I can understand why someone would be a little hesitant to try a game that leaves its movement and battles completely hands-off – personally, I prefer to actively play games than to passively watch them. Don’t let the idle aspects of the game fool you, though. There’s a surprising amount of depth and strategy to the game that goes well beyond what you’d expect from it. Loop Hero is the kind of game that will have you telling yourself that you’ll play “just one more loop” while the clock hands make a surprising number of circuits of their own.

I had a great time with The Taken King. There really is more to it than a new set of story missions and some new strikes and multiplayer modes - it has improved upon Destiny in many of the areas in which I thought that the original game fell short. And, unlike the original, I'm compelled to keep playing the game even though I'm am through with it from a review perspective.

Kalimba is easy to recommend to gamers who like a good platforming challenge. The difficulty level is probably too high for the average gamer, though, and even those with a good degree of platforming skills will require a good degree of patience to go along with those skills.

X-Men fans rejoice! There’s finally a game worthy of your devotion.

Help Max draw his way out of trouble in this clever physics based platformer.

Bad Piggies is certainly more challenging than the Angry Birds games that came before it. A three year old can play Angry Birds, but without at least a rudimentary grasp of basic physics Bad Piggies will be an exercise in frustration.

At its best, Civilization III is addicting and enjoyable. Unfortunately, it suffers from some play balancing , AI, and occasional stability issues which bar it from realizing its full potential.

A fascinating game that provides a tremendous amount of gameplay.

It’s really too bad that Capcom didn’t take this chance to add online co-op to the game since it would have worked well for a console known for its online play. The pros and cons to the game are all still the same on Xbox One as they were in the Switch version. The difficulty can get annoying but still feels overall satisfying for the most part. If you still haven’t checked out this game yet and are a GnG fan then be sure to pick this game up.

Retro 8-bit platforming at its best.

Both fun and challenging, and very nicely walks the fine line between realism and playability.

Nioh has a lot to offer with its deep combat system, and it's an overall addicting action game for fans of Ninja Gaiden and Dark Souls.

Fulfill a sci-fi fantasy by becoming the Captain of your own starship! Don't expect great graphics, but do except to lose many hours to FTL and expect to lose your ship ... a lot.

More of an incremental change over the original game than a full-blown sequel, but those increments are pretty good ones.

If you’re a Call of Duty fan then you’ll find a lot to like about it. However, the mission difficulty adds a level of frustration not found in the original game.

1942: Joint Strike is a great pickup for any fan of the 1940 series or any fan of shooters in general.

It plays great, offers lots to do and even though it can be slow on the story and missions seem endlessly repeated, it is still a must play for any KH fan.

Kirby Super Star Ultra is really just an enhanced port of an old game, but that doesn't mean it's bad. It's actually quite good.

I imagine that most people who go into Prince of Persia with an open mind will find at least a few things to enjoy.

The atmosphere, action, and variety of special abilities make Project Snowblind an enjoyable experience.

Even with the differences between the two versions, one thing is for certain among all hardcore fighting game fans in need of another Soul Calibur - you do not own Soul Calibur IV, Soul Calibur IV owns you and all of your spare time once it enters your house.

C&C: RA3 is a polished, clean, and prime example of what makes real time strategy games still fun.

However, if you're an RPG fan it's hard not to like the game and the breath of fresh air it brings to an often tired genre. So go out there and stop the English … with orcs!

Still the same loud, in-your-face action game that was released two years back, but much smoother and with tweaks and extras for returning fans.

Rare is the game that can generate a truly creepy atmosphere – Call of Cthulhu is one of those games.

It has the magical ability to make hours melt away in gaming bliss without the player even really noticing the passage of time.

Overall, I had fun with my time with Titanfall 2. The single player campaign is a huge improvement over that in the original game, and although it starts slowly it does eventually come around and provide for some enjoyable gameplay. The multiplayer gameplay is a lot of fun, both as a pilot and at the controls of a Titan, but a lack of modes may ultimately hurt the game's longevity.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Far Cry 4, although it's really an extension of Far Cry 3 with a more exotic location but a weaker story. Open world shooter fans should enjoy their trip to Kyrat.

If you enjoy tower defense games, it's pretty safe to assume that you'll like Comet Crash.

Great presentation and some intense missions will draw you into the game's immersive environment and make for a very entertaining experience.

Overall Band Hero is a good game, as it's essentially Guitar Hero 5 with a different skin and track list.

Destiny 2 on PC is the best way to experience the game in terms of its visuals and, for those who prefer to use a mouse and keyboard, in terms of control as well. If you're already playing on a console, I don't think these advantages are enough to recommend migrating to the PC unless you have friends playing on PC that you'd like to join. The journey through the game's campaign will provide you with plenty of gameplay for your money, especially for a shooter, as long as you take advantage of the numerous side missions and activities along the way rather than trying to push your way to the end as quickly as possible. How much more mileage you're able to get out of the game beyond that will depend a lot on you. If focusing on your power level will be your prime motivation for playing, then you'll likely find the game to be a grind. When I play Destiny 2 beyond the final mission, I jump into a Strike, play a few matches of multiplayer in the Crucible, or take part in whatever current game event happens to be going on. The game has kept my interest in that way, but I can see how the daily player who's focused on equipment drops may get a little frustrated by the slow pace and grind of the end game. If you're interested in playing the game, I'd certainly recommend it as you'll get your money's worth out of it, even if you eventually tire of the experience.

Far bigger than Darksiders, but not necessarily better.

Spider-Man 2 can feel repetitive at times, but the webswinging aspect is simply fantastic. It’s the closest you can come to being Spider-Man without being bitten by a radioactive spider first.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 is a worthy fighter to check out whether or not you're a fan of the Naruto manga.

Overall though, World Tour is a nice evolutionary step for the Guitar Hero franchise, and it's safe to say that if you're a fan of the series you'll enjoy World Tour.

Madden NFL 07 delivers a good, enjoyable game of football and if you can look past the current-gen graphics you’ll find that it can be more fun than the sexier Xbox 360 version.

PlayStation gamers finally get their chance to be a tank jockey in this enjoyable free-to-play shooter.

The game never seems to take cheap shots at you, it just happens to take a lot of shots at you. So when you die, you only have yourself to blame. Well, that and about a million bullets!

It's a better expansion than the somewhat pointless Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot, but it can't come close to The Secret Armory of General Knoxx.

The Wii U version isn't that much different than it is on other consoles, which makes it one of the better games in the Wii U launch lineup.

Prey is without question my favorite Native American versus alien invader game ever.

A better than average platformer with a great look, a lot of atmosphere, and a few interesting twists on the genre.

The game is packed with player animations with plenty of frames so the animation is smooth and realistic.

If you're a lone wolf base-builder you're going to hate it, but if you're looking for the sort of coordinated effort usually reserved for tactical shooters then you'll love it.

If you’re a casual fan of the series or are interested in giving it a try for the first time, I think that you’ll find Project 8 as enjoyable as I did.

Easy to recommend to adventure gaming fans. It is a great mix of puzzle solving and acrobatic platform action that makes for some great gaming fun. Finally, Tomb Raider has returned to the excitement that made it a legend in the first place.

Aside from a few slipups, it provides a fun, funny take on handheld squad games, and it does it with its tongue firmly in its cheek, in the best way possible.

Overall, The Penal Zone's story does have the feel of an opening chapter, delivering more setup than self-contained story.

Full Burst is the ultimate version of Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, but if you have the original version, there might not be enough here to get you to come back to it.

Armageddon is not quite as much fun as Guerilla, but its arsenal, particularly the magnet gun, and destructible environments make it an enjoyable game on its own.

It is innovative (well, as a game not based on "Dawn of the Dead") and well-produced, and a zombie killing good time.

The game is so off-the-wall and original, that it is worth a look even if you’re not usually into platform games.

Desperados III is a defining game both for the tactical and Western genres. It presents a bucketload of possibilities for you to become a Sergio Leone legend, and it completely understands the mysticality of the American Frontier-set fiction that inspired it. Whether you are new to hardcore stealth games or not, this is a rootin' tootin' good time.

Support for three or four players would have been nice, but an online component is far more conspicuously absent.

The stealth genre gets some much needed reinvigoration.

A supercharged expansion for sims seeking the spotlight. You've really got to want it though, as achieving superstar status takes quite a bit of work.

The large levels, number of enemies, and variety of weapons thanks to the minicons make the game stand out from most other third person action games.

Bulma, long cutscenes, skipped material and the control issues aside, the game is still really fun to play.

There are a few things that I wish were different about Guitar Hero III, but they don’t diminish the fact that this game is as enjoyable as any in the series. PS3 owners, it’s time to rock.

It's part simulation, part arcade, and all fun. This year's installment is the best in years.

Evolve is the most fun and unique multiplayer game that I have played.

With his roots buried so deeply into the 8-bit era, Mega Man nearly has no problem whatsoever with turning back the clock in this installment.

If you can handle being a second-tier hero fighting street gangs for a little while with the promise of future superhero glory to motivate you, then by all means pull on some tights and hit the streets of Paragon City.

It's hard not to rave about one of the series' best episodes to date.

Even the background music piped into places like Tweak's Coffee Shop or an office waiting room is drawn from the series' extensive library of original songs. If you've been watching the series as long as I have (forever), then you'll be in absolute South Park trivia heaven.

Designed for RPG veterans and particularly those familiar with Dungeons & Dragons. The game comes with an excellent and thorough manual, but at well over 100 pages it might be overwhelming to a newbie.

There's only one issue with the game that prevents me from recommending it to everyone, and that's the way the weapon throws are controlled.

Bravada's cute exterior shows just a fraction of the deep and interesting gameplay that keeps you coming back for more - especially for the price.

Overall the game is enjoyable, and it is certainly something that's a little different from most games out there. Even though you can't set the price of popcorn or hire janitors, give it a shot and you'll probably find yourself having some fun.

The Last Story is a great way for the Wii to go out.

From a pure gameplay perspective, you've seen most of what is in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 before in previous LEGO games. However, it's a formula that works well and I still had fun with the game even though I basically knew what to expect going into it. I liked the story in this game, it's fun and original, and is packed with that trademark LEGO humor. It's a great game for parents to play with their kids, or for anyone who's a kid at heart. While fans of the Marvel comics will get the most out of the game, it's still a lot of fun for those who don't know every last hero in the canon.

It's been awhile since we've seen Sly Cooper, and Thieves in Time makes me wonder what took him so long.

If you're looking for a third-person shooter and are a patient gamer, then you'll have a good time with Metal Arms. If instead you're just looking for a platform game along the lines of Ratchet & Clank, then you may want to pass on this one as it can prove to be frustrating.

The stunts are a little lackluster, but the downhill racing delivers plenty of high-speed thrills.

Overall WWE2K25 is a much better step forward than previous years. The franchise has been playing it too safely ever since 2K22 and it finally has stepped away from that safe haven to advance a bit. Each mode seems to have gained some extras that make them more relevant. I think My Rise has improved the most overall. It’s gone from a bloated filler story that I would never want to play again to a shorter more plot focused story that is easily more replayable. If you’re a WWE fan, this game is definitely one to pick up. It’s the best WWE since 2K22, and the My Rise mode is the best one since 2K19. For the developers to have only one year to create this game, it’s quite impressive with what all they have done with this installment.

Overall Universe at War can be a lot of fun for strategy fans. However, some annoyances and the lack of any real innovation may be enough to turn off the more casual player or those who are burned out on the standard strategy game paradigm.

Othercide is a menagerie of morose beauty and slick turn-based action. You will feel both vulnerable and powerful at any given stage, which is indicative of the dynamic RPG and roguelite elements. And with an unforgettable artistic flair and engulfing atmosphere, you won't want to give up, no matter how crushing the difficulty can become.

Buy--don't rent this game as it is one to keep in your library and show off to future generations.

So the bottom line is this: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is the first anime game I've played in a while that doesn't deserve the distinction of "for fans only."

If you're looking for an RPG similar to The Witcher 3 or Skyrim, or even Final Fantasy XV, Dragon Quest XI is not that game. Dragon Quest XI is a modern take on a classic formula and stays close to its roots with a linear world and quests and strictly turn-based battles. If you're looking for a game that emphasizes character and story over open-world gameplay, though, and in the mood for some JRPG nostalgia, then you'll really enjoy Dragon Quest XI.

Supreme Commander veterans will love the new challenges in Forged Alliance, but newbies should get their feet wet with the original game first.

A pretty enjoyable fighter. A deeper Konquest mode that compelled players to complete it and Xbox Live support would have made this an even better game.

A dangerously addictive game that you have to carefully monitor yourself with or you may find many, many hours of your own life missing while your Sim is living the good life.

Don't let the simple retro look fool you, Minit is an interesting and innovative game that's likely different that anything else that you've played recently.

The heroes are a great touch that allows players to gain a feeling of personal attachment to their faction, and to enjoy the character improvement aspect of RPGs.

The game has a unique puzzle mechanic and a good sense of humor.

WWE All Stars offers the most identical gameplay to the actual sport out of any wrestling game available thus far.

There aren’t any big enough changes in Nightlife to change your mind about the game if you’re not a The Sims 2 fan to begin with, and certain issues such as long load times still persist in the game. However, if you’re looking to add some fun to your sims’ lives, Nightlife fits the bill quite nicely.

An intense and enjoyable alien and mutant killing frenzy.

It is the first strategy game to really capture the feel of Star Wars, and is a must buy for anyone who is a fan of the classic trilogy.

The King of Fighters XV busts onto the scene with some great online play, improved visuals, and gameplay enhancements.

Even though there is repetition to the missions, you’ll still look forward to jumping into your next one. Building a supervillain and carefully configuring his or her power set will keep you logging back into the game again and again.

However, if you're already a Sam & Max fan then buying the game should be a no-brainer. If you're new to the Freelance Detective duo but enjoy slightly subversive and twisted storylines delivered with wit and thinly veiled satire, you should seriously consider introducing yourself to their world.

I found it to be the kind of game that starts of quickly, hits a difficult mid-game, and then leads to elation as the solution falls into place ' followed by an almost irresistible urge to just at least have a peek at the next puzzle that inevitably leads to the desire to just go ahead and complete it.

Unravel 2's gorgeous settings, clever puzzle design, and unique play mechanics make for an enjoyable game. In fact, I found that playing Unravel 2 is a great way to relax - it's the kind of game that's a good choice to play before turning in for the night. A dream-like game that makes for an easy transition to the land of dreams.

If the combat were handled a little better, then Bloodlines would be a real RPG benchmark. As it stands, the battles will prove a bit frustrating to both RPG and action gamers.

Takes the addicting gameplay pioneered by EverQuest and makes it more streamlined, accessible, and more enjoyable than before.