Fable II is a game that is much better than its separate parts might suggest. As an experience, it's some of the most fun I have had all year.

The stories of art and media shift over time, but when treated with care their impact remains the same. Final Fantasy VII Remake is a stunning example of this, and this portable, more accessible version reflects that same level of care.

Dead Cells is an absolute blast when the stars align, but that only happens every four or five runs. Everything else feels like a waste of time. I truly don't understand the phenomenon behind this game. Compared to its ilk, Dead Cells is just less.

I cannot overstate how much I enjoy Unicorn Overlord, but it is not a game that everyone will enjoy. Even with accessible difficulty options, there are still several systems to manage. If you enjoy Fire Emblem, make sure you give Unicorn Overlord a chance—try the demo. Personally, I believe this is one of the best strategy games released in a generation. You can play Fire Emblem, Triangle Strategy, and Tactics Ogre, and each one will give you a great strategic experience, but no modern games play like Unicorn Overlord. The experience is unique for everyone who plays it, every time they play it. The replay value of Unicorn Overlord cannot be overstated; there are multiple difficulties, multiple story paths, and more items, characters, and classes than you could ever properly appreciate in a single playthrough. In short, Vanillaware has created the spiritual successor to Ogre Battle and surpassed its inspiration in almost every way.

An excellent addition to the Souls series and a huge improvement on Dark Souls II.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a reminder that “good enough” isn’t good enough. Takahashi and the rest of his team could have relied on doing the same thing they’ve always done. Heck, they’ve already revolutionized the genre once. Instead, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is no revolution; it results from listening to what doesn’t work, tirelessly working to do better, and knocking it out of the park. Put simply, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a masterpiece, and one of the finest games the genre has to offer.

BioWare has created a top-shelf RPG with Mass Effect, though it's not without its flaws. Many of the issues present in the Xbox 360 version of the title are gone, and while there are new issues thrown into the PC version, they are minor in comparison.

I expect Dark Souls will sell more copies than its predecessor, but I'm sure many won't know what to make of this curious title. It harkens back to the days when our parents bought us a game and we played it all summer.

Pokopia is a rare example of a game that takes inspiration from as many genre juggernauts as possible, yet ultimately exceeds them all. The building mechanics may not be quite as expansive as Minecraft, and not all of the 1000+ Pokémon creatures feature here (though weekly events are scheduled to add more). Yet, by combining the strongest core elements of city builders, social simulations, and creature-raising RPGs, Pokopia emerges from the rubble as a monumentally addictive achievement in game design that millions of players will enjoy for years to come.

Thank Goodness You’re Here isn’t for the faint of heart. At this point, you probably know if this game is for you or not; it really comes down to your sense of humor, and if you’re not into this sort of potty humor, then this isn’t for you. If it sounds entertaining, though, then there’s absolutely no doubt the game is worth a purchase. For sheer quality reasons alone, this is an experience worth having, and I enjoyed nearly every second of it.

Two dimensional adventuring in the land of Hyrule has truly never been better. TMC takes all of the elements that I know and love about my Zelda games, improves on and adds more to them, then moves them to a portable medium and provides a true must-buy title for the GBA.

I felt Telltale's occasionally heavy hand throughout the story, but I view this limitation as a work in progress. Despite this, they put together a powerful package that I hope surpassed Robert Kirkman's expectations, because it sure did mine.

All in all, The Séance of Blake Manor is a great little detective game that is perfect for players who want to use their deductive skills in a creepy, but not necessarily frightening, environment. Of course, spooky season has passed by this point, but I would argue that it’s never too late for a spooky game, especially one that you can comfortably get through in just a few days. So whether it’s now or next Samhain, fans of horror games and mysteries alike will find something to enjoy at Blake Manor.

If you're looking for something with a ponderous story full of morality and contemplation – one best savored alone – then you'll need to look elsewhere. Borderlands 2 delivers tons of lighthearted, occasionally juvenile fun with immense replayability, and is best approached with a few buddies in tow. It doesn't revolutionize the concept pioneered by its forebear, but it refines it to a razor-sharp edge and offers some of the most fun you can have in a cooperative action RPG this side of Diablo II. And if nothing else, it's got lots of Claptrap.

Three Houses should be a part of any Switch owner's library at some point. It has pretty much everything you could possibly want in a video game: good graphics, great music, an epic story and, of course, top-notch gameplay. Fire Emblem has a new, higher bar moving forward, and hopefully we'll see this effort replicated for future titles.

NieR: Automata holds a special place in my heart. It introduced me to so many new experiences while simultaneously tapping into my nostalgia for how games made me feel. It’s one of the few games where I sat on the floor, controller in hand, staring up at the TV as if I were playing Final Fantasy VII for the first time again. NieR: Automata is the kind of game with a strange magical power that’ll warp you back to your favorite childhood game, then imprint itself upon your memory so that whenever you see a metal trash can, you’ll swear you heard it say, “this cannot continue.”

In the end, however, what you have is a game full of ambition and beauty; one that can draw you in for hours as you plumb the depths of the world searching for clues and your own solutions to problems. It's not without some technical issues, and it's pretty clear that there were some areas of the game that were glossed over in order to make the release date. However, that can all be set aside for the excellent, engrossing narrative, stellar gameplay, and utter style that oozes from every inch of the game.

If you liked "Aria of Sorrow," pick up DoS. If not, steer clear.

Horizon Forbidden West is the complete package across all aspects any player will care about. Stunningly beautiful, audibly beatific, challenging yet accessible, and frequently cinematic, I adored my time with Forbidden West the way I rarely do in any other game. Often, a game will excel in one area in particular and falter in others—and that’s okay. Here, I struggled to find criticisms to make, and the ones I did, while real, did not meaningfully impact the whole. If more AAA titles conducted themselves as such, I could see myself one day converting.

Every concern I felt when playing The Man Who Erased His Name was cast off within an hour of starting Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. It’s not only a perfect sequel to LaD but also an excellent example of a modern JRPG. Most importantly, it finally provides us with a natural conclusion to the story of Kazuma Kiryu that doesn’t feel forced or contrived. With an engaging, complex storyline, incredibly charming characters, and a truly shocking amount of side content, Infinite Wealth effortlessly continues the Yakuza legacy. I can’t wait to see what RGG decides to do next (but maybe give us a bit of a break, as we’ve had THREE Like a Dragon games released within the last year)!

Anyone who has invested any amount of time in the previous games will enjoy watching the final chapter of Shepard's tale unfold, and among the feelings of excitement and joy as they meet and fight alongside old friends for the fate of the galaxy, they will also feel just a tinge of disappointment and heartbreak as they bid farewell to the colorful universe and memorable characters BioWare has created.

It’s clear that AdHoc plans to continue telling stories in this universe, and the end of this game sets up a potential future season or two, so despite the occasional questionable narrative choices, when and where it counts, Dispatch does not disappoint, standing proudly amongst Telltale’s titans with good storytelling, an excellent cast of characters (propped up by equally excellent performances from the cast) and a truly fantastic soundtrack, both from the licensed songs in-between each episode, as well as the original score by Andrew Arcadi & Skyler Barto.

If you haven't played Persona 3, however, there is no better reason to pick up FES. Do it now!

Fate/stay night Remastered holds onto several 2000s trappings that may not appeal to contemporary sensibilities, but playing it most certainly brought me back to my younger days. The moment I saw the slick anime intro following the lengthy prologue, I knew this was the kind of game I would have absolutely devoured twenty years ago. Fans laud Fate/stay night Remastered for good reason and I am glad I finally got to play it.

NORCO somehow strikes an incredibly challenging balance in storytelling: it tells enough of a narrative to create a coherent, believable story, but it also sows a lasting tale by respecting the player’s intelligence and leaving much to their imagination. Its story can absolutely be a conversation piece among enthusiasts. I already want to reflect on what I’ve done in NORCO and realize themes or subtleties I missed while playing; this story will stick with you. If you’re a thoughtful gamer who doesn’t mind mysticism and a tale that leans toward depressing, NORCO is an absolute, unequivocal must-play. We need more capable storytellers like this in games.

In the end, however, what you have is a game full of ambition and beauty; one that can draw you in for hours as you plumb the depths of the world searching for clues and your own solutions to problems. It's not without some technical issues, and it's pretty clear that there were some areas of the game that were glossed over in order to make the release date. However, that can all be set aside for the excellent, engrossing narrative, stellar gameplay, and utter style that oozes from every inch of the game.

Although a weak ending and a frustrating lack of tutorials up front limit Pope's latest release, the vast majority of his work more than makes up for these setbacks. Whether you're looking for something truly unique, thick vibes, or an excellent mystery, Obra Dinn is for you.

So, yes, Igarashi is a genius, and the brilliance of his Castlevania games still holds up. Is this collection perfect? No. Each game has different flaws, and there are some minor issues with the overall presentation. Nonetheless, the DS trilogy in the Castlevania Dominus Collection are all clean, tight experiences with just enough experimentation to make each of them excellent and unique, even in a market flooded with Metroidvanias. Put simply, even 16 years later, Castlevania is still a genre giant.