Astral Chain is a unique and beautiful game that excels at what it’s trying to do. It’s one of the best games of the year so far, and it makes me excited to see what the studio will come up with next.

It’s silly to think that a team like USC, with so many returning stars, would have the same number of impact players as Cal. Instead of picking a lucky number and binding every team to it, the designers should have bound the number of impact players to some transitional stat, like returning upper-classmen.

Dirt 3 is the reliable weekday car that you aren't afraid to take into the mud every once in a while. While it doesn't have the precision or style of some of its high-end peers, Dirt 3 has more than enough personality and moments of exhilaration to make up the difference.

Although the content feels curt and the difficulty is somewhat dependent on the luck of the draw, the game's high replayability and bit-tastic presentation will scratch that itch to play just another round. So be careful... you might just dance the night away.

Its incredibly accurate physics system doesn’t just set a new bar for boxing games, but for all games across all genres. Newton’s laws of motion haven’t mattered this much in a game since Pong, and bare-chested men haven’t looked this good in a game since Cho Aniki.

Truly an excellent game. Minor flaws and caveats aside, it has been a long time since I’ve played any game so addicting and moment-to-moment enjoyable that it’s actually made me worry about starting it up.

Heavy Rain is an inspiration board of editorials waiting to be written. It is entertaining without being “fun” and explores the assumptions players make as a spectator and a participant, the extent at which literary drama can interconnect with games, and the uncharted space far beyond mainstream gaming...Even if you come to oppose everything it stands for – and understandably so – Heavy Rain needs to be played.

Older graphics aside, Thief 2 is a great game. Though I'm sure some sociology professor might decry the glorification of breaking into people's houses and stealing their stuff, there's no denying that it's a lot of fun.

The single-player game is still merely a fair distraction, but the dozen mini-games will keep you and your friends glued to the couch for hours.

If you're into Tactics, this game is definitely one of the best. It takes more than a fair amount of commitment on the player's part to get absorbed into the intricate, many-layered story and environment, but if you do, you won't be disappointed.

Sadly, the PS2 version of Chaos Theory is very dark and not handsome at all. The animations are a little choppy, the framerate isn't completely solid, and since things are so dim, you'll probably spend most of your time looking at the environments through night-vision, which is kind of murky and green.

The sense of immersion is greatly increased. It is a nice feeling, for example, to come across a Barbarian warrior, fighting to save his city, protect him from harm and use him like a football blocker to carve a path.

Kentucky Route Zero is a coffee table book of a game. I don’t feel like you’re really supposed to try and take it all in as a whole. Instead, KRZ, with it’s myriad of references and views, seems like it’s supposed to be taken a piece at a time. Some players are sure to absolutely love that, while others, like me, would prefer something more grounded...I don’t like Kentucky Route Zero, but I’m glad it exists.

It's just as funny and entertaining as its older self, if not more, with new music, awesome voice-acting, and great bonus features.

While Final Fantasy 16 may not appeal to all long-time fans due to its significant departure from typical franchise elements, there is still much to like in this title. It offers a fresh perspective, a richly drawn setting, and a captivating story that stands on its own. Its action-oriented fighting and darker themes are a departure but also highlight the series’ willingness to branch out. Even if it seems different and isn’t quite the Final Fantasy many of us grew up with, FF16 is still an exciting and enjoyable adventure. It serves as a reminder that the series isn’t hesitant to grow and defy expectations, even if the outcome isn’t unanimously praised.

Though short (with total gameplay running around 4-8 hours), the story is really told well and should adequately entertain fans. But the meat of any expansion - new environments, new weapons, and new enemies – is painfully thin.

While I’m disappointed by the relatively simple execution of this remaster, the content offered here is still outstanding. From overall presentation to the polished gameplay, this is still single-player gaming at its finest, now made shinier. It’s an easy flex for PS5, but that doesn’t make it any less of a must-play for those who missed out on the last-gen launch or hardcore fans who want to scrutinize every pore on Nate and friends’ higher-resolution faces.

The set pieces are gorgeously done and the pacing is perfect, even if it breezes by rather quickly.

Despite these throwaway modes and some repetitive grinding, Gran Turismo 7 does so much right that it’s still a true comeback for the series following Gran Turismo Sport’s disappointing reception. There’s plenty to do here both for car enthusiasts and GT newcomers alike, so much so that I’d wager this will pave the way for a whole new generation of petrolheads. From its photo-realism to its pinpoint handling and extensive amount of additional features, Gran Turismo 7 is another first-party PS5 success and a new benchmark for performance and visuals on the console.

Dirt 3 is the reliable weekday car that you aren't afraid to take into the mud every once in a while. While it doesn't have the precision or style of some of its high-end peers, Dirt 3 has more than enough personality and moments of exhilaration to make up the difference.

It combines engrossing and detailed online play with a smart and difficult single player campaign, and wraps both packages up in style, with solid graphics and great audio. So make like Narcissus, and get lost in this reflection.

But it's not just big, folks - it's really, really, REALLY big. Like an estimated 600 hours of gameplay big. Like so big, you could play the game for solid weeks and barely see half of the world. And thankfully, it's also darn good.

It just goes to show that games with bold design and content-rich features can find a home on any platform.

Dragon Ball FighterZ is an accomplished fighting game with a clear appreciation for its source material, providing frenetic action between larger-than-life characters ripped straight from the anime/manga series. Though its combo system may be simple on the surface, with many of its moves being universal across its characters, there's a great deal of complexity when it comes to successfully breaking out of a combo string, with timing being the key to victory.

Unless you find this one on sale, do yourself a favor and grab Link’s Awakening DX instead. You’ll have the same game, minus the Chamber Dungeon, and updated graphics and still have plenty left over to get some other excellent titles.

It's a shame the game focuses so much on the Batmobile, because even that provides a welcome change of pace in small doses. Unfortunately, Arkham Knight doesn't deliver the Batmobile in small doses, and it turns out to be the most intrusive part of the experience.

The whole game makes as much sense as watching an episode of "Twin Peaks" backwards. But it looks a helluva lot better.

A great storyline, excellent delivery, top-notch voice acting and fun, varied gameplay help Jak II continue Naughty Dog’s tradition of high quality games. It’s simply not to be missed.

It's silly to think that a team like USC, with so many returning stars, would have the same number of impact players as Cal. Instead of picking a lucky number and binding every team to it, the designers should have bound the number of impact players to some transitional stat, like returning upper-classmen.

Forget about what you've done during the main game's single player campaign, turn off your suspension of disbelief, and nail those suckers in the head.

Spider-Man PS4 continues the awesome tradition we’ve seen emerge in the last decade or so of amazing licensed games. I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the more repetitive side activities, but I had a lot of fun in general and gained a new appreciation of Spider-Man, enough so that I’ll be checking out the comics when I get the time.

The New Super Mario Bros. Wii is not horrible, unplayable, or anything ridiculous. It's just not as much fun as you had playing with older versions of the stubby mustached plumber.

Elite Beat Agents is a wonderful DS game, entertaining but wound up a little too tightly.

Despite its lack of serious innovation, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is another fun, high-quality RPG. Its humor, gameplay and delivery combine to create an excellent romp through familiar terrain.

Recaptures the simple magic that made the original a hit, but doesn't make much of an effort beyond that. The inclusion of two-seater karts is a nice touch and the multiplayer game continues to shine, but the single-player lacks substance and the track design is generally pretty bland.

It doesn't try to do anything new or revolutionary, and as a result, is remarkably fun and easy to play.

If you're the type who goes for intricate Franchise modes, then you'll probably dig WSB 2K3. The same goes if you like astounding graphics and good gameplay dynamics.

The vehicles aren't the only things basking in graphical splendor. The entire game amazes...[but] I did notice that the load times are a little hefty for a system with a hard drive.

It's fitting that the 2017 Ford GT was chosen as the feature car for Forza Motorsport 6 as both of them are refined, beautiful, and stand out among a sea of competitors. Forza has always been great, and with this release it’s better than ever.

Gameplay is amazingly true to DKC.

It's not as groundbreaking as the original, but it's just about as fun.

Smart, stylish, and original, Bully deserves a spot in your class.

Black Ops' minor flaws won't deter you from its gripping storyline and gratifying multiplayer modes.

Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest is an excellent, challenging SRPG that requires a great deal of forethought and precision, rewarding the player for hard choices, and keeping your characters in play.

Though Tearaway could have extended its final levels to explore creation and identity, its depth isn't paper-thin, and the originality of its presentation alone is unique enough that Vita owners should consider ripping through the game once... but no more than that, or you might give the game its walking papers.

A must have, and the latest in a strong 2006 lineup for the PSP. If you see this snake in the wild, by all means, pick it up.

It’s a classic adventure game at heart.

What's most important, though, is that regardless of your level of experience with a real-life diamond, MLB 13: The Show looks good enough, plays well enough, and offers enough customization to please any sports or simulation fan.

A real gem. It offers carefully balanced, elegant gameplay that will challenge your brain rather than your double-click speed.

The realistic squad based action is handled well and provides a satisfying journey through the nightmare of war.

What it lacks in depth and customization it pays back in spades with intense action sequences and a breathtaking level of destruction and interactivity.

It's a breath of fresh air to have a nonviolent place you can bring kids to without any misgivings. Maybe they'll learn about the importance of debt reduction as well.

A fun time and very well executed game. If you’re looking for something to play on the road while on vacation, or hiding away from society in a bomb shelter until Christmas blows over, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks makes as good a companion as a Ghost Princess.

Like Frankenstein's monster, Dead Space 2 is an assemblage of preexisting parts brought to exciting new life. And like seeing the living dead, it's impressive for a little while… then they start clawing for your brain.

Dirt 2 looks great and plays every bit as well as Grid, but loyalists to the Colin McRae series may not appreciate the greatly diminished rally content and simplified tuning controls.

As finely-presented as it is deep, welcoming to the newcomer, and yet more than ready to run veteran strategy gearheads down into their own personal animated Netherworld.

This version might very well be the best of the series since the original Red and Blue, with a completely engrossing world, ability to link and trade to earlier versions as far back as the GBA (no version of the DS reads the original Game Boy carts, so SOL on that front... but do you really want that Missingno you caught so badly?) and a few amusing – if lackluster – online games on top of being able to battle any of your friends anywhere.

Doom Eternal has a lot in common with Doom 2. Both could never dream of matching the surprise or legacy of their immediate predecessor, but they each confidently expand on the historic foundations those games set. Using fast-paced first-person shooting as the framework, each sequel has wildly improved level design, a wider selection of demons to massacre, and a larger arsenal that come together to refine its core identity in the smartest, most respectful ways possible. However, Eternal is more ambitious than its 1994 counterpart, pushing even further and creating one of the best first-person shooters ever made in the process. The Doom Slayer has faced many nightmarish opponents and toppled them all, yet his greatest victory might be slaying the impossibly high expectations set by his genre-defining precursors.

With the enhanced Campus Legend content, realistic momentum system, excellent “Get the Jump” mechanic and the tried-and-true core gameplay, this is another championship season from the official alma mater of college football games.

Even with its graphical hitches and proverbial chinks in its armor, and though the story may not move you by virtue of its resemblance to The Lord of the Rings, Dragon Age: Origins creates a comprehensive story-world that lives and breathes with the best that epic video games have to offer.

If you’re a Diablo fan, then this expansion is already on your wishlist, but if you haven’t delved into the series before then I strongly urge that you do so right now.

This 2017 edition has sure made headway for the future. And for Konami, it's a much-needed recovery.

Plays a lot like "Doom," but with more enemies. Way more. Like, the most EVER. And they just keep coming and coming, like roaches to a donut.

Despite its random flaws, the game's gorgeous graphics, solid gameplay and top-notch Franchise mode make it an easy choice for the discerning Xbox baller.

Those who have played MGS 2 should treat this much in the same way as buying a DVD, only to find out a year later that they've released a double-extra-special collector's edition.

If "MVP Baseball 2004" was Alec Baldwin, MVP Baseball 2005 is Daniel – mostly the same, but a little bit sleazier.

The best Rayman game in the series and one of the best games this year.

The Show, through and through, is a fun baseball game to play with buddies but won't keep the average fan playing. It's a coin toss to which MLB title to get.

It's highly likely that if you spent any energy at all anticipating Pokémon Black and White, you're going to be ridiculously pleased with whichever version you choose. For Pokévirgins who are curious as to what it's all about, this is a fine place to start.

The look, sound and feel of Call of Duty: United Offensive ooze quality and playability. Couple that with the $30 price tag and you wind up with a strong expansion. It might be short, but that should hardly prevent you from enlisting again.

It’s cheap, it’s fun, it’s challenging, and it’s a much less embarrassing way to relive the ‘90s than reuniting your old band.

It comes down to this: Fans of old-school PC RPGs that don't hold the player's hand and focus on depth and freedom will adore this game. Audiences without that experience will also find something to love in Divinity: Original Sin, because depth and player freedom never become dated.

An excellent addition to an excellent game, and ample proof that the RTS genre can be both accessible and complex.

Destiny 2 has renewed my faith in Bungie, the series as a whole, and is easily what the first Destiny should've been as it fulfills on everything that it originally seemed it would be and more.

Dirt 2 looks great and plays every bit as well as Grid, but loyalists to the Colin McRae series may not appreciate the greatly diminished rally content and simplified tuning controls.

As a demonstration of how control mechanics can be designed for the Wii, Sin & Punishment 2 is pure brilliance. And in those moments where everything comes together, there's really nothing quite like it. In brief bursts, you'll swear it's the best shooter ever made, but taken as a whole, it's simply too much of a hybrid for its own good.

It sounds like a game doomed from the start, but ultimately turns out to be a stroke of genius.

If you need a challenge on the level of a Mega Man or a Metal Slug with the feel of Dig Dug and Mr. Driller, or if you just enjoy any of those, this should be on your radar. If you just want a quick few Achievement points, you're not going to find them here.

I love the colorful environments, the little messages from explorers, and the sense of satisfaction you get from clearing a level quickly. Pixeljunk Shooter Ultimate plods along at a slower pace than you'd expect from the shooter genre, but its style and adventuresome attitude make it endearing and perfect for PlayStation Vita.

Resistance 2 tries to be both an intimate date and an enormous, chaotic festival. That it succeeds at the wild party and fails at the more sober date is no great loss. Those of you who are only interested in multiplayer will find much love to be had in this grand orgy of a game.

For only a $5 upgrade fee, they get all of those warm fuzzy feelings but with two great new characters and a small handful of remixed content that doesn’t quite break the bank nor provide a ton of value. However, the early 1990s infrastructure that the game prides itself on hasn’t aged quite as gracefully and, while it still has plenty of charm, it doesn’t fit in as elegantly with the current 2018 era that it’s being released in.

With Wii U gamers hungry for software, Pikmin 3 offers an interstellar feast.

Certainly engrossing, but it's just not quite fun enough.

I just don't have the words to describe how much fun this game is. Rarely does a game captivate the stoic and hypercritical Game Revolution office, but Driver has done just that.

The Gamecube version of SSX Tricky manages to retain the most important quality of the PS2 version - the fun - despite having a few flaws. This is a very good game, and while it's not quite as polished as the PS2, it's still worth the money for Gamecube owners.

It seems fitting that FromSoftware ends its DLC trilogy in the snow rather than some hellish landscape or poison-infested shrine. Sure, I died plenty of times while playing Crown of the Ivory King, but I also remember the sense of accomplishment that contrasts those deaths.

While unadventurous, these recipes go beyond merely competent and are instead really, unbelievably good.

With the Spider-Man Remastered PC version, gamers are getting the smoothest edition of the web-slinger complete with a comprehensive suite of graphical settings. This is exactly what we need from PlayStation games making their way to PC!

The reason World of Warcraft has proven to stand the test of time has everything to do with its ability to cater to a wide array of different types of gamers, and Warlords of Draenor only pushes the envelope even further.

The sheer amount of content alone in Dawn of War: Dark Crusade is worthy of respect. This is the kind of rampant generosity that we love, and it’s worth going to war with robot zombies over.

Filled with innumerable challenges, likable characters and a high production value. But beneath the surface, the lightweight story and characters combined with the almost rigidly episodic game flow still hold it back.

Grid hits all the basics just right and tops everything off with a shiny, grease-covered bow. With a little more fine-tuning and some added variety, the follow-up could easily be the leader of the arcade racing pack.

Although Pandora Tomorrow’s single-player game is hurt by the PS2’s hardware limitations, it still represents an excellent stealth experience coupled with one of the best multiplayer modes around.

Kingdom Hearts II is a blast - playable by nearly anyone, smarter than you'd expect, and built to a consistently impressive standard. Cartoon and RPG fandom isn't even required, as the story is outlandish and creative enough to ensnare even those wary of Disney.

Half-life itself is over three years old and the engine it runs on is even older, so it's no wonder the graphics and textures look extremely bland and dated . Even with the new PS2 hi-res upgrade, father time has inevitably brought out those wrinkles.

From the demon rock musician, I-no, to the back broken zombie, Zappa, there is something unmistakably Japanese in the extreme garishness of it all.

A hard game. Those without degrees in strategy gaming will find their task daunting and, in many cases, too hard to accomplish. Lucky for me I'm well versed in the ways of the special forces.

An action game fan’s wet dream. Despite a derivative structure and a few technical stumbles—like occasional slowdown and frequent screen tearing—Bayonetta takes everything that’s good about every other combo-heavy action game, cranks up the intensity, fine tunes the combat, and bundles it in a single, sexy, “au naturel” package.