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

Same Stitch is a fantastic end to a killer season. Batman: The Enemy Within is, in my mind, unequivocally the best thing Telltale has ever put to code.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a deep, engaging and fun game that fans of the series and RPG followers will love at first glance, even though not every player will enjoy it.

L.A. Noire is not a game for everyone. For those expecting a GTA style experience then you may be disappointed with the outcome. However if your open to a new experience then this is one game that you shouldn't miss.

L.A. Noire is not a game for everyone. For those expecting a GTA style experience then you may be disappointed with the outcome. However if your open to a new experience then this is one game that you shouldn't miss.

Go pick it up and give it a try, you’re bound to find something unique.

The navigation, the combat, the dungeons, the characters, and the peril you must face as that young elf boy in green are all fantastic.

A great refreshing change in pace from your other run of the mill rpgs. It truly is a classic one of the best I strongly urge anyone who doesn't mind less than stellar game play graphics to go out and find a copy.

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

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is a game I enjoyed immensely. It controls and plays better than Assassin’s Creed III and its hard not to enjoy causing all sorts of mayhem on land and sea.

Layers of Fear isn’t just about being terrifying, as it has a solid story that deals with some dark material even though you could very well miss the majority of it if you aren’t diligent about investigating your environment.

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.

I can't express in words to do the game justice how large and well drawn out these cities are.

If there is one game for the Playstation 3 this year that I would say is a "must buy" Uncharted 2 is that game, it truly is one of the best games in years and could very well be the best Playstation 3 game of 2009.

The Walking Dead Episode 2 is a perfect, three-hour nugget of story-driven adventure gaming. The immediacy of the gameplay and writing make it easy to boot up the game and instantly become engrossed in a world where nothing is sacred, and anything can happen at any moment. No tutorials needed.

Just in case you’d forgotten that Bloodborne was one of the best games of the year, The Old Hunters should seal the deal and place it near the top of the list. Generously difficult, filled with hours of new story, and packed with interesting areas to explore and enemies to die to, The Old Hunters is a great addition to the game and should not be missed.

To reiterate, no one takes advantage of Nintendo's hardware like they do themselves. It establishes a new direction for combat, and even justifies motion controls - something that's been a long time coming.

Florence doesn’t last long but when it's finished, I was left with an overwhelming series of emotions. I don’t want to sound hyperbolic, but I found the simplicity of this game to be profound. Florence right now retails for $2.99 on the App Store and although it doesn't have any replayability, I think it’s worth every penny. I hope that Florence inspires more games of this kind that captured an hour of my day and transformed it into an intrinsic adventure that I’m not soon to forget.

This is the game that should have come out two years ago, and while it’s sad that we didn’t have it then, it’s great to enjoy right now.

Turmoil on the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic and addictive experience, wrapped up nicely in a wonderfully simple art style and excellent music, perfect for picking up and playing on the go. Whether you’re in it for the long haul, or just feel like doing some quick digging, Turmoil will keep you coming back time and time again. I highly recommend the game - and specifically this version of it - as I believe this is the optimal way to play Turmoil.

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

It’s a meaningful and beautiful creation far more entrenched in the human experience than any other game I’ve played.

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.

Removed from the reality with its fantasy settings and stylized visuals, the game has no burden of contemporary issues clouding its ageless tale of power and responsibility. As such, Omensight is perfect escapism despite its dark tones.

Golf Peaks is a great use of the idea of golf, with rule modifications that make it less a score-conscious sports simulation and instead an amazing puzzle game. I had a great time with it for the few hours that it took to get through all the puzzles, enjoying the challenge and calming ambience of it all. It’s an excellent idea, executed well, and it was a joy to play it on the go while sitting at a bar or something. You don’t have to be a golf fan to enjoy Golf Peaks, and the puzzles are engaging up through the end.

It’s a wonderful, heart wrenching experience that’s honestly opened my eyes to a whole new world of exciting storytelling possibilities.

Telltale puts it’s own spin on things but fans will appreciate their faithfulness to the source material.

The controls are tight, the levels are fun to look at, and the music will have you sucked into the Runner world in no time.

If you don’t mind a rather extreme challenge, I can’t recommend Ape Out enough, a perfect marriage of style and execution that’s difficult as hell while also managing to be an exciting power fantasy. Every step of the way is exciting and fun, and even when you’re running up against a wall, it has that “one more run!” power that gets you to keep trying, and then whoops, hours are gone. Ape Out is definitely worth checking out and returning to for a quick and excellent experience.

Rarely do I laugh my way through an entire game but even in the intense action scenes Blood Dragon is still throwing humor out every which way.

Control marks a new and glorious beginning for Remedy and hopefully there are more wonderful things to come. Despite a few pacing issues here and there and some exhausting late-game shoot-outs, I gladly award the game a perfect score. Am I biased doing so as a Finn myself? Maybe, but Control is a game that today's dull, unimaginative and opportunistic gaming climate doesn't deserve, but I’m happy it exists.

The whole Wild West has been a huge missed opportunity for the video game industry, until now where we finally have a game that has put the Wild West back on the map.

Wolfenstein 3D changed how we looked at first person games in 1992 and The New Order, while not as big of a step, may be just as important of one for the future of the genre.

Family has always been at the crux of Guardian stories, and as Gamora puts it before the episode comes to a close, sometimes family sucks. With one episode left, I am at an absolute loss as to how this adventure is going to come to a close, and how, with who has been lost along the way, any kind of status quo can be reached. I was shocked when we killed Thanos in episode 1, and am still shaken by Episode 4’s conclusion. How do Peter and the rest of the Guardians come back from this? Episode 4, Who Needs You, has done its job. Now all that left is to see if Telltale can finish with a season finale worthy of this fantastic buildup.

While I can try to find something negative to say about the game it would be absolute nitpicking and at this point, nothing comes to mind. I can certainly say that Night in the Woods’ relatable and lifelike story won’t be for everyone, and I can imagine some finding the characters too whiny or depressing. However, I think the people who enjoy these kinds of stories and characters will be in for one of the best examples of lifelike interactions and relatable storylines in a game to date. Night in the Woods blends beautiful art, a nuanced soundtrack, and expertly crafted, human writing into a single, cohesive experience.

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

This is not only one of the best games of the year, it is the best game on the PS3 thus far as well.

Yakuza 6 offers one of the finest, most realized crime stories of the medium. It also marks the conclusion of Kiryu Kazuma’s story, granting him an ending befitting such a well-rounded character. And the best part is that you don’t have to be a Yakuza expert to appreciate how it all ends.

If you own GTAIV for the Xbox 360 you would be crazy not to go on Xbox Live and buy this game.

The Last of Us is a masterful tale of two individuals who are both authentic and flawed. It creates one of the most memorable video game experiences I have ever played and I believe its the best game to come out in the last ten years.

Gone Home tells a story unlike any other game in recent memory, and yet it does so in a way that only a video game can. The masterfully executed environmental storytelling guarantees that each player will walk away from Gone Home with a different experience.

This is a PSVR killer app and there’s no reason to sit on this.

If the idea of pitting two incredibly strong universes of characters together in an ultimate battle doesn't excite you then the promise of fast paced action gameplay and stunning visuals should draw you in. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is perfectly represented on the Vita and having a portable fighter is always good to have because it is something you can easily drop in and drop out of. With great online and a stellar arcade mode at your fingertips (almost literally) UMVC3 is a game well worth the money for any Vita owner.

It’s great fun, a hell of a time, and an excellent way to hold on to a true classic of the arcade circuit.

There has been such precise and accurate detail placed on this game that it would be near impossible to point out any faults.

If you held out this long to play Grand Theft Auto V, wait no longer. I wouldn’t call this a “definitive” version, but it is damn near close.

You owe it to yourself to give Hyper Light Drifter a go. It’s an incredible game with a wonderful look and feel to every part of it. It’s beautiful, looking great on the Switch’s screen, and can be surprisingly enveloping as an experience even as you take it to louder, crowded public areas. Every new area and experience was a delight to me, and I kept taking screenshots all the way through. It’s a challenge, but every moment was worth it.

This is a remarkable game, and there isn’t a Vita owner in the world that should pass it by. It’s a sublime experience and, especially at its budget retail price, is dense with gameplay mechanics that involve you as the player directly into Tearaway’s loveable little dimension.

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

Super Mario 3D World is both gorgeous and about as enjoyable as a video game can be. There is an immense amount of depth that kept me coming back for more, time and time again. This is the rare type of game that I believe ten years down the road we will be coming back and playing again and again. It’s that good.

When old and new conventions meet this flawlessly, RE2 is a true celebration of sincere video gaming, an art that sometimes is lost among Western triple-A developers and their plodding and misshapen movie wannabes where the gameplay is secondary. If only all video games could be reverted back to this, a pureblood gaming pleasure but still look as amazing as Resident Evil 2. Capcom, how about the same gorgeous treatment for Resident Evil 3 next?

Like the previous episodes, the game continues to be a rollercoaster of emotions offering laughs, tender sweetness, and tragedy with little warning.

When I gave The World Ends With You Final Mix a perfect score, I did so because it reflected not a flawless game, but one that overcame its blemishes and left you feeling positive. That’s why I’m once again granting a perfect score. The end result of playing Atelier Arland trilogy is equivalent to finishing a strong book series. The individual pieces are engaging on their own, but together they craft an experience that is of S quality.

A great story, genuine humor and excellent combat, Persona 4 Golden is the complete package. There is no reason why this game shouldn't be part of your Vita's library.

Though not a game in the traditional sense, Discovery Tour Ancient Greece is a fantastic supplement to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey that, if nothing else, showcases one of the best historical recreations this franchise has ever seen.

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

The bright and fuzzy charm that captivated people fourteen years ago still feels fresh and original. The game may not have much replayability after it ends, apart from replaying levels to make bigger stars maris, but it’s worth keeping around whenever there’s need for a moment of two of calm and mindless fun.

Overall, getting a 100% completion in the DLC clocked me in at around four hours, with the story taking about two-to-three to work through. Given the quality of both the story and the side content, picking it up and its follow-ups too should be a no-brainer. Or at least it was for me. But then, I’m the sick fool currently playing through a new game plus on Ultimate difficulty. I’ll let you know how that goes when we check in on our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man next time.

This game goes where no Xbox Live enabled game has gone before.

What impresses me more then the visual/gameplay updates is the fact that Wind Waker HD still can compete with any new game on the market today. The story is charming, the characters warm your heart, and the game remains as one of the best 3D adventure games to date. With the lack of killer software on the Wii U, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD is one of the only great games currently available to date.

If you’re coming for the puzzles then you’ll have a great time, if you want a story that makes you question your beliefs then you may find what you’re looking for and if you just want to sit in awe at the clay world then that’s fine too.

The missions are a lot more complex then they were in GTA3, which means you will get more into the character as well as the plot, which means even more fun.

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

Despite some minor hiccups, Inquisition is absolutely the realest of deals, and should be missed at your own peril.

Bioshock Infinite is the best shooter I have played in a long time. It is an incredible achievement artistically, narratively, and technically. I can’t think of a better game to close out and define this decade-long console generation.

Skulls of the Shogun requires patience and a knowledge of the gameplay. This is not a game that can be won by brute force or guesswork like some strategy games.

Bayonetta 2 is a relentlessly entertaining ride from start to finish, with pacing meticulously designed to wring every last drop of adrenaline out of you before reigning things in with a quiet, humorous aside.

Left Behind is how story DLC should be done.

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.

For those looking for a challenging yet accessible platformer with deep mechanics and plenty of personality, there are few games that rival OlliOlli: Switch Stance. Whether you're a skateboarding junkie or haven't scaled a half-pipe in your life, Switch Stance is worth a place in your growing Switch library.

Grand Theft Auto IV is by far the most complete package I have seen in the last five to ten years.

OOTP 17 is the best baseball simulator out there, bar none.

Yoku's Island Express is out on basically everything, and wherever you can grab it, I heavily recommend it. The game is just an absolute treat from top to bottom, perfect even for people who aren't particularly interested in pinball. It puts these two genres together extremely well, making them both feel fresh and fun in a way I haven't seen in a good bit. The kind of imagination and design on display is always great to see, and you'll find yourself wishing for more as soon as the credits roll.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is truly a phenomenal game from top to bottom and it has some of the best visuals around. But graphics alone do not make a game great and Rise does not rely on them.

DOOM has been the biggest surprises of the year. I didn’t care much for the survival horror, Dead Space tone of Doom 3, so the brutal, nihilistic and metal tone of this game is better suited and more familiar to the source material.

If Uncharted rose to fame with weapons it stole from washed-out Tomb Raider (before its reboot), Shadow of the Tomb Raider grabs them back, making it visually and gameplaywise the most essential action-adventure you can imagine. It not only builds upon the series legacy, it goes to its roots and successfully brings back the exploration that we were busy not to even notice was missing while tackling through many exciting action set pieces of the previous games. Doing so, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the most poignant entry in the long series since the very first game.

What is so amazing about Burnout 3 is not so much its excellent modes but instead its amazing gameplay.

The true beauty of a minimalist story tied with absolutely stunning visuals and emotionally resonant music make for a genuine masterpiece. Gris is an absolute gem of a work that definitely deserves your attention.

Its a simple expansion but brings with it several fun features and buildings, making an already great game even better.

Fallout 3 is a fantastic game that was well worth the hype and the wait.

The hard-as-nails Ninja Gaiden is back, with improved camera system, a new mission mode and bonus game. At a budget price, you'd be crazy not let own this gem.

I probably don’t need to say this but Nintendo knows what it’s doing when it comes to the Mario Kart franchise. Time after time, they come back with exceptional racing games and Mario Kart 8 might be the best we’ve ever seen.

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

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes represents Traveler’s Tales finest work with the LEGO property. All of the requisite hooks are there: a fun story, good humor, solid gameplay and healthy challenges. The studio’s reverence for the source material really pays off in the end, with content and character options that should be more than enough for any type of Marvel fan.

I feel a little weird having gone this far without even a mention of the start of Episode 3, but with the enjoyment I am getting out of this being so heavily reliant on the story and its turns, mentioning them, no matter how briefly, feels a bit like a betrayal. There are a number of moments that I would love to bring up, especially ones that deal with Bruce’s ability to trust and how those moments being left up to the player brings me a substantial amount of joy, but I think I’ll save those for the finale. For now, I am happy to say that Batman: The Enemy Within is Telltale at their best. We are halfway through this season, and I am equal parts jumping for joy and pulling out my hair to see where this ends up.

All in all, Resident Evil 3 goes on to prove that the traditional Resident Evil formula, only souped-up to meet today’s needs, works better than, excuse me for saying this out loud, the first-person flatness that was introduced in Resident Evil 7 or brainless shooting action of super-overvalued Resident Evil 4 that took the illustrious series entirely in the wrong direction, only to be redeemed by these excellent remakes.

There is nothing about Shooty Fruity I don’t like. In fact, it’s damn good fun. The concept is awesome, the theme is a joy, and the controls work really well. I can’t recommend the game highly enough and it should be considered a must buy for PlayStation VR owners.

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is easily one of the most immersive games I’ve ever played.

Individually, the three tables on offer in the Bethesda Pinball Pack are all entertaining, with DOOM easily topping the pack with sheer attitude and atmosphere. Together as a pack, these tables represent the strongest outing of pinball that Zen has had since the Ball of Glory pack earlier this year, with this one coming in higher overall because there’s no American Dad table holding it back. Recommending this one is a complete no-brainer. Now excuse me, I have a Nightmare run to get back too, cause these demons aren’t going to kill themselves.

We are finally beginning to see innovation within sports video games and Fight Night Champion truly is step forward not only for boxing but sports video games in general. It not only proves that stories can be an integral part of a sports video game but can be one of it's best. Fight Night Champion is the best boxing game out and in the conversation of best sports game of this generation.

Skyrim is the game that I would highly recommend to damn near anyone. It's not too hard to figure out and it's got such an enormous amount of stuff to do that anyone would be able to see what is so special about the game.

We are finally beginning to see innovation within sports video games and Fight Night Champion truly is step forward not only for boxing but sports video games in general. It not only proves that stories can be an integral part of a sports video game but can be one of it's best. Fight Night Champion is the best boxing game out and in the conversation of best sports game of this generation.

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

Make some room on your hard drive and shelf, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt deserves a permanent spot in your gaming library.

It’s a game that constantly entices you to see what the next puzzle or story bit has to offer. In that regard, it rarely disappoints, and the experience stays with you long after you finish it.

Fifty dollars might seem like a hefty price tag to pay for a set of games, considering the “latest” game in it is six years old, but the Borderlands Legendary Collection offers so much value and content to justify the price tag. However, it is possible to buy the games separately if you’d like. With the literal hundreds of hours of gameplay that can be played anywhere you go, The Borderlands Legendary Collection belongs in every action game fan’s Switch library.

What ends up happening is that the first few versions were great, but the Wii version is what the original game wanted to be, a truly exceptional find. A must own Wii title.

Killer7 is a work of art that surprised many in the past. Now that it’s been remastered for the PC, a lot of new players and old fans alike can finally experience the game in gorgeous high definition. Personally, the game has always been a landmark title to me that set a creative standard that has yet to be topped. It’s absolutely polarizing through the ways it breaks conventions in both the story and the gameplay. Overall, Killer7 is a game I absolutely recommend to those interested in layered, artistic experiences or highly-stylized games with surprises at every turn.