NBA 2K16 took some unexpected chances, and its uniqueness is respectable, even if the final product is far from perfect.

Rack N Ruin redeems itself with a second showing on PC, but only if you abandon your controller for the ol’ fashioned keyboard and mouse.

Blood Bowl II is a unique tactical turn-based game with an amusing setting and a lot of personality.

If you’re looking to get your pants scared off, SOMA may not be the game for you, but for those who appreciate its brand of subtle horror, it is truly a masterpiece.

Skylanders SuperChargers is hands-down one of the best kid-friendly games on the market, and the most complete realization of the “toys to life” genre to date.

The Great Escape is proof that the AR-K series has the potential to get better as it progresses. The graphics and voice acting are a step up, but it’s the story that has improved by leaps and bounds. Not only does it make more sense now, but it is the most persuasive argument for getting you to try the game in the first place.

Dancing All Night is full of spirit and celebration unparalleled in the series thus far. Despite the dark and implausible story in the background, Dancing All Night is a concentrated dose of the most uplifting, cheerful, and fun side of the series, all set to a fantastic soundtrack that will get anyone dancing.

Overall, FIFA is clearly the most technically sound sports franchise in EA Sports’ pocket, which can result in a lack of risk taking. For now, no risks are needed, as FIFA 16 is a fantastic addition to a storied franchise.

The noir atmosphere is top notch, making it one of my favorite things about this game. The environment is more detailed than you might expect, and the mystery plot is fun to experience. Though some aspects of Calvino Noir can be frustrating or not as polished, overall it is worth the journey.

After a small misstep in NHL 15, NHL 16 feels like a huge apology letter to fans. Many removed features have returned, but that also means improvements are few and far between.

Armello presents an imaginative backdrop to a fantasy board game with deep mechanics. The steep learning curve and balancing issues may put off some players, but those who put in the time will be rewarded the most.

The Phantom Pain strays from the formula to perfect a new one, offering the best in open-world emergent gameplay we’ve seen this generation. While the story sometimes falters under expectations, the characters, aesthetic, and polish of this game set it apart as one of the year’s best.

It is strange but enjoyable, and perhaps the vision was too ambitious for the final product.

With improvements in literally every area, Forza Motorsport 6 positions itself as the absolute best racer on the market. There are a few oil leaks, but when compared to the upgrades, they are easier to ignore.

Master Spy is not for everyone; it targets a certain niche of gamers, and it does it well. For those who possess the skill and patience to fight through it, this game will be a true gem. For everyone else, consider your blood pressure and play something else.

Disney Infinity 3.0 improves combat, adds space combat, and couples it with the most storied franchise in history to create a hit.

With “Trespasser,” Dragon Age: Inquisition feels complete.

Steins;Gate is a complex visual novel with a costly time commitment, but it offers one of the best stories on the Vita.

If it were released five years ago, Mad Max could have been revolutionary. But it was released in 2015, so Mad Max will be just another open-world adventure lost in the dust.

While it may not have the most captivating of storylines, the game itself is fun and addictive. It’s a great way to kill some time – no pun intended – and may leave you muttering things under your breath that make others question your sanity. Plus, you can count on new content being added in the future, which will increase the game’s replayability and won’t cost you a cent.

The game’s story, confident art style, and engaging crime scene investigation puzzles give the game enough intrigue to stay around. Unfortunately, in its current state, hiccups such as long load times, empty environments, and weak shooting sections hold it back from being something great.

While its story is clever, well-constructed, and filled with some great moments, Amnesia: Memories encourages players to not question or challenge the mistreatment they experience at the hands of their romantic interests, ultimately undercutting a lot of its standout moments.

Ultimately, Runbow disappoints. Bowhemoth is a fun distraction. Single-player is a pretty traditional and unimaginative series of levels that only major platforming fans will maybe enjoy. And online is a hit or miss (mostly miss) collection of modes that is fun for a little while, but falls under the shadow of the Wii U’s insufficient online multiplayer ecosystem.

Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX excels in all the right places as a fun and portable rhythm game, but doesn’t quite impress with its multitude of extra content. I do commend it for giving the player plenty of bang for their buck, even if it’s mostly forgettable.

While the game suffers from a handful of glitches, the overall design and outcome of Xeodrifter is well worth a look for anyone in the market for an old-school experience in a brand new package.

The gameplay is exciting and works excellently, but it’s unfortunately lost on a backdrop of boring maps and ugly design.

Tearaway: Unfolded is full of the same enchanting charm and clever design found in the original, and the PlayStation 4 gives it a new stage to captivate both returning and new audiences alike.

Simple, inspired, and constantly encouraging, Super Mario Maker gives players the freedom to enjoy Mario the way they like to the most. The pre-made levels are mostly just samples, but the real potential lies with the online community. Super Mario Maker not only respects Mario’s 30-year history, it gives players the keys to the Mushroom Kingdom like never before.

Satellite Reign is an incredible successor to Syndicate that gets more right than not. Where it falls down on bugs and control issues, it shines brightly in aesthetics and fantastic combat mechanics.

Dishonored is an amazing game, and if you missed it on the previous go around, you need to pick it up immediately. The game is every bit as awesome as you’ve heard.

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.

Megaman Legacy Collection sets out what it aims to do–provide longtime fans, and a new generation of gamers, with the opportunity to play through some of the most iconic Megaman games ever made.

Bridge Constructor succeeds at being a surprisingly entertaining bridge physics simulator, but glaring issues like the confusing UI, nearly nonexistent tutorial, and terrible sound design get in the way of it being an otherwise decent game.

This is an excellent and well-made title which does a lot more right than it does wrong. Strategy enthusiasts looking for something new and fun away from a battlefield will find little to complain about in this game.

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.

Trine 3 is an incomplete mess that feels like the game’s creators just ran out of time (despite four months in Steam Early Access). The graphics, art style, and landscapes are stunning, but aren’t enough to make Trine 3 a game worth your time.

F1 2015 feels like a step backwards for the series, which is disappointing given the new EGO engine, and the current generation of hardware. The core experience, however, remains one of the most realistic racing simulators available.

Another Episode may not be the game that some Danganronpa fans want, but it’s the game that the series needs. The spin-off shows that there is substance for this series outside the walls of Hope’s Peak while maintaining enough ties to its core story to feel essential.

Until Dawn is the proper slasher game fans have always wanted, and succeeds at creating a wildly unique and enjoyable narrative experience. Beautiful graphics and sound, amazing performances and engaging stories make this a must-play for any horror fan.

GalCiv3 is a brilliant game that delivers seamless graphics with a tremendous engine that delivers as small or as large an empire-experience as you could possibly hope for. While some were nervous after Stardock stumbled with the poorly-received Elemental, they have used the time to take a running start and put themselves back in the pack, though one wishes that they included a bit more hand-holding.

Adventures of Pip is a charming experience that embraces its pixelated appearance. The platforming can feel occasionally stiff, but Pip succeeds the most when it’s not afraid to have fun with its theme.

Viridi is a poor experience throughout. A plant growing simulator in name only,

Shadow Blade Reload is a fun game, but it’s not an interesting game.

Nom Nom Galaxy is a game with some fun gameplay and a unique setting, but its technical problems really hold it back. A few cups of Nom Nom soup is all it takes before it feels stale.

Hatoful Boyfriend tells an endearingly crazy story that will have you smiling, laughing, crying and feverishly turning the virtual page. It takes some buy-in, but pays off if you’re looking for something way off the beaten path.

There’s a lot of new content for the Dragon Age enthusiast to enjoy here. The Descent is a worthwhile return to Thedas even if there’s strange design choices that you’ll have to suffer through to get to the best parts.

Outside of the shoddy camera and twitchy control, the rest of the game’s pacing, design, and over-indulged sense of immersion steer it down paths only the biggest of fans might enjoy.

This game is recommended to anyone who is looking for an engrossing, time consuming and intricately detailed JRPG to sink their teeth into. What it’s lacking in story and character development, it more than makes up for in strategy based gameplay.

A unique concept, brilliant execution and excellent mechanics make Galak-Z: The Dimensional a stellar title. Perfectly capturing the Gundam pilot inside all of us, this is must-have material for anyone who’s always wanted to fly away in a mech and take down some imperial scum.

n the end, Victor Vran is a great action RPG that should be considered. It is not the best out there currently but it is has unique aspects and contains hours of fun.

Zenzizenzic is rapid, colorful, simple, and just about as much fun as you can have playing a video game.

In a world filled with overly difficult titles, The Swindle knows how to blend its mechanics together perfectly to deliver one hell of a rewarding experience.

With an eye towards fan service and a nod to incredible storytelling of old, King’s Quest resurrects the genre with style. The first chapter is expertly written, and the hand-crafted nature makes it feel unique in the genre.

Abyss Odyssey: Extended Dream Edition is fun at times, but ultimately an unsatisfying affair.

Submerged is a short but impactful experience, crafting sound and sight together to create something unique and different from the mold.

With a $30 price tag, Rare Replay presents an amazing value. You likely have enjoyed these games before, at least in part, and there is no better way to experience them now than in Rare Replay.

Despite the split-second bliss derived from picking up an alien resource upgrade, Battle for the Sun possesses no redeemable qualities that make it worth a purchase, even at it’s paltry ten-dollar price tag.

Godzilla faithful will be once again disappointed by this lackluster offering. Unintuitive controls, poor responsiveness, broken combat, repetitive missions…

Magic Duels: Origins breaks very little new ground, but the formula has been polished to a beautiful finish over the last several years. The micro-transaction model may hamper the enjoyment of those players looking for a more straightforward gaming experience.

Rocket League may only feel like a glorified minigame, but its wild, tense, and fast-paced gameplay makes it one of PS4’s best multiplayer experiences to date.

Delivers exactly what it says: a prettier version of the same game you played five years ago. Those looking for the same experience will find it, and those looking for something new or a fresh take on the series won’t get much out of this remaster.

Rory McIlroy’s PGA Tour will disappoint some, as it does not hit the levels of insanity teased during its E3 2014 trailer. But the improvements found within the gameplay mechanics help produce one of the best golfing experiences in years.

The Splendor app is a great way for fans of the original game to play it on the go.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt ends Geralt’s tale in spectacular fashion, finding ways to fill a giant world with thrilling combat, beautiful sights, and a bevy of compelling content.

While the emphasis on the Batmobile late in the game can be incredibly tiring, the characters and world around you never stop propelling you forward. Combine that with the numerous upgrades for your weapons and plethora of side content available, and you have one hell of a Batman video game.

The Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth series has always been a potential-filled experience that ultimately disappoints, but the 3rd installment in the series passes right over the endearing and interesting elements of the game’s cut and paste formula for the most boring.

VULKAISER is a nice distraction, but lacks any major step forward. Fun for a spell, but has the longevity of a coin-op arcade machine.

Lego Jurassic World is full of nostalgia for fans of the franchise, while still highlighting the new film. It is the most refined Lego game and even with its downfalls it is still full of fun and charm.

Worse options could be chosen these days, and while it’s not for everyone, fans of the genre looking for something new on their Vita should check it out.

KHOLAT nails the experience of being atop a snowy mountain during volatile conditions, and the idea of it being based on a true story is intriguing. Ultimately, though, the execution falls short and you’re left with a shallow experience that is hard to find the fun in.

The Fruit of Grisaia is a great visual novel. Although it’s somewhat marred by pacing issues, the high moments of story are more than enough to make you forget all about them.

The Anniversary DLC for Crazy Machines 2 adds a lot of content for the CM2 faithful, and bolsters an already great offering of inventive engineering fun. It isn’t for all gamers, but if you dream of Rube Goldberg machines, you can’t pass on this plethora of great content.

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.

The Masterplan presents a very unique and welcoming vibe for all who have dreamed of robbing a building establishment.

The Escapists is an entertaining open-ended puzzler that delivers plenty of challenge for those possessing the patience to overcome it.

I heartily recommend Badland to fans of side-scrolling platformers or anyone looking for a game that’s easy to pick up and play.

It’s not quite a triumph, but Zen Pinball 2’s Portal table is a stand out in the series’ expansive table list. While there may not be enough meat here to thrill Portal fans with a passing fancy for virtual pinball, it’s definitely a solid choice for anyone who has enjoyed Zen Pinball 2’s other games.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a fun little strategy RPG that will surely satisfy gamers who enjoy mental taxation and heavy frustration on the go.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III is a fun ARPG with plenty of nifty distractions. Nothing more, nothing less.

The House of Wolves is easily the best of the two expansions currently available, only predicated by the fact you’ll need friends to play it with to explore the full birth of its features.

Chroma Squad isn’t particularly deep or epic, but makes up for it in heart and charm, nailing the Saturday morning antics of its inspiration and creating a cheery game that anyone can enjoy.

Ultra Street Fighter IV for the PS4 is the comprehensive, definitive edition of one of the best fighting games around. While you might want to be the competitive type if you plan to play, there’s something here for the warrior in everyone. Just be wary of early launch bugs.

While the game can drag after long periods of play, the overall fun and innovation of the game makes the effort a success.

There are a few drawbacks and limitations, but Splatoon’s frantic and addicting gameplay is a blast. This is Nintendo’s best new IP in years.

While the stories may not set the world on fire, the compelling gameplay is very accessible but tough to master.

I was a fan of the first Swords & Soldiers’ fiery and rambunctious Viking hordes and their quest for grandeur and grilled meats, and I had high hopes for the sequel, but Swords & Soldier II wound up just being a dusty old lamp with no magic to speak of.

Project CARS certainly isn’t for everyone, but it cuts out a lot of fat that is prominent in driving simulators and gives players pure, unhindered cars.

Westerado: Double Barreled has its issues, but it provides a grand adventure on a small scale and lets you find something new each time you play.

Some minor hitches aside, this is a great beat ‘em up, and hopefully the start of many Neptunia brawlers to come.

Breach and Clear provides a strategic RPG-style look into the world of Special Operations that provides an unusual spin on both the Strategic RPG genre and the military gaming world. Breach and Clear is a solid title worth playing.

Toren has great style and a compelling story to tell. Though it’s dragged down by its gameplay, it’s still far more than worth the asking price for the experience it offers.

Many of the key aspects that made The New Order so enjoyable have not been carried over into The Old Blood.

Zen Pinball 2’s Age of Ultron table doesn’t offer enough fan service to appease any level of Avengers fan, and there aren’t enough interesting mechanics to excite a virtual pinball fan.

Lost Orbit is fast-paced, adrenaline-filled fun with a story that, while entertaining, feels like an odd pairing to its gameplay.

Fresh and engaging, The Weaponographist is a succinct package of roguelike goodness. If you need a quick fix of something new for a weekend, this weapon-breaking dungeon-delver will suit that need perfectly.

Cities: Skylines isn’t without its flaws, but even the things wrong with it add to its charm. It might not be that much of a challenge, but it delivers on the glee of expansion.

Record Breaker is a masterful retelling of an already amazing SRPG. Engaging battles, a wonderful cast of characters, in-depth meta-systems and a great atmosphere make this one of the best strategy handheld experiences ever.

While you get glimpses of the intentional stupidity this kind of game needs in order to succeed, you do not see it often enough for it to work.