Despite the fact that this dish spent a bit too much time in the oven to begin with, it still managed to hit the market as a half backed product.

Though the game is fine as a mediocre playable experience, many of the things that made the original so special have been neutered beyond repair.

To say that I was surprised by Odin Sphere Leifthrasir is the understatement of the century. Despite having an original code base that dates back two console generations, it still manages to feel modern and just as relevant today as it did nine years ago.

If you loved Hard Reset when it first released, give Redux a try, especially if you never played the DLC.

So, once again, what Techland offers is Dead Island, Dead Island Riptide, and Retro Revenge in one package for 40 bucks. That still a pretty good offer. But just so you know, for 20 dollars more you can get Dying Light: The Following - Enhanced Edition, which is just a better game.

As a nice little freebee to include with the Dead Island Definitive Edition, this is a perfectly fine add-in. Please just whatever you do, don’t buy this at retail. They are giving it away for a good reason.

The game is incredibly polished with a unique set of heroes that are evenly counter balanced. The maps are vibrant and well designed for lots of interesting and challenging rounds. Blizzard has created a very solid foundation with Overwatch and I cannot wait to see what they do to enhance, expand and build on it in the future.

Everything about TMNT reeks of a rushed product.

You are most likely not going to see Lumo appearing on any “Game of the Year” lists this fall, but it is absolutely a valiant first outing for developer Gareth Noyce.

Prepare for some frustrations with such a complex campaign, but also prepare to lose hours of your life as you wonder, “But what if I handled that like this…” as you reload your last save for the umpteenth time.

We understand what Running With Scissors wanted to achieve with this game, but it's fairly obvious they did not quite push themselves to incoporate any features that would make Postal Redux stand out in a highly competitive scene PC indie games.

The multiplayer aside, the true appeal to the game remains in the single-player campaign, which is how it was and should be with a DOOM title.

Is Homefront: The Revolution the worst thing I have ever played? No, in fact it was far from it. However, the fact still remains that the end product is a mediocre interpretation of what could have been, and by all accounts should have been, something far more enjoyable.

When it comes to franchises that are worth revisiting in a new console generation, Valkyria Chronicles Remastered stands as a sterling example of how to do things right.

The fourth installment is a worthy addition to the series. And yet I'm sorry to say that the gameplay isn't groundbreaking, and it almost seems like Naughty Dog was too cautions and not prepared to take any risks. It frequently feels like the series is relying too much on its own reputation.

Once Upon a Climb was short and sweet, with a heavy emphasis upon sweet. Short games aren’t always a bad thing, but Episode 3 leaves you feeling as though something is lacking.

When the game is firing on all cylinders, it is one of the most refreshing new IPs this generation. The problem is that the charm begins to wear off with age and the mediocre loot system doesn’t do enough to incentivize excessive replay.

This is one of the best point-and-click adventures of the year, and Raw Fury should be immensely proud of their ability to bottle that retro lightning twice.

Despite it lacking the “wow factor” and extended runtime of the series’ other iterations, it is still worth sauntering out to pick up.

With all the various ways to end the party for hapless victims and the various characters you can unlock through level progression, there are countless hours of partying hard ahead.

There is much to like about everything in “Ratchet & Clank,” because, for the most part, we’ve seen it all before. That’s not a knock on the game but high praise. Even though it is all familiar, I’m still hooked to see what new weapon lies around the corner or figuring out how to get that gold bolt that’s just out of reach.

The slick design and solid gameplay really makes the game enjoyable both as a lovely 2D adventure and a turn-based strategy.

As an independently produced rhythm game, LOUD on Planet X, succeeds at everything it sets out to do. It is an interesting perspective to approach the genre that is complimented by a very strong soundtrack.

Despite the tedium of replaying the same areas over and over, Stories: The Path of Destinies is a must-play for anyone looking for a game that is truly altered by choice.

At this point, we can freely claim that Codemasters have outdone themselves and have finally come back to splendid form, giving us a racer worthy of both Dirt and the legendary CMR series.

Samorost 3 is a work of art, I like to think. Right from the first challenge I fell in love with the game and I enjoyed how the world is presented. Take my word for it, some of the wacky creature designs are sure to bring a smile on your face.

Dark Souls 3 is a never-ending maze, filled with brilliant secrets, dark perils and wonderful treasures. Bear in mind that losing yourself in such a world has its price and that price is endurance. It can get frustrating to the core, but facing up to the challenge feels grand.

It is nice to see that the team over at Sony San Diego has been given enough rope to try new things. The resulting product has once again shown why the MLB: The Show series is still one of the best sport simulations in the industry.

Enter the Gungeon is one of the most entertaining pixelated rogue-like shooters I played in recent times.

Remedy has, without a doubt, crafted a very creative title with Quantum Break. It’s not going to be the killer exclusive game that so many were looking for with the Xbox One, but it’s definitely been worth the wait. Story gamers will especially delight in replaying the game multiple times to see the various episodes and experience the different paths the game itself can take. For anyone with an Xbox One, Quantum Break is a must-own.

It is hard to shake the feeling that this could have been something special, at least in concept, that ultimately failed executing on its overall promise. Unless you have a VR headset that you are looking to justify, you may want to skip this rescue mission.

Those who have already found themselves smitten with the series will find plenty to enjoy the second time around.

The Guest does drive that mansion-horror vibe quite well, but by the end, you can’t help but feel like you missed something crucial, like Leonov’s past perhaps.

This is a title that falls in an odd position in the spectrum of racing titles. It is far too ambitious to be considered an arcade racer, but too unpolished to be a simulation. Regardless of your level of skill, this may be one experience worth steering clear of.

With all of the content packed in at launch, the solid gameplay mechanics, tactical co-op experience, and gorgeous open world, it was more than a great idea for Ubisoft to delay Tom Clancy’s Division as long as they did. Everything about this game was far more than I could have expected, and it’s definitely worth the wait.

I am personally disappointed that Hitman doesn't have anything unique about it any more. The lifeless main character keeps on moving through crowds, changing disguises for an eternity and then thinking of interesting ways to polishing someone off.

The humor, charming visuals, brain teasing puzzles, and deep spin on religion and zealots are simply fantastic and not to be missed. As you can tell, I personally cannot recommend it enough.

Fugitive Games has created a unique twist for typical space strategy games, and what they have will appeal to many looking for something that isn’t Elite Dangerous or a typical real-time strategy game set in space.

Despite the abundance of clichés, you can see that a lot of effort went into setting the right tone and atmosphere. There are some downright mind-blowing scenes and unique uses of audio and color.

If you are already an Xbox One owner, it would be nigh impossible to make the argument for buying the game on PC instead of on the console. Make no mistake: this is a buggier and less convenient way to consume something that was designed exclusively with the console in mind.

Whale Rock Games has put together quite a doozy for hardcore RTS fans. It’s definitely not fitting for a casual strategy gamer like me, or those who prefer fewer moving parts in their RTSes. But even with the ragequit difficulty, it’s hard to deny that the game mechanics themselves are as solid and fair as the environments are gorgeous.

This shooter feels unlike anything I’ve played before and I do wish more games will follow in its footsteps. Experimenting within specific genres is very important and it takes guts. The mechanics may feel awkward at the beginning, although after completing the first few areas, you’ll most likely feel hungry for more complex challenges.

The lack of mission variety and combat tools hold the game back from being something truly groundbreaking.

It just lacks the depth and growth potential to have any genuine longevity. Do yourself a favor and wait for this one to hit the bargain bins. It is worth playing, but if its predecessor was any indication, you won’t have to wait long to get this experience at a far more acceptable price.

Street Fighter V has a lot of potential, but unless you’re training for those ranked matches, that’s all the game will be for you – potential.

With so many massive role-playing games or padded action games, it’s refreshing to play an old-school point-and-click adventure without the old-school frustration and without the padded content for length. It’s short, sweet, to the point, and it helps that it’s as fun as it is funny. I’m more than happy to take a break from the AAA scene with a game like this at any time.

With both the beauty of Firewatch and its varied tones and exploration, this is one game that will resonate with players just as variously.

The only fly in the ointment here are some technical issues to prevent you from fully enjoying the masochism: issues with the game failing to start for some users, quirks with aiming, soldiers warping to different locations when reloading and even some crashes to desktop are the stumbling blocks that have a number of gamers asking when can we expect a patch. In the meantime, I will live with these issues so I can continue having my head kicked in.

Sadly, Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia fell below the bar that ACC: China set.

Coldwood Interactive has managed to generate a refreshing new take on the puzzle platformer, starring an endearing protagonist that will steal your heart. For those looking to scratch that puzzling itch without having to bite of something as overwhelming as The Witness, this will prove to be a more than adequate salve.

This is one of those genuinely special experiences that, at least in the case of Blow’s track record, only come along once a generation. Be sure not to miss out on this instant classic.

Game of Thrones will give you some pretty cool moments, especially when you start feeling the weight of your decisions. Overall, there’s a good chance you’ll be disappointed and frustrated with the game, rather than being mesmerized by an epic tale and great characters. You know, great characters really aren’t THAT great, unless we have enough time to know them.

This is a game with an important message to portray, that somehow manages to never lose sight of the fact that it is primarily just that – a game. If only more titles had that same presence of mind.

Fans of the LEGO games and Marvel movies will enjoy it regardless of the minor issues.

This is far from a reinvention of the RTS genre, but it is certainly a much needed rebirth for this series. At long last, the king has returned.

Even though micromanagement style games have been a staple on PC for as long as the platform has existed, something about this game feels like it would be more at home on mobile, where the repetitiveness can be indulged in more approachable, bite-sized doses. That said, even on PC, this is still a time-suck that oozes personality and charm, while also simultaneously justifying its $9.99 sticker price.

Oxenfree creates suspense and tension as the player experiences numerous unexpected events. This is Oxenfree’s greatest strength. The slightly questionable dialogue mechanics and relatively short story are generally the only downsides here, but otherwise, you really might want to consider being part of this adventure, because you never know what might happen.

The absolute beauty of the painting-like art style also helped.

I enjoyed my time with Rubble Without a Cause, but it was still disappointing that this episode didn’t have the grander scale presented in A Knight to Remember.

It’s a fun ride even if it does not make much sense. In other words, never underestimate how much a good explosion can make up for other shortcomings.

While I’m still not entirely behind the idea of splitting Terran, Zerg and Protoss campaigns into three separate releases, I must admit that Legacy of the Void won me over. It has everything I expected it to have: addictive gameplay, solid plot, great characters, Blizzard’s trademark kick-ass cinematics, exciting campaign missions and a rich multiplayer package.

Yes, so this is an obvious money grab. But at times, you just can’t help it. Humming all-too-familiar John Williams’ themes and flying an X-Wing and blasting TIE Fighters out of the sky is as fun as ever.

It’s a solid and well-polished shooter.

If nothing else, the awesome humor, interesting characters and the always welcomed insanity of Borderlands will surely hold your attention.

The traversing in a platform adventure is the most fluid and seamless I’ve ever experienced, and the story gave me chills the more I unraveled, especially with the collectibles I found.

The ambient soundtrack is stirring, well produced and adds to the overall experience.

If you are looking for a bit more dudebro dipshittery in your life, then look no further.

Challenging combat is just one of the high points of ED.

While deliciously unpredictable most of the time Bedlam is still brutally difficult, thus sadly obliterating your chances of a potentially great turn-based tactical experience.

Everything looks and plays spectacularly in Halo 5: Guardians, and it was so close to having the complete package for a first-person shooter. Unfortunately, the hype oversold and underdelivered when it came to story, and the non-shooting missions should have been scrapped until the team figured out a more creative way to entice player exploration in the middle of a shooter.

Polarized has solidified Life is Strange’s spot as a frontrunner for best adventure game of the year.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate does incredibly well most of what they set out to do, and Ubisoft has redeemed the series quite a bit with this new offering. It’s sadly still not as polished as it could be, which is most likely due to the annualization of this series.

Playing the iterations consecutively feels good and you can actually witness how Naughty Dog progressed as a story-teller. Every title absolutely holds up and can take its rightful place among current-gen releases.

It seems like every aspect of the game from its’ backwards compatibility for both instruments and DLC, to its playable music platform approach, ultimately has every Harmonix fan at heart. This culminates in a very welcome return to form for the series, and a very worthy first entry to the new console generation.

Much to our chagrin, EA Sports has once again proven that they can’t make a quality basketball game. Like the Toronto Raptors, it is hard not to speculate how much more of a beating NBA Live can take before they just throw in the towel permanently.

It’s not devastating, just disappointing for what it appeared to be and what it could have been.

To say that FIFA 16 is a return to form may very well be one of the biggest understatements of the year. In one foul swoop, EA has re-established itself as the preeminent name in soccer simulations.

In the end, the bad camera and the glitchy nature of Trine 3 just get in the way of a game that otherwise screams ‘huge potential’.

LEGO Dimensions is a great first start for TT Games with the toys-to-life genre, but since their game is the most expensive of all of them, it makes it a hard recommendation, especially for parents. Once they find a nice balance between promoting other packs and their paywall to unlock other areas, it will be the best of the toys-to-life game out there.

Even if the controls on the PS4 weren’t so terrible and I could have finished the game on the console, the story and puzzles in the rest of The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 still would have brought the game down.

Still, The Taken King is an overall improvement to the game and it kind of reminds me of what Blizzard has done when they released Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls – expanding the narrative, leading inevitably to better end game content.

As an immersive and anxious experience that also manages to be just as beautiful as it is terrifying, SOMA is in a class all its own.

A splendid narrative experience that is not to be missed.

Ori is a massive game with so many levels and areas to go through, while Feist ends relatively quickly.

Mad Max is a fun ride, even without a deep, rich storyline. It won’t change the minds of anyone who doesn’t love these kinds of open world games, but for those who do, Mad Max will hit that addictive spot to clear all of the map blips.

Forza Motorsport 6 is a love letter to racing fans that greatly makes up for the shortcomings of the last installment in the series.

If Kojima wanted to end his time with Metal Gear on a high note, he certainly pulled it off with Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. Nice work indeed.

Gameplay wise, younger gamers should be in love right out of the gate regardless which version you opt for.

Blues and Bullets has a very rough start, but it has enough shining moments to keep players intrigued to see where Ness’s story will roll.

EA Sports has went all out to deliver changes to the core gameplay mechanics, resulting in an authentic football experience, with unparalleled levels of depth and complexity.

The game’s slick design and the simplicity of the envornments makes it unique, beautiful and alluringly mysterious.

A game that showed great promise, but suffers from a severe lack of polish.

Those that chose to invest their valuable time in this 5 hour gem will be rewarded with one of the most compelling experiences in recent memory.

The Ultimate Edition truly is the ultimate Gears of War experience.

The game just tosses you into a lovely dream-like experience. This experience you probably won’t forget.

Dark Room is the longest episode in the Life is Strange series by a long shot. Every time I thought the episode was over or nearly over, I suddenly had another 45 minutes of gameplay. This wasn’t a bad thing; every section of the episode had me on my toes and guessing.

Any fan of point-and-click adventure games will enjoy diving into Daventry, and any King’s Quest fan will love jumping back into Graham’s realm.

Sorry guys, you really nailed the atmosphere, but at the end of the day you left us with an overload of tanks, repetitive missions, and a story that’s okay, but just felt it could’ve been so much more.