At the end of the day, F1 2017 is basically what you expect it to be. A Formula 1 simulator that does a solid job which will likely serve many for hours on end. I can’t see it pulling in many new players but it certainly should suffice for the existing fanbase. It would have been nice to see Codemasters take it to the next level with lower tier Formula cars and non-calendar tracks but it is what it is. Give it a try if you’re an avid racing game fan but otherwise there are currently many more accessible titles out there for getting into the genre.

Episode 3: More than a Feeling is another welcome addition to one of Telltale’s more promising works. While failing to stay on the same level of narrative importance as its prior installment, Episode 3 is a fun and enjoyable entry in this surprisingly great adaptation of a much beloved series.

Overall, Observer is a great game which is let down by its technical side on Xbox One. The game needs more polish but I’m not sure if this will happen because even after months Layers of Fear remained at a suboptimal level. I hope Observer doesn’t have the same fate. Unlike Layers of Fear, Observer doesn’t need that much work so there’s hope.

I could go on and on about Sonic Mania but what you need to know that it’s a must-buy for any Xbox One owner. The title, despite its slight issues, is one of the best games available on Xbox One and elevates the franchise. The developers understood what made the past entries so great and built upon that. Sonic is all about speed and this game dishes that out by the bucketload. You should get it right now because I can’t recommend it enough.

Sine Mora EX is a must-have for bullet hell enthusiasts, but more importantly it beckons newcomers to the genre to have a go. Sure, it’ll beat you down with its brutal difficulty, but somehow you’ll always come back for more.

Batman: The Enemy Within is off to another strong start to Telltale’s take on the series. Not everything quite worked, like Riddler’s role within the story, but I have faith that everything will be explained in the coming episodes. The introduction of Waller could mean trouble, but it’s that ‘could’ that makes me excited to see where the story goes. With powerful allies and enemies on the chess board, and pieces that have yet to come into play, Telltale is gearing up to push Bruce past his limits.

Tacoma excels at creating deeply relatable characters without the extravagance and big budget flashiness that pours from AAA titles, making other games feel almost unauthentic. Experiencing the crew’s highs and lows at your own pace instead of constantly being pushed along lets players relish in what makes Tacoma special; its ability to capture people’s emotions. It’s hard not to fall in love with Tacoma’s crew. Still, it’s difficult to overlook the lag as frequent as it is, so I hope Fullbright continues to patch the game. With a few fixes, Tacoma can stand out as an excellent title.

Regardless of its flaws, Fortnite is a seriously fun co-op experience that most will want to spend hours playing. There’s plenty of content, the gunplay is satisfying, and it runs well on the hardware as long as you’re comfortable playing at 30 FPS. I would love to see models added to the first-person viewpoint in the future, but even without that you’re still left with an impressive and expansive game comparable to the Horde mode from Gears of War that I’ve always loved. Based on this alone, I’d say Fortnite is well worth your time.

Aven Colony is set in the far future where you're an explorer tasked with colonising new worlds. Armed with your city management skills, you start off with a small colony and need to expand it to accommodate the influx of new immigrants heading your way. The game offers you quite a number of challenges including environmental and internal issues with your citizens to deal with, and only the best will power through them to win that next election. Aven Colony is one of the best implementations of this genre on Xbox One and I highly recommend you try it out.

What we’ve got here then is a rather good 3D platformer that effectively acts as a tribute to 90s jumping fun. If it wasn’t for the high price and lack of online multiplayer I’d recommend this in one fell swoop, no hesitation. With that not currently being the case though I can only really give this the nod to those who enjoyed games like Banjo-Kazooie and Crash Bandicoot among other platforming classics. It doesn’t add anything new to the genre, just revives it a little.

Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2 is off to a good start in Jesse and his teams’ next adventure. Introducing new friends, foes, and mysteries in typical Telltale fashion, Hero in Residence has a lot of heart and humor. Like the first season, its family-friendly tone makes it appealing to a wide audience, though there are people who will prefer the developer's more mature tone. The combat and gameplay itself is a little lackluster, but I’m interested to see where the story goes and what it means for these characters.

Blitzkrieg 3 takes us back to the battlefields of World War II, giving us control over the armies of the Allies, the Soviets and the Nazis. Introduced with the game, Nival added an adaptive AI named Boris which gives the game a unique experience, unlike what you’ll find in your average strategy game. Although not for everyone, Blitzkrieg gives hardcore strategy fans something to really dig their teeth into, with an expansive set of tools to take on any objective they may come across. The game also gives you the freedom to take on those targets any way you wish.

DiRT 4 does such a good job of accommodating to every audience possible that I can wholeheartedly recommend this to everyone reading right now. This is a properly well-developed and pure racing experience for all to enjoy.

Overall, Episode 2: Under Pressure is one of the finest Telltale installments in years. It still suffers from the same animation problems as all of Telltale’s works, but the writing, characters and plot are all on point for a fantastic episode. Let’s hope they can keep it up for next time.

For all its faults, the game follows a very close template to highly successful games like Velocity 2X, and for that this game shines with its unique design and gameplay mechanics. Even though it's just a small indie developer, I see great things on the horizon and do hope they offer better controller support, and maybe even a release on Xbox One in the future. But for now, if you're looking for a very fun game, I would highly recommend it.

Morrowind is yet another quality expansion released for Elder Scrolls Online, with a nice mix of both nostalgic and novel content. This game is in my opinion worth your time whether you are a long-time veteran or beginning player of this MMO.

I did love that the levels were designed as floating isles that even if you fell off, you’d land, smooshed, at the beginning of the level again. No matter what happened, your gloopy character could scrape himself up and forge ahead. If that isn’t a statement about humanity, I’m not sure what is.

Victor Vran is full to the brim with ARPG content. While its narrative is light and its gameplay is limited, the well-designed levels and high replayability make this a worthwhile purchase for fans of the genre, and those who are just looking for a fun time with friends.

Overall, Tekken 7 is a masterful conclusion to a two-decade story, an invigorating online experience and a content-filled package that’s absolutely worth its release price. Bandai Namco has knocked it out of the park with this game, and has set the bar high not only for other fighting game developers, but also for itself as creating a sequel that is better than this will surely be a challenge. Whether or not you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, you shouldn’t wait another minute to pick this game up.

Its ending is ambiguous and open to interpretation, but it is impactful nonetheless. Rime starts off slow but comes barreling into a touching final act. Each distinct level is full of puzzles, and what Rime lacks in complexity it makes up for in heart.

Overall, this is a game that I quickly became immersed in and one of the few review games that I will continue to play and replay even after my review is finished!

The game is extremely fun, and I would highly recommend you check out this title in the Xbox Store. It’s truly one of those hidden gems that people really need to find and play. Rain Games did an excellent job on this title, and I would recommend you check out some Let’s Plays if you get stuck in a specific area. The game is around ten hours, which makes it an extremely great value for the price of admission.

Seasons After Fall provides a decent platforming experience elevated by great art direction and a cute little character in the form of a fox. There are a ton of platformers and puzzle games on the market, some even with foxes of their own, and though many surely have more rewarding gameplay, Season After Fall’s aesthetic makes it stand out.

If you are looking for a good reason to hop back on Forza Horizon 3, this is an amazing one. With some of the most intense racing I’ve experienced in years...for $20 you simply cannot go wrong.

Prey is easily one of the best games to come out this year, and I highly recommend picking it up if you’re a fan of BioShock or Dishonored. Arkane skillfully wove together a cohesive narrative, engaging gameplay elements, and a vast environment open to the player. Talos I is an incredible achievement in design and the world of Prey is as intriguing as it is chilling. Its performance issues can be bothersome but aren't a huge detriment to an otherwise excellent game.

The Ringed City is a totally competent but uninspiring end to the brilliant Souls series, embracing many of its best and several of its worst traits. It’s beautifully macabre and frustratingly tedious, yet isn’t close to being bad enough to take the shine off a wonderful game, offering subtle nods to the series’ past and its probably nonexistent future. The sun finally sets but it will always be praised.

What Remains of Edith Finch reminded me why I love video games. For the past few months, I’ve been in a bit of a slump and haven’t enjoyed too many games. Nothing really clicked with me. What Remains of Edith Finch changed that. I love video games because they have the ability to tell stories no other medium can tell, at least not in the way What Remains of Edith Finch does. I could see this game as a book but I truly don’t believe it would carry the same emotional resonance that it would in that form. The stories are told in such unique ways, and even though this particular title falls into the genre of a “walking simulator”, it manages to be one of the best video games I’ve played in a very long time.

Overall, Thimbleweed Park is a great game which is elevated by its story rather than its mechanics. While selecting commands is a novel concept, younger players will be frustrated by the gameplay. Many will want to give up because it can take several minutes to decipher which combination of words and items work. However, the dialogue choices and quirky nature of the game may overcome that. Only time will tell.

Overall, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is a fantastic game which may feel slightly dated due to its archaic combat mechanics. However, the mind-blowing visuals and ability to instantly switch to the original graphics make up for any shortcomings. Not only is the game challenging, but it’s a step above the majority of modern platformers due to its interconnected worlds. In many ways, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap will make you realize how action platformers have regressed over the years. If you’re going to buy just one platformer on Xbox One, then this game should be your purchase. It’s that much of a revelation.

Outlast 2 is one of the darkest games I’ve ever played and it goes to some very unexpected places…but I can’t help but think the first game was better. The sequel does little to distinguish itself from its predecessor aside from the setting and plot. This makes Outlast 2 feel too safe and not risky enough in terms of gameplay. If you’ve never played the first game, you’ll probably really love Outlast 2, but for fans of the original, it’ll feel like the sequel is treading old ground.

Is the game for everyone? Well, that depends in the end, since the game does offer a challenge for each type of gamer while keeping it simple for the novice. It can use some adjustments, mainly in the time-lapse department as it can become quite slow off the bat. However, the game earns its stripes and is a must-have title on Xbox One this year.

Though every game in The Disney Afternoon Collection is over twenty years old, they all hold up fairly well. The gameplay mechanics are simplistic and can feel a bit dated, but they are great versions of Disney classics. If you are looking for a game with exceptional and more modern gameplay, there are better retro-inspired games on the market. But if you are looking to play these for the nostalgia while taking advantage of their enhanced visual fidelity, this is the bundle to get, especially at its $20 price point.

Overall, NeuroVoider is a good experience with great design, fun gameplay, but suffers from some balance and accessibility issues. It’s nothing that a post-launch patch can’t solve and maybe providing options to adjust the boss fights would serve the title well. If you’re looking for an interesting shooter along the lines of Enter the Gungeon, give this one a go.

When I first started playing Late Shift, I really thought it would be yet another generic attempt at an interactive experience, much like the "point-and-click" adventures Telltale Games push out every other week. I was, however, pleasantly surprised by this game. Extremely high-quality acting and set pieces pulled me into the world and pushed me to find the right balance in the choices that I made. It always ended in a way I never expected.

Overall, Yooka-Laylee is a good game which needs some more technical work on Xbox One. The platforming feels unrefined due to the movement and camera. Despite that, the soundtrack by David Wise and Grant Kirkhope gets stuck in your head and the co-op mode is a lot of fun. Yooka-Laylee is built on an incredibly solid foundation but has some growing up to do.

Bulletstorm is a mostly unchanged experience from its original 2011 iteration. The upgraded visuals are definitely a sight to behold, but for those who have already played through People Can Fly’s over-the-top FPS, there isn’t much to gain here.

Overall, Enter the Gungeon was worth the wait for Xbox One owners. The title is a lot of fun and remains that way despite the challenge it poses. If you love games like Rogue Legacy and Crypt of the Necrodancer, then this is the game for you. However, if you’re new to the roguelike genre, this is also a great starting point which will teach you well.

Idle Evolution is an educational simulation game set in the distant past where you’re tasked with collecting elements and evolving them into compounds that will change and evolve your planet into a utopia. Filled with interesting trivia, it gives players a lot to work towards and learn as they go.

Overall, Snake Pass is a great platformer and there isn’t anything like it on Xbox One. Just when you think that the gaming industry is out of new ideas, this title comes along. While it’s quite simple in terms of story and presentation, the game is addictive and a tremendous amount of fun. If you own an Xbox One, you have to get Snake Pass. It’s that special because of its accessible controls.

On the whole, The Inner World is a fantastic puzzle game, not to mention a seamless port from PC. A deeply engaging world, satisfyingly challenging puzzles, and a fun story make for a truly wonderful playthrough.

Mass Effect: Andromeda at times captures the essence of the Mass Effect trilogy but doesn’t quite live up to its potential. The story and its lovable cast of characters stand as solid starting blocks in an expansive universe. Performance issues, bugs, and design flaws hurt an otherwise commendable role-playing game.

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is a great game despite its short length and difficulty. It requires skill and patience so don’t expect a casual platformer. It’s polished, beautiful and really reminds you why smaller games are so important to any console.

Overall, Nier: Automata is a phenomenal game filled with great gameplay, world building, amazing storytelling, and it even poses some interesting questions. There’s so much to love about this game and it has spawned dozens of think pieces from various websites on the topics posed in the game. I truly believe Nier: Automata is easily an early Game of the Year contender for 2017. If you own a PlayStation 4 or have a Windows machine capable of running it, you have to give this game a try.

Paperash has created one of the deepest and most interesting puzzle games on PC in a while, with a narrative that does not just rest on its laurels after players glance through a single page of lore. The game offers thorough backstory, giving both casual gamers and hardcore puzzle fans something that not only offers a challenge but also offers something easy to dig into. The game's art style brilliantly mixes the Arcanum look with brilliant sound effects similar to those found in Limbo, bringing you one of the most decent indie titles I've seen on Steam. Although the game is currently only on PC, I wouldn't mind seeing it on Xbox One in the future as well.

A step above its predecessor. Oozing with character and charm, the titular character of Styx helps to bring the game out of the shadows you’ll be crawling through for most of its run time. Repetition of its otherwise great environments and hammy voice acting from the other characters is somewhat disappointing but Styx is still a solid game.

Dark Arcana: The Carnival offers a great experience overall. Perhaps more engaging for a younger audience, but still decent fun for all ages. A bit more creativity in names, voice acting and puzzle types would make this a truly stellar game, though it’s worth a creepy playthrough if only to follow the story and enjoy the sinister scenery. Dark Arcana: The Carnival proves hidden objects games can be deep and engaging.

Lego Worlds is a great game and has grown considerably since it was first revealed. If you love titles like Astroneer, be sure to pick this one up.

A masterpiece of game design.

Torment: Tides of Numenera is an infinitely complex game which no review can truly capture. The sheer number of side quests, characters, dialogue choices and endings require that the game be played multiple times. Brian Fargo and his team have created an absolutely stunning experience—I just wish it was as technically sound on Xbox One as it is on Windows 10.

It doesn’t have the “oomph” it should and comes off as a bit lackluster. For all of the good elements in the game, there are several bad or annoying ones that come with it.

Despite these issues, I absolutely loved forma.8. It is a perfect example of the kind of unique content indie developers can offer without sacrificing aesthetics or an immersive environment. There are a few small kinks in the game, but it is absolutely a must-have!

Overall, Chime Sharp offers a refreshing new twist on a classic game. Some design flaws hold it back from being a truly excellent game and there are serious accessibility issues. However, excellent soundtrack choices and clever game modes make this game a worthwhile play!

The only downside to these packs is the fact that they’re pretty expensive for what’s in them. You may only play the content and mini-games once or twice and they aren’t very lengthy. Some modes offer additional difficulty settings after you beat them but $15 for just the second add-on is pretty pricey. If any of this sounds appealing to you, you may want to wait for a sale or just buy the season pass which will include all future content.

The only downside to these packs is the fact that they’re pretty expensive for what’s in them. You may only play the content and mini-games once or twice and they aren’t very lengthy. Some modes offer additional difficulty settings after you beat them but $15 for just the second add-on is pretty pricey. If any of this sounds appealing to you, you may want to wait for a sale or just buy the season pass which will include all future content.

The game offers good replayability, pushing you to become the master of the universe on the online leaderboards and to team up with your friends to take on the biggest bosses in the hardest of modes.

We Are The Dwarves is a different experience from what you’re probably expecting. Many people who are looking for a Diablo-like game will be disappointed because it’s more along the lines of The Banner Saga. The title takes awhile to acclimate to but it’s a rewarding game. If you’re in the market for a short but surprisingly intense experience, be sure to pick this one up.

The title is quite expansive and you'll definitely be surprised by it just like I was.

Though Ubisoft could have easily played it safe by focusing on any of their existing franchises, in choosing to develop a new IP, they created an admirable fighting game with thrilling action. Its single-player campaign is satisfactory at best, but it works as a great training tool to familiarize yourself with the characters and controls. Where For Honor truly shines is in its savage battles and multiplayer, as rough as the servers may be.

While some challenges are simple and involve exploring every corner of the surprisingly large maps, others like keeping certain units alive are much harder. Only those who truly understand Halo Wars 2 will be able to accomplish this. Not only does this enhance replayability aside from the fantastic multiplayer offerings, it also gives you a reason to go back to the campaign.

With so many mediocre platforming games flooding stores these days, it’s refreshing to see something unique. Although at face value iO seems quite bare, the challenging level design and interesting mechanics make it worth a look at if you like puzzles.

Overall, TowerFall Ascension is a fantastic game which is easy to pick up and play. While I would’ve liked to see an online component, the couch co-op experience is still rewarding. Anyone looking for a competitive title to play with friends and get non-gamers hooked on should look no further.

A remarkable achievement for Rebellion. It’s an expansive and detailed experience which pushes the stealth genre forward. The gameplay is exhilarating and in order to properly complete the game, you can easily spend around forty hours on it. The sheer number of collectibles and the stories they tell is incredible. The multiplayer mode is stellar and much more frantic than the campaign. In my opinion, Sniper Elite 4 is best played with a friend in co-op. That’s when the title truly shines.

Typoman: Revised has to be one of the biggest surprises of 2017 so far.

Candleman is a special indie game that has a lot of heart. Its story is surprisingly dark, no pun intended, but it seeks to offer an insightful life lesson, much like Spotlightor hoped to achieve with its games. Through solid platforming sections with a touching journey, it is easily worth peoples’ time, who may learn just how precious that is once they play this title.

Crypt of the NecroDancer is a fantastic game and I’m ecstatic that it’s finally on Xbox One. While it might not be the best-looking adventure out there, it’s still one of the most unique games that I recommend you play. The rhythm-based gameplay pushes you and while it can be quite difficult in the beginning, it’s hard not to enjoy it even then.

Resident Evil 7 is not only one of the greatest and scariest modern survival horror games in recent memory, but a fantastic return to form for one of Capcom’s greatest series. With photorealistic, repulsively-disgusting environments, interesting and unique characters combined with impactful and visceral combat, Resident Evil 7 is the most fun I’ve had with a Capcom title since the original Dead Rising.

The story is great but it’s not as rich as other games.

It’s quite a comprehensive cricket simulator and if you love the sport, this is a no-brainer.

Drop Alive. It is incredibly easy to recommend a game with gorgeous visuals, impeccable sound, fantastic gameplay, and the low price of free.

The graphics look crisper even though they aren’t a substantial upgrade over the original. The controls have seen the biggest improvement and it plays even better on Xbox One. While I wish the gameplay was more complex, the title is still a solid entry in the real-time strategy genre.

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is a fantastic game and provides several hours of fun and exciting entertainment. I highly recommend that you pick it up and save the day as Shantae.

Despite its confusing nature, it’s a lot of fun and the story is definitely one of the better ones I’ve come across recently. The game’s art style is gorgeous and that was one of the reasons I was captivated by it in the first place. Just be sure you’re one with patience because some of the puzzles become a chore to get through.

Stardew Valley is incredibly fun, with a myriad of ways to create a unique experience.

Episodes 1 and 2 of The Walking Dead: A New Frontier have my expectations incredibly high for the rest of the series. With strong new characters, important storylines, and beautiful artwork; I think Telltale may have another award-winner on their hands.

Episodes 1 and 2 of The Walking Dead: A New Frontier have my expectations incredibly high for the rest of the series. With strong new characters, important storylines, and beautiful artwork; I think Telltale may have another award-winner on their hands.

City of Light offered a decent closure to Vicki’s short reign of terror as Lady Arkham. Overall, even with its missteps, Telltale still created an entertaining Batman series with fantastic character development.

A short experience, around two hours or so, but the entire game is a joy. The puzzles are never too difficult to figure out and the story itself could have easily worked as a children’s book, giving it a larger appeal to both parents and kids.

It corrects all the missteps the series has taken over the past few iterations and offers an accessible game for fans and newcomers alike.

Bastion is an extraordinary game and as you might have gathered from this review, I can’t recommend it enough. Aside from the gameplay and story, it offers a lot of replayability in the form of weapon challenges which require tremendous skill to complete.

Sky Force Anniversary is an incredibly satisfying experience and I can’t recommend it enough.

Abzû is absolutely amazing and every Xbox One owner should play this game. It’s one of the finest adventure games that also tells a meaningful story. The title is awe-inspiring and unlike anything else on the console.

With a simple storyline, easy gameplay mechanics, and the overall appeal of the game, you can't go wrong with Tennis in the Face.

The story is quite short and you will finish it in a mere two hours if you explore. The game offers players a fun little time-killer and even the achievements will make you giggle.

A modern masterpiece. Frontier have created the premiere title in theme park simulator games which offers unrivaled customization albeit at the cost of a little awkwardness controls-wise. Planet Coaster is a game like no other.

Furi isn’t a game that will appeal to everyone based solely on its genre, but its strong and solid combat make it a wonderful game for those who do play it. It values skill over luck, and that is certainly apparent in every fight.

Steep is a great extreme sports simulator which should keep you engaged for hours. If you’re a fan of such titles—especially SSX—you’ll fall in love with this one. I just wish the love of snowboarding and these other sports would shine through with the addition of more voice overs and engagement with the player.

Killing Floor 2 is a joy to play and while it is made far better with friends, it does fail to deliver a worthwhile single player experience. Call up your squad of friends however, and Killing Floor 2 is a masterpiece of chaos as you cut your way through wave after wave of the toughest zeds as they struggle to overwhelm you. Killing Floor 2 is a bloody mess, and it’s a bloody good one too.

Headlander is a fantastic and unique Metroidvania with some incredibly fun ideas and fantastic audio/visual qualities. It’s a shame then that Double Fine haven’t crafted enough ideas to make up for the game's padded running time which is hindered by its repetition. If you’re looking for a funny, seventies sci-fi adventure unlike any you’ve ever seen, Headlander is the game for you.

Ittle Dew 2 is an extremely solid game. There are not a lot of Zelda-like games available on Xbox One, and I am thankful not only to have one, but that the one we have is good. A great art style blends a competent game design including fun gameplay and an interesting narrative. While the storyline may be a little too simple, the dialogue is cheeky and I laughed out loud more than a few times.

Dead Rising 4 is definitely a step up from Dead Rising 3 and the technical improvements stand out the most. If you look at the game as a whole, it’s a great package which should entertain anyone looking for a title where they can go on murderous rampages without thinking too much. I just wish I could continue it while I waited for the expansion.

With the resolution bumped to 1080p with 60 frames per second, Darksiders has never looked better. The cutscenes look amazing and have tons of detail. Some gameplay mechanics do feel dated, like the fast travel system. It is cumbersome and could have been made easier to use. This was a big inconvenience because several areas in the beginning of the game were inaccessible due to missing the gear required to enter that part of the map.

I honestly have no idea where Telltale will take the story now, but I look forward to seeing its conclusion.

If you love games that offer superb gameplay and can live with the fact that the story might not be as great as other open-world titles, then Watch Dogs 2 is a must-buy.

The Ezio Collection isn’t an impressive remaster and it definitely shows its age, but these games, especially Assassin’s Creed 2, were some of the best when they originally released. A new coat of paint doesn’t change that.

The final episode of Hitman is a befitting finale for the first season.

The game does have some flaws in the gameplay elements, but it’s easy to overlook these when the overall package is so well put together.

The universe’s mysticism is enthralling, with countess ways to enjoy it. Everything that worked so well in the first game—its fantastic level design, supernatural powers, world building, and lore—are all present with even greater impact. It’s evident that Arkane put a lot of time and energy into designing the entire game to create a truly incredible experience.

Farming Simulator 17, as with most simulation games, will not be for everyone. If you are a fan of the Farming Simulator series, this year’s version is not majorly different than previous versions, but there are enough graphical and tactile upgrades to keep returning players interested. Many bugs have been fixed too. New players may enjoy the planning, management and logistics of owning and running a farm. Either way, Farming Simulator 17 is now the best way to play a farming simulation game.