Universe at War is a good title, but it isn't without it's flaws. As-is, though, Universe at War is a comfortable ride. [Dec 2007, p.64]

Exactly the kind of game a sequel should be in terms of its gameplay. Everything that worked in the first is back, but there’s more added to the foundation.

Whether you’re looking for a story that might shed some light about where society could go horribly wrong over the next few decades, or if you just want to recapture the magic of Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions, Volume is one of those games that demonstrates how cool independently developed games can be.

It’s not a game without its faults as friendly artificial intelligence can obstruct progress and I ran into a number of glitches throughout the campaign, but with an addictive multiplayer and some of the most creative ways in using the handheld’s technology, you’ll have a tough time finding another experience like this.

Starbites is a good turn-based RPG that offers a straightforward journey through a futuristic world. Its battle systems are not groundbreaking, but offer malleable build options that make it fun to play with and master. Built upon solid fundamentals, the game thrives in what it sets out to accomplish and offers a good time for fans of the genre.

The best thing about Sweetest Monster is the story it presents. On the other hand, it’s likely the storyline which is sure to turn some readers completely away. If you’re coming to this game from something vapidly sweet like Nekopara then it may totally rock your world in a bad way. Others with a taste for dark, disturbing tales may love it — or find it doesn’t go far enough. With such a wide array of opinions, the only way to know if you’ll enjoy this one or not is to simply play Sweetest Monster yourself.

Codemasters gets it right with the handling in F1 25, allowing for challenging physics no matter the assist options or the controller. Using a racing wheel with no assists brings one of the more realistic interpretations of the sport the series has ever seen. Every bit of this is fixed over last year's outing. It's addictive and challenging while allowing those with a greater skill to showcase how much faster they can be than those with less skill. Outside of this, the experience is familiar. Having LIDAR circuits and reverse circuits are good additions, but there just aren't many that take advantage. Braking Point 3 offers a darker story for those that are looking for a story mode in an F1 game. My Team 2.0 adding more depth is a welcome addition for those that understand the managerial portion of the sport. Most importantly, for those who are simply wanting to race, F1 25 offers an excellent experience.

Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is not a perfect game in the overarching landscape that is video games today. For the platform, though, it’s one of the best. Barring the one technical issue experienced during play, it makes use of the hardware as much or as (almost) little as the player wants. The story is expansive and filled with great moments of the cast of three of the best RPGs ever made interacting with each other (check out Kanji trying to hug Morgana). Sure to keep the 3DS clean of dust for some time, Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is the perfect farewell for Nintendo’s handheld, and one that will appeal to fans of the series and old school dungeon crawlers alike.

Randall’s story is easy to relate to being as he is just regular person trying to find his loved ones in a world gone to hell and the gameplay is just as easy to get sucked into.

Gal Metal’s fun, silly story is a super-cute gateway to the driving rhythms of metal drumming, and once you’ve got a few rhythms in your head, it pays off in a way that makes you want to learn more.

Pix the Cat continues PastaGames’ reputation for making incredible bite-sized gaming experiences. There’s even a surprising amount of depth here thanks to its multiplier and variety of game modes.

There is something to be said for the sheer amount of collectibles, the lackluster side content and the sheer number of plot holes that can be poked in the core narrative, but all of those flaws feel secondary to what is a dynamic online shooter experience.

Although the game modes may not be innovative, innovation doesn’t always spell fun, and that’s something Loadout has by the explosive crate-full.

The crux of the problem with In Sheep’s Clothing is that we’re still not getting much in the way of payoff. A lot of questions are answered, sure, but the episode presents itself as one final buildup to the confrontation with The Crooked Man.

While not allowing for the subterranean trek through SR388 to fully flourish in its own individual right, Metroid: Samus Returns is nonetheless a highly enjoyable remake of one of the series’ more overlooked and forgotten entrants. With new items and gameplay mechanics added into the mix, not to mention the surprisingly tense confrontations with the many titular foes throughout, Nintendo’s own take on how Metroid 2 would and should fare in the modern age is frantic in its action but carefully balanced by the series’ slow-burning exploration. With Metroid Prime 4 looming on the horizon, the signs here at least are notably promising.

As long as you come in with the expectation of a short, non-linear storytelling experience then you won’t be let down by The Moon Sliver. It’s a bit creepy, sad and ultimately quite compelling.

Flywrench is a deceptively simple challenge that requires nerves of steel and a vast reservoir of patience if you want to see everything it has to offer. When the game clicks it’s a fantastic challenge, with the difficulty offset by the short levels that make you feel like a pure ninja master when cleared.

Taiko is not only an enjoyable rhythm title, but easily one of the best and most well-put together ever created. Rhythm Festival in turn also feels like one of the best to date with a wide variety with tons to play and unlock. It’s addictive and easy to get sucked into song after song trying to perfect mastery or just enjoy an absolute favorite. Fans of Taiko will likely be thrilled with this latest entry, and those looking to try out a new rhythm title should consider giving Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival a shot because there’s nothing else as gratifying as sitting down to play a song to the beat of a drum.

The Sojourn is a gorgeous first-person puzzler bursting with clever design and a rich atmosphere.

The Witness is a game that can easily cause players to eclipse the one hundred hour mark and the vast majority of that time is going to be spent engaging with hundreds of brilliantly designed puzzles. While it won’t have the industry-shifting impact that Braid did in 2008, The Witness will influence video game puzzle design for years to come.

Without spoiling any of the story elements, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is captivating so far with the first act. The characters are well-written, the narrative, albeit slow, is gripping, and the game is gorgeous to look at as you take videos of the wildlife and characters around you. It'll be exciting to see where the narrative goes when the second part releases this April. Let's just hope those frame rate hiccups and performance issues get fixed by then.

Even with these blemishes and moments where the admiration for what’s come before gets in the way of basic consistency and much-needed fluidity, OverBorder Studio have at least landed in a much better position with a foundation that’s challenging and entertainingly so.

Germinator doesn’t do a lot new, but everything it does is done really well. It uses the basic framework of a Bust-A-Move game and tweaks it to craft the most addictive puzzle game I’ve played this generation.

Red Thread Games has given us two spectacular worlds to explore, and while actually getting around those worlds can be a bit of a hassle, they’re still well worth visiting.

The core platforming and action-oriented combat work well, as does the seasonal shifting mechanic. There’s a natural flow to the levels and exploration is rewarded — resulting in stages that are usually fun to play through again. The RPG mechanics are a bit too girnd-heavy for a platformer, but allow you to extend your skills beyond most games in the genre while the rich graphics and robust sound deliver a satisfying experience for the eyes and ears.

Pan-Pan may provide a short journey in the end, but it’s definitely worth setting out on. If the absolutely stunning graphics and art style don’t draw you in, then hopefully the intriguing world and enjoyable puzzles will.

Horizon Forbidden West is a great sequel that builds upon and expands what made the original so beloved, and though it takes some steps back in terms of certain mechanics and polish, it’s still a thrilling ride from start to finish.

The PC version of Injustice 2 is just as great as the console version, but currently comes cheaper on the consoles.