While survival horror purists may balk at the concept, anyone a fan of top-down action/RPGs, deep gameplay and a interesting story will find not only the most addicting multiplayer Vita game to date, but the best Silent Hill in recent memory.

Counter-Strike 2 is a mostly positive update to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The enhanced visuals that range from improved textures to lighting and particle effects help bring the graphics up to date while keeping the required specs low enough where the experience isn’t limited to those with super expensive gaming rigs. The removal of Demolition and Arms Race is choice that likely won’t sit well with most fans, but there’s hope these modes will return someday. Even with all the changes that were implemented, Counter-Strike 2 plays like an old friend who is returning after a prolonged absence. It has a new look and made a few changes, but essentially it’s still Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and those who enjoy team-based shooters will still enjoy spending countless hours with the upgraded version.

Make no mistake — it’s a compelling, challenging and rewarding JRPG in it’s own right, but with little fresh content and some lingering accessibility issues, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 might not be the title everyone was hoping it to be.

You will die in Wasted. You will die a lot, it is a given. But thanks to its easy-to-learn, enjoyable gameplay, great use of roguelike elements and perfectly implemented Thunderdome-esque 1980s atmosphere, you will easily find yourself coming back again and again, ready to cough up more extra lives like the the arcade games of its era.

As a side-scrolling brawler, Dragon’s Crown is deep and loaded with replay. As an example of 2D art in gaming, it’s unequalled.

Given our memories of the first game, it would have been a miracle if Submerged: Hidden Depths had just been a merely fine distraction. So it’s a shocker to see a perfect example of what a sequel should be, making terrific use of the strengths its premise provides, allowing you to truly chill out and explore the drowned city, coming across something that feels fresh at every turn, backed up by breezy visuals and a nice soundtrack. While still linear at times, Submerged: Hidden Depths is a vastly-improved adventure that should easily stand a shot at being the year’s best sequel, and Uppercut should be proud of what they’ve done.

Sky Force Anniversary does a fantastic job of bringing what had already been a good shooter to the PC, and it’s great to see it become the fully-featured game it always had the potential to be.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian is a stellar entry in the series as it provides a solid gameplay loop, a fun battle system and gorgeous visuals to boot. Despite the cameo characters from past entries being present, the main storyline is still engaging and focuses on the two protagonists well. While Slade is one-note, Rias is a delightful hero to follow once you get used to her higher pitch in tone. The lack of English voice acting is disappointing, but the Japanese performances are great and fit the characters well. While there are a few issues, like the ridiculous boss battle in Chapter 6 and the lack of important information in some aspects of the game, it's an experience that will keep you hooked for hours upon hours.

An easy-to-grasp premise coupled with a campaign with an abundance of clever twists and turns, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess stands as one of Capcom's most interesting ventures into smaller-scale experiences yet. A game that doesn't shy away from its smaller stature, yet never feels like it's sacrificing the quality of production we've come to expect and praise Capcom for. Some great artistic use of color and lighting on top, only emboldening further a game that feels miniature yet grand at the same time. The surprise isn't that Capcom can excel just as well on newer, smaller-scale projects. It's that for a premise revolving around a combination of combat, real-time tactics, overhead management and tower defense-style adaptation, Capcom and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess have found a way to make such anxieties of the Strategy genre a still-perilous but altogether more exciting and interesting path worth taking.

Featuring an enormous roster of over 200 characters with revamped gameplay, WWE 2K18 is a solid upgrade from last year’s game.

Triangle Strategy is a unique tactical JRPG, excelling in delivering enjoyable tactical combat and developing an intricate world where the complexities weigh heavily on the choices players have to make. It isn’t without its issues as the execution of such rich world building and interpersonal relationships requires a lot of exposition which leads to pacing issues. Even if the player is interested in the developing narrative, some of the early cutscenes drag on for too long and simply end up being boring. The tradeoff is that those who can get through the slower-paced games are rewarded with a challenging battle system and choices that have a significant impact on the story. A New Game Plus feature allows players to carry over their progress to see how different decisions play out and unlock the multiple endings and the game is enjoyable enough where repeated playthroughs sound like an inviting prospect.

If you’ve been looking to get back into fighters and somehow missed the boat on Street Fighter IV or have been waiting for something to bring you back into the world of Street Fighting, I doubt there is a better option than a game full of characters, awesome music, and a robust fighting system with great online support.

Most games based on movies are cheap shovelware that are released to capitalize on the popularity of the franchise they're based on. The Bourne Conspiracy, however, is clearly a labor of love.

While Signalis won’t be leading to a full-on fifth-gen survival horror renaissance, if only because some of the genre’s past sins still linger, it still delivers an enjoyable adventure that perfectly captures the feel of the classic era while also doubling down on more detailed cosmic horrors and twisted visuals, capped off with some sturdy combat and impressive puzzle design. Those in the mood for a quick yet quality-filled horror game should check out Signalis, as it delivers welcome sci-fi scares.

Valkyria Revolution is an excellent action-RPG if you’re looking for something new after playing through Final Fantasy XV.

The world is fun to explore, filled with a batch of great side activities, and never once compromises the story’s pacing. The gameplay is smooth and responsive, though the AI needs fine-tuning to be more consistent. It’s all wrapped up in a beautiful presentation that truly transports players to paradise, at least when nothing terrible is happening. That’s not to say the game doesn’t have its quirks and questionable decisions, and many of its core gameplay loops contradict themselves when a setpiece moment shows up, but there’s still a lot of good to be found here. Yara may be an awful place to live, but playing Far Cry 6 is well worth the trip to the rotten paradise.

Clap Hanz’s effort to evolve Everybody’s Golf is a successful way of thinking outside of the box. While there aren’t a ton of modes, there’s enough here to keep players coming back for more. Keeping its challenging and addicting gameplay, Everybody’s Golf manages to blend frustration and enjoyment successfully. The online aspect has no hiccups and it’s easy to play with other people. Turf War is extremely hectic and fun at the same time. Clap Hanz took full of advantage of the technology that the PS4 offers to create the biggest leap of the series and offering fresh new innovations. Not to mention, you can literally fish.

Dishonored: Death of the Outsider is a fitting resolution to a familiar story. Billie Lurk is an excellent character to showcase the underside of a world already known but with plenty of mystery left in it.

It’s the perfect title for longtime fans who want a relaxed experience, anyone who wants to try a Pokémon title for the first time or is just looking for something on the easier side to try with a younger relative. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee! might not be a look at what to entirely expect for Pokémon’s future on console, but does a wonderful job as a first step moving forward from traditional handhelds.

Salt and Sacrifice doesn’t explain itself by words, which can make it hard to get to grips with, but when you let that go and just discover by play, the game gently drags you in and refuses to let go.

88 Heroes is an excellent 2D platformer that makes great use of a unique premise to make it infinitely replayable. Having 88 characters to choose from keeps each play session different while also giving you enough familiarity with the main goal to ensure that you have some idea of what to do for each stage. The controls are sharp and the graphics are gorgeous for what they need to be. The music could use some improvement, but its shortcomings are overcome by strong voice and sound effect work. Anyone craving a new 2D platformer with a unique twist on classic gameplay should check it out.

Ninjala is a well-crafted game and another fine example of free-to-play done right. You can make steady progress in the online game without spending real-world money and the only part of the game behind a paywall is the single player campaign — which is currently in its first phase. GungHo has done a great job early on at making a fun experience for players of all skill levels and still providing enough depth to sink your teeth into things when you want to. Ninjala isn’t just a great free-to-play game, it’s a great game period and one well-worth checking out on Switch.

Windjammers might not be as glorious a return of a long-forgotten gem as we hoped for, but still provides some fast and addictive old-school arcade action that does indeed showcase why such a game ever became a cult classic in the first place. It remains an innovative twist when it comes to sports games, even to this day, and serves as a reminder of just how varied the Neo Geo’s lineup could be at times. DotEmu did a fine job in bringing this bit of quirky athletics to a new audience and should be congratulated for it.

For a seventeen-year-old game, Final Fantasy IX has aged incredibly well.

Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax is a wonderful fighting game that isn’t particularly meant to be played by fighting game diehards. That doesn’t make it bad, but rather a love-letter to anime and Sega fans, and an all-around excellent game to boot; one that’s filled to the brim with content, unlockables and a colorful cast of characters.

It’s the perfect title for longtime fans who want a relaxed experience, anyone who wants to try a Pokémon title for the first time or is just looking for something on the easier side to try with a younger relative. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee! might not be a look at what to entirely expect for Pokémon’s future on console, but does a wonderful job as a first step moving forward from traditional handhelds.

Crash Bandicoot fans got what they asked for last year with a proper follow-up that honored the legacy of Naughty Dog’s classic trilogy. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time embraced the mechanics that made the franchise such a hit while adding its own unique spin. The move to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S maintains the same essence that made the game so enjoyable last year, but it now looks and runs better. The visuals are cleaner and the frame rate runs at a solid 60fps. DualSense support is lackluster compared to other titles, but the smart use of Activity Cards makes up for it. With a free upgrade available for current owners, and the ability to import saves from the cloud, hopping back into Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is simple, or start a whole new adventure for the first time. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time was the return to form the franchise needed and it’s looking good on next-gen.

Snipperclips gives players an overall enjoyable experience that allows them to sit down and relax while playing alone or with some friends. The puzzles start simple but get complex enough that it will take some creative thinking to figure them all out. While it may not offer a ton of replayability after every level has been beaten, it can easily make for a fun experience when showing it to someone who has never tried it out before. Someone looking to pick up a simple multiplayer title for the Nintendo Switch to sit down and enjoy with a friend need look no further than Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together!

N+ is almost completely free of distracting bells and whistles, and I’m going to give it the best compliment I can for this type of game: it would have made an excellent ’80s arcade game.

Frostpunk is a unique strategy game that offers both an engaging and addicting element. Hours will go by as you are consumed into the doom-and-gloom of your city while trying to make sure people don’t die. The game is fairly linear in its premise, but offers unique situations that haven’t been seen in other city-building titles.

This expansion is about the same level of enhancements that we saw with Summerset and Elsweyr, and for people hungry for Skyrim nostalgia there’s some here, but the experience is clearly in the vein of the MMO and not the single player adventure. Greymoor is a good starting point for newcomers and a welcome expansion to veteran players, while the added Stadia compatibility also offers a nice portability option.

Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers is easily the finest the series has yet to offer players. It does away with the clumsy touch controls while offering more variety in gameplay and streamlined battles that perfectly fits the new approach.

Root Double -Before Crime * After Days- is an incredibly surprising visual novel in that it manages to tell a dramatic tale in a way which never comes across as ham-fisted or particularly childish.

BioShock: The Collection successfully brings three of the best games from the last-generation to the current-generation, but not without a few hiccups. Everything you loved, or hated, about the originals is still intact. The gameplay, art style, engrossing plots and the wondrous cities continue to provide plenty of incentive to give back into the ocean or fly into the skies. While Blind Squirrel Games has done a good job remastering the original BioShock for a new generation, it is disappointing to see the effort put into each entry decline.

Dead Rising 3: Apocalypse Edition is a beefy port of a great Xbox One game and its decent post-release content.

Fans of the series shouldn’t hesitate – this is the Broken Sword you know and love – but I can understand other people being wary.

Freedom Planet 2 takes everything that worked about the original's quick pace and diverse playable cast and improves upon it. The samey-feeling character play has been completely revamped allowing every playthrough to feel different, while keeping enough familiar elements across each character to make each runthrough rewarding. The gameplay has been tightened up while the blend of story mixed in with gameplay has been improved in terms of pacing and acting. The graphics have remained outstainding, but received a visual overhaul in terms of detail level that nicely improves upon the first.

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a great addition to the Happy Broccoli Games roster as well as to the detective mystery game genre. While it does play it safe in its approach, the game brings out the lovable aspects of the genre with its authentic characters and unique investigation. The voice acting and music are engaging and tonally-accurate, while the game doesn’t fall victim to stereotypes and carves itself a place in the sand within the cozy mystery beach. Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a must-play for those who crave a story-rich experience without the dirty work of digging too deep into the issue at hand (or feet?).

Chapter 3, though, shows that the studio has their legs under them and are ready to round out the series in epic fashion.

Longtime fans will no doubt get a kick out of the new modes, although I’m unsure if they’re worth the repurchase for that alone. It’s a matter of whether or not you want to experience Devil May Cry 5 in a next generation, with the options of 4K resolution, ray tracing or a fluid 120fps readily available. It’s a diverse offering from Capcom, allowing gamers to play how they want. Devil May Cry 5 remains a magnificent game and the next generation offering allows you to experience it like never before.

Pixel Gear is another bright spot in the PlayStation VR’s lineup. This digital-only release gives players some of the best shooting action on the device so far and is great to break up RIGS play sessions for when you still want to do some shooting, but want something a bit more relaxing.

NHL 14 won’t be headed to next-gen consoles, which is a shame as it would benefit from improved visuals, but even with the help of a new engine, it’ll be hard for another sports game to beat the sheer fun of this well-executed hockey game.

In all, Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!! is an extremely competent fighter as long as you look beyond the obnoxious name and narrative missteps.

Dressing up as some of Capcom’s greatest characters and utilizing their weapons and abilities to destroy hundreds of zombies is a thrilling new way to experience the campaign. It’s unfortunate that PS4 players had to wait a whole year to experience this zombie-slaying adventure, but at least they’re getting a big package filled with plenty of comfort and joy.

Its color-coded racing improves upon the F-Zero formula, and even if the mutiplayer fails to meet its potential, FAST Racing NEO is challenging and riveting enough to keep players busy for a long while, whether driving solo or with friends.

If you jump into Continue expecting The Legend of Zelda or Minecraft, it might completely annoy you. But if you don’t mind playing a very different sort of game, then this is one worth looking into. Continue?9876543210 is strangely compelling, and I want to experience more games like it.

Despite these flaws, Alpha Protocol is still a fun and entertaining experience with a dynamic storyline and solid RPG mechanics.

Cladun X3 is the kind of game that hides its complexity and depth of content behind a deceptively straightforward concept. Run through dungeons, beat up monsters, reach the exit. It's basically Gauntlet right up until the customization and character-growth options kick in, at which point it becomes Gauntlet with a PhD. What makes it work is the complexity of each run, balancing beating up monsters, figuring out the trap layout to catch them in the crossfire, looking for secrets in the hand-built levels or attacking a random dungeon to see how much loot you can bring back from its depths, etc. The game is huge and the grind can go on as long as you'd like it to, especially seeing as you can make your own maps and then upload them for others to play. There's a ton of great dungeon-crawling in Cladun X3's depths, with endless tweaks to the dungeon themes and ways to build characters to keep the repetition at bay.

While there are minimal downsides to the game, like the overall setup of the puzzles and how to get through later areas, it does create something quite special and intense for horror games. It most certainly won’t be for everyone, as many players are affected by different types of horror themes and genres. Cheap jump scares are few and far between, and your brain is left to run rampant and fill in the blanks. Psychological horror might not be that scary for a large portion of players, and this is something that the game leans heavily into. But if you do prefer the psychological aspect, this might just be the perfect game to pick up and dive right into.

Atlas Reactor is a fun game for people who love blasting the hell out of their friends. The large variety of Freelancers, both in appearance and play style, present the opportunity to try out several different strategies and help keep things interesting.

For those who missed out on Sleeping Dogs two years ago, the title is correct: this is the definitive version. Unfortunately, those who already visited the compressed streets of Hong Kong will have almost no incentive to go back.

It would have been an absolute travesty to see one of the highest regarded mobile games in recent memory suffer on the big screen, but Hitman GO: Defintive Edition is a stellar way to play Square Enix Montreal’s debut title.

Full Clip Edition represents the most complete and enhanced way to experience Bulletstorm, as some smart additions and an improved presentation help breathe new life into the 2011 FPS. Many of the game’s issues from the past still remain, as some questionable one-liners and depth-lacking modes are still present for this 2017 remaster. But the core FPS combat still remains one-of-a-kind among its fellow shooters, as the high-flying action urges to be experienced by both veterans and newcomers alike, as long as you’re willing to get your boots a little dirty.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is what sheer simple fun Mario vs. Donkey Kong really is. It's so simple in concept, but never really gets old or tiresome as they keep building up new ideas along the way. It's hard not to keep obsessively going to see what challenge is coming next. There might be moments where it's easy to get stumped, but it's easily fixed simply by looking around and re-examining the options to come to the proper solution. If there's anything that's a downside about the title, it's that we only wish there was even more to play. Hopefully this entry puts it back on the map for Nintendo and they consider expanding upon it even more in the future, as it's a delight and well worth picking up for all those who love charming, puzzling adventures that won't overwork the mind too much.

Cruis’n Blast is the most thrilling racing experience on Switch and the best arcade racer in years. It plays like a dream and offers up more control options than most arcade racers on the console. Its diverse lineup of vehicles, tracks and various track-related setpieces are tremendous and keep the player engaged from beginning to end. Other than the lack of online multiplayer, it’s hard to find something missing from the overall presentation given what the game is trying to be. The sound design is fantastic as well — with a fun soundtrack that’s breezy and easy on the ears.

EA SPORTS FC 26 is extremely fun to play and you don't have to be a fan of the sport to enjoy it. The changes to the gameplay from community feedback not only add variety, but provide some of the best results in the series. While there's slight AI logic issues, the responsiveness of the gameplay plus the option to slow it down with Authentic Gameplay shows just how well the strategy element works. Besides some touchups on the game modes, there really isn't anything new here, but there's still an abundant amount of ways to play. Clubs Rush is still fantastic to play and the game remains beautiful and authentic. The presentation elements bring out the greatness that drives this sport. The portion off the field just feels too familiar.

Sure, you might not find a bevy of modes or other activities to do within SUPERHYPERCUBE, but that’s not the point. The core gameplay mechanic of fitting increasingly complex cube-based shapes into wall cutouts is plainly enjoyable. It’s also incredibly challenging as you move through to later levels. It might not be a game you play for hours on end, but rather one you come back to week after week.

Just Dance 4 is a hard game not to like. It's completely unpretentious and simply exists to make you have fun, hopefully starting a party in the process.

Clannad is a visual novel that everyone should complete at least once in their lives. The hard part will be securing enough time to persist through every route in the proper way to see the true ending.

TRON RUN/r stumbles in a few spots and is a little too expensive for its own good, but it’s beautiful to look at, incredibly fun to play and offers the perfect sense of challenge for players with good reflexes.

Crymachina is a thrilling science fiction adventure that offers fast-paced action in a post-human dystopia.

As a piece of history, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a must-play for anyone who missed out on the late '90s/early '00s era of fighting games and especially those who lived through it. It combines so many kinds of games together within a single genre that its breadth is impressive even if its scope is "just fighting games." The archival images and soundtracks are also fascinating and having access to so much high-quality artwork is a treat for the eyes and makes this another must-buy for fans of that aspect of the industry. Not every game here is going to be to everyone's liking, and it's a shame console-exclusive modes weren't put in for everything, but it's still an incredible collection of titles executed very well.

With its vibrant visuals, intricate gameplay mechanics and a narrative that both entertains and provokes thought, Capes sets itself up as a memorable addition to the superhero genre. While there are minor audio-visual sync issues and balance quirks in the combat system, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive. This game promises hours of engaging gameplay and delivers a powerful commentary on control and resistance in a dystopian future.

A breath of fresh air in a stagnant, overpopulated marketplace of gritty shooters.

Summon Night 5 is an SRPG that needs to be played by anyone who likes the genre. It’s a love letter to fans of a somewhat bygone era of Japanese roleplaying games and manages to deliver on nearly all fronts, be it story, characterization, gameplay or presentation.

Chasing Aurora is a perfect example of what an eShop game should be - simple, but beautiful, while offering up an experience that can't be had anywhere else. A treat for the eyes and ears, its presentation sticks out amongst Wii U titles with ten times the budget and resources. Its $15 price tag is a steep considering the complete lack of online functionality, but anyone who loves score-based games will get their money's worth out of it.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords had a tough act to follow, but does an admirable job of creating the next chapter in the Old Republic. As a sequel it fails to surpass the high standard set by the original, but it’s still a great game and a must play for Star Wars fans. The story is one of the stronger ones in the Star Wars universe and the ability to mold it through player choices is the main attraction in KOTOR II. The dated mechanics and graphics benefit a lot from nostalgia goggles, but it holds up well enough where newcomers can still enjoy it and find it a worthwhile adventure.

Devil Daggers is laser-focused on providing a very specific type of shooter experience, suggesting old school classics stripped down to their fundamental core. It’s simple but not simplistic and the very definition of addictive.

Anomaly Agent is a riot from beginning to end. It challenges you gradually and features a tough, but fair approach to fast-paced action-platforming and combat. Having fluidity in movement allows the gameplay flow to be smooth from each kind of action the player engages in and no stages ever outstay their welcome. Having different kinds of combat and platforming on display from area to area helps keep things fresh too. Visually, it accomplishes its goal of evoking the '80s while still featuring lighting effects that weren't possible in the era while the soundtrack offers a satisfying blend of synth and rock to change the mood up whenever it's needed. Anyone seeking fast-paced thrills should check out Anomaly Agent.

Slime Rancher 2 is a game, like the original Slime Rancher, where much of your enjoyment is going to be driven by how enamored you are by its world and the silly creatures that inhabit it. Luckily, that's a hard charm to resist; it's easy to feel driven to explore and build and ranch just to hear beautiful music, see new locales, and hopefully meet yet another strange slime with its own little quirks. At the same time, the game expects you to grind out large amounts of materials for some later recipes, some materials for which (such as Strange Diamonds) can be difficult to get consistently. There are at least two devices in the latter half of the game you seem to be expected to build quite a few of and place semi-permanently, but most players are instead likely to place them down, use as needed and pick up again to avoid grinding to create extras. The game also has a few areas that are relatively easy to miss without thorough combing, but are either story critical or clearly expected to be found by the majority of players. Despite these issues and despite the fact Slime Rancher 2 perhaps isn't as different from its predecessor as some might hope, however, it remains a deeply charming experience with a wonderfully colorful aesthetic.

Once the controls are sorted out, Akka Arrh reveals itself as an absolutely fantastic shooter that plays like nothing else out there. Levels become massive chains of exploding enemies, polygon-shatter pyrotechnics, fast shooting and careful bullet management, and power-up frenzy. New enemy behaviors show up at a regular pace, and learning to manage them so that what had been threats become another scoring tool feels rewarding. There’s an initial feeling of shattered attention, as the need to manage the platform shockwaves, keep an eye on the downstairs, be mindful of the bullet supply, and handle the mid-tier and stronger enemies can be overwhelming, but there’s a mental groove to Akka Arrh where this all somehow becomes manageable. Until it’s not, of course, because the levels aren’t going to remain kind to your current skill level for long, but it’s nice while it lasts and the level select lets you restart with the score and lives from your best run to keep on practicing. It may take a bit of work and experimentation to find your way into Akka Arrh, but once there it reveals itself as a unique shooter well worth having been rescued from the dumpster of history.

Even with its slightly unintuitive interface and occasionally-tedious boss encounters, V Rising does what so many survival-sandbox and loot-based RPGs alike get horribly wrong from the word go: having the base gameplay start from a point of enjoyment. While the task to build one's self up and survive the ongoing perils remain crucial to one's progression, it's thanks to the game's reframing of key genre pillars like gear score and meters to manage that make the experience far from the slog it may initially imply. While its introduction may lead many to suspect the same mounting tedium is coming, a host of well-integrated mechanics alongside that consistent balancing of the risks one may be willing to take make V Rising -- and now, its subsequent release onto PS5 -- a noteworthy accomplishment.

Despite some rough edges and weak audio, Project Spark is a must-buy for anyone interested in game design.

Gecko Gods is a bold puzzle experience that knows what it’s striving for: a pilgrimage that truly encourages players to explore. In this awe-inspiring world, attention to detail is key to progressing and puzzles are a rewarding challenge. It’s one of those journeys worth immersing yourself into for a long time and just seeing where your curiosity leads you.

Sakura Sakura is the kind of game to play when you’re not in the mood for anything serious. It keeps the mood light and provides plenty of laughs throughout the story. It also features a great deal of content to keep folks interested in seeing everything the game has to offer. The design decision to offer additional storylines and character development as optional is odd, but not annoying. Each character grows over the course of the game, which is more than can be said for many other high school-centered romance visual novels. As long as you don’t try to take Sakura Sakura too seriously, it’ll provide hours of wacky enjoyment.

Rush Bros. came out of nowhere, but is a very polished game worthy of any gamer’s time.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a fantastic and beautiful kart racer that any fan of the Sonic franchise will enjoy. The fast-paced gameplay has a tight learning curve, but with practice both children and adults can find plenty to enjoy. If you're feeling an itch for a good racing game, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is your best option this year.

Despite generational gameplay flaws, like awkward camera controls in areas and slower pacing, Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a worthy remaster and offers fun value to any survival-horror fan.

My Friendly Neighborhood is a pleasant surprise and a genuine delight, one highly recommended for fans of survival horror, mascot horror and possibly even those who aren’t horror fans. This lunatic take on Sesame Street has more to it beneath the surface, including a great story, imaginative characters, fun visuals and a lot of classic Resident Evil-style puzzle solving and combat (the latter being a little rocky, though). It’s a unique flavor of survival horror that makes for a clever, enjoyabale take on classic puppet friends, and one worth checking out.

One of the best things that can be said about Red Embrace is that players will wish it were even longer. Each of the main men is loveable in their own way and makes you want to keep spending time with them. This skilled writing ensures that most players end up replaying multiple times just to get as much from it as possible. Some fans might be initially let down by the single PG-13 release, but hopefully not for long once they begin playing. It’s a little difficult to 100% complete Red Embrace, but it’s certainly worth doing.

Metro Exodus is an appropriate evolution of the series, leaving some of the linear restrictions behind and branching out into a more open-ended direction without losing sight of the importance of the story.

At $5, the first DLC offered up for Muramasa Rebirth is easy to recommend because of how drastically it changes the gameplay.

A great game that is persistently close to being a spectacular one. It has a bigger story to tell than a 10-15 hour third-person action title can accommodate, but still manages to be surprisingly emotional and touching by the time the credits roll.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is the final work of Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama who passed away earlier this year, and it's a love letter to fans of the classic series. It was a promised beginning to explore a path that has largely been the road not taken by games since, probably due to the scope and ambition that it entails. While he may not have lived to see its release, he would have been nothing but proud of the end result. You should take the time and check out Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and when you're done, look into Suikoden if you enjoyed your time. It’s not perfect, there are flaws, relics of another time and oddities in places, but it's a soulful work with an excellent tale, engaging characters, a rich world and strong gameplay. It’s easy sometimes to miss the forest for trees when reviewing a game, to get caught up in smaller problems that detract from the game, but it's important not to get lost here, and take in the view of it all as a remarkably cohesive, thoughtful and fun whole.

Even though not all the touted features may be immediately noticeable, they greatly contribute to improving the overall experience. Most importantly, though, Madden offers a fun game of football with or without friends.

The problem with Borderlands 2 is that it's just more Borderlands. Normally I don't criticize something because it didn't go out of its safe zone, but having played close to 100 hours of the first game and with very few changes outside some AI behaviours and environments, it makes the sequel feel less special than it should be.

Drawing heavily from classic RPGs of past console generations, Sea of Stars creates an exciting new adventure that’s also a worthy tribute to the classics. It proudly flaunts its influences but does so in a way that pays homage to them. The original story and characters are entertaining and engrossing enough to keep the roughly thirty hour playthrough enjoyable. The story does rely on genre tropes at times which leads to predictable moments, but given the nature of this type of game, that’s to be expected. Sea of Stars doesn’t break any real innovative ground, but does a great job of combining so many elements of older games into a modern take on the classic formula. As such, it’s a title that should be enjoyed by any fan of classic turn-based RPGs.

Danganronpa is absolutely worth buying, but only if you’re a gamer who doesn’t mind reading 30 hours worth of dialogue, because this is a visual novel at its most basic level.

Sure, its story can get a bit incoherent, its non-voice controls are awkward, and there are moments of spotty voice-recognition, but the good greatly outweighs what little bad there is. If you’ve found yourself bored with all of the monotony and nonsense surrounding recent titles, you’d be doing yourself an injustice not giving There Came an Echo a shot.

Hell’s Where the Heart Is closes out Muramasa Rebirth‘s additional content nicely. It’s a light-hearted take on a sometimes-dark game, and offers up a completely different experience than past DLCs.

Home Sweet Home does an excellent job of creating a solid foundation for fear, yet overly relies on cheap jump scares to carry the horror. Despite its flaws, however, the game utilizes its gameplay strengths to create a fun survival horror game with unique Thai personality. Home Sweet Home is a worthy addition to any horror fan’s playlist and leaves us asking for more.

Dependable as ever, Just Dance 2014 is another solid entry into the hit dance series that simply wants players to have a good time.

Detective Pikachu is simply a delightful time and shows that there is a lot that can be done with the Pokémon world outside of training to be the very best.

In terms of gameplay itself, Crafted World is a great step-up from Woolly World. It feels closer to the original Yoshi’s Island, with some brand new quirks added in along the way. Every single stage in Crafted World feels like an entirely different idea come to life, which makes it all feel like a brand new adventure the moment Yoshi jumps in. While the music is a bit of a disappointment, it’s still enjoyable and light-hearted the whole time which fits the soft adventures of the wonderful crafted Yoshi. Anyone who enjoys the Yoshi series or is looking for a laid-back platforming adventure should consider taking a trip into Yoshi’s Crafted World.

The concluding chapters of Clementine’s journey remains as emotional and stressful as ever, but rarely feels purposeful enough to be a worthwhile finale for longtime fans. The key improvements to the gameplay and presentation sets them at an all-time high for the series, and the path AJ takes as a result of Clementine’s choices is truly impactful, but they are hindered by a lackluster cast and a meandering story that pales in comparison to previous seasons. While the real-life series of events that needed to occur for Clementine’s story to see its finale are certainly worth appreciating, it is unfortunate to see such a lengthy adventure end on such an uninspired note.

F.I.S.T. Forged in Shadow Torch is a must-buy for Metroidvania fans looking for something that tries new things. It takes the well-worn staples of the sub-genre and blends them with a steampunk feel and a richer storyline than most.

Turning the intense Dragon Ball formula and series into a strategic MOBA sounded like a wild idea before playing Gekishin Squadra, but it truly works. You have to work as a team to heal, attack and support your group with buffs. The anime-style action is replicated in this MOBA with fast-paced animations and cinematics that take you by surprise when you first play it. Seeing your foe fly into the air after the last hit feels so satisfying. Going into the main menu can be frustrating, however, as the characters frequently yell and scream as you're trying to talk to your friends on voice chat. Gekishin Squadra is a MOBA is worth trying out, especially if you're a fan of the Dragon Ball series.

Whether you’re in it for the gameplay or find yourself drawn in by the looming mystery that steadily simmers over in due course, The Turing Test (minus the occasionally hard-to-decipher audio) is a smartly-structured and delicately-arranged puzzle game that knows its boundaries and leaves it to the player to fill in the missing gaps.