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.

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.

A true remake in every sense of the word, Capcom’s 2019 Resident Evil 2 captures the heart of the original in a wonderful recreation.

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.

War of the Chosen adds so favorably to the original XCOM 2 experience that fans should consider it near-perfect as well as essential. Although some features in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, such as soldier bonds and propaganda, are inadequately manifested, most new features blend seamlessly with the base title and solve predictability and stagnation issues that once plagued early game. The titular Chosen adversaries enrich your gameplay with increased risk and challenge, even as resistance faction allies offer diversity in how you may combat them.

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.

A refinement of battle royale, Apex Legends is great fun — but there's still room for improvement.

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.

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.

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.

DOOM Eternal is a title that needs little introduction but deserves a lot of praise. Here, Slayers will feel right at home jumping, dashing, smashing, blasting, and of course exploding through the legions of Hell. While Doom Eternal does focus more on story than the previous 2016 installment, it feels and operates on a much higher frequency of fun.

With the implementation of seasons and a new location, this installment in the series make for a wonderful, fulfilling racing experience, although it has a few minor bugs that need fixing.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Odyssey is a fantastic addition to the Assassin's Creed franchise. Plenty of action and adventure is wrapped up in a gripping story, with a plethora of choices for you to make along the way. This particular piece of history makes for a fantastic blend of war and mythology, and Ubisoft has done a brilliant job merging the two. Between the fabulous open-world exploration and the exciting game-altering decisions around every corner, I cannot recommend this title enough.

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

Paradigm is proof that quality isn’t the sole domain of big names and hefty budgets. Although the puzzles are a bit lackluster, the overall experience of the game makes it a must-have for fans of the genre. Players that enjoy absurdity and thrill at the idea geeky humor and internet memes brought to life will love Paradigm in all its weird and wonderful glory.

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.

Final Fantasy XV’s beautiful graphics and exciting fights unfortunately come with a confusing story, irritating characters, long and unnecessary cutscenes, and optimization issues.

This fighter looks great, sounds better, having enough depth and complexity to warrant its asking price. Every detail is tended to, which makes fun, challenging gameplay that is easy to learn but hard to master.

The Total War series finally takes on land wars in Asia with this latest installment, bringing its signature RTS/TBS hybrid gameplay to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Series veterans will find a lot to love about this new iteration, and fans of the source material will find this a great jumping on point.

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.

Not all efforts in nostalgia end in success, but with Nex Machina, Housemarque has crafted a fast and fun twin-stick shooter with crisp visuals and challenging gameplay. Flawed only by a problematic mouse adaptation, Nex Machina is a solid execution of a gaming genre staple that promises long nights with guns blazing (instead of sleep).

Guacamelee! 2 takes the superb formula of Guacamelee!, kicks it into high gear, and multiplies the general number of chickens by ten. It stays amorously true to the first entry by proffering more opportunities for satisfying Rooster Uppercuts than ever before, and ratchets up the difficulty of its platforming sections to keep pace. Guacamelee! 2 is the truly worthy and hysterical follow-up to the (rightfully) much-loved original Guacamelee!

An improvement over its predecessor, with visuals that wow. Occasionally repetitive combat and an unengaging story are the main flaws that might deter budget-conscious gamers from buying at full price.

NieR: Automata contains twenty-six different endings, which inevitably incentivizes those who want to see all possible conclusions. But, the apparent lack of story, which drops off for a good while after the introductory level, is stinging, and you must have enough commitment to see past this. The combat is unique and, at times, refreshingly variegated gaming styles emerge from NeiR — from hack-and-slash to arcade-esque air fights — but enemies themselves show little variation and predictable movement. If you are looking for a hack-and-slash with extraordinary graphics and a fair amount of character customization, then it is likely you’ll enjoy playing this release.

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.

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.

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.

Dark Souls: Remastered can almost barely be considered a remastered title for PC gamers and, while it provides some increase in graphics and quality of life improvements, these additions are largely negligible unless you’re a dedicated multiplayer fan. Despite this fact, Dark Souls is still an amazing game that is worth playing through more than once, and there’s a lot here for gamers who’ve never played through the first title in the Souls series.

With a few quality-of-life improvements, Two Point Hospital would be a fantastic entry-- as it stands, it’s still a charming and hilarious buy for fans of the management genre.

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.

Red Candle Games delivers horror as poignant as it is piercing, showcasing for the international game community the horrors of authoritarian communism. Although Detention has several points which can be improved, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; players will walk away – or run, screaming – with a fresh, thoughtful gaming experience.

Black Ops 4 combines all the elements of pop culture in gaming and the ease of access the franchise has always offered into one of the best Call of Duty games to come out in recent time. However, the AAA asking price for a minimized full title is slightly unnerving, as the game cannot and does not offer a full experience.

For new-comers and veterans of side-scrolling, bullet-hell, shoot ‘em ups, Bleed 2 brings forward a fluid and action-packed adventure. Its solid gameplay and stylized visuals improve upon the original title of 2012, but its $10 price tag, considering how quick a playthrough is, might only be worth it to those competitive players who regularly top leaderboards and are casually crowned, “Greatest Heroes of All Time.”

Summerset is a great second chapter for Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), allowing players to explore, challenge themselves with new and dangerous enemies, and learn about the Psijic Order that had disappeared over 300 years earlier.

With every second of gameplay as agonizingly riveting as the next, The Forest is a stellar study in horror, survival, and anticipation. When in its element, The Forest is as worthy as any title costing three times its purchase price. When not, the low production budget peeks perniciously through the cracks of this otherwise superbly thrilling indie.

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.

All the elements are there: you’re gunning down massive hordes of baddies and you’re doing so with outstanding visual fidelity, a variety of weapons, and you’re able to cause this mayhem using big, explosive abilities. But, a bit too much of Destiny 2’s action is watered down by long cooldowns, the lazy sit-behind-cover until you’re full-health again, and the way enemies completely lose their ability to aim once your health hits the blinky-red portion of the on-screen life bar. The stakes always seem so low, the rewards so random and barely earned. It’s not a bad game, but it’s not one that lives up to the lofty expectations set by the way it’s marketed and talked about by its fans. Miles wide, but an inch deep: Destiny 2 is not the game it should be.

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.

The Sexy Brutale is a lush, deliciously dark game that’s part murder mystery, part puzzle-adventure.Taken individually, the components of the gameplay in The Sexy Brutale are not groundbreaking: time reversal, stealth, and puzzle-solving are fun, but not innovative, elements. How they’re combined in this game, however, is fresh and unusual. The fantastic art and flawless execution of the game make this one must-have for fans of the genre.

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

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.

Dark Souls III: The Ringed City brings exactly what the series needed drawing to a close. This installment does feel like "just another Souls game, " but it's a good one that capitalizes on what FromSoftware does best. Pick up this DLC if you already have Dark Souls 3. If you are new to the franchise and are into nail-biting, heart-pounding, blood-rushing, sword-slashing experiences, you won't be disappointed.

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.

A refreshing addition to the series, with beautiful graphics and excellent combat, yet plagued with microtransactions that force you to choose between grinding or paying, as well as lackluster RNG systems.

Metro Exodus is a mishmash of borrowed ideas that falls short of creating a worthy sequel, while holding tight to the previous mistakes of the series.

A beautifully written, composed, and visualized roguelike.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With Prey, the developer Arkane Studios has built on the proven success of its stealth shooters. The gameplay discourages a head-on approach, slowing down the pace of the action. However, the frustration of having to hide instead of fighting enemies is remedied by excellent graphic and sound design, a strong RPG element, and the possibility to gather resources and build useful devices. An additional perk is the inventive writing, which manages an immersive, haunting atmosphere.

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.

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.

An excellent entry into the new Star Wars canon.

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.

Faeria's gameplay shines, and what it lacks in narrative it more than makes up for in strategy. While Faeria won’t appeal to some casual players and viewers, players who enjoy delving into sophisticated and nuanced gameplay will be amply rewarded.

A solid puzzle game with an interesting hook, though it lacks that special something to make it truly transcend the genre.

All in all, Fortnite is a game many people can look forward to playing for the foreseeable future. Epic Games’ persistence and commitment to community feedback, latched on with low PC requirements, creative gameplay, and a Free to Play model, have made it one of the most successful games on the market today. With updates almost every week, there are always new things to try for new or returning players alike.

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.

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.

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.

Grow your kingdom and unite the world in peace in Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, an ambitious JRPG title that offers a visually astounding treat alongside (mostly) on-point gameplay.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Despite issues with AI and a level of complexity that will likely frustrate new players, Age of Wonders: Planetfall is a well-rounded experience with stunning visuals and extensive replay value.

Darkest Dungeon: The Color of Madness is a fine addition to an already great game. The Endless Harvest mode adds perpetual, challenging content fit for veterans, and builds up across a playthrough well enough to entice novices as well. While the comet’s presence doesn’t loom quite as large over the Hamlet as the Crimson Court vampires did, there’s more than enough reason to traverse the tainted soil of the Farmstead, seeking gold and glory.

A successful PC port with exceptional storytelling that lacks important control options and falls short of expectations in certain technical areas.

Does the game’s topsy-turvy aesthetic shake up the platforming genre, setting itself apart from all other titles? Simply put, yes. There is no doubt that Youropa offers a unique puzzle-platformer experience. The need to be gravity-conscious at all times, paired with brutal tests of your visualization skills, generates a new kind of challenge that many platforming fans will truly appreciate.

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

No stuttering, no frame drops, no crashes: SOULCALIBUR VI is rather polished. The story modes are intriguing, and Libra of Soul is likely to hold your interest through its entirety. Perhaps even beyond that, especially if you enjoy RPG elements added to a fighting game. A release to check out, for sure.

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.

Flinthook’s clever controls and mechanics bring challenging gameplay that requires practice to make perfect. Procedurally-generated levels and progression through death ensure a unique experience, reinforced by pleasing visuals and an equally accomplished soundtrack. All will find themselves motivated to keep playing, and lovers of the rogue-lite genre will surely appreciate the twists that successfully make Flinthook a fresh experience in a saturated market.

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.

Bringing a new level of complexity and strategy with it, Gathering Storm forces you to participate in diplomacy in later eras and offers new ways to succeed with certain play styles.

Life is Strange 2: Episode 1 will probably scratch the itch for more of that quirky style, but the story ditches many elements that made the original title great. Fans will likely enjoy the quirky dialogue and aesthetics on display. Just not as much as they did with the original.

The Journey Down: Chapter Three is the sort of title that leaves me saddened by its completion, but eager to see what the crew at SkyGoblin will do next. The Journey Down feels like a love letter to the genre, and its legacy – there are elements of LucasArts, Sierra On-Line, and other industry giants present here. But it manages to stand alone as a memorable trilogy that only improved with each new chapter. It is a worthy addition to any puzzle-loving, soundtrack-blasting, humor-embracing point-&-click fan's library, and Chapter Three is a conclusion to the tale that's just what the doctor ordered.

A humorously pleasant point-and-click experience through and through, complete with a host of charming characters and fun puzzles. Though it is a little on the short side, it’s well worth the price and definitely worth checking out if you want to take a break from the serious side of gaming and spend a few hours with a light-hearted pirate adventure instead.

The Red Strings Club is a highly original and well-polished title. The cyberpunk mystery is deeply satisfying, with a heavy story that explores interesting ethical questions and the gameplay mechanics, score, and a visual aesthetic that complement the plot wonderfully. The only real flaw of this title is a playthrough length that leaves you wanting more.

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

Tooth and Tail, also known as the Angry Russian Mouse Arcade RTS Partygame, is an innovation in perhaps the most stagnant (and one of my personal favorite) genres in gaming. It's an RTS you can play on a console, and it rewrites the RTS rulebook to force fast, ferocious partygame-style matches that still play like a strategy game. And if that weren't enough, it's beautiful and has a killer story to boot. No detail is left unpolished in this one; definitively one of the most unique and successful experiments in gaming this year, and just a good time, period.

Ys SEVEN is packed with content -- over 30 hours of gameplay, a deep storyline, and a catchy soundtrack. Though the plot retreads the ‘hero tasked with saving humanity’ story arc, it does so in an original manner through a rich cast of characters. However, the default configuration is a hassle, which seems odd, considering that this title was first developed for the PSP — although if you had no idea that this entry originally came out on PSP, you’d never think that it wasn’t developed for PC. You’ll want to love this game, but problems with the controls might keep you from considering it one your favorites.

Despite minor hiccups, Unforeseen Incidents is a great experience. From the tasteful soundtrack to the aesthetically-pleasing visuals, this point-and-click shines.

With updated graphics, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition brings a beloved entry into modernity, and while it's as simple as ever, it goes far toward meeting the expectations of the modern player.

Although gameplay for non-VR players feels like an afterthought, Trover Saves the Universe is an off-the-cuff experience with hilarious writing that ends far too soon.

Ultimately, Mandate of Heaven is more Total War goodness. If you enjoyed the base game, the added elements provided in this DLC are enough reason to pick it up and play again.

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.

Another good, content-laden addition to Total War: Three Kingdoms.

For The King refuses to hold your hand, making it a real challenge that feels rewarding. Despite its slow combat, there’s a ton of enjoyable content to make it worth your while.

Late Shift is interactive storytelling at its finest, a Full-Motion Video (FMV) title where Choices Matter. This gripping "crime thriller" puts players in the hot seat, allowing them to make decisions that drastically affect the course of events that take place in the London night. With seven different conclusions and choices that are genuinely difficult, Late Shift delivers on what it promises: An "interactive, cinematic experience."