EA works its charm down on college baseball, further perfecting the previous installment with deeper frachise mode and refined controls.

As a "dangerous tropical island simulator", Far Cry 3 is one of the most satisfying and inventive shooters released this year. Gamers eager to explore the wild jungle should pick this up without second thought, and try not to let the infuriating campaign rain on their parade.

A pleasant surprise. It doesn't re-invent the wheel per-say, but it does make for a very good and educational experience.

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is an excellent 2D platformer that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The humor is quirky, the gameplay is great, and it expertly crafts a retro-style game into a glossy and new coat of paint. Even so, it didn’t seem to provide the same sense of awe that Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse provided in the not-so-distant past of 2014. This is not to say that Half-Genie Hero missed the mark; it’s just different from what you would expect out of the series. Fortunately, that’s one of the best features about the series as a whole. Each game feels unique, bringing a whole new taste to the table every time. This is what always brings me back to Shantae, and it’s what makes Half-Genie Hero all the more enjoyable. Ultimately, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero manages to create a sense of old-school bliss in the modern era where there proves to be little success, and it’s wonderful.

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is difficult and opaque in many important ways, but its premise is refreshing and its vision compelling enough to keep the player moving forward. Expect lots of false starts and failure at the beginning, but eventually the mechanics become familiar and the achievement of inching the species forward becomes uniquely rewarding.

BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! is a triumphant return for one of Nintendo’s underappreciated square-shaped heroes. The core campaign, albeit a solid iteration that newcomers will enjoy, plays a little too safely for BoxBoy! veterans. Thankfully, the new co-op and Qudy modes are the reinvigorating jolts this series needed, delivering clever and refreshing ideas to mix up the simple block-making formula. Hopefully, this Switch debut marks a bright future for the box family.

Infamous: Second Son continues Sucker Punch’s super hero/karmic choice formula well.

Atari spices up the celebrated DBZ franchise with this fluid free-form fighter, and complemented by the Wii's wacky controllers.

In spite of its childish appearance and lack of difficulty options, Super Beat Sports is an entertaining rhythm game and satisfying return to form for Harmonix. Its varied game modes offer a wide mix of challenging levels to conquer and master, while its multiplayer capabilities ensures that it earns a place on the couch for your next late-night party. It might not offer the maturity and depth of Harmonix’s previous efforts, but Super Beat Sports is a welcome addition to the Switch lineup that proves that perhaps the music game genre isn’t entirely dead, after all.

This game not only challenges you to think outside the box but to have the endurance to continue thinking that way until the level is over and the boss is beaten.

Are you in the mood for a unique puzzle game filled with ambient electronic music and want to feel good about supporting independent game development? Waveform may just be right up your alley. It is elegant in its simplicity, but don't let that fool you. The game quickly becomes challenging and with about eleven stages (filled with ten levels each), there's a surprisingly large amount of game and replayability to be had. I see myself coming back to this game often.

Wild Guns Reloaded isn't necessarily a game I asked for, but I really enjoyed it nonetheless, especially on handheld mode. It's colorful, vibrant, and an artistic beauty. Among other things, it remains to be a very fun title from a time when video games were still evolving. With some extra polish and new ways to play the game, Wild Guns was remastered as best as it possibly could have been. It's not new or special in today's landscape, but I still think that it's a title everyone should pick up and play for a really great time.

Activision ups the ante on action RPG with the whole cast of the Marvel universe. Insanely cool boss fights and solid online support makes this an easy choice for fans.

Candleman is a very fun game to play on the go as the short levels allow you to just pick it up and play whenever you feel the need. It’s also easily replayable due to the goals of lighting candles in each level, but overall, it’s a bit short. It’s a shame as I feel like there could have been many more avenues to be explored. However, if you want a short, thought-provoking game to play through that won’t take up all your time and won’t break the bank, then Candleman is at the top of my list of recommendations.

While I wish the actual platforming were a bit stronger, Arise: A Simple Story is still a lovely experience which I recommend you try. Frustration over dying a handful of times passes quickly when you’re enveloped in such wonderful sights and sounds. It's just an experience you'll get nearly as much out of watching as you would playing.

It looks fantastic, the combat is epic and thrilling, and the sound design and musical score by the insanely prolific Jasper Kyd round out an impressive sequel. Lack of clarity, some brutal difficulty spikes and some core conceptual and mechanical issues with the game's absolute reliance on co-op are the only sour notes in a dark symphony of epic action.

Anno 1800 is an incredible looking city builder that is packed with historical detail and graphical richness, supported by a complex and sometimes inscrutable collection of systems underneath the smokestacks and row houses. Getting everything just right is a challenge but playing in the Victorian-era sandbox is a lot of fun and the milieu is well represented in all areas of design and execution. Fans of city builders and economic sims will both find a lot to enjoy about Anno 1800, the best entry in the franchise so far.

If you love the thrill and tension of stealth-based gameplay and going up against ever-increasing threats the longer you stay engaged, I think you’re really going to like what The Blackout Club has to offer. It took me a bit of time to warm up to the game and when it all eventually clicked, I started thinking that this might be the sleeper hit of the year.

For me and for my generation, the subject matter that Ghostbusters: The Video Game so respectfully represents is a flight back to the carefree childhood. Here’s the catch, though. It’s not a one-way nostalgia ticket to the bygone world but a fun game that perfectly holds up today with its entertaining gameplay, sparkling and characteristic visuals and amusing narrative. Can I ask for more from the game? Wait, of course I can! Next, give me a Ghostbusters game where I can play as Jillian Holtzmann and the world would be complete!

As a final interesting note, RiME was actually first revealed as a survival game with elements of health and stamina. While we may never see what that game was like, I’m thankful that developer Tequila Works opted for a deeper tale with that same boy on an island. While an open world would have been fun to explore, the segmented chapters help to tell a bigger truth. Though action would have helped bring more gamers in, laid-back puzzle-solving ensures that more people can freely explore and reach the end. A smoother presentation could have helped the game’s cinematic presence, but the story lives on despite it. RiME isn’t perfect or too original, but it does well to scratch the same emotionally driven story itch that trailblazers like Dear Esther and Journey have pioneered in the past.

The music where deep, desolate bass contracts with upbeat melodies of street musicians tells about hope beyond gloom. Occasionally, when giant feet trample you or you’re sent literally through a grinder, the game falls for some heavy-handed symbolism. However, a good story is often a collection of proven clichés and metaphors and Mosaic compiles them into a compact and meaningful package.

Regardless of how you play it, though, you can go into Shiftlings knowing you’re in for a nice mix of fun, bewilderment, and satisfaction.

Whether Erica is a successful fluke or the start of a FMV renaissance is impossible to predict, but the game is a solid and beautifully crafted example of how the technique has evolved and just how effective great interactive storytelling can be.

Table Manners simply is ridiculous and fun, and it knows it. All it asks of you is that you be as lighthearted about the gameplay as it is. And if you can do that, and you don’t mind failing some levels in the process, I think you’ll love every second of it.

The eagerly awaited Rare action title debuts on the 360, with pretty sweet visuals, some character-switching fun and furious combat sequences.

I don’t think I’ve ever played a game like The Beginner’s Guide and I’m not sure any game will ever need to duplicate what it accomplished.

If you enjoy survival horror games which rely on atmospheric and subtle visuals and audio cues instead of cheap jump-scares, you will definitely love Yomawari: Midnight Shadows. It's an extremely creative game with an adorable outlook and incredibly dark undertones. Prepare to forgive the repetitiveness later in the game, and I can assure that you will have one scary (and cute) survival horror experience.

Elegy For A Dead World delivers, but only if you meet it halfway with a hunger for derelict worlds and an extensive collection of original tales.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a fairly brief but exceptionally well-crafted stealth experience that’s well worth the time of any fan – or anybody looking for a great action game, for that matter.

If you add in the Motorhead or Fractured Worlds expansions, and the ability to play all of the content alone or co-op and in any sequence, Victor Vran: Overkill Edition is an extremely generous package that will take dozens of entertaining hours to complete. With each mission having multiple objectives, there are plenty of reasons to revisit areas several times. Not everything about Victor Vran is new and different, of course, but its solid mechanics and strong personality go a long way towards creating a satisfying play experience.

Colorful and surrounded by mystery, Dropsy is a nice twist from “normal” adventure games and worthy of investment.

One of the more downsides to the gameplay is the noticeably long load times. But this does not frustrate players much, as the levels do lasts for quite a while and they offer instant restarts.

Approached with the right mind-set, a little planning and a lot of patience, Farming Simulator 2013 offers a true evergreen challenge for the console gamer looking for a new experience.

Alien Breed is a decent package and great love letter to a classic arcade game but that’s all it manages to be. The inclusion of multiplayer goes a long way to make this package worth the price but if you are looking for something more in depth you may want to look elsewhere.

In the end NHL 17 is a really great game of hockey. It’s got a full suite of features and modes that are complimented with excellent on-ice action. I found myself more engrossed in NHL 17 then I’ve been with a hockey game in quite some time. It’s a well-rounded and extremely polished game of hockey that fans of the franchise will be mighty happy with.

Regardless of whether you choose to partner up or go it alone, Foul Play is a grand ole adventure. Easy to pick up and fun to master, the combat alone would make this a worthwhile venture, but adding in the game’s theater aesthetic and unique visual style makes this an easy recommendation.

This expansion adds a few sidequests and features, but doesn't do much else to address the original's shortcomings. Might be a fun choice for new fans.

If you have been looking forward to this game you may be a little disappointed with the Konquest mode, but the other modes help make the game a solid choice.

In the end, the path to The Sixth Seal was more exciting than the tomb itself. It takes two hours at the most to see The Price of Survival through and get a new pistol and an outfit for Lara as rewards. Still, at its best moments, the mission typifies the gameplay what I thought made Shadow of the Tomb Raider such a great experience. To get most of out the DLC content, they must be seen more as parts of the game that expand it rather than as separate add-ons. While I was disappointed that the actual tomb was too brief, The Price of Survival has an important job of showing a softer side of the villain.

If you skipped the original, now is a great time to drop in and see what you missed, and The Following adds dozens of hours of new missions and things to do outside the city.

Infect the world to save it from oblivion. That's a pretty unique premise behind this surprisingly innovative shooter, and it is a blast to play with your friends.

Mech games are pretty scarce on the consoles, and this one fills the void nicely with plenty of customization options, fun multiplayer mode and spectacular visuals.

Overall, The Black Order is easy to pick up and play and there’s nothing to keep you from enjoying the thrill of fighting alongside pop culture’s most popular fictional heroes.

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.

Blasphemous finds success by adhering to staples of the genre and executing them well. Coupled with its strong art style and design, it’s a great option for anyone seeking another Metroidvania fix. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it proudly shows off its visual personality.

Borderlands is now a known quantity, which is both good and bad. While Borderlands 2 is without a doubt the best version of Borderlands that there is, the best experience one can have with this fledgling series will always come with that first trip to Pandora, and for many, that special moment has already passed.

The PC version of L.A. Noire may have some minor flaws but the inclusion of the DLC and just the fact that this game is incredible is enough to justify picking up this package.

Although this is a great game of basketball, its improvements over last year aren't as significant as you would probably expect. Instead much of the experience felt like a tune up of last year's game, with some more features and modes added on the side.

Thwarting Dr Robotnik's nefarious schemes have never been this fun, especially with the blue hedgehog on the DS. Good clean fun for Sonic fans all over.

In a way, The Legend of Grimrock is a lot like Dark Souls. The game rewards calculated, meticulous play and any severe injuries or deaths are likely a result of not taking in your surroundings. There are a lot of ways to die in Grimrock and if you're not paying attention, taking the time to search out better gear and learn to craft potions, you're going to have a difficult time with it. However, there's a great feeling of accomplishment as you traverse each floor, defeating powerful monsters and figuring out puzzle solutions on your own.

It is great to see more games of this quality appearing on download services such as Xbox Live Arcade, as it shows that those platforms are viable for bigger and better games. Deep Black Episode 1 may miss step in a couple of places and have an extremely abrupt ending, but it is a competent shooter that is defiantly worth a look, if you enjoy the genre. Just don't expect anything ground breaking in terms of story.

Taking out hordes of zombies has never been this fun, as Capcom gives you the freedom to bash away with solid controls and luscious next-gen visuals.

All in all if you are looking for a fun strategy sports themed game with a multiplayer focus, this one might be worth taking a look at.

Even though it doesn’t innovate much from its predecessors, it stays true the core mechanics that has made the Total War series some of the best strategy games to date.

Between the challenge, the mission variety, and the rock solid gameplay, there’s an incredible amount to like here and the ability to do it anywhere you want is enticing. The issues I mentioned definitely put a damper on the experience, though, and while some, like the bugs, may improve in time, I doubt we see those load times going anywhere. If you have no other way to experience XCOM 2, it’s still well worth your time. If you are in love with it and need a handheld version, you can feel confident that this is a very solid port. If you’re going to pick any version of the game, though, and handheld play isn’t your top priority, there are better options available.

KILL la KILL The Game: IF features exciting arena fighting action and silly yet engaging yarn that together form an exclusive episode for the quirky franchise. The presentation is big, bold and in-your-face, creating a handsome package you really want to dig into. The girls never miss a chance to strike a defiant pose and don’t mind how exposed they are doing so, be it in special moves, combo finishers or psyching up before matches. However, with a limited number of playable characters and ill-founded playing after completing the story with the main girls, the sixty dollar asking price might be a bit steep.

With only some minor hiccups in the execution, it’s a well thought out formula that produced a challenging yet fun game worth your time.

Even if you don't want to assign a narrative to Linelight, or if you don't care about ambient music, or if you're not thrilled about the very minimal visuals, Linelight is still one of the best puzzle games I've played since The Witness. It's like weaving your way through a Piet Mondrian painting set to the tune of background study music. Sure, it has some pacing issues and some questionable puzzle mechanics, but Linelight is a puzzle game that stands alongside some of the greats in its genre and it deserves a lot more recognition.

In the end, Singstar Amped is a good solid music title, that for many will offer up a great music experience especially for those into some nice rock and roll tunes.

New players would be advised to play through Planetfall’s main campaign before diving into the latest expansion, both for context and and an understanding of the game’s dense mechanics, complex skill trees and tactical options. Long time Planetfall players will definitely enjoy the new elements and the Skakarn faction. Invasions is a solid expansion to already excellent strategy game.

If you like College basketball and are looking for a new game to wet your whistle with, then I would highly recommend you checking out College Hoops 2K8 - it's an all around solid game of basketball.

All in all, World War Z is undoubtedly a ton of fun, especially if you have friends to play (and chat) with. If you're a fan of the Left 4 Dead games or Killing Floor, chances are very good you'll enjoy this game as well. If you aren't, I would recommend trying this game as a rental just to try it out before you dive in, as the entry price (for now) is rather high compared to similar games in the genre. And of course, remember to aim for the head.

Game of Thrones Episode 3 continued to build on the tension of the previous entries.

The 21 tables that you get are a great value for the $30 price tag too. Nothing will ever replicate the actual experience, but this simulation comes about as close as anyone has.

Transistor isn’t perfect, there are issues with the combat system and sometimes the art gets in the way of the combat itself but that isn’t enough to deter this masterful execution of storytelling.

I was surprised to find that 2K Sports actually seemed to have more success this year with their freshman arcade baseball series, which actually comes out as a big success.

Maybe due to its irreverent tone, Tropico has never been taken entirely seriously as a legit economic sim and city builder. That’s a shame, because puttering around the islands has always been both fun and satisfying. Tropico 6 pulls some mechanics from prior entries and introduces some new ones while giving fans of the franchise the best-looking, most feature-packed and entertaining installment to date.

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.

I really enjoyed the level design of all the main parts of the mission - the crypt, the village and the tomb – as they were refreshingly different from most of the sights and tombs featured in the previous add-ons and more importantly, put Lara’s traversal abilities to a real test. I also liked how the side mission took place post-game, giving a meaningful challenge to tackle when the main adventure has been seen through. One more DLC to go and Lara’s trip through Shadow of the Tomb Raider is over. I can only hope that Eidos Montreal has something extraordinary in store to finish off the Tomb Raider trilogy in style.

No monkey business this time around, as Sega deliver a fun puzzler that taps perfectly into the unique Wii remote. One of the better launch titles for the Wii.

There is no doubt that NCAA Football 12 is a great game of college football. What it isn't however is a huge upgrade from last years game. If your looking for a new feel to the Road to Glory mode then this is definitely one you want to check out. Otherwise there isn't enough new here to make this a must purchase.

You could also argue that switching between two screens is only a gimmick but the game is completely built upon it. Without this to make it stand out, Dimension Drive would be just another shooter. Thankfully, the fight over indie players’ hearts demands developers to come up with new ideas to separate their games from the crowd. Dimension Drive succeeds at that and it’s gratifying to see the game grow during its course beyond its trick.

Legendia continues the excellent Tales RPG series, thrilling fans with good pacing, strategy-laden real-time combat and very stylish visuals.

At times, Code Vein can be stressing as you can’t cut much slack until you have gained not only level-ups to strengthen your character but also personal confidence to challenge everything the game throws at you. While it sometimes too obediently follows conventions of Souls-likes, its generous framework and character-centric exposition bring the game its own kind of unique personality.

Relive those thrilling aerial battles in this low-key but surprisingly solid WWII flight sim, featuring plethora of aircrafts, modes and online support.

Operencia: The Stolen Sun should appeal to a range of gamers: fans of well made, turn-based RPGs and anyone looking for a budget title that hasn’t compromised graphics or mechanics will also appreciate it. The game doesn’t take a lot of chances but there is plenty of depth and replayability in its character leveling and crafting systems and while it may seem easy in the first few hours, combat difficulty increases and the puzzles become challenging as the game progresses.

Fast unarmed combat system and lush visuals complete the package.

Trails of Cold Steel III is a must play if you enjoyed the first two games in the series. The game is not radically different from the previous titles, so if you didn’t love them or just do not like JRPGs in general, it won’t change your mind. If you’re a newcomer to the franchise, I strongly recommend playing the first two games in Trails of Cold Steel series before getting into this one.

EA shows some love to the PS2 with arguably their last MVP Baseball title, which continues with the innovations set by the original, but sadly doesn't have anything fresh this time around.

Given all the recycled and only slightly re-touched assets and somewhat underwhelming presentation in the story modes, SoulCalibur VI feels more like a re-release with some additional content than an entirely new entry. It plays perhaps a bit too safe, wary not to change anything too much, apart from making fighting feel flashier and easier. However, it’s also somehow comforting that the game finds its footing in the familiar turf. Now, I can carry on where I was left off ten years ago in SoulCalibur IV (let’s just pretend that SoulCalibur V never existed) and quench the thirst the way-too early axed Lost Swords left me with.

Although I can’t confirm the differences between the original Xbox One X version and the new Switch edition, I can say that I had a lot of fun with this gem. It was dull and unfocused at times, but it never felt like a slog. Perhaps the game can be remembered fondly one day as a rare 3D platformer throwback of this decade, alongside Super Mario Odyssey, Yooka-Laylee, and A Hat in Time. Or at the very least, some may consider this the long-lost spiritual imagining of Rare’s Twelve Tales: Conker 64.

With the exception of the mines being slower and more frustrating and disconnected than the rest of the game, the only thing you’d want out of Ethan Carter is more story and a few more mechanics to keep you coming back for more.

If you like co-op, and don't mind not having a single player, Army of Two for the PS3 is a great game that is worth checking out.

The Gardens Between remains one of the best puzzle games released this year, a combination of simplicity and lateral thinking, wrapped up in an endearing visual package. The story it tells is impactful, relatable, and human, enhanced by the excellent ambient soundtrack. If only there was more of it.

It may sound like I'm nitpicking a lot, but the issues I've highlighted are relatively minor when looking at The Evil Within 2 as a whole. This game is just plain fun. I don't remember the last time when I had completed a game's campaign and immediately wanted to start a new game and play it all over again. The Evil Within 2 had that effect on me. The constant shifting between the visceral gunplay and tense stealth sections provided hours of entertainment. The Evil Within 2 wears its inspirations unabashedly. The crafting and resource gathering feel like they were ripped straight out of The Last of Us. The gunplay and stealth feels similar to Resident Evil 4 or even Uncharted. The juxtaposition between open world areas and linear corridors has a Silent Hill: Downpour vibe. However, the folks over at Tango Gameworks have taken these inspirations and molded them into a mad scientist amalgamation of ideas that feel like its own beautiful, yet horrific, beast.

There’s a comfortable progression of difficulty, with the game’s initial stages easy enough to understand and later stages that require a good deal of thought, planning and timing.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle: Donkey Kong Adventure is a great add-on for those who enjoyed the original game. It’s a fairly conservative expansion, simply providing a new tropical coat of paint. It’s perhaps too limited, since you only get three characters (one repeat), and nothing transfers over to your main files. However, that doesn’t take away from its fun factor. Donkey Kong is an absolute blast in battle, throwing out all the rules with his powerful abilities. If anything, this expansion has given me hope for what’s to come in this ambitious crossover.

The VR Case Files, though technically well-adapted to the platform, is a novelty, a carnival rendition of a game I hold a huge amount of personal respect for. If nothing else, I thank L. A. Noire: The VR Case Files for reaffirming my love and respect for the original game.

While it pushes the series forward the on-court moment to moment action is just beginning to show signs of age.

There's no denying that in the moment, the single-player campaign, the multiplayer modes, and Zombies mode are satisfying and create a well-tuned shooter experiences defined by super-high production values and polish. Take a longer view, however, and you're likely to feel more than a little ennui over the setting and a bit let down by a game that feels like a corporate decision rather than a passion project. World War II defined the course of nations and the fate of millions. Call of Duty: WWII misses the opportunity to find its own, unique or emotionally compelling journey through the conflict. It is a mechanically solid, visually impressive shooter bolted to a story we've seen too many times.

Using the Doom 3 engine, id Software's Quake shines on the 360, dazzling us with its impressive visual effects, engaging gameplay and superb online capabilities.

Anyone who did not pick up The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep when it was released in 2018 missed an amusing and well-crafted RPG, a definite high point in a storied and popular franchise. With some minor interface and gameplay tweaks and the addition of some new quests and significant additional areas to explore, the Director’s Cut makes a good case for itself and the game includes some nostalgic bonus content and some behind-the-scenes features as well.

Galactic Starfighter shows a lot of promise and there’s a great deal of potentially awesome additions outside of new maps and game mods (like dogfighting!).

In the seven years since Torchlight II was released, dungeon crawlers have both evolved into a more complex genre and toyed with mechanics pulled from outside them, such as roguelikes. However, complicated doesn’t always mean better and it’s hard to deny Torchlight II’s addictive and immediately accessible gameplay and overall, it seems like a natural fit for the Nintendo Switch.

It’s fair to say Cloud Chamber is a very specific type of game for a very specific type of gamer. It’s also fair to say that Cloud Chamber is one of the most original experiences I’ve had in a very long time, and joins games like Gone Home as it borders the line between game and interactive story.

The Marvellous Miss Take is a fun and near flawless heist adventure.

It has plenty of great courses, fun characters, and just a very accessible and solid gameplay system.

It is a shame that Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on 3DS is let down so badly by the lack of online capability. However, if you have friends with the title or have prior experience with the series and can deal with the challenge of fighting alone, then 3 Ultimate is worth picking up. Just make sure you play with the Circle Pad Pro.