Naughty Dog did a knock-out job the first time and simply wanted to perfect it, so I would say they were successful.

Great entertainment for the player. Even with no music, a depressing game world and no weapons or tools to speak of, Limbo is a great game. The only draw back, and the reason that I am not saying that you should stop reading this now and go buy this game, is that the game is extremely short.

Even if I don’t enjoy God of War Ragnarök’s cutscenes, having this second chance to play the game now that it’s out on PC has at least made me realize that the newer version of Kratos isn’t as much of a reboot as I previously thought. I wouldn’t say I love the new games as much as I did the originals, and I definitely would’ve enjoyed this game more if it felt a little more focused on action and less on dialogue and characters, but God of War Ragnarök is, at the end of the day, a pretty good continuation of Kratos’ saga (and one that runs very well on PC).

Overall, Mark of the Ninja is a must have title for Xbox 360 owners, and something that any fan of the XBLA service should certainly be checking out. It's honestly a shame that this game wasn't a part of this year's Summer of Arcade promotion for Microsoft, because it's certainly better than just about every title promoted this time around.

This PC release brings with it a gorgeous graphic update, with smooth 60fps and 4K visuals you can see every detail the development team created for you. This is truly the definitive edition of this game, and one that you have to pick up if you are a PC gamer, whether you played Bayonetta when it launched originally or not. Bayonetta is a great hack and slash that takes what works in other games and adds its own unique flair and style, which pays off handsomely.

Like a bigger, better and more polished version of Assassin's Creed II.

If I had more time to play through Chained Echoes before the holidays hit, it most definitely would have made my top 10 list for the year of 2022. It’s every bit as stellar as you’ve likely heard so far, and something that is certainly worth checking out regardless of your platform preference. I’ve found it to be a perfect Switch experience, but I’d imagine that it runs extremely well on any console you might choose, and right now it’s freely available to play on Xbox via Game Pass. So definitely check out Chained Echoes, you will not be disappointed.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the PSP is certainly another quality entry in the series, and it was nice to see Rockstar attempt a throwback-style of game. With a more arcade-like feel, many hours of addictive gameplay, and a structure well suited to portable gaming, it's absolutely worthy of checking out.

There is a new king of survival horror in town, and its name is Dead Space. It's just what the psychologist ordered.

One of those rare games where the entire package comes together so well that it creates such a fun and memorable experience that you never want the game to end.

Overall, Ōkami HD is an experience that should not be missed. It's stylized graphics and engaging gameplay really show that this game was ahead of its time with its initial release. Old and new players alike owe it to themselves to download it and either relive the adventure, or experience it for the first time. With its updated visuals and awesome gameplay, this is one that should not be missed.

NBA 2K17 shows that even if the game may be on top, it's not content to rest on its laurels.

The addition of the 5 new modes adds a whole lot of life to the game than just Evolved, creating separate leaderboards for each mode. Also, the achievement system in Evolved 2 is pretty great, offering a solid variety of challenges for players that enjoying going for a full set.

I'll be truly screwed when Firaxis starts patching the game up, which is really holding it back from what it could be in a fully fleshed out form. That's all I got for this one; Ghandi is being a bastard anyway and I've got to take care of that.

I'm literally floored by how much I enjoyed it, and I find it quickly rising in the ranks as one of my favorite Super Mario titles.

Despite some of the tough love that XCOM: Enemy Unknown dishes out, it's a game that definitely, absolutely should not be missed.

It makes the strongest argument yet for bringing over this style of gameplay to the motion control set up, and does a good job of washing out the horrible taste that titles like Red Steel and Far Cry might have left for early Wii adopters.

Speaking of play mechanics, I can honestly say that I haven't had this much fun playing a game in a very long time. Not only do the controls harbor the utmost precision, but the camera has been refined as well.

I again absolutely urge you to check out Monster Hunter: World if you have any passing interest in the series, or have been wondering what all the talk is about. It can be a difficult experience at first, but I definitely do not think it’s impenetrable to newcomers.

It is without a doubt the best soccer game created.

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

There is so much value here for the money spent, which isn't particularly easy to say about a lot of new $60 games. Enjoy it.

I don’t want to spoil much about the experience here and just want to highlight that The Talos Principle II is a very well-crafted experience. From what I can tell, it’s a definite improvement over the original game, refining ideas and concepts in a way that makes this feel like the definitive experience for the series. It’s also nice that as a newcomer I had little issue in understanding the world, figuring out the puzzle mechanics, and learning the overall story across the dozen or so hours it took me to complete it. It might be difficult to find the time to fit The Talos Principle II into your gaming schedule considering how absolutely packed this year has been, but I think you’ll find it worth doing so.

A fantastic 2D game that everyone should pick up. It’s at a value price now and the PS2 version includes an unlockable Dante from Devil May Cry, who uses cute little guns Ebony and Ivory to blast people to pieces.

Colin McRae Rally 2 has surpassed a lot of expectations, providing yet again one of the most incredible driving experiences around.

A franchise mode, season mode, exhibition, playoffs, and even a deep street mode that could be a game all to itself, round out the massive game that is NBA 2k2.

With all the mixed reviews with some saying "ESPN" is the best, and some saying Madden is the best, this reviewers money is on Madden this year as to me it is worth the extra 30 dollars for what you do on an off the field.

All in all you can't go wrong picking up this year's FIFA edition, even if you have played for years or this is your first time with the series.

The fact that the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise has withstood the test of time is a testament to the care that Neversoft put into the original game over two decades ago. If you’re a veteran skater or just someone looking for a fun skating experience and have access to a next-generation console most certainly consider checking out Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2.

So while Limbo isn't quite the mind-blowing experience others have made it out to be, I think its unique visual style is certainly worth checking out.

Tekken 8 continues the fine balance of pulling up newcomers while catering to seasoned players. Despite a vocal minority already raising a stink about the game’s post launch plans, Tekken 8 is a fully featured game worthy of your money. Players will not need to worry about a Tekken 8+ or a Tekken 9 coming in the near future. Harada and team have built a fine foundation and Tekken 8 will be facilitating a lot of “Good Ass Tekken” for years to come. Now if you need me I’ll be in the lab, cause newbie crushing can only be so fun for so long…maybe it’s time for me to elevate my game (well until I get the platinum trophy and move on…but at least it’ll be a fun time.)!

More of a masterpiece than check-in for the series.

Rayman Legends is an enjoyable and accessible experience with some fun social features wrapped up in gorgeous visuals and a lush soundtrack. If you have any love for side-scrolling platformers, 2D art or Rayman, jumping into Rayman Legends on any platform should be an absolute treat.

The control is spot-on, player ratings make a huge difference in checking, skating and passing, and it just feels like real on-ice action. ESPN NHL 2K4 has ironed out most of the wrinkles from last year, and turned the presentation up to 11 - you won't find a better playing, better looking, or better sounding hockey game available.

In spite of its upgrades, Revolution suffers in some areas compared to other versions of Rayman 2, particularly the Dreamcast game.

Aside from the true graphics engine, Square has gone above and beyond the call of duty with FFVIII's Full Motion Video sequences. The CG's quality is unmatched.

A Must Buy title, 'nuff said.

Astro Bot Rescue Mission is an extremely fun and engaging game, and a dynamite addition to the growing PSVR library. At $39.99, it is an absolute bargain for what you get here. Once you start playing you will find it hard to stop. Games like these are the reason why I love PlayStation VR as much as I do. It’s a simple concept that works on so many levels here. If you have a PSVR system, Definitely check this one out, I can’t recommend it enough!

While it’s not the longest game, I feel VR games shouldn’t be too long due to eye strain and fatigue. I found myself not wanting to stop playing which says a lot for a VR title. Highly recommended especially on PlayStation VR2.

With enjoyable and intuitive gameplay, colorful VR visuals, convincing physics and a metric ton of content, Walkabout Mini Golf is the very definition of a must-have game for the PlayStation VR2.

Nowhere near the classic status of the original. It tries hard, though.

Halo 2 multiplayer was already a one of a kind experience. But now with a total of 21 maps to play, it's that much farther ahead of the curve than anything else.

Overall, despite a small number of flaws, Borderlands 2 is well worth picking up. It provides the same action packed, RPG style experience found in the original game, spread across a larger world with lot more stuff to do and explore.

Overall the game is still the same Persona 3 that I ended up loving back on the PS2, but the new additions and the inclusion of a gender switch for the hero character add a surprising amount of content that's worth checking out for those that already dumped a lot of time into the first one.

Dropping the puzzles in favor of a more streamlined, combat focused experience is another good change, and really helps the game have more of a laser focus. With plenty of content to keep you busy, as well as both free and paid DLC in the works, Devil May Cry 5 is well worth your time, and hard earned dollars.

The fact that you can basically throw a whole bunch of Germans and a whole bunch of Allies into an environment and play out a realistic battle is really quite remarkable.

Even if you've played "Burnout 3" 'til you had blisters on your fingers, there is plenty of new and exciting tracks, cars, and features that will peak your interest once again.

Sure, the story may be a little weak, but that doesn't stop Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King from being among the best, not to mention most polished, role-playing games of the generation. If you’re at all a fan of the genre, don’t miss it.

The most original game of the year, and also one of the best.

Aurally, WipEout 3 is a masterpiece. In fact, it's almost worth buying just so that you can listen to the music in your CD player.

If you have the PS2 version of the game, it may not be money well spent trying to gain some visual improvements at the cost of some game speed and a more convoluted control scheme.

From the moment you turn the game on you’ll be instantly captivated.

Sonic Team has worked their magic and put together a highly original, extremely fun game that anyone can play.

It's clever, addictive, funny and can be played with a friend. At $15 on Xbox Live Arcade, it's probably the best deal of the dying summer.

I absolutely love this expansion and considering that Monster Hunter World is one of my favorite games of this generation, it’s been great to have this excuse to revisit it. I look forward to playing more and more, and I’m excited to see what type of content updates Capcom rolls out in the future.

Given the game’s structure will usually lead to short playthroughs, these short sessions won’t feel that empty and with the amount of unlockables means I’ll be playing for quite the while before all the empty jars in the opening area are filled. With this summer having other similar platformers releasing (La-Mulana 2, Iconoclasts, Chasm, Salt and Sanctuary, Death’s Gambit, and Guacamelee 2), Dead Cells definitely will hold its own and it will be in contention to be one of 2018’s finest.

Honestly, this dunk contest is the most fun I have had with this style mode since "Jordan vs. Bird."

Actually, if trance/techno really bothers you, you won't like Rez HD. You just won't. In fact, it may even come across as annoying. If that's the case, you probably won't be able to play it enough to get into it, which means the whole experience will fall apart before you even get the chance to enjoy it. A real shame too, because for the rest of us, Rez HD is frickin' awesome.

I found Demon's Souls to be very addicting, especially when you make full use of the multiplayer features. There's no way to sugar coat the difficulty though, and even I had to put the game down for a couple days just to take a deep breath before going back to it. But, the things that draw you back in are the superior level design, morose artwork, and engaging gameplay.

Fable is a rare role playing game that offers incredibly deep customization, style and exploration. It can be both charming and disturbing. Its missions offer equal parts of satisfaction and tragedy, and when you're not on a mission you'll be making your own bed in which to lie (including a dog, he's literally always around).

Rez Infinite makes a good case for virtual reality. It’s not a game designed from the ground up for the technology, but it’s a perfect fit and really does a fantastic job of surrounding the player in its world. The blisteringly fast gameplay combined with a fantastic soundtrack and unique graphical style make Rez Infinite one of the best reasons to pick up a PSVR.

With AI that is light years ahead of EA Sports, a simulation experience that's second to none, and a fun - if somewhat fickle - online experience with Xbox, the serious hockey gamer should only look at one title this year.

There aren't many bonuses to FFII and CT and it's disappointing. No making-of, no pages of artwork - just barebone games. Still, they're two of the best RPGs around.

I’m still skeptical of the remake and I am a purist when it comes to the original Final Fantasy games, and my favorites of the series are turn based. Would I have liked to see Final Fantasy VII Remake be a full turn-based game? Yes. I’m not going to allow that to Cloud my opinion on if this is a good game by itself. The answer to that question is a solid yes. This is a great game. The next chapter in the Final Fantasy VII remake saga, Rebirth is coming to Switch 2 and Xbox, hopefully later this year. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade has convinced me to give them all a shot, and I highly recommend that you do too.

Like a bigger, better and more polished version of Assassin's Creed II.

L4D2 isn't going to change your mind if you thought it was just okay or didn't care for it. On the other hand if you and a handful of friends enjoyed joining up to defeat the land of the dead and surviving the thought of being a smorgasbord for the flesh eaters, then you will have nothing short of a blast with L4D2.

It's a bloody decent game, as could only be expected. If it were not for the battle with Eidos perhaps one would have expected SI to release this as an add-on or update to FM 2005, rather than pitch it as an entirely new game with all these 'amazing' new features.

With a game that is so much fun to play single player or even better in multiplayer, Valve has a huge hit on its hands. Toss in the possibility of DLC and you got yourself some replay value that goes through the roof!

Anyone telling you that this game isn't different or changed from the first game is flat out lying to you. L4D2 isn't going to change your mind if you thought it was just okay or didn't care for it. On the other hand if you and a handful of friends enjoyed joining up to defeat the land of the dead and surviving the thought of being a smorgasbord for the flesh eaters, then you will have nothing short of a blast with L4D2.

It’s a better, and fuller version of the original game to me, and ideally we’ll see developer Respawn get another chance to expand upon the series in the near future.

Overall, I would say DS III was well worth the wait and encourage fans of Bloodborne to give it a go.

With AI that is light years ahead of EA Sports, a simulation experience that's second to none, and a fun - if somewhat fickle - online experience with Xbox, the serious hockey gamer should only look at one title this year.

When you boot up Jade Empire, you'll be on your way to an engaging story, a challenging, rewarding combat experience and an impressive measure of character building.

I can't say it enough: Resident Evil 2 for Nintendo 64 looks and sounds amazing. Aside from a few very minor flaws, RE2 is one of the best N64 games this year. If you own an N64, buy this game.

Like the original "Diablo," the game offers an insidiously addictive style that you'll be hard pressed to pull yourself away from.

The game looks great, handles fantastically, is fast as hell, and has a large amount of licensed cars.

Incredibly fast, outstandingly brilliant, and wonderfully rewarding to play. The intense difficulty curve only adds to the gameplay experience. Each race that is won feels even more impressive because it had to be earned.

If you're looking for something that will kick your ass yet keep you coming back for more, look no further than Dark Souls.

Pokémon Pokopia is a genuine treat and I cannot recommend it enough. Whether you’re a fan of the Pokémon franchise in its usual form looking for something new, a fan of the almost life-simulation style of games, or just a creative looking for a sandbox to let you go absolutely crazy with, Pokopia has something for you. It’s great for all ages too so anybody can pick up and play it without any issues. With the last couple releases of the mainline Pokémon series being some stinkers, we’re reminded that Pokémon can be nothing short of fantastic with the right bells and whistles and the time it needs to cook. If you’re looking for something new to play as we enter this spring season, this might just be the perfect game to consider.

Honestly, this dunk contest is the most fun I have had with this style mode since "Jordan vs. Bird."

Quite simply, the best arcade racer in years and a worthy follow-up to its PlayStation granddaddy...if you have a PS2, that is.

It’s a strange game that’s probably not going to appeal to everyone’s sensibilities – but if it appeals to your sensibilities and sense of humour, there’s a good chance it might be your game of the year.

The music in The Minish Cap is simply wonderful. Around 70 percent of the music is composed of previous Zelda music, but redone to fit the new game.

Barking Dog's attention to detail and their sincere desire to improve almost every aspect of the original has resulted in an extremely solid title that easily stands up to any real-time strategy game released this year. I am impressed.

Frame rate aside, the Xbox does look the best visually as everything is smooth and the textures are bump mapped ever so slightly.

The real reason to pick up this version over last year's are the presentation upgrades.

I’m certainly impressed on both the visual and audio front, and the VR component is just icing on an already delicious cake. [A+]

If you're a 360 owner, you definitely owe it to yourself to check this one out. It's worth the price of admission if you just plan to play through to the ending, but its value goes above and beyond if you really dig into what Fez has to offer. Even though the wait has been pretty long, I find myself incredibly pleased with the final result.

Honestly, I cannot recommend this game enough, and has me super stoked for the Resident Evil 4 Remake coming in March, will that dethrone this for me as Game of The Year? Time will tell.

To say that the Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is jam packed with content is an understatement. Atari and Digital Eclipse really did a great job with this release and you can tell a lot of work went into making it. Despite some of the odd game choices and the inclusion of terrible Atari XE games this is a fantastic collection overall and should not be missed by anyone. Even if you find Atari rather primitive, you owe it to yourself to take this collection for a spin. The tons of informative interviews, promotion material and superior game list makes this release worth every penny. Highly Recommended!

There is no comparison; World Soccer Winning Eleven 9 is the best soccer game to date.

There’s a dramatic war story and fantastic scenary, and the trademark Ace Combat arcade gameplay is more solid than ever.

The fielding is great in the infield and a nightmare in the outfield.

Out of the Park 15 allows you to tinker around with baseball rosters and line-ups to your heart's content — assuming, of course, you have a super-nerdy, sabermetrically-oriented heart. It won't be 100% perfect until you can take it with you wherever you go, but in the meantime, it's still pretty awesome.

It’s very easy to see that the team wanted to make a Fire Emblem game that would redefine what the series has been without changing the strategy parts and the result is something very special. If you ever had any interest in the series then Fire Emblem Three Houses is one you must play!

Say what you want about Xbox and its library, they really came out swinging hard for the fences with Playground Games and Forza Horizon 6. It’s an extremely gorgeous title with tight racing, a soundtrack that’s sure to please anybody (and this is before any added stations from future updates like Epitaph in 5), and a fantastic set of roads to race on. If you’re looking for more Forza Horizon in a new locale, it doesn’t get any better.

The game is fast, crazy, gorgeous, and with the new modes for online play, a ton of time can be eaten up online and offline as well.

Controls are dead on, giving the gamer the feeling of knowing that any mistakes made in the game are the fault of the gamer themselves, not the controls.