Wastelands is great because it marks a real turning point in the story and offers an ending that promises to seriously test the Diaz brother’s resolve.

PSP gamers gets a royal treatment as the sequel to the highly acclaimed puzzler is improves in every aspect by this hugely enjoyable sequel.

It's a very fun game but it requires an open mind.

While Gigantic builds on a foundation that has already been set, the architects at Motiga have a blueprint with real potential. The Clash and Guardian system is distinctive and gives a great sense of scale, while the list of heroes is colorful, yet not over-designed. This isn’t just another MOBA; it’s a unique experience that takes the minimum requirements to qualify for the genre and goes off on its own tangent – and I couldn’t be happier for it.

SteamWorld Heist is a phenomenal addition to the Switch library. Its story might not be the most gripping of tales, but its deep and varied combat ensures that players will come back to it time and time again to test their wits and take on more challenging difficulties. Clocking in at around 15 hours, there's also quite a lot of bang for your buck to go around. It might be a spinoff and a port, but for those interested in a deep yet accessible SRPG that you can take on the go, SteamWorld Heist deserves to be on your radar.

A simple rogue-like shoot’em up adventure with tons of replay value that manages to add so much to its original incarnation that I can say without a shadow of doubt that, yes, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth was worth remaking.

Dead Rising 3 Apocalypse Edition is a must-have for any sandbox rampage lover.

While it isn’t technically a new game, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening looks and feels as fresh and inviting as any new game released on the Switch. It preserves all the strange, playful fun of the original while utterly transforming it visually and mechanically, and preserves everything that made Link’s Awakening a classic. Whether you’re playing it for the first time or revisiting a longtime favorite, you won’t be disappointed.

Simple but effective, The Last Door offers a great, chilling narrative experience. A little on the short side, episodes do not run longer than thirty minutes or so, but its levity is no reason to ignore this well written and conceived story of the supernatural.

With over 30 tracks, hundreds of impressively rendered cars, and a robust and option-rich single player campaign (not to mention endless single, one-off races), Forza 7 has to represent the current apex of the racing sim. While it isn't a decisive leap forward from Forza 6, neither is it a step back. The cars just get better looking, the handling more precise, and the overall experience more comprehensive and immersive. I can't wait to try it on the Xbox One X.

Though a sluggish leveling system prevents a consistent sense of progression, the stirring single-player campaign, and endlessly enjoyable multiplayer modes cement Battlefield 1 as a new staple in the first-person shooter genre, and prove that WW1 is just as captivating of a time period to explore than any imagining of modern or future eras.

Sony ports their premier MLB franchise to the handheld, and far from being a dumbed down version, this could be the definitive baseball experience rivaling its console counterpart.

San Andreas is still San Andreas, and although the visuals failed to impress the gameplay is still as solid and engaging as ever.

Studio MDHR’s Cuphead is going to be one of those game you’ll either totally love or hate with a fury hotter than the fires of hell. This is a really, really hard game. One of its oddities is the inclusion of a Simple mode for bosses that make the battles significant easier except you cannot advance to the next world unless you've taken out their Regular forms. And because the Simple variants aren’t particularly helpful, there’s no reason they should exist. The platformer minded Run ‘n Gun stages are nice diversions but at their worst, you can tell they were added for wider appeal. As someone who absolutely love what Cuphead is, I learned to take these issues in stride. This is a game that made such a huge splash on arrival and has more personality and charm than anything launched this year.

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is a great fit on the Nintendo Switch. The portable nature of the game makes it easy to use at a party or game night, while the game's tense nature and challenging, randomized puzzles offers plenty of exciting fun for those willing to learn the game's ins and outs. At 15 bucks, there aren't much better party games you can get than Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes.

For any platformer fan, or fan of the previous game, LittleBigPlanet 2 is a game worth checking out.

It would be legitimate to complain that Dragon Quest XI and the franchise as a whole has not evolved much, and less patient players may balk at the game’s grind-heavy, deliberate pace and missing features like save-anywhere systems, tactical positioning or even character models that don’t reflect worn armor. It’s important to note that while these design decisions are debatable, their implementation in Dragon Quest XI is deliberate, and the game’s overall polish and presentation is excellent. Taken on its own terms, the good-natured characters, interesting story, colorful visuals and exciting combat add up to a very specific, but immensely enjoyable, experience.

Resistance 2 improves on an already great title with a fun campaign and competitive multiplayer and fantastic cooperative play.

The beleaguered handheld gets a huge boost with this perfectly crafted action platformer. The comedic duo absolutely shines in this superb adventure.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is not just a good game, it’s a great game. The port to the Switch was brilliantly executed, taking full advantage of the console's portability. While I could not recommend it for Switch owners more, the fact it’s only $40 means you’re getting a top quality game at a much better price. Do yourself a favor, and join Captain Toad and Toadette on this adventure. The journey you’ll take is definitely worth it.

The only reason this game isn't perfectly fun is because it does once again leave us wanting more, and in that I am referring to online play.

One of the, if not the best, best squad based shooters on the market today.

Everything in the game adds up to the overall experience, making The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II one of the best in the genre. The third part of Trails of Cold Steel saga has seen the daylight only in Japan for PS4. I hope the western PC conversion doesn’t take too much time to arrive. I want to see what’s stored for Rean and Class VII in the future!

If you have sat a few years out on the franchise or even if your a regular NHL fan, NHL 09 is a game that all sports fans need to check out.

The additional content may not be substantial enough to entice seasoned players, but it adds to the complete lore, so hardcore fans may find it still worthwhile. Not to mention that the game adds at least 10 hours to an existing 40-60 hour playtime. Newcomers and veterans who want to relive the excellent story, time-travel mechanics, and combat system will find Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology to be worth their… time.

Suikoden has always been one of the underrated console RPG, and it really shines here with an engaging plot, solid combat system and stylish visuals.

Star Wars Pinball is a great collection of themed tables, and it manages to fit as many references from the series to please any Jedi or Sith Lord. Of course, if you’re not a fan of either Star Wars or pinball, I would first recommend Zen Studios’ other pinball tables or other Star Wars games. But if you adore the franchise, this is a fun and addictive way to re-experience the galactic fantasy world. The Force is strong with this one.

Between its story, flavorful presentation, and adequate point-and-click gameplay, there is a lot to like with this episode of Broken Age.

Beat Saber comes at the end of a really important year for the PSVR, with games like Tetris Effect, Moss, and Astro Bot Rescue Mission giving renewed life to the two-year old device. These games — but especially Beat Saber — are the best evidence for VR being more than a promising but ultimately niche technology. It has mass appeal and gameplay that just about anyone can enjoy.

Sine Mora EX doesn’t do much to differentiate between its older version. Apart from an added local couch co-op mode, new time attack variants, difficult challenge modes, and a boost in visuals, you’d be hard pressed to find anything out of the ordinary. I enjoyed the game more after playing it on a larger television screen because the game’s beauty and detail are done justice on a 55” screen as opposed to the smaller OLED on the Vita. Even if shmups are not your thing, passing on Sine Mora EX for that reason means missing out on a great, story driven side scrolling shooter that has style, maturity, and unexpected plot twists.

Whether you are a returning fan or looking for an experience similar to Shovel Knight, this collection has a lot to offer. The core gameplay has not lost it’s potency with age. For those looking for old school challenge or experience the definitive version of the early Mega Man classics, look no further than the Mega Man Legacy Collection.

Sine Mora is one of the most beautiful shmups I've ever had the chance to play. It's also a solid action title with a surprisingly deep story about the lengths someone will go for revenge. Purists will find it a fresh addition to their collection while casual observers may be turned off by the short length and the game's masochistic delight in punishing players with nearly impossible odds.

Hats off to Artifex Mundi for having guts to make a diversion into point-and-click adventures. Irony Curtain: From Matryoshka with Love could easily have been a leftover turkey that wasn’t tasty even the first time it was roasted, but it sticks its landing right through to the very last scene. Despite being an indie title, the game is crafted deceivingly professionally. That’s especially highlighted in the script that has been properly edited to sharpen its impact with only minimum slack. In these days of mostly grim entertainment, it was so liberating to laugh with the game and be constantly amused by its many wonderful twists and turns.

Although not a monumental step forward, MLB 11: The Show continues to be the king of the diamond. The new analog controls add an extra layer to the experience that works really well.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the culmination of decades of an acclaimed series that repeatedly raised the bar with every entry. The storytelling may not please everyone, especially the initiated, but this is unquestionably the best gameplay in a Metal Gear game.

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

Competition in the 4X space might seem quaint to some, but Stardock easily proves that there’s more than one great ruler who deserves fealty.

I cannot recommend this game enough if you are a fan of slow-moving tactics genres. If you aren't, well, I would still give this a try if you have some cash burning in your pocket. It really is just that much fun!

If you're a fan of GTA, then Bully: Scholarship Edition is a game that you should at least check and give a chance, it will surprise you.

Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken was a genuine surprise. I wasn’t expecting much outside of a silly romp that pitted chickens against penguins for world supremacy. What I got was a game that had contained the plight of child soldiers, guerrilla warfare and redemption all wrapped in a near-inappropriate layer of silliness.

There is no doubt about it; Dead Space 2 is one of the most intense video games ever created and one that should not be missed. Whether you played the original or not, this is the first game of 2011 that I would say is a "must own".

Far Cry 2 may be the surprise game of the holiday season.

It is not a game for everyone, it is not even a game for most, but for those who want a challenging, deep, role playing game that doesn't pander to a mainstream audience and pushes you as far as you can go then you'll be in for a treat, but be prepared to die!

While I strongly feel it was a crime both NieR and Drakengard 3 were grossly overlooked by the media and blatantly judged only by their flaws, it was about time Yoko Taro's genius got the deserving attention and praise in the form of NieR: Automata. One shouldn't underrate the part PlatinumGames have played in the process though. The game might be Taro's baby but PlatinumGames has fostered it to a fine specimen of a Japanese action RPG. Not as brash and mad as Taro's previous offerings but more bold and proud. Much like the protagonist 2B herself.

If your even somewhat a fan of game shows or even the Buzz! franchise, Buzz! Quiz TV is a must have game this holiday season.

Sky Force: Reloaded was a game that truly surprised me. Despite being several years old, everything feels modern and polished. While it can be challenging, it never deterred me from playing thanks to brilliant design choices that kept me motivated rather than frustrated. It’s an easy game to recommend and one that I see coming back to for a long time to come.

The Last Guardian is proof -- for anyone who doubts it -- that video games can be a unique and emotionally powerful form of participatory storytelling. On top of that, The Last Guardian's visuals and creature design give it a timeless, mythic quality that both call to mind the sweet-natured Ico and the towering scale of Shadows of the Colossus. Exciting, challenging, and full of heart, The Last Guardian is unforgettable.

Super Stardust HD takes an old genre and reinvents it in a way that gives us fond memories of past games along with delivering an intense and challenging game.

The mighty Ghost Recon series soldiers with the customary smooth gameplay, balanced AI and next-gen visuals. The best squad-based shooter on the 360 by far.

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

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

Tetris Effect, as a Tetris delivery system, also does what it does very well, making this the version you simply must own if you must own a version. I mean, it’s Tetris. What the hell else is there to say.

If you can look past the generic space-robot visuals and lackluster combat, Fractured Soul is a fantastic idea for the multi-screened device. The dimensional swapping is a cool way to bring life to some old platforming concepts, and the controls and gameplay are so polished you can feel the dedication the team had to making the game challenging, yet still playable.

If you enjoyed the puzzle nature of Portal and the action of Shadow Complex, there is no reason why you shouldn't play Rochard. Even if you didn't particularly like those games, I feel that you should give it a shot. Not only is Rochard fun to play, it is incredibly well built and glistens with polish.

MLB 10: The Show is a great game of baseball and is one that has the staying power to be a game you can continue playing well into the dog days of summer.

Although the game does not include online play it has enough modes in it to really keep most of us satisfied for quite a long time.

Nier: Automata is a really compelling piece of science fiction. It builds on the thematic foundation of sentient robots and takes into a bold and heart-wrenching direction. The emotionally rich saga is further bolstered by an intensely memorable soundtrack that add so much flavor and extra dimension to the multiform narrative.

With four episodes left, and this episode ending with one hell of a mystery left to solve with a villain hot on their tales, I am looking forward to picking up with the Guardians to see where adventure takes them. Consider my interest also peaked for finding out how they eventually work Thanos back into the mix. Until then, we’re left with a wonderfully solid first chapter that leaves me with the hope that Telltale’s best is still to come.

The third iteration in the famous franchise continues to domintae the weapons-based fighting genre with the even larger cast and smoother gameplay engine.

Although it could be more robust, whether you build a standalone old-timey park or simply add a nostalgic area to a modern megapark, the Vintage Pack adds useful and well-designed elements to the game. Coupled with the free content update - which also includes a historic coaster from England - Planet Coaster just keeps getting better all the time.

Featur[es] a perfected kicking controls and updated visuals.

Spin-off or not, and not going into long-winded arguments for and against, the game does some things better than some of the latest main series entries. The turn-based combat is not only welcome, but it’s implemented on a level that surpasses the nostalgic legacy of it. Also, the writing is worth of a praise. As one half of the twins myself (with a brother though, not a cute thing like Reynn!), I really appreciate the banter between Reynn and Lann. It’s so fun, acute and savvy! World of Final Fantasy might be a bit of a slow burner, as it takes some time to get familiar with it, but when it opens up, you’ll be lost in the beauty of it, hunting mirages and resolving the mystery of the twins and the world around them.

Age of Decadence is a thinking person’s RPG, and rewards patience and attention to detail. It doesn’t waste your time with meaningless tasks or busywork, though ultimately, pouring time into crafting or alchemy or weaponsmithing and combat are just as viable as developing persuasion or talking your way out of conflict.

For those of you fans of the original wishing for better online support should definitely check out Return to Arms, because I think it just may have what you are looking for.

The addition of The Masters continues to push the Tiger Woods franchise forward. Although there were no major changes to the gameplay this remains to be an amazing game of golf.

If you are looking for a competitive game to play at your next social gathering or want to increase your adrenaline levels with some intense, fast-paced battles, then destroying robots with rocket powered fists is the way to go.

In some ways the game feels pigeonholed by its genre and its aesthetic qualities don't do it any favors, but Fight'N Rage elevates the hot-blooded action of old-school beat em' ups to new heights.

Overall Q.U.B.E Director’s Cut is a great puzzle game for those that haven’t played the original version. If you played it back in 2011 this game won’t have much to offer in the way of new content and excitement.

It’s great that pinball is back, and it’s even better that Zen Studios seems to be back to form after the time off. The Universal Classics are just that, and while they don’t check all the boxes, particularly in the voice/sound department, the looks, complete with higher resolutions and crisper textures, and table accouterment are enough to make these a worthy buy.

If you own a Vita then you know the list of games is pretty low right now and Orgarhythm is a unique experience that anyone with a Vita should be willing to check out.

Despite not really achieving anything with its barely-there story, SteamWorld Dig is an excellent surprise from an independent studio putting out a game that is more than the sum of its parts.

All in all, Infinite: Beyond the Soul mimics old action games unexpectedly well, but often with smarter gameplay. Too many games these days are about pressing left, square, right, circle, up, X, down, left bumper, right bumper, both triggers down and a Buddha prayer on top to make things happen. That’s why a game like Infinite: Beyond the Mind is more than called for; it’s a blessed throwback to simpler times and games.

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

“Dark Room” delivers the same level of high emotional drama as previous episodes and raises the stakes for what is expected to be a busy finale.

Anyone who played and enjoyed Dishonored will recognize that its sequel meets or exceeds what players enjoyed about the first game. Excellent level design and a convincing world are coupled with a rich suite of weapons and abilities, guaranteeing that every enemy encounter is an opportunity for creative mayhem (or cleverly avoiding it). An underwhelming story, rote voice acting, and aging graphics aren't enough to do more than tarnish what is at core a fantastic and fun experience.

It combines the old school style gameplay from the games past and it takes on a new aged style as well.

Even at its most complex, Cities: Skylines underplays the economic sim/drudgery of operating and expanding a metropolis in favor of bigger picture stats. Most of all, there’s the pleasure and relaxing creativity that come from puttering around and watching one’s city functioning well and imagining its tiny citizens happy with their little lives. And now, with Campus, those people can better themselves through education. The expansion isn’t mind-blowing but it does toss a substantial amount of new content on an already impressive pile.

The exploration is awesome. The upgrade system is awesome. The game was just awesome. Its available on damn-near every platform and if you haven’t played it yet you definitely should.

SteamWorld Dig 2 is a sequel that does more than simply update the original. It creates a larger world structured like a Metroidvania by adding more mazelike corridors and open rooms. On the flip side, the digging segments feel more tedious this time around, especially when compared to the excellently designed challenge caverns and environmental puzzles. Regardless, the constant progression loops and enticing upgrades carry the game along, keeping the adventure interesting. And the prospect of uncovering the secret truths underground remains alluring throughout. If you enjoy games like Metroid, you’ll likely dig this game.

It doesn’t live up to what it could, what it SHOULD, be. It has some cool ideas, it has some that need work and it needs more content. It survives because it has a solid parent of a game to draw upon but it hasn’t done enough to distance itself far enough away.

Some up-close texture issues, occasional framerate hiccups, and a lackluster cadre of voice actors aside, Battlestar Galactica: Deadlock is one of the best -- and certainly, most respectful -- of the Galactica -inspired games. Although no game has really captured the deep philosophical underpinnings and complex human drama that made the series so engaging Deadlock nails the exciting and tactical battles that were such a memorable aspect of the show.

Grab Games has done a great job of marrying the winning formula of Punch-Out! with virtual reality. Learning how to handle each fighter’s repertoire of attacks takes patience and memorization but on the plus side, you’ll get a great workout along the way. It’d be cool if the mini-games offered more advantages to the player but that’s no reason to ignore this fun and energetic sports game.

Its enjoyment relies so much on its visual flair but at the same time, the game is perfect for those people who just love nothing more than a good grind. Either way, Dragon's Crown Pro is a sure-fire buy for anyone in a mood for old-fashioned fantasy.

Ever dream of sailing the high seas and plundering treasures and riches from all over? Then Sid Meier may have given you the perfect pirates game.

Master of Anima has pleasantly surprised me. It's a great real-time tactical game at the core, merged brilliantly with action-adventure elements, resulting in a very delightful gaming experience. The gameplay is immersive, challenging and fun. It's a solid choice for strategy/adventure fans everywhere.

Aside from a few missions which have some unexciting objectives, you have a game that combines fun stealth with a good storyline.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy may not reset your thoughts on the series, but it’s still an excellent game in a long-running series, and even people who’ve never played a game in the franchise can enjoy their experiences with the game.

While there are a few frustrations that keep Anomaly 2 from being truly fantastic, the game’s additions to it’s unique tower offense gameplay makes this a worthwhile sequel.

As a ten dollar DLG, I can say that there's enough about Sideway that's unique and ably designed for it to do well, despite the Skyrims and Modern Warfares of this season.

This is a title that finally brings new life to the console versions of The Sims, and if you're a fan of either The Sims, or just being deserted on a island, this is a game you need to check out.

Despite some clunkiness of the control system, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a fun and challenging VR survival game that is also a case for not judging a book by its cover. Bored as I am with Robert Kirkman’s zombie series, there’s no reason to not add this to your PSVR collection.

Madden NFL 17 is an incredible game of football, however it feels like the safest step forward in a while.

In its need to please as large demographic as possible, GT Sport is unmistakably deep but oddly sparse compared to its illustrious predecessors. The game feels more like a prologue to the inevitable Gran Turismo 7, hopefully including everything that was left out here. To best summarize the experience that is Gran Turismo Sport is as if Ferrari made a sport model of Ferrari 458. It would be stripped of the passenger seat, electronics and comforts like radio, heated seat and power windows, and the suspension would be harder too. It still would be Ferrari, beautiful to look at and beast to drive, but you’d wish it had more to it.

Fallout 4 is a good game, an absolutely solid work horse of a title that will, if you let it, carry you away for hours at a time to explore its depths. At a time when titles seem to be losing content, Fallout 4 has more then you can possibly consume all at once, and its host of options mean that when you come back for a second, third, or ninth pass, the experience can actually, honestly, be something different. That’s not something you can say about a lot of games, and in that regard, Fallout 4 is truly in a class by itself.

If you have a PS3 and can roll with the kind of plaintive adventure Rain revels in, it’s one of the year’s most interesting peculiarities.

Dedicated fans who want to know what happened to Clementine (Read: everyone who played the first game) will not be wasting their time with episode one.

Crypto returns for some more probing in the sequel, and is just as fun and wild as the original with even more wacky weapons and diverse missions.

WarioWare Gold may not have many new microgames, but its revamped presentation, satisfying modes, and potluck of playstyles manage to keep the experience fresh. The short, rapid fire challenges are as fun as ever, and the multiple approaches to the same premise make this golden compilation an enticing option for short bursts or hyperactive binge sessions.