Valkyria Chronicles 4 is an imperfect, flawed, and splendid game where the highs ultimately outshine the lows. A few seemingly minor iterations go a long way in adding a fresh layer on top of the existing battle system — which was already one of the more innovative hybrids of real-time and turn-based tactical gameplay found in any modern strategy game. Valkyria Chronicles has always been about managing risks and rewards, and it’s at its best in Valkyria Chronicles 4. And even despite some inefficiencies in plot delivery, it still manages to deliver a resonant payload through a series of small character moments, slow-building tension, and decisive moments. Also, there’s a dog with a hat.

Cult of the Lamb is perfect example of an innovative indie that proclaims to be one genre, but assumes multiple identities and delivers. The game’s charming yet disturbing theme lends you freedom to play as you want, and have your actions make sense on the lore-front. Yes, this roguelite is most likely the easiest and most accessible compared to its competitors, but that accessibility comes at a cost of some gameplay, like combat, lacking depth and complexity for genre veterans. Knowing all of this, should you sacrifice your time to the altar of The One Who Waits? To this, we say yes.

Thumper wraps a trip through spectral hell, the sensation of travelling down an interminable barrel of a gun, and a pounding rhythm game into an articulate package. It condenses to a sensory rampage that feels as concerned with survival as it is as consumed by perfection. Hitting notes on highway isn't a new concept, but performing it under the threat of phantasmal horror, and somehow empowering progress, positions Thumper as a modern apex.

I have no problem recommending Conviction to anyone who enjoys the Splinter Cell series or third person action/stealth games in general. I would have loved a much longer and more involved campaign, but the additional modes (including a separate co-op campaign) go a long way in making up for that.

In spite of a somewhat lazy presentation, New Super Mario Bros. U manages to captivate with just the right balance of fun, challenge, and variety. Perhaps it doesn't leverage much of what makes the Wii U different, but via masterful implementation of the basics, it's the closest thing to SNES Mario that we've seen in over 15 years.

“Be kind rewind!” is the core experience of CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story. Mastering Ekko’s time-based combat and platforming skills becomes incredibly rewarding for those wanting a new metroidvania experience. For Ekko mains, CONVERGENCE should be a no-brainer as it faithfully implements Ekko’s power in inventive and satisfying fashions. For other League fans as well as those unfamiliar with Riot Games’ other titles, CONVERGENCE will offer you memorability, challenge, a thoughtful story, and another blissful audio experience Riot (and Riot Forge) are known for.

Shardlight is another excellent point-and-click adventure game from the small but fiercely dedicated and skilled bunch at Wadjet Eye Games.

Unforeseen Incidents checks all the boxes for what constitutes a great point and click adventure game. Solid characters, a good story, good puzzles that are balanced, and an impressive presentation thanks to well-drawn art/animations and a good aural package.

Overall, people just consider these games a roster update and that’s it. There’s so much more here than meets the eye. With the new Eliminator feature for Ones and NHL Threes, plus the character customization of your own CHEL character NHL 20 is a great game. Some of the graphical changes are hard to get used to at first though and while I like there a new approach to the broadcast in-game, I can tell that it’s going to go through some growing pains. That’s fine though as I feel that it’s a step in a good direction. If you’re a newcomer or someone who has been engulfed into the franchise for a while you’re going to enjoy it.

Regardless, it's a finely crafted game and an exceptional example of how to do the genre right.

Quietly, The Walking Dead continues to perform like a potential game of the year.

Need For Speed comes to the sim side of racing, and the result is a game that is plenty sim enough for most racing fans, but not too hardcore that it makes arcade racers like me bored or frustrated.

Alan Wake has aged well and still offers a compelling thriller story with some fun gameplay to keep you entertained for a dozen or fifteen hours. Whether you missed the game way back when it first came out, or just haven’t played it in a decade, it’s a worthy addition to any collection.

The Legend of Dead Kel is a quality five-plus hour expansion that is fairly priced. Fans of Reckoning should strongly consider it, unless they're holding out for a eventual re-release of Reckoning with all DLC included.

Guacamelee was already a great game, and while not all of the extras for Super Turbo Championship Edition are beneficial, it's tough to say the grand experience isn't better for their inclusion.

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 New Day embraces this concept and allows the player to revel in its characters and their conversations, and in doing so even manages to grant the player legitimate agency over the suspected protagonist. And, yeah, it's a hell of a good ride.

tar Fox Guard's class of tower defense is an exemplary validation of its platform's unique hardware. Like Super Mario Maker and Splatoon, it proves the Wii U's gamepad isn't a superfluous novelty, but a prudent force against an entrenched position.

There’s a reason (err, several) why It Takes Two earned its Game of the Year accolades in 2021, and Switch owners now have the opportunity to play one of the best co-op games of late. The story remains meaningful, the puzzles innovative. The title continues to succeed in navigating interpersonal strife long after its release and the title’s ending being freely available to find online. Even though I knew of some of the events that occurred before reviewing, I was often surprised by its powerful storytelling. It runs incredibly well on the Switch, to boot. Some of the typical Switch-based quirks may be coming with, but it still delivers on a compelling and emotional experience without the compromises that usually accompany a Switch port. With Friend Pass baked into the game, Switch owners are able to play with those in the same room as well as afar. I would personally recommend using a voice comms platform should you play remotely, though.

Requisite complications ensue in later challenges, and the different game modes provide a range of valuable experiences, but for the most part, this is a well-balanced package whose value towers over its asking price.

MLB 13 The Show shows its continual dominance in the video game world of baseball. Though it's not perfect, it still makes all the right improvements and additions to keep the game fresh and interesting.

Ultimax could have slammed the gas pedal in one direction and been fine, instead it takes its time to stop and make sure the view is great, too.

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater respects its source material in ways that other games should follow suit. The story is retained, each emotional gutpunch hits home just as hard (if not harder), and the core stealth gameplay that you and I grew to love in our adolescence is preserved. While it’s hard to ignore that this MGS lacks Kojima and the segmented maps are archaic, it’s just as hard to ignore that this iteration of MGS3 is the faithful modernization you and I deserve.

The art style is pixelated and feels very Dragon Force mid-90s, which I adore. The action sequences are over-the-top in the best of ways, and the music…good GOD…the music is an electronic, bass-driven masterpiece. Related to the music, I’m not sure I enjoyed a set of sound effects before as much as I did with this game. I know, I know, that is a ridiculous statement, but they’re well done and add to the atmosphere of the game. Anyway, the presentation is a treat during the fights and the maps are equally well done with a forced depth of field to make the scenery very pleasant and visually active. Star Renegades is an impressive game that is easy to start and will keep you playing with its strategic depth.

Darksiders Genesis is a strong entry to the franchise and it’s one that should appeal not only to fans and newcomers of Darksiders, but also to anyone that enjoys a isometric dungeons crawlers with two player co-op support.

Project CARS is going to give some of the bigger racing games a run for their money. There is depth, detail and fun to be had with this game. It certainly was worth the wait.

To say that Yakuza Kiwami is a great Nintendo Switch game is an understatement. It’s a fantastic port of an existing remaster that serves as one of the best entry points in the Yakuza series. It might have less to “do,” but that’s more of a reason for SEGA to port the rest of the Yakuza games for Nintendo players in the future. Hopefully (and I sincerely mean this), Ryu Ga Gotoku brings more of its library to Switch owners…preferably at the same quality as Yakuza Kiwami.

If Super Metroid is fine dining on exquisite steak then Guacamelee is a night at the wild Mexican place down the street, the one where you're sure the salsa is either aggressively seasoned or mixed with the chef's blood. This might leave Guacamelee too abrasive for certain tastes, but for most everyone else it’s the equivalent of a celebration riot in its declared genre.