The ongoing nature of the narrative has always been one of the problems facing “One Piece” video games. Because it’s so story-driven and the future is murky, developers can never get a handle on how a character matures or how a plot unfolds. It’s like riding a train while workers build the track a few yards ahead. At best, teams convey an incomplete tale, and at worst, they wing it and make some monstrous changes to the plot.

“One Piece Odyssey,” a Japanese role-playing game developed by ILCA, doesn’t fall into this trap. The studio cleverly writes around this challenge while paying homage to some of the best chapters in the series.

The developers accomplish this by setting the series on the mysterious island of Waford. It’s inhabited by strange colossi, pesky creatures and two enigmatic inhabitants, Adio and Lim. Luffy and his Straw Hats crew stumble on the island and end up shipwrecked. Fearful of the pirates, Lim uses her power to take away their abilities and convert them into cubes.

After discussing the misunderstanding, Lim agrees to help the Straw Hats regain their abilities, but they’ll have to travel to Memoria, the World of Memories. That takes the crew back to the adventures of the past, which includes romps through Alabasta, Water Seven, Marineford and Dressrosa. It’s an ingenious way to let fans revisit some of the best arcs in the saga without straying too far from canon.

ADAPTING ‘ONE PIECE’ TO A JRPGBecause this takes place in memories, the trips through Memoria aren’t carbon copies of previous storylines. Characters who were not around in one arc are written out or find ways to be useful elsewhere to avoid messing with the narrative. But for the most part, the plots stay true to the source material, though ILCA adapts it to the JRPG gameplay.

Luffy and his friends will battle enemies mostly as a team. Each member has a special attack trait — power, speed, or technique — and each one is strong against one and weak against another in a rock-, scissors- and paper-fashion. Using the right character against an enemy is key to efficiently wiping out foes, but the developer also layers positioning and status effects into the combat.

When entering a turn-based fight, the team fans out into different zones to take on enemies. If it’s a bad matchup, they can normally switch out crew members without a penalty. It takes time to learn the specialties of each hero and what their attacks do. Zoro’s sword-focused techniques inflict bleeding while some of Usopp’s long-range speed attacks deal burn damage. Players will find several factors to juggle when directing members of the crew, but that provides enough depth that combat isn’t boring.

IT’S FOR ‘ONE PIECE’ FANS, NOT NEWCOMERS

It’s great that “Odyssey” has a surprisingly good combat system, because the way ILCA tells the story isn’t as well done. The campaign itself is geared to fans of the anime and manga. They’ll appreciate the deep cuts into the lore, and the story will make more sense if one has followed the series. Newcomers will definitely be lost without the background of the crew or the inner workings of the world.

“Odyssey” is made for “One Piece” fans who’ll get a kick out of seeing key moments adapted in video game form. They’ll also appreciate such quirks as Sanji not being able to attack women in combat or how ILCA interpreted the mechanics of moves such as Luffy’s gear forms.

BRINGING ODA’S WORLD TO LIFEAlthough the storytelling can often feel like the CliffsNotes version in each chapter, “Odyssey” does the yeoman’s work of bringing the world of “One Piece” to life. Players can explore the locales that the Straw Hats stepped foot in. They’ll talk to inhabitants and develop a better feel of the nitty gritty of Oda’s world. It makes “One Piece” feel more concrete as players wander the streets and alleys that are casually drawn on panels.

This is where “Odyssey” shines because these side quests and the larger overarching story in Waford break new ground, but it’s done in a way that feels right for the “One Piece” narrative. All of this makes this JRPG one of the best “One Piece” games to ever come out. It sets an example of how developers can tell a fresh but authentic story in Oda’s world.

‘One Piece Odyssey’

3 stars out of 4

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox Series X and Series S

Rating: Teen

But in the past few years, Marvel has made strides. Developer Insomniac has done wonders with the “Spider-Man” franchise and Second Dinner beautifully translated the Marvel universe into a fast-paced card game. Now, Firaxis Games, the studio behind the “Sid Meier’s Civilization” series and the rebooted “XCOM,” has taken its hand at mutants and Avengers with surprisingly good results.

“Marvel’s Midnight Sons” is the studio’s take on the superhero genre. It puts players mostly in the shoes of an original character called the Hunter. The player-created hero is the offspring of Lilith, the mother of demons, who is reawakened by Hydra. While the evil organization wants to use her power, she aims to reawaken the elder god Chthon. The Hunter defeated Lilith in the past and is resurrected to take her on once again.

A HUNTER READING AN ECLECTIC GROUP

As the leader of the Midnight Suns, players lead a mishmash group of heroes that includes Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, Captain America, the Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Blade, Ghost Rider, Scarlet Witch, Magik and Nico Minoru. It’s a mix of Avengers, mutants and prickly loners. Players will have to learn to maximize their powers while also navigating their intertwining relationships.

Fans of “XCOM” should feel at home with the campaign. “Midnight Suns” is divided into two phases. The first takes place in the Abbey, which acts as the team’s headquarters. It’s full of mystical and magical elements that make Doctor Strange feel at home. This is where the Hunter forges bonds with teammates while also researching better gear and training the Suns’ forces.

A FOCUS ON PLAYER CHOICE

The game gives players plenty of decisions as they craft the Hunter into a paragon of goodness or a ruthless antihero. Their responses impact the friendship level with each superhero, and that stat is tied to beneficial perks that help in combat.

The choice to opt for a dark, light or neutral character also influences a player’s role in combat. A dark-focused hunter specializes in dealing damage while a light-attuned one has a support role healing allies. At times, the often-binary choices players have make the Hunter feel like Commander Shepard in “Mass Effect,” but overall, Firaxis does a good job intertwining player choices into the overall gameplay so that it seeps into the deeper narrative.

CARD-BASED COMBAT

The second phase of the game is the combat. Players pick a mission and jump into the action with a team of three. The Hunter doesn’t necessarily have to take part, so players can mix and match heroes for the type of mission at hand.

Although the first half of the game has an “XCOM” influence, the combat is entirely fresh. Because “Midnight Suns” centers on superheroes, cover isn’t a focus. Instead, Firaxis opts for a card system that determines which moves are available for the team.

The system normally limits players to three card uses for each round, but each card has an action and a keyword. Some deal damage, and when played, players will see a hero perform an attack on a Hydra thug. Others have support abilities that heal allies or give their stats a boost. A third series of cards specialize in gaming the system by drawing more cards so players have more options or building up the all-important Heroism meter.

Heroism is what’s needed to use the most powerful abilities, and simple attacks and support cards usually generate it. When players want to do a super-powerful team-up move, they’ll need to build up Heroism over a round to fire it off.

Learning the system and knowing how to manipulate the cards are big keys to mastering “Midnight Suns.” Limited redraws, which let you mulligan a card, and movement adds even more depth to the combat. Half the battle is knowing when and how to use the hero cards for maximum effect. The other part is figuring out how best to position each hero.

THE LEARNING CURVE

At first, it can be overwhelming, but Firaxis does a solid job of teaching players the basics, while adding more refinements and layers as the Hunter adds more amenities and more hero abilities to the base. At times, all this constant management feels rote, but the developers try to break up the monotony of base building and progression with side stories and team drama.

Unlike the excellent “Guardians of the Galaxy” game, “Midnight Suns” lacks cohesion. The game has a lot of great pieces to work with, but the parts don’t amplify each other to create a greater whole. The heroes feel more like cool tools for players to use in a new lineup than a cohesive and bonded team. That and the bugs and crashes detract from an otherwise refreshingly good strategy game.

It’s not a game on the level of Insomniac’s “Spider-Man” series, but it definitely carves a compelling niche and becomes another strong game in Marvel’s expanding universe.

‘Marvel’s Midnight Suns’

3 stars out of fourPlatform: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series SRating: Teen

That pivot is reflected in its CES reveals this year. The company known for its PC cases and its cooling solutions has unveiled a new hot-swappable 96% format keyboard. Yes, the MK770 has a number pad and function row, but the designers compressed the layout so that it fits in a smaller footprint.

The big selling point is this keyboard has Cooler Master’s first-ever gasket-mount design though it will be interesting to see how they implement that. It also has a 3-way wheel with functions that can be customizable with software though it looks like a handy volume knob. Lastly, the MK770 will have wireless connectivity for up to three devices via Bluetooth 5.1 or 2.4Ghz. Users can also connect it via a USB-C cable, so keyboard enthusiasts can pull out their coiled cords for this one. The device has a 4000mAh battery.

Similar to the excellent Cooler Master CK720, this board will have hot swappable switches, silicone padding and fill and pre-lubed CM stabilizers, which are decent. It comes with Kailh Box V2 Switches, which are better than most keyboards’ stock offerings. Like its smaller sibling, the MK770 also features PBT keycaps though this time they’re offered in four colorways with the most interesting one having hues inspired by “Attack on Titan.”

If you’re a keyboard aficionado that needs a number pad, then the MK770 could be worth looking at.

FOR THE ASPIRING TWITCH STARS: When it comes to the streaming options, Cooler Master is going full force with three products. They are the Stream Lux, the Stream Lucid and the Stream Origins. As the name implies, the Stream Lux is described as a “pro-level solution” for streamers who need a strong light source. The desk-mounted light provides a max of 1600 lumens via edge-lit LEDs and the bulbs are adjustable to a range of color temperatures. It can be controlled wireless via desktop or phone.

The third offering is also the most intriguing device – the Cooler Master’s Stream Origins, which is an external capture card. This is how gamers record video from consoles if they don’t like the built-in solutions. The setup requires a PC or laptop, but the device does output video at 4K at 30 frames per second for streams and it supports low-latency video pass-through so users can play games at 4K HDR at 60 frames per second if that’s available.

All of these products were just revealed so prices and release dates weren’t available.

Lastly, Cooler Master is marking its 30th anniversary with new peripherals that highlight the company’s three-decade milestone. The lineup includes the MK721 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard. It’s 65% format without hot swappable switches. It’s also launching a MM712 Wireless Mouse and an MP511 Gaming Mouse Pad.

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” — The direct follow-up to one of the most influential games of the past generation has fans waiting with bated breath. Nintendo likes to keep the details of its games secret; all fans know from snippets of trailers and screenshots is that it will retain the mechanics of “Breath of the Wild” while also adding floating islands above Hyrule.

Details: It releases May 12 on the Nintendo Switch.

Details: Releases June 2 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series X and PC.

“Starfield” — This could be the year when the Xbox Game Pass proves its worth. That’s because Bethesda’s highly anticipated sci-fi role-playing game comes out on the service, and the title itself is exclusive to PC, Xbox Series X and Series S. If the game is on the level of Bethesda’s previous works such as “Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” or “Fallout 4,” it could challenge “Tears of the Kingdom” for game of the year honors.

Details: Due out sometime in 2023.

Sometimes it’s better for a game to buck that trend and the ones that did stood out. It’s also one of the biggest reasons for my favorite game of the year. Here are my top 10 games of the year.

1. “Marvel Snap” — The most popular game machine on Earth isn’t a console. It’s the smartphone, but many core players don’t take that platform seriously despite the enormous audience. Second Dinner’s card battler should make them reconsider that opinion.

Built from the ground up for the smartphone, the free-to-play game takes advantage of the medium with its vertical layout and the way cards appear three-dimensional, based on how players tilt the phone. But the biggest draw is how “Marvel Snap” fits into everyday life.

The short but satisfying game sessions and portability mean it’s great to play if you have a busy life that includes, say, putting a baby to bed at 2 in the morning. With plenty of cards and strategies to pursue thanks to its rotating and randomized locations, it’s a game that tests players’ ability to adapt to their opponent and circumstances.

Best of all, it’s a title that feels as though free-to-play players can compete against grizzled veterans. “Marvel Snap” doesn’t ask players to buy packs of random cards. Instead, it doles out cards as players upgrade the looks of their own collection, and with time, they can amass a solid set. (iOS, Android and PC)

2. “Elden Ring” — Software’s epic adventure in the Lands Between dominated the conversation for the first part of the year. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki successfully adapted his “Souls” formula to an open world and created an expansive continent that begs to be explored.

Players can venture into the unknown, but they better be prepared to die. Because this is a “Souls”-type game, the difficulty is merciless. It will frustrate players, but in their struggle, they’ll also find the gratifying thrill of victory and other life lessons that have always been at the heart of Miyazaki’s games. (PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One)

3. “God of War: Ragnarok” — The sequel to one of the best games of 2018 continues to push the boundaries of video game storytelling. Sony’s Santa Monica Studio follows Kratos and his son, Atreus, as they again attract the attention of Odin. The boy has a connection to Ragnarok and the campaign follows the two as they try to fight fate.

Despite all the jaw-dropping moments, it’s the acting (Christopher Judge gives a fantastic performance as Kratos) and the quieter moments between father and child that separates this game from other adventures. “Ragnarok” will stay with you long after the credits roll. (PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4)

4. “Bayonetta 3” — Platinum Games knows how to make action titles and its flagship franchise starring the Umbran Witch shows the extent of that mastery. For each chapter of the franchise, the developers have managed to one-up themselves in terms of creativity and gameplay.

With this third entry, the team roars forward with Bayonetta battling a multidimensional threat. The campaign takes players to different realities as they encounter fascinating versions of the protagonist, all while the team incorporates new weapons, fighting techniques and ways of traversal for a frenetic but deeply playable experience. (Nintendo Switch)

5. “Horizon Forbidden West” — Sony bookended a great year for its first-party titles with this follow-up to the amazing “Horizon Zero Dawn.” This sequel again follows Aloy as she encounters a new threat in the post-apocalyptic world.

She has to find a way to repair the terraforming program that is rebuilding Earth when she encounters a technologically advanced group called the Zeniths. Her adventure to fend them off and unite the warring tribes of the West is as exhilarating as it is beautiful.

Open-world adventures such as this often get bogged down with uninteresting side quests, but director Mathijs de Jonge and the team at Guerrilla Games find fresh ways to make these forays better than another paint-by-numbers chores. They offer a master class on how to turn these optional experiences into rewarding must-play adventures. (PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4)

6. “Stray” — BlueTwelve Studio arguably had the best new protagonist of the year. The titular orange tabby stole players’ hearts as they controlled the feline through a mysterious underground world. After being separated from its friends, the kitty has to navigate a strange realm filled with robots and flesh-eating monsters.

As a cat, players have plenty of agility and quick reflexes, but the addition of helpful artificial intelligence called B-12 lifts the narrative and makes this adventure more than just a cat simulator (though there isn’t anything wrong with that). It tells a surprising story about loss, perseverance and the kindness of the human spirit. (PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC)

7. “Splatoon 3” — Nintendo finally put together all the pieces and created a family-friendly shooter that’s packed with content for all sorts of players. Competitive gamers will find a robust online mode that’s less onerous than previous entries. Fans of cooperative play will find plenty of reasons to jump into Salmon Run Next Wave.

Those who want a single-player experience will find an intriguing adventure that takes players through the mysterious Alterna shelters. It sheds light on the “Splatoon 3” world and its origins.

All the modes are tied together with a progression system focused on gear and collectibles that will keep players busy until the next wave of content comes out. (Nintendo Switch)

8. “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” — The pink puffball celebrated his 30th anniversary, and Nintendo pulled out all the stops with a special concert and this fantastic platformer from HAL Laboratory. It’s the first game in the series to be in full 3D and elegantly transitions the hero to the new style.

Kirby still has his copy ability that lets him steal powers from his enemies, and players can those powers as they save more Waddle Dees. On top of that, the puffball has a Mouthful Mode that lets him swallow large objects such as cars or vending machines, giving him ways to open up new areas and beat powerful enemies.

“Kirby and the Forgotten Land” was one of the best games in the series in years and one of the top family-friendly adventures of 2022. (Nintendo Switch)

9. “Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope” — The follow-up to one of the best strategy games in ages is even better than the original. “Sparks of Hope” maintains the unpredictable and combo-heavy nature of its combat system, but this time around, Ubisoft Milan and Ubisoft Paris have refined it even more, giving players more freedom while also increasing the depth thanks to the introduction of Sparks that add modifiers to attacks and abilities.

10. “Gran Turismo 7” — Although Sony’s flagship racing franchise has lost ground to the “Forza” series, Polyphony Digital’s latest entry showed that the developer still has plenty in the tank. The team doubled down on the sim aspect of the series creating an experience that feels great on the DualSense controller.

But the most enjoyable part of the project is the GT Cafe, which offers a compelling campaign despite its simplistic structure. It does a great job of introducing and celebrating car culture to fans. (PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4)

Although these projects came out toward the tail end of 2022, they shouldn’t be overlooked. They each have a distinct quality that is anything but vanilla. Here are three games that should be on your radar and at least one reason to check them out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyfneSMsr5U“High on Life” — Believe it or not, “Rick and Morty” co-creator Justin Roiland has dabbled in video games for years. He set up his own studio and even released a few games in virtual reality.

This comedic first-person shooter is his team’s latest work but it’s easily the best. Players take on the role of a gamer whose parents have gone away for a week when an alien syndicate called the G3 Cartel invades Earth. The invaders realize that consuming humans makes them high and the advanced civilization sees this as a business opportunity and try to take over the planet to farm people as a narcotic.

It’s up to players to stop them with a talking gun named Kenny and other members of the Gatlian species. Players will spend time visiting other planets and realms in order to kill each cartel leader. Defeating a boss unlocks new weapons, and opens up more of the world as players also gain new skills by upgrading their bounty hunter suit.

Why you should play it — The comedy and creativity make “High on Life” different from other shooters. It has the trademark Roiland humor, and it feels as if the game could have taken place in a version of the “Rick and Morty” universe. Aliens are cynical. The player has an annoying sister named Lizzie. The planets they visit are as wild as they are whimsical, and the combination makes the project oddly compelling.

“Need for Speed Unbound” — The long-running series finally returns after a three-year hiatus, and the new entry sees a series returning to its roots while featuring a bold visual take on street racing. Taking place in the Chicago-inspired city of Lakeshore, players take on the role of The Kid, who works at Rydell’s garage along with a friend named Yaz.

The two are besties but the relationship is ripped apart after a shady incident, in which thieves raid Rydell’s garage and take off with several cars. Two years later, the player still works at the small shop and finds herself again thrown into the street racing scene. In order to help Rydell build back his business and take back her own stolen vehicle, the Kid embarks on a racing journey.

“Need for Speed Unbound” features franchise hallmarks including street racing, vehicle upgrades and police chases. As players win contests and move up the ranks, they earn money for better parts. There’s a risk-reward in competing in so many events though as players build up heat and that makes them a target of relentless police chases.

It accentuates the action while offering players an opportunity to show off their style. The only issue is that “Unbound” is best played from a third-person perspective, so players can appreciate the flair in this arcade-style racer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMUfKLLynWI“Warhammer 40,000: Darktide” — Fatshark made a name for itself in its first foray working with Games Workshop. They created the hit “Warhammer: End Times — Vermintide,” which adapted concepts from the miniature-figure war game into a first-person co-operative action title. With its second collaboration, the developer took on the more popular dark sci-fi series and it created another intriguing co-op experience.

Similar to “Left 4 Dead,” “Darktide” brings four players together as they do missions for Inquisitor Grendyl. Parasitic entities called Chaos have infiltrated the Hive City of Tertium, and it’s up to a band of recruited inmates to cleanse the planet of Atoma Prime. Players start off as lowly cannon fodder, but as they play more missions, they gain better gear, earn higher levels of trust and acquire more powerful perks.

The developers’ years of know-how in the genre shines, and they craft levels and scenarios that have enough variety to keep players coming back. With four classes to master and power-up, “Darktide” has no shortage of replay value.

Why you should play it — If you’ve always been curious about the Warhammer 40,000 universe, but too intimidated by the lore, then “Darktide” is the perfect entry point. The project’s details and atmosphere are ensconced in the dark sci-fi setting, while the gameplay is accessible to gamers familiar with first-person shooters.

The franchise’s profile is only going to rise after “Superman” actor and fan Henry Cavill is working to bring the “Warhammer 40,000” to the masses in a deal with Amazon.

The Federal Trade Commission reached the settlements to resolve two cases against Epic Games Inc., which has parlayed Fortnite’s success in the past five years to become a video game powerhouse.

The $520 million covered in the settlement consists of $245 million in customer refunds and a $275 million fine for collecting personal information on Fortnite players under the age of 13 without informing their parents or getting their consent. It’s the biggest penalty ever imposed for breaking an FTC rule.

“Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement.

Even before the settlement was announced, Epic said in a statement it had already rolled out a series of changes “to ensure our ecosystem meets the expectations of our players and regulators, which we hope will be a helpful guide for others in our industry.” The Cary, North Carolina, company also asserted that it no longer engages in the practices flagged by the FTC.

The $245 million in customer refunds will go to players who fell victim to so-called “dark patterns” and billing practices. Dark patterns are deceptive online techniques used to nudge users into doing things they didn’t intend to do.

In this case, “Fortnite’s counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration led players to incur unwanted charges based on the press of a single button,” the FTC said.

Players could, for example, be charged while trying to wake the game from sleep mode, while the game was in a loading screen, or by pressing a nearby button when simply trying to preview an item, it said.

“These tactics led to hundreds of millions of dollars in unauthorized charges for consumers,” the FTC said.

Epic said it agreed to the FTC settlement because it wants “to be at the forefront of consumer protection and provide the best experience for our players.”

“No developer creates a game with the intention of ending up here,” Epic said.

A federal judge ruled largely in Apple’s favor, partly because she embraced the iPhone maker’s contention that its exclusive control of the app store helped protect the security and privacy of consumers. The ruling is currently under appeal, with a decision expected at some point next year.

Calling it over the top would be criminal because so much more is going on. Yes, the Umbran witch rides a missile with ease, surfs tsunami waves on an ocean liner and exudes calm as she battles enemies while a temple crumbles around her. All that is impressive but her punches, kicks and gunplay are laced with an effervescent style that can’t be found in any other game. Bayonetta will pummel her foes clad in high heels while dancing with smile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSLVS9BOkUoBEYOND EXPECTATIONSAfter two entries, I doubted Platinum Games could bring more to the table. I assumed it explored every avenue this genre could tread, but with “Bayonetta 3,” the studio took everything from the previous entries and turned it up beyond 11.

“Bayonetta 3” is a game that starts with a bang and just keeps sprinting forward as it brings in a mysterious entity called Singularity, which has been going around the multiverse destroying alternate realities and fusing them with his own world — the Alphaverse. Each time, he defeats another version of Bayonetta and takes over until one day he meets a version of the hero who gives him trouble.

INTERDIMENSIONAL TRAVELThat’s the protagonist of this iteration, and through the campaign’s 14 chapters, players will battle Singularity as he and Bayonetta fight for five Chaos Gears scattered through other parallel realities. It’s the only way the Umbran witch can enter his dimension and presumably defeat him.

To access the alternate universes, she and a new character named Viola, a dimensional traveler, head to the island of Thule, which acts as a nexus for other realities. It’s the gateway in which players meet other Bayonettas and try to help them. It takes players to locales such as Tokyo, Paris and worlds inspired by Egypt and China.

The adventure is interspersed with side stories starring Jeanne, Bayonetta’s best friend. Jeanne has her own mission, to find Dr. Sigurd, who can use the Chaos Gears to access the Alphaverse. These missions are in 2-D and reminiscent of classics such as “Rolling Thunder,” albeit with updated stealth gameplay. The levels break up the rollicking chapters featuring Bayonetta.

A NEW ALLY IN THE FOLDAnother new addition is the playable character of Viola. She’s a novice Umbran witch and wields a katana. She’s more difficult to use compared to Bayonetta because she requires players to block attacks at the last second to activate the key Witch Time ability, which slows the surrounding world so players can safely damage adversaries.

It takes anticipation and quick-twitch timing to pull it off effectively. Viola’s attacks also have a lot of wasted animation that players will need to dash out of in order to be successful. The higher skill level required to use Viola contrasts well with the polished movements from her veteran counterpart. Unfortunately, it can also be jarring when players become used to Bayonetta’s playstyle and are transferred over to the newer character in another chapter.

MASTERFUL AND REFRESHING GAMEPLAYAs for Bayonetta herself, Platinum Games gives her plenty of new techniques and abilities that make her a joy to play. Aside from her balletic moves, she now has a Demon Slave ability, which she uses to call on creatures to do her bidding, and players control them to add another layer to combat. The one caveat is that she can’t move while players control the creature, leaving her open to attacks. They’re also used in puzzles and to augment combos.

During the campaign, she adds new weapons and demons to her toolbox, giving players more options to explore and complete missions and tasks. It brilliantly ties combat, traversal and puzzle-solving into a tight package.

Although players can’t use these demons everywhere, their addition adds such a novel way to interact with the world that they make “Bayonetta 3” more enthralling as players master each weapon and demon’s quirks. Viola has a similar ability but it’s limited to a demon called Cheshire and she doesn’t have direct control of it.

CLEVER LEVEL AND BOSS DESIGNLastly, Platinum Games takes Bayonetta and crafts cleverly designed encounters that play with scale and different genres. Players will encounter boss fights where players control Sin Gomorrah in a kaiju-type confrontation, where the monster and its adversary tear down buildings. In another, Bayonetta will summon Baal Zebul for a confrontation based on a music-rhythm game. That’s a wild twist.

Much like the protagonist herself, “Bayonetta 3” breaks through genre boundaries and expectations, so that each level has at least one moment of surprising delight. It’s an adventure that brims with so many fun moments that players can overlook some of the more predictable plot points and just enjoy the jaunty ride.

‘Bayonetta 3’

4 stars out of 4Platform: Nintendo SwitchRating: Mature

“Marvel Snap” next big in-game kicks off today, and for hints at what’s available, you should take a look at the “Hero” music video. DJ/Producer Martin Garrix and musical artist JVKE collaborated on the new “Hero” anthem for the collectible card game.

To kick off the event, all players that log in will get a free Storm variant illustrated by Jander González Mella, the original concept artist that worked on the character designs of the video. You have one week to grab it, and after that, it will go into Token Shop as Ultimate Variant. Four limited-time “Hero” variant bundles will be available, and most of them look great and reflect the art styles seen in the video.

Personally, I’m going to the grab anime version of Sera and Angela. They look gorgeous, and they’re two of the most useful cards in the game.

“Marvel Snap” is nominated for Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards tonight.

“Asteroid Launcher” is the work of Neal Argawal, a Brooklyn resident and fulltime maker of “weird things on the web.” It’s based on math and physics from planetary-science research papers, which inform on-ground effects like “ruptured eardrums” and “clothes would catch on fire,” and owes its existence to Argawal’s fascination with apocalyptic cinema.

“I’m a huge fan of disaster movies and love playing out different world-ending scenarios in my head,” he says. “One of my favorite disaster movies is, of course, ‘Deep Impact,’ so I’ve always wanted to make a website that simulated an asteroid impact, and this is the result.”

“Launcher” offers a range of ways to meet your doom – you get to pick the size, speed and type of flying object from comet to iron asteroid to carbon asteroid. For instance, a gold asteroid (yes, they likely exist and NASA wants to probe one soon) that’s 2,400 feet in diameter and traveling at 195,000 mph would excavate a 30 mile-wide crater and kill an estimated 1.6 million people around the San Francisco epicenter.

But wait, that’s not all: It would also generate a 62-mile-wide fireball that’d incinerate clothing more than 300 miles away and make trees catch fire 400 miles away. A 248-decibel shock wave would collapse buildings up to 400 miles away and cause “severe lung damage” at half that distance, while a wind blast faster than storms on Jupiter would make people in Los Angeles feel as if they were “inside an EF-5 tornado.”

While such a disaster would release more energy than the last eruption of Yellowstone, according to Argawal’s simulation, we can take comfort that an “impact this size happens on average every 15 million years.” So sleep tight and enjoy “Asteroid Launcher” as a fun experiment … and perhaps to exact vicarious revenge for real and imagined slights.

“I like flinging asteroids at badly parked cars on the (visualization’s) satellite map,” says Argawal. “It’s actually quite relaxing.”