I was blown away by how much I enjoyed playing SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech. A beautifully crafted world, engrossing combat system, and deeply layered boss fights are just a few things RPG fans will certainly love about Image & Form Games’ distinct card game.

It’s a Franken-game, one where its parts don’t always fit well with one another, and will probably give you tonal whiplash jumping from Daniels’ somber reflection into a silly match of Gridiron football. But if you’re able to overlook one aspect in favor of the others, Call of Duty: WWII delivers on everything it’s expected to.

It’s another terrific addition to modern Lara Croft’s adventures, albeit a safe one that doesn’t seem to want to take too many risks outside driving the series’ iconic protagonist through a dark and grisly story.

Overall, I really enjoyed Luigi's Mansion 2 HD. The polished graphics are impressive and the gameplay is engaging. The game is infused with the classic Mario Bros. humor we all know and love, the story is fun, and our protagonist is a loveable goofball...The only thing that lets it down is the lack of extra features. It is a simple, straight-to-the-point remastering, perfectly produced for a new audience. Unless the 3DS version is your all-time favorite game, the fresh graphics are not enough to justify spending the full whack just to replay it on the Switch.

Star Wars Battlefront II offers a sizable improvement over the first game in almost every way.

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.

Despite its heavy use of aleatory mechanics, Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy offers a strategic and challenging adventure that’s paired with a delightful dose of Final Fantasy nostalgia.

It Takes Two's refreshing gameplay loop and heavy focus on cooperation and timing results in some of the most satisfying puzzling, platforming, and combat I've seen in a very long time.

Any Harvest Moon, Story of Seasons, or Rune Factory fan should definitely check this one out on Nintendo Switch, as it has one of the most charismatic worlds I’ve seen in a game in the genre yet.

For fans of the series or those who are already in love with Nocturne, this won’t be a problem. But for newcomers looking to get into the series, I must warn you that there is a pretty high barrier to entry here. Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne is still the best of the bunch, and if you’re willing to put in the time to learn its various mechanics, you’ll get a lot out of it. The problem is, that’s a pretty big if.

Just know that both the development teams at Telltale, and the smaller-scale one that was resurrected under Skybound didn’t let Clementine down.

Those who enjoyed the original back on the original PlayStation, or newcomers to the series looking for a new karting title shouldn’t pass on Nitro-Fueled. It might not be perfect, but it’s certainly got enough going for it to make a solid challenge for Mario’s crown as the king of kart racers.

XCOM: Chimera Squad is a worthwhile and rewarding experience that takes the essential elements of the series and puts them under a microscope. In doing so, Firaxis has put a fresh new spin on a genre they were already responsible for revolutionizing.

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.

There are so many systems in play here, but somehow they all come together to form a solid, cohesive experience that makes this game so damn hard to put down. Throw in a cast of extremely likeable characters, and set it in the rich world of Breath of the Wild, and you get one of the best musou-style games that Koei Tecmo and Omega Force have ever put out. If you just want more Breath of the Wild content, don't pass up on this one.

While Shutter probably doesn’t fit in well with most modern horror games, it does a great job of packing a good, creepy punch that’s reminiscent of early horror games.

Put aside your reservations about free-to-play mobile RPGs, gacha mechanics, and weeby storytelling: Genshin Impact is totally unique. I came in a skeptic and now find myself genuinely relishing hours more time spent chaining elemental combos, grinding for new characters, and the intrigue of its ongoing story.

Whereas the core of Arslan: The Warriors of Legend is nothing new, it brings enough flair to the table so that it feels like it could be new. If any Dynasty Warriors, Samurai Warriors, or Warriors Orochi fans have been looking for another great example of the hack and slash genre, this is definitely it.

Chroma Squad is terrifically enjoyable. Fans of tactical RPGs will have oodles of fun, and those who also look fondly upon the youthful days of the Power Rangers will get an extra kick.

Madden 25 offers a really solid football package for those who missed previous entries. There are a lot of smart improvements to the running and defensive game, and the physics overhaul is noticeable. Madden 25 is a solid game with some much-needed mechanical improvements, but the modes feel largely the same as last year.

If you love video games and musicals, then you should march to the beat of Stray Gods to immerse yourself in this canorous world filled with mystical elements. Even players who want something different in choice-based games can change the tune through the unique lyric mechanics. I could definitely see more musicals within the industry in the future, and maybe games like Stray Gods and Hi-Fi Rush could help open the door a bit more.

When it comes down to it, Out of the Park Baseball 23 is still the king of baseball management simulation. There are certainly some rough spots that could be smoothed out like in the in-game animations, some quality of life changes in simulation, and fleshing out the tutorials a bit more. But none of those change the fact that this is a fantastic game that any baseball fan and general stat nerd could enjoy.

The simplistic visuals and sound design of Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop!? may make the game seem aimed at a younger audience. Make no mistake, though, the gameplay has plenty of depth and complexity.

Strangely enough, the game manages to convey a wealth of emotions through its wordless narrative and faceless cast. After the credits rolled, I couldn’t help but think about how far we would personally go to save someone who was important in our life. With its simplistic puzzles, captivating narrative, and amazing art style, Last Day of June is definitely a game you’d want to pick up.

With all this in mind, I highly recommend playing Harmony: The Fall of Reverie, especially if you are looking for a different direction for this genre. Even those who enjoy strategy games will be puzzled by its multiplex timeline system. I certainly can’t wait to see the alternative endings with my next phase of playthroughs and look forward to the outcomes of other players as more personality types introduce unique pathways.

As the final chapter of Fallout 4, Nuka-World does a stellar job in delivering an experience that fans are sure to enjoy clocking in around 20 hours if you complete the side quests.

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!

Aside from some indie crunch, The Sinking City is a moody yet faithful dive into the world of Lovecraft that would make a great starting ground for anyone new to the genre. It would be nice to see the world and combat tightened up a bit, but its incredibly rewarding mystery-solving makes it a stellar investigation game that succeeds at such a naturally mystifying genre where many others fail.