Exoprimal is both familiar and unique, with intense gameplay, tight controls, and an interesting mix of PVE and PVP gameplay. The sheer number of characters offers a lot of interesting ways to approach the game, and the ability to shift builds adds even more depth to possible team construction. Some players might find the game repetitive, but I've enjoyed getting to know the maps and systems and exploring the bonkers storyline. Recommended for players looking for something deeply accessible and a little different. I'm having a blast with Exoprimal, and can't wait to see where it goes next.

Resident Evil Revelations Collection bundles two of the better entries in the long-running survival horror series. The first game is hit-or-miss but the sequel is legitimately great, and the added portability and motion controls make the Switch port the definitive versions of these two games.

It's always a pleasure when the storyline is as intriguing as the gameplay. The Station is good at both in equal measure. The solutions to the sundry problems on The Station are just challenging enough—not too easy, not too hard.

RoadCraft is a must-play for fans of construction simulators. There is a coziness in the laborious nature of its gameplay that is hard to resist, and with a huge amount of content, you’ll be busy cleaning up natural disasters for dozens of hours.

If you're not worried about a major story or a lot of strategy but still want to see what the monster hunting genre is like without shelling out a lot of money, Dauntless is a nice free-to-play game to ease you into things.

Picking up where the first chapter left off, Resident Evil Revelations 2 is looking great after a good cliffhanger ending and looks like a promising entry in the franchise.

People looking for drastic changes to Road to The Show or Franchise mode, however, may be disappointed with this PlayStation-exclusive baseball sim.

Pix the Cat remixes classic arcade concepts into an addictive new concoction of high scores and vivid art and sound. It has many similarities to Pac-Man Championship edition but definitely possesses its own style and gameplay quirks.

Sure, Mafia: The Old Country has guns and cars, but the more important pieces are the awesome story, great performances, and beautiful setting. Cinematic in all the ways that most games only dream of, The Old Country delivers a nuanced and thoughtful story full of thrills. I couldn't tear myself away from it.

Anno 1800 is one of the most addictive city builders that I’ve played on console, full of gameplay intricacies that create an intoxicating experience. With so many moving parts, it suffers a bit from the typical PC-to-console control issues that plague the genre, but I doubt that will stop you from spending hours building an empire.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate takes the already great Monster Hunter Tri and perfects it. The graphics might be a bit dated, but the gameplay stands for itself: a massive, engrossing quest that is a lot of fun solo and an absolute blast in multiplayer. Put in the time to master the learning curve, and the hunt will richly reward you.

The final word when delving into the richest Dungeons & Dragons experience available on a hard drive today. The bugs will get mashed, the community will thrive, and Obsidian's reputation for challenging and meaningful narratives will live on. No self-respecting D&D fan should go this holiday season without it.

Much as its title may suggest, Lollipop Chainsaw is a sweet confection of a game. It's an enjoyable experience, but ultimately hollow. Unlike the lollipops that Juliet sucks on, Lollipop Chainsaw won't make you fat, as it has almost no fat to speak of. It's a lean game predicated on replay value instead of an epic story and/or brilliant gameplay.

Chariot is a decent adventure when you go solo, but an excellent one when you bring a friend. You’ll definitely want to sit a partner down next to you to get the most out of this experience.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is impressive in every sense. From the tight, scripted story gameplay to the sprawling open world, every piece of this game feels lovingly crafted. While the Switch version feels a bit dated, that’s not the fault of the developer, which squeezed an impressive performance from Nintendo’s handheld. This is a game with enough fresh content to keep players coming back for years to come.

While the game does have some weird and interesting bugs, the PC port of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 does deliver some great experiences. It took Nixxes a few patches in the first few weeks to get there and they still have some more work to do, but the game looks gorgeous and plays well on top notch systems. Don't try it on the Steam Deck though.

Atari didn't owe us this one. The best selling original game is back, and it's just as fulfilling as the old one. There are some unfair nuances that you have to get past, but for $10, you owe it to your childhood to play this game, beat this game, and help Yar finally get the revenge they seek. Step up. This IS your grandparents' bullet hell game.

While its procedurally-generated nature produces some annoying issues, Nightmare Reaper has a creative story, punchy edge-of-your-seat action and a deep, entertaining arsenal. This is one bad dream you won’t regret ripping and tearing your way through.

With an emotional story and great sense of style, Rain should be one of this year's best games. Unfortunately it's marred by a story that ends far too soon and puzzles that are never challenging. Even with those problems, fans of ICO and stealth action will find a lot to like about Rain. At least for the three hours it lasts.

Kiln is a delightful and brilliant blend of player-driven creativity, melee brawler combat, and MOBA map design. Though it may be slightly lacking on content, it's a great game to unwind with, or to fire up with the family.

Chip's Challenge 2 is a pretty good follow-up to the original.

Telltale’s first Batman episode is marred by technical issues, but the writing, gameplay and presentation are superb as always. Maybe hold off for a couple weeks while it gets patched, but after that, Batman fans should definitely take the plunge.

I’ve never been as emotionally affected by a video game as I was by Farewell North. It’s a gorgeous bit of storytelling, flanked by music and art that is just as beautiful. You can see its emotional gut-punch coming, but good luck avoiding it.

Minus ray-tracing support, Days Gone on PC brings a lot of goodies that PC gamers look for. There's 60 Hz refresh rates, unlimited frames per second, ultrawide resolutions, HDR, and even an increased field of view. The technical aspects of this port are solid, even if I have to do a framey 360 spin with the camera whenever I first load up.

Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl is a fairly solid game. While the early going can be a bit rough since money might be more spent on healing than buying new weapons and armor, the game’s mechanics and Story Mode’s story elements still make for a fairly sold game. This is one that newcomers and veterans alike should enjoy.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 is a great game that is packed with content that will keep players coming back to it for a long time long after finishing both campaigns. While on its own it is just as good as 1+2 in the gameplay department, the soundtrack consisting of mostly new tracks along with the removal of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4's original career mode will make this game probably not hit as hard in the nostalgia department as the first game did. On its own Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 is very good, but as remakes of the original 3 and 4? Not as good.

Playing these old games really gave me some perspective on the progress we've made in games since these were initially released. Midway has also priced this collection aggressively and at $1 a game you really can't beat the bang for your buck.

Dishonored 2 was a pain in the ass to get running initially, but once I did, I was able to settle in for a really fun and rewarding adventure. It's a fantastic sequel that does a great job of building on the strengths of the first game and providing a few new wrinkles that make the game feel as fresh as the first one did a few years ago.

The Switch ports of The Disney Afternoon Collection play just as well as the original release. However, the exclusivity of Goof Troop and Bonkers to these ports along with hardly any extras for both (including no Boss Rush or Time Attack modes) may divide some people. If you never picked up the original Disney Afternoon Collection, this is the definitive version. However, you might have to ask yourself if Goof Troop and Bonkers are worth currently being Switch exclusives.

Rogue Galaxy is a decent action RPG from one of my favorite developers, Level 5. While not quite as good as their previous titles, Rogue Galaxy still offers plenty of fun RPG goodness, and does it in a very appealing style.

Playing this game with the right people will keep it going for ages, just as it has Command and Conquers.

Even as a remake, Trauma Center: Second Opinion is an innovative, challenging game that is one hell of a lot of fun. The hectic adrenaline pumping surgeries are back with more eye candy and a smoother interface. New difficulty levels make the game far more accessible than its brutally hard DS predecessor, and the new doctor and sixth chapter are the final incentive.

Kaos brings the Battlefield experience to the console and delivers a solid single player experience to boot. It's not a perfect game but it's something that FPS fans should check out.

It’s not groundbreaking, but the intense action and decent mission structure will allow you to shut your brain off and have a great time.

To put it bluntly, the game is also riddled with bugs.

It’s a lot of fun, and I found myself falling victim to the “just one more minute” tendency frighteningly often.

Folklore is not a straight forward RPG and it's also not your typical action game. Folklore is a unique blend of both and a solid game that shows just how powerful the Playstation 3 can be.

Sonic Team’s nutty sense of style and humor saturates every last inch of this game, and the unconventional appeal and concept will attract gamers and non-gamers alike.

I enjoyed the time I spent with Fable: The Lost Chapters, but when the final credits ran I found myself asking, “Is that it?” The game was just lacking something.

Just be prepared to get into it for the long haul with this game, as you’ll constantly find yourself giving this game another play through just for the great story.

Aside from a rather light multiplayer component, Star Fox Command has few flaws and is a must-have for DS owners.

A highly-detailed, multi-platform naval simulator, perfect for fans of the genre. However, Dangerous Waters is also quite unfriendly toward newbies, so enter at your own risk.

The new items are sure to be a hit with the fans and the University aspect lends an entirely new atmosphere to explore.

If you aren’t bored with WW2 shooters, Medal of Honor Heroes 2 is definitely the one to pick up. Its responsive controls, online multiplayer and immersive use of the Wii’s features make it much more memorable than any other recent MOH game.

With well-designed missions, strong graphics and a good balance of “realistic” and “fun”, Phase 2 is a decent way to spend some gaming hours. It’s not as standout as it needs to be to drag itself from the pile of “me too!” WWII titles, but Phase 2 is certainly near the top of a very long list.

Probably the best example of an old-school shooter. It does all of the old tricks just right and adds a bit of spice for good measure, but gamers looking for a fresh experience will be left a little cold.

Ion Assault is tricky and fun. Rife with pleasant colors and sounds, the game was an enjoyable shoot ‘em up experience with diversity in the form of enemies and power-ups.

Final Fight: Double Impact packages two great games into one worthwhile download. Both Final Fight and Magic Sword hold up well, especially when they are displayed in between authentic cabinet art and visual effects.

No matter whether you were there from the beginning or just now playing the game for the time, Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection has something for everybody. With its action-packed story, memorable characters and strong narrative, there's a reason people continue to celebrate this game twenty years later. Even though the bonus content doesn't come close to matching the original game, there's more than enough to love about this $30 collection!

The basic hockey in the game is just fantastic and a joy to play, It's just a shame that the rest of the game doesn't meet the standards of the game play.

With its solid gameplay, good graphics, fresh music and five enormous mountains, Stoked turns out to be a truly memorable snowboarding game.

Mirror's Edge is a lot of things, but it's certainly not boring.

Old World Blues is a fun and funny DLC offering up some great rewards along the way. The mission variations is slim, but you'll have plenty of areas to explore in the Big Empty. Bugs still crop up that can annoy or kill your game though.

Part parody of open world sandbox games and part political satire, Saints Row: The Third is easily the craziest, most over-the-top action game of the year. The game is constantly throwing original ideas at you, all while you're unearthing a timely story about the government's overreaction to gang violence. The non-stop weirdness does get tiring at times, but that won't keep you from having a great time playing THQ's newest action game!

3D Dot Game Heroes is as charming as the trailers may have led you to believe. The price you pay for your trip across memory lane, however, comes with both the good and the bad of retro gaming.

No, these aren’t the most difficult puzzles you’ll ever encounter. But you know what? MySims Agents is one of the most fun kids' titles you’ll play this year.

Brothers in Arms is a very cinematic game with interesting level layouts that force the player to think in tactical ways that no other series have been able to duplicate.

A good-looking, surprisingly deep, charming city-builder. Lots of good ideas that make intuitive sense. More than worth the price of admission.

Fans of Resident Evil games will probably want to give this one a shot. Not perfect by any means, but still a fun one.

Gods Eater Burst provides a compelling adventure game with a mountain of content, great graphics and online multiplayer support. Namco goes toe-to-toe with the Monster Hunter franchise and, at least from my perspective, wins.

Alan Wake comes to the PC and brings his paranormal curse with him, completely intact. The same defining horror experience is here, occasionally marred by outdated graphics and quirky character animation, but everything else works like a charm. The extra DLC chapters are also included, so book your trip to Bright Falls today...you won't soon forget it.

Crysis 2 is more than a cranked out first person shooter. It takes the time to enhance an already interesting Sci-fi game while tightening and tuning the elements that set it apart from the pack. Oh, and did I mention it's gorgeous to look at?

They say war is hell; Spec Ops: The Line, however, is not. Oh, it is no doubt for Martin Walker, John Konrad, and the poor people of Dubai, but for the player, Spec Ops: The Line just puts the fun back into the word fundamental with a solidly written and acted story, well-constructed gameplay, and perfectly adequate multiplayer.

Treyarch did a good job following up Modern Warfare 2 with their own take in the series.

The art style might be a hard sell for some people, and if that's the case they'll be missing out on one of the best new fighting game franchises in recent memory. Here's to hoping that Reverge Labs and Autumn Games can release a "Super Skullgirls" in the near future.

Ace Combat Assault Horizon continues the legacy of the series by giving fans of the series the new title that they've wanted. With a deep storyline included in the campaign and an online community that is quite strong upon launch, there is plenty of replay value with the title. Some issues with the gameplay do exist, but nothing that truly detracts from the game enough to not justify picking the game up.

You need patience, skill, and ,in my created character's case, a mean right hook to climb to the top of the ranks and earn a championship belt.

Overall, a solid DLC that is worth your time and money.

Rockford is back and ready to collect more diamonds than ever. With an emphasis on unique modes, this updated classic is dressed to impress. Boulder Dash-XL has enough original content to bring in a whole new generation of spelunkers. This is one cave worth exploring!

Fans of the boardgame, especially those unable to easily find opponents, will have a lot to like here. And while the single-player game lacks the punch of facing off against real people, it does allow players to hone their Diplomacy skills and take their game to the next level.

While you won't find much innovation, Order of War is a well crafted RTS game. The lack of satisfying multiplayer is disappointing but the single player game is rewarding enough to keep you coming back for more.

This stand-alone expansion delivers extended gameplay and adds nuclear strategies to one of the most detailed WWII games on the market. Great for fans of the series who wanted just a few more years to complete their world conquests.

Overall, Madden 08 is an impressive football game on the Xbox 360 and it serves as a step in the right direction for the franchise.

Building up your character and playing the various challenges can be fun. There are plenty of game modes and online play to keep you busy. Some of the animations can be repetitive and the AI can frustrate you sometimes.

Hatsworth manages to line up three titles, New Super Mario Bros, Planet Puzzle League, and Guilty Gear and knocks them out of your collection. It is seriously good enough to replace all three.

While the game has a few flaws and I have some concerns with lost or broken toys and portals, I believe the game (with the help of an aggressive marketing campaign) will make this one of the hottest game/toy combinations this Holiday Season.

The experience is starting to get a little tiring, but there are still moments in the single player campaign that are pretty fun. The multiplayer can be loads of fun when you aren't getting frustrated from being owned a lot. Graphics haven't changed too much.

A solid engine brings an interesting conflict to life. No shortage of grognard fun, but not for the faint of heart.

Even with some questionable controls and outdated graphics, Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble feels like the River City Ransom sequel I've been waiting for.

Gran Turismo 5 is another data point on the maturation S-curve for console-based racing games, but there’s still room for growth.

Sure, you've seen it all somewhere before, but Darksiders manages to tie together just about every adventure-game idiom and make it all work.

Zeno Clash Ultimate Edition is an addictive first person fighting game that also happens to have one of the weirdest stories and worlds ever conceived for a video game. It takes the right combination of open mind and FPS/fighting game fan to get into, but once you've been immersed into the world of Zenozoik it's a strangely difficult place to leave.

n-Space takes the rather generic framework of Blood Stone and turns it into a thrilling Bond experience, through gameplay innovation and old fashioned ingenuity.

A great story, fantastic characters, and fantastic production values are brought down some questionable game design decisions.

Believe it or not, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is different enough from all of the other fighting games on the Xbox Live Arcade to warrant a purchase.

Warp isn't a game about shooting down aliens and thumping your chest; instead you play the alien and kill every human that moves. This turns out to be a lot of fun thanks to the puzzles solving and Metal Gear Solid-style stealth sequences. It's over a little too quickly, but people that pay the ten dollars won't feel cheated!

Peggle proves to be another fantastic Xbox Live Arcade game, full of great puzzles, fun characters, cool power-ups and an exciting multiplayer mode.

A good-looking, accessible, charming city-builder. Not much new here from Tropico 3, but lots of potential for Tropico 5.

Square Enix really outdid themselves with Star Ocean: The Last Hope. This is a huge, gorgeous adventure with a memorable storyline and plenty of cool twists.

Despite having an online mode that disappoints in nearly every respect, Smash Bros Brawl gets everything else right.

The Missing Link is an extremely enjoyable addition tot he main game. The problem is that true fans will enjoy the ride but ultimately find their selves wishing it was more in hindsight. It's a lengthy and entertaining addition but once it is over and done with, you will find yourself craving a true advancement on the Human Revolution experience.

Even if you're too young to remember the original Ghostbusters movie, there's enough action, comedy and drama in this spectacular 3D adventure to warrant a look.

Young Thor is a mini that is big on action and fun. It's an enjoyable and simple side-scrolling action title that's certainly worth its small cost of entry.

The end of the current Tropico engine is a pretty cool place. Recommended for anybody looking for a breezy, colorful city-builder.

Dragon Age: Origins’ expansion, Awakening, gives you 20+ more hours of an experience that entails characters with depth and a captivating storyline that picks up and expands in a very unique way from the original game.

Corpse Party proves that a minimalistic approach can get some of the best results when it comes to horror. If a little blood gets you weak in the knees, this game is not for you.

Although Last Rebellion feels dated with its still images in place of animations and abysmal voice and dialogue direction, the intriguing storyline and challenging battles make for a fun experience. This is a definite rent-it situation.

After a rough start as a full band game Guitar Hero has found its sweet spot.