Spelunky is a great game. There are no technical issues to hold it back, the controls are solid, the art is awesome, the multiplayer is fun, and the challenge is superb. The game can be really rough when you can't make progress for hours on end, but overall I think people will find Spelunky to be a great experience. It really is a shame this game wasn't included in the Summer of Arcade, as it is extremely high quality.

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.

Overall, Metal Gear Survive is a great game. No, really. I don’t blame anyone for taking issues with the company that produced it, but it’s clear that the developers really put in the time and effort to make something worthwhile. There are some obvious issues with the story and one blatant microtransaction cash grab, but Survive has a ton of genuinely enjoyable content for its budget price. If you’re looking for a Metal Gear fan service game with a tacked on survival mechanic, this isn’t for you. If you’re looking for a survival game with a Metal Gear paint job, it’s well worth looking into.

Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse doesn’t revolutionize adventure games, nor will it particularly appeal to players who aren’t used to slower point-and-click gameplay. However, it succeeds in following the developer’s vision for the series: a modern update in the style of the original. The puzzles may have logic jumps, and the story’s action ebbs and flows. But the witty characters, perplexing mysteries, and traditional problem-solving are enough to win over fans of the genre.

Destiny was, out of the gate, kind of a mess that got much better with the Taken King expansion. It was, for a time, incoherent and obtuse but attracted a rabid fan base that appreciated its multiplayer combat and mystical story and worlds. Destiny 2 arrives as a much more polished, tightly focused experience that has far fewer glaring faults and many core strengths. It looks fantastic and the combat is still really fun. Its campaign is far more coherent and probably better executed but lacks passion or characters with whom we can engage. From its lavish advertising campaign to its lavish production values, Destiny 2 has a bloodless, corporate feel that acknowledges the sins of the first game, but maybe goes a little too far in its zeal to correct them.

Throughout much of its length, Virginia manages to steer its story in surprising and unexpected detours, giving us moments and images that defy the intellect and yet still resonate deeply. While its abstracted art style and ambiguity might be a barrier to some, Virginia is suffused with humanity and a few memorable mysteries.

There are some minor issues with this game, but if your a Guitar Hero fan ready to make the transition to the entire band experience Guitar Hero: World Tour is a fantastic option and definitely worth a look.

Gun may not showcase the true power of the Xbox 360, it is still one slick open-ended shooter that does justice to the Western theme.

Persona 4 Arena is an awesome game. There is a lot here for fans of both fighting games and Persona. Though it is difficult to recommend to gamers who are not fans of the genre or the franchise, especially as the story mode can seriously drag at times. Still, this is a great game that is definitely worth a purchase.

Anyone who has played the first Telltale game or has watched the series owes it to themselves to give this table a shot.

EA further refines its soccer franchise, with marked improvements in the gameplay mechanics, even more modes and updated visuals.

EA introduces new GameBreaker and Rivals features into the Tiger Woods franchise, creating a solid but unspectacular golf title.

You won't find yourself challenged, but at best you'll find yourself enthralled and enjoying the world as it brings itself out to you. But a game doesn't have to be a challenge. It doesn't have to have a time limit, a game over, an antagonist of any kind. It can just be a sensory experience you allow yourself to get wrapped up in. And Shape of the World is exactly that. Let yourself get swallowed by it and you'll find yourself having a great time.

On what may have been its last foray on the aging PS2, the developers have continuously refined the SOCOM formula, and added fun connectivity with the PSP for good measure.

NHL 10 continues the extremely strong legacy of the series and proves to be yet another great hockey experience from EA.

Killzone: Mercenary is a more than capable shooter that looks and plays great on the Vita. It’s a shame that the single player campaign is so short and tackling the level challenges will only add so much campaign replayability. The story isn’t all that great but it does offer an interesting, if short lived, twist for the series.

Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour ultimately is a tweaked version of the original game with a touch of new content, though it neglects the content included in its expansion packs. It’s a bit easier to play, and the sound is vastly improved, but beyond what was already great, there isn’t too much else to offer outside of a new episode and developer commentary. The game is still fantastic and holds up very well thanks to this version of the game, which can be a hard thing to do with classic games in the same genre. It’s unfortunate that World Tour doesn’t stand on its own, but it would be a big lie to say that I didn’t enjoy playing through it.

Trendy Entertainment surely has raised the bar on tower defense games and have given RPGs a well-constructed challenge.

Agent 47 makes his debut on the 360, with a crafty action game that manages to blend all the different genre elements into one solid offering.

Voltron VR Chronicles is a small and sweet love letter to a great cartoon series. It also makes great wish fulfillment—on par with Star Wars Battlefront’s VR Mission—for those whose childhoods were enriched by the series back in the day. If there’s a specific thing to call out against the game, I was a little bummed that there were no interactive bits involving Voltron itself. Then again, as the giant robot’s right leg, what is there to do except kick furiously? With a nice balance between in-engine cinematics and simple, yet solid gameplay, this is one of those VR games I plan to keep on my PlayStation 4 to show others the immersive capabilities of the PSVR and to keep me satiated until the next season of the show debuts on Netflix.

When treated like a harmless action movie, it’s hard not to have a rip-roaring time with Blood & Truth. The game knows what it is and has a good sense of humor about itself.

Don't dismiss this is yet another generic pinball game as Nintendo masterfully integrates the Metroid universe into a wonderfully addictive party game.

If you are a player that enjoys exploring while maneuvering your way through a dangerous platforming world, then On Rusty Trails is sure to deliver a memorable experience.

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.

Freedom Finger is best enjoyed when stripped of the jokes that beat themselves over the player’s heads. An annoying cast of characters that just can’t seem to shut up and bad political jokes that are tired before they fall flat get in the way of what makes this particular shmup really cook. The soundtrack is fantastic on its own but the way the levels and enemies engage with the different songs is really unique and offers its own special challenges that more than pick up the slack left behind what amounts to be a less pointed version of MAD Magazine’s style of humor.

The game isn’t perfect, with minor issues over the game’s short length and occasionally touchy environment interaction, yet this is an easy game to recommend for anyone who loves Metal Gear and a good hack and slash experience.

With beautiful visuals and solid gameplay mechanics, I would highly recommend any racing fan checking DiRT out.

Developers Headfirst brings H.P. Lovecraft's cult favorite Cthulhu mythos to life in this genuinely scary first person adventure title. Definitely not for the faint-hearted.

While the multiplayer is devoid of willing participants and the frequency with which I accidentally kill my own soldiers is annoying, there is nothing to stop Castlestorm from being anything but great, great fun.

For what it brings to the table, PixelJunk: Monsters Ultimate is a great package. Tons of content, engaging gameplay, and a cute look really set it apart from other entries in the genre.

For anyone still tinkering with Cities; Skylines five years into the game’s release, Sunset Harbor includes a well-made suit of new buildings, commerce options, and aesthetic possibilities. For any city builder who wants to clog the arterial waterways with industry and streak the skies with activity, this new expansion is full of potential for fun.

The games and their level design definitely hold up in 2018, with plenty of content and charm to keep you coming back. On top of this, the Spyro: Reignited Trilogy is not a full priced game. If you love Spyro, and like what you see and hear of the game, then there'll be no catches to disappoint you. What you see is what you get, and what you get is a blast from the past, with an amazing and impressive passion put into bringing the games back, better than ever.

If you’re looking for a fun, “waste the hours away” kind of game, Teslapunk is a good get for its price tag.

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.

Beholder 2 moves a little bit slow at times and its one-note humor can be hit-or-miss, but it still merits a Ministry of Reviews stamp of approval.

I Expect You To Die is a fun jaunt into the world of megalomaniacal super villains and the spies trained to stop them. It has charm, a great sense of humor, and would do well with fans of James Bond and Archer. The puzzles themselves are delightfully elaborate and fun to work through, though I did experience my fair share of impatience at having to restart entire missions because of goof ups that were out of my control. The VR experience is mostly great, though make sure your setup is calibrated and at the right distance from the camera for best results. I Expect You To Die does right by PlayStation VR owners looking for something to play by themselves or with friends.

It's not the best one on the current generation consoles, but it is the best PS2 tennis game out there.

Winter is most definently coming, and for the Forresters, they had better hope that their family motto, Iron from Ice, hold true.

Overall, Flat Heroes is a fun little game that I recommend in short micro bursts. You may get bored during longer play sessions, but this is the sort of game you can return to again and again. That is, of course, if you can get past the entry barrier of the primitive and simplistic presentation style. But I have always been a gamer about fun first and foremost. I will play a simple looking fun game over an incredibly looking mediocre game any day.

The game is fantastic, and the art and music are beyond reproach, but the overall philosophy behind the games organization is just a little too off and it prevents it from being the landmark it could have been.

Hitman Episode 2: Sapienza builds on the first episode in just about every way. The dense multi-layered map, creative assassination opportunities, and an overall better performance makes this easily the best episode of the two so far.

Overall, Darkwood does a good job of presenting a very tense and often horrific story with just the right amount of survival elements mixed in. While I’m not sure it is strictly fun, surviving a monster-filled night certainly is a relief and feels satisfying. Difficult enough at its normal setting, there are ample opportunities for true masochists to enjoy Darkwood’s singular approach to the genre.

For most people, it will be a love-it-or-hate-it kind of experience. That makes it impossible for me to recommend it unequivocally. However, if you are looking for a unique point and click adventure that revels in black humor and nerdy pop culture, MechaNika is a game you'll want to try. I greatly enjoyed my time with the game, even though it was not always a comfortable experience.

"Style over substance" is a reflexively-bandied phrase that's diminished in meaning over time. Although I partly agree to its usage here to highlight certain gameplay flaws, I don't think that should tarnish Narita Boy's immense successes. Studio Koba designed what they knew best – reverent 80s nostalgia, inspired techno-spirituality, beautiful 2D art, & more – with a sincerity rarely seen today.

It has done a great job of moving in the right direction in this game, but you still feel it could have been much more in the future. However if you're a fan of the series and need your college football fix for the year, this game is a great option for you.

Overall, Fast RMX is a blast, especially for the low cost-to-entry on the eShop. It may not fully satisfy those who have been clamoring for a new F-Zero for so many years, but it certainly comes closer than any other game that springs to mind. While the game’s content might not be able to hold certain players’ attentions for lengthy periods of time, Fast RMX’s capacity for fun multiplayer, especially at the local-level, makes it an easy recommendation.

Nevertheless, The Ringed City is one of the single best slices of Dark Souls that FromSoftware has ever presented, and for every element that could have stood to be left well-alone, there is a series highlight to be found. The Ringed City is simultaneously Dark Souls at its best and its most tired. The series may or may not be coming to an end, but this final piece of content, due just as much to its faults as its successes, feels conclusive regardless of what happens to the franchise in the immediate future. It is fitting, then, that the impending hiatus feels earned.

One of those games that I would just call just plain fun.

Riddled Corpses EX might not leave a big footnote into the annals of video games but all the same it ranks among the most fun I have had with games this year.

Overall, Slayaway Camp hits the mark when it comes to being an homage to classic slasher films. It is cheesy, filled with murder and crazy kills, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. While the puzzles can be challenging early on and easy towards the end, they are still fulfilling to complete and that sense of accomplishment doesn’t go away at any point. While it would’ve been nice to see some additional kills and hear some additional lines of dialogue from the narrator, it still works for what it is. Slayaway Camp is one of the best homages to classic slasher films and should be an easy buy for any horror buff looking to pass the time.

If you're a huge Gran Turismo fan and can't wait for the full version, there is no reason not to pick this game up, if for nothing else to really show off your HDTV.

EA's fighter has done well on the consoles, and really shines on the handheld with reworked controls, refined gameplay and slick visuals.

Longbow Games believes that solving puzzles is satisfying in itself without any other rewards than making progress. And it really works. The gameplay is such addictive that my time away from the game was filled with anxiety to get back into it and solve the big riddle of the tower.

Despite the generic design of Eagle Flight’s story missions and the inability to reliably play online, it’s still a thrilling thing to experience in VR. It would be easier to write off were it a tradition, VR-free PlayStation game, but the immersion the headset offers makes it all the more fun and a good way to destress from the day.

In the end, NHL 2K8 is not a perfect game, as there are still room for improvements in the graphics department. However, as a package, the game excels, with solid gameplay, deep modes and everything you would want from a hockey game.

Far Cry New Dawn may be a smaller game with a shorter shelf life by the series’ standards, but that still amounts to a meaty 20+ hour campaign. Much of that time is spent grinding for resources, but in spite of that, it’s engaging to make progress, upgrade the home base, and craft better gear. Although the game is technically a standalone expansion, newcomers will want to play Far Cry 5 first for a more fulfilling experience that properly introduces Hope County. In a similar vein, this direct sequel may not appeal to those who want to see something novel from the series. But for fans of the predecessor who were left wanting more resolution, a new dawn awaits you back in Hope County.

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.

After playing countless of me-too Tower Defense off-shots, it's incredibly refreshing to see a game that effortlessly manages to spice up the formula with great mechanics, pin-point controls, exhilarating strategic depth, hectic action and a terrific audiovisual presentation. Toss in the lengthy campaign and enjoyable extras, and the kooky plot and lack of multiplayer are the only missteps in this otherwise incredibly solid and thoroughly entertaining strategy/action title.

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.

Nintendo continues to dominate the handheld market with this cutesy but highly playable platformer. A must for Yoshi fans everywhere.

Ripped Pants At Work is a fun and wonderfully inexpensive game that’s great for a group of friends to pass the controller around. The numerous puzzle pathways to each pair of pants are cleverly designed and offer a good challenge. The soundtrack is pitch perfect, as an acoustic guitar plays a jaunty and gentle tune that runs counter to the stress and terror typically associated of running across busy streets in your underwear. While this won’t command much of your attention for too long, as you could easily collect the entire of pantheon of legwear in as little as half an hour (or less if you challenge yourself), it's still a pretty fun distraction from boring computer work. Ripped Pants At Work takes an instantly relatable premise and fills it with personality, easy to understand mechanics, and silly visual humor.

It’s a nostalgic trip, one that’s backed by some genuinely solid design.

Where The Water Tastes Like Wine is a welcome addition to the adventure genre. While its minute-to-minute narrative lacks the complexity and pull of classic adventure games, its open-world design and unique approach to storytelling make it something unlike anything I've ever played before. For those looking to lose themselves in an atmospheric world with phenomenal music and voice acting, Where The Water Tastes Like Wine is worth experiencing. It's certainly an acquired taste, but the water tastes pretty good here.

For a game without a single living thing in its world, it has a lot of heart.

Creator Vince Wesselman's passion for the adventure genre shines through every one of Resonance's pronounced pixels. There are a few hitches here and there, but they won't stop Resonance from being one of the best adventure games you will play this year.

Downward Spiral: Horus Station is an atmospheric game that feels like the video game equivalent of Aram Khachaturian’s exceptionally melancholic Adagio from the Gayane Ballet Suite used during the Discovery montage from 2001: A Space Odyssey. I never knew exploring and interacting with derelict space vessel in VR was my jam - and it totally is now.

World to the West features an ambitious concept, incorporating multiple unique characters into a Zelda-like top-down adventure game. However, the game unnecessarily pads the playtime, requiring you to individually move each of the four characters. Still, each party member’s completely diverse playstyle almost makes up for it, shaping up the game’s strengths of core exploration and puzzle design. It’s not a perfect journey, but fans of the genre may want to consider taking a trip westward.

There is truly no other game for twenty dollars that gives you this many great arcade classics in one package deal.

If you’re expecting The Bard’s Tale IV to be an action-RPG on par with some recent blockbusters, you may be disappointed. This is not a cinematic experience with bleeding edge graphics and breathless action and combat. However, if you approach the game as a super-enhanced, classic dungeon crawler that both fits into the legacy and moves the needle on a well-respected, beloved franchise, then you will be pleased by its story, puzzles, nuanced combat, excellent music and varied environments.

Despite its Kinect-oriented problems, Mini Ninjas Adventures' sensibly organized gesture controls and ever escalating mechanics and complexity should compel players to return as soon as the lactic acid dissipates.

ZombiU is definitely not a game for everyone, mostly due to its unforgiving design and flat fiction. But few horror games really make you feel like you're in a desperate struggle for survival, and few action games command all of your attention and precision to play. ZombiU manages both those things simultaneously, and the result feels fresh and interesting in all the right ways.

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is yet another great addition to the series. Lucid Games has added innovative features that makes the series feel like a step forward but also manages to give fans a game that stays true to its roots.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is a superb experience from start-to-finish that cuts itself short long before it feels appropriate to do so. There’s a stinger twist ending that sets up an inevitable sequel, but it’s difficult to be excited when it feels like I should still be playing.

Halo 5: Guardians obviously isn’t meant to be played for its by the numbers campaign. If your love for Halo falls strictly within the realm of multiplayer, then prepare yourself for a grand old time.

It is easy on the eyes, fun to listen to, and its cruel satire and toilet humor make it an entertaining journey from the beginning to the end. The game would benefit from more fleshed out gameplay and more imaginative puzzle design, but it is still one that left me wanting to see more out of this developer in the future.

Bleed is a game that ends before it should. The silver lining to that statement is that it's an absolute blast while it lasts, with tight, satisfying gameplay and an unforgettable protagonist. And while its levels don't provide enough content, its flexible difficulty and upgrade options will compel even non-completionists to stick around after beating them. You may want to wait for a sale on this one, but do keep your eye out- it's a game you really ought to play.

A game that has plenty to offer fans of the genre, combining great strategy with great action.

Overall, Storm Island is a ton of fun.

Symphony of the Machine is a great VR experience that offers a wonderful sense of immersion as long you use the right equipment and get off the couch. The game itself gets less interesting over time despite the cool factor of the complexity of later trials. With Symphony, it became the kind of game I want to play just to help fill the time. What it needs is to give you a reason to stick around, to show that the time spent growing various plants is worth the time and effort. It doesn’t do that very well and were this a standard, non-VR game, I would have quickly moved on. The VR nature of Symphony of the Machine is definitely where it’s at and should be picked up, preferably at some discount, solely for that portion of the software.

Although Blazing Chrome sticks fairly closely to the formula of games like Metal Slug and Contra, its great boss encounters, responsive gameplay, and 16-bit pixel art make it a faithful homage to an underrepresented subgenre.

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.

Warlocks 2: God Slayers is a good and fair retro game experience. If it was presented in a more typical top-down or third-person view, it could be a bit generic but as a 2D-platformer, it manages to feel fresh. The game does its thing with a twinkle in the eye but doesn’t take you for a fool. Some features should perhaps have been better laid out but finding about finer details by yourself used to be a basic experience in games before tutorials and on-screen helpers came to make everything too self-explanatory. Warlocks 2 is a quirky time warp back to the day when games were played for fun and leisure but its mischievous nature is totally today.

Minor problems aside, it is refreshing to play an adventure game that offers up a creative science fiction story while providing an optimal amount of challenge.

With the majority of changes being positive, the only thing that should give someone pause over taking the plunge is whether or not you want more Borderlands.

Lockdown continues the tradition of solid shooters in the Tom Clany franchise, but doesn't try to change the status quo by doing anything revolutionary.

Despite my small gripes with the game, I had a great time with Spectrum Break. Sure, it’s not very ambitious, but it certainly has a solid foundation. The game knows what it is and doesn’t overreach. I enjoyed my short time with Spectrum Break and I am interested in what the developer makes next. Overall, I’d recommend the game to anyone interested in playing a solid and experimental 2D platformer.

I can absolutely recommend the game, but for all the good things it does, one which would be even stronger if you weren't taken out of the experience a little too often. I wanted to achieve true transcendence but the limitations the game places on you too often stop it from reaching its full potential. I have a feeling you’ll still want to experience it, though, and don’t be surprised if you make everyone around you do the same.

The exciting thing about 8-bit Adventures Anthology: Volume One is that the games in it don’t only possess nostalgia values. Good adventures can stand the test of time better than many other genres because they’re held up by their stories and puzzles rather than a fancy presentation or tight controls. Of course, MacVentures are short by today’s standards, but they’re not linear. There’s a surprising amount of freedom given to do the needed tasks in each game, creating exciting prospects for the player. The gameplay can be slow as the controller can’t stand in for a mouse, but that’s nitpicking. Most of all, 8-bit Adventures Anthology: Volume One shows how little is needed to create immersing experiences. I had a blast going through these games again I had played almost 30 years ago on Commodore 64 and Amiga. For eight bucks, the anthology is a steal. Do yourself a favor and relax with crude pixels with cool stories.

Stranger's Wrath is all about identity. In addition to the themes of its well-rounded story, it feels tailor-made to challenge the critical habit of comparing games that share similar traits just to make critical analysis easier. It has faults, and it's certainly aged a wee bit, but the final product is still an incredibly strong example of thorough game design and solid character work. It's a must-download, by any measure.

Fitness-based games are exactly new, but Sony manages to make workout fun and personal with the amazing Eye Toy gadget. This might just be what the doctor ordered.

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.”

It’s sad to see the Zero Escape series come to an end, but Kotaro Uchikoshi and his team have created a special trilogy of games that won’t soon be forgotten. Zero Time Dilemma, despite its flaws, concludes this series in a dramatic and memorable fashion.

If you can look past Skyrim VR's visual downgrade on the PlayStation VR, then there’s absolutely no reason not to dip back into the well. It's not perfect, as you can definitely see the limitations of the PSVR compared to the higher end VIVE and Oculus, but Skyrim's award-winning gameplay and storytelling, which is brought in completely intact, survives the transition completely unscathed. It's also a really great VR game to show off to people and let them explore a well-realized fantasy world. Skyrim VR also represents a good first step towards future VR ports of open world Bethesda games.

There is a great cast of characters complete with an equally great voice cast (including some of the animated DC shows) and with the other DC heroes and it feels like the developers are using this to test the waters for all of them to get their own games so let us hope this will finally give us a great Superman game!

One of the best budget titles I have played in quite sometime.

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.

When has exercising ever been fun? With that being said the developers did an amazing job of making an experience that was different and enjoyable.

Saints Row 2 is not without its flaws, but the game is so deep, and has so much content that any fan of the previous game or GTA games will have a lot to look forward to in Saints Row 2.