If you found the original Planet of Lana to be a delightful 2D side-scrolling puzzle platforming curio, then Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is definitely a worthy successor. The two years since the first adventure has brought with it an evolutionary bolstering to the overall Planet of Lana story and to the adeptness of Lana herself. The puzzles are nicely balanced and the adventure never overstays its welcome. Children of the Leaf does go through familiar motions and it isn’t quite as ambitious as a sequel ought to be, but just like the first outing it will leave an emotional imprint. There’s always room for modest indie games, especially ones as elegant as Planet of Lana, even if this follow-up doesn’t vastly change the established.

Tembo the Badass Elephant is a goodhearted, challenging platformer where speed and rhythm sit at the forefront of the gameplay experience.

It’s fun for a good while, but ultimately it needs more variety or an engaging multi-player component to make it enjoyable for more than a few hours.

In summary, Old School Rally is quite an enjoyable title. It has an impressive visual design which manages to perfectly evoke nostalgia, and has a solid gameplay loop. There is a need for some more depth to make the game more rewarding, but when you consider the modest asking price, it becomes a hard deal to argue with. The only hope is that developer Frozen Lake Games will address some of the technical issues which prevent full access from certain parts of the game. Either way, this is a title that I really appreciate and feel that it could serve as a model for other titles trying to emulate the style of the original PlayStation’s visual presentation.

Atomfall, at first glance, might be regarded as a Fallout clone, but the truth is it has a clear identity that makes it stand out from the pack of imitators. Its green and lush surroundings give it a unique flair, even if its story is still a bit by the numbers. The Rebellion title also has wide open maps encouraging verticality and experimentation, which you’ll need to survive its brutal but satisfying combat.

There’s definitely a bit of lag when playing online but it’s also a big bonus and certainly the biggest addition to the franchise in question.

The two biggest drawbacks are obvious to us: first and foremost, what we’ve been saying all along; i.e., there really isn’t much in the way of upgrades or enhancements, and secondly, the lack of balance.

The game isn't great, but it delivers the goods for the fans, and that's all it really needs to do.

That being said, when the overall quality of the production continues to shine through, and those four maps and classes are quite well-developed and presented, and the fun factor is undeniable, I have no choice but to recommend it.

If you don't mind playing a game with only your fingers, I suppose you could give Rock Band Unplugged a chance. But for a game with minimal downloadable content, no multiplayer, a playlist and World Tour experience that is largely identical to the console games, and little to no innovation...$40 is not quite the ticket I'd be willing to pay.

There’s not a ton of content here, and it’s not the kind of game that is going to keep you engaged for hours a day. For $15, however, it doesn’t need to be.

Stacks up favorably to the console versions of the franchise. Anyone that is already burned out on the console games may want to pass on this one, but everyone else that is in the market for a street basketball game should rush out right now and buy it.

It’s a beautiful game with a unique concept, but its deeply flawed execution and almost complete lack of a story make it far less appealing than "ICO."

All in all, you can't deny that Blood on the Sand is a fun game with a great soundtrack.

Resident Evil Zero HD Remaster will remind you of the good ‘ol days when horror was horror. You will appreciate this supposedly “outdated” mode of gameplay, especially if you recall the early days of this franchise with extreme fondness.

Liberation isn't the stellar, revolutionary experience I had counted on. They just don't do enough with the story or protagonist, the experience feels somewhat dull and lifeless at times, and the game can chug significantly. Still, I think it's critical to point out that in relation to other portable adventures, this is really very impressive.

We do wish there had been a few more tables and a few more gameplay modes, but pinball is pinball. If you loved playing those classic tables when you were younger, this might make for a good rainy day purchase.

This $10 package just feels a trifle light on content, that's all. Otherwise, PixelJunk SideScroller is nod to the golden age of gaming; for the most part, it moves right, the design and atmosphere is a big bonus, and the soundtrack continues to set the PixelJunk franchise apart. But with three stages, not a ton of gameplay options and variety, and a two-player option that seems too frustrating, I can't recommend this with as much conviction as I've done with other titles in the series.

What bothers me is the lack of the fundamentals, the very basic and general things that have made Gran Turismo such a superb game. Yes, the physics are great, yes there's a ton of cars and tracks, and yes, despite all of these drawbacks the game is still quite a bit of fun. But this is a game that could've been perfect.

The Wizards is a step in the right direction. Casting spells is a blast and very intuitive. While the game does have some of the shortcomings that plague most VR games, this one makes up for it with the fact that you get to play as a wizard. The game is pretty meaty and has plenty for you to do. It looks pretty good too, minus a few less than ideal animations. Unfortunately The Wizards falls a bit short of being amazing. A shallow gameplay loop and content that grows stale after a while. I learned all the spells very quickly and I found myself wanting a little more by the end of the game. This time, not in a good way. Despite all that, I still enjoyed my time with The Wizards. It really is a lot of fun. I’m just not sure when or if I’ll get back to it.

While it can be a downgrade and mimicry of the original 2018 release, Inked: A Tale of Love is a pleasant experience due to its superb artistry and laid-back puzzling. It may only be a few hours long, but it does not outstay its welcome, letting you finish mostly satisfied.

Legasista sometimes feels a bit repetitive and I never felt emotionally invested in the story (despite the charming and even emotional theme). But with plenty of depth, nicely drawn characters and enemies, solid control, and that aforementioned "addictive gene," there's a lot to like.

Hohokum can feel like a chore at times but for the most part, this is an original, inspired piece of interactive art.

Trivial Pursuit may still be best experienced with a group of friends around the dining room table, but you won’t be able to deny that the virtual version offers some great fun and several modes that would be cumbersome to recreate in real life.

In short, if you’re a big college football fan and you know what to expect, go for it. Otherwise, wait until next generation.

The basic mechanics and ideas are still fairly cool and I'm always a sucker for a good environmental puzzler with acrobatics aplenty. In that sense Two Thrones is good stuff, but the rest could use some brushing up.

It's almost too accessible, even on the regular difficulty setting.

If you just accept that it was always going to be about multiplayer shooting, and the rest might be underdeveloped gravy; you’ll probably have tons of fun. And if you look to the future and see what Bungie has created – a very solid foundation – you should be excited by what the team will deliver in the coming months and years.

Chances are you already know if this game is for you. It’s Need for Speed through and through, for better or worse, but the execution is far better here than the last few attempts I’ve made to dive back in. If you’re looking for classic, core arcade racing without a lot of frills and don’t mind a story mode that is distracting at best, you could do worse with your $60 than Need for Speed Heat. Problem is, you can also do better.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War lets you take the fight to a familiar foe in an expected but fun way. Cooperative play is a joy, gunplay is frantically exciting, and the progression system firmly holds everything together. While not reinventing much, Zombie Army 4: Dead War greases the bloody wheels of the zombie trope by implementing its own solid trademark of tactical shooter sensibilities.

Musashi is a very preset character and doesn't go through much of a change in the game. His loud mouthed arrogance may leave some even hating him.

With a wide variety of weapons, equipment and tools, and a well-paced adventure that delivers some quality dungeon-crawling entertainment, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is probably worth playing.

Unfortunately, the game does end up feeling underwhelming due to the mysterious lack of style that made the PSP games so darn fun. We can't really put our finger on any one thing, but it's probably the general feeling that the game just doesn't deliver the same level of entertainment.

Need for Speed is a fun, accessible racer that’s both aesthetically impressive and technically stable. The always-online requirement means server problems can affect your game and oh yeah, you can’t pause, either. I’m sorry but it just wasn’t necessary.

Gotham Knights would be a great game, its sandbox approach to exploring Gotham is top-notch and its story keeps you just engaged enough to keep playing. The problem lies in the game’s lackluster combat and endless fighting cycles of beating up the same factions over and over and over with little to no variation to dialogue.

Much of our play time was spent grinning in devilish glee at the absurd action that liberally splashed the screen with severe amounts of gore. Given this, we'd love to recommend the game, but the entire adventure will only last about 5-7 hours.

But in the end, Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII simply isn't worth the price of admission.

Flipnic, with its solid physics, dynamic tables, and Fantavision-esque presentation is fun and unique. It's also budget-priced, which is never a bad thing.

Taito Legends is a winner just based on value alone, but it also happens to contain a few truly milestone games (and some less memorable ones).

The underlying game itself is pretty average as far as beat-'em-ups go, but at least it's more fleshed out than "The Mark of Kri" was. And frankly, you really can't go wrong with a game that includes violent amputations and decapitations.

All this hype about a story-driven racing game was unwarranted; with a few small exceptions, this still feels very much like any other racer you've played. On top of which, when it never seems to matter what car you choose (more in terms of speed and less in regards to handling), and the AI just sticks to your side no matter what, you never feel as if you're accomplishing much.

For a portable shooter, it's really quite good but for a Resistance entry, one finds it somewhat lacking. Still, it's well worth a look.

Two Worlds II takes a big step in the right direction. They've still got to catch up to the rest of the development world when it comes to technical elements, and a better story with more interesting characters would vault this franchise into the 8+ realm.

For others who appreciate a little strategy to go with their shooting, Brothers in Arms delivers a rather intense war-playing experience that goes along with a fascinating story told from the perspective of the soldiers who lived it.

The game's soundtrack is awesome, but since many of the songs are old and/or obscure, some of the charm may be lost on the target audience.

It's just that the story and atmosphere reign supreme and the entire production doesn't quite have the chops to support added immersion.

Rango is a worthwhile experience for everyone who loved the movie. The length is sufficient, the presentation, gameplay, and atmosphere is all quite good, and the lighthearted style remains entertaining throughout.

Diner Dash is good…I think. It’ll tick you off but again, that’s good…I think. Maybe you’ll just have to play it to fully understand.

The addition of hotswapping makes the campaign mode a pleasant diversion for a few hours, but after a while you’re going to want to go online and you’re probably going to be let down by the lack of gameplay modes and technical problems that EA is working on, but has yet to fix.

Despite some flaws, Twin Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Adventure is a sincere homage to an underrated sub-genre. It captures what made classics like Arkanoid and Breakout beloved while putting its own special spin on the formula. The result is brick-breaking bliss that I would recommend to most lovers of arcade indies.

This very simple and straightforward format may turn off older players in the first hour but the younger crowd may enjoy it plenty.

A lot of the game's potential falls flat in the face of occasional mediocrity and blandness, which is in turn offset by bright spots that sometimes pop up during the course of your adventure.

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls is oddly named and really, the game lives up to that tone: Odd. But that’s part of the charm and appeal and fans of past entries will quickly embrace this style.

A competent and in many ways, impressive, action extravaganza. The gameplay and combat hold up well over time, but the technical aspects don't, and those same problems still exist, which is disappointing.

It's completely average. As a next-generation title, its visuals leave a lot to be desired. And when you're not peeved at how boring it looks, you'll be peeved at how dull it sounds.

The variations of backgrounds and objects is what makes it worthwhile in my eyes, but I’m willing to admit this may not be the opinion of others.

A decent game that many should enjoy, provided they're familiar with the distinct Japanese flair, and provided they like the drastic gameplay change.

Alien: Isolation desperately tries to give us something fearsome and memorable. But the inconsistent approach leads to periods of tedium thankfully interrupted by flashes of unmitigated terror. If you can revel in the highs and forge through the lows, you should emerge satisfied. If, on the other hand, you’re more sensitive to design, control and mechanical issues, you’ll be a bit harsher on the game.

I can’t recommend SteelRising to everyone, especially die-hard Soulsborne fans who relish in a story where the information isn’t spoon-fed to them. I do, however, applaud Spiders for trying to take on the Soulsborne genre. I only wish they had understood that perhaps they took on more than they could chew.

The core -- the gameplay -- is solid...The lack of an online component really hurts. The Tony Hawk franchise is built for online competition, and to only feature split-screen just doesn't cut it. Then, the absence of a Classic Mode makes things feel sorer.

While a lack of content and online multiplayer bogs it down, this indie succeeds in delivering action-packed matches filled with delights and surprises. When considering its core purpose as a couch-versus revival, PandaBall’s fun factor is as black and white as its featured furry mammals

Lacks some of the polish and refinement that would make it a really solid, even addicting title. We spend too much time indoors..., the story is a little lame, and the difficulty is scaled back a little too much. But it's easy to pick up and play, exploring the city never gets boring, and fans of the web-slinging hero can spend a lot of time battling, upgrading, and just soaring along.

It really just boils down to one question: Can you ignore the missteps and missed opportunities and simply focus on the entertaining gameplay, or will you be unable to get past those flaws? That’s the key. This is why you’re seeing such a discrepancy of scores. Some people can get past the flaws and enjoy themselves; others can’t. It’s that simple.

The best poker video game available for home consoles. Sure, it'd be nice if the presentation were flashier, and if the game offered more configuration options, but the poker itself is damn near perfect. That's what matters most.

Superstars V8 Racing works hard. It strives to be a true-blue simulator that sacrifices a few things here and there for the sake of its digital format and price tag. For the most part, it doesn't do a bad job.

Indeed a better version of the original released last year. There are several significant improvements, but none of them are enough to vault the game into the enviable "buy-it-now" category.

Just recreating the city and getting the web slinging right is impressive on its own, but they aren’t enough to keep the game from getting stale too quickly. The game can be beaten in less than ten hours, and while that’s only 50% if you haven’t gotten all the bonus hidden stuff, there’s not really anything interesting enough to entice you to keep playing.

A solid, albeit formulaic action game that you should take or leave depending on how important things like story and humor are to you. Love to laugh? Get this game.

While it has its rough edges, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is a worthwhile remaster of three classic titles. Its visual overhaul prevents these games from feeling overly dated, and the quality-of-life improvements modernize the experience in a way that meets today’s standards. Sure, its new art style and character models won’t mesh well with everyone, but it may grow on gamers as time goes by. And sure, while these aren’t the “definitive” editions we expected, this is an admirable attempt to introduce three groundbreaking games to a new generation, and I’m glad it exists.

Simply put, it's just not a "next-gen" title. But that doesn't mean it's a bad game. In fact, it's actually quite fun, and similar to "Scarface: The World Is Yours."

Dying Light has its moments. It has a great concept and that concept is executed relatively well, with a few minor drawbacks. I still say the villain seems awfully familiar and the story is just way too predictable, and some of the main missions feature design choices that are definite head-scratchers.

If you're looking for only one full fledged fighter loaded to the brim with goodies, BlazBlue is what you get. Unless you're a hardcore fan, wait a bit before splurging on this $60 game. Give it time to hit $40 or less.

Red has its flaws. The story doesn’t really impress, the combat can be tricky, the locations could’ve been much more interesting, and you can’t fight against a friend. It’s also not the most technically accomplished title you’ll ever play. At the same time, what it offers is a solid fun factor, which you can enjoy even if you’re not a fan of the series.

When this game drops down to about $20, it'll probably be worth picking up for Sega fans.

It may not be chock full of stages to visit, but it's certainly great for a quick diversion, as its pick-up-and-play traits are rather welcoming.

The Baconing is a competent, fun, and mostly diverse title with plenty of kooky humor. It's a decent option for those who never played DeathSpank, and if you did play the first game, you'll probably like the similarities found in the sequel.

It doesn't excel in all areas and actually disappoints in others but it's still a lengthy, turn-based fantasy RPG that has it where it counts, especially where fans of the genre are concerned.

Unless you're a die-hard Jak and Daxter fan, Jak and Daxter: The Final Frontier isn't worth the coin.

While it is by no means a bad game, there’s just not enough substance to it, and the controls, which were touted as being revolutionary, are below average.

There are so many places that just scream out for more attention; I couldn’t play for more than 15 minutes without going, “oh come on; that could’ve been awesome!” There’s just always something that reared its ugly head and it’s absolutely unavoidable.

Clockwork Aquario is a fascinating piece of arcade history and an enjoyable action platformer. While it may be extremely light on content for today’s standards, this title offers gameplay that takes you back to the 90s in the ways you expect. And, for that reason, it should satisfy your enthusiasm for retro gaming.

Ultimately, the game's biggest flaw is its duration. Most players will only need two or three hours to complete the final level.

Playing co-op is always the best option but even playing alone will put a smile on your face. It's just unfortunate that the game has more problems than you'd typically find in a LEGO adventure, and even more unfortunate that it's biggest drawback is also it's biggest benefit: Playing as a dinosaur is by far the coolest element of the game, but it's also the one part of the game that is most liable to break.

An okay effort, it's just not a "next-gen RPG."

If you’re unfamiliar with the game, but you enjoyed "Exit" or some of the older (not the new crappy 3D) "Worms" titles, you’re sure to enjoy the simple yet engaging gameplay that Lemmings has to offer.

At the very least, it’s a great experience for the “Star Wars” faithful, and the solid and accessible control cements a production with far-reaching appeal. That appeal may not reach to the core group of gamers that are bound to complain about the lack of depth, customization and overall gameplay innovation, but they’re not the intended demographic. The good certainly outweighs the bad, regardless of your “hardcore” level or personal preferences, but such factors will have a big impact on your enjoyment.

It needed a bit more time to cook and perhaps more testing, as the game isn’t perfectly stable and those mechanics needed some tweaking. That all being said, I will heartily recommend it to those who love extremely dark auras, and gamers who like a more balanced – albeit less polished – fantasy adventure.

The gameplay itself holds up strong throughout any mode, despite the delayed controls and sudden difficulty spike, and playing with a friend is usually good fun. In the end, though, we had hoped to see a little more in Rugby 08 that would distinguish it from 06; something concrete that goes beyond cosmetic upgrades.

There just isn’t enough top-quality goodness here to warrant a $60 purchase because really, one feels as if the developers were restricted. In short, they were too in love with the multiplayer idea.

The flying itself is what matters most and despite the drawbacks, you'll still feel your palms getting sweaty during some of the more dynamic, challenging missions. That being said, the AI spikes halfway through, the control can be iffy during specific actions, the graphics are a little inconsistent, and the special non-flying objectives don't quite cut the mustard.

UFC isn't as polished as it needed to be, but I suppose it'll give avid fans a thrill. There's plenty of content and if you've got the requisite diligence and patience, your training can really pay off. The designers do a good job recreating the tension and invigoration one feels when squaring off against an equally powerful opponent, and the freedom to create and build any fighter you wish is intoxicating. It's just too bad that the control can be extremely difficult to grasp, and the lack of balance concerning the damage inflicted by a strike is disappointing.

A proper long-term gameplay mode would've been nice. Rookie Challenge is decent, but some extra meat is needed to justify the price-tag.

Polar Panic is one of those games that is unique but fails to make good on its promise of purely fun and original entertainment. The puzzle aspect might be top-notch if it weren't for certain downfalls in the Story Mode and the visuals are oddly lacking. However, I will add this: for multiple players (up to four), this game gets a good deal better.

It works well and is a generally fun concept to spend time with, but with such a thin number of options available within the game, while fun, it’s hard to imagine most people playing it more than a couple of times.

It has a lot going for it; first and foremost is that unbelievable innovation and blending of genres. The combination works surprisingly well and the control is fine, even if the physics and collision detection is a little off. The experience as a whole is too erratic.

Too many times, it just feels as if you don’t have total control over what’s going on during a match, and the AI is questionable.

If you're not going to play this game online, you don't need it, you won't like it, and you'll be mad that you paid full price for it.

Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle has all the elements and aspects of a solid strategy/RPG, and despite the fact that it's more than a few years old, it delivers what it promises. Unfortunately, the whole thing feels a little more muddled than it should've been.