Dead Rising 2 willfully endures that same risks as its predecessor and still manages to come out better for it.

Overall, F1 2020 is a really great game a fun and challenging play. Whether you looking to continue your yearly quest of trying to take down Mercedes, or you’re a complete newbie to the sport and just wanting to get out there and run, this is a great game for both. Even if you’re a casual race fan with a controller, the game will push you as hard as you can to make the best laps possible. The addition of ‘My Team’ has been long-awaited and is great to have. The biggest negatives that I found were the lack of customization for your ‘My Team’ car and driver (though with this mode being in its infancy, totally understandable), the menus can be a bit much, and loading times can kill the player experience. Once you get out on track though, my goodness it’s so much fun to go toe to toe, wheel to wheel with the AI.

Both the Infant Update and the Growing Together expansion pack adds more life to The Sims 4 experience. You can now play with infants, watch them grow, watch your Sims have milestones, and have the Sims recognize their family as family. While I enjoyed my time with the new expansion and update, I wish more was added to the overall experience. I felt it was missing some key elements such as more interaction options between family. Now, having said that, this is still a step forward, especially if you love creating families and want infants, this is the expansion to get and play with.

The Bridge is an easy game to recommend given its compelling and satisfying gameplay and low price.

The First Berserker: Khazan from developer Neople is a different and more accessible take on the action role-playing game Souls blueprint. It’s difficult most of the time but brings a good story, great enemies, and a hefty and well-executed backend system. While mostly a great game, its downside is that it is a linear journey that will test a gamer’s frustration limits.

Deadlink is a thrilling, kinetic blend of two genres that are rarely harmonized. Random runs are not drastically hindered by the usually roguelite trappings, instead identifying that player skill should be the de facto method of progression. The raw momentum of zipping through Deadlink‘s many areas is immensely satisfying but the reward of new upgrades to tackles increasingly brutal modes rockets the game past any potential doldrums, having players beg for that one more run.

An exemplary roguelike incentives and broadens its intrinsic repetition. An ideal narrative adventure paces its characters and their conflicts across a finite timeline. Hades is a vantage point engineered to showcase both perspectives. Whichever side you ultimately settle on, Hades’ character-rich action is a capable ascent from the dregs of genre stagnation.

Sound Shapes boasts an effortless dedication to intoxicating the player's senses through its sights and sounds. Call it distilled bliss or displaced affection, but there's an explicit sense of euphoria acquired by absorbing Sound Shapes' rich presentation. It's great at being a game, but it's better understood as a favorite song or album. It's something to be played and enjoyed if for no other reason than the sheer pleasure of repeating the process.

Road 96 is a unique experience that truly makes every branching narrative choice a literal gamechanger. It brings the drama, the humor, and the heart to the gameplay table. What it lacks in gameplay variety, it makes up with a replayable story. DigiXart did a superb job with this release.

Above all else, Arctic Edge still feels like a MotorStorm game. While that won't do much to rope in an otherwise ignorant or uninterested consumer base, fans of the series should be positively delighted with how well the portable entry turned out.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds does what any arcade racer should and provides the player with an absurd sense of speed. Pushing players to constantly maintain ludicrious velocity on a number of exciting, smartly designed courses will fuel countless hours of competitive adrenaline-fueled play. While the lack of single-player modes and an exciting roster may deter some, tight controls and a fun world-shifting mechanic are enough to make this a heavy-hitter in the genre.

In sum, Street Fighter V Arcade Edition is precisely what many gamers wanted two years ago. The roster, balance, modes, and amount of content are now fleshed out and in a convenient complete package. For anyone that has been waiting for this release, you’re not likely to be disappointed.

Definitely the best version of Tomb Raider and it shows exactly what the new generation of consoles has in store for us in the very near future.

Luftrausers' success is its addictive duel between confidence and doubt; what's the best option when every choice is conceivably the best option? Providing the player with heaps of ways tackle problems is nothing new, but creating a large number of choices and making each one uniquely viable? That's special, and it's Luftrausers' specialty.

Dovetail Games provides an accurate train simulator. It’s unforgiving, brutal at times, but oddly relaxing and fun when things start running smoothly. It is truly a train simulator.

As a fan of JRPGs, Octopath Traveler II shines as an excellent classic JRPG experience for the PS5. It is a very easy recommendation for PS5 owners wanting a good JRPG while they wait for Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters to make their way to next-gen consoles. If you’re a PS5 owner and are curious about JRPGs, Octopath Traveler II works as a great entry point into the genre, giving some players a taste of party management, mild grind, and incredible storytelling. I’d caution some newer players unfamiliar with the genre to consider using a guide, but the combat is easy enough to pick up and play without feeling like a text guide is required.

No More Heroes 3 is the obvious product of an auteur’s vision and a team looking to bring a series back from the brink of vaporware. You may come in wanting a story that makes no sense while shattering the fourth wall. Plenty will flock to an action game that isn’t greedy with challenge and presents a bizarre kind of fun. Or maybe you just really want to cut some damn digital grass like the shovelware from the Wii era. Many parts of No More Heroes 3 are brilliant. Brilliant because their nonsensical parts create a joyous harmony that can only really be found in games. Sure, it might seem like SUDA51 is doing his damndest to not make a game. But I guess he failed because when you cut through it all, you’re left with a juicy good time.

Dark Souls is a form of game development that you just don't see anymore. It's tough, it's unforgiving, and you have to fight for every inch of progress, but it has an allure that keeps you coming back, and a sense of satisfaction that very few games can give you.

Trenched has a surprising level of polish, a steady dose of wit, and a consistent supply of mind-synchronizing mechicular combat. It doesn't ask to be qualified with the modifier "for a downloadable game." Trenched is simply a fully-polished, fully-voiced, and fully-realized mech combat game that genuinely cares about making people smile. The game was clearly designed by people who care, and it shows in every way possible.

Tekken's first appearance on a Nintendo console is a complete and outstanding success.

Even if the motion controls lack a true 1:1 golf swing experience, the Kinect adds a nice new gamplay experience to the series. And if motion controls generate little interest for you, the Country Club mode and other additions warrant your investing time with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13.

Battlefield V is full of a lot more content than people might be expecting. War Stories contains meaningful experiences in short spurts, the maps in the game are huge and well designed, the modes of play raise the entertainment bar when compared to Battlefield I, and the customization/progression system will keep people occupied for a while, as well as provide motivation to keep playing. This feels like a Battlefield game, which should tame concerns of lack of launch content.

s.p.l.i.t. from developer Mike Klubnika brings mind-bending logic problems delivered through a unique command-line backdrop. While the command-line adventure doesn’t last long, it does enough to warrant a hard look for gamers in search of a good challenge.

Loot boxes and a sexy Shelob aside Shadow of War is an impressive game in a franchise that whilst takes liberties with lore of the land produces a fascinating world full of captivating experiences.

Ambling around a cursed utopia and interrogating its eccentric characters while listening to jazzy, saxophone-obsessed electronica remains a fitting masquerade for a mercurial murder mystery. Almost two years after its first release, Paradise Killer’s commitment to its vaporwave aesthetic remains a model for creative fiction and an amusement park for industrious detectives.

Marathon is a game but it is also a statement piece. One that brazenly pushes against the player, creating friction where we usually would expect none. This is not a kind extraction shooter. It is violent, ruthless, and exacting. Players clash with each other in the promise of exponential, evolving power and, much like its AI counterparts, have no qualms about taking their pound of flesh. By design, Bungie has created something confident and singular. And by definition, those are the types of products that will ostracize and exclude. Only at those weakest moments is the player able to capitalize on their own survival instinct and take charge, using the provided tools to complete the cycle and escape into the heavens. You merely have to want it.

One of the best items available on XBL or PSN, Beyond Good And Evil HD is a smart buy.

Everybody's Golf VR's devotion to (and immersion in) the ambience of golf transcends its simulation-oriented peers. As I swing a virtual club with one of my physical hands on a course populated by dinosaurs, instead of feeling lost in the abstract, I'm committed to refining and improving my shot. Everybody's Golf VR's affable pragmatism and judicious feedback grant access to a sport I had always considered too distant and aloof to negotiate.

Mortal Shell does a lot of things right when it comes to being a “Souls-like” game. It nails its environmental and character designs, its combat feels satisfying, especially when I found the build that worked for my playstyle, and it’s difficult and unrelenting. I found a lot to chew on with Mortal Shell, even if it wasn’t necessarily apparent in the first few hours. Though not quite as polished as I would have hoped, for a game developed by such a small team, it’s quite an achievement.

You wouldn't expect beers with friends and the moral complexity of infidelity to be suitable for an interactive medium, and you certainly wouldn't anticipate marrying those concepts to a box pushing puzzle game to materialize into anything remotely interesting. And you would have been wrong.

The Quarry is a thrilling experience from start to finish that any fan of Supermassive’s other horror games will immediately adore. If this is your first foray into their games, The Quarry is an excellent jumping-in point before diving into their other games. Standout performances, fantastic writing, and horrifying visuals are sure to delight all fans of horror.

One of the best gaming purchases you will make all year.

Marvel versus Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a superb release from Capcom. It has all the 90s Marvel/Capcom arcade classics, a decent Punisher game, and some goodies that were only featured in Japan (mainly Norimaro). The collection will please any gamer who enjoys classic fighters. The younger crowd may not love it, as fighting games have become more complicated and competitive, something not as prevalent in these, but it’s a great way to revisit some classics for those who enjoy doing so.

Whether it's Diesel City's impromptu rooftop scrambles, Metro Square's ice rink, or Sunspring's movie theater, every single level, even with paired down to smaller maps, is loaded with detail.

Plenty of new content, new leveling throughout new zones with new jobs and new things to do. There is definitely something for everyone in this expansion, be it gathering, crafting, or adventuring. The story is strong, the classes feel more balanced, and there is still plenty of content to go through their frequent updates and patches. With Stormblood easily being their strongest expansion yet, and with at least two more expansions to go, there is seemingly nowhere for the already immensely popular MMO to go but up from here! Free trials can be found rather easily online, so if you have never played FFXIV or if you haven’t played it in quite some time, now is definitely the time to return!

Ultimately, there’s a whole lot to like about this release and very little to gripe about. My increasingly busy self would have loved some kind of realtime save or a rewind feature (Prince of Persia style) just to help getting through these games less painful, but even without that crutch these games are a lot of fun and provide a good challenge, the first game especially. Taking a step back from the games themselves, the job that Vicarious Visions and Activision have done here is really commendable; from top to bottom, they did a textbook job of reviving these classics for a whole new generation.

Storyteller from developer Daniel Benmergui is yet another feather in the cap of Annapurna Interactive. It’s a cleverly designed puzzle game that does a superb job of pushing the importance of visual storytelling as it relates to a narrative. While its longevity might be in question, the journey through the game is good enough to forgive that is even an issue.

I haven't had a game hit me emotionally quite as Concrete Genie has. An emotional story blended with beautiful artwork and seamless gameplay creates an incredible experience. I am beyond impressed with Pixelopus's work and you can easily see all the blood, sweat and tears poured into the game. Concrete genie may not scratch the gameplay itch that you have but rather it delivers an important story to tell. I highly recommend it for any hardcore gaming fan as well as the creative types.

Wild Hearts is a massive single-player and co-op hunting game with an RPG backbone supporting it. The mixture of story, creative mechanics, thick strategy, and beautiful visuals makes this a top-tier hunting experience. If the controls could be improved a bit and break from traditional stuck-in-the-action sequences, it would be nearly perfect. Overall, it’s a great first go at a genre that is severely lacking in competition.

I loved playing this game and was thrilled to see that EA Sports took a simple game of golf and brought a lot to the table to make gamers have fun.

Resident Evil Village is a gripping entry for this long-running horror franchise. Capcom has excelled at translating the strengths of this series through perspective and tonal shifts. It succeeds as both a horror game and an action game.

Limbo is a classic, it’s definitely on the list of top indie games of all time, and you should 100% pick it up for the Switch. It may be a short run through but it will definitely be one that sticks with you.

With Virtua Racing, M2 proves the Switch is a capable showcase for Sega Model 1’s divine austerity. As a three-course arcade racer with one car, Virtua Racing only goes as far as its $8 price tag. Through the lens of arcade and Sega enthusiasts, however, this port of Virtua Racing looks like it should be preserved under glass. How lucky we are to be able to pick it up and enjoy it.

Wizordum has all the trappings of an early 90s first-person shooter, expertly looking and playing the part well. But Emberheart Games has gone the extra mile to incorporate modern flair, creating more than just homage.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1-2 Remastered is both a time capsule and welcome update to a pair of beloved games that have been shelved for far too long. The longer times goes on, the harder it becomes to preserve titles. Aspyr not only presents the Soul Reaver games relatively untouched but provides worthy updates to ensure the legacy is continued and appreciated. Hopefully, this is the first step towards Legacy of Kain rising from its deep slumber and back into the light.

Having friends over for a night of games remains a modern novelty, but Sportsfriends is so good you'll wish it was just the norm.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a pitch-perfect action game that revitalizes the long-dormant Ninja Gaiden franchise, smartly calling back to its 2D roots. For a series that was known for brutal difficulty before it became a household trend, it’s wonderful to see a developer like The Game Kitchen use their own expertise to translate decades-old concepts so expertly in the modern day. Blistering speed and challenging, satisfying combat are the hallmarks of any great action game and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound does not disappoint.

Finding your favorite Mega Man is an invitation to one of gaming's more respectable conversations. Declaring an answer—whether it's fueled by nostalgia, objective truth, or genuine appreciation—is drawing line in a sand, and it's a resolution Mega Man Legacy Collection is designed to facilitate. It's not only how you remember these six games, it's how you want others to see them, too.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a valuable sequel because it gently expands on what made the original impactful, avoiding bloated excess. A constant flood of evocative imagery and powerful emotion provides players with a gorgeous world to become lost in and care for its inhabitants. Never resting on the laurels of puzzle mechanics and instilling its characters with depth and gravitas, Children of the Leaf cements itself as one of the best cinematic platformers of its kind.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is incredible — solo or with others. It has an amazing amount of content for a game that most will write-off haphazardly. It’s an example of fun creativity that comes with people who are passionate about bringing a good experience to gamers of all ages.

The Zodiac Age eases Final Fantasy XII’s progressive engine into a modern chassis. Some of Final Fantasy XII’s problems were addressed some never will be, and that’s OK. It’s a one-of-a-kind model with tasteful upgrades and efficient tuning, and it leaves little doubt that The Zodiac Age is the best Final Fantasy XII has ever performed.

Just Cause 2 is a coloring book for people who never cared to keep their art inside the lines. Pleasure is derived not from carefully staying within the edges, but ripping all the pages out and then replacing them with whatever twisted idea first comes to mind.

Umurangi Generation's camera granted players the agency to capture a despairing world and reframe it however they pleased. Macro expands this objective across four profoundly photogenic locales and tosses in a giddying pair of roller skates. Vicious social commentary, newly material to 2020's unique ills, serves as a compliment to Umurangi Generation's existential dread and completes one of the most powerful and relevant games assigned to this cursed year.

Okami, in its fourth iteration, is unaffected by the ravages of time. The convergence of Japanese folklore and a Sumi-e aesthetic over the blueprint of The Legend of Zelda created a benign opus that, eleven years later, remains unchallenged and unequaled by any scale of competition. Okami, even with its pronounced vulnerabilities, is a singular creation and merits constant preservation.

El Paso, Elsewhere is an audacious game that, while not afraid to borrow inspiration, plays with expectations. At its beating heart is a brisk, fun shooter. But that core is supplemented by an incredibly powerful narrative both expertly acted and expertly written, allowing all the action to be drenched with meaning. Style and substance don’t have to clash or supplant each other and in the case of El Paso, Elsewhere, it’s rife with both.

Accessible, addictive, and loads of fun, Starhawk gives you plenty of reason to jump in and stay hooked.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is an amazing remake from developer and publisher Square Enix. It takes an already beautiful classic and properly retools it with a modern look and gameplay backbone. While not everything is perfect, it still maintains its charm and the structure that made it memorable back in the day.

Little Nemo and the Guardians of Slumberland is a fantastic 2D platformer/Metroidvania that is far deeper and more entertaining than it appears, and should satisfy any gamer looking for a non-linear adventure.

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, developed by Stormteller Games, is a far deeper and richer action roguelite experience than expected. It has quick-moving action with a healthy amount of good progression to keep gamers coming back for more. The upgrade system helps enhance the experience and works more often than it doesn’t. Regardless, this game is fun to play and something gamers can get lost in for hours and hours.

F1 2019 is a fantastic racing title whether you're a fan of the sport or not. Despite my reservations and perceived lack of improvements I've been proven wrong at almost every turn. Codemasters have done the licence and series proud and look forward now to next year's edition and what it might bring especially with new consoles on the horizon.

Nioh 2 is a balanced and beautiful game. It will certainly frustrate you to the point where you will want to walk away, but that first victory over a big bad demon will ignite a thirst in you to continue your difficult journey through ancient Japan. This game is not for the weak of heart, but most know that going into it.

Mario+Rabbids: Sparks of Hope from Ubisoft Milan and Ubisoft Paris is a fantastic and better follow-up to its original 2017 experiment. The characters are better, the addition of Sparks changes how the gameplay works, and the overall tactical strategy options the game provides the player in a huge world make for a consistently fun adventure. Beware of the difficulty, though, as it can get infuriating at times.

LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens isn’t simply another movie licensed turned into a LEGO game. It’s a beautiful opus for the LEGO series that shows that Tt Games isn’t resting on its laurels enjoying the money rolling in. The developers have put a lot of love into the presentation, gameplay depth and overall experience to bring a top-tier game that should entertain both adults and kids. Kudos to them for keeping the series fresh.

EA Tiburon did a fantastic job with making the right adjustments for this year’s Madden title. Improved defense and a more balanced offense makes for a fun football experience.

Phantasy Star is the best release so far from the Sega Ages series. It shows off innovation, outside the box thinking, and, after all these years, it is still a blast to play. It’s one for the ages, folks.

Wizordum from developer Emberheart Games is an experience that contains a 90s first-person shooter backbone with modern gameplay elements to keep it fun and relevant. Not all gamers will buy into this mix of old and new, which will be a missed opportunity on their part.

It's exactly the game we all wanted it to be. As long as the Azure server infrastructure can keep up with demand, Respawn's idea will continue to work perfectly. Pilot v. Pilot, Pilot v. Titan, Titan v. Titan. All of the possible gameplay scenarios are compelling, fair, and fun.

Illfonic completely understands what it takes to fulfill every player’s wish of being a Ghostbuster in Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed. While some of the gameplay elements could be tweaked a bit better to provide a bit more of a responsive experience, I truly felt like a Ghostbuster the entire time. With awesome story beats placed throughout to keep the leveling-up experience worthwhile and exciting gameplay to keep every job feeling fun, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is the realization of the perfect Ghostbusters experience.

Ritual of the Moon’s takes five minutes from twenty-eight consecutive days to consider, measure, and test the variable nature of morality. It’s a cycle of play that finds a rhythm with the player’s social and behavioral conflict, and questions that seemed trapped in ethereal ambience reveal honest and unexpected conclusions. My own introspection and negligence, as it turns out, have a lot in common.

Overall, Spelunky 2 is an absolute delight to play, even in the midst of my repeating failure in the game. Its randomized level generator and the bevy of tools to strategize your way through each level makes for a fun time. While the PvP isn’t up to snuff with the main adventure, the ability to play this game with friends (online or local) will keep you occupied for months to come.

Spyro: Reignited Trilogy is a wonderful recreation of three of my favorite games from my childhood. I’m so happy that I got to experience the games again in a new way, and it really excites me knowing a new generation will get to experience it as well. Is it the last time we’ll get to see Spyro and his buddy Sparx outside of the Skylanders franchise? I certainly hope not. And if this much love has gone into this remake, it would be a shame if it was.

In sum, Skunkape has done another excellent job remastering an old point-and-click gem from the Telltale archives of years past. Though I wouldn’t put the Sam & Max episodic adventures in my all time list for the genre, they do rank highly, and are absolutely worth playing if you enjoy the genre or want to experience some zany plots and characters. We’ll look forward to the third and final remaster hopefully next year.

MLB The Show 25 from San Diego Studio is a good upgrade from last year’s game. The gameplay feels tighter and smoother on the offense and defense side of the field. Including the new feature Diamond Quest gives more depth to what a typical baseball game would be, bringing in new ideas on how you can compete in Diamond Dynasty. MLB leads the way again by bringing a solid experience and off-beat innovation that works more than it doesn’t.

Expressed in modest trappings, Nidhogg quietly aims to recast the mold of a competitive fighting game.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is a near-complete collection of the Nintendo DS’ Mega Man titles. Featuring welcome quality of life benefits, new-and-improved (for the most part) audio/visuals, along with online play, it’s a must-have for a Mega Man fan wanting to replay some of the best titles in the series’ history.

At the end of the day, NCAA Football 12 is a very deep and rich football experience that any college football fan shouldn't miss.

Graphically, Shardlight features some really pretty pixel art. Not every scene is worth writing home about, but the vast majority are. Tiberius’ appearance and voice-acting set an appropriate chilling tone for example, while the wide color palette from the radioactive greens of the shards to the browns and darker tones of a dystopian world push for a great atmosphere. Combined with a script and voice-acting that ranges from good to excellent, and a soundtrack that compliments the mood perfectly, and you got yourself a great game.

Bye-Bye Boxboy! is a succinct, value-packed title. It’s the bookend of a great puzzle series and it doesn’t try to be more than what it is — an addictive puzzler that’s accessible and not overly difficult. For only $5, it’s an excellent deal and can be enjoyed it short five minute spurts or for much longer at a time. No 3D support is included, so you can enjoy this just as well on a 2DS as a 3DS. If you’re into puzzlers, or this series already, this is probably the easiest recommendation I’ll make all year.

Despite a few frame rate issues and dated graphics, Earth Defense Force 2025 is an insane amount of fun.

Pyre understands the primal thrill behind executing a dangerous slam dunk and the dueling probabilities of luck and dexterity necessary to make it happen. With Pyre, Supergiant Games' passion for systems-driven trials of skill and fondness for vibrant, wistful fantasy converge in the Mutant League NBA Jam daydream role-playing game I never knew I always wanted.

A robust, entirely worthwhile release that gives you plenty of bang for the buck and expands upon one of last year's best games in a purposeful way.

Furi becomes essential by identifying and removing what it declares expendable.

Crow Country is the perfect kind of nostalgic trip, one that doesn’t bait players along in hopes of being more of the same thing they remembered. The best games of its type work to wedge themselves into the library of classics they were inspired by. Crow Country looks, sounds, and plays similar to old 32- and 64-bit games because it is, not because it wants to be.

Crimson Desert is almost impossible not to recommend in its past, present, or future state for anyone who has a fondness for open-world games. There are numerous ways myself or others could add or subtract to make it the most ideal personal RPG. But because Pearl Abyss has provided us with so many tools already, it’s hard not to appreciate and soak up the boundless freedom provided here. I’m absolutely curious what it will look like in the fall after months of tinkering have settled in. Maybe co-op will get added, maybe it will just be more pets. Either way, it’s hard to deny the resounding success Crimson Desert is right now.

The Special Edition of Mass Effect 3 is an interesting release that those gamers with only a Wii U shouldn't miss. For everyone else, the fullest experience can be had elsewhere.

I’m thrilled that Switch 2 owners get a chance to enjoy the OG Switch’s best games, but whether or not the Switch 2 update breathes life into Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains to be seen. The 12-player online play is nice in theory, but it’s far from enjoyable thanks to Nintendo’s archaic approach to online play. The Megaphone and mouse-capability are nice-to-have changes, taking some of the pain out from relying on Joy-Cons for minute adjustments. The biggest benefits of the Switch 2 upgrade are its pro-consumer pricing and its utilization of the console’s processing power.

Techno Banter deftly expresses that bleary-eyed, frenetic atmosphere of an all-nighter. Betwixt all the madcap quests echoing the lasers and blacklights piercing the foggy dancefloor is a thrumming beat. This is not as simple as just being a game. In fact, the gamey bits are more of a vehicle delivering players to the true charm of its writing, which is both humorous and sincere. And much like that 4am rave, Techno Banter will linger on the senses long into the daylight.

As my first Pikmin experience, I really enjoyed Hey! Pikmin for a variety of reasons and found little wrong with it. Whether you have played a Pikmin game before or not, or are just looking for a fun game that’s not too easy and certainly not too hard, give this one a go. I believe a demo is still available from the eShop at the time of this writing as well.

Kirby's Epic Yarn is a slightly deviatory franchise installment featuring a brilliant new fabric-oriented concept which takes this platforming game beyond the realm of the ordinary.

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

Motorstorm Apocalypse delivers an exhilarating experience that you will want to visit again and again.

MLB The Show 24 is spectacular this year. It hits more than it misses. It takes some bold chances and they pay off. It’s just another example of how to do a sports game well.

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.

Sonic Origins is the Sonic anthology that Sonic the Hedgehog fans, including myself, have been waiting for years to play. Being able to play the classic Sonic titles in their original glory AND in an updated fashion thanks to Anniversary Mode should make newer players’ journeys less perilous than the journeys we had on our Sega Genesis in the 90s. Sonic is more forgiving than ever. You’ll be hit with all the nostalgia from Sonic 1, 2, 3, and CD, although some of the content has been changed. I only wish that this content was taken one step further: More playable content and animations, please!

Though surely there’s plenty of room for additional features and improvement, Super Mario Maker is a user-generated content experience assembled with the wisdom and mature philosophy of gaming’s finest.

All in all, DOOMBLADE excels as a Metroidvania and is worth your attention. I was incredibly addicted to its control scheme and its combat despite its few faults. By the time I reached the final boss, I felt challenged in all the right ways. Considering its disruptiveness, I highly recommend DOOMBLADE for Metroidvania fans who desire something new, especially those who’re playing with a controller.

Through its characters, its designer, and its player, Gorogoa keeps an outsider’s perspective in a present state of mind. Straightforward action—shifting panels and considering different points of view—doesn’t preclude logical twists or emotional complexity. In only a couple hours, Gorogoa creates a window into a daydream and a companion to despair.

Simply put, EA Sports has perfected how they do things when it comes to hockey. They only added a few major things, made a bunch of adjustments here and there. What they have produced with NHL 11 is probably the best hockey game to date.