BOXBOXBOY is a great follow-up to the original game, though some gamers might find the game a bit on the easy side as while a lot of the later puzzles will make you think deeply about how to solve them, none are downright impossible or insanely difficult. Even with that, the game is still a worthy follow-up to its predecessor.

It is what it is: An enjoyable time in Middle-earth as all of the favorite characters from the nine members of the Fellowship. The standard issues with LEGO games are there, but with a deep amount of gameplay, numerous characters to choose from, and the feeling of actually watching or reading the trilogy means plenty of fun for those looking for a break from the gory versions of hack-and-slash games.

Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl is a fairly solid game. While the early going can be a bit rough since money might be more spent on healing than buying new weapons and armor, the game’s mechanics and Story Mode’s story elements still make for a fairly sold game. This is one that newcomers and veterans alike should enjoy.

Assassin's Creed III may not be the sequel I hoped for, but it remains another solid entry in the time-bending franchise. The setting is a lot of fun to explore and the first half really works on a storytelling level. Unfortunately, the quality is thwarted by a weak villain, boring hero, and frustrating mission designs. Couple that with a disappointing ending and it's hard to be enthusiastic about Ubisoft's latest Assassin's Creed game.

While not as flashy as Final Fantasy or as original as Skies of Arcadia, this updated re-release is a testament to how much fun a well-crafted turn-based role-playing game can be. Grandia II: Anniversary Edition improves the visuals, adds a new difficulty and offers Japanese voice acting, but fails to put the 15 year old role-playing game into context.

Outlast is an incredibly effective horror game with a satisfying story, good looks and good pacing. Unfortunately, the whole thing is nearly derailed by linear level designs and painfully simple gameplay. But many horror fans will ignore all that when they discover just how scary Outlast really is!

This stand-alone expansion delivers extended gameplay and adds nuclear strategies to one of the most detailed WWII games on the market. Great for fans of the series who wanted just a few more years to complete their world conquests.

Building up your character and playing the various challenges can be fun. There are plenty of game modes and online play to keep you busy. Some of the animations can be repetitive and the AI can frustrate you sometimes.

Disgaea 4 is everything a Disgaea fan could want, which is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that it's an enjoyable game, a curse in that you probably won't finish it until after the holiday season.

Guardians of the Galaxy sets a new high bar for interactive storytelling and jaw-dropping visuals. With an unparalleled attention to detail, Guardians tells a rollicking sci-fi story rooted in true human emotion. But the gameplay sections of this narrative masterpiece sometimes bog down the proceedings with merely "okay" combat and exploration.

With well-designed missions, strong graphics and a good balance of “realistic” and “fun”, Phase 2 is a decent way to spend some gaming hours. It’s not as standout as it needs to be to drag itself from the pile of “me too!” WWII titles, but Phase 2 is certainly near the top of a very long list.

While the story is okay and the graphics are pretty nice, it’s the battle system that keeps me coming back. While the game is only six chapters, there is a lot of story and Idolosphere exploring to add a lot of hours to the game that make it feel worthwhile.

While I would liked to have had a bit more variety (the ability to carry a fight inside a building, for example), it is a very impressive first effort for this new genre.

A beautifully crafted RPG that provides the boost that the GameCube so desperately needed.

A total package and a feast for the senses, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 should not be missed. It feels like a game brought forward from the Xbox 360 era in the best possible way. Put simply, Space Marine 2 is on the short list for 2024’s best shooter.

All told, AI Wars: Fleet Command is bound to be a delight to any fan of the heavier strategy titles.

Dragon Age: Origins’ expansion, Awakening, gives you 20+ more hours of an experience that entails characters with depth and a captivating storyline that picks up and expands in a very unique way from the original game.

Modern Warfare is the most astounding Call of Duty I've played since World at War. But they haven't gone as far they could, in the campaign especially. The multiplayer is outstanding, as always, with the slightest modifications eking out big results. But in the game's attempt to shock and awe, I don't think they're quite there yet.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty pushes the boundaries of a Souls-like game by introducing refreshing and unique takes on otherwise overused formulas. The emphasis on deflecting and the new morale mechanic makes for a challenging and rewarding combat system only to be further enhanced by the dramatic backdrop of the Three Kingdoms.

Exactly what one would expect from one of Kratos’ adventures. It’s gritty, action packed, super-violent, and feels as epic as ever. As fun as it is, one can’t help but feel like we have played this game before...perhaps a major change of scenery is needed before this patented formula wears out its welcome.

DarkStalkers Resurrection is yet another high-quality fighting game collection from Capcom, a company that has gotten real good at this sort of thing. With an online mode and plenty of goodies to unlock, this DarkStalkers compilation is easy to embrace with open arms. Don't be intimidated by the chaotic action, the two games found in DarkStalkers Resurrection are well worth the asking price.

There were times I wanted to root for Goodbye Deponia, and there were times I wanted to, well, say goodbye to all of it. Deponia happens to miss almost all of my laugh bases with its self-aggrandizing jibs and jabs, but that doesn't mean its puzzles and gameplay mechanics fail. It's confident and consistent in its tone, even if its tone isn't laughable when it should be, which means its drama is off-kilter when it shouldn't be.

A little rough around the edges with traversal but there is so much charm and fun with this game that I can easily overlook the negatives. Each level is like a trip down memory lane and reminds me of when I had epic battles that left a complete mess of my bedroom, living room and more. With lots of replayability and fun game play, Hypercharged: Unboxed will be one of those surprise hits for me of the year. A game I didn't even know existed that ended up being one of my favorites of the year.

Lego Dimensions follows the trend of solid gameplay from developer TT Games while introducing new mechanics with the included toy pad and minifigures.

Bandai Namco and CyberConnect2 have done some amazing work here, and everyone who's a fan of the show needs to play this game.

Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition is a welcome addition to one of the best fighters available today and something Street Fighter fans will undoubtedly eat up.

With a robust story mode, a deeper grappling system and the addition of online play, this is the best wrestling game available today.

Company of Heroes 2: The British Forces is an excellent multiplayer expansion pack for veteran players, while it's also a great entry point for newcomers with its standalone design.