Looking for a hardcore experience isn’t going to be found here, but for anybody interested in an action-based RPG (that isn’t really an action-RPG), then LBX might be the thing. While the story might be a wash, the action and depth is done well enough to keep the experience engaging.

The Necromancer has returned with a well-composed concoction of nostalgic skills and modern design. It's a flashy addition to an already strong roster of classes in Diablo 3 that, while held back by two minor missteps, deserves the attention of Diablo veterans and new players alike.

While human enemies detract and distract from the intense atmosphere and narrative, necromorphs still stand as the most entertaining things to shoot in gaming. Repeating some of the franchise's "epic" moments cheapens them somewhat, but nothing can deflate the sci fi-horror highs throughout Dead Space 3. This monster is well-equipped, even if there's one or two limbs I'd like to lop off.

So if you're looking for an excuse to cave and buy yet another Call of Duty? Go ahead! There's enough new to explore and enjoy. But if you're tired of Call of Duty, that's what you're gonna get here, so don't bother feigning surprise when you're disappointed yet again.

Aside from a few clumsy design choices, mostly regarding side mission requirements and scrounging around awkwardly for the few required missions, Yo-Kai Watch is a charming gem that’s only helping bolster the claim that fun and full RPG experiences are only getting better on portable hardware.

If you are interested in trying Kingdom Hearts before the third game releases or want to revisit the first two games in the series, this is a fantastic buy. And hey, it's pretty much a certainty that if this game does any kind of numbers, we should expect a "Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Remix" before too long.

Everything that originally made Thumper a fantastic game is still here to be found in the Switch version. It’s incredibly fun and this time around can be played for both short bursts and long car rides. It’s a fantastic addition to the Switch’s growing library.

Still, Soul Sacrifice has me itching to buy a Vita (I borrowed the one I played the review code on), which is an accomplishment since my 3DS has been more than adequate for my handheld needs. Having completed the main story at 40 hours, there are still a ton of optional missions and upcoming DLC with new stories and new monsters to play.

The first game in a long time that I just could not put down. No matter how tired I was, I was determined to get through just the next witness testimony before bed.

EA Sports UFC 2 has shown its improvements over its former self and continues to play the part. A mix of power and finesse, both in ring and out, there’s no doubt this is a solid pickup for folks interested in handing out beatings like their favorite MMA fighters do.

I loved my time with BOUND. These are the kind of visual and conceptual offerings I want more of from smaller studios.

Episode One is a fun two hours with plenty of shout-outs to fans of the series while also a solid balance of gameplay and characters for those who’ve never combined flint, sticks, and a feather to create an arrow. As a "player choice via conversation" game, though, the plot so far is fairly standard.

The story kept me up for hours on end, the sub-stories were interesting with hilarious characters and great writing, and the combat felt incredible to master by the end. It can’t be ignored that they had a chance to massively improve the story, but chose to just try and maintain the status quo, but the package is fantastic nonetheless.

There is a time and a place for decisive tactics aimed solely at victory, though Minimum hopes to draw a line in the sand. Then, it hopes to add a few 90 degree angles and complete a box. Then, it asks you to put a bullet through that box guy’s head. It’s up to you whether you decide to follow through with that or try the flaming swords.

What the developers are doing with a remaster is not simply to squeeze more money out of the consumer; Gravity Rush: Remastered is giving people the opportunity to experience what is genuinely an interesting and entertaining game, one that they might have missed because of the platform on which it was released.

While F1 die-hards will no doubt spot inaccuracies or missed opportunities, as a casual fan and observer of the sport, I was impressed by it. If you have even a passing interest in Formula One, or happen to be a race sim junkie looking for your next hit, F1 2012 won't steer you wrong (see what I did there!?).

The Ancient Gods Part 2 is the least impressive segment in Doom’s rebooted trilogy with its stages, level of difficulty, and slightly off-kilter story beats that all come in just below the previously established baseline. But it’s still one heck of a high baseline since the strategic, blazing-fast gunplay and ever-growing lineup of unique demons still have no equal in the first-person shooter space. The Doom Slayer was directed to rip and tear until it was done and now that it is indeed done, he has earned his rest even though his final showdown wasn’t his finest ripping and tearing.

Some of the game modes feel underdeveloped in key areas, namely Be a Pro, but the variety on display and the hook of online multiplayer make NHL 16 an easy recommendation.

If you're a fan of Telltale's prior work, or just enjoy a good story, you absolutely need to download and play Faith. It's a solid first episode that lays the groundwork for what will hopefully be the studio's finest series yet.

The game represents social anxiety in all of us and the choices we make each day to mitigate that. But ATRAX Games put all that stuff there to tell you, “This is for you.” And it is.

Crown of the Sunken King marks the first piece of DLC in a planned trilogy, and it's a wonderful opening chapter. It doesn't reach the heights of Dark Souls' Artorias of the Abyss and features design flaws that hold it back, but the simple bliss of more Souls content is something fans can get behind (as long as they mentally prepare themselves for death and despair).

SNK has a lot to celebrate with the release of Samurai Shodown as it’s a triumphant return to form for a series that hasn’t had a mainline release in over 15 years. Not only does it keep the calculated and punishing gameplay in tact, it manages to offer up a great tutorial that allows for newcomers to understand the nuance of its depth.

Ubisoft deserves a round of applause for addressing the industry’s severe lack of snow sport games with something bold and ambitious. Steep might suffer from play value issues, but there’s nothing comparable. For the more than 10 million skiers and snowboarders around the world, this is a moment of liberation that should go recognized.

Despite its flaws, Tropico 6 will definitely cause you to stay up later than you should. If you’re willing to forgive the lack of structure, you can spend hours and hours building on each of the included maps. There’s even a randomized map generator once you squeeze all the fun from the included content. In this way, Tropico 6 feels like an old school PC release, but it should still appeal to a wide variety of players looking to rule the tropics with a tanned iron fist.

This is a remastered title done the right way, as it performs perfectly and the revamped localization gives even veteran players a great reason to play it again.

WoT for Xbox 360 singlehandedly revives my love for console gaming. I hope you’re a quick learner because how fast you unlock new tanks is directly correlated to how well you do in game. I could see this small community catching some flak from their more passionate seniors on WoT Windows, but it’s redesigned well with the Xbox community in mind.

The characters were flat but not cringe-inducing. The combat was repetitive but showed nuance as I dug more into Blood Arts. The graphics were passable, if not wholly unpleasant. God Eater 2: Rage Burst is comfort food with a controller, bland but filling. It may not be the best Thanksgiving, but I can see why some kids call it their favorite holiday.

Its initial focus on Lara’s character and colonialist mentality is surprisingly poignant. But it stumbles in following through on those topics and improving or changing the gameplay loop.