Ultimately, the choice of what to do with Seven Deadly Sins comes to down to one thing and it’s not really great. Are you a fan? If you are, I can almost guarantee you’re going to love this game. If you’re not a fan? There’s not really a whole lot going on to draw you in. A double-edged sword indeed.

The game’s new modes don’t merge either playstyle together well enough to justify any of them, and I can’t imagine they are easy enough to appeal to the child demographic that the game’s aesthetic and adventure mode are clearly aimed towards.

The graphical and audio enhancements are phenomenal and huge selling points, but having a pretty game without responsive AI quickly makes those enhancements meaningless. The heart and soul of the game is there, even in the tutorial, but it’s simply too old.

Layers of Fear: Legacy has some flaws, but the central experience – exploring an ever-changing mansion as you descend into madness – is solid and exciting. If you don’t mind a few cheap scares, there’s a good horror game here.

While Brass Tactics doesn’t break new grounds in the RTS formula, it stands as the best of its kind in VR today. The overall design is simple and intuitive so that novice players can dip their feet in without trouble, yet provides enough depth to satisfy genre fans. With such accessibility alone, Brass Tactics sets a new standard for others to follow.

Some of the design decisions will come off as a little strange, but there’s some decent fun buried in there. If you loved the Super NES original, however, this updated version will fill you with confusion, anger and disappointment.

A short game that makes a hell of a first impression. The story might not be anything to write home about, but it’s fun, engrossing, and surprisingly funny.

It is the most content-complete version of Payday 2. On the other hand, it’s still a five-year-old game that really hasn’t aged that well and doesn’t seem to have all the updates that other versions have received.

Even if you’re growing tired of the 80’s trend, Crossing Souls should be at the top of your list. It’s full of awesome twists, humor, and enough varied gameplay to make it stick out from the pack. Underneath the 80’s veneer is a wonderfully crafted action-adventure game that could very much stand on its own.

Though there are some definite strengths throughout Past Cure, like the textural environments, the melodies and the overall world duality, it simply fails to really take advantage of the hype gained from its badass trailers.

While it is fun to experience Pop-Up Pilgrims in a somewhat faux VR mode, it is really a mere 3D presentation when you get down to it. You are truly restricted to a god-like point of view. And the gameplay mechanics don’t quite gell with the VR implementation.

With the proper people, equipment, and time to play and fully utilize Guilt Battle Arena, the game is relatively fun pioneering on a simplistic and straightforward idea. However, it is easy to see how simplicity can easily fall into mediocrity, especially when that’s all it has going for it.

I’m really glad that a game like Disc Jam has released and has as much polish as it does. I think they went a little overboard with the cosmetics and not enough on character variety, but those minor things that I can overlook since the core of the gameplay don’t rely on those things. It a great game that I could easily recommend on any platform as long as you use a controller.

The Station is a promising game, telling a magnificent story through a path paved by games like Gone Home and Tacoma. Those games might have had a little more polish than The Station, which suffers some annoying gameplay hiccups, but the story this new game tells absolutely holds up.

It exists to tell a beautiful story with no words, and in this, it absolutely excels. The score to Fe is without comparison and that alone is worth playing the game. When you add to that the adorable Fe and the forest full of unique and mystical creatures, the singing mechanic and the gorgeous art style, it’s hard to imagine someone turning this game down, especially because it is nowhere near a standard full price.

Pierhead Arcade just didn’t offer enough to keep me excited.

Despite its shortcomings in the real-time combat portion of the game, Starpoint Gemini Warlords remains a massive, robust space strategy game. However, due to a combination of unstable performance, an unintuitive camera system, and an overall rough combat system, I can only imagine what could have been

It feels like the second coming of the 16- and 32-bit RPG, and I couldn’t be happier to jump back in.

Assuming you have any taste for frenetic action games, these two titles represent the cream of the crop.

Break Arts II is a dream come true for any fans who have big ideas and want to create their own robotic units, as the customization has incredible possibilities. My hopes for this game are that the online community will become more active, the developers consider adding custom keybinding in the options, and possibly updating the in-game models of the enemy units to have them appear as they were built instead of racing little diamonds.

Bleed 2 is, quite simply put, intense fun bundled up into a small package.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is quite the enjoyable epic journey, warts and all. When realism is the aim, it’s hard not to notice imperfections. We do live in the real world, so it’s hard not to compare. But all the little imperfections don’t keep this from being one heck of a great ride. The story alone is 50-hours of gameplay and overall there are around 100 hours of quests to complete. There is a lot there. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the first time I played Elder Scrolls: Arena 20+ years ago. The sense of scale, that awe of something you were not expecting to be so grand.

Wulverblade is a wonderful throwback to classic 90’s brawlers but there’s also a healthy dollop of newness added to the mix. The combat, while initially very simplistic, has layers upon layers of depth that slowly reveals itself with each subsequent stage. The difficulty tends to rear its ugly head a little early, but dedicated gamers will find the challenge rewarding and engaging. The heavily-researched storyline, gorgeous graphics and animation, and simple controls make Wulverblade a sharp and to-the-point beat-em-up that’s totally worth playing.

Another cool feature is the track surface. It is fully deformable meaning that the dirt surface changes consistency when it gets wet. The physics dynamics of driving on a dry surface versus blasting and sliding through mud changes your approach to racing on a track.

The fact of the matter is that Dynasty Warriors 9 works as an experiment. This is Omega Force’s first attempt at an open-world title, and though not every aspect is great, it is a package that over-delivers where it counts and that, at its core, retains and improves upon the original hack and slash experience.

This combination of game mechanics with plot makes The Fall Part 2: Unbound a masterclass in video game storytelling. Action-packed sequences are followed by moody reflective moments, with each new story beat more compelling and exciting than the last. The presentation is similarly great. Graphically, it’s not the most stunning game, but its use of atmospheric lighting works wonders in creating a mood.

A tightly, well-crafted game that bridges the action platformer genre with tower defense elements. In doing so, the gameplay elements were noticeably intuitive and the various mechanics all contributed to the overall polish of the game.

Cold Iron’s unique premise oozes with promise, but the core experience is mired by repetitive, punishing gameplay.

This is a fun little puzzle game that’s easy to pick up and easy to get addicted to.

There is very little to find at fault within Sprint Vector. It is a highly polished offering from the get-go.

What makes OK K.O.! Let’s Play Heroes so suitable for gamers of many ages is not just the ease of gameplay, but the delightful characters and storyline.

There’s no way this will ever be a mainstream fighting game, but it’s still a blast to play.

Civilization VI was already a game I’ve put hundreds of hours into, and Rise and Fall has definitely reawakened my excitement.

Despite a slow start, when Dragon Quest Builders starts rolling it’s hard to put the game down.

Light Tracer is the kind of VR game that I could just take or leave, either or and be fine with it. Its controls, while not optimal, aren’t bad enough to make me want to stop playing on their own. A lack of real immersion is there, but again, not a deal breaker.

While the multiplayer maps aren’t exactly breaking the mold, the latest zombies is quite literally killer and whether you’re a fan of the war game mode or not, you’ll enjoy the latest addition to it in Operation Intercept.

For what it is, instead of what it was, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is an enjoyable team-based brawler for those interested in a seamless online experience and fanservice with your favorite Final Fantasy characters.

While I like just about everything that’s presented in Strikers Edge, prolonged periods of play had me comparing the final product to Pong. That’s not a great comparison in 2018 unless you believe there’s no beating the classics.

Taken as a whole, Vesta is a pleasant enough experience but it’s an experience that has been done so many times, and so much better, in many other games.

The best thing I can say about UFC 3, having not played much of the previous games and not being a fan of the sport, is that it has me constantly thinking about it – whether that’s how I need to improve my bob and weave game by using the right stick more often or planning out a Mayweather-like undefeated run on a new Career Mode save. UFC 3 is an EA Sports title that is made to attract more than just a niche, hardcore fan base of MMA enthusiasts and it’s all the better for it.

Monster Hunter: World takes everything the series does well and arguably does it better.

Assassin’s Creed Origins: The Hidden Ones is probably exactly like you expect – it offers more of everything you liked about the base game, but it won’t surprise you or offer anything revolutionary.

Candleman may not be a very energetic or exciting platformer, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an effective one. It feels more like a journey of quiet self-reflection than an action-packed thrill ride. It’s a game full of beautiful imagery and a surprisingly worthwhile tale that’s only hampered by a few shortcomings. In the end, Candleman is not a perfect storybook platformer, and it doesn’t have to be.

Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Hacker’s Memory is a worthy successor. It is not a jaw-dropping, life-changing piece, but it is an enjoyable experience especially for a Digimon fan. The story is engaging from the first minute of gameplay and I personally found it difficult to turn the game off to go to bed. Overall, Hacker’s Memory is addicting and extremely satisfying, and here’s to hoping for a similar title in the near future.

Beholder: Complete Edition is a wonderfully morally corrupt package that makes you feel stress, pity, loathing, and desperate to survive.

Every so often, I find myself craving a new roguelike, and Starward Rogue has the mechanical depth I like to see. It’s a little hard to get into- the simple sci-fi style and goofy narrative don’t make for the most engaging setting. But it knows what it is, and sticks to its strengths. Most importantly, there’s a functionally rich game under the gears and rivets of the robot heroes and villains. If you love puzzling out different game systems and figuring out how they come together, Starward Rogue will have a lot for you to explore.

To answer my own question, Shadow of the Colossus is (still) the gold standard for artful expression in interactive media. It’s packing serious technical chops and doesn’t get in its own way, allowing the player to find their own path. The minute to minute activities are undeniably simple, but there’s obvious intent behind it - creating a tight and focused package that somehow lets the player feel truly free. It’s a remarkable achievement, even ignoring the 12-year-old core design.

The first-person gameplay is where the game really shines, offering immersion to the genre that only VR can.

Having only one save space is absurd, especially for families with multiple gamers, but at least there’s a decent download play option for local multiplayer.

Tesla vs Lovecraft is a fantastic twin-stick shooter that takes the tried and true genre and adds just the right elements to give the player a strong sense of progression, challenge, and most importantly – fun. I can’t recall the last time I found myself lost in a twin-stick shooter, let alone daydreaming about playing one when I’m not home.

Each of the Furies has an exaggerated personality to comical levels and nothing in the game takes itself seriously. It’s actually a very fitting setting for a cartoonish brawler: good hack-and-slash fun through hordes of enemies. It’s a great game to play with friends and have a great time.

Though The Inpatient shines in a few areas, it falls short of what made Until Dawn one of finest horror games of this generation.

World of Warships Blitz is a well crafted naval combat MMO that is both easy to play and offers loads of options to unlock.

Not only is the game simply a tight, pick up and play fighter, but it is one that does the source material of Dragon Ball justice.

The charming character art, the well-crafted levels and the new twist on combat can’t overcome the pervasive sense of frustration and boredom that marked my attempted playthrough.

Shu is a charming and elegant little platformer that surprised me with its fast, but also calming, gameplay.

In “What Ails You,” there are enough other positives to make this a strong installment. An epic brawl sequence, major plot reveals, and a promise of a satisfying series conclusion make Episode 4 an enjoyable experience, and the climactic Episode 5 looks like it will end things on a high note. Let’s hope so.

After a two year period of slow additions to a barebones initial package, Arcade Edition brings the heat in a ton of new single-player modes and a nearly-doubled roster of fighters to choose from. This is the package the Street Fighter faithful have been waiting for, even if the steps taken to get here feel a little slimy. Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition has reignited my love for the franchise, and the future of SFV shines even brighter.

In spite of my cruel and cutting remarks, I still enjoyed Lost Sphear.

The most immediate issue with this game is the boss fight difficulty in the story mode. The lack of online multiplayer is disappointing, but maybe future sequels will step beyond the confines of the couch.

It is frustrating to take actions and due to the limited character animations not seeing my inputs realized properly on the screen. If you’re a big survival horror fan of games like resident evil outbreak you may find the robustness of the variety of game plays available to you sufficient to overlook or handle the issues with character animation.

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

There’s far too much wrong here for me to recommend The Deer God. Maybe the devs will continue developing and turn this into an excellent game at some point. The pieces are all there. It just needs more time and effort to unlock its full potential.

Even with its flaws, Sairento VR‘s brand of cyberninja action makes it one of the most unique and refreshing shooters to date.

World to the West is a clever, bright, and very enjoyable adventure platformer with increasingly difficult challenges, unique and lovable characters, a host of great skills both from the start and to unlock, and it really is just a pleasure to get lost in the story.

With an intriguing art style, easy to use flight controls, and an overall memorable experience, InnerSpace is a relaxing departure from the usual “run-n-gun” games we play about high speed/high stakes content. While the game poetically uses minimalism in its lack of direct information – instead relying on its art to tell the story – this can be a double-edged sword as players might find themselves lost on what to do next for quite some time.

There are obvious flaws here and there, and I would have loved to see more interactivity or animations, but The Mind’s Eclipse is a compelling tale that’s worth experiencing. Just make sure you stay away from all those pesky nanites.

A pleasantly challenging platformer with adorable charm and an entertaining story. It’s a good step for younger gamers to take who might start to feel a bit old for Mario and want a challenge.

As a complete neophyte to the Bridge Constructor series, Bridge Constructor Portal got me surprisingly invested.

Brawlout had an uphill battle going into its Nintendo Switch launch, and while the fighting is good the lack of variety in the roster coupled with the steep learning curve brings the whole experience down a few notches.

Technically, the superb hand-drawn art is alive and well in the DLC with satisfying blood splatter and the über-fluid animations of horses and other wildlife. There isn’t much of any sound to immerse yourself in though, which is especially a shame for a title that should have had me craving to explore a fully realized Western world like in the upcoming Red Dead 2. This is especially surprising as the live action trailer made sure to focus on atmosphere, but it isn’t something that significantly harmed my overall experience. 12 Is Better Than 6’s The Apostles campaign is a ton of fun for those who want to jump back in or even for fans of games like Hotline Miami who are looking for a different kind of top-down shooter that has some whacky characters.

If you are a series veteran looking to relive the magic of Life is Strange, then there is no doubt Before the Storm will scratch the right itch.

Gang Beasts is an interesting attempt at switching up the beat-em-up genre with a unique blend of gameplay styles, and as a whole it almost works, however, the severely limited options the game offers and its general lack of the basic building blocks a game needs makes this a title best reserved for playing with friends when nobody cares who wins and you simply want to laugh at stupidity.

L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files simply looks stunning.

Fearful Symmetry is definitely a challenging puzzler and not for anyone looking for a relaxing brain teaser. While some people might appreciate the Legend of Zelda-esque visuals, I’m confident that much of the audio cues will be universally hated.

With appropriate updates and feelings of nostalgia, Romancing SaGa 2 feels like a game from the 1990s, but looks a lot more polished.

Pinball FX3 takes the groundwork laid by its predecessors and continues to raise the bar. The way it utilizes the many different ways to play the Switch is utterly fantastic.

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.

I wish that this was an actual storybook, a heavy thing bound in leather and built from parchment.

Fallout 4 VR is really tough to come to a consensus on. On one hand, the original is truly a great game on its own, there is no doubt about it. On the other hand, the VR implementation throughout the game seems to be less than what most players have become accustomed to.

This game is not what I had envisioned, instead giving me wonky tech and an adversary who’s about as frightening as Barney the Dinosaur when all is said and done.

Dreadnought offers a fun experience for anyone who has dreamed of commanding their own spaceship and battling against other people online. The triumphant feeling that comes with taking down an enemy with a well-timed volley of missiles, and watching as they go down slowly in flames, is an experience I would recommend to anyone.

Despite my quibbles about the puzzles and the sameness of the environments, Embers of Mirrim left a strong impression on me. It’s not going to change the trajectory of indie platformers, but it’s a solid game with an engrossing central mechanic that, once mastered, will make you feel like a gaming god.

Dimension Drive does offer up some compelling ideas to vertical shmups, but the focus seems to be too much on those aspects. The actual shoot ’em up part is merely ok at best.

Some people will be bored to tears by SeaBed, and I wouldn’t exactly blame them. It’s a hefty story that can often feel like it’s trying to say a bit more than it really needs to; a complex, tri-perspective lesbian love story is more than enough without adding in frequently pretentious philosophical musings. However, while its intentions aren’t immediately obvious and its focus on fine details may leave some feeling stranded, those willing to dive deep into SeaBed’s world and characters will find a wonderfully bittersweet narrative.

If you liked The Surge and Deck13 in general, then A Walk in the Park is an easy choice. If you couldn’t be bothered to purchase or finish it in the first place, then maybe skip this.

I’m just frustrated because I can see a great game underneath the clutter of skill lines and odd design choices. If you strip away the mess, you’re left with a solid successor to Tiger Heli, a game that I have a particular nostalgic affinity for.

While Chaos on Deponia furthers the oddball adventures of Rufus and has its moments of entertaining humor and challenging puzzles, Rufus himself falls flat in an attempt to portray a plucky hero.

Traditional polygons and surface textures grow muddy and bland with every passing year, while Okami will shine bright for decades to come.

It happens to be one of the freshest gaming experiences I’ve had in a while thanks to its superb visuals, funky soundtrack, and fun-to-play mechanics. At its most basic, Floor Kids is a fun music rhythm game that’s easy to grasp.

Rescues and level subgoals add a lot of additional meat and challenge, but this is a very simple shmup. There is no interesting key gameplay mechanic, no waves of bullet hell, no fast speeds, and no interesting setting. In a world where Bug Princess is 13 years old, Ikaruga is 16 years old, and 1942 is 33 years old, there is absolutely no reason to play a shmup so basic.

A splendid continuation of one of 2017’s finest titles. Though it features minor disappointments, the overall experience is incredibly enjoyable.

The inclusion of interviews from actual Olympic athletes was a very nice touch. Some of the gameplay is frustrating due to some technical issues like bad hit-detection – but if you’ve played through Steep, you’re well aware of what to expect.

Having that single player path dangled in front of me, only for it to be an awful slog, is terribly disappointing.

With such a heavy focus on the atmosphere and the terror, SOMA seems to forget to include much in the way of puzzle solving for progression.

Sure, Mercury’s small, the strikes are a letdown, and many players are cut off from prestige events, but between the world building, new gear, and gameplay features such as new Crucible maps and the Raid Lair, there’s a fair amount of fun to be had in Curse of Osiris.

Anyone looking for a strictly stealth game should probably stay away from Seven: The Days Long Gone because it’s not what you’re going to find. Instead, you’ll find an RPG about a thief who grows more and more powerful as you play, giving you a ton of options and paths to choose from. For players who enjoy taking a character from zero to hero however they damn well please, Seven: The Days Long Gone is a solid choice.

Doom VFR is a fantastic translation of the Doom series to virtual reality. Yes, it’s a bit on the short side — I finished in about three hours — but the fun of leaping around arenas pursued by horrific demons makes it worth revisiting. If this game had told a compelling story, it would rank pretty high on my list of the best games of 2017, but the lackluster tale left me feeling let down. Still, if you know what you’re in for, it’s a bloody good time.