This episode seems a slight disappointment on the first, mostly due to the narrative hand-holding.

Stranger of Sword City takes the fundamentals of the dungeon crawler and coats it with a twist of Japanese.

While I like the roguelike progression, the rest of the game feels like an prototype, lacking any sort of redeeming presentation, polish or any score tracking to keep you coming back.

Nevertheless I have to give BetaDwarf props for trying something different here by mixing up an original blend of genres and for creating something innovative. And although I’m afraid I’m going to have to recommend the original Forced over Showdown any day, I really hope that this team keeps striving to create new and interesting concepts because that is sadly something pretty hard to come by nowadays.

In short, Chronophantasma Extend is the biggest, densest and all-around definitive version of the BlazBlue series, but the overarching story mode and massive learning curve may put off potential newcomers to the series. For those brave enough to venture forth, this mechanically solid and visually resplendent fighter might just have enough features to make a BlazBlue fan out of you.

All in all, Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed was a decent distraction on handhelds, but a harder sell on PC when compared to the number of alternatives available, both from its own franchise and the Musou genre in general.

Packed with content and hilarious multiplayer modes, Trackmania Turbo will entertain for many hours to come, and is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a clever solo or multiplayer arcade racer on consoles.

This sort of game could tick the right boxes if you’re looking for another strategy game to pass the time until Fire Emblem Fates comes out in Europe. Though if you’re rather picky about these sorts of games, then it’s probably best to wait for something better to come along.

For arcade enthusiasts with a controller of their choice plugged into their PC’s USB port, this PC re-release is both the definitive version and one of the best Bullet Hell experiences you can have, which makes it the perfect blend of Heaven and Hell for those seeking an eye-crossing, thumb-mashing challenge.

A game as stylish and fun as this is definitely for keeps.

Hitman has refined its gameplay, while having options that help newcomers, but should not upset existing fans, and as such, is a solid start that hopefully keeps getting better and upping the variety with each mission added.

When a game is interesting or powerful 40 hours can just fly by, but here I felt every slow minute drag on as I forced myself to continue with little payoff.

Overall, despite scope for improvement in future installments, EDF 4.1 is an accessible, enjoyable and unique experience to any newcomer prepared to suspend triple-A gaming logic. For veterans, it’s the the best outing yet for this beloved oddity.

In the end, it comes down to how well you can slug through the shallow and unchallenging tactics and the annoyingly drawn out battles to experience such fan-service love, its huge list of references, and its desire to bring a title for video game fans of things Japanese.

Overall this is a game that should not be passed up simply because you have already put in so many hours on another game. Rather it should be experienced for what it is and all other developers looking to dip a toe in the MMO pool should take note that this is how to breathe life into an otherwise stagnant and overcrowded free-to play market.

All I can say is Clandestine needs polishing. It has some creases to iron out and whilst I recommend it to co-op lovers, that recommendation does come with a few disheartening caveats.

You get the impression that if Richardson had someone to bounce ideas off – someone to pick up the slack and point out the bad ideas – he’d be capable of something that’s actually interesting.

On every level, SUPERHOT‘s execution flatters an already brilliant core idea, and within the parameters that feel meaningful in this context, the resulting game is essentially perfect.

It’s another game of discovering magical creatures that do battle for you, but it feels modern and up to date, with decent graphics and has more mechanics than a broken down Bugatti.

The dialogue options in this game do serve to reveal an intriguing insight into Michonne’s character: in other Telltale games, I rarely, if ever, chose silence even though it was always an option. With Michonne’s character, however, silence almost always seems the right option. Telltale skilfully displays how Michonne is a woman of few words and I enjoyed painting her as the strong, silent type.

Launch troubles and lack of single player aside (which this score addresses), Street Fighter V is a brilliant fighting game. While currently in its infant stage, Street Fighter V will continue to grow into something amazing.

It makes a lot of sense that a game made under such conditions would feel unpolished. I would love to see this game built on and improved upon. There’s so much potential in the creepiness that hovers over every step you take.

I like games that don’t take themselves too seriously and there is a whimsicality to this game that I love. The experience of playing it is nothing short of enchanting.

Arslan: The Warriors of Legend is another solid take on the Warriors formula, one with a clear, and above all else, focus on bringing the anime’s entertaining story to life in an action filled video game.

The stripped-down mechanics lead to more pick-up-and-play sessions without feeling overwhelmed by too many rules to follow, and the cast of characters are entertaining enough just to witness in action even if you have no idea about their respective origins.

In the end, Megadimension Neptunia VII can certainly be classified as the biggest and most competent Neptunia game to date, which may or may not sound as impressive depending how much of a fan you are.

I wasn’t very fulfilled by Firewatch. It’s not that I’m not susceptible to a story told in this format – on the contrary, what kept my interest for the duration was how the story was delivered. But its shadow boxing with video gamey elements didn’t amount to anything substantial, and when everything else ends up hinging on the story on offer, the resulting experience sadly feels less than essential.

The Legend of Legacy’s sub-par battle system really diminishes what is otherwise a decent experience.

Aviary Attorney could’ve quite easily been a birdbrained game built solely to ruffled some of Capcom’s feathers. However it quickly becomes clear that JayJay and friends have more than enough smarts to even outwit Capcom’s much loved attorney at some turns.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen to this day still remains a one of a kind game with some innovative ideas that you cannot find in any other RPG. With all the technical hiccups gone, packaged here is what marketing people would call the “Definitive Edition,” and for existing fans, all the improvements from running on PC hardware are alone worth a revisit to the world of Gransys.

If you’ve been after a skill-based smartphone game with a phoned-in vaporwave aesthetic and a healthy serving of new age mumbo-jumbo, Namaste Space Buffalo is the game you’ve been waiting for. And, to my surprise, that’s exactly what I was waiting for.

Grab the spoils of combat as quickly as you can, and get ready to be sucked in to the next level. Just be glad you don’t have to keep putting money in when you die again, and again, and again.

Here is a sprawling, compelling game made with impressive confidence – masterfully paced and expanding on its predecessor without for a moment losing track of its appeal. It’s a game that has kept its integrity intact while navigating the weird waters of mass market appeal, and one that retains a real undertanding of fundamentally enjoyable mechanics. Rise of The Tomb Raider is exceptionally easy to recommend.

While I adored its striking visuals, and its core resource and city management was engrossing, the repetitive nature of the start and end game deprives Valhalla Hills of much variety, leaving it as a straight-forward, slightly casual, management sim to pass the time for a few days, but never does enough to be memorable.

The story moves slowly, and can take a while to get through, and while not much about it feels new, it does a good job of taking already established elements and making them into something fun.

I may be able to suggest this game as a decent mobile title to play for someone who wants another rhythm game but the way that the game handles a character diagnosed with cancer makes me feel worse about its entirety.

There is a lot of grinding involved in this game, but the grind is generally pretty fun. It is surprisingly addictive and great to play in the wee hours of the night.

This game really only applies to the anime crowd, as it’s not for everyone, but if you are one of those few who don’t mind some questionable young ladies popping tits and ass in the air after each boss fight, then you will find a good, humorous dungeon crawler in Dungeon Travelers 2: The Royal Library & the Monster Seal.

For those looking for an enthralling title for their mobile devices Metro 2033 Wars trips in almost every department.

Overall, Chronicles of a Dark Lord: Rhapsody Clash, whilst not being the best starting point to the series, is nevertheless a game worth playing through at least twice.

Simply put, of the three Umihara Kawase games now available on Steam, Shun feels like the weakest link in the series. While the game still retains much of the charm and physics-based platforming that is a known quantity at this point, it also feels like an entry that is only worth looking into when you’ve mastered the other two games first.

This title is solely aimed at the strategy crowd and does not pull punches for people who don’t put in the time to learn how this game works.

It’s a real shame, but while it might keep younger players or the bored occupied, most of the time there’s probably a better choice – even if that’s putting your mittens on and heading out to play in the garden.

Teslagrad is a fine game, wonderfully presented and an enthralling adventure. If you’re a fan of this genre of games and want something to pick up and play on the go, this comes recommended. I just hope you have a high tolerance for difficult and sometimes unfairly frustrating puzzle-platformers.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 is a game of two thirds that gives us a fantastic multiplayer experience and an ever addicting Zombies mode, coupled with a poor single player. Hopefully Treyarch’s next entry can finally give us a commendable campaign to boot.

Dariusburst Chronicle Saviours is jam-packed with brilliant shoot-em-up action. It’s a game that can last you a long time, and hardly ever loses its touch over that period. Pricey compared to similar games, but what you get for that is absolutely stellar.

In the end, Just Cause 3 does not make as much of an impact on the genre that it’s predecessor did. But just because that is the case, that does not mean that this is a bad game, it’s far from that, it’s a good game that knows what it wants to be.

This is unquestionably the best Transformers game ever, a game to satisfy a yearning fanbase, a game instantly accessible for any non-affiliate who simply wants a good hack ‘n’ slash, and a sufficient platform on which to build a series.

In the end, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is a far more competent entry than the much maligned Unity, but it does not entirely restore faith in the aging franchise.

With great feeling melee combat, gruesome action, solid level design and brutal difficulty, this game is a hell of a lot of fun and is ideal for anyone looking for more first-person action to cure an itch for cooperative fun who doesn’t mind grinding on the side to impress the rats with their better gear.

Once you get past the idea of being a ship collector with its limited storage space and World of Warships’ free-to-play expensive shenanigans, which shouldn’t be that much of a negative against the game’s great gameplay, World of Warships ends up a refreshing title.

It feels largely unchanged from its predecessor, but the general core systems it is based on are well refined enough that it still offers a good challenge for those with the patience to tackle it.

In the end, what should have been the next evolution in Telltale’s reputation for brilliant writing and meaningful choices has instead shown how outdated the company’s engine and storytelling structure has become.

WWE2K16 is a game with so many various bugs that sometime soon sentient societies will rise up to worship them. If this does not bother you, and you can laugh away regular trips to the monster factory of technical horror, then maybe you will be able to find moments of joy in the substandard gameplay on show.

Divinity is packed with enough content to keep you going well above the seventy hour mark, and enough choices and outcomes in every situation to make you want to start a new game the minute the credits begin rolling.

Sure, it is a game riddled with issues and raises more gripes and tantrums than a game should. But once you whittle down all the issues, bugbears and negatives, PES 2016 manages to be a wholly comprehensive footballing experience and the best available this year.

An average experience is still better than a bad one, but anyone hoping for a better high school horror experience should consider checking out Corpse Party or shell out however much a Playstation VR will cost for the remake of White Day.

The war on videogames is ever changing, however, and Fallout will need to bring more toys to the battle next time or risk rotting in the wasteland.

For players with the right mindset Starside Arena may be the ideal game to spend a few weeks with soley to see numbers go up and feel happy about it. A quick glance at the current state of the App Store shows you could do much worse.

Ultimately, it is an interesting and beautiful concept marred by minor aesthetic problems and puzzling infruriations, interspersed with moments of excellence.

There is no other way to sum up The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Hearts of Stone than saying this is more of what made The Witcher 3 spectacular.

It is an expertly crafted 6DOF game with tight controls, but the rogue parts of its cross genre appeal are rough enough around the edges to be problematic.

For Vita owners and Rhythm players this game is a match made in a bass bumping heaven.

It’s an ambitious, idiosyncratic game – and for me, it sits alongside gloriously broken menu-driven political strategy-thrillers of yesteryear like Sid Meier’s Covert Action and Floor 13. That said, it won’t be for everyone.

If I was going to compare, Rebel Galaxy is this genres Burnout going up against the “Elite” behemoth that is Gran Turismo.

Whether the game is worth the asking price is ultimately up for each individual to decide, but sooner or later this is a classic game with a timeless mechanic that deserves a lot more attention now that it’s crossed over the pond and into digital distribution.

There is still fun to be had driving a car around smartly designed tracks, and WRC 5: FIA World Rally Championship might just do enough to occupy your time for a few days, but feeling rough around the edges, this is one game that might end up in the dust once its 2016 rivals arrive.

This is one horror game that’s worth the play in any month: just remember to shut those lights off and keep the flash on.

The best open world games nowadays are an expansion of the form, but Mad Max is highly regressive in far too many areas to be meaningful.

In conclusion Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate is an amazing standalone game packed with fun things to do from beginning to end. However a weak, badly paced story, and two uninspired protagonists hold it back from being a great Assassin’s Creed.

With a little more polish in its presentation, Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!! would have been a must-have addition to the slowly-increasing Steam library of fighting games.

In the end, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation is as solid as its predecessors, despite being noticeably talkier.

A superb campaign, particularly in its level design, coupled with the all-new Warzone mode and the return of arena multiplayer makes Halo 5 the best FPS game of this generation and possibly the best Halo title ever.

While you might not come out this game’s 40+ hour adventure with memories of the plot, you will remember the heroes, their fights and the lovely music that wraps it up to signal this as the best Tales of game since Tales of Vesperia hit the Xbox 360 back in 2009.

With one episode behind me, I feel like the series may be too rough in far too many areas to heartily recommend to all, but regardless there is something compelling about it.

It is as true to its roots as it can be in a style so totally different from the source material. In addition, it is fantastic that it is accepted cannon in the Borderlands universe, meaning that all characters were in danger, even established ones.

Story Mode – Episode 2 ups the action and engages with its characters, making for a short but enjoyable hour; however, Telltale still struggles to give the player meaningful choices, balance tone, and create a unique story – though they’re well on their way.

Nevertheless, Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is a bringing together of what is probably the best set of games of the last generation.

It is unfortunate that Corpse Party: Blood Drive suffers from the technological leap to the Vita, as the new visual style and gameplay features are the best improvements seen in the series from a conceptual standpoint.

Either way, Forced is still a cool game that I will always go back to when I’m craving a challenge with a couple of friends.

Even though Episode Five may be a continuous torrent of truly dire situations, it is an experience that demands attention. Intense monologues – both venomous and heartbreaking – are its standout moments. Its clever narrative offers a sense of finality that can fill you with terror, happiness, and heartbreak in equal parts. Thank you for the year that was Life is Strange – it’s been emotional.

In the end, Samurai Warriors 4-II is yet another Musou entry out of a dozen or so that hit every year. However, these button-mashing brawlers can still provide hours of entertainment for players who want to turn their brains off and enjoy some over-the-top action.

If you are a fan of Dragon Quest, then really, this game is for you. There are areas that could be improved, and the lack of multiplayer will upset Musou fans, but Dragon Quest Heroes resurrects the series through a different style of game and tickles those nostalgic memories.

Read Only Memories has patched itself through and into my brain unlike a lot of other games this year. There are a lot of thought provoking ideas about topics that have made me think differently about things that I interact with daily like technology, xenophobia, humanity and time.

If you can get some friends in front of a screen and fancy a good laugh, The Jackbox Party Pack 2 is worth investing in, however it’s jokes can get old if overplayed and is worthless without people to play with.

Story Mode – Episode 1 hits or misses with its characters and presents a relatively anemic plot for later episodes to build on; less immediately captivating than its predecessors, yes, but Telltale has set out to find the perfect blend of action and heart – they haven’t found it yet – but in later episodes they just might.

As unfortunate as all that sounds, Sayonara’s gameplay is still unchanged from its handheld release, and every bit as fun and polished.

The art is nice and the music even has a zen-like quality to it but they cannot redeem the frustration that this game provides.

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a wonderfully poignant, moving sci-fi journey.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a good dungeon crawler with a few small annoying elements to it. For some those might all add up and cause a great deal of frustration, but for people who are able to put up with it and dig deep into the dungeons, there’s fun to be had.

Assault Android Cactus is a slick game that feels so good to play, feels so right in your hands with its satisfying controls, intelligent game mechanics, charming presentation, terrific levels and exciting weapon styles.

In the end, SOMA does not quite share the scare factor of Amnesia, but it does exceed it from a storytelling standpoint, as well as nailing that same attention to detail that creates a tense atmosphere filled with both beauty and horror. A definite purchase for the Halloween season.

It is such an all encompassing mess that a publisher with any morality at their core would have never allowed this disguised vomit to hit market.

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls might not be as polished as the previous mainline games, but within this handheld adventure is still the fabulous, quality story and tone fans expect from something slapped with Danganronpa on the case.

The Beginner’s Guide is a poignant and thought-provoking journey into the minds of game developers who are at their core, people with struggles and insecurities of their own. $10 might seem a steep price tag for an hour and a half of playtime without traditional mechanics, goals, or objectives, but if you take a chance you might find yourself moved (and even changed) by the time the credits roll.

Episode 1 of Missing is a nice looking FMV with decent acting, detailed set-pieces, and little else. While this is only the beginning, my interest in finding out who captured David and why is tempered by relative disinterest in the characters themselves and the events surrounding them.

FIFA 16 is as close to the real game as players will ever get and continuous support in the way of match day updates and Ultimate Team challenges will further cement it as the best football sim on the market.

In the end, Disgaea 5 may not have evolved much from its glory days, but the latest entry proves that the tried-and-true mechanics still hold up, even if the aesthetics and characters remain somewhat antiquated. There is no other RPG that features this many options, which will undoubtedly win over the hardcore RPG crowd with far too much time on their hands.