If you enjoy a challenging platformer, The King’s Bird will test your limits. Even if you don’t, it is at least important to note what the indie title is able to accomplish with its physics. Still, a lacking progression system, threading the needle difficulty, and bad camera work currently hold The King’s Bird back from being a great game, and it is instead merely a good one.

I can forgive its jankiness. The football, especially going forward, is just so good. Despite this, my admiration of the series will always be stained with a bit of disappointment, wondering what it could be with just a little more evolution.

It's a massive, sprawling JRPG that keeps you invested in its story and characters right up until the end, and then gives you even more. Its gorgeous world is a joy to explore, and the series' trademark sense of quirkiness seeps into every aspect. The game can function as a great JRPG for newcomers, but there's still enough depth to appease longtime fans. Dragon Quest XI is a high new benchmark for the series, and shows how a traditional JRPG can still be appealing for the modern age.

At its core, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is an absolutely fantastic game that excels when you take your hunts online.

It’s amazing to think that we’ve gotten now four Yakuza games in the span of nearly a year and a half, and yet, Yakuza Kiwami 2 doesn’t feel old or overdone. The amount of content, and the quality of said content is staggering.

While it definitely isn’t Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley, Little Dragons Cafe manages to stand on its own and offer a simple, charming experience that’s easy to love in spite of the technical issues.

I can only recommend it if you’re looking for a new farming/harvesting simulator, specifically. And even then I want you to temper your expectations a bit, at that.

The new iteration offers Formula One fans a near perfect simulation of the sport, complete down to the last technical detail, but the assist settings and satisfying racing make it a viable racing option for even those with cursory F1 knowledge.

The adventure is full of silly jokes and unique characters, it’s a much longer experience, and the combat is deep and engaging enough that it’s possible to look past the fact that you’ve seen most of it before.

For Souls fans, there’s a lot to love about Death’s Gambit. There’s a multitude of secrets to be found, shortcuts to be unlocked, and lore to be read from the cryptic item descriptions. When the game isn’t being held back by the weird boss and level designs or technical issues, it can be charming and sincere in its own right.

State of Mind stands as the most ambitious brainchild of award-winning German game writer/designer Martin Ganteföhr and it executes its purpose as a satisfactory narrative-driven experience despite it uninspired setting and disappointing main character.

An incredibly complete package and is among the best sport sims you can play currently.

The moment-to-moment combat, smooth animation and attractive visuals are serviceable enough to see most players through to the end of the game’s modest duration, but it’s impossible to walk away from Chasm without feeling like the game is a missed opportunity.

We Happy Few leaves me feeling conflicted. I don't ever want to put myself through that resource management slog ever again, but I can't discount its sharp wit and captivating writing either. Ultimately, I can't bring myself to give We Happy Few a wholehearted recommendation for the average player. This is a game that will test your patience, and if you're willing to stick it out, you'll be rewarded with a good story that was only let down by weird design decisions and flawed execution.

Overcooked 2 is one of the best co-op multiplayer games around, no matter how you plan to approach it.

While I wish WarioWare Gold had more new than old, it’s definitely the ultimate package of microgames that will give any fan of WarioWare something to truly enjoy.

It can be cruel and insufferable, but if you can bear the abuse, you’ll find yourself engrossed in a unique, compelling experience that is unlike most other management sims.

There’s definitely some fun times to be had with Sleep Tight, it just feels like the depth of gameplay is keeping me from being a game I will be playing consistently in the near-future.

The Banner Saga is one of the most fascinating trilogies of games out there right now, and The Banner Saga 3 ties everything together in one neat, albeit heartbreaking, package.

Defiance 2050 is fun to muck around in for a couple of hours, but its lack of polish and outdated graphics severely hold it back from even getting close to the level of its current competition.

The PC version’s main problem is that it’s a straight port. They needed to change something in order to optimize the screen and controls for the hardware.

It’s been four years since the original release of Captain Toad, and yet, the game still feels as wonderfully unique as it did then. There’s nothing else quite like it, and the Switch version looks and plays wonderfully.

Octopath Traveler feels like a much more personal collection of tales that might go against what you'd typically expect from a JRPG. More than anything else, the way the characters fall together feels like coincidence rather than providence, and the game is far more concerned with telling intimate stories about grief, friendship, adventure, and redemption. You might not get to save the world, but there's joy to be had from just helping out someone in a bind and learning more about the deep history of Orsterra as you go. For what it sets out to do, Octopath Traveler excels.

It adds on neatly onto your original game (no need to start all over), and will extend your playtime at least another few hours if not more. Also, if you missed Sonic Mania last year, this is now the definitive version of the game. That said, if you just casually picked it up, and only invested a few hours, there isn’t that much here in Sonic Mania Plus to justify spending more money unless you’re a huge fan of Mighty and Ray.

Outside of the sometimes stupid allied AI, Shining Resonance Refrain doesn’t do anything “wrong,” it just doesn’t excel at much either.

If peak performance is your #1 concern – which is fine considering how damn pretty Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy looks on PS4 and Xbox One – then maybe you should skip the Switch version. However, if you can put that aside, or lower your standards just a bit, the Switch version still looks and runs fine for the most part, and the three classic Crash games fit like a glove on the portable Switch console.

It might be a struggle for some, but getting to grips with Lumines Remastered’s deceptively unique gameplay and getting lost in the electronic beats is a wonderfully rewarding and mesmerizing experience.

If you’re willing to accept The Crew 2 for the buggy, unsure of itself game that it is, there is some fun to be had, but its lagging far behind the competition at this point.

The story, despite being on the short side, was warm and heartbreaking at the same time, and it all comes to a head when an epic ending reveal sets up what could be an impressive and unexpected springboard for the story in Life Is Strange 2. It’s good to be back in this strange universe.

EA has gotten better at making sure fans are getting a good bang for their buck, and they seem to really understand that adding fan favorite stuff – like weather – is a must at this point.

Mario Tennis Aces offers up plenty to keep single-players busy, but playing with friends takes everything the game does well up a big notch.

With its streamlined combat system and compelling narrative, the latest entry in the Ys series is another solid addition to the Switch’s growing library and should definitely be on every JRPG lover’s list.

If the Octo Expansion’s subway was designed as an allegory for limbo and purgatory, it’s a damn good one, and I’d like more train rides like this one, please.

If you’re already a fan of vehicle simulation games, you’ll likely still get a kick out of this one, despite its flaws.

It has a whimsy to it all the same that makes it worth trying, at least for a while. You may get hooked, you may not. It’s no bigger a gamble than a park full of carnivores, and in the worst case scenario, far less messy.

Shape of the World is the perfect game to pick up after a particularity stressful day at work, and promises to keep you engaged in its simple gameplay through a combination of gorgeous environments and immersive game physics.

Unravel Two may not have been at the top of players’ wishlists, even those who enjoyed the first, but the addition of co-op breathes fresh air into its yarn-based platforming. There’s still not a whole lot of content here, and its additional Challenge levels will ultimately depend on if you’re desperate to put your skills to the test, but if you want to embark on another platforming adventure, you could do a lot worse than Unravel Two.

Sushi Striker is pure ridiculous fun, and while it leans heavily on its core gameplay loop, it manages to keep things engaging. Nintendo has proven they have a knack for the absurd, and Sushi Striker definitely feels like it could be the foundation of a new series.

Onrush’s blend of classic arcade racing, stunning visuals, and online team-based shooter ideas make it unique enough to stand out even against the competition of old. It’s an unconventional idea, but it’s the most fun you’re likely to have with a racing game this generation.

My hope is that it finds its audience so that we might yet again see Dr. Reid on an even grander scale in the future.

Though I spent a lot of this review highlighting what wasn’t all that good about the game, I will still say I had some fun with it, but just not enough for me to really call it much more than average when considering all its issues. I can recommend Coffee Crisis to people looking for a cheap game to have fun with, as well as rabid beat-em-up enthusiasts and dedicated retro collectors, but not too many people outside of those niches.

The only people who should consider Agony are people that want a truly hardcore, even at the expense of enjoyment, survival horror game that will put your patience to the test. Or, someone that really wants to experience a truly horrifying take on hell that we’ve never seen before, complete with actual torture. That’s the only value I can eek out of Agony, and that’s a damned shame.

Wizard of Legend succeeds in creating a setting that’s just full of so much mystery and awe. It’s hard not to feel so completely enthralled by the game’s charm and delightful magical spells.

A fantastic love letter to its ascension, and as bloated as it may seem to have five editions of SFII (six if you include Tournament Battle), it’s a game that is worth celebrating again and again. And again and again. And one more time, in tournament form.

Dark Souls Remastered is still a masterclass in level design, and it remains the pinnacle of third-person action games. Longtime fans will be pleased with the improved performance on both consoles and PC. And if you’re a newcomer wondering if you should get your feet wet with this entry, the answer is an absolute, resounding ‘Yes.’

Despite the fact that Moonlighter doesn’t do anything incredibly new, it still feels like a wholly unique experience. The combination of dungeons and shopkeeping creates a great gameplay loop that encourages exploration, and the game’s aesthetic really helps drive everything home. There’s definitely a bit of micromanaging to do with its myriad systems, but it all connects into a surprisingly satisfying experience.

Choice Provisions has done something special with Runner3; it’s a game that might make you want to scream internally over and over again, but at the same time, will make you smile from ear to ear while jamming out when you finally overcome those pesky obstacles.

Aside from the repetition, which is, in retrospect, how many gamers got longevity out of old Castlevania games, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a superb game. It is ideal for gamers who want an old-school challenge as well as an old-school game in both aesthetic and design.

Despite the constant back and forth between jobs and saving frontiers, I had a great time strapping in for the ride. Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers offers a refreshing experience from both the racing and action, mixing both genres with a heap of tower defense for a truly unique experience.

Maybe it's because all of the characters are supposed to be robots so you're force-fed story and juxtaposition through analysis, making it easy from a writing perspective. Maybe it's because there are so many different branches and outcomes to the story that they actually delivered on. Maybe it's Jesse Williams' face. Look, I really don't know. But I do know that I couldn't put Detroit: Become Human down, and after I beat it, I immediately replayed all the chapters to get the different outcomes.

The nature of the Switch makes it the best option to enjoy the Blue Bomber’s many adventures, and a fine way to prepare for the oncoming release of Mega Man 11.

This is one of the most fleshed out and content-filled Warriors games I’ve seen in a long time, and even if you aren’t a Zelda fan, there’s still plenty here to charm you if you’re not turned off by the repetitive combat.

It’s quite sad that Chamber of Time so actively works against you in many ways. The tediousness of everything, from school exploration to combat, can really start to drag on you after a while, even if you do enjoy the story and characters.

While I cannot really recommend Omensight to everyone, fans of hack and slash games who don’t mind a rigid fixed camera, or those who are truly invested in what the story has in hold can look past its faults to see the good inside of it.

If you were a fan of the original and just want more of that, you'll feel right at home here, but if you were looking for major improvements over its predecessor, you may be left disappointed.

The brief moments of frustration and confusion are outweighed by genuinely hilarious moments of dark humor and satisfying management-sim bliss.

Strange Journey Redux is still a solid dungeon-crawling RPG that fans of the genre will thoroughly enjoy. Despite the occasional poor dungeon designs, it presents a good balance of difficulty without ever feeling unfair.

The way it develops a detailed world, full of unique and interesting characters, while keeping the central story compelling and surprising, is remarkable, especially in such a short period of time.

Those that may have been turned off by the difficulty before can now feel free to jump in with Funky Mode, and the improvement to loading screens really does make a difference. It’s yet another strong checkmark on the list of growing titles Switch owner need to have.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire rises well above the typical role-playing fare, and will provide an unforgettable experience for those that are willing to put the time to fully embrace what it is offering.

As beautiful as the storybook world looks in 4K, it simply isn’t enough to justify a second purchase for those who’ve already played through it on the PS3 and Vita. But if you fall into the camp of people who are intrigued by this charming world, or if you just want more Dragon’s Crown in your life, there’s no better way to play this game than on the PS4.

Success in BattleTech is rare but deeply satisfying.

It fares a bit better as a multiplayer game than a single-player one, a standalone entry in a genre that is not known for catering to that demographic. For the lone Casanova, it is still most certainly worth giving a go, so long as you’re aware of its limitations going in.

Being awoken over and over again after feeling defeated countless times definitely took a toll on me, but once you get to the end, it’s all worth it.

Frostpunk is an extremely polished city-builder game that builds upon the genre’s core mechanics with meaningful innovations. Despite the steep learning curve at the start, it manages to be captivating every step of the way while never forgoing that rush of adrenaline you get when the game strips away your power and complacency with yet another ethically conflicting challenge.

Despite all my complaints about Atreus and the game's imperfections, this is still an easy game to recommend to anyone with a PS4. God of War marks the glorious and bloody return of everyone's favorite Spartan, and with the new dive into Norse mythology, there's still plenty of adventures to look forward to as the series evolves.

Extinction has some fine enough ideas, but every aspect of its execution, from the narrative to the combat, feels generic and half-baked.

TERA is a low-risk game to try out. Yeah, the questing isn’t anything to write home about it seems, but it’s still a fast-paced, free-to-play MMORPG, that is genuinely fun to play thanks to its dynamic combat.

Minit’s missteps are the side-effects of its complete focus on a single design mechanic, one which also happens to be the game’s greatest strength. Ultimately, these problems fade into the background, allowing a smart, refreshing and impossibly rewarding gameplay experience to prosper.

Much like Job Simulator, Island Time balances the ridiculous with a challenging task perfectly. Although it may get repetitive once you learn the ropes, the loop of discovering new ways to survive while dealing with whatever mishaps may occur is engaging and enjoyable.

The quirkiness, presentation, strong voice acting, and characters help push past the simplistic gameplay and the narrative the game tells is surprisingly engaging.

The improvements this year are great, but depending on your tastes may not be applicable. If you don’t like RTTS and/or are a hardcore Diamond Dynasty player, then you might not fully appreciate what MLB The Show 18 has to show in terms of improvements this year. And, old problems such as lag, and dry commentary still exist.

The allies mechanic rarely feels like it’s enhancing the gameplay, and at times, drags it down.

Despite its issues, episode 5 of Batman: The Enemy Within stands tall as one of the very best and most well thought out episodes we’ve ever seen from Telltale.

Far Cry 5 is exactly that - more Far Cry. If you've never been a fan of the series, this doesn't do anything to change your mind. If you loved liberating outposts and blowing shit up in the Himalayas, you'll enjoy doing it in Hope County, too. Its sprawling world, varied missions, and memorable characters all make for an incredibly entertaining experience, and helped me to overlook the niggling technical issues and occasional frustrating fetch quests in my 30+ hours in Montana.

Having fun in Sea of Thieves is a slow burn at the moment. Most of the game involves you just chilling on your ship while looking for other pirates to steal from, or for the raids to start. It’s not a game that you can play every single day for hours on end, and most people will certainly tire of it after seeing all of the PvE content available now. Even so, Sea of Thieves is incredible in the way you can interact with players and be whatever kind of pirate you want to be.

If you're not a fan of linear games, you should probably play A Way Out anyway. The game's presentation of a truly co-operative story is sublime, and it makes full use of the video game medium as a method to punctuate the dramatic moments and develop its characters. Like Brothers, A Way Out presents a unique twist to the cinematic story formula, and it sticks the landing.

An astonishing experience. Once again, Level-5 has risen to the top of a previously floundering but increasingly revitalized genre. Ni No Kuni 2 pushes the envelope and reinvents the wheel while staying true to its JRPG roots.

Shay is an interesting character, offering a maturity we haven’t seen much of in the series, his story is engaging, and the naval combat is still great fun, but none of it is enough to counter the frustrations that we thought the Assassin’s Creed series had left behind.

While it doesn't do anything new in terms of narrative direction, it somehow gets the foundations that made the first game so fun and makes them even more enjoyable, this time adding a level of depth that makes players feel important. It thrusts people into the heart and soul of the franchise, making it one of the best anime games this gaming generation has to offer.

Surviving Mars is a fantastic simulation and strategy game. Again, it might be off-putting inexperienced players, and advanced players will likely need to find their own fun in the long term by creating obstacles for themselves to overcome or to seek out mods, lest it gets repetitive. Those small, potentially limiting gripes aside, Surviving Mars is a very enjoyable sim game that effectively mashes together individual sim micromanagement with larger macro concepts seen in games like RTSs.

It's definitely a more condensed experience than the content-stuffed Yakuza 5 or 0, but the trade-offs are worth it. Whether you've been following this series for years or only have minimal experience with it, Yakuza 6 is an entry worth playing.

The Sims Mobile is definitely worth your time for free. If you’re a commuter, a bad student, a daydreaming worker, or simply someone looking for something to play while you use the bathroom, you’re going to have a great time living out your sim’s life in the game. It’s not going to replace The Sims 4 for you, but it will scratch that itch you need.

If you’re an absolute die-hard fan of Life Is Strange, which you likely are if you’re considering the deluxe edition, then jump right in and say your own goodbyes to Max and Chloe. However, if you’ve not played both the original series and Before the Storm in their entirety, Farewell likely won’t resonate with you in the same way.

The 2-player mode is substantial enough that it feels like its own game. If you’ve already played the original to death on another console, I’d still recommend grabbing the Switch version.

Into the Breach is brilliant in how it approaches the strategy game genre. By giving the player all the information they need, it’s easy to see where exactly you went wrong, and what you could’ve done to prevent it. Failure itself becomes the core gameplay loop. Every death is a valuable lesson learned, every pilot lost is a scarring reminder of what happens when you’re too impatient with your moves.

An engaging text-based adventure featuring excellent writing, fleshed out characters, a compelling detective story, and a world with the potential to tell many more tales that would be perfect as a single evening’s entertainment.

In the end, however, despite the flaws, there’s enough charm, compelling storytelling, and immersive atmosphere to see it through.

Survive is a serviceable game, but its story and writing lack the one thing that drew fans to the series in the first place: heart.

Jungle Adventure for The Sims 4 is a breath of fresh air after Outdoor Retreat after all.

If you have a PlayStation VR, I cannot recommend Moss enough. Though its $40 price tag for a roughly four-hour adventure may still seem a little steep for some, it’s an adventure more than worth taking.

Despite promising a fresh take on the farming genre, the execution just falls short. Decent farming mechanics aside, the clunky combat and slow burn of a story really just take away from the experience.

Bayonetta 2 may not be appealing to everyone. Its sexuality and over-the-top tone may be a frustration to some. However, from a design and gameplay point of view, it is up there with the best in its genre.

Over its five hour or so playtime, Legendary Gary managed to be one of the strangest gaming experiences I’ve had. I was initially enamored with its hand drawn art and goofy writing but eventually found myself genuinely invested in the story and floored by the ending. There’s a clear boatload of love that has gone into this tale of responsibility, demons and supermarket checkouts, and while its gameplay can feel a little repetitive at times, it more than makes up for it in irresistible charm.

Hopefully one day we can get a decent sequel in the series with the tight controls, intelligent AI, and fun city-building mechanics we deserve.

If you’d like to experience what makes Secret of Mana so great, you’ll find little in this remake. Stick with the original – that’s where the real legacy lies.

This is a defining moment in the series' history, and I really hope they don't decide to drop this entire idea altogether. Instead, if Omega Force polishes the game even further, this niche series may finally open itself to the mainstream market.

A worthy expansion. There’s a lot to sink your teeth into and keep you more busy than ever while playing, even if some of it is a bit more on rails than you might ideally want it to be.