It’s a relentlessly tense stealth-action shooter that manages to make its dead-horse premise feel as if it’s never been seen before now.

Gaming can be hit or miss when it comes to getting what you pay for. Sometimes, though, a game comes along that not only provides a good value proposition, but well exceeds what's expected. As one of the first of the crowd-sourced games to come out of Kickstarter since Double Fine ran the table with donations for Double Fine Adventure, FTL begins to show that as a viable way to finance games. While having some small issues, like no compatibility with Steam's Cloud service, I have no problem recommending this.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 is an impressive game that shines especially bright on the Nintendo Switch. The game's constant sense of progression and discovery is a joy to behold, whether you're docked to a television, relaxing on the couch, or playing from somewhere else entirely. While the game's performance issues, small text, and barebones online functionality put a slight damper on the fun, the ability to play the game wherever you want more than makes up for it. Whether you're new to the Builders series or are fresh off the original game, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a great addition to the franchise and a solid choice for your Switch library.

Although I have extreme reservations for the nudity incorporated by the developers, which I hope won't carry over to the sequel, God of War provides an engaging storyline, backup with by a stunning graphics engine and solid gameplay elements.

If you're a fan of the fast paced racing then WipEout Pulse is a must have for your PSP.

Fans rejoice because not only is Resident Evil back, but now you not only can enjoy it on your own but with your friend as well. The new cooperative gameplay works quite well, and if your a fan of the franchise it just make sense to go out and buy this one as well.

As the name suggest, Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is exactly that. RuptureFarms has never looked and felt so good. Revamped visuals, new mechanics, and an immensely fun adventure revives this classic title and reminds fans why we fell in love with Oddworld in the first place.

Even though DiRT Rally 2.0 has such a realism on the surface and under the hood, it still goes with the video gaming first. Tuning the car has a clear cause and effect relationship, as one can expect from a game, and career races have five restarts to resort to in a case of complete disaster. Indeed, DiRT Rally 2.0 might be closest thing to driving a real rally car, but at the same time it’s not like driving a real rally car, no matter how brutally authentic it can at times feel. After all, you don’t need a driver’s license (or a death wish, judging by some of the tracks!) to be able to play and appreciate it and the game is fully content with that.

There is no doubt about it, Warhawk is a great game, and is one of the new reasons to go out and purchase a Playstation 3.

The question is probably being asked, I own the PS2 version of Guitar Hero 2, do I need to upgrade? My answer is simply no.

Alien: Isolation represents a strong return to form for an ailing franchise.

Where the next episode goes from here is anyone’s guess, but there is absolutely a showdown brewing in Richmond, and misery is sure to be included in the aftermath. Rather than looking forward to any kind of conclusion to the main plot, the smaller subplots revolving around family are what have kept me thinking about the future of the season. I just hope that, given how quick the tide can come in during the closing episodes, that this family is strong enough to endure what comes.

There’s little replay value, but for a few hours of joyous, moving and fulfilling entertainment for a mere three bucks, you couldn’t ask for anything more. Umiro is a neat little package that works perfectly within its limited set of rules and gameplay.

Overall, Windbound is a genuinely enjoyable experience. With its charming visuals, rewarding gameplay, and earnest game design, it has successfully sailed across the sea of mediocre single-player survival games and reached a new high.

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.

EA shatters the curse as The Godfather does the great movie justice, drawing you into the Mafia world and backs it up with solid gameplay and engrossing plot.

On one hand I believe it’s a truly brilliant game and an experience that everyone should play. On the other though this is one of the toughest games to play and I can’t say I “enjoyed” any of it. At the end of the day I think it’s a game that everyone should play.

In all, The Wolf Among Us has a superb introductory episode.

If you have any interest at all in turn-based games, you owe yourself this game as a gift, and honestly, even if you have little to no interest, playing this may just get that engine started.

All in all I’d say if you are a fan of JRPGs you should give this one a try. The journey was fun and the characters were likable enough with some character development along the way. The combat makes gives a twist to the standard turn based combat and slight customization of skills and magic are fun to play around with.

If there is one thing that really stands out to me about Rock Band 3 is that in a time where music games are starting to feel dated, Rock Band 3 manages to still be fresh.

Gorgeous visuals, fantastic gameplay, and just one of the most entertaining shooters of a long time.

The campaign has a few bothersome technical missteps but playing the game with friends online, watching them engage targets in the middle of an assault on a Star Destroyer has brought life to my inner child.

It's the kind of game that ends with someone punching a woman in the face. The kind of game where good guys don't look at explosions. The kind of game that results in an absolute, amazing sense of chaos when it can get all 4 players in and, despite a few flaws, it's the kind of game that reminds you that games don't have to be high art, philosophical ideals, branching paths and morality systems.

It’s hard to imagine a product as ambitious and complex as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 being technically perfect right of the gate — and it isn’t. But despite some issues, when everything is dialed in and running well, the game is visually stunning and its version of the flight experience is awe-inspiring. At its best, it is a technical and artistic marvel that fully deserves (for once) the “next gen” label.

Madden has never played better. The game is smooth, strategic, and a lot of fun. If you slept on last years’ game or are just ready for some football, Madden NFL 16 is another great entry into the series.

NBA 2K19 has a ton of other modes, including a collectible card game, a full-fledged franchise mode, and quite a bit of online play. I could spend another five or six paragraphs going through each of these in detail but it wouldn’t have any impact on my overall feel of NBA 2K19. I come to this game for the career and franchise modes, and I can say both are stellar this year. Combined with a stellar presentation, NBA 2K19 is one of the best sports games on the market.

While it isn’t perfect, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is one of the best action-RPGs I’ve played in recent years. With fantastic combat, a compelling story and characters, and exploration which is among my favorite in any recent game, after a slow first hour or two it grabbed me and never let go. Whether you’re a series veteran or you’ve never played an Ys game in your life, you’ll find an adventure that’s well worth taking.