Tables are designed well, being easy enough for casual pinball players but challenging at the same time to satisfy those who have played pinball games. It does tend to lean more towards the easier side, but not by much. Easy to play, creepy tone, and addictive gameplay all combine in this set, making it the perfect way to get your pinball fix and celebrate Alien Day.

Shredder’s Revenge has a pretty specific target audience. But if you fall within that narrow strike zone, this game is amazing. The animation is incredible, the action is well-crafted, and that Turtles attitude is on full display. If you aren’t an old-school TMNT fan with a penchant for beat ’em ups, maybe you can appreciate the pixel art. The actual game design is excellent, as well. It’s just hard to imagine what this game looks like without nostalgia goggles on. Even if you’ve never seen a single episode of that extremely dated cartoon, check this game out. I promise TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is a blast either way.

Make no mistake, this is definitely the superior version of Dragon Quest III. The modern mechanics and slick visuals strike that balance between retro and modern sensibilities. Combat is as easy or as difficult as you need it to be. I wish the auto-battle system was less powerful, but it’s still an optional mechanic. Beyond all my gripes about it, playing this game was still a relaxing, compelling experience. I love level grinding, scouring dungeons, and taking down nasty monsters. The story is simple, but in a sweeping, grand fashion perfectly suited for Dragon Quest. Whether or not you’ve played the original, you’ll have a great time with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake.

While not everyone agrees that Final Fantasy XVI is the best entry in the series, it was certainly one of the standout games of 2023. With its absorbing narrative, memorable characters, great acting, and engaging real-time action combat, Final Fantasy XVI brings to the PC a thrilling experience that does nothing but improve an already stellar game.

Overall, Gordian Quest does a great job in implementing various gameplay elements and making them work together. While the Campaign Mode could have featured a better narrative and variety of activities, it still serves as a good entry point in the game as a long tutorial of sorts. From there, the game features a lot of replayability due to the number of classes and skills. As a deckbuilding RPG, Gordian Quest does a great job with the deckbuilding portion and is worth a look for fans of the genre.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream delivers its vision with confidence. It’s clear that River End Games set out to create an immersive, story-driven adventure rooted in a rich, detailed world and they’ve succeeded. The engaging narrative, supported by strong voice acting, adds authenticity and emotional weight to the characters. Every element feels purposeful, from the thoughtful storytelling to the smart use of puzzles and stealth mechanics. Together, these pieces come together to create something truly special.

While the Concert/Live Editor and Your Home mode is absent, the game packs tons of songs and customization features that emulates a pure arcade experience. Meanwhile the art style may have changed, but at 1080p and 60 frames per second, it’s the smoothest, most accurate and beautiful looking Project Diva game to date.

While the Concert/Live Editor and Your Home mode is absent, the game packs tons of songs and customization features that emulates a pure arcade experience. Meanwhile the art style may have changed, but at 1080p and 60 frames per second, it’s the smoothest, most accurate and beautiful looking Project Diva game to date.

Shape of Dreams does many things very well. It counters the roguelike problem of early game frustration by giving players lots of powerful and impressive tools right from the start. The flow of combat and the variety of builds have a lot of depth. The bite-sized battles are perfectly paced, though probably more satisfying for a group than a solo player. Shape of Dreams definitely has that compulsive, “just one more run” element at its core, and it’s a great scaffold for more content down the line.

Like the rest of the series, Disgaea 7 is a massive game. The combat and progression systems boast near-infinite depth. The writing is snappy and fun, the music is catchy, and the art style is extremely anime. On the other hand, those infinite systems are downright impenetrable. You need a very particular focus to wade through so many menus. And the grind is still monumental, no matter what sneaky tricks you employ. For fans of the series, Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is a series highlight. To all the new players, I say: Welcome! This will either be a joyless slog or the start of a brand new addiction.

Hogwarts Legacy is one of the all-time great surprises in my 25+ years of gaming. I love everything about it. The world is stunning. The combat is both satisfying and challenging. And it’s reignited my love for something seemingly lost to space and time. Overnight, Avalanche Software has cemented itself as a triple-A developer, delivering a game that belongs in conversations with the very best. Class is in session, folks.

Final Fantasy IX is a must play entry in the RPG genre, and this new version is the best way to experience the magic of the best PS1 Final Fantasy game.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Resident Evil Village is a fitting tribute to the history of the franchise. Although some of the enigmatic characters are not given the screentime they deserve, they are incredibly realized through the environments that evoke the personality of its inhabitant. Perhaps the game could have taken more risks in this outing, however, this dastardly showcase of the macabre is intoxicating.

This collection of games has a very niche audience. To that end, you already know whether Gradius Origins is for you or not. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into the early history of the Gradius games, than this is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s got tons of alternate versions, an extensive gallery to peruse, and the emulation is laser precise. But there aren’t any weird offshoots or later titles. Plus, these games are a specific brand of difficult that can be immediately offputting. If you don’t have the patience to persist, you simply won’t enjoy yourself. But for those of you in this title’s crosshairs, Gradius Origins will be an excellent time.

Vessel of Hatred's campaign, new region, new class, and new cooperative dungeon all significantly extend the base game's appeal and depth. If you don't already enjoy the near-constant, frenetic, often exhilarating, sometimes exhausting combat, Vessel of Hatred isn't going to win you over no matter how impressive it often is. The expansion contains some of the best content the developer has released and should satisfy both casual and hardcore fans of Diablo IV.

LEGO Bricktales was one of the best and purest versions of the brick building experience. On the Meta Quest 3, and especially in the AR mode, the game takes on a whole new life that comes very close to the real thing. The puzzles are challenging and the tone is lighthearted. Aside from some fiddly controls, LEGO Bricktales is more proof that the Meta Quest 3 is the VR headset to have.

Despite some minor flaws, Xenoblades Chronicles X is a JRPG fan’s dream come true.

Playing Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 a year later, I am still incredibly impressed by the game’s performances, visuals, and attention to detail. The treatment of Senua’s psychosis as both ally and enemy is effective and unsettling. Looked at through the lens of a Soulslike or action RPG, Senua’s Saga will feel limited, but that’s obviously not the game’s intention. Still, swordplay can feel both brutal and imprecise, and there’s repetition in both the game’s pacing and structure. Performance on PS5 wasn’t always perfect. All that being said, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is a real achievement and one I enjoyed a second time. The inclusion of insightful developer commentary and other free updates for owners of the original on PC and Xbox should tempt players into a brand new playthrough.

With solid visuals, twitch gameplay, and a strange and mesmerizing addictiveness to it, you really can't go wrong by spending time with this game, especially during those times when you need a break from COD, BF4, Killzone, or whatever other mainstream title you may play on your brand new PS4.

Viewfinder doesn’t have the tonal mastery of an exploration game like Myst, but it’s puzzles are second to none in the genre. You should definitely challenge yourself with Viewfinder, the most beguiling puzzle game of the year.

SOMA had the tools to come together to be something special, but like some of the AIs and machines in the game, it’s not quite a complete product, but still quite enjoyable nonetheless.

Bravely Default is a fantastic RPG, one that’s easily worth your time and attention. The job and combat systems alone are worth the price of entry. Everything else, the charming graphics, the clever dialogue, and the catchy music, is icing on a delicious cake. I wish the visuals felt more worthy of the Nintendo Switch 2, but they still look better than ever before. If you’ve played the original, I’m not sure if you want the remaster. But if you haven’t, you simply can’t miss Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster.

They feel worth it to me, but I’m a Pokémon lifer.

OlliOlli World: VOID Riders is an excellent extension of the base game. It maintains key aspects of the title and adds new layers to create a fresh experience. Every level is a blast. The new tractor beam will challenge aficionados of the franchise as you will have to reconsider your approach to the run. Roll7’s focus on the course materializing before your very eyes is a joy to experience and creates some stunning set pieces. Even though the DLC is a little short, it’s the perfect catalyst for you to ollie back into Radlandia.

A good mystery should hook you right from the beginning. Solving your own murder is a juicy hook, to say the least. Better still, there’s a fascinating narrative beyond that elevator pitch. The mechanics are unique and engaging, the graphics are slick, and the writing keeps you plugged in until the very end. While I wasn’t a perfect fit for the puzzle design, that’s alright. Players more interested in a tense experience will find a lot to love here. I still appreciated the mix of frustration and elation, even as it burrowed into my brain. If you’re looking for a unique, puzzling mystery, definitely give Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective a shot.

This remaster not only revamps the visuals and playability, but it also adds a whole expansion pack to the game. Priced like a large DLC, there is no reason not to get this game if you are already an Age of Empires fan. I can only hope that all remasters in the future will be as good as this.

Fantasy Zone is an excellent, and difficult shoot ‘em up. For fans of any Gradius-style game, I highly recommend you play this classic that still holds up. Its cartoony visual aesthetic gives it a charm, and its difficulty will keep fans shooting for a long time.

As someone who’s been craving for another adventure game for nearly 20 years, Thimbleweed Park is, indeed, the perfect comfort food.