Whereas most DLC works as a throw-in gameplay experience that complements the main game, Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City places itself in the role of an unforgettable farewell. Whether you enjoy the haunting vistas, the myriad of new combat encounters, the expansion of the weapon, armor and items catalog or the fond memories of the series at large culminating into a fitting conclusion, it’s hard not to argue that Miyazaki’s level of excellence has persisted throughout the series.

Severed loses little, if anything, by coming to Nintendo Switch. It gains screen space for the player to bask in its incredible, artistic environments, and though the console can be heavy to hold one-handed for longer play sessions, that’s hardly a reason to stay away from this title. Given its brevity, you may dismiss Severed as a game for a rainy, bored day, but don’t. This is one of only a handful of must-plays in the Nintendo Switch library.

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA MegaMix for the Nintendo Switch is a fun musical romp through the virtual idol’s massive library of songs. Though there are minor graphical issues and new modes that don’t quite hit, it’s hard to take away from the fact the base game is phenomenal.

Persona 5 is an exquisitely put together RPG overflowing with incredible style and a main cast you will sorely miss when the game is done. It’s easily the best RPG I’ve played in a few years.

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is practically a must-own for anyone who has just picked up a Nintendo Switch. The expected excellent platforming fun, enjoyable storytelling, and impressive art and sound of all three campaigns not only comes all packed together in one title, but also includes better accessibility than ever before on a platform the title feels made for.

Whether played in VR or not, Resident Evil 7: biohazard is a thrilling game and it shouldn’t be missed. If you have the option to play the game with a PSVR, you should by all means do so. Regardless of how you play Resident Evil 7: biohazard, just be sure that you do because it is one of 2017’s finest releases and the constant stream of DLC keeps the nightmare alive.

Chime Sharp takes the simple concepts of the original Chime and brings with it new music and new challenges and puts it together in a robust, affordable and unique package.

Right now, in setting up a grander story, Guardians of the Galaxy can coast on its style. With a shocking revelation setting up a world of possibilities going forward, there’s plenty of promise here. Whether or not the story goes places will make or break this series, but “Tangled Up In Blue” sets up a dynamic cast that will be fun to follow on their journey.

Alan Wake 2 is a fun romp through dark dimensions, offering chances to change the world around you, all the while giving you plenty of jump scares. There are some texture bugs to work through, but overall, it is definitely a worthy sequel to the first game.

It would have been nice to see Dragon Quest Builders 2 have a greater emphasis on non-linear progression or a less initially sparse world, but it successfully iterates on the original by streamlining its systems and mechanics without trivializing them, creating an endlessly endearing game brimming with simple, unadulterated pleasures.

It’s easy to get lost exploring the giant maps in Rebellion’s Sniper Elite 5, and it’s been a while since I’ve played a game where I lost track of time. The collecting part leaves something to be desired, but the co-op and invasion gameplay modes more than make up for that.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet needed to be playtested a lot more before release. There are some genuinely jarring issues, but they don’t take away from the fact that there’s a really fun game here at its core. The storyline is better and more real than almost any Pokemon storyline I’ve seen in years. It’s hard to miss the flaws in this game, but if you’re a fan of the series, it’s far more interesting than it is disappointing and I’m glad I spent my time playing the game.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet needed to be playtested a lot more before release. There are some genuinely jarring issues, but they don’t take away from the fact that there’s a really fun game here at its core. The storyline is better and more real than almost any Pokemon storyline I’ve seen in years. It’s hard to miss the flaws in this game, but if you’re a fan of the series, it’s far more interesting than it is disappointing and I’m glad I spent my time playing the game.

For both big and casual gamers, lore lovers, and those seeking a narrative-rich experience, Song of Nunu is a frosty gem worth every second. And, echoing my twins’ sentiments: “Can we have some more Yeti hugs, pretty please?”

PGA Tour 2K21 beefed up its career mode with the inclusion of more courses, brands, and rivalries with tour pros. Hitting great shots feels very satisfying and the immense flexibility in difficulty makes the game fun for everyone. Online play is fairly deep with Societies and matchmaking while the course designer continues to be a shining star for the series. If this franchise is the future of golf games, then it’s looking pretty good.

Oxenfree II pays deep homage to its predecessor while creating a pretty and creepy game that old fans and new ones alike can enjoy.

The Serpent Rogue offers a fun and relaxing game that is part adventure and part sandbox. Whether you’re here for the gameplay or the atmosphere, I think you’ll enjoy your stay.

A Space for the Unbound starts 2023 off right with one of the better narrative romps I’ve had in a long time. A slice-of-life narrative tale set in 90’s Indonesia and filled with supernatural twists finds a way to be compelling to all walks of life thanks to a well-crafted story with a lot of heart. Excellent world design and music help seal the deal. The game is moderately slowed down due to extensive foot travel and some strange point and click mechanics but the rest of the game is so interesting that you learn to roll with it.

Tormented Souls is a great addition to your Halloween lineup by appealing to the new generation with good music and good graphics but catering to the older gamers with nostalgic gameplay, storyline and mechanics. It’s not perfect but it’s a good time.

When the Past was Around is an emotional roller coaster of a story told exclusively through gorgeous art and stirring violin music. The puzzles are clever and fun but a little immersion-breaking at times. The addition of touch screen support in handheld mode on Nintendo Switch adds to the experience as well.

Minus some occasional glaring AI issues, it's off to the races with yet another stunning simulation racer.

The End is Nigh is a marvelous and challenging game, and is both familiar but also somewhat alien for fans of both Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel’s past works. Its excellent level design and numerous hidden secrets and challenges will offer those willing to take it on hours upon hours of grueling, satisfying gameplay.

The story paints something that feels all too real-world with things like police corruption and right-wing smoke screening. Combined with real-world visuals of the city mixed with gorgeous graffiti-like special effects, it all mixes into a fantastic racing experience that is hard to quit. The only gripe is an incredibly slow progression system.

Need for Speed: Heat is the kind of game that reinvigorates the franchise. With so many things to do, so much to explore and unlock, it’s a complete experience with an extreme racing intensity that's somewhat hampered by tedious grinding at later levels and the extreme difficulty of high Heat levels. If you haven’t gotten into a Need for Speed game in a while, this is probably the time to finally hop back in.

Clearly inspired by old-school action platformers, Angry Video Game Nerd 1 & 2 Deluxe presents two beautifully remastered games complimented by a rocking soundtrack. The game’s vulgar language and brutal difficulty won’t appeal to everyone, but retro gamers and AVGN fans will really appreciate everything this game has to offer.

Runner3 builds upon its predecessors, and what it ends up delivering is a polished game that asks for precise maneuvers from its players. With a catchy soundtrack driven home by your every move, and vibrant visuals, fans of the series and genre will find a lot to love.

By revamping its multiplayer efforts and focusing it in a hub that promotes creative expression (both cosmetically and through gameplay preferences), NHL 19 marks the best representation of simulation hockey video games this generation.

Super Mario Bros. 35 is not your typical BR game where balance changes come left and right, forcing you to adapt to new metas every few weeks. It’s the kind of game where even if you come to it late or take breaks from it, you aren’t going to be painfully behind the pack. You can pick this up either as a 2D Mario veteran or noob and have fun with it. Unfortunately, this game will only be playable until March 31, 2021, and I hope that isn’t the case.