The game feels remarkably similar to previous Ratchet titles, but that's not a problem...for now. Insomniac has perfected this style of game, with a slick and addictive balance between platformer and shooter. But because it's so easy to fall in love with the characters and the universe, it's painful to think that unless Insomniac can revamp the series in a way to make it feel fresh, it might be time to retire the duo.

Paradise Killer is a strange experience. Even having completed it, I have difficulty putting into words what it was like to play it. It's sometimes boring, often intriguing, frequently funny, and startlingly deep. I didn’t go into this expecting such an amazing detective experience, but that’s exactly what I got. It’s rare to see a game so adeptly balance style and substance, and even though it’s not a flawless experience, it has it where it counts. We may have just fallen short of Paradise this time around, but the next cycle could be perfect.

I was a bit skeptical about Nobody Saves the World pulling off everything it tried to do, but it won me over very quickly.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger is probably one of the best Digimon games around. And while it might put off some casual players, hardcore JRPG fans and Digimon fans are in for the best Digimon game of the decade.

We travel back to the continent of Orsterra in Octopath Traveler 0, but the franchise doesn’t just return to its old ways and slap a new number on it. 0 is full of new features, companions, and collectibles to find, making for a gameplay experience that truly pushes the series in a new and exciting direction—and it's all done against a gorgeous backdrop that will have you hooked for hours to come.

What it lacks in frills, it makes up for in staggering volume, enough to satisfy anyone that's accepted Miku into their heart (that isn't already sick of playing older songs), or serve as a playable canon of popular Vocaloid compositions to pique the curiosity of the yet-to-be-converted.

Despite some sticking points in the mini-game department, its quirky personality and replay value make Guilty Party one of the best multiplayer party games to hit the Wii.

It’s hard to remember the last time an RTS game gave me both the challenge of careful planning and the thrill of execution at the same time. Those only interested in a single-player affair might come away a little disappointed, but the package itself is very well-rounded and breathes some much-needed life into the genre.

It lacks the scale and scope of Nintendo's other big N64 remake, but it's arguably a more compelling experience for shmup junkies like myself. The game is constant action with no filler; just constant dog fighting and high-flying arial maneuvers, with a bit of jaw-flapping, Muppet-y fun layered on top.

What it lacks in frills, it makes up for in staggering volume, enough to satisfy anyone that's accepted Miku into their heart (that isn't already sick of playing older songs), or serve as a playable canon of popular Vocaloid compositions to pique the curiosity of the yet-to-be-converted.

Not everyone will feel the same way, but at least Loot Rascals is a rougelike built for the less masochistic folks out there.

Spirit of Sanada brings plenty of welcome elements to the formula and makes me excited for what Omega Force holds for us in the future once it fine tunes everything introduced in this game. While it brings plenty of shiny new features, it feels smaller in scale compared to the last mainline entry. But those new little things do add up to a lot. Spirit of Sanada offers a fresh take on the Warriors experience that can be very welcoming to newcomers and veterans alike.

Hey, guess what you all? I did it! I made a definitive ruling on Mario Sunshine. I'm sure this won't be debated for another 18 years.

Killing Floor 3 is a fantastic new entry into a classic series, bringing novel ideas, refinements, and technologies to the table. Technical and gameplay caveats keep it from perfection, but it nevertheless remains a good game with a great price.

Undead Knights is not going to appeal to everyone. Its combat is unrefined and the hack n' slash mentality will get old for those who demand a bit more depth and strategy to their games. However, those just looking for a replayable and ridiculous portable action game won't go far wrong with Tecmo's latest offering. It's got buckets of blood, armies of loyal zombies and characters that feel like complete and utter badasses.

American Truck Simulator caters to a wide array of people. There's something to be said for the serenity of cruising down a highway at night and obeying all the traffic laws. It's also a great opportunity to enjoy some audiobooks or podcasts while somewhat-mindlessly growing a trucking enterprise.

It's ridiculous, it's fun, and it's packed with enough content to last you a long while, so long as you don't get tired of beating dudes up over and over. The budget pricing of $29.99 makes this decision even easier.

Little Nightmares could use better pacing, perhaps more build-up in the first chapter, but even in its calmer moments it retains your interest with its macabre world and simple yet goosebumps-inducing gameplay. You constantly feel like a crippled gazelle limping around a lion's den. I'm excited to watch others play and panic the way I did.

Based on what I have been able to experience, it's what I've wanted Animal Crossing to be for many years.

Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is a funny game and a satisfying romp, with clearly influenced ideas that all have their own unique little spins. I'll fully admit that I went into it expecting another damp squib, but came away thoroughly impressed.

Indeed, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker suffers from some archaic mechanics, its fundamentals not having aged quite so gracefully as its aesthetics. Its unwieldiness and occasional sluggish pace can, in fact, grow temporarily infuriating. However, the streamlined menu system and map access go some way toward making up for any setbacks, while the unmistakable Wind Waker charisma ensures you won't ever stay mad at it for long.

If you were thinking that this was going to be an Activision cash grab, think again. So much heart and soul is consistently poured into the Skylanders franchise time and time again, and Swap Force is no exception. In fact, it's the best one yet.

It’s not going to revolutionize videogames and is definitely not a huge step forward in the series, but it contains some of the coolest set pieces and most incredible boss fights I have ever seen in my entire life. And that makes me very happy.

I have played a lot of challenging games in my time, but Dustforce is one that has asked more of me as a gamer than any other in recent memory. It asked me to refine my skills like no other, to sharpen my reflexes and timing until they were absolutely perfect.

This spin on Tokyo is breathtaking to view and full of memorable moments, all of which are worth dying over and over for.

It doesn't do a whole lot more than what was done in the original, but what has always been there has withstood the test of time so well, and most of the new content is just as fun as the old.

SteamWorld Dig 2 is a worthy addition to any library, but stands out on the Switch because it works great as a portable game and also looks amazing on a big TV.

Arise: A Simple Story is true to its name and offers both function and form, which is why I'm so anxious to see what Piccolo Studio has next in the pipeline.