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!

I loved the mini-games, and found a lot of the substories delivered the quirky humor that I adore from the Yakuza series. I also enjoyed the combat for the most part, even if the various execution animations get a little tiring after the first dozen or so times you see them. But everything else surrounding those things is just a slog to get through. And the story takes some really weird, nearly non-sensical twists towards the end that I definitely had issues with. So I can’t say I would suggest this whole-heartedly, to either Yakuza or Fist of the North Star fans. Maybe check this one out via discount or rental, otherwise you should probably just go back and play more Yakuza.

With it’s unique story and presentation and over the top gross factor, Pig Eat Ball is somewhat of a hidden gem. Most players may pass right over this one but I do recommend at least taking a look at this one. I was skeptical at first, but once I started playing I was really liking what it had to offer. It does need a few updates for the sporadic control issues and to fix up some strange glitches, but it’s extremely playable and fun. Don’t let the name prevent you from playing this very unique title.

If you’re just looking for a solid — if short — platformer, then you’ve come to the right place, because Jack N’ Jill DX delivers on that modest promise.

If you skipped 2K18 based on my review last year, you can feel safe in knowing this year’s game is worth playing and 2K made the best title they’ve made in years (but is that really saying a lot?).

Unsurprisingly, there’s a direct correlation between game not working properly and me not liking it. I can overlook outdated graphics, and I can overlook a mediocre plot. But when a game just doesn’t function — and make no mistake, The Dreamlands: Aisling’s Quest doesn’t — that’s simply unforgivable.

Seeing as Tetra’s Escape isn’t promising all that much, I find it hard to get that worked up about any of its drawbacks. It doesn’t ask much of players — in terms of time, money, or brain power — and in return, it gives you an hour of pleasantness. It won’t be anybody’s Game of the Year or anything, but it’s certainly enjoyable enough to pass the time while you’re playing it.

Regardless of which version you purchase, Starlink: Battle For Atlas will provide one of the best console space shooters in years, and is now my favorite Star Fox game of all time.

The novelty of the thing wears off kind of quickly. And once it does, there’s not much to do but wait for the flash-forwards to reveal the game’s ending. It’s a shame, because The Longest Five Minutes starts off so well — but, at the same time, it makes the title oddly ironic, since the five or so minutes in which the game seems genuinely interesting and fresh are over far, far too quickly.

It’s a gorgeous, meditative experience that will give you plenty of time to reflect, which makes it unlike nearly any other game I’ve ever played.

If there’s one thing that could have taken this from alright to great, the game could have treated its mechanic as an actual puzzle instead of a gimmick. More Zelda-style instrument playing than Moonwalker-inspired song and dance.

To work Lost Phone Stories needs really compelling stories — after all, both games rely on being so interesting and engaging that you can’t help but want to search through the phones to figure out what to do next. And, quite frankly, they don’t succeed.

I think it would be easy to argue that this is the best Forza Horizon game yet. I’ve generally enjoyed the series, more so than even Forza Motorsport, and Forza Horizon 4 is no different. The enhanced online features, the season changes, and yes, even the avatar customization, are all welcomed additions. But aside from that, the core racing experience, the thrill of driving recklessly through fields, cobblestone fences, city streets, and sandy beaches…it’s darn near unmatched in current racing games. So yeah, Forza Horizon 4 is amazing.

Regardless of what you want out of a soccer game, FIFA continues to deliver an incredible, all-around experience.

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!

Obviously, the fact that this game is held in such high regard shows that plenty of people would disagree with that assessment. And, quite honestly, I wouldn’t discount those opinions: if you loved the first two parts of the Muv-Luv trilogy, then Muv-Luv Alternative is pretty much guaranteed to round out your experience with a bang.

Mega Man 11 is truly a memorable experience and is one of Mega’s finest adventures and it is highly recommended. The 8 bosses are all clever in design and their levels are very appropriate as well. Even if one made me almost rage quit. (Yes, you Bounce Man!) In a year with amazing games, I can see Mega Man 11 in my top 5 of 2018.

I’d definitely suggest taking a look at Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, even if you’re not sure you need another AC game in your life so soon after Origins. It’s a pretty great experience overall, and outside of some the standard open world bugs you’d expect in a game this size, I really don’t have any major complaints here. I ended up enjoying it more than Origins, and I really liked Origins. I’m not sure that I want a third game like this next year, but as far as follow-ups go, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is pretty fantastic.

Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about Mini Metro whatsoever. It’s an incredible blend of gorgeous graphics and addictive gameplay, and if you want a great puzzle on your Switch, you owe it to yourself to pick it up.

Overall, this is a solid addition to Pinball FX3. All three tables offer substantial challenge and each have their own charm. Calrissian Chronicles is, by far, the best offering with Solo following a close second. Battle of Mimban is good, but falls a little short behind. This pack will definitely please the hardcore Star Wars fan, as the source material is used extremely well. Pinball fanatics will also enjoy the challenge and gameplay offered with this entire pack. Star Wars fan or not, I highly recommend this pack, as it’s a great addition to the Pinball FX family!

Overall, I’m pretty impressed with how well Creed: Rise to Glory works on PSVR, and I’d imagine the other VR platforms are executed just as well. The only thing that feels a little iffy at launch is the online versus mode, which led to a couple of laggy matches against real-world opponents, enough so that I never finished a match. For me, the online versus isn’t a huge draw, but you might want to give the game a patch or two before picking it up if that’s a deal breaker for you. Outside of that, I think Creed does a great job of simulating the boxing experience with an arcade-style approach, and is certainly worth checking out if you’re looking for a fun, boxing VR workout at home.

If you just want a game that looks nice, though, grinding your way through gathering materials and repetitive battles may be a fair price of admission. If that sounds fun to you — or, for that matter, if you look at the screenshots and figure that they’re worth whatever tedious gameplay the game may throw at you, then Smoke and Sacrifice may be worth investigating.

I can still go either way with advising people on whether NHL 19 is a buy or not.

It’s a solid collection of classic games that are pretty well represented here.

Whether or not you agreed with the semi-lukewarm reception of Destiny 2 and the earlier DLC content, Destiny 2: Forsaken is the real deal.

In the long run, I imagine it’ll be those nightmarish enemies I remember about Figment, not the so-so puzzles and combat. As a game, I could basically take Figment or leave it. But as an experience — as a surreal musical that explores some pretty dark places — Figment is definitely different than almost anything else out there.

Donut County is short. It has little to no replay value. It feels like it squanders a great deal of its potential. And yet, Donut County is still one of the best games I’ve played this year. You may only get a few hours out of Donut County, but they’re a few great hours.

This may not be Lara’s best adventure, but it’s a solid ending to a rebooted franchise that I would gladly revisit. It’s easily the best-looking game in the series and playing on both an Xbox One X and PS4 Pro shows how much the visuals have evolved. Like Rise, you can choose between a high framerate or high resolution, both which look equally as gorgeous.