Street Fighter X Tekken is a worthy new fighting game franchise for Capcom, one that brings together two unlikely groups of foes in a game that blends a more traditional style of gameplay with some very interesting-if not slightly controversial-new ideas.

A lot of people are probably going to sleep on, or not even know about, A Plague Tale: Innocence—and that’s a shame. It’s a gripping, touching, emotional, yet at times horrifying experience, one that feels quite unlike almost any other game out there.

New features like DexNav and the soar ability add just enough new gameplay elements to the classic Pokémon formula to help make this decade-old adventure feel new again.

The Witness is the rare game that boils down to a question of faith. No video, screenshot, or review can really explain why it’s such a worthwhile use of your time without spoiling the experience, so you’ll have to trust me when I tell you it’s worth every second—provided you have a bit of patience and are up for an intellectual challenge.

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle may not be the deepest tactical RPG, but it delivers a solid all-around experience that takes advantage of the strengths of both Mario and the Rabbids—making for one of the most surprisingly enjoyable game experiences you’re likely to have this year.

While it falls a little short of what I wanting for a long-anticipated new major chapter in the Shin Megami Tensei series, Shin Megami Tensei IV is still a highly enjoyable RPG that mixes Altus’ trademark flair for style with some new ideas and engrossing narrative twists.

While it’s not everything it could have been, Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is still a funny, charming, dramatic, and emotional game, one that brings two very different franchises together into one fantastic gaming crossover.

While it often feels constrained by the platforms it currently calls home, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is a fantastic adventure that provides a rich amount of depth and challenge for both solo and team players alike.

Ni No Kuni II is full of some tremendously creative decisions that make this unlike many other Japanese RPGs, as well as a clear step above an already good game in the original Ni No Kuni. However, some additions like the RTS elements left me scratching my head. Despite this, Ni No Kuni II tells a beautiful story that’s set in an even more beautiful world, and should be enjoyed by most JRPG fans.

A brilliantly written and executed new chapter in the long-abandoned, but never forgotten, Kid Icarus franchise that will appeal to new and old fans alike with its amazing depth and stunning visuals.

Atlus somehow finds a way to craft a music game based around Persona 4 and have it end up as a serious entry to the rhythm genre. Persona 4: Dancing All Night is a great experience, with gameplay, visual, and a soundtrack that all come together in one heck of a package.

Devolver Digital’s Crossing Souls isn’t afraid to wear its love for the 80’s on its sleeve, but thankfully, there’s more to the story on top of it. While it isn’t without its missteps, using interesting and unique gameplay elements, diverse locations, and well-rounded characters, the arcade adventure game will give both modern and retro gamers something to enjoy.

Despite my gripes, I have to admit that I f***ing loved this game. I really wished they would've skipped the bulk of the major changes to the game's narrative, but from a pure gameplay standpoint, it's arguably my favorite Twisted Metal title to date. The controls are on point, the level design's at or above anything else the series has produced, and (when it works) the multiplayer's nonstop gameporn that'll offer dozens of hours of replay value for anyone who gives it the time.

The perfect Assassin’s Creed swan song on last-gen, Rogue offers perhaps the best protagonist the series has ever seen—even if the gameplay will be too familiar for the liking of some.

In its finished form, Broken Age is every bit the modern point-and-click classic its strong first act implied it would be. With an entertaining story and clever puzzles wrapped in a modern sensibility and impressive production values, Tim Schafer’s return to the genre that made him lives up to the high standard of his earlier work.

It has a few quirks that come with the franchise's first attempt at an open-world game, but at its heart, it's still a solid Forza title. I can see Horizon being the start of a continuing bold new direction for the franchise, and with a bit more polish, I can even see it becoming the Forza standard. If you're a Forza fan, this is definitely worth checking out.

Bomb Chicken is a classic indie puzzle-platformer that wears its developer’s history and influence on its sleeve. From its Super Nintendo-inspired, colorful pixel art to its one unique platforming mechanic, Bomb Chicken is truly an education in how to put together a satisfying gaming experience—though players hoping that the length and narrative of a game like Celeste or the ability progression of a Shovel Knight might make their way into a game about a chicken that lays bombs will be a little disappointed.

New Leaf brings updates both major and minor, but the most important of them for me was the push for customization. You’ll now spend far more time making your town just the way you want it to be and personalizing your character to suit your specific tastes—and, really, that’s what Animal Crossing should be about.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is the action adventure genre stripped of its excess, until a smaller, more personal journey remains. While it may feel shallow and lacking for some, those wanting something other than the usual big-budget 70-hour fare will find Senua’s story to be unlike anything else in recent years.

NHL 17 takes a step forward with the series in terms of more authentic gameplay, but has lost its edge in a couple of its long-standing modes.

South Korean developer Pentavision brings their latest DJMax title to North American, giving rhythm game fans-and Vita owners in general-a superb product that excels in style, substance, and sound.

Mega Man fans will either love or hate returning to the later entries from the franchise found in Mega Man Legacy Collection 2, but the new Challenges will give any player a run for their money and should be worth checking out.

While there’s little new here to differentiate between titles besides the change of scenery to WWII’s Eastern Front, Relic once again delivers a premiere RTS experience.

For any fan of classic adventure games, playing Broken Age will be like wrapping yourself in a big, comfy blanket made of pointing, clicking, and a whole lot of laughs.

Square Enix Montreal has created a game in Hitman Go that avoids the trappings of so many other attempts to bring popular franchises to mobile devices—and the result is an experience that feels fresh, unique, and exciting from start to finish.

While most of Ultra Street Fighter IV‘s new characters are little more than port-overs from Street Fighter X Tekken, the characters are still welcome additions to the roster—and the rest of Ultra‘s features and expanded online modes make upgrading a decision worth making for fans.

Call of Duty: WWII’s changes to the core Call of Duty experience are few but distinct. This leads to a good balance between relishing everything Call of Duty used to be and still continuing to move the series forward.

A new control scheme and deeper career mode should lure fans back that were turned off by the last game for one more go in the octagon.