Heading Out effectively combines the narrative and racing genres, then mixes in rouge-like elements to create something utterly unique. This is a game that thrives on the little details it provides the players, giving them just enough breadcrumbs to make connections on their own to concoct their own theories.

Yooka-Laylee is a fun platformer, despite some technical issues and outdated mechanics. If platforming wasn’t your thing in the ‘90s, there’s little here to change your mind now, but fans of the genre – and the Kickstarter backers that brought it back to life – can rest assured that they’re getting exactly what they wanted.

If you’re looking for a whimsical and accessible racing game to play with your friends and family, Mario Kart 8 is one of the best. Just don’t expect any additional content outside of the most basic modes.

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! -Pirates of the Disturbance- feels like a few episodes of the anime put together into a well made visual novel package. The writing can feel clunky, but the charm of the characters shines through. Fans of the show, manga, or light novel will find something to like here, and otome game fans will find a game with a ton of options and robust ease of play.

While Killing Floor 2 doesn’t offer a lot of content, especially compared to many other multiplayer shooters out this year, at the end of the day, it’s still fun to shoot some Zeds with your friends. If you’re really looking for some quick, challenging multiplayer action, Killing Floor 2’s a pretty good place to start.

The Sega Villains Stage DLC doesn't fully deliver on its premise, but it makes up for it with some of the strongest and toughest content in the game.

For a forgiving and approachable puzzle-platformer, Max lands on his feet and brings us a fantastic gaming experience. Even at a price of $15 it is easy to recommend. Great for all ages, the plot is light and the puzzles are fun from an otherwise innocuous re-imagining of a touchscreen game.

LEGO City Undercover, like many games exclusive to the Wii U, is an undiscovered gem. I’m happy Warner Bros. and TT Fusion decided to update it for a new audience. The story is laugh-out-loud funny, full of witty one-liners and fantastic movie references for kids and adults (“Compupers!”). While the co-op feels very tacked-on, and the loading requires a bit of patience, it’s a worthy addition to the LEGO universe.

Hover Junkers is a good game markedly improved by its VR components, utilizing room-scale tracking and motion sensors to craft physical, engaging shootouts. If there was any killer app for the Vive, it’s Hover Junkers. [Vive Tested]

A solid entry in the franchise, but doesn’t do a whole lot to move the series forward other than presenting a new, far more likeable protagonist capable of harnessing multiple powers in a gorgeous representation of Seattle. It may look and sound next-gen, but its gameplay takes a few too many cues from the last.

It’s exciting to re-board the Morrigan and step into the boots of Shay Cormac. The ground combat may feel the effect of age, but the naval combat remains a highlight of the series. While a lot of people may have chased Unity onto the new generation of hardware, missing Rogue in the process, now they can enjoy the crowning jewel of the Americas Trilogy at 4K, which looks better than ever.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is a huge step up from the original. While far from perfect, it’s an incredibly fun and silly time especially online with friends. When playing solo, there’s still a wealth of things to do too - it’s just an all around good time, despite the jank or perhaps because of it.

The Wizards - Dark Times is great. It’s absolutely a must-have if you’re interested in VR spellcasting using only hand movements, and generally want to feel like a wizard. While there are some minor grievances with the gameplay, they pale in comparison to the level of fun and enjoyment you’ll get out of this one.

In the end, those who enjoyed Dishonored will probably get a kick out of The Brigmore Witches, and those who got what they needed out of the main game have few new experiences to find here.

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.

While feeling a tad bare bones, DNF Duel still manages to be a highly entertaining 2D fighting game among many coming out this year.

A beautiful game which features a host of challenging boss battles require tactical thinking, useful characters, and a big world to explore, Earthlock delivers a solid experience which scratches the turn-based RPG itch. Its fourteen hours of game play swells thanks to a ton of side quests, hidden bosses, and lots of things to craft and collect, and is a true indie delight for any fan of the genre.

Minutes of Islands is truly an impressive game, both visually and narratively. While its slow-burn nature might deter some players from experiencing what it has to offer, it's hard not to admit that it does what it does well.

Deadpool VR offers some great arcade-style shooter mayhem, so long as you don’t take it too seriously. While melee combat can sometimes feel like an afterthought, the huge range of weapons will still satiate your bloodlust as you embark on a journey to gather contestants for Mojo’s wild reality television show.

In many ways Killzone is ahead of itself from the still graphics and immersion standpoints. However it is also behind with the framerate drops and the sameness of the enemies as you go through the game.

Rehydrated is a wonderful remake of an incredibly fun game. The humor and joyful platforming will have you smiling ear to ear, even if the game has more than a few technical problems.

Adventures of Pip is a charming experience that embraces its pixelated appearance. The platforming can feel occasionally stiff, but Pip succeeds the most when it’s not afraid to have fun with its theme.

Affordable Space Adventures is a great example of a game that takes advantage of everything Wii U has to offer. There are a few drawbacks but this is the best use of the GamePad to date.

While it doesn't have the graphics of the DS or PSP, it has a lot of fun gameplay in its favor.

The Sims 4 City Living creates new and meaningful gameplay on the Sims formula, and is the best expansion The Sims 4 has seen to date. It has smart gameplay, new ways to interact with the world, and an amazing new setting. If living the city life sounds fun, you cannot go wrong with City Living, however if that doesn’t intrigue you, there is not much here for you.

KARDS is a free to play WWII card battler that combines card battling with resource management. You'll need to think carefully about what cards you play and when if you want to succeed. There are some balance issues, but nothing that ruins the game entirely. Online matchmaking is the quickest I've ever seen.

The Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion is a nice bundle of story and gameplay content that managed to engage and entertain me despite being a short-lived experience.

Avicii Invector is a beautiful tribute to the late artist Avicii (Tim Bergling). With a fantastic soundtrack, sci-fi visuals, and challenging gameplay, you'll want to keep on playing. The lack of online multiplayer is a bummer and the length is short, but it's a great time.