ModNation Racers has a core of creative multiplayer fun, but it's sadly mummified beneath an irritating career mode and layer upon layer of load times.

While Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds might not dethrone Mario’s racing adventures, it’s a solid racing title in its own right thanks to great handling and an overwhelming amount of options. I would have liked to see a little more supporting the package as a whole, but what’s here must surely rank among the finest arcade-style racers from the last few years. For those who absolutely gotta go fast, this one is an easy recommendation.

Technical foibles aside, Turbo Overkill more than earns its place in the pantheon, and frankly, the gimmick of a chainsaw leg alone was probably enough to win me over. That said, the thoughtfully crafted encounters coupled with the creative level layouts buoy Turbo Overkill beyond its simple appearance. Ultimately, the peculiar grace of navigating the violent streets of Paradise City just feels good, and every element of its design reinforces that rock solid core.

It's a beautiful title with many nice moments, and I want to extend my congratulations to the team for such a noticeable step up. That said, neither the gameplay nor the plot and characters were strong enough to put it over the top.

Gnosia is a smart spin on visual novels, and a clever re-imagining of elements seen in the recent uber-hit Among Us. It’s an excellently addictive game on the strength of its mechanics alone, but is elevated by a strong story and neatly defined characters.

In any event, The Walking Dead has been one hell of a ride up to this point. Even the less-intense episodes are better than the vast majority of releases in 2012.

I'm really glad I decided to take on Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited despite the steep, steep learning curve and the "fend for yourself" approach. I'm guessing that its audience will likely be fervent series fans and very few newcomers (like me!) but it has a lot to offer to any fan of SRPGs.

Sure, it might be getting up there in years, but while the younger generation feels like it has to show off how ‘scary' it is with cheaper, higher-octane thrills, Resident Evil takes the time to really get under my skin, and considering how many times I leapt out of it, I'd say a bit of maturity isn't a bad thing.

While Four Quarters’ title operates under the trappings of casual gaming, I’d say that Loop Hero works for quick sessions, and also as a more dedicated experience that might keep one up for long hours into the night. It cherrypicks the right elements from each of the genres it takes inspiration from, and gives back a completely fresh experience with oldschool appeal.

It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a retro-inspired title as much as I’ve enjoyed Cyber Shadow. It’s just that good, and players in the mood for this kind of content should consider it a must-buy.

Despite the logic issues, the lack of a two-player mode, and the utterly disappointing "secret" level and character, I still consider the game to be a success.

Recreates some of the humor and visceral energy of the Chinese novel that loosely inspired it. But the characters and dramatic movement in this story of war are given enough time, thought, and care to come into a life all their own.

Another downside I had with this game was that it uses BMX jargon to a point where an introductory course on the subject would probably have been welcomed.

The blue bomber may have all but disappeared into gaming history, but 30XX keeps his legacy alive and energized. It offers tight platforming paired with roguelike chaos and a bevy of customizability that should keep players jumping and shooting for a long time to come.

It may not be flashy, the gameplay might be incredibly unsophisticated and repetitive, and the whole game is certainly showing its age-but it's still fun.

As it is, it's a damn fine game and definitely worth playing in spite of the stumbles that keep it from reaching its full potential.

As one might expect, it offers excellent platforming, interesting and well-defined bosses, and great atmosphere — everything about it feels like a fantastic entry into a hallowed series while still offering new features that keep it fresh for new fans. Mega Man is back!

In the end, football fans can’t go wrong with Madden NFL 18. Yes, there are a few hiccups, such as the lack of interactivity in Longshot and a steeper difficulty curve for newcomers, but none are related to the core gameplay mechanics which improve year over year. The visuals are stunning, the animations are more lifelike, and the level of control in the passing and running game is unparalleled. Though EA Sports is only competing against itself in terms of the NFL, they continue to evolve.

999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors is a good experience, and in parts it can be quite clever-I particularly enjoyed that the game made the existence of its multiple endings an explicit part of its plot. Unfortunately, the weak prose doesn't justify the time investment, and the puzzles don't hold up through the mandatory replays.

It’s tough to shake the feeling that Ninja Gaiden 4 parallels Yakumo himself. Extremely competent in its own right, but overshadowed and outmatched by a legend it doesn’t manage to live up to. It’s crazy that the first mainline series entry in over a decade is somehow only the third best Ninja Gaiden title to come out this year… but that’s how it is.

Anyone looking to smash through the game’s 705 shortcuts, billboards and jumps is a true glutton for punishment, but Burnout Paradise was never made to test players’ skills — it was made to be an escape, which is why the poor difficulty curve is so forgivable. It will always be a pleasure to return to the warm sun and speedy shenanigans of strangers in this familiar place, even if just for a few minutes.

It pains me greatly to say it, but this one is a whiff for a studio with a previously-perfect record. For those who need something to play on the Vita, I would strongly encourage them to pick up either of the Mutant Blob titles, and Guacamelee is an absolute must-have. Those are genuinely great works, and despite my disappointment here, I still call myself a Drinkbox fan... I'll just forget that Severed exists while I look forward to what they do next.

Marathon is an excellent experience, and a great shooter made by a great developer. Taking all the lessons they’ve learned from decades of FPS design, Marathon succeeds with gameplay and gunplay that’s leagues better than anything else on the market. I’ve lost more sleep in the last few weeks than I have playing any other game recently, and while the online crowd may be a bit too hostile at times, those willing to engage with its dynamic loop will be rewarded with one of the finest first-person shooters this generation.

It may seem crazy to ask players to pay a subscription fee in the growing field of free-to-play MMOs, but if you ask me, WildStar is worth the price of entry.

Overall, Victoria 3 offers a lot of play for those interested in grand strategy, with a number of detailed and complex systems to learn over time. It’s also a solid entry point for people newer to the famously complicated genre, but experienced vets looking for engaging wars or more historically-focused titles should either keep an eye on future updates or look elsewhere.

A generally joyous experience that exceeded my expectations with some of the most unabashedly entertaining play I've had all year. I have nothing but respect for the developers' attempts to right their listing ship, and with the best writing the series has ever seen, a fresh approach to the material and a strong structure underneath the crazy, they were wildly successful in doing so.

For those who love Trials and want a serious challenge, Trials Evolution: Riders of Doom is the right stuff. For those who already feel like they’re in over their heads, give this one a pass.

Even if multiplayer wasn't buggy, Battlefield 4 would still only be a barely passable installment in all respects besides the snazzy graphics. EA and DICE played it safe by providing the same thing they did the last time around, with another phoned-in campaign and only minor alterations to the online.