Adds a lot of excitement to an already fast paced game that makes Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 a very worthy follow-up on its predecessor.

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.

Wasteland 2: Directors Cut brings the series to consoles for the first time with the definitive version that proves classic style gameplay still has some life in this rapidly evolving genre.

Bethesda has done a great job of recreating one of the franchise's most iconic locations in the Morrowind Expansion for ESO. It's also a good showcase for just how far this game has come in the last few years.

While musou style games aren’t for everybody, Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below is a shining example of a partnership done just right that may just attract some new fans to both franchises.

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.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 went out on top when it released last year and Road to Boruto is an extension of that finale from CyberConnect 2 that brings the series full circle.

Samurai Warriors 5 scratches the musou itch but doesn’t do too much to mix up the formula.

Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is not one to miss. This game will surprise you with its exciting dungeons, dynamic boss battles, one-of-a-kind combat mechanics, and charming characters.

A Knight to Remember is a lovely step back into the past, while managing to move forward with its comedy and fantastical art style.

Quantum Break has all the things we ask for from a video game and some things that we don't. Great gameplay, impressive graphics and presentation, and an amazing story are all state of the industry from Remedy. I just wonder what this game might have been if the game aspect of it had been fleshed out just a little bit more.

Building a game around nostalgia can often backfire, but the classic style battle mechanics mixed with the capturing and stacking of Mirages make World of Final Fantasy a trip down memory lane that any fan of the franchise should check out.

As good as #IDARB is, it’s going to need a community of players and fans to get the most out of it.

This fast-paced racer will give you both a rush of nostalgia and adrenaline.

ARMS is a great addition to the Switch's growing library of unique titles. Featuring a fresh new world full of color and character, the content might be light, but if you get hooked you'll find lots to enjoy here.

Game of Thrones Episode 3 is certainly the most consistent entry in the series, with great action and storytelling throughout. The issues from Episode 2 still crop up though, and more concrete progress is needed to truly satisfy.

It's hard to imagine any fan of any of the Darksiders games not enjoying Genesis. It definitely hammers home on the strengths of the franchise and brings the playable characters full circle with the introduction of Strife.

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

Hitman GO is just as good on PlayStation as it was on iOS and Android, and the updated visuals and amount of content at a great price that the Definitive Edition offers will keep you coming back for more and more.

While the titular Poochy is mostly an ancillary piece of the game through a series of mini-games and shorts, they pair well enough with the other new additions to make one think about double dipping with Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World.

A Fold Apart is the sort of game that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty is a great remake of a classic platformer that feels right at home on Nintendo Switch.

Virtua Fighter 5 has aged like fine wine, and while some modern games feel more fluid or look prettier, Sega's classic cannot be replaced.

LEGO City Undercover was already a great game when it released on Wii U four years ago and this new release takes that and tweaks it just a bit. The overall experience is a little smoother and the addition of co-op is a nice touch, and even though there’s nothing substantially new here, those that missed out before will want to check out LEGO City Undercover this time around.

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.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is chock full of content. The campaign, multiplayer, and zombies modes all add up to a game that will keep you playing for hours. These individual modes might have their faults, with the campaign being particularly skippable if you just want that base action gameplay. The multiplayer remains true to its roots, even with the big shift in setting. And Zombies is the highlight of the experience in a lot of ways, offering a great co-op experience. All together, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is a winner. It just might not be the biggest winner the series has had.

We will also have Gears Tactics, and Streets of Rage next week and I’ll try to get those to you as soon as I receive the scores from my writers.

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.

Sniper Elite 4 isn't without its flaws, but it delivers a number of noteworthy improvements over previous games in the series to make it an engrossing experience. The gruesome X-ray kill cams still haven't gotten old, and the more expansive and dense levels make the core gameplay all the more entertaining. It's definitely the best in the series yet, and is worth checking out for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Threes is definitely the star of the show in NHL 18 with only marginal improvements made to the rest of the franchise's modes.

Double Fine was able to take a classic gaming genre and imbue new life into it with their trademark humor, and the resulting experience is solid. It could use some tweaks here and there, but fans of metroidvanias are sure to have a great time floating through the ridiculous world of Headlander.

Toukiden 2 elevates the series with new gameplay features and an open-world setting that makes the game feel more cohesive and different to other titles in the genre. It manages to keep intact the best traits of its predecessors like an interesting lore, well-defined characters and a complex battle system, while also adding elements that improve the overall result. However, the lackluster graphics will reduce its mainstream appeal.

Solar Ash is a contemplative experience, visual feast, and faced-paced thrill ride expertly wrapped up into one exhilarating adventure. Without a doubt, this game is one of the best indie games of 2021, if not the best.

While definitely drawing inspiration from other games, Hue really shines bright as an example of a puzzle platformer done right.

Ubisoft has a knack for creating beautiful, expansive open worlds, but none of them are as compelling to explore as Immortals Fenyx Rising. It’s a sprawling, colorful playground with plenty of nooks and crannies to get lost in.

The wheel isn’t being reinvented for stealth shooters in the case of this game, but it is a thoughtful infusion of elements and ideas from several genre-defining franchises. The result is a cocktail that’s fun, so long as it works.

Sons of Winter puts the series back on the right track, offering the same amazing writing, voice acting, and world, but with more progress and consequence to the proceedings.

MotoGP 2022 has the racing down pat, and the new 2009 season mode is a fun blast from the past.

Bravely Default II doesn't do all that much to differentiate itself from the games that came before it. How you'll feel about that will depend on what you want out of the game: do you want something that is familiar and comforting, or a title that innovates on a decades-old formula? If you're here for the former you'll absolutely enjoy your time with Bravely Default II, even if some of its failings start to grate on you. If you wanted the latter then the excellent combat, art, and music will help you overlook Bravely Default II's otherwise tired tale.

Featuring enough new stuff to bring back longtime fans, Worms W.M.D is another great entry in the 20 year old franchise. The game doesn't reinvent the formula that has worked so well, but it does refine it in a number of important ways. With new weapons, vehicles, and visuals, Worms W.M.D should please anyone looking for an old school turn-based strategy game.

Batman: The Enemy Within hits the ground running with Episode 1 "The Enigma". The series looks extremely promising and this single episode is worth checking out all on its own. Players will be instantly hooked on the drama, and will be dying to see what happens next. Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 2 can't come fast enough.

Some gameplay elements haven’t aged well, but others demonstrate that you shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken. A must for Ys devotees and JRPG fans.

Kingdom Hearts 3 seems as if it may finally be coming in the relatively near future and Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue serves as an excellent appetizer for those waiting.

Moving away from the more strict mission based structure of the first game, players now get to travel across the lands of the seven kingdoms in-between the smoother than ever large scale battles. As with any musou game, the combat will get repetitive at times, but there is no question that Dragon Quest Heroes 2 is a bigger and better followup to the original that continues to be a love letter to the Dragon Quest fandom.

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.

Milestone's latest outing with the MotoGP series continues to show improvement, albeit slightly, as the end of the console generation is approaching fast. While the game definitely has a steep learning curve for those new to the franchise, MotoGP 20 is a lot of fun and a true representation of the sport when there is no way to experience the live events right now at all.

Outside of its stunning setting, Assassin's Creed Mirage doesn't have anything exciting or new to offer. It's a mixture of the worst parts of classic and modern Assassin's Creed, sacrificing both storytelling and exploration in an attempt to appease fans from both eras.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is a solid celebration for the 20th anniversary of the series’ inception. It caters to fans who have stuck around to see the next big thing and does so in a complete package with new surprises and things to come.

Torment: Tides of Numenera may not be for gamers that are accustomed to more fast-paced and action-heavy RPGs, but those who appreciate a well-developed world and characters will find a lot to enjoy here. It's overflowing with depth and personality, and the many ways that you can navigate through it make it truly feel alive. If you've been dreaming of RPGs returning to a time where depth and detail were the genre's blood and bones, then this is the game for you.

Alientrap has struck a great balance between their core 2-D Platforming and RPG-lite mechanics, and a varied world that challenges players in different ways throughout the course of this tightly paced adventure.

If there was a word to summarize how fans will feel with this title, it would be Surprised. Surprised to see how much love and care was put into this title, from entrances to the sheer amount of things for you to customize within the world. Visual Concepts knocked the ball out of the park with this entry, but there are a few little things that hold it back from being the greatest of all time.

Hob: The Definitive Edition on Switch doesn't fully get it to the peak of where it could have been, but it's much closer than before. An overall better experience awaits new or returning players, with just some minor visual downgrades as the tradeoff. If you've been looking for a unique and atmospheric puzzle platformer, then you won't be disappointed with Hob: The Definitive Edition.

Capcom's partnership with Disney back in the 8-bit era led to some really fantastic games, six of which have been brought back via The Disney Afternoon Collection. On top of making these often difficult games more accessible with a rewind feature, also having competitive game options like Time Attack and Boss Rush make The Disney Afternoon Collection a worthwhile trip back to the past.

Mortal Shell isn't merely "like Dark Souls"; it's a love-letter to From Software's juggernaut series that successfully captures what makes those games special while carving out an identity all its own. It isn't without fault, yet as a freshman effort Mortal Shell is a worthy addition to the Soulslike pantheon.

A near-perfect opener for this latest series. It lives up to the lofty expectations set by its predecessors, while also evolving the formula that had grown stale as of late.

Obduction is a true successor to Myst and its legacy. The game can be painfully unforgiving at times, and its puzzles might feel both confusing and unintuitive, but there is a logic at its heart. Once you figure it out the feeling of accomplishment and success is unrivaled. Those who've waited years for more games like Myst need look no further.

The Alchemist of Dusk manages to stand out from the rest of the Atelier series and serves as an excellent RPG option for anyone with a PS Vita.

Trover Saves the Universe is a great addition to the PSVR lineup, offering some solid gameplay with a comedy flavoring that brings it to the next level.

Pokken Tournament is a fun mash up of traditional fighting games and Pokemon. The game actually takes a lot of risks, but some of them don't pay off. A larger roster of Pokemon to choose from would help as well.

The Surge 2 is an exceptional Soulslike, with top of it’s class combat, stellar level design and a crafting system that makes experimenting fun and simple. Where the game falters it doesn’t do so tragically, instead being victim to its devout adherence to its more grounded setting and mediocre-at-best story.

Even with a new developer in charge, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia builds upon the previous game with a lengthy campaign that has a ton of replayability, though players may feel pretty overwhelmed at first due to the complex gameplay.

Noita is a true standout title in the roguelike genre, featuring endlessly deep gameplay that plays off of its engaging pixel art style.

Party Animals is a simplistic, chaotic mess that can be fun for anyone. Its wide variety of maps and modes allows for each round to feel unique, and its list of options is quite vast despite the game itself being forced into online play. It's far from a defining title in the industry, but Party Animals is still one that few players will want to miss out on.

2K is about as bad as it gets when it comes to quality of life for players in its online modes that are clearly designed to syphon extra money beyond the price of admission. However, they do make one hell of a basketball game that will allow you to tolerate these scheme-based game modes if you can actually get on to play them.

While the battle system could use some work, the charming world of Yo-Kai Watch features a solid blueprint for the future of this already ongoing franchise.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is a wonderful mashup of two already great series. The visuals aren't all that impressive, even for the 3DS, but the gameplay is classic Mario RPG stuff. Fans of either series will like how these two come together in the story department, with a truly enjoyable script that will have players laughing throughout.

Ever Oasis is a perfect blend of management simulator and action-RPG. Despite being on a handheld, this deep RPG's stylish presentation and many gameplay systems come together in a way that few games do.

Dying Light 2 is a bigger and bolder sequel that improves upon the original in every way. Not only does it have one of the most enjoyable traversal systems in any game ever, but it also provides players with interesting characters and quests to break up all the running.

While it might not be every shooter fan's bag, Battle for Neighborville has certainly got the ability to entertain just about anyone... young or old, experience shooter player or first-timer.

Bringing a fresh new art style to the franchise that we hope sticks around for years to come, this ain't your daddy's Need for Speed. And maybe, that's a good thing. With Heat pushing the franchise in a bold new direction, Need For Speed Unbound borrows almost everything that made that title special and improves upon it.

Beneath a brash exterior of dated ‘attitude’ and unwelcoming presentation lies a finely tuned jet engine of a shooter, that has the technical chops to distinguish itself in a crowded and fickle genre.

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.

Ghost Recon: Wildlands can provide countless hours of thrilling sandbox shooter gameplay, but co-op is needed to make the most of it. Its massive, numerous and diverse locales are often gorgeous to behold, and navigating them tactfully with a good co-op team is a blast. Just don't expect to have as much fun in single player, as your team limits your mission methods due to shaky AI and a lack of deep squad commands.

Days Gone has its high points and the open world looks better than ever, even if it is still filled with by-the-books gameplay systems and inconsistent execution.

12 Minutes is easily one of the best games of the year. I was surprised by how quickly it grabbed me, and it maintained that hold until the end. It feels like nearly every loop ends with an exciting cliffhanger that leaves you rushing to start the cycle over again. It can be a bit difficult to maintain focus when you’re stuck on a puzzle and you find yourself beating your head against the wall in search of a solution, but those breakthrough moments are more than worth the trouble.

With a clear identity, a charming setting, and one of the best combat systems out there, Rise of Ronin is indeed Team Ninja’s best Action RPG so far.

WarioWare: Get it Together! is a very fun game from the moment you pick it up. It has a generous selection of over 200 micro games to sink your time into. Pair that with the various playstyles of the characters, and you have yourself a lot more than just a one and done game.

Shin Megami Tensei 3 Nocturne remains a solid JRPG even today, but the remaster could have gone a bit further at this price point.

For about a third of the price of most Triple A titles, you get a decently lengthy experience that will stick with you afterwards, and is pretty replayable with the game’s Endless Mode, which goes on until you die, testing just how far you can journey down the river.

If you're willing to devote the time needed to this title, you'll find one of the most exciting sports games around. It's not going to hold your hand, but it's going to do what it needs to help shape you into the next face of the PGA Tour. The endless frustration of a barely missed putt, versus the excitement of a hole-in-one that you finally nailed is exhilarating.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War brings the Black Ops subseries back to its roots, delivering an explosive campaign, fast-paced multiplayer, and a compelling Zombies experience.

Watch Dogs: Legion is incredibly ambitious, but the play as anyone system needs a little more work. The story suffers from the lack of a central protagonist, and it's hard to get attached to any of your characters when the character models and animations are stiff and robotic. Still, there's a lot of fun to be had in futuristic London.

While it may not add anything to make it worth double dipping outside of some previous additional content, Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition gains the element of portability on the Nintendo Switch that makes the game more accessible than ever to play as you aim to collect the more than 300 available Digimon and save the real and digital worlds.

A decidedly solid adventure-platformer, with some great storytelling and humor layered on top. The papercraft visuals are gorgeous, and the soundtrack will have you humming along in just a few minutes. The card-based battle system is a real downer though and the loss of deeper gameplay elements is still hard felt, dragging the whole experience down quite a bit.

Overall, Ripout is a decent experience for its price, but only if you're on board with everything it's trying to accomplish. [Early Access Provisional Score = 60]

The real star of the show for Diablo III in 2017 is patch 2.6.0. The Necromancer is an expensive luxury for those that really want to have everything that the game offers.

With a more than 26-hour runtime, Afterimage kept me hooked to my seat as I ventured through the beautiful world with elegantly designed creatures and battles everywhere I turned. For the price of entry — Afterimage is one of the best Metroidvanias I have personally ever played.

Mary Skelter: Nightmares is strong enough as a whole to offer the most unique experience Compile Heart has ever created.

All things considered there are some really great aspects of this game that make it a fun play. I highly recommend STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life for both beginners and experienced farming RPGs as it is its own unique experience. It is a little slower-paced than others like it, but this may make it a less overwhelming experience."

EA Sports FC 24 can be considered the perfect start for the next chapter in EA's franchise, as the game improves upon the foundations left by FIFA 23 while also adding a few game-changing and truly welcome features. Being on the pitch never felt better!

There are some things that I can nitpick about, but all in all, this is a pretty great game and a great way to end Lara’s origin story. Fans of the rebooted Tomb Raider series are sure to be pleased, and if you’re someone who has yet to get into the franchise, maybe now is the time to do so.

Wolfenstein: The Old Blood pays homage to Return to Castle Wolfenstein in some really neat ways that fans of the long-running franchise will appreciate. Machine Games does it while keeping their own additions to the series front and center.

Don't Starve: Giant Edition could have been the best version of the game yet. Unfortunately a lack of true Gamepad support simply makes it another flawed but enjoyable survival experience.

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

Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality is a short experience, but it delivers on almost all of its promise. Those with a VR headset and little to play will find a lot to enjoy here, even if it's over far too soon.

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a gleefully successful experiment for Nintendo and Velan Studios...though some minor elements hold it back from exceeding expectations.

When playing Fae Farm solo, it's a fun story in a cute world filled with magic and connections. There are a lot of moving parts, but I think they do a good job of easing into them. It does leave a little desire for more clothing and hair customizations and playing multiplayer means starting a whole new world. But overall, it was definitely worth playing and something I'll pick up again.

Compared to the lackluster The Isle of Armor expansion, The Crown Tundra feels much more fleshed out with enjoyable story quests, on top of the very addictive Dynamax Adventures and Galarian Star Tournament, though there is still something missing that prevents it from taking the series to the next level.