It may not make for the most exciting game, but it does make Farming Simulator 14 wonderfully relaxing, albeit in a productive kind of way — which, presumably, makes it awfully similar to the real thing, though I'd need to go back and ask that farmer I met to know for sure.

With a very unique take on the MMO genre, Guild Wars 2 is a great entry into the series.

It should go without saying that the sights and sounds of Battlefront are top notch. The presentation, from menus to gameplay, is perfectly tailored to the identity of Star Wars.

If you're a fan of the original title, than I can definitely suggest picking this one up, but even if you missed out on the Viva Pinata hype for the original release, this version is easy to pick up and learn, and should appeal to just about everyone.

Along with an awesome soundtrack and a smart sense of style, you'll at least enjoy the atmosphere being beaten to death on its more challenging areas.

I’m certainly engaged enough with this first chapter to see things through to the end, and I imagine you will be too. Just go in with some expectations in check, this isn’t the Telltale game that’s going to reinvent the wheel for their particular style of gameplay. But it does serve as a solid introduction to a well-known, and well-liked character from The Walking Dead, and hopefully spirals into some interesting revelations the further we proceed.

The inclusion of Crash and creating your own Skylanders just took it to the next level for me.

The controls feel precise and fluid as they react according to the situation you are in. If one thing that may be a downer to some casual gamers is the difficult A.I. in the game.

Despite spending a majority of the game running for your life, the atmosphere, enemies and environments contain some of the most eerily disturbing assets I’ve seen in a game. As a horror movie buff, you get a real sense of appreciation and inspiration for some classic horror movies. While clearly not for everyone, Outlast 2 is a memorable fright fest that packs the appropriate types of jump scares and gore galore. If you haven’t tried, make sure to play the original first. I will be going back to the first games DLC entitled The Whistleblower in the near future.

It remains one of the best party games around, and it's still engaging and fun in a single player setting, and if you can't find people locally to play with, then the online mode will generally satisfy that itch.

If you're a Wii owner, a Metroid fan, or just someone with a passing curiosity in the series, then you should definitely pick this compilation up. Some of the best games that Nintendo has published in the last decade, and they're all together on one disc.

While BLACK doesn't add to the genre in terms of innovation, it is an experience that will suck you in and won't let go until you've finished the game.

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 that you will be willing to overlook its faults and realize that this is just about as good as it gets for virtual football.

Fable III PC is a great game, but you shouldn't buy it (unless the Steam version doesn't falter as much as the Marketplace one.)

The story was well told, the acting believable, the action enjoyable, and the new ideas implemented will inspire future games, but when all is said and done, the game just feels unfinished in too many areas to feel like a AAA title.

It is without a doubt the best soccer game created.

Even if you don't know who these players are, don't follow college sports, but you do want a great baseball experience, MVP 06 NCAA Baseball fills the void, at least until the big boys start the new season. At only 30 bucks, you would be a fool to pass this up.

NHL 06 is as good as it gets in console hockey.

Overall Tales of Arise has a great premise and story, and is one of the better Tales games Bandai Namco has produced. If you are a JRPG fan, or a Tales fan give this game a good look.

While it may seem like I'm being harsh on a game that costs as much as lunch at your favorite burrito shack, I can't help but feel this game does absolutely nothing to draw anyone in, especially where there are other racers that do it better at the same price or cheaper with more replay value and heaven forbid some kind of online interaction.

With incredible visuals and a literal ton of vehicles and courses, Gran Turismo PSP is definitely an amazing accomplishment for a portable title.

A somewhat bumpy, uneven ride perhaps, but one that entertains far more than disappoints.

Barring some frustrations, Afro Samurai is one of the more enjoyable titles of this genre I’ve played since Ninja Gaiden 2. Now break yo’self fool!!!

Life is Strange: True Colors is a unique game, unlike anything I have played before. It is a departure from the other titles in the series, while also retaining the soul of what made people enjoy those games so much. With a stronger focus on interpersonal relationships and genuinely empathizing with those around you (both friend and foe), it feels like the series is finding its footing and pushing forward to bigger and better things. The decision to switch from the episodic format to a full upfront release pays off and I think Life is Strange: True Colors is much better for it. Once I got invested in the story, I did not want to stop playing, and I think a lot of the decisions and connections you make would start to lose their meaning if there were an extended break in between chapters.

It’s just shy of being the full package but it’s also exactly the shot in the arm this series needed and couldn’t have come at a better time than being on the Switch. I mean what’s more fitting for a console with built-in local multiplayer than “the” party game? Okay maybe Smash Bros, but that’s more apples and oranges. So if you’ve been waiting for Super Mario Party then it looks good to jump in, the water’s fine!

As far as standing on its own two feet…it doesn’t. Or, I guess, it does if you’ve never played P3D, in which case Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight will seem relatively fresh and original. But unless you’re a diehard Persona completist, I just can’t see why anyone would need to play both. They’re more or less the same game, and even if that game is fine for what it is, you really only need to play one or the other.

The team at Eidos have one-upped themselves and made a sequel that outshines it’s already very good predecessor in every way. From the visuals to the immersive game play, to the addictive online modes, Battlestations: Pacific is another way to experience the overused WWII storyline, while still feeling fresh and exciting.

CrossKrush is just the right amount of quirky and challenging to make it well worth an hour or so.

NBA Live may still not be the best virtual game of basketball out there, but it is certainly worth a look if you are hoping to change up your game, as it looks great, has tons of modes, and is fun to play to boot.

The only thing that could be improved on for the sequel would be more songs and even more variety.

Expectations for how much can be done to a franchise between seasons just went up.

Haven Park isn’t going to make you forget its influences – and you should definitely play those other games before playing this one, since they’re both much better – but it’s still enjoyable enough that if you’ve got a few hours to spare and want to play something charming and wholesome, it’ll do the trick.

Offers enough newness for a purchase, but fans that have been there from the beginning might begin to wonder when the series will take that next step in evolution.

It is as true as possible to the franchise's humble beginnings, which is a good and bad thing. In my opinion, it's a good thing because I love a game that can put me through the wringer and back-but still be fair about it.

Does High Heat still stand as the best playing baseball game around? A resounding, YES, would be my answer!

I do think that series fatigue is starting to set in a bit, as I wasn't nearly as willing to spend as much time with DC3 as was with the previous titles, but if you're new to the series I have no doubt you'll have a blast with what Dance Central 3 has to offer.

This one breaks the mold of conventional gaming and is still extraordinarily fun to play.

With not much other competition out there at the moment, and a few solid years of hype behind the game, Mortal Kombat X couldn't have been released at a better time. With a new generation of kombatants, updated and refined gameplay, and enough content to keep players busy for weeks, fighting game fans won't be disappointed.

Archangel is a great game, but it's overall length and high price tag may put off many players. It's not hard to learn and super fun to blast everything in site like a futuristic Rambo, but I wish there was more to it than what is presented here. Side missions or maybe even some extra challenges would have helped out greatly. You can replay any mission you have completed, but that can only keep you busy for so long. Bottom line, I do highly recommend Archangel, as you will have a kick ass time. If it's length and price don't bother you, well, get it now and start blasting everything in site!

The Guitar Hero franchise has resurrected itself.

While Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning isn't the best game I've played in this genre, for a first outing I must commend them on being so ambitious and trying new elements that appeal to many different players on the hopes to hook in a nice variety of gamers rather than just one. On the whole, I think Big Huge Games has accomplished this and they will find their audience or audiences as the case may be. I look forward to seeing what they have up their sleeves in the next go round.

For longtime fans of the series, however, everything that made the first two games fun is present in this one, too, which makes it a pretty safe bet to buy.

If there was some more powerful hardware behind it, some more tweaking done to the control, and a little more variety in the gameplay (capturing monkeys for over 30 something levels can get tedious) it would have made this a definite A game.

Muramasa: Rebirth seems to find itself much more at home on the Vita, and can be called an essential title in anyone's collection. It's not without faults, however, as the new localization brings an unwanted focus to the dull story, and the lengthy campaigns can leave the title feeling overall long in the tooth. Despite this, it's more aptly considered Muramasa+; a port that's slightly more recommended than whatever people had to say about the Wii release.

All the Simpsons references in the world would be a waste if the game play were trash. Just ask "Simpsons Skateboarding" on that one. Thankfully the game play is very tight, responsive, and easy to maneuver for rookies or vets.

It is innovative, it is humorous, it is intense, and most of all, it's a heck of a lot of fun.

I certainly found Shadow Warrior to be a really fun throwback to not only the original game, but ‘90’s FPS titles in general.

The mission variety and complexity, with multi-tiered goals and mixtures of dog fighting, bombing and strafing, make Secret Weapons Over Normandy a long-lived, rewarding experience.

In the case of Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, it seems the real consequence of joining the franchises is that it makes for a game based on brevity and ingenuity — both of which seem to depend on the collaborative aspect of keeping the best and dispatching the rest.

The only blemish on this otherwise fine masterpiece is the God-awful story that they tried to pan off as a serious RPG style story.

At first glance, it appears to be a shallow, silly game with lots of action and eye candy. But it's also a relatively complex sports game requiring just the right mix of skill and reflexes.

Nonetheless, for those who do like a good mystery, you probably owe it to yourselves to at least give this a look, and see how much it catches your mystery-craving fancy.

Rocksmith 2014 Edition is the most fun you will have learning how to play guitar hands down.

It won't offer you a glimpse into the future of gaming or anything, but at the very least, it'll remind you that sometimes, those old games knew what they were doing.

To say I was surprised how well NHL Slapshot turned out is an understatement. I was really just expecting a Wii version of the NHL Arcade game released on the XBLA and PSN last year, but to see that EA put a lot of love and care into this game and made it a game all on its own, without feeling like a dumbed down version of the 360 and PS3 games was very welcome indeed.

I’ve never been a racing fan, but I’ve always had the impression that it’s a couple of steps above the likes of NASCAR and Indy car racing. That’s an impression borne out by F1 2019, and it means that anyone who wants a real racing game challenge would be well-advised to check it out.

Bulletstorm, in short, looks good, plays great, and is fun as f**k to play. So put that in your pipe and smoke it Call of Duty fans...I come from the old school, and my friends of frag fest...this game is old school with a new coat of paint.

A very solid title with small flaws that keep it from taking the crown from the current king of portable racing.

Chariot is one of those games that smartly starts out fairly easy, but continues to layer in new play mechanics and before you know it you’re swinging the chariot across the level like you’re Indiana Jones with his whip.

Bulletstorm, in short, looks good, plays great, and is fun as f**k to play. So put that in your pipe and smoke it Call of Duty fans...I come from the old school, and my friends of frag fest...this game is old school with a new coat of paint.

The one shining part of online play is the addition of being able to play through the game cooperatively with a friend.

It nails down just about everything in the right places, and is definitely worth a look if you are interested in the genre.

The vivid cast of crazy characters, entertaining voice acting, and the refreshing puzzle components utilizing the Quarks make SC a solid port of the Steam release.

New game modes pack Tiger 07 with great depth.

Game play is top notch and will not only keep your interest high with its versatility, but with it’s addictive game play.

Not quite mind-blowing, but still fun, and I hope to see another adventure or two out of this duo in the near future.

An addictive sequel which adds so much to the mix that you can't help but spend hours exploring it all.

Super Sports Blast is a pretty enjoyable package of sports games. I’d have no problem recommending any of its component parts individually (though Super Volley Blast would have some caveats), which means that all three together are — to borrow a sport that Unfinished Pixel haven’t yet tried their hands at — a slam dunk.

It may not come anywhere close to matching the games it's trying to ape (I didn't even get into the iffy graphics or the endless loading times between levels), but it least makes a valiant effort in the attempt.

The depth of The Godfather while you rise through the ranks is incredible...What EA did well is incorporating the Godfather story line along with yours, versus having you control one of the main characters. This opens up the gameplay immensely and allows you to unfold the Godfather story at your own pace.

Much like the film and the book, is possibly the best in the series.

Overall I really enjoyed stepping back into the world Telltale carved out for the franchise, and I’m looking forward to continuing my journey with Clementine and the new cast. Time will tell how significant the actions from Season 1 will actually be, but right now they feel more like window dressing than anything important.

Overall, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 is a pretty substantial collection (even with Vol. 2 in the works) with six games and a ton of bonus content ranging from graphic novels, soundtracks, scripts and more. Metal Gear Solid is really the only game I have any complaints about. Since it’s being emulated, and there are plenty of emulators out there that can smooth out or upscale textures, they could have used or created an emulator that allows for some smoother textures and/or upscaling. This is still a must have for any Metal Gear fan, and even if you are new to the series or have only played Metal Gear Solid V, this is a perfect opportunity to play the games that started it all!

All 3 versions play the same, but with the option to go online, you may want to stick with the Xbox or PS2 versions.

I think Mr. Driller DrillLand is a pretty solid time, provided you enjoy throwback arcade style games like this to begin with. The story elements are light and certainly not a highlight, the presentation is a little underwhelming, and the unlockables aren’t ultra compelling either. But the core gameplay is fun enough to keep you coming back for more, and spread across 5 modes, most of which are distinct, gives you just enough to do to keep you entertained and coming back for more. It’s also pretty much the only readily available Mr. Driller game on modern platforms, so if you’ve ever been curious about the series, this would be the one to check out.

Star Trek fan or no, there is plenty of fun to be had in this shooter that takes a tired concept and makes it a joy from beginning to end.

Despite being a complete departure from the original, Fat Princess Adventures is worthy of a look. Players who have never played the original games may find this a great way to get into the series.

The ball physics look strikingly accurate, whether it’s a bullet pass or lofty shot to the end zone, the ball just looks alive. EA didn’t skimp on the animations either.

I honestly have no criticisms for Active Neurons. It’s a short, enjoyable puzzle game you can finish in an hour or two, and you’ll walk away feeling more relaxed than when you started.

If you’re a fan of the series then this is another solid entry. Will it be your favorite? That probably depends on the person, but there’s definitely something here for everyone who has liked any version up to WarioWare Gold. If you missed the tilt controls or wish we had another stylus version, this is where you can enjoy an encore of series past with the largest collection of migrogames yet! Me personally, I’m not complaining about WarioWare being back in our lives.

The XBLA port of Radiant Silvergun is pretty close to identical in content with what the Saturn port contained.

Touchmaster isn’t going to win any visual or technical achievements, but it is addicting enough to merit the 30 dollar price tag, and then some.

This is a very worthy version of Final Fantasy VII as it originally appeared and still worth playing today. If the few bugs are patched out it’s an even better deal. Whether you want to play it on the Switch with its unique hardware abilities or pay less on a different platform is up to you but I’m glad we even have these options. So it’s a good recommendation and we even got through the review without making a pun about the AVALANCHE of Final Fantasy releases now moving over to the Switch.

Overall, R.A.W. – Realms of Ancient War is the closest thing to Diablo 3 on consoles so far.

It’s an original concept and a very unique experience. Not to sound like a broken record, but Among the Sleep feels like it’s over just as it’s getting into its groove and that’s really my only major complaint.

Gameplay is top notch this year catering to all walks of life. Whether you are a newbie or veteran, there are many levels of difficulty and settings that will challenge any golfing fan.

The Count Lucanor won’t challenge you too hard in terms of its gameplay, but as far as the overall experience goes, you’re going to want to play with the lights on.

The soundtrack for Metal Slug 7 is definitely a winner.

There are buckets full of stages and a two-player mode to boot. If you've never played a Bust-A-Move game, you'll be drawn in by its simplicity yet you'll hang around just to get better at each stage every time you play it.

A great expansion pack for one of the best strategy titles out there.

If you want an exciting starship combat simulator that presents some real challenge, this is the best.

The horrible online mode and the somewhat high price tag (1600 MSP, $15 PSN) are speed bumps that might put off some gamers, but, if you do decide to take the plunge and download this one, you will like most of what you get.

Rango deserved an A but on the other hand, at only four hours it is a far cry from acceptable for a game that is $50.

If you aren't a part of that coveted 2-year-old demographic (or at least know someone that age), you probably won't get too much out of this game, though it's interesting to consider how similar It's Spring Again is to artsy games like Hohokum, Eufloria, or Flower. Obviously they all have more content, but if you were to stretch It's Spring Again out for a longer period of time and take out the narrator, it'd be tough to tell the difference. And, if nothing else, if you want to see a 100% in your trophy list and want to achieve that with only a few dollars and a couple of minutes spent on it, then at approximately $2 and 10-15 minutes, respectively, It's Spring Again will absolutely do the trick.

Definitely check this one out when you get a chance, you won’t be disappointed.

Sure the game has its hiccups like the aforementioned lack of running game, no roster updates, and no adjustment to the quarter lengths, but the game's roster could be 10 years old and the game would still be fun as heck to play. If you want realism, stick to Madden, but if you want pure and out adrenaline, then download NFL Blitz on XBLA or PSN as it may be simple, but it still is extremely fun to play. Now only if EA would bring back Mutant League Football and Road Rash, the circle of great redo's would be complete.

Just based on the music selection, social/community functionality, and the fact that it's a new Lumines game for a new platform, Lumines: Electronic Symphony is totally worth checking out. Yes, it's priced too high and it isn't quite as packed with as many features as hoped, but it is still one of the best Lumines games yet.

Rango deserved an A but on the other hand, at only four hours it is a far cry from acceptable for a game that is $50.