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

This newest iteration of Thronebreaker is a welcome and unexpected treat, and truly at home in its portable format. Being able to tackle Queen Mave’s part in the Second Nilfgaardian War while on the go is well worth the slightest of tradeoffs in graphical quality. Even if you aren’t a CCG enthusiast, this is a must have for any Gwent battler or Witcher fan.

Dark and Deep is a horror game that lives up to its name, covering some pretty macabre themes and allowing the player to dive deep into the investigation. There are layers upon layers to the game’s art, sound, and gameplay, and they all tie into each other in brilliant ways.

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.

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.

Twelve Minutes is an immaculate construction of narrative that manages to take an extremely compact apartment space and spin an incredibly substantial story in it. Every thread seems to lead to two more, and each one feels satisfying to complete as you head towards the final loop. The voice talents are on point, the gameplay fits remarkably well, and every loop is a new adventure. I implore you to take the time to check this one out, as Twelve Minutes is worth every minute you’ll spend with it.

It raises social and governmental questions around a person’s right to privacy. It delivers combat, stealth, story, and an incredible amount of side content to bring the whole world to life. I’m amazed at what the team at Ubisoft has delivered here, and I’m glad that they treated the hacker world with more respect and attention to detail than any other game or movie to date.

A complete flight sim package, that looks really nice, and has great mission modes. This game, and it's previous versions stand head and shoulders above the Microsoft Combat Flight sim games.

Gears 5 is an impressive evolution in the Gears of War series with a campaign that feels like a huge leap forward and a dizzying amount of excellent multiplayer modes. The story isn’t without its issues, especially the final act which I’m sure will draw controversy, but that does little to hold back this awesome next chapter in the Gears saga.

Add these two multiplayer modes to the ones from Rainbow Six 3 and you have a lot of multiplayer loving, at least until Halo 2 comes out.

I have a lot of VR games because I think they transcend barriers for non-gamers, and they are also a whole lot of fun. Job Simulator was a great way to break in new players, but I have to say that Vacation Simulator will be supplanting (or at least supplementing) their previous effort. While some of the minigames won’t keep you coming back, there’s enough here to keep you busy for quite a while. Owlchemy Labs has spent four years hard at work, but I’m gonna enjoy bit of my Vacation Simulation.

Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow fully embraces the power of virtual reality while staying true to the core elements that made the original series so beloved in the first place. Immersive in a way only VR can bring, this game is a must-play for stealth fans and a magical love letter for returning fans. The original may have defined a genre, but Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow raises it to a whole new level.

Rise of the Ronin is nothing if not ambitious, and though that ambition leads to the game not being as polished as you may expect from a PS5 release, it still manages to tell an enthralling story in which your actions truly matter, while also utilizing a unique bond mechanic, an in-depth -albeit slightly repetitive - combat system, and so much to do you’ll find yourself losing sleep in an effort to complete just one more task. Those approaching Rise of the Ronin like the next Nioh will likely leave disappointed, but those who approach Team Ninja’s latest effort with an open mind and patience will find a gem that just happens to have a few rough edges.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is a gorgeous remaster that preserves the soul of the originals while breathing life into it for a new generation.

Kelvin and the Infamous Machine is a fresh take on time travel, with a diverse cast of characters thrust into hilarious scenarios. The puzzles aren’t so difficult that they’re maddening, but just enough to feel rewarding when it all clicks into place. You’ll be laughing out loud or scratching your head, but you won’t ever be bored.

With fresh factions, two campaigns, significantly more options, and a refreshed skirmish mode, Company of Heroes 3 exceeds the impossibly-high bar set by its predecessor by a shockingly wide margin. It’s a masterpiece.

Fire Emblem: Fates is easily one of the biggest and most intimidating entries in the series, but the refined systems and sheer breadth of content, mixed with a colorful and memorable cast of characters, makes this a grand offering for both Fire Emblem faithful and newcomers 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.

While there isn’t much to do after your first playthrough, Reigns is a short and sweet micromanagement adventure game filled with quirky characters and amusing conversations.

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

With a whopping 101 ships (most performing vastly different from one another), 7 stages (most with drastically different versions of the same stage), 5 difficulty levels, and a myriad of secondary options, you’ll invest a ton of time in this title if you want to see it all.

Yakuza 0 is a great entry into the series, with plenty for old fans and newcomers alike. Its story is cheesy and melodramatic at times, and the graphics are a bit outdated, but between a nearly perfect melee combat system and a city bursting at the seams with activity, anyone looking for a sandbox crime game should definitely pick this one up.

From a purely technical perspective, Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition is a triumph. Delivering gorgeous ray traced lighting, blistering framerates, and high resolution, coupled with speedy load times and eye-popping visuals, Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition is the best possible rendition of the game. Returning special features like Turbo mode, Legendary Dark Knight mode, and Vergil himself is sure to keep any air-juggling Devil May Cry fan happy.

Time will tell whether it has the legs to keep up with more traditionally-styled MMOs, but for what it is, I'm certain that the gaming world will always have room for experiences like The Secret World.

Simply put, the game blew me away in the first mission. It's not perfect, no game is, but for all of the minor problems the game's got, it's still a hell of a lot of fun.

Buried Stars will slip under the radar for most people; I implore you to check this wonderful visual novel out, as it’s perhaps one of the best narrative experiences this year. With a relatable and fleshed out cast of characters mixed with simple yet engrossing mystery mechanics, this one deserves your time and attention.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a masterfully made JRPG and fascinating work of art. While the characters could have used more fleshing out and the leveling curve is wildly uneven, it’s still incredibly fun with thrilling combat and a gripping plot.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus still has some lingering flaws from the series' rough transition to 3D, but is still an incredibly fun time from start to finish. Catching and battling Pokémon hasn’t been this fun in over a decade, and despite the wealth of things to do in Hisui I’m still hungry for more.