Sometimes I walked right past a guard in broad daylight, right in front of him, and I wasn’t detected. Sometimes I crept by quietly in the dark 100 metres away with the guard’s back 3/4 turned away from me, yet somehow he saw me and madness ensued.

Although I found a few cracks in the facade, I still had some decent fun with this game. The Sonic aesthetic is plastered over every surface, the songs kick you out of your chair, and teamwork system adds a lot of mileage. Some of the campaign stages landed with more grace than others, but the races themselves feel great. I’m even ready to go back and scoop up some of the completion markers I missed the first time around. I might not have the patience for any more Mod Pod shopping, however. In spite of its flaws, Team Sonic Racing is a fine and fast-paced chapter in the annals of Sonic gaming. If you’re looking for a fun romp with the Blue Blur and his pals, definitely check this one out.

Minecraft Story Mode Season Two started out on a high note for me, but as I wrap up Episode 3, Jailhouse Block, I’m to the point where the only notes worth appreciating are the musical ones. A story is slowly progressing, but I don’t feel like I’m having a hand in it, and quite frankly, I don’t know if I’d want to. Here’s hoping there’s still time to bring players back in on the action.

I was impressed with its fresh and original vibe.

SaGa Frontier Remastered is a nostalgic trip back to the 90s that encapsulates the best and worst of retro JRPG design. There’s a ton of fun to be had here, but don’t be afraid to pull up a walkthrough if you’re stuck–and it is very easy to get stuck.

Don't let these complaints dissuade you, though. If you're a high-level player, then the remix stages and time trials will be an excellent addition to an already robust play experience. If you're not quite as skilled (like me!), then the checkpoint system might just be what gets you to finish these games for the first time. Even though none of these are NES titles, these are still 'Nintendo-hard' games, in their own right. Just so long as you can avoid accidentally using the analog stick, you should have a pretty good time with Mega Man Legacy Collection 2.

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.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a fun roguelite with a gorgeous presentation, especially for its price tag. It looks great and feels great to play. However, the incredibly lengthy cutscenes you have to sit through between runs lest they disappear forever can feel really annoying. The writing is good, but the pacing is off.

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story tells a thrilling tale of greed, family and death. It is beautifully shot and manages to achieve a level of quality rarely seen in the genre. The detective segments are great but are far too easy due to visual clues plastered throughout. While there are issues with the game, it is still an enjoyable experience that will keep you guessing throughout.

Collection of SaGa Final Fantasy Legend brings the joy of classic JRPGs back into our lives. It stays true to the retro experience by allowing players to utilize their handheld Switch as if it were a touchscreen Game Boy. It may not be the most polished adventure, but it is a faithful port bringing so many of us back to our childhood days. Overall, this collection successfully maintains the nostalgic feeling of gaming in the early 90s while creatively blending today’s technology to enhance the overall experience.

Possessor(s) is a beautiful Metroidvania with an open structure that encourages exploration and lets you progress at your own pace. While its platforming and combat are both solid, they lack the distinctive flair needed to match the game’s stunning art direction. The narrative is deep and layered, but its delivery sometimes undermines immersion. Despite being a strong and engaging adventure, it doesn’t always capture the magic its visuals promise.

In some ways, ARKTIKA.1 feels like a step backward for 4A Games. Puzzles can be a chore to play through and the story doesn’t come close to matching the studio’s previous efforts. Despite these issues, there’s a ton of fun to be had in teleporting from cover to cover, blasting off bandits and monsters with cool guns. There’s little reason to revisit the campaign after one playthrough, but while it lasts, it’s a blast.

Even though Cathedral may not be the most original, it is undoubtedly an example of a game that understands the genre well. Fans looking for a straightforward and challenging experience will absolutely love what Cathedral has to offer, whereas those who are looking for something more unique may not find what they want. Whether you enjoy the tried-and-true nostalgic experience or not, Cathedral’s non-linear world is filled with hidden areas, shortcuts, and treasure chests that will give players hours of happy exploration.

Out of Line is a great example of the puzzle platform genre. Nerd Monkey’s methodical approach to puzzles is delightful. Although the game lacks challenge, the tasks continue to develop and are always enjoyable. Due to the low difficulty, the game is accessible and acts as the perfect gateway to the genre. The endearing art style is a highlight of the game, helping to give context to the subjective narrative. Even though the game is relatively short, each moment in the mechanical world is a joy.

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.

Nightdive’s excellent work aside, this is a remaster of an OK game. If you’ve played the previous two installments, remember that going into this one. The deficiencies of the original game in terms of storytelling and overall design are still present. If you keep that in mind, be prepared to enjoy the best version of Turok 3 possible.

It finds an excellent balance between being relaxing yet challenging and is sure to be a necessity for fans of classic gaming. Alwa’s Awakening is classic gaming for the modern gamer and an incredibly enjoyable experience.

It wasn’t my favorite Tales of experience, but it certainly wasn’t the worst, and to its credit it was really all I could ask of a sequel.

If you enjoy a challenging puzzle, Tetrobot will provide it — just don’t expect Tetrobot and Co to revolutionize the genre, expect it to eat away a few hours until you get bored. The lack of story, bland environments and uninspired mechanics are what ultimately bog down the fun factor. The saving grace is in the smooth game play and the difficulty of the levels which, if you are looking to put your brain to the test, make it worth picking up.

An interesting concept with a relatable story that is well executed in some aspects but done poorly in others. The game attempts to tell a thoughtful story about an invasion of privacy by requiring the player to snoop through a stranger’s phone, and the further you get in uncovering the depth of Laura’s problems, the more it feels like voyeurism. It requires some cognitive dissonance on the player’s part, drawing you out of the game and making you question why you are fishing for passwords and so aggressively digging into someone else’s life.

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.

If you’re just here to play Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny on a platform you actually own, by all means, go for it. The game is a delight that series fans shouldn’t miss. But if you own a PlayStation, buy Disgaea 6: Complete on that and not PC. Your eyes and fingers will thank you for it.

Tyrant’s Blessing is a bit of a blessing in disguise. On the surface, the game feels like a copy of another popular title, just in a different setting. As you play through the game though, the differences become apparent and Tyrant’s Blessing soon finds its own niche. However, there is a sweet spot for this game between learning the game and becoming too familiar with it. Overall, its gameplay will keep players coming back for as long as they can stand it.

The Forest Quartet is a wonderful title that is creative in its approach to telling a touching story. The aesthetics and score blend perfectly to take you on an ethereal journey. Even though it is very short and the puzzles are straightforward, it manages to deliver a memorable experience.

WiZmans World Re;Try does a lot of things right. It’s aesthetically gorgeous. It has simple, tried-and-true turn-based combat, with monster catching and fusing mechanics. It has a weird world and story. But it’s also a grind-heavy linear dungeon crawl that gets monotonous way too quickly. Going through dungeons feels like a chore. And bosses are unbalanced compared to the ease of combat and lack of experience points that precede them. WiZmans World Re;Try needs to be rebalanced, but it’s already a retry.

Damon and Baby is an interesting experiment from one of the greatest developers in the fighting genre. While the game’s DNA contains strong ideas, they never evolve into anything that leaves a lasting impact. Combat is fun, but lacks the speed and style of its peers, and while combining this with adventuring is novel, it struggles to deliver something that competes in either sub-genre. The result is an experience that feels competent but ultimately underwhelming. A bold shift in direction, but one that struggles to justify itself.

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.

There is so much going on that is good that it’s hard to even mention it all. You start with plenty of customization options, not just with character creation, but within classes and skills. All told there are somewhere between sixty to seventy skills per class. I haven’t even mentioned the puzzles, which I found to be just the right mix of difficult, neither boring nor too hard. The story is great, even with the occasional self-spoiler. Combat has a lot going for it and keeps things interesting, but it’s always possible that not everyone feels that way on that front. The few performance issues aside, it’s a game that’s hard not to like.