When all is said and done, Temtem is far more than its inspirations. Though it stumbles occasionally, the game offers an experience that even the most grizzled Pokémon fan will enjoy while also building up a new world for fresh players to marvel at. It’s a must-play and a strong showing of what could be a major series moving forward.

Nothing less and little more than Skyrim. That is either exceptionally exciting or a respectable pass, depending on how much Dhovakiin thirst the last five years has left you with. I certainly have enjoyed retreading these paths for the dozenth time. Though an inch of fatigue and diminished mod offerings weigh on me, this is a Skyrim more accessible, more colorful, and equally as lovable as the one I’ve known.

If you love the previous game or just are really craving a good giggle, New Tales from the Borderlands is most definitely a must-play title for you in 2022. I happily give this one a rating of 4 and a half skateboards out of 5.

Everything I could’ve asked for from a proper Switch port. The graphical downgrades are noticeable in handheld mode, but it doesn’t detract from the experience at all, especially when it runs so smoothly.

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.

With an entirely original story and streamlined side content, Judgment is easily the best place to get introduced to the Yakuza formula, and for longtime fans it's the best Dragon Engine game yet. Either way, it's one you shouldn't miss out on.

World Brothers 2 provides excellent upgrades to mechanics from the first game to make this one feel even better to play.

If you, like me, occasionally need a rest from fast-paced, action-first gaming, I truly cannot recommend Seasons after Fall enough. The art alone is sufficient to offer a unique and worthwhile experience, and the light yet engaging gameplay offers a wonderful way to experience it.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a fluid, brutal, and challenging first-person shooter and one that is insane and over-the-top from start to finish, but it is the unique cast of characters and the story they’re a part of that shines. B.J and his crew of revolutionaries add heart and humor to the otherwise bleak world and help create some of the most memorable moments in single-player focused games this year. Machine Games has built on what made The New Order great to produce one of this generation’s finest shooters.

It’s a remake that knows what we want and gives it to us, instead of instituting needless changes. What changes there are are often subtle, or add to the game instead of detracting from it. This isn’t a remake to play if you want something drastically different, but if you want a more interactive approach to movie night, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better (or season-appropriate) option.

Yet another fantastic game you should have in your library if you own a Nintendo Switch. It’s clear that Ubisoft respects the sanctity of these iconic Nintendo characters, and the game certainly does them justice. Kingdom Battle might not be the most challenging tactical RPG around, but it does offer a satisfying combat flow, and provides ample opportunities for players to come up with interesting strategies and team compositions to complete a map with. The Rabbids serve as the special X-factor ingredient that really makes this game pop with life.

Being able to play such a massive RPG like Skyrim wherever you want is truly a technical marvel, and I’m thoroughly impressed with what Bethesda’s been able to pull off here.

From the expertly crafted combat mechanics to the wildly different contenders to the stages and customization options to unlock, Pokkén Tournament proves itself to be another excellent addition to the Nintendo Wii U’s library for fighting game fans, Pokémon fans, and everyone in between.

With Gears 5, The Coalition took some risks, and it makes for one of the best entries in the series yet.

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 does not pretend to be as haughty as its predecessor, or as convoluted, it is strong enough to stand on its own right, do its own thing, and laugh at itself. This game is sure to find itself in the spotlight very fast. There is just too much about this game that is likable for it to remain hidden for long.

Anyone who loved the first two games is going to go nuts for this one, as it kickflips the franchise forward in just about every way.

There is just something about how the game structured its bite-sized gameplay and ambiance, as it somehow managed to evoke and odd combination of excitement and dread that leaves me craving more.

The new DLC is a great example of quality over quantity and is an easy blanket recommendation for any fans of the original game. Newcomers, however, may want to do their homework before pulling the trigger. Because like the devil at the heart of Cuphead, The Delicious Last Course demands your blood, sweat, and soul… where do we sign up?

Mandate of Heaven is an essential part of the Three Kingdoms package, and takes what was already the best grand strategy game on the market, and takes it to loftier heights. There is now so much rewarding complexity to it, that I don’t know that I can return as readily to older games in the series as they seem relatively simple by comparison.

Price point aside, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a technical spectacle on PC, with frame rates that reach the moon or because it’s one of the best-looking games I’ve played on the platform. While the price point is a negotiable evil, the final product is a masterpiece, especially in light of the first game’s PC port coming out a few months ago. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you experience Miles Morales in his first big outing.

Amplitude may not be a perfect game that includes every single thing a fan of the previous games could want, but it certainly met my high overall expectations.

Whether you just plan on stopping by for the story and messing around with friends locally every once in a while, or plan on going hardcore into online play, you’ll have plenty to do, and you’ll have plenty of fun doing it until whenever the next Mortal Kombat game comes out some time in the next generation.

Embrace the jokes, revel in the puns, and do all you can in order to stop Starro’s horrifying plot while keeping Superman’s annoyance to a minimum. Heck, maybe even do all that in the order its written. Above all else, enjoy your stay in Happy Harbor. In a world that always strives to go bigger, it’s more of an escape to remember when superheroes got to be silly too.

It succeeds at what it tries to do. Though not immediately perfect, it hones and improves upon the base game in a way few other DLC expansions could hope to. Newcomers will find a complete package of a game to dig into, while long-time fans can look forward to a finishing touch that makes the whole experience that much more worthwhile.

This is my first true Pikmin experience, and even as a newcomer to the series, I found myself completely enthralled by the vibrant landscapes, intuitive gameplay, and charming characters I encountered on my journey.

Unravel is a story about a family you don’t know and memories you don’t have. Its journey is watching and becoming the force piecing them together, a force that takes shape in a small, humble character named Yarny.

Pentiment is the interactive choose-your-own-adventure story I’ve been waiting for my whole life. I love that I get to immerse myself in the game world without having to stress about button-mashing battles or jump scares. It’s delightfully engaging without being distressingly hard, and I’m loving every minute of it...I’ve never played anything like Pentiment, but I really hope I get to again soon.