Hyakki Castle probably wouldn’t be great for newbies to the dungeon-crawling scene, but if you already know you like the movement and combat system then it’s definitely something to try. It has its mechanical issues, and requires a lot of fiddling to figure out at first, but is executed creatively and diversely enough to still be engaging. It just needs a little extra touch to become the beacon that it wants to be.

How do you expand a game that already has everything? In this case, by trying to fix its problems. Unfortunately, it looks like HOI3's issues go deeper than a patch can address. Like a true marine, Semper Fi got a thankless job.

Pirate Pop Plus is a game where fans of the classics will likely enjoy it, especially fans of Pang and Buster Bros. If you’re not normally fan of arcade-style games, you might want to check out Pang first, then decide if five dollars is worth spending on a game that resembles Pang with a couple of other mechanics thrown in.

While there may have the smallest step taken toward improving the gameplay, Madden 25 falls completely flat because the proper simulation modes still feel the same and haven't changed much. The UI may look different, but the same options for relocation/renovation, the same team management options, and soulless superstar options drag this game down back to where the franchise has been for the past several years. It's disappointing in every sense of the word.

Interesting and unique in its design, Remember Me takes a by-the-book approach to the action genre to create an enjoyable adventure.

Don’t get me wrong, Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends is a ton of fun, but that is coming from a long-time fan of the series. If you know what to expect from the game, you will enjoy having access to the complete package on the go with its insane amount of content and replay. However, I am afraid that some of the technical hiccups are going to scare away gamers who get their introduction via this port.

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.

Fans will likely eat this sequel up, but Verdict Day makes it hard for newcomers and casual mech fans alike.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed can take you back to 2008, with all the good and mediocrity that comes with it. Do you need to play this if you like Star Wars? I think so. It’s a story that feels right at home with the original trilogy, some plot is good, some goofy, it’s certainly Star Wars. Some shortcomings like basic level design, targeting, and boss mini games. But using your force lightning to attack clone troops is satisfying. Not a perfect game, but darn near close to a perfect Star Wars game.

Afro Samurai might’ve been a rare instance where form could win out over function. But overused (if gorgeous) set pieces, deep (if piecemealed) storylines, and epically multi-stage (if angering) boss fights taint the beautiful blaxploitation brilliance. But the wholesale dismissal of Afro’s unique vision and execution would, nevertheless, be a regrettable mistake.

Ash of Gods is a solid strategy RPG with impressive production values for its modest budget, but its story and lore and incredibly dense and could make it difficult to get into the game’s visual novel elements if the plot and setting don’t immediately grab you.

88 Heroes: 98 Heroes Edition is an enjoyable game with an interesting and unique premise, plus the multiple game modes do make for a lot of replayability. However, some of the heroes basically do nothing but jump and some of the ones that can attack have attacks that can easily backfire if you don’t know what you’re doing, making a lot of the game trial and error. Also if you get down to just one hero, get very used to him/her/it as you do have unlimited continues, but unless you get enough coins to revive someone, that’s all you have for the rest of the game.

This action-RPG/dungeon builder hybrid fails to live up to the predecessors it so carefully tries to emulate.

Quantum of Solace is a solid action game with good graphics and great voice acting. Unfortunately it's also an extremely short experience that isn't very original.

Tharsis, you hate me, but I like you. Your small and meticulous craftsmanship. Your board game sensibilities. Your dancefloor rhythms thumping out the soundtrack to my cyclical death. I couldn't stop myself from voyaging (and dying on the way) to Tharsis again and again.

More enticing systemically than it is narratively, Windbound nevertheless succeeds as a sojourner's adventure of striving for survival and greater understanding.

Wrath of Cobra is a game that shows the love the developers have for the source content through and through. Unfortunately, that love doesn’t equal a polished and fine-tuned gaming experience. It is can enjoyable romp for fans to see and experience, but its shortcomings and technical issues keep it from being something they will truly enjoy.

Don't bother unless you're either a Gundam or Dynasty Wars completionist.

Bottom line: Over the Hedge was fun for tweens, but better for the bottom end of the ESRB rating.

Dark Eclipse is inarguably difficult to learn, but once you are over that hump the game is simply spectacular. Just because you don’t understand everything right out of the gate doesn’t mean that deep and thoughtful design isn’t present. There is real depth of strategy here, and the fun visuals are just the icing on the cake. I’m hoping that the audience that has currently found Dark Eclipse sticks with it (and continues to grow), because this is a great game that deserves to thrive.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 tries to do a lot of things. It doesn't all come off but the end result is more game to play. The core elements are all there, and even if you think the campaign is an abomination, you still have PvP and zombies that don't stray as far from the course—just like you had every other year.

Phantom Brave is a charming little adventure game from people who know a thing or two about the genre. Unfortunately, the intriguing quest is marred by shallow gameplay and some pacing issues. If you're already bored of the newer role-playing games, then give this seven year old port a good long look!

More work than fun, this dual-stick shooter soon becomes a repetitive and tedious chore. Only for die-hard completist 40K fanatics.

You're better off just playing through the first game a second time and waiting for The Godfather III!

A fantasy RTS/RPG hybrid that fails to do anything new or exciting. Nothing terribly bad here, but it’s just hard to work up any enthusiasm for this title.

After a throw-away attempt on the DS, Warthog has constructed a passable platformer with the Animaniacs franchise. You won't find anything fresh or spectacular, but the gameplay is competent and the show has (finally) been recreated with some decent accuracy.

Galaxy of Pen and Paper hearkens back to a more manual style of game play that has aged well, but requires a more patient set of players than most games today. The writing is imaginative, and it seems a good introduction to the genre, but the graphics may be off-putting to those that enjoy more realistic renderings.

Gift of Parthax is a pretty decent top-down arena brawler. While the keyboard and mouse controls can be a bit clunky and a lot of the game can just make you feel like you’re going through the paces battle after battle, there is a good amount of strategy involved with what spells to take into a battle, what runes to place in them, and how to deal with the enemies you encounter. While the fights early on may seem a bit slow in their pacing, Gift of Parthax is an enjoyable game if you give it a chance.