No frills, no gimmicks, no nonsense, Out of the Park Baseball 14 is such a true-to-form sports experience that its complicated gameplay and plain-jane delivery becomes refreshing and exciting in a world of big graphical spectacles. While OOTP will never take the place of games like The Show and MLB 2k, it can supplement those gaming experiences and provide a different take on what the baseball world is all about.

Equal parts DLC and fully-integrated expansion, Void Shadows is a fantastic addition to the already-incredible Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader package. A must-have, and all-new content, all rolled into one. Stop reading this and go get it for your next run – the Emperor demands it.

Not only is the Enhanced edition a great value, but it is also one of the best CRPGs to come out in some time.

Tunic on PS5 is fantastic. Charming level design, creative puzzles, surprising challenges, along with a lush world to explore and decipher all merge to create one of the best adventure games in recent memory. There’s so much to uncover, including multiple endings, optional side quests, and collectible trophies, along with a New Game + mode that adds further challenges, that most players will find countless hours of entertainment.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake comes with its share of flaws and oddities that prevent it from being the perfect version of itself, but it’s still just so darn good that they’re easy enough to overlook. This is a beautiful remake of an already incredible game that is very faithful to its original, with changes only attempting to enhance what was already there. It may not always succeed, but when it does it makes for a sublime experience.

The levels were incredibly balanced and elicited feelings of imminent danger as you are often starting very close to your enemy’s location.

The game is looking better every year, and controls are getting sharper.

The single player is robust and action packed, while the multiplayer tends to be a bit more tactical.

The Xbox One version is no slouch, but if you’ve got the kit to run it, this is the ultimate edition you’ve been waiting for.

Diablo IV represents a massive shift for the series, moving to a more inclusive and open world that is somehow as inviting for new players as returning veterans. Complexity is mixed with flexibility to create a game that is sure to consume you for hundreds if not thousands of hours. Diablo IV is the game we’ve been waiting for, and a return to form for the Blizzard team.

JumpStart Pet Rescue definitely offers a preschool friendly gaming experience for children.

Total War: Warhammer mixes computer and tabletop effortlessly into a fantasy bloodbath. With four diverse races, plenty of character and a promise of much to come, it’s hard to not recommend this to anyone who’s ever dreamed of playing armchair general in the High Fantasy realm.

Grim Dawn: Definitive Edition is an overwhelmingly great package, stuffed with hundreds of hours of content, incredible replayability, a variety of distinct classes to choose from, a huge open world ripe for exploration, more loot than imaginable, and fun combat. Despite its age, Grim Dawn holds up incredibly well when stacked against more modern ARPGs and has made a fluid transition from PC to console with only a few minor slowdown issues.

This is still a great game and it is the only licensed NFL game out there whether you like it or not.

This game was built as an homage to the history of gaming. Sure it’s derivative. Sure it leans heavily on shallow and easy humor. Sure it borrows unrelentingly and unabashedly from any source Volition could pry into the product. Somehow all of that comes together to create a game that is fun, hilarious, addictive, and demands that you find every single collectable possible.

It’s got a pretty good engine under the hood, but the paint is starting to peel.

While there isn’t a terribly large amount of new content, Ninja Theory’s gritty Universe is excellent enough to warrant a second playthrough.

Despite releasing nearly a year after its Switch counterpart, the PC version of Monster Hunter Rise feels like a minimal improvement. Sure, you can get frame rates in the hundreds and high resolutions, but frequent crashes can reset your settings and cutscenes are still locked at 30. The keyboard and mouse control options are a big boon for accessibility, but the visual improvements here feel so minimal I’ll stick to the portable edition.

The game world is hugely immersive, the danger is constant and mirrors the very real situation brewing right now, the ammunition and firepower are virtually unlimited, you can call in air strikes and bombardments from afar, and the missions are frequently inventive and require imagination to succeed at.

Monster Hunter 4 has a lot of repetition and grinding, but succeeds at capturing the thrill of the big game hunt like no other game can. If you’re looking for a long-term game with plenty of loot to grind, quests to beat and bosses to kill, this is your game.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a great follow-up to the original, placing you in the shoes of an amateur builder. The main story practically amounts to a fetch quest of acquiring skills and people, but that doesn't bring the game down much. Building takes the forefront, and it will definitely keep you busy.

Compelling epic storylines, characters so rich you can become emotionally invested in them, and a great combat engine that works on multiple platforms - Dragon Age: Origins has what it takes to take the RPG genre to the next level.

If you're a fan of one of the previous games, you probably have this already, but if you're new to The Sims, this is a great way to jump into the water. Just make sure to climb out for air from time to time.

Like Codi’s review of the game, I found myself surprised by just how much this strange game about delivering goods from one end of the country to the other could be simultaneously thrilling, frustrating, peaceful, and somehow hopeful. It reminds us that we are all connected, but that real monsters also exist. It reminds us that friends and family are the most important things of all. It reminds us that Kojima and his team are the strangest cats on the block, but that they may be some of the best storytellers around.

Answering the question of whether Titanfall lives up to the incredible amount of hype and anticipation is something that’ll take a little bit more time. It’s fun, damned fun, but the lack of single-player campaign, customization, and matchmaking options come as a bit of a surprise.

If you have never played a Yakuza game, Yakuza 0 makes for the perfect entry point. It introduces a host of wacky characters and starts the journey of Kiryu that certainly doesn’t end here. Beyond that, though, Yakuza 0 is just a damn good game, and that’s rad.

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.

One thing is for certain, Asgard’s Wrath 2 is a pinnacle for VR and should be praised. Not all games are worth the cost of admission, especially in virtual reality, but Asgard’s Wrath 2 transcends those stereotypes and blazes a fresh trail for the medium.

If you had any doubts about the Silent Hill 2 remake, then throw them out the window because Bloober Team cooked with this one. It successfully modernizes a classic without losing sight of what made it special in the first place.

Minecraft is still the same great game, and it feels right at home on the Switch. It feels awesome to take the game on the go with such tight controls and accessibility, the online functionality is excellent, and the game is still a ton of fun to play with friends.

Guilty Gear Xrd: -Revelator- is a nostalgic look back on the golden age of fighting games that also manages to wrangle a ton of modern digital beauty and function into the mix. The result is a top notch fighting title that begs to be mastered.

1000xResist is one of those special games from a team of individuals laser focused on creating their masterpiece. It’s story is meaningful, gripping, and heartfelt. This is a work of art you absolutely need to play.

Mario Kart World has a lot of big ideas, but its execution on them can feel shaky. It has a massive, interconnected open world, but there’s not much to do in it and you barely spend any time on the carefully crafted racetracks. It bumps each race up to 24 participants, but can feel so chaotic as to be unparsable at times. The driving in and of itself is great, it’s just everything that surrounds it can feel half baked.

Nioh 3 is an evolution of Team Ninja as a studio. The solid foundation laid by the first two Nioh titles paved the way for aspects of Ninja Gaiden, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and Rise of the Ronin to combine into the third and most ambitious entry in the series. This is a must play for any fan as Team Ninja truly cooked with this one.

On top of that flexibility lies one of the better written stories in recent memory, and then thrown in is one of the most ingenious ways of telling it.

Elegance, finesse, style – whatever you want to call it, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has it. It sets the stage with familiar Prince of Persia elements while performing them in new ways. The production comes with a few stumbles, yet The Lost Crown always recovers with style, proving itself as a worthy heir to the elegance that this series represents.

Pentiment does what it does with a magnificent blend of dialogue, characters, and narrative. The winding path you’ll take has plenty of off ramps, and while all roads lead to Rome, the journey there feels unique to you. It’s so fascinating getting to your specific ending, you’ll probably even play it again to see what other decisions look like. Pentiment might not be for everyone, but for the genre, it’s a magnificent and compelling work of art.

Bayonetta 3 has a lot of issues, especially in terms of story, but is well worth playing for the core combat. While the game seems to be doing its best to get you away from that, once you’re fighting, there’s nothing like it out there.

Slightly less fun than "Burnout 2: Point of Impact," but makes up for it in longevity, LIVE play and the plethora of cars and motorcycles to unlock. The single-player part will take you a good, long time to complete.

I wasn't blown away by the graphics in Guilty Gear X2: #Reload. It's a bunch of anime characters beating the snot out of one another, but hey it looks a lot better than Dragonball Z so at least its got that going for it.

Resident Evil 7 feels as terrifying as it does modern, all while returning the series to its roots. It hits some familiar bumps along the way, but this is the best this series has felt in years.

Out of the Park Baseball 18 is just another fantastic entrant into the game’s series and is perhaps the best-received new release in years. Clean, sleek, accurate, and easy to learn and navigate, OOTP 18 gives players ultimate control over their team, in any form, year, or league they choose. The inclusion of new leagues, new features, and the all-new Challenge Mode enhances a game I already consider the capstone of the genre. A must-own for any sport simulation fans.

When Riven was first released in 1997 it was heralded as a majestic piece of art. Now almost 30 years later, Cyan Worlds returns to that world, bringing it to modern standards using the tools of today. Once again, they’ve created a majestic piece of art, and a world worth exploring all over again. It’ll test your mind, it’s a feast for your eyes and ears, and if you enjoy deep puzzles, it’s a game you absolutely cannot miss.

Crashmo is a natural extension of the concepts introduced by Pushmo. Sure, it gets much harder much faster than Pushmo, but it does so much more with less that it easily surpasses the achievements of its predecessor.

A worthy successor, this new legend in the Ghost saga stands on its own, and as tall as Mount Yōtei itself. Ghost of Yōtei takes the foundation of Ghost of Tsushima and builds something even better on it. Atsu’s journey to take on the Yōtei Six is magnificent, and backed by some of the best mechanics, visuals, sound, and immersive elements Sucker Punch has ever crafted.

So the saying goes, you can’t step into the same river twice, but Mass Effect Legendary Edition is certainly going to make one hell of an attempt at it.

The colorful mix of characters and exciting plot combined with great gameplay make this one a must play.

Very few songs on the Guitar Hero World Tour got me thinking this was something I had to have, but being able to create my own music is much fun, and the unlimited potential for library expansion is awesome.

Mixtape is an immersive game as you follow Rockford, Slater, and Cass on the last night of High School. Spanning the highs and lows of the evening, the game’s Mixtape includes music from Devo, Iggy Pop, Lush, The Cure, and more. A full game you can complete in a 4-6 hour span with an hilarious, emotional story that will leave many in tears. If you’re a fan of 80s and 90s nostalgia, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off-style cutaways, and an ode to outcasts, you’ll enjoy Mixtape.

Stunning graphical overhaul aside, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age delivers several gameplay-improving mechanics never seen in North America. While balance is still occasionally wobbly, there’s no doubt that Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is a masterclass in the light but deliberate touch necessary to take something great and make it even better.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is one of the best puzzle games out there, and this remaster only improves on perfection. Its sharp and witty writing is accompanied by a gripping murder mystery plot, a beautiful art style, and an ear worm soundtrack. Ghost Trick absolutely deserves more attention than it got back on the DS, and hopefully this resurrection will change its fate.

Gearbox has set the bar for how to update an old game for a modern audience. The slick new UI, the minor control improvements, and the updated graphics make these two strategy masterpieces into an experience even greater than the originals.

After spending some time in the Rust Belt, I can say with certainty that ARC Raiders is a great step for the extraction shooter genre. Beyond the incredible atmosphere of the maps lies in-depth systems to explore. Although simple to pick up, some may find it frustrating along the way. But, if you put in the effort, the mechanics ARC Raiders has available can make for a stellar time topside. That said there's still a whole lot left to explore in the Rust Belt – I've only played a smidgeon of the content for this live-service extraction shooter. If I had to score it today, based on initial impressions, I'd be at an 80/100. I'd also recommend ARC Raiders to all fans of the genre and gamers interested in starting their extraction shooter journey.

It’s perfect for laptops since it doesn’t require a CD to be in the drive. The replayability of the game is almost infinite.

Other than a few missteps here and there, and a completely forgettable multiplayer mode (think Uncharted, but worse), Tomb Raider is the quintessential example of a reboot done right.

Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is an incredible narrative experience with deep and intricate systems. While the port has a few bugs that need working out it is still objectively the best way to play the game.

Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is both a game collection and an interactive documentary, and excels in each aspect. There may be a few hits missing, but the 90 games available are perfectly emulated and serve as an incredible time capsule of a bygone era. The unexpected star of the show is the interactive documentary, filled to the brim with interviews, documents, pictures, and interesting stories all told by pioneers of the era. If you have any nostalgia for this era or just enjoy learning about the history of gaming, check out this collection.

Destiny 2: Forsaken is shooting and looting at it's best. Taking down Uldren and conquering the Dreaming City is an absolute blast. And with the changes and additions to the sandbox, there are more ways to be a badass than we've ever seen before. Destiny is back, baby. And this time it's in it for the long haul.

If you liked any of the previous Layton games, you should definitely get Unwound Future.

There's a ton of gameplay, it's simple, it's addictive and it's a heck of a lot of fun.

The game never feels like it's trying too hard to scare you. The horror emerges naturally from character development, environmental design, and pacing. When the game finally reveals its sick imagery and body horror, it feels earned rather than cheap. The exploration of female adolescence through a horror lens is handled with remarkable sensitivity and insight. And with multiple endings to achieve and New Game Plus at launch, there’s plenty of lore to dive into.

It isn't very often you get a sequel that improves in so many areas without changing too much, but it is clear that Dance Central is worthy of your precious holiday dollars.

For the rest of us, for those who just love playing good games with a great sense of style and high production values, Sly Cooper is not to be missed.

Put simply, this title is also amazing to look at. The graphical candy of this title will hold you for a while. My suggestion would be to just turn off the sound if you intend to show the game off.

The gameplay is simplicity itself, as are the graphics…some may be turned off by this but they will miss out on a fun game that stands apart from your standard fare.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is the definitive way to experience SMTV. The new story is much more interesting and makes a perfect entry point for Persona fans, though it does miss out on some important plot points. The tweaks to combat make things feel that much tighter and strategic. With new bosses that even veterans will struggle with, Vengeance feels like an entirely new game.

Returnal is a great game on console and on PC, and its brilliant fast-paced gameplay will give daring players a highly entertaining experience despite its frustrating elements.

With excellent level design, smooth animations, impressive pixel art, and a bunch of brand-new twists on classic-style gameplay, Sonic Mania manages to feel both old and new at the same time in the best way possible. Whether you like the old Sonic games or the new ones, or even if you've never played one before, Sonic Mania holds plenty of fun for everyone.

Designers really worked hard to make each level unique and interesting. Aside from the so-so graphics everything in Four Swords is done extremely well and extensively thought out.

The best part about the combat system? The next to no loading time as you go in and out of combat.

A good game hindered by lack of options and other cars to drive in the Championship mode.

With a gripping story, top of the line graphics, fantastic sound, unsurpassed multiplayer, and innovations such as the Voice-Activated Order System - this is one of the best and most impressive games to come out on Xbox yet.

I had a lot of fun with this game, I just wish I could have chosen a different car than the Escort.

Deceptively simple with a hidden layer of strategy. Katamari has a simplicity and charm that is definitely addicting.

There's a lot of quests in the game. A lot. In the first ten to fifteen levels alone, you're likely to do 50-100 quests, if not much more. While the game seems to have only a small number of areas available at launch, each area is quite large, and there's a fair amount to do in each area as you progress to level 50.

Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker is an attempt to make the stars of the base game actual characters, and while it fails at that the effort is appreciated. Still, the game itself is a ton of fun, with great combat, gorgeous visuals, fantastic music, and fun puzzles.

Desperados III feels both familiar and fresh at the same time. A great deal of the muscle memory and character interactions we learned in Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun are at play here, but a whole host of improvements, and a brand new character in Isabelle, make it all feel brand new. A true refinement of an already excellent formula, Desperados III is a masterclass in real-time tactical stealth, and I simply cannot recommend it highly enough.

Rockstar took their time with this title, and it shows. Rebuilding not only the universe, but the characters in it, they managed to capture what we loved about the previous titles and matured it for this sequel. The multiplayer is a good addition to the series, enabling players to experience the world Remedy created with the staple bullettime modes intact.

Anyone tired of the WoW juggernaut or who wants something else to try are doing themselves a disservice by not giving Warhammer a try. With just a little TLC it has the ability to grow very long legs.

NHL 12 is one of the best sports simulations available that is accessible by both hardcore simulation buffs and casual fans. While the improvements are subtle, they are definitely worth the price of admission, especially if you haven't picked up a copy for a few years.

In that rubble, a wonderful bounty is excavated; an exquisite story, a compelling heroine, a fascinating sandbox, and a beautiful view. Rise of the Tomb Raider is a little more subdued, a little less bombastic, and a whole lot more introspective. It sometimes falters in scripted sequences and technical hitches. But the way it combines such excellent themes into such fantastic gameplay is evidence that Lara’s story was one that needed to continue.

An authentic reimagining of the first act as a 30+ hour action-oriented thrill ride with new sub-plots, characters, and an elegant, modern interpretation of the ATB combat system. The remake is still best experienced on consoles, however, where solid performance and controls can be guaranteed.

As long as Activision supports this title with solid downloadable content (which they have a great track record of doing) DJ Hero is a game that you’ll keep coming back to.

Like opening the hood on a Ferrari, Forza Horizon 2 is filled from fender to fender with absolute awesome.

Moss is an incredible puzzle-based adventure which uses VR to create a unique and stunning experience, all while featuring one of the most adorable heroes to come along in years. Featuring creative puzzles, a simple, but heartfelt story, some fun platforming and action sequences, Moss is a must have for any VR lover’s game catalog.

I was surprised to realize that I’d already played Monster Train for 15 hours before I began to write this review, and I wasn’t even halfway finished with unlocking everything. The randomization of the relics, cards, and other elements of the game keep it fresh and fun long after you’ve beaten the game a few (dozen) times. If you are a fan of card battlers, this is a must have.

FIFA 14 is a beautiful send-off to the waning current generation of gaming, and a perfect example of what has become the most authentic and entertaining sports game around.

Zen Studios clearly has a lot of love for pinball; it shows in every facet of this game.

Like the soldiers in the game, XCOM: Enemy Within takes everything introduced in Enemy Unknown, polishes it, enhances it, and redeploys it into the field. It’s stronger, it’s meaner, and it’s awesome.

Four-player sandwich-making chaos reigns supreme in. Best played with friends, but mostly capable solo, Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale delivers hours of cooperative chaos. Now we just have to hope that this VR culinary fantasy adventure can find its way onto other platforms so I can burn bread with my pals.

Wildermyth is a fun storytelling game with a ton of possible variance between playthroughs. The stories you make with the game can be very interesting, though it has a tendency to repeat itself a little too frequently.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is oozing with charm and bursting with activities. While it all feels a little shallow, the constant feeling of progress is great and there’s a ton to customize. The story isn’t great, but it doesn’t need to be when there’s always something to do around the next corner.

Luigi's Mansion 3 is incredibly charming and the best evolution of the series to date. Every corner of the Last Resort Hotel has secrets and the gems can be incredibly difficult to find. If you're coming for the hilarious cutscenes, you'll stay to explore every floor of what this game has to offer.

Dance Central 3 isn't just the best reason to own a Kinect; it is the reason you need to own one.

If you like MMO’s and are looking for that next fix, then I suggest A Realm Reborn over its competitors, but if you have the means, then I’d say you should pick up the PC version of the game.

Overall, Titanfall 2 takes the great ideas of its predecessors and expands upon them to create a far superior experience. While the campaign is a little short, it’s still a lot of fun and incredibly replayable.

It’s still a fantastic game, with a lengthy — if slightly repetitive — campaign, and a surprisingly addictive multiplayer option.

Overall, the game looks like it has been rebuilt from the ground up. The removal of the guitar portions, a slick new interface, a more evenly distributed soundtrack, and a few new tricks to keep you on your toes make this a far more polished product.