On PS3 I think I would have rated it a bit higher as well given it stands out among the gaming catalogue for that system. But on PC, turn based tactical strategy games is a much more crowded field, and amongst that variety, Frozen Tactics Prime is good but not great.

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.

A solid, well polished WWII strategy title using the venerable Europa Universalis engine. It’s deep, it’s complex, and just a bit overwhelming.

This game not only recreates 13 of the best pinball machines of all time, but it also offers some of the best pinball physics around.

There's not much middle ground for Final Fantasy XIII, either you'll appreciate what it's trying to do or you won't.

Star Wars fans and Pinball fans rejoice! Zen Studios is easily going to fill that void with Star Wars Pinball.

Portal Pinball is definitely an excellent addition to the Zen Pinball 2 lineup, but that is based purely on its solid pinball mechanics and roots. The Portal aspect comes across as nothing more than cosmetic, which seems like a lost opportunity.

Had Future Perfect been released this two or three years ago it would have been considered a masterpiece, but in 2005 TimeSplitters just feels out of touch.

Project Cars delivers a solid racing sandbox that is both entertaining to play and stunning to see in action. Unfortunately, the game's career system lacks proper progression and any incentive to complete its races.

It's hard to find too many faults with a game like Crush; the concept is original and the whole game is expertly done.

Guardian Heroes for the Xbox Live Arcade is a great addition to anyone's game library. The game still plays as well as I remember it 15 years ago and the improved visuals really bring it into the modern world. The revamped controls help to alleviate some of the aged gameplay mechanics but even those issues aside, the game still holds up surprisingly well.

Borderlands is a ton of fun, and its massive arsenal of weapons makes it highly replayable.

As a low-cost title and with a demo on the eShop, Pocket Card Jockey is a fun way to pass the time.

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.

Stray is more than just a cat simulator; it's a love letter to cats and cat owners alike. It is an absolute spectacle from beginning to end, with a heart wrenching narrative and enough cat-centric puzzles to have you meowing for more.

Even with its faults Crackdown is still a solid game that is well worth playing through. While it's not nearly as strong as some of Microsoft's other first party offerings, Crackdown does prove to be a solid first entry into what will no doubt be a franchise.

Faithful to such profiling, the EverQuest universe does not stray from the tried-and-true formulas. EQ2, from conception to execution, was never able to think outside of the box.

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life wraps up the story of Kazuma Kiryu with the same sense of style and attention to quality the series has always maintained. By alternating erratically between deadly serious crime stories, and wildly goofball side activities, Yakuza strikes an entertaining sweet spot that few other series manage. Players should set aside a lot of time before engaging with Yakuza, because like the mob, this is a game that will keep pulling you back in.

While not redefining the genre, the new Kirby is an insanely clever take on platforming that delivers a ton of laughs with its stellar co-op. The Star-Crossed World material adds a fair amount of value for veterans and makes an already sizable game even bigger for newcomers. This is a fantastic game to play through with a kid or a buddy, with challenges and secrets piled into its densely packed levels. Another winner for the Switch 2.

The next iteration of Activision's Call of Duty series, Call of Duty 3 for the Xbox, wrings the last dregs of capability from the Xbox aging console and satisfyingly delivers on the promise of an upgraded "Call of Duty 2."

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.

A Realm Reborn is such a substantial change from the original game that it merits a second look if you hated the first release. So much has changed for the better, and it has resulted in one of the most polished MMORPGs out there today.

With a unique narrative structure and a story that actually fills in a lot of back story, this second episode of The Devil's Playhouse is a real winner.

If you can get passed a little repetition and some frustrating boss battles, chances are you'll find Manhattan to be a great place to spin your web.

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.

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.

With revamped GM and Pro game modes, a near flawless experience with online play, and a fantastic improvement upon the gameplay itself, NHL 13 proves to be worthy of hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Even with a few outdated quirks, this fourth (and final?) Oddworld delivers an exciting storyline full of memorable characters.

This is a great looking game that will remind players of the genre's heyday in the 1990s. And with dozens of items to unlock and a wide variety of weapons to shoot, Jamestown+ will keep shoot-em-up fans happy for many hours to come.

A great twist on a genre almost as old as gaming itself, SteamWorld Dig gives platforming an injection of life and spirit that stands out from the crowd in this age of blockbuster gaming. It's worth playing for many reasons, but the fresh way it handles platforming is reason enough itself.

Less bang for your buck is the best way to describe Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X. You've got a truncated songlist that has to be milked for modules, giving this series a grind game that it never needed to have. It's still got some great music and the presentation is as excellent as ever, but it still feels like we've been shortchanged somehow.

One of the best expansion packs in a long while, They Shall Not Pass delivers excellent gameplay, and captures the spirit of World War I better than anything thus far.

While the combat system of the Bravely Default 2 is unique and offers a high risk, high reward style of gameplay not seen elsewhere, the overall experience plays out in classic JRPG fashion. I had fun grinding out XP for the jobs I wanted, with it never feeling like a chore, the true sign of a well made JRPG. The lack of mouse support for the PC version though is next to unacceptable with all the menus you work in. Classic JRPG style, not necessarily a modern day classic. The lack of true innovations keep it from perfection.

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.

The real question I set out to answer for myself was a simple one. Is Athena Crisis a true successor to the Advance Wars and Wargroove formula? Or does it feel more like a cheap knockoff, trying to get a quick buck from an unsuspecting gamer? I think seeing all the units that are available to play with speaks enough for itself to show that this isn’t the Advance Wars you grew up with. While the dialogue does feel a bit Saturday morning cartoon, the amount of choices you have when crafting an army are massive. Add a campaign editor, and a few other customization options and you have a title that is worthy of the games it wants to emulate. Not only that, but sets the bar for the next title in this genre to rise up to.

And that sums it all up. Bye-Bye Boxboy! packs a lot of punch for its size. Its combination of platforming and puzzle-solving is unique, and its simple premise gets complex early in the game. The additional content is anything but slim, and not only adds, but enhances the experience of the game. The developers did a great job of crossing classic platforming with new puzzle-solving to create a new style of game that exercises the mind.

The first handful of gameplay hours are working against Triangle Strategy. Not a lot of combat, characters that you don’t care about yet doing things that are not very interesting. However, there is an excellent game, with a fascinating story to experience, hiding behind all of that initial content. You have to learn about the world you are dropped into before you can have the ride of your life, if that’s not of interest then look elsewhere. It’s hard to say just play the first four hours, if you’re not hooked by then you’ll never be, but it’s the truth.

If you’re a fan of puzzle games and especially Pushmo, you’ll likely enjoy Stretchmo just as much, if not more.

The Swapper is a masterpiece of design.

While the game features some new innovation that we’ll be seeing in upcoming games you do have to wonder about the value the game brings as the single player side of the game is a bit on the short side and the multiplayer is a bit on the generic side.

With amazing graphics, an intriguing new combat model and one of the best RPG stories I've experienced in years, Crisis Core may just be the game that makes you completely forget about God of War: Chains of Olympus!

A solid, well written, well executed game. If you're looking for something new and original, Darksiders is your game.

All in all, the game itself is fairly solid. MLB 08 will give you a relatively deep experience with most of the game modes that you select, but there will be some headaches depending on how far you go.

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.

Without being weird and unrecognizable as a video game, Transistor turns many video game tropes on their heads—subtley.

If you somehow still haven't played Castle Crashers, now is the perfect time to do so. If you already have the game on another platform, it may not be worth the upgrade, because the game has been changed so little that you won't be missing anything new.

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.

inFAMOUS 2 is as solid as the original game if not more-so. Sucker Punch has nailed the superhero formula and created what could be the perfect superhero simulation for any platform. This game is the perfect way to scratch that desire in your imagination to be more than human...

The core replay value, however, comes from just firing up your DS and interacting with your puppy. If I’m bored I'll pull out the tennis ball or just scratch my dog behind the ears with the stylus. No matter what, your Nintendog will always be happy to see you.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is often cheap and barebones. However, it's also one of the most comprehensive fighting games I've ever played. With 59 characters and thousands of moves, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 has been specifically designed with fans in mind. Newcomers will also enjoy the large roster and cinematic endings, but may find the online multiplayer unwelcoming!

Overall, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare lives up to the franchise's expectations.

If you enjoyed Super Mega Baseball 3's predecessors, you're in for a treat. SMB3's identity as a quirky but committed sports title remains intact. With promising post-release updates ahead, SMB3 will satisfy your baseball cravings for the indefinite future. The Metalhead team listened to its community and implemented their feedback. For that, they deserve extensive praise and thanks.

MLB 14 The Show is a great baseball game marred by long load times, inconsistent online play, and performance issues. It's still a fun game and Road to the Show is, as usual, a great way to play the game. Fans of baseball will enjoy the game, but it's a little disappointing to see the performance issues.

A fantastic action RPG for a bargain price. This is exactly what indie titles should be.

Is the gameplay fun? Sure, but it’s largely the same as last year. Career mode gets Champions League branding but nothing else noteworthy. Pro Clubs and Seasons get ignored. The Journey is fun, but cannot make up for the rest of the largely ignored modes.

Prison Architect is one of the more unique game releases in years. What would seem daunting at first, with building and managing a prison, quickly reveals to be both an addictive and entertaining gameplay experience.

Ape Out is that rare mix of great art, sound and game design. It’s a short but addictive experience with challenging, satisfying gameplay and an audiovisual style that instantly grabs your senses and doesn’t let go.

Easily the best fighting game on the market today. MK X takes all of the lessons learned with the 2011 release and turns it up to 11: content, gameplay, and overall fun. If the developers can improve the netcode a little bit, this could be a major contender on the fighting game scene for years to come.

Katana ZERO is a game I’ve been interested in from the moment I saw the trailer for it and once again Devolver Digital and Askiisoft didn’t disappoint. From the nice graphics and awesome music, to the fluid controls and the engaging story with different ways to respond to dialogue and take out enemies in each area, Katana ZERO was an enjoyable game from start to finish, even with the story getting a little bonkers after several stages. Then again, it’s that bit of craziness that kept things interesting throughout the game and I’m perfectly okay with that.

Even eight years after its release, Limbo is a small, subtle masterpiece of smart puzzle-platformer design and haunting show-don’t-tell storytelling. Every self-respecting gamer should play this one, and a portable version on Switch is definitely worth a purchase even if you own the game on another platform.

The core replay value, however, comes from just firing up your DS and interacting with your puppy. If I’m bored I'll pull out the tennis ball or just scratch my dog behind the ears with the stylus. No matter what, your Nintendog will always be happy to see you.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a great game to finish off the Switch's stellar first year, and offers a massive adventure that will scratch the itch felt by both MMO and JRPG fans.

Race 07, while not breaking a whole lot of new ground technologically, is a solid performer in an interesting racing domain.

While I wish a few things were done differently and the difficulty increased a little bit, these are still two very enjoyable outings.

In what is easily one of the best expansions of the year, Guerrilla Games gave us an interesting new story arc, some great new characters, and most importantly a reason to revisit a game that was probably shelved months ago for most gamers because there is literally too much good stuff this year.

The Last Clockwinder is a must-play for VR owners – full stop. Even beyond VR, it simply doesn’t get much better than this. If you’re like me, and are experiencing a new reality for the first time, this is a fantastic gateway game that I can’t say enough great things about. A few minor technical hiccups are present, but that’s borderline nitpicking at this near-perfect package.

This is a good collection that runs the gauntlet of arcade fighting games of the '80s and '90s. Whether or not you are a fan, this is a good entry point in the series, and there is something here for everyone.

Even skippers used to playing the PC version might want to give the PS4 version a look. It has been built from the ground up in order to leverage the processing and graphics power of modern consoles, and far more content is available from the get-go. If you want to skip the process of upgrading your ships and waiting to unlock more of the fleet that the free-to-play version has, you can opt to just buy the entire fleet all at once for a fixed price.

Sanabi is a secret masterpiece. I don't know why it's a secret, but it is. It's a platforming clinic, with extremely tight controls, and the story hit me in the center of my heart. You'll probably play it one more time to speed run it, but I wont. Some games are better left one and done. This is one of those games. Unbelievable.

While the formula works, it's starting to get a little stale so while I fully expect to see a Guitar Hero IV I hope the developer takes the game and add something truly new to the series. I just got really frustrated with the PlayStation 3 version however and while the score is a little lower to reflect that, the game's just a patch or two away from being fun and worth your money.

A solid and fun experience that's could use a little more gameplay diversity.

If you already have GTR 2 and Race '07, there won't be much to compel to you pick up GTR Evolution. If you have neither of those, though, GTR Evolution is a must-have for anyone that has a yearning to race.

Ultimate Alliance for Xbox game is a rehash of X-Men: Legends 2 with better character selection and slightly more unique powers. The heroes start too weak, but eventually become nearly invincible, with little physical challenge once you start buffing the characters.

Mortal Kombat 1 gets the gameplay part right but I can't shake the feeling that this game was released way too early. While you do get a full story mode and Invasions mode there are so many small problems that really take away from what should be the best game NetherRealm has made yet.

Cairn is a mixed bag that I don't think will be for everyone. Persevering through a difficult section of the climb is extremely satisfying, but on the other hand, it can be extremely frustrating as well. I enjoyed my time on Kami, but there were times I felt beat down too, both by the mountain and its abrasive protagonist. Ultimately, it's hard to give Cairn a broad recommendation.

Broforce finally explodes into its final release. The old-school difficulty might shock more casual indie players, but the pitch-black absurdist humor and deep, dynamic gameplay will keep you coming back for more.

Sure it's a port of a three year old role-playing game, but Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days is an adventure game worth reliving.

It’s easy to look back with rose tinted glasses when it comes to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. But after spending a week back in this world I can easily say there are no tinted glasses here. It’s as good as I recalled it back in the day. If you’ve never played Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic this is a great way to jump in. I couldn’t believe a game that came out in 2003 could still hold my attention, even on the fifth or sixth playthrough that I had while reviewing the game. The atmosphere created by the game is second to none when it comes to Star Wars games. Playing on the Nintendo Switch might be the best way to experience, load screens were fast, and the game looks great in handheld mode. The Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic story is one every Star Wars fan should experience.

The game does a fantastic job at delivering accurate content and historical events. It does all this while allowing the player to go in any direction during a campaign.

The core replay value, however, comes from just firing up your DS and interacting with your puppy. If I’m bored I'll pull out the tennis ball or just scratch my dog behind the ears with the stylus. No matter what, your Nintendog will always be happy to see you.

Skylanders Swap Force brings back a very familiar game with a few upgrades and a slug of new characters. Those that are huge fans of the franchise will be comfortable with this familiarity, while those that are just getting into the game for the first time will find a very fun and additive title.

While Rhythm Heaven Megamix provides a wide variety of mini games, you can't help but realize that you are just doing the same thing over and over again and the novelty wears off really fast. That said, fans of the series should get a kick out of Rhythm Heaven Megamix as it provides plenty of mini games and plenty of content to keep fans playing for a while.

Not since Breath of the Wild have I enjoyed an open world game this much. With so much to see and do, Assassin's Creed Odyssey is one of, it not the best, game in the Assassin's Creed franchise—and absolutely a game of the year contender.

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is a master class in the art form of 2D platformers, but it’s way too difficult for its own good and this makes the inherent flaws and limitations of the genre all the more obvious.

You can see that this game is a labor of love, which these days feels all too rare.

Hopefully Snyder will release a patch to fix the game's unfortunate glitches, but even in its current state The Floor is Jelly is definitely worth your 10 dollars.

Easily one of the best tables that Zen has produced to date. Every aspect of this table captures the essence and spirit of Tell Tale’s adventures. This is a must buy for fans of Zen’s pinball platforms.

Atari shows you how to mix a colorful, laid back vibe with an intense challenge. This gem takes everything you know about puzzles, and platformers, and throws it in the compactor, or should we say, the Kombiner. Win if you must, fail because you will. To quote an old video game show host, "Good Luck! You'll need it".

Though I am so far impressed with these Gold Master Series, this one is ranked 3rd out of 3, if I include the amazing Atari 50. I respect the hell out of Jeff Minter for being THE indie game creator. There are some games missing that may come at a later date, and some that I'll never play again. But I think that's what Jeff wants. Stay weird, Mr. Minter. Stay weird.

With enough content to make it worth the price, but not enough unique content to make it stand out from other free titles you can find online, Defense Grid: The Awakening is a slightly above average tower defense video game.

Sega manages to pack just about every great Genesis game into one UMD. With games like Shinobi III, Ecco the Dolphin, Vectorman, Comix Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog and the three 16-bit Phantasy Star games, the Sega Genesis Collection is a must own no matter what type of gamer you are!

New graphics, new levels, and new features make this one of the best games you can buy on the Xbox One.

With the huge selection of playable Marvel mutants and the horde of extra goodies, X-Men Legends II is another solid and enjoyable action-RPG entry into the comic-book genre.

Most people thought this series' best days were behind it. But the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is a well-crafted ode to a titan of the RTS genre and the community that's loved it for the better part of 25 years.

Take the best scenes from every major sci-fi fantasy imaginable, add in classic 90's puzzle solving, mix this all with a clever sense of humor, and A Book of Unwritten Tales emerges. The North American release will attract players familiar with the adventure game and those looking for something fresh in today's market. Despite technical problems and somewhat boring puzzles, the game proves that simple gameplay can convey a memorable experience.

Helldivers 2 is truly a game of the year contender. The gunplay and gameplay is excellent. The variety invites you to keep hoping into one mission or another. The difficulty ramps from fun barrel shoots to harried and hair-raising struggles on the edge of a knife. However, the overall experience greatly suffers when playing as a solo player. If you have a group, dive in to hell. If not, be careful out there, soldier, and watch your back. The bugs aren't your only enemies.

A fantastic action-adventure role-playing game, Ys Memories of Celceta is a great game to use to introduce yourself to the Ys franchise. It's not your typical AAA title, but it definitely plays like one.

It is a similar gameplay experience to the sequel title, but with an even more intriguing plot than reuniting with your daughter was. While gameplay won't feel original, the engineered and technology-run world will.