Windbound is a game that sounds good on paper but in practice, it falls apart. It’s a very interesting case study in design that takes inspiration from certain games yet doesn’t quite understand what made them fun in the first place.

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!

While I still kind of prefer Evolution in terms of its broader scope and better loyalty to Tron's world, Run/r is a game that works far better on its runner principle on console than I would've expected. Even with certain limitations (and an unnecessarily high price tag), it's a good time, especially if you're a fan of the franchise.

A:THO ignores the mechanical DNA that make open world games and survival RPGs so much fun. There’s nothing revolutionary about depriving you of map functionality and an adequate tutorial. This isn’t an evolution so much as a freak mutation that will die off in the wild. There are other games that achieve what A:THO attempts; play them instead.

If you’re really, truly desperate for a new adventure-horror game in the vein of Dear Esther and you consider yourself to literally have the patience of a saint, at the very least Kholat will look and sound pretty as you play it. Anyone who doesn’t want to deal with tedious gameplay, a confusing story, or frustrating progress roadblocks however should steer clear.

An FPS roguelike wearing the suit of a 1996 shooter, STRAFE is a unique game that seems destined for a small but passionate following.

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.

For better and for worse, Party Hard is one of the most faithful tributes to the slasher genre. It overstays its welcome, but it's still a bloody fun time for the most part.

There’s no denying that Batman: Arkham Underworld was created in order to capitalize on the popularity of Rocksteady’s Arkham franchise, but whether the familiarity of the Arkhamverse is enough to give the game any real sense of staying power is something only time will tell. In the meantime, whether or not you enjoy Arkham Underworld depends entirely on your opinion of mobile microtransaction-driven games in general.

Darksiders III will go down as the black sheep of the franchise. While the core gameplay itself is fun and it does a good enough job streamlining things with a more interesting cast of characters, it all just comes across as a bit too by-the-numbers to turn heads and doesn’t push boundaries enough to really stand out. If it weren’t for the technical issues this could be more highly-recommended, but as it stands, only die-hard fans should consider checking this one out.

Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India looks authentic, but has lackluster audio; the story just doesn't compare to previous Creed games; the gameplay has its moments but not enough of them; and, well, China was just more of a bad-ass example, and didn't make you pace yourself through tedious segments. It leaves me wondering just where the final chapter of the Chronicles saga, Russia, will end up when it debuts in a few weeks.

Overall, the narrative is predictable while set in an interesting world, and the movement is slick and enjoyable, but the constant back-tracking to collect more keys weighs down the experience. It’s unfortunate that the game couldn’t be tightened up under Microsoft’s tutelage, because ReCore has nuggets of good ideas buried beneath the monotony and tedium of its primary activities.

There are times in which Poncho could've used some smoothing over, like with glitches or painfully missed jumps. That said, it's still an entertaining little treat for the retro crowd, especially those seeking something different from the usual platformer.

Citizens of Space never really tries to shake up RPG genre conventions, but the game is clearly not out to do that. This is a game that, by all intents and purposes, is meant to provide a fun and laidback experience, and it does that very well.

As someone who was a big fan of the Assassin’s Creed multiplayer template, I’m saddened to see that Murderous Pursuits basically functions as a stripped-down barebones version of that same concept. The game’s Victorian contest of cat and mouse where players are always both the cat *and* the mouse is certainly a unique find amid the usual competitive fare, there’s just not enough meat on its bones to keep more casual players invested over the long term.

If you're even remotely intrigued by the prospect of an FMV game being able to tell a good story with interesting characters, the first episode of Missing is $4 well spent. There's no word on when the next episode will arrive, but let's hope it's not too far off.

Secret of Mana’s remake is fun because Secret of Mana was fun. However, Square could have done a lot better, especially with a beloved classic such as this.

If Loot Interactive and the developers at Night Light took away the hand-holding with puzzle solving and given us a speedier way to get around, Whispering Willows would've fared a lot better. As it stands, however, it's still a decent title for fans of the genre, mainly due to its effective presentation and unique abilities. It's not recommended to everyone, but if you're up for a ghost story, dig in.

Dangerous Golf is a fun game best played in short bursts and with friends.

Madden NFL 21 is the clearest example yet of how unwieldy the series has become, so your en-joyment will vary depending on which modes best suit your play style. For me, that comes from seeing my virtual 49ers hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season, so anything else on top of that is just a bonus.

Call of Cthulhu suffers from a slow opening, but those who can make it deeper will find a satisfying horror mystery with plenty of twists and turns.

You’ll likely have a really good time with Gods Will Fall. Straight up, it’s a good game. A lack of polish keeps it from being a great game, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had here.

River City: Knights of Justice is a fun little side story in the Kunio-kun series. It's not exactly varied, but it features a satisfying challenge and familiar beat 'em up mechanics that fans are sure to love.

Hyper Scape has promise, but it’s just so infuriating to play due to poor aiming controls. Some don’t seem to have a problem with it, as I see other PS4 players racking up kills all the time. Still, it’s better to wait and play something else until this gets fixed.

If anything, I think the game is worth checking out for the story alone. It’s unfortunate that the gameplay is so much of a slog that some players may not think the story is worth the trouble. However, if you have the time, the extra coin, and love mob stories, this tale has a satisfying end.

Agents of Mayhem has enough gameplay diversity and fun characters to keep you occupied for a few hours, but it won’t take long for the repetitive missions, horrendously heavy-handed comedic overtones, and tired gameplay loop to wear on your patience.

As much as I loved the story mode in Super Bomberman R, I can’t help but feel like there was something missing. It felt almost too gimmicky and over-reached. The in-game cut scenes were drawn out and the story line is subpar at best. If you are looking for a good couch multiplayer game and you already have 1-2-Switch and Snipperclips, then this game might be worth a try, but I wouldn’t make this your first choice.

Destruction AllStars may not be a killer app that sells you on a PS5, but anyone who owns a PS5 will be happy to add it to their library. It is definitely one of the best perks of owning a PS5 yet.

Disintegration at least proves that, when properly tuned, the vehicle-based gameplay that’s normally presented as a one-off setpiece in most other FPS titles is capable of anchoring an entire game, especially when it’s paired off with a little RTS unit management. Unfortunately, in Disintegration’s case, that unique gameplay model isn’t strong enough to outshine the game’s lack of visual and functional polish.

A Matter of Family is an admirable attempt to bring a playable version of Batgirl into the Arkham fold but noticeable technical issues, severe narrative inconsistencies, and a main story that literally goes nowhere drag it down from the lofty heights of greatness.

Baseball Riot could've done more with its gameplay to stretch its wings and not try to be another Angry Birds. Instead, it just doesn't do enough, and only hardcore baseball fans – or those seeking out an interesting but flawed puzzle game – will want to invest. Everyone else can easily look elsewhere to take their batting practice.

Sister Location is a fantastic horror game, even if it doesn’t particularly feel like the rest of the FNAF series.

While War Chest could've used better matchmaking with player match-ups and a little more variety with battle missions, it's still a fun trip through kiddie nostalgia, especially if you double down on the Hall of Fame Edition and pit G.I. Joe against He-Man. I mean, who doesn't want to see that battle happen?!

While Assassin's Creed Chronicles Russia isn't quite up there with the best adventures in the series, it's still the best release in the trilogy, thanks to its moody settings, its acceptable range of gameplay and its fun storytelling.

The game is cute and looks great, but thanks to its control scheme, isn't very fun to play.

Galak-Z: Variant S is an interesting mobile 2D action space adventure that feels right at home on the Switch as a casual title for playing on the way to work or on the train. Unfortunately, although the art style and gameplay are well put together and fun to play, the microtransactions severely hinder the experience.

Predator: Hunting Grounds has fun, stupid moments, and if this game was only $20, I would recommend it. At $40, it’s a harder sell unless you are a hardcore Predator fan. If you’re looking for a better 4v1 experience and you’re willing to tolerate slow matchmaking, Resident Evil Resistance offers a great multiplayer experience and a decent single player campaign, making it a much better buy, despite being $20 more.

While Color Guardians could've used more zest in its character personality – and a few more easygoing levels to keep rookie players in check – it's still a better game than expected, thanks to its interesting gameplay and crazy challenges. If you're a fan of running or rhythm, be sure to try on this Color.

With a few tweaks and maybe a more casual-friendly difficulty level, Tharsis could be a fun strategy alternative for those who don’t enjoy building large kingdoms or waging wars that take hours to complete. In its current state however, Tharsis is little more than a sadistically cruel game of digital roulette.

Godfall could scratch that action game itch if you don’t mind how lackluster it is in other areas. A paid expansion is coming out in 2021, so I’m curious to see if that’ll address any of my concerns about the campaign.

Earthfall is a valiant effort at trying to capture the lightning in a bottle once again that was Left 4 Dead. On paper it does a lot of things right, but in practice it lacks the soul and fire of what made Valve’s iconic zombie games so effective almost a decade ago.

J-Stars Victory Vs. + mostly gets the job done when it comes to delivering a manic anime-based brawler for fans that have been waiting for the next Jump Superstars. But more could've easily been done with it, especially with the presentation and the fighting system.

Sadly, because of the lackluster characters in Perils of Man, the game cracks under the weight of its own storytelling.

Need For Speed Payback is fun when you’re behind the wheel, but is constrained by questionable design decisions like an emphasis on a mediocre story and a wonky car upgrade system.

There’s so much missed potential here that it’s a bit frustrating. Game updates are coming so maybe one day...but not today.

While Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden has its fair share of disappointment with its heavy unlocking system and lack of online competition, it's also a not-so-bad take with its fighting, mainly because of the 2D setting. If Bandai Namco could somehow produce a version for consoles with a bigger roster, a less strenuous adventure system, and online play, it'd have a winner on its hands. For now, it's a decent pick for fans of the series, and maybe even for those that don't mind earning their keep in the fighting arena.

WWE 2K Battlegrounds is the best WWE game in a long time. Its over-the-top combat leans heavily on cartoon violence, so if you’re looking for a wrestling sim, you won’t find that here. What you will get, though, is a fun, fast-paced, and lighthearted wrestling game.

While Snoopy's Grand Adventure doesn't go the extra mile in its design, it still comes across as an enjoyable diversion for younger players looking to get some Peanuts-oriented fun out of their console. The inclusion of co-op is pretty nice as well, if parents should want to get involved in their children's adventure. But it seems like more could've been done for older gamers, and some of the technical setbacks should have gone through some clean-up. Overall, though, not bad for a little diversion.

Back to Bed on the PlayStation Network is a competent albeit unremarkable puzzler that's over before it can get satisfying. Great art and a decent bonus mode at least help to make the experience somewhat enjoyable, though the hefty $20 price is hardly worth paying when you can get it for much less elsewhere.

Bad North feels a lot like a mobile title in terms of its limited scope, tight focus, and simple controls, and that makes it a fantastic fit for the Switch in portable mode.

Crackdown 3 does its best to ride on an action-packed wave of nostalgia, but in the end all it succeeds in doing is face-planting straight into a morass of tedium and frustration. Even the most stalwart Crackdown fans will likely wonder if the long wait was worth the final result.

In a year filled with blockbuster fighting game titles, SNK Heroines just doesn’t do enough to appeal to the fighting game market. It’s a shallow game filled to the brim with fanservice, but there are deeper games with just as much fanservice out there.

While Deadpool certainly isn't as bad as other comic book fare on the market, it feels somewhat average with its rushed treatment on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Had the developers added better visual details and made it much cheaper, we'd be talking a great value here. As it stands, though, only serious comic book fans or those looking for mindless action should invest. Others can easily wait for the movie and stuff themselves silly with tacos.

Jump Force excels at fanservice, at showing what battles between all these characters would look like. It does not excel as an actual fighting game however. Unbalanced mechanics and poorly designed UI make Jump Force a chore to play, despite the exciting visual trappings.

Had Nintendo taken the time to produce a sequel with the same amount of depth as the original Chibi-Robo, we'd be getting somewhere. But Zip Lash just feels like a routine platformer, not offering enough bang for the buck to satisfy die-hard fans of the series. Kids may get a kick out of it, but more could've been done to assure a long-lasting life for our environmental hero. Here's hoping we haven't seen the last of him.

It’s buggy and it’s a far cry from what Blizzard teased us with back in 2018.

While NBA Live 16 is still a slightly better game than what EA Sports has produced over the past couple of years, it still doesn't even come close to feeling like a complete package. The gameplay is fundamentally flawed, mainly with the inaccuracy of the AI and shooting system, and the presentation needs sprucing up, especially in terms of commentary.

Rain World will probably establish a cult following, which is great because it deserves a fan base for its thoughtful ideas. Unfortunately, too many factors get in the way of what very well could've been one of 2017's most interesting indies.

Assembly Required is nowhere near bad enough to stop you from continuing on your Minecraft adventure, but enough to raise some concerns about whether Episode 1 was a fluke.

A vast improvement over the first game. Fixes most of the problems with the first game and accommodates players of all skill levels.

While it’s understandable that Square Enix wanted to create a Star Ocean more like the fondly remembered early titles of the series, they seem to have forgotten what made those titles great. Whatever it was, Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness has none of it.

Had the team at GameCoder shied away from formula and tried to do something more unique with Attractio, I think we could've ended up with a far better game. As it stands, it feels too "me too"-ish, without any sort of validated story or voice acting, and that makes the $20 purchase one that isn't so, erm, attractive.

Pokémon Rumble World has its fun moments, but it takes a bit too long to get there and once there it plateaus quickly and falls off.

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.

Its old-school vibe is irresistible, and the gameplay, while limited, has its explosive moments.

1-2-Switch serves as a nice tech demo to familiarize yourself with the Nintendo Switch console and Joy-Con controllers. It’s a unique experience, the type only Nintendo can provide. Unfortunately, though, the redundancy of the minigames means you’ll likely have fun for only a few hours, and then move on to more engaging games.

If it's less costly in the future and you're interested in checking out experimental VR control schemes or really love prehistoric ocean creatures then it's worth a look, but its flaws were too much to ignore even for this die-hard dinosaur fan. [Tested with HTC Vive]

Orangeblood offers a unique spin on the offbeat RPG formula that was popularized by EarthBound. This is very much a quirky turn-based game, but its foul language, hip hop music, ‘90s-inspired tone, and adult themes make it a weird, enjoyable curveball. Performance is stunted slightly compared to the PC version, but the game is still a good time.

Lifeless Planet could've been so much more had key decisions been made with less limited breathing, more intricate puzzles, environmental expansion and better gameplay. Instead, it feels more like a second rate space adventure rather than the equivalent of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Oh, what could've been in the stars.

Sonic Forces is a disappointing rehash of everything that has been done wrong with the Sonic franchise in the past. There were some good ideas here, but none of them were executed in a way that was fun or enjoyable.

Zotrix could've been a spectacular homage to old-school shooters had the developers focused on tighter controls and a simpler menu interface. As it stands, though, it's deeply flawed, though some players will find mileage out of it due to its vast offerings and spectacular soundtrack. Give it a try before you buy if you can, just to see if the test drive is worth it.

If you are a fan of One Punch Man you’ll probably get a kick out of A Hero Nobody Knows but don’t expect it to keep you playing long. For every minute of brilliance there is an hour of grinding to go along with it, and that’s trying even for the most dedicated fans of the Caped Baldy.

This isn't the kind of game you revisit multiple times, but rather the kind of game you tell your friends about with the utmost enthusiasm on account of just how silly and pleasant the whole thing is.

In a world where you can pick up The Last of Us Remastered for a song, there’s no reason to waste your time on Earthblood. Paradox Interactive is no stranger to game development. I wonder which team lead is asleep at the wheel such that Earthblood was allowed to go out the door in its current state.

As far as narrative-driven exploration-based horror games go, Perception isn’t the worst out there, but it also can’t really stand alongside games like those in the Amnesia series or Gone Home. It still warrants a playthrough if you’re looking for a game with a unique hook or if you’re just desperate for any new horror game to play, though considering its length and lack of varied gameplay, you might be better off waiting until it’s on sale.

Despite some strong world design and a compelling soundtrack, Toren just can't keep up with the other great platformers on the market, even from the previous generation. The miserable visuals, combined with technical problems and loose gameplay, leave this journey coming up way short – and making us wish that The Last Guardian would surface sooner rather than later.

Submerged just ends up being a disappointment. Great ideas in the storytelling and presentation are lost with a poor connection to characters and truly lacking gameplay. All the great intentions in the world don't mean anything if they don't convey into a fun game experience. Go play Journey instead.

Drawn to Death is one of the most disappointing games I’ve played in recent memory. The premise is fantastic and there is a heap of potential buried beneath the surface. Unfortunately, even after you dig past that rough outer shell, the inside is almost entire empty and devoid of engaging content.

Skater XL tickles the same part of my brain as my favorite racing sims. It provides a compelling sandbox with enough depth that it makes me want to do a difficult thing well. It’s simultaneously relaxing. You can fall on your face 500 times, but there are zero consequences for any of it. No one’s keeping score, not of points or broken bones. In troubled times, a low stakes challenge can be a welcome one.

In the four hours it took me to get through Gryphon Knight Epic, all I could think about was how I wanted it to end so I could move on and play something better.

Everything about Robocraft: Infinity is simple to learn, admire, and use giving gamers the ability to jump right into the fun. There’s enough in here to keep folks hooked for a while, especially for fans of UGC games. Unfortunately, there are only two battle modes. It’s a robot game that emphasizes the robot and robot creation at the expense of the rest of the game.

The Tomorrow Children is a city manager, mining sim, and tower defense mashup - a brilliant idea supported by unimpressive tech despite an inspired visual design approach.

While there is some fun to be found in Valkyria Revolution’s battle system, it’s just not worth sitting through the story bloat and excessive loading to get there.

Trials of the Blood Dragon offers a fantastic challenge and features an outrageously funny storyline. However, the lousy platforming shooting elements and frustratingly difficult levels can seriously drag the gameplay experience down.

The good news about Siegecraft Commander’s current state is that it has plenty of room (and clear directions) in which to grow, but unless there’s a pretty substantial day-one patch I’m not aware of, you should steer clear until Blowfish corrects the game’s many issues.

Had the team at Gateway implemented better controls, more diversity in level design and other features, Spectra could've easily been on its way to becoming a cult classic for this generation. As it stands, it's not bad for a $5 purchase, but more could've been done with it.

Mighty No. 9 is a forgettable attempt at cashing in on people's nostalgia and love of Mega Man.

If you love multiplayer survival games with heavy duty environmental storytelling and exploration, then Fallout 76 will probably appeal to you. If you go into Fallout exclusively for the solitude, stories, and characters, then Fallout 76 is going to feel like an empty, boring country road.

Overkill's The Walking Dead is pretty, but doesn’t do anything that we haven’t seen before in a number of other post-apocalyptic first- or third-person games.

The fact that Sword Coast Legends ultimately wound up being a disappointing flop is especially disheartening since it was clear during the game’s run up to launch that N-Space was very passionate about the project. I’m not entirely sure what went wrong, but sadly I do know that D&D fans will need to look elsewhere for a proper digital conversion of the pen-and-paper game’s 5th Edition.

A lacking port across the board, and a terrible multiplayer experience for all involved. Any decent content it possesses is buried under a pile of rubbish-based visuals, poor hit detection and missing content. If you must get medieval, be patient and wait for Ubisoft's For Honor. You'll have a far better time – and get a better quality game to boot.

Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot is too light on content to make it worth the price, and what it does well is overshadowed by clunky locomotion and a lack of attention to detail in both level design and VR implementation. Ultimately, Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot feels like a tech demo more than a full length VR experience.

It’s easy to see what Camel 101 was going for as it constructed Those Who Remain’s dark and foreboding world, but while the intent was noble, the execution leaves much to be desired. The game’s low price point might appeal to someone who’s desperate for a new game to play, but any wayward souls who come across the exit for Dormont while cruising the horror game highway should just keep on driving.

Vane is a unique, almost-therapeutic experience with a magical world to explore. Unfortunately, the controls are pretty awful. If you can deal with that major issue, though, you'll find a somewhat worthwhile adventure.

Corpse of Discovery could've been a worthwhile narrative experience had it not been ruined by its massive performance issues and obnoxious platforming gameplay.

The lack of passion Dambuster Studios clearly felt when developing Homefront: The Revolution shines through in the game’s lackluster story, bland gameplay, and misused setting. Even if you enjoyed the original Homefront, you’re better off sitting this revolution out.

Blood Alloy: Reborn could have been something special, but it's a clear victim of limited funding and hurried development.

You can squeeze a few hours of fun out of Scribblenauts Showdown, but frankly this isn’t the next-generation Scribblenauts game that fans of the original were hoping for. It has fewer puzzles, worse controls and less replay value than any other Scribblenauts title.