Cave Story+ is an excellent port and it feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch.

The Last Spell made me realize that a siege is the perfect video game scenario. It allows you to focus on a single area, and gives the player a chance to customize their base. It also lends itself to a small group of heroes standing bravely against a horde of faceless enemies. Combine that with other popular features such as roguelike development, and you have a pretty fun game. But spend some time with The Last Spell, and you will see how differently it plays.

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.

Every piece of Carrion is polished and near-flawless. From the amazing visuals, heart-pounding sound design, to the organic gameplay, everything in this game serves a unified purpose. In our current market oversaturated media, there is something invaluable in a game that doesn’t waste your time.

Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break is an absolute blast to play. It’s incredibly simple to learn, but still challenging enough to force me to approach certain levels strategically. I loved playing the local multiplayer with my kids, even if it was a bit more challenging with the reduced field-of-view. The single-player campaign alone will take most players a good six+ hours to complete, plus you add in the limitless content created by fellow gamers, and you’ll get plenty of enjoyment out of Rock of Ages 3. This has been one of the most fun games I’ve played this year and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing time with a fun sense of humour.

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.

While the style of the game might not be for everyone, for those that enjoy this genre, they’ll be in for an absolute treat. Desperados III is an outstanding accomplishment and should not be missed.

Schell Games have forged a winner. The swordplay gameplay feels real and the physics make for a challenging and fairly physically demanding game too. Add in the power-ups and abilities that can be added to each weapon and there is a play style available to suit every player’s needs.

Dragon Quest piles on the enhancements in the 3DS version, and these tiny improvements are so numerous, that Dragon quest VIII feels far less dated than an RPG over a decade old should feel.

The story of Commander Shepard as told through Mass Effect Legendary Edition is excellent. It was groundbreaking a decade ago, and it’s still a powerful tale open to interpretation. Veterans of the franchise need not hesitate: this is a faithful polishing of the original games, with thoughtful changes that modernize the experience. If you’ve never taken a trip with the crew of the Normandy, there’s no better time than now. There’s a mammoth amount of quality content in the Mass Effect trilogy, and it’s all well worth the time investment.

TOEM is suitable for all audiences. Everything from its friendly nature, to the ease of control, to the cute characters and catchy tunes, TOEM hits the mark in many ways. Though I wish it were longer, a part of me thinks the short length adds to the simplicity and relaxation aspect of the experience. It was just so inviting, especially during days where you want to do something easy and not necessarily feel too challenged, making me wish there was more content and areas to explore. TOEM 2, perhaps?

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.

Resident Evil 7 and Skyrim prove that PlayStation VR is a viable platform and that full-sized games belong on it. If you can look past the bugs (and let’s face it: if you’re a Skyrim fan, you can), then this feels like the definitive way to experience Skyrim.

Blood and Wine is a massive expansion, and with content strong enough to stand on its own two feet, realising it’s merely an addition to what is otherwise considered one of the best games ever is just a cherry on top.

All in all, these are minor problems on an otherwise fantastic CRPG. Watch out though, Wasteland 3 doesn’t pull any punches with its subject matter in sexuality, violence, and language. But if you are fine with that, I would highly recommend you give Wasteland 3 a shot, especially if you were (or still are) a Fallout fan.

Final Fantasy VII was such an accomplishment and really, it will always remain an enjoyable classic for us all. And for those who have not yet experienced its glory, now is a great time to try out the game that influenced the world of RPG.

Moss was PSVR’s standout title and therefore it’s fitting that Book II is the platform’s swan song. Even on old tech, Polyarc manages to forge an adventure for the ages. From the art direction to the emotional storytelling, each aspect of the original has been improved, making this a truly remarkable sequel.

ARC Raiders is simply one of the most polished and accessible third person extraction shooters in recent memory. It has something for everyone, from solo players to teams ready to wreak havoc in the world. With a confident and coherent mashup of systems and a simple, addictive loop, ARC Raiders helps wrap up a notable gaming year in fine fashion.

Frostpunk 2 trades intimacy and the plight of individual survivors for the challenges of growth and sustainability. The threat of extinction is mixed with economic challenges and the vaguely hopeful promise of long-term survival. Frostpunk 2 broadens the scope and deepens the mechanics of the first game, adding even greater complexity to puzzle-like city building that remains addictive and unique in the genre.

All in all, Inscryption is a great–and spooky–game that is constantly expanding and re-inventing itself, and I recommend it to anyone who loves horror. As long as you approach it with an open mind, a strong stomach, and the willingness to keep trying, you should have a great time with this title. Just remember: if you think the game is over in the first few hours, it’s time to hit the New Game button and see what you’ve unlocked.

Remaking Silent Hill 2 may have seemed like an impossible task, but Bloober Team has delivered an impeccable reinterpretation of the classic. With enhanced combat, each encounter becomes more intense, heightening the visceral impact of every strike. The stunning graphical overhaul captures the world’s pervasive decay, while improved lighting magnifies the sense of threat, creating an anxiety-ridden experience. Whether you’re returning or a new resident at Silent Hill, this is a must-play for horror enthusiasts.

Drinkbox studios took an already great game, and made it that much better.

Little Nightmares II is a masterclass in design. From its vulgar characterization to its haunting soundtrack, each asset has been created with a fetishistic passion for the absurd. The perfectly paced gameplay and luscious visuals combine to elevate the game above others in the genre making Little Nightmares II an absolute dream to experience.

Astro Bot Robot Rescue is more than an extension of flat screen platforming, it is the next evolutionary step that all family members will enjoy.

By almost every metric, Horizon Zero Dawn is a classic action RPG. For anyone who missed it, the Remastered edition is definitely the version to pick up. For those who already own it, the upgrade to Remastered is a reasonable $10 and at least on PS5, PS4 cloud saves work just fine. If the new and improved visuals inspire folks to play the game, or play it again, that’s a win for everyone.

Calling Lies of P derivative is both obvious and misses the point. It’s is a love letter to FromSoftware, but one that quite often matches or even exceeds its inspiration. Lies of P doesn’t quite attain the elegance of Dark Souls, Elden Ring, or Bloodborne’s best level designs, but its art, graphics, and combat are possibly the best of any Soulslike not developed by Miyazaki and company. Lies of P is addictive, challenging, and rewarding, and a must-play for fans of action RPGs.

For those interested in JRPGs, but aren’t fans of turn-based combat, or for those who would like to play more games like Final Fantasy XV, you can’t beat Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5 HD Remix.

Shin Megami Tensei V is an incredible achievement. While it comes off as less of a horror game than previous entries in the series, its sheer scale and eerie presentation more than make up for the lack of dedicated scares. In some ways, I feel that gaming technology has finally reached the point that it’s able to convey the tone and feel that Shin Megami Tensei has been trying to capture since the 80s. There's a lot packed into this game, especially if you play on a higher difficulty, which I definitely recommend doing. If you’re allergic to grinding, there is an optional Safety difficulty that will let you focus on the story instead, but you’ll still probably spend a lot of time exploring the expansive game world and getting lost between buildings.