I hope that future Phoenix Wright titles are able to keep the character and plot development at the same level achieved in Phoenix Wright: Justice For All.

It's really a shame that Rochard hasn't been advertised or promoted anywhere near as much as it deserves, but don't let Sony's oversight stop you... players seeking a fat-free experience with rock-solid fundamentals, polished production levels and cleverly engaging gameplay can hardly do better than this.

For a title as interesting as this one with such high production values, I thought that one-time investment was a very fair price for what's now become one of my favorite iOS titles.

I’d much rather have a meaty and engaging adventure that’s happy to embrace its videogame origins over a lavishly budgeted and beautiful ‘experience’ littered with dull introspective and endless navel gazing. Darksiders III gleefully provides the former while completely shunning the latter, and I’m all for it.

DICE fixed nearly everything wrong with the original, expanded the world and made traversal faster and more exciting in every way.

Like Pokémon, SMTV doesn’t do much to change its formula. Newcomers might want a greater emphasis on story or less grind to the gameplay, but those who are keen for this sort of content will find what might well be the best in the Shin Megami Tensei series thanks to its stylish graphics and engaging tactical gameplay.

On the whole, Deus Ex: Human Revolution expects the player to handle their own progression appropriately and hand-holding is kept to a minimum. Given the often-commonplace mentality that many modern games should lead players around by the nose to one degree or another, having the guts to return to a philosophy of personal responsibility and choice isn't just smart-it's appreciated.

Soul Bubbles is filled with unexpectedly sophisticated sequences like that, and they are a true sign that the people behind it not only know exactly what they're doing, but they also know what constitutes excellent game design.

Divinity 2: Original Sin is an excellent RPG that’s packed full of excellent writing, great characters and lengthy adventure filled with inventive and quirky twists on the genre. The combat can be a bit of a slog, there are a few bugs, and the console interface isn’t perfect, but it’s still an absolutely cracking title that will suck up an obscene amount of hours from those who get stuck in. As mentioned at the start of this review, Larian Studios have been making great role-playing games for years and years, and this one stands as one of their very best.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf successfully expands on its underrated first entry in nearly every way possible. It’s the perfect Empire Strikes Back to Planet of Lana’s New Hope: approachable, beautiful, and a great adventure worth taking.

Neon is probably the best Double Dragon game yet, and it contains enough great elements it to warrant a sequel or two.

All in all, Brigandine: Legend of Runersia is definitely not a title for those looking to chill – it’s taxing and requires a player’s full attention at all times. On the other hand, those longing for a challenging, tactically-rich experience that will unapologetically punish mistakes will certainly find their niche filled here.

While there have been a lot of games like it recently, Observation’s interesting player perspective, stellar production values, and exceptional level of detail might just make it the best of them.

Space Marine II is so much more than its decade-old predecessor with baked-in co-op, PVP and a wealth of customization. Yet for all the promise of eternal war, its core strength is still in its main campaign — it’s an arcadey blast-and-slash extravaganza that fully realizes all the grisly pageantry of its grimdark setting. It is the best opportunity yet to act out the sagas of Space Marine combat for those who, like me with the Battle for Macragge, long ago put their poorly-painted miniatures into storage.

As a musou brawler, Estival Versus is simply average. The gameplay is tight, but has no special innovations or notable facets, beyond copious amounts of nudity. Seriously, the game even allows players to end matches with what can only be termed ‘Nudalities’. No, it’s the story that elevates the game to an entirely higher level. It’s funny and thoughtful and heartwrenching, and the gameplay was as good as its story, this would be one of the all-time greats, but even though it can’t quite match that lofty quality, it still stands as an impressive experience from beginning to end.

Judgment may not be a truly new IP from the Ryu Ga Gotoku studio, but it offers the predictable excellence synonymous with most of their efforts. Anyone who’s played and loved Yakuza will find Judgment right up their alley, and anyone yet to sample the series now has a wonderful jumping-on point to see what the fuss is all about.

With a fantastic combat system and quality content in all other aspects, Star Renegades is stylish, accessible, and innovative, making it one of the best turn-based roguelikes around.

Even with frustrating oversights, The Mummy Demastered is a fantastic example of its genre. There’s great creature and boss design, perfectly designed platforming sequences, and a wide enough variety in environments that it can offer unique visuals all the way to the end. As a tight, confident action title, The Mummy Demastered succeeds not just as a love letter to movie-inspired cash-ins from the ’90s, but also as a legitimately great action game in its own right. And, if that wasn’t enough to recommend it, it’s also a rare tie-in that ended up far better than the movie it was adapted from.

SteamWorld Dig 2 is adorable, polished, smart, and basically nails everything that counts. It’s a joy to spend time with work like this, and all I can say to Image & Form is…. Well done!

It's visually attractive, tuned to perfection, and presents a classic formula that never goes out of style.

Those issues aside, there's no question that The Walking Dead: Episode One-A New Day absolutely nails the spirit of the story that inspired it, and it seems poised to become another winning, must-experience branch of Kirkman's über-franchise.

Though its battles are bland, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim still stands as possibly the best game Vanillaware’s made, and a must-play for anyone missing the dense, meaty science fiction of mecha fiction’s glory days.

Assassin’s Creed: Origins breathes new life into this ten-year old series, culling the parts which didn’t work while branching out and growing beyond what it once was. It successfully maintains the heart of the franchise and smartly dumps unnecessary baggage while opening it up to more kinds of players. Technical issues keep it from being a masterpiece at the moment, but there’s no doubt that patches are incoming. Overall, if this is the future of Assassin’s Creed, it’s a bright one.

Its unique theme and dark humor make it well-suited to gamers (such as yours truly) who enjoy the mechanics of the genre but are aching for a more refreshing and mature thematic backdrop.

Quite simply, One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 is as good as musou games get, and this one stands at the top of the pack thanks to a huge variety in characters, special techniques, and locations that make each level feel distinct from the last. The story is captivating and the combat is wonderfully smooth — I often found myself spending hours grinding just for the thrill of the fight. No self-respecting fan of the genre should let this one slip by.

In the end, Outcast doesn’t want to get in the way of the player having a good time. From the moment I first climbed to the top of a ridiculously enormous tree with my starting double-jump before plummeting to the bottom only to discover that there’s no fall damage, it was clear that Outcast is an experience designed to enjoyed, first and foremost.

It’s been a rocky road for Marvel properties in videogames, but Guardians of the Galaxy stands out as one of the very best. The combination of likable characters and fantastic scenery make for a game that’s an absolute blast to play for the entire duration. It’s got great style and a big heart, and really, that’s kinda what Guardians of the Galaxy as a franchise is all about. Eidos Montreal should be congratulated on an excellent adventure, and Square-Enix should be commended for letting them make it while locking the upselling bean counters in a broom closet.

While Warzone might be releasing in a space crowded with other Battle Royales, this new entry into the genre shakes the formula up in brave new ways and provides one of the best multiplayer experiences in recent memory — it’s debatably the new gold standard for Battle Royale.