Gundam Versus is a fun game. If you love the Gundam series you will find something about this to like I’m sure. There is a possibility of gameplay getting stale after a while because it’s a lather-rinse experience of playing, get XP, then unlock something.

The Hunter: CotW drops most of the arcade style and replaces it with a slower paced, more realistic hunt. At first, I thought this would limit the audience to a more narrow scope of player. That is, until my 9-year-old daughter quit playing Minecraft, sat down next to me and asked, “Can I play?” Since then, she has logged more time playing than I have.

Mikami’s new game may not compare to the horrific Resident Evil 7, but it doesn’t have to either. The Evil Within 2 is a memorable and compelling game all on its own, and one that deserves to be played by horror fans and action game fans alike. The frustrations of the first game (which have been documented by others) are non-existent here and instead, this sequel outshines its predecessor in almost every aspect. Next time, just give us a bit better story and dialog, and a more interesting protagonist.

Those two semi-complaints aside, I definitely think that Tooth and Tail is worth a look. It has a compelling and well-crafted world coupled with beautiful pixel art graphics and a challenging and interesting campaign. It has a unique and fun multiplayer mode that has grown on me despite my quibbles. And more than anything, it shows the power of a studio determined to execute on their vision and the dedication to achieve a design laser-focused on providing a specific experience.

This is the best Forza Motorsports game yet and, dare I say, the best racing game all year. From the gorgeous graphics, dynamic weather, and largest roster of cars to date; this is the ultimate in racing simulation and I can’t wait to experience this game on the upcoming Xbox One X to see it all in glorious 4K.

Despite any drawbacks, I found the game to be very absorbing and challenging. Gameplay requires a balance of skill and quick maneuvering as well as equipment upgrading and intelligent item use to keep you alive. After progressing through level after increasingly difficult level I found myself continually more compelled to play on and discover the intents behind the forces fighting for dominance on this dark and lonely moon.

If you are looking for an RTS that you can simply play as a solo campaign, this is not the game for you. However, if you are someone who likes strategy games that allow you to work in tandem with others and want to be a part of building up an RTS gaming community by championing KAVA’s values of Competition, Cooperation, and Community, Divided We Fall is worth checking out.

Shadow of War may not be perfect. Its camera can still get lost, Talion’s free-running can often be a hindrance rather than a help, and the UI can sometimes bug out for no apparent reason in menus and the main game. But these are little issues in a very large game, and even with the Loot Boxes as optional purchases (they truly are optional), I can’t help but recommend this game to any and all fans of open world adventures. With or without the DLC there are dozens of hours of playtime to be had, and it’s mostly of the highest quality.

Mushroom Wars 2 was a surprisingly engaging for me. I really wasn’t expecting myself to get pulled into what seemed on the surface to be a simplified RTS. Yet with it’s engaging, layered combat, easy to pick up and play attitude, four episode campaign and some great multiplayer offerings, Mushroom Wars 2 is a title worth spending some time with.

There is so much more to the game I didn’t get to explore or have room to explain. Characters can upgrade and merge gear. Gear can be recrafted to fit the partner. There is pvp and raids and seasonal events. This is a game with a lot to offer. It’s free to play and if you’re looking for a classic MMORPG experience with a community then this game is worth checking out.

I would recommend JYDGE (and Neon Chrome) to anyone that wants a good, small twin-stick shooter experience.

Jettomero isn’t terribly difficult and, if the art style grabs you, the lack of complex game play may be refreshing. The backstory of the protagonist is worth discovering, and the argument could be made that the point here isn’t so much to be challenged as it is to just be Jettomero, and see the world through the eyes of a humongous, well-meaning sentient robot who wants to help but keeps accidentally stepping on things.

It is the little things added to FIFA that always set the game apart. The stadiums, the feel of the game, even trash blowing across the pitch make you feel like you are in a real match. EA has been on a mission to make all of these elements a strong part of the game to put any fan into the matchday insanity. We had a lot of fun with FIFA 2018 and will continue to play for a while.

Golf Story is like Stardew Valley and Caddyshack had a baby. And that baby is the best baby, you guys. It’s out now on the Switch eshop, and there’s no wonder it’s currently sitting atop the best sellers. One can only hope we get a Badminton Story, a Croquet Story, and perhaps a Water Polo Story next. Let’s keep this thing going.

After delving into the game in its release form for several hours, I found I greatly enjoyed the game and felt that it had lived up to the expectations set by what was available in the preview. The game is unique and enjoyable with a compelling story and diverse characters that embody a complex culmination and interaction of various subcultures that deviate from each other while simultaneously holding true to what I would imagine is the nature of New York in that time era.

For $20, Steamworld Dig 2 packs an immense amount of value and fun into a refreshing platformer with an interesting narrative, lots of explosions, and the satisfying feeling of exploration and constant progression. Really, what more could you want from something that costs less than a real-life pickaxe?

Don’t get me wrong, Omega Strike is an enjoyable romp into the platformer genre, however, it’s not one that I feel brings anything new to the table. If you’re a fan of the Wolbyware’s previous work or are a fan of platformers I think Omega Strike is definitely worth a look-in however for this writer there’s not enough to keep bringing me back to the title.

It’s lighthearted tone and lovable art style works in tandem with clever puzzles to create an experience that any gamer can enjoy. Every new item had me either laughing at the ridiculousness of it or the sheer absurdity of how many items I had.

Let Them Come is an over-the-top call back to Sci-Fi tropes. If you like indie titles with self-aware, meta humor and RPG elements, Let Them Come is worth checking out. It’s got great pacing, it’s fun and quite bloody. Seriously, who is going to clean up these hallways after Rock Gunar is done with them!?

Overall, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 for Nintendo Switch is a fun game which works well when you get over the steep learning curve of fighting the game’s controls. Playing through the entirety of the DBZ story is a blast, and while some design flaws persisted to the port to the Switch, the game is still worth a play if you are a fan of the series.

ECHO is a short-ish game though, clocking in around 8-10 hours, so it doesn’t quite overstay its welcome. It’s a slow burn, but when it gets going it doesn’t really let go. If you’re keen on tense stealth games, with a good sci-fi story, then look no further. ECHO is destined to be a cult hit like the movie Event Horizon, and that’s no small praise from me.

One of the best story-driven CRPGs of late and the year has not been shy of them.

Battle Chasers is a great game and great RPG. I love the rich characters and their background. The art style makes this whole experience beautiful. The story, while I have not completed it yet, has captured me and I can’t wait to see where it goes. I think anyone who enjoys RPGs will enjoy Battle Chasers.

All in all, I didn’t like Cuphead in the slightest. I fell in love with it. The charm and care they put into this game brings back a nostalgia I haven’t felt in many years. Not nostalgia for the 1930s, as I wasn’t born yet, and I’m not quite that old to have watched American Golden Age Cartoons, but nostalgia for the challenging feel-good types of games I played as a younger self. While the stark challenge might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and 1930s cartoony art styles might not appeal to today’s anime crowds, what StudioMDHR has created is nothing short of a masterpiece. If there was ever a game to take a chance on, this would be it. Leave your silverware at the door and pick up a cup, you won’t be disappointed.

If you own a Nintendo Switch, you want this game, period. I didn’t know I wanted this mashup, but now that we have it, I can’t wait for the DLC, and I definitely want sequels.

Warriors All-Stars adds a few fun new additions to the series, but ultimately falls short at making itself stand out for any reason other than the cast. It allows many of Koei Tecmo’s stars from multiple games to meet up and cause massive amounts of mayhem in the name of good, but adds no interesting mechanics or hooks outside of continuing to provide a great Musou experience.

Though XCOM 2 at large remains mostly unchanged, the addition of new factions, enemies, dynamic missions, and the boss-like Chosen augments and broadens the experience to a whole new degree.

I often found myself torn between pushing the main story forward and doing all the side activities, but the real tell was I just really enjoyed spending time in the game no matter what I was doing. The graphics, music, and game mechanics all work well together to provide many hours of delightful and fun entertainment.

On the Switch, in handheld mode, it plays marvelously, though I admit the chaotic action is a bit rough to follow on the smaller screens.

It lightens up on the story consequences from your actions and allows a much more liberated approach to your gameplay in which I found myself gleefully slaughtering guards more than creeping around corners.

Destiny 2 is an epic: a story with an ever expanding scale made greater by the heroes of whom the story is told with tragedy, struggle, and redemption. It is very fitting that the score to accompany it must be, too. And it is. There were moments that I had to put the controller down and simply listen, taking in the scope of what I was experiencing.

Personally, I am still not completely happy with how the gameplay feels.

While not an excellent game it is a solid fighter filed with some interesting Pokemon.

If you don’t care about playing online, don’t care about optional microtransactions, and can stand the ups and downs of bugs that will be patched, NBA 2K18 is the best basketball game of the year and probably of the past decade. It’s a shame that some polish and poor business choices weigh it down.

It’s beautiful, hard, and fun.

RUINER is a great game. It’s polished, offers a unique world and some solid combat mechanics. Although it doesn’t necessarily revolutionize the twin-stick shooter, RUINER’S attention to story, graceful and synergistic combat and pacing set it apart from many of its brethren. Fan of the genre or not, RUINER is a game to keep on your radar.

Beach Buggy Racing may be a winner on the mobile scene but on the Switch, it just doesn’t hold up.

An interesting, topical game that touches on some important issues with regard to our connected world and the impact it can have on young people. If you go into it knowing that you need to really be on top of the UI thing, you’ll find a good story that you’ll find yourself pondering over long after the game is finished.

The developers did a great job of updating a genre that has been buried by the sands of time. They took an old-school dungeon crawl, added a fresh coat of paint (no crappy 8-bit graphics here), dropped it into a fresh Steampunk setting, and added some modern mechanics while staying true to the genre. The story was well told, but it would have been better had it been as unique as the setting.

NeuroVoider is a great addition to the Switch, both providing a challenge for a single player while also being a great party game. The loot customization adds a hook to keep you playing and killing more monsters, while the procedural generation makes sure you always have new levels and loot to look for.

A very challenging hack and slash that will require quick adaptation, decisive accuracy, and a great patience with frequent death. The game is graphically pleasant and fun to play and even throws in a range of different tactics and mechanics. If you like hardcore challenges, this is definitely a game to try out.

Hob never loses momentum as you dive deeper and deeper into the game. It constantly rewards you by making the game easy to consume and feeling like you can go for just a little longer. As a result, this is one of the few games that I’ve ever had trouble putting down. The gorgeous artwork might draw you in but the content will not let you leave.