Would a game like this ultimately steal months of my life, like some bigger titles? No. But it is super fun to play as the casual – yet deep – game that it is.

Rhythm games aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re looking to get into one, look no further. Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a wonderful entry game and if you get it bundled with the drum controller, there’ll be no stopping you. If you don’t want to shell out for the controller, that’s ok. Playing it in the other three modes is equally as fun. There’s a large range of music types so there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you’re just dipping your toes in or a veteran rhythm player, the amount of content in the base game alone without the music pass will be sure to give you endless hours of playtime.

Overall, The Ascent is a fun twin-stick shooter that comes to the Playstation with an absolutely beautiful world design. The wholesale violence is very engaging but may feel a bit redundant as you can be pretty well maxed out about halfway through. I had a lot of fun with The Ascent, especially with multiplayer. It’s a beautiful-looking game that’s a blast to play that’s worth checking out.

If you like puzzle games and brain teasers, imprint-x is absolutely for you. I would even go so far as to say that if you have friends who enjoy physical puzzle boxes but don’t stray too far into the digital realm, this could be the game that gets them hooked.

Angry Birds: Isle of Pigs recognizes the appeal of its predecessor and delivers physics-based puzzles in spades. There are no gimmicks here, just good old bird-flinging fun. Isle of Pigs may not reinvent or reinvigorate the franchise, but it shows that Angry Birds certainly has a home on VR. If Rovio goes on to release as many sequels and spin-offs on VR as they have on mobile, well, that may not be a bad thing after all.

No Man’s Sky has reached a point where not only does it meet initial promises, it now exceeds them.

Final Fantasy XVI is crammed with narrative momentum. Which is amazing, until it’s time to do things like sidequests and DLC. Then the guillotine of the climax hangs over your head, impatient and sharp. In other words, it’s hard for me to get as invested in the DLC as I’d like. The combat is terrific, the new dungeon is beautiful, but it feels like I’m spinning my wheels. At the same time, I’ll take any excuse to spend more time with this game. Echoes of The Fallen is a great addition to a perfect Final Fantasy Experience.

Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior shakes up the action RPG formula with a genuinely creative mechanic. Simple to understand but often deviously challenging to execute, Lysfanga’s clone-based combat is addictive and clever. Maybe best of all, Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior doesn’t overreach, instead focusing on polish and the best possible execution of its original, core concept.

If you’re a frostbite-loving freak like me, The Pale Beyond is the game for you. It makes me optimistic about the future of this niche genre. The amount of research and care is apparent as you play. The opaque gameplay systems draw you into the narrative, but leave you in suspense. If you’ve made it this far in the review, I have to assume one of those things is appealing to you. Play The Pale Beyond; it might just be the best novel you read this year.

This year brings a nice upgrade and meets the new visual standard of virtual sports. Sure, there are a few bugs and errors. Yes, the problem with the face mapping is a thing, but it’s hilarious. I hope to see some scary faces out there, and it would be great if 2K had some sort of contest like who can make the scariest face. If the team can just spin this small set-back in a positive way, who cares if one small part of the game doesn’t work that well? Everything else is rock-solid and super fun.

Neon White takes elements of a range of genres and combines them to create a truly fascinating experience. Part hectic, card-based, FPS speedrunner and part visual novel, dating sim, the game manages to strike a perfect balance that successfully blends a multitude of strands. Due to its highly addictive and massively replayable gameplay, online leaderboards and secrets within, you’ll love each and every minute of this heavenly title.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition includes the original sci-fi epic and its brilliant expansion, delivering a package that every Action RPG fan should experience. The Nintendo Switch 2 version offers a range of control options, with gyro aiming standing out as a valuable addition that enhances gameplay. While other platforms may offer higher frame rates and sharper visuals, this is a strong port, and an excellent way to experience the adventure on the go.

This is a definite buy for your Xbox One as it will bring back memories for veterans of the series while introducing the franchise to those who’ve never played it.

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.

It’s a game that makes you think things and feel things that you aren’t used to thinking or feeling. And it has a good sense of humor about it all as well. Life doesn’t have to be this big serious thing that needs years and years of deep thought devoted to it. Actually maybe it does… but time is just as well spent enjoying and experiencing it. And Everything is a surprisingly pleasant way of doing just that.

Hands down the most ambitious game in the series to date. Ubisoft Toronto made a very bold choice to try and appease fans of every past game we’ve seen and create a ‘Splinter Cell For All’ style game. By and large they’ve succeeded fairly well at their task.

Tetris Forever is a fitting monument to a legendary franchise. With over 90 minutes of interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, this virtual museum beautifully captures the unique journey of Tetris—from Alexey Pajitnov’s workstation in the USSR to the hearts of millions around the world. Although some classic iterations are absent, the selection of key titles and diverse versions provides a solid representation of the series’ evolution. The experience is enriched by Tetris Time Warp, which celebrates the game’s legacy through its innovative, era-shifting mechanic. As a whole, Tetris Forever tells a captivating story about one of gaming’s most iconic titles.

Wolfstride might have gotten off to a rough start, but I think if you go into it knowing that it’s a story-forward game, you’ll enjoy it quite a bit. I ended up liking the game way more than I thought possible. It kept surprising me. It hooked me with its style, then its humor, and when I thought I knew everything, it showed me its heart. For only $18 CAD, Wolfstride has my strongest recommendation.

When The Past Was Around tells a story without uttering a single word of dialogue, using simple but beautiful music and a masterful, unique art style to communicate it. If I’m falling back on popular buzzwords too much when describing it, know that it deserves better. Better yet, make yourself a cup of tea, wrap yourself in a familiar blanket, and find out for yourself.

I've had a difficult relationship with Xenoblade games in the past. They're enormous, unwieldy beasts that are weighed down with endless mechanical systems and floaty, disconnected combat. Somehow, all of this is applicable to Chronicles X, and I still love it. The combat feels more grounded, the mechanics more approachable, and the plot is more accessible. Plus, the custom outfits. Those really changed the game for me. Also, being able to pilot a team of mechs is a major bonus. Xenoblade games are still not for everyone. This is an imposing, enormous RPG series in every way. But against all odds, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is somehow the one for me.

Minit is a game about making you feel like a savvy speed runner, and it works. Even though it hits a few stumbles, you’ll come out of each session cheering about how fast you can explore an area, how fast you can solve a puzzle and how fast can you get through a dangerous maze full of wretched, awful snakes. Minit is relentless in its strict adherence to its one and only rule: no matter what you do, you only get one minute. You better make it count.

Overall, the game was impressive – the graphics, the visuals, the music, the sound effects, and the gameplay were out of this world. Planet Alpha is great for those who want a fun challenge, not because it is hard to land on platforms but because it requires your mind to think beyond that. I highly recommend all gamers to give Planet Alpha a try, and I highly doubt anyone will regret the experience.

A bit more polish in some areas for the PS4 would have really helped sell this version, but for those of us who don’t have a last-gen console anymore it’s great to see the series arriving on the new platforms. Keep ‘em coming Telltale.

Wasteland 2 is a slam-dunk in almost every way for lovers of immersive RPGs with a nostalgic, old-school feel. In the hours and hours I logged before writing this review, I felt that I barely skimmed the surface of what this massive game has to offer. Aside from the bugs and the inability to reconfigure controls, it plays well on the Switch and doesn’t lose much in its adaptation to the small screen.

After working my way through the multitude of options and modes this game has to offer, I can say conclusively and with confidence that while there's still a few wrinkles to work out in the combat system, PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is an outstanding example of an approachable fighting game that surely deserves your consideration, and easily earns the right to step into the winners circle and stand with the big boys.

I loved Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit. I was worried the gameplay might be a bit simple at first, but the level choice and non-stop gags kept things fresh. Fans of NES games and the Angry Video Game Nerd YouTube series will have a much more rich experience than newcomers, but the game is so well made that modern players will be able to play it with ease. Any AVGN fans who might be hesitant about buying the game, rest assured that it’s a fantastic experience. I’m going to get myself one of the physical NES cartridges.

Rogue Trooper Redux is a third person shooter that surpasses the original by adding depth, a story of betrayal, an interesting dynamic with Rogue’s squad, multiple tactics, and fantastic controls. The game looks great and it’s easy enough for newcomers to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed. Rebellion and Tick Tock Games did a fantastic job keeping it authentic to the source material and it’s a game everyone should try.

Dreamfall Chapters – Episode 1 does an excellent job of laying the groundwork for what is to be sure to be a helluva journey.