If Slay the Spire was the roguelike deck-builder genre’s promising first impression, Monster Train feels like the genre really hitting its stride. In some regards, Monster Train feels like a full-on sequel to Slay the Spire, but it also changes things up enough to stand firm all on its own.

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.

Dragon Quest XI is a gorgeous throwback to 8 and 16-bit JRPGs, with a lengthy story and engaging cast of characters.

At 15 dollars and a little bit of elbow grease to get it working, Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is one of the most enjoyable and affordable RPG experiences in recent memory.

Mortal Kombat X is a feature-packed experience that sets the bar high for content in fighters this gen. While it doesn't eclipse the previous Mortal Kombat's amount of content, it does surpass all of its other competitors.

I want to recognize how ambitious and fun this game is while simultaneously warning people about how incomplete and sloppy it is. Whether or not this is a worthwhile purchase will be entirely up to whether or not you want to brave the bugs, glitches, and general half-baked feel in order to get to the core roleplaying game underneath.

The game does require you to work to earn your keep and master your racing skills, but it does so with fluid controls and an outstanding presentation that keeps you on your toes at every turn. Eventually, it does offer an enriched experience that surpasses most of its other racers – including the classic Dirt games we love so much. This series has truly grown up, but in a very good way.

Metroid: Samus Returns is a must-purchase for any long-time Metroid fan and a perfect example of the genre. It bodes well for Metroid’s future and makes me excited for Samus’s next big adventure.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a fantastic game that will appeal to a very specific slice of the strategy gamer fanbase. If there is even a chance that you are in that slice, then I suggest you check it out.

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

With Doom, it’s clear that id Software set out to make a shooter game which puts fun above all else, and in that regard, the studio hit the nail right on the head. Some old-school purists may scoff at a Doom game with progression and unlocks and other modern shooter elements, but if their refusal to let go of the past keeps them from playing Doom, they’ll only be robbing themselves of the chance to play what is hands down one of the most solid shooter experiences of 2016 so far.

Rocket League is easily one of the best games of 2015, a true surprise in the sports department with its stunning combination of soccer and cars. Between varying modes, a sharp presentation and fun-as-hell gameplay, you'll be free-wheeling to get into another match (we'll see you there).

Control is Remedy's best game in nearly twenty years, and easily one of the best games of 2019.

Nioh 2 finds success by layering small yet significant additions onto a base which Team Ninja already perfected in the original Nioh. New features like character customization and Yokai abilities complement a robust gameplay template which was designed to appeal equally to fans of Souls-like games, RPG’s, and fast-paced hack-and-slash titles.

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.

There’s no denying that MLB The Show 17 is one of the most comprehensive and realistic baseball simulators that has ever been made. No matter what sort of baseball experience you’re looking for, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll find it in the latest from San Diego Studios.

Dragon Ball FighterZ is fun on so many levels. I had fun with it as a competitive hardcore fighting game. I had fun with it as a hopeless screaming otaku. I even had fun grinding up Zeni to unlock characters and dress my lobby avatar up. I haven’t had this much fun with a fighting game in a very long time. DBFZ is one title that casuals and pros alike won’t want to miss.

It's great to see developers continue to pour their best effort into twin-stick shooters, even if the concept seems dated compared to other genres. Assault Android Cactus is a quality entry in the genre, filled with personality, excitement and creativity. The amount of characters available is impressive; the co-op factor is insane but fun; and the gameplay doesn't stop when it comes to challenging your high-scoring skills.

PES 2016 lives up to the hype and is a wonderful tribute to 20 years of hard work from Konami and PES Productions.

Ratchet & Clank is a must-play for PS4-owning action game fans, and long-time fans of the franchise will fall in love with it all over again.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 does the franchise justice, possibly more than any other Valkyria Chronicles title. If you are looking for a good new strategy game, this should be on your radar.

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.

Crash 4 isn’t just a competent sequel, it’s a genuinely well-made platformer in its own right. It expands on its now-ancient predecessors in meaningful ways, and incorporates some truly lovely visuals alongside plenty of compelling and challenging level designs that manage to stay fresh throughout.

Ni No Kuni II could have been genre-defining, but really, really good is just going to have to do instead. The way that the beautiful visuals meld together with Joe Hisaishi’s breathtaking score is nothing short of remarkable and it all combines together for something that feels genuinely earnest and charming. While far from perfect, Ni No Kuni II is an easy recommendation for fans of JRPGs both old and new.

It’s not often that a game opens you up to a whole new sport, but if you give F1 2018 some time, it will do that. Fans of sim racing should give this one a look, even if they’re more into street cars and exotics. Why wait to unlock the most amazing cars in the world when you can start behind the wheel?

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.

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.

Wasteland 3 is an outstanding RPG. It features a rich world with fun battles, great characters, and plenty of choices to keep you busy for a very long time. This is a best-in-class game that achieves what it sets out to accomplish. Players who opt to take the deep dive into the game’s awesome end-of-the-world landscape are in for something spectacular.