Unsighted is this year’s best Metroidvania/Zelda-like game by a long shot. It’s creative, gripping, and accessible with a ton of stuff to do and see. There are a few small issues, like some awkward writing or too much menuing, but those are well worth it for such a fun, polished experience.

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

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.

Gris is an incredible achievement, using its art, music, and gameplay to tell a thematically consistent story about a woman overcoming her grief. Despite the weighty subject matter, the way its protagonist’s triumph over sorrow is reflected in increasingly fluid and diverse platforming makes it a joy to play. While Gris is low on challenge and impossible to fail, it still feels exciting. Even if it doesn’t sound like your kind of game, Gris absolutely deserves a try.

FIFA 18 brings back Alex Hunter and makes his story better. With a detailed focus on the protagonist’s many complicated relationships, this new Alex Hunter tale is the best narrative in a sports game. There are some smaller tweaks needed on the pitch that seem to be getting ignored, but FIFA 18 has hints that those issues are slowly being addressed. FIFA continues to be one of the best sports titles on the market.

Super Mario RPG is a classic for a reason, and its remake stands just as tall as the original. The visuals and sound are both top notch, and while some new features make the already easy battles even easier, this is still an excellent game that will have you grinning from ear to ear the whole way through.

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is a hell of a mess. At moments, the complex and fun combat and progression systems break through the game’s ick presentation and sexist character designs, but what little fun exists gradually fades before you’re even halfway through the campaign. If you’re a fan of the series, there’s plenty to love here, but Apocalypse is unforgiving for any new players

I've been following the Smackdown series ever since the original game back on the Playstation, and the one thing I've noticed is that the randomness has gotten less with each successive game.

The game that will replace "Lumines" to satisfy my quick puzzle game craving.

The variety of missions/gameplay types is refreshing.

The many ways to handle enemies give you a lot of freedom on how to play the game.

The game feels like a healthy upgrade and a new dawn for this franchise. While there are still some minor issues that hold back NHL 13 including jerky animations and some odd bugs, but this is easily the best NHL title I've played in some time.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a solid, no-frills, no-additions port of the original PS3 game of the same title. The first video game by Studio Ghibli has not only aged very well, but it also runs smoothly and quickly on the Switch, making it an ideal way to experience the whimsy, charm, and wonder of this fantastical world with Oliver, his friends, and his fearsome foes.

Ragebound shows a great deal of respect to Ninja Gaiden’s legacy while being unafraid to try out some new ideas. It looks great, sounds great, and plays great. I just wish it respected the player on the same level as its predecessors, as its low difficulty and high player dictation is somewhat offputting for a longtime fan like myself.

This was Nintendo’s second effort at putting Picross on the DS, but they really knocked it out of the park here.

If you enjoyed SoT, you’ll most likely enjoy WW, just don’t expect a huge improvement over the original.

Just Shapes and Beats is a simplistic, entertaining game to play alone or with friends, but is held back somewhat by performance issues and lack of level variety.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has topped themselves once again with Yakuza: Like a Dragon! This new take on Yakuza brings a lot of fun, new ideas to the table while remaining its heartfelt self. Turn based combat is somehow a perfect fit for this new direction, the characters are all instantly loveable, and the story is endearingly melodramatic.

Berserk Boy bursts onto a crowded market of platformers in a strong flash of inspiration. With its literally game-changing form system, energetic soundtrack, and impactful visual design, it’s a game well worth playing to the end. It just doesn’t make as strong of an argument for you to stick around after the credits in its current state.

More than Theme Hospital for the modern age, Two Point Hospital brings fresh features and new maladies to a genre full of try-hard games that tried to be what this game is. With charm and wit to spare, Two Point Hospital is the game patients have been patiently being patient for.

Castlevania Advance Collection sets the standard for how older games should be preserved and presented to a modern audience. There are many quality of life features to make the games more accessible while keeping everything that made them special in the first place.

Superhot VR makes you feel like a badass. While it does have a short runtime, every second of it is challenging and, when you succeed, rewarding. It’s easily one of the best and unique experiences in VR.

My experience with Call of Duty Black Ops 4 has been extremely positive, and I’m having a blast with the game. Don’t let the fact that there’s no campaign fool you into thinking that this year’s offering is light, there is a ton of content that will take even harcore players time to tap into. While lacking some of the expected Call of Duty polish, Blackout is by far the centerpiece of the game, and will likely stand as an exemplar in the Battle Royale genre.

Ghost of Tsushima is easily the biggest and most ambitious game Sucker Punch has ever undertaken. It’s also the best game they’ve ever made. Akira Kurosawa would be proud.

I had fun swinging and leaping about, doding the police and the enemy gangs, and just about everything else in this game.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 stands tall on its reputation while delivering on expectations. World-class gunplay throughout, the incredible campaign, superb multiplayer, and excellent Zombies mode reach the heights you’ve come to anticipate from the Black Ops series. Treyarch, Raven, and all the studios behind it should be proud; this shot will be heard around the world.

Igarashi-san has made another masterpiece. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an unapologetic celebration of the best parts of his previous work, bringing them all together with some fresh approaches to progression. Gorgeous and rewarding, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is phenomenal and is a worthy, near flawless successor to Symphony Of the Night, and that’s high praise indeed.

Much like Katamari Damacy, the simple goals and controls pulled me in, and the high production values kept me playing.

It would take a Ruthian effort to send this game down to the wild card spot in a two team division.

Everhood is a fantastic freshman effort that brings unexpected and refreshing spins to both the RPG and rhythm genre. The creative combat system and repeat-friendly soundtrack are definitely strong points but the thought-provoking story elevates the unusual adventure to excellent heights.

Astro’s Playroom is one of the best PlayStation 5 titles to come out of the console this year. With gorgeous graphics and performance and an awesome way to get used to the DualSense controller, this free pack-in can go toe-to-toe with the platformer legends.

Superb port of an already amazing game, perfectly at home on Nintendo Switch looking great and as chilling as ever.

Guacamelee 2 recaptures everything that made the original great and adds a few new tricks for good measure. It’s a joy to look at and it feels great to play, especially when it focuses on challenging platforming. The game feels a little padded out with lots of backtracking and locked-room combat sequences, but it’s still an absolute blast to play.

Innovations with the combo meter and multiple versions of fighters only add intrigue and depth to a solid effort.

Little pieces like a sprawling sidequest system, additional RPG-lite conversation trees, getting a "This is the story so far…" recap any time you click 'continue' from the main screen, the beautiful and incredibly-scaled heavily-varied environments, and the depth of the nuanced and familiar loot system all come together to support a fantastic storyline.

The PC version brings accessibility and graphical upgrades, as well as the promises of unofficial mod-based improvements. If this is your first time with Final Fantasy X, I envy you — it’s a powerful journey that you won’t soon forget.

Intrigue allows players to choose from 20 governments each with their own perks, special events that can reward unique ships or even destroy one of your planets, and is primarily a positive game changer for Galactic Civilizations III. Commonwealth are a neat idea, but sadly end up becoming more of a nuisance than an ally.

Whether this is your first experience with the satirical duology or a revisit to the tale, Cthulhu Saves Christmas is a short and sweet RPG that will have you laughing until Santa decides to leave the North Pole for Christmas this year. (spoiler: that’s a long time!) Its new and improved turn-based system will entertain even the most curmudgeonly jaded RPG fan.

While the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters aren’t perfect, they’re certainly the best and most convenient ways to play these classic games. The soundtracks are lovingly orchestrated and the pixel art is gorgeous, though the latter does lose some detail in the translation. Each game feels great to play, but I do wish extra content from previous releases or remakes had been included.

Rockstar’s port of Red Dead Redemption on the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch provides an opportunity for both newcomers and fans alike to experience one of gaming’s most memorable adventures once again. While there are some improvements to the visuals and performance, remnants of the game’s age still bleed through. If you can look past the outrageous price tag and some cut content, then your journey back to the Wild West is definitely one worth taking.

If you like "Gauntlet style" hack-n-slash style games, then Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is definitely for you.

I Expect You To Die 2’s half dozen hours is easily one of the best ways to introduce somebody to VR. It’s funny, well written, nausea free, and incredibly engaging at every turn. Regardless of which VR headset you have, this one needs to be in your library -- it’s a must have.

Ultimately Triangle Strategy gets an excellent port, albeit one with fewer frills than we’d like. Still, that’s nothing the modding community can’t fix in very short order. Performance is fantastic on PC, and equally as good on Steam Deck. While the long-winded story might need work, there’s no denying the tactical combat.

I'm surprised to say that this is a title that you could play through once, then turn around and play through it another 5 times or so to unlock all of the goodies.

The PlayStation 4 version of the game is mechanically the same as the PlayStation 3 version, but the new engine is eye-poppingly awesome.

The story continues to get better and better with each step. Since it was written by the same people who did the Ace Attorney games, I'm not surprised at the quality of these games. Unfortunately, when it ends, the game is pretty much over since it is linear and doesn't have any alternative endings.

Telltale struck gold with The Walking Dead, but it seems they merely struck bronze with a promising future in The Wolf Among Us. It has some wonderful characters and a lot of potential, but it fell apart as the season continued.

While Persona Q’s story may be meaningless on its own, the dungeon crawling and strategic battle system are great challenges with an excellent cast to keep you company.

Spike Chunsoft has done it again with AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES nirvanA Initiative. They tell an incredible murder mystery that’s a ton of fun to figure out, all while solving brain-bending puzzles and talking to a colorful cast of endearing characters. There are a lot of performance issues and bugs, but those are nitpicks compared to just the sheer joy of diving into people’s minds to solve the case.

Kingdom Hearts III is a product of a development hell. It has too many ideas, too many characters, and too many mistakes holding it back. It is a fun experience that I recommend just for how addictive and smooth the combat is. Kingdom Hearts III is a fun game, it just easily could have been a great one.

Another place that the game really worked was the social system that was put in place. It's not terribly deep, but each town had its own life and people in it. The world changed depending on the quests that you did. The game had a level of detail in it that made me feel like I was doing something.

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

Resident Evil 5 doesn’t revolutionize Resident Evil 4’s gameplay, but it does provide a solid and entertaining entry in the series.

Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties is a solid game with extremely well-thought-out combat mechanics. I could play this game for hours and only spend my time battling. The dynasty system is a lot of fun. Overall, this game is solid.

The accessibility to beginners both games, excellent graphics and sound, and the amount of gameplay modes make this a worthy addition to a fan of the fighting genre.

All in all, putting the online infrastructure disaster aside, Splatoon 3 is a lot of fun, but I can’t help but feel like it could have been an update to Splatoon 2 rather than a new game. I enjoyed the new story mode, the new weapons are great, and the lobby changes are fantastic, but everything else just feels like too little to warrant $60. I generally don’t like to evaluate games on price point, but it needs to be said this is more like Splatoon 2.25 than a full jump in number or even just half. Once you take into account the awful connection it definitely doesn’t feel worth it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a good game and a great entry for new fans, but I’d get basically the same experience and probably slightly more stable in Splatoon 2 and that’s still right there on my home screen. Nintendo really needs to step their game up in terms of updates, and for God’s sake invest in some servers or better netcode.

The new augments combined with better level design makes exploration more satisfying, and the little upgrades to hacking make that whole system more tense. While it’s over a little too soon, if you enjoyed Human Revolution, there is a lot to like here.

With a single-player campaign that finally lives up to the hype of movie level quality and a solid multiplayer experience that clearly shows the benefits of a yearly iterative cycle, Call of Duty: Black Ops II comes close to being one of the best titles in the series.

Judgement is a fantastic Yakuza game, but the spinoff’s other elements can feel half baked. Brawling and investigating can both be fun, but it’s clear there’s depth missing from both aspects. The PS5 version is a blanket upgrade, with improved lighting, textures, and load times, but could have used a bit more care to preserve the artistic choices of the original.

Vanilla Deathmatch, kick-ass graphics, and Warfare just aren’t going to cut it, even if it comes from the people who brought you "Gears of War."

This War of Mine is one of the most emotionally investing games I’ve played in years, and it doesn’t need a complex set of gameplay systems to be what it is… a great game, and a deep piece of art on the horrors of war.

Ballers will still play second fiddle to the "NBA Street" series.

Turbine has given Mirkwood the same amount of love and great gameplay that Moria and Shadows of Angmar have and they have thrown in a great new gameplay mechanic with the skirmish system. On top of all of that, a lot of the little things were polished.

Full to bursting with unparalleled world building and lore, Hogwarts Legacy shows a level of care rarely seen. I’m stupefied with how amazing it is from top to bottom, and I have a feeling you’ll be hooked the moment you put on the Sorting Hat.

I walked into Out of the Park X as a complete neophyte and came out rather impressed. Everything was easy to understand, if a little daunting at first. It's not the kind of game you can really get a handle on after dabbling in it.

The bottom line is that long time fans of the Need For Speed series should be very excited about the new direction the franchise is going in.

The cars are difficult to control, and the paths of terrain they travel through are not much wider than the car itself. Any mistake made can be the difference between first and last place, as well as how much damage to the car is taken.

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater wants to have its cake and eat it too by remaining incredibly faithful to the original while also updating some key aspects like the controls and visuals. To die-hard fans of the PS2 classic, this is less of a definitive remake of the game and more just another way to play a fantastic game. Newcomers are certainly in for a treat, however, as Δ smooths over the original’s rougher edges for a more modern experience. It loses a lot in the translation, like some of the nuance in stealth and combat, but remains a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

If you like a little bit of puzzle in your shooter and have a high patience level, then be on the lookout for Bangai-O Spirits.

MLB The Show 20 is clearly the culmination of all the hard work that went into the previous iterations, and then some. The updated and added game mechanics such as First Step and Perfect-Perfect batting add a sense of realism to a game where instincts and being quick on your feet is important. With a plethora of game modes, it’s almost overwhelming at times because you don’t know where to start. But once you begin, this game is hard to put down.

As someone who spent their entire life being extremely athletic and active, I love being back in the swing of things again. I actually look forward to my Ring Fit workout everyday. I feel like people of all fitness levels can hop into this game and benefit from it. When I started this back in January I was as out of shape as it comes, and Ring Fit Adventure eased me back into things at a pace that felt comfortable. The combination of walking, Ring Fit, and elliptical has shredded pounds off of me, and I couldn’t be happier about that!

NieR Replicant ver. 1.22474487139… is a pitch perfect update to one of the greatest stories ever told in the medium. Combat feels fast and fluid, much like players’ tears once they finish the game. The new content feels natural, magic is more useful than ever, and the reprised music and voice over bring the world to life.

Square-Enix should receive high praise indeed for their continued willingness to take chances with their flagship intellectual property. While many of the JRPG standards are missing, what remains is an incredible game experience.

If you’re a fan of either pinball or Star Wars, you shouldn’t think twice before clicking download.

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.

With mysteries more elaborate and impactful, Danganronpa 2 is a masterfully crafted story that sets the stage for some challenging puzzles of logic and deduction.

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.

While the extras don't add much to the package, the collection of often unreleased 3D fighters with online support makes this an easy recommend. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 has a lot of fun fighters with depth and energy, offering a myriad of unique experiences.

Charming to the point of overflowing, Two Point Campus is hilariously funny, endlessly engaging, and has improvements to the formula around every corner. Attracting and keeping your students while fleecing them for everything they’re worth has never been more fun.

At the end of the day, Duck Game is flocking fun and a real gem for anyone wanting some pure, unadulterated entertainment. Its simple controls mixed with addictively fun gameplay and a hilarious premise make this an instant multiplayer classic.

Danganronpa Decadence is a great package of the three highly engaging games from Spike Chunsoft. While the collection comes included with some noticeable flaws, the overall package is worth every penny for die-hard fans of the series.

The game is beautiful and fun, although there's definitely room for improvement.

If you are a fan of fighting games, then you’ll definitely want to consider picking it up, as it’s one of the best fighting games on the DS.

It isn't that the game is bad, it is just that the mood, voices and music combine to create a game that you don't want to play.

Splatoon 2 adds some great new weapons and decent new modes, but an over-reliance on the its familiar formula keeps it from feeling like a full-blown sequel.

The Crown of the Ivory King is a worthy finale for Dark Souls 2 and one of the most incredible challenges that a Dark Souls fan could hope for.

You may find Mio to be overly familiar, risk-averse, and carrying some platforming and combat flaws, but Memories In Orbit enchants you with its solemn narrative undertones and a luscious art style that should be enticing to anybody curious enough to give this one a shot.

A delightful journey behind the whiskers of a fuzzy feline friend, Stray is a wonderful game for both cat enthusiast and indie enjoyer alike. The story, while simple, is enchanting with each new discovery – with some that may just make you shed a tear. Gameplay doesn’t break new ground, but feels unique from the perspective of a cat, which is handled purrfectly. Stray is incredible, and one you should be playing right meow.

Even after completing Crackdown I find myself continuing to play it. I can’t say that many games stay in rotation after completion for me these days, so don’t take that statement lightly.

World of Goo 2 takes everything you loved about the original and turns it up to 11. The levels are more complex and inventive, there’s more types of goo, and the humor is even more out there. Unfortunately, there are some features that feel like they’re missing and a section of the game that completely goes against the rest of the story’s themes. While it’s somewhat of a mixed bag, there’s far more good than bad here.

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is a beautiful game, plays smooth, and has a story that is genuinely compelling and driven by top notch dialogue and dynamic characters. The fighting is complex but easy to learn, and the game provides tons of great content in the form of mini-games, town exploration, and side storylines. There is lots to look at and take in as you play, and the game packs a lot of good into a nearly flawless package.

Here's hoping that Infinity Ward's eventual return to the saga won't leave gamers with such a bland and lifeless taste in their mouths.

From perfectly motion captured fighters, seamless online modes, and excellent presentation, UFC 2009: Unleashed truly is “As Real As It Gets”.

Long story short, Terraria has a few flaws, but if you're looking for something like Minecraft but not exactly like it, or if you have an itch that Minecraft isn't scratching, for only $9.99 you're virtually guaranteed a good time for quite a while.

Though it is held back by a severe lack of social options and PC-specific sandbox tuning, Destiny 2 on PC looks and feels like the best version of one of the best games of 2017.

This game allows you to be involved as much as you would like to be. You can sit back and just play the games, and let the system make the team decisions for you. Alternatively, you can let the system control the players, and you can make the back office decisions about who to play, how much to pay people, etc.

Age of Mythology: Retold doesn’t redefine the genre but returning fans will not be disappointed and new ones may discover why RTS games were king of the hill in the not-so-distant past. Retold is mechanically solid, beautifully remade, and a blast to play with friends.

Dead Rising’s Deluxe Remaster makes changes big and small to an all-time classic. Some changes work, some don’t, and ultimately none of them feel essential. Dead Rising remains a great game with or without this particular reconditioning. This Deluxe Remaster works best as an interesting thought experiment: what if Dead Rising released in 2024? It would be shinier, have autosaves, and noticeably fear its potential audience.