In conclusion, NHL 2K10 is a big improvement from 2K9. 2K is still well behind EA at this point in generating an all around deep sim, but next year I'm hoping for a much closer matchup.

Mario Party 10 is pretty to look at and it has some interesting modes (like the Bowser mode) to play, but the overall amount of content is a tad bit on the shallow side. The way that player management and competition is handled falls short of Mario Party expectations.

Perhaps the worst thing I can say about Obscure: The Aftermath is that it's entirely average.

There's the racing, which benefits from better customization, diverse handling models, competitive visuals, and assorted racing challenges. These are the things that you expect, and Need for Speed delivers. Then there are the full motion video sequences, which thrive on first-person fist bumps, Monster energy toasts, and people saying the word "hashtag" without irony.

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?

The core gameplay of Wonder Boy is platforming and combat. Both turned out to feel their age. Simple jumps between platforms and the occasional glide were all that really encompassed the gameplay. The different enemies were bland and if you couldn’t defeat them with a simple slash, then the solution was to jump and slash. The game needs just a little more depth. There were magical slashes that did more damage, but maybe a more complex magic system would have enhanced the experience. Thankfully the puzzles break up the monotony.

While Disney Universe can't really come close to LittleBigPlanet in terms of scope or gameplay options, there's enough fun here to keep any Disney fanatic entertained. Simple controls, plenty of levels and challenges will make this fun for younger gamers in any household.

Overall, HumaNature Studios’ Toe Jam & Earl: Back in the Groove has brought back and breathed life into the old gameplay design of the original game. It feels like a Toe Jam & Earl game, which I can appreciate immensely. While not groundbreaking with visuals, it still brings some real fun to a series that lost its way a long time ago.

Iterations of Detached have been floating around on other virtual reality platforms since 2016. This clarifies its position as groundwork instead of structure. It was a step that needed to be taken in search of higher ground. Virtual reality’s second and third generation of software, with games like Moss and Tetris Effect, are better aware of the platform’s strengths and limitations. Detached can impress newcomers right away. More practiced enthusiasts will quickly look in other directions.

Quite possibly the best mini-game compilation title I have played on any platform, Carnival Island does a great job of catering to a younger audience but simultaneously keeps things interesting enough for older gamers.

For a good hack-and-slash experience on the Vita, and for fans of the Ninja Gaiden franchise, Sigma 2 Plus is an enjoyable game. If you can ignore problems like the camera, and invisible walls, you will have fun mowing down ninjas, monsters, and freaky giant bosses.

Mineko’s Night Market from developer Meowza Games is an adorable, relatable, and fun crafting adventure that pushes everything along with a story that runs perfectly parallel to the gameplay. While its main audience might be younger gamers, there might be enough here for older gamers to enjoy.

If you like MOBAs, anime, cel shading, fighting games, and things like that, you will probably get something out of the game. I, personally, enjoy almost anything with a competitive element to it. Add character creation and a beautiful presentation into the mix, and that was enough to make me feel like this is a worthwhile game.

A delightful little dungeon crawler, Riverbond, is fun for everyone. The voxel styling paired with the abundance of skin choices makes for a wonderful visual experience. The drop-in/out multiplayer means the whole family can hop on the couch and play as much, or as little, as they want to help clear a board. In a medium full of ever-increasingly realistic graphics, Riverbond is a breath of fresh air with its colorful world and characters.

Immortals Fenyx Rising's Myths of the Eastern Realm DLC is a noble effort by Ubisoft Chengdu to infuse new and rarely touched upon mythology into the mainstream of games. Though mainly a reskin of the base game, fans should enjoy this godly romp.

Solid game, but until Eutechnyx starts to fix this franchise's routine short-comings, my score is going to continually fall further and further back.

Noreya: The Gold Project is a very pretty 2D platformer that attempts to instill agency and creativity wrapped in a nice, neat metroidvania package. Whether it does so or not is up for debate, but one thing is certain: The puzzles and platforming are quite enjoyable.

All in all, this game had great aesthetics and commentary, but it was entirely too repetitive. Every mission was pretty much the same, but increased in difficulty throughout the game. I would give this game a 6.5/10 rating, but it is also a cult favorite and I respect those who have love for this game.

Chapter Three is ultimately a letdown all things considered, but as a whole, The Raven - Legacy of A Master Thief is still worth checking out if you enjoy point and click adventure games and a good "whodunit" style mystery.

The most rewarding and commendable component of ACV is its multiplayer offering. If you can get into that, especially with some friends, it's easier to forgive the flaws and have fun.

Phantom Fury is a decent boomer shooter, albeit one that emphasizes environmental interactivity over an arcade-inspired killing spree in which everything is a weapon. The few moments of cinematic silliness are par for the course in the boomer shooter genre, but they’re not enough to make this any less of a slog.

Atelier Rororna should appeal to series fans and newcomers alike. Gust did a fine job with this game and it's well worth your consideration if you're in the market for a solid JRPG.

Rustler is a game that does a little of both but doesn’t commit to either idea enough to make an interesting experience. This indecision to commit hampers the game’s enjoyability and leaves players with a confused understanding of what the game wants to be. This compounded by a lack of black representation while directly referencing black culture everywhere, makes this game difficult to recommend.

The single player missions can be fun, but it's short lived even when you're rewarded with new planes that don't vary that much from the last plane you just flew.

As a brief (three to four hour) experience that offers some spicy story bits, mildly improved battle situations, and more-of-the-same traversal, Legacy is difficult to recommend at its current price.

There are three kinds of people that this game is absolutely made for. The first is Playstation 4 and Xbox One owners who don’t own any of the Nintendo consoles that previous installments of the Super Smash Bros. series are available for. The second is people who have played the previous Super Smash Bros. games to death and need a new but similar game to tide them over until the next installment is released. Fans of the Dark Souls and Bloodborne series may call this the Nioh role. The third is people who have had loved ones bludgeoned to death by a Super Smash Bros game case and now want nothing to do with the game but still have an itch for arena brawler games that needs to be scratched. You know who you are.

Last Stop is endearing with its story and characters with a Hollywood caliber narrative design. It just wants to be a movie more than it wants to be a game, but it is entertaining, nonetheless.

Overall, the multiplayer takes center stage here and what's left is a mediocre campaign at best. My recommendation is a weekend rental -- get through the campaign in a sitting or two and then spend several hours with multiplayer to see if this one is worth your gaming dollar.