The game's design, art, and simplicity make it a near-perfect Switch title. It's easy to learn, easy to play, and suffers only a few issues that detract from the overall experience.

A solid puzzle/adventure hybrid that is a lot more complex and difficult than it appears. This is a great alternative to the brain games and a must have for those who like to use their heard for more than a hat rack.

If you hate sadness and heartache, then Long Road Ahead is not for you. This is a journey fraught with triumphs and setbacks, often happening simultaneously. This is yet another strong episode that reinforces my opinion that The Walking Dead is one of the best games of the year!

If you can overlook some control issues you’ll find quite a lot of game play that will have you going for months to come.

Dead Rising is an action-packed romp through a mall full of zombies. If that's not a recipe for a good time then you've never mowed down a group of zombies with an actual lawn mower!

Changes in physics and AI make the game more realistic and enjoyable, but there are still some issues with AI player decision making that can detract from the final product. Road to the Show mode is still fun with a new documentary twist, but it's ultimately the same mode as last year. The Show 17 is a good title for baseball fans new and old, but don't expect anything mind blowing this time around.

The sheer number of things to do and modes to play is epic, an honor previously reserved only for top-tier console titles and never even considered on a handheld.

I think for most of the hardcore Destiny 1 players, this is simply not the game we were expecting. This one is built for the casuals. That's not necessarily a bad thing. I played more D1 over the past two years than probably all other games combined, but Destiny 2 is just going to be another game in my library. It won't consume me, but I will enjoy it every time I load it up. I still maintain that Destiny provides the best gunplay of an FPS year in and year out, but where Destiny 1 was a game to be loved, despite its flaws; Destiny 2 is a game to be enjoyed, even with all its triumphs.

ARC Raiders is a massive achievement, bringing the extraction shooter to a mainstream audience with immaculate gunplay, sound design, gameplay systems, and world-building. Embark Studios has planted a flag as one of the best, if not the best, multiplayer shooter developers in the industry.

If it weren’t for the multiplayer options, The Master Chief Collection would have garnered a much lower score. The multiplayer suite is truly the saving grace of this package and worth the price of admission alone.

The Forgotten City is a modern classic, an utterly compelling video game that reinvents the adventure genre through intriguing writing and exploration. With stellar voice acting, sparkling conversation, and story twists to spare, The Forgotten City is one of the best games I've played this year, and one of the best video game narratives I've ever encountered. Utterly original, completely entrancing.

Darksiders II is an excellent launch game to test your Wii U. Its mixture of gameplay styles puts the console through its places and proves that the Wii U is well adapted to traditional games. Besides that, Darksiders II is an enormous adventure and the Wii U version even includes the first round of DLC on the disc, so if you've been holding out on Darksiders II, the Wii U version is the one to get.

Marvel Pinball: Civil War is a pretty fun table. It's unique in that it's based off a Marvel comic storyline from a few years back. I'm not big into Marvel comics, but that's a pretty interesting concept. If you're a fan of Marvel comics, pick this table up, and you can have a voice in the debate for superhero registration.

Promise Mascot Agency is a delightfully bonkers blend of Japanese crime drama, business management sim, card-battler, and open-world collect-a-thon. No aspect of the game goes very deep, but developer Kaizen Game Works has threaded the needle here, creating an engaging “lite” version of several video game subgenres.

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.

If you enjoyed Borderlands in its fullest and were hoping there was a way to extend the game-time without necessarily plunging into a second playthrough or a new character, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx is just that continuation you were looking for.

UFC Undisputed 3 may not be flashy but it gets the job done by recreating the strategy and position game of real MMA matches along with the brutal punches and kicks. Despite an awful mini-game that decides the outcome of submission holds, once you start playing UFC Undisputed 3, it won't make you tap out anytime soon.

Rogue Legacy is a devilishly clever mix of Castlevania and Spelunky. No matter how many times they die, players will never grow tired of the large variety of characters and classes, as well as a world that changes with every play. While great on all systems, it really shines as a portable action game. This is one roguelike that is hard to put down.

System Shock Enhanced Edition is clunky, confusing and still absolutely brilliant. Night Dive has done impressive work to make this game playable on modern hardware, but the game still has a steep learning curve. A complicated and chilling experience await those who dare to enter System Shock.

If you're looking for an easygoing, mindless gaming session, Planetfall isn't in your ballpark—or even playing sports. But if you woke up this morning thinking, "Hey, I'd love to play XCOM and Civilization today, then you can kill two birds with one stone. Planetfall will fill your unique craving.

AI: The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative is a masterfully crafted murder mystery visual novel that smoothly blends in detective gameplay elements and puzzle sequences. It features an outstanding cast of characters and a competently crafted narrative that will keep you on your toes until the end. Even though the game has a smaller flowchart in terms of diverging narrative paths than the first game and may feel drawn out at times, it remains well worth checking out if you are into games of this genre.

Pinball FX3 is a game that makes no excuses for being a tried-and-true game with the standard jackpot fix that arcade junkies need. The “free-ness” wears off quickly and there will be trepidation for spending “X” amounts of money on multiple boards, but the challenges and rivalries will earn a bunch of those coins back. My take on Pinball FX3 is to wait for the prices to plummet on the extra boards. That infusion of 30 boards or more will make the game shine… like the quarters you once put into the machines.

A surprising game, not just because it's one of the best games based on a movie, but because it manages to raise the bar on a genre that has been stuck in mud for over a decade.

A fantastic game that sucks you in and doesn't let go. Red Faction Guerrilla is a seamless merger of technology and story telling that raises the bar for the industry.

Regardless of whether you like the three-dimensional shift or not, there's enough content in Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions to warrant a look.

Another year and another good outing for SCE San Diego Studio. MLB The Show 16 has some great improvements for Road to the Show, but some problems still persist. Baseball lovers will definitely enjoy the game.

Not only is Final Fantasy one of the best looking games on the Nintendo DS, but it also features the best story and characters.

Confusion over the name aside, Mortal Kombat on the PS Vita is a must-own for any fighting game fan. Not only does it have all of the amazing content from last year's stellar console release, but it also features substantial new modes that are more than worth the $40 asking price. Without a doubt, this is the definitive version of Mortal Kombat!

Far Cry 4 doesn’t differ from Far Cry 3 greatly aside from it’s obviously brand new story and setting and that’s just fine for me.

Trine 2 is one of the best-looking XBLA games out there. The visuals really are a wonder to behold. Its gameplay is solid and fun by yourself or with friends; unfortunately, there are a handful of annoyances that hold Trine 2 back from true greatness.

I cannot recommend this title enough, especially if you're a fan of the 2-D games in the series.

Moss is a gorgeous game, with Disney-level animation (on Disney's best day), spectacular world building, and intriguing puzzles. Quill the mouse is a living creation, delicate but with real weight and personality. Like the way the best 3-D worlds incorporate 3-D organically, Moss avoids VR gimmicks and relies on wonder and story to produce the first essential title on PS VR.

Capcom yet again proves that they are one of the few companies that knows how to resurrect a classic franchise.

With an emphasis on improved graphics, this PlayStation 4 port is the best Tomb Raider yet. Unfortunately, this Definitive Edition doesn't add enough new content to warrant a second purchase. If you have somehow missed out on Lara's newest adventure, then Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is a must buy.

Infamous is fun to play both as both good and evil but there are frustrations that can happen with traveling and difficulty of some of the fights.

Camouflaj has put an extraordinary amount of work into the Quest 2 port of Marvel's Iron Man VR, solving many of the issues that held back this extraordinary game upon its initial PSVR release. What is left is the best superhero sim on the market, with amazing flight and combat and a pretty great Marvel story. VR fans should not hesitate to grab this game; it’s quite simply one of the best VR titles ever released.

There can be no dispute that DOOM is back. The campaign brings the glory of the '90s screaming back with heavy metal, blood and guts. But the multiplayer mode feels confused and the Snapmap level editor needs to add some serious content for modders to play with. Regardless, DOOM's campaign is reason enough to dive back into Hell.

Space Invaders Extreme is a supremely well done arcade update, and a meaty, addictive portable game in its own right.

Far Cry 2 is a fantastic game:. The gameplay's great, the environmental execution is near-flawless, but a couple glaring mistakes keep it just shy of perfect.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time goes far beyond expectations with the number of characters, modes, and levels that it includes. Series newcomers are likely to be rudely smacked upside the head by the blistering difficulty, but longtime fans will delight in the incredible ways this title iterates upon its storied past. Highly recommended.

High Impact Games should be commended for their brilliant job of taking the console experience and turning it into something incredible for the PSP. With an original story, memorable characters and plenty of great action, Size Matters is a fantastic way to start off what promises to be an incredible year for video games.

Despite a few nags in the single player campaign, Battlefield:Bad Company represents one of the best multiplayer shooters on the market.

World at War is a fun rollercoaster ride that is every bit as good as Call of Duty 2 and 3. Unfortunately after the success of Call of Duty 4 it's hard to go back to World War II, even when the game looks and plays this good.

DiRT Rally 2.0 is a worthy successor to DiRT Rally. The driving/car physics which feel as sophisticated as anything else out there, are only slightly hindered by mediocre force feedback. The tracks and surrounding countryside are gorgeous in their own right; the environmental lighting and shadows serve to make them stunning at times. The addition of Rallycross serves to make DiRT Rally 2.0 two great simulations in one package.

A solid expansion for continuously strong series. Although the campaign is a touch short, there's a lot of fun for the entire ride.

Not only is Starved for Death a great episode, but it also shows that The Walking Dead has more to show us than just zombie fighting. There's a story here that is unlike anything I've seen in a zombie game, which is really saying something given how many zombie games there are. It's not for everybody, but fans of the pilot will this atmospheric second episode up!

At $10 it's hard to imagine a better deal; the game is loaded with a ton of content and a great multiplayer experience making this a must-own party game for anybody who loves fast-paced action games.

Ni No Kuni II is a machine that runs on beauty, fun and delight. With simple storylines and engaging characters, it weaves a narrative that captures the optimistic nature of childhood, without forgetting to deliver deep RPG mechanics. Utterly abandoning many of the confounding elements of the original title, Ni No Kuni II marches to its own quirky beat. This is a game that will be remembered as a classic.

With all of the trailers, experts, and attention to detail, I expected Project Cars 2 to take the trophy as racing sim of the year. It is definitely not. What you DO get is a game that challenges you to a frustrating degree and does so with beautiful precision. It sadly also takes a bunch of the fun out of it too.

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is the most unique co-op game I’ve ever played, but it’s also a brilliant idea that is well executed, and it suits the Nintendo Switch particularly well.

There are two competing experiences here: that as as Assassin, and that as a Viking, that either on its own feels like it might have been a triumph and better than this good but not great Assass-king hybrid we have.

What would happen if you combined the best aspects of resource management with the personal relationships facet of the ever popular TheSims style of games? Activision has done just that with TheMovies, and as we learned, it’s a winning combination.

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?

Aside from a really frustrating online experience, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax delivers a compelling story, which is an odd thing to say about a fighting game. The balanced roster and additional characters definitely make a strong case for why you need to pick up this game. If you've got an itch for a solid 2D fighter, look no further.

Rare Replay is one of the best compilation titles you could ever pick up.

A solid side-story from an established universe with spot-on gameplay makes this a surprise contender for one of the year’s best games.

It may look like a kid's game, but Viva Piñata features more than enough action and strategy to keep even the biggest action gamer addicted for hours on end. Don't feel embarrassed buying it.

It has taken them a while, but Pinball FX2 has finally hitting the PC in full force. This is a great port that features a vastly improved interface and some great community features that should create quite a competitive community on the PC platform. If only I didn’t have to buy all my tables over again.

Ball X Pit is a wildly inventive twist on a classic formula, blending brick breaking with roguelike progression, RPG mechanics, and resource management into a chaotic, endlessly replayable experience. Thanks to a deep roster of characters, seemingly endless ball combinations, and a settlement system that evolves between runs, the game will sink it hooks into you and refuse to let you go.

If you're in for a challenge and got time on your hands, then Shin Megami Tensei V has a lot of content for you to enjoy. Certain parts might seem a little dragged out, but it's a fantastic RPG on the Nintendo Switch with in-depth gameplay systems that is equal parts punishing and rewarding.

This is an addictive action/puzzle game that requires skill, patience and maybe even a little luck. It provides hours of fun for next to nothing and is easily the best PSP game I've played in months!

The Fractured But Whole is a solidly good RPG game that incorporates the South Park attitude with a lot less in-your-face crudeness than The Stick of Truth. It has a better fighting setup, an easier-to- digest storyline, and is still laugh out loud funny at times. What else do you need from a South Park game?

The PC version of Horizon Zero Dawn is still a fun game to play...so long as you aren't expecting a graphical powerhouse. The PC port suffers from framerate and graphics issues, crashes, and just an overall feeling of what could have been. I'm not mad, Guerrilla Studios, I'm disappointed.

Planet Coaster is well at the top of the list for roller coaster games. It is easy to get lost in for hours on end and lets you explore the depths of your imagination with nearly limitless creation and design.

Without a doubt the most accessible Guilty Gear game to date. Plus, it is absolutely stunning to see in motion thanks to its unique and impressive visual style.

TxK is essential to every PS Vita library.

The Frostbite engine has allowed FIFA to take the next step in gameplay, with better mechanics and smarter AI to create a bigger challenge. The Journey mode will suck in those wanting a new single player experience while Ultimate Team and Pro Clubs will give all the online players the fix they want. This is a must have for fans of the beautiful game.

The physics, graphics, and sounds are state-of-the-art, but the always hard to please Dave has a bone to pick.

Dark Souls Remastered is a nice, shiny new edition of a game that I have never enjoyed. While I respect the game’s genre-creating precision gameplay and acknowledge it’s place in gaming history, I just don’t like this game, and can’t recommend it to new players. That said, it plays fine, and looks better than it ever has. Dark Souls fans already know who they are, and will enjoy this new edition immensely.

As far as introductions go, Zer0 Sum gives us a hell of a welcome to Tales from the Borderlands.

Top Spin 4 is a return to prominence for the series. New players and veteran players both can feel comfortable with the changes to gameplay that 2K Czech has built into this latest tennis effort. The improvements easily outweigh the flaws and this game is the best tennis simulation to arrive in years and the best overall tennis video game since the original Virtua Tennis.

If you're looking for a great single player campaign you're out of luck, rent BF3 or pick it up in the bargain bin. If you're looking for the best online multiplayer action then BF3 is your game hands down.

Even on beginner difficulty it can be a struggle to achieve ultimate victory. I recommend UFC Undisputed 2010 to fans of the sport and/or the franchise only. Very few others will have the patience or the dedication required to become competitive at this game.

It's the biggest adventure game on the Wii, has phenomenal graphics and offers gamers a robust online experience. Unfortunately it also has control issues, no story and a frustrating difficulty.

Outland is a beautiful, challenging platformer.

This update to a DS classic doesn't give you much in terms of hardware upgrades, but the additional campaign and gameplay changes make Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker worth playing for a second time, or a first time if you skipped the first release.

A strange combination of both familiar territory and a fresh feeling, Gears of War 4 provides and enjoyable and robust experience. While there isn't much new ground broken in the experience, it does a lot to remind us what was so great about the original games in the first place.

It's not perfect, but this might be the best single-player Halo campaign ever written. 343 finally feels like it's taking the franchise in a new direction—and it's a good one. Just don't expect closure.

F1 2007 is the best racing game of 2017 thus far and is astounding from start to finish. A-1 graphics, driving feel, skill-tree, and most importantly – career mode, there is just nothing better out there.F1 2007 is the best racing game of 2017 thus far and is astounding from start to finish. A-1 graphics, driving feel, skill-tree, and most importantly – career mode, there is just nothing better out there.

Skyrim on Switch is the same excellent game it’s always been. It doesn’t support mods but the fact that such a massive, engrossing game is now portable is justification alone for another purchase.

The Hulk is a bit of a loner, though, so there's no multiplayer. That's a bit of a shame. I think it would be a blast to play Hulk vs. Villian, raining terror and destruction on the battle arena, similar to the mess Godzilla and whatever mutated monster he's fighting make of Tokyo when they clash.

Fans of the long-running TV series will get a kick out of the cameos and inside jokes, but everybody else will be left scratching their heads.

Pocket Dungeon grabbed me immediately and hasn’t let go. Everything in this puzzle game works; the aesthetic, controls, modes, bosses, replayability. A puzzle game that has this level of polish will stand the test of time with the likes of Tetris.

Guitar Hero: Metallica is certainly better than its Aerosmith counterpart, but it still misses the point of the Guitar Hero franchise.

Guacamelee is easily one of the best titles available on the PlayStation Network. It has a great mix of action and exploration with rock-solid gameplay to back it all up. The adventure is a little on the short side, but it begs to be played again and again. Plus, things get even more enjoyable when you take a long a friend on the PS3. Definitely check this one out!

Gorogoa is a relaxing, intriguing puzzle game that is a must-have addition to anyone’s game library. With unique art and unique gameplay, it’s a fresh new take on the genre, and its quality reflects the fact that it took years to perfect.

F1 2018 is by far the best F1 racing sim that has ever been made. It has the graphics, career mode, and blissful racing to make anyone go ga-ga. It is also no better than the F1 2017 from last year in virtually every way.

Battle Chasers: Nightwar is easily the best turn-based RPG I have played in a long time. There are a bunch of different characters to customize; hundreds of monsters to battle; gobs of loot to find, and a reasonably good storyline that keeps the game moving along smoothly. Add to that a fair starting price (that is now a heck of a deal), and you have a 40-hour beast-bashing game to chase after.

In comparison to the amount of fun you have, those are middling problems at worst. Civilization Revolution is easy to learn, hard to put down, and a blast to play.

Each game of Spore applies something of Occam’s Razor as a developmental guideline at first: The simplest gameplay approach is often the best.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is the best fighting game that I have ever played... and I have played a LOT of fighting games in my gaming life. The character rosters is diverse, the gameplay is frantic yet deep, and the game offers you a wide variety of modes that keep you coming back for more. Move over MvC2, there is a new king in town.

Metro Redux is the perfect entry point for series newcomers as it combines two of the best shooters in recent times in a remastered collection. In addition, series fans are in for a huge treat with the remastered Metro 2033 and Last Light games for replaying their favorite moments with improved gameplay and visuals. Metro Redux is far more than a high definition update, it's a truly remastered and definite experience.

Enter the Gungeon is one of those "your mileage may vary" indie games.

It may take a few rounds to warm up to, but Frozen Synapse Prime proves to be one of the year's best turn-based strategy games.

In case you haven't heard: Resident Evil 4 is kind of a big deal. With its quick pacing, intriguing narrative and unbelievable graphics, this is one of Capcom's best games. This $20 PlayStation 3 port improves the visuals, adds leaderboard support and introduces trophies into the mix. Come see why Resident Evil 4 remains the best survival horror game ever made!

Double Fine proves yet again that you can make a great video game out of just about anything. Stacking may be nothing more than a world of nesting dolls, but that didn't stop the developers from coming up with one of the most intriguing game concepts of 2011.

Thumper isn't just a great PSVR launch title, it's a great game overall. It doesn't pull any punches, and is relentless in its 'rhythm violence' and that makes it one of the most satisfying games out there. Now to try and S rank these songs.

F1 2011 shows improvement over its predecessor of last year in both polish and fidelity to the Formula 1 traveling circus, but might be too complicated for the F1 novice. Watching a few actual races first would help the novice get up to speed.