The game constantly hints at greater things, but never quite reaches those heights. In the end, instead of feeling moved, we felt content. A wonderfully charming game with gorgeous, varied stages and crafty puzzles, but we wish it left more of a lasting mark.

Clumsy puzzles and weird voice clips never dull the joy of smashing everything and everyone in this world to pieces.

The missions, characters, mechanics and flow have all been dramatically improved...It's one of those rare games that's so gripping, you want everyone to play it. Not just those who are already fond of the genre.

The Witness is large, beautiful, and exquisitely-crafted. It strikes an incredible balance of difficulty.

Even with its rough edges, Dragon's Dogma still feels like one of a kind, years after its initial release.

The ultimate resolution doesn't wow us, but the windy road getting there is fully of secrets to scan for and voices to talk to, living or otherwise.

It definitely taxes the brain in addicting ways.

Yakuza 5 looks fantastic... Delivers one of the best stories in the franchise.

It's fun, and funny with plenty of great payoffs for Borderlands fans.

What Xenoblade Chronicles X sorely lacks is a consistently captivating story.

Rainbow Six siege may not be the Rainbow game fans remember, but it lays a solid foundation for the future. Matches are full of constant tension and meaningful kills. Its reliance on having a dedicated group might be off-putting for some, but the heavy emphasis on teamwork is a refreshing focus.

What saves the game from eventual tedium is the absurd action spectacle you can create at a moment's notice.

It enriches the world and makes combat more exciting than ever.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void is a fitting conclusion to the story that began sixteen years ago. It lays a solid foundation for multiplayer which we expect to be tweaked and balanced for years to come. It offers multiple ways for new players to learn in a less intimidating environment, and the emphasis on micro-managing individual units keeps experienced players on their toes. Whether or not this is truly the end for the series, StarCraft II doesn’t leave you wondering what could have been, but establishes a legacy that will be worthy of honor for years to come.

At launch, there's not as much on offer compared to other competitive shooters, but there's also never been a Star Wars game that's looked and felt this real before. Despite the lack of battlegrounds, characters, and a story-driven, campaign structure, Star Wars Battlefront is an epic, cinematic experience. If you've felt the force awakening in you this year, let it in.

While the story and extras may not impress, the gameplay in Rise of the Tomb Raider holds up through a long and varied adventure. There are lots of tools to play with and utterly jaw-dropping locations to see, fleshed out with great level design. Rise of the Tomb Raider is right on par with the last game, so if you enjoyed Lara’s previous excursion, there’s plenty to look forward to here.

For the last decade, Bethesda games have had similar issues, and it’s getting harder to forgive. Somehow, in spite of everything, Fallout 4 consumed us. When we’re not wandering the wastes, it overwhelms our thoughts as we ponder where to go, which faction to pursue, and what weapon to try next. Fallout 4 is flawed in very serious ways, but it’s also the only thing we want to do.

Black Ops III is its own game, and the most robust offering in the franchise this generation.

The customization features are a welcome return, and the five-layered career lets you play with different approaches to driving. Some aspects of Need for Speed could use more variety, but it’s a solid foundation to move the series forward.

WWE 2K16 strikes the perfect balance between technical wresting and Attitude Era brawling. Minor online issues hold it back, but the moment-to-moment flow of each match, the huge roster, and the stellar tribute to Stone Cold Steve Austin all combine to make this a must-play for anyone remotely interested in the WWE.

The greatest strength of Life is Strange is that the excellent character work, supernatural twists, and serene environments manage to overcome any technical issues. It was easy for us to get hooked on guiding Max through this tumultuous time in her life, and the ending left our hearts and minds drained.

Halo 5: Guardians is a massive game that we intend to keep playing for the foreseeable future. There are parts that let us down, particularly the story, but it’s hard to feel too stung when there’s just so much fun to be had. Halo 5 has a lot to prove and it seems fully capable of doing just that. It’s a pleasure seeing the series in top form once again.

Exploring this recreation of London is a marvel, but the repetitive cycle of taking territory and gathering pointless collectibles quickly wears thin, while gameplay pillars in stealth and combat still feel lacking. It’s the most modern Assassin’s Creed has been, but the Industrial Revolution doesn’t quite bring the series into a new age.

It’s not better or worse than the old method, but it’s new, and at times it’s incredibly taxing on the brain - in a good way.

Yoshi’s Woolly World doesn’t set a new bar for platformers, but it’s a beautiful game that showcases a constant stream of creative ideas. The yarn mechanics fit well with the classic Yoshi gameplay, and it’s a great choice to get all warm and fuzzy with someone this fall.

Above all Dragon Quest Heroes perfectly captures one of the most essential parts of the series—that it prides itself on joy. It’s a quality that overshadows its shortcomings. Too many JRPGs are overly serious affairs that shove the same tropes down your throat again and again. The levity and unabashed enthusiasm of Dragon Quest creates a childlike wonder that’s still enchanting more than 25 years after the original game.

Lasting ten to twelve hours with complex characters, diverse scenarios, stunning new locations, and memorable bosses, this ten dollar expansion stands out in a period when many DLC offerings feel like lackluster afterthoughts.

So many strategy games bury players in stats and micromanagement, offering an impressive amount of depth but they’re presented with the same amount of lifelessness as an excel spreadsheet. Disgaea is okay with poking fun at itself, kicking back and having fun. It may not entirely excuse its problems, but we'll take a good time over a more technically proficient and ultimately less exciting game any day.