Bloodborne meets Legend of Zelda worked out much better than I would’ve ever hoped. The bosses can have quite the malicious edge to them, especially a supremely sadistic second boss, and the platforming can be, quite literally, hit or miss. Nonetheless, the combat is so fluid but focused that it’s hard not to fall in love with how it handles. Cleaving apart zombies, then immediately whipping around to pistol-snipe a wolf all set to a firm and punchy soundtrack is just icing on the cake, especially with the added flavor the better bosses bring to the table.

I never thought I’d be the one to review Megaton Musashi W: Wired, but I’m glad I was. Not only is it an ambitious adventure with a surprising focus on story, but it also features a dearth of content to explore, characters it’s easy to empathize with, and tons of in-depth customization. Most everything managed to feel streamlined and easy to grasp, and some small issues aside, I found the game quite enjoyable. Despite the hefty price point, I’d say this is yet another Level-5 game that’s a must-play for fans.

I’ve played a lot of amazing games from Devolver’s library, but Pepper Grinder stands above most of the pack. It’s a quirky, creative, and utterly enjoyable platformer with lots of character, if not much in the way of plot. The mechanics work well and the creativity speaks for itself, despite some minor snags keeping it from a perfect score. All platformer fans owe it to themselves to check this one out.

Inscryption is refreshingly unique. With all the roguelike deckbuilders popping up these days, they can all start to blend together. Inscryption manages to stand out from the crowd in all the best ways. Complex card strategies blend with escape room puzzles far better than should be possible. And the whole package is wrapped in such perfectly, wonderfully creepy trappings that it’s perfect for the Halloween season. Just remember: don’t ever assume you’ve reached the end.

Disgaea 4‘s time as top dog has come and gone, but Disgaea 4 Complete+ ensures that this wonderfully wacky tactical RPG will be anything but forgotten. Between the polished combat, loads of extras packed into the game, and the amazingly well-written story and characters, it’s hard not to fall in love with a game like this.

No More Heroes has been overdue for a remaster, but this could never happen without the Switch and its joy-cons. If you’ve been waiting to pick up No More Heroes for the first time or want to play it again in preparation for No More Heroes III, you can’t miss this Switch masterpiece.

Overall, Reigns Beyond is a delightful adventure with hilarious writing and a complex yet easy-to-grasp gameplay system. Though I had a lot of fun in my time with the game, I was a little frustrated by the lack of clarity in getting past some scenarios. That said, at the super cheap price point, it’s hard not to recommend that fans of the genre pick this up.

Despite how long I’ve been ranting here, there’s plenty more I could say about Hades. But honestly, I feel it’s best you discover for yourself why I’m so enamored of Supergiant’s latest adventure. Though the game isn’t quite perfect, it truly earned the accolades it’s been receiving. And honestly, if they decide to implement some additional content later on, most of my complaints would be rendered moot. This is honestly my favorite game yet by Supergiant Games, and easily one of my favorite indies of 2020. If you love rogue and need something new to enjoy, be sure to put this one on your wishlist.

Though it’s not quite a perfect adventure, Dream Tactics is still quite fun, ambitious, and full of humor. It also is surprisingly challenging, no matter what difficulty you set it at. Despite some minor, mostly forgivable missteps, I had a lot of fun with it. A successful run can take 10+ hours, and it’s sure to entertain fans of the tactical and deckbuilder genres.

Venture to the Vile is both familiar and utterly unique. It’s a twisted Gothic story full of mystery, monsters, and big moral questions. Throw in gorgeous art, killer music, and well-balanced gameplay, and you have one of the best Metroidvanias I’ve played in a while. Just get ready now to get utterly lost in the moody little town of Rainybrook, because it won’t let you go anytime soon.

Serious Sam 4: Planet Badass is a return to form for fans of the franchise, with more than enough new mechanics and contents to keep the formula interesting and fresh.

It's been a long road to release for Dying Light 2, and at times its future seemed uncertain. However, having braved the ruins of Villedor for this review, I'm happy to report that Techland's long-awaited follow-up to their survival horror RPG is a smashing success. With its mix of gripping narrative, hard-hitting combat, and exhilarating exploration, Dying Light 2 is a spectacular sequel that breathes new life into the franchise.

Rainbow Billy is the lovechild of Wind Waker, Paper Mario, and Mr. Rogers that we didn’t know we needed. It’s sweet, it’s heartwarming, it’s addicting, and it’s beautiful. Not only that, but it tackles difficult topics in a rather mature and thought-provoking way. These topics really run the gamut of the human experience: self-esteem issues, anxiety, fear, anger, strength/masculinity, and so many more. Honestly, this game can be played by children and adults – there’s something to learn from the experience for everybody.

Smelter is a meticulously crafted genre hybrid that almost does everything right. The margin for error with its design is so slim that it might be some kind of gaming miracle. A challenging and captivating experience from start to finish, Smelter is an absolute must play. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last time we see this dichotomous duo.

Amnesia: The Bunker is purist survival horror at its best with a thoughtful take on the genre and mind-shredding scares. Even the most hardened gamer will feel their pulse racing as they are stalked through the underground hell, feeling a desperation to see daylight. The challenge is not just mastering your environment but mastering your own fear of the evils that lurk in the darkness.

Remnant 2 captures that sense of wonder and mystery that drives the feeling of exploration; the kind that rewards players who sink their teeth into the world around them. It feels like I’m always spotting something new, even after resetting the worlds, and I cannot emphasize enough what a great gameplay loop it provides. Sure, not every boss is fun, and there’s plenty I straight-up hate, and yet I keep on coming back for more. There are so many builds you can mess with, so many weird and wild guns, and a very solid blend of RPG elements and roguelite elements. The gunplay feels great, and while the difficulty can be challenging, you’re given more than enough tools to conquer these randomized worlds. With so much to explore, Remnant 2 will have you rooted in your seat for many hours to come.

Trombone Champ may present itself as a novelty title — a joke not meant to be taken seriously — but those who give it a chance will find a surprising amount of polish and sophistication. I never could have predicted that Trombone Champ would become my favorite rhythm/music game of 2022, and if you’re even remotely interested in the title, I’m confident it will be yours too.

Most of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth holds up exceptionally well, in fact. Even 23 years after its initial release, this is still an excellent game. Sure, there are some minor issues, like awkward platforming, that wouldn’t have been good 23 years ago either, but for the most part, they’re minor issues that don’t take away from a game with fascinating mechanics that are still unique after all these years. If you’re a fan of RPGs and haven’t played Valkyrie Profile, don’t wait 23 years as I did. Make sure to check it out.

With everything the world has been through in the last year, Tadpole Treble Encore is the game we need. It’s nothing but feel-good, charming, moving fun. I cannot recommend this game enough for any music lovers out there. I’ll certainly be revisiting this game a lot in the near future. In fact, you can probably find me spending an inordinate amount of time trying to recreate the bassoon music from Turtle Pipes.

Those are minor missteps, though, in an otherwise fantastic release. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is easily the most interesting a 2D Mario title has been since the 90s, and any fan of platformers absolutely needs to play this game. The Switch has had a fantastic year for first-party releases, but Super Mario Bros. Wonder stands alongside the very best of them.

There’s a reason why Death’s Door won the 2021 Golden Joystick Award for Best Indie Game and was nominated for the Best Independent Game Award at The Game Awards this year — it’s damn good. Nothing is missing here, every component perfectly balanced against everything else to make for a near-spiritual gaming experience. With gorgeous visuals, a stunning soundtrack, multiple combat styles, a mixture of creative comedy and relatable existential crises, and sprawling environments that naturally invites players to explore every pixel, Death’s Door deserves all the praise it’s received and more.

No doubt about it, SEGA took some considerable risks when they decided to change their established formula so radically for Yakuza: Like A Dragon. But in the end, I think the gamble paid off. Ryū ga Gotoku Studio’s latest offering may not pack the punchy, moment to moment gameplay of its predecessors. Still, it makes up for that with its more in-depth brawls, an engaging job system, and a story that focuses not just on a single protagonist but on several compelling heroes with their own complex motivations.

From the beautiful art and ethereal music to the addicting gameplay and loveable cast, Fuga: Melodies of Steel is easy to recommend to any fan of turn-based, strategy RPGs. It’s got everything that players love mechanically, but it’s blended in such a fun and innovative way that it feels simultaneously fresh and familiar. Complete with an invigorating story set against a soundtrack that was more like .hack// than anything I’d heard in a long time (felt indescribably amazing to listen to), Fuga: Melodies of Steel should absolutely be on your radar. Just… try not to use the Soul Cannon; yeeting four year olds at enemies does not for a good war strategy make.

I have to admit, it’d been a little while since I last fired up my PlayStation VR. However, now that I’ve experienced Synth Riders, I don’t plan on hanging it up anytime soon. It’s the kind of game you pick up and play for ten minutes and feel totally satisfied, or marathon for a solid hour and get a killer workout while soaking up all the sweet soundscapes. If I have one real complaint, it’s that the game only offers a handful of backgrounds to choose from. Still, with so much going on on-screen, you probably won’t be spending too much time taking in the scenery anyway. Synth Riders is Beat Saber for the VHS generation. If you’re a rhythm game junkie with a soft spot for synthwave, this is a must-buy addition to your PSVR library.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a triumphant return to 2D for Ninja Gaiden. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait decades to see the series follow up on it. I genuinely loved every single level. The team at The Game Kitchen does a fantastic job of continuing to build upon established mechanics while also finding new ways to twist them and entirely new twists to throw at players through the game’s four acts. Any fan of action games needs to check this one out.

Effortlessly dodging mood whiplash despite the wide gap between its horrorcore and fluffy, cozy dating sim front helps set MiSide apart as a strong title in the indie horror scene.

Toxic Commando is a solid mix of the thrills of a co-op extraction shooter and the avaricious joys of the loot n' shooter. Every level has plenty to do and goodies to collect, with a good variety between high-octane driving sections and hard-fought point defence against waves of undead. Carpenter has displayed that his action-adventure chops are just as formidable in the gaming realm as they are on the silver screen.

While Indiana Jones and the Great Circle might not deliver the most satisfying combat experience, it more than makes up for it with its sense of adventure, storytelling, and exploration. MachineGames and Bethesda Softworks have succeeded in crafting a journey that evokes the timeless thrill of Indy’s cinematic quests, filled with puzzles, peril, and breathtaking locales. For fans of the franchise, this is the kind of adventure that makes you feel like you’re stepping into the shoes of Dr. Jones himself, solving mysteries and outrunning danger at every turn.