Dead Cells takes some of the very best ideas from Rouge-lite and Metroidvania titles to make an action packed platformer that smartly allows the player to unravel the game's secrets.

Semblance is a fresh and interesting take on puzzle platformers. Players who like testing their mental fortitude will want to jump right in. Those who struggle and are easily frustrated might have more reason to be cautious though

Sonic Mania Plus almost perfectly encapsulates what made the original Sega Genesis and CD games so much fun while updating the style so that it feels fresh and new.

Shining Resonance Refrain might be outclassed by modern JRPGs, but if you judge it on it's own merits, you'll quickly find that there is a lot to enjoy.

Arkane leverages Prey's strengths in gameplay with a rogue like twist on story delivery for one of the best DLCs of the year.

Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus on the Nintendo Switch is the worst version of a great shooter.

Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy was one of the best remakes available on the PS4 and it earns that honor once again on Nintendo Switch.

Jack of all trades, master of none. The Crew 2 is ultimately a more enjoyable experience than the first game, but one that also buckles under its own ambition.

A fun adventure with an emotional narrative, interesting characters and relationships.

Cooperative gameplay and challenge levels seems to have led to a lack of charm in this follow-up.

Vampyr is very ambitious and presents a lot of cool and interesting ideas, but just doesn’t quite hit its mark.

The collection is a faithful representation of the arcade classics with a rich and deep museum to fill your brain with enough Street Fighter lore and history to last you for years.

[Detroit: Become Human] is a social revolution simulator, where most of your choices actually matter, the story and characters are engaging and moving and the amount of narrative content is incredibly massive.

It's the Dark Souls of Dark Souls games, and the issues that plagued the console versions that released in 2011 have been remedied.

If you can put up with a game that isn’t quite state of the industry when it comes to visual fidelity and performance, there’s a fun zombie survival game underneath it all.

I was worried Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time would be a cheap cash grab, but I was wrong. There are some flaws, but the most important aspect — the franchise’s ethos — is fully intact and on full display, making this a game that’s sure to leave fans spellbound.

This high stakes laser light show by no means is perfect, but it is a blast and one hell of a way to kill an evening online or locally.

The lack of new content in Dragon’s Crown Pro may be disappointing, but when a game plays — and looks — as good as this, it’s hard to hold such complaints against it. Returning players, welcome back; new players, enjoy your stay.

Killing Floor: Incursion hits PSVR just a bit late in a lot of ways. It's arrival comes months after the PC release, which already felt pretty derivative of other VR shooters out there. If you're a fan of the property then the game might offer enough to justify a purchase. Otherwise it's just a standard VR shooter that doesn't go far enough to differentiate itself from the crowd.

Celeste blends old gameplay ideas with progressive story telling and the results are nothing short of amazing.

Don’t let the odd marketing fool you — there is far more to Megadimension Neptunia VIIR than just its VR. Between its quality of life updates, reworked mechanics and enhanced combat, this game represents the series at its best.

Murderous Pursuits is a fine continuation of The Ship and the concepts it implemented so well. The core of the game is extremely solid, delivering a fun multiplayer experience throughout every match. The only problem is that there's just not enough here to keep most people coming back on a regular schedule. For the price the amount of content is fine, but the missing potential at launch is tough to get past.

God of War has seen considerable changes across the board from previous games in the series, but almost all of them feel like they were for the better.

Kirby Star Allies won't bring any new fans to the series. It sticks to the tried-and-true gameplay strictures of the franchise for better and worse. Co-op is nice, and the HD visuals do bring Kirby's world to life in a fresh way, but overall this is a totally by-the-book sequel that adds little of value other than a chance to play another Kirby game.

Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings has allowed me to rediscover why I fell in love with the series in the first place. And though I did find the lack of characters and inconsistent translation frustrating, just about everything else blew me away.

Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 5 "Same Stitch" is a near-perfect finale to an already fantastic series. Storytelling, voice acting, art design, and every other aspect of the series has come together here and delivered one of the best episodes in Telltale's history.

We didn’t get it with the last two entries in the series, but Far Cry 5 feels like the generational leap that fans have been waiting for. This installment certainly feels like the biggest in terms of content and it just might be the best Far Cry game to date.

Is this game as good as the original Life is Strange? Personally, I don't think so. But it's still great nonetheless and definitely shouldn't be missed by fans of the first game.

A Way Out takes some of the very best ideas from action adventure gaming and mixes them with the story telling of a great film. It's near perfect in pace and progression, while offering the player plenty of variety across the course of this five hour experience.

Jack of many trades, master of none. Sea of Thieves has a beautiful, wide ocean to explore. It's too bad that it feels about as deep as a puddle.

A great cast of characters and a wonderful story, it's tough not to fall in love with Ni No Kuni 2. If you're looking for a world to get lost in this is a game that will provide you with many hours of enjoyment, amazing you at every turn with a barrage of beautiful imagery, incredible music, and gameplay to match.

Attack on Titan 2 falls prey to the same problems as the first game, but worse. The story is less enjoyable, as it covers very well trodden ground. This feels like a sequel that didn't know what it wanted to be, so it just became a retread of the first game. It's unfortunate, as the first was just fun enough to be a real fan pleaser, but Attack on Titan 2 falls flat where that one soared.

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life brings a satisfying end to Kazuma Kiryu's story, but it's not quite the send off I expected. Between its convoluted systems and cut content, it didn't feel like the saga ended with a roar, but with a whimper.

Kerbal Space Program: Making History Expansion is a decent first expansion to the fantastic and expansive game. Offering something for everyone, the DLC provides a set of interesting, but not totally satisfying missions, some new items for the whole of the game, and a mission builder that could become a huge focus of the community going forward.

Frantics fails to live up to its name by featuring an oddly slow pace. Beyond that it's not a fantastic party game experience, full of the same sorts of mini-games seen in past titles within the genre. Still, it works well thanks to the PlayLink functionality that allows you to use a smartphone as a controller. If you're dying for a party game for your PS4, it fits the bill, but there are better options out there.

If you’re a more hardcore [Life is Strange] fan, this episode is certainly worth a playthrough as it provides a more relaxed and carefree, yet melancholic and tragic, epilogue to the Max and Chloe saga of Life is Strange.

Fe mixes tried and true gameplay mechanics with new ideas in interesting and beautiful ways.

Dynasty Warriors 9 felt more like an experiment than a single, cohesive experience. At times it felt like Dynasty Warriors, sometimes an open world RPG, occasionally neither and sometimes both. But if Omega Force learns from this endeavor and buckles down for the next entry, the result could be spectacular.

Technical issues aside Kingdom Come: Deliverance is at best an ambitious game. There are flashes of brilliance in the implementation of Warhorse Studios' unique RPG systems, as it truly does have interestingly deep survival and progression elements. Though when you do take into account the technical issues it becomes a frustrating experience in which the bad completely outweighs the good.

Shadow of the Colossus is one of the best games of all time and it has now received a truly worthy remake on PS4.

The core of Out of Ammo is a decent strategy/shooter hybrid, offering a unique take on both genres. What kills a lot of the fun is the lack of PSVR customization, taking a room scale game and putting it into a much more restrictive space. Once you get past this it will be a decent amount of fun, but the lack of variety does diminish the real value of the game.

Monster Hunter: World is a revelation, taking a series that was once reserved for all but the most hardcore of fans and tweaking it enough to make it appeal to a new generation of gamers while still keeping its core perfectly intact.

UFC 3 very well may be EA's best release in the series, but it's only by a small margin that they've improved on their previous effort.

Dragon Ball FighterZ is both an incredible game to look at and to play. Arc System Works has done right by the Dragon Ball name giving fans of the source material plenty to be happy about.

The weakest episode of this highly regarded series. It's nowhere near a disaster though, still offering a great new Batman tale set within Telltale's interesting splinter universe. The real test of this series will come in its finale, when we see whether these last two episodes of build up end up paying off with something special.

The Red Strings Club is a true cyberpunk classic. Pixel-art visuals and a cyberpunk world make way for fascinating gameplay and a truly compelling, well written story. The game will force you to make tough decisions while questioning your own thoughts about important, current day topics. This is an indie title you won't want to miss.

Certainly not a must buy for all Street Fighter fans, Arcade Edition is a good jumping off spot for newcomers to the game. Having been out for a couple of years now, almost all issues have been ironed out, making Street Fighter V one of the best looking, best playing fighters on the PlayStation 4.

Super Meat Boy on the Switch is a fine port of the game. If you've yet to play it, this is a modern indie classic that holds a lot of value in its challenge and depth.

The overall story stayed interesting throughout, the characters were complex, the bigger themes were brilliant and it was a generally emotional and expertly executed second trip to Arcadia Bay.

L.A. Noire: The VR Case File is a bold, inventive, and engaging VR title, marking the first tentative steps into the next step in VR gaming. You'll feel like a true 40's detective, and you'll love every second of it. Being able to drive around a realistic take on LA is just icing on the cake, but it's some pretty sweet icing.

Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2 - Episode 5 doesn't stick the landing, but it also doesn't fall totally on its face. It's a suitable conclusion to the season, but if you haven't bought in yet, there's not much reason to now.

Okami HD is the best version of one of the very few video games that can be openly called a work of art.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds for Xbox One might be the last “must play” game on consoles this year for multiplayer shooter fans.

Curse of Osiris continues to shine in both gameplay and presentation with its new Raid Lair content being some of the best we've seen. However, a short campaign, and Mercury being so small with a sheer lack of activities to do, make completing the quests for new weapons and gear a bit repetitive.

DOOM VFR is Bethesda's second major VR release, but it feels like one that is coming a year too late. Poor controls and odd design decisions detract from what would otherwise be an excellent VR shooter.

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series Collection puts together some of the best stories in video games. This series has changed a lot, but even in its worst times it has always delivered tension and excitement, with characters you can truly care about. Previous owners might struggle to find the value here, but if you've never played these games before then this should be at the top of your Christmas list.

Some things are better, some things are worse and some things are just different. So I don’t think that Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon can replace Sun and Moon, but rather they kind of just sit beside them. I don’t know that I’d recommend one set of games over the other; instead, I’m just kind of glad that I played both of them.

Some things are better, some things are worse and some things are just different. So I don’t think that Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon can replace Sun and Moon, but rather they kind of just sit beside them. I don’t know that I’d recommend one set of games over the other; instead, I’m just kind of glad that I played both of them.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a delightful and fantastic JRPG experience. A long story full of adventure, character, charm, and whimsy will keep you playing for dozens of hours without breaking a sweat.

Skyrim VR is a true revolution in gaming, but it's one that doesn't hit all its goals perfectly. AAA VR gaming is finally here, and it's a real marvel to behold, but it's also doubtful that many players will play this game from start to finish.

Acting more as a transition episode, Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 3 "Fractured Mask" is another great episode in the series, even if it isn't as fantastic as the first two. The tension is running high here and Telltale's writing is at the top of its game. If the last two episodes can live up to the first three this will easily go down as one of the developer's best.

It's Skyrim...for Nintendo Switch. Are there some additions? Sure, but nothing that changes that core experience. And that core experience is what you're getting, but with the ability to take it wherever, whenever. If that is worth $60 to you then this is a must-buy.

Fans should definitely check this game out, though the Nintendo Switch version does lack a lot of the polish seen on other platforms. But if you want to take your Batman experience on the go then this is your best choice.

The dark side wins out here, as good as Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is in so many areas it just can't overcome the aggressive, anti-consumer practices that are on display in their most egregious form to date in a $60 game.

Need for Speed Payback is another miss for the franchise. The racing feels good, the presentation is great, but everything surrounding it is absolutely abhorrent.

Though dungeon crawlers usually aren’t for everyone, Demon Gaze II manages to cater to all audiences by offering a low access point for newcomers and a fairly high skill cap for veterans.

The less capable hardware does force a lot of sacrifices, but fewer than many might have expected. This results in a less visually pleasing game, but still a solid one that delivers on the important stuff. And the game really takes new shape when played in handheld mode, presenting one of the best looking and playing shooters ever found on a portable console.

It's been a long wait, but Aloy's new adventure into The Frozen Wilds is every bit as fulfilling as the main game.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Episode 5 "Don't Stop Believin'" solidifies this as another Telltale classic. The studio has always handled mixing drama and humor well, and this series proves that they've still got it in them.

Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2 - Episode 4 "Below the Bedrock" is another fine episode in this long running series. There's not much that stands out here, and some of the missions you're tasked with are rather boring, but for those that have stuck it out this long, it's more fine content to explore. It also serves as a great penultimate episode, setting things up for an epic showdown in the finale.

As far as Call of Duty games go, WW2 is an instant classic.

Not completely back to the drawing board, Ubisoft takes some of their better old ideas and blends them with new ones to make one of the best Assassin's Creed games to date in Assassin's Creed Origins.

We've already seen that Machine Games can craft a great playing shooter, but with Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus they've also got a more interesting and varied story to tell this time around.

With a better story, better characters, QoL improvements, and more interesting and varied missions, Destiny 2 was a better game than its predecessor on consoles, and it is even moreso on PC. This is the definitive Destiny 2 experience, offering 4K visuals at 60fps or higher with smoother and more precise controls.

Though Nights of Azure 2 feels more like a sidegrade than a definitive step-up at times, some of its new and revised features still allow it to feel like a genuinely new experience that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.

GT Sport's shift away from the normal structure of racing titles was a risky bet. It pays off for racing purists, but those who judge a game solely by the number of tracks, cars, and modes it has may be a little disappointed.

Though Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online stands as the strongest spin-off in the series, its shallow combat and uninspired boss fights will likely prevent it from appealing to all but the most hardcore of Neptunia and action RPG enthusiasts.

While a few problems are certainly present, Life is Strange: Before the Storm is still on the right track. The characters and plot points remain interesting and the choices, when real choices, are very well thought out.

Rebellion’s remaster won’t last you long, but for a few hours of nostalgia for a sixth-generation shooter it might be worth a shot.

The Fractured But Whole doesn't remake the wheel that The Stick of Truth crafted so well. The first game made for a near perfect South Park experience, with bare bones RPG elements to make it all work. This sequel does mostly the same, only tinkering with a few things, making for a different but just as enjoyable final product.

Middle Earth: Shadow of War is bigger and better than its predecessor in almost every conceivable way. If you don't mind the repetition found in most open world games, there's a robust strategy layer here that combines with a great combat system to offer hours and hours of Orc slaying, army building fun.

The Evil Within 2 is just like its predecessor: a mixed bag. While it had the potential to be something absolutely brilliant, Tango Gameworks has attempted to both cram too much in and offer too little at the same time.

Battle Chasers: Nightwar delivers a satisfying game, but it really shines in moments where it blends a comic book with an RPG seamlessly. Fans of the series will fall in love with it, but it doesn’t revolutionize the genre or come close to reaching the upper echelons of it.

Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series - Episode 4 "Who Needs You" doesn't destroy the solid work that went into the first three chapters, but it does drag this series down quite a bit.

Groundbreaking and unforgettable, Danganronpa V3 is set to become one of the most relevant titles of the generation for many people. Supported by an intelligent and hilarious script, this visual novel presents the most delightfully complicated mysteries, and shocking plot twists that put in question philosophical concepts like the truth and reality.

The Awakening the Nightmare DLC and all of the characters available for players to master in Halo Wars 2: Complete Edition make this one of the most robust competitive RTS games on the market and there's really nothing like it on consoles.

Raw Data is like the final solid release of VR gaming's first wave, and the beginning of the second. It's gorgeous and features a large, expansive world, but it does still offer the same wave based shooter gameplay that has dominated the VR space. It does it much better than most of its competitors though, and the added touches of turrets, multiple weapons, and special abilities really bring it to a new level.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions is one of the best in the Mario RPG series, and this 3DS remake only makes it better. The story, characters, and world are all a blast to explore, and longtime Mario fans will love every second.

It might not be a perfect package, but its old age certainly hasn’t harmed Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen in the slightest.

Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 2 'The Pact' is yet another fantastic episode in this series. It was going to be hard to top the greatness of season one, but if these first two episodes are any indication, we might be in for one of Telltale's best yet. The action, drama, characters, and story are all firing on all cylinders and fans of Batman owe it to themselves to check this series out.

The artists and animators, those working on the dastardly enemy AI or scripting, the musicians that contributed to this game should all take a bow. The wait was long and now it’s easy to see why, but Cuphead is most certainly a must play title in a year full of must play games.

Hob is a game that feels like it could be much more than it is. It's a game that draws inspiration from the best in the business. It's a game that looks and sounds great. And it's a game that offers something unique for players. Yet it falls short of the heights that it could have reached due to a few key failings.

Turn 10 turned in their biggest game in terms of tracks, cars, and features with Forza 7, and it very well may be their best one yet.

The graphics and voice acting totally put you into the world of the show, and even offers some decent gameplay, if you're new to VR. For non-fans and VR veterans there's simply not enough here to warrant a full recommendation. You'll get a fun hour or so out of the game, but it's not offering much new outside of being set in the Voltron universe.

Blue Reflection is lacking in a few areas, but it still has enough going for it to offer an overall enjoyable experience that fans of the magical girl sub genre will enjoy.

Project Cars 2 takes everything that made its predecessor great, and improves and expands it to perfection.

Despite its altered gameplay and occasional flaws, Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash still offers more than enough fun and fanservice to keep longtime fans happy.

While there are often many years that sports games phone it in, FIFA 18 doesn’t feel like one. From head to toe this game is both dripping in style and substance with so many compelling game modes its really just a matter of where should you start. Wherever it is, soccer fans will find very little to be disappointed in this year.