If you’re looking for a party game that everyone can enjoy, or if you haven’t looked at Guitar Hero in a while, you should definitely check this one out.

With an endearing, violent, and engaging story, AI: The Somnium Files is an adventure game that fans of the visual novel genre should not miss. With a novel puzzle-solving mechanic and impressive voice performances, this game is a dream come true.

If you are willing to put in the time and see it to the end, though, the game is highly rewarding as a JRPG with a surprising amount of depth. Some of its larger story moments are enjoyable in their own right even if they can be derivative or are mere shadows of specific moments from classics of the genre, but while the game may not reinvent the JRPG, I had a blast making my way across Erdrea.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure has a lot going for it, but even more holding it back. The story and characters are mostly fantastic, but the game does so much to get in the way of enjoying it both through dialogue and gameplay it becomes hard to recommend to those not already invested in the world.

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.

Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is a gift. Its at first simplistic presentation belies a work of thought, care, and empathy. It satisfies those looking for quality in exploration, combat, and writing, while tying all elements together to focus the experience on communicating its message.

Firsts don’t come around very often, but this is one of PlayStation’s first PS5 exclusives and Housemarque’s first triple A releases, and the combination is a triumphant success. I’m not sure how they’ve managed everything in play, taking the bullet-hell stylings of old and meshing them with the trappings of a third-person roguelike, but it works to a fantastic degree. On top of that, the action-packed gameplay is some of the best around, additionally being one of the most immersive and next-gen experiences available thanks to an incredible understanding of the DualSense controller. Yes, the story may take a backseat, but that’s the nature of the roguelike genre, and doesn’t hinder Returnal in the slightest. I may not be much for roguelikes, but I can see myself “returning” to play this one again and again.

Will Madden NFL 10 change your mind about the franchise as a whole, and get you to buy it if you don't normally do so? Probably not. Like most NFL teams, this game is not quite ready for the Super Bowl.

More accessible than ever, Forza Motorsport 7 delivers a gorgeous racer that will likely be a fantastic launch title for Microsoft’s Xbox One X. We will revisit this review to give it a thorough update when that platform launches, but until then, enjoy the 700 vehicles, new livery options, and bulletproof multiplayer experiences.

Mortal Kombat X improves upon a classic franchise in nearly every way. From its surprisingly impressive story, to its great new characters, to its expansive amount of new content, Mortal Kombat is a must-play for any fans of the series.

Humanity is vast, clever, inventive, and eclectic. It constantly proposes new ideas that redefine the basic experience into a grand design of puzzle mechanics that are just as fun to experiment with as they are to think about. While its best-laid plans have some faults, it all works out in the end. You couldn’t ask for a better reflection of humanity than Humanity.

Sure, it’s better on PC, but that’s cold comfort when it’s hardly functional on other platforms. What’s clear is that this game is no more ready for release than it is for review. Major patches are already slated for January and February, and we’ll revisit it at that time to score it. Right now, buyer beware. There’s a fun game underneath all this, but only if you are playing on PC or Stadia.

The 3D presentation opens up the world of Shulk and his friends into a impressively immersive experience.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is a fantastic gameplay experience that shows no signs of age, despite an underwhelming visual upgrade.

The Heroes content gives fans a reason to play Resogun again, but anyone who was ready to move on or didn’t enjoy the game in the first place may not find it reason enough to come back.

Mini Metro’s dynamic gameplay kept me engaged, yet never left me feeling overwhelmed. Whether I was simply looking for twenty minutes of casual puzzling or a burst of hardcore strategy, Mini Metro’s deceptively nuanced gameplay worked on both levels equally well. With some quality of life improvements and a more detailed presentation, Mini Metro could propel itself even higher, but even with these concessions the game is easy to recommend.

Immortal Pillars returns the Chinese pantheon to Age of Mythology with three gods to play with. Powerful myth units, advanced infantry, and strong defensive options open up new strategies and options for the game.

From the Ashes is everything I wanted an expansion of this sort to be, a great look at a different part of the universe while giving us the already established combat and movement mechanics. Playing as the long-lived Dog Tag Warrior allows us to see the fully-utilized Na'vi after seeing the beginnings of a Na'vi's journey in Frontiers of Pandora's main story. While some of the combat and side missions can feel extremely reptitive, the main story beats are so fun and emotional that it keeps you moving forward. If you're a fan of Frontiers of Pandora or simply need more Na'vi after seeing Fire and Ash -- this is the place for you.

Cadence of Hyrule is a perfect blend of classic Legend of Zelda adventure with roguelite rhythm gameplay. It’s a short adventure that can sometimes feel too difficult and chaotic for its own good, but it’s worth sticking through to the end. Not only is it a tremendously fun game, its new take on Hyrule is a joy to explore.

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin tosses out the clunky touchscreen functions of the previous title and replaces it with a new dual-hero gameplay element. In the end, the game is a worthy addition to the Castlevania lineage, if only the game lasted a little longer.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope launches with a spark of life. There are improvements and expansion of the gameplay and performance of the first game. Three new heroes to the game including an original (non-Mushroom Kingdom related) Rabbid character named Edge. There are brand new unique weapons and special abilities for each character. Oh, and Sparks galore. This game is pumped full of “new tactical possibilities” for every kind of gamer.

You will spend weeks in this game and not even come close to running out of things to do.

The Talos Principle is one of the most brilliant and engaging puzzle games ever made, with a fantastic and contemplative story that isn’t afraid to ask difficult questions. It’s a masterpiece.

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.

Thumper is a terrifyingly difficult game, but don’t let that deter you from experiencing its rhythm violence firsthand. The Switch port takes advantage of the system’s features quite well, and its speedy performance and killer sound design will rock your world.

Return to Monkey Island is a fantastic end to Guybrush’s compulsive search for the secret of Monkey Island and perfectly encapsulates what made these iconic games so popular in the first place. Despite the 30 year absence, not a step was missed, as Return is just as funny as its predecessors and seeing Elaine, LeChuck, Stan, and the rest of the gang together again is rather bittersweet. Charming characters – old and new alike, great dialogue, fun puzzles, an intuitive hint system, and a story which sees Guybrush visit multiple islands, all blend to make Return everything I had hoped for. I’m glad that I was able to finally uncover the secret of Monkey Island.

If this sounds like a bit of a love letter, it is still underselling just how fantastic Samus Returns has turned out. Stunning animations, a fantastic soundtrack, and awesome cinematic moments come together to remind us of the amazing roots of this series, while updating it for a fresh audience. Metroid: Samus Returns is one of the best Nintendo 3DS games of all time, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Dragon Quest VIII is a massive world with well over 50 hours of gameplay. It stands out thanks to stellar voice acting and a huge, quirky set of monsters to battle. While there’s plenty to do, both the plot and the majority of the characters are flat and uninteresting. The quicksave feature and the ability to increase battle speed are significant quality of life improvements over the original, making this a solid title sure to entertain JRPG fans, but the dated and grind-heavy mechanics can make it a bit of a slog.

It isn’t for everyone, and it’s definitely not the game that will convince you to pick up a JRPG if you’ve been avoiding them for this long. Even so, I find myself entirely entranced by Ni no Kuni, and I’m willing to look past its flaws as I return to its magical, whimsical world.

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.

While there will certainly be debate on the online license change (when it eventually works), there is no doubt that UFC 2010 is a vast improvement over its predecessor.

A stunning and wonderful conclusion to a magnificent storyline.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake isn’t what I expected in the best possible way. The remake of Dragon Quest I is great, if frustrating at times, as it fleshes out the characters and combat of Alefgard. Dragon Quest II is the real highlight here, though, transforming the black sheep of the series into one of the best entries with delightful characters, a gripping story, and fun, strategic battles. Both games are gorgeous, with fantastic pixel art and orchestrated music, so they’re both well worth your time.

Wasteland 3 is one of the best RPGs around. The world is fantastic, the characters are interesting, it is packed with content, and combat is engaging. It has a few issues, but the game is just too good for them to distract me.

While I may not enjoy all of the new tracks, this is certainly the strongest song lineup with the most master tracks we’ve seen to date.

The Sly Collection is a great game for kids and adults who grew up with Mario will no doubt appreaciate the platforming gameplay.

Thronebreaker is a masterful RPG with a version of Gwent that is well-suited for a single-player experience. Even if you aren’t into card games, this one is worth a try for the story and RPG mechanics alone.

This is it, the first truly great game for the PSP. The entire game is just so polished, well-designed, and implemented that it could stand as an example of great gaming on any platform.

Among Us is the perfect party game to play in short bursts or in a livestreaming environment. With an addictively entertaining premise, simple controls, and a brilliant execution, if you haven’t played the game yet, you need to right now.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a very unique experience, even in the realm of video games. It’s gameplay systems gel well together and the non-linear storytelling could only work in this medium. While some plot points aren’t as well explored as others and it uncomfortably sexualizes high school students, it’s still a game you absolutely need to play if you’re a fan of science fiction or enjoy video game storytelling.

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.

For better or worse, The Outer Worlds is a perfectly middle-of-the-road open-world RPG. It doesn’t take any big risks, but that also keeps it from falling on its face. Despite some great writing, the game doesn’t have much to say about the corporate dystopia it establishes, ultimately playing it too safe to justify the premise. Obsidian’s expertise with the genre makes The Outer Worlds a competent RPG, if not an especially interesting one.

Nixxes and Guerilla Games have made an already beautiful game even better. If you haven’t yet experienced the origin of Aloy’s story, then do yourself a favor and play Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered!

When the story gets going, it’s a lot of fun. There are twists and turns, epic fights with sick attacks, and genuinely interesting characters. I’d argue this is one of the series' best entries but it’s not as perfect as I remember, even with that decent dub. If you want to get into Yakuza, this is a good way to start but if you’ve been to the 1980s Kamurocho before, maybe keep to memes.

The graphics were amazing, the gameplay was fun and adrenaline filled, and the cover system was implemented successfully.

The funny thing is, it isn't even the 3D effect that makes this game so awesome, it's everything else.

The mortal sin of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is that the co-op is only available, for now, locally. Your buddy needs to be on the same machine, you can't play with anyone online. There is a future patch that promises to implement online co-op, but for now it isn't there and that will have a tragically major effect on many people's abilities to experience it.

The gripping levels, native difficulty, realistic (and sometimes disturbing) situations, and all around fun gameplay combine into a fantastic game.

Bravely Default’s combat combines the best things that old-school JRPGs had to offer with some new and welcome additions, and its social features are incredibly forward-thinking. However, its sluggish pacing and over-reliance on repetition and genre conventions holds it back from being the Final Fantasy replacement we all wanted it to be.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor improves on its predecessor in every way, giving us not only more of what we loved, but doing so in a massive cinematic interconnected universe full of brand new engaging features. This is your early contender for game of the year.

With incredible graphics, stellar gameplay, and an engaging story, Far Cry: Instincts stands proud as a testament to how good a game can be.

Realm of Magic occupied my life for days straight, and I am still actively playing the Sim I created for this pack on a daily basis. The spells and potions are just so invaluable that she will probably be my main Sim for some time. I personally loved this pack and would highly recommend you grab it!

This game is easily a recommendation because it gave me the same feel as I had when I first played "Devil May Cry," a game this one borrows a lot from.

There’s so much about Red Faction: Guerrilla that is innovative and goes above and beyond your run-of-the-mill game, it’s disappointing that this title didn’t garner a higher score. The fact is that modern gamers want an engaging story line along with their action and that just isn’t present here.

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is the Paper Mario we’ve been waiting for for over fifteen years. It’s aesthetically pleasing to look at, the main characters have an amusing dynamic, and it has a fun turn-based battle system with real time elements and strategy. I urge not only Paper Mario fans to give it the chance it deserves, but anyone that has ever picked up an RPG.

Full Motion Video, the return of Joseph Kucan, the introduction of a third race to play, and the incredible competitive multiplayer package really shows just how much was spent to make this game the best production possible.

If you can live with adjusting the sliders until you get the right feel, or can't live without the most current roster, or are salivating at playing a league with 31 of your closest football buddies, then you will find Madden NFL 10 worth the price of admission. If you can't though, then you might want to consider that annual purchase.

One of the best efforts of the year, unafraid and willing to take chances, and well-deserving of your time.

If you enjoy that type of pleasure mixed with pain, and have been craving a cutting-edge platform adventure with a truly imaginative and polished visual style, look no further: Runner2 is a game that you ought to make a dash for.

The anticipation for Guitar Hero World Tour was palpable, and to see the party turn South the way it did was a bit concerning.

This combination brings me to one conclusion: Out of the Park Baseball 13 is the most complete baseball simulation on the market.

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.

A robust online mode is available, but playing solo won’t leave you bored after a couple of play-throughs.

Simply put, if you own a PSP and do not buy this game, shame on you. You’ll be missing one of the best games of the year.

The Lord of The Rings Online: Mines of Moria is a complete expansion and not just an attempt to cash in on an existing franchise.

DOOM: The Dark Ages throws everything and the kitchen sink at the wall, and a lot of it sticks. However, just enough of it doesn’t stick to drag things as a whole down a few pegs. Gunplay and parrying feels great, as does weaving through the bullet hell-esque attacks, but suddenly dying for no perceivable reason does not. Still, it’s a game worth your time for those highs, even if you have to get through the lows to reach them.

While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does handle almost everything right.

The action nature of this game makes the length shorter as there is little to no strategy as there is in turn-based games. I doubt many will want to go through this game again, but for the first time through the game was quite rewarding.

Frostpunk II has lovely and intimate details, but the big picture is chilly and rigid. The promise of pioneering a new culture becomes yet another tale of survival at all costs.

With flawless lighting, excellent gameplay, innovative immersion, and a fresh new story, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the sort of game that we’ll be talking about for the rest of the console generation. This is how you start a new generation of gaming.

But getting behind the wheel of one of the most realistic driving engines and booting around, challenging racers, and having all kinds of fun adds value to all cars – not just the ones that are ridiculously fast and expensive. I've played the game at numerous difficulty settings both with 360 controller and MS Force Feedback Racing Wheel, and have come away impressed.

It can’t be said enough – the amount of customization and sheer gameplay that is available in this title is simply astounding. While baseball management simulations might not be everyone’s cup of tea, for anyone that has a love of the great American pastime, this is absolutely a title that you should check out.

Russian Subway Dogs is an incredibly unique arcade-style title that excels in short bursts. With a wonderfully zany presentation and great mission diversity, there is little else like this game. Its score-chasing, shawarma-munching action is diluted somewhat by its stunted game flow and superfluous unlockables, but neither flaw results in Russian Subway Dogs being anything short of good.

Assassin's Creed: Origins is as much a departure as it is a homecoming. Revamped combat mechanics defibrillate the series with much-needed challenge. The guided open-world design encourages and rewards exploration unlike any Assassin's Creed game before it, and takes place in one of the series’ most memorable settings. But at the end of the day, and despite some growing pains, Origins is a culmination of the best aspects of the series. And for that, some hiccups in the transition to full-fledged RPG are a fair trade.

Batman: Arkham Shadow is the latest must-buy VR title, and does its namesake justice. Being Batman is something you dream of, and Camouflaj has done great work in putting you under the cowl. Where some teams would simply offer a short VR experience, the team has crafted a game rich in depth between combat, exploration, and story.

Seventeen years after its original release, Final Fantasy IX continues to bring lovable characters full of whimsy. The new boosts ensure that the game can be played in its normal state, or with boosts that are respectful of the player’s time. While the graphical upgrade is a bit of a mixed bag, it’s amazing just how well this PS1 classic holds up. It’s a welcome surprise for the PlayStation 4, and a nod to Square Enix’s continued efforts to bring the best of the Final Fantasy legacy to new generations of players.

Control manages to take the awesome cutscenes we see in other games and makes them playable. A bizarre adventure with rewarding power fantasy, this is the culmination of all previous Remedy games. Part exploration game, and part sci-fi shooter, Control blends a tight narrative, stunning graphics with RTX-powered lighting, and a hub-based world to create something entirely new and absolutely gorgeous.

If you enjoy games of the stealth/action variety, and are willing to make the adjustment to the controls, this is an excellent game.

For those of you that want a good game of hockey that you can play online and may have a little less simulation than "ESPN NHL Hockey," this game is for you.

It’s a bit rough around the edges but the smooth action, beautiful visual design and engrossing story made Dust a trip to Elysium for me.

An epic RPG, a licensed game that somehow transcends its source material, and the culmination of everything South Park has come together to create the funniest game I’ve played in a decade.

Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge is a game to be played for the nostalgia factor, and for those who never played it the first time. I'd also throw in die-hard fans of the series, but people new to the franchise will be left scratching their heads unable to grasp what the big whoop was in the first place.

Freerunning has taken on new life with Connor's ability to flit through the trees, and the new weapons hem nicely into the freedom and wealth of options of the series...I can personally guarantee it'll see the top of many Game of the Year lists, perhaps even our own – Assassin's Creed III is a masterpiece.

Dragon Age Inquisition has raised the bar for storytelling. It’s the sort of game you think you have figured out after a few hours, but time and time again it’ll surprise you. With a rebuilt combat system, an open and inviting world, 150 hours of content, and a warm and familiar storytelling system, Dragon Age Inquisition is the best RPG I’ve played in a decade.

If you're not prepared to implement the tweaks and fixes mentioned in this review, then you should stay away from the game or hunt it down on its native consoles instead. If the previously mentioned 360 Review doesn't describe the sort of game you enjoy, then stay away altogether – not even bug fixes and gameplay tweaks will make this a game you like. But if you're willing to implement a couple fan-made patches and you crave a game that's beautiful, dark, cryptic, challenging and just plain unique in so many ways, grab this game and give it a go.

Tunic sits among the pinnacle of indie titles and is just as fun as it is cute and colorful. There are an astounding amount of secrets to discover in the game and, once you’ve found everything, you can easily play it again and again to do things in a different order using your knowledge. It’s a delightful experience that I just can't get enough of.

An excellent and challenging update to a familiar formula, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is one of those games that makes you cheer at your well-planned success when everything goes off without a hitch, and groan at your own poor planning when it doesn’t. It gets so much right, that the relentless difficulty, and slightly less gorgeous console port can’t mar its beauty. This one snuck up on me, and I couldn’t be more glad that it did.

Phenomenal. Let any doubts about a handheld version of this game be put to rest- Super Smash Bros. 3DS pulls no punches and stands proud with its console predecessors.

Probably the best wrestling game to come out since "No Mercy" on the N64. Yukes seems to have finally combined what was great in the AKI games on N64 and what was great in the Smackdown games.

The score is brought down a bit because of the timed nature of many missions. The car-based missions are especially tough because of the loose controls and the small amount of time you have to complete your mission.

FF X / X-2 HD Remaster offers a massive amount of content in a fully polished presentation that reminds us of how good RPGs are supposed to play.

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.

Jackbox Party Pack 7 is yet another fantastic party game with something for everyone. While Talking Points and Blather ‘Round are the highlights here, every game is still bundles of fun. I wonder, does Jackbox Games get tired of putting out banger after banger every year? Because I’m sure not tired of their innovation and creativity.

NEO: The World Ends With You lacks everything you would expect from a PC port, such as mouse support or useful graphics options. While the game itself is incredible, unless you desperately need the maximum resolution and framerate you’re better off sticking with the console versions.

Deep Rock Galactic mixes incredible FPS action, addictive exploration, and endlessly entertaining gallows humour that combine to create one of the most compelling co-op experiences available in video games. Beautiful environments powered by incredible procedural generation will have me teaming up with friends to return to the hostile subterranean world of Hoxxes IV again, and again, and again.

Jusant may seem like a game about just scaling a tower, but the calmness of the climb manifests itself in a way that feels peaceful in the ascension. Movement is focused and deliberate without feeling clunky, and the involvement of the terrain is wonderful. The breezy cliff sides and beautiful landscapes make for a short and sweet experience that anyone can appreciate.

Where some teams would stay safe in their additional downloadable offerings, building on the foundation laid by the full game, Remedy has gone wild. This is exactly the kind of episodic content I’m looking for. While I’m sure the upcoming Lake House DLC will further our connections to Control, I’m glad Remedy took the time to make something wholly unique, which is what that studio is.

Loddlenaut is so perfectly simple, relaxing, and beautiful that I can’t help but want to dive straight back into the planet of GUP-14 to breathe life into it all over again. Its gameplay is satisfying and grants the player enough control to not bring down the pace in bogging down the mechanics; it never overstays its welcome but provides a plentiful amount of stress relief and fun to stand out in the indie world. With its gorgeous graphics and style, I hope I can venture across space again with Moon Lagoon to clean up its planets.