A true upgrade to the previous years, and as I mentioned before, is possibly the best version of the series since its inception.

I wanted to love this game, I really did. The team at Gunfire Games clearly poured a lot of love and lessons learned into this game, and they were kind enough to provide us with 3 codes for Remnant 2 so we could get effective co-op testing in. Unfortunately, a combination of some mechanics pulling the game down, as well as one of the biggest years for new releases EVER lead to Remnant 2 falling behind and getting a bit lost in the shuffle.

For those that were disappointed with Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised here. It’s also a perfectly fine jumping on point for new players, and the online multiplayer component will likely give this game legs well past the initial launch. Finally, the VR really should be one of the first things you boot up, and stands out as one of the better VR experiences on the platform thus far.

Because there's such a massive disconnect in quality between the online and offline versions of MLB 15: The Show, I'm really not sure how I feel about it. The former is absolutely awful, so bad that if I weren't a massive baseball fan already it would make me question how anyone could possibly like the sport.

I played through 400 Days on the XBLA release of the game, and it’s worth mentioning that there are a few technical hiccups that persist from the original content. Some slight stuttering and loading hesitation when saving or transitioning from one scene that could clearly go in another direction is often noticeable throughout, and it’s something that I really hope gets ironed out for consoles before Season Two starts.

It might not be leaps and bounds over the original, but it’s enough of an improvement that I can’t see myself going back to the original Company of Heroes any time soon.

You're likely to come away from Rime thinking about how much (and, luckily, how well) it draws from gaming classics than you are to feel like you've just finished a classic in its own right. However, neither of those things are nothing, I've played plenty of games that neither offered a few moments of incredible beauty nor led to fond memories of other games. Rime does both, and for that, even if it won't be remembered in the same breath as, say, Journey, it deserves a closer look.

If you've had the hankering for platformers as of late, like I have, this set is an absolute no brainer. For $39.99 you get three of the best platformers ever made, and they're completely remade for the current gen… you can’t get a much better value than that.

There are over 30 different maps to try out in Ninjatown, and a decent multiplayer mode to boot, so there's plenty of content here that'll appeal to strategy fans.

This is a niche game. If you aren't into motorcycles, you can probably pass on this game without too much regret. If you are, you should probably rent it first to find out how it stacks against your particular preferences since it's got elements of simulation as well as elements of arcade style. As for me, it's a trade in.

If you loved Tony Hawk, you will definitely love Mat Hofman's Pro BMX. While it doesn't have the more extensive options and deeper mechanics of "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2," it has plenty of its own personality and depth.

As always, I’d love to see Telltale mix it up a bit more mechanically, introducing more player interaction other than limited QTE’s and conversation decisions, but compared to Telltale’s other offerings, I think Game of Thrones is right up there with the best. I look forward to seeing the series continue, especially after this ending, and hope we hear some news on that front sooner rather than later.

If you want a mind-bending puzzle game along the lines of, like, Portal or something, it’s not going to deliver that, and you’ll want to stay away. If, however, you want a gentle puzzle game with heartfelt visuals, that will remind you of life pre-gaming, then Gorogoa offers a solid — if brief — experience.

As it stands, I’d absolutely suggest checking out Dauntless if you haven’t done so already. It’s an easy access free-to-play title with crossplay built-in for all platforms and doesn’t immediately try to nickel-and-dime you to death with add-ons and other items. The stuff you can buy is purely cosmetic, and there are plenty of earnable options available without needing to spend anything upfront. Also, it’s really fun to play, and as a big Monster Hunter fan, it’s nice to have a viable alternative to spend time with.

It’s a gorgeous game that gets to the heart of why people get hooked on golf and, as I said, if you’re a fan of the sport, it’s a must-play.

As I said up top, The Artful Escape may not sound like much on paper. Its individual pieces aren’t anything special. But mix them together, and you’ve got an amazing creation, and one of the best games of the year.

if you're just after a game where the only goal is a high score and unlocking new guns, then Deadlink more than delivers on that. Not only do you have great weapons to start, your character flies with ease all over each room, and for the most part you do that without the game ever stuttering to catch up. Couple that with a pulse-pounding soundtrack, and it's easy to see how someone could get sucked in.

Overall, I think Promenade is a platforming adventure that’s definitely worth your time. It has a decent challenge curve, enough so that it might not be for everyone, but the difficulty never feels particularly unfair, and failing a tough segment generally only sets you back a handful of seconds. It’s also an absolutely beautiful looking game, well animated, and the various worlds and areas you uncover are often cleverly designed, especially compared to other likeminded platformers out there. I loved Promenade, and I think you will too, so check it out when you get a chance.

Look I’m certainly happy to have a legal and portable way of Tetris Battle Gaiden, so even if I didn’t review it, this title would’ve been a purchase for me simply because of what a touchstone title Tetris is to me. If you’re a fan of Tetris consider giving this title a look, I’m certain you’ll learn something and have some fun while you’re at it.

As long as you know how to spell, you can play Birdigo – but if you want to really be challenged in your vocabulary (and in your ability to maximize the power of your deck, à la StS or Balatro), you need to dig deep into your brain and plan things out. Birdigo definitely isn’t going to be for everyone, but it’s unquestionably made for someone like me.

It’s rare to see a game in this genre – or any genre, really – that defies easy classification, so in a world where everyone wants to be the next Slay the Spire or Balatro, it’s fun to see something try (and mostly succeed) at doing its own thing.

While Fable II seemed to regard the story as secondary to the newest toys thrown into the mix: making money and babies, Fable III draws our attention back to character building and history making.

It's an unsettling journey, but it's probably one worth taking.

Nikoderiko: The Magical World takes a risk that pays off. Playing off the nostalgia of platformers of the past, Nikoderiko is a love letter to the mascot platformer. Clocking in at a little over 8 hours, Nikoderkio is one of the surprise hits of 2024. It is a game that will be loved by players of all ages, and with couch co-op, it should bring fun to friends and family. I hope we get more of Nikoderiko down the road.

Really, that's the overarching theme of Gravity Rush 2: it takes what made the first game intriguing, it builds on the proof of concept that was Gravity Rush Remastered, and it shows what Kat and co. are really capable of doing. It may start out a little slowly, but once it hits its stride, it quickly becomes apparent that the sky's both the literal and figurative limit as to what this game can accomplish.

For anyone else who may wonder what the hubbub is all about, if you have the patience to endure many levels repeatedly in an old school side scrolling fashion, then this is a great start for you. Nevertheless, this game fills in the gaps and tells the tale before the greatest Castlevania title of all time, and includes it in the package to boot.

Overall, I think Pokémon Sword & Shield is a great entry in the franchise, only brought down by its lackluster storyline. It’s certainly new player friendly, but also has enough going for it that long-time Pokémon fans will likely enjoy the new features too. If you have a Switch, and you’re even remotely interested in the series, I’d suggest checking it out.

Like all Karaoke titles, this is a must buy for anyone from the tone deaf to the singing experts.