All I know is that I never want to be in a situation like Henry Townshend is put through in this game. Then again, he does it in such a nonchalant way.

In a world littered with indie games trying hard to be nostalgic and missing the mark, it is nice to play a game that truly captures that 16-bit experience.

What I didn't expect was that the areas themselves would take up so much space on the overall map and that one victory would take over multiple states. I also didn't expect that the units would be so incredibly limited.

MediEvil is, for better and worse, an original PlayStation game with a new coat of paint. It’s a fun romp through imaginative levels with classical gameplay styles, and charmed my pants off with its humor while I struggled with the platforming and fixed camera angles.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water finds a wildly effective new way to utilize the GamePad as the Camera Obscura, and builds some great story and atmosphere. Barring an odd control scheme and some tedious missions, this is a stellar horror title for any Wii U owner.

While Rubble Without a Cause can be a little obtuse and less intuitive than A Knight to Remember, it is still a worthy installment.

The game plays just like side-scrollers of old and doesn't really apologize for not trying to do anything innovative.

Yo Kai Watch Blasters Red Cat/Blue Dog Corps offer a new way to experience the Yo Kai Watch series. With a new battle system that feels like a fast-paced action RPG, Blasters still delivers elements to the game that are both familiar and fresh. Having to talk to NPCs to level up and change teammates, as well as the frustrating RNG are among some of the few downsides to the game. However h, this doesn’t take away from the great experience and gameplay that Yo Kai Watch Blasters has to offer. Fans of the series and newcomers will love this title.

Crystar is a great action-RPG with some fascinating twists. Crying is not only a key aspect to boosting your strength in battle, but it enables you to create more powerful gear. Be prepared for mentions of tragic and depressing topics, but remember that they work to enforce the ideas of "showing your emotions as a strength" and the sometimes overlooked issues that others face each day.

Shark Tale isn’t aimed at me. That said, I’m having a ball playing it with my wife. The game is squarely aimed at those who loved the recently-released movie but there is enough nostalgia there for the whole family to enjoy.

Slick, intuitive stealth gameplay serves as Disjunction’s backbone, though the supporting systems and level design could do more to lighten its burden.

Priced on release day at only $15, this game is a worthy, if flawed, tribute to the 90’s PC gamer that can be enjoyed by the old-school and new-school alike.

It's a game I adored without really being able to put my finger on why, and even with the heavy-hitter, AAA titles that have come out this year, I'd say Nier is simply one of the most enjoyable and unique gaming experiences of 2010.

A higher level of difficulty and a lengthier campaign might have elevated The UnderGarden's score, but as it stands it's still a terrific title that straddles the Zen and puzzle genres with style.

TurnOn is an enjoyable and heartwarming little game. With electrical wires instead of platforms, it offers gameplay that feels fresh, piquing your interest at every turn with whatever new adventure or obstacle you’ll face next.

Steel Rats is an awesome 2.5D platformer that makes great use of motorcycle based combat. The team of four bikers are badass and unique, prompting you to try them all out, and being able to switch between them on the fly keeps gameplay fresh.

The Almost Gone is a relaxing point-and-click exploration game with puzzle solving elements. The story unfolds through investigating the environment, so be sure to pay attention if you want to get answers. It won't blow your mind with the story or gameplay, and it doesn't take long to complete, but it's still worth checking out.

The sounds in the game, or lack thereof, irritate me to a point, and the acting is rather subpar too, but I could hardly walk away from the game to eat.

I cannot stress this enough—this game is difficult. You will get frustrated. If strategy games are not your thing, stay far away from this one.

All that being said, Alien Breed 2: Assault is a fun little game to play.

Gotham Knights is filled to the brim with character and nods to the Bat-Family. While the locked-in 30 FPS might be a dealbreaker for some, the flawless co-op experience Gotham Knights provides is an amazing time for those who want to fight crime with friends. A fully immersive Gotham City for you to travel in your way, either straight through the story, or complete every side mission you can; your time in Gotham is up to you.

The depth on offer in Cities Skylines is staggering, which is why being able to pick that up and take it with you is so exceptional. There is a limit to how successfully the console version is able to emulate the PC experience, but it does a good enough job that I can’t recommend the game enough to the Switch owner hankering for a city building game for their favorite hybrid console.

The game is very monotonous after the first couple of levels, the graphics are inconsistent and the motion controls don’t always work. So if you’re a Wii owner and a fan of slower paced survival horror games then give Cursed Mountain a shot. Everyone else should probably rent it before they buy it

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how well it turned out. For only $10, you’ll get plenty of gameplay for the money spent.

It’s always somewhat tacky to compare products, but it’s warranted when so very much is borrowed. This game is a bit of a knockoff of the superior Mark of the Ninja.

Below is a dark, mysterious game that invites you to illuminate its secrets, then punishes you for trying. While it does a great job invoking a sense of wonder, thanks in part to its sparse, tense soundtrack, its genuinely great moments are spread far too thin. Below will certainly be a divisive game, but it offers a compelling experience for players willing to put up with a good amount of frustration and tedium.

Double Dragon Gaiden focuses on replayability to its detriment. Solid combat mechanics give way to balance considerations made to justify all of the difficulty sliders and upgrade systems. If I had to pick between a game with a lot of “replayability” versus a game I simply like to play, the latter will win out every time. Double Dragon Gaiden isn’t far off from being enjoyable on the merits of the gameplay alone, but it’s far enough to consider going back to the dojo and polishing its Sou-Setsu-Ken technique.

PaRappa means “paper-thin” in Japanese. Unfortunately, that also could be used to describe the game in general.

It would have been very easy for Digital Domain to make a low-effort Voltron knockoff, but instead Voltron VR Chronicles feels like a small slice of the show brought to life. While it is a little short, and the interactivity is somewhat basic, if you are a fan, this game is a must have. Next time, just let us form Voltron and give us sword and shield VR controls to take out the next episode’s Robeast!

Shadowrun adds a third dimension to the Counterstrike dominated genre and is very enjoyable due to the variety of builds open to the player.

For the few things that aren’t quite up to snuff, Sniper Elite III gets a whole lot right.

There are plenty of engaging moments, despite the annoying puzzles, that make this game worth recommending. It’s also a great representation of mental illness, portraying the patients not as cackling sociopaths, but as victims of tragedy. While it’s not for everyone, especially those who want a more “in-your-face” kind of horror, the historical setting and creeping dread make for a very memorable experience.

Outward is an ambitious, uncompromising game, sometimes to its own detriment. There’s a lot to like about it, from its unique take on player character death to its focus on the mundane aspects of adventuring. But every moment when it really shined was surrounded by drudgery and frustration. Outward is sure to appeal to some players, but it often undercuts its own best features.

If you are a DBZ fan, this is a dream come true. The game does just about everything right. Go and buy this now (you probably would even if I told you that the only difference between this and a bag of manure was the bag). If you aren’t a DBZ fan, you might be turned off by the simplistic gameplay.

The Bradwell Conspiracy presents some interesting concepts and good humor, but all it really does is present them. Puzzles never get interesting or complex, performance is terrible even on an enhanced machine, and it’s too short to let its mysteries simmer.

While there are plenty of game modes, not a one of them is a challenge.

Kudos to Epicenter Studios for trying something different and making good use of the Wii hardware. Unfortunately the throwaway story, the lackluster production values, and the over-reliance on scripting prevent the game from delivering a fully-immersive experience.

Shockingly boring.

A wonderfully deep (ha!) puzzle detective game, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss treads a fantastic line of respecting the source material, updating it in a fresh way, and delivering some deliciously restrained horror.

A stellar interpretation of Bruce Wayne and Gotham can’t hide that Batman is one of Telltale’s biggest technical messes yet.

D-Pad camera controls are painfully slow.

If you are waiting for some innovation, then you are probably better off in waiting a year.

Diablo Immortal is an absolutely stunning experience, even on mobile. The game is really easy to pick up, even for people new to the Diablo series. Gameplay is smooth and impactful and the voiceover work is top tier. Aside from hating the ‘grind’, this is my new favorite MMO experience!

Strike Suit Zero: Director’s Cut may not be for everyone, and if you suit up expecting a AAA budget game you might be disappointed.

Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom is the product of a small team trying to do too much and, ultimately, falling flat. It pains me to say it, because I saw the potential in Shiness way back when it was a fledgling Kickstarter upstart, but this is one of the worst gaming experiences I’ve had in a long time and I cannot recommend it to anyone that likes fun.

Urban Trial Playground is a simple, yet enjoyable stunt show through various parts of California. The levels are well made and the scenery looks amazing. There's a good variety of levels, but they don't take that long to complete.

Shining Resonance Refrain is an entertaining adventure through a somewhat cliche story, but it contains its own unique aspects that keep you engaged. Combat is easy to learn, but there's a decent amount of depth to it. Dragonshift and B.A.N.D. sessions are wonderful combat mechanics that add more charm to the game. The relationship building and dating also adds a cute slice of life portion to the adventure.

With a fresh coat of paint, higher resolution, and sharper textures, Ghostbusters: The Game Remastered brings the unofficial Ghostbusters 3 script to life for a whole new audience. While the multiplayer mode is still AWOL, Saber Interactive promises we’ll see that pop out of a ghost trap in the near future. In the meantime, there’s a fantastic swan song for the original Ghostbusters team.

Simultaneously using its charm and creepiness to great effect, Toree 3D is an adorable little game with an amazing soundtrack and wonderful art style. It has just enough content to keep you hooked, and at 99 cents is an instant recommendation for anyone looking for a quick platforming fix.

Out of Time’s unique take on the rogue-like genre is fun and engaging, but the game suffers from a lack of polish in a few areas. Still, if you love grinding for game-changing gear with friends, then check this game out.

Transformers: Autobots feels exactly like what it is – a handheld multi-platform game that was rushed out to meet the deadline the film’s release date. It certainly taps into the nostalgia Transformers brings out in fans, but so does the movie itself, which is vastly more entertaining.

Crash Team Rumble is a pick up and play multiplayer game that is shockingly fun. It gives players freedom while encouraging teamwork, with a variety of stages and characters. It has quirks and imbalances, but you’re never too far from the next match or unlockable.

Call of Cthulhu is a thrilling experience from start to end. The monsters may be a little lackluster, but the writing, puzzles, and characters are all interesting enough to keep you going until the very end. While the graphics are disappointing, the art style, vocal work, and atmosphere do enough to make up for it. Fans of horror or mystery will find plenty to love here.

Nostalgic gamers and those who simply must have every Resident Evil game out there only need apply – the crippling game control, the frustrating game structure and the minimal overall improvements will likely bring buyers remorse.

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.

Has absolutely the worst combat I’ve ever seen, with some terrible puzzle design added for good measure.

Shenmue III feels like a remake of the Dreamcast game that never existed, for better and worse. It’s got everything fans loved about the Sega classics, along with some of their baggage. Still, the best of the series is the greatest it’s ever been. It can feel as bloated as the originals, and some mechanics feel unnecessary or are poorly explained. If you’re curious about that fabled Shenmue charm, though? This is the best entry to date.

The list of things I don’t like about Rage 2 is much longer than the things I like about it, but the one thing it does better than I even expected is combat. Once you’ve filled up your toolbox of weapons and powers, you have seemingly endless ways to take on the game’s foes. Unfortunately, its bland story, drab tone, and scattered open world drag it down, but the fierce firefights kept me engaged the whole way.

AI Limit represents a commendable effort from a small indie development team tackling an incredibly challenging genre. The game flashes moments of genuine creativity, but it lacks the polish and inspiration needed to stand alongside the pinnacle titles of the genre.

Despite my deep reservations regarding the reboot of my favorite character and the world he inhabits, Thief manages to deliver a compelling experience.

While there is an addictive quality to the game, the bugs and bizarre behavior of your citizens can sometimes pull the game into the realm of frustration instead of enjoyment.

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is outrageous. The game is uncompromisingly zany: full of smart design, fluid combat, and laugh out loud personality front to back. While some may be turned off by its low budget feel and disjointed design, those who can look past these rough edges will find a hack-and-slash so quirky that it’ll be tough not to fall in love. This title stands as a shining beacon of bold creativity and anyone who values risk-taking in games owes it to themself to give Travis Strikes Again a shot.

While certainly not a terrible release, Sisters Generation doesn’t stray far enough outside the box it lampoons to be considered a good game either. This game is only for dedicated fans of the series, or RPG gamers starving for a new game to fill in the gaps.

State of Mind is so obsessed with its story that it forgets what medium it’s in. While a strong storyline and adept world-building can’t be denied, the game can’t escape its undercooked mechanics and puzzles.

Bright Memory: Infinite is an incredibly mixed bag. The story is nonsensical and the bosses are a bit disappointing. However, the overall gameplay is immensely satisfying, and the graphics are incredible.

The interesting to watch, yet boring to actually play combat engine, the absolutely horrendous voice acting, and rarely used weapon/armor/item creation system makes this an average title at best.

Corpse Party: Book of Shadows is definitely not for everyone. People who enjoy a heavy dose of Japanese in their horror stories and who don’t mind that they are playing a video game that doesn’t have much game in it will be able to enjoy Corpse Party: Book of Shadows. As for me I found the storyline to be entirely too juvenile and non-sensible.

Throughout CounterSpy’s lifespan, you will die a whole lot, and with that comes frustration. But on the other end of that frustration is an immense feeling of satisfaction as you get one step closer to saving our precious little moon.

Elli’s relaxed nature makes it the perfect game to unwind with. Its world is gorgeous and its gameplay is solid, due in large part to its well designed puzzles. By the same token, its myriad technical issues and solid, yet totally shallow, core mechanics and story hold it back from being truly great.

Miitopia is an irreverent, hilarious casual RPG which is nearly impossible to put down. With the ability to create your own characters, import from Tomodachi Life, or pull premade characters from Mii Central, your game is certain to be full of a diverse group of characters from all across popular culture. This full length game has a charming aesthetic, an expanding story and a huge map to explore. Endlessly silly, strangely addictive, and easy to play thanks to the auto-battle feature, Miitopia is a delightfully ridiculous game which is perfect for the casual gamer in search of a reason to smile.

A good game with high production value, but it is just too repetitive and boring as you go through wave upon wave of the same enemies using the same punches and kicks every time.

With four playable factions, excellent writing, and a compelling setting, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin delivers a solid RTS, albeit one that takes little risk. A handful of bugs and design choices may hamper the fun, but it hits stride when it lets you be powerful and unrestrained.

If you ever wanted to learn about your favorite fonts, Type:Rider gives you more information than you needed to know. While an uneven platformer that struggles with you from beginning to end, it’s a serviceable romp for those that want a slightly relaxing game to play in these summer months.

Definitely a step up from the original iteration. It has more of its own style, and the gameplay mechanics rarely feel clunky. Though it hints at a meaningful narrative, ultimately it isn’t very substantial.

Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Video Game is a well crafted and unique racing title that attempts to capture the unique elements of dirt bike racing. The game is fun and has a lot of detail in its gameplay elements as well as the riders, bikes, and tracks included. Unfortunately, loading lag times and other issues stain what would be otherwise a very solid racing experience.

Icarus is an absolutely gorgeous, engaging, and challenging survival crafting game. When it’s working correctly, it is a fantastic entry into the genre. When it’s not, the problems are deep and varied. Disconnects, corrupt characters, bugs, and balance problems abound. I look forward to seeing it reach its potential, but it’s hard to see it as anything other than a game that exited Early Access too soon.

Unless you are desperately craving something new for your brand new shiny PS3, you’ll probably want to hold off.

Rogue Wizards is a solid casual roguelike with unique monster designs, perpetually generated dungeons and 10-12 hours of story-mode gameplay. Dungeons themselves are challenging and fun, requiring a bit strategy to defeat monsters which utilize truly unique and interesting attacks. While the boss battles and AI are a little lackluster, the ability to teleport within floors, bonuses for defeating all enemies, and the replayability offered by the Gauntlet mode make Rogue Wizards a good investment for the small price tag of $15.

While the early game’s repetition doesn’t match the second half, there’s something to be said about the experience of evading dinosaurs while solving puzzles. I just wish they’d have taken more advantage of Sony’s new hardware with this port.

If you own a Wii and you are looking for something different that will challenge your emotions then give Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon a shot.

A short but sweet gem of a game dusted off and polished by Capcom for a quick nostalgia trip. Visual and auditory upgrades make this the definitive version of Onimusha: Warlords, but nothing can hide the game’s aging design.

Legrand Legacy is a pretty but otherwise generic RPG. It’s beautifully hand-drawn world gets lost beneath mountains of dialogue and a plot so weighed down by tropes that it barely stays afloat. It’s a passable to good title, but none of its elements come together to create anything new, exciting, inspiring, or terribly memorable.

Interrogation: You will be deceived is a game that some will play straight through for the narrative experience and some will for the experience of being a detective. Both offer an amazing experience that is elevated by the characters and strong narrative. I just wish that during the times of stress, the game made the player feel a sense of angst.

Shape of the World is a feast of color, sound, and design. It manages to be both serene and occasionally challenging, wondrous and abstract, and has surprising depth, considering that your only goals are to wander around and collect natural trinkets as you go. It's a perfect game for those who want to get lost in a minimalist wonderland of imagination.

The thing that sucks is that you really don’t have much of an idea what is going with Turok or the enemy you are fighting against.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics is a mid-tier game with a top-tier Netflix tie-in. Where it delivers on tactical combat, it falls down in being overly grindy for resources, and a direct-from-mobile interface. If you like tactics, and you think Hup is the cutest thing ever to wield a soup spoon, then you’ll like Age of Resistance Tactics.

Scanner Sombre is a quick, beautiful and melancholic distraction with an interesting twist, but its main puzzle is navigating the caves, which can become confusing and frustrating due to everything being made of the same beams of light.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse is excellent fan-service and has a ton of potential, which makes it frustrating as hell to see it held back by technical issues and repetitious combat.

Rich gameplay concepts and lush aesthetics caged by suffocating level design and a weak story. The constant clash between free, flowing movement and repetitive, often claustrophobic levels puts a damper on the entire experience.

Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle is an interesting way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of everyone’s favorite yellow muncher, but the asking price and lack of content might turn off some interested fans. However, with some added updates and patches, it has the potential to be one of the more engaging battle royale titles.

Only get this title if you've finished everything there is to do in the previous titles, and even then only at a discounted rate.

While Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise hosts a number of improvements that will complement your workout, there are a host of technical issues that make this a worse performing experience. If you can get past the underwhelming music and slight slowdown, however, you’ll find a wonderful exercise program if you stick with it.

Save Me Mr. Tako is a decent 2D platformer with some great presentation and a loving throwback to the 2D platformers of the 90s, but unfortunately feels a bit too frustrating to enjoy for long periods of time.

The Sims 4 Outdoor Retreat has fun new items, a unique aspirations, and new activities. It is nice to bring your virtual people to the outdoors but fails to give longevity outside of a brief vacation.

Yuso offers a charming puzzle game experience that can be enjoyed at home or on the go. There's a nice challenge to the levels without being irritating. The atmosphere of the world and levels create a peaceful space for players to enjoy for awhile. It isn't long, but it's definitely worth your time.

Windscape may look like a decent lo-fi adventure at first, but it doesn’t have much to offer beyond its initial cartoony charm. With sleep-inducing combat and an absolutely skeletal crafting system, it just does nothing to keep your attention.

Transformers: Decepticons feels exactly like what it is – a handheld multi-platform game that was rushed out to meet the deadline the film’s release date.

The length of the gameplay and the replyability makes for an enjoyable game once you get past the sometimes frustrating difficulty and the slightly awkward controls.