The game is so deep, so intriguing, that it rivals almost anything (that I’ve seen anyway) that Hollywood can dish out. And while some may be put off by the fact that there are a few thirty-minute cut-scenes in there, everyone should try this game.

theHunter: Call of the Wild isn’t for everyone. It takes a lot of patience and can be impenetrable for those without experience in hunting simulators. But for those with the grit to push through the steep learning curve, this game is quite possibly the best hunting game of all time. If you’re curious about it, I highly recommend giving it a go.

An accessible romp into the world of rhythm games, Groove Coaster Wai Wai Party!!!! is an eclectic treat for anyone trying to get their arcade fix at home. It might take a little time to get used to the controls, but those willing to practice are bound to find a satisfying musical experience.

Bravely Default II is a very flawed but good RPG that deserved a better PC port. With a lack of options that still somehow result in smeared textures, the console version is still the way to go at this price.

Metro Redux combines two of the most uniquely harrowing first-person shooters onto one disc, and applies a whole mess of graphical and gameplay improvements that hit far more than they miss.

Octopath Traveler is an all around enjoyable, nostalgic romp with some nice modern touches. While enjoyment of the storytelling will likely vary from character to character and from player to player, this retro-modern title is filled with sidequests, great music, slightly-hidden team banter, and a gorgeous new approach to pixel art, and is a must-play for any lover of old school JRPGs.

Bye-Bye Box Boy! is a fitting farewell to a beloved sleeper hit. Its minimalist charm and some great puzzle mechanics grant a feeling of excitement for which all puzzle games should strive. I would love to see Qbby star on the Switch, but until then, this game marks the end of an amazing series.

Triangle Strategy boasts a deep story with an involved battle system that remains fun throughout and approachable to those who might not have a strategic head. The cutscenes can be overly long and choices don’t have as big of an impact as they should, but it’s still a great strategy game that you can really sink your teeth into.

Stealthy disguises lead into explosive moments of improvisation. Best-laid plans come to fruition through opportunities, and carefully timed, critical moments mean the difference between a master stroke and a quick death. The 2016 Hitman offers the best of its kind, with an episodic structure that clicks, sandbox playgrounds to pick apart and brilliant design and presentation on all levels.

Madden '07 does make an effort at improvements at the running game but everything else seems to be a bit stale. From the graphics to the defense to the lack of Madden himself, it seems like EA is almost playing out the string.

The Swapper delivers on nearly every front. The puzzles are intelligent and challenging, the story is deep and philosophical and the visual style is incredibly unique and inventive. This is a title that is sure to satisfy fans of science fiction and platform puzzle games alike.

Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection is easily the best Legacy Collection to date while including the entire Zero and ZX series. While the Zero games may be a bit unfair due to the zoomed-in GBA view and unforgiving lives system, the new save-assist feature gives players the ability to play through these games at their own pace without feeling like they’re given too much power. Z-Chaser is lastly a good bonus game, even if it is lacking in the level department.

The Story Mode will make you laugh out loud.

A Space For The Unbound is an unforgettable gem that finds a magnificent nexus point between a relaxing slice-of-life adventure and a supernatural exploration of mental anguish. It explores trauma made manifest within dreamscapes that bend time and space while engrossing players in a captivating rural Indonesian setting that begs to be explored.

It is a must buy for all Final Fantasy fans and a terrific starting point for anyone who hasn't been lucky enough to play the original Final Fantasy VII.

The Darksiders experience from start to finish, despite its sneering faults, is imaginative and compelling when at its best. The story itself, which opens up with an awesome CGI cutscene, never loses steam as War finds himself in ever-changing territory and situations.

Bethesda Game Studios has reached new heights in Starfield. A thrilling narrative, loaded with an entire universe to explore and backed by sublimely polished systems, has ushered in the ultimate Bethesda experience. It’s truly hard to summarize just what makes Starfield special, and that’s because so much of it is. You’ll be glued to your screen for hours, going where no explorer has gone before.

All in all a fun, if brief, addition to the X-Revolution series, and well worth the price.

Titanfall 360 may not be as pretty as the Xbox One edition, but it’s just as functional. Online-only games place most of their burden in places you’ll never see, giving them plenty of time to isolate complaints and patch up the holes.

I cannot stress enough how incredibly great this game is. The storyline, the graphical style and movie-like scene-shifting, the incredible score, the voice-acting, it's all top-notch.

Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine is yet another game that illustrates just what kind of gems can come out of the indie gaming scene. It’s refreshingly original in terms of visual design, unique in its approach to the stealth game genre, and it offers a load of co-op fun that makes it an absolute steal at the default $14.99 USD Steam price, to say nothing of the price you get with the 4-title bundle option.

While Operation Fallen Star is the third booster pack, it is definitely the most feature rich and game changing booster pack yet.

Moonlighter’s original conceit blends shopkeeping with monster-slaying in a way that’s satisfying for most of its length. While both its combat and trading eventually get repetitive, the gorgeous graphics and pixel art make it a pleasant journey while it lasts. Unfortunately, your character’s quest comes to feel as shallow as the merchant’s life he wants to escape with its uninteresting goal and uninspired conclusion.

Moss Book II is a game very deserving of your attention. Its novel use of VR as a medium is fascinating and helps to tell a heartfelt story with you and the adorable Quill at its center. It’s bigger and better than the first in many ways, but is greatly held back by small yet consistent and progress blocking bugs.

While playing through Rogue Galaxy, I kept on thinking that this might be what "Final Fantasy XII" might have been like if you were able to control the characters during battle.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is almost undeniably the definitive version of the 2007 action RPG, as despite its issues it still succeeds at presenting the player with an unforgettable experience.

With its incredible gameplay loop, Hardspace: Shipbreaker is as unique as it is addictive. A handful of minor bugs do little to hold back what is an incredibly immersive and rewarding experience.

The single player delivers, but is a fairly one-trick pony that provides roughly 7 hours of mindless fun punctuated with genuinely funny dialog.

Zero Time Dilemma takes some bold strides to tell the series’ final chapters, but even when it falters, it’s never slow to catch back up and deliver. Through well-designed escape rooms, brilliant writing and narrative decisions, and a more relatable cast than ever, Zero Time Dilemma puts the most deserving and exceptional final touches on this excellent trilogy.

If you’re a fan of Dredge, then I would recommend The Pale Reach without hesitation, it’s a good piece of new content to sate your appetite until Ironhaven releases. However, keep in mind that this DLC won’t change your experience of the main game all that much if you’ve already completed it, it just gives you another chain to explore. All in all, it’s like adding another puzzle piece to a completed puzzle.

Life is Strange: True Colors is very much a Life is Strange game in all the right and wrong ways. The new characters and plot provide a refreshing new take in the series and an enjoyable experience overall.

Coming into the release of MLB 14: The Show, it was clear that this is the king of baseball games. Not only is it the king but no other game is coming anywhere near it’s level of greatness for quite some time.

Ultimately, Helldivers is a fun, extremely well-polished game which is going to appeal to a fairly specific subset of gamers.

The game is definitely an incremental step forward for the series, and not a revolutionary one.

If you're looking for the next great hack-and-slash, Torchlight is this year's finest.

FIFA 19 is another great title in a long list of fine soccer experiences. The controls are smoother, the game modes are even more expansive, and UEFA integration means more chances to become a champion. A formidable upgrade for FIFA as a whole.

Prison Architect is a triumphant simulator that almost perfectly captures the world of prison building and administration.

Isn’t as much of a game as it is an experience. The controller definitely adds to that experience. Just seeing the way the lights flash during the startup sequence is incredible.

Acclaim Cheltenham has successfully combined graphics, sound and game play into a racer that has heart-pounding speed, dizzying visuals, great control and excellent multiplayer functions.

Reviving the gameplay of classics is dangerous — too often our memories betray us, forgetting the problems that game development has overcome over the years.

Despite the disappointing online issues and insane load times, NBA 2K15 is still a very impressive video game. It does so many things correctly and builds upon pre-existing features in all the right ways.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar for the Nintendo Switch 2 is the best that the series has looked, while also adding voice acting to the major plotlines. With creative progression, interesting townspeople, lovely romances, and a fascinating Bazaar system, Grand Bazaar is a great opportunity for new and returning players of the franchise to enjoy a great game in the series. If you’re looking for a great cozy game for the Nintendo Switch 2, look no further than Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar.

While it’s definitely got its flaws, and it doesn’t quite reach the same exceptional standards as its predecessor, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is definitely worth playing. With robust, customizable combat, fun characters and an interesting story, and huge environments to explore, it’s one of the best games on the Switch and an excellent RPG.

Many people complain that sports games do not change sufficiently on a yearly basis to warrant another purchase. That is far from the case with Madden NFL 16 as EA Sports and EA Tiburon have introduced some smart, brand new features that are integrated very well.

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is a return to greatness for the franchise. The content is both accessible and fun for all types of players, and the story actually makes you feel like everything you’re doing is helping to save the Shadowlands. Torghast is one of the best features ever added and makes each experience unique and fun. While there are some issues which can slow down the time it takes to get everything you want, the journey there is still enjoyable.

Advance Wars 1+2 Reboot Camp is a wonderful recreation of a long-neglected classic. The games pull you right in with smooth and satisfying gameplay, a catchy art style, and tons of fun features for many added hours of play. Now the question is, when will we get the rest of the Advance Wars reboots?

As it stands, this very likely is the best PC fighting game available, period – and doubly so for the money. And not only that, but buying the game gives you access to the Skullgirls Beta, so you can test out changes in advance of their going live in the game proper.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun was one of my favorite games of 2017, and Aiko’s Choice is a return to form. Mimimi Games continues to deliver tight gameplay, incredible stealth, and a compelling story to tie it all together.

Dark Souls Remastered doesn’t add a lot to the Dark Souls formula, but then again it doesn’t need to. Its graphical updates are subtle, and sometimes dubious, and the tweaks it makes to the game will only be noticeable to the already converted. But a refreshed pool of players means more opportunities for jolly cooperation, and the Switch makes it more convenient than ever to play the sometimes unapproachable classic. For better or worse, Dark Souls Remastered is essentially the Dark Souls you already know on a new platform.

Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is a good remake, but new features and graphical updates make it a hard sell for those who have already invested many hours in the originals.

Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds is a short, but substantial expansion for an already great game. It doesn’t reinvent the game in any major way, but offers a few excellent hours in a world that players have come to love.

The Last Clockwinder is one of the more chill games to check out on your new PSVR2, and it’s worthy of the purchase. This is the definitive version, with crisp visuals and motion controls backed by an emotional story you connect with even without seeing any of the characters. If you’re looking to decipher a few puzzles with the help of a few cute little robots, this is the game for you.

The game will beat you silly, but the challenge and gameplay are so much fun that the need to press forward is strong.

It has an unmistakable charm, and it could have been a great game. As it is, it's hard to recommend to anyone except for hardcore rhythm game fans.

Pistol Whip is insanely fun, downright hectic, and excellent for parties. While the seven levels won’t last very long, the soundtrack and compelling rhythmic gameplay carry this one to stratospheric heights. Embrace your gun kata, and pick this up.

While Little Nightmares might not scare your pants off, it will definitely get your heart racing. The game’s mix of incredible art design and enjoyable gameplay create a memorable game that gets better with each level. While Little Nightmares’ long load times will hopefully get patched out currently, they make exploring a lot less desirable. Puzzles in the game could be better, but its main gameplay elements come off very thrilling and fun.

So, if you have no problem with a 3rd person view and enjoy fast-moving action games with a definite flare for movie feel, you should go out and pick up EoN.

Chicken Police – Paint it RED! is surprisingly one of the best written games of this year. Hidden behind its animal/human exterior lies a gritty tale that’s sharply written, with a mix of humor and thrilling drama that will have you clucking for more.

Stealth is my genre, and from sneaky signature kills to spectacularly horrifying 'accidents', nobody does it quite like Agent 47.

Wrath of the Righteous is a deep, engaging, faithful recreation of the tabletop campaign with only minor flaws. Its Crusade system is imperfect and the learning curve is more of a mountain, but the reward for getting through both is a long experience with incredible replay value. I know I will be replaying a few times soon, and I invite you to do the same.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus still has some lingering flaws from the series' rough transition to 3D, but is still an incredibly fun time from start to finish. Catching and battling Pokémon hasn’t been this fun in over a decade, and despite the wealth of things to do in Hisui I’m still hungry for more.

Guitar Hero III definitely fixes that issue and makes the game more friendly for the casual gamer scene. Don’t let the boss battles scare you, and if you approach it with an open mind you’ll probably find that you enjoy them.

Alan Wake is definitely art, and is well written enough to keep my wife and I on the edge of our seats from beginning to end. If I can admit something, and give Alan Wake the biggest compliment I can bestow, I’d tell you that I had a nightmare about the game the night after I completed it. No horror game has ever managed that feat or even come close. It may have taken them five years to kick it out of the door, but Remedy has created a masterpiece.

All in all, Sonic 2 is still a great game this time wrapped in a very nice package. The new modes make the game more accessible than ever, while still retaining the core Sonic experience. While there are some nice details, like being able to switch between versions of the game and the Sonic & Knuckles lock-on cart appearing when selecting the echidna's mode, the lack of widescreen support is very strange.

Katana Zero is an extraordinarily fun experience for the few hours it lasts, but the bad taste it left in my mouth lingered much longer.

With better focus on what players want, including four (useful!) costumes per character, a plethora of villians and heroes from Marvel lore, better visuals, tighter RPG elements, less of the Chatty-Cathy moments, and FAR more tough boss and mini-boss battles, Marvel Ultimate Alliance could be the geekfest that keeps players wrapped onto whatever platform they chose like a pair of tight blue spandex with a big 4 on the chest.

Mortal Kombat’s “new era” takes more from the old ones than the reboot implies. While this allows Mortal Kombat 1 to bring the best elements of the series to the forefront, it also distracts from what should be a bold new beginning.

With blisteringly fast paced combat and visceral gameplay, The First Berserker: Khazan is a masterclass in the hardcore action RPG genre. Unrelenting bosses, vivid and varied environments, and fair-but-challenging foes come together with engaging mechanics to create an unforgettable journey of vengeance.

The game isn't so much about gratuitous violence as it is about Imperialism. The point of the game is not to spend all your time fighting and running from the hall monitors as it is about conquering the groups and reigning over the campus.

The Plucky Squire is an adorable adventure for everyone to enjoy. It has some issues, like glitches and a less than stellar story, but plucky really is the right word to describe the game. It's technically ambitious and impressively varied, making it easy to forgive its shortcomings.

Broforce is a fun game, but it’s overbearing and obnoxious tone made it difficult to play for more than an hour or so at a time.

This is a game that is packed with so much to do and experiment with that anyone who gives it a shot will definitely get their money’s worth.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is frankly a fantastic game and is objectively one of the best Star Wars games ever made. The languages are accurate, the character designs are flawless, and the art design is incredible. It's no surprise that the game is revered by both standard RPG and Star Wars fans, and thankfully, the Switch version pulls through with a highly efficient port.

While not perfect, Dust: An Elysian tail is a solid 10-15 hour action game with impressive visuals, a huge map to delve into, and tons of secrets to uncover. Even with a lack of difficulty, fans of the genre, and even fans of action games in general, will find plenty to love here.

Buried Stars will slip under the radar for most people; I implore you to check this wonderful visual novel out, as it’s perhaps one of the best narrative experiences this year. With a relatable and fleshed out cast of characters mixed with simple yet engrossing mystery mechanics, this one deserves your time and attention.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a really cool take on a classic story from the darker side of the Marvel comics universe. Gameplay is a pretty simple mashup between strategy card games and XCOM’s turn-based combat system, making for a refreshing way to experience being a superhero. However the game does have some performance issues, particularly loading times, and some of the side content lacks meaningful contributions to the mission.

I don’t think there are any weaknesses in the story or its delivery – the plot is fairly simple, as is the combat. I think Vicarious Visions does this series proud in carrying out a new and challenging role – take a genre-defining product and bring some freshness to it while maintaining the consistency and imagination of new characters balanced with the old.

All and all, it just dosen't seem as fun, and that takes away from the overall experience.

Ys X: Proud Nordics is a fantastic game with some great new content and additions, but it all feels like it could and should have been an update or DLC unless you're playing on a new platform. The Switch 2 version is great portable or docked, however, and may be worth sailing the high seas again.

I can find fault with anything.

The bugs in the title really frustrated me (and many others), and while there are workarounds, the players really shouldn't have to work around bugs and lapses in development, especially since some of the bugs were carried over from "MLB 06."

One of those gimmicky games that actually innovates rather than rely on it's gimmick alone.

Tropical Freeze offers up a ton of challenge (though perhaps a bit too much at times) and secrets to those craving a little break from the popular plumber. But I played this game already, back when it was called Donkey Kong Country Returns.

The graphics, sounds, and controls are almost spot-on perfect replicas of their console counterpart. This is the best portable version of any Tony Hawk game to date.

The depth overwhelmed me for a bit, especially trying to remember all of the alchemy recipes, and some of the boss fights were extremely tough, but the game overall shines and is definitely one of the best, and quirkiest, games on the PS2 out this year.

Whether you enjoy the humor aspect, the run and gun gameplay, or the fast and furious multiplayer, Glitch has a little something for everyone. The small details in the title and some of the innovations will keep you coming back for more, even if some of the gameplay is mindless repetition.

Synth Rider’s 80’s neon wave aesthetics and incredible soundtrack combine with simple but challenging mechanics to create one of the most entertaining and engaging VR games I’ve played in quite a while. Come for the fresh beats, stay for the great workout.

The Wizards - Dark Times is great. It’s absolutely a must-have if you’re interested in VR spellcasting using only hand movements, and generally want to feel like a wizard. While there are some minor grievances with the gameplay, they pale in comparison to the level of fun and enjoyment you’ll get out of this one.

DOOMBLADE offers fantastic combat, lore, and art direction which propel it to greatness. Despite progressing and backtracking being confusing and tedious at times, and a few lackluster boss fights, the occasional dullness was alleviated by great music and worldbuilding that spurs intrigue. The devs created a world that I was continuously getting lost in, both literally and figuratively.

Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is a great time exploring, mining, drinking, singing, and more with friends on multiplayer than is steady with crossplay while also providing a solo mode for those wanting to handle things on their own and explore the mysteries of the Mines of Moria on their terms. With moments from John Rhys-Davies as Gimli, to lore drops in-game from characters such as Gandalf; Return to Moria will be a game any Lord of the Rings fan should have a fun time putting hours into.

Threshold takes a simple premise and runs with it, mixing a curious blood-soaked mystery with thin altitude air. The mystery of the ceaseless train atop the mountain peak is interesting to uncover, even if some of the gameplay systems try to get in the way at times. The train must run, just don’t look inside.

Trombone Champ: Unflattened is one of the funniest VR experiences I’ve ever had, and I don’t think my wife has ever enjoyed watching me play a game as much as she enjoyed me performing with a screeching cat as a trombone. This is the perfect game to hop into with a group of friends and take turns trying to earn the most toots, or just laugh at each other as you put on ridiculous performances. If you’re a fan of rhythm games, definitely do yourself a favor and pick up Unflattened.

Overall, OFF is definitely worth the purchase just for the experience you have whilst playing it. It’s wholly unique and has you contemplating your actions and its world throughout and way after the credits roll. Whilst it may just have a basic battle system and puzzles, OFF is a masterclass in feeling and atmosphere, and this new remaster makes it even more accessible to a modern audience.

You might be better to wait for a price drop or pick up the original Pure if you can find it, as both games are too similar to each other to give Pulse a recommendation.

Rebuilt in every way, and unlocking the entire Gears franchise for a value-conscious price, this truly is the Ultimate Edition of Gears of War.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is a wonderful game, but this PS5 upgrade doesn’t do much to justify its existence. You get the DLC and an obtuse 120 fps mode, sure, but you’re basically still getting the exact same experience as if you played the PS4 version on a PS5 or Pro. The game itself is highly recommended, but console upgrades should have more features and this feels like less than the bare minimum.

Don't let the shortness of the game dissuade you from the experience, it's worth just about every second of it.

A vast improvement over its predecessor, just by adding online play and improving the character management system.