Night School Studio has delivered a shining example of narrative excellence with Oxenfree. The story, the characters, the look, and the sound all come together to create an unforgettable series of wonderful moments.

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.

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.

XCOM 2 is a big success that delivers in just about every way you could ask for. Fans of the franchise or the strategy genre in general will love it.

Due to the fact that Pony Island only asks a minor investment in terms of both time and price point ($5), but even more so because it's just so much fun, it falls under "must-play" territory and provides a vastly different experience from other modern-day indies.

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.

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.

Despite a tendency to force the player to work through a number of repetitive activities Dragon's Dogma delivers innovative, action-packed boss fights and the occasional twist in the story to keep things interesting. Graphically Dragon's Dogma isn't doing anything special, but for a game originally developed on the previous generation of consoles it delivers a satisfying gameplay experience on the PC.

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.

You'll have fun playing Psychocat: The Answer until you realize that it's a mobile game on the PC, then you'll wish you had it on your iOS or Android device instead.

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.

One of the harder-to-obtain Resident Evil titles is finally widely available. If you like Resident Evil it's worth playing, but don't expect something on par with the series' other older titles.

While Trine 3 would've benefited from a much greater length, less frustrating puzzles and online co-op, what's here will more than suit fans of the series. The new 3D direction takes getting used to, but really incorporates into the developer's vision remarkably; and the visuals are quite stunning at times. If you're a fan of the series, this is a must. If not, maybe this could make you become one, despite the shortcomings.

Beyond: Two Souls would've fared a lot better if it had even more visual detail, other control options and extra content to make it more like a director's cut. As it stands, though, it's a great conversion of a pretty good Quantic Dream development, mind its storytelling issues and quick-time event gameplay. Plus, it won't kill your wallet being priced for only $30. That's something even invisible deities can appreciate.

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.

Easily one of Devolver Digital's best releases from last year, Downwell is an old-school delight that won't let you down in the least. It's difficult at times, but still utterly rewarding when it comes to exciting gameplay, plenty of unlockables and a right-at-home presentation for NES fans. Now we just need a console release to seal the deal.

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.

It's nice to see that Harmonix can still keep the beat going, even after the commercial success of Rock Band 4. Amplitude may not be as big a game as that is, but it's still a terrific experience, whether you go it alone or bring some friends into the fray. The soundtrack, while more "indie"-based, is a blast, and the gameplay delivers all the goodness we've come to expect from the brand.

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

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.

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.

Earth Defense Force 2 isn't a great game, it's merely a serviceable third-person shooter where the goal is to kill giant insects. If that sounds at all appealing to you, then you're probably the right audience for this game.

The main thing that holds Dariusburst Chronicles Saviors back from utter greatness is its price of admission. $60 for a "shmup" may be a bit much for some gamers to ask. However, those who do invest will find Chronicles to their liking, with the number of modes available, the local co-op support, the awesome presentation and the devotion to the series' history. Fans of the genre will definitely get something for their buck.

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.

Episode 4 makes Story Mode as a whole easy to recommend, and it will leave you itching to find out what the writers have planned for the final chapter.

The Force Awakens playset recreates the action and excitement of the new movie in a fun, cartoony way that will delight children as well as any Star Wars fan who's still in touch with their inner child.

While Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of Legendary Legends won't replace Smash Bros. in terms of addiction and fun, it's a solid alternative for those that don't have a Nintendo console on hand. It has its issues, but it also packs a punch with its four-player match-ups, and makes for a good time for family and friends alike. Dibs on Po!

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!