As an original 80s gamer, Rad Rodgers hits all the happy places. It has elements of the perfect classic platformer, sidelong references to my favorite old games, but still has the advantages of a modern, original game. Rad Rodgers is fantastically fun, and I’m looking forward to adding the next episode to my collection.

A dream come true for action fans of all types, My Friend Pedro adds a fresh coat of paint to its classic flash game predecessor by incorporating new mechanics and improved visual flair.

CrossCode is a decidedly fantastic revival of the old-school action RPG à la Secret of Mana of old, with a high degree of polish and a great story.

Mushroom Wars 2 is a wonderful title to play and an amazing competition to watch. There’s so much to talk about, anticipate, and be surprised by, that you should expect this title to live on for many, many years. The developers have been truly successful of creating the tools for a competitive player to use — and then getting the hell out of the way; Zillion Whales leaves us with a trendsetting, unrivaled masterpiece, and then lets us play it the way we want to play it.

Tricky Towers is best enjoyed when played with friends either locally or online, and it’s evident by the recent expansion that Team WeirdBeard is dedicated to providing the best possible multiplayer experience by introducing a free expansion just in time for the holidays.

For the returning Tales fan, Berseria is no doubt an insta-buy, and for those who are curious or have never played an entry, it is the perfect place to start.

Skyrim VR translates one of the most entertaining RPGs of the previous generation to virtual reality with next to no hiccups along the way. Though there are a few minor irritants, the core experience is ludicrously fun and runs like a dream.

Ghostlords is a highly polished game with simple yet addictive gameplay, an original premise, and great replayability. Its art and sound design also do wonderfully in supporting the atmosphere, which helps it stand out amongst others.

The company did a wonderful job incorporating design, characters, plots, and adventure into a well-designed adventure game that is leagues beyond its genre.

Herald is a delight to play. It has a cast of complex, interesting, and incredibly voiced characters, beautifully captivating art design, and a fresh and fun story that will leave you wanting more.

If you're a fan of any of the genres that have been brilliantly meshed together to compose Hollow Knight, I highly recommend you play it. Even if you aren't. Play it anyways.

Total War: WARHAMMER II is one of the greatest real-time strategy games made to this date. And this is entirely because of the rock-solid and fully-earned reputation that Creative Assembly has built for itself over seventeen years and over fifteen Total War real-time strategy combat games. If you care about strategy, this isn't just a game, it is the game.

Dead Cells is a voracious roguelike metroidvania platformer that threatens to consume all the extra hours of your life — and then a few more, for good measure.

Gamers will talk about Pyre for a good while. Vivid visuals pair well with energizing audio, and both complement the subtle, mechanical gameplay; Pyre, a stunning package, provides with aplomb a depth of strategy not found in some AAA titles, and couches the experience in an engrossing narrative. Supergiant Games’ strongest showing to date, Pyre is a must play, a delight that can’t be recommended highly enough.

Somewhere between science-fiction and fantasy, portals, magic, and warriors exist in a chaotic junction between existences. Worlds collide, and you're left to forge your own path, and discover more than you had ever realized. Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition is a gem of a game, which brings a long-lost treasure home, rested, refreshed, renewed, and ready for more adventure.

The Frostrune stands out among Point-and-Click and puzzles games, masterfully connecting gameplay, art design, sound, and story to craft a beautiful and satisfying experience.

With gorgeous visuals, pleasing soundscapes, extensive customization options, and plenty of gameplay variety, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Deep Rock Galactic.

Hand of Fate 2 brings the greatest strengths of its predecessor back in the sequel. Innovative gameplay combines Action-RPG combat with roguelike progression and deckbuilding, and small quality of life issues in the controls do little to detract from the masterful storytelling of this title.

Disagea 2 is a fantastic release that plays quite smoothly and has a tremendous amount of depth and playability to offer. Granted, the combat mechanic can seem repetitive, but there is a staggering number of classes to recruit, along with new abilities to unlock and level up, and new maps and aspects to explore.

Whether one sees Linelight as more than just entertainment, is completely subjective. Objectively speaking, Linelight is fresh, inventive, and offers a deceivingly simple premise with incredibly engaging and satisfying gameplay.

Rebellion Development took the groundwork laid by Sniper Elite 3 and improved upon nearly every aspect. Its large-scale environments feature an intelligent layout of objectives and abundance of sniper-aiding verticality. While Sniper Elite 4's music and story aren't going to win any awards, they aren't enough to take away from the respectable amount of content and addictive, strategy-based gameplay.

With an intricately crafted world, innovative and engaging battle system, and delightful array of scenery and music, Shadows of Adam is a splendid and true tribute to the SNES JRPG. The bugs one might encounter in beta versions are overshadowed by pure awe and captivation—a relentless desire to play more and more.

With Divinity: Original Sin 2, Larian Studios creates a title that brings together the best aspects of table-top and classic roleplaying games. The graphics, along with the score and voice acting, are painstakingly detailed and are truly awe-inspiring. Every decision you make, from character creation to dialogue, will affect your experience, giving you a slightly different playthrough every time. This is not a game for the casual player, however. The sheer size of the game and the difficulty of some battles will require dozens of hours and have you loading quicksaves time and again. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is primed to be on many all-time favorites lists; few, if any, have succeeded to this degree.

While an absolute blast for all speedrunners, completionists, and Chiptune enthusiasts, HoPilo's excellent visuals, catchy backing tracks, and dynamic gameplay will speak to anyone looking to sink their teeth into a boldly colorful, fast-paced action platformer.

TToN truly is a grand story: riveting discoveries and interactions drive the narrative forward while inviting you to dive head first into this very cerebral experience. The writing team, led by designers Adam Heine, Colin McComb, and George Ziets, show their chops throughout this engaging experience, as shown by the way everything comes together, like a rubik's cube of moral dilemmas. Discover the treasure of TToN, rich and rewarding for lovers of the RPG genre, new and old alike.

Thimbleweed Park is a shining example of the ideal in the point-and-click genre, featuring the puzzles, storylines, dialog, and other goodies that bring players back, time and time again. It is a must-play, purchase-immediately release. The stellar comedy, gripping mystery, and polished design set a new standard in the genre, and prove that even classic themes, like those of it's spiritual fore-figure, Maniac Mansion, can be revisited, revised, and perfected for a new generation of gamers.

If you want something deep, different and definitely fun to dip into for a bit, this is one I’ll recommend all the way to the bank, where I will then play a card to steal all your money and ascend to gremlin godhood atop my never-ending pile of cash.

TEKKEN 7 is well thought-out and produced — to the level of awe. It punches the stereotype of simplistic arcade fighters right in the face, and establishes itself as the gold standard that will be difficult to unseat for quite a while.

With an efficient combat system, robust and far-reaching interactions with NPC’s, Tyranny is a game not to be missed.

It just hit all the right notes with me: quirky but meaningful plot and characters, elegant retro art and sound, and simple but engaging exploration and combat.

I fell in love with The Beard in the Mirror. As an homage to a much-loved genre, it succeeds stupendously.

One of the best virtual introductions to a new language. Thanks to Learn Japanese To Survive! Katakana War, one could be well on their way to learning Japanese while immersing themselves in a genuinely fun game.

Children of Zodiarcs pleases to no end and has you coming back for more, as you work to hone your deck, dice, and tactical style to best synergize your party. A must-have for tactical RPG enthusiasts, it wouldn’t be surprising if CoZ becomes a model for future tactical and card-based games over the next decade.

Blasters of the Universe is what the 80s thought video games would be like in the future. It's neon-drenched, arcadey, and absolutely addictive; the rare marriage of a great concept and flawless execution. But most importantly: it's a blast.

In this innovative title from No Code, players can relive classic horror movies and late-night television, enjoy simple, light, but intuitive gameplay, and discover a spine-tingling story that’s guaranteed to keep them on edge long after they’ve finished playing.

It's a more playful, fun feel to the franchise, perhaps, but all that's wrapped around a deeply nuanced game. If you've ever enjoyed playing a multi-layered, immersive and strategic board game with a bunch of funny characters, get in here.

Project CARS 2 sets the benchmark for what a true racing sim release should be. With exquisite graphics, exceptional realism, and palpable thrill, the gauntlets have been thrown down, and it’s up to every other developer to try and get close to this masterpiece of its genre. Now for a fresh dose of caffeine… it’s time to shave some time off my split.

Idle Evolution takes a novel look at how one can develop an idle clicker, and implements the concept exceptionally well. This release also sets the stage for future idle titles, and sets the bar rather high; Idle Evolution arguably heralds the dawn of a new era for this genre. If you are looking for an idler that doesn't play as passively as a good portion of the ones already out there, or one that incorporates a subject of study and centers itself around it, then Idle Evolution is a must-have.

Your only regret from playing this game will be that the others in the series are still Playstation exclusives.

Everything it should be, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is an absolutely must-have addition to anyone who enjoyed the core game.

RE7 is as near to perfection within its genre, and its legacy, as any game I have ever had the pleasure of reviewing; it is a must-buy, especially for RE1 loyalists.

So that’s the importance of a retro game, and Alwa’s Awakening demonstrates it beautifully. With a few tweaks to make it a little more palatable to the modern gamer, Alwa’s Awakening captures the joy that can come from conquering a difficult experience. It doesn’t do anything new, but in bringing back the old, it shows how fun finding your own way can be.

Monster Prom is a dating sim that’s ready to scare away the competition with drop-dead gorgeous art, killer writing, and music that’s to die for.

Appreciate the heart and personalization that went into making it so concisely wonderful.

While both Episode 1 and 2 are rather brief – it took me less than two hours to complete each one, and I probably could have done it more quickly if I hadn’t been enjoying a slow, savoring pace – they are high-quality chapters.

Leaping, looting, lacerating, and laughing, Remnant: From The Ashes explodes with character, violence, and a down-right great time in co-op. The procedural generation of the missions presents players with surprises and challenges each time they boot up the title. With its roots in Dark Souls-like gameplay, this is sure to be a powerful title to land in 2019.

While both Episode 1 and 2 are rather brief – it took me less than two hours to complete each one, and I probably could have done it more quickly if I hadn’t been enjoying a slow, savoring pace – they are high-quality chapters.

Another Lost Phone is truly a masterpiece of its kind, setting a bar in both creativity and meaning that will be hard for future installments in the genre to match. In addition to being one of the most innovative vehicles for a puzzle-based story to be released in a long time, the story is immensely engaging from the moment you unlock the phone. Accidental Queens have now issued a challenge to game designers everywhere: use your art to tell stories that need to be told.

Oriental Empires shall surely frustrate some players, though that really boils down to his or her shortcomings, not the any of the title. You shouldn’t be upset about historical accuracy: plagues happened, bandits are terrible, and — who would have thought — peasants hate building things for their oppressive overlords because they’d rather be with their families. Sitting down and learning how to be a sovereign to the people and not just field marshal to armies will open players up to a superb experience in the genre. The foundations of other efforts in the genre may show, but ultimately, Oriental Empires builds upon them anew, just like real life.

A masterfully-narrated moving experience that could not be told in any other media. Imperfect due to railroaded gameplay, but otherwise it could've been a revolution instead of just a great game.

A decent port of a classic, with an outstanding combination of rich story and comedic elements.

With Mandate of Heaven, Paradox Interactive has proven once more that they consistently deliver expansions which incorporate suggestions from players and satisfy their gamership's desire for new, immersive content -- once a newcomer overcomes the steep learning curve. Additionally, the downloadable content offers improved features for the game interface and new concepts in gameplay, contributing to a deep, involving, and rewarding experience.

Redie's music, game environment, sound effects, and physics work together to create an engaging, enjoyable universe. The gameplay is hard, but the feeling of finally beating a difficult level is pure euphoria. Lastly, the mastery system adds a lot of replayability to the game for players who are either exceptionally skilled or masochistic.

Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition is a roller coaster ride of violence that delivers gameplay that's just as entertaining as it was in its original release in 2011. While it may not have enough discrepancy from the original to justify a repurchase, as far as remasters go, Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition should serve as an example for how to revitalize an older game.

Assassin’s Creed: Origins is an exciting addition to the Assassin’s Creed legacy, featuring new brotherhood lore and intriguing RPG elements. Crafting and a skills tree promises character customization beyond that in previous Assassin’s Creed titles, while underwater exploration and mounted combat give you fresh ways to play and interact with enemies and an expansive map. If you like assassinating people with primitive weapons, Origins is for you.

Quern is the ultimate scavenger hunt, and perfect for any exploring puzzle master. It is great for its genre and definitely a must have if you love brainteasers, exploration, and uncovering mysteries.

Fate/EXTELLA LINK, with its rich cast of characters, might just remind you what you love about the hack-and-slash genre.

Yet another homage to isometric games á la Baldur's Gate, but one that successfully injects the elements of psychological horror into point-and-click gameplay. Play this. It's free and worth every penny you won't spend.

It’s taken me a while to get here, to a place where I can calmly say nice things about For Honor, but I’m glad I made it. We’ll see how it progresses but given their commitment for the long haul, Ubisoft may have dug out a space in the multiplayer market we didn’t know was there.

Cursed Castilla is, objectively speaking, a good game, even if you are not a fan of the genre. I would recommend one thing, however, much to the chagrin of OPNoobs Executive Producer Shane Gamez: play this game with a controller.

Magic, deep combat and multiplayer arenas = good gaming. Mirage deserves to be that Cinderella story in multiplayer mode with unique aesthetics and hardcore combat. It’s pretty, it’s deep as any other FPS or multiplayer brawler out there, and it has clearly been designed by skilled people with love for complex games and the ability to make them fun.

While replayability may not be the strong suit the price and the narrative definitely warrant several hours of play time.

The puzzles are both challenging and fun. The different environments keep the game interesting as the main character travels from book to book. There is depth in both the storyline and puzzles that mean this isn’t one of those games that can be finished in a single session and leaves the player wondering what they paid for.

Yomawari: Night Alone is a great depiction of the most frightening of frights, Japanese horror stories. NIS vividly combined a vast multitude of Japanese horror stories and characters to create a game that either keeps your hands over your eyes, tightly gripping your controller, or covering your mouth to prevent a scream.

8[0]. A solid 8[0], mind you. Styx: Shards of Darkness has renewed my trust in the game trailer once again. After removing the plush padding of the cinematic trailer, I wasn’t disappointed by what I saw in the actual gameplay. On the contrary, I was welcomed by a well-rounded stealth puzzler that I plan on playing (with) for quite some time into the future. The writing and story are both refreshing and hilarious, which gives this title a firm lead in an otherwise dark and quiet genre.

Featuring a unique Chinese aesthetic and fun, fast-paced gameplay, Bladed Fury is a great gaming experience brimming with personality.

The first of its kind to be delivered to the salivating grasp of PC gamers, Monster Hunter: World has been well worth the wait as it delivers a breathtaking experience through a near-flawless port.

Battlerite provides fast paced, beautiful combat with a litany of combos and movesets across its cast. You are given a great toolset to freely explore various playstyles to determine which you prefer the most — or with which you’re mostly successful.

Entangle is a great game. It costs ten bucks to go watch a two-hour-long movie in the theater. Entangle costs less than that for the same amount of entertainment (or potentially more). And you don’t have to put on pants for it. Seems like a deal to me.

In short; Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King is good, clean fun with never a dull moment. Blossom Tales offers an experience for everyone in the family. With a respectful tip of the hat to the games that started it all, and enough modern twists to keep even the snobbiest of us on the edge of our seats, hopefully there will be more adventures to follow this one.

Thought provoking puzzles add to the appeal, mixing great gameplay with great storytelling.

Unhappy Ever After is the result of a wicked mind’s imagination, and it’s a charming and enchanted, yet morbidly terrifying world that will suck you in. Deep.

From the seas comes the undead hordes of the Vampire Coast. Prepare yourself to either resist or bring the terrors of the oceans ashore as the sea-faring zombie pirates. From shambling musket-wielding warriors to shipwrecks reanimated into towering artillery pieces, you are sure to get your fix of piracy and destruction.

The Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire scratches every itch computer roleplaying gamers could possibly muster, and more. Its staggeringly beautiful world weaves an elegant tapestry upon which its story is stitched — a story that, ultimately, is your story. Deadfire’s gameplay and lore isn’t exactly welcoming to the uninitiated, but for those in the know, it’s a striking entry for the genre that delivers in more than just a few aspects.

This nostalgic, Pac-man-esque arcade title will have you laughing out loud and entertained for hours upon hours.

FromSoftware comes through once more to show they aren’t just a one-trick pony: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an all-around great, engaging stealth-action game.

An excellent entry into the new Star Wars canon.

This exciting addition to an in-depth city-building simulator introduces a level of granularity players have been hoping for. Whether you want to run a bustling mining company or introduce rolling plains and farmlands, this latest addition gives you plenty to look forward to.

Little Nightmares is short, but it’s complete. The artwork is beautiful, haunting, and horrible is Six’s fate when she gets caught. Don’t let the words “puzzle platformer” draw you away if you aren’t a fan of the genre. This is a memorable title you should not pass, a remarkable cocktail of psychological spirits and immersive gameplay.

Domina frustrated me beyond belief, but in the best way. I thought I had planned a match out to perfection, got slaughtered, but loved every minute of it. I only wish there was more to the game, as restarting again at square one became a little tedious after a while. Despite that, I will still revisit it time and again for a quick fix of blood and profanity.

Dead in Vinland is a seamless genre-melding of resource management and RPG elements. Visually dazzling and complete with a delightful cast of characters, it’s the latest installment of what could be a successful franchise.

Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada is superb and easily drags you into the gameplay, with the ability to train multiple characters and play as them, along with the replayability of the stages. Spirit of Sanada comes highly recommended to fans of the Dynasty Warriors series, or fans of hack-and-slashers, RPGs, or strategy titles, especially ones with a historical theme.

A new way of looking at things, quite literally, and one that chooses bright joyfulness as its medium and lives up to it through its play. It's absolutely worth the time and the money, and if you find it frustrating, I encourage you to give it another few hours. Just about anyone who does will be charmed by the supersaturated, gloriously isometric, high octane, quirkily funny cyberpunk blowout that is Tokyo 42.

In a market controlled by the Call of Duty, Counterstrike, and Battlefield franchises, Rising Storm 2: Vietnam is a breath of fresh, albeit hot and muggy air. Tripwire Interactive has yet again produced a stunning game that is surprisingly tactical in its gameplay mechanics, and brutal in its tone.

If only Diablo III was this fun and exciting to play between all the fluff and management overhead, I wouldn’t have abandoned it; Redeemer has exactly what I want when I crave quick, well-produced top-down action content. The secret sauce and energy are in full effect, and the face bashing is exceptionally fun both with hands, along with the more advanced killing methods.

Echo proves that innovation can truly be limitless as long as there are people willing to push boundaries and explore new ideas. With a stunningly flawless trifecta of gameplay, storyline, and visuals, Ultra Ultra has knocked it out of the park with their first foray into indie gaming. Regardless of your tastes, styles, or interests, this adventure is sure to satisfy nearly all of your cravings. The only craving that you will be left with is for more and more game to play.

A Hat In Time has grasped the title of the highest-earning 3D indie platformer ever funded on Kickstarter, and it’s no stretch of the imagination to see why. The story, the play, the graphics, everything it has instills in gamers one of the most comforting and thrilling nostalgic experiences in recent game development history. This platformer is itself a perfect modern game, with all of the classic staples players know and love, rather than being just an old game made in the present day; in a world of constant evolution and innovation, few things are as comforting as a nice easy blast from the past.

Blue Reflection is an excellent release in both design and execution. The title, and what it means, run along the story and plays a prominent role in nearly every aspect. Not unlike the Persona series, this is not an RPG where your main focus is nonstop battle. Unlike that series, however, there aren’t deadlines about which you must worry. For a JRPG that balances its combat with school life and befriending classmates, while providing a relaxing time, look no further.

Gone are the days where you have to choose between a title that focuses on if you want to be an adventurer or a merchant. Moonlighter mixes the best aspects of both and brings an experience that is highly addictive and enjoyable. Beyond the gameplay, you are sure to enjoy the charming graphics and a delightful soundtrack. This is a fantastic first release for Digital Sun, full of high-quality graphics, music, and gameplay.

I Hate Running Backwards doesn’t pretend to be more than it is: a fantastic, engaging arcade shooter. Its replay value is massive, and it can be enjoyed by gamers of all ages.

Some gamers have come to expect, with undue regularity, the world from a gaming experience. What about fun? Simple, intuitive escapism? Why must a title always be adorned – or beset, perhaps – with pseudo-sophisticated ornament? Some might find the frenetic gameplay off-putting (it is optional, anyway), but the fun factor prevails, and especially with good company, Marooners hits the mark.

My Time At Portia is a fantastic life simulation RPG that allows you to build a life in the post-apocalyptic town of Portia. Similar to beloved games like Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, My Time At Portia brings a charming 3D experience to the life simulation genre and is a must-have for both old and new fans alike.

Be mindful that if you pick this title up, which I think you should, you’ll be doing all the legwork in your brain while still keeping your heart rate down. Though simple and straightforward, and thoroughly enjoyable, this style of gameplay is not for everyone. That said, take some time away from the crazy stuff and chill out with Lifeline. Hats off to the dev for putting together a great story in an elegant, minimal package that still brings it home.

Wreckfest is a demolition derby-style racer with stunning physics and a hint of absurdity. Whether your vehicle of choice is a Pontiac Firebird or a lawn mower, the title is less about racing and more about the spectacular collisions.

A highly customizable rogue-lite with a charming aesthetic flair, RAD lives up to its name.

Grimmwood – They Come at Night is a cooperative survival MMO that masterfully merges strands of exploration, strategy, and time-management into a cohesive whole. Its ability to consistently and genuinely inspire teamwork amongst its manifold players is a rare, laudable talent. Currently, the title is limited only by its total number of willing gamers, but it’s likely many more, like moths to an unusually attractive flame, will soon flock to Grimmwood’s bizarre light.

The Banner Saga 3 is the compelling conclusion to a saga that first captured hearts in 2014 with its masterful hand-drawn art, gut-wrenching decision-making, and satisfying turn-based combat. The final installment is everything it was expected to be and more, and while it may not be particularly welcoming to newcomers, it’s a fine reason for everyone to dive back into the Viking saga once again.

This PC release of the 12th title in the mainline Final Fantasy series, originally released for the PS2 in 2006, sees many additions and improvements. Even if you haven't played the console version from back in the days, FFXII: THE ZODIAC AGE is a must-have for all who enjoy JRPG's filled with adventure.