For me, Z.H.P.: Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman was a lot like going to see the Nutcracker. It's not my thing, and I probably won't be going back, but I can see how and why others might be enchanted by its wild absurdity.

At the end of the day, the upgrades from the PS4 version aren’t massive, but they are significant. If you’re looking for a solid sniping FPS on PS5, not only is SGWC2 you’re only choice, but also it’s a great one.

Bahnsen Knights is an interesting visual novel that leans heavily on pulp fiction storytelling while giving players the illusion of choice. While the game is quite short, it’s a good recommendation for a player wanting a gripping narrative set within a late 80s aesthetic.

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.

Fallout's modern interpretation may have started to show its wrinkles, but Old World Blues remedies an aging formula by resurrecting the series' latent dark humor and pushing it in the spotlight.

Paradise Killer’s gameplay design and execution are simple, though sometimes taxing. There is a lot to ingest before getting to the game’s conclusion, but the style makes the experience unique and worthwhile, which is a huge plus.

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.

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.

Diablo 2 remains a seminal ARPG and a defining gaming experience. For many Diablo 2: Resurrected is just another excuse to play a favorite. Other players may see it as an ancient relic, barely approachable with its stagnant, unevolved gameplay. For me, it was a harrowing hill to climb, a portal through time, but one I ultimately could not help but regret that I had not gotten to it sooner.

The next-gen upgrades alone have added depth to much of the gigantic world of Los Santos, and it's...beautiful. Just beautiful. I can't figure out if it's because I'm a nostalgic ex-Los Angelino or because of Rockstar's success in continuously refining and polishing the environments. Either way, there are multiple reasons to praise the next-gen version of GTA V and GTA Online, but be warned that the new player experience is still much to be desired compared to other MMOs. If you own a PS5, you should definitely take advantage of trying out GTA Online before it becomes a premium game in a few months.

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

Treyarch puts together a solid care package for Nintendo gamers with a very competent, competitive, and nigh complete version of Black Ops 2.

This year, ZeniMax breathed live into a new zone for The Elder Scrolls Online. Players recovered the Wrathstone tablet which was used to unleash dragons back into Tamriel. They explored Northern Elsweyr, Anequina, to bring the dragon threat to a halt. Most recently, players dealt with the repercussions of the scourge of dragons. Now, players must venture into Southern Elsweyr, Pellitine, and finish the job. A wonderful story, combined with fantastic worldbuilding and new mechanics, brings a fantastic conclusion to the year-long Season of the Dragon event.

Heroes of Hammerwatch: Ultimate Edition is a game that works best with friends, and does a great job with how it balances gameplay and grind. This indie game is something you should add to your list of ‘must-haves’.

As a longtime Yakuza fan, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the Goro Majima game I’ve always dreamed of and somehow more unhinged than ever before. Ryu Ga Gotoku has outdone themselves once again and I’m so excited for players to get their hands on the helm to take Yakuza’s version of a naval RPG for a spin.

Hauntii is absolutely one of a kind, despite the familiarity players may latch on to. Moonloop Games creates a title focused on exploration that is visually riveting and packed with attention to detail. Incorporating puzzles both obtuse and clever, frustration and satisfaction may go hand in hand. But enough narrative heft and creative depth mean Hauntii is no mere specter that will fade into memory.

Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love is a great niche release if you're into Japanese games that are heavy on anime, SRPG, and dating. For those gamers, they will find a polished, if not perfect, localized title with a lot of content and reason to comeback.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is another feather in Capcom’s cap as it works to revitalize marooned games in its catalog. Though distinctly for genre enthusiasts, the high-quality netcode ensures that decades-old titles could have their time in the competitive scene. While Capcom may soon run out of quality material to include in these offerings, one can only hope different genres (and prominent publishers) will follow suit.

FutureGrind forges, destroys, and rewrites neural pathways until gray matter is shaped to command its style of acrobatic vehicular platforming. Uniracers meets Trials is an easy shortcut, but it undersells the succinct density and progressive challenge of its level design. FutureGrind has the goofy novelty and formidable sincerity of what's expected from a platformer in 2019.

Untitled Goose Game is a body-swapping fantasy that transforms any would-be suburban miscreant into a waddling force of mischief and destruction. Instead of putting your finger in everyone’s freshly baked pie, you menace around town and devastate an ordinary Saturday afternoon. Untitled Goose Game is philosophical exercise to determine if the conniving will of a large annoying bird is either innate programming from a bored deity or a product of our broken society.

MercurySteam's take on Castlevania has never looked better than it does with the Ultimate Edition. Despite being three years removed from its original release, it's still a joy to play and would do very well for itself when compared to more recent genre releases.

Two Point Museum, from developer Two Point Studios and publisher Sega, brings a fun and wickedly addictive museum simulator that runs deep with its gameplay. While it’s certainly not as complicated as most simulators of its type, it’s still well thought-through and executed in nearly every aspect of its gameplay.

Superchargers is another impressive evolution in the Skylanders brand that series fans and newcomers alike should not miss.

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.

Overall, while I don’t feel at all qualified to really place this game above or below others in the series, I feel confident that it’s an interesting title for series veterans who never got to play Gaiden and newcomers alike. With a blend of old school and also lacking many of the modern nuances of today’s games, it gives players a straight-forward, yet stout challenge.

Simple, fast, fun, and even funny gameplay/presentation makes playing a few quick games the perfect way to burn a half an hour.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team follows a strong format set forth by previous games in the series. Though Bowser's Inside Story is still the best, Dream Team holds its own and suits the new hardware of the 3DS very well.

Trials of Fire is a great game for beginners or veteran of deck building games. The variety of challenges, characters, and cards to choose from allows you to use your brain and strategize while also having fun and completing the challenges.