The Old Hunter’s is a great expansion for die hard fans of Bloodborne. It brings a good amount of fresh content to the game without doing anything to alter the formula. It’s more of the same, which is a good thing. Just be prepared for the difficulty as it is as unrelenting as ever.

If you can take punishment as well as you can dish it out, then XCOM 2 strikes the right balance. Its tactics are hardlined, its urgency is persistent, and it will wear you down even as it builds you up. A beautiful, brutal beast of a tactics game. But do what you can to clean up these graphical and gameplay hitches, Firaxis; this game deserves it.

Injustice 2 is the best fighting game from Netherealm Studios to date. It improves over not just the original Injustice, but Mortal Kombat as well. The story mode puts WB's live action movies to shame and the Metaverse provides near endless replay value.

If there is one shooter to be had this year, it is Battlefield 1. The series’ return to classically-styled warfare is a breathe of fresh air for both the franchise and the FPS genre. The solo experience(s) are enjoyable and serve as a primer for the larger, more enjoyable multiplayer experience. That multiplayer options feel like more than just a simple mode thanks to the new Operations mode, but are more like a living and breathing world that will keep players hooked for a long, long time.

First time you're hearing about The Nioh Collection? It's a great pick up for your PS5 and one of the best franchises of the last generation! But if you've been grinding away on the PS4 version? Maybe wait for a sale.

There is a wide variety of nations and leaders to choose from, as well as a variety of Victory conditions to pursue and an even greater abundance of maps randomly generated or otherwise to build your empire. There are grievances that could be improved, sure. But those are really ancillary to the the core loop you experience. A loop that is hard to break out of. Civilization VI is top-notch and feels right at home on a console.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is a wondrous exploration of the original, with fantastic writing, performances, and production values. However, an overindulgence in cut scenes and an extremely linear path through the game causes some serious sag in the middle chapters. A fine experience, but perhaps best viewed as a prelude to things to come.

Pokemon X and Y are definitely two of the best games in the series to date.

The graphics are splendid and the driving action is addictive. Pick this one up ASAP!

After a two year wait, PSP owners finally have a role-playing game worth bragging about. Jeanne D'Arc is everything it promises to be, even if it is a by-the-books tactical RPG.

Crypt of the Necrodancer is an awesome rhythm game you don’t want to pass up if you’re into the genre.

Pokemon Sun and Moon are solid entries into the Pokemon series. While there are a couple of things to nitpick here and there, as any Pokemon game will have, the difficulty is easy enough for new players to get into the series, while more experienced players might find things a bit too easy at times. The trials are also a nice change from the standard gyms and no longer needing specific Pokemon for HMs was a welcome addition.

A great blend of RTS and 4X galactic conquest goodness. With a little upfront effort to get over the learning curve, players will soon see many hours of free time melting away in that “just one more planet” bliss.

Simply put, Chained Echoes is a heartfelt love letter to the SNES JRPG classics from the 90s that boasts an incredible cast of characters, amazing pixel artwork, a brilliant soundtrack, impeccable attention to detail, and a complex narrative.

Everybody can breathe a sigh of relief, because Heavy Rain was definitely worth the long wait. This is an intriguing murder mystery that will have you guessing all the way to the end. Best of all, the narrative is one of the strongest I've seen in years.

Final Fantasy XVI decided it wanted to be different. Gone is any element of turn-based combat. But not all typical Final Fantasy elements have been left by the curb. An excellent musical score, great cast of characters, and a story that will be hard to top are all here. There are a few hiccups with this new style. I missed a minimap more than I thought I would, cutscenes back to back after taking ten steps was a common annoyance, and side-quests feel like an afterthought. But those are small potato issues. This is a Final Fantasy game for both newcomers and those who loved the old-school fantasy settings of previous entries. Final Fantasy XVI isn’t perfect, but it’s close.

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

The Uncharted series have always been at the forefront of the action-adventure genre. The Legacy of Thieves Collection is undoubtedly the definitive way to play through the last two chapters of this long running series, with lightning fast load times, excellent visuals, boosted frame rates, and immersive utilization of the DualSense controller and 3D audio. Don't skip out on this narrative masterpiece!

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.

DiRT 3 certainly meets Codemaster's stated goal to provide "More, more more!" with tons of tracks, tons of cars, and tons of variety. The return of split-screen multiplayer brings with it the promise of satisfying in-person competitive racing, but online multiplayer is available to those who prefer it.

Top tier storytelling, environmental puzzles, and exploration make Sea of Stars a must play for RPG fans. Though the combat system wears slightly thin after a while, the rest of the game is absolutely stellar. Colorful, funny, and packed full of memorable characters and moments, this is a game that is not to be missed by RPG fans.

Spin Rhythm XD is a straight forward package. It knows it's humble origins, and isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. Better still, this is a game that shines a new light on several artists and songs you may never have heard. Challenging and unforgiving at times, in all the best ways. The only drawback is that there is zero multi-player. Still, while I am late to the party, I'm now within the spin cycle. Pick this up.

MachineGames has fully captured the essence of what makes the original Indiana Jones trilogy great, delivering a fantastic experience full of stunning detail that feels like you are living through one of those 80s Indy adventures. With great characters, amazing graphics, and a stellar story, this game sets a new bar for how to adapt a franchise and give fans a new experience that would otherwise be impossible. A few minor bugs here and there, but otherwise a stellar achievement. Keep 'em coming.

In the end, Arkham Knight proves to be an excellent new chapter in the Arkham franchise. The story is absolutely fantastic, as is most of the gameplay, just prepare to be inundated with constant tank battles.

Some may complain about the filler missions, but it's worth spending the $10 to revisit one of the best games of the year!

Max Payne 3 is a real love-hate relationship. Just when the solo story is getting good, the gameplay will get clunky, the slow-mo will go unused or Max will do something dumb. But then you remember how fun and creative the multiplayer is, and you can't in good conscience completely hate the game. Max 3 is a rocky return to form but at least Max Payne is back and dodging bullets again.

Insomniac has delivered one of the best Spider-Man games to date by nailing all of the details—big and small.

Pokemon Sun and Moon are solid entries into the Pokemon series. While there are a couple of things to nitpick here and there, as any Pokemon game will have, the difficulty is easy enough for new players to get into the series, while more experienced players might find things a bit too easy at times. The trials are also a nice change from the standard gyms and no longer needing specific Pokemon for HMs was a welcome addition.