Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is not for every Pokéfan. Younger children who want to experience an easier more forgiving roguelike dungeon crawler with their favorite characters will get the most out of this charming title. Catching ‘em all and training teams of rescue parties are entertaining, even though this game includes just the first half of the National Pokedex. Older gamers and those who played the original may not be as impressed by the monotonous dungeon crawling and simple difficulty. Although the Switch game looks and sounds great, it does not update the original games enough. I would sooner recommend one of the more recent offerings in the series or hold out hope that we get a brand new title featuring the Galar Pokémon one day.

Sometimes, playing a video game really is the best distraction from the real world. If you’re looking for an escape to an idyllic place of relaxation and quirky animals, where you can be creative, productive, or just chill in a virtual environment, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the right game at the right time.

Although its multiplayer is a little underpowered, Doom Eternal’s challenging campaign is a reminder — as was its 2016 sibling — that old school mayhem fueled by adrenaline and alien guts still packs a wallop of fun. The game’s story is a bit too convoluted and portentous and its platforming is over-exacting sometimes to the point of momentum-halting frustration, but it’s hard not to recommend Doom Eternal to fans of shooters from any era.

In the end, Persona 5 Royal is basically a remixed ultimate version of Persona 5, following in the footsteps of Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 FES. Fans of the series should rest assured that it’s a worthy addition to the series and is, without a doubt, the way to play Persona 5 from here on out. Virtually everything you loved about the original game is not only in-place here, but improved upon. If you haven’t given Persona 5 a chance yet, but enjoy JRPGs… boy, do I have a game for you!

Because the romantic destinies of Half Past Fate’s characters are preordained, and the game is essentially an exercise in making them happen, there is little motivation to experience the story again, other than perhaps chasing the game’s achievements. Half Past Fate has a lot of style, interesting characters and a gentle tone that stands out from other retro-style RPGs. Romantic comedy is an underrepresented genre in games and Half Past Fate reminds us that it’s a niche worth exploring.

Not only is the Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection a great bundle for fans of the series, but it also makes some important small tweaks to help broaden these games' appeal. The new checkpoint system helps address the overbearing difficulty of the original releases, a very welcome change that will undoubtedly alleviate many headaches. The core gameplay remains as strong as ever, defined by responsive movement and white-knuckled boss encounters. While each entry's unique systems may not always succeed, the underlying gameplay is so strong that even the weakest outings are engaging challenges. And when everything works in concert, like in Mega Man Zero 3 and 4, the combination of slick movement, great boss fights, and rewarding unlock systems make for some of the most compelling 2D platformers in recent memory.

With Nioh 2, Team Ninja has deepened an already engaging experience, porting the excellent systems and gameplay from the first game and introducing even more toys, stats, moves and systems to master. Incredibly difficult but equally rewarding, Nioh 2 has brought Souls-like combat to new levels of complexity and nuance and while the influence of FromSoftware’s genre-defining games is still apparent, Nioh 2 has an identity all its own.

From its inception to the execution, Iron Danger showcases a rare, coherent vision where everything comes together to form a unified experience, not least because of truly novel gameplay that holds it all together. I’m afraid that Iron Danger has spoiled other games in its genre for me. I can no longer imagine playing formulaic fantasy tropes with rigid combat and eternally repeated, tired systems.

Mechanically, Warlords is a great addition to The Division 2. Conceptually, many of the issues that have plagued the game are still present and sometimes worse. But there’s no denying that The Division 2 is an incredibly competent shooter, and it feels even better to play with the changes made to the loot/gear system. On top of that, the loose story threads used to create the new endgame makes me actually want to participate in it. Warlords of New York provides the best entry point to date for new and returning players. I really enjoyed my time with it but make no mistake, if you didn’t like the core game, this is still The Division 2. But it is easily the best version of itself.

From a stylistic point of view, the game got its hooks deep in me because I felt it drew visual and aural inspiration from the likes of 1980s sci-fi film legends Douglas Trumbull, John Carpenter, and Ridley Scott. Genesis: Alpha One offers a tense and methodical approach to roguelike survival through base building and resource gathering in one of the most harshest environments imaginable.

If you feel the need for something casual but that's puzzling enough to keep your brain active, Box Kid Adventures is definitely a game you should consider. With a low price tag and Steam Workshop support, there aren't many other games that compete with this level of simplistic fun.

Despite a learning curve that could use some work, there’s a lot to like in Two Point Hospital. It continues to find ways to make you laugh deep into the game without ever drawing too much attention to that aspect of itself. The controls are so intuitive that for the first time I don’t see any real downside to playing a simulation game on a console over a PC if that’s what you prefer. There’s plenty of content to keep you occupied for a long time as well. If you’re a fan of simulation games, Two Point Hospital is a must play. For those this is a new genre, though, I definitely think you should give the game a chance. It isn’t perfect but it’s a good time if you’re able to really learn its systems and understand everything a great hospital needs.

In the end, The Suicide of Rachel Foster feels like the quintessential first draft of a horror/drama flick latched to a graceless gameplay template. The excitement and deliberate pacing early on suggest learning from the industry’s best exemplars. Ominous warnings suggest ghosts are roaming The Timberline’s halls. As it progresses, however, uncoordinated game design and tonally-tangled storytelling turns that engagement frozen stiff. Like walking through a grand hotel with years of decay, you can’t help but wonder how it could fare under new management.

Porting a game made for PC to consoles can be an iffy situation. It’s absolutely something that should happen when possible, as I am all for everyone being to play everything if they are able, but some just flat out work better then others. It’s a shame that the largest and unavoidable knock against Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is something as silly as load times, but it is what it is. If you have a chance to play this game on PC, you should without question. If this is your only way to play this, just make sure you have something to do while you’re waiting.

If you love picross and are looking for a slightly different experience, Depixtion is a game you should consider. The twist on the picross formula gives avid players a new challenge, while being easy for newcomers to pick up. The amount of content and ability to play in handheld or docked mode make this game a no-brainer for picross fans.

Every genre has a mechanic that a game has to nail. For a roguelike, it’s that tantalizing feeling of almost getting to the end and being just short of the power or skill to do so that makes it so fun to try again. While Warlander has a decent core combat system, it’s surrounded by frustrating mechanics, dull writing and a story that goes nowhere. Like its empty environments, Warlander above all feels like missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential.

Puyo Puyo 2 was a big deal for fans of the puzzler when it first launched. The rules added to the base game offer more incentive to play fast and aggressively. The Sega Ages edition for the Nintendo Switch introduces some helpful features, like save states and an undo button. It’s a solid, upgraded port and would be a good purchase for fans, if the market weren’t already saturated with Puyo Puyo games.

While it now feels like VR fitness and music games have been around forever, in fact they are really only in their infancy. Each new title that approaches the fusion of movement and music in a new way helps define what works and what doesn’t. OhShape brings novel, physically engaging and demanding movements to a genre dominated by shooting and punching. It can be a little frustrating, unintuitive and not always seamless but OhShape definitely expands the boundaries of the genre and has lots of potential.

Grounded in its own reality, The Yakuza Remastered Collection is a reminder of how competent and reliable this franchise has grown to be.

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 continues to be pure magic and no matter how many times it gets ported onto the hottest new thing, the experience will never be diluted.

With little more than a bare-bones premise, no engaging characters and stripped-down, stylized environments, Taur feels a little bloodless and abstract and the central gameplay loop can grow repetitive. In the short term — that is, some of the more manageable, bite-size battles — Taur is fun and full of the familiar, addictive elements that define the genre. Taur is also beset by some balance and pacing issues that suck the momentum out of the campaign. The game’s visual design and implementation of the player-controlled Prime Cannon add enough novelty to the tower defense formula to make Taur worth checking out for fans of the genre.

Snack World is a game with a lot of potential. It could use a little more polish and a more engaging setting, but the elements are all there for a good dungeon crawler. Despite my issues with the game, I've enjoyed my time searching for treasure, and recommend that you check it out if you love a good grind.

In the world obsessed with Souls-likes, Warriors Orochi 4 Ultimate is a great reminder that action games can be fast, frantic and fun, too. Hyperactive J-rock paces the heated action that is presented in a steady frame-rate throughout despite all things happening on screen. Responsive and effortless controls keep up the flow beautifully and I, for one, didn’t get tired of the featured gameplay that is a whole lot more forthcoming and easier to grasp than in individual titles in Samurai and Dynasty Warriors series. As a separate and quite pricey upgrade, the Ultimate edition doesn’t feel all that essential if you own Warriors Orochi 4 already. However, as a bundle to the newcomers, it’s a great entry point to the extravagant and action-packed franchise.

Lackluster RPG mode aside, Granblue Fantasy Versus has the looks and the gameplay mechanics to be a worthy contender in the fighting game ring. However, the lack of content and thin character roster work against it. The game has simply too little to offer at the moment to seriously challenge its more established fighting game rivals. More characters are promised to come but, of course, they will be paid DLC, that unfortunate bane of modern gaming. Only time will tell if Granblue Fantasy Versus has any staying power but I’m afraid it might be a bit too impersonal to appeal to bigger crowds.

This is a wonderful port that has a lot going for it, but it’s still probably the worst version of the game unless you're determined to play in Handheld Mode despite the lighting issues that come with doing so, or you really love gyro controls. You'll still have a great time with the conversion, and I commend 4A games for translating these games so well, but you will be making a trade-off. If the Switch is your only option to play Metro Redux, though, I can recommend conversion without hesitation. There's nothing else quite like it on the system.

Kentucky Route Zero is a rare video game that is able to find magic in the mundane, transforming a seemingly routine truck delivery into a fantastical odyssey through the heartland of Americana. There really isn't anything else quite like it.

Despite its many minor flaws and even significant issues, Wolcen nails that action-combat-loot dopamine drip that fuels the longest-lived games in the genre. Even after four years of pre-release tinkering, Wolcen is pretty messy, but enough fun at the core that the problems are worth dealing with, at least in the short term.

Despite the nigh-unmatched degree of complexity the tools in Dreams provides, it can be difficult to discuss and break down its value. At the end of the day, the experience it offers is relative to the patience and determination of whomever plays it. Thankfully, the appeal of Dreams isn’t limited to those willing to quit their job and meticulously craft the perfect road, tree, or building by hand. I’m never going to create a level worthy of top billing among countless masterpieces online. Yet I’m able to enjoy the game for what it offers, thanks to a variety of pre-built and simpler options.

After finishing the story and grinding through free missions, though, you can’t help but start thinking why on earth am I doing this anymore? Even though you can play Daemon X Machina pretty much the way you prefer due to all different weapon combinations, the thinness of the gameplay is unavoidable. However, in years’ long absence of new entry in Armored Core franchise, Daemon X Machina will satisfy the hunger for heated mech action. It’s colorful, fast-paced and sweet while it lasts.

Like many VR games, Ghost Giant is relatively short but this is a case where the scale of the experience is in sync with its story and characters. Ghost Giant has a solid emotional core that resonates with many people’s experience. It has amusing and appealing characters and a lovely world to explore, and while its puzzles are generally logical, they also are locked by single solutions that frustrate creative thinking. On the whole, Ghost Giant is an excellent story that could only be told in VR.

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.

As with all console ports, the Platinum Games bundle represents a fine opportunity to experience company defining titles you might have missed the first time with the added convenience of not having to dust off last gen’s console.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend getting the ReMind DLC for the story alone. It's just too short for its price. However, if the masochist nature inside you wishes for agonizingly difficult boss fights, this DLC just might be the thing for you.

No one is going to play Zombie Army 4: Dead War for a nuanced alternative history or thought-provoking story. Its raison d’etre is killing hordes of undead zombies in as many interesting ways as possible, alone or with some buddies, and maybe caring enough to try to earn a high score in the process. Whether solo or coop, Dead War is entertaining enough, though visually a bit behind the curve and in need of a few bug fixes and pass with the polishing cloth.

STONE arrives at an uncomfortable middle more akin to a pile-up than a tightrope balancing act. The anthropomorphized backdrop feigns a more peculiar and memorable adventure, but the story is mostly lifeless and forgetful. It’s another third-person walking sim that’s not bothered to utilize our protagonist’s skills in any interesting or tangible way. Add on a fifteen-dollar retail price and you’re left considering a few rounds at the pub has more value, and I doubt our marsupial lead would protest to that.

Were Eclipse: Edge of Light released prior to the PlayStation VR and even the HTC Vive, it might have been a good showpiece for virtual reality gaming. By bringing it to the PlayStation 4 after the platform has gathered a fine collection of similar, and better, sci-fi experiences, Eclipse feels ancient, an artifact from the first generation of VR. There are better games available on the platform - Farpoint, Obduction, hell even Skyrim VR - that make great use of the technology to create compelling and mysterious adventures despite the system’s limitations. VR-enabled or not, I came away feeling that Eclipse: Edge of Light was very middle of the road. It’s not terrible but it won’t leave a lasting impression.

Stories Untold celebrates early adventure games with its narrative text format, telling a suspenseful story through limited visuals and thrilling narrative. It’s a compelling journey, and much of the excitement comes from one’s own imagination. It’s not a long game, but the tale kept me hooked. However, Stories Untold is not for everyone. Players not used to the text format may find the gameplay tedious or unintuitive, especially given how the Switch version handles command inputs. Players who enjoy the format may not appreciate the modernized escape game room sequences in later chapters, which stray away from the first episode’s traditional style. If this describes you, these stories are best left untold.

Thronebreaker : The Witcher Tales is a phenomenal game that can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys card games or even puzzle games. The port to the Switch was a wonderful decision, but no matter where you play Thronebreaker, you are in for a fantastic experience.

Arc of Alchemist had potential, but, ultimately, fails to deliver a compelling experience. If you like chibi characters, lots of dialogue, grinding, and mindless battle systems, you might enjoy Arc of Alchemist. Otherwise, this is a game you can easily skip.

It would be harsh to call The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics uninspired, but it’s clearly more focused on promoting the Netflix series than providing a rewarding, standalone gameplay experience. Fans of the streaming show may enjoy seeing their favorite characters through a different and more interactive lens but those unfamiliar with the series may find Tactics’ story opaque.

Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Videogame 3 can be really grindy if you don’t want to pay the extra money and I, for one, really don’t want to. It takes persistent racing to upgrade the bike to hit those precious podiums but excellent physics and responsive handling keep the gameplay constantly rewarding. The game has a nice discipline to it, an important virtue I’d like to see in more videogames. It doesn’t needlessly ramble all over the place but keeps its focus firmly on the supercross. Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Videogame 3 is good at what it does. Simple wisdom behind any good game.

After so many years of anticipation, I was ready to love Stranger's Wrath. The world Oddworld Inhabitants created here is worthy of that love but the actual game set in it is a throwback in all the wrong ways. While I wish there were more to it, there's just not much of interest here. With so many great games from the past getting a second chance on the Switch, there's no real need to meet this stranger.

Had Reforged been an optional and free graphical update, undersold and understated and a gift to fans, I doubt there would be any backlash. Instead, Blizzard suggested a revolutionary re-imagining of one of gaming’s most popular titles and failed spectacularly to deliver it. Warcraft III: Reforged does not diminish the core experience that made the game great, but its relatively modest improvements are coupled with some missing features and technical issues that make it a disappointment.

It's a shame that the difficulty spike was so abrupt and painful. There is the core of a great game here. A little more play-testing or a little bending of the design philosophy to allow a hint system would have allowed me to retain the initial positive feelings I had towards the game. I hope that the developers make more games in this vein and refine their formula further.

Patapon 2 Remastered is still a charming little game that rhythm fans will certainly enjoy. There's a lot of customization options here that all center around how much replayability you can stand, and the game rewards you for perseverance.

The combat balances its melee and ranged weapons, and the enemies offer enough unique challenges. It may not excel at the things Metroidvania games are generally known for, but Kunai is a fun action-platformer in its own right.

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.

Although a wider mix of genres would be welcome, Audica’s primary disappointment is that the musical tracks and laser pistol shooting seem more like parallel elements instead of perfectly integrated and complementary aspects of the game. There’s plenty of content and challenge in Audica, just not the same joyous highs and sensation of being inside the music that a few other VR music games provide.

Effie has a lot going on, but without any real direction. It evokes vague senses of nostalgia from games with clear visions, but fails to do much with the inspirations it draws from. The open world’s visuals are somewhat of a treat synergized well with the impressive shield-surfing gameplay. Mechanically unfocused, the game is ultimately hindered by an overly ambitious approach to the design. Effie might be worth looking for those who are okay with a simple, shallow platforming experience.

A mediocre story and weak protagonist may keep Tokyo Mirage Sessions from going down as an all-time classic, but phenomenal world building and addicting gameplay still make this a game I know I'll remember for years to come. If anything, it may stick with me more because the reasons I like it are so different from why I normally connect with its genre. If you have any interest in any of the franchises involved here and you missed the game the first time on the Wii U, don't make the same mistake again.

It’s rather interesting that XSEED decided to bring Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls to the PC. It’s not that it’s old-fashioned because it’s a ten-year-old game. No, by the time the game was originally released, role-playing games, even first-person dungeon crawlers, had evolved in leaps and bounds from their ancient beginnings - and for a good reason. I remember playing aforementioned Eye of the Beholder games in the early 90s and being totally immersed in them. In its forced nostalgia, Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls is paper-thin in comparison.

Make no mistake about it, Iceborne is a full five-star expansion that adds dozens of hours’ worth of sizzling action to the brilliant base game but technical issues at the PC port’s launch reduce the score. After a few patches, the game is near the level the fans deserve but still it needs some more tender, love and care to make it perfect. When you get it to work, though, Iceborne is a beautiful and engaging playground for new, exciting hunts among magnificent and imposing monsters, a thrill ride like no other. It may be just pure entertainment without anything poignant to tell but in that context, its gameplay and the bounty are nigh perfect.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was designed for a specific audience and likely will not draw people who aren’t already invested in the series. For everyone else, Bandai Namco has delivered a gift to Dragon Ball fans the world over, a loving tribute to Japan’s most popular and endearing addition to popular culture.

Goodbye Deponia paints an animated world that welcomes players in with its crazy cast, sensational sci-fi, and inventive puzzles. It’s not the easiest to get into if you’re new to the genre, but those used to point-and-click logic will feel right at home. If you have played the previous two games in the series, then it’s an easy recommendation to finish the story and see if our unlikely band of heroes ever makes it to Deponia.

Journey to the Savage Planet might just be the first great game of 2020. It’s beautiful, compelling, fun, and funny. It’s difficult to think about the game without comparing it to other recent titles. Visually, it’s similar to No Man’s Sky; tonally, it’s akin to The Outer Worlds; and the level-design takes a page from Metroid Prime. Even with all of these seemingly obvious inspirations, the way Savage Planet combines its various elements makes it feel completely unique. Despite the fact that, in the end, Savage Planet doesn’t fully stick the landing, it embodies the words of Shepherd Book: it doesn’t matter where you're going because how you get there is the worthier part. And this is a most excellent way to get there.

Super Crush KO offers fantastic style and solid gameplay which is a strong opening combo for any action game. Far too little variety, even for a game this short, keeps it from being a must play, but there is fun to be had if you go in with the right expectations.

If Darkstation had a category for “best comeback game” I’d feel confident that AO Tennis 2 would win it for 2020 and we’re only a couple of weeks in. The improvements in this game over the last two years are absolutely incredible. This is a great game of tennis that has some rough around the edges that with time, patches, and future installments could make for quite the franchise. Had you told me that after the first game I would have laughed, but AO Tennis 2 is the real deal and I’m excited to see where the series goes from here.

If you can get past the graphical limitations and enjoy the game for its interesting puzzles and story, then Close To The Sun is well worth your time and money. If not then perhaps try it on another platform. After all, the Switch version is a compromise that allows you to play it on the go, and because of that it probably doesn’t do the game justice. I for one, intend to pick up the game and give it a go on a console, or maybe when it releases on Steam next year. But regardless of the platform, you choose to play it on, you can expect to enjoy Close To The Sun not only for its gameplay but also for its story of horror, mystery, and intrigue.

Avicii Invector follows a path that led Harmonix to greatness and while I don’t think Hello There Games will go the same distance, they made a really solid and fun music game to play. The only real criticism that can be levied against the game is its moderately short length. A 25 song setlist is a decent amount of content but once you’ve gone through them, there’s really nothing else to do except challenge yourself to higher difficulty settings. The game is a nice tribute to the artist, though I feel there’s more that could have been added to make it a little more personal. Regardless, Avicii Invector is a fine celebration of a talented performer that sizzles with high energy.

It’s a game I can’t help but madly recommend to everyone who may wash up on this site’s shores. With gripping game design shored up by fantastic visuals and stimulating storytelling, Return of the Obra Dinn solidifies Lucas Pope as a game-craftsman of remarkable talent.

Bee Simulator seems pressed into mixing action elements with educational tools about one of Earth’s most fascinating insects. I don’t decry Varsav Games, and publisher Big Ben Interactive, for trying to tap into this specialized market. But at virtually every turn I was simply going through the motions until completion after the opening half-hour. Whether it’s in respect to the repetitive gameplay structure, unsatisfying flight controls, or deflating brevity, there’s really no reason to see what the buzz is about. Bee Simulator is a well-meaning edutainment game but its honeymoon period is gone at breakneck speed. You’ve bee-n warned, and I’ve run out of puns.

There's not enough variety here to sustain a full game, but efforts to make this into an Olympic game would likely have led to less focus on the ski jumping and that's not the answer here because the ski jumping itself is done so well. My recommendation here has to be measured because of the lack of variety even where there was room for more and because the gameplay loop feels off, but for the pure sensation of riding down that slope, Ski Jumping Pro VR is worth checking out.

A wonderful soundtrack and a visual style which is simple but appealing finish setting the tone for Wattam. While it’s a simple, direct game, during my time with it, I almost constantly had a huge grin on my face. Takahashi's brand of weird works for me and even all these years after Katamari, that's still the case. If his style works for you, I think you'll have a great time with Wattam. It may not last you long but it's a time that will stay with you which is worth celebrating.

Some building games are fun but ultimately feel aimless. Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a solid building game at the heart of a lengthy and well-written RPG, so that the building is always in the service of something, no matter how whimsical or weird. Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a fun and satisfying experience on many levels and the PC version is almost certainly the ultimate way to enjoy it, but like the console versions, it requires time and a commitment to the long game.

Overall, it feels skeletal and in need of more meat on its bones, more consistent pacing and a bit more mechanical complexity. Even the most inept puzzle solvers will breeze through Weakless in less than a handful of hours and its linear direction and puzzle design don’t leave much for additional playthroughs.

Command-based RPGs are becoming a thing of the past but SaGa: Scarlet Grace shows that there’s still life to them when they are made passionately and effectively. Backed up by likable characters and bright outlook, the game lives up to the legacy of the series that while very niche, has been bubbling under more big-named franchises, only waiting to make a creditable return to players’ awareness. SaGa: Scarlet Grace - Ambitions is worth recommending to anyone looking for an unstrained and lively JRPG. An old cliché “easy to pick up but hard to put down” holds very much true to it.

Where The Water Tastes Like Wine is a fascinating idea for a game that is probably best experienced in small, shorter doses.

All in all, I have to recommend Ashen to all fans of the Souls-style games, Metroidvanias, challenging games, etc. Anyone who is unfamiliar with these types of titles, then by all means jump in to Ashen, as the option to have AI or a friend by your side can make all the difference in how you play the game, and can really open it up to new audiences. Ashen is out on PC, PS4, Xbox One and now on Nintendo Switch. Personally, the Switch version is a perfect pick-up-and-play game, allowing you to venture deeper into the world one session at a time. While the game is not as large-scale as some of its inspirations may be, it's worth playing all the same.

The real problem with Heroland is that it can’t decide what it wants to be. Is it a JRPG? A resource management game? A visual novel? It tries to do too much and ends up lacking the necessary gameplay element to make it a complete package. However, if you enjoy a charming, dialogue-heavy game with a grind, you just might enjoy Heroland.

Ultimately, the Arctic Pack is the same kind of high quality content that we’ve come to expect from Frontier, and sets the stage for a series of geography-themed DLC. The sticking point for some players will be the cost. At $10, it could be argued that the number of animals and other goodies is a little thin. Planet Coaster had a habit of including free content updates in addition to, and often alongside, paid DLC and one hopes this will continue with Planet Zoo. The Arctic Pack is an excellent, if not especially generous, supplement to the base game.

Overall, this particular port of Star Ocean is simultaneously the absolute best way to play the game today and a bit underwhelming at the same time. Only little has changed between First Departure and First Departure R, mainly portraits, audio choices and upscaling while the gameplay remains rather outdated. The port was literally made for more sales, but I’m still glad they brought this classic game to modern consoles and I had a bunch of fun playing it once again. Here’s hoping we see a Star Ocean: Second Story R in 2020!

It’s hard to imagine RPG fans used to God of War or Outer Worlds finding Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition anything but nearly unplayable. Graphics aren’t everything, but dated appearance married to a frustrating UI and even some missing features are asking a lot to be forgiven. Extremely tolerant gamers willing to overlook these flaws and seek the under-the-surface quality will find it, but playing a true remake or graphically made-over game would be a more inviting prospect than the disappointing port that we actually have.

For what it’s worth, I think the developers of Narcos were on the right track. They had a good idea that other games have nearly perfected, and tried to add their own twist to it. Sometimes those chances work out, giving us another way to play some of our favorite game types. This was not one of those times. Narcos tried to change the game. It just didn’t work.

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 can feel weird going back to the older format after spending hours acclimating yourself to the gameplay of New Creed but neither Black Flag or Rogue feel dated in any way and remain insanely playable to this day. And if that doesn’t sell you, perhaps knowing that the Rebel Collection offers the finest collection of sea shanties this side of the West Indies will have you galavanting over to the Nintendo eShop.

Nancy Drew games are often considered as “girls’ games” but I think that conception is ancient and belongs to the past. Anyone who likes a good, relaxed crime story without excess violence is allowed to enjoy Nancy Drew: Midnight in Salem.

If the intention of Coteries of New York was to remind me how excited I am about Bloodlines 2, and how much I enjoy the lore of Vampire: The Masquerade, then we’ll call this a win. As a visual novel, it is a solid story, flawed only by visual repetition and some bare-bones production. It’s an intriguing tale, well told, but over too soon and not inviting to revisit.

Its dynamic gameplay birthed unforgettable, heroic tales of agents who made amazing triumphs and ultimate sacrifices alike that I still remember over twenty years later. Unfortunately, Phoenix Point never inspires in the same way. The turn-based combat is probably among the best the genre offers but the hollow string of separate missions the procedurally created content weaves can’t carry the game. Ultimately, Phoenix Point is only for true believers of the genre - if they don’t mind the meaningless framework the game is put onto, that is.

On the surface, Romancing SaGa 3 looks like an instant recommendation for anyone who loves traditional SNES JRPGs, but in reality, that’s not the case. The game is very different from many other conventional JRPGs. Even the most die-hard fans of the genre will find the game frustrating unless they are willing to invest in learning its finer details.

Bug Fables is a truly excellent spiritual successor to the original Paper Mario format. It’s made with loving care and is a lot of fun, and I cannot recommend it enough to those who want to re-live the first two Paper Mario games, or just anyone who wants to play a cute RPG with a lot of heart.

Shovel Knight: King of Cards is a successful union of its disparate halves, existing as both a platformer with consistently inventive level design and an engaging collectible card game. Joustus and the platforming offer a well-choreographed sequence of challenges that deliver constant variation. Half a decade later, this formula still holds up, and while it may have needed a booster shot of an entirely new sub-game, this injection is quite successful. It's a fitting send-off for a title that helped define a new wave of indies. By liberally borrowed the best aspects of games from the past while showcasing the strengths of modern design principles, Shovel Knight has earned its spot in the annals of the medium. Its latest installment lives up to that legacy.

In the case of Everreach: Project Eden, some mechanical issues with AI or balance can be patched, which other problems are more in the realm of aesthetics and direction and are probably doomed to never go away. There’s nothing wrong with a game having a clear inspiration — most every game does — but failing to innovate on that model can result in what we have here, a product that feels like an unconvincing imitation.

MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries offers a lot of content, but not all of it is interesting, accessible or fun and much feels like its in need of some streamlining in the cause of playability. There are moments of intense and impressive action to be found, but they are bundled with obtuse mechanics and bland storytelling. Playing Mercenaries can feel both like a chore and slow-mo thrill ride.

I wanted to love Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts. There is a lot that is well done here, particularly the shooting, the upgrades, and the level design. Unfortunately, it is all but marred by bugs, especially the way the save system currently works… or doesn’t. If you’re in the market for a new sniping shooter, I cannot in good conscious recommend Contracts, it’s simply too frustrating to play in its current state.

You don’t have to dig too deeply to find that Golem, for all its inane faults, has some really interesting mechanical ideas for VR gaming. It’s one of the very few adventures that give you a sword to swing around in real-time and makes a concerted effort to make melee duels look and feel meaningful. And like I said before, it’s cool when it works correctly. The technical problems and physical discomfort were just too hard to ignore because of how actively they work against you, causing me to stop playing. From the needless complexity of the game’s pathfinding and a boring world to its physically bothersome movement mechanics, too often does Golem feel like a beast of burden.

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.

There are interesting concepts at play here and I definitely understand why the team behind Interrogation were inspired to create it. It looks great with a black and white, noir-like visual style which really lands. From gameplay to messaging, though, Interrogation fails on almost every other level. Some of the more insane scenes that show up are something to behold but not for any sort of good reason. Don't be deceived into thinking Interrogation is worth your time.

Games are often escapist entertainment, but not everyone enjoys games that are full of tension, conflict or violence - at least all of the time. Lost Ember is a different form of escapism, an emotional and soothing journey into the natural world and its nonhuman inhabitants. People who play games for the challenges won’t find them in Lost Ember, but there other pleasures to discover and a thoughtful story that resonates with the power of ancient mythology.

Although it doesn’t include all the PC game’s extra content, Civ VI comes to the PS4 and Xbox with both the Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions and the latter in particular is a literal game changer. I can certainly imagine using Civ VI as an engaging educational tool to consider the many competing forces around climate change. That sounds dreary. Of course, Civilization VI on PS4 remains what it has always been: addictive, accessible and fun.

At this point in the lifespan of The Sims 4, there are so many expansions and add-ons that the amount of content is a bit overwhelming, and allows the player to craft a world that is grounded in reality, full of magic and fantasy or somewhere in between. The Sims 4: Discover University is definitely weighted towards the real-world experiences and lessons of college life and in addition to being highly entertaining, might just possibly have some educational value of its own.

For the most part, you'll spend your time solving pleasant puzzles, enjoying a pleasant story, and having a pleasant time. The Layton series can be so much better than this, though, and I hope their next outing, no matter who it stars, aims higher.

Doctor Who: The Edge of Time has some fun ideas and offers fans a great opportunity to go on a time-hopping adventure with the greatest alien hero television has ever seen. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite feel ready for prime time nor is it optimized well enough on the PlayStation 4.

If you’re only after the latest technological breaks or think that gun oil smells better than a flower field in spring, Shenmue III really isn’t for you. On the other hand, in a world where the climate change is real yet stubborn and ignorant powers that be refuse to believe it and where narrow-minded right-wing populism gains a foothold and tries to hinder the progress towards equality in all things, we need a game that advocates the values we need to survive as species. Still, Shenmue III takes a certain state of mind because it’s unmistakably what Shenmue used to be, and not how it’s supposed to be now. I hope that there will be Shenmue IV to give closure to the story and like this, it will stay true to what it is.

Pokémon Sword is the best Pokémon game in many ways. With a necessary streamlining and major leaps in presentation, Game Freak has developed a title that impresses in all the right ways. However, the occasional peculiarity in design manages to wriggle its way into the game, slightly hindering the experience. Regardless, it’s an incredible title that moves above and beyond in many aspects, while tripping up in others. Pokémon Sword is undoubtedly worth recommending as it irons out major design issues from the series, while creating an engaging, fresh Pokémon journey with plenty to offer.

As a hobbyist and critic, I’ve played a lot of games in the past few years that feel like they make a solid case for VR, games of imagination or innovation that simply couldn’t exist in any other medium. In contrast, Last Labyrinth just demonstrates that a poor game is not redeemed by VR, but made exponentially worse. Dark, dull and depressingly devoid of real entertainment value, Last Labyrinth is — like a shadow-filled room — best avoided.

I feel on principle, I should be over the moon with Jedi: Fallen Order. Even with all the negative things I brought up in this review, I strongly feel that it is one of the best Star Wars experiences money can buy. It certainly washes away the bad taste of Force Unleashed II. As much as I struggled with the SekiDarkSoulsBorne gameplay, it offers the best realization of lightsaber combat that I really, really wanted to get good at. I don’t feel it matches the finesse of the From Software titles but at the end of the day, I can appreciate it. What hurts the game overall, though, are its technical problems that cover the product with a notable stain.

When a game is genuinely good, it doesn’t feel like I’m playing it just for the sake of the review. Need for Speed Heat evokes that feeling as I’m simply having too much fun with it. Compared to its obvious role models, it doesn’t ramble all over the place but has a grateful focus to it. The game comfortably speeds along a yellow brick road that goes neatly between calculated appeal of Forza Horizon and the excess abundance of The Crew, and that’s why I liked it better than those two. In fact, I’m afraid that NFS Heat kind of spoils its genre. I need games with a human touch and after this, racing games without this much personality just won’t do anymore

Tangle Tower is still worth exploring despite its issues, especially for those with access to Apple Arcade. At it's piecemeal $20 price tag, though, the game's flaws are less forgivable. If anything, Tangle Tower makes a compelling case for a long-running franchise starring Detective Grimoire and Sally. The foundation is there: sharp writing, beautiful presentation, phenomenal voice work, stellar music. With just a little more time in the oven, SFB's next game could be something truly special. For now, we'll just have to settle for "good."