Honestly, Zombie Army 4 is exactly what you’re expecting it to be. Which is totally fine! If you’ve got a craving for gory undead violence, this game has just what you’re looking for. In spite of the weird pacing and curious boss placements, there’s still a lot of fun to be had. Especially if you’ve got a propensity for long range kills and curious weapons. If you want a dang decent undead action game on the Switch, check out Zombie Army 4: Dead War.

The End is Nigh proves how fun that weirdness can be. The hundreds of stages provide a ton of devilishly difficult yet delightful gameplay, the setting is interesting enough to keep me going through the gauntlet, and that signature McMillan aesthetic runs all throughout the adventure.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is an excellent game buried under a few layers of frustration and potential hang-ups. Excavation efforts are easier than they might appear, and the game does an okay job of helping you out. The game can be frustrating and off-putting for some, but if you know where and how to interact with your opponent’s multi-minute combo turns, a whole world will open up for you. Even as I write this, I find myself tempted to boot it back up for “just one more game.” And given how close I am to my assigned word cap, I might do just that.

Overall, Last Train Home is a difficult, stressful, and wonderful experience. It is beautiful and brutal tale of perseverance and war that doubles as a strategy game. Aside from a few clunky feeling commands on the battlefield and the, easily circumvented, wait-time mechanic on the top-down map, there is really no issues with this gem. Despite the difficulty of the normal game mode, it would be a mistake to miss this train.

Doom Eternal is the best first-person shooter on the Nintendo Switch. Whether you’ve played the game before or not, this blood-soaked port is definitely worth your time. Even though the game suffers from graphical downgrades, you’ll have a hell of a good time decapitating demons and eviscerating beasts on the go.

Nothing has really changed from that original 2012 version in this version here. You are getting the same game fully and completely that Arkane released with that promise of a bit more shine and polish.

The drawbacks to this game are numerous and ugly. If you can’t stand the grind, taking tons of notes and performing costly experiments as you go, this will be torture for you. But! For a certain kind of gamer, this is bliss.

Fantastic visuals, top-notch sound and varied gameplay makes Sleeping Dogs a must own for gamers who enjoy such titles as Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row and Crackdown. The compelling story manages to suck you right in and the level of depth offered up in the game is impressive.

Gunfire Games’ Remnant 2 is one of those rare sequels that takes a collection of good ideas and makes them even better. Everything about Remnant 2 is an improvement or elaboration from the first game. It looks great and the action is challenging without being overly punishing. Best of all, Remnant 2 makes creative and meaningful changes to the Soulslike formula, helping it to stand out from a deluge of copycat action RPGs. I can’t imagine any fan of Remnant: From the Ashes being anything but thrilled by Remnant 2.

It might be a bit pricey for the amount of content you get, but Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is a well-crafted fighter combat experience with lots of high-flying fun. It pulls you in right away with a nice balance between arcade action and detailed realism, and the core dogfighting experience is consistently enjoyable. Plus, if you’ve got a PSVR this is a must-play, with a level of immersion that you’d need a real airplane – or maybe one of those military training simulators – to match. Strap yourself in, rookie, because Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is a wild ride.

The hardcore MLB: The Show faithful will welcome all the small incremental changes but the rest of us may be better served to wait another year to see what the team at SCEA San Diego can do to combat some of that franchise fatigue.

Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is a fun and satisfying addition to the Switch’s ever-growing library of games. Being a port built for playing on the go, it feels naturally at home on the Switch for the gamer who likes to play in short bursts, however, anyone interested in sitting down to sink serious hours into a Monster Hunter title might get burned out on the repetition quickly. With solid gameplay, enjoyable and colorful hunting grounds, and customizable combat styles, the only thing holding this hunter back is the immense amount of tutorials and the general lack of a motivating narrative.

While I am terribly bummed I find that I am also quite excited at the same time after playing this new DLC from Telltale Games. The Walking Dead 400 Days is far too short, just as the ride begins to get real exciting it ends. The DLC answers no real questions, but it does open one’s eyes to other viewpoints along the Walking Dead’s timeline.

As a newcomer to this series, this game was a thrill to play. The single player campaign is engaging and enjoyable. I also found it difficult to put down as I was always curious what the next map would bring.

While Rime’s long trek from announcement to delivery may have been tough to endure for those initially struck by its ethereal charm, the wait has been worth it. Rime is thoughtful, intelligently designed, and satisfyingly accomplishes the emotional experience it strives to deliver. It’s Journey meets The Last Guardian, and while individual elements of Rime feel familiar at times, the way they’re combined make for a unique and memorable experience.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy may not win over new or younger players with its occasionally frustrating but faithful recreation of Crash’s original platforming mechanics, but older fans will gobble this collection up, and rightfully so. It’s a wonderful remaster featuring beautifully updated visuals, scrumptious sound and hours and hours of memories to relive.

Samorost 3 is surreal, magical, and one of the warmest and most delightful games I’ve had the pleasure of playing.

Mekazoo plays it safe in the gameplay department, but what is there can still be frantic and fun. While some segments feel a bit scripted, others gave me a huge sense of accomplishment. It’s really the art and soundtrack that shine here, allowing me to be immersed in the world to focus on the difficult platforming segments.

Despite Nightfall being a relatively short bit of DLC, it manages to pack in some fun challenges with the level design, and the combat is as satisfying as ever. I found the story to be nicely paced throughout the four levels and leaves you off just before the opening of Aragami. However, the DLC doesn’t add much more to the game than the three new Shadow Techniques and is over once you’ve only just gotten into it.

Though it’s not shiny and new, the gameplay isn’t innovative, and the graphics aren’t cutting edge, the writing and storytelling of Telltale’s The Walking Dead have hoisted the game onto their shoulders, keeping it high above the point of obsolescence. If you’re looking for emotional narratives with gameplay suited for any skill level, The Walking Dead should be at the top of your list. Even if you’re not, play it anyway. It’s good.

Jackbox Party Pack 5 can be seen as a bit of a course correction after its disappointing predecessor. Though I doubt anything will ever outdo Quiplash in terms of pure fun and replayability, most of the games here are quality Jackbox creations. Some of them could use refining, and I can only see Zeeple Dome appealing to kids, but as a whole, this is a solid addition to the Jackbox repertoire and is sure to elicit plenty of laughs each time you boot it up.

There are definitely some things that the developers need to iron out, and should if they want to keep their impressive player base, but as it stands right now Dauntless has a very strong base that can be built upon moving forward. If you’re looking for a casual adventure to go on with or without your friends, building your character from the ground up, this is one to dip your toes in for sure.

Whether or not Terraformers is the game for you depends a lot on what you are looking for. This isn’t a digital garden that you can plant and watch grow. This is a brutal series of tough choices. It’s about resource allocation, long-term planning, and a decent amount of luck. I was hoping Terraformers would help transport me off this dying Earth into a science-fiction fantasy. It did not. Instead, I found a challenging strategy game that distracted me in a whole different way. It made me into someone who needed to play for just one more turn. That is decidedly familiar territory! But a space I enjoy. Terraformers won’t transport you to another world, but it will help you puzzle your way through the hours on this one.

Hunt the Night is a love letter to 16-bit era action adventure games. There’s something for fans of almost every genre in this gem of a game. I won’t be surprised if it finds a fairly major audience. It’s a concise synthesis of so many great gameplay and visual ideas. All of my complaints are minor nitpicks. And they’re still just based on my personal preferences. If a physical console version becomes available, I’ll be first in line to buy it.

Bramble: The Mountain King is a fascinating adventure. Each character you meet on your Nordic expedition is wonderfully designed and will instantly capture your imagination. Even though the movement is a little rigid and the game is extremely linear, it manages to deliver a unique experience that will fester in your psyche.

Wanderstop perfectly executes its intention: to pull players away from the fast-paced nature of life and immerse them in simple, meditative tasks. Its story unfolds in a relatable way, leaving you pondering its themes long after the credits roll. While the narrative shines, the gameplay, which focuses on farming-style tasks, feels more tedious than engaging. It succeeds in creating a peaceful atmosphere, but it never truly captivated me. Fans of cozy, narrative-driven experiences will likely find a lot to love, but those seeking more dynamic gameplay may not be as enthralled.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is one of the best beat ’em ups to date. The inclusion of a secondary character elevates the combat, letting you juggle enemies and rack up massive combos with ease. Each hero feels distinctive, with bespoke movement and attacks that make experimenting with different team combinations a thrill. While the campaign is short, it encourages replaying levels to complete challenges and unlock extra content. Paired with its stunning presentation, the game stands as one of the genre’s finest modern examples.

All in all, Valorant is definitely not for everyone, but the game is completely free to play so you have nothing to lose. It might not be the most original game, but it is expertly designed and iterates on many proven and classic video games. If you are interested in tactical shooters, Valorant is a must-try.

What is quite remarkable is that Skylanders Giants does indeed push the franchise forward. The new characters, including the imposing Giants, the enhanced visuals, larger voice cast, more collectibles, smoother gameplay, and a deeper overall experience makes for a game Skylander fans will absolutely want to pick up. It also brings those new into the franchise a chance to experience a more refined title then the first.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax has the visual novel stories of both Persona 4 Arena games. As a result, it has the full roster of Ultimax, as well as all the character balancing. All the DLC from the original titles is included in this new release. This gorgeous anime fighter is easy to pick up, and difficult to master. It’s a ton of quality content for a budget price, which makes Persona 4 Arena Ultimax a must buy for all Persona and fighting game fans.

This is the purest recreation of these games to date.

The one thing that all roguelikes and rogue-lites need to get right is convincing the player that the next run is going to be rewarding in some new way. In The Rogue Prince of Persia, this most often comes from increasing mastery of the game’s traversal, which is both accessible and challenging. Procedurally generated levels sometimes inhibit the flow and create frustration. At this point, The Prince of Persia is more a vague character concept than a game franchise, but it keeps inspiring developers in new directions, and that’s a win for gamers.

If you crave more after Arcane you’d do right by Airship Syndicate’s latest RPG outing. Even if you aren’t a League aficionado, you’ll feel right at home here it’s friendly to new players. You’ll just notice a bit more fan service here and there if you’re familiar with the universe.

For all my little grievances, this game is still incredibly fun to play.

Rogue Aces is an absolute treat. The gameplay is addicting, the visuals have a surprisingly deep level of detail to them, the controls are solid and fully customizable, and there are enough game modes to keep things interesting.

While the game is just as fun and addicting as ever, the awkward dialogue feels shoe-horned in and the stark difficulty drop off in the mid-game is unfortunate to say the least, making the latter half of the experience a breeze. It’s still an enjoyable experience and a treat to explore the Galar region. It may not be perfect, but it is a strong step in the right direction to giving us the ultimate Pokemon experience.

Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings is a good arcade style game with some great physics and gameplay mixed in to make it a fairly fun baseball title for all gamers of any skill to get into, thanks to the Ego system.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves was worth the wait. Every mechanic is meticulously crafted, resulting in a deep, multilayered fighter. The systems in place encourage strategic thinking and quick adaptation, making each battle feel like a thoughtful, tactical encounter. While the single-player campaign lacks the imagination that imbues the gameplay, SNK has delivered a game that not only honors the legendary legacy of the franchise but also confidently moves it forward.

This game is made for score-obsessed fans of shoot em ups, and endless runners only.

A completely unexpected wonder. Its use of witty dialogue and strong focus on characters can easily rival that of Undertale. The story, though slowed somewhat by one or two finicky puzzles, will pull at your heart strings constantly. You definitely won’t want it to end.

Overall, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is a fantastic game and should make many puzzle game aficionados happy with this crazy combination. Excellent tutorials help newcomers and old fans refresh their memory, and as a game on its own, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 does not fail to entertain players for hours. While the concept may not be exactly new anymore, there is no denying that this second installment still provides great Puyo-popping and Tetrimino-clearing action.

Capcom Arcade Stadium is an essential purchase for fans of retro gaming. Loaded with a ton of content, this game will keep newcomers and returning gamers entertained for hours. Although there are a few titles and features missing, this collection is still a fantastic addition to your Nintendo Switch library.

World War Z’s story was, and remains, a background element whose task is to move the player from episode to episode. Aftermath’s two new episodes are set in interesting environments, and the game’s additions and fixes will be welcome to those returning to World War Z as well as to those just starting out. The first person mechanic has potential but remains incomplete, and the new Vanguard likewise might appeal to those wanting to level a new class. Like the base game, Aftermath sans human players might not be a hard pass, but it isn’t the experience the developers intended. With some friends, or at least competent random homo sapiens, World War Z Aftermath provides a unique take on a familiar enemy and does a great job of translating the terror-inducing swarm of zombies mechanic from film to videogame.

The Red Strings Club is a vehicle for some of the most engrossing cyberpunk stories I’ve witnessed in recent memory.

At the end of the day Tactical RPG fans and Pokémon fans alike should give this title a try as it can be quite fun.

Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is a major undertaking, one that demands much, and rewards much more. Your enjoyment of Cold Steel hinges heavily on your attitude towards anime storytelling tropes. For me, they turn bitter in large doses. I need a lot of play to break up these dramatic encounters. On the other hand, the mechanical elements are a sumptuous feast. There’s just so much to do at any given moment. Better still, these systems are handed to you at a steady pace, one that allows you to take in so much more than you could otherwise. This game is a lot to take in, but rest assured that Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is worth your time.

Before playing Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, I was intrigued by a new Capcom IP, but had no desire to play a tower defense game. I ended up being pleasantly surprised with the creative way Capcom fused tower defense with third person action. The combat itself wasn’t a highlight, but the unique way the gameplay was structured really pulled me in. If you’re at all curious about Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, definitely give it a try. It completely exceeded my expectations.

Unfortunately the gameplay aspects of Grim Fandango have not aged gracefully. Even saying poorly is being kind. Yet the world, the characters and stories it contains are still top shelf. Go for the adventure, stick around for the laughs.

In the end, I can easily recommend WWE 2K25 to new players and fans. This is a gigantic entry in a venerated franchise that won’t steer you wrong. For more familiar fans, I can’t be so certain. Hopefully, my outsider’s viewpoint is still a useful one.

Buried beneath these weird outer layers is a string of tough, glittering Mega Man games, all starring the elusive red swordsman of my youth. If you’re a fan of Mega Man, or even action platformers in general, the Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection is worth checking out.

Certainly an improvement over its predecessor. By no means is it a perfect game as some of the technical issues did cast a shadow over the experience to a degree. That said, Stardock has been hard at work ironing out the wrinkles and the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Empire of the Ants is an excellent game. This is one of those games that seemingly come out of nowhere but will likely be a beloved favourite for many gamers for years to come. While a lot of these gameplay aspects have been seen before in other games, the way they’re included here, through the eyes of an ant, can be quite unique. The visuals are outstanding and the music is brilliant. There are some challenges with controls and the camera, especially in confined spaces or when your ant is upside-down. And unfortunately, I didn’t get an opportunity to experience the multiplayer aspects. Fortunately, the single-player experience is overall so well done that I’d consider the multiplayer mode a nice bonus more than anything. If you’re looking for a unique gaming real-time strategy experience, then you really can’t go wrong with Empire of the Ants.

Experienced platformer and puzzle game players will have seen Planet of Lana’s mechanics before, maybe executed with more style or depth. What they won’t have seen is art quite as affecting or heard music that’s so in sync with the visuals. Planet of Lana is only around six hours long. More than that, and the lack of combat or missing originality in the puzzles might be an issue. Planet of Lana is an artistic, beautiful game with just enough satisfying gameplay to keep the player moving from one lovely scene to the next.

Although Metro: Last Light does have a ‘been there and done that’ feeling to it, this is not a bad thing as developer 4A Games has managed to smooth out all the rough edges from the first Metro game. Last Light’s sprawling mix of shooter, combat, stealth, survival horror and exploration all manage to do the job, but the visuals and story-driven narrative in many ways steals the show. This is not to say that the actual gameplay itself is not enjoyable because it is; I just found that some of the issues I experienced along the way somewhat dampened the game a bit.

While I do wish that Octopath had a bit more off-the-wall ambition the fact is that it definitely accomplishes what it set out to do. They really don’t make games like they used to, and this is the most playable old-school JRPG I can remember in forever. The turn-based combat is very engaging, as are the soapy stories. The style is confident, from the music to the character designs, to the lighting and motion blur, this is a game that knows what it is about. And while some of the writing and voice acting stumbles in places, that’s kind of part of the charm. For good and bad, Octopath Traveler evokes the games of the past, and for a lot of us, we miss the bad as much as we do the good.

When compared to other games, Telling Lies is a massive accomplishment, bringing unheard of levels of talent. But when compared to movies or TV, the performances and production design feel a little bit lacking. I’ll certainly be playing future Barlow games — the ideas are too cool to ignore. But in the future, I’d be keen to see him try his hand at something campier, or maybe let a more experienced director handle the actors. Sam Barlow presents Command and Conquer: Red Alert? Yes, please!

Persona 3 Reload is an authentic modernization of a landmark JRPG. For newcomers, it offers an unforgettable adventure with fantastic combat and a rich, intrigue-filled narrative. Returning players will find the classic revitalized on Nintendo’s hybrid, with locked, steady performance that makes it a perfect title to experience on the go. Altogether, it’s a faithful revival that ensures Persona 3 continues to resonate with both old fans and a new generation of players.

The catching mechanics, the upgraded box system, the new HMs and the effortless min-maxing are all excellent additions to a timeless classic. The combat isn’t as feature complete as other modern Pokemon games, and the gen 1 pokedex might turn some people off, but this is a fantastic rendition of Red and Blue that I can easily recommend. Whether it’s your first time or fortieth, Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee are a trip to Kanto you won’t want to miss.

There’s a lot to enjoy in Dungeons of Hinterberg. The premise is original and the combat ticks all the expected ARPG elements. Like in real life, I’m not fond of forced social interaction, and sometimes the game is a bit more gated than it appears. The puzzles are satisfying, and while movement and spell-casting can be janky, there’s quite a bit of content to explore. Fans of family-friendly ARPGs and the blend of magic and everyday life should definitely plan a staycation in Hinterberg.

In those areas where Diablo II: Resurrected attempts to improve on the original, it absolutely succeeds. It looks infinitely better, it’s more accessible to a wider range of gamers, and it mostly feels like it deserves to live on current-gen systems. At the same time, some of the changes seem arbitrary when looked at through the lens of what could have, and should have, been updated. Part of Diablo II: Resurrected feels wonderfully nostalgic and timeless, but another part feels mired in outdated mechanics from decades past, and pretty graphics alone can’t fix that.

Is it a sequel or does it feel more like a remake? The immediate analogy that popped into my head was similar to comparing The Evil Dead to The Evil Dead 2. They both felt very similar even though not entirely the same. I guess in this case it’s a good thing that the original Nidhogg was so well received, it was a pretty great game and so is Nidhogg 2.

There’s a sense of finality to it – from the very start, it feels like the end of something epic and carries that feeling throughout the entire game. Superfans are going to be thrilled at every turn and newcomers will appreciate the bizarre, unmatched genre-blend of Disney and anime culture. Kingdom Hearts 3 is still some of the most genuine and wholesome fun I’ve had in thirteen years, and even though to some degree it is more of the same that we’ve seen from past titles with more polish, finesse, and technological magic, but in a way, that’s what makes it feel like home.

Everything from the tried and true LEGO gameplay sprinkled with some great new additions, a comedic script, and an entertaining storyline provides a gaming experience suitable for all ages which, in my eyes, makes LEGO City Undercover a must buy for fans of the LEGO franchise and Wii U owners alike.

Dragon’s Crown Pro is a straightforward and worthy remaster that new players will surely be enthralled by.

It doesn’t have the personalization of Beat Hazard and it doesn’t have the level of content that Pac-Man Championship Edition has. In many ways for the entry point of ten dollars there are better options out there. But if any of what you’ve read sounds intriguing or if you see the game on sale, take to the skies and enjoy the ride.

Aaero is a small and simple game but it sure packs a punch. With stunning visuals, responsive buttons, and remarkable EDM tunes, Aaero truly delivers a fantastic experience that incorporates music with rail-shooting action.

Arise is an incredibly powerful story despite it being so simple. It invokes emotions that I would rarely bring with me when playing a video game, and it is refreshing to know that there is a game out there focused on bringing us a heartwarming experience. There are so many elements in the game that work well together, from the color palette, lighting, music, gameplay, and ease of controls. Even without much dialogue or long, extensive cutscenes, Arise is able to tell us a simple story that is vibrant and rich, bringing us an unforgettable and emotional experience.

If you are a fan of classic stealth FPS games, classic FPS games, or even Western games in general, Blood West will be right up your alley. And if you’re not, Blood West may still be worth your time if you have any interest in it based on some of its other factors such as the eldritch horror, resource management, or even challenging gameplay. As someone who hasn’t had as much experience with stealth FPS games, it did take a bit of time to get accustomed to its workings, but once I hit my stride, I found it hard to put the game down.

Overall, Gloomy Eyes is an engaging, enchanting experience. The complementary abilities of its two protagonists allow for interesting puzzles, and its story has a lot of heart despite the gloom. I liked the VR film, but the game is an equally enjoyable take on a haunting little tale.

Indika has a compelling and genuinely original story to tell. It’s by turns darkly humorous, thought-provoking, philosophically challenging, and emotionally shocking. It’s weird, too, but sometimes more attached to its off-kilter elements than it should be. Things like ignoring fun and narrative consistency for the sake of being quirky feel like missteps when they waste the player’s time or slow the pace. Indika is definitely original and sometimes daring, but stumbles a bit in its execution. Imperfect or not, I can’t help but admire the look of the game, the memorable characters, and the audacious themes.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe is a load of fun and adorably cute.

Superstars fills a weird niche for Mario Party fans. If you're missing the old maps, this is a great way to dredge them up without suffering through the ancient visuals. Conversely, if you're looking for more modern Mario Party action, this entry will fall a bit short of your expectations. Little things have been rolled back, little problems persist. That game where you rip open your palm to win at tug-of-war is back, for example. The game looks modern, but feels more like a classic entry in the franchise. If the thing you were missing was frustration and elation in equal measure, then yours will be a rich bounty indeed. For better and for worse, this is a heaping helping of the cruel whimsy you remember so well. Mario Party Superstars is a glamorous trip down cherished paths you've mostly blocked from your memory.

For the Dark Souls fan who sees every From Software game as a validation of the “git gud” mentality, Eldest Souls will probably scratch a persistent itch. For everyone else, especially those who appreciate Souls-like games for their journeys and not their boss destinations, Eldest Souls may seem too focused on doing one thing, no matter how well it succeeds. Eldest Souls is designed around frustration and challenge, and if that’s your idea of a good time, then this game is for you.

I was a fan of Grime’s take on the Metroidvania/Soulslike formula. Grime 2 adds depth, polish, and variety to combat mechanics while making the experience a bit more accessible. Grime 2 literally begins with a question about how artists balance the new against what they’ve already done. Definitely a closely-related sequel and not a dramatic reinvention, there are a few frustrating platforming mechanics and a narrative that is only slightly less impenetrable. Grime 2 definitely deserves to break more fully into the mainstream this time around.

Second Son is easily the best game Sucker Punch has ever released, easily the best game available so far on the PS4, and easily the one game that every PS4 owner should purchase.

The old archaic way of playing with the five button layout and waiting for DLC drops are gone. Instead you get a magnificently redesigned controller with a music streaming service designed to give you an infinite amount of hours to get your jam on.

Control issues aside, if you’re itching for something to get you away from Destiny then this could be the game to do it.

Candle is an engaging delight and highly worth your game playing time.

After playing this game, I really had a good “sit and think” moment about the state of games. I know a lot of gamers (including myself at times) get caught up with the newest and greatest blockbuster titles, which is fine, but sometimes we need to mix things up a bit. Games like Heave Ho are sometimes passed by without a second thought, but in all honesty, grabbing this title for the low price of $10 is an absolute steal. It will give you some solid, challenging play time on your own, and then when your buddy comes over you can have a ridiculous time flinging each other across the map. I would say El Cartel Studio has nailed this simplicity with this one, I would recommend checking it out.

Accurate in its execution and complex in its politics, 1979 Revolution may have its flaws, but its faults do not overshadow its success of a nuanced portrayal of a history and its people.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink does a few things very well. Its art direction and music are gorgeous. The online multiplayer co-op combat gameplay works well. But as a single-player action JRPG, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is mostly quite generic. It’s also the story sequel to a game not released in North America, which really soured my ability to get invested in the story or characters. Action JRPG fans looking for more games in the genre might enjoy Granblue Fantasy: Relink, but there are too many other better options for non-diehard JRPG fans to recommend the game.

The boss fights are an absolute delight. The dialogue is a ton of fun to read, so much so that it bolsters the story and keeps you engaged throughout the whole affair. Whatever problems you might glimpse on the surface, Ys Seven is an easy recommendation for any and all JRPG fans.

WRC 9 checks nearly all the boxes for a racing game and most importantly excels in the areas of rally racing and fun. For WRC 8 owners, having to pay the full game price for small improvements will probably seem steep. The differences between the two games adds up to the amount of content often found in a DLC. Especially as is often done by other racing sim games. For new players, however, WRC 9 is an easy purchase.

Scarlet Nexus marries varied and unique action RPG combat to two extended campaigns featuring engaging protagonists and a cast of memorable supporting players. Using its brain punk conceit to power a range of extended combat techniques, Scarlet Nexus is at its best in the thick of the fight, when the player can mix and match melee weapons, telekinetic beatdowns, and whatever talents the team on hand has to share.

Needless to say, the co-op mode is incredibly fun to play.

Not only does Card Shark explore a topic rarely seen in the medium but it does so with such authenticity that you can’t help but fall in love with the ruse before you. The stunning art direction and clever mechanics successfully put you in the shoes of a swindler. With a dodgy deck in hand, be prepared to get hooked on the hustle.

The visuals, the sound, and the amount of depth that this fighting game has really makes it worth looking at for any gamers on the run. Simply put, Dead or Alive 5 Plus is not only a solid fighter, but a really good PS Vita game too.

Downwell personifies the ‘gameplay is king’ mantra and it backs up its approach with a perfect suite of controls that are predictable and consistent.

As a psychological horror that uses one of the most iconic horror games of the last-gen as its inspiration, it works incredibly well. I never thought walking down a hallway in a game could fill me with such dread, but every single staircase, hallway, and door ramped my anxiety all the way up. In all honesty, for the first couple of days, I could only play it for 10 minutes at a time before I had to call it quits. As someone who watches horror movies all the time, getting me to tap out before you even scare is a feat to be proud of. By that measure, Visage should be bursting with pride!

A few drawbacks in the game won’t stop you from enjoying this in-depth strategy game and pouring an exorbitant amount of time into propelling your Lord to the top of the Feudal food chain.

Last Epoch straddles the midpoint between familiar accessibility and depth. There is plenty enough character customization to reward experimentation and repeated play. The basic, addictive ARPG loop is compelling, even if the narrative is a bit muddled. Once past the first few overly familiar hours, Last Epoch starts to really come into its own as an excellent hack-and-slash with lots of potential and staying power.

Far: Lone Sails allows players to complete the game at their own pace, and some might find it to be relatively brief. As a matter of fact, the short length is the game’s biggest weakness. I wanted more, but what’s there is something I treasured.

Unforeseen Incidents occasionally stumbles in its accessibility through bugs or difficulty, but its story, humor, and art make it a great time piecing together clues in the world that Backwoods Entertainment has created. It might not have reinvented the genre, but given the opportunity, I’d grab a beer with Harper in this game or—we can hope—the next.

I’m often horrible at these types of games, finding that the skill jump from easy to medium to be too much of a challenge but I found Natsuki Chronicles fares as a good starting point for beginners. In saying that, this game isn’t easy either and will require a ton of play-throughs of the same level, especially the later ones and on higher difficulties, to best determine which weapon types work the best and also your strategy. But even so, fans of the bullet hell genre should most definitely add this game to their library.

The Artful Escape is by turns psychedelic, moving, exultant, and lovely. The central metaphor of a young performer bringing fantastic new worlds into existence through the art of music is a powerful one, and while the theme of a struggling musician finding his authentic voice while paying homage to the past might not be a new one, it's certainly new to videogames. The Artful Escape only missteps when it tries too hard to be a game, ironic given the story's premise of search for authenticity. Aside from that, The Artful Escape is a surprising and joyous exploration of the power of collaboration, the struggle for identity, and the mind-blowing, life-altering sound of the very loud galactic symphony.

Forgive Me Father 2 is a solid, bloody, and genuinely creative retro-shooter. Its gameplay mechanics are expertly refined, its aesthetic is unmatched, and its atmosphere is perfectly pitched between grim horror and dark humor. But recommending the console version comes with a significant caveat. If you value a smooth, optimized experience above all else, you may find the technical hiccups frustratingly intrusive. If, however, you can tolerate the occasional frame rate dive to experience one of the most stylish and mechanically engaging Lovecraftian shooters released in years, then the Priest’s violent descent into madness is well worth undertaking—just be prepared for console stutters to pull you abruptly back to reality.

While it may not be the most convincing package to get players to return to Hekseville, Gravity Rush Remastered is by far the best way to enjoy Sony’s underappreciated action game. The combat, while still a weak link, feels much better using a controller, and the game’s art style has kept this Vita stunner looking impressive.

There are no paper cuts in store for you here. Paper Mario: The Origami King is as smooth as butter. I expected an epic journey as the franchise has provided in the past, but I had no clue I would fall in love with this game as much as I have. If you’re a Switch owner, you can’t miss it. And if you’ve been on the fence about purchasing one, The Origami King proves the grass really is greener on the other side. Nintendo and Intelligent Systems hooked Paper Mario up to the defibrillator, delivered 3000 volts to his chest, and now I’m here to tell you - Our boy is gonna live!