It's hard to recommend Blues and Bullets Episode 1 because it feels like two games in one. The first half feels tedious, confusing and poorly paced, but then the second really shows the promise that A Crowd of Monsters has put into the game. If Episode 2 can really keep up the momentum that the second half of Episode 1 had, we're in for a treat. Otherwise, this is one cold case you probably shouldn't open again.

Aside from a few sputters during the animation when entering the Batmobile and the FPS cap at 30, I didn’t experience any of the problems many PC players were experiencing with the game. If any dark, rainy, dirty and downtrodden city could be beautiful, it’s Gotham in Arkham Knight.

I’m hoping that Coteries is the first modern step forward for an IP long overdue for mass recognition. Vampire: The Masquerade fans will enjoy this, and fans of vampire fiction in general might want to give it a whirl, as this is an easy introduction to an awesome universe.

It’s actually a little hard to believe that Ubisoft plans to expand Ghost Recon Wildlands further via post-launch content updates which will add in things like new story content and even a PvP mode since the base game is already quite massive. Shooter fans who want a game they can sink many hours into while honing their tactical shooting skills (either alone or with some friends) should be immensely satisfied with the experience Ghost Recon Wildlands provides them.

Dandara proves that there's still originality in a decades-old genre. It changes the way you control the player character, breaking from Metroidvania traditions, and creates new types of puzzles and methods of progression along the way.

Because of its tonal misfire, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy won't end up as one of Telltale's more memorable series. But an entertaining sidetrack, a decently written plot, and a few good gameplay ideas make it an entertaining distraction and a fun way to pass the time until Guardians 2 hits theaters, or the next episode of The Walking Dead hits Steam.

Vampyr would’ve been far better as Jonathan Reid’s Point and Click Tale of Moral Adversity than what we got, which was essentially Jonathan Reid’s Mashy Exercise in Combat Frustration Sparsely Sprinkled With Plot. Games do not need combat sequences if those sequences do not serve the game’s themes and story.

I wanted to enjoy Dead Star. After all, it's a twin stick shooter that you play with others — on paper, that's pretty dope. Sadly, any potential the game may have had is lost in its execution.

Dawn of Andromeda is a thinking man’s space simulator, with a complex network of systems that give you control over your expanding galactic empire. Though the level of control and and minutiae might be a turnoff for some, once you understand the systems it becomes a satisfying foray into space bureaucracy.

Although the game boils down to a walking sim with a puzzle component, the unique setting and mechanics make it worth a playthrough.

If you're looking for combat, which I imagine most fans of a dystopian Nazi-killing game would be, look the other way. Likewise, if you're looking for a great co-op experience to try out with a friend, prepare yourself for disappointment. And if you do end up buying this game, for the love of all that is holy, please turn on your own music.

Michonne travels the apocalyptic world, never staying in the same place long and never letting false promises of security get in her way. She never gives in to threats and faces adversity head on, which makes for a promising adventure.

Song of the Deep tells a compelling story and presents enjoyable, captivating Metroidvania gameplay set in an enthralling underwater world.

Whether you really wanted it this way or not, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is about as pure of a remaster as you’re ever going to find. The visuals and sound are all upgraded for a modern era without changing the heart of the game. However, with the vastly superior Age of Empires II HD already in existence with five years of community built up around it, there is little reason to recommend this game unless you’re just dying to play extremely early era civilizations.

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.

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.

Lumini is exactly the type of digital work that's best referred to as an experience rather than a video game. Designed for the Journey and Flower crowd, this game excels at creating a mellow, relaxed state for those who float into its spectacle of a world.

DOOM VFR delivers a fun VR experience that gives you a tiny taste of an excellent meal, a meal that’s full of stunning visuals, demon stomping, and a satisfying blend of upgrades and the weapons we know and love from the DOOM universe. Unfortunately, a few bugs and some questionable design choices mar an otherwise fantastic VR game.

Star Fox Zero tries and fails to blend the nostalgic feel of StarFox 64 with new controls. While the game can be enjoyable and comes with some exciting moments, it is muddled down by unwieldy controls and bland level design.

Jurassic World Evolution is imagination candy for anyone that loves the movies, and despite its flaws it’s worth playing if you’re looking for a relaxing experience building a theme park full of dinosaurs. It’s the perfect combination of engaging objectives and micromanagement to kick back and lose yourself in.

Oninaki feels hollow. It’s dark but has no message. It’s complex but has no need for that complexity. It builds an interesting world and never does much with it. It’s a game filled with great ideas that just go nowhere. Unfortunately, that is par for the course for Tokyo RPG Factory games.

Sea of Thieves has glimmers of promise and is gorgeous to look at, but single player play is virtually worthless, and the repetitive nature of the quests and empty world leave the game feeling incomplete and overpriced as of now.

Okhlos is based on a simple concept with an even simpler gameplay mechanic that may very well be better suited for mobile devices, but that doesn’t stop it from being hilarious, dumb fun when it’s clicking.

The Crew 2 transforms America into a high speed sandbox with unmatched variety. Terrorize New York’s West Side Highway? Check. Buzz the Pentagon in a prop plane? Check. Leave tread marks in New Mexico desert? Check. There’s a lot to do here, and it feels great to do it, particularly for casual racing fans, while sim fans who want to just chill out and go fast in their home city will also enjoy themselves. The Crew 2’s minor flaws could easily be ironed out with a few quality of life patches.

State of Decay 2 feels like it’s trying too hard to force the player to do too much. There’s no way for the player to really control the way they absorb the experience and more than a few of the mechanics break the careful relationship the rest of the game tries to foster. Overall, it’s the kind of game that you want to love, but that needs a lot of work.

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.

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.

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.