Shantae is the type of retro platformer that uses every inch of potential that modern platformers provide, almost as if it was just as scarce as space on an NES cartridge. Aside from the remarkable artistry used to produce Pirate’s Curse, it is just incredible fun to sit down and play.

Overall A Way Out is a fun game which tells an interesting story, I just wish some of the story had been implemented a bit better. Nonetheless, this game is perfect for anyone looking for a new and entertaining game they can play with a friend.

Far Cry 5 is an artistic lesson in juxtaposition. On one hand you have a group of devoted followers of a “message of peace" that live in violence. You have a calm and charismatic leader who insights calamity. There are communities united in anarchy. Far Cry 5 provokes its audience to think and wrestle with the uncomfortable answers to our own “what-ifs” about faith, family, and the power of community.

Attack on Titan 2 is still a great deal of fun, despite a slow start and some wonky performance on the Switch. In a time where every week seems to have a great game, it might be easy to skip this one as just another Koei Tecmo anime release, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice. Attack on Titan 2 is a very unique action game, with a great story, great controls, and fun as hell combat. Recommended.

There are loads of weapons to pick up and use – from the long-ranged spear to the crossbow, and several shorter-ranged melee options as well, and the Knight will always have his trusty sword too. By the end of Castle of Heart, you’ll feel satisfied that you undertook the journey, and while there’s no real reason to replay the adventure, you’ll still be glad you saw it through to the end. I was.

If you’re a fan of real-time strategy and role-playing games or a lover of miniatures combat immersive dioramas, then I think this would make a great addition to your game library.

If you were a fan of Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, or JRPG's in general, you will not be disappointed with this game! This is the first title in a while that took my attention and held it firmly. I've had plenty of fun, great made games over the past few months, but this one takes the top so far.

If you never played the original game or are new to the series, then purchasing this for your PS4 or Xbox One seems like a no-brainer and comes off as a “buy”. If you played the original game on a PS3 or XBox 360 then you need to decide if the modest price, of only $29.99 USD, is worth it if you want to play through it again plus the two bonus missions.

Where Mario Odyssey demanded player skill, Kirby 180’s and demands you just have fun. It won’t challenge most of you reading this, but I bet you’ll be smiling and having a good time regardless.

In a world of fast-paced games with extra gimmicks and money-grabbing tactics, Earthlock is a breath of fresh air. I have a lot of respect for what it is: it is a love letter to a genre that shaped me as a gamer. And for that, I am thankful.

It’s a game that can’t be taken as any singular part; it’s more than a satire and more than a mini-game collection. It’s a statement and a joke and an open question about the ideologies we carry with us. It’s worth experiencing.

When the title credits roll, you’ll be hard pressed not to feel bittersweet to know this is the end of Kiryu’s long tale. Where the series goes next is anyone’s guess, but it’s hard to imaging it without our scarlet-shirted protagonist. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is not only a great game, but a fitting closure for the long and turbulent story of Kiryu Kazuma.

Small issues aside, I can safely and enthusiastically recommend Chronicles of Nyanya. For an indie title, it is very clear that this game is no half-assed RPG. It has all of the right elements and every feature that any seasoned player will expect and a lot more to boot. Triple-A developers should take note: This one has it all.

Something every strategy fan should try.

The first VR game where I feel like everyone I know needs to play it.

All these factors adding up to that feeling that those who created this game genuinely cared for every aspect of it making not only Mulaka, but also Switch more precious to play. I feel honored to now know Mulaka.

There’s clear potential in The Way of Kings: Escape the Shattered Plains, but even $10.99 feels too expensive. As it stands, we have a 30-minute “adaptation” of a 1200 page novel with limited, rough around the edges gameplay. It may be worth picking up on a Steam sale but otherwise, it’s just not worth the cost of entry.

The single player, oddly, is the best part of Metal Gear Survive. I say “oddly” because it’s billed as a co-op game primarily. But the online multiplayer is just sort of “Horde Mode”, and we’ve all done that again and again for a decade now.

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a fascinating study of a bygone era in America, though it clearly has roots in today’s world and modern urban legends It’s got so much personality, so much to offer and provides such an insight into how our culture developed over the course of its history. While featuring clunky controls, it’s well worth the price of admission.

There are plenty of Japanese Role-Playing games available on the market and, none of them can quite measure up to Trails of Cold Steel 2.

Kingdom Come is nothing short of awe-inspiring, with its flaws and all. I hope we see many more games like this from Warhorse.

The gameplay is fun when it works properly, but sticking out the issues in multiplayer most likely won’t appeal to those with no emotional ties to the series. In that way, I feel, die hard 7 Deadly Sins fans may be the only ones that will truly appreciate this title.

This title is AAA, and it is on PC.

With a buy-in of $14.99, Disc Jam presents an entertaining and challenging competitive sports game in the same vein as Rocket League. While it has an easy point of entry, it takes a while to full master. The action is intense and games can just as easily be turned over if the throws are right. The microtransactions do muddy the waters a bit, but if you don’t mind waiting for those cosmetic rewards, they won’t impact your enjoyment of the game. If you are looking to get into a new competitive e-sport exploding onto the scene or if you’re looking to have some fresh and friendly couch competition, Disc Jam just may be worth looking into.

Crossing Souls may still be a game I revisit when I need to be comforted by the sheer joy of its characters, world, references, and music. Fourattic clearly loves the era as much as many of us do, and it shows. For all its references, the callbacks to different pop culture events never feel forced. Crossing Souls is a helluva fun ride, and a game I’d strongly recommend to anyone with a love of He-Man, coin-op arcades, and bitchin’ synth tunes.

As it was in 2016, D-Pad Studios has crafted an excellent adventure that should be played by all. If you’ve already experienced Owlboy on another platform, there’s nothing here you haven’t yet seen. But if, like me, you never did play it before – now is the perfect time to experience one of the best indie adventures in modern memory.

If you enjoy the Final Fantasy series and are looking for a team-based brawler for some competitive play or just want to kick back with some decently intelligent AI team mates, DISSIDIA Final Fantasy is worth checking out after the $60 USD price drops a bit.

It is admittedly simple but still keeps catching me with a delightful tirade of destruction that draws inspiration from classic side-scrollers. It provides a sense of accomplishment through its progression system and is so constantly engaging I may have missed my train stop while reviewing this. If you are interested in losing yourself in the depths of a destructive rage, Octogeddon is out now.