Tinytopia is a casual city builder that hits all the fun notes without asking too much of the architect. About a dozen hours of pure fun, only a few bugs, and an easily-gamed happiness meter hold it back. It’s good city-building comfort food.

No Man’s Sky is an unforgettable adventure, one plagued by lack of direction and lack of meat. It brings about one of the most incredible worlds ever seen in a video game, but it doesn’t always take advantage of that. Despite the issues, No Man’s Sky is a milestone in video game development.

Elex II is a blast, both literally and figuratively. What Piranha Bytes was able to achieve in Elex I they were able to build upon, expanding on a world that lives and breathes independently and because of your character. Aside from those little technical issues, the game is sound. I feel like you could also easily get into playing Elex II without having played the first game. However, if you want to understand all of the references, maybe at least watch a recap video first. Either way, this game holds a lot of promise, especially when you consider all the different routes you can take on your playthrough. Who knows where you’ll end up?

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.

Eagle Flight transcends its simple concepts, bringing the world of flight to life in a way I could not have expected. With incredibly intuitive controls it is accessible by any audience, and all without nausea. If you own a PSVR, Eagle Flight is a must-have.

In the end, Suicide Guy is a surprisingly goofy romp through the dreams of a typical slob. The story isn't the deepest, but it gets points for subverting expectations and not being a cliche. The variety of level designs and clever methods of completion are refreshing. It provides a fun little challenge without becoming a chore.

Party Animals presents an overall fun and chaotic experience that will have players laughing with their friends. The characters are cute, the boards are fun and the multiplayer aspect is a plus. However, since the release date, not much has been added which makes the game short-lived with content and can demotivate players to pick this title up again.

While Tchia's story doesn't find the steadiest of footing, its world and portrayal of culture are outstanding. The gameplay is also a lot of fun, even with a decent amount of padding to keep you busy in the gorgeous open world. New Caledonia is certainly worth the visit in this digital representation.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot on Switch is a stunningly uncompromised port of last year’s massive RPG. It looks and runs fantastically, while also including all three DLC chapters in a perfectly portable package.

Midnight Deluxe is a cute little platformer that relies on golf-like controls to reach your goal. It isn't the hardest game, but it offers a nice challenge for a casual gaming session.

Sea of Thieves is a disgustingly enjoyable game that is endlessly entertaining among friends. That said, it has an incredible deficit of organized content, too few customization options, and needs a bigger, more varied world map. I have no doubt that as the game grows and evolves, it will become an iconic, phenomenal title, but for now it remains deeply flawed even while being relentlessly fun.

So is it worth playing? Actually, yes, though you’ll want to watch some footage first, or be aware of the limitations of rally racing. There is no traffic or simultaneous opponents, and the lack of precipitation takes away the fun and unpredictable elements of rally. With no snow, ice, rain or mud, the times you’re racing against feel fixed rather than based on the day’s conditions.

If you aren't expecting much in terms of graphics or sound or are looking for an old school RPG playing experience on your PSP, you won't be disappointed by PoPoLoCrois.

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.

I found So Many Me Extended Edition to be extremely frustrating. It requires laser precision and a psychic amount of forward thinking that makes its skill floor very high. However, if you enjoy throwing yourself at puzzles over and over, bending a game’s mechanics until they succumb to your will, and collecting everything you possibly can, you’ll find a lot to love in this small, adorable package.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a delightful update to a classic, and just the kick in the pants the series needed. It’s a return to what made the spinoff so beloved in the first place, from the emotional story to the difficult resource management and boss fights. With a gorgeous watercolor art style, the world of Pokémon has never looked better.

Battletoads (2020) keeps the soul of the notorious original game intact while revitalizing it with interesting minigames, hilarious writing, and couch co-op that makes this a worthy reason to revisit Zitz, Pimple, and Rash. While the absence of online co-op is pretty disappointing and the beat ‘em up gameplay can become dull by the end of the campaign, this short ride is one I can full-throatedly recommend.

While Knack remains an uninspired protagonist, Knack II’s gameplay more than makes up for his bland character. Vast improvements in combat, visual fidelity, platforming, and the addition of cooperative play realize much of the potential the original Knack was meant to achieve. Knack II is a fine example of how a sequel can improve on its predecessor in nearly every way.

Romancing Saga 2 - Revenge of the Seven is a brilliant culmination of many of my favorite aspects of JRPGs. While I have some complaints about technical issues and details about implementation, the quality of mechanics and exploration easily blow past them. Fans of the genre will not be disappointed with this sprawling narrative full of secrets and challenges.

Mortal Shell is an action RPG that uses the sleeve of the soulslike genre to create something unique enough to stand on its own two feet. Though its campaign is short and predictable, the beautiful world, interesting body-swapping mechanics, and strong technical performance more than make up for how liberally it borrows from other games.

This standalone expansion to SUPERHOT is a welcome addition to the formula. What it lacks in bespoke puzzle elements, it makes up for in a completely fresh and vastly expanded approach to the central concept.

While it still has many issues, Rune Factory 5 on PC is leagues better than its console counterpart. There are a decent amount of graphics options and full keyboard and mouse support so you can farm, fight, and fall for characters at a far more stable frame rate.

Weedcraft Inc. is an interesting tycoon game that focuses on the weed business. The premise may be controversial to some, but it offers an experience not typically known by people. The resource management can be challenging and fun, though the soundtrack may get annoying.

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.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is the best representation of the series’ storyline in over twenty years of games. While animations in cutscenes may be too stiff and there are occasional bugs, the simple yet difficult to master gameplay and the sidequests that succeed in building a world we’ve already come to love make this a must-play Dragon Ball experience.

If you are looking for a challenging RPG that gives you plenty of options, then give Stranger of Sword City a good look.

Telltale’s take on Batman is fresh, and shows a side of Bruce Wayne most games shy away from, and that’s enough to make it interesting as we head into the rest of the season.

The Room VR: A Dark Matter is great. It’s got plenty of unique puzzles, which never felt overused once, and has some very creative environments. It also has a deeply mysterious story, which was designed in the same vein as the original mobile games in the series. Consequently, in the same vein as those, it didn’t feel like it was a completely new and authentic VR experience. The developers didn’t utilise all that VR is capable of, which is a real bummer for what this title could have ultimately been.

While slim in content compared to its other console counterpart, Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Megamix is a wonderful time for rhythm game enthusiasts. With some exclusive songs and great gameplay mechanics, you should sing and smile along with the lovely world of Hatsune Miku and her friends.

Ghostwire: Tokyo is a unique blend of FPS, RPG, and horror with a creative twist on how we approach fighting in an FPS. Despite a few grievances about the length and ambition of the project, it is still a good game, but unfortunately it merely toes the line between good and great, never quite finding its footing. Still, Ghostwire: Tokyo is well worth picking up.

While it takes a while to establish the plot, Raging Loop is a visual novel that’s grisly and heartfelt. It’s equal parts terrifying and cerebral, and will appeal to anyone looking for a mystery-horror game to curl up and read to on a bleak night.

Heroes of the Storm is a more user-friendly approach to the genre, but lacks the depth and complexity of other offerings. A great game to pick up for a quick couple matches, filled with Blizzard star power and fun matches that last just long enough, but no real meta-gaming or theory yet.

From start to end, Westworld Awakening is a thrill ride. The Survios team has managed to give us something that doesn’t feel like a tie-in, but instead an experience that could easily live in the well-written and twisted world HBO has created. While there are a few hiccups, and $29.99 is a bit steep for the length, these virtual delights have violent and genuinely hair-raising ends, and I can’t wait to share them with my friends.

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.

Building off the momentum of Madden 22; Madden NFL 23 brings fresh looks to both Franchise Mode and Face of the Franchise while keeping the train rolling with The Yard and MUT. While there are still some buggy moments, Madden NFL 23 is worth picking up especially for those who haven’t played an installment in the series for a while.

Life is Strange: True Colors Wavelengths provides a great narrative experience that series fans will especially appreciate focused solely on one of the series’ best characters.

While the Force Unleashed might not completely live up to the incredible hype befitting a Star Wars title, it is still a worthy entry into the Universe.

While the content shortage and cross-play challenges still exist, performance problems are eliminated, and bugs almost entirely eradicated by the next-gen console launch of The Avengers. Stability issues remain, but with the promise of a more consistent launch of content, the future is a little bit brighter for The Avengers.

Telltale has taken decent poker gameplay, some gaming culture icons, and an entertaining script and wrapped it up neatly into an affordable little package. For less than a cup of Starbucks, it’s hard to go wrong.

Reach VR has quite a few unexpected cinematic and thematic elements that justify the developer’s promotions for an “awe-inspiring journey.” Despite the bugs, as the pioneer debut from nDreams Elevation, the game is a worthy effort and recommended for your VR game library.

Puzzling Places delivers a delightful and mindful experience that can induce a state of flow. Sometimes, the game feels downright frustrating if you get stuck and need help to make progress. But that is part of the challenge; the beauty and pain of jigsaw puzzles. This game can keep you amused and engaged for as long as you have puzzles to solve. It is the perfect game after a long workday when you want to relax and have a pleasant time. An ideal fit for the PS VR2, Puzzling Places is a must-have for any jigsaw puzzle fans.

BOXBOY! is a fun puzzle platformer that gets a lot of mileage with a simple concept.

Good game, Good graphics. Not as good as "Metal Gear Solid 2." Not enough content. Kind of short.

Crying Suns is a characterful rogue-lite that really sets its sci-fi tone well from the get-go; strong writing and a great soundtrack build the universe while the high stakes nature of every move is engaging and keeps every run as fresh as the last.

An impeccably crafted panegyric to the platformers we all grew up with, Blood of the Werewolf is hampered by imprecise controls and a dedication to difficulty that, perhaps, goes one step further than it should.

Trigger Witch is a surprisingly cute yet bloody homage to retro RPGS while also being an incredibly competent twin stick shooter. You can tackle the campaign solo or alongside a friend, adding much needed replayability. Despite the short length, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Evertonia. The characters, dialogue, backstory, and challenge left me satisfied and looking forward to a sequel.

The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection is a great bundle to introduce new JRPG players to the Final Fantasy series, and provides old fans a nice nostalgic trip. While some issues could be ironed out, the collection provides an enjoyable experience regardless.

Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes does a great job bringing the 2.5D “dollhouse” perspective of the series to a fully fleshed out VR world, complete with grotesque enemies, simple puzzles, a mysterious narrative, great graphics, and fun VR mechanics. While the campaign is short, even by Little Nightmare’s standards, it is worth experiencing, and features some of the most surreal and exciting set pieces yet for the series during its final chapter.

Snake Pass is a weird, wacky, and wonderful platformer with rewarding controls and great atmosphere. While there are a few minor issues holding it back, the game is a great throwback to the 3D platformers of the 90s, and a great indie title for the Switch.

Neverwinter was purpose built to be free-to-play, but they have also made the pay aspects fairly non-intrusive. They’ve provided an incredible amount of content wrapped around character classes that are a great deal of fun to play.

Freedom Planet 2 suffers from many of the same problems that plagued the original game, with the additional problem of having way too much combat, but remains a delightful speed platformer at its core and is worth running through for any fans of the genre.

Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle is a great way to experience what it's like to be in the shoes of the scout regiment as they fight for humanity's sake. With wonderfully fluid movement thanks to the ODM gear and the strategic combat, you'll want to slay as many Titans as possible. The downside is that combat does get repetitive after some time, but this can be helped by taking plenty of breaks.

Providing a short but semi-sweet experience, Buckshot Roulette ups the stakes and the fire power of Russian roulette. While the opportunities for deeper strategies often become muddled by the core mechanic of luck, there are still some worthwhile white-knuckled moments that will test your mettle.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is a surprisingly competent minigame collection with a decent story. Where most in the genre would become repetitive after just a few rounds, this entry in the series incentivises replaying again and again to beat official Olympic records or the tough as nails AI. Either alone or with friends, it’s a great time.

Sky Force Reloaded is a great shoot-em-up for the Nintendo Switch, and is enjoyable for the hardened veteran and newbie alike. The intense gameplay and enjoyable progression system just kept me coming back for more, and will provide hours upon hours of enjoyment.

In Sound Mind is a psychological horror game which borders more on tense than scary, and proves to be a unique look into the minds of struggling individuals. Having each tape/patient provide a different world, with the patient’s inner torment essentially lashing out as the level’s boss, is a unique twist on the genre. The juxtaposition between the monster trying to hurt you, but also expressing its doubt and fears, all while Desmond attempts to calm it and show that he wants to help, felt surprisingly fresh – and gave me much more reason to continue than a simple good versus evil fight would have. A sense of humor, large levels, and a variety of puzzles make In Sound Mind a game worth picking up for those looking for a new twist in an overdone genre.

Tomodachi Life is more toy than game, but it’s an intriguing, colorful, and consistently surprising one.

Blade Strangers is an odd mix of zany characters and entertaining gameplay. Its unique four-button fighting gameplay is a refreshingly accessible experience for anyone that wants to duke it out with Shovel Knight, Isaac, Quote, or any of the fourteen different fighters within the title.

While it’s a bit too short to realize its full potential, Boyfriend Dungeon is still a well written and fun visual novel/dungeon crawler. The characters are lovely, and combat is simple but functional. It’s certainly worth playing, but could use more content.

Avicii Invector: Encore Edition adds a few more songs into last year’s rhythm game tribute, and it’s a solid addition. The Switch version is up to par with the other consoles, and you can now listen to much of the late EDM artist’s work in one awesomely entertaining package.

The Sims 4 Paranormal Stuff Pack has a lot of potential but needs some tweaking with the emotion buffs. A little more guidance on how to get things set up to be Haunted would make it easier for the player to jump in. The Medium skill is a lot of fun, and the new Paranormal Investigator career, while frustrating at times, is definitely something new and fun to try out if your Sims have been in a rut. At $9.99 it’s worth the purchase, and a welcome addition to the game.

Fracked hits the slopes hard, slowing down at times to a frustrating degree, but doing so much right you keep on going. The gunplay is a lot of fun, the immersion is enjoyable, and the freedom of movement is surprisingly good, but I do wish the enemies spawned a bit slower and there was a bit more in terms of guidance. If you're looking to shoot up some grunts in a Borderlandsy setting while skiing, I can't recommend this one more.

While a little reliant on grinding near the end, Dandy Dungeon: Legend of Brave Yamada is a delightful little tongue-in-cheek RPG with a little heart and a lot of laughs. Its simple yet engrossing gameplay system mixed with fun puzzle mechanics and cute presentation make this a wonderful Switch title to play on the go.

I had a ton of fun playing Star Wars Battlefront II. It executes on presenting the Star Wars universe near-perfectly. The sights and sounds of lightsabers and blaster fire encapsulate every child-like midichlorian in your body. The campaign, while disappointing, is a small part of the complete package. There is enough content to keep you busy for dozens of hours, but the progression system may need an overhaul if EA wants to keep a strong multiplayer audience engaged.

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?

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom flips the script, putting the fate of Hyrule on Princess Zelda’s shoulders. While the game offers a vast world to explore with charming visuals and music, it suffers from repetitive gameplay elements, as many challenges can be overcome with the same few Echoes, though it still provides enjoyable moments of creativity and discovery.

Daemon X Machina is a great mech action game in a genre that has pretty much disappeared. The combat and customization options are first rate and I never got bored with experimenting with different weaponry. This really is like a mecha anime, and it’s one I highly recommend, even if it isn’t as great as it could be.

RIGS is a fantastic foray into high-speed sports-like mechanized combat, and a great use of virtual reality as it realizes our giant robot fantasies. The long loading screens, canned animations and repetitious voice work aside, RIGS brings a lot to the table. From a fully-baked progression system, to gorgeous graphics and fast-paced and balanced play, it’s an exciting sports title. I just hope the nausea factor subsides quickly.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is an amazing game, looking and running even better on PC. However, this version does come with caveats and even some downgrades such as crashing and slightly different weapon functionality. PS5 is still the best way to play, but for those who adore the series like me it’s well worth double dipping.

Trackmania Turbo lacks some of the series’ standards, but still offers a polished and engaging time-trial racer for those looking for a rush of speed. With tons of options for play and the constant chase for a better time, Turbo gets under your skin, and once it’s in there, it doesn’t let go for a long time.

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.

Vanquish gets another shot at the limelight fixing its presentation flaws from the first time it was released. With possible 4K resolution and an unlocked, constant frame rate during its high paced action sequences, the PC version of Vanquish is the definitive version.

There is nothing quite like experiencing the catapult launch in EVE Valkyrie in VR. The game looks amazing, and the cross-play is seamless. The single player is a welcome addition, albeit a short one, and the new Carrier Assault mode shows commitment to expanding the game by developer CCP.

Carnival Games VR is an unexpected hit in my house. The intuitive control scheme made it fun for gamers and non-gamers alike. While having multiple players was cumbersome, there is a nausea-free simple and enjoyable VR experience.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remains a classic and often challenging platformer brought to new life with a gorgeous HD makeover. Unfortunately, aside from a new gameplay mode which makes the game slightly easier and its updated visuals, this remaster is relatively lacking in new features. Still, fans of Donkey Kong or well-designed platformers will find a lot to love here.

There’s a lack of girth around the main game, with Draft Champions and Franchise Mode feeling like copies from previous EA Sports games. But at the same time, the on-ice play has never been better, the on-ice trainer is improved further and adding in net battles was a smart move. While it disappoints slightly, NHL 17 is still a must-play for hockey fans.

Capcom Arcade Stadium is the best way to play a few of Capcom’s arcade classics. It’s clear a lot of love went into making sure these games were emulated perfectly and to recreate the atmosphere of a bustling arcade. Whatever you want to play here, you can’t go wrong.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is a worthy memorial to a criminally underrated title, and although it falters at times, the design, combat, scenery, and world this game molds is one that deserves preservation.

The Last Stand: Aftermath is a rougelite with a unique concept which keeps each run feeling fresh. Each character, despite having nearly no dialogue, still feels distinct and gives you the sense that each volunteer who sacrifices their life in the name of the community is important. As you progress and unlock new and better equipment and upgrade your survivors, runs will become longer and unveil new story beats, constantly keeping players pushing to unlock the next upgrade, find the next supply cache, or uncover more of the world’s lore.

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is a strange mix of table top and video games that manages to add something new to the very traditional JRPG genre. It’s a short, cozy experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome while also feeling fully fleshed out.

Thank Goodness You’re Here is a wonderful little indie game that punches higher than it should. The comedic dialogue will have you rolling, and the art style is to die for. A lackluster story and shallow gameplay could drag it down, but somehow work perfectly for the game Panic has created. Know your medium, and good things will come of it.

If you're a fan of Resident Evil or rail-shooters and you own a Move controller then Resident Evil Chronicles HD Collection is a no brainer.

All in all, with Bit.Trip Core you're getting a good game for a good price that simultaneously looks backward into gaming's brief but storied past and forward to a genre that's finding itself more and more popular.

While it isn't exactly a deep or story-driven tour de force, it is pure mindless fun and incredibly addictive.

Resogun: Defenders’ emphasis on risk-vs-reward is sure to please fans who love topping their high score. These new modes may be Resogun’s biggest departure yet, but the core experience is still a blast to play.

This is not a bad game...it is merely uninspired.

Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon is another Koei Tecmo game that looks like so many others, but plays with a special mix of ease and uniqueness that makes it compelling and addictive. There are many fun elements for exploration and battles, not the least of which is a time limit system that keeps you moving and searching for better ways to complete tasks. Despite some monotony as you progress, there is a ton to enjoy in this fun and simple game.

Bug Academy is a goofy game where you control four types of bugs in pursuit of wacky goals such as tossing cows, putting out fires, and much more. With a cartoony aesthetic and wonky controls, you're in for an insect filled treat. It doesn't last very long, but it's worth it.

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.

Children of Silentown delivers a compelling story told through stunning hand-drawn graphics and spearheaded by a hauntingly beautiful score that perfectly encapsulates the feelings of melancholy and dread that pervade Lucy’s thoughts. Silentown’s unique focus on discovering notes to uncover songs which can then be used to unlock puzzles provides a new dynamic to the point-and-click genre, and despite having gripes with one of the puzzle types, I still enjoyed my time unraveling the mystery of Silentown and the monsters that haunt it.

Brutally frustrating, exasperating, and exhilarating, Baby Steps is a journey befitting the legacy of its creators. While the humor may be a bit too crass for some, there’s a surprisingly poignant narrative wrapped around a fairy tale in the bizarre, uncomfortable world Nate finds himself…and a constant reminder to get back up every time you fall, to continue putting one foot in front of the other. Hooroo.

If you enjoy Choose Your Own Adventure type games, you’ll love This is the President. It scratches a Schadenfreude itch for the dystopian hellscape we currently live in, and it’s equal parts fun, funny, and quite disturbing along the way, even with the odd choice baked in..

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.

For an indie game it’s a good overall buy.

One Piece Odyssey Deluxe Edition is a solid port of a good game. It looks great and runs fairly well in both docked and portable modes, though sitting through loading times for every single battle can get very tedious.

Every aspect of Flower serves its singular vision: nourishing and maintaining a 1-2 hour Zen-like experience. Vibrant colors, an incredible score, and meticulous eyes overseeing the game’s pacing—Flower rises to the occasion. A decade later, little has changed, though the PC port suffers a good deal on account of its mouse and keyboard controls.

Minecraft: Story Mode settles into a new identity and story with “Order Up!,” one that isn’t beholden to past mistakes.

It’s hard to give a definitive rating or opinion on an MMORPG, as the game is always changing and evolving, hopefully for the better. But it is without a doubt that New World: Aeternum is leagues better than what it was 3 years ago, with an enhanced beginner experience, a fleshed out endgame, tons of content, and availability across 3 major platforms. I’m so glad that the team at Amazon Games didn’t give up on this project!