Tremor has done a much better job in porting Railroad Tycoon 2 over to Sega's console than was done with the rather poor PlayStation version.

Visually, the game is crisp, but looks to me like a glorified flash game.

It's hard to describe exactly, but there's something about Rez that just hooked me into replaying it more than Child of Eden has.

I did have to fiddle with patches, drivers, and tweaking the nVidia control panel. A lesser machine may also not give you visuals as good as out of the box 720p on the 360 or PS3.

I’d definitely urge you to give Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection a go if you’re like me and grew up playing these games either at home or in the arcade, and want a little taste of nostalgia to go along with your modern day fighter. Most of the games in this collection still hold up really well today, and Capcom / Digital Eclipse have done a real solid job in putting this port together.

It's a deeply disturbing game, but it's also a very fun one, and it's a testament to the latter that even someone as painfully wussy as me when it comes to anything gory or horror-ish is able to completely ignore the former.

FIFA 08 is not only the best EA soccer game in years, but one of the best soccer titles in recent memory.

Does what the first one did and ups the ante with more characters and grooves, but doesn’t do too much new from the first.

Absolutely worth picking up if you're a wrestling fan, and definitely a big step in the right direction for the series.

That’s really this game in a nutshell: it’s relentlessly sunny in the face of a grey world, and you only win by making the lives of your friends brighter. Given we’re in the dead of winter as I write this – after a few very difficult years, in the midst of yet another pandemic wave – that’s the kind of message I can go for. Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan is a pleasant antidote to these times, and even if I can’t describe it, I know I liked it.

If you’re a fan of Lemmings – or even just a fan of heartfelt stories with nice visuals – there’s still plenty here you should be able to enjoy. Tin Hearts isn’t going to make you rethink your opinion of the genre, but if you’re already a fan, you’ll have fun with this.

The animations are excellent, smooth and great to look at. Combined with a combat system that's just as smooth, Dawn of Dreams is nicely polished fun.

If you are not an absolute die hard fan, even the incredible 6 hour campaign is not enough to justify a full $60 purchase. If you’re ok with buying now and getting the rest of the game later though, the content at launch is worth playing.

This is the definitive Mortal Kombat title. You have more fatalities, self-fatalities (hara-kiri), stage fatalities, more characters, four deep modes of play, unlockable Krypt items, and online play.

Still, when the game does such a fantastic job of creating a creepy atmosphere, complaining about the lack of people seems like it's missing the point. Like a great horror movie, everything in The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is there to leave you feeling unsettled and unsure of what's going on. Considering it nails that feeling and sustains it throughout, I'd say that counts as a pretty substantial success.

I think it plays closer to a real game of basketball than anything we've ever seen on the market before.

Obviously, if Mini Motorways is actually intended to be a subtle critique of how dystopian car-centred cities are, then it absolutely succeeds at that beyond any shadow of a doubt. More likely, though, Mini Motorways is simply an attempt to apply the Mini Metro formula to roads instead of subways. While it hits some of the same notes – and it would undoubtedly be much easier to embrace if it didn’t have such an insanely great predecessor to live up to – it’s simply not quite as good. That still means it’s better made than most other puzzle games, but if you’re hoping for the next Mini Metro, Mini Motorways isn’t quite it.

While not as polished or well designed as we all hoped, Perfect Dark Zero is still worth a play-through, if only for the cool weapons and the enjoyable online battles.

There are very few gripes here and there; camera issues and confusing career for newbies, but this is undoubtedly the best FIFA game in many years and seems ready for taking on "Winning 11" this season.

The amount of control you have over your character in Jedi Academy is one of those things we all asked for while we were playing "Jedi Outcast."

Offering engrossing beat 'em up action on the go, Rockstar's The Warriors ranks both among the genre's and the platform’s best.

I can't make out any significant graphical difference between the Xbox 360 version and the Playstation 2 version.

Make no mistake: Cities: Skylines is still pretty fun. It's deep enough so that people who thrive on depth and complexity will find more than enough to sink their teeth into, while the more shallow among us (i.e. people like me) who just want to build huge megalopolises without putting too much though into it can do that too.

The environments are absolutely gorgeous, and definitely varied. From jungles to cities, you'll put Ryu thru the motions in a number of locales, all of which are full of vibrant, beautiful color schemes.

Valkyrie Profile comes highly recommended and is by far the best role-playing game I've played so far this year.

Game play is much like last year's effort on whole, but has been tightened and refined to allow for better club choices and shot selection.

It describes itself as a micro-adventure, which apparently is a fancy way of saying that it features puzzles that don’t require a dozen random steps to complete, but, instead, follow fairly straightforward, linear logic. It’s funny, it poses just the right level of challenge, the characters are delightful — if that’s how you define micro-adventure, I’m all for the subgenre.

It’s a pretty joyful take on open-world action, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s a late contender for Game of the Year.

A fun, exciting game. It's just a little bit behind the pack.

It shows just how much the company cares about this series, and the hard work and dedication have paid off in spades. All I can say is even you have played or preferred the 2K series in the past; you owe it to yourself if you are a fan of the game, to take this one to the hoop.

For a first console development effort, Shift Up knocked it out of the park with Stellar Blade. They crafted a fascinating world, combat system that felt so good to the point where I would seek it out encounters less I was running low on health items. As stated in the previous statement, players will be surprised by Eve’s characterization and she will probably find her footing amongst other female protagonists such Samus Aran, 2B and Bayonetta. Much like Round8’s Lies of P helped put a spotlight on the South Korean Games Development scene, Shift Up’s effort will just make that light brighter. Shift Up certainly stepped up!

If you can get past some of MVP’s fielding glitches, and appreciate this offensive driven baseball title, then you will be in for a delightful surprise this season.

There are very few gripes here and there; camera issues and confusing career for newbies, but this is undoubtedly the best FIFA game in many years and seems ready for taking on "Winning 11" this season.

There's plenty to do, a great mix between easy and very difficult shots, and solid visual effects. It's a creative table. It requires plenty of play before giving up the big scores, and the journey is a pleasure – can't ask for much more than that.

I don’t want to leave the impression that I dislike Cassette Beasts, though, because I don’t – not in the least. Cassette Beasts may borrow pretty heavily from Pokémon, but there are enough fun twists on the basic ideas that it manages to carve out an identity that’s all its own.

Pine Hearts is one of those rare wholesome, cozy games that doesn’t try to use an emotional overlay to hide gameplay that’s not very fun when you get down to it – it’s got an emotional core underneath a game that’s fun to play. But it picked up some bad habits from the genre’s lesser lights, and that prevents Pine Hearts from being one of the genre’s true highlights.

A shorter experience keeps Death of the Outsider from reaching the same level of success that Dishonored 2 had, but the experience here is one definitely worth it. This is far more than simple DLC, it is a self contained albeit short game. My experience on PC was fantastic, running on max settings with no issue at all. Death of the Outsider feels like the first thing that Arkane made with the PC in mind, not an afterthought.

SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech is basically what we’ve come to expect from the SteamWorld series, namely a well-realized take on an existing genre masterfully executed once again.

While I found myself struggling to wrap my head around the gameplay after the first hour or two, Atlas Reactor has become something that I’ve had a hard time drawing myself away from over the past few days.

There is a lot to Antihero, and I could never explain it all in this small wall of text, so just do yourself a favor and grab it for their extraordinarily low price of $15 (or less). It is well worth the price they’re asking, and I would recommend dragging a friend in with you on the purchase so you can enjoy what I think are some of the game’s best qualities.

The existence of Fall Guys is a boon for those who wish to partake in the battle royale craze, but lack the dexterity and fast reflexes a shooter requires. The highs are high and the lows are low. Games flow pretty quickly and there’s definitely a playerbase for the title for now. Let’s hope Mediatonic will develop more features such as new events, the ability to create private lobbies, crossplay and make it available on platforms it didn’t launch on. If this first week is any indication, we’re in for a lot of Fall Guys this Fall, guys!

The Suikoden series has its good games and bad, but Suikoden 1 and 2 are my two favorites in the series. For those looking to scratch the itch of a classic JRPG, these games will do it. I hope that other companies take notes, as they kept the core game play and didn’t make any major changes to the battle system — I’m looking at you Final Fantasy VII Remake. The Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster isn’t perfect though, and Konami should have made a few more quality of life improvements, specifically to the inventory system. The story to both games is there in all of its glory, the second game’s story especially. Overall, Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is a solid update to some classically good JRPGs!

What probably makes this game so interesting as an action game though is the ability to play up to four players cooperatively. Even better is how seamless they make this experience.

Will there be more, perhaps post-endgame DLC down the road? It seems highly unlikely at this point, but knowing that a new Zelda is likely pretty far on the horizon, maybe Nintendo can surprise us in 2018. As it is though, Breath of the Wild definitely benefits from this DLC pack, and while it might not be a big enough draw for players that have essentially wrapped up the main story, it certainly feels like a nice boon to those of us that have yet to 100% the game.

We get a lot of Remasters and HD Remixes these days, but this is not one you should miss out on.

Whatever problems there are in the one player mode, the party games more than make up for them.

Black Myth: Wukong pretty much delivers on what it always promised: a gorgeous world where you get to battle crazy monsters and demons. It would be nice if there was a little more to do between the craziest monsters and demons, but if you want a game that will test you while giving you some nice scenery to look at, you’ll find it here.

Puzzle Quest 2 is definitely worth checking out, and while I wish the soundtrack had been improved upon more it's pretty much the only thing I didn't enjoy about this sequel.

I'll also go out on a limb and say this is probably the easiest of the Telltale titles I've played to date. For me, that's a good thing.

With more polish and character balancing, Midway could have crafted one of the best pick up and play fighters in existence – but combo timing issues hurt the overall score and that's a shame.

MLB 2006 looks flat out fantastic, not only that, everything looks authentic.

So if you have $10 and some curiosity then you’ll find a lot to do in Boxboy! + Boxgirl! This was my first time with the series and I found it very relaxing with good reasons to revisit stages after completion and unlock bonuses for playing and appearance. But it’s also slower paced than I expected so if you’re on the fence just check out the eShop demo because there’s a lot more where that came from!

People looking for a short romp to fit in between major titles will definitely enjoy Battle Chef Brigade. Some players might find the modes outside of the story mode something they can come back to. Hopefully if a sequel were to come to fruition, the studio will be able to implement some of the features which were missing from this title. They have a solid entree; they just need a couple more appetizers to make this the ultimate meal.

Ninja Theory really knows how to end a game, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is no different. If you’re looking for a God Of War clone, this is not that game. With its unique presentation, cinematic narrative with amazing storytelling, game-changing visuals, beautiful sound design, and digestible length, Xbox Games Studios and Ninja Theory have a successful franchise on their hands. I want to continue to come back to Senua and go on these adventures. If you have Xbox Game Pass, go download this and Senua’s Sacrifice.

If you're a fan of the sweet science, pick up a copy of KO Kings for the PS2 you won't regret it.

Isn’t quite as fresh as the original was a year ago, but Z-Axis has really stepped up for the PS2 sequel in all areas, and we eagerly anticipate what they’ll have ready for the third installment.

The RPG has all the subtle quirks that make a traditional RPG story fun to play and does it all with nice animation and sound.

The sequel improves on its predecessor in many departments, and it’s just plain fun to live in the net world.

It's with a sigh of unfufilled expectations and through clenched teeth that I say Def Jam Vendetta is the best US wrestler this generation.

There’s lots of events, a nice variety of hills, and, as I said, the presentation is so gorgeous you’ll be lulled into a zen state. Even if you’re not a fan of skiing, it’s one of those games that’s so pleasant, it’s impossible to resist.

It's a game that allows non-gamers to take part in the action. People simply want to try the game because the controller is so inviting to them. For the hardcore gamers out there, the game is a bit short and tad easy.

I think Catherine: Full Body is an overall improvement to the original game, and worth checking out if you’re like me and haven’t revisited the game in nearly a decade. The Switch version being reviewed here ran really well, with a solid framerate in both docked and undocked modes, and minimal load times throughout. There might not be enough in this package to elevate it past the prior releases of Catherine: Full Body, but again, if you have yet to play this version of the game then the Switch version appears to be on par with the rest.

At least in the time that I’ve spent with it, I’ve not noticed any significant issues with sound, graphics and so on. It plays, looks, and sounds just like a remember it, with a new coat of paint tossed on top to make the overall look a little more appealing. There’s not a lot else to say about Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, other than you should absolutely pick this up when you have a chance, it’s easily the best version of the game available.

I found myself fairly engrossed with Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, and would argue it’s the best of the Omega Force/Nintendo collaborations so far. It runs really well in both handheld and TV mode (certainly far better than Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity) and the combat is propelled to another, more interesting level when you start utilizing the ability to command your various units as objectives appear. So even if you’ve not played through a single musou game before, I think Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes would make a pretty great impression for brand new players, while also breathing some fresh air into the formula for returning fans.

I will be the first to admit that Madden NFL 25 is not a perfect football game, but the overall package and satisfaction you will receive from game to game is so overwhelmingly genuine and good that you will be willing to overlook its faults and realize that this is just about as good as it gets for virtual football.

Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is a good addition to the series and the story and secrets that Killia has will keep players coming back to see what he is hiding.

The PS3 version of Vesperia that never made its way out of Japan has always been a long sticking point for fans, and with the release of the Definitive Edition, it’s a wrong that has finally been righted.

Highly recommended, and something that every RPG enthusiast should definitely check out.

All in all, I think Fire Emblem Engage is worth checking out. It’ll be a pretty appealing entry for both long-time and new Fire Emblem Fans, the Engage mechanic adds a fun layer to the already excellent combat system, and the bevy of new characters introduced are all generally entertaining. The look of the game is fantastic on the aging Switch hardware, bolstered by the excellent character designs, and the music is really well done. It might not be the best Fire Emblem on the Switch, but it’s still a really solid adventure regardless.

To be sure, it’s not a substantial game. You’ll be able to finish it pretty easily in a couple of hours, in fact. But for those few hours, you’re going to have a lot of fun with it – which makes Dungeons of Dreadrock well worth checking out.

Mind you, if you’re not a fan of its art style, then Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a much harder sell, with the gorgeous visuals covering up gameplay that’s only rarely very fun. I still maintain that it’s great to see an established series take risks like this – and it’ll be interesting to see where the series evolves from here – but as of now, there’s still much room for improvement.

With very few flight titles available, Ace Combat 6 is the best one on next gen platforms hands down.

You don't need to rush out and download it this instant, though. No, that's an honor you should give to Runner 2 — which, again, is a must-play for anyone with any of the many, many systems on which it appeared. The BIT.TRIP is more an after-dinner mint: it's certainly enjoyable, but not quite as good as the main course.

All in all, Halo Infinite is a bit of a mixed bag. The multiplayer is on track to be the best it has ever been, but a lot of the campaign feels like an afterthought. There is a great, focused story there but it is sidetracked and bogged down in the attempts to bring it to the open world. A cluttered map and boring open-world missions fill the empty time in between the outstanding main missions, but the quality of those missions only serves to further highlight the disparity between the two. Those complaints, coupled with the fact that the campaign is the *only* part of the game that you have to pay for, make suggesting the purchase a bit difficult. Ultimately, what I will tell people is “check it out on Game Pass”, and I think that is maybe what Microsoft wanted all along.

It can be funny and disturbing while being challenging and clever. It's just too bad more care wasn't taken in making it available on a new platform.

Overall, I think creating an actual sequel to the existing dual releases seems to be a more interesting approach than simply crafting a third standalone game that offers up refinements but rehashes the general plot and setting, which is pretty much the way handheld Pokémon adventures have operated since the beginning.

Most everyone else will appreciate this slightly faster game with excellent online play and much-improved graphics. The strategic, thoughtful play is still there, but it's not the same Ghost Recon you knew.

The Arcade mode and local 2P action is great, just what I expected from the game, and while the visuals could do with a little sprucing up in comparison to the arcade stuff I've seen, it's not that awful. Not quite as stylized as recent console fighters, but not bad enough that it put me off of having fun with the game. However, if you're going in for story/scenario mode and online play, neither is worth picking the game up for at the moment.

Fun graphics, cool twists to easy-to-use gameplay, and enough variety to stand on its own two feet, make Rocket Riot a decent alternative for fans of arcade shooters.

A great package, and definitely worth picking up.

Even with some shortcomings, it's the most enjoyable golf game that I've ever played.

They have managed to bring some excellent Fleet-Based combat to a genre where games like Star Trek: Armada II have failed.

Gamers will no doubt enjoy the flexible interface with its different options, not to mention the game as a whole.

Shenmue II's story is really what makes the game so enjoyable, and the plot is about as epic as they come...It has a few annoying flaws, but overall, it's my pick as the best Xbox adventure game of the year.

JFG is basically Mega Man in 3D. The objective of saving all the Tribals is a rather anal task, it must be said, and an extremely annoying one. Too annoying. Otherwise, the game is good fun and still comes recommended.

It's a mighty strong testament that the gameplay is as addictive now as it was back on the Apple II, though those that got burned out back in the day will likely remain burned out today.

The more time I spend with the title, the more my opinion changes of this game. I started off thinking this game is unnecessarily punishing (A multi-phase boss on the first level…really?) to this it is only hard if I’m not playing methodically. As I got into the upgrade system, the more I find myself hoping the random drops go a certain way (I do enjoy a Skul that can do passive damage or equipping projectile based skulls vs melee based builds). If you want a challenging rogue-like to start 2021, Skul: The Hero Slayer is definitely a viable option, if the Greek Pantheon isn’t your cup of tea.

Not a huge leap over 05, but the new modes and features may warrant the quick purchase if you just have to have the latest and greatest of the series on PSP. Next season I expect no less than a Career Mode, or else... ya hear me EA?

The new lead blocker control makes running easier, and the passing game and other controls have been tweaked tighter and are more responsive.

Where other sports games have stepped up their games to provide a comprehensive experience, NBA 2K18 has taken a huge step back, and seems more focused on getting more money out of players than doing anything else. If you just want a game where you can play as Lebron James or Kevin Durant in exhibition games, it’s fine for that, but if you want to do anything else, stay far, far away.

Despite the fact that the game's battle system never fully clicked for me, I was won over by the well-rounded universe that Stoic has established, providing players a few good reasons to count their lucky stars when training some women later beget archers for combat, or just for having collected some supplies without losing fighters in the process.

Absolutely worth picking up if you're a wrestling fan, and definitely a big step in the right direction for the series.

It's not the best in the genre, but it's a solid title with a ton of value for someone that's looking for something that'll last a while.

While there was a collection of things to be frustrated about with Liars and Cheats, there is a variety of things to be happy about too. With a large number of new gang hideouts and some interesting new modes, Liars and Cheats is definitely in the "suggest to buy" category.

All in all, I don’t have a lot to say about this particular episode, other than the fact that Telltale’s Game of Thrones continues to be a series worth experiencing.

Minor Gripes aside, Shadow Complex: Remastered is still a great game. Could it have used a couple gameplay changes and some new playable content? Absolutely, but it doesn’t ruin what was a great experience in 2009 and it is still a really fun game in 2016.

Bethesda Pinball is a solid download for Pinball FX3 and fans of these games should get this pack right away. I, for one, cannot wait to see what Zen Studios comes up with next. If this pack is any indication, we’re in for some great surprises.

Game play is much like last year's effort on whole, but has been tightened and refined to allow for better club choices and shot selection.