I was expecting Dead Space 2 to be a great game, but it exceeded my expectations with beautiful, creative environments and a large array of both enemies and weapons with which to kill them.

The HD-ification of Okami is a stunning success. The improved visuals alone make the cheap price of admission worth it. And if you missed this game in 2006, now's the perfect time to make up for it.

While not as fresh and new as the original game, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 is a phenomenal action game full of unique modes, fun multiplayer and tons of excitement.

Maintaining the beloved "Civilization" feel while adding some delicious "boardgame" goodness, Civilization V is a solid addition to any strategy library.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption overcomes its small flaws with an adventure that will keep any gamer captivated from start to finish.

Monster Hunter World is a fascinating and beautiful game. MMO fans, action fans, RPG fans, and open world fans will all find something to love. This is a game that invites players in and gradually reveals its glorious depths. The non-conventional multi-player aspect might take some time to get used to, but the core loop of hunting monsters and crafting gear is so strong and addictive that even the most skeptical players will be snared by Monster Hunter's hooks if they give it half a chance.

Guild Wars 2 surpasses the original in every aspect, from its massive and atmospheric world to its addictive and engrossing gameplay.

With its sharp presentation and emphasis on variety, Forza 2 is definitely one of the best games of 2007.

Pushmo is easily one of the best puzzle games I've ever played in quite some time. With over 200 puzzles already in the game, plus the ability to create your own, this game has quite a bit of replay value and depth to it.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a fantastic introduction to the series for newcomers, and a no-brainer for series veterans. This is one of the best and most reliably fun JRPG franchises on the market today, packing a fantastic narrative, a beautiful world, a rewarding battle system, and memorable characters together in one deep and sprawling package. You can't miss with this one.

Hearts of Stone is a metric ton of fantastic Witcher 3 content. It's a must for owners of the original game.

With absolute minimal issues with gameplay, the deepest roster in any title to date, updated career and pro modes, and some of the most accurate player models, FIFA 13 is the best soccer game to date. If this were the World Cup, FIFA 13 would be hoisting the trophy.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has FromSoftware’s typical brutal difficulty, but honestly that’s beside the point. What matters is the thoughtful, precision-based combat, smart use of stealth, and a skill tree that’s trimmed of fat. This game shows what you can do with game design if you dispense with the extraneous and focus on strong core mechanics. It’s a punishing, rewarding, and beautiful experience.

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.

It’s all there: high fidelity track and car models, intelligent and aggressive AI opponents, and a game structure that allows you full latitude in how, when, where, and what you want to race. It’s hard to find anything to complain about in Viva Media’s new GTR 2.

Polyarc has done an outstanding job with Moss Book II and I never thought I could get so emotionally attached to an adorable mouse like Quill. An immersive world and lovable main character are only the cherries on top of what otherwise is a solid VR puzzle-action-platformer game.

Borderlands 2 takes the franchises's successful formula of tons of guns and absurd humor combined with enough bells and whistles to make you drool like a dog at feeding time and simply updates it instead of changing it completely.

Persona 3 Portable would have been a great game even if it was nothing more than a straight port of the PlayStation 2 game, but instead Atlus added enough new content to make this the first must-own PSP RPG of the year!

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is an expertly crafted strategy game that improves on the original in every way. It's a cinematic treat that is accessible enough for gamers of all experience. Best of all, it's not a bore. With more than 70 missions and a competitive two-player mode, XCOM is a high water mark for 2012!

Easily one of the most cinematic games released on any platform. The graphics and sound grab you from the first mission and carry you through to the end of the game. The only thing that is really holding the game back is the buggy/laggy multiplayer which will hopefully be fixed soon.

If you’re a fan of the series, this is one you definitely don’t want to overlook.

In most games there is a simple pleasure of success that accompanies them. The payoff for Dark Souls isn't guaranteed, but goes somewhat deeper than that. It feels a little more like genuine accomplishment, found in small does along the way and promised in large measure when you finally find yourself skilled at this wonderfully unique little corner of the gaming world.

The development team catered to their core group, and I feel they made the game that they wanted to play. But ultimately I also feel I have to hold them responsible for making a game that feels inaccessible in so many ways.

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

Peter Molyneux has earned a standing ovation for realizing his magnum opus, with Fable II serving as the pinnacle of his body of work, and a high-water mark for player-concocted storytelling in a role-playing game.

With new gameplay mechanics, improved combat, exciting new online multiplayer options and a brand new storyline, Brotherhood is packed with an overwhelming amount of content!

Left 4 Dead 2 took a great first-person shooter experience and added fresh new gameplay modes, loads of murdering and surviving accessories from melee weapons to adrenaline shots, all of which continues to satiate my desires for an FPS game that I can happily and easily spend a copious amount of hours on.

Axiom Verge is a great game with plenty of exploration, and the additions to the Wii U version were nicely handled. Fans of the Metroid series will likely want to check it out. Be cautious however, as there’s a lot of back tracking to previous areas that felt like it could have been handled better. If you can get past that, you have a great Metroid-style game that feels like it belongs on an 8-bit or 16-bit system.