Knightmare Tower is a gem that reaches for the stars. It doesn’t quite achieve perfection, but who cares when you’re surrounded by royalty.

Gamers who crave for a difficult epic should definitely check out Stellar Wars.

It’s an odd approach, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a lot of fun with this game.

Ultimately, SOMA provides a unique tale of sci-fi horror that is unlike any of its contemporaries.

Frozen Synapse requires a bit of time to adequately pull off a mission, since learning all of the squad’s commands and finding a strategy that works just doesn’t happen within minutes.

Thimbleweed Park is built on a foundation of nostalgia and reinforced with pop culture references, but it's the clever puzzles, funny characters, and stellar design that hold it all together. It reminds us what's great about classic point-and-click adventures while showing that there's still a place for the genre in modern gaming. Lucasfilm Games and its beloved IP may be lost to us, but the creative forces behind those classics still know what it takes to make a compelling, funny, clever adventure.

Scurvy Scallywags is a surprise hit with a great pedigree and even better gameplay.

Still, minor gripes aside, Heroes of Loot is a damn fun dungeon crawler.

Hitman -Sapienza doesn’t live up to the free-form assassination sandbox that the previous episode set up. The frustrating lack of freedom and save issues really hurt the experience however. Despite it being a better looking and ultimately more immersive setting than any of the first three missions, Sapienza falls flat in its mission structure.

It’s not a point-and-click and it’s not a straight up puzzle title, but rather a mixture of the two. Take one part Professor Layton and one part Sasquatch, throw in a generous helping of Psychonauts, and you have this charming title.

Ultimately, Paint It Back is a traditional, brain-teasing puzzler that most people can enjoy. It’s simple enough that even children can figure it out on the lowest levels, but can be varied and expanded upon to the point where you need a genius to solve it.

Second Chance Heroes provides a ton of mobile entertainment atop a charming personality.

Similar to its story, DmC's remastered version of Dante embraces the things Ninja Theory's kept and changed from the old Devil May Cry formula, making the unification of heaven and hell as fun as it gets in the land of Limbo.

If you’re looking for nonstop action, something tells me that you really have no interest in typography or simply platform puzzling. But, if you’re looking to slow down your gaming time and learn a bit about history, then you can’t do better than Type: Rider.

Raising a family in 17th century Europe may never supplant my love for dungeons (or dragons), but next time someone asks me to help farm their land, maybe I’ll stay awhile.

Resident Evil is an excellent, successful resurrection of a timeless classic. While there may not be enough content to satiate those familiar with the 13-year-old remake, things still felt fresh, in a rotted, unsettling sort of way.

It's a bloody, gory bout of glory with intricate controls, a varied and balanced roster, and a ton of ways to play both online against peers or alone on the couch.

Sky Force 2014 may have simple ambitions, but it executes these tasks in perfect fashion.

An excellent sandbox reminds us that gaming, nor life, can ever stop. The adventure is always afoot, so keep your workbench good and ready.

If there is one thing that really holds Bardbarian back from being a truly perfect iOS game, it’s the fact that it’s so challenging. While the difficulty may be fun for fans of the genre and people like me who just generally enjoy a challenge, it kind of hampers the story a bit and may cause other gamers to lose interest.

Pandemic: The Board Game is great. It doesn’t stray from the tabletop version’s awesome gameplay, and expands it a little with the addition of a couple of new characters while adding in the option of flying solo.

With a very apparent lack of any flair or no fighting animations, Yomi remains a methodical, thought-provoking card game at its core — it’s just that there isn’t anything else to really keep you coming back for more.

It might not be a game for players that aren’t looking to be challenged, but Invisible, Inc. is a great stealth experience despite a couple of minor setbacks.

While Gears' campaign will offer an entertaining (and sometimes frustrating) 5-7 hours of gameplay, most players will get the most out of this remake from its addictive multiplayer.

I could not be happier with the direction Ubisoft took with Watch Dogs 2, casting off the serious tone of the first game and replacing it with bright colors, fun characters, and light humor. Combat is pretty boring, but the multiple hacking options almost making shooting obsolete in the right hands.

DropMix continues Rock Band developers Harmonix's elevated expectations of what can be accomplished when you mix video games with chart-topping hits.

If this turn-based strategy title can get its hooks in you, you’ll probably find yourself getting sucked deeper and deeper into its many intricacies. But, thanks to its unappealing aesthetics and focus on subtle game mechanics, getting in isn’t easy.

SUPERHOT presents a fun sort of arcade/puzzle game that has plenty of materials to last well beyond its core experience.

Few games manage to port from PC to iOS so well as Terraria.

Fortunately, The Handsome Jack Collection's addictive gameplay, excellent writing and charismatic cast keeps things moving in an unforgettable, fun-filled way.

Madden has been good for a long time, but this year it's great. There are so many small improvements made to the core of Madden NFL 18's gameplay thanks to the new engine, it's hard not to be excited when hitting the gridiron every time you fire up a game. Even after hours of play, we're still noticing new ways in which players are reacting and moving between the hash marks.

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions takes everything that worked about its already-great predecessors, and brings them together into a new dimension of awesomeness.

The bite-sized stages really help keep the game moving, even when I'm performing poorly, and the aesthetic is incredibly easy on the eyes. There's some zany good times to be had with the multiplayer as well, and I'm sure Runbow will soon find its way into the rotation as a go-to party game in my household.

There likely will never be a perfect Madden NFL game, but this version comes very close to that ideal indeed.

If you’re looking for a basic game without a lot of bells and whistles and a high difficulty, Crush! might be right for you. However, if you want something that’s a bit flashier, more skill-based, and more fun, look elsewhere.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime tried for a bold experiment with its control scheme, and though this sets it apart from other similar games, it’s ultimately an experiment that needs to go back to the drawing board.

The actual game play and visuals, though simple, don’t disappoint. The first rate music, which is worth the $0.99 download just by itself, will keep you dreaming for the stars.

With wry humor, just the right amount of challenge, and accessibility to all comers, I Expect You to Die sets a precedent for being one of the best virtual reality experiences available for PlayStation right now. It's not always perfect, but Schell Games has done so much else right, it's easy to overlook the few flaws that persist throughout the experience.

Acting as both sequel and remake through the use of Grandpa Graham's reminiscing, "A Knight to Remember" offers a fresh take on a classic franchise with some profound production quality. Unfortunately, King's Quest's gameplay isn't as spot-on as it should be, especially when compared to its contemporaries in the adventure game format.

It’s worth the download even if it gets repetitive after a spell. There’s nothing wrong with a pick up and play puzzler, especially if you love ordering combo platters.

The Last Guardian is an interesting and frustrating game that can’t decide if it wants to be modern or retro, and that constant argument brings the entire experience down a notch. While I was willing to deal with the limits of the previous era to enjoy the perks of the current one, I can understand where others might grow weary of the experience.

Rivals gives Rock Band 4 some new life that injects the core game with modes fans have been begging for, and a new story mode that longtime fans and newcomers alike can get behind.

Don’t be fooled, this is not an endless runner that will have you snoozing in the back of the lecture hall.

Severed is the kind of game that comes along once a generation, and helps define a console.

Indigo Lake unfolds like an extended Twilight Zone episode and if you love slow build, psychological thrillers, you’re definitely in for a treat.

Kingdom Hearts II is another faithful port, but its impact definitely falls short of what BBS accomplishes.

Of course, the concept of mods and the freedom that comes with them is a given. In a game like Skyrim however, it let us fill the empty space with our own creativity and lets us immerse ourselves however we want in an already immersive game. Turns out Skyrim is even more fun the second time around.

Orborun is a first rate title to just pick up and play for a few minutes. As a morning pick me up or as a jolt of gaming espresso, it won’t steer you wrong. Its true pleasures lies in pushing your device, as well as your coordination, to its limits.

This game's fast-paced platforming and clever level concepts elevate it past any other game in the series.

This map put everything I’ve learned playing Hitman to the test. That, and the surprisingly well-done cliffhanger ending, are what made this episode my favorite of the season. The level of detail and density of each map, and the continually deepening narrative, kept me coming back for each new content release, whether it was new elusive targets or new challenges.

Those looking for a more advanced shooter experience on Wii U have it now, but it's not so advanced that younger players won't be able to jump in, too. Splatoon is the shooter for everyone, and everyone will have a blast in Inkopolis.

This is a full-fledged RPG that you can take with you, just in case you want to escape to another world and become an epic badass.

It’s amazing to know that for under three bucks, a completely addicting racing title such as Riptide GP 2 exists. To get the full experience, I would suggest giving it a spin on an iPad, as your smart phone won’t capture all the dimensions this racer has to offer.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided was already one of our favorite games of last year, but both add-ons in Jensen's Stories have kept the game feeling fresh long after release. "A Criminal Past" was a bit more enjoyable than "System Rift" if only because "System Rift" took place in the same confines as the main campaign, and this new DLC lets us see someplace new and different we haven't been exploring for hours on end already. Whatever Square and Eidos have in store for Deus Ex in the future, "A Criminal Past" and Mankind Divided show there are plenty of ways to keep us coming back for more.

The captivating stories and kooky cast of characters are completely intact, all with a dazzling new coat of 3D paint that makes them look better than ever.

Cut The Rope 2 is a great time waster, but in the best way possible.

Prior to this episode, the pace of Life is Strange was a bit all over the place with a very slow first episode and a rushed, but exciting, second chapter. With this third episode, Dontnod seems to have found the balance in character development and furthering plot points.

Icycle: On Thin Ice is a steal for just $0.99 thanks to its outside the box creative execution and perfectly realized physics quests. It’s a great one two punch of fun that carries much more heat than its moniker suggests.

Skylanders Superchargers went a long way in trying to change itself up from its predecessors and it did a pretty good job.

Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker is a joyous experience in an age where many games go for the grim. This low-cost, high-value puzzler’s packed full of sweet characters, delightful visuals, and its multi-objective level design lets nubile gamers feel accomplished at simply beating a stage while still leaving some nice challenge for the more hardcore among us.

Helldivers is at its greatest when playing with friends in short bursts. If played alone, or over long periods of time, weaknesses like the small number of abilities to choose from, repetitive battles and weapons, and overly-similar missions start to show.

It's not quite as strong in every area as the preceding chapters were, but Tales From the Borderlands' third episode does a nice job keeping us invested, continuing to add new wrinkles to the adventure, and keeping us smiling.

Double Fine promised a classic point-and-click title when it launched its crowd-funding campaign three long years ago, but the developer didn’t just rely on nostalgia. Instead, it made a game that captures the humor of the games Tim Schafer worked on at LucasArts while creating a modern aesthetic that totally suits the story.

Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice has some bumps along the road, but there's a twisting and thrilling story worth the occasional struggle.

Mickey may have a few illusions in store, but he’s got the right kind of magic to get him by.

Camera issues notwithstanding, Final Fantasy XV was worth every second of that 10 year wait. The story pulled me in despite not giving me all of the backstory I craved, the four heroes were charming, witty, and fun to pal around with, the locales were gorgeous and a delight to look at, and the battle system was fast and frenetic.

Hitman Go takes the boiled-down essence of the stealth genre and brilliantly translates it into a mobile puzzler that’s easy on the eyes and challenging on the brain.

It’s a love letter to the genre, written by someone who moved away, traveled the world, and learned some new things while still managing to stay true to their roots.

Although it’s not free to play, this app offers a solid bang for one’s buck by offering gamers a ton of levels without the necessity of purchasing premium items. Like the original game, Pac-Man Friends is also entirely addictive experience.

Project CARS infuses its universe with hours of addictive gameplay that simply never lets up. Impatient players may be turned off by its high difficulty level (even setting the game to "novice" doesn't make your life any easier), but to paraphrase a Rolling Stone song, time is definitely on their side.

Galactic Civilizations III stays the course on the strong path laid by Galactic Civilization II— at times to a fault.

For a free game, FIFA 14 is an amazing value and packs in all of the fun and deep content of a console sports game down into a mobile platform.

Its narrative and puzzles can occasionally be long-winded and a bit too time consuming, but it still stands out as one of the more gripping narrative driven games we’ve played. Just be aware: before the moment of final escape, there will be blood and tears.

Even though some of it feels more of the same when compared to Advanced Warfare, Black Ops III's unconventional experiments sits atop refined shooting mechanics and smooth controls, resulting in some excellent gameplay. Toss in a ton of replayability to be gained from both the short campaign, Zombies Mode and multiplayer, and this is one of the strongest entries of the franchise to date.

Despite the minor issues, it’s hard to deny that Book of Unwritten Tales 2 has everything I like in a point-and-click adventure: fun puzzles, memorable characters, and plenty of heart.

Garden Warfare 2 does nothing new outside of those new maps and the hub area, which really isn’t that much. This sequel feels like a “complete edition” of the first Garden Warfare only with different maps. The weak campaign and lackluster multiplayer modes outside of Gnome Bomb aren’t doing it any favors either.

With the wide range of interests collected here, there's almost assuredly something for everyone, and that's one of Lego Dimensions' greatest strengths. That it's also fun to play just makes the decision to enter this world that much easier.

With everything presented in a tidy package, Dead Ahead manages to make old ideas seem fresh again, which is not a small feat considering the amount of rotting flesh and gore I had to deal with.

Volume is a strong game that is not without its flaws, but finds a nice home in the class of stealth games this year has already offered.

Though "The Sword in the Darkness" was a bit of a slower-paced episode, it still managed to keep us captivated with Game of Thrones signature political intrigue and secrets.

As a re-introduction into Telltale's Walking Dead world, A New Frontier does just about everything right. The new characters offer some much needed change in perspective, and the narrative is a tight story that lays the groundwork for an exciting and different season.

This first episode is a bit dense, particularly for newcomers, but the attention to detail is meticulous and appreciated.

Joe Danger Infinity is perhaps one of my favorite kids iPhone games that I’ve played so far. It’s got a lot of action, a cute little score and some sweet graphics to boot.

While the Definitive Edition doesn't particularly bring anything new to the table, nor does it enhance the original game as much as other titles that made the jump from last-to-current-gen, Dishonored luckily has a great foundation that helped ease this transition.

The Show is still the best game in town, but that doesn't mean this year is the best it's ever been.

It would be easy to dismiss Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy as a nostalgia play, but it's quite a bit more than that. This collection celebrates a franchise that was once a hallmark of a bygone console, and that hasn't been relevant for quite some time. Vicarious Visions has done a fantastic job recreating everything that made Crash Bandicoot such an appealing series, and it's done it with style and improvements that only this latest generation could provide. Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy isn't for the impatient player, but it's a rewarding experience for anyone with the guts to get a little wild.

Poker Night 2 for iOS is a great looking game that runs well, packs in all of the great conversations and music from the console version (the jazzy version of Borderlands 2′s theme, Short Change Hero, is amazing), and delivers an addictive experience that you can take on the go.

There’s a real satisfying feeling of the game getting more complex the further you get.

A bit of perseverance goes a long way with Bridgy and Bonner, so try to keep the faith even if everything falls apart around you. Once you find the patterns of what actually works, the train should be headed in the right direction.

For only a dollar, this game is really a great value and an impressive effort from developers Chia-Yu Chen and Lee-Kuo Chen.

Once they iron out all the small kinks, I believe that one day the Infectonator series will be able to deliver a flawless zombie runner. While today wasn’t that day, Armor Games definitely got extremely close to the helicopter.

Overall, The Rivers of Alice is a beautifully made adventure title that is ham-stringed by the lack of logic that plagues a lot of adventure titles.

If you can get past the occasionally finicky controls and lack of things to do, and if you’re really into just wheeling around and mastering this two-fingered skate system, you may find that Touchgrind Skate 2 shreds gnarlier than most; other gamers, however, will probably find more fun digging back through the huge library of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater titles.

Ultimately, Mines of Mars provides an experience that expands well beyond the average iOS title that is almost on par with the higher end of indie, PC gaming quality.

Tales of the Adventure Company functions well, but its marriage of RPG and puzzle gameplay have been done many times before, and many times more strongly, in the past, leaving this as one party you may be better off leaving at the inn.

Smarter Than You’s base idea is certainly fun, but its execution needs a lot of work to make it anything other than a brief time-waster barely worth the efforts it takes to download it.

It wouldn't be a true Game of Thrones tale without some dramatic twists at the conclusion, and Telltale's story has a few that were true eye-opening moments.

Despite a few technical shortcomings, Mega Man Legacy Collection is a love letter to one of the best franchises in retro gaming history.