Synduality: Echo of Ada from developer Game Studio Inc. has the potential to be bigger and better than it currently is with the initial release. As it stands now, the gameplay is a bit bland with battles, the exploration needs to create more motivation to give players more meaningful substance, and bigger story pieces that could help players connect with the gameplay. Given time, this game could be outstanding.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game excels in its uncomplicated experiment with asymmetrical multiplayer. Rather than bog players down in multiple systems, IllFonic and Teravision choose kinetic gameplay that always has players doing something. Such a stripped-down experience is made memorable by the campy nature of the film, quick matches, and fast leveling. Of course, the circus elephant in the room is how welcome the community will be towards embracing a game that leans more into thrills and less into horror. Will the Killer Klowns wrap us up in its sugary embrace or scare us away?

While the original Puyo Puyo’s festive brand of falling-block puzzle-action is a known quantity, M2’s tireless determination to blend accuracy with accessibility persists as the best way to enjoy a classic game in 2019. The SEGA AGES line continues to be the Switch’s secret-best asset.

Overall, the mixture of multiple genres is nearly pulled off well, but the difficulty gums the gears up on Disjunction’s gameplay just a bit. If there were fewer enemies and more push forward then I think this game excels beyond expectations. As it stands with the gameplay, you’re getting an interesting mix that tells a good story, but can only go as far as you can take it with the difficulty pushing back so hard at times.

Lost Soul Aside, from developer UltiZeroGames, lacks a good, cohesive narrative that should be driving the solid gameplay and action. As it stands, the game does a great job with its action gameplay design, features interesting and compelling enemies, and contains a solid backend progression system.

Overall, Neverout is an interesting VR title turned into a Nintendo Switch experience that seems to be better suited to handle it. It’s fun, it’s challenging, and it can be a bit frustrating now and then, but it’s still worth checking out, especially at the price point.

Clearly, fans of the genre, especially those that prefer to play on console as opposed to PC, should give PD a serious look. If you’re on the fence about diving into the genre, and your committed, this is also a great way to jump in, just expect some frustrations along the way.

#BLUD from developer Exit 73 Studios is a gorgeous game that contains a familiar and goofy 80s/90s horror movie narrative theme but falls short in handing the gameplay control completely over to the player. The boss fights and selfie moments do make up for some of its shortfalls and also help to keep #BLUD more entertaining than not.

Sonic Frontiers from Sonic Team has all the right moves with controls, level design, looks, feel, and structure. What it needs to work on is making the game more pointed in its narrative and flowing without interruption. This game has a great skeleton, now all it requires is some solid content to fill some of that narrative disconnect. It contains some great elements, but it’s far from perfect.

NBA 2K22 is seemingly a step in the right direction for the franchise. While I felt the same with last year’s NBA 2K21, I feel NBA 2K22 is more evolutionary than revolutionary. Its gameplay systems feel solid enough and fun enough to play for hours on end, however, the game’s heavy reliance on a player’s time to progress through any chunk of content is still prevalent. I would have liked to have seen more openness and choice to MyTeam’s new Draft mode, as it’s the best mode the game has added in years. Of course, I fully expect refinements to continue throughout 2K22s lifespan, so we’ll see where the game ends up in several months. But upon the first two weeks of release, there’s enough here to be excited for what’s to come.

Overall, between the microtransactions and graphics balanced with the gameplay and storyline – I would argue that the game is pretty decent. I don’t get to have my own Pegasus or be trained by Phil the Centaur, but being a Paladin God who saves people is a pretty decent experience, even without the Muses to sing about my experiences.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is a fun game that offers up more gameplay options than narrative depth. The competitive mode is the highlight of the release and gives you plenty of reasons to keep playing this sequel.

FBC: Firebreak is unlike anything Remedy Entertainment has made. While a team-based shooter would not be on everyone’s wishlist from the storied developer, it makes the best of Control‘s unique universe. Bizarre mission objectives and a friendly approach offer enough diversity to draw players in. But a troublesome onboarding process may negatively color the crucial first few hours for players. Should a community form around FBC: Firebreak, there’s a lot to enjoy and hopefully Remedy will continue to support the game in the coming months.

Croc – Legend of the Gobbos Remastered from developer Argonaut Games is a throwback to a simpler, more experimental 3D platformer time. The remastered game represents the old one nicely without going too far or destroying any of the original game’s essence. While some of the 90s gameplay concepts in Croc – Legend of the Gobbos Remastered are still stuck in the 90s, some elements are improved. This may not hit with new gamers but it’s undoubtedly going to please those raised during that 90s video game era.

If your goal is to start out with nothing and then wield magic and technology like a god, well that’s certainly possible. If your goal is to goof off with friends or have hopefully harmless interactions with others online, you can find it here. The point of PixARK is to be an engaging, entertaining, and evolving game. While it is often buried under less-than-intuitive console menus, the simple pleasures of PixARK aren’t far away.

Observer is a rather well done indie title with tons of style and appeal. Think Blade Runner‘s dystopian motif with Orwellian sensibilities and shades of Snatcher. Sign me up!

I don’t think it is crazy to say that Crash Team Racing is the best kart racing game. Unlike Mario Kart, players actually have to be skilled at playing the game to do well and progress, especially when playing against real people instead of computers. Nitro-Fueled is a wonderful remake of the classic game that we all know and love. The mechanics and courses are great. Combine that with a revamped Adventure mode and you have yourself a fantastic game. I wouldn’t say it’s a perfect game though due to its difficulty and pretty short story.

Loopmancer wants to be the new sleek, stylish roguelite on the block. Using a veneer of cyberpunk action and frenzied combat, the game often gets by on looks alone. In short bursts it possesses addictive combat that suddenly breaks down when strung together with rudimentary level design and unfulfilling rewards. The narrative has all the charm and trappings of movies so bad they’re good but even that is hindered with frequent breaks in pace. Loopmancer attempts to break out of its genre’s endless cycle but often finds itself shackled to avoidable flaws.

Clusterpuck 99 is a good deal if you are playing with a large group of people. It’s simple enough that anyone can pick up on it. There are a variety of maps to play from. The game seems very polished and is obvious that thought was put into it. The A.I. could be adjusted a little bit to resemble a actual human opponent more. I would not recommend this game if you are playing alone due to this.

Golden Tee Arcade Classics, from developer Digital Eclipse and publisher Atari, is a great trip down memory lane, but it feels and acts like it’s still in the 90s. The collection does enough to bring simple fun with uncomplicated physics and frustrating elements that modern golfing games bring to the table nowadays. The additional games included help to make the collection a bit more fun, as well as feel like it offers more than just golf.

Thunder Tier One is a good game. It has a decent amount of customization options, features a good tactical system that will entertain those looking for a tactical fix, and doesn’t really do anything groundbreaking or genre-changing for tactical shooters. It’s simply a good game with hopes for more content in the future.

In the end, House of Ashes doesn’t offer a new unique tale that I found with Little Hope or Man of Medan. I did enjoy my time playing through another The Dark Pictures Anthology tale, but it hasn’t left an impact on me as a player as Little Hope did. Choices often felt inconsequential, and few and far between. Character development for all of the characters outside of Salim was underwhelming and disappointing, even though the backdrop of the Iraq War in 2003 was ripe for compelling character development.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, developed by Capcom, brings good and stylish action to its gameplay, while incorporating strategy elements to slow it down. If you like a tactical side mixed with your action, then you’re going to love what this game offers. It felt a bit imbalanced for my taste, and I wanted more action to take the lead in this gameplay experience.

Road 96: Mile 0 is a smaller, different experience than Road 96. While the game’s story helps fill in some blanks and provide some context for Zoe’s journey in the first game, the gameplay style mash-up between branching narrative and linear/on-rails gameplay leaves the experience lacking just a bit.

Last Man Sitting from developer DoubleMoose Games and publisher Raw Fury is a fun and simple shooter with a ridiculous theme, as well as a bevy of customization and upgrade options. The gameplay is short and repetitive, but the price point helps justify it.

I cannot help but appreciate how Arcadegeddon hooked me into this really player-friendly loot shooter. The arcade-y elements are replayable, rewarding, and worth playing with friends. Arcadegeddon hits the spot as an MMO with roguelite elements with an awesome arcade aesthetic. But, I want more. Much more. If Arcadegeddon is to succeed in the MMO/roguelite space in the longer term, some of the advancement mechanics (such as preserving progress of longer runs) and lategame gameplay needs to be refined and expanded. I want additional modes like time trials that can easily and reliably completed in a single sitting. At the same time, I want some additional variety to make a three hour gauntlet exciting to reach. If you’re wanting a co-op loot shooter that’s easily picked up and played, look no further than Arcadegeddon. If you want something deeper, wait around a bit. Hopefully Arcadegeddon can hit that sweet spot, too.

Dead Island 2 often is nothing more than a game where players use ridiculously customized weapons to ravage zombies in increasingly gruesome ways. It’s comically satisfying how good it feels to tear through hordes of the undead–and it looks absurdly vile. It may not be a diamond forged over time, yet it’s hard to deny the fun to be had tearing it up in Hell-A. But does the idea of doing that hour after hour with small amount of variety sound appealing? If not then, Dead Island 2 won’t lure you in.

Overall, I’m torn about Everhood 2. Its rhythm-based battles are unlike any RPG I’ve played before. Its soundtrack is incredible. Walking through emptiness and seeing delayed payoffs from the worldbuilding side, though, makes the game feel less fun than it should be. I enjoyed Everhood 2, but I wish that I spent more time in the rhythm battles than exploring.