Tales of the Abyss is JRPG through and through, something which may be appreciated by a 3DS audience which doesn't yet have a lot of other choices of this variety. It arrives with many of the caveats that come with the territory, and its age is unfortunately visually evident. But the strength of its real-time battle system and a progressively interesting story can keep you hooked if you trudge through the less-thrilling opening hours.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories gets a lot right, and just a couple of major things wrong. If you're in the mood for spine tingling uneasiness, and can bear some frustration, be sure to play this one.

Lost in Nightmares was constructed specifically for the Resident Evil fan base. It's a brief run, but it has enough call backs, in-jokes, and references to satisfy the legion of fans clamoring for a return to the series roots.

The hype machine put a lot on the shoulders of Resistance: Burning Skies and the initial multiplayer snags didn't help matters. Still, I have enjoyed it and I think anyone who likes the series will too.

Another fine PSP SRPG that represents the genre well.

The Executioner is short, but enjoyable. And at $5, it's worth playing on its own or as a fun way to wrap up your time The Evil Within.

Papo & Yo should absolutely be commended for wearing its heart on its sleeve. As an experience it takes unprecedented strides with the power of its narrative and it will be cherished years on for its memorable final act. As a game Papo & Yo is noticeably less ambitious, employing pedestrian challenges and clumsy mechanics throughout. It's worth it, but unfortunately not without a few qualifications.

Ultimately, your enjoyment of 'Cold, Cold Heart' rides solely on your level of fatigue with the core gameplay mechanics in the Arkham series.

If you're looking for the soccer equivalent to NFL or NBA Street, this isn't it. If you want an accessible alternative to the "big brother" FIFA, check this out.

Kenka Bancho is a weird, good game for a few hours, but as it stretches on it's undone by its flaws. It's a respectable game, and, by all means, it should be experienced in some capacity, but unfortunately little of it is memorable outside of the wild premise.

Order of War is a solid RTS. It's not particularly innovating but it's simple to learn, and difficult to master really fun alone or with a couple of friends.

White Knight Chronicles is better than most people are giving it credit for, but it does come up short in some key areas. I think that folks looking for a huge RPG experience may want to rent this before buying.

In 2006, Dead Rising's clever assembly of ideas rampaged against comfort and cohesion. Time has been kind to Dead Rising's sharp edge of nonconformity, though some of its quirks feel frustrating after two (and a half) sequels provided a better defense of its thesis.

NBA Live 15 is an improvement from the previous year. It contains better graphics, smoother gameplay and feels like a more complete experience when compared to NBA Live 14. That said, there is still some work to be done if it hopes to compete with the NBA 2K series. It isn’t quite to the 2K level, but it’s now officially on the right path.

A great release for those who enjoy the Arkham games but haven't played Blackgate for whatever reason.

Conduit 2 is a game which remains relevant primarily thanks to the abysmal selection of competent online multiplayer games on the Wii.

Quite possibly the best mini-game compilation title I have played on any platform, Carnival Island does a great job of catering to a younger audience but simultaneously keeps things interesting enough for older gamers.

Always good, occasionally great, and never regrettable, Ys Seven is another notable title in the PSP's increasingly impressive RPG stable.

Blackgate falls shy of greatness due to a few gameplay design flaws, but it's still an overall solid experience that Vita owners should investigate further.

At the end of the day, if you're an old school gamer that loved Flashback when it was first released in the 90s then you're going to adore what VectorCell and Ubisoft have brought to you in the HD version. They've done a helluva job keeping the memory and core gameplay of the original intact, while still delivering a competent game that is fun and engaging in a new way.

Last Rebellion doesn't raise the bar for JRPGs, but it does what it does very well. I had a lot of fun playing through it and I can happily recommend that anyone interested in JRPGs, hardcore or newcomer alike, should give it a look.

The complex nature of videogame creation usually precludes exclusive compositions. When allowed, however, you're likely to find a piece of the designer's soul buried in the experience. Memoir En Code: Reissue embodies this sentiment with its delicate recreation of tense and peaceful moments of its author's life. It's funny, painful, relatable and, unfortunately, a little heartbreaking.

While still shy of greatness, it's definitely worth a look for Spidey fans or anyone who enjoys third person action.

It’s a tough game that will challenge you, much like the actual card game, and will force you to think and strategize before jumping into the mix. It’s certainly made for a specific audience that enjoys mathematics and forward thinking.

With friends or family, Wii Party U can be a lot of fun. Not all of the minigames are great, some aren't necessarily worth a second look, but for a casual, laugh-filled gathering, Wii Party U has enough quality content and variety to provide an entertaining time.

While Ori and the Blind Forest’s style and construction were unassailable, its subscription to its declared genre was prudent if not passive. Great art shouldn’t be afraid to go outside of its lines. Definitive Edition, arriving nearly a year later, expands Ori’s content but delivers a parallel message.

A great 2D platforming party game best played locally, Runbow is a good buy for your multiplayer playlist.

Neverending Nightmares revels in tension and survives through conservation of its primal resource. Unfolding it exposes a weird paradox; a game that actively campaigns against a traditional desire to play it, and yet seeks to capture attention all the same.

Disney Epic Mickey is an exercise in patience and nostalgia, dominated by bizarre mutations of familiar (and obscure) Disney properties, but polluted by a terrible camera and hollow fetch quests.

If you're a serious baseball fan then you may want to try MLB 10: The Show, but if you're looking for something to jump right into then this might be up your alley.

War Thunder has some issues here and there, but it’s a very competent flying and ground war game that doesn’t let its microtransaction component get in the way. There’s plenty of tanks and planes to try out and modify to your liking, and just enough visuals to enjoy along the way. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid game.

Overall Klaus is a solid linear, story-based platformer. Hardcore players of platformers looking for a challenge should look elsewhere. From a mysterious story to solid yet fun gameplay, Klaus is a game that should be enjoyable for anyone.

Pushmo World is a nice addition to the Wii U eShop content and should be played by any puzzle fan who hasn't yet experienced Pushmo and doesn't own a 3DS. However, if you're in either of the previous two categories, you would probably be better served to pick up the original Pushmo and/or Crashmo for an equally enjoyable experience at a discounted price with the freedom of portable gaming.

Still, "Wooden Sen'Sey" is cheap, good-spirited and chuckle-inducing. It's a charming addition to the Wii U eShop that lays the groundwork for an even more ground-breaking sequel (please?)

Overall, Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer is a welcome spinoff that helps diversify the Animal Crossing brand and cements it as one of Nintendo’s cornerstone franchises (if it wasn’t already).

If you're looking for a competent, although not quite as complete or well rounded alternative to FIFA, give PES 2012 a look.

Fans of the Final Fantasy games (especially the soundtracks) will enjoy this game, fans of Rhythm games can enjoy this game, and fans of both may thoroughly enjoy this game, especially longtime fans who have played many of the games and have a fondness towards the soundtracks.

A strange, compelling game that the more you read about the more you're going to want to play it -- and there's no better way currently to do so than this HD version.

For die-hard Wasteland 3 fans, this expansion offers a compelling reason to return, but at a price that’s a little bit proud. For more casual players, or those who have yet to dive into Colorado, you may be well advised to wait for the inevitable complete edition that will probably release next year.

You will find some joy in the action and some sort of satisfaction in killing tons of enemies, but if you’re looking for something with any rich substance to it at all, Strider may not be enough of a good experience for you.

My skepticism regarding "Urban Trial Freestyle" was remedied quickly by its easy-to-pickup-and-play nature and the fair amount of challenges it offered in both of its primary game modes. It's not the prettiest title on the platform, but what it lacks in appearance it makes up for in style and personality. "Urban Trial Freestyle" is a gritty little game with a lot to like. Sacrifice your next combo meal and give it a go.

As my first Phoenix Wright game, I got the impression that Dual Destinies and the series as a whole is enamored with a cavalcade of quirky characters theatrically engaged with marching contention. In that measure Dual Destinies is a success, and while I yearned for an ounce of consequence or more creative approach interaction, I couldn't deny it's whimsical appeal. If you’re in my shoes and have never played a Phoenix Wright game before, Dual Destinies isn’t a bad place to start.

Many would agree that Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 was the most complete Naruto game to date, and Full Burst only extends what UNS3 had to offer. It's still a niche game for a niche audience, but it's well-developed, refined, and loaded with quality content.

City Interactive is giving us glimpses of what such gameplay in a Sniper title would be like, while you’re wondering why they didn’t follow this model in the first place. Snipers and open world/sandbox games. It seems like such a natural fit.

This is certainly a leap forward in the series thanks to some sweet customization, but there is work that still needs to be done to improve the overall gameplay experience.

Combining the maddening and dedicated labyrinths of Etrian Odyssey with Mystery Dungeon's ode to indifferent but committed variability would seem to be the videogame equivalent of pushing an immovable object against an unstoppable force. It's an attractive paradox, and, rather than explode on contact, both series' unique strengths coalesce into a grueling exploration of applied skill and tough love.

Captain America: Super Soldier is a fun game that proves that not all move tie-in games are automatically bad. Next Level Games put forth a commendable effort here and the result is a good game that I suggest checking out.

While an improvement over the original, Prototype 2 still has significant flaws. Despite that, it's a fun game in spurts and worth looking into if you like sandbox action games or enjoyed the original.

Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice is more positive than negative. It is developed to tap that deep nostalgia that Sonic fans have for the series, while bringing in some new elements that make it more than just an arcade platformer. While it isn’t perfect, especially the controls, it’s still a very entertaining experience that should satisfy the Sonic the Hedgehog fanbase.

J-Stars Victory Vs+ brings together some good fighting moments with popular Bandai Namco licenses, while offering up somewhat addictive, yet sporadic, gameplay flow. Improvements in environment variety, CPU artificial intelligence and visuals could help to make this a more memorable brawler in the future, as it falls short in these categories as it stands.

As it stands, there's a bit much here that holds back a smooth, fun experience like you would get in previous Scribblenauts titles. It is both a blessing and a curse.

Dead Money isn't perfect, but neither was New Vegas. There are some interesting survival horror elements of Dead Money that will make you tense, and enough fun to make you come back for more. This DLC is certainly a solid edition to the Fallout world.

Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash is varied enough to keep every skill-level of player engaged throughout its 30+ worlds but isn’t as polished as one would hope.

While The Fancy Pants Adventures isn't groundbreaking, it is fun to play. The game challenges you with a variety of content and achievements (and unlockables) to obtain, which makes the overall package worth your time and money. You simply can't go wrong with this side-scroller.

For an indie title, Kukoos: Lost Pets offers players a taste of charming 3D-platforming that has a potential for something much greater in the future, and I’m interested in seeing what more Kukoos has to offer in the future. Its ability-based platforming encourages folks to exercise precision, dexterity, and thoughtfulness, but I can’t help but want more from PetitFabrik’s charming universe that is the Kukoos. Sure, the Switch may not best accommodate precision compared to other platforms, but the platforming proper and successful charm of Kukoos is definitely enough to hold you over this holiday season.

The presentation won’t wow you, but it gets the job done, especially given that it’s made by an indie developer who’s never done a sports game and it’s priced at $20. The price is worth pointing out because this isn’t a AAA game, but it does fill a niche that has been needing some attention since NBA Jam a few years ago. 2K has clearly dominated and done an amazing job with NBA simulation, but if you’re like me, when it comes to sports and racing games, you always want a go-to arcade type to enjoy in addition or instead of the sims. NBA Playgrounds does alright for itself coming off the bench, hopefully we see Saber continue to refine this and perhaps we’ll see some kind of semi-annualized franchise here that gets progressively better.

Overall, the gameplay design for Edna & Harvey: The Breakout – Anniversary Edition is clunky on a console controller and might give too much freedom for a point and click-based game. That said, the story is good enough to push beyond those issues, the puzzles are incredibly clever as they relate to the story, though enormously difficult to overcome at times. At the end of the day, the experience might well be worth the frustration the design causes.

Macross – Shooting Insight from Kaminari Games takes the shoot ‘em-up genre to a bold and brash stance. While it does everything to break the mold of a regular shoot ‘em-up formula, including bringing a thick layer of challenge to the gameplay that will most certainly motivate hardcore shoot ‘em-up players, it lacks variety in level design and other small aspects of gameplay.

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions from developer Unbroken Studios finally brings a decent version of Quidditch to the video gaming world. While the controls are going to certainly frustrate some, especially when mixed with the chaotic Quidditch gameplay, the game does a decent job of bringing some good modes and reasons to keep playing. This is very much a vanilla beginning and hopefully, that can be improved in the coming months.

NASCAR ‘25 is a game that fans of the sport will honestly enjoy. It fills a void that has been left open for years and allows them to be able to finally ‘scratch that itch’. It’s not something that will blow other racing games out of the water, but if iRacing Studios is going to try and possibly turn this into a yearly franchise, then this is the perfect foundation to start building upon.

It’s a bold release that they took a chance on. For the most part, they executed it decently. I wish more developers took on something oddball like this, as it does provide a unique journey that most wouldn’t have dreamed could be translated.

Knowing the ending of FFXVI, The Rising Tide doesn’t change Clive’s outcome or add a meaningful impact to the world to warrant an emotional introspection like the main game’s story. Instead, it adds additional power to Clive’s Eikonic skillset, making him appropriately powerful for postgame content that will assuredly punish players and test their might in Final Fantasy Mode. It might be a weirdly timed expansion, but it adds enough meat to the core gameplay to encourage replaying.

Iron Throne is more positive than negative. The story is solid, the gameplay options are extensive, especially for battling other players, and getting drawn into the overall body of gameplay can be a fun experience. Iron Throne, while it can be intimidating, is a solid MMORPG for casual gamers that can handle it. It’s certainly more complicated and deeper than expected.

Although there are some drawbacks to the game Digimon World Next Order is actually an engaging and fun game. If your a fan of the Digimon series and enjoy raising and evolving your Digimon then this game will be perfect for you. The idea of allowing the player two different Digimon at the same time was a good decision. The building and collecting is also very fun in this game. It’s worth a look if your a RPG fan.

Despite all of its various shortcomings, The Sinking City still gets a lot right, and it kept me coming back. I became determined to solve the cases, discover the hidden areas of Oakmont, unlock the additional in-game costumes, and just explore. Even though the gameplay stumbles often, for me there was still enough here in terms of story and content, to keep going, and I enjoyed myself more oft than not. Ultimately, I think that with some patching, The Sinking City could really be a stand out title, easily one of or the best AA games this year. But as it plays now, The Sinking City is fairly rough around the edges and might will test your patience and sense of leniency for its shortcomings.

Contra Anniversary Collection is another successful release under Konami’s Anniversary Collection moniker. It brings the old series back to life and reminds us that Konami really loved gaming back in the day. Hopefully, they can get that old feeling back again and reignite some of the other series that lie underneath their control.

Sea of Thieves’ concept is beautifully drawn up. It has exploration, intense PvP and one of the most beautiful sea adventures to ever grace gaming, but it is lacking in content and it needs more reason to keep players moving and exploring. It has plenty of space on its plate for that, but in its vanilla form there’s nothing really to fill that space. I suspect that won’t be the case for long, if Rare has anything to say, but that is the current case now.

Spirit of the North – Enhanced Edition offers up a majestic, yet melancholy narrative that will bring some peace to a weary mind, or at least try to lull you to relax. Sadly, that lull can often be disrupted by the controls, as their inaccuracy might take you out of the moment and create frustration. The game does still manage to be more entertaining than not, especially with its visuals and music.

Noreya: The Gold Project is a very pretty 2D platformer that attempts to instill agency and creativity wrapped in a nice, neat metroidvania package. Whether it does so or not is up for debate, but one thing is certain: The puzzles and platforming are quite enjoyable.

In summary, Strikers Edge is a fun game to play. I am looking forward to playing the 2v2 mode with a friend. But this isn’t a game I can see myself sinking my teeth into. It is a game where I can play for an hour a day and then move on. Within that hour though, you will have an exciting experience.

The Blackout Club manages to wedge itself into a crowded cooperative space with the use of clever tricks and an approachable atmosphere. But unless the developers build off this initial offering with new content to slice through repetition, it will soon get lost in the dark.

NHL 23 is a good step for the franchise this year, and there needs to be major praise for this. They have been great strides up the ice, but overall I just felt myself wanting something more.

One Piece fans will love this game. Although I have not seen a single episode of One Piece’s anime or read any of the manga, I enjoyed playing it. You don’t need to have a vast knowledge of the One Piece lore to enjoy this game, as the main storyline introduces you to the characters and locations within the One Piece universe. Overall, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 was a lot of fun and I highly recommend it if you enjoy Dynasty Warriors-like games.

For some quick bouts on the go, Real Boxing does an admirable job of capturing the sport and presenting it to the player in an accessible and satisfying way.

Like a bike without brakes or a toy with too many moving parts, Trials of the Blood Dragon is prone to self-destruction, but its cocksure embrace of 80's action cinema and good-enough mechanics don't quite violate its contract.

Playing the game is a blast, as the whole "desperado" feeling comes through in spades. Story is a fun play through, and could be done in one sitting. But the Duel and Arcade modes offer a good amount of re-playability.

Green Day: Rock Band, not unlike The Beatles version released last year, is exactly what it sounds like: Rock Band for Green Day fans. If you like Rock Band and Green Day, then obviously this is worth checking out, but if you are on the fence about either, a rental will likely suffice.

Color Guardians is a simple game with a straightforward purpose - run and button-mash. It will certainly challenge gamers with fast gameplay and demand multi-tasking sharpness from its players, but doesn't offer a lot beyond those things.

Armikrog is a missed opportunity, but despite its design flaws and technical issues, it's worth playing even if just for the unique visual experience.

MLB 10 The Show is a great baseball sim for the PSP, but the curious removal of online play will irk fans wanting to upgrade from MLB 09. If you can live without that, then MLB 10 is a good choice.

New World brings you into the mysterious world of Aeternum after sailing into a wild storm that leaves you stranded. While there are many things to do in New World, it can often feel tedious to make any progress as the leveling system relies heavily on the player grinding out tasks.

There’s a lot of things about the series, and DoA6 specifically, that aren’t all that endearing to me, but underneath that noise there is an impressive fighting game with some deeper mechanics than it appears at first look.

While not perfect, or particularly next-gen beautiful, Tiny Brains does offer up some intellectually stimulating puzzles. The addition of co-op definitely makes it a solid purchase.

Creating a candid simulation of a correctional facility is Prison Architect's purpose. Its power is allowing the player to decide if moral indifference—their own or Prison Architect's—is either a strength or weakness. Prison Architect's trip to the PlayStation 4 undermines its capability with an unnecessary layer of obstruction, but the interference it creates isn't impossible to overcome.

Surgeon Simulator Anniversary Edition is still giant dripping bucket of stupid fun - and most of the new content is great - but absent is the howling laughter and pure novelty from its debut.

Is this game worth it on the Switch? If you have a child that is too young for Mario (that is a possibility) or other Switch titles, then this one is actually not a bad way to get them going in gaming. The price is right ($29.99) and since it’s multiplayer you can experience it with them. The difficulty might be a sticking point here and there, but maybe it will make them a better gamer. Regardless, it’s a good title and worth having on the Nintendo Switch.

The Force Unleashed II isn't a bad game, it's just a disappointing one. There was a lot of hope and excitement for it prior to launch, but it really fell short. If you liked the original, you should play this, but frankly, a rental is probably all you need.

The Persistence is a great entry into the survival horror genre, and I feel that it is best enjoyed in the original VR format. For those entering on Xbox side of this game, this is definitely one I would pick up and take in, even though you won’t get that same immersive VR experience from it. The game still offers a great story and an insane amount of difficulty, which will challenge most experienced players. While it is rather short, the addition of ever-changing maps does add to the ‘freshness’ of the short game, as no playthrough will be the same. Definitely worth a go.

Juggling a myriad of different game ideas, Dead Island works as either a cooperative loot fest with some friends or a solo decent into survival and isolation. For all it borrows from other games, it takes a step forward in twisting a real sense of adventure into the worn zombie apocalypse model. Unfortunately most of Dead Island's gifts can be compromised by a potentially ruinous save system or completely wiped out with bugs, neither of which should be considered acceptable.

The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff follows the template of the previous Sims “Stuff” releases; that is, it’s really nothing more than an items pack—no gameplay changes apply whatsoever.

I'm glad to see the DOA series come to PC, but this port is a bit shaky at launch. The core gameplay is good, but no online play (for about three months when a patch comes out), a mixed graphical presentation, and other oddities make this hard to recommend right now -- might be best to give it some time to simmer.

Overall, Romancing SaGa 3 was a fantastically wonderful game. Aside from the few issues I had learning the game, I found myself thoroughly immersed in the story. Since the player has such control over how they play the game, every player will have a unique experience. The remaster offers added content as well as a New Game+. I would recommend Romancing SaGa 3 to anyone looking for a fantastic older game that has such high replay value.

Daylight is gold when it comes to scares, but is merely sterling silver in the gameplay substance department. The price might be worth the risk, though.

Simply put, Blades of Time is well worth your consideration if you enjoy third person action/adventure games.

NHL Slapshot is a nice attempt by EA to capture a larger hockey audience for the Wii. It combines a solid core game with a unique controller that works pretty well for itself. The result is a hockey experience that isn't bad if you're looking for something a little different and a little more casual.

A well thought out and executed DSiware game, Amoebattle is well worth the cost of admission.

One Piece fans will appreciate it, but newbies might want to give it a rent before jumping at it.

WayForward set out to revitalize the Capcom NES hit from nearly twenty-five years ago and I believe they succeeded. That doesn't mean Ducktales Remastered is the greatest platformer of all time or that it doesn't have it's own gripes, but for anyone that has fond memories of the TV show, original game, or 90s platforming, this is good buy.