Although inspired in its kingdom management system, Pathfinder: Kingmaker ultimately fails to innovate in any of its presented gameplay functions. Lacking in writing, combat, and even fun, a game that had potential to change things up just becomes a disappointment.

A fun game but a little uninspired in parts. There's a lot to like here but the game is missing that one little thing that would put it over the top.

While Last Year: The Nightmare shows a lot of promise, the game simply feels shallow at the moment. The game can be really fun at times but no progression, bugs and glitches and horrific balance issues can ruin all the fun.

While I'm disappointed that the controllers are infrared and there's no online play, Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action is a solid entry in the casual area of games.

Unstoppable Gorg is an enjoyable tower defense game, that is a visually entertaining to watch as it is fun to play.

Temtem is as good as it gets when it comes to competition versus Pokémon. Even in Early Access, it surpasses the most recent Pokémon games and it’s exciting to think about how the best is yet to come with Temtem. [Early Access Provisional Score = 80]

By taking a fun and exhilarating boxing framework and painting it with the glorious trappings of the Creed/Rocky franchise, Servios has delivered a game that is simply magical. Sure, the campaign is a little short and the hit detection might feel a bit wonky, but in the heat of the moment none of that matters. Whether fighting AI opponents or engaging in the more challenging fights against real-life players, you will find yourself bouncing in place, floating and stinging with the best of them. This is a game that will leave you sweaty and proud. How many other games can say that?

Until then SingStar:Pop is a solid game that's easy to get into and a lot of fun to play, even if you aren't a big fan of karaoke.

Garden Story is not the apple of my eye, nor is it rotten. I enjoyed my time helping Concord clear the rot, especially with the boss fights, but by the third town (out of four) I felt I had picked more apples than I could eat in a week. Dungeons were exciting, but the other mechanics left a sour taste as they were introduced too late to matter and became another mechanic I could easily ignore. Garden Story simply was not my jam.

Battlefront can be a lot of fun within a few specific modes. Unfortunately, those moments are only a small portion of the overall experience. While I have no doubt that the game will improve with updates and DLC, what is here in the base game leaves a lot to be desired.

World War Z doesn't hide its intentions. It's not a layered, in-depth survival sim. It doesn't try to be anything it's not. It's built around the horde effect, which it nails. They're like train wrecks: you can't stop watching them—except the train is headed straight for you.

Big Brain Academy: Brain Vs Brain is a great pick up and play title. I found myself becoming addicted to trying to do better each time I sat down. The new addition of multiplayer is very welcome. Allowing each user to select the starting difficulty made this a fun game to play with my very non-competitive wife. If mind games are something you enjoy, or if you’ve played a Brain Academy or Brain Age title this would be a good addition to your Switch line up.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 seems to have everything going for it, but thanks to a questionable control set-up, boring stories and annoying voice acting, it’s hard to recommend this newest fighting game.

There’s a nice sense of humor to the game that adults and children will enjoy.

Evil West in fun in the moment, but largely forgettable due to the poor writing and level design. While the combat is stellar and intuitive when in the heat of battle, the glue holding those battles together could use some love. With a boring protagonist and stilted dialogue, Evil West feels more low budget than it likely really is. Luckily, there is a solid core here to build upon for the inevitable sequel, and punching dudes with electricity never gets old.

Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Hacker’s Memory is a surprisingly deep and complicated game. Coming to the title as a franchise newcomer, I did have some problems assimilating into such an established universe. But underneath all of the anime trappings, I found a solid and enjoyable (if somewhat standard) RPG. I would recommend this game to Digimon fans, and to RPG fans looking for something a little weird.

By focusing on story-based missions and a great supporting cast, Gangstas in Space proves that THQ can release compelling downloadable content for Saints Row: The Third. The three levels may be short, but it's packed full of amazing set pieces and great writing. The Third Street Saints are in fine form in this expansion pack!

This is a great deal if you haven't played these two God of War games, but everybody else may think twice about the $30 asking price.

Nihilumbra is a good first effort from BeautiFun Games, hopefully this promising title leads to better things from the studio in the future. It's definitely a standout title on the Vita's indie store, even with some minor issues.

Submerged: Hidden Depths exists on its own chill plane – an exploration game that is truly about exploration and little else. Though some may feel that Submerged is lacking in mechanics, those that get onboard with its subdued vibe will find a lot of beauty in the experience. This is a gorgeous game, and exploring its mysteries is a reward in itself.

A Rogue Escape gives players just enough information to get started on their escape in an alien mech, and then allows them to fiddle and fuss their way to a fast and un-triumphant death. With tactile controls and fun reveals, the game slowly unfolds like the very best escape rooms. Bring your thinking cap and patience.

While House of Ashes takes a minor departure from pure survival horror, it manages to maintain its roots and tells a somewhat compelling narrative with a solid cast of characters. It's ultimately held back by a few technical issues and story loopholes that don't quite make sense.

HAWX aims high, but is brought low by the weight of unnecessary “features and innovations.”

While there's nothing wrong with Crimson Alliance form a technical standpoint, it's a shame that a game with this much hack and slash action is so boring. The lackluster presentations, repetitive gameplay and generic story don't help anything. You're better off buying one of the better Diablo-clones currently available on the Xbox 360!

Part Marble Madness, part Rampart and all Monty Python. Rock of Ages delivers a unique blend of real-time strategy and platforming, making this one of the most intriguing games of the year. Best of all, the game's many cinemas are worth the price of admission all by themselves!

Capcom Classic Collection Remix features some of Capcom's greatest games (Strider), some of their worst (Avengers), some that have been completely forgotten (Street Fighter), and one that makes absolutely no sense what so ever (Quiz & Dragons).

A stealth game that sticks to its core values and offers some excellent level design, Styx: Shards of Darkness is a solid sequel. It is not without some presentation issues and could really benefit from some better controls on the more delicate maneuvers. If you can get past the crassness of the main character there is much to like.

Innovative game mechanics and solid execution are held back by difficulty issues and a lack of tactical depth.

If for whatever reason you skipped out on the initial Meta Quest 2 release of The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 2: Retribution, then the PS VR2 version is definitely the way to go. While Chapter 2 doesn’t reinvent the wheel or present a full-fledged sequel, Skydance Interactive has still provided enough polish and content to the experience to warrant a revisit to post-apocalyptic New Orleans.

Evil Dead: The Game brings a lot to the table within the realm of asymmetrical multiplayer horror experiences, with its cast of iconic characters, locations, and dialogue. It is an absolute blast to play as Ash Williams - voiced by Bruce Campbell himself - against the Forces of Darkness. There's even a solo mission mode that pays homage to famous scenes from the movies and tv series. Unfortunately, there's a slight lack of content due to repetitive objectives, and many quality of life concerns that the developers need to address if they want to prolong the longevity of their passion project.

Trek To Yomi is graphically and audibly amazing. The story is rich and full with a lot of history. If you want to sink a few hours into a beat-em-up with a lot of depth and lots to do, you should definitely play this. I hope you choose the right path for you on your Trek to Yomi, but you definitely shouldn't pass up this amazing experience.

A technically solid game that has some pretty glaring issues with presentation, I still found myself going back to play round after round. It's challenging and rewarding, even if it's not the best entry in the long history of golf titles.

Dead Rising 4 is a fun game, the Christmas theme is fantastic and the online multiplayer is pretty fun as well, however being a good game does NOT make this a good Dead Rising game.

Mahokenshi will test every logical and strategic bone in your body. A mix of deck builders and board games, Mahokenshi pushes the player to try different strategies, and the game is not shy about smacking down your pitiful attempts until you get it right. Come prepared for a unique experience, and put on your toughest armor, and you may get hours of enjoyment from this one. Just don’t take it personally when you find yourself face down in the mud.

The Surge isn’t interested in creating variation in its gameplay mechanics, or exploring more diverse settings or ideas, or creating compelling characters. It washes over you, but it’s a refined wash, and the foundation for a great game to come. The Surge is a good thing, and I’m glad it exists as another answer to the Souls-esque games coming out – its dull, but refined sci-fi action makes the game feel like a first step, if only a step, in the right direction.

Remember Me is a gem that should not be overlooked especially as it's come this late in the current console cycle when publishers shy away from new things even faster than normal. Aside from being one of the best-looking games ever, it has a great soundtrack, interesting and fun if unoriginal gameplay, and a story that plays with slightly heavier themes than normal. You owe it to yourself to check it out.

If Konami let you down when it killed the new Silent Hill game, then Layers of Fear will help ease your pain. It's not perfect but it's punctuated with some great moments and you can't beat the price.

If you're weary of last holiday's high profile first person shooters and their endless hype, Serious Sam 3's endless enemies and endless ammo are the perfect antidote. The single player campaign is a rush that rarely lets up, and it gets awesomely insane when you play it in co-op with some friends. If you missed Sam 3 over the holidays, you owe it to yourself to pick it up now.

If this is your type of game, then have a great time, everybody else should probably get their kicks elsewhere.

While the original is a cult classic, this version won't carry on that legacy. EDF 2 has a patented premise behind it, but all of the pieces of this puzzle are inhibited by technical issues. It's hard to find the fun.

While not the next-generation Final Fantasy game fans are anxiously waiting for, Type-0 is a fun action/adventure with a lot of compelling ideas. There's enough variety in the gameplay to keep the combat fresh for dozens of hours, and the story is surprisingly emotional for a political thriller. Sadly, Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is held back by its handheld roots, but don't let that keep you from discovering this oddity.

There isn’t much that sets Souldiers apart from other Metroidvanias. A big map to explore, secrets to discover, and plenty of upgrades. But limiting players to one of three unique classes does not make me want to play Souldiers all over again a second, let alone, third time. Dying is a struggle, and loading back in after a minute to die all over again is not rewarding. Puzzles that frustrated me to no end were common enough to keep me away. Souldiers will only appeal to those who are gluttons for punishment with little reward.

Order Up!! delivers an addictive and charming gameplay experience that should be on the menu for both beginner and experienced chefs.

Aside from the sea battles, Anno 2205 is, without a doubt, the best entry in the series yet. The combination of finely tuned city-building and economy-management gameplay make for an addictive experience that is impossible to put down.

The depth of this game makes it a pretty solid addition to the Vita library, even if it does come off a little heavy handed about some life lessons.

Unfortunately Commanders: Attack of the Genos doesn't take any major chances or evolve the genre in any significant way, but it does what it sets out to do and gives you a great deal of action for a mere ten dollars.

The devilishly fun minions make their way to the PS3 for the first time. A blast for those who haven’t experienced the original Overlord, but not quite enough new content for those who have.

Full Bore is an enjoyable game if you don't mind puzzles that range from simple to difficult within a few minutes of each other.

While the Just Dance series reek of a yearly subscription based model, it still is a lot of fun, especially with the bops released in the year to date. Can't beat dancing to your hearts content with your friends and family in this wholesome and colorful game.

Front Mission is available in stores now and carries a higher price tag than most titles, which for this series is a bitter pill to swallow since the game uses dated graphics and has not really done anything to improve upon the twelve year old experience.

It would have been great to see some of the puzzles fleshed out more and some better fighting mechanics, but the game is what it is.

Leo's Fortune is very, very short, but the small amount of content that is there is focused, charming, and wrapped in an absolutely gorgeous package.

A beautifully rendered but ultimately familiar adventure game, Karma: The Dark World is neither scary nor thrilling. Meticulously built and gorgeous to look at, the gameplay is nonetheless a slow roll through a pre-rendered Kafka-inspired story, with little in the way of interaction beyond some environmental puzzle solving. I can appreciate the artistry at work here, if not the final product.

In comparison with past expansion packs, The Sims 3 University Life provides a wide range of varied and worthwhile content that's a great addition to any fan's base game. The extensive amount of added activities and social interactions make up for the few oddities while attending class. No matter if an individual prefers to study or party, The Sims 3 University Life has something for every Sims fan.

For those not keeping track, this is the third version of Warlords on Xbox Live Arcade. This updated version fixes all of the bugs found in the 2012 remake, and also adds online play, more real-time strategy elements and faster gameplay. Sadly, that isn't enough of a reason to warrant a third version of Warlords.

Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale is a nice blend of RPG and farming simulation. While it can be a bit on the easy side at times, it didn't get to the point where I was getting bored or felt it was too easy.

The Blackout Club is ambitious, but it doesn't have enough variety to make me care for that ambition. Thankfully, there are ways that players can make the game better on their own, filling in what the game lacks, but the game needs to back it up a little more.

The game does prove that a 3D fighting game can be done with the Wii's limited buttons...but only if the game is very simple with only one or two attack buttons.

Sonic Team Racing does a pretty good job with the new team mechanics, but the difficulty can still be a tad rough at times; While not as bad as prior entries, it can be easy to fall behind after you've spun out, only to catch up again using a Team Ultimate, only to drop back a few spots when the opposing team does the same thing and cost you the race. Still, Sonic Team Racing is enjoyable alone and even more with friends or while playing online.

Gearbox's latest DLC package, Claptrap's New Robot Revolution, incorporates bits and pieces of what made each preceding add-on appealing to Borderlands.

A solid title that oozes replayability.

This is definitely not the Mercenaries 2 you were asking for!

Book of Demons is a fun Diablo-like game, but some of the mechanics might be a turnoff for others. Movement is locked to set paths while enemies are free to roam around and there is no equipment as cards represent spells, items, and artifacts in the game. That said, there is still quite a bit to like about Book of Demons as there is a good amount of strategy to employ if you want to survive. However, the price tag might be a bit much given the restrictions some of the mechanics place on you.

While Justice League Heroes is a fun game with a lot of levels and cool superheroes, it’s unfortunately marred by outdated graphics, repetitive game play and terrible AI. If you can get over its shortcomings then you will find yourself having a lot of fun playing with some of DC’s greatest comic book characters.

Namco Museum is a nice way to bring so classic arcade titles to the Switch, but they’re mostly not anything we haven’t seen on past platforms. Playing some classics like Pac-Man, Galaga ’88, and Rolling Thunder on the go is a nice touch and is probably one of the main reasons to get this version of the game. However, with only eleven games (ten not counting Pac-Man Vs.), and a few of those are pretty much staples for Namco collections, a few more additions would have been nice to see, especially games we rarely get on compilations.

Outriders is a game that launched with an array of bugs, glitches, and crashes during its initial launch. It’s probably the best time to jump in and play Outriders right now, especially after the free New Horizons update along with this massive Worldslayer DLC. The new expansion comes at a steep price point, but shines with its polished endgame content and loot pool. Sure, it can get repetitive, grindy, and tedious, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you’re into this type of game. Just make sure you have two buddies who are down to play with you because playing solo just isn’t that fun.

MMOs are difficult to grade on their own, but Throne and Liberty is a pretty great entry into the genre. NC Soft makes getting to max level easy enough, but the endgame grind for gear may turn some players off. Overall, there's a lot to enjoy here with a beautiful world to explore, plenty of PvE and PvP events to partake, and so many players to interact with. For a free to play MMO, it clears the bar quite easily for games worth giving a shot.

Assassin's Creed III Remastered is a mixed bag. It's repetitive combat and lackluster visuals, strung through with a few bright spots of naval combat and exploration, and unique displays of combat. Narratively, the game is as weak as they come. There's no mystery. Just an obligatory plot to finish the fight between the Assassins and Templars. Not to mention the mumbo jumbo with the First Civilization. The game is frustrating and not worth another look.

There's enough over-the-top action in Super Dragon Ball Z to make this an easy game to recommend for fans of the series, unfortunately fans of modern 3D fighting games may want to look elsewhere for their fix.

From a visual standpoint Sudeki is pretty much a letdown. Being that it was an Xbox exclusive, we were expecting the game to take advantage of the advanced hardware architecture. With the exception of some neat lighting and particle effects, it looks like a pretty basic PlayStation 2 title.

It's an action game full of great characters, funny writing and plenty of floating platforms. Throw in some devilishly clever level designs and a non-linear story, and you have a game that you'll want to replay over and over again!

If you aren’t a fan of games like What Remains of Edith Finch and Fe, where combat and thrill takes a backseat to emotion and art, then I’ll be honest—this probably isn’t the game for you, and that’s okay. But for those of you who enjoy games with meaning, games with abstraction, or games with that unique artistic beauty that so often blossoms in indie games, then Kay is waiting for you on the Sea of Solitude.

The Saboteur is a fun, if not fairly short game with a solid storyline in tandem with its WWII theme.

MouseCraft is a fun game, but the difficulty seems to skew a bit on the easy side with the ability to pause mid-level and undo any action. Still, unlocking new obstacles every few stages keeps things fresh, and going for perfect levels will force you to stop and think about how to do things--as opposed to just laying a few blocks and calling it a day.

Coming from a series newbie, Yo-kai Watch 2: Fleshy Souls/Bony Spirits is an enjoyable game, but there were a couple of things that surprised me. The mostly-automated battles confused me at first as I wasn’t expecting it, but I did get the hang of it over time. I just wish the user had more input during them other than healing and Soultimate moves, but other than that and the tedium of befriending Yo-kai, fans of the original game should enjoy the second outing as well.

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.

Cloudbuilt is in no way a bad game, but it does have its flaws; the worst of which are the controls and difficulty curve. If you can get past those, though, you'll find a fairly decent and fun game in a genre that doesn't see a lot of entries. If speed running is your thing, definitely give this one a shot.

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.

Fans of DBZ, both the games and the show, can find enough here to keep them satisfied and coming back for more but fighting gamers may find the slower paced combat and the drama pieces a turn off.

Pid is an excellent game without being aggressively in your face about it. It's slow-paced, thoughtful, and full of quiet moments fraught with melancholy. It's also fun, and that's the most important thing of all.

The running and gameplay of Catalyst are top notch, and the game definitely benefits from the new locales. There are some minor graphical issues that kind of add up over time, but overall, this game has been worth waiting for.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is the story of marketable talent crafting a competent—if flawed—RPG in 2012; Re-Reckoning is that same story hastily repackaged in 2020 and resold at an overinflated price point.

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.

Max: Curse of the Brotherhood is a decent platformer with fun gameplay and a variety of puzzles for you to solve.

There's nothing quite like spending quality hours slaying monsters and collecting loot and fortunately the game doesn't disappoint in either area. The game is an impressive value as the amount of content far outweighs its low asking price. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing is a must-buy for fans of the action role-playing genre.

The single player campaign is a lot of fun with some great moments sprinkled in. It's really short though and some bugs crept into the product that made it a little annoying. MP Summary: Multiplayer looks good from what we've seen and could challenge Modern Warfare 2's throne if supported by EA and DICE over the long haul.

For a game with roots in some of the greats of the past its sad but not surprising that Wolfenstein is nothing but a generic FPS with nothing particularly unique to offer.

A good game made better. Improved graphics, the addition of racing, and some control scheme enhancements have made the game better.

Papo & Yo offers a deep reflection on the life of its designer. It's doubly impressive that this game manages to be touching and not overbearing in its message. The flaws present are easily overlooked in favor of an amazing story, clever setting, and haunting soundtrack.

It’s hard not to love Phantom Breaker Battlegrounds. It’s got everything I could hope for: old school, beat’em up charm along with a heavy dose of gameplay variation and customization. I can’t get enough of the game and pray that there is more in the works for this franchise.

Sky Fortress cranks up Just Cause 3’s bombastic effects more, if that were even possible. The addition of the jetpack wingsuit and Bavarium rifle make a video game-y video game even gamier. They change up the game enough—and in enough good ways—that I wouldn’t want to give back the new toys.

Narcosis isn't much of a game, but it is an amazing, immersive horror that everyone should experience.

Nit-picky things aside, you end up with a game that plays easier than Madden, is downright hilarious, and won’t break the bank to purchase. It really could use a full set of teams (then maybe some fake ones) and players that can speak English, but it doesn’t take long for the game to remind you why you are playing in the first place – to kick the snot out of your opponent by any means necessary.

Mutant Football League isn’t your ordinary game of football. Player deaths, field hazards, and dirty tricks make this a unique game from others that take place on the gridiron. If you’re not a fan of the Dirty Tricks mechanic or are okay with your team being preset instead of drated, then you might not enjoy Dynasty Mode as much, but with Exhibition, Season, and Playoff modes playable without them or several other options, Mutant Football League is still an entertaining game on its own.

Join Oswald Mandus as he takes a harrowing journey through his creepy mansion. With its great presentation and well-written story, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs gets a lot right. Unfortunately, the game is marred by a lack of scares and puzzles that even a pig could solve.

The setting and atmosphere [are] cool, but some of the best ideas are marred by bad checkpointing and a story where the historical elements often feel like an afterthought. Assassin's Creed Unity is a solid action game, but a disappointing follow up to Black Flag.

Warhammer 40,000: Regicide is best recommended to only the truly dedicated fans of the Games Workshop created universe.

Going very fast is that Flash's whole point, and luckily his standout game gets the idea right. The combat is designed around that premise and works well. Beneath the flashy exterior, however, this game is a typical beat-em-up, for better or worse.