Valkyria Chronicles 4 is arguably the high point of the series with great and varied tactical action and customization. However, its attempt at being a serious drama about the high cost of war on both sides is undercut by a ridiculous amount of gratuitous objectification.

Mega Man 11 is a must-play adventure for series fanatics, but not an essential adventure for everyone else. It's a paint-by-numbers experience that offers more of the same game content you've come to expect from over three decades with the Blue Bomber.

The Council episode 4, "Burning Bridges," took a big risk by becoming a different video game with different ideals. Deduction and dialogue were given less care than the need to double down on its more grandiose suggestions. As a result, my efforts to build a Louis de Richet worth a damn has eroded after a dozen hours in a matter of seconds. Burn it all down. I don't care what happens anymore.

Forza Horizon 4 is beautiful and exhilarating, with seamless multiplayer, compelling progression, and more cars than you know what to do with.

The Walking Dead: The Final Season episode 2 does well enough outside of its circumstance, but without the certainty of obtaining proper closure I cannot, in good consciousness, recommend supporting this episode as Clementine’s final chapter.

For those looking for a classic RPG adventure that offers dozens of hours of gameplay, Dragon Quest XI will fit the bill quite nicely. For anyone else, it’s weighed down by some weird legacy issues and just a bit too much of a “been there, done that” feel.

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.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition is a very touching game. It pulls at your heartstrings with its charm and pushes you headfirst into its world, slowly drawing you into its core. The extra polishing on display helps a shining star burn even brighter, as this game will offer players one of the greatest RPG experiences of all time the way it was meant to be played.

Shadow of Tomb Raider tells an outstanding coming of age story Lara Croft has so desperately needed to propel her into the next chapter.

Marvel's Spider-Man finally gives players the best opportunity to do whatever a spider can.

Strange Brigade stays close to Rebellion's third-person formula but doesn't add enough to it to be a truly great game. The pulpy, humor delivered with a wink and nudge saves the game from being a slog.

An emphatically triumphant farewell, Yakuza Kiwami 2 lives up to its “extreme” namesake. Its engrossing, dense, dark story is complemented with an engaging open world filled with wondrous activities littering its narrow streets. Taking the best parts of its franchise and stuffing it all into a rich, rewarding experience, minor game engine flaws cannot overshadow the dragon within.

Guacamelee 2 takes but never quite gives; it amps up the difficulty without making the necessary changes to keep the game interesting. The result is a test of patience rather than a test of skill.

The attention paid to solo players in MUT and some Franchise improvements are certainly noticeable and deserve credit. However, when the game is littered with a multitude of glitches, a weak story mode and no other big notable changes, it makes Madden’s price tag more difficult to justify.

With changes to its gameplay engine, combat, visual style and choice-driven narrative, The Walking Dead: The Final Season starts out on the right foot. Though there are moments that take you out of the immersive story, its gripping conclusion sets up what looks to be one of the franchise’s best season in years.

After a disappointing second salvo, The Council episode 3, “Ripples,” rebounds with full gusto. Bringing a narrative and gameplay balance, players are given a better picture at what the series aims to accomplish and keeps them hooked onto what happens next.

The Banner Saga 3 fails to deliver the complexity of choice some were hoping for, but the compromise allows for a deep narrative enhanced by intelligent combat additions, excellent art direction, and its melancholic soundtrack.

With Seasons, EA has delivered one of the most robust, complete expansions for The Sims 4.

Unfortunately, the tediousness of the game’s mechanics erases some of the magic of seeing your dinosaur park come to life.

If you are looking for a bit of light-hearted fun or are a big puzzle game fan, Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido might be a worthwhile investment for you. If you are looking for a deeply engrossing game that will pull you in for hours, maybe give it a miss.

Vampyr sports an interesting cast and a compelling morality tale with unexpected twists and turns, but it's horribly weighed down by performance issues, dull combat at best and a city that's a chore to traverse.

At times, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is a prime example of a compilation done right. Smooth gameplay and plethora of extra content are just a few button presses away. However, the lack of other features that have been in previous Street Fighter re-releases leaves a pretty large void. Combine that with shaky netcode, and suddenly the value of the entire package is diminished even further.

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.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire makes improvements across the board, but perhaps not in the areas that matter most. Its scenes are great, its dialogue meaningful, but its grand scale seems to give a more fractured nature, while bugs and crashes can completely ruin immersion. It’s a game full of new ideas, but it feels like it needs another iteration to perfect them.

Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time represents the show it is based on incredibly well when it comes to the look and the characters. That’s all it gets right, though, as the gameplay is just frustrating and tedious.

State of Decay 2‘s survival mechanics and combat are enjoyable at first, but quickly grow stale after repeating the same actions over and over. It has a few shining moments, but its execution is ultimately rather lackluster and shallow. The only true horror in this zombie survival game is its numerous technical issues.

Omensight‘s fluid combat and colorful cast of characters are the stars in this time-altering murder mystery. The beautiful art style and personality of the game is enough to overshadow some of the sketchy platforming and camera angles. But the game’s surprisingly linear progression left me yearning for more mystery solving than was provided.

Though interactions with noble aristocrats throughout the manor retain their charm, these moments are undercut by poor technical performance, disappointing pacing and an unfocused series of story beats. “Hide and Seek” flirts with squandering the series’ potential.