

In March, Nintendo released a new Pokémon game called Pokémon Pokopia. Similar to Animal Crossing, it is a relaxing life-simulation game where players make their own world for their favorite Pokémon. 

And the most recent hit is the early access release of Subnautica 2. This much-anticipated sequel has received a lot of praise for how similar it is to the first game, but with a fresh coat of paint. 

There has been some minor controversy due to the game removing its one and only weapon, the knife. For most, though, this is a minor detail, as the game’s new mechanics and emphasis on base building more than make up for the few circumstances where the knife was used.