The Enemy Within starts off strong, even if it does stumble a little here and there. Thankfully, the new story arc seems a lot less bloated and self-involved than the one we got last season, and the new characters are rather well-written, too.

Superhot VR is a unique experience in virtual reality. Very few games give you the heart-pumping thrill that Superhot does and the issues that come with the tracking capabilities of the Move Controllers and PlayStation Camera do not stop it from being a game that every PlayStation VR owner should pick up.

If you’re in the market for a fascinating narrative and an intriguing space station to lose yourself in, you could do a heck of a lot worse than Tacoma.

Layton’s Mystery Journey marks Level-5’s glorious return to this criminally underrated puzzler series, and it paves the way for brighter adventures ahead for Kat and her friends. While the case and story structure feels a little weaker because of the lack of a ‘main’ mystery or hook at the beginning of the game, this is still very much a strong point-and-click narrative adventure that fans of the genre should not miss out on.

Pyre is a diamond in the rough. Its sense of adventure and novel Rites are ultimately held back from realizing their full potential by a campaign that feels drawn out, static teammates, and easy enemy AI. There’s plenty to love here, and Pyre will most definitely worm its way into the hearts of many, but it doesn’t quite top Bastion as Supergiants’ crowning achievement.

Given how novel and interesting Splatoon felt during the time of its release, I can't help but view Splatoon 2 as the least innovative sequel to one of the most unique games we've seen in years. There's still plenty of fun to be had here, but just don't go in expecting anything that drastically refines or improves upon the Splatoon formula.

Tokyo Xanadu has a few quirks here and there, but I still had a fun time battling Greeds and bonding with my in-game friends. Despite the obvious flaws in its plot, Tokyo Xanadu more than makes up for it with its fast-paced action and combat system. If you want to dust off your Vita and play a new action RPG, I would recommend picking up the game.

Black The Fall not only succeeds in Sand Sailor Studio’s aim of bringing attention to the Communist history of Romania but it also stands strong as an excellent puzzle platformer. The use of unique devices and companions ensure that you never solve the same puzzle twice and the excellent design ensure that every moment of your journey to escape from oppression is enjoyable.

If you absolutely couldn’t stand the gameplay of Final Fantasy XII, The Zodiac Age’s improvements may not ultimately be enough to sway you to the other side. However, the remaster makes some truly important quality of life changes to its design that results in The Zodiac Age being much more approachable. It is without a doubt the best version of Final Fantasy XII available.

Minecraft: Story Mode season 2 kicks off with a really strong debut. The writing and characters are sharp and humorous, and the story has me intrigued so far. I’m still very skeptical about your choices really having consequences in the game, but who knows? Maybe they’ll have an actual impact on events this time.

Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood is the most polished version of the game to date. It flexes its story telling muscles and delivers a main quest that will be remembered as the gold standard for MMORPGs until Yoshida-san and his team decide to top themselves again.

In almost every way, this is one remastered title that truly captures the magic of the original while also making meaningful improvements.

Sticking with The Town of Light’s slow, meandering storytelling and linear exploration in the early chapters does pay off eventually, but if the dark and often distressing tale of Renee and the happenings in World War II era insane asylums doesn’t interest you, there is very little to see that wouldn’t be even more of a turn off.

While I do love how seamlessly the new content has been integrated into the game, it might need a bit of balancing before it becomes truly fun and engaging to play. As it stands, The Crimson Court feels too much like an unfair beginner’s trap which continues to punish players with devastating consequences that you can’t plan for.

Danganronpa: Ultra Despair Girls offers an exciting and decidedly chilling story for fans who have followed the series since its inception, with callbacks to the original game and important revelations those in touch with the games won’t want to miss. Unfortunately for newcomers or those who aren’t as in tune with Danganronpa, there’s not much here to convert anyone.

There’s a lot of repetition for battles, and lengthy sequences of cutscenes can certainly slow things down, but Revolution tells an engaging story with characters that grow on you over the hours of gameplay. Similarly, the combat system and customization grow, providing a much more engaging action experience in the latter half of the game.

Nex Machina is up there with Resogun as the best game Housemaque has ever released and is a great throwback to the arcade shooters of old. In terms of presentation and design, it is perfect and its smooth, brutal, and challenging gameplay makes it feel wonderful to play.

Dirt 4 manages what very few racing games do. It’s driving is challenging yet accessible, and it pairs this with an almost endless amount of content. The career mode is robust, and the stages are varied and beautifully designed, but the ability to create your own unique tracks using Your Stage is what sets Codemasters’ game apart from every other rally game that has come before.

This is to date the best and most definitive Jason Voorhees simulation that has ever been released, and for some, that alone might be worth the price of admission.

The release of TESO: Morrowind is the perfect time for fans of the Elder Scrolls single player games to jump in and give the MMORPG a try if they’ve been hesitant so far. Even if you just play as a lone wolf and want to experience the game’s stories and quests as well as explore past Vvardenfell, it’s worth the price of admission. Whether you stay for the long haul, or convert from a different MMORPG is going to depend on how much you enjoy the game’s PvP and end game structure, which has both its strengths and weaknesses. If you’re already playing, you’ve likely figured that out already and don’t need this review to tell you. If you’re playing something else, the only way to know for sure if you’ll like it is to try, and TESO: Morrowind is an expansion worth giving a shot.

While I’m not convinced it’ll ultimately live up to Rhys, Fiona and Loaderbot’s escapades (my own personal favorite series), for sheer enjoyment, it’s shaping up to come mighty close.

It doesn’t stack up to its counterparts on consoles or PC, but it’s certainly a serviceable port. The UI can be cumbersome and unintuitive, and the gameplay itself is incredibly slow paced, but the simulator style has made the transition largely unscathed.

ARMS might not exude that same 'hardcore' draw that other fighting games have, but it's the very epitome of the well-worn phrase, "Easy to pick up, hard to master." There's something for everyone here, and it's certainly a unique gem of a game that Switch owners would be remiss to pass up on.

There is a lot for you to do in Portal Knights. Exploring the well-designed and colorful worlds while taking on groups of challenging and unique enemies is consistently fun but the shallow and repetitive quests and almost unnecessary crafting system make the game frequently tedious to play.

It gets so many things right, with its combat that feels like a substantial improvement over its predecessors and a solid roster that includes Akuma, one of my favorite fighting game characters of all time. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy my time with the game, and I certainly plan on returning back to my PS4 for more. However, I can just as honestly say that the single-player component often felt like a chore that got in the way of the series’ best story.

A New Frontier does Telltale’s The Walking Dead series justice, and its finale brings almost all of the closure that fans have been asking for.

Rime has the potential to be so much more than it actually is. It’s got stunning presentation, an intriguing world, and some neat ideas. However, all of this is overshadowed by the more mundane puzzles and glaring technical issues that come with it. While Rime may well have looked to some of the modern greats for inspiration, it’ll struggle to be remembered for half as long.

Overall, how much joy you’ll be able to find in Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception comes down to how patient you are willing to be with the game’s many missteps. If you manage to hang in there and look beyond the ugliness of the misogynistic themes and a cast that errs on the side of okay but falls short of its potential to be great, you will undoubtedly find an enchanting story that’s actually worth your time.

Disgaea 5 Complete is a fantastic strategy RPG with plenty of deep systems to learn and an engrossing cast of characters that help drive the fairly simple narrative along. Its combat is by far its strongest element, and thankfully it’s also the part of the game that receives the most attention.

While decorating your shop and swapping out Mama’s outfits can be fun for a little while, there simply isn’t much sustainable entertainment to be had here. It’s pretty surprising that with a price tag as low as $30, Cooking Mama still doesn’t seem like its giving consumers their money’s worth. As much as I hate to say this to Mama’s adorable and easily excitable face, there just doesn’t seem to be many redeemable qualities to Cooking Mama: Sweet Shop. That is, unless you just need a simple distraction for a rowdy toddler.

It’s hard to say if the changes made in Echoes will be for everyone, especially fans that may have started with the more recent entries. Even so, it’s refreshing to have a Fire Emblem game that feels so different, even though it’s actually a remake of a 25 year old game. The spirit and backbone of Fire Emblem is still present, and it’s an experience that only gets better the more you play.

The Surge is a game you’ll play for its innovative targeting system and fun combat. If you’re still mourning the end of the Dark Souls series and are yearning for more punishing, action-heavy games, this should help to alleviate some of that pain. The exploration bits aren’t bad if you’ve got the patience for it, but the level and enemy designs could use a bit more work. Overall, The Surge is a huge step up from Deck13’s last outing, but there’s still quite a ways to go before it can become something truly special.

Injustice 2 is one seriously impressive package. NetherRealm has never shied away from packing their fighting games with lots of content for players to sink their teeth into and this latest installment is no different. The tighter balance, freedom offered by the gear system, and the solid story make this an entertaining fighter that is so much more than just punching other powerful people in the face. It's a unique experience that compiles all that the studio has learned from its games and gives them a voice all of their own. Injustice 2 isn't just a less violent clone of Mortal Kombat, it sets a new bar for the developer and I can't wait to see how it influences the future.

NBA Playgrounds scratches that arcade basketball itch we’ve had since NBA Jam. The gameplay and progression are simple and fun to mess around with but unbalanced power-ups and a shallow online multiplayer offering keep it from being as consistently fun as the classics.

The tediousness of exploration, battle, and menus really bog down Operation Babel, in spite of what the game does well.

If you can overlook its unsatisfying combat and floaty controls, Prey’s freedom and multiple endings provide a game that’s worth experiencing.

Despite the sometimes clumsy controls, though, Birthdays is still an incredibly easy-to-play game that serves as a great go-to for a quick bit of gaming. My entire family was intensely interested, and it became something that we got to explore together. The relaxed, minimalist gameplay style blends beautifully with the complex systems of the life that populates; every choice you make impacts what will thrive, what will die, and what new things you’ll discover.

Being able to take the excellent experience on the go is a huge draw, and there’s a decent amount of new content at the same time. However, the truth is, this isn’t a new Mario Kart game. For all the new additions, fans that sunk hundreds of hours into the Wii U version won’t find an abundance of new content. Despite this, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe truly is the definitive version of the game, and probably of the entire series.

Herald’s narrative focus and somewhat dark themes may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Having said that, I really can’t stress enough how well-done the game is within this scope. The beautifully rendered world, intelligently written script, and engaging story put Herald among the best I’ve seen in the genre.

Although What Remains of Edith Finch is a short experience, Giant Sparrow’s second game tells a beautiful and emotional anthology of stories, woven together by the titular characters equally touching tale. The allegories are unique and convey just what is possible from video games, in terms of storytelling and design.

Episode four’s finale has me eager to jump into the finale and face what comes Javi and the group’s way, but I really hope Telltale nails down the pacing for episode five. A slow chapter can be forgiven, but three consecutive bad chapters really weakened an episode that had far more potential. Sure, it’s an investment for the payoff, but its closing moments aren’t enough for the 90 minutes of buildup prior.

Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom is a rare gem that captures the feeling of early PS2-era RPGs such as Dark Cloud and Grandia II while bringing it’s own brand of modern to the table. The game certainly isn’t perfect and the technical cracks most definitely show, but the things it tries to do well, it succeeds.

Puyo Puyo Tetris is a great crossover with a fun story and enough modes to keep things fresh for quite some time. The only downside is that it is exactly what it advertises itself as, a mix of Puyo Puyo and Tetris.

Granting players the freedom to decide how to take on missions and utilize the excellent sniping mechanic however they like is an idea that the Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 series required to improve on the underwhelming first two entries. However, since everything else, from the characters to the open world itself, lack polish, depth, and quality – on top of the game being riddled with technical problems – Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 is far more dull and frustrating than it is ever enjoyable.

If you loved Outlast for its story and the fact that it stripped away any sense of viable defense, then there's something special waiting for you. The story really does sing. But if you were hoping for something a bit more fresh and different in a genre that has started to become one-note, then you may be disappointed by what Outlast 2 has to offer.

If you liked Limbo and Inside, then Little Nightmares is definitely for you. Though its puzzles may not have you stumped for quite as long, its sinister world will consume your attention throughout its five to six-hour duration. Playing cat and mouse with its boss creatures will have you on the edge of your seat as you desperately seek the next spot of refuge under cover. Had its controls been as tight as necessary for its platforming sections, and its final chapter not been so anticlimactic, Little Nightmares could have been something truly special. Nonetheless, it’s a short, eerie, and sweet experience that will linger in my mind for days to come.

A solid start. While I’d definitely like to see Telltale take their foot off the gas when it comes to driving the story along in future episodes in favor of more quality time with the characters, the high-tempo introduction to the series is sure to keep players hooked. Unfortunately, Telltale’s trademark decision-based gameplay isn’t quite as strong as has been so far in The Walking Dead: A New Frontier, but if you’re a Guardians of the Galaxy fan, you’ll likely still enjoy following the story.

Blackwood Crossing is not a universal recommendation. There are those among us who prefer fast-paced action or daring adventures to the calm and introspective nature of this kind of game. However, for those of us who appreciate getting lost in a good story and taking in gorgeous scenery, it’s a no-brainer.

The game’s core message feels weak at times, but Persona 5 more than makes up for that with its style, and by showing players a damn good time. Is it the best Persona game we’ve seen yet? Not quite, but it sure is the best-looking one to date.

Wonderful graphics aside, the game’s decision to focus solely on its narrative becomes cumbersome given the half-baked feeling of the story itself. It feels like a game that “works on paper” — the idea is there, and seems interesting, but it lacks the fleshing out that would really make it pop.

Monster Slayers is a solid, easy to pick up and play kind of game. While it may not be as mechanically complex as other deck-builders, the variety and ease of gameplay make it a ton of fun to jump into.

An action game that is fun in the moment, but is quickly forgettable thanks to a poor story, one-note characters, and mixed visuals. While the actual gameplay itself is incredibly enjoyable, there just isn’t enough new content to justify this game’s existence.

While Snake Pass looks and sounds like a 3D platformer of old, the ‘think like a snake’ idea that the gameplay is built around makes it a game that will influence platformers of the future. The puzzle is the movement, and since that movement is so fun and engaging, it makes for enjoyable experience, even if the unreliable camera makes it more frustrating than it should be.

Yooka-Laylee is basically the Banjo-Kazooie game players have been waiting well over a decade for. No matter your age, Yooka-Laylee has something for everyone, be it the colorful characters and worlds that youngsters are sure to love, or the crude humor sprinkled throughout to appeal to the older audiences. While the game certainly has its flaws, its charming worlds, delightful soundtracks, and throwback to the good ol’ days of gaming make for one heck of a trip down memory lane.

Unfortunately, classic arcade flair and humor-filled story and loading screens can only carry a game so far. Old Time Hockey is definitely trying to fill a spot that hockey-fan gamers know exists, but the dragging controls and other in-game inconsistencies leave it far from the mark. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wanted to enjoy the game more than I did; I’m a hockey fan, and an alternative to the almost-identical yearly churnings from EA is something I’d love to get my mitts on. Sadly, it seems that Old Time Hockey spent more effort in trying to claim its niche than in doing it well.

While The Ringed City may not be perfect, it still serves as a fantastic send off to one of the most engaging series in modern gaming. Even with some lackluster environments and sections that feel artificially difficult for the sake of it, this second expansion reminded me of why I fell in love with this series. From the fantastic bosses to the powerful weapons and visually stunning levels this is an experience that was clearly crafted for the fans. If this is the last time we ever ignite the bonfires and charge into battle against a terrifying demon then it’s one that will be remembered. Even if it didn’t tie up every loose thread, The Ringed City stands as a great epilogue to an even greater series. Praise the Sun!

There’s the elements of greatness in this latest installment, it just needs to step out of the shadows. Right now we have a strong set up, but with the slow start to the story, waiting for the payoff is going to feel like an even bigger drag.

Above the Law certainly delivers where it matters most. A New Frontier’s third episode continued to tell its dark overarching story, while not forgetting about its rich characters and their motives. Unfortunately, its ending felt all too cliche and predictable, making this fall just short of the episodes that preceded it. With that said, Above the Law definitely feels like the ‘calm before the storm’ episode and does a good job of moving things forward.

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX is a quality compilation that will ease newcomers into the series, but be warned that there’ll still be more content you need to pay for in order to fully catch up with the story. And if you’ve already played through the PS3 ports, I’d skip this one and check out 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue instead, or just wait for the inevitable 1.5 + 2.5 + 2.8 compilation right before Kingdom Hearts 3 finally sees the light of day.

What’s here isn’t bad at all; it’s by no means best in class, but it does deliver on its premise. There is satisfaction to be gleaned from the battles if you buy into the strategy and tactics; there’s a lot to take in here (well upwards of 30 hours); and it’s dressed up in sumptuous art. If you’re a sucker for a dungeon-crawler or for JRPGs, then this will sate your thirst two times over. There isn’t much here to recommend to the uninitiated though.

Clone Drone in the Danger Zone is an absolute blast and its active community and development team add to this. The simplicity of its gameplay makes it very easy to jump into, and my nine-year-old son sat down and played for several hours — he even asked to help me with this review, calling the title “one of his favorite games.” While that’s just the opinion of one young gamer, it speaks volumes about the good, classic fun that’s easily worth the $14.99 price on Steam.

In conclusion, Styx: Shards Of Darkness is a unique beast. In a time where every game seems to be committed to diversifying their gameplay as much as possible, and appealing to as wide an audience as possible, Styx: Shards Of Darkness is unconventionally pure in its approach. It is a stealth game through and through, and despite it’s flaws, is still one of the better games to come out in the genre for a long time.

Toukiden 2 feels like it takes a lot of what made the earlier games feel a bit flat and fixes it up.

Sinister, intriguing, and a little too much like Portal.

Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is a really solid compilation that offers a great visual novel experience on PC (and the PS4 and Vita, for that matter).

Streets of Rogue offers a high-speed experience that’s got plenty of variables and options that keep things interesting and fun. I wouldn’t go so far as saying this is a game for everyone, since the combat-heavy experience does lend itself to certain play styles over others, but it’s fun and easy to pick up and play for a bit.

Throughout the 30+ hours I’ve poured into Danganronpa 1.2 Reload’s two games, I’ve discovered an absolute gem of a video game series that rewards players not with action-packed gameplay, but superbly-written, sinister tales that had me hooked from start to finish.

Despite this generous clutch of problems, there is an odd charm to the game. Its schlock is part of its allure, and each time I loaded the game, I felt as though I was returning to a well-thumbed piece of pulp horror trash or sliding an old VHS B-movie slasher into the machine – its cheap ghouls awash with scan lines. I found myself smirking way more than I was frustrated, but I can’t in good conscience say it’s worth picking up outside of the bargain bin you’d find the films it takes its cues from.

Breath of the Wild doesn’t feel like an experiment for the Zelda series, it feels like the realization of what Zelda always wanted to be. It easily stands toe-to-toe with the best open world games of the generation, and is a marvelous way to introduce a brand new system. Whether you’re a Zelda fan or not, this is certainly an experience you should not miss out on.

Both the story mode and multiplayer modes succeed best while playing with others in the same room, but poorly implemented in-game currency, a repetitive and short story mode, and currently broken online system hinder this title, so the fun moments get lost within the frustrating ones.

The detailed characters and excellent writing tell stories that can be hilarious and heartbreaking and, as Mae, you develop some relationships with people you truly care about. The conversations and little moments that come from hanging out with friends are what make Night in the Woods such a special experience.

Despite its relatively flat cast, the game is a rather enjoyable experience that will feel well-rounded to fans of the series. The large map offers far more exploration opportunities than previous games did, which may help compensate for a pretty lackluster battle system. Smaller tweaks that combine older gameplay mechanics with some of the newer features from more recent titles like Atelier Sophie make Atelier Firis feel particularly special.

There’s nothing like it. As was the case with its predecessor, NieR: Automata is a game that will be talked about for years to come. Hopefully in less hushed tones this time around.

While the experience is almost always better when playing with friends, the poor friendly A.I. wasn’t frustrating enough to ruin my experiences trekking across Bolivia. If you can look past the rather thin story and characters, there’s a smart, engaging shooter that begs for players to try new weapons, gear, and approach options. While this isn’t the definitive Ghost Recon experience, Wildlands is still an entertaining title for those looking for a more tactical experience.

Torment: Tides of Numenera shows that, even after some controversial post-Kickstarter adjustments, the money and time that went into it has paid off. It’s an all-around great experience with minimal bugs and a rich story. The pieces under the hood flow seamlessly into play, and while I did run into some slowness, especially when entering new areas or navigating in-game menus, for the most part the game ran smooth.

Berserk and the Band of the Hawk provides the rich story that fans of the manga and anime will certainly appreciate. Unfortunately, the feel of the gameplay itself captures the unique nature of each character, but never feels like it shares the same soul as the series it’s based on.

Its magical world is a wonder to explore, it controls and looks exceptional, and the unique, modular build of its enemies ensures that combat never gets old. Yes, items could have been more accessible, and I was left with more questions than answers by the end, but these were mere speed bumps in the bigger picture. Horizon Zero Dawn is the PS4’s first major exclusive of 2017, and it couldn’t have gotten much better.

For Honor tries something new, and ultimately succeeds much more than it fails. With its surprisingly fun campaign, intense and challenging gameplay, and varied multiplayer, there’s plenty to keep you busy. There are balancing issues I sincerely hope get worked on, but for now, For Honor is a unique experience well worth your time, and could be the start of a daring new franchise.

In terms of a console RTS, Halo Wars 2 stands just about at the top. It’s easy for newcomers of the genre to pick up and play, but still has a enough meat and complexity for veterans to be satisfied. Because of how the campaign wraps things up, I truly hope it gets a sequel. But until then, Halo Wars 2 is definitely a quality exclusive to add to your Xbox One lineup.

If you want to rush through Uncanny Valley you won’t get the full experience. One play through is not enough to learn the ins and outs of the town, how to accomplish specific objectives, and what the story is really trying to convey. It’s a unique adventure game that delves into a twisted psyche and tells a twisted, unhinged narrative with simple yet effective art that leaves enough to the imagination to keep some of the horror intact. The only major issue is with the repetitive nature of the game.

Franchise Hockey Manager is by no means an all-audiences game. You’ve got to be a certain sort of fan to enjoy any management sim, I think, and slogging through FHM3’s difficult interface is likely to turn away even those who would otherwise serve as its core audience. Still, if you’ve yearned for a title that expands on the paltry offering built into EA’s ongoing NHL series — and you don’t mind a steep learning curve — this is probably exactly what you’re looking for.

While Sniper Elite 4 may not be the most innovative of games, it wholeheartedly embraces all of the unique quirks the series has come to be known for. It respects its audience enough to know just what they want, and delivers exactly that: pure unadulterated carnage.

This game feels so polished with its satisfying combat and its insanely deep loot and crafting system, along with the hundreds of hours of content it has on offer. Ultimately, Nioh is the mixture of two really awesome video game things: Souls-inspired gameplay and a rewarding loot system that lets you craft truly unique gear. If either of those two things appeal to you, you’ll enjoy this one.

Digimon World: Next Order is definitely a game for fans who are looking for a challenge. If you’ve always felt you had it in you to take your own Digimon partner and save the digital world, this is certainly a game you should check out. But, if you’re just looking for a new RPG that lets you fight with trained monsters, there are other options available that don’t require long hours before the payoff.

It will get repetitive; it is formulaic; and you’ll likely have to fumble with maps and keys. These are to be expected, if not enjoyable. But you’ll run into a newer, far more potent problem: it isn’t doing anything new.

A spectacle first and a game second. It’s wonderful to look at, listen to and experience. You could easily get lost in this subterranean adventure, but the lackluster controls and repetitive gameplay chip away at the luxurious coat of paint, and you may start to forget about those few fascinating moments of tense exploration. Whilst it is a competent experience and offers some fresh new ideas, you may find yourself bogged down by some of the game’s less polished attributes.

Despite having some wonky A.I. and lacking a coat of polish, the moment to moment gameplay is engaging. This is not only thanks to the massive roster of officers to pick from, but the wonderful variety of missions offered to players.

If you’re looking for a vibrant world to explore in virtual reality then Windlands is certainly worth trying. However, if you are looking to feel like Spider-Man seamlessly swinging around a new landscape, keep in mind that poor traversal mechanics and awkward movement will make that feel less authentic that you might have hoped.

While it may take a while to grasp, Tales of Berseria also has one of the most satisfying combat systems I’ve seen from a JRPG in a while. It’s easily the first must-have JRPG of 2017.

As drastically different as Resident Evil 7 might seem at first, it hasn’t forgotten the original core message of the series. The protagonist’s predicament often appears bleak and dire at the start, but they’ll soon gain the strength to face and defeat the horrors of the situation they’ve been placed in.

What I’m left with is a passable, extremely repetitive game that offers up brief bursts of catharsis muddled in a misguided sea of queasy colors, and all wrapped up in a convoluted and uncompelling plot.

While it’s not the new Kingdom Hearts game that many may have wanted, it’s much more than just a simple collection of old titles or some cheap cash-in. It’s a bridge to what awaits, and I can’t help but feel excited after watching the credits roll for the umpteenth time.

It has the challenging combat and wacky humor that you’d expect, and the story is top-notch. Also, who can pass up on a chance to see Majima while he’s still relatively sane? If you’ve never tried one, it may be a bit weird to you at first, but if you’re willing to wade through it all, there’s an enjoyable experience to be had.

A fantastic package that fans of the series definitely shouldn’t miss out on. If you were sorely disappointed with the main story in the original PS3 release, Atelier Shallie Plus is a good attempt at making amends and closing things out in the Dusk trilogy. Even if you’re a newcomer to the series, the story here is easy enough to follow on its own without much need for prior knowledge of other games.

Gravity Rush 2 powers through its noticeable flaws, and the overall product is an exclusive experience that shouldn’t be missed by any PlayStation 4 owner.

The complexity of its underlying systems is well-masked by the ease with which players interact with the game, and there’s plenty of replay value with so many different paths to choose from to help your agency succeed.

SEGA and Crypton have polished the series’ challenging rhythm gameplay over the years, and Future Tone serves as the ultimate package for the most hardcore of fans to prove that they’ve mastered the art of very precise button pushing.

SEGA and Crypton have polished the series’ challenging rhythm gameplay over the years, and Future Tone serves as the ultimate package for the most hardcore of fans to prove that they’ve mastered the art of very precise button pushing.