The premise behind Nom Nom Galaxy wears thin after a can or two. Its neatly focused premise and evolving puzzles don't progress at a rate to keep things stimulating for more than a few planets' worth of corporate conquest.

If you missed out on Deadlight when it was originally released and are into action platformers, I do recommend checking it out. Just be prepared for the frustration to ramp up as the game goes on.

Maquette has a great puzzle mechanic as its central hook, though it sometimes struggles with obtuse implementation and fussy controls. Nonetheless, the narrative arc of the young relationship at the center of the game is well worth a bit of frustration to experience. Some lovely visuals and music make playing Maquette that much more rewarding.

Payday: the heist isn't without its problems but it is easily one of the most enjoyable multiplayer experiences out there. Just make sure that you have some buddies on your friend's list with the game because joining up with random people, or better yet not being able to, can really suck the fun out of it all.

The game is simple, fun, and safe for the whole family. It may not be game of the year, but it certainly is worth a look from strategy buffs.

TimeShift has a great concept that should have added something new and original to the crowded first-person shooter genre. Unfortunately Sierra's newest action game is marred by a boring story, an easy difficulty and time shifting abilities that aren't nearly as much fun as they should have been.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold is equal parts classic beat-em-up and tribute to the beloved animated series. It's a brawler that anyone, genre fans included, can pick up and have a good time with. For fans of the TV show it's a must own, replicating the series' charm and campy wit with all the same writing, voice talent and art style.

Even though it has a few annoying and erroneous elements and an uncompelling, cringeworthy story, Dead Rising 3 is still an incredibly fun game. If you're looking for something where you can turn your brain off and go ballistic- Dead Rising 3 is going to be a perfect fit for you.

Bomberman's newest Xbox Live Arcade game is hardly the revelation some were hoping for, but it's a solid multiplayer game nonetheless.

A clever adventure puzzle game that reminds me of a simpler time in gaming. The guys at Double Fine do a great job in working with mechanics of yesteryear and make The Cave a compelling adventure from start to finish.

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.

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway is a perfectly competent kart racer, which is elevated by an insane number of levels, characters, and configuration options. Far better than I expected, Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 blasts players in the face with a slime-hose of options and game modes, offering hours of entertainment to kids and parents alike. Bottom line is, my kids like it, I like it, and we aren't going to stop playing it any time soon. I can't think of a better recommendation for a title of this nature.

Elex II ignores current game design ethos and rages to its own weird beat. Weird, fun, tough, and unpredictably funny, Elex II is feels like a DIY punk-rock open world game, janky and awesome all at the same time. Steer clear if you insist on perfection in your games, but if you are willing to go for the ride and appreciate the flaws instead of being bothered by them, you’ll find a deep and fun adventure unlike anything else on the market.

MX vs. ATV: Untamed is a solid performer and offers a broad experience in off-road racing. It's fun in both single- and multi-player and is definitely worth a look if you enjoy getting dirty.

Monster Rancher is a unique take on a game, it also takes someone who wants to play a unique kind of game to get the maximum enjoyment from it. I don’t think that was me, but I can appreciate two well made games, even if they’re not my perfect cup of tea. The Nintendo Switch might be the best place for this type of slower paced, menu based game. Overall I enjoyed my time with the games, but not as much as I hoped to.

In summary, Cities in Motion looks to become a solid transportation sim in a colorful package. A comprehensive city model and a wide assortment of transport modes provide a wealth of choices to the aspiring city planner.

Even with some questionable controls and outdated graphics, Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble feels like the River City Ransom sequel I've been waiting for.

This DLC content comes off feeling a little 'more of same.' It doesn't introduce anything terribly new, and feels like it has less content and depth than the first chapter. I'm holding out hope that the third chapter can wrap this up neatly.

Minecraft Dungeons is a competent hack n' slash RPG; nothing more, nothing less. It has the outward charm of the creative masterpiece that inspired it, but very little depth. What is here is fun for a time in solo or co-op, but don't expect it to hold your attention long-term.

With only two buttons and 20-second rounds, DiveKick may sound too simple to be any fun. But that's where you're wrong. This is a game that will not only bring new fans to the genre, but also keep the hardcore fighting fans coming back for more. Throw in a memorable cast of characters and you have one of this year's best fighting games.

Teslagrad 2 is built for fans of the original. If you're looking for a longer campaign, you'll have to look elsewhere, but if you find a good deal on a bundle, pick it up. Play the first, then the second. Maybe speed run them the second time around. Graphics and sound are amazing, and the game will definitely give a challenge. But that could be where it's electromagnetism stops.

Hyrule Warriors Legends is a pretty amazing achievement on the 3DS hardware, but that same hardware imposes some rather glaring limitations. It’s almost feature-complete compared to the Wii U game but a smaller screen and lower resolution hamper the overall experience.

The name of the game pretty much spells out exactly what you can expect: LEGO Jurassic World. It is the traditional, Travelers’ Tale LEGO experience that is becoming all too familiar, set in a Jurassic Park setting. Nothing more. Nothing less.

The great presentation is undone by a number of questionable gameplay decisions.

In the end, the kids will eat this one up. They'll come home from seeing the movie and play this game to death.

If you’re into Metroidvanias, Elderand is a fantastic entry for the genre. The game looks and sounds great, the controls and mechanics and tight and responsive, and the challenge is fair with tough boss fights that are very learnable. With multiple weapon types to swap between and some optional things you can do that might change the game’s outcome, there’s no doubt that I’ll be playing through Elderand again. This is definitely one I’d recommend checking out.

Ronin is fun to play and its strengths more than overcome its weaknesses.

If Rick & Morty: Virtual Rick-ality were a discount title, I would say Take a look, but keep your expectations in check. However, this is one of the more expensive VR titles, and the brevity of the story combined with the frustration of some broken mechanics make this a mixed bag. The game is fun when it is working correctly, and the world building and writing are top notch, but don’t expect to spend more than a couple of hours in Rick’s garage, with some of that time spent wrestling with broken mechanics.