While frustrating at times, Signs of the Sojourner does a fantastic job of nailing the actual flow of communication in the form of a card game. It also provides an excellent sense of freedom. By the time I got to one of the game’s multiple endings, I really felt like my actions and choices had earned it. I only wish that it had gone on a bit longer. Just when I really felt like I was getting everything the game was throwing at me, it ended. Still, I appreciate a game that leaves me wanting more and the different paths I could have taken provide enticement for a second trip.

Natsuki Chronicles accommodates newcomers and veterans of the genre without diluting the experience for either. The tight, challenging gameplay and great presentation provide a game that’s well worth playing. Admittedly, the difficulty may be off-putting to some, especially with the occasional difficulty spike. However, Natsuki Chronicles provides the tools to master the gameplay without the tedium often associated with games of its genre. I would wholeheartedly recommend the game to those that appreciate high quality shoot ‘em ups or even just someone looking for a good introduction to the genre.

Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Heart of the Forest is an interesting mix of werewolf myths based on a role-playing codex and real-life eco-activism in the form of a low-key interactive story. There really was protests in Białowieża national forest in 2016 where the game draws its inspiration from. Usually, visual novels are a whole lot less involving as choices in them are often just superficial. Here, though, you must really go under Maia’s skin and talk and act like you would in her place. The game does not try to embrace the world but is a strictly controlled experience. Its prose is punctual and sufficiently descriptive and keeps pace with today’s important matters. The angle is strongly on the side of spirituality and nature, as well as accepting what really makes you. Aided by strong visual sense and deep but not preaching writing, Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Heart of the Forest is a reminiscent of the fact that good gaming entertainment needs nothing more than an intriguing story and necessary means to convey it.

While it isn’t perfect, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is one of the best action-RPGs I’ve played in recent years. With fantastic combat, a compelling story and characters, and exploration which is among my favorite in any recent game, after a slow first hour or two it grabbed me and never let go. Whether you’re a series veteran or you’ve never played an Ys game in your life, you’ll find an adventure that’s well worth taking.

In the end, I enjoyed myself most when I stopped comparing Nioh to Souls games and appreciated it for what it is. Nioh has fast-paced, challenging combat with a deep loot and upgrade system. With well-designed levels and a ton of content, it's easy to sink a lot of time into this visit to Sengoku era Japan.

The Pedestrian is one of the best puzzle experiences I’ve had on the console. It starts off strong and carries that energy throughout the rest of the adventure, dishing out new mechanics and obstacles at a comfortable pace that never had me feeling bored or disinterested. Mix together the gameplay with an animated setting and a jaunty musical score and the end result is a delectable delight of video game entertainment.

Little Nightmares II builds greatly upon what the first title achieved, and pushes with great effort to accomplish even more in its setting, design, and gameplay - and it absolutely succeeds in every area of the game. From start to finish of this 4-5 hour experience, you’ll be sat on the edge of your seat, wanting nothing more than to go back in the opposite direction, but the world design and your curiosity will compel you to delve ever deeper into the horrors that await. I am confident that fans of the first game will absolutely love this installment, and any newcomers should go back and play both of these games without a doubt. The settings are both creepy and beautiful, and I really hope to see more from Tarsier Studios in the future.

The Medium may lack the sparkle and glam of big games because of its introverted and personal nature but that’s the very reason its take on mental issues holds up so exceptionally well.

Overall, this is a fun, deceivingly complex game that portrays mental health in a unique and mostly accurate light. Between the simplified gameplay and lovely and dark graphics, this game is one to add to your collection especially if you enjoy problem solving and puzzles.This reminds me - better go call my therapist.

Hitman 3 doesn’t bring any substantial changes to the tried and true mechanics of the trilogy, but instead offers the most complete, refined version of Agent 47 we’ve seen to date. Despite a lackluster story, IO Interactive has otherwise done an outstanding job over the years with this trilogy and Hitman 3 represents the culmination of all those efforts.

Having played through OMORI, I’m confident say that it’s an experience I won’t forget. This is a game I wholeheartedly recommend for those that appreciate a good story. With a strong emphasis on catharsis, it has a lot up its sleeves. The cutesy and colorful presentation hides a grim reality and it hits hard. Highly recommended, OMORI is a gem of a game that definitely deserves recognition.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a great entry point for those unfamiliar with JRPGs but who would like to get acquainted with this perhaps mythical genre. At the same time, you also have to learn and put up with grinding, because now and then you will encounter bosses that are a bit too much for an under-leveled party. Thanks to the snappy combat, quick gameplay and easy traversal, you are back in the home base in no time for another go. Ryza’s bright attitude will rub on you and make it easier to go through chores and grinding of real life.

Overall, I had a ton of fun with Doom Eternal, even if the story is borderline incomprehensible to seasoned Doom Slayers. I look forward to more installments in the franchise if this is the level of quality we continue to get. Those platforming sections are truly awful, though.

Katamari Demacy: Reroll alludes to an age of game development where larger publishers were still willing to make risky, experimental titles. It may not upend the industry, and it may be relatively short, but this a game so confident in its own style and unique mode of play that it is hard to ignore its considerable charm. It has aged well because aside from its many sequels, no one has attempted to make anything else like it. And sometimes the music swells in a way that makes you forget you are an uncaring cosmic being creating space garbage to cover for your dad getting wasted and accidentally destroying the night sky. Katamari Demacy is the type of singular strangeness that should be experienced at least once.

The Call of the Sea is one of the better Lovecraftian games in recent memory, thanks to its art, writing, acting and subtle defiance of some well-worn mystery conventions. In general, its puzzles are accessible yet challenging and the story is well told and set in a refreshingly unfamiliar environment. Less passive than a typical walking simulator but still not an action game, The Call of the Sea should appeal to gamers that appreciate beautiful art and an engrossing mystery.

Unto the End is a relatively short game that I completed in approximately six hours. Despite a few blemishes, it’s one that made me want to continually dig into, and when I finished it, I wanted more. So, I immediately played it through a second time. I don’t know if I can express how much I love having a bite-sized experience that isn’t a walking-simulator a roguelike. And I think I finally understand what fans of Soulslikes mean when they talk about rewarding those games are. Despite its minute size and minimalist appearance, Unto the End is a beautiful and substantive experience that rewards perseverance, calm nerves, and is absolutely worth your time.

If you've never played Dragon Quest XI, you can't go wrong picking up this enhanced version of the original game. The new content added on top of this already excellent game makes this a worthy addition to your game library. If you own the previous PS4 version, this is a great opportunity to revisit old friends and experience the game in a different way. If you're planning to play Dragon Quest XI, this is the version to buy.

There’s an expectation for next-gen remasters to be cash-grabs, but Bloober Team went beyond resolution upgrades. Observer: System Redux shares a similar release history with Blade Runner: a newer version releasing with extra content and impressive visual polishes. It doesn’t avoid all the pitfalls endemic of walking sims nor of this studio, but it deserves augmented respect like its closest inspiration eventually earned.

While it’s a pleasure to sit on the sofa and meander through one’s epic theme park creation on the big screen, enjoying the sights and sounds of the rides, the crowds, the vendors and the scenery, actually building that park is still easier and vastly more efficient up close and personal on the PC with a mouse and keyboard. Frontier did a great job of bringing Planet Coaster to consoles and is easy to recommend. Just be prepared for a learning curve and a bit of frustration as you get the hang of building your dream park with the controller.

Against all odds (read: some big-name racing games that eventually turned out disappointing), Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is the racing game to get this holiday season. It’s pure video gaming at its best with no extra thrills or frills other than serious pedal to the metal racing. It wisely focuses on what it does best and therefore drives to the finish line as a winner. The remaster doesn’t change the successful formula, only polishes it to meet the modern standards.

Overall, Cake Bash is a fun, simple game that the whole family will enjoy. The graphics are bright and colorful, and as someone who has a major sweet tooth this game made it really difficult to avoid raiding the cabinets for second dessert. If you’re hungry, don’t play this game; the detail in the frosting and cakes aren’t conducive to diet plans.

Gears Tactics is certainly not without its issues, most notably in its mission structure, but nonetheless Splash Damage has created a very solid strategy game that offers a lengthy campaign, beautiful visuals, and fun gameplay mechanics that manage to stay true to the Gears of War franchise.

Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition is more Devil May Cry 5, one of the most gratifying, fun, and deep action games ever created. Now there’s just a few more toys to tinker with, and they’re more readily accessible than ever.

The world of Immortals: Fenyx Rising features plenty of things to keep you occupied as you rescue the gods and goddess of Mount Olympus. It’s not an especially deep game and after the first hour, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the rest of the adventure. Breath of the Wild was fascinating because it left the player to figure things out on their own through experimentation. Immortals, on the other hand, can’t wait to show you everything it has to offer and will take the time to do so. And just when I started to feel weary and slipping into disinterest, I’d stumble onto a really fun Vault of Tartaros that served as a reminder that it’s the game’s inventive puzzles—not the boss fights, the witty commentary between Zeus and Prometheus, or the moving confessions of the gods—that make Immortals: Fenyx Rising a surprisingly delightful epic.

Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War offers a familiar package: a too-short campaign developed by a reputable studio and multiplayer that provides lots of activities to score points, earn weapon unlocks, and shoot other players. Despite the length, the campaign is a fun departure from the Tom Clancy-esque tone of mainline games. It leans heavily into the aesthetic of the 1980s, from fashion to real-world advertisements. Yeah, it’s kind of gross that Doritos earned prominent placement but at least Raven had the foresight to include vintage brand designs.

Valhalla is equipped with a number of gameplay systems that clearly echo the last two games and while positive tweaks and light refinements have been made, the overall experience feels overly familiar by now. What Valhalla lacks in originality, however, the visceral and fun combat makes up the deficit and that speaks volumes to me as a longtime fan. Packed with enough content on the disc and planned future DLC, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is another hefty and captivating entry in Ubisoft’s long running historical franchise.

While the few times the game seems to simply abandon you to figure out things it hasn’t explained well are still here, almost every other complaint I had with the PS4 version has been fixed. With one of the more unexpectedly interesting narratives I’ve come across in recent years and deeply inventive puzzle gameplay, there’s a lot to like here in a package that isn’t too short but also manages to not overstay its welcome. I made some great friends on Snaktooth Island and I think you will too, especially if you’re playing on the PS5.

My love for the original Demon’s Souls hasn’t changed with the introduction of the remake. Like Scholar of the First Sin, the remake stands alongside the original - both can be enjoyed in their own unique ways and do different things well. Since Bluepoint largely kept the base game intact, the changes in the remake are mainly quality of life improvements and aesthetic design differences. Most gamers will find a lot to love in the new Demon’s Souls. I'm excited that more people will get to experience this wonderful game.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe is the best version of the best game in this series. I missed my map at times, but the new additions more than makeup for having to pull it up when needed. If you’ve already played the original version though, there probably isn’t enough here to justify purchasing the game again unless you really love playing co-op. For any gamer who missed it the first time though, Pikmin 3 Deluxe is one of the best games released in 2020.

It’s hard to say when the games overall strayed into paths so unfortunately tainted by violence and blood, but to me, The Pathless is what video games are essentially about; flights into fantastical worlds like no other media could do. It is meditative escapism at its finest. Not all games need to be motion captured tragedies or realistic violence simulations. Of course, I enjoy those games now and then, too, but to detox all their pain and suffering I need something like The Pathless.

Overall, Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures I & II Deluxe is a great time. It is also one of the few “difficult” games I have ever 100% completed (obtaining all the pointless collectibles, etc). While it is disappointing that a lot of the funny content and nods to the Nerd’s past was cut, it doesn’t overall negatively impact the game. These are still fun games, and I highly recommend them to any 2D platformer fan. Even if you have no idea who the Angry Video Game Nerd is, there is still a lot of fun to be had here based on pure gameplay alone.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is ultimately a masterclass in pacing and storytelling with an fabulously gorgeous backdrop, welcome combat shake-up, and a cast of extremely affable characters, especially the newcomer Ichiban Kasuga.

While long loading times and occasional situations where the game’s plethora of information goes as missing as Elizabert can be annoying, Bugsnax is ultimately a wonderful experience. With one of the more unexpectedly interesting narratives I’ve come across in recent years and deeply inventive puzzle gameplay, there’s a lot to like here in a package which isn’t too short but also manages to not overstay its welcome. I made some great friends on Snaktooth Island and I think you will too.

What Valhalla lacks in originality the visceral and fun combat makes up the deficit—and that speaks volumes to me given that Assassin’s Creed never quite found its footing in this area. Packed with enough content on the disc and planned future DLC, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is another hefty and captivating entry in Ubisoft’s long-running historical franchise.

Look, I’m blown away by this game. It can absolutely compete with the platforming greats, and I’m including Mario in that comment. It’s that good. It doesn’t overstay its welcome and it doesn’t overuse mechanics or reuse stages. It’s a very refined and beautiful world that I think is a tremendous introduction to the Playstation 5 and the Dual Sense controller. But even if it was neither of those things, Astro’s Playroom is a great platforming game that I’d still highly recommend.

Without repeating myself and filling up pages and pages on what this game is and how it accomplishes what it set out to do, let me wrap up by saying regardless of this being a PlayStation 5 launch title, it is a phenomenal game. I’m not all that steeped into the Spider-Man lore but when I finished this game I turned to my spouse and said, “I don’t want another Spider-Man game, I want Spider-Man 2 to be a Miles Morales adventure.” This character, this world, is what I’m here for and I hope to be swinging as Miles again soon because this first entry is something truly special.

It’s clear that Foregone struggles to define itself within the genre on a surface level. In practice, however, the complementary elements and design choices mesh in a way that makes it feel quite unique. It is unlikely to evoke passion from those who already dislike the genre, but there is enough value to justify giving it a shot simply for the fluidity of its gameplay.

Its art design is excellent, its pacing is spot-on and it has a light-hearted approach to its dark-themed subject that consistently takes real menace out of the premise. Pumpkin Jack’s combat my lack the depth of many ARPGs, but the game is short enough that this never becomes a problem. Although it is a Halloween-flavored game, there’s no reason not to enjoy it any time of the year.

While it would be nice if I Am Dead's characters were as layered as the town of Shelmertston, the game still mostly succeeds as a unique puzzle experience with some excellent environmental storytelling. It is rewarding to explore this space while magnifying and cross-cutting its details, a constant stream of small discoveries coming into view as you deduce the location of the next hidden memento. Every corner of this seaside village brims with picturesque detail, creating a small town that feels genuinely interconnected. And while the game's pleasant tone keeps things from ever getting truly heavy, it undeniably makes for a thoroughly charming time.

Overall, this is a fantastic "End of Saga" title, as Falcom calls it, even if the Trails name lives on (I'd still love to see the rest of the series localized in the West). Fans of the series certainly don't need a review to tell them this, but if you happen to be checking this game out for the first time, oh boy, hopefully, you know what you're getting into now! Welcome back to Erebonia, everyone!

If you’re looking for a roguelike with personality and wit, Going Under may surprise you. Mechanically, it won’t blow you away, but with so much character on display, this is one internship worth taking.

Echtra Games’ Torchlight 3 is a lighthearted fun experience with some extremely nuanced character classes and varied build options. Spending hours grinding through dungeons decimating hordes of enemies, either solo or online, just doesn’t ever get old. The jovial attitude of characters and bright color palette help this dungeon crawler stand out amongst others in the genre. It is a truly appreciated deviation from the typical dark and gritty tone players are conventionally provided with. The post-game content is constantly updated and new legendary gear is being added to the game every week. If you are looking for a game to hold you over until the release of next-gen in a couple of weeks, I would definitely recommend checking out Torchlight 3 for an outrageously fun, hack and slash, dungeon crawler.

Anyone who likes dungeon crawlers will find a lot to like if they stick with it, I just fear that far too many players won’t get to explore just how good this game is once you find your footing. Other games in the genre are learning how to welcome new players and ramp them up to what the game requires of them and in this area, Crown Trick is lacking. I hope with time and patches it can get there because the core of the game is absolutely worth your time.

Maybe it’s a bit too pricey for what it’s about, but what else can I do but surrender to its charms? If you have problems with fast women and beautiful action, though, steer away from the game. For others, it’s a short and sweet action piece that perhaps surprisingly has even a tad more depth than before.

Stunningly beautiful as it can be, Manifold Garden can also be mentally exhausting after long stretches. As much as I never wanted to put the controller down, there were moments I had to take a break whenever I felt it difficult to concentrate on the growing complexity of what I needed to accomplish. Manifold Garden is complex, gorgeous, intelligent, and without any doubt, one of the best puzzle experiences you can have on the PlayStation 4.

Ultimately, Noita is probably not going to change anyone’s mind on roguelikes, but it sure is well-crafted. The game is filled with so many little quirks and gameplay nuances that I never ran out of things to experience. At almost every run, I would run into something new, be it a spell, an enemy, or even secret areas. One thing certainly worth noting is that the game is what you make it. Noita is undoubtedly a title worth playing for those willing to just dive into the gameplay and master the systems at play rather than worry too much about trying to win.

Hades is a must-play game this year and you are doing yourself a great disservice not giving it a shot. There is what seems to be an unending plethora of reasons, as highlighted so adamantly above, about why Hades will most definitely be in my top 10 games of the year list. Every aspect of Hades feels nuanced and beautifully crafted. It transforms what I initially thought was a torturous, gimmicky genre into something digestible and fun with a kick-ass narrative sprinkled on top. Hades without a doubt is one of the best games to come out this year and Supergiant Games has yet again proved that they are one of the best developers in the industry today.

Ys Origin is both a great introduction to the series and an interesting diversion from the formula. It’s worth playing, both for fans of the series that missed it on initial release and new players who love a JRPG with retro charm. Although one playthrough won’t take up much of your time, the multiple character setup and additional modes add enough gameplay to justify the price of admission.

The campaign has a few bothersome technical missteps but playing the game with friends online, watching them engage targets in the middle of an assault on a Star Destroyer has brought life to my inner child.

Once acquainted with its nuances, Pendragon becomes a relaxing Arthurian-themed chess game with a beautiful soundtrack that I recommend to anyone who is interested in an experimental fusion of storytelling and tactics.

For fans of heady science-fiction or winding mysteries, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is nothing short of a staggering achievement.

Crusader Kings III is utterly engrossing, full to the brim with interesting stories and tough decisions for the player to make. It succeeds as both a strategy game and a captivating RPG. And this is all before the player even thinks about touching multiplayer or what will undoubtedly be an incredibly active modding community. More than anything, it is an immensely dynamic platform where players can voyeuristically partake in medieval stories of war and politics for years to come.

The first game feels like an early build of the second game, with a lot of quality-of-life improvements added to SEF 2. One weakness of the first game is that the bosses have way too much health. Boss battles are endurance tests, great for a challenge but too tedious to be fun. The developers recognized this and greatly reduced the bosses' health in the second game. SEF 2 also added health and shield pickups that occasionally spawn in the level. This is a traditional shmup element that makes a welcome return.

The second Space Elite Force is the superior gameplay experience, but if you get a lot out of it, then the first one may also be worth your time. I love seeing more games experimenting with adding elements from other genres. Space Elite Force 2 is a great example of a game taking risks that pay off. If you want something just a little bit different in your next shmup, it's worth a look.

While this game didn’t quite get me into my ideal flow state, it came close and I appreciate the risks they took with the gameplay. The graphics and gameplay fit the feel and heart of Aviici’s music, which, in the end, may be the most important thing. If you like Aviici’s style of music and rhythm games are your jam, then Invector will probably be worth your time.

Sands of Salzaar could be considered an unfashionable game because it’s not permadeath roguelike Souls-like with survival and crafting elements. Despite its looks, it’s not a loot-a-thlon either. Instead it’s a fast-paced and personally involving action-RPG that is fresh as a bubbling oasis in middle of the desert that isn’t just a mirage! Mod support and separate multiplayer campaign add to the already addictive experience. All this comes at the price tag of only 13 dollars for some amazing value for money. One could even say that Sands of Salzaar puts many of the bigger titles to shame with its creativity and energy. It may not re-invent computer role-playing games but it shows that there is still kick in the old genre and all it needed was bringing it out to the sun.

Mafia Definitive Edition is a lovely redressing of a game I carry fond memories for and to experience it again in a comfortably playable fashion was a joy.

Iron Harvest shines the brightest when it focuses on its imaginative alternative history milieu, incredibly well-designed robots, and even its story, which is much more engaging than simply being a premise to get the mechs on the battlefield. One could complain that it doesn’t go far enough in changing the mechanics of the genre, but it isn’t like gamers are inundated with Company of Heroes-like titles. Expansive and worth looking at for its setting and robots alone, Iron Harvest is, if not an instant classic, a welcome reminder of just how fun small-scale RTS games can be.

All too often in the world of sports games, the same titles are offered year after year with only a new number slapped to the suffix. WRC 9 is a gratifying exception to this rule. The improvements compared to the past versions might not be big, but they are just in the right places. While the game still has some issues that need to be catered for in the future versions, it offers a great alternative reality to the full rally season with its huge amount of content and quality racing. And now, excuse me, I have the next rally to drive.

At times, these remakes are faithful to a fault, but the pure joy of finally nailing that combo you were going for, executing that trick you had failed five times in a row, completing that goal that you just couldn't manage, it’s all here and it holds up better than game design from two decades ago has any right to do. If you once loved this series, you owe it to yourself to experience these games again in all their remastered glory and if you're new to them, you'll find a game that is easy to pick up, hard to put down, and addicting in all the best ways.

Cinders ultimately provides players a truly enchanting, wholly unique, modern re-telling of Cinderella, that undoes all the classic tales' faults and awes its audience with a compelling cast of distinctive, engaging characters.

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is not a replacement for annual soccer sims in the market as it’s entirely a different beast. Instead it’s a fun and decent arcade soccer game that successfully scores its goal.

At the end of the day, NBA 2K21 is still an insanely good game of basketball that feels and plays like a game that hit its stride a couple of years ago and is now coming to the end of the generation. I still am amazed at how good the moment to moment action is in this game. And although I would have loved to see them really go for it in the MyCareer mode and revamp the microtransactions more than they did, this is still a game that I adore and continue to be impressed by. I have no idea what to expect from the PS5/XSX versions of this game but if its roots are still planted in the foundation of the last couple of years, we could have a very exciting game of basketball to look forward to.

Followers and fans of the Wasteland franchise will certainly see this third installment as the culmination of the series so far. It’s bigger, better and more varied than earlier entries but with all that ambition comes some inevitable technical issues and bugs. For those gamers without endless time and patience, there’s perhaps a feeling that they’ve seen what the game has to offer long before 50 or 60 hours. It’s a bit messy and could be leaner, but Wasteland 3 is often highly engaging with entertaining and varied combat and a world that rewards exploration.

The game itself continues to be as good as it was when it came out the first time, and to anyone looking for a deep RPG world to get lost in, you could do a lot worse. Kingdoms of Amalur is a game that shows its age, mainly through system design, and while this re-release does little more then slap a new coat of paint on an already good game, giving a new generation a chance to enjoy the sole product of a studio they otherwise would have only heard about in the annals of “bad stuff that happens to poorly led studios.”

The Sims 4: Journey To Batuu may just be another room in the virtual dollhouse that is The Sims but it absolutely nails everything that makes Galaxy’s Edge one of the most unique theme park attractions today.

Star Renegades is an impressive roguelike I didn’t realize I wanted until I finally gave it a shot. It’s a polished title that wears its inspirations on its sleeves and delivers a well-crafted gameplay experience from beginning to end. The sharp blend of luck, skill, and perseverance needed to beat the game as well as the superb presentation kept me coming back for more. Each playthrough rewards the player with subtle improvements along with a greater familiarity with how each character functions on a mechanical level. Without a doubt, Star Renegades is a quality title well worth putting your time into.

What Vader Immortal excels at is showcasing really good Star Wars VR content of which there’s been far too little outside Battlefront’s Rogue One VR mission and the upcoming Star Wars Squadrons. The dojo sequences are worth the price of admission because they offer pure gameplay using a VR control setup that is so immersive and fun that it makes you feel cool as you cut down droids and toss training remotes at unlucky Imperial troops.

No Straight Roads is a mischievous celebration of creativity that is rarely seen these days. Full of breathtaking energy and fabulous personality, it travels back into time when games were wild, bold, and ingenious, and revives inventive madness to the next level. No Straight Roads feels like a fresh new song that crops up in a radio’s playlist that’s usually full of commercial crud. It may be a one-hit-wonder but the game fully deserves its platinum disc and five-star review. To quote Bunk Bed Junction’s catchphrase, bunka, junka, shakalaka!

Battletoads isn’t perfect, but it sure is a lot of fun. Despite some of its shortcomings, notably in its excessive use of mini-games and short overall length, the story is entertaining and combat is surprisingly deep. Some of the artistic design choices may not be for everyone, but those who are able to look past that will find developer Dlala Studios has done a solid job in reviving this dormant franchise.

Overall, Windbound is a genuinely enjoyable experience. With its charming visuals, rewarding gameplay, and earnest game design, it has successfully sailed across the sea of mediocre single-player survival games and reached a new high.

Tell Me Why might lack the excitement of time travel or superhuman abilities but its subdued tone works in its favor as a tightly paced and progressive character drama.

With its unique edutainment approach, Rainway Empire is an engaging and informative simulation that introduces players to the colorful and capitalistic world of railroad management. Packed with lots of extra content that benefits from a healthy existence on PC, Railway Empire Complete Collection for the PlayStation 4 is a solid and thorough management sim that captures the essence of the Golden Age of American (and international) Railroad.

Whether by choice or due to the small size of the development team, Mortal Shell is highly concentrated action, focused on giving players that uniquely Souls-like experience of challenge, mystery and eventual mastery.

PGA Tour 2K21 is a great game of golf. There are things I’d still love to see improved like animation, replays, and further deepening of the career mode. But there are plenty of courses (with more to come), solid mechanics, insane amounts of customization including a massive course creation tool, and a foundation for a game and series that I for one am very excited for. There’s a lot to love in PGA Tour 2K21 and the good news is with real-life courses overcrowded due to COVID, there’s a great digital alternative in PGA Tour 2K21.

All in all, I had fun with Superliminal. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and moderately challenging (but not too difficult) puzzle game. As long as you aren’t looking for cutting edge graphics or a strong narrative, I think there is a lot of fun to be had here. You will have to deal with some literally dream nonsense logic, though. But isn’t that half the fun?

It’s hard to imagine a product as ambitious and complex as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 being technically perfect right of the gate — and it isn’t. But despite some issues, when everything is dialed in and running well, the game is visually stunning and its version of the flight experience is awe-inspiring. At its best, it is a technical and artistic marvel that fully deserves (for once) the “next gen” label.

UFC 4 is not without its flaws, most notably in its ground game and its lackluster career mode, but there are much welcomed upgrades virtually everywhere else. Meaningful character progression, a reworked striking system and an array of other improvements makes this easily the best of the series.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is as abundant as it’s easily approachable. It has a lot to do and plenty of beautiful things to watch, all wrapped in smooth gameplay that can be adapted to the personal playstyle. On Xbox One, the game costs only 20 dollars for a stunning value for money (it’s also a part of Game Pass library). Admittedly, you have to appreciate Japanese culture and entertainment, and be content with the fact that you won’t be firing any guns. In the cruel but honorable world of the game, the hardness of your fists, the reach of your kicks, and the depth of your heart are what matter the most.

Even with a few issues, though, we're still dealing with a dream of fan service wrapped around a very solid arena fighter. There's not a lot of meat in the various modes of play but the pure gameplay variety should be enough to keep fans of this sort of title coming back for a long time to come. Any fan of Gundam should have a great time and anyone who enjoys an arena fighter should have a great time as well.

A good run with a favorite weapon perks things up, but having beaten all the available bosses and only unlocking access to the third tier of goods, doesn’t leave me pushing to find out what else is there. It’s a little gripe, and one that ultimately only detracts from the game once you’ve definitely gotten through it. That aside, Neon Abyss is an absolute joy. Having put plenty of times into other games like this, Neon Abyss is the first where it felt like the deck was stacked equally between the enemies and the player. Sometimes, the random swings go the enemies’ way, and you find no bombs, no keys, and die to spikes while making what should have been a super easy jump. Other times, the screen is a solid wall of enemy eating fire and you are its master, leaving gods to cry and shudder in your wake. I like those runs.

Between the base game and the Frozen Wilds expansion, Horizon: Zero Dawn Complete Edition is a forty+ hour experience that should not be missed by fans of open world action games. Three years down the road from release, Horizon feels a little more unfocused to me than it did at launch, but the story, combat and characters are still some of my favorites from the past few years and so I was happy to return to Aloy’s world, that now looks even better. For owners of a PS4 Pro that have already played the game, buying it again on PC for the graphical upgrade alone is maybe a nonessential purchase, but PC gamers who missed Horizon on console have a great game to look forward to.

Bolstered by sensuous visuals and melodic, elegant heavy metal tunes, Othercide is definitely not the case of style over substance. Both sides of the game support each other in the eternal battle between good and evil. Any fan of tactical combat and challenge should break on through to Othercide!

Origami King has the trademark humor and heart the series is known for, as well as a unique battle system. It continues the tradition of great Paper Mario games while being different enough to stand on its own. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll most likely be a fan of this one as well.

No matter how good the game is — and make no mistake, it’s great — it’s hard not to scoff at the price. Yes, if you’re a fan of Burnout Paradise or open-world racers, this remaster is worth a look. But unless you’re craving a handheld experience, it might be wise to grab it elsewhere — or wait for a price drop.

Friends of Mineral Town may not feature quite everything that the newest Story of Seasons games have, but it comes fairly close and it does so while remaking one of the series most popular titles. Fans of this long-running farming series should feel good picking the remake up and playing it whenever they can, and if you're a recent convert (from, say, the breakout success of Stardew Valley), you will also undoubtedly love this title as well. Welcome back to Mineral Town!

The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters mixes up the Lovecraftian horror with the Asian concept of netherworld to present its ghastly apparitions and locales, overgrown in tentacles and disfigured flesh. Still, the game is wise enough not to rely on jump scares even though there are some unexpected sights to behold. Like the best Asian horror, it slowly creeps under your skin and when played late in the night, you know what you will be dreaming of. Most of all, the game shows how an effective gaming experience can be made in a simple, economic way.

Overall, I enjoyed Crosscode much more than I thought I would. Despite the generic and cliched start of the game, it is full of great writing and a lot of heart. Couple that with solid gameplay, beautiful graphics and a solid soundtrack and you have an indie-RPG that is easy to recommend to fans of the genre. If you're a fan of action-RPG's and fondly remember the 16-bit era, you owe it to yourself to check CrossCode out!

All in all, if you’ve been waiting to play Xenoblade Chronicles for any reason, now is the time to do it. Having never taken the plunge with its initial release on the Wii, or its re-release on the 3DS, the Definitive Edition is just that. It’s a beautiful game with a great story that finally feels like it's found the system it deserves.

Ghost of Tsushima is a game I could not put down because the combat is so good, the world is fun to explore, and the stories it has to tell are rich and compelling. And I’m already anxiously awaiting a sequel.

Unfortunately, Maneater does not have very much post-game content or replayability, but it’s a tremendously epic, over-the-top open-world action RPG where you dominate the ocean as an apex predator, gaining new and improved bio-adaptations as you rank up. Kindly do yourself a favor and play it!

I like how Robert Foster is an old-fashioned game hero with no inner demons to drown or who is operating in a trendy grey area where no one is neither good nor bad. In fact, Beyond a Steel Sky is in many ways respectful of genre traditions but with modern wisdom and presentation. The game can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of Beneath a Steel Sky but obviously, it has a lot of gentle nods to its predecessor. And unlike the original game that felt too short for me at the time, Beyond a Steel Sky has a good length to it with a well over dozen hours to see it through. During your stay in Union City, you will encounter some sensible and some crazy people, solve many tricky situations with a common sense and wit alike, bump into unexpected faces of the past, get your grumpy friend Joey back, visit the old cyberspace, uncover the truth beyond, erm, the steel sky, and leave some goodbyes along the way.

While I wish Namco had rounded out this package more, there's a lot of value for a very fair price here. There's a great mix of titles that range from all-time greats to at least mildly interesting. Namco Museum Archives Volume 1 is well worth your time if you love the classics or are merely interested in them.

F1 2020 feels really rewarding with its fast-paced and realistic racing with plausible on-track happenings and mishaps, making the game all the more intense than any version before it. Playing the race weekend with all its goodies is almost hypnotic as you drive laps over and over again, searching for those optimal driving lines and set-ups. After the race, you’ll find yourself soaked in sweat as you have been so intensely focused on driving. F1 2020 is a perfect remedy for not getting to see the whole F1 season this year.

Still, in a collection of 51 games, it’s hard to expect them all to be winners. While a few additional options would have been nice, Nintendo has still released an enormous package with a ton of value, even releasing it at a value price. I can’t imagine anyone not finding at least a handful of games to enjoy if they pick this up and it could be a great way to stay connected during this time where life is working so hard to keep us apart. I don’t know how Nintendo knew that this was the moment to bring back Clubhouse Games, but I’m grateful for their foresight.

In Marvel’s Iron Man VR, Camouflaj delivers an immersive experience featuring the world’s most favorite billionaire playboy philanthropist.

Edna & Harvey: The Breakout certainly has the DNA of old-fashioned graphic adventures. If you’re up for some funny and taxing adventuring, it will keep you occupied with the puzzles while the story and its delivery will amuse you. The 10th Anniversary Edition polishes the original sketchy look of the game to make it more approachable but it doesn’t lose the crazy heart that beats life to Edna’s odd world.

Charming, cheesy, and mysterious, Dark Nights with Poe and Munro delivers a solid FMV adventure throughout its six episodes. Though the game plays out more like a choose-your-own-adventure than a full on video game, it’s a good time nonetheless. I found the dynamic duo to be fun to watch, especially during their playful banter due to the strong chemistry between the two actors. However, the quick time event based gameplay lacked polish and felt tacked on. Regardless, Dark Nights with Poe and Munro is certainly worth playing for those who enjoy goofy supernatural FMV games.