Still, in a world full of VR demos and proof-of-concept games that are barely that, The Mage's Tale feels and plays like a real, fully-realized product that is actually worth the $40 price tag. It has a genuine story arc, excellent combat, and visuals and game play that would be far less effective in another medium. The game makes excellent -- if perhaps over-zealous -- use of the Touch controllers and although The Mage's Tale reminds us that the VR genre is still learning to find its way, this game is certainly a milestone product for the Rift.

With only a few exceptions, Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2 looks to hold true to Telltale’s own brand of storytelling while expanding on the characters it created during the first season. Sure, we’re only one episode in, but as introduction to the whole kit and kaboodle for me, I thought it did a great job and not only showing me the world, but not making me feel bad for skipping the previous season. If the rest of the episodes can fix the small pacing issues of Episode 1, we might be in for quite the funny, heartfelt ride.

Pox Nora offers an interesting take on the turn-based strategy genre. It offers the addictive nature of tactical strategy with the zen-like practice of managing all different types of party builds. The difficulty of the offline game means some people might lose far more battles than they win. Just like Dark Souls, every defeat is an opportunity to learn from mistakes and try different strategies. Unfortunately, what holds the game back, at least on the console, are technical issues that made me feel that I was struggling to tame this beast. To those interested in Pox Nora enough to try it out, it might best to take on the PC version instead.

Despite its limited vocabulary, Oh... Sir!! The Insult Simulator is far more than just a novelty - it's absolutely superb. It's hilarious, therapeutic, and - thanks to unlockables and a stellar online mode - packed with longevity. Rarely does a game come along that's inexpensive, juvenile, and profound all at the same time. Definitely give this one a shot.

Another element to the game I found trying were the unique, almost Descent-like controls because it took some getting used to. My mind had trouble getting around using the left bumper and trigger for throttle. Strafing is performed with the left analog stick as is vertical boosting--functions I typically expect to find on the right stick. It took a lot of patience and practice before I got used to the controls, though I never really felt comfortable with it. As this is a personal gripe, your mileage may vary. In the end, these concerns failed to disrupt what amounts to be a nice, stellar spin on the roguelike genre. Everspace has the same one more run motivation that spurs players to reach the end goal and at the same time, offering a fresh experience with every run.

I've played SEVEN of these Artifex Mundi games at this point (all since joining Darkstation as a reviewer) and I have to say that Enigmatis 2 is definitely my favorite among them. The graphics are excellent and the gameplay is just as good as the other titles, but it's the story that really shines here. If you're a fan of the puzzle genre (and ideally have played the first Enigmatis game...), then Enigmatis 2 is very easy to recommend.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd is absolutely charming and it’s not only due to its cutesy looks. With a dimensional world of multiple planes hovering in the middle of nowhere and tons of text to read through, the game could pass for a foreign cousin to the equally engaging and prosaic-heavy Torment: Tides of Numenera. Both games share a fact the flashy presentation is not always needed to tell immersive stories. It’s the quality of the writing and the riveting dialogue that count towards the long hours lost in front of the computer. When all is said and done, Trails in the Sky the 3rd comes out as a balanced, thoughtful and inspiring JRPG.

While you're making your way through its main story on the default difficulty, Butcher is great. In addition to thoughtful, satisfying gameplay, the whole thing just gives off this impeccable sense of attitude. But when you try out the higher difficulties, its control layout becomes its Achilles' heel. If we look at the game as a whole, it's a combination of high quality and wasted potential. If we only include the stuff that's worth playing, there just isn't enough of it. Either way, Butcher is a middling experience bolstered somewhat by its sense of character.

Dreamfall Chapters isn’t for everybody, but it’s a must for anyone who’s played the previous games, specifically Dreamfall. The story picks up where that left off, while concluding the tale The Longest Journey began decades ago. Ironically, though the plot itself is about balance, the game has difficulties balancing its gameplay style. Although modern third-person adventuring and old-school logic puzzles are both implemented, neither is particularly impressive. Luckily, the overall plot is exciting and deep enough to warrant its 25+ hour runtime. As long as you’re okay with jumping into a story in progress, it’s a worthy journey to take and a compelling dream to fall into.

Deer God makes an interesting attempt at dealing with spiritual questions in a videogame, but it ultimately detracts from the fun of the game. Crescent Moon Games did an admirable job to add the depth that is so often lacking in platforming games, but it was never enough to overcome their own ambitions. The RPG elements aren’t quite deep enough to become truly invested, and the repeating platforming sections make the game feel smaller than it really is. Deer God puts a lot of interesting ideas into play, but they never coalesce into the rewarding experience its potential hinted at. The fun is fast but fleeting like a deer in the woods.

First and foremost, Morrowind is a captivating place to land and an interesting island to explore, rich with lore and content but hobbled by some dull writing and bland storytelling. Like the Elder Scrolls Online base game, Morrowind feels static, lacking imagination in its mechanics and design. Fans of the 2002 RPG will enjoy the visual upgrade to what is now a very old game and current players of Elder Scrolls Online will certainly appreciate the new content as well. Gamers who became disenchanted with formulaic MMOs will have their disappointments confirmed in Morrowind, and should probably set sail for Vvardenfell with modest expectations.

NBA Playgrounds does a solid job of filling the void left by the NBA Street and NBA Jam series. There is a deep roster of players, and the game's cartoonish visuals look great, but the bare-bones online play and frustrating gameplay mechanics sometimes make the game feel more like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.

Nighthaw-X3000’s primary flaw is the lack of innovative or revolutionary design with its core gameplay, with levels that do little that stand out. It also could’ve been a little longer, having only eight levels that last a few minutes each. Having said that, the presentation is astounding, the music is awesome, the main hero is over-the-top in a very amusing way, and the bosses are incredibly fun to fight. Add in its low cost and co-op, it’s hard to not recommend. Retro-gaming and shmup fans alike should consider giving this a try.

Overall, I had a lot of fun with Immortal Redneck but I wanted it to hit harder. It’s definitely a repetitive romp, as most of these games are, and the gameplay is what makes that repetition worth it. Unfortunately, while the game runs smoothly and looks sharp, the guns feel weak and the gameplay is borderline mediocre. It’s not a make-or-break thing for me, in fact I was able to ultimately look past that major flaw, but many gamers won’t stick with a game with poor combat. For fans of the rogue-like genre in an FPS shell, Immortal Redneck is a fun romp reminiscent of games like Ziggurat and Tower of Guns. For fans of FPS games like Call of Duty or Titanfall, this probably isn’t going to give you that great feel you’re looking for. Ultimately, Immortal Redneck has its share of issues but it’s a good addition to the rogue-like genre with decent FPS mechanics, an interesting setting, and a fun upgrade system that’ll keep fans coming back.

While it is not a horrible game itself, I could not help but feel that MechRunner was a game released on the wrong platform, towards the wrong audience, with wrong core design decisions. During my play, I was expecting something unique and innovative from MechRunner, which would distinguish itself from other mindless endless runners. Sadly, my search was fruitless. MechRunner did nothing that warrants your precious time.

It’s a shame, really. Scanner Sombre felt more like a glorified tech demo than a proper game. With its short length and mostly shallow gameplay, it’s a bit difficult to justify the $12 price tag. However, it boasts a very well done gimmick as well as a memorable atmosphere. If you’re looking for a short, but sweet exploration game, then this is for you. If you’re looking for something a bit meatier, however, you should probably give this a pass.

There’s an interesting idea in Oafmatch but the execution is poor. While the game tries to live and die by its main attraction, an RPG overlay to a match-three game, it doesn’t do so in a meaningful or fun way. Oafmatch is a game that could only be enjoyed by absolute fanatics of the match-three genre who have exhausted every other outlet.

No matter what your favorite character platformer series is -- be it Sly Cooper or Ratchet and Clank -- Skylar and Plux is likely a game that won't measure up to it. It is a game that can be forgiven for all of its flaws though, because so much genuine love went into the game that it is nearly impossible to actively dislike it. There is nothing cynical whatsoever about this game. Instead, it oozes with an almost childlike enthusiasm, which is something uncommon in today's environment of dark, gritty games and hopelessly bloated development budgets. It is that enthusiasm, along with the constantly changing music and scenery, that wholeheartedly carries the game and gives you the ability to overlook its shortcomings. The game may be guilty of relying on that sense too much, forcing you to look the other way at everything that it is missing or does wrong. Gamers who require more robust gameplay mechanics or more collectibles may find themselves underwhelmed by Skylar and Plux. They should still be able to appreciate the effort though, if not the result.

Seasons After Fall has its share of issues, but it has enough going for it that there is an audience out there that will gain some enjoyment from it. The game's production values are top notch, so if you can look past the game's problematic level design and simplistic gameplay then you may find it to be a very serene and immersive experience. It is a shame that those issues exist though, because the game's mechanics show some terrific potential. There are scattered moments when all of the game's elements -- its atmosphere, its gameplay, and its graphics -- come together to provide some memorable experiences. In the end though, the story in Seasons After Fall is too vague and confusing to be satisfying, and a game's graphics and music can only carry it so far. There is more than enough art in this package, but there is not enough game.

Farpoint has peaks and valleys. It’s a well-built, functional, and thoroughly competent first person shooter but it’s antiquated. The story is incredibly compelling until it stumbles like a drunk elephant until it collapses into a stupor via an unfair and undeserved cliffhanger. Speaking more positively, the VR is integrated really well and I appreciated that Impulse Gear refrained from making the player the center of the universe. With the exception of the habitat recordings, the camera never interrupts the game to grab you by the face and force you to look at something. It also doesn’t force mission critical assets to stay within your field of view. This creatures a more natural existence for the player, making them feel like they are part of the production. I came away from the game with a mixture of emotions but the one thing I feel confident about is Impulse Gear’s grasp on building a high quality game in a VR space. Farpoint is a pretty good start.

Thanks to the Switch edition’s versatility, combined with the free and exclusive Super Mario mash-up pack, this is one of the best versions I could have started out with and is an ideal purchase for fans on-the-go and newcomers alike.

Somewhere, buried deep in the design document for Reservoir Dogs: Bloody Days was the idea for a decent game. The time rewinding mechanic, to its credit, does not feel gimmicky, as if it were tacked on to give the game a defining feature. Unfortunately, it isn't worth nearly the amount of frustration that it brings. Between its misuse of a license and its joyless, repetitive gameplay, there is little in this game that provides any entertainment value. Like most failed movie games, if you want the genuine experience, you are better off simply watching the movie.

Chime Sharp is like that old bicycle you’ve left in your garage for the past few years: the framework is solid, but the tires are flat. You take out your old hand-pump that barely works and start pumping away, and after all of the energy spent on that you can finally ride free. Perhaps my analogy is a bit cheesy, but it’s the truth. This game will not offer you a helping hand, so if you want to succeed, you’d best be prepared to put in a lot of effort. It might look a little bland, but it’s certainly not a bad way to spend some of your time. Honestly, if you’re a fan of electronic music and have a lot of patience, those are good reasons to try it.

Star Trek Bridge Crew won’t change the world, but it provides a stunning realization of the Star Trek franchise and brings with it an unparalleled level of immersion and VR fun. I can think of no other franchise that’s better suited to cooperative VR play than Star Trek, and Bridge Crew makes playing with strangers fun again. It also represents the ultimate in wish fulfillment.

Despite the amount of cool and interesting features this game has, the game isn’t enjoyable, and it never wants to work properly. Deformers is pretty interesting in concept and really changes up the arena-based shooter genre with quirky graphics and unique gameplay elements. But the game is mostly broken, and all of the players have pretty much already abandoned ship. For a thirty dollar game, I couldn’t ever recommend giving it a go. It’s a waste of time and money, to put it quite simply. If the bugs were cleaned up and the game was free to play, I could see Deformers standing on its own as a pretty decent game. Perhaps if they also added some additional content or single player modes, it could hold a bit more value, but I don’t think it could save the game. Ultimately, considering the number of currently active players and lack of initiative to fix the game by the developers, I think the damage has already been done. There is simply no reason to buy this game, period.

It is difficult to overstate what an achievement Prey's environmental and gameplay designs represent, nor the elegance and real ingenuity behind the many interlocking systems that the player accesses throughout. Whether you approach it as a horror-action game, a stealth-puzzle game or a run-and-gun shooter, Prey will accommodate you. Although it lacks narrative drive or memorable characters, Prey will engage you for hours as you realize the potential for creativity that the developers baked in to every area and moment in the game.

I would love to just ramble on and on about all the wonderful stories and how they're presented in What Remains of Edith Finch, but doing so would denote spoilers (and no one wants that). But suffice to say, this is a game that needs to be experienced for yourself. As I mentioned in my intro paragraph, the players who take the time to forage through all the post-it notes, diaries, family photos, etc. littered throughout the disheveled Finch house will probably get the most out of this game. What Remains of Edith Finch is a strong contender for my Top 5 Games of 2017, and even if you might not consider yourself a fan of the genre, I would still strongly encourage you to give this game a shot.

When you first take a peek at 2Dark, the name, the descriptions and whatnot, you get a sense that this game is just gonna be another generic survival horror game that takes itself way too seriously -- maybe with crafting elements sprinkled in there to further piss me off; No charm, no redeeming value, either a Silent Hill knockoff or a Slenderman knockoff. However you will soon realize that 2Dark is, and thank god for that, its own original thing with a different approach to horror. The story is deliberately cheesy. The game itself knows that the story's bland, is quickly brushed off and rarely mentioned ever again. You're a private detective with a murdered family who rescues children from evil clowns, serial killers and rest of the kitchen sink. It's okay, not too aggregating, a bit too edgy but mostly harmless.