The title is chock full of little details that make it a must-have. While it is a bit on the short side, there are plenty of collectibles to keep you busy after you complete the game, and the entire ride is entertaining from start to finish. In a sea of holiday sameness, how many games can make that claim?

Gloomhaven’s jump from board game to PC keeps the game as strategic and satisfying as it ever was, all while streamlining the experience and opening it up to new avenues of play. The genuine effort of the creators shows through to a game that is worthy for fans and newcomers alike to struggle against the hordes of doom that threaten your very cards.

Vectronom is a stylish rhythm-puzzler with delightfully unforgiving difficulty and a fist-pumping electronic soundtrack. This is one game you should definitely try out if you want a musically-inclined challenge for your Switch.

Slime-san is a surprisingly refreshing twitch-based platformer that will put a smile on anyone’s face. Its sharp controls mixed with brutal but balanced difficulty, as well as some well-done pixelated graphics, makes Slime-san a must buy for anyone looking for some platforming goodness.

Mortal Kombat 11 offers the same gory, over-the-top violence that we've come to love from the series. The story is interesting, meshing past and present together in a fun way. Several modes offer replayability, but the grinding resources for the Krypt may get tedious.

Overall, Eco Lifestyle has been an average experience, though to be fair I am not overly interested in the concepts presented in the expansion. In general I have a lot more fun in packs with nightlife, celebrity, magic, and supernatural concepts, and it has been that way for me throughout all of The Sims games. It is pretty neat that your actions have an impact on the map and you see changes, be it negative or positive, but I personally didn’t feel the need to do anything else once I had my neighborhood cleaned up. Evergreen Harbor itself isn’t a very interesting map to live on, and I don’t see myself continuing on with the Sim or game I started on it.

Everything you wanted from an Outer Wilds DLC in a package you never thought to expect. Echoes of the Eye puts its own twists on the base game’s formula without a single misstep.

In short, this is a much better multiplayer game than a single player one.

With three titles of great quality being redesigned to be beautiful even by today’s standards, the Spyro Reignited Trilogy burns bright. Little touches such as a unique design for every Elder Dragon, an attention to detail in the aesthetics of the levels, and a dynamic music system breathe life into what was already a lively collection. Spyro is back, and his games are exactly as good as you remember.

Delivers on its promises and is a worthy addition to the legacy of Looking Glass, we can only hope that more innovation and interaction is present in what all Thief fans are hoping for; "Thief 4."

If you are a fan of classic Dungeon Crawlers then there isn't a whole lot to complain about with Legend of Grimrock. This is a tribute to games like Dungeon Master, Eye of the Beholder and Ultima Underworld.

DiRT Rally 2.0 is a simulator designed for the most hardcore off-road racing fans, and offers one of the most challenging rallying experiences I’ve ever played. Casual racing fans may shy away at this title, but if you want pure, uncut racing simulation straight into your veins, this is the game for you.

While Devil May Cry 3 is starting to show its age, it still holds its title as one of the best character action games ever made. The new additions add a refreshing twist on this classic game, while still retaining its difficulty and depth. And who knows, after so many re-releases and playthroughs, maybe people will notice how meaningful and well told the story is.

All three of these games are exactly what you’d expect from other versions: the same shootin’, lootin’, and possibly rootin’ and tootin’ found on other platforms. However, this style of game is a great fit for a portable console and may be worth double dipping if you’ve never played the DLC before.

There are few games that have ever made me scream in anger or shout with unbridled joy as often as Knockout City and I absolutely can’t stop playing. It’s a near-perfect team multiplayer game packed with strategy, heart, and an incredibly impressive level of polish. Even if it’s a bit buggy and lacking in content at the moment, I can’t recommend it enough.

A visceral assault on the senses, Little Nightmares II drowns you in its thick, moody atmosphere and renders you helpless against the Pale City’s many horrors. It is a meticulously crafted, devilishly clever puzzle-adventure that weaponizes every tool the medium has to offer to terrify you. While it retains many of the flaws that hurt its predecessor, its length, polish, and ambition propel it to the upper echelon of horror games.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga takes LEGO games to a new level; changing the way we’ll see LEGO games moving forward. With 300+ characters to unlock, 1000+ Kyber Bricks to collect, and 20+ planets to explore: there’s something for every fan in this Galaxy Far, Far Away.

While the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters aren’t perfect, they’re certainly the best and most convenient ways to play these classic games. The soundtracks are lovingly orchestrated and the pixel art is gorgeous, though the latter does lose some detail in the translation. Each game feels great to play, but I do wish extra content from previous releases or remakes had been included.

Mario Party Jamboree harkens back to an older time for Mario Party while adding new game modes, courses, mini-games, and characters. With 110 mini-games with different types of motion controls, rhythm games, and more, you and your friends will have a great time learning all the new stuff while enjoying two re-created older courses. If you’ve taken a break from Mario Party for any reason in the past six years, Jamboree is the one to get you back into the party.

Looking at this game I cannot get over the idea that Rare is stuck in rut with originality. Their collect-a-thon games are getting boring and adding that idea to the Zelda framework is just wrong in my opinion. This is a Gold Nugget, but nothing special.

With an abundance of accessibility and irresistible charm, this version of Two Point Hospital is a shining example of a console port done right. The incredible control scheme will make you forget that the PC version even existed! With its clean bill of health, this is the best business sim game you will find on consoles.

It carries with it some of the best aspects of "Call of Duty 2," and adds some new gameplay elements to the series. On the downside, it also brings with it some occasionally braindead AI, and is still a very linear game.

Battlefield 6 is an iconic and outstanding Battlefield experience, from every step in the campaign to every battle in multiplayer. The game stands tall with the return of the class system, intense vehicular and infantry combat, and a thrilling story. Battlefield 6 is the complete package that fans have been waiting for, and the vision for the future of Battlefield is on beautiful display.

The Playstation 4 version of Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime lives up to all the thrills and expectations set by the other editions. None of the potential stumbling blocks of should-be-easy ports are observed and fans of the original should find themselves right at home.

One of the best games to come out of the indie dev scene in recent years, Desktop Dungeons takes the best aspects of a roguelike dungeon crawl, distills them down to the essentials, and puts a tactical, puzzle-minded spin on the genre that is not only unique, but brilliantly executed.

Dragon’s Crown is a fun game, and the charm evident in previous Vanillaware games translates well into HD. The action is fast and furious, and it’s a game that can be played in multiple sessions or short bursts.

My easy answer on this game is that if you found "Xenosaga" wanting in the story department, then you need to look into this title. It seems to do everything right.

If you can get the Xbox or PC version, I would highly recommend that version over the PS2 version. If the PS2 version is your only option, then you won’t be disappointed.

If you want to have a shooter on the go, SOCOM is one of the few games to make a compelling portable shooter experience.

The Last Guardian’s story is moving and beautifully told, but the poor execution of its dated mechanics hold it back from the greatness of its predecessors.

NEO: The World Ends With You captures everything that made the original special and surpasses it in every way. With a great story and incredibly addicting combat, players joining the Reaper’s Game will be hooked from start to finish and beyond.

Overall, Octo Expansion is an absolute steal. At $20, you’re getting a very creative and engaging campaign that expands the world of Splatoon 2 with diverse gameplay, although a small portion of these levels feels like monotonous filler. Luckily, the ability to skip them mitigates this issue, but does little to assuage the fact that the majority of the bosses are rehashes.

Filament offers around 300 puzzles ranging from easy to extremely challenging, with some being mind-boggling. With a variety of puzzle mechanics used, gameplay is kept from getting repetitive. Investigating the happenings of the crew is interesting, although the ending is potentially vague and confusing.

This is the best VR version of Hitman: World of Assassination, hands down. While it’s not a fully interactive world, the controls are still a bit inconsistent, and there are a few remaining bugs, virtual reality adds a whole new element to the game that makes it all new again and worth the occasional aggravation, even for veteran players. If you’ve ever wanted to really become Agent 47, this is an easy recommendation.

Thankfully the main plot of Trails Beyond the Horizon is pretty interesting. While what I've played so far hasn't really affected any of the major characters in a significant way, trying to piece together these seemingly disparate events of the Space Program and what Ouroboros is up to has kept me engaged. I hope the game's story can grow beyond just being engaging, so check back here in the near future for my full thoughts once I've finished the game.

While the emphasis on the story of Final Fantasy XIII makes for an interesting tale, the gameplay feels sacrificed, making FFXIII a good game but unfortunately not a great one.

While not without its faults, Los Angeles is a nice place to take a drive.

Freedom Planet is a wonderful Sonic the Hedgehog-esque game that mixes nostalgia with something new. The quirky characters, fantastic levels, and interesting story will make you not want to put the game down. Each character has their own advantages and disadvantages, encouraging you to test them all out. In the end, it's the whole package, and it's worth picking up.

Fight through that frustration of wondering where to go when you start The Vanishing of Ethan Carter. Once you learn the rules of the game, you’ll find a deeply satisfying, if short, story within.

Etrian Odyssey 2: Heroes of Lagaard is for hardcore RPG fans only. Those looking for a challenging title that will deliver 40 to 70 hours of gameplay will not be dissapointed.

Duelyst felt more like a board game than a computer game with plenty of options and strategy.

Metro Exodus is a masterpiece in survival horror, and a game that evolves beyond its roots to transform into something truly special.

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.

MLB The Show 18 is another fantastic baseball experience, and a game where high quality has become routine. The gameplay is the same, for the most part, but the game’s modes have all been vastly updated with improvements, additions, and overhauls to the way progression through each mode is accomplished. These improvements are welcome additions to a game that flirts with stagnation in spite of its perennial brilliance.

At the end of the day, Soul Sacrifice Delta is a great looking game with an engrossing story, killer soundtrack and an in depth customization system – the only thing really holding this impressive handheld title back is the repetitive nature of its monster hunting gameplay.

MLB The Show 23 moves the franchise forward in several ways. The Negro Leagues storyline shines bright as the best addition we’ve seen in the series. While San Diego Studios didn’t pitch a perfect game, they delivered a game worthy of being called The Show.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds sets itself apart from other cart racers with its speed of gameplay, amount of customization, brilliant soundtrack, and great cast of characters that will expand more and more with DLC. With many different game-types, carts, and items to collect, there will be something for any Sonic the Hedgehog fan. With the announcement of Hatsune Miku, Joker from Persona 5, and Ichiban Kasuga from Like A Dragon all coming in the next months, followed by a Minecraft and Spongebob DLC, we’ll have plenty to look forward to, plus some unannounced DLC as well! Sonic Team blew my expectations for the full game out of this “Cross”World.

The definitive way to experience the forefather of the survival horror genre. There may be some elements that are frustratingly outdated but the game is still terrifying and plenty of fun to play.

Lethal League Blaze is an excellent game for the competitive crowd, but it’s a bit hard to recommend on the Switch over other versions. The eccentric character designs, great soundtrack, and blazing-fast gameplay are charming, but the performance issues and online gripes means this version falls short from being a masterpiece.

People who enjoy home life and raising babies in The Sims 4 will love the new changes with the baby update and the Growing Together Expansion. There are loads of cute clothes, hairstyles, and interactions that were added for babies, toddlers, and children. The social dynamics tend to get really deep and complicated, and weren’t my cup of tea. I’d like to not have to have constant conflicts and jealousy, especially when my Sims don’t have those traits (for a reason). An option to turn off cheating or jealousy would be great in future patches. The self-discovery traits have potential, but most times weren’t anything I’d have liked to add to my Sims. Overall, Growing Together hasn’t been my favorite, but that is because I tend to have a different playstyle in The Sims 4 than what this is geared towards.

Octopath Traveler 0 is much, much more than a simple remake of a mobile game. It uses that as a base, but still feels like a full fledged RPG in its own right. It’s a different take on a lot of Octopath’s usual systems and tropes, and feels incredibly refreshing in that respect. Its plot can flounder at the start and middle chapters, but can be enthralling once it finally gets going. The battle system is just as fun as ever, being bigger and yet more restrictive in a very interesting way. Whether you’re after revenge or restoration, there’s fun to be had in either path.

Vermintide 2 is a stylish, engrossing avenue into the horror and hilarity of the Warhammer Fantasy universe. Despite some small hiccups which you won’t shake, this game is sure to get you and your friends working as a team to survive the onslaught of the Skaven and Chaos hordes. With a variety of playstyles and in game tactics, this experience proves it is far more than a Left 4 Dead clone, and left me eager to jump back into this game.

8-bit is Enough is another solid entry in the Strong Bad series.

Turnip Boy Robs A Bank understood what it wanted to be, an extension of the Turnip Boy world with refreshing new roguelite elements to spice up the combat. Everything from the bank setting, to the soundtrack, to the characters both new and old, hold up to the excellence that was the first game. However, some points have to be shaved off for the game’s ending, which feels drawn out and tedious.

Sword of the Sea is a beautiful, almost-cozy experience that, like Giant Squid’s other titles, stands as a strong argument for games as art. The game has chill vibes and a gorgeous, atmospheric aesthetic while still delivering an eloquent narrative. If you’re looking for something short and sweet, Sword of the Sea is the low-friction adventure for you.

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics is a delightfully fun package that is a charming way to get anyone into traditional tabletop experiences. With a wide array of fun diversions and a beautifully made overall package, this is one title you should definitely pick up and play with friends.

Wargroove has the confidence to stick to simple, familiar gameplay with a few twists, rather than try to wow you with its novelty. While its charming graphics might make it look cute, it offers a vicious challenge that gets a bit uneven at times. If you get into its slower pace and high difficulty, it also offers plenty of alternate game modes and custom campaign creation tools to extend the fun.

Fans of Motorstorm will love Pacific Rift.

Whether you’re playing for 20 minutes or 2 hours at a time, Gnosia is the perfect single-player experience for those that want a unique spin on the social deduction genre. With a loveable cast, an innovative investigation system, and tons of replay value thanks to the premise, this is one game you’ll want (and have to) play again and again.

Playing SSX is a little like riding a bike. If you have played it already, it won't take much for you to get into the game. If you haven't, then it might take you a little while to get used to the controls and see the lines within each level. However, once you get it, the snowboarding is a lot of fun. It's really a wonder why EA hasn't come out with a new SSX game sooner, but as they say, better late than never.

Disgaea 4 is charming and light-hearted with a fun battle system with depth that is less on the surface than some might be looking for. If you’ve never played it before, the price and content packed in make the Vita version the right choice for those looking to try it out.

Escape from Ever After is a simple, enticing turn-based RPG with a great sense of humor. It features storybook worlds many of us are familiar with and bends them in a way that keeps the characters new and fresh. If you’re a fan of comedy, Paper Mario, or RPGs in general, you should give this a go. Whether you’re 7 or 70, there’s a good time to be had here.

The graphics are excellent in this game and I noticed no slowdown even with lots of Orcs on-screen at a time.

If sneaking is your speed, you can rest easy – Sam Fisher is back, and Splinter Cell: Blacklist is among the very best stealth titles you’ll play this generation.

Finally joining the fray for PlayStation 4, Tekken 7 is an excellent blend of action and detailed characters. With deep mechanics and fun gameplay, it’s a worthy installment to one of the most prolific fighting series in history.

It isn’t perfect, but it takes everything that was great about its predecessor and makes the whole package more accessible. It’s a shining example of how to use shooter mechanics to tell a story, which is enough to make it a must-play in my book.

At the end of the day, Rising Storm occupies an interesting niche. It’s a solid game, loaded with a lot of detail, replay value, and was clearly created by a skillful team and community that really loves the Red Orchestra style of team-oriented competitive multiplayer.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is a gorgeous remaster that preserves the soul of the originals while breathing life into it for a new generation.

One part Katamari Damacy, two parts of the humor in Rayman Raving Rabbids, de Blob takes everything both of those titles did right and adds it to a unique and entertaining story and gameplay mechanic.

It is still as unique and hilarious as ever, and with the improvements to its visuals, Bulletstorm now has some beauty to go with its blood.

With an emotional story and touch-based combat that feels both clever and natural, Severed is an excellent game that will stick with you long after you’ve finished playing.

Marathon so far has been a brutal but rewarding extraction shooter that boasts an incredible visual style and is steeped in excellent Bungie gunplay. The learning curve can be steep at first, and losing everything to a bad run can sting, but the game truly opens up after a few hours to be something very addictive. [Review in Progress]

DDR aficionados will be disappointed by the lack of the Oni mode. However, one would be hard pressed to find another game with this many options, levels (songs), and customization in this game.

Regardless, the experience of Act 1 is enough to recommend outright — don’t hesitate to add this title to your library.

All in all WildStar is a fantastic and strong entry in the MMO market.

Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark is easily one of the best tactical games I’ve played in recent memory. The fact that it was made by just two people is mind blowing. If you are a fan of Final Fantasy Tactics, Tactics Ogre, or games like Banner Saga, Fell Seal will scratch that itch. Just know going in that it might be a little bit before we get our next content fix.

Burning Shores is more Horizon Forbidden West, which is enough to tell you to grab it. Although the narrative isn’t as gripping and the new characters aren’t as compelling, being able to explore more of the West and fight new giant robot dinosaurs makes this a fun jaunt in Los Angeles as we await Horizon 3.

Uneven is probably the best description when it comes to Blur. On the one hand the audio work is lacking overall, but the developers went the extra mile to add plenty of sound effects to show if you're racing on pavement or off-road.

While there isn’t a great deal of courses to play, there is certainly a great golf game underneath the confection veneer overload laced onto every square inch of the game.

A great extension of the "Quake 2" storyline. While there are certainly flaws in the single player and multiplayer, the game’s fantastic visuals and engaging storyline make it a worthy addition.

Umurangi Generation is one of the most important games of the modern era. It captures young people’s current anxieties in a masterful way, and allows you to approach them in your own way through taking and editing pictures. It’s powerful and a ton of fun to replay, but sadly suffers from slow down fairly often.

It’s definitely an upgrade on the originals, but it’s also a rehash rather then a remaster.

With creepy moments that made me jump out of my chair, this title delivers on almost all of its promises.

Neversoft has created the most realistic skate title ever made. The graphics, animation, sound, challenge system, and Live integration has created a game that will challenge the legendary "Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2" for its crown as the king of the series.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! is both a celebration of visual novels and a deep dive into the potential of interactive fiction. This updated version introduces new content that continues to weaponize the game’s mastery over the visual novel format to land even more emotional gut punches.

Nidhogg is the 8-bit Bushido Blade demake we never knew we wanted, offering up a sublime one-on-one fencing experience like no other. I just wish we got more.

With new game modes, an enhanced interface, evolving maps, and greatly improved small-scale battles, Battlefield 4 continues the franchise’s trend of setting the standard for the squad-based multiplayer shooter.

Yuppie Psycho turns a workplace satire into a survival horror adventure, and does right by both parts of that strange formula. Despite some frustration from its punishing difficulty, Yuppie Psycho is a surreal but cogent parody that’s well worth clocking in for.

Torment: Tides of Numenera is a modern take on classic computer RPGs that tells an engrossing and original story, meditating on complex themes of identity in a strange world that just begs to be explored. While the combat seems a bit forced and uninspired, it doesn’t detract too much from the rest of the experience, and as a result I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The Nintendo Switch is steadily increasing its plethora of party games, and The Jackbox Party Pack 3 is a perfect addition to zany multiplayer experiences. With five unique titles from which to choose, its charming presentation and hilarious challenges more than make up for its sometimes uneven mechanics. You’ll be screaming all night… in laughter, of course.

At any rate, if you have any interest in hockey games whatsoever, then you probably already own this, but if you don’t, go out and get a copy – you’ll have an absolute blast.

This year, the changes to the defense and boost in presentation slide it away from “minimal” and feel much more substantial. But unfortunately, I find the player aspect of Connected Franchise to be one of the biggest parts of the whole Madden experience, and it being a husk of its former self is more than a little disappointing.

Star Wars Pinball VR is a serviceable pinball game that has no business being in VR. The eight tables all feel very similar, the visuals are incredibly low quality, and the Fan Cave is pointless.

Hellblade could have been carried alone by its insanely beautiful graphics and standout voice performances — some of the best of 2017 — but while these scenarios were always refreshing interruptions from long, meditative walks through Helheim, they distracted from the game’s greater focus on demystifying a taboo mental disorder.

Grime is an expertly crafted 2D action-adventure game that combines satisfying combat, tight platforming, and rewarding progression to earn its place as one of the most enjoyable titles I’ve played this year. It’s also got some brutally tough, memorable bosses that will truly test everything you’ve got. If you’re a fan of a challenge and aren’t too fussed about a story, you’ll have an incredible time with Grime.

This is one you will enjoy from start to finish, and it absolutely belongs in your 360 library.

This remaster may be closer to a simple upscale, but Persona 3 Portable is still an incredible game that set the standard for modern Persona. The game looks and runs great no matter what you play it on, with a few caveats. While this probably won’t settle the debate about P3’s definitive version, it’s great to have it easily available.

Overall, I would say Fantasian is good. But there’s a certain something lacking and while I’m reminded of the nostalgic past, it makes me miss how revolutionary Fantasian’s inspirations were. From the character writing of Final Fantasy VI, the 3D revolution of Final Fantasy VII, one of the first RPGs with near full voice acting in Final Fantasy X, or creating a connected world two years before World of Warcraft with Final Fantasy XI on PlayStation 2. Fantasian isn’t changing anyone’s feelings on RPGs. It’s pretty, silly, and cozy with some genuine heart. But it’s like a beautiful cake. It doesn’t feel like a full meal but it’s tasty and I love looking at it. Fantasian is new-ish, but it’s not Neo.