It's the acquired and applied knowledge of a roguelike against the demanding drive of a rhythm game, and yet Crypt of the NecroDancer escapes the gaze of a simple curiosity and leaps to an ideal hybrid of two disparate genres.

Short but very much worth the time and price of admission, The Charnel House Trilogy should be on any adventure gamer's playlist.

GTA V and the wealth of assets it claims have, quite literally, never been better.

Beyond its nostalgic surface, though, is a game that’s freaky fun and well-suited for pick-up-and-play gamers as much as it is for hardcore enthusiasts looking to set world records.

Can you be angry at a game that examines frustration? Slow Down, Bull explores the aggressive relationship between creative inhibition and self-expression—and completely stresses the player out in the process. That's (probably) the point, but Slow Down, Bull may be a little too sharp to handle without an informed sense of patience.

An excellent fighter and another superb addition to the series, MKX kicks ass.

50 Pinch Barrage!! looks simple on the outside, but its complicated interior gameplay will bring intrigue and unexpected depth. Beware, though, as there is plenty of frustration to be had with the game.

Indifferent to the temptations of aberration and bombast, Element4l's Spartan aesthetic plays nicely with its devotion to pure platforming. It also buries Element4l's identity beneath waves of difficulty and a few inventive tricks. Still, seeing Element4l to its conclusion is enjoyable enough, and worth it for moments of earned validation.

The best, most complete version of a great game that offers compelling reasons for current owners and newcomers to invest in. It's not for everyone, but if you can "get into it," you're likely going to be hooked on not only the game, but the franchise.

One part hysterical, one part horrifying, all parts engrossing: "Affordable Space Adventures" is every bit worthy of consideration as the next addition to your Wii U digital library.

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.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is translated well from its big brother. While there is a drop in visuals, the gameplay design and delivery that make this JRPG great is still very much intact. The added 3D visuals, superb story and voice acting will make this game worth your time and effort.

MLB 15: The Show smoothes out some issues that MLB 14 had last year. The graphical portion of the game is the biggest improvement with MLB 15 and something you’ll see right from the start. In addition to visuals, the game’s upgrades and additions in its modes, as well as some unexpected elements, make it a much better experience than last year’s title.

One of the Vita's best comes full circle and now also to the PS4. Toukiden Kiwami includes and expands upon Toukiden Age of Demons, making it an even more robust experience, but there is still the repetition to contend with.

Mystery of the Mooil Rig explored how well Sunset Overdrive could operate under constraints. Dawn of the Rise of the Fallen Machines proves the inverse is true as well.

What BOXBOY! lacks in visuals and style, it makes up for with complex level design and intricate gameplay that will keep your brain churning for hours. It may not replace any of the bigger puzzle games out there, but HAL Laboratory’s little box opus brings some good, easily addictive puzzle entertainment.

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.

Dontnod Entertainment has a knack for keeping the flaws hidden in Life is Strange thanks to an engaging story. Even if pressing buttons in the right order or at the right time isn’t your gaming ‘thing’, the Twin Peaks driven feel of the story will keep you coming back for more.

Damascus Gear is a solid portable mech combat game that quickly proved to be more fun and addictive than I was anticipating. It's not the most difficult or longest game you'll play on the Vita, but it's fun and satisfying, especially for $15.

With aggression as its invitation, Bloodborne invokes a calculated shift in Souls parlance. Its aim isn't necessarily a course correction, but rather a Y-axis slant into an alternative series of objectives. Sacrificed are a few degrees of personal customization, only to be replaced by a renewed sense of distress and wonder. Bloodborne’s demanding novelty, even with its unrepentant focus, feels built to last.

Even had Bladestorm: Nightmare came out several years ago on PS3 I don't think I would have enjoyed it much. But, for those who like Dynasty Warrior-esque games and want more unit control and strategy, Bladestorm is worth checking out.

Sniper Elite III is a very good game overall, but this Ultimate Edition is not quite as definitive or complete as it should have been.

Remastered versions of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel are gems on their own that offer deep, fun and different experiences. Having them together in one package for a reasonable price point is something you can't pass up, if you don't own them on PC.

If you like your survival horror experience to have more combat and co-op play, Revelations 2 is a great pick. Played solo, it's not nearly as fun, but regardless it offers a good story, interesting characters, and a good amount of content for the price.

A quick, yet enjoyable 2.5D action platformer that's worth the price of admission.

Mario Party 10 is pretty to look at and it has some interesting modes (like the Bowser mode) to play, but the overall amount of content is a tad bit on the shallow side. The way that player management and competition is handled falls short of Mario Party expectations.

While the gameplay is similar to Hotline Miami, there are some positive differences that help make L.A. Cops interesting. It adds a few unique gameplay elements, such as isometric camera movement, but the game lacks in categories like speed, strong personality and a compelling narrative to drive it above a game like Hotline Miami.

I'm happy that this staple JRPG series is evolving. Dusk Sea brings with it several key gameplay changes that should keep series fans happy while making itself more accessible and interesting to others.

Hardline is a great game if considered on its own merits, but it’s not the best Battlefield game.

Despite some tedious gameplay aggravations, it’s a work well worth your $40.

Only Final Fantasy could get away with the paradox of a clean slate that simultaneously references countless tropes endemic to its name. Type-0 HD can feel like the tortuous result of hasty assembly, but if allowed the time and energy to piece itself together, it stands as clear and original as others bearing its exalted title

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number didn’t make giant leaps in gameplay improvements, but the essence that made the first game great is intact and alive. Sometimes that is all that matters, especially in a game like this.

The Assignment is an excellent piece of DLC that adds, in a purely positive way, to the base game.

For gamers not wanting to dedicate their entire beings to the Civ games, this might be a worthy substitute.

There's no question DmC is a great game that any action gamer should play, but if you already have the original versions, there might not be quite enough additional content and changes here to warrant a re-purchase right now. However, if you missed out on DmC, then the Definitive Edition is a must have.

Tipping Stars is just about what you’d expect from a modern Mario vs. Donkey Kong title: unique, fun in short bursts, and inexpensive—but nevertheless, nothing terribly exciting.

Ori and the Blind Forest imparts a beautiful and intricate framework of the platforming and progression that came to define latter day Castlevania and Metroid titles, but it can't muster the same technical and design prowess to fuel its own ideas. This leaves Ori as an adequate model of its revered genre, just short of the execution and innovation that could have made it exemplary.

Ancient Labyrinth isn't perfect, but I consider it must play material for anyone who enjoyed Lords of the Fallen.

Omega Force certainly takes the core gameplay of Dynasty Warriors and boosts it considerably. A wider and deeper landscape for networking, invading and scheming, and sometimes playing as a politician, helps to make this title more than just another hack and slash experience. This depth will overshadow the lack of visual upgrade for current generation hardware.

For a game so persistently engrossed in outlandish destruction, it[s] accompanying structure is surprisingly sound.

The Bright Lord is a bunch of frustrating fun, but it pays off at the end with new missions, upgrades and quick gameplay.

Designing a multiplayer game with inherent asymmetry is quite ambitious. To make it a white knuckle action title geared towards seriously competitive players could be considered lunacy. Yet, this is what Turtle Rock attempted, and, for the most part, made work.

While not incredibly complex on the surface, Minutes offers up a challenging style of gameplay that requires you to constantly think on the fly, while having a blast. It might be closer to a causal gaming experience than a console experience, but it’s nonetheless fun at the end of the day.

Sunless Sea stresses a fondness for resource management, vaguely turn-based combat, roguelike principles of calculated disposability, and basic role-playing.

htoL#NiQ's flaws are significant, and I experienced a lot of frustration in the process of grinding through it. It's hard to recommend to a general audience, but if you're into 2D platformers, especially ones with puzzles and unforgiving difficulty, htoL#NiQ is one to consider.

Creative Assembly's passion and dedication to their Total War machine is evident with ATTILA. It's not for everyone, but for those that enjoy the series, this has all the makings of a superb entry.

MM3D both suffers from its allegiance to the Zelda ethos while also etching out a unique position within the franchise’s context. Ultimately, although its attempts at innovation have mixed success, the core Zelda gameplay is still fun, endearing, and challenging.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate feels right at home on the 3DS. The segmented environments are perfect for gaming on the go and the game's addictive item creation is perfect for bringing wherever your travels take you. The number of unique creatures to hunt, expansive number of items to collect and craft, and strong multiplayer experience make for a must-play experience on the 3DS.

Expressed as a product, Gravity Ghost is an inventive platformer with a precarious and affecting narrative.

Dying Light presents a dynamic and frustrating parallel; it's quick to dazzle its audience with heaping stacks of energetic (if not wholly borrowed) content, but equally capable of coming apart under the burgeoning stress of weaving it all together.

Gamers may not like the lack of control and variety of gameplay, but the freedom to dictate the character and story might be enough to warrant a go.

It seeks to shake up the familiar co-op sports game with simplistic controls and unstoppable energy and creates an ultra-competitive gameplay that’s easy to play or watch. And while the game shines at 2v2, it falls victim to its own frenzy with any additional players.

The Remastered version brings this masterpiece to a new generation, and does nothing to compromise the genius of the original.

Humor sharpens Saints Row IV’s experience, though it won’t stop you from wondering of what it could have been with a bit more focus.

Citizens of Earth is ultimately a victory, but not without a few conspicuous bruises.

Resident Evil HD Remaster is almost everything promised. After all these years, it still doesn’t miss a step.

By tying humor and outrageous context to its moving parts, Saints Row The Third and Saints Row IV became viable systems in the modern open-world paradigm. Gat out of Hell (mostly) forgets all of this, sheds (mostly) all of its psychotic humor, and bolts on (mostly) dated mechanics.

Mystery of Mooil Rig continues Sunset Overdrive's maelstrom of colorful and chaotic action. As far as downloadable content goes, Mystery of Mooil Rig is wholly traditional - but when it's applied to a game as whimsically defiant as Sunset Overdrive, it's tough to complain.

If this was at the $15 price point, I'd say go for it with no hesitation whatsoever. For $20, I caution those looking for truckloads of new content to be leery of the abbreviated collection of Championships and Gauntlets. Still, this is a very solid offering for Horizon 2 owners looking for a reason to put the virtual pedal down during the holidays.

If you go into Sportsball with friends ready to play a local multiplayer experience, and ready to screw each other over, then you’re going to find a very fun and inexpensive experience on the Wii U. If you’re looking for more of a solo game, then this probably isn’t the game for you.

Making Destiny more accessible in this way is a welcome addition to a game built around its cooperative environment. This remains a game best enjoyed with friends, so the more people playing, the better.

A good value for a well designed and developed digital tabletop game set in one of gaming's most intriguing universes.

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris has its limitations due to the dungeon crawling style of the game, especially in the presentation department. However, it does a great job with bringing some fun puzzle solving, competent enemies and level design, as well as a strong leveling system that motivates the gamer to keep going.

As a collection of catalog titles, "Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy" does everything an audience expects.

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.

Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms provides a great value and a superb action RPG experience.

The charm of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker resides in the unique variety of levels built for the game, as well as the competent, yet simplistic gameplay design it delivers. Add a strong replay value to the mix and you have one of the best surprises to hit the Wii U this holiday season.

Those of you looking for an inexpensive RTS on your Wii U should highly consider purchasing this game (just don't expect a traditional RTS experience).

A strong first outing on the PS4 that's pretty great as is and worth considering for anyone at all interested in motocross. Next year's version should be quite interesting.

Square Enix does a superb job with bringing Kingdom Hearts fans the best of the series in a beautifully remixed HD upgrade.

If you can overlook the price and potential early learning curve depending on your familiarity with the series, Ardennes Assault offers a very competent and compelling RTS experience.

The core combat is probably the simplest in all of RPG-dom, and yet it remains an ideal system to deliver turn-based entertainment. If you're a Pokemon fan and you've yet to pick this one up (now a week after its release date), then I assume you've got a good reason to wait.

Far Cry 4 is radiant with opportunities to both seize and indulge in its power. This speaks to its fondness for connected progression systems, an insistence on emblazoning its geography with scores of content, and meaningful improvements to the blueprint laid out by Far Cry 3.

With that said, the primary flaw in Assassin's Creed Rogue is the plot. Conrad, in Heart of Darkness, wrote "showing in this remark the weakness of many tellers of tales who seem so often unaware of what their audience would best like to hear." And Ubisoft Sofia has succumbed to these weaknesses. Rogue does not tell the story players want to hear.

A top notch soccer sim that deserves your attention this holiday.

WWE 2K's first outing on the PS4 and Xbox One is commendable, and gives us much to look forward to for 2K16. But unless you're a passionate fan of the WWE or this series, it's probably safe to rent or skip this year.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is initially the same type of gameplay that you know from the previous LEGO titles, but with a little bit more freedom and flavor added in to separate it. If you loved previous LEGO titles, especially the most recent LEGO Batman titles, then you’re going to enjoy this one.

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is an ambitious amalgamation of disparate stories, ideas, and styles. Persona 3 and Persona 4's character driven narratives may seem like unlikely bedfellows alongside Etrian Odyssey's obsession with dungeon crawling, but with a careful and crafty application of their respective strengths, Persona Q is a strangely melodious composition.

A good value for a pair of successful mobile games that come to PlayStation in their most complete form.

Some thirteen years after Melee’s release, Nintendo has finally formulated an experience which compares appreciably to the masterpiece that we all love (and many of us still play). Whether for fun or for glory, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is the follow-up Smash fans have been anticipating since.

The visual upgrade to Grand Theft Auto V on the current generation systems would be enough to warrant a re-purchase. It’s absolutely stunning and by far one of the best looking games on current gen. The additional online content, modes, cars, people and the inclusion first-person is just icing on the cake.

In its third mainline iteration, LittleBigPlanet's momentum shifts from a bastion of adaptive entertainment to a lightning rod of tailored inspiration. It's a logical progression, one that sacrifices personal moments of professionally crafted clarity, but in their place is a tidy collection of tools and concepts masquerading as purpose-driven levels – and the hope that talented players will embrace enough of them to fill in LittleBigPlanet 3's considerable gaps in content.

Defenders of Time, even with its pretty visuals and some redeeming game mechanics, can't stand well on its own, and is easily beat out by other free tower defense games with very difficult levels and shoddy multiplayer, this game is not a very good example of the tower defense genre.

Dragon Age: Inquisition has incredibly deep and complex parts, while still maintaining the core gameplay values that Bioware knows how to do best with their third-person action titles. The game delivers everything promised, including gorgeous visuals and a strong story. Simply put, Bioware has returned the Dragon Age series to the greatness it truly deserves.

It stumbles out of the gates, but underneath the issues lies a pretty good experience that I would hope will get better with patches.

Unfortunately, "Digimon: All-Star Rumble" is merely okay.

A great fit in any Vita library that would benefit from an excellent JRPG.

The definitive version of How To Survive that's priced well and enjoyable online or off, solo, or with a friend.

A true classic revitalized that's easy to recommend to anyone who enjoys a great story, with bonus content to boot for those interested in videogame development or history.

A challenging, rough around the edges title in the vein of the Souls games that gets a lot more right than it does wrong. It deserves your attention this holiday season, and hopefully we'll see more from this franchise.

The game is damn fun. You’ve got a bit of everything that you’re supposed to have with a Call of Duty title. An entertaining campaign mode, a fast/furious MP experience and a co-op mode that does everything you’re used to doing with a bit of a change to keep it different from previous iterations.

By declaring its intentions early, Corporate Lockdown projects a more comfortable and measured presentation of Alien: Isolation's objectives. This translates to a more clinical feel detached of the narrative context that made Isolation so special, but in its place is a more practical application of its mechanics. As it turns out, Isolation is easier to parse without the weight of a twenty hour run time.

Freedom Wars has its shortcomings, but I would still consider it one of the top Vita games available.

Ones and Zeroes accelerates Republique's exploration of action and consequence by placing the player in a position of uncomfortable accountability, continuing to be an exemplary exhibition of touchscreen gaming.

Not all of Metamorphosis' disparity necessarily works in Republique's favor, but it's at least emblematic of Camouflaj's focus on simultaneously managing progress and refinement.

Level 5 and 1UP Studios have done a wonderful job of creating a lighthearted adventure that should be on any completionist's radar.

Republique is a response to an insular system closing in around the defiant and the virtuous, avoiding the pratfalls of mobile/touch game development while detailing a fascinating Orwellian nightmare.

It's a manufactured experience that's still more superficial than engrossing, but it's a step in the right direction.