Without a doubt the best the stealth genre can offer... One of the best games I have ever played.

Final Fantasy XVI is a true masterpiece that demonstrates the incredible evolution of the Final Fantasy series. With its engaging storyline, memorable characters, refined gameplay mechanics, stunning graphics, and captivating music, it offers a gaming experience that will linger in the hearts of players long after the credits roll. Square Enix has once again proven its ability to deliver a breathtaking and unforgettable adventure that pushes the boundaries of what an RPG can achieve. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer, Final Fantasy XVI is an absolute must-play that showcases the brilliance of the franchise and sets a new standard for the genre.

As sad and anti-social as it sounds it’s like you're visiting old friends and, similar to previous Half-Life games, in Half-Life 2: Episode 1 you actually feel as if you are re-assuming the role of Gordon Freeman rather just controlling him.

So if you’ve never played one, or perhaps both games, then I think this collection is a no-brainer for sure. And even if you have, the upgrade discount path makes this collection a worthy addition to your growing PS5 library, and it’s sure to be the game that you pop up in when you’re trying to show off modern console technology to your friends and family. It’s a solid remaster of two excellent games, both of which are well worth playing through again.

An excellent game is now cheaper and better than it was when first released.

Visually and mechanically it will be a bit jarring for players who cut their teeth on the series with 0 and the 2 Kiwami games. However those who can forgive these shortcomings, this collection is still quite a value. With 3 titles whose play time can clock in around 20 hours each and even more if you indulge in the plethora of mini games and substories, it’s an absolute steal that the bundled price is $40. The value is even better as this package is available to members of Microsoft’s Game Pass program.

Gran Turismo fans should know what they are getting into with each and every new release, and Gran Turismo 7 is overall the very best in the franchise yet. The sheer amount of content and modes will keep casual players, long time GT fans and car enthusiasts busy for a very long while, and the online and social features should continue to keep the community alive and racing for years to come.

I really, really like DiRT 3, and while I'm going to gripe about a couple things in the game, if you like racing games you owe it to yourself to pick up DiRT 3.

If you like roguelike games, this is one you should not miss. Likewise,if you like challenging shooters or elliptical storytelling, Saros is also here for you. All three of these things run primarily beside each other throughout the experience, and playing will not disappoint you. An excellent game by any measure, I’d recommend Saros to almost anyone even slightly interested.

While complicated at first, the completely customizable schemes work extremely well. Nearly every control parameter can be adjusted and tweaked, and it would be difficult to not find a method that works.

I’ve really been impressed with Sea of Stars overall. I think it delivers the total package when it comes to retro-infused RPG’s, and it feels pretty unique in a field that’s full of like-minded games. It also helps tremendously that a lot of folks will be able to try the game out for free via Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, but I’d honestly recommend it regardless, it’s well worth checking out.

Even with controls and camera work that feel slightly like a relic, there’s nothing here that would make you think the world got it wrong 15-20 years ago as far as these games are concerned. They were pinnacles of 3D platforming then, and they remain that way today as well.

Whether you know Links Awakening like the back of your hand or have never played then you will be in for a treat. This was a great game back in the day and still is! The only thing holding it back are the distracting framerate problems and even being less sensitive to these things it was noticeable to me. I don’t think it’s game breaking but might be for some. For anyone else they will find an adventure once lost to time and now back in all it’s glory!

Where MLB The Show is basically just refining its (admittedly very good) formula while it waits around for the next generation, and RBI Baseball chose this year to take a step backwards, SMB3 feels like a substantial improvement over its predecessors — which I already loved without reservation. It’s fun, it’s simple, it’s got about as much depth as you could want in a baseball game. Just about the only thing missing at this point is a create-a-player feature — which, I hope, is in the cards for my presumptive 2023 GOTY, Super Mega Baseball 4.

It is gorgeous, full of different modes to play and things to unlock, and most important of all, fun to play and accessible.

I personally could have done without the majority of the hovercar and weapon-based missions, but overall the game works well, looks and sounds fantastic, and provides many hours of mostly enjoyable gaming.

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.

By far the best college football game to date.

This is a must have for anyone who owns Red Dead Redemption. In case you are wondering, yes it is worth it even if you don't play multiplayer.

Marvel’s Spider-Man is truly spectacular.

You probably don’t need me to tell you how Okami HD turned out, but it’s exactly what you would expect. It’s a beautiful rendition of a classic game, now available on the current gaming platforms. Well, except for mysteriously missing on the Switch. I find this an odd exception since the game was ported to the Wii and even got a DS sequel called Okamiden, so the series has been on Nintendo platforms before. Okami HD would truly be at home on the Switch right next to the other consoles, but at least we have access to this game in HD and it’s definitely worth picking up. And that’s my only critique of this port, being that it was omitted from the Switch lineup. I guess Capcom hates money!

It's certainly one of the easiest "hardcore" games to get into, but there's a lasting challenge to the design that'll keep you coming back for more, regardless of how many times you fail out at a level.

Some of the story is a bit contrived and the game may give players a bit of "been there, done that", but it's a very fun game to play through. There are enough twists in the story and surprises to be seen to keep Mario fans playing until the very end.

While there’s been no content added to either the PlayStation or Xbox versions, you’ll still have plenty to do here. There’s the main questline to engage with that’ll take you through multiple monster quest tiers, which is somewhat short compared to other Monster Hunter titles. But the online hub quests expand that out even further, offering up more story content that goes beyond the end credits of the game, and has a number of challenging fights for experienced hunters. There’s also a whole host of free downloadable quests to engage with, encompassing the free DLC that’s come out on prior versions of the game. All in all, you’ll be able to spend a lot of time exploring and hunting down giant monsters, which is pretty much what you want out of a new Monster Hunter game.

Nintendo has implemented new play mechanics, added fantastic new character-specific weapons, and thrown in some amazing new tracks to make Mario Kart: Double Dash!! the best multiplayer experience currently available on the GameCube.

I found myself hopelessly addicted to this pseudo-dungeon crawl, and I have a feeling it isn't just me.

Not as deep or as complex as some of the other competitors in the field, World Series Baseball 2K3 is the perfect blend of an arcade baseball game and a hardcore sim.

A fantastic and gorgeous “arcade style” rally racing game...that has finally bypassed GT3 in terms of visuals...The best racing game of the year, arcade or otherwise.

OMD:U is a game that really came out of left field for me this year. I was not anticipating its launch or really even aware that it was on the horizon, but I could not be happier now that I am playing it. This is a perfect game for coming home and getting in a few matches, since Sabotage is played in 20 minutes or less every time. The average game is around 8 minutes in my experience so far, and 20 is the far high end of the spectrum. This is something you can sit down and enjoy after a long day when time is limited and you just want to unwind, but also something that you can sink a substantial amount of time into if you choose.

Touch The Artwork 2 is a short game, so it’s not like the developer is giving away hours upon hours of content, but while it lasts – an hour or two, depending on how leisurely you stroll through the artwork – it’s thoroughly memorable.

The controls are spot on, and perfect for virtually any skill level to pick up and play. It’s also a technically sound experience, outside of some lengthy load times between tracks.

I absolutely adore Donkey Kong Country Returns. It's a throwback to games of yesteryear, but infused with new and exciting game play mechanics that create a similar, but all-new experience.

A visually and aurally overpowering game with playability to back it up.

While some of the gameplay concepts feel familiar, the theme, writing and setting really wraps it up well and makes it worthy of spending some free time with.

I'll be playing the multiplayer for months to come, and I'm sure quite a few folks will as well. I'm a little burned out on the single player experience though, and while I feel like it's a decent enough romp for a FPS title, the storyline did little to grab my attention, and the whole Call of Duty formula is starting to feel a little tired at this point.

Still, I'd only recommend buying it if you happen to have a second PS4 controller lying around — it's just that designed for local multiplayer. Then again, if you're looking for a game that single-handedly justifies the purchase of a second controller, Towerfall: Ascension is probably it.

It's gorgeous, it's fun to play, it's life-affirmingly happy to the point that just thinking about playing made me grin like an idiot.

The Wii U starter pack comes with two Skylanders and one land vehicle. With this alone you will be able to enjoy the full main story and also be able to race on and offline.

While I love this game, I can't forgive its asinine camera system and controls when there was clearly a much better solution available.

As such, Zack and Wiki stands as one of the best games I've played in a long time, with my only (aforementioned) complaint being the ridiculously steep hill that the rather odd name puts between it and consumers.

A ton of love, care, and attention, not only to the fundamentals, but to what the fans have been clamoring for have been answered in spades. The end result is in not only the best version this series has seen, and not only the most authentic and realistic baseball game created to date, but easily one of the best sports games this reviewer has ever played.

A strategically intelligent game with a polished edge keen enough to slice through many jaded preconceptions about the future of RTS titles.

The audio is stunning. From the Dolby surround ambiance, to the incredible commentary, NFL 2k2 has the best sports audio around…period...Gameplay is fantastic.

A great, easy to pick up action game that will feature numerous hours of play online.

Minishoot Adventures doesn’t break any new ground – even if all these genres aren’t usually together, they’ve all been around long enough that it all feels familiar. But that’s also Minishoot Adventures’ biggest strength: it all feels so familiar that you can’t help but feel like you’re playing an old classic. Time will tell, of course, whether the game has the anything close to the same kind of staying power as its influences, but based on what’s on offer here, I don’t know that I’d bet against it.

Extremely addicting. This is the type of game that you get up early and stay up late for just to see what will happen next.

All together, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks doesn't quite knock one out of the ballpark, but it's still a better game than Phantom Hourglass for the much needed changes to the Spirit Tower / Ocean King Temple mechanics.

If you’re jonesing for a fresh action adv…yoyovania, then Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo will absolutely fit the bill. The game steadily grants you new abilities as you traverse a charming contemporary world which I would dare compare to the one found in Nintendo’s Earthbound. As the adventure heads to its conclusion, it becomes a test of all the skills you’ve accrued along the way. Thorough players will find every badge, pay off every contract, conquer every mini-game and collect every Rose and BP shard, but even if you don’t, at least you’ll be treated to a grand story about an unlikely hero with a heart of gold.

Without a shadow of a doubt this is the most addicting off road game to date, it's gorgeous in every aspect, provides hours of game play in single player mode, and even more in multiplayer events, handles wonderfully, and even has adjustable A.I. for various skill level gamers.

A great port. It was awesome on the PS2 and now even better on the PSP with Etna mode and the various multiplayer modes.

Raw Data is hands down the best shooting experience to come to VR in its life so far. I loved the gameplay in the single player element and can’t get enough of the multiplayer. The inclusion of classes brings a new aspect to the genre and adds replayability, and as long as the developers keep up with new content for the multiplayer and the communities sticks with it this will be the VR game that everyone talks about when bringing up the pros of the technology.

A lot of the positive changes were brought on by patch 2.0.1 prior to the expansion launching, but Reaper of Souls continues to build on that with its new content.

A great title for the Wii, and a blast to play. The gameplay mechanics are simple enough that most will be able to pick it up and figure it out, but there's enough difficulty involved, and ground to cover, that it'll keep even the more hardcore player interested for quite a while.

Two Point Campus is basically a perfect management sim. It’s filled with content (with more likely on the way, if Two Point Hospital is any guide) and it’s absurdly accessible, and it’s worth picking up no matter your usual interest in the genre.

I'm glad I had a chance to check out PES 2016 as it would have flown completely under my radar during this busy video game time of the year. I can say I will no longer be an exclusive FIFA player and already have recommended some friends to check out Pro Evolution Soccer

They even managed to spice things up by re-tooling boss fights, puzzles, and later sections in the game to sit more comfortably with the way gaming has evolved.

This game is a big step up in visuals compared to the Thunder series of old, which gives even more hope for future titles to come.

The bottom line is a basketball game that has almost airtight controls, wonderful graphics, along with the most immersed franchise mode you can find, (outside of working for your local team’s front office) can only described as a finely tuned and polished basketball game worth buying no matter what system you own.

You have all the trimmings expected in a baseball game, and the action is quick and enjoyable, so much that you can get games in under a half an hour if you wish.

Once again, Sony raises the bar on what should be expected from a baseball game. Whoever picks up the pieces next year after 2K leaves the scene; they better bring their 'A' game as I can't foresee anyone touching MLB The Show when it comes to visuals, playability, modes, and the pure realism that is captured by this game of baseball better than any other franchise captures another sport.

Axiom Verge feels even more like a definitive version being on the Switch. I’m seeing a trend of games finding a solid home on the platform and they just feel right at home here. If you haven’t checked it out, then this is a great opportunity to do so. Tom Happ brings a unique twist from a developer’s perspective and brings it all together in a classic genre that’s worth taking a look at when done well.

If you are into first person shooters (single player or multiplayer), or love WWII action games, you should get the original game and the expansion pack because it is just that good.

You'll have a hard time finding an arcade or combat racer that is anywhere close to being able to catch up to WipEout HD and when you factor in the price WipEout HD is in a league of its own.

The two new factions add enough to the multiplayer experience to make it worth the price of admission, and the extra campaign missions are just icing on an already delicious cake.

REROLL doesn’t deviate too much from the original that came out almost 15 years ago and frankly that’s a great thing. It’s a short experience, but it’s replay value is pretty high. Completing the collection, finding all the presents, unlocking all the cousins for multiplayer, getting comets for beating each stage’s par time, and building the biggest katamari possible on each stage should keep players occupied for a while.

Without a shadow of a doubt this is the most addicting off road game to date, it's gorgeous in every aspect, provides hours of game play in single player mode, and even more in multiplayer events, handles wonderfully, and even has adjustable A.I. for various skill level gamers.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is everything I’d hoped for in a follow-up to the second game, so seeing it realized so well is nothing short of fantastic. With excellent characters, a decent story, an enjoyable gameplay loop with as much grinding as you want there to be, and a really gorgeous appearance and world, it’s a genuine must play for fans of turn-based RPGs. In a year of Capcom releasing some of the most exciting titles, Monster Hunter yet again stands out with Stories 3. I’d say it’s a treat to play through, but it’s more like a full course meal you can’t get enough of. Whether you’re a fan of Monster Hunter or RPGs, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not playing.

It is likely that a few months from now, Super Monkey Ball will be one of the few launch titles that you still will be playing, especially if you have friends to play with.

Even with Boba’s table being lackluster, the other two tables make Star Wars Pinball worthy of a purchase for certain and remains a must buy not only for pinball fans, but Star Wars fans alike. With the promise of more tables to come in the not too distant future, it’s a welcome surprise to have Star Wars enter in the realm of the Zen Pinball universe and I for one couldn’t be happier.

It looks great, it's easy to pick up and play, and it's fun. What more do you need?

If you’re coming from the PC version of the game, Scholar of the First Sin is a bit less enticing. But if you’ve only experienced the Xbox 360 or PS3 version, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin certainly comes off as a definitive version worth checking out.

Resistance 2 is the "Halo 3" of the PlayStation 3... there, I said it. A hugely anticipated, platform exclusive FPS sequel with a slightly underwhelming single player experience and an amazing, addictive online multiplayer component.

It's an interesting take on a form of entertainment that often puts destruction over creation, and I definitely think some interesting conversation can come out of the theme presented by this title.

This is the best version of Diablo III you can currently buy. If you were burned by the PC version of the game, but still found the combat and classes offered to be a lot of fun, then this is certainly worth checking out. Despite wasting an incredible amount of time with the PC version, I can see my addiction starting up all over again here, and I’m looking forward to seeing how far I can take my character with this new and improved loot system.

While Miyamoto and company certainly made us wait quite a bit, I think you’ll agree it was worth it for Pikmin 3. It’s easily one of the best titles on the Wii U, and something that every Nintendo fan should certainly plan to pick up.

Despite my inability to pin down what really makes this title so special, it is easy to say that it is exactly this reason that I feel that it has actually one-upped the respected Pharaoh.

A cross between "Destruction Derby" and "Grand Theft Auto," an interesting mix of driving, story, action and a heavy film influence thrown in, Reflections has created one of the best games the PlayStation has ever seen.

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.

Despite my qualms with elements of Spelunky 2, I still can’t help to get “one more run” in hopes of getting that elusive win (over 1000 attempts and still a 0% victory rate). Even if I’ve achieved a victory, there are plenty of secrets waiting to be discovered! Rescuing the Spelunkys might end up in my list of unfulfilled rougelike checklist, but at least I’ll have had plenty of fun while I was attempting it.

Overall this compilation is a fantastic package, it’s really hard to find flaws in it. Although I did wish in offline mode there was a way to quickly reset the game instead of having to go back to the game selection to restart. It’s certainly a minor nitpick. With a Capcom Fighting Collection 2 already set for 2025, let’s hope we’ll get other Quality of Life changes and this might be a pipedream, but perhaps Capcom can take a page out of Jackbox’s playbook and put out a single launcher for their various collections. I mean the company sure has a lot of retro compilations (I’m counting 3, Arcade Stadium, Fighting Collection and Beat’em Up Bundle).

Visually Fight Night Round 2 is simply stunning.

It looks great, it sounds great and it plays great. It is, quite simply, just a great game, and a must-have for Vita owners.

Right now, Bionic Bay is easily one of the best games I’ve played this year. It’s a fantastic platforming experience with a super unique visual style that’s constantly throwing new puzzles and ideas at you throughout the campaign. While certainly not as whimsical or packed with secrets in comparison to something like Astro Bot, Bionic Bay nails its approach with incredibly tight controls and a cool sense of style. I’d recommend checking it out, it may well be the best platformer released this year.

Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is a grade-A game through and through, and as long as this release hasn’t changed anything (it hasn’t), it will remain that way.

LittleBigPlanet for the PSP is certainly the charming, playable LittleBigPlanet that we all know and love. It's an impressive achievement on the PSP, even if the lack of multiplayer and more difficult creation controls hold it back a little in the end. Play, Create & Share on the go!

A fantastic piece of downloadable software, PixelJunk Shooter becomes another reason that the PSN stands on its own two legs against Microsoft's XBLA.

If you’re a fan of JRPGs or looking to dip your feet in, Xenoblade Chronicles X’s Definitive release on the Switch is an excellent start and comes back boasting new features, new content, and updated quality of life to truly make it worth your while. It is an absolute gem and is a game to keep on your radar, even if the story leaves a little to be desired.

Not only does this version of Dark Cloud look beautiful, but it has a little something for everyone, action and exploration, character customization and development, magic and technology, city building, and a wonderful captivating story... [and] it does them all exceptionally well.

The best way to enjoy this game online is to forgo rank matches, find a few real life friends that have the game and a few online people that share your interests and play with them.

Given the title's wide appeal, featuring numerous characters and scenarios close to the hearts of many, and given how it ties this to simple yet addictive gameplay backed by mostly solid game design, there's no denying Kingdom Hearts II satisfies in a way few games can.

Arguabl[y] the best 2D fighter on the planet... Mind you, the difficulty is high-high-high. The computer, she can be a cruel mistress, and there's no shame in getting frustrated about it.

Truly one of the most beautiful games I have seen this year.

It's such a fantastic game to start off the New Year with, and while I haven't been fully in love with Platinum Games previous efforts, they really knocked this one out of the park for me.

Besides being the best R&C adventure yet, it's definitely one of those rare games that puts a smile on your face from the second it begins.

The heart and soul of this game lies in stealth, which is splendidly conveyed through the visuals.

Easily the most impressive PlayStation game I've played this year and is one that should be owned by everyone.

It's the bugs, the lousy camera, the lack of online leagues for Xbox and absolute necessity to adjust all of the gameplay sliders to find that decent game that shoots the overall score way down.

Despite getting masochistically frustrating at times, there's a certain "je ne sais quoi" that PJM has, and Deluxe is no exception.