It's a very good game in its own right, though. And the single-cartridge multiplayer could be the bargain of the year!

It's rare to see such a massive VR game, especially on a mobile platform. Asgard's Wrath 2 delivers a ton of gameplay and a mountain of content. Minor issues aside, this game has it all for VR owners and is a great sequel to the Quest 2 game.

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a fantastic game. It reminds you of how those old SNES and Genesis games were, enhanced with plenty of quality of life elements. If all your side scrolling melee retro games got together, and created a game in the lab of a maniacal government, it would be this. If you love retro 16-bit action games, you won't regret this. Cyber ninja vanish.

Twenty-four years after its debut, old school never looked so good. Dig Dug continues the impressive line of classic arcade titles to hit Xbox Live Arcade with another seamless transition from 80's style into next-gen play.

I really enjoyed Dungeons of Dreadrock, because it's a game that knows exactly the experience it is trying to deliver and does so expertly. There are 100 levels of puzzles, all unique, with mechanics and solutions that ramp as your character progresses deeper and deeper into the mountain, while delivering on a cute storyline with clever 32-bit animation. There is an action element, but that is mostly a timing component to drive the mental aspect of solving the puzzles. It's hard to put down, but each level gives ample opportunity to do just that, so you can binge through as many as you like, then leave it to pick right back up again easily enough. The only drawback is once you're traversed all 100 levels, your time is done - but it was time well spent.

Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition may not improve much in the looks department but the gameplay remains as great as it was last gen (Vergil’s Downfall notwithstanding). If you haven’t played it yet then you absolutely should do so.

With a deep storyline, plenty of side content, and a gorgeous rendering of Chicago to explore, Watch Dogs brings a lot to the table and truly unlocks next-generation graphics in a whole new way. Watch Dogs is a beautiful, mesmerizing title.

Far Cry Primal is a fantastic departure from the usual FPS adventure. While it is formulaic, in a Far Cry sense, a rich and detailed world, as well as tons to see and do, make this an adventure worth taking.

I am a sucker for this very type roguelike deck building game, and in RogueBook I have found a worthy successor to my favorite in the space, Slay the Spire. While I might think Slay the Spire has that edge on the given mechanics and strategies of a single run, I believe RogueBook excels at world building, game progression, and re-playablity as new power-ups, characters, cards, map items, and challenges are unlocked not just on every run but especially after successfully completing the core game. Each is excellent, each game deserves to be enjoyed. To prefer one over the other is to prefer chocolate syrup over caramel, but in both you are treated to a delicious dessert of fun and strategic gaming.

Brutal and beautiful.

A fantastic game with rock solid single and multiplayer action and some of the most innovative weapons ever put into a game. It's just a shame that you need a PS3 to play it.

PHOGS! is a great two-player co-op puzzle game with just enough floppiness to make executing the solutions challenging. Never frustrating but always satisfying, PHOGS! is a solid choice for kids or adults. Gorgeous storybook art and fantastic music keep PHOGS! warm and fun, and a simple control design makes the game accessible to a wide range of audiences. Clever, charming, and fun.

Packed with clever story surprises and dynamic, richly-constructed gameplay, The Messenger is both a tribute to and affectionate pastiche of 8 and 16-bit game design, storytelling and nostalgia. It belongs in every Switch owner’s eShop library.

Call of Duty 4 is a complete package that does everything well. From the intense single player campaign to the fun multiplayer options, the game's got it all.

What it comes down to is that Halo 3 is still a great playing first-person shooter that manages to get just about everything right.

Jusant is one of my favorite gaming experiences of 2023. The rock-climbing gameplay is simple yet extremely satisfying to play, and it’s masterfully interwoven with the narrative and lore of the world. It’s a surprisingly quaint, emotional story that packs a punch despite having zero spoken dialogue, which is a testament to the narrative chops of Don’t Nod. I still find myself thinking about Jusant days after staring a meditative hole through its ending credits.

DOOM Eternal is gorgeous to behold, a technological tour-de-force and an exciting new chapter in the Doom narrative, but it's not quite as fun to play as DOOM 2016. The problem is not that DOOM Eternal is too hard, rather it is too hard unless you play by its specific rules, which, for all its mechanical complexity, makes its combat chess less freeform and satisfying than its predecessors.

Moonlighter is a delightful rogue-lite shopkeeping sim game (because that’s a common combination) that can either take up one day of your time or multiple weeks, depending on your playstyle and preferences. If you’re looking for a mild challenge, but want to have an overall relaxing experience in a lovingly crafted environment, then I can’t recommend this game enough.

Ultimately, Gone Home is the same game no matter what platform it is played on. It brings the same emotions, anxieties, and intrigue to the table now as it did years ago. There is no denying, however, that the versatility offered by the Switch version fits the calm nature of the walking sim, whether it is played docked or not—plus it’s just plain cool to experience the story in such close quarters.

Although this is the third Tom Clancy game on the Xbox 360 this year, Rainbow Six Vegas proves to be the best. This is easily one of the best games of the year, a title full of action, unique locations and plenty of terrorists to kill.

With a gorgeous world, beautiful music in the background, and a surprisingly difficult challenge, Ori and the Blind Forest will take gamers on a journey that will test their reactions and wits, yet make them appreciate just what a beautiful game has been created for them.

Point blank: NBA 2K13 is the most impressive sport-based video game I have ever seen. Endless customization options, gameplay modes, and a presentation style so realistic you will swear you are watching the NBA on TNT... this is as close as most of us will ever get to the NBA.

The Swapper is a masterpiece of design.

Kazunori Yamauchi wasn’t lying when he promised a paradise that celebrated car culture. Gran Turismo 7 is undoubtedly the most immersive driving sim out there today. It celebrates the series' rich history from 1997 and brings many new additions into the formula. For all fans, from those who just want to drive some cool looking cars to those who are die-hard competitive racers, this game has got something for you.

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.

Crayta is a remarkable game-creation game/tool, with just enough fun structure built around it to keep the proceedings light and fun. Crayta is built to appeal to builders of all skill levels, providing simple controller-based construction for newcomers, while allowing skilled users to dig right down into code. While a few starter games are provided by Unit 2, they aren't really the point. Time will tell what the community builds out of Crayta, but the tools are certainly there for this platform to spawn some amazing things.

Them's Fightin' Herds is the most accessible and balanced fighting game I've ever played. The characters are all fantastic, the stages are beautiful, and the sound and music shines. If you want a fighting game that you'll have fun watching, and playing, Them's Fightin' Herds is the game for you. A lot of charm. A lot of depth. 4-legged fun 4 all!

Wunderling DX is an interesting take on the “villain becomes a hero” concept in that you’re basically a minion setting out to stop the hero. While I can see some players may be turned off by the simplicity of the game and the easiness of the early-going, there’s enough content and collectables to keep things fresh throughout your journey as an underling setting out to stop a hero. As backwards as that concept may seem, I thoroughly enjoyed my time through Wunderling DX.

Pyre teaches you to fight tirelessly for your freedom, but to question the definition of that freedom as well. I like the sports-combat a little more each time I play. And Pyre fetishizes the tools of the writer's trade, but more importantly focuses on the art and dialogue of good storytelling.

While the graphics are strictly handheld-level, in the heat of battle you simply will not care. Players should be ready to plumb the depths of much more complicated crafting and material gathering systems, but the combat is very recognizable to fans old and new. This is one of the biggest and best games on Switch, and regardless of how long it takes to ramp up and get going, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate should not be missed.

Forza Horizon 3 brings an incredible diverse open world in the Australian Outback that begs to be discovered. With a great soundtrack, a plethora of vehicles to unlock, and plenty of challenges varying in difficulty, Horizon 3 proves to be a must buy for racing fans.

Finally, BF3 gets some DLC emphasizes everything that makes the series great. With a focus on maps and new game modes that enhance both the team-based and vehicle gameplay, this pack does exactly what every DLC release should do: makes the base game better. This should pull those who have drifted away from the game in recent months back into the battle!

Zen Studios new dungeon crawler takes the tropes of an oft neglected genre, and updates them with wit and style. Operencia: The Stolen Sun oozes charm, with the perfect balance of combat, exploration, puzzles, and funny bantering characters. This game is a complete winner, and any fan of dungeon crawlers shouldn’t hesitate to pick it up.

Shadows may not reinvent Assassin's Creed, but it's still a fun game and another great entry in the series. Exploration in this beautiful locale is great. But for those who are tired of the Assassin's Creed formula, this one isn't going to change your mind.

The core of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains unchanged, thank god. It's the same game we all fell in love with before. Playing on a PlayStation 5 and being able to play around with the new controls, including the haptic and adaptive triggers made playing as Geralt all the better. The new quick casting system works wonders for me, and if it doesn’t for you then you retain the old configuration. The framerate has been given a noticeable overhaul as well. I no longer chugged about when I ran while in a city full of objects. This is the perfect excuse to play The Witcher 3 again. The best part of the update is that it’s completely free; you can’t afford not to play again.

Despite the game's short length, Tiny and Big: Grandpa's Leftovers captures the player's curiosity and doesn't let go till its thrilling conclusion.

A powerful narrative, imaginative puzzles, and strong presentation combine in Papo & Yo to result in one of this year's best gaming experiences. The emotional journey of Quico and Monster that comprises Papo & Yo leaves a long-lasting impression well after its conclusion.

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!

There are very few games on the market that I would grant the title "King's Field-like". Verho - Curse of Faces stands as the best of them. This game could not nail the PS1 ASCII Entertainment vibes any harder if FromSoftware made it themselves. Newcomers will want to try the demo first, but King's Field fans should not hesitate to take the full plunge. You will not be disappointed.

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.

Wildermyth is one of the best turn-based RPGs I’ve ever played. Immersive storytelling, brilliant pacing, and simple yet complex gameplay makes this one addictive game. It’s so good that not even a save file bug could turn me away from it. Don’t miss this one.

Addicting and fun, Hybrid proves to be a fresh and enjoyable experience on the XBLA. You will easily get your $15 out of the experience thanks to the drive to come back and get to the next level.

Tekken 8 is not just a return to form, it's a Tekken masterpiece. Without question, this is the most fun I've had playing a Tekken game in a very long time. It's only a matter of time for people to call this one scrubby too, and I am here for it. Harada, hat tip to you. Beautiful and very fun game.

The Steam community greenlit Excubitor—and it's apparent why. It's a fun and challenging tower defense game with a twist, steeping you in the action instead of having you just sit back and watching everything unfold.

Sonic Mania is a franchise’s identity found. It’s simple, it’s straightforward, it’s what Sonic should be. The developers have gone back to the drawing board and have given new life to a franchise hat was on its last legs just a few years ago. This may be new life into the series, and here’s hoping that it continues to be so.

Not only are the graphics as good as they can be, but the game sports some of the most compelling game modes found in a fighting game.

Shenzhen I/O is perfect for those that have an interest in programming the old-fashioned way, and those that enjoy experimenting with code-drive electronics, without the hassles and burdens of working for the man. It is a fairly steep learning curve, but that's just the cost of puzzles that provide immense satisfaction when completed.

Even if you are playing 1 v 1 matches, it makes for an incredibly fun time and since matches are short, you will probably find yourself saying "just one more match" over and over again like I have.

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.

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".

What you have here is the most polished, feature-laden, action-packed Grand Theft Auto title to-date. I've had my qualms with the franchise in the past but this is the first time that I was able to sit back, shut off my brain and enjoy the experience.

The Pathless is a remarkably well-designed game, guiding the player forward with intuitive design while providing plenty of opportunity to experiment and play. With a great locomotion system and an amazing soundtrack, The Pathless will easily see players losing hours while under its hypnotic spell. Fun and rewarding puzzles, a nice story line, and plenty to see and do make The Pathless a great game, regardless of which system you play it on.

Solar Ash defines the new standard for open-world indie games by providing an absolutely lovely world to traverse, with a beautiful soundtrack to listen to. From the flow of movement and smooth platforming, to the giant colossi and heartwarming story, I had to step back to discover I was playing a fine piece of art.

For fans of Dead by Daylight, The Casting of Frank Stone is an incredible experience that expands the lore of the game in ways we have wanted to see for so long. For everyone else this will play as a great Supermassive movie based game. I do think that non DBD fans are gonna be missing out because lot of the big moments, reveals, lore and references are just gonna go over their heads, but if you are a fan of Dead by Daylight this is an experience you won't want to miss.

A worthy upgrade that brings it closer to the fidelity of its sequel, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is the best version of a great sci-fi RPG. Guerrilla Games and Nixxes Software have turned this remaster skeptic into a true believer.

I've tried roguelikes. Tried deck builders. Tried auto-battlers and tile-placers. But playing Loop Hero makes me wonder what all those others were missing.

Sega Ages: Shinobi is still a great game more than 30 years after its initial release—and it's still just as difficult. It takes a lot of skill to progress beyond the first couple of missions. Newer players are given a couple of tools to help them, namely save states and a rewind feature, while expert players will find the same game they enjoyed all those years ago. Whether you're an experienced ninja or you're checking the game out for the first time, Shinobi is a great addition to the Sega Ages library.

Death Squared might have launched on Steam, but it feels like this game and the Nintendo Switch were made for each other. Deceptively smart puzzles, an endearingly smarmy sense of humor, and organic, instantaneous multiplayer all at a great price make Death Squared a must-buy on Switch.

Fire Pro Wrestling World brings back everything that was great about Fire Pro R and expands upon it to give fans the definitive Fire Pro experience. Don't let the graphics scare you away, this is one of the most fun and most in depth professional wrestling games around today that any fans of professional wrestling, no matter what promotion you enjoy watching, can enjoy.

Sitting down for even ten minutes with Neon White makes me feel like I’ve gotten a lot of playing time in. Stages are fast, and replaying them when things don’t go your way doesn’t feel like a drag. The addictive nature of Neon White meant I was going back to the same stages again and again until I was able to ace them. The story isn’t for me, and feels predictable, but I can see how it might hit the right crowd. The easy to learn gameplay, with the unique weapon cards made for an experience I couldn't get enough of.

After playing Ridge Racer we can never look at portable racing games the same away again.

If you’re a fan of literature, games with meaning, or unique art styles, then you won’t regret playing The Wanderer: Frankenstein’s Creature. A calm, sorrowful, and beautiful adventure awaits you, with poignant storytelling from the very Creature you control. The landscape will splay out around you in vibrant watercolors, and the music will guide your emotions. There is no thrill, no fast-paced adventure, no strategy, so if that’s your cup of tea you may want to look elsewhere. Otherwise, this game is a beautiful book come to life, and is absolutely worth the play.

Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus takes an already fiendishly addictive arcade game and adds a fantastic multiplayer mode. At $20 it’s an impulse buy for any Switch owner.

Blazing Chrome is a great throwback to games such as Contra; simple run-and-guns with swarms of enemies, awesome boss fights, special weapons, and a great soundtrack to go with it. With fluid controls, multiple difficulties, and a stage select so you can pick which stage to tackle in any order, Blazing Chrome is definitely worth picking up if you’re into Contra-style games.

For only being a four-hour-long game Oxenfree II: Lost Signals has a lot to say. A narrative that is more intricate than its predecessor, while still holding onto the framework that made Oxenfree stand out. Lost Signals makes you care about these people. The voice acting goes above and beyond to help drive that home. Like the first title, Lost Signals feels unique in the video game space. With a few minor hiccups, and one upsetting one, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is, without hesitation, worth a second and third playthrough.

Forza: Horizon turns away from the down-in-the-weeds realism of previous versions to provide a more approachable ride. It's chock full of things to do and races to run, but even just driving through the spectacular countryside provides hours of enjoyment. While it's not strong in innovation in the genre, it does a respectable job of maintaining the status quo.

Symphony of the Night is full of imaginative gameplay, great level designs, outstanding music, and some of the greatest action you've ever seen.

The HDR lighting really shines here and offers an impressive recreation of realistic lighting.

Unmechanical provides players with addictive and mind-perplexing puzzles, in addition to both a charming and atmospheric presentation. Stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack combine for one of the best looking and sounding independent games in recent history. Unfortunately, the gameplay experience of Unmechanical suffers from the lack of a proper narrative and details on the game's setting and characters.

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

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.

I really liked NightSky, but it's got one little flaw: the two modes (Normal and Alternative) are all there is to the game. This game doesn't seem to be made for multiplayer, but I'm surprised there's no puzzle editor, as I can only imagine what someone could create with everything in this game at their disposal.

A collection of average mechanics combine to make a big, complicated, pretty good game. It's no "Master of Magic", but there is real potential here.

Fans of adventure and puzzle games seeking a gameplay experience that's both addictive and unique will find plenty to enjoy in Scribblenauts Unlimited. Those gamers looking for more of a challenge will find the game's difficulty to be disappointing.

If you’ve ever been a fan of the franchise you owe it to yourself to at least rent it. What starts out as a weekend rental just might turn into your next yearlong obsession.

While not as gripping as the first three episodes, Around Every Corner remains a strong chapter of The Walking Dead. Unfortunately, too much of the game involves new characters that don't seem vital to the end game storyline. Still, this is an episode that sets up what is sure to be an incredible season finale!

The game takes a powerful machine but it does offer some great visuals and some fun gameplay for the first half. Once the aliens come it goes a little bit downhill.

A strange mixture of old-school difficulty and graphics, board game simplicity and depth, and the episodic nature of some casual games. It's a strange mixture that works.

Train Simulator 2013 is a must own for anyone remotely interested in locomotives and their model set counterparts.

Despite taking time to get used to the controls and the sometimes over-frustrating levels, Colour Bind is a nice physics-based puzzle game.

It's easy to love a game like Reality 2.0, it tells one of the best stories in the season, it's full of laugh out loud moments, and most gamers will get a kick out of all of the classic video game references.

Giant Sparrow delivers one of the most unique games of the year. Sadly, The Unfinished Swan is a little too easy for its own good. Players can easily blow through the game in a couple hours. Still, the game's story is strong enough to keep you engaged from beginning to end. You've never seen anything like The Unfinished Swan before!

While Absolution doesn't provide any original or groundbreaking new features with its debut in the high-definition era of gaming, it does succeed at becoming a solid entry in the Hitman series of games.

You might not know it from the box, but Dead or Alive 5 is one of the most baffling games of the year. It's full of weird editing, ninja clones and large breasted women. And that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what makes this game so incomprehensible. Thankfully the solid gameplay and gorgeous graphics make up for the often disjointed story telling!

This is yet another Capcom collection that pits two similar fighting games together for one cheap price. The good news is that both Marvel vs. Capcom and Marvel Super Heroes are great games that hold up well. Unfortunately, the bad news is that you're going to get stomped online. With its creative use of filtering and goals to complete, Marvel vs. Capcom Origins is a must-buy for anybody with an interest in fighting games!

To those who are just beginning, and in need of a strong tutorial, I recommend "Chessmaster." But for the advanced player, Fritz 8 Deluxeis far superior. Fritz contains stronger engines and a deeper database. For those students learning opening books, or looking for move analysis, it is ideal.

Despite a couple minor complaints and a steep learning curve, Fireteam Bravo is easily the best game of its type on the PSP.

Dishonored mixes the dystopic worlds of Rapture and City 17 with the assassination-for-a-cause gameplay of Hitman and Assassin's Creed to create an experience that actually feels more original than it probably should have. Both the setting and the gameplay work well and had Dishonored been better in a few more areas it could have been a contender for one of the best games of the year.

Retro City Rampage works as an always funny parody of Grand Theft Auto and classic games. But it's much more than that. There's some devilishly clever content here, including a solid action game with consistently humorous writing. Not every joke lands, but the experience is so dense with ridiculous fun that it's impossible to imagine somebody not having a good time with Retro City Rampage!

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.

I enjoyed my time with Tera and it did leave me wanting to play more. If you can get past the occasional lag and easy starting area, it's a nice alternative to WoW. Whether or not it'll survive against WoW remains to be seen, but I think Tera will stick around for quite some time.

If you want to find out how well you've mastered Dishonored's stealth, combat, and mobility then consider Dunwall City Trials your crucible.

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.

Though short, Amazing Spider Man saves the web-head from gaming mediocrity and delivers one of the better movie tie-in games in recent memory.

Eets is exactly the type of game I wish the major video game companies would work on. It features a simple concept that is both fun and addictive, plus offers a large community creating new puzzles for you to solve as I write this.

The Sims 3 Supernatural is by far the most engaging expansion pack yet with its variety of quirky and magical-inspired gameplay features. While most of the content feels at home in the Sims world, the inclusion of some elements such as fairies and zombies are questionable. No matter if one loves or hates the idea of magic in The Sims 3, Supernatural adds a great deal of varied, worthwhile, and most importantly, entertaining content.

AI is very hit or miss but because this game is more dependant on your actions rather than your enemies, it becomes serviceable in the end.

While the lack of advanced graphics options are disappointing, the core experience of Darksiders 2 remains intact with its assortment of gameplay genres and content rich world. Darksiders 2 on PC provides fans of the original and series newcomers with a seemingly endless amount of quests to complete and collectibles to discover, with the added bonus of Death himself as the protagonist.