What stood out to me most about Beholder, however, was it’s distinct art style and music. None of the characters have faces or coloring whatsoever, but they have more character than many other games out there. You can really tell which tenant is which, even though they may all look the same at first glance. The black-and-white motif of the character design is fantastic sitting on top of the dystopian backdrop of the apartment complex. The entire look and feel of the game has that sort of grit-and-grime that really give players that feeling that they themselves are being watched by The Ministry. The music, also, is outstanding and gives the game a sort of gravitas that few other games have.

Project Cars 2 final offers a real alternative to console racing fans and brings to the table a fantastic roster of cars and tracks. Combined with an excellent simulation of track and weather conditions Project Cars 2 is pretty much the pinnacle of racing on console.

I’m pleased, though not surprised, to say that M2’s typical sincere effort in preserving and re-presenting these Sega classics is on display here. Everything from the digital manual, menus, menu music, optional display filters, numerous border art, unlockables — it’s clear that M2 has created and maintained a reputation of excellence for themselves and they should be proud of it. The only thing I would have liked to have seen would have been the ability to invert the joystick (as is, you have to press down for Harrier to fly up) and the Master System version of the game included. Nevertheless, M2 are offering a lovingly and expertly crafted Space Harrier experience here like none other available that is easy for me to recommend.

In the end, Diablo 3 is an excellent game in its own right. It’s fun, addicting to play and rewarding for the players that want to grind out the best gear. Throw in the accessibility factor of the Nintendo Switch, and its safe to say that it’s my preferred play to play. No, it doesn’t look as good. But for a game that came out in 2012, you can’t expect the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous game out there. As far as non-1st party games are concerned, Diablo 3: Eternal Collection is a must-play on the Nintendo Switch.

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is most certainly the best title in the series to date.

Final Fantasy spent a decade constructing idols and Final Fantasy VIII demolished every one of them. Its elaborate, extravagant, and chaotic parade of ideas marched toward an evolutionary dead end and ensured there would never be another game like Final Fantasy VIII. Even by Remastered’s distressing modernization, Final Fantasy VIII’s paradigm shifting idiosyncrasies still showcase one of the most fearless and contemplative models of its medium. Final Fantasy VIII is a classic for people immune to the charms of classics.

Absolum has received an incredible shot in the arm with its new Threads of Fate update. While the core experience already proved that Dotemu, Guard Crush, and Supamonks have made one of the best beat ’em ups in recent years, providing players with new difficulty and run modifiers adds more life to an already healthy game. Just as fantastic as it was when it released in 2025, this newest patch provides an incredible reason for anyone to check out what Absolum has to offer.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a thrilling, feverishly-paced slaughter, the one thing most DOOM fans crave with each entry. Forgoing the brutal complexity of Eternal, id Software has stripped the formula down only slightly, making the Shield Saw one of the franchise’s best additions since glory kills. In the voyage towards reclaiming the roots of 1993, DOOM again shoves arena shooters into the future.

Othercide does not want you to fail. It wants you to learn, to accept loss, to make bold sacrifices. Lightbulb Crew has designed a beautiful game with truly stunning imagery. But just as striking is the attention to detail in its gameplay. This dark, broken world is meant to be tamed by players who seek out the boldest strategies to purge evil forces. Caring for the Daughters, understanding their quirks and randomly generated names and looks will create an inseparable bond that lasts not only for the first run but every subsequent one. There are several secrets to unfold in Othercide but it’s little secret that it is one of the best strategy games to have graced us in years.

One of the more exciting and worth-your-money HD Collections available to date.

Hindsight is still an experience that feels real, brings out the best and worst emotions, and provides an accurate portrayal of the grieving process. The longevity of the experience is a blessing due to the emotional strain it puts on the gamer, and also a curse as it isn’t replayable for any reason other than personal choice. It’s a great tale and one that everyone should experience.

A simple, fun, accessible beat'em up that wouldn't be nearly as good on a standard controller. The experience is wholly built around the capabilities of the Gametablet and the end result is great.

Kingdom Hearts 3 delivers the conclusion to the story started nearly 20 years ago in extraordinary ways. It has the best gameplay of the series, wraps up all the storylines and still finds room for some surprises.

The Division 2 Warlords of New York is the cherry on top of Massive's looter. The return to New York is a confident one, where overhauled systems improve and clarify build diversity. While the new play space is underutilized, forward-thinking endgame content will surely drive engagement for the long haul.

Rollerdrome is one of the most unique combo-building games in years. Its combination of Tony Hawk-style skating with Max Payne-esque gunplay is a joy to play. Nailing combos while taking down a swath of diverse enemies does feel nice, even if it does get a bit overwhelming at times. Plenty of players will find a ton of challenges in repeat playthroughs of levels to achieve everything, and will assuredly be able to pull off some sweet moments. Unfortunately, I ended up being pretty terrible at the game; but it’s hard to deny that Rollerdrome is something special.

Little Goody Two Shoes from developer AstralShift is a hodgepodge of well-put-together intentions that all work out beautifully. You get this innocent backdrop and this thick horror-filled narrative that drives it all. While it might seem like a simple RPG that typically is found in Square Enix’s past published works, the underbelly is more expansive than that and the multiple endings make you want to revisit the warped experience.

At the close of 2010 you'd think zombies and twin stick shooters were well past their expiration dates, but Housemarque had other plans. Through Dead Nation they have delivered an experience that's ripe with tension and never content to let the player settle down.

You don’t need to be a BlazBlue diehard to appreciate BlazBlue Entropy Effect. Its roguelike gameplay features some of the most fun yet complex combinations of button mashing and attack chains. It is far more approachable than most roguelikes I’ve played recently thanks to how it presents complex information to players and gives them opportunities to test out mechanics without relying on trial and error.

A great game and a top quality remaster, consider it a must-have.

At the end of the day, Hotline Miami's simple, quick gameplay, though frustrating, is kept fresh by the level design and unique fighting style it delivers. It's definitely deeper than your average action game, and not as straightforward as it appears.

Cave Story shouldn't be missed no matter what platform you play it on, but Cave Story 3D offers the most unique perspective on this independent gem.

Racket Club VR from developer Resolution Games nailed the racket-based sports VR experience with perfect mechanics and equally good physics. This game was built for the competitive sports type and did a great job of bringing the racket-based sports experience to life in virtual reality. One can only hope that more Meta Quest 3 games take this type of care in their design.

GoldenEye 007 Reloaded has taken a risky jump from the relatively starved Wii FPS climate to the well-established PS3/360 market in exchange for a better online experience and some shiny HD visuals. Fortunately, thanks to some clever additions to the package and some much-needed refinements elsewhere, it stands with the big boys-just with a different overall attitude.

Metal Suits: Counter Attack from developer Eggtart is a clever and fun 2D platformer packed with good action, clever weapons, and wonderful boss and level design. While the common enemies in the game aren’t anything to write home about, the overall body of work is very well done.

LEGO The Hobbit brings a bigger world, improved gameplay elements and a deeper gaming experience than thought possible with a LEGO game. If you like the LEGO games, then you need this one in your collection. It’s certainly the best of the best amongst its LEGO brethren.

A fantastic release that brings some new value to the series through gamer Skylander creation and great gameplay in the main story. Toys for Bob and Activision are certainly keeping this series fresh with good ideas and execution.

Kingdom Hearts 2.8 is a must play for any Kingdom Hearts fan, just for KH 0.2 alone. Not only is there a wonderful remaster of an underrated 3DS game, but players get their first opportunity to go hands-on with the gameplay for Kingdom Hearts 3. While I found Kingdom Hearts X: Back Cover to be a bit of a shoo-in, it does give fans of both the mobile game and the series some extra content to enjoy. With Kingdom Hearts 3 a while off, Kingdom Hearts 2.8 is the perfect appetizer.

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

PGA Tour 2K25 from developer HB Studios and 2K Games is probably one of the best entries to the franchise in the last three years. It brings better gameplay, gorgeous graphics, and just enough modes to keep the game consistently interesting as you play. It is one of the better sports games to arrive in the last year.

Crashmo is a worthy successor to last year's wonderful puzzler Pushmo. With a similar style from the outside, Crashmo's small gameplay tweaks lead to entirely different styles of puzzles and problem solving. With more puzzles built into the game than its predecessor and hundreds more to come from user-created puzzles, Crashmo is worth your money, even if it is $2 more than its predecessor. If you're in for another addictive gaming drug to keep you busy this holiday season, download Crashmo today!

Final Fantasy XIII isn't your typical Final Fantasy, but what is? Final Fantasy's tradition is its divergence, and when its execution is ever so clearly in line with its vision, there isn't much else quite like it.

I think that EA Sports has exceeded in their efforts to bring a solid NCAA Football game to football fans. This is the first NCAA Football game that I can safely say gets close to or is on par with Madden NFL.

The Stanley Parable has this provocative and perpetual elusiveness that aches to break whatever system it’s applied to. Perhaps it's part of a weapons-grade disinformation campaign appointed to destroy all videogames, or maybe it was commissioned to wreck game criticism. Through any interpretation The Stanley Parable is equally hilarious and genuine, and if nothing else it’s going to merit inclusion in any serious discussion of its medium.

Majin represents another superb release from them and at a super aggressive price of $40 and lower, there's absolutely no reason you shouldn't pick this game up.

The Alters is an isolationist and existential meditation on survival, using compelling mechanics to strip itself of the genre’s most frustrating chokepoints of tedium. But when The Alters becomes less about gathering materials and more about managing yourself, it molds the struggle of one’s self into an often bleak but obtusely hopeful exercise on living with yourself and the choices that have shaped you. The universe may often be in control of our destinies but 11 bit studios provides a fleeting glimpse into a core question of humanity and what it means to be you.

The remastered versions of NIOH and NIOH 2 are outstanding. Visually they are nearly equal to each other and both still maintain the core enjoyment of the series, which is dying over and over again while slowly but surely progressing. Of course, those deaths are in 4K with a high frame rate via PlayStation 5, which makes the experience far more entertaining.

Deciding if a vanilla racing game is worth one of those tokens is ultimately up to the consumer. What I can say is within that relatively narrow definition, Forza 6 does about everything necessary to fulfill the niche to a high degree.

Overall MLB The Show 17 does what it’s supposed to do and builds on last year’s great game. It’s hard to truly improve year after year without any competition but the development team is able to do that with this game. The documentary style of RTTS is brilliant and the new MLB Network broadcast addition is great and adds authenticity to the game. MLB The Show 17 is a great game for any baseball fans and will provide a great experience from any of their game modes.

Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver have finally been given the remake they deserve.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is spectacular on the PC. It brings the same great story with the same wonderful characters, as well as all the good gameplay elements that the series has been known for over the years. It has some very minor hitches in its giddy-up, but nothing too serious. It’s certainly one of the better PC conversions from Sony Interactive Entertainment.

If you enjoyed Stellar Blade on the PlayStation 5, then you’re going to enjoy it on the PC. At its core, it’s a fun action-adventure game with a complicated backend system. There are some minor hiccups, but it still delivers a solid action-adventure that should keep you occupied for some time.

While not completely perfect, Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is a helluva lot of fun. Packed with a good balance of Marvel and Capcom players, you'll find this almost entirely offensively minded game a non-stop fighting thrill ride that you won't want to stop riding.

Having all the updated content only further adds to the value of an already valuable package. If you’re willing to wade in these salty waters, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Ultimate Edition is worth its weight in gold.

While not everything that Treyarch has introduced with this edition of Black Ops works, the 'outside of the box thinking' they've done has made this experience fun and fascinating.

Dune: Spice Wars from developer Shiro Games is the ultimate experience for any Dune fan looking for a well-designed and respectful translation of the sci-fi series into an RTS gaming form. It has all the intricate details and power moves that are featured in the books, while at the same time crafted to be a familiar real-time strategy experience at its forefront. The only downer is the amount of gameplay element juggling a casual RTS fan might have to do to enjoy the game, which could turn them off from playing it.

Dark Souls II, as its blessing and its curse, is not another Dark Souls. It is, however, more Dark Souls - and it makes good on its hallowed name.

Nioh 3 is a testament to player expression. For the third entry of a series in an extremely busy, competitive genre, Team Ninja has always managed to set themselves apart with Nioh. By incorporating open areas to explore and gain confidence and experience in, players will be able to find a playstyle that works best for them. It won’t always be easy but Nioh 3 straddles that delicate line between expert challenge and thrilling victory, where your pulse is racing having exhausted all your options, finally pulling off a clutch encounter with a sliver of life to spare, breathing a sigh of satisfaction at your resounding success.

Wanderstop admittedly won’t be for every player. Obtuse, experimental games rarely are. Even its “cozy” moniker belies a genuine lack of requirements Ivy Road imposes. But threaded through this simple game about making tea is a powerful, poignant narrative that dwells on a person’s ability to come to terms with the futility of constant forward momentum. Grace and warmth can be found in the doldrums of existence. And in this chaotic age, we often need a break not only from the noise but ourselves.

As the game progressed, I felt more and more attached to Artyom and how his journey through the Metro would finish, which is a testament to the narrative, and the world it resides in.

While Valkyria Chronicles always had presence of a seminal classic, its latest remaster on PlayStation 4 sets it up for a wider embrace. This is the advantage of being favorably advanced or, at least, distant from genre contemporaries; no matter when or where Valkyria Chronicles is found, it can create personal definition on its own beautiful terms.

Gran Turismo 7 is a game made for car enthusiasts. It wants to ignite a passion in players for the expansive, rich world of vehicle customization and racing simulation. Polyphony Digital’s dedication to creating one of the most realistic simulations on the market shows in every drop of rain and every reflective sheet of metal. While Gran Turismo 7 may not be for everyone, it provides curious players with an engaging system of progression that will slowly reveal the depth the game has to offer. From breakneck speeds at the Daytona 500 to moonlit races at the Tokyo Expressway, Gran Turismo 7 is a technical marvel and a PlayStation 5 spectacle.

There's a lot to love about this game, and not a lot to criticize. It's a wonderful experience that brings online and offline intensity to an entirely new level. DICE and EA did a great job with Battlefield 3 and I hope they continue this trend for the next game.

Dreams is a marvel from Media Molecule. It’s another cog in their creative machine that takes game creation to another level. Does it have room to grow? Lord, yes, especially in controls, but it offers up an outlet for non-coders to make their gaming dreams a reality.

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.

The Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy from Capcom is an outstanding release that shows off some of the best games in the Phoenix Wright series, as well as some extra goodies that make the return journey worth your time. The trilogy also highlights the high points of new gameplay tools in relation to the logic puzzles that separate this trilogy from previous games in the series, while also showing some of the gameplay tools that didn’t work. Regardless, it’s still a solid trilogy.

In brief, it’s great that THQ Nordic revitalized this classic. I appreciate the presentation boosts, and the under the hood changes to leveling and difficulty. I would have liked to have seen shorter load times and a revised inventory management system so that players can more easily avoid spending so much time in their inventory, but these are things that could very well be addressed with patching. Those two gripes aside, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is an awesome game and a wonderful experience to sink into.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is a continuation of one of the best Call of Duty games in years. Rather than acting as yet another overhaul, Infinity Ward has fine-tuned the standout first-person shooter to provide one of the deepest multiplayer customization options in the space. A campaign packed with highlights boasts a number of missions that spin the formula in exciting ways. Despite many woes at launch, players are treated to top-notch gameplay and movement that continues to satisfy, especially now that weapon stats can be adjust in granular ways. And with more content to come, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is sure to satisfy.

Horizon: Forbidden West is a must-play game, no question about it. But for those looking for the same awe Zero Dawn instilled, expectations may need to be tempered. Conversations will almost assuredly be had over the next few months in regards to where the franchise is headed, and I’m excited to be having those conversations. But for now, we can all sit back and enjoy the Forbidden West.

My only complaint is that it was so short! I wanted more! I ended up finishing all of the levels provided and the extra levels in about 2 hours, and I was not disappointed by any means, but I did wish there were more levels to play. The replayability is pretty good though because you can’t memorize which hexagons need which number of dots, so it should be good for 3 or 4 playthroughs while you wait for Hexologic 2.

The end result of The Rise of the Golden Idol is one of great success. In the midst of a multitude of puzzles and point-and-click gameplay is a gem that is worthy of the best thinky game of 2024.

The Fabulous Fear Machine from developer Fictiorama Studios is a test of skill as much as it is a test of patience. It’s a complicated game that is RISK-like and presents a wickedly good time in classic horror comic book form.

Frozen Wilds fits perfectly within the original content from Horizon Zero Dawn. The new weapons make for a better, more motivating experience. On top of this, the story expands upon the mythology that the original HZD built, making it a bigger world with more worthwhile content to live within. It’s quite remarkable how well Guerrilla built this game and how perfectly the DLC fits within it. I’m still at awe at the girth and life Horizon Zero Dawn brings with it during every storyline and every quest. This is still very much my GOTY, especially with the Frozen Wilds now a firm reminder of how great this gameplay experience can be and is from beginning to end.

The ultimate love letter to fans of the Etrian Odyssey universe, Nexus serves as a bittersweet—and gargantuan—farewell to the 3DS for a series perfectly suited to the platform.

Apex Legends is one of the more entertaining, beautifully balanced, and gorgeous games in the Battle Royale genre. The fact that it is free is delightful, and a good move by Respawn Entertainment. I hope they continue this trend with future updates. I may yet stay in this genre for a while because of this game.

Imagine a Western where scouring the American frontier is as urgent as calculating the severity of a hat. This balance sustains West of Loathing's mixture of zealous role-playing and profuse outpouring of absurdity. It's proof that capable writing can not only texture eccentric maneuvers in design and presentation, but also prevail as a primary attraction. West of Loathing celebrates Western ambience and revels in disciplined goofiness.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora may be the most “definitive” Avatar experience in a game we will ever receive and that should be relatively sufficient for most. Often, its limitations extend to the boundaries of it existing as a game with rules and objectives carved into it. But an open world is the only way to truly suit the lofty goals of what Pandora actually means from an entertainment level. The home of the Na’vi is supposed to feel real, like a place we could reach if only humans had the capability. And in that sense, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is practically boundless.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game Complete Edition is exactly the game you remember from ten years ago. It’s a complete nostalgic joy that honestly didn’t really need to be touched up or fine-tuned. Ubisoft chose to preserve the experience where it mattered rather than alter it in any significant way. Instead, the crucial missing component of online play was worked into the game, drastically increasing its appeal for just about any player. Though not without the same faults that were in its DNA from the beginning, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game Complete Edition will have you grinning from ear to ear with its irresistible charm that gushes from every pixelated pore. Finally, Scott’s journey is complete.

Stray Gods from developer Summerfall Studios and publisher Humble Games is a beautiful and engaging musical branching narrative game that succeeds in delivering a powerful story with compelling characters. While not every song in the game is gold, the music that accompanies the gameplay mixes well and makes for one of the more entertaining gaming experiences of 2023.

Infinity Ward brings a different kind of game with Call of Duty: Ghosts than their usual CoD titles. They have an intriguing, story driven campaign that is accompanied by an incredibly fun (and deep) multiplayer experience.

Darkest Dungeon II is a thrilling knock at the door of death. Who will answer? Red Hook Studios offers little solace for hopeful players wishing for vacancy. This is an unquestionably difficult game, often a selling point for this generation of players. While Darkest Dungeon II may constantly test the mettle of players and unceremoniously send them packing with little effort, it is that singular vision constantly escalating players’ interest. In such a dreary world there is light to be found, whether it be victory or that itch to try again, in spite of the odds.

Dune: Awakening, from developer and publisher Funcom, presents a massive world that feels and acts like what you would expect from a journey to Arrakis. The gameplay is led by extensive crafting, action, and exploration. While the controls can get finicky at times, as well as the slow pace of gameplay, especially at the beginning, the game represents everything that Dune fans will appreciate.

In the moments that I played and experienced Gris I believed it was the most dazzling and elegant game I had ever seen. It was the most I’ve been in to a game in the current calendar year. Astonishment is temporary and hyperbole rationally fades into coherence, but I hope the strength and singularity of Gris stays with me forever.

I loved Star of Providence to the point of having trouble putting it down because of its fast-paced shmup gameplay, punishing bullet hell patterns, and replayability. Defeating its astoundingly difficult boss battles is satisfying and encourages the player to improve mechanically and thoughtfully. If you make it to the Hard mode, you’ll be treated to bullet patterns that will test your dexterity like few others have done before.

Bit.Trip Presents...Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien is the best of several worlds. It's a both a Platformer that prefers pure reaction over trial and error memorization and a Runner reaching for complexity beyond a simple endless marathon.

Overall, this is the best version of Hitman you can get, as it is the complete version. This is especially nice, if you don’t own any of the prior content.

In any other universe, I would balk at Nine Sols’ difficulty. Yet, I gave it a chance, and it more than rewarded me for giving it a moment of my time. Over 20 hours later, I came out of it bruised, battered, and wanting more Taopunk goodness.

The branching storylines and miles-deep character and world customization are soul food for players yearning for experiences similar to 90’s cRPGs like Baldur’s Gate or Icewind Dale. Obsidian Entertainment is a master of this craft, knowing that the best way to draw in players are vivid worlds unlike any other and unforgettable stories. Console players shouldn’t be intimidated by a game with its roots in anything but a controller. Menus, combat, and controls are surprisingly easy to navigate and the game runs incredibly well. Having all the updated content only further adds to the value of an already valuable package. If you’re willing to wade in these salty waters, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Ultimate Edition is worth its weight in gold.

Overall, the gameplay of TSIOQUE is a layer of entertaining complication. It offers up a little bit of new and a little bit of old and sprinkles it with a helluva protagonist that is fun to play. It doesn’t necessarily redefine the point and click genre, but it shows that there is more to it than you might remember. The gameplay is simply a methodically well put together masterpiece that will certainly make you wish for those LucasArts days when they ruled the roost in this genre.

This game was so much fun to play. Something about being scared and literally running for your life makes for such a good game. With plot twists along the way that keep the story fresh there is no lack of entertainment within the game. Red Barrels really knows how to get under your skin. Play the game, you will understand. The dark undertones of the game set up the story throughout and constantly make you think wtf, yet you still want more. Buy Outlast 2, be scared, you won’t be disappointed.

If you have yet to play Deadly Premonition, the Director's Cut is the way to go. And go you should, as this is an excellent game that should not be missed.

With the Mr. X Nightmare DLC, SOR4 feels fresh all over again. The new characters, moves, and weapons make replaying through the campaign with friends a treat, and the Survival Mode offers an intense barrage of enemies to beat with interesting gameplay elements. At just $8, it’s easy to recommend the DLC, but if you’re a fan of physical media, there is a fresh re-release of the game that includes the DLC on the medium, too. Regardless, Streets of Rage 4 is not to be missed, and this DLC is worth adding to an already stellar game.

What I appreciate the most about the Legacy Collections is that they take a renowned series, now thirty-plus years old, preserves it, freshens it, and offers such a complete experience for everyone that it’s hard not to marvel at it. The respect that Capcom and Digital Eclipse have poured into this is evident and absolutely commendable. Where I didn’t particularly care for the franchise before, I do now, and while I won’t ever put in the time to be great at these games, I’m glad I at least have a convenient, complete, and awesome one-stop place to go to play and celebrate this series on my own time.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure brings back Max Caulfield for a new adventure, allowing Deck Nine to incorporate everything they’ve learned from the series so far. It captures the raw emotion of True Colors and the intriguing mystery of Max’s inaugural journey. But even with new powers, the emotional stakes are the same as ever for Max and the player as Double Exposure proves life can always get stranger.

Most people will talk about how pretty the visuals are in Crysis 2, and that's fine. Don't discount the rest of the game while you're enjoying the scenery, as it sports balanced level design, smart enemy A.I. and a good amount of weapons (and customization) that make the overall package deep. It's not a completely perfect game, but it's damn close.

The Jackbox Party Pack 9 from Jackbox Games has the variety, entertainment, and creativity to make this one of the top-five Jackbox Party Packs to this point. While not everything works perfectly and provides an even amount of entertainment, most of what you get is absolutely spot-on and replayable.

Fight Crab is one of the funniest and entertaining fighting games I’ve ever played. Although it may seem like a simple idea, the game is very enjoyable especially when using gyro controls and moving your arms to fight your opponents!

BlazBlue Entropy Effect X brings the stellar roguelite by way of fighting game to a broader audience. Incorporating a massive roster with deep combat turns it into one of the genre’s flashiest and most entertaining spectacles.

Hitman 3 is about the highest bar IO Interactive could set with the franchise. This is a universe the developer has lovingly crafted over the years and a perfect opportunity to let Agent 47 rest awhile. Hitman‘s laughable dark humor is here in spades, as the community devises weird challenges for each other that were never part of IO Interactive’s original plan. There are flaws–one’s that haven’t changed since 2016–but they are merely quirks that fans have embraced and come to terms with. As Escalations, Contracts, and new content trickles out over the months to come, Hitman 3 will continue to delight in its murderous, unique intent. Though 47 will eventually be traded for 007, it would be foolish to not recognize IO Interactive as an accomplished developer, responsible for an incredible game.

Oxenfree is here to tell a story, and it doesn't lose sight of what contributes to making that story feel relatable and consequential. Alex and her friends are in a time when every move is called into examination from a jury of ruthless peers. Oxenfree responds not by accepting or escaping from resolution, but accurately relating the tension of a time when every answer is on one side of zero. Whether the context is supernatural or merely personal, Oxenfree makes it feel powerful.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II from developer Ninja Theory and publisher Xbox Game Studios proves there is more story to tell from Senua’s journey, and that the story is still centric to the game. The sequel extends and expands Senua’s character, opens her world to more possibilities, and maintains its quest to replicate and address mental health issues and disorders caused by trauma. The gameplay mechanics and action are still essentially the same as the first title, although those elements appear to be far smoother in their execution and less of a drag to the story.

Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line revisits music-driven gaming experiences with classiness and potent powerfulness that will make any Final Fantasy music-lover happy. It contains a fair amount of challenge, sometimes an impossible amount depending on difficulty, while also allowing you to enjoy decades of musical enlightenment the Final Fantasy series has created.

This is the total fighting game package. Many game modes, plenty of customization options, dozens of characters and stages, and satisfying online play. Touch Fight is the only mode I would not recommend.

Inside is another amazing game from Playdead and I’ll be picking up everything they have to offer in the future. If you love atmospheric games that play more like beautifully crafted films than Inside is for you. I would recommend this to anyone as it’s one of the best looking games you can get your hands on.

Accessible controls, beautiful in-game physics and few, but strong game modes make for an overall addictive experience. Perhaps it's the NHL rookie in me talking, but it's hard to believe this isn't the best iteration of the franchise yet.

Gran Turismo 5 operates under an identical premise; the core experience provides a racing simulation of unmatched fidelity, one where every thread unravels in dozens of different directions and grants its own unique sense of satisfaction.

V Rising possesses a surprising blend of genres that weave together to incorporate a kind of “vampire simulation” no other game has accomplished. Survival, crafting, and ARPGs may not be the most obvious harmony at first blush but the deeper players go, the more rewards will be reaped. Staring from the balcony of my castle crafted from harvesting the blood of my foes and the innocent, I could not help but give a fanged smile at this satisfying, gothic fantasy.

Valve has done it once again. Left 4 Dead 2 takes everything that was amazing about the first installment and puts it on steroids.

The majority of my experience with Destiny 2: Forsaken over the last two weeks has been overwhelmingly positive. I think the addition of Gambit, the change up of gameplay design and leveling, the raid, and the sense of scale with the two additional maps has really notched the entertainment value for this series up quite a bit.