Dontnod clearly has a lot more heart to share and story to tell.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey hits all the notes a sequel should. It’s bigger, prettier, the existing mechanics have been improved, and there’s plenty more added. It tells an engaging story, with an excellent protagonist (play Kassandra), all in a beautifully realized setting. Odyssey attempts to address some of the issues that have plagued this franchise since it first released more than a decade ago, but you can only polish something that’s showing its age so much. The combat in particular needs a significant overhaul, and the enthusiasm for more and more gameplay systems and microtransactions at times make the game feel a bit bloated.

Much like From Software’s Souls games and Team Ninja’s previous Ninja Gaiden efforts, Nioh was clearly designed with a very specific sort of gamer in mind, namely a very patient one who doesn’t mind having to constantly learn from their mistakes. If you find enjoyment in the punishing difficulty of such games and you want to delve into a title which could easily suck up hours upon hours of your gaming time, Nioh will certainly not disappoint.

It’s a shame that the gameplay is so shoddy at times, because I truly believe that Tell Me Why is one of the most important games of our time, in terms of social impact. Hopefully later episodes won’t feel as awkward to play.

Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection is an attempt to make an old-school absurdly difficult quarter muncher a game worth playing in the modern era, and it delightfully succeeds.

Its best parts are fantastic evolutions of the cinematic game genre and creative new takes on the Batman IP. Its worst parts are just the same Telltale game formula we have been playing for the last five years, and that’s still quality.

The Witness is one of the most elegant puzzlers around. It'll make you think, it'll make you laugh, and it'll make you yell. Above all else, though, it'll take you on one memorable journey that will stay with you for a long time.

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is an unexpected delight. Fans of tactical strategy games should absolutely pick this one up as soon as possible and enjoy dozens of hours of intense battles and detailed progression.

There’s a lot to do in Yakuza 0, but it may take you some time to get through the game. While the story is very compelling, there are so many side activities that are equally entertaining, it may be difficult to pull yourself away to continue with the main story. If you have a history with the Yakuza series, there are even moments when you see where these characters began that will make you feel even closer to the grouping of polygons on your TV screen. Almost everything about Yakuza 0 is well-done and exceeds expectations.

Lost Sphear is a good game, a solid RPG with an enjoyable plot, solid systems, and a great soundtrack. If you need an RPG to hold you over until 2018’s bigger AAA RPG releases, then this is your game.

A solid title that is as entertaining as it is satisfying to play.

Lucifer Within Us has more than a few flaws and is unmistakably indie, especially with its short length, but it’s still one of the better mystery games I have played in recent times.

Valorant isn’t trying to appeal to everyone. It’s trying to appeal to a hyper focused slice of the hardcore shooter fanbase. If that sounds like you, you will absolutely love it.

Once again Capcom creates a fighting game meant for fighting gamers, specifically fighting gamers that want to re-live Street Fighter’s history. If this is you or if you are a scholar of video game history in general, then 30th Anniversary Collection is not only a fun fighting game, but an astounding educational and historical tool about the history of fighting games. If you are more casual, then you might get some fun out of trying the 12 different games 30th Anniversary Collection has on offer, but you’ll likely end up wanting more.

If you can look past the annoying bugs and obtuse mechanics, Kingdom Come: Deliverance’s strong sense of believable, historical realism will undoubtedly cast a spell on anyone that gives the game a chance. This is a must-play for fans of lifestyle simulators and medieval RPGs.

If you are a fan of Fire Emblem or tactical games in general, Fire Emblem Fates will not disappoint.

Ape Out is a fun and fast-paced action game with nary a dull moment. The brutal difficulty can go overboard at times, but even then it's never too daunting. This is one of the coolest games of 2019 so far, and any fan of slick, stylish action games should give it a go.

While BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend could've used more new content (and more balance in the way it tells a story), it’s still a worthwhile brawler for PS4 and Xbox One. That goes double for fans that want to get the full gist of what BlazBlue's universe has to offer – this is as expansive as fan service as the series gets. At least, for now.

Unlike its predecessor, Ghost Recon: Breakpoint risks alienating the very community it was built for due to its over-reliance on RPG-esque looting and leveling mechanics. However, shooter fans who can make peace with the game’s loot-driven economy and pervasive microtransactions will find a lot to enjoy in the moment-to-moment gameplay. Breakpoint isn’t quite the tactical shooter sequel fans asked for, but there’s no denying the amount of long-term value it offers to shooter fans of all stripes.

Pro Evolution Soccer 18 is another viable competitor to EA's FIFA dominance, though the same familiar shortcomings continue to plague the franchise.

Rite captures the magic and difficulty of games like Celeste, but by scaling down the overall level of challenge, it’s a more inviting 2D platformer. It’s still pretty tough, and if you’re a completionist, you’ll have your work cut out for you. Thankfully, the slick level designs make playing through the game a worthwhile venture.

The Talos Principle has made an effective jump from PC to PlayStation 4, thanks to the addition of expansion levels and a presentation that really makes use of the hardware at hand. While it's not quite a perfect transition, it remains a very applicable one, as the level design and snowballing level design continue to keep their momentum. Even if you're not entirely a fan of first-person games, Talos is worth a look, if only for the story alone.

A no-brainer purchase for fans of both Minecraft and Telltale. Those who prefer Telltale's more complex and mature works may find this title a bit lacking, but the exciting story, quality writing, and talented voice cast make this a hard game to dislike.

Not content with simply letting you try to play it, Calendula is very much a game that plays you. It's a thrilling commentary on the relationship between player and game.

Leave it to TT Games to save the day once more with the Marvel license. Lego Marvel's Avengers lives up to the same level of appeal as Super Heroes did years ago, but expands upon it with some fundamental new combat ideas and an overload of content to unlock. Sure, the voice acting may not always fit, and there may be a few visual hiccups here and there, but this crew still saves the day in the end – and that's what counts.

It’s difficult to fault The Coalition for not running with new ideas when it comes to Gears of War 4. The game definitely feels like a Gears of War title, but it’s more of a revamped reboot rather than a proper sequel. If you’ve been a fan of previous Gears titles, there’s a lot to like about Gears of War 4, but for anyone who wasn’t already sold on the series, don’t expect anything here to suddenly change your mind.

I enjoyed my time with We Happy Few mainly because it both respected my time as a gamer, and also immersed me in an fascinating world that was driven by an equally fascinating backstory. The game’s potential may get a little tripped up on the technical front, but if you can look past the occasional unloaded texture or random loading screen, you’ll find that Compulsion Games’ latest was well worth the three-year wait.

Death of the Outsider is a mature and highly polished spin on the core Dishonored formula. It tries new things and mostly succeeds, and it's a must-play for fans of the franchise. While it's nice that it exists as a standalone title, it shouldn't be the first Dishonored game you play.

Despite its flaws, Zero Time Dilemma is one of the more compelling titles released this year. You will find few other games like it, both in quality and plain weirdness.

Some may argue that DICE's Star Wars Battlefront lacks longevity to stay the course on the market, or that more could've been done with it. But the developer went through a massive undertaking to not only reinvent the franchise, but also reassure gamers that this would hardly be another Battlefield blunder. It's great to report that both goals have been completed with flying colors, and, as a result, Star Wars Battlefront is an engaging multiplayer experience that will certainly make your holidays.

While there are still some areas that could use polishing (like that commentary team – wake up, fellas), Madden NFL 16 continues to make strides with some strong gameplay change-ups and abundant online features.

PC gamers looking for the old time cRPG feeling can’t go wrong with Pathfinder: Kingmaker. The presentation is beautiful, the writing is excellent, and the world offers just enough life to engage the player’s imagination to fill in the gaps. Still, at the time of this writing, balancing issues and bugs keep the game from being a definite recommend – at least for the time being.

Enter the Gungeon is an incredibly addicting indie game that will keep you coming back for more. It goes to great lengths to improve on the rogue-like genre, fixing flaws and tightening balance, all with a tongue-in-cheek presentation that can’t help but make you smile… if you like shooting things, that is.

If you've spent years craving the old Fallout formula, The Outer Worlds will hit the spot.

Sprint Vector is an immensely entertaining VR racing experience that handles movement in a very unique way. If you’re looking for a Mario Kart style VR game, you’ve found it.

Sequels aren’t always a safe prospect to bet on, but The Surge 2 is one investment that Souls-like fans definitely won’t be disappointed with. The game’s visceral combat, robust RPG elements, and immersive exploration mechanics come together to create a second outing that’s just as compelling, if not more so, than its predecessor.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a nice spooky treat for your Switch. Anyone who loved the original will love this one too, and the game is easily welcoming enough to rope some newcomers into the franchise as well. How could anyone find issue with a game whose menu screen is a Virtual Boy? Ah, Nintendo. You know how to laugh at yourself.

If you're looking for a good multiplayer game on your brand new Nintendo Switch, Snipperclips is a must. In addition to being accessible, it will test your ability to solve puzzles and work as a team. Expect a lot of laughter and hours of fun in this puzzle game offering great value for your money.

My Hero One’s Justice 2 is an anime arena fighter with really good ideas. It probably won’t see anyone if they aren’t already My Hero Academia fans, but anyone who is already in the fanbase will eat it up. And hey, if you aren’t a fan but get a chance to play anyway, give it a shot, it might just surprise you.

Rez is an on-rails shooter that shines due to its unique auditory and visual design. Rez has aged well, and the added immersion of VR makes a great game even better.

Little Nightmares drops you into a mad and scary world that's worth visiting thanks to some enjoyable platforming mechanics and chilling atmosphere.

It still remains to be seen how much long-term potential Absolver has, but I’m confident that Sloclap will slowly build the game up into a unique hybrid of a story-driven martial arts adventure and a sustainable (not to mention unique) online fighting game. Again, I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, but I could see Absolver becoming one of the big standout hits of 2017 and beyond, and I hope Sloclap sees that as well.

Bugsnax is a truly weird game that is worth trying just for the concept. As the theme song goes “Everyone’s talkin' bout Bugsnax.” Well not everyone, but maybe they should be.

Death Stranding isn’t for everyone, but if you are looking for a neat experimental exploration of the fetch quest, you’ll enjoy it. If you are looking for something more traditional, though, you should probably look elsewhere.

Mafia: Definitive Edition improves on the original in every way. It does this by telling a remarkable story bolstered by beautifully detailed visuals and excellent performances. The outdated mission design and gameplay keep it from ever feeling truly modern however.

If you are looking for a classic JRPG experience, you will love I Am Setsuna. If you are looking for the second coming of Chrono Trigger, however, you will be disappointed.

Rare Replay is a well-done collection of titles and special features, and is almost as much of a no-brainer purchase for every Xbox One owner as Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Marvel’s Avengers isn’t quite a slam dunk, but as a co-op friendly superhero game it does a lot more right than wrong. Major tentpole features such as the game’s story campaign and diverse roster of heroes are further bolstered by accessible progression systems, well-balanced team play, and the unshakable resolve of protagonist Kamala Khan. The game is obviously better with friends, but even as a solo venture it makes a strong showing out of the gate while also teasing plenty of future potential.

WRC 9 proves that there’s a good reason to own more than one rally sim. It’s an exciting game with tons of options, and its training courses make it more accessible to newcomers. Wrapping your Volkswagen around a tree has never been so much fun.

Erica is an interesting game at a budget price that everyone should try if they can. If you have ten dollars burning a hole in your pocket, you might as well experience one of the best FMV games made in recent times instead of blowing it on a few microtransactions or fast food extra value meals.

While this won’t keep you playing for much more than 10 hours, it’s still a fantastic throwback to classic Castlevania that oldschool action platformer fans will love.

If you love "shmup" shooters, or the "bullet hell" variety of game, then Deathsmiles should be right up your alley. What it lacks in stages and offering of modes, it makes up for with intense, wildly satisfying shooting action. Plus, the visuals look great and the soundtrack is one-of-a-kind.

I hope this series persists as long as Telltale’s Walking Dead series has. I’d love to see how their interpretation changes and grows as they have more time to work with the characters.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III is a fast-paced RTS that delivers a good blend of the old and the new to make it a lot of fun for both newcomers and veterans alike. With powerful hero units to break the mold and addictive combat to fill in the cracks, Dawn of War III manages to deliver an RTS experience that lives up to the Warhammer 40K legacy.

There are still some small improvements to be made when it comes to getting on the level of Undisputed, but EA Sports UFC 2 is a significant improvement over the first game, and proof that the team is more than ready to step into the Octagon. Whenever it rolls around, EA Sports UFC 3 will have a hell of a game on its hands. But, for now, part two is well worth trying, especially if you're a fan of the sport.

Earth Defense Force 4.1 isn't out to change the action genre, or win any technical awards for that matter. It simply provides a fun, over-the-top experience where you lay waste to aliens – and the city, oops. It's built pretty solidly, though, and is a sheer joy to play, whether alone or with friends. And when you hop into the helm of a mech, your heroic meter will definitely jump up a notch. Here's to you, EDF!

There are some noticeable detractors which keep it from being a truly great game, but for what it sets out to accomplish, i.e. fusing the strategy and 2D brawler genres into a cohesive single package, Aztez succeeds in many more regards than it fails. Since Aztez is Team Colorblind’s first game, I’m excited to see what the developer comes up with for future projects, but in the meantime Aztez itself is a very strong first showing.

Games can serve as an excellent vehicle for exploring heavy concepts like death, the loss of family, and forgiveness in a more digestible manner, and few games I have ever played prove that adage as much as Pinstripe. It may not be perfect, but the latest from Thomas Brush should absolutely be on the must-play list of any platformer/adventure game fan.

This is not BOTW2, but it’s still a very fun game that is worth your time. It’s fanfiction with an awesome hybrid action-RPG with BOTW mechanics attached. Just don’t get too wrapped up in the non-canon Ganon and you’ll be fine.

Kentucky Route Zero tells a story unlike anything else you'll find in gaming. It uses a point and click adventure format that's pretty basic, but hits high notes with its dialogue, themes, and music.

Superhot: Mind Control Delete may have gotten its start as an expansion, but it ultimately evolved into a very complete-feeling standalone product. The new gameplay mechanics are awesome, and there’s a lot to love about its dozens and dozens of levels. Taking on a room full of enemies in slow motion continues to feel incredible, and there’s really nothing quite like it outside of the Superhot series.

If Iron Danger was the third game from a veteran indie studio, I’d be impressed. It’s Action Squad Studios’ first outing. I’m blown away. While it can occasionally be rough around the edges, I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Team Sonic Racing is fun, well designed, and stuffed with replay value. It excels everywhere except the one place it matters: couch co-op, and that’s the one major flaw that holds it back.

Playdead's Inside may have been the follow-up to Limbo six years in the making, but the wait was certainly worth it.

Kirby Star Allies is an incredibly fun Kirby game that will please fans of the franchise. If only there were a little bit more of it.

A worthy successor to the King’s Quest name and a worthy first episode for this ongoing series. If you are a fan of the classic adventure game, A Knight To Remember is one you won’t forget.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say The Division is the online shooter experience that will usher the genre into a new golden age, but it is a worthy alternative for those who are looking for a more methodical and immersive experience than what games like Destiny can offer. There are still no guarantees about The Division’s long-term sustainability, but the strong out-of-the-gate showing it has already made is certainly a good start.

Insurgency: Sandstorm’s slower, more realistic approach likely won’t win over any Call of Duty fans, but then again it’s not really trying to. Sandstorm was made with a very specific type of player in mind, and if you fit that mold you’ll likely get dozens if not hundreds of hours out of the game. And even if you don’t fit that mold completely, there are enough ancillary incentives to make Sandstorm an excellent pick-up-and-play game, especially if you have some friends to recruit.

The foundation of the gameplay mechanics is still intact, which is what makes it accessible for anyone to pick up and play and is the basis for a lot of our Destiny addictions.

Yet another action-packed, turn-based role-playing game that makes you feel like you're directing a long, albeit rambling episode of the show. While it is very similar to South Park: The Stick of Truth, and just as much fun, the theme change from medieval fantasy to comic book superheroes makes this feel different and new. In the end the game may be funnier than it is fun, but it's still a good time.

Death’s Gambit wholly embraces the Dark Souls way of giving players just enough leeway to barely survive against unrelenting adversity, for good and ill. A compelling story, smooth and frantic melee combat, and a robustly grim 2D world come together to form a game that’s wholly unafraid to embrace the Souls-like moniker.

Sure, Mega Man Legacy Collection could've added more games, or had an option to expand the screen to full size (and what's with the full price tag?). That said, it's still a rich package filled with gaming history, between the six original games, the museum, the music player and the NES Remix mode. If you're even slightly devoted to the Blue Bomber, you owe it to yourself to pick this up.

I understand that, as a CCG fan who prefers PvE play, I am in the minority, but The Elder Scrolls: Legends has honestly been the first digital CCG that felt like it was welcoming me in with open arms instead of forcing me to either play PvP or make do with subpar alternatives. Bethesda certainly has some stiff competition going up against games like Hearthstone and CD Projekt Red’s upcoming standalone Gwent game, but as far as first impressions go, I have never been more pleasantly surprised by a CCG than I was by The Elder Scrolls: Legends.

If you’re looking for a beautiful world to explore and great boss battles to be had you can’t go wrong with Jotun. For $15.00 on Steam you’ll certainly get your money’s worth. It won’t be easy to earn the gods' favor, but it’s something you’ll be playing again and again in order to do it.

Even though the visuals are a bit softer and there are a few elements you may have run into before, Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam continues the winning streak for the team at Alphadream. It's done remarkable work mixing the Paper Mario universe into the mix, and the hilarious script, backed by a strong combat system, will keep RPG fans of all ages pleased. This is one adventure that certainly doesn't wear thin.

2K Games has once again managed to top itself by creating an incredibly in-depth wresting experience. WWE 2K17 may not be as accessible as I would have liked, but if you’ve stuck with the series this long, there are plenty of reasons why you should continue to do so.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is a great beat-em-up game to play with friends. You might not be standing in a hot arcade pumping quarters into a machine, but trust me, this is the pure arcade experience brought to the modern age. Be ready to smash your head against tough bosses and hordes of enemies as you try to protect the universe from Thanos… again.

While Battletech won’t convert gamers looking for their latest twitch fix, fans of the source material and the strategy genre will find a lot to like here. Fans of the Shadowrun series in particular should give Battletech a look.

Bravely Second’s writing just doesn’t live up to its predecessor. Otherwise, it’s an incredibly solid and technically competent game that will have you tinkering with its job system for hours.

Platinum has made a great debut in the series, packing over-the-top action with a presentation that stays true to the form of the 80's cartoon.

Guilty Gear Xrd –Revelator- makes some amazing innovations in tutorials, lobbies, modes, and new characters that no one will notice because there simply isn’t enough here to warrant purchasing the game again at full price. It’s a shame, too, because many fighting games can learn from its exhaustive teaching tools.

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is an excellent evolution of the formula set out by its predecessor and offers up some of the most intense, gory, and fast-paced co-op action you can find in any genre.

There aren't a lot of games out there like Heroland. The writing takes center stage, but the battles are also a lot of fun to witness unfold. You'll get a lot of laughs out of this game, and though it may seem long-winded at first, the writing is so good that you'll soon understand exactly why there's so much of it. This is just a really fun story to watch unfold and be a part of.

It’s a cute concept that will keep you enthralled for well more than 60 seconds.

As someone who has admittedly grown a bit tired with the Assassin’s Creed series, I found Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China to be an invigorating breath of fresh air.

Obviously there are better Turok games that could see the light of day on the PC market, but the original Dinosaur Hunter is what will hopefully be a good start for stronger ports to come. It's certainly worth enjoying all over again, especially if you're feeling nostalgic for the "good ol' days" of gaming. It's priced about right, too – for $20, you too can be Turok.

An unnecessary amount of initial complexity can’t stop Final Fantasy Record Keeper from being a solid mobile game that offers a fun, original adventure peppered with iconic elements from the series’ past.

Rogue Company is a reliably fun, engaging, and well-positioned F2P title from the publishers behind Paladins and Smite. The game has a ton of potential and we’ll be watching it progress in the next year. Though it borrows many of its concepts from other games, it manages to feel fresh and new, and utilizes its lack of real originality to leverage its top-notch gameplay.

If Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is an indication of the direction the series is going in from here, I’m all in. Valhalla sheds light on the Viking era in a distinctly hopeful way with fantastically written characters and story arcs that feel like you’re bingeing an excellent show. The gameplay is at its finest, too, brilliantly balancing stealth and combat in equal measure. If it weren’t for an overwhelming number of frustrating bugs and the lack of quality side content, this could have been the best Assassin’s Creed yet.

This is an excellent start for the second season of a game with big shoes to fill. We may have lost Telltale Games forever, but you can dry your tears with Dontnod’s big-hearted adventure of a story game.

Rubble Without a Cause is both a solid entry in this new game series and a unique gameplay experience in its own right.

It’s Diablo 3 on the go! The added local multiplayer functionality and the fact that it’s a thoroughly competent port make this an easy recommendation for fans of the franchise who want a portable version, or for newcomers who want to jump in.

While there are some faults that could use addressing (particularly with the lack of online play), Guns, Gore and Cannoli is an inspired ride, a top-notch mixture of 40's nostalgia and zombie-killing fun. If you're smart, you'll bring some buddies along to dish out the carnage alongside you, if only to see what true mayhem looks like. In a good way, of course.

A combination of traditional strategy with layers of modern tabletop mechanics that work well to create a game that's fun to learn and satisfying to master.

While The Deadly Tower of Monsters would've been better with optional camera control, a New Game + mode and more gameplay combos, it's still a fitting tribute to the long-lost era of 50's sci-fi.

There's a famous quote from mountaineer George Mallory, when he was asked why he would want to climb Mount Everest: "Because it's there." If that answer strikes you as profound and beautiful, go buy No Man's Sky. If it seems dumb and unsatisfying, go play something else.

Xenoblade Chronicles X will likely be a mixed bag to those who step in with very little role-playing skill or knowledge of the series up until this point, so they may want to proceed with caution. Others, however, that absolutely love what Monolith Soft has done so far will enjoy this chapter the most, thanks to its immense gameplay options and fantastic looking world. It's certainly worth a look either way.

If you're a fan of Jackbox's stuff, Quiplash is an easy purchase, a game that will hook you with its multiple puzzles and hilarious answers. Better connectivity and a single player component would've made it the stuff of legend, but being a consistent party favorite is a good second place spot.