Until such a time, though, Train Sim World: Great Western Express is beautiful and I'm impressed that it runs so well even on mid-range computers. But, just as Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul did, it doesn't really live up to the World part of the Train Sim World brand-name. I really hope that Dovetail won't repeat their thousands-of-dollars of DLC model from the Train Simulator 20XX series.

Once you get the unlocks, the game is pretty fun for a few hours a day, at most, but doesn’t really hold up to longer sessions. The leaderboards could use some work, and I hope that they continue to peck away at them, but Race the Sun is a fine runner with some decent hooks and unique modes that can give you some good fun if you stick with it.

With the FPS genre and WWII setting being done to death on the Xbox, Activision's new shooter offers some variety in the gameplay, but falls short due to its sloppy shooting mechanics.

The Whispered World isn’t for everyone but fans of the genre may find a nostalgic treat in Sadwicks’ lengthy journey.

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.

Despite the always-changing tactical and strategic decisions, there's a bit of disappointing sameness from mission to mission in the campaign but overall, Golem Gates is a strong addition to the ranks of two already well-represented genres.

Love 'em or hate 'em, snipers are modern combat's ninjas. Sniping your way through one whole game might be fun, if you can stand the slow pace.

When the game is at its best, it provides exactly what a video game about a submarine should provide -- that childlike sense of wonder and adventure that can only come from a new discovery or a narrow escape from a tough battle. It is just a shame that the game is hampered by some major flaws that shouldn't have been terribly difficult to avoid. If you can stick with the game, it rewards you suitably. When the credits rolled, I was left smiling, with a positive impression of the game, but that was only five hours or so after I decided to quit the game and never pick it back up again.

The MK franchise signs off with somewhat of a whimper, albeit boosting the largest character list and few enhanced features here and there.

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.

With its massive number of creatively designed set pieces, StarDrone VR proved itself to be more fun than I initially gave it credit. The virtual reality element adds a nice sensation of depth to the visual aesthetic, but I never felt the headset was necessary nor the definitive means to play. Replete with puzzles of varying difficulty and scope, StarDrone VR is a fun, pick up and play activity that won’t upset even the most sensitive of VR owners.

The sequel improves upon the original with a more engaging plot and tighter combat, but lacks that extra touch to really deliver on all fronts.

Those expecting a full-on console version on the handheld will be disappointed, as EA serves a stripped-down game plagued with needlessly frustrating controls.

Despite a few flaws, Xenoverse proves to be a solid entry and a much needed step in the right direction of a franchise that desperately needed it.

Ultimately, Serious Sam 4 has a bit of an identity problem. It hews pretty closely to the standout features that made the series great — immense battles, weird enemies, crude humor and frantic action. It also steals from the playbooks of recent shooters and has more story, a cast of characters and slightly more measured pacing. Over time, the wave-based battles become more fatiguing than fun because they’re often so similar, but Serious Sam 4 is overall true to the singular series and its fans should be happy to join their hero once again.

This however is still a very good Tony Hawk game and if you enjoy a bit more arcade flair to your skateboarding adventure then this is a title you should check out.

The re-telling of the Tale of Genji improvises on the novel with fast-paced action, hard-hitting combos and deep storyline. Pity it doesn't last that long.

You'd be excused for taking this as a Dynasty Warriors clone, but Capcom's free-form fighter provides a solid controls and decent if unspectacular gaming experience.

Transference is equipped with a fascinating premise that suffers from a substantial disconnect because there’s no apparent connection between the Hayes and you, the player. Who are you supposed to be? How did you stumble onto this simulation? Is this supposed to be some new twist on the “found footage” genre? Tying the player into the narrative to some degree would have gone a long way to make me feel more attached, involved, and invested in these people’s lives and why they matter outside of the empathy you develop in seeing them suffer from Raymond’s apparent physical and mental abuse.

Trials Rising is an enjoyable blend of adrenaline motorbike racing and physics-based puzzle-platforming. Although leveling up is a grind, there is plenty of content with numerous tracks to complete, challenges to achieve, and items to collect. Also, online multiplayer and custom-made tracks indefinitely increase the replay value. The Switch version’s shortcomings limit the potential, but the ability to play quick tracks on the go may be enough incentive for new racers to take on the game’s trials.

Styx: Shards of Darkness' single-minded dedication to being a stealth game is both admirable and potentially a turnoff to players who expect more flexibility in their approach to completing missions. The flexibility is there, though it's entirely represented by the myriad ways the title character moves through the shadows and confounds his enemies. It's refreshing to play a despicable, amoral antihero; but the game's puerile, scattershot humor will not appeal to everyone. Although its mission objectives are a bit repetitive, the balletic act of moving through the world makes Styx: Shards of Darkness overall entertaining.

Tecmo produces a light-hearted and quirky action platformer that charms us with its simple but highly strategic combat and adorable characters.

Overall, this type of game is bursting with replayability and I found the actual gameplay to be quite fun. There’s a lot of options for customizing your units and the unit variety was great as well (especially when you start leveling up monsters and doing quests to get more items). I also really enjoyed the soundtrack and the absolutely amazing artwork (it’s just so gorgeous!). Sadly, the story and 3D graphics do leave a bit to be desired, but the game is still an easy recommend to strategy RPG fans. It' doesn’t quite stand up as tall as, say, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but if you’re looking for that next strategy title to scratch that itch you’ve been having, you should give Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia a go!

Absent server crashes and disconnects, playing through the campaign in co-op mode is still fun and certainly more efficient than slogging through it solo, though it doesn’t improve the quality of writing or convoluted narrative. Ghost Recon: Breakpoint blurs the line between a singular, well-defined approach to the tactical shooter and a whole mess of other games, and the result is a loss of identity with little gained in the process.

With only one episode left (well, two, if you’ve purchased the Deluxe Edition with an extra episode), the jury is still out about what I feel towards this mini-prequel. There are some really nice character moments in this episode which gives these young people a chance to be themselves and set aside the woes of the world for a minute or two. The episode also reveals a few hooks to hang Life Is Strange, which reaffirms my concerns with how deeply Before The Storm is entrenched in another game’s identity.

Despite its duller moments and shaky controls, The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia is a unique game that provides a solid challenge for those open to the idea of a type ‘em-up bullet hell experience.

The horror sequel continues the story in a much larger setting. Still retains the dark outlook of the original, but doesn't add much to the gameplay.

With Feather, what you see if what you get: an uninhabited fantasy island you can fly around but not interact with in any meaningful way. It’s designed to make you feel relaxed, an attempt to help the player de-stress during a time where that’s extraordinarily difficult to do. It works to some extent but if you’re looking for more beyond what it promotes on the back of the box, you’re probably going to be disappointed. If you’re the kind of player who plays any and all games strictly for their achievements, then Feather offers few barriers to earning them all. Samurai Punk’s Feather is a game built with good intentions and anything that offers a modicum of peace and quiet is certainly one to follow. Just don’t expect a whole lot more.