Good DLC should pull you back into the game’s world. Final Fantasy XVI’s DLC sort of achieves this goal. You want to spend more time there, but the version of the world on offer feels a bit bleak. Maybe this is just the ‘end of days’ vibe that permeates the final chapter. Perhaps I’m just cursed with knowledge about these characters and their ultimate fates. Either way, the actual tangible content is mostly pretty fun. Yes, the sidequests are a bit dull, and I wish the main quest was a bit longer. And while I don’t care about the plight of Leviathan and his Dominant, the ensuing battles are a blast. Plus, there’s a boatload of postgame content to dive into. Though the Rising Tide DLC doesn’t quite hit the same story highs as the main game, that gameplay is still tons of fun.

Mystery and thriller fans looking for a slick and intriguing game would do well to check it out. MISSING has found the right mix of technical and artistic elements.

While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is tweaked sufficiently to warrant being its own entity.

Sure, it doesn’t break new ground and the main character is yet another one of those stereotypical brooding males out for revenge but there is no question the game delivered in the entertainment department.

Sim racing fans clamored for years for a serious console racing sim. They have finally had their wish granted. Assetto Corsa Competizione instantly becomes the premiere realistic console racing simulation game despite the hardware limitations of the current-gen. That doesn’t make it the best console racer, just the most realistic. The road ahead looks bright too with planned cross-platform support and future DLC which will also include an expansion of the racing scope with the release of GT4 cars coming this fall.

Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns introduces three well-rounded veterans that add even more variety and depth to an already robust roster. The guest characters inject personality into the game, offering you the opportunity to create memorable encounters with iconic figures from video games, film, comics, and television. While the campaign delivers incredible sequences packed with cinematic flair, it falls short in narrative depth. Nonetheless, the game’s engaging combat mechanics, diverse character lineup, and stylish sequences ensure that long-time fans of the franchise will still have plenty to enjoy.

Whereas Shadows of Valentia suffers from uninspired level design, it makes up for it with its twin armies, fun dungeons, and returns to form. It is a welcome step back from the previous 3DS Fire Emblem games as it focuses on a tighter narrative while providing us with a glimpse towards the future as Shadows of Valentia ventures into new territory with its explorable areas and fresh gameplay mechanics.

All in all, I had a great time with Steel Assault and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes action platformers, especially retro ones. However, it is modeled directly off of old-school arcade games, with all the difficulty and strategic planning that entails. If you don’t enjoy replaying levels over and over trying to get everything just right, or games that challenge you relentlessly, Steel Assault probably isn’t for you. You’re supposed to struggle. That’s the point of the game.

Horace is a charming homage to an era of gaming and culture that’s rapidly fading into the sunset, yet it never rests on the nostalgia factor to keep the player engaged. The sound design is messy and the cutscenes can run on too long, but its affecting story and sharp, fun platforming are bound to satisfy anyone keen on the genre. Nostalgia may be a common crutch, but with a sturdy foundation beneath it, Horace shows that feeling a little sentimentality isn’t a bad thing at all.

Little Kitty, Big City is one of those rare games that appeal to all ages without dumbing anything down. It’s a short and relaxing romp that will make you appreciate your feline companions that much more. If you love cats you’ll enjoy this game. If you don’t, maybe Little Kitty, Big City will melt your monstrous heart.

Every component of GORN, from the huge assortment of weaponry to the strange physics, comes together to deliver exactly what is promised: bloody, melee carnage. It’s a no-frills experience that doesn’t concern itself with anything extraneous, like moral questions or a narrative. For some, that’s more than enough. For others, GORN is at least worth checking out, if just to see first-hand how gross dislocated eyeballs are. It’s pretty gross.

Games like Cryptmaster are rare. Not just because of a particular aesthetic or unique mechanic, but because they take a core idea and focus it. Cryptmaster is ok with not being for every gamer, but puzzle-RPG fans with a love of words, a wicked sense of humor, and a taste for the macabre will enjoy it.

MotoGP 19 is a huge leap in the right direction, with this being an excellent title for the fans of MotoGP. Milestone’s making the right steps, and their next entry could be the de facto MotoGP experience if they keep trending upward. They continue to improve the quality of the game with each release to marked effect, and it’s safe to say that MotoGP is in good hands.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution covers all of the card updates and additions from the past 2 decades giving us over 9,000 cards to build our dream decks with. With some of our most loved monsters, spell or trap cards from the earliest (and most beloved, in my opinion) the first season of Yu-Gi-Oh! To some of the most recent expansion, Vrains. There’s a lot of customization to be had with your decks not to mention the thrill of playing online or in Sealed and Draft modes, this is definitely a title that any fan of TCGs or Yu-Gi-Oh will really enjoy.

It would be easy to break this game down to its constituent elements. You drive, shoot, and soak up loot, slowly growing strong enough to rip the head off of an evil empire. Each piece holds satisfaction and joy that belies its base description, however. Combat in Rage 2 feels smooth as glass, with every gunfight playing to a violent rhythm. Travelling throughout the world is fast and engaging, with every pit stop bringing new wonders of varying quality. Even the stock-standard open world components have been polished to a vibrant sheen. While it hasn’t reinvented the wheel, Rage 2 still manages to deliver on every promise with ease. Among sandbox shooters, this game shines, crackles, and sparks.

ANNO: Mutationem is an audacious title that successfully merges genres. While the 3D segments aren’t as tight as its 2D counterpart, the originality shines through making this a fresh adventure. The gorgeous environment is full of character and is a joy to inhabit. However, the delivery of the narrative lacks the nuances to fully immerse. With its solid action gameplay and exciting bosses, fans of the genre will have a blast in this futuristic, cyberpunk escapade.

Either alone or with a buddy, Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is a good time. It updates a decades-old beat ’em up franchise by adding roguelike mechanics that actually harmonize pretty well. The gameplay is accessible but plenty challenging, and the large roster of unlockable characters keeps things interesting.

It’s difficult in all the right ways, satisfying, rewarding, and always entertaining. Off the course, the career mode needs a ton of work to align with the likes of 2K’s in-depth, fleshed-out NBA series. Though, they can now proudly add PGA Tour to their list of sports franchises on which they hang their proverbial hat.

Children of the Sun is a twisted take on a tactical shooter. Surveying your surroundings to identify your prey before sending a solitary bullet for complete eradication is a blast. The development of the premise through special skills, challenges and end-level scores helps to make the game endlessly replayable. While I would have liked a little more focus on the interesting story that bubbles underneath, the intoxicating gameplay will sink its seedy hooks deep into your psyche, ensuring countless hours of adrenaline-fueled excitement.

In a season where game releases generally slow down, gamers should take a close look at Spec Ops: The Line as it has some great qualities that most should enjoy, but the ride may be over a little too quickly for those who those who invest the money and don't play online.

Gato Roboto is polished, and there is no doubt a certain naive charm to the game, aided by catchy music and sound effects. The environments and enemies are rendered with a defined style that lends character to the game. The game also controls well which is a necessity as enemies come at you from all directions. But, and it’s a big but, the monochrome white of everything strikes me as bland. Because of it, nothing stands out. Not the environments. Not the enemies. And especially not Kiki.

Killing Floor 2 and Killing Floor Incursion go together like Rocky and Adrian. Each game has gaps. But different gaps that complement one another. Put together they give you a gameplaying experience where the sum is greater than the individual parts.

Dead Rising 4 took everything that was great about Dead Rising 3, removed the timer, and brought back the franchises most prominent protagonist in a big way. The game isn't without it's faults. You're more than likely going to encounter the occasional glitch, some of which may require reloading a previous checkpoint. Also, the lack of co-op in the main campaign is a huge disappointment, but the separate co-op campaign is an okay compromise. Dead Rising 4 is an absolute must for fans of Dead Rising.

FIFA 13 on Nintendo's new hardware is a surprisingly robust experience. Nintendo junkies will be able to fully appreciate the HD visuals and sounds in this game; however, there are a few issues that pop up and the omission of key features from other consoles make it more like FIFA 12.5.

Cookie Cutter is a bloody blast! Its punk rock attitude seeps through to help the game stand out amongst the crowd. Platforming and combat are tight which makes the moment-to-moment gameplay feel great. There’s an overuse of certain gameplay segments and reliance on conventions, however, the rebel spirit pierces through to make this an essential title for fans of Metroidvanias.

Unruly Heroes is a fun action-platformer with a beautiful artstyle, solid puzzles, and a lighthearted sense of humor. However, one shouldn’t let its kid-friendly artstyle fool them: this game’s platforming challenges rival those found in other 2D indie platformers such as 2018’s Celeste.

Open-world sequels are a risky venture. Sometimes a winning formula can’t be transplanted into open spaces without consequences. But Titanic Scion manages the shift. Your time in this massive world is focused on that critical combat/custom/upgrade gameplay loop, so you never feel lost or shiftless. I could do with fewer load times, and the routine gear scrutiny does mess with the pacing. But once you’re actually out in the world, mixing it up, the game flows quite beautifully. I can’t get enough of that core loop, at least once it gets going. If you’re looking for an enormous mecha RPG with tons of customization and a captivating story, then Titanic Scion is exactly what you need.

Rocket Riot is a fast paced game with tons of frantic action. The soundtrack is top notch and the graphics are fun and colorful.