Effie isn't the most complex action-adventure-platformer out there, and it isn't the most challenging. In this case, the lack of these features actually work well, as Effie delivers on a game where simplicity and nostalgia fuel a desire to continue playing. The game in its entirety is very short, but it definitely is one of the child friendly games that should be on the top of the list for younger gamers and new recruits to the genre.

Sam Stone is back, and the folks at Croteam have made one hell of a fun FPS. Published by Devolver Digital, the Serious Sam games at their core are a string of firefights to kill the invading aliens. Sam and co. accomplish this in style while spout off one-liners, causing massive amounts of alien gore, and facing enemies around every corner. Serious Sam 4 is no different, if you’ve enjoyed the previous games, you are in for a fun ride with this one, literally in some levels.

Overall, The Callisto Protocol is a third-person shooter set on the moon of Jupiter with a horror and suspense-based story. Including well-known actors to aid the story was a good choice as it gets you more connected with them. While the PC port originally had some issues with stability, the issue seems to have been mostly corrected at this point and is playing well on my PC. If you are a fan of Dead Space I would give this a try.

In my opinion, especially with all of the bugs, you should save your money on this one or wait until a heavily discounted sale. Maybe in a year or so they’ll iron out some of the issues that plagued its release and work on the “fun factor”, but it just isn’t there right now for this reviewer to feel comfortable recommending it to our readers or friends.

RAD is a nice throwback to the eighties alongside being a decent roguelite. It won't be a roguelike you put over a hundred hours into, but it will give you enough value for its $19.99 price point. Double Fine hit the mark on making RAD stand out, despite having shortcomings around combat and performance issues when too much is going on.

If you love open world games that let you loose to just play with things and see what kind of mayhem you can create, there's no better series than Just Cause 4. And while this holiday season is filled to the brim with new games, I would strongly advise against sleeping on Rico's latest adventure. It's one you'll be guaranteed to have dozens of hours of fun with.

Fledgeling Heroes might be a bit short in the tooth, game lengthwise, there's no doubting the fun. The game allows you to move forward without being perfect. Time spent on each level is based on the challenge to you weighted by how much you want to collect. Unexpected features like a level creator, cosmetics and styles for your birds, time trials, and score-keeping add to the overall enjoyment to a family-friendly game, and that's nothing to crow about!

If you are looking for a ground-breaking, genre-defining game this is not it. If you are looking for an entertaining puzzle that demands swift reactions and just happens to be furiously addictive then Sparkle Unleashed is $7.99 and available on the Nintendo Game Store now.

It’s a cute indie quest that takes you on a beautiful journey. It won’t change your world but I can’t help but recommend that you share Rime and Ember’s.

While the hunt for items might be a bit much for some, those that persevere will be treated with a wonderful tale that the developers say is inspired by 60s and 70s fantasy films.

While a touch slower-paced than many of the Sonic the Hedgehog titles, Polyroll takes its time to let players warm up to it. With 36 levels and unique boss encounters, it is a fairly expansive experience. While it isn’t a killer app, for $9.99 USD, this bug might just scratch an itch for some old school platforming.

World War Z GOTY Edition is a complete pack of a co-op based zombie-shooter that keeps you engaged for a long time if you don’t mind repeating a cycle of events again and again. You will get the most out of the game when you play it with your friends. Otherwise, World War Z will be a frustrating experience that has nothing new to offer.

Port Royale 4 is a big game that puts all of its eggs into one basket: trading. This leaves other parts such as building and sea combat very basic for such an involved title. If you are into min-maxing and being on top of a great many things to keep your trading empire the best version of itself, you will have a blast in PR4. However, if you are someone who generally likes strategies and wants to have a good time conquering the 17th-century Caribbean, you might get bored due to the lack of other activities to pursue.

Legrand Legacy is a great indie JRPG that brings a lot of cool ideas to the genre. While it has its quirks and definitely bad controls with the keyboard, the gorgeous visuals and gameplay make up for it tenfold.

The overall feel of the game is great and I would recommend it to any fan of the RPG genre. Some things seemed out of place for the type of RPGs I like to play but each person has their own preferences. Midgar Studio did a fantastic job of putting this title together.

Neon Chrome’s environmental destruction and bright, cyberpunk colors do a lot to help it stand out from a crowd of dark and dreary rogue-likes. Giving players a sense of progression helps motivate you to play through multiple rounds, and the procedurally generated levels mean you are always doing your best to scout ahead and make a plan for the next room, whether that be taking out a few walls or running in guns blazing.

Overall, Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues hits home with me and I am sure it will hit home with the other lovers of the Karate Kid universe. The show on Netflix has been amazing and this game is amazing as well. The music and mechanics are great and give you a real feel for the 80’s nostalgia trip.

Below is a good game, but it could have been something great with some more attention to things that were bound to frustrate gamers from the get-go. It's a solid adventure, and a wonderfully interesting mystery. But it's not always fun to play.

Masquerada starts out with promise. The art is bright and unique and the lore and battle system give off an aura of depth. There’s just not a lot behind that first look. The beautifully-drawn courtyards and dungeons are linear and restrictive. The lore is densely written, but digging in reveals a lack of soul and meaningful drama.

Outward is a fun and unique experience for those who desire the harder type of gameplay reminiscent of Souls like games.

Marvel Avengers is a roleplaying action brawler video game. The combat is good and responsive. It has similar hub-style play similar to Monster Hunter and Anthem which is not everyone’s cup of tea. The main single-player campaign is short but there is much more once that is over. Quickly though it can feel repetitive once you reach the endgame.

The great news is that you can play across platforms with players on steam.

It is a niche title, but it can be a very fun game if you don't mind spending hours remaking houses and decorating them to your heart's content.

A wonderfully executed, narrative, puzzle thriller that kept me entertained through the entire story.

All in all, if you're a fan of open-world exploration and complex combat, ELEX may be the game for you, though I would add the caveat that you may want to see how things improve over the coming months.

Perhaps the greatest challenge of every Warhammer 40,000 game is to capture the scope of a massive universe with fidelity to its rich content which has influenced countless sci-fi titles while adapting to the high expectations of modern gamers. In this regard, Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitor - Martyr fights a bloody battle, emerging victorious, but not unscarred. It is flawed and imperfect, but I adore it for what it is: a solid Warhammer 40,000 game which draws game mechanics from its source material and brings the grim darkness of the 41st millennium into a different medium.

While you’re out investigating the deaths of Sarah Hawkins and the men in her life, always remember, run and hide if you have to. There are no usable weapons, there are some in the story but not for you to physically use on Cultists. You are only armed with your mind, your thoughts, and a raised perception of the world. Do not try to fight. Just try to keep your wits about you. The Great Old One stirs. Sleep tight.

Devolver’s new strategy title is an interesting distraction that takes a good stab at building a different type of business. It has fantastic visuals, a deep and different set of strategies that you will need to learn and doesn’t fall into a passive mediocrity. Weedcraft is unlike any strategy game I’ve had the pleasure to play.