There is almost nothing without purpose in Breath of the Wild’s world and it is easy to get lost for hours on end without ever advancing the story. Even so, it helps that the narrative holds up as well, providing another meaningful journey for the Hylian hero and heroine. Breath of the Wild is by no means perfect, but when you’ve got a game that rewards every kind of exploration with a new wrinkle, it might not have to be.

Atlus has spent the last decade trying to make this niche JPRG franchise more prominent in the west, and Persona 5 deserves to be the game that finally takes the series from obscure to mainstream. Not only is it true to the series’ roots as well as a great starting point for the series, it’s a fantastic game, period. A hundred hours might not even feel like enough time; my first thought upon seeing the credits roll was “Is it too soon for New Game Plus?” Persona 5 is something very special, so never fear, JRPG fans: it was worth the wait.

It’s fantastic, fun and highly addictive, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t be playing Hearthstone right now.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain might not be the perfect game, but it's as close as any title has ever gotten.

Uncharted 4 is indeed A Thief's End, the type of bookend story to which other franchises should aspire. It's an emotional ride through some pretty dangerous places, not the least of which is the mind of a man who realizes he's at a major crossroad in life. Will this be the last time we see Nathan Drake? I don't know for sure, but you know what? I sure hope it is. Godspeed Uncharted, and thanks for all the memories.

Sometimes things will be tough; you may even swear you're done getting stomped by a cruel and uncaring game, yet you'll inevitably find yourself picking up that controller again, steeling your resolve, swearing to push through the pain to snatch that next triumphant moment of victory from the slobbering jaws of the dark beast we call Bloodborne.

Threes is a great mix of simplicity, style and fun. Even if you hate math and numbers, you’ll dig this.

There are times when Wild Hunt just can't live up to its own development team's expectations, but for the most part, The Witcher 3 is an amazing experience.

Papa Sangre II has 18 levels for you to tackle, giving you a relatively lengthy and immersive experience unlike anything you might have come across before.

Table Tennis Touch manages to not only capture the fun of one of America’s most enduring pastimes, but it does so in a way that makes full use of video games as a medium, allowing for new types of experiences while keeping the core fun of the game intact.

There wasn’t a single minute while I was playing this game that I wasn’t smiling, oohing, or aahing at something, whether it be a new detail in a stage, or a big time move pulled off by another player. The Smash Bros. museum is open once again, and anyone who’s ever loved Smash Bros., Nintendo, or video games in general, should immediately subscribe to the lifetime pass.

By this point in time, I still have trouble trying to decide whether or not Device 6 was a text-based game or a story with video game elements added in, but neither of those choices adequately describe it. In hindsight, I realize now that Device 6 can be easily categorized with one word: art.

Overwatch does the things most video games only dream of doing. This is a fresh, joyful experience offering an incredible variety of gameplay, high ease of access, and deep potential for mastery. In a genre full of dour shootymans using realistic guns to shoot at realistic people, Overwatch polishes off the grit to reveal a game that's optimistic and eager to be explored. This is a world you'll want to stay in, bring your friends to, and keep coming back to for years to come.

With beautiful visuals, excellent controls, varying raceways, and near-perfect multiplayer experiences, I wholly recommend Asphalt 8: Airborne to anyone wanting a fun, over-the-top racing title. Who knows what Gameloft will do in the future with Asphalt 9, but they won’t be redlining and blowing their engines anytime soon.

No matter what form it’s in, Final Fantasy VI is one of the best games in the history of the medium, with its fast-paced battles, humongous world to explore, fascinating characters and bold, original story.

Forza Horizon 3 has everything you could possibly want from a modern racing game, and it just happens to be in the most stunning package we've ever seen.

Blood and Wine has been said to be the last pursuit for Geralt of Rivia for the foreseeable future according to CD Projekt Red. If that’s really true and we’re done with Witcher for a while, then Blood and Wine is most certainly the way to put this franchise to rest once and for all.

X-Com: Enemy Unknown controls perfectly on the iPad. The touch controls for the camera, the soldiers, and choosing commands are all intuitively designed and responsive.

Lords of Waterdeep provides an intense, strategic experience that’s best played with friends, and though it can occasionally lean on the rules to the point of becoming convoluted, the varied gameplay and great potential for inter-personal interactions make for an awesome experience.

Majora’s Mask 3D’s small but significant changes push it just far enough ahead of Ocarina of Time 3D to make it as unique of an experience as it was fifteen years ago.

If Dark Souls III is the final visit to this series, then it is the apex the series deserves and certainly one of the most worthwhile adventures we’ve embarked on in a long time.

The gameplay, while not overly complex and slightly less fine-tuned as its console cousin, is more than adequate. And the overall package is really quite solid. Playdead knows this and the price tag reflects that polish. But is Limbo worth it? Well, there certainly are no shortage of beautiful physics puzzle/platformers already in the App Store, but there’s not many that can match Limbo’s overall quality.

I have nothing but unabashed love for Monsters Ate My Birthday Cake, and although it’s a $4.99 download, it’s well worth the investment.

This is an absolutely gorgeous game that must be experienced by anyone with an iOS device.

Horizon Zero Dawn is compelling from the first minutes of the game, telling an incredible story and marking it with a deep crafting system and exceptional combat. Aloy is inspiring in her lead role, with the potential to become a new leading face in gaming for a long time to come.

NetherRealm Studios has been working with the DC Comics characters for a few games now, but Injustice 2 truly shows just how well the developer understands how to best translate comics to a fighting game. Just having the likes of Gorilla Grodd and Aquaman in a fighting game would have been enough for most fans, but including as much depth in the story, loot system, online options, and customization takes Injustice 2 above and beyond. It's not all that rare for NetherRealm to have success in the fighting genre, but to accomplish this level of excellence for players of all skill levels is a fantastic achievement.

The magnitude of the world is awe-inspiring, and even with the lukewarm additions of crafting and building, Fallout 4 manages to be as enthralling an experience as any open-world adventure to date.

FTL: Faster Than Light proved to be a hit on the PC, with its massive replayability, intelligently-designed gameplay and minimalist interface, and those same qualities are what make it a success on iOS as well.

What Remains of Edith Finch is a hauntingly memorable experience even though it's only a few hours long. You will have a hard time forgetting any of the Finches and what they did with their time on the now-hallowed grounds. Equal parts somber, whimsical, devastating and charming, What Remains of Edith Finch is a moving exploration of what it means to be a family, to be loved, to be missed, and how the places we call home become just as much a part of us as we are of them.

Battleheart Legacy makes use of a minimalist visual style that, while clean and easily accessible, won’t exactly wow you. Its controls, too, are a bit of a sticking point, as during the heat of battle, it’s easy to accidentally click the wrong target or move to the wrong area. Still, these issues are minor, and will probably go unnoticed by players as they’re too distracted by the ludicrous amounts of fun they’re having.

Everyone from the classic Mario Bros. era to the current wave of video games will feel right at home with Super Mario Maker, and I would encourage everyone to don the yellow hard hat and get cracking.

Thomas Was Alone is freakin’ fantastic. It has an engaging story, vibrant and memorable graphics, and well thought out gameplay that will make it hard to stop playing. It’s a great purchase for gamers of all shapes and sizes.

Nier: Automata's story is a rich tale, both tragic and whimsical, told expertly through the medium of video games by melding thrilling combat with a profoundly imaginative world well worth exploring. Director Yoko Taro is a madman with a box, and he's been kind enough to open that box to let us play with it.

Sorcery! 2 certainly isn’t for everyone, but, as a text adventure for the digital age, it’s an experience that’s second-to-none.

Like its predecessor, Mikey Hooks is a solid title that’s full of lots of fun platforming action. For the price, it’s certainly worth adding to your library if you are looking for some fast-paced fun. And most importantly, it does right by the grappling hook.

In the end, XCOM 2 has come into the world aiming to do what an XCOM is supposed to do best, which is supply a fun, extensive, and challenging hybrid of resource and time management and turn-based strategy combat.

Dishonored 2 doesn't veer from the path established by the first game too severely, but given how strong the world and gameplay were it doesn't really have to either. The new locales and villains make for some strong additions to the series, as do the new powers unleashed by Emily Kaldwin. Even with a passable story and ineffective acting, the foundation and gameplay are strong enough to make Dishonored 2 one of the year's best.

Adventure buffs and those with a flair for the nostalgic need to make Ori and the Blind Forest part of their collections immediately, for it will take players back to the glory days of adventure games in the best ways.

After beating the game, the was one puzzle I couldn’t solve — why the The Room Two was such a disappointment.

If you’re looking for an action adventure that’s a bit left of center, Hero of Many should deliver the goods. Armed with dynamite graphics and a compelling story, it’s the perfect app to download for your iPad.

I really loved Castle Doombad’s deft mixture of intricate and addictive game play. It’s a slam-bang journey that does so much good that sometimes breaking bad is the only way to go. Especially if a beautiful princess is your unwilling companion.

With an amazing campaign, phenomenal multiplayer, numerous gameplay options, satisfying story, nigh-infinite unlockables, and tons of nooks and crannies to explore, Legacy of the Void stands as one of the proudest entries in the Starcraft legacy.

Rules! provides the unique experience of further developing hand-eye coordination and memory skills in each person who plays it, while giving the added bonus of plain-old having fun.

A peerless addition to Blizzard's biggest beast, showing that the beast is not only still alive, but its heart is pumping more strongly than ever.

An amazing platform experience from top to bottom. From the gameplay to the art to its style of wit and storytelling, Owlboy takes notes from the long history of its genre and combines them into a stellar journey.

The true gratification behind finishing this dense and absorbing experience is to come to the final stages, when you are directly faced with every single consequence of your deeds.

This new Doom is what I’ve been waiting for, a perfect mixture of old concepts and new technology brought together for the current generation. The fast-paced action of yesteryear is coupled with giant stages, customizable and shareable maps, and a robust if slightly generic multiplayer offering, the final result being a super fun way to blast through a few hours. There’s no Doom and gloom here; this new game is a hell of a good time.

This is the best Battlefield has been in a while, and Battlefield 1 has set a new bar for what we should expect from not just this series, but contemporaries as well.

Crypt of the Necrodancer nails everything that it sets out to do. Every moment of Necrodancer is fun and engaging, the music is some of the best original music in any rhythm game, and the entire experience feels very original.

These new games take things previously thought to be untouchable elements of the Pokemon experience and turns them on their heads, delivering a completely unique experience from its predecessors.

It isn’t perfect, but for anyone who likes action-RPGs or a worthy challenge, Wayward Souls is a solid choice.

Arkham Knight is a massive technical achievement on consoles, and as a final note on the character and franchise, it delivers in almost every way.

These new games take things previously thought to be untouchable elements of the Pokemon experience and turns them on their heads, delivering a completely unique experience from its predecessors.

A spectacular machine that makes perfect use of all its components. It incorporates familiar elements with those that may have seemed superfluous, but only serve to solidify this franchise as a frontrunner in the genre. Packed with content, modes and customizability, Forza Motorsport 6 is a grand evolution of a decade's worth of racing under the Microsoft banner.

Giving us two different prices is also a rather blatant form of game gouging, especially when there are a healthy amount of in-game purchases to be had. Even with these complaints, Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage is still worth a look, especially if you have three bucks to blow.

Titanfall 2 is one of the most joyful gaming experiences of the year. There are lots of games with heart and excitement, but Titanfall 2 manages to combine almost everything that was a strength for the first entry and build on it with loads more personality.

If you’re looking for a fun hack n’ slash action-JRPG with a deep customizable system to tailor to your playstyle, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir is some of the most enjoyable times to be had, going far beyond the nostalgia of a simple remake.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate finally hooked me into the entire Monster Hunter series. I now understand why this franchise has so many die-hard fans, and I get why hundreds of hours are spent roaming the hills and deserts looking for new prey.

Guilty Gear Xrd is continuing to stand out as the game that deserves to bask in the spotlight. -Revelator- doesn’t reinvent the wheel the way -Sign- did, but it does add a significant amount of content and gloss to what was already awesome.

Some players will likely have a gripe with Her Story's format or even have the audacity to claim that it's not a game. I assure you, it is as engaging as any AAA, blockbuster title I've encountered... as long as you're willing to observe, think and research.

On a pure visceral aspect, Anomaly 2 is just pure, unadulterated fun.

The occasional rough edges show, like its overly sluggish pace and sonorous quiet, but for those who can push through the silence you'll find a deep and engaging strategy title with a solid campaign and enough replayability to keep you entertained until the inevitable Ultra HD VR re-release another fifteen years from now.

Where’s My Mickey? delivers simple yet addictive puzzle gameplay filled with animation sequences that make it more than a worthy download.

Rayman Fiesta brings exactly what its name promises: a fiesta! It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s smartly made, perfect for anyone who wants to do a little high-speed, high-energy gaming on the go.

That rare title that gets better as you progress, crediting dedicated players who know that the best things are yet to come.

Resident Evil 7 Biohazard is the best thing to happen to this series in more than a decade, and shows that you don't always have to follow the same drummer as everyone else to make something special.

Rise of the Tomb Raider isn't setting a tremendous new bar for all of action video games to follow, as much of this game stems from things we've done before, but it's still a neat little adventure buried in the God-forsaken wilderness.

Tiny Thief is an inspired puzzler which should grab you from the get go.

This is the first true expansion for Destiny and it’s the culmination of all the potential the original game showed when it first released.

It's strange to think about it in these terms, but Heroes of the Storm is the perfect MOBA for those who don't care for League of Legends and Dota 2. The removal of items simplifies gameplay in comparison to League and Dota, but the focus on teamwork, communication, learning the roster, speed and environmental objectives helps make up for the things MOBA fans may nitpick about Heroes (such as its lack of items).

Even those who have played through Shulk's big adventure before will love experiencing it again in Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. The game survives the console-to-portable transition amazingly well, with only a few minor graphical imperfections to speak of.

There is almost nothing bad I can say about Rymdkapsel. Everything is simple, minimal and cut down. I can hardly think of how the game would function if one of the room-types were removed for the sake of implementing something else.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is a wonderful re-emergence of a wonderful game. The brand new HD visuals make the game look better than ever before, really capturing the beauty and majesty of Twilight Princess.

We feel the same way about Generations as we did about Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate last year: it's a fun game that requires far too much grinding. We only wish there were more new things to talk about instead of just the same old hunter's song and dance.

As an indie game by a team known for the wild first-person shooter Serious Sam, not much was expected, and yet what we got was a fantastic puzzle game blended with a story and world surpassing that of most video games by being thought-provoking, well-crafted, and actually having something to say.

Dragon Age: Inquisition represents a glorious return to form for the series, with its huge world to explore, great cast of characters, and immensely satisfying combat and character progression. Despite its flaws, this is easily a contender for RPG of the year, and a must-have for most any gamer.

For a free game, and despite the weird micro-transaction pricing, WWE SuperCard has a lot to offer, and it’s definitely worth a download for those looking for quick fun.

Even if you only get up to three iOS games a year, make sure this is one of them. There are hours upon hours of content to play, plenty of islands to explore and monsters to fight.

Armed with arresting visuals and a slightly irreverent tone, Kingdom Rush Frontiers is a cut above the usual tower defense game.

With combat that’s fast-paced, yet thoughtful, extensive customization and upgrade options, lengthy campaigns, and a generous approach to free-to-play, CastleStorm: Free to Siege has turned out to be one heck of a title, one well worth the time of anyone in the mood for some finger-blazingly frenetic action.

With Yakuza 0, Sega's managed to give the long-running series a shot in the arm, re-invigorating it for longtime players, and making it accessible to anyone that was turned off by jumping in so late in the series before.

While Out There is indisputably a well-crafted game, it’s also a game designed to cater to a specific crowd. Its harsh, survival-oriented gameplay harkens back to PC games of old, and though there are a number of choices which hamper the title’s replayability, it’s still a uniquely memorable experience which will provide countless hours of fun for gamers who don’t mind frequently failing at a slow pace.

Shadowrun Returns is an inspired blend of science fiction, fantasy, and film noir, giving gamers an intricate mystery to investigate. It may cost a pretty penny, but if you need hours of alone time with your iPad, this app should definitely do the trick, especially if you’re in a Seattle state of mind.

If you’re looking for a chilled out puzzle experience that has plenty of replay value, look no further than Strata.

This game being a re-imagining of the first Ratchet and Clank makes it not only a great entry point for the series, but more importantly a truly great game.

An overwhelming adventure full of violence, warring factions, exploration and the craziest badgers you’ll ever see.

While the premise is about as ludicrous as one would expect from the Rabbids, there's a real strong game underneath all that goofiness. The strategic action isn't quite as punishing as some of the more established franchises in the genre, but Kingdom Battle still manages pack some smart gameplay tricks into a welcoming experience for Switch owners.

The biggest draw about the remastered version of Valkyria Chronicles is the upgrade to 1080p resolution. However, it was already gorgeous on the PS3 eight years ago thanks to the watercolor-inspired artwork and storybook interface. Valkyria Chronicles Remastered looks exactly how I remember it looking, which is a testament to its impressive art design.

It's a great trip down memory lane, one that I bet will bring a lot of smiles to faces young and old.

Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-, weird name and all, is a fantastic fighter that does an incredible job of teaching new players the ropes while keeping things interesting for the normal crowd. I love fighters that take this approach, as it can only mean more people playing fighters and my favorite genre can continue to grow and blossom.

This is one of the best first episodes we’ve seen from Telltale, and quite possibly one of the best episodes of all Telltale’s work.

Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker has a good, lengthy story built on a solid system.

The campaign leans on everything that worked in the first game, all while adding new flourishes to further make the world of Gears of War more compelling. The multiplayer is as enjoyable as ever, with the new modes keeping Gears online elements fresh, and more importantly, addictive. It's undeniably good to be thumping around in COG armor again.

Though the story is a draw for longtime fans, most people will be stopping in to check out Halo 5's multiplayer, and it's there 343's direction really shines. Warzone is a lot of fun, and Arena's classic inspiration is made all the better thanks to 343's latest twists to core mechanics. It's gorgeous, it's fast-paced, and it's a blast to play regardless of your skill level. Halo 5 is absolutely the flagship title the Xbox One deserves.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is Rockstar Games’s best port yet.

A wonderful, demanding but rewarding, roguelike twin-stick shooter where the visuals connect with the gameplay and the music is getting you pumped to shoot more bullets at bullets. Enter the Gungeon does a good job of explaining its mechanics via tutorial and Ammonomicon, making it great first for anyone looking to get into this burgeoning genre. It doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to table, but what it does bring is extremely well done.

It would have been something to see all of the story ambitions come together clearly, but even without those elements striking the right balance, Mankind Divided sets a rather high bar for stealth/action-RPGs.

Axiom Verge is a clear love letter to the Metroids and Super Metroids of the world, playing just like those classic exploration platformers and doing the genre justice.