Battleborn has done what I would have previously thought was impossible: it has kept me interested in its multiplayer. I typically grow bored with adversarial multiplayer after about an hour or two, yet I have spent so much time with this title already and want to keep going.

Naughty Dog has done it again, creating a cinematic marvel that sets the bar for the action genre. There are a couple of off moments throughout the story and the multiplayer, while a decent component, lacks the variety other games deliver, but the thirteen hour single player campaign will blow you away. It’s filled with an intriguing mystery, heart-wrenching emotional scenes, incredibly over the top set pieces, and of course the humor fans have come to love from our plucky (now older) hero and his trusty sidekicks.

A firm early nominee for story-based end-of-the-year awards, The Banner Saga 2 is an absolute must play for anyone with even a passing interest in high fantasy or strategy games.

So while I look forward to other world cultures using games as a means of passing down legacies and stories, let Aurion double as a cautionary tale in addition to a decent action RPG.

Ray Gigant takes some risks in game design to create a unique JRPG experience. Some of these are executed better than others, but the overall game is solid.

The second episode of Hitman is a satisfying adventure that’s once again dragged down by technical issues. Looking past the extensive load times and online connectivity issues, there’s a fantastic episode here, with even more options than ever before.

tar Fox Zero is a good game to play and it’s one many will get stuck into through some frantic attempt to rack up an even greater high score. Just don’t be surprised if that franticness ceases short of what you may have initially come to expect.

The choice of the node system is regrettable and without super units and super weapons, the end game doesn’t have the same sort of pop and excitement that it should.

Its puzzles may be a bit lackluster but you’ll be too busy unraveling its dark secrets and conspiracies, worrying whether your character will survive the episode and terrified by the sudden sounds coming from next door to notice. Whether as feature film, TV series or episodic game, it matters little: bring on Season 3.

By the end of What We Deserve, Michonne and her companions find themselves basically right back where they started, right before the credits roll with a song that actually fades out before all of the names even finish rolling, creating an uncomfortable silence. Yes, this episode almost literally goes out not with a bang, but with a whimper.

If Severed does turn out to be the Vita’s swan song, Sony can hang its hat knowing that the Vita’s last hurrah was a grade-A banger from a premier independent developer.

All in all, the Sega 3D Classics Collection offers a great mix of titles to suit the tastes of many.

Final Fantasy IX for PC is surprisingly well done for a sixteen year old port.

As expected, Resident Evil 6 — four years after its original release — remains one of the series’ most underbaked, underdeveloped and downright unappealing entries in a franchise that has claimed far greater heights in terms of gameplay and presentation.

With some extra polish, additional scenes and maybe even voice acting, Starlight Vega would really begin to shine.

Rogue Stormers can be easily saved with some tuning from the developer, and considering how hard the people at Black Forest work, it probably will come around. In the meantime, it is not fun storming this castle.

If there was a bit more polish to it when it came to challenge and variety in certain areas, LOUD on Planet X could be a potential rhythm game classic. As is, though, the simple and quick arcade-style gameplay combined with the incredible, lighter-worthy soundtrack still ends up making it worth the few bucks its asking for.

To put it simply, Stephen’s Sausage Roll might be some of the meatiest and most delicious food for the mind you’ll taste all year.

Codemasters have crafted an almost perfect racing game with Dirt Rally.

If you’re the type of gamer who is actively seeking a more calming experience in a landscape scattered with non-stop action and intensity, then perhaps KOI will provide you with the type of entertainment that you’re looking for. If, however, you are looking for KOI to be anything more than it is, namely a collection of ideas in a pretty package that don’t mesh well together, then you’re going to find yourself sorely disappointed.

In the end, Rise of the Tomb Raider: Cold Darkness Awakened ends up being a forgettable experience

Graphic quality downgrade aside, the additional content makes the 3DS version overall superior to its Wii U counterpart.

Skullgirls 2nd Encore is an easy recommendation to anyone who has even a passing interest in the fighting genre.

Dead Star is quite fun, unique and serves as a great spin on both old and new genres, but one can’t help but feel concerned about the game’s longevity.

With some editing to cut down on the padding, Tokyo Babel could have easily been an even better experience. Luckily, the unique premise and religious backdrop ensure that this visual novel stands out from the pack.

This game has personality and that elevates it to being a more memorable experience than if it was just left to the repetitive button mashing.

Stories: The Path of Destinies is a clear example that the framework for success can only take you so far; the execution of an awesome idea has to be there for a game to reach its true potential.

Dear RED – Extended is an interesting but very short visual novel.