The Escapists is an entertaining open-ended puzzler that delivers plenty of challenge for those possessing the patience to overcome it.

I heartily recommend Badland to fans of side-scrolling platformers or anyone looking for a game that’s easy to pick up and play.

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.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a fun little strategy RPG that will surely satisfy gamers who enjoy mental taxation and heavy frustration on the go.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III is a fun ARPG with plenty of nifty distractions. Nothing more, nothing less.

The House of Wolves is easily the best of the two expansions currently available, only predicated by the fact you’ll need friends to play it with to explore the full birth of its features.

Chroma Squad isn’t particularly deep or epic, but makes up for it in heart and charm, nailing the Saturday morning antics of its inspiration and creating a cheery game that anyone can enjoy.

Ultra Street Fighter IV for the PS4 is the comprehensive, definitive edition of one of the best fighting games around. While you might want to be the competitive type if you plan to play, there’s something here for the warrior in everyone. Just be wary of early launch bugs.

While the game can drag after long periods of play, the overall fun and innovation of the game makes the effort a success.

There are a few drawbacks and limitations, but Splatoon’s frantic and addicting gameplay is a blast. This is Nintendo’s best new IP in years.

While the stories may not set the world on fire, the compelling gameplay is very accessible but tough to master.

I was a fan of the first Swords & Soldiers’ fiery and rambunctious Viking hordes and their quest for grandeur and grilled meats, and I had high hopes for the sequel, but Swords & Soldier II wound up just being a dusty old lamp with no magic to speak of.

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.

Westerado: Double Barreled has its issues, but it provides a grand adventure on a small scale and lets you find something new each time you play.

Some minor hitches aside, this is a great beat ‘em up, and hopefully the start of many Neptunia brawlers to come.

Breach and Clear provides a strategic RPG-style look into the world of Special Operations that provides an unusual spin on both the Strategic RPG genre and the military gaming world. Breach and Clear is a solid title worth playing.

Toren has great style and a compelling story to tell. Though it’s dragged down by its gameplay, it’s still far more than worth the asking price for the experience it offers.

Many of the key aspects that made The New Order so enjoyable have not been carried over into The Old Blood.

Zen Pinball 2’s Age of Ultron table doesn’t offer enough fan service to appease any level of Avengers fan, and there aren’t enough interesting mechanics to excite a virtual pinball fan.

Lost Orbit is fast-paced, adrenaline-filled fun with a story that, while entertaining, feels like an odd pairing to its gameplay.

Fresh and engaging, The Weaponographist is a succinct package of roguelike goodness. If you need a quick fix of something new for a weekend, this weapon-breaking dungeon-delver will suit that need perfectly.

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.

Record Breaker is a masterful retelling of an already amazing SRPG. Engaging battles, a wonderful cast of characters, in-depth meta-systems and a great atmosphere make this one of the best strategy handheld experiences ever.

While you get glimpses of the intentional stupidity this kind of game needs in order to succeed, you do not see it often enough for it to work.

Despite long stretches of anger-inducing logic in Act II, Broken Age as a whole is a poignant and clever adventure game that is worth playing through, even if it never lives up to the promise of its midpoint.

Omega Quintet is a promise that fails to execute, and squanders most its intriguing battle mechanics and interesting characters with over-the-top fan service and rote, trope-filled plots.

Shovel Knight on PlayStation is just as spectacular as it was last year and the extra content, while minor, is a welcome addition to an already awesome game.

Space Colony is a quirky and charming package that packs focus that previous sim games lack. While it’s clearly getting on in age, it’s still a timeless gem in some regards, and easy to recommend to those who have not yet played it.