Fallen Legion: Sins of an Empire is one of the most promising action RPGs that I've seen in a long time but its reliance on repetitive battles will surely wear down any genre fan's enthusiasm quicker than Cecille can say "Cassandra's Coil!"

If the idea of a VR construction-based puzzler appeals to you then Fantastic Contraption is a must-play game. Just make sure you bring along plenty of patience because this farting cat may get on your nerves from time to time.

I and Me has a solid premise for a puzzle platformer but the limited amount of fun to be had makes it a somewhat disappointing game. That said, if you want a simple yet challenging puzzler then you can't go wrong by giving it a download.

Leap of Fate is a solid twin-stick roguelike that fans of the genre will thoroughly enjoy. Although it has its issues, the addictive nature of seeing what the cards will deal next definitely makes it a game worth checking out.

Simply put; Iron Crypticle is a blast to play and it's even more fun with friends. So, if the idea of an action-packed medieval-themed twin-stick shooter appeals to you then what are you waiting for? Give it a download and call up some pals.

AereA has one of the most imaginative game worlds that I've seen in a long time but the overall lack of challenge and crazy amount of glitches make it an ultimately boring yet undeniably irritating experience.

Tokyo 42 is a refreshing take on the action/stealth genre. Although it's definitely rough around the edges in its current state, I hope the developers work on a sequel because this is one memorable and promising gaming experience.

Although it's set in the delightful Kirby universe, there's no denying that Blowout Blast is little more than a bare-bones and unchallenging experience. That being said, if you want to teach a toddler how to play video games then this is a solid entry point.

Micro Machines World Series actually contains a great deal of enjoyable content but its lack of structure and dependence on a barren online community means that content mostly goes to waste. Add in frustrating AI and you're left with one disappointing game.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a phenomenal collection of games with incredible updated visuals and a few cool extras. It may have some retro baggage but there's no denying just how classic Crash's first three adventures are.

Ancient Amuletor may be light on content but it's also a heck of a lot of fun. It might be worth waiting for more stages and characters to be included but this is one game that PlayStation VR owners should definitely keep on their radar.

Tokyo Xanadu is nothing short of engaging action RPG goodness that'll have you coming back for more. Ultimately, the lovely cast of characters and immediately gratifying combat combine seamlessly to make it a must-have JRPG.

Ever Oasis has a charming, varied, and colourful world to explore with many characters who join you on your journey to safeguard your newfound home once and for all. If you're a fan of action-packed adventures, you can't go wrong with this adorable pocket-sized tale.

Valkyria Revolution is a noble effort at providing fans with a fresh take on the series but it unfortunately doesn't quite live up to its genre contemporaries. That being said, it may satisfy if you simply want to be immersed in an intriguing tale.

Tinertia is one fantastic-looking game but the gameplay can quickly make even the most hardcore gamer frustrated with its repetitive nature and reliance on trial and error. That being said, climbing the leaderboards can be surprisingly satisfying.

As expected, Nex Machina is another exhilarating piece of dual-stick shooting fun from Housemarque. It's a blast to play with tight controls and satisfying shooting but its lack of content and emphasis on repetition stop it from being a true classic.

If you're looking for a fun albeit brief old-school shooting adventure then Blasting Agent: Ultimate Edition will fit the bill. However, don't expect it to be a revolutionary take on retro running and gunning.

Although it's not the best Kunio-kun game, River City: Knights of Justice features enough crazy beat 'em up gameplay and classic humour to satisfy any fan of the series. Here's hoping we see Kunio take on more fantastical settings down the road.

A Hole New World is a fantastic tribute to retro 2D action games and it also crafts a unique gameplay formula that's both challenging and rewarding. You may not play it for more than a couple of hours but the time you spend with it will definitely be memorable.

Dragon Bros is one of the most enjoyable cooperative run and gun games that you'll ever play. It may not last long but the amount of fun to be had in its action-packed world filled with awesome music will definitely delight any retro gamer.

If you're looking for a new kart racer to add to your collection, you can't go wrong with Cars 3: Driven to Win. Its cute and colourful style is charming and it has a great selection of content to keep you busy for hours.

With only four chapters, Perception is a short game that doesn't justify its launch price. However, its unique gameplay mechanics are genuinely smart and imaginative and its quartet of narratives are morbidly engaging. After having been a little put off by its initial negative reception, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's actually pretty good.

God Wars Future Past is an impressive throwback to possibly the best era for turn-based strategy RPGs. Long-time fans of the genre will love every second they spend fighting off dastardly beasts while modern gamers may wonder how this kind of game could be fun.

Aside from its new Battleground modes and Warden class, the bulk of Morrowind is essentially just more Elder Scrolls Online with little new added to the formula. If you enjoy the base game, you'll have no reason to dislike it but if you feel ESO gets boring and samey after a while, you won't find anything in Vvardenfell that will change your mind.

Mighty Gunvolt Burst is an overall fun and fitting tribute to retro 2D action games that stars two recent heroes in the genre. Although you won't be playing it for years to come, it's still a worthwhile entry in one of the most classic genres in gaming.

Victor Vran: Overkill Edition is chock full of action RPG goodness that'll delight any genre fan for dozens of hours. Its core gameplay may get a little repetitive but what's here amounts to a surprisingly varied and enjoyable collection of content.

Cubit HD's cheerful sights and groovy tunes fail to make up for its frustrating and bare-bones gameplay. Although you may get a few minutes of fun out of it, you'll be better off taking your change to an arcade.

Danger Zone takes a mode that's been around for 15 years and manages to make a somewhat enjoyable game out of it. However, the bare-bones amount of variety and content will make gamers wonder if the full version will ever arrive.

Randall has the markings of a decent game, especially when it comes to platforming but the bad dialogue, bizarre design choices, dull combat, and overall glitchiness make it hard for me to recommend in its current state.

Jump Stars is a mostly enjoyable multiplayer party game with simple yet fun single-screen 2D platforming gameplay within a variety of stages. That being said, the dual nature of its premise will make most gamers scratch their heads.

Lock's Quest is definitely a game worthy of bringing back from obscurity but this version contains performance issues that frequently make it tough to enjoy. However, if you overlook these parts then it can be one fulfilling blend of gameplay elements.

Countless fantastic 2D action games released since Cave Story initially debuted yet it remains a wonderful experience that every genre fan needs to play. Now that it's available on Switch, even more gamers can see why it's such a timeless classic.

The Town of Light's setting in a real-world mental asylum was a clever idea but sadly, its poor graphics, mind-numbing pacing and general clunkiness mean that it doesn't take full advantage of its potential.

The WipEout series is a shining example of how to keep racing exciting with many variations and an awesome visual style. The classic gameplay holds up beautifully so if you're craving some fast-paced races then Omega Collection is more than enough to satisfy.

Shu is a memorable and charming little 2D adventure that features varied gameplay and plenty of replay value. It may occasionally be irritating but the amount of challenging fun to be had surely makes it worthwhile if you're a fan of the genre.

Chroma Squad is not only a worthy tribute to Power Rangers; it's also one of the best indie SRPGs ever created. The enjoyable mix of strategy and simulation elements is addictive enough to make it a go-to title whenever you want some lighthearted RPG fun.

If you're a fan of Utawarerumono then Mask of Deception is definitely a worthwhile addition to the series. However, everyone else will likely find the protracted plot and simplistic battle system to be ultimately underwhelming and tedious.

Cladun Returns: This is Sengoku! is a fun and basic dungeon-crawling action RPG that's best enjoyed in short sessions. The repetitive gameplay and frequent annoyances hinder the experience but it's still an overall rewarding adventure.

Although Paddle Vs. Paddle is a very bare-bones game and has a disappointing single player component, I must admit that the concept is solid for some enjoyable multiplayer matches. Hopefully, the developer will make an expanded version down the road.

Oh...Sir!! The Insult Simulator is an entertaining and original offering that's worth trying out for its novelty value alone. Although insulting both friends and strangers is fun while it lasts, the lack of available put-downs and scenarios means that it gets repetitive very quickly.

Hardcore JRPG enthusiasts will find Dark Rose Valkyrie to be one of the most rewarding games in recent memory while casual genre fans may be put off by the overall complexity and repetitive missions. Either way, this is one RPG that you don't want to overlook.

RiME is an attractive title that sends you on a fascinating journey. The unvaried replay value shouldn't keep you from giving it a try as it's an adventure game that stays interesting and accomplishes an intriguing dialog without even one spoken word.

Unit 4 is a challenging and unique platformer that serves up a varied and satisfying campaign. That being said, if you don't have the patience to deal with plenty of unfair deaths then you're better off waiting for Unit 5 to come out.

Cooking Mama: Sweet Shop is bursting with charm and tons of enjoyable content. Fans of the series will gladly spend hours in Mama's kitchen but those who find stylus-based mini-game compilations boring probably won't be won over.

Spellspire is a simple and enjoyable word-forming RPG-like adventure but it doesn't quite do enough to create a memorable take on the genre. That being said, if you want to test your vocabulary then you can't go wrong by giving it a download.

Skylar & Plux is a charming and fun little game but it's so ridiculously short and easy that I can't imagine any 3D platformer fan could fully embrace it. Then again, what other game stars both a lynx and an owl?

Seasons After Fall is a beautiful game to look at and listen to but it can often be tedious to play due to its insistence on repeated backtracking and general lack of guidance. There are some endearing moments throughout its confusing story but the amount of running back and forth between them makes it questionable whether they're worth the effort of uncovering.

Elliot Quest is a fun and challenging throwback to gaming of long ago and will appeal mostly to those with nostalgia for classic action-adventure games. A familiarity with Zelda II will definitely help you appreciate many of the finer details.

Injustice 2 is a capable and accessible fighter that fans of DC Comics will love. That being said, if you're in the market for a hardcore fighter then you'll likely be disappointed by its generally casual gameplay.

If you're in the mood to watch a cast of charming characters have often humorous conversations for lengthy periods of time then Akiba's Beat is a game for you. However, those looking for a satisfying JRPG will be better off searching elsewhere.

The Surge is one of those games that shows a lot of promise but the experience itself just doesn't live up to its potential. You may have some fun within the first 5 hours or so but everything after that slowly evolves into nothing more than a tedious grind.

Dreamfall Chapters is a lengthy and entertaining game with an enthralling narrative. The minor annoyances won't stop me from recommending it to any fan of adventure games or even someone who simply wants to enjoy a solid story.

Mario Sports Superstars is bursting at the seams with a varied collection of enjoyable content. If you're a fan of Mario's sports games then this is one compilation that you'll likely find yourself enjoying for years to come.

NeuroVoider shines much brighter in multiplayer. The gameplay stays the same but the difficulty doesn't seem to scale as much and you can now blast through the enemy forces two, three, or four times as fast. The action gets a lot crazier and it can be hard to keep track of things at all times but the simplistic gameplay means you'll have a lot more fun if you play it with some pals. Unfortunately, those pals better be offline ones because NeuroVoider lacks online play.

Human Fall Flat could possibly be the next big goofy indie game with odd controls and it's also one of the most enjoyable cooperative physics-based puzzlers around. Just make sure your patience is in check before you Fall Flat.

Demon's Crystals may be one of the simplest twin-stick shooters that you'll ever play but that's what makes it so enjoyable. It's easy to pick up and play with a few friends and with so many modes to try; it will make a solid addition to any genre fan's library.

As a huge fan of all things Dark Witch, Music Episode: Rudymical is a big disappointment. Its simplistic gameplay makes it feel like a half-baked mini-game which is a giant step back from the fully-featured games in the main series.

If you dig arcade basketball then NBA Playgrounds is a great addition to the genre. Ballers of all skill levels can find something to love in its enjoyably cartoony take on the sport although your b-ball career may be over well before you'd expect it to.

Lethal League is an enjoyable and unique competitive game that features fast-paced and immediately gratifying gameplay. That being said, your enjoyment will likely dwindle soon after the repetition of it all starts to sink in.

Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy features fantastic classic dungeon RPG gameplay with many unique and satisfying mechanics. It may not be the most memorable game in the genre but it's one that genre fans shouldn't pass up.

Butcher is a fun, addictive riff on a classic genre with an uncompromising approach that makes it feel both rewarding and frustrating. You're unlikely to get much mileage out of it unless you like a lot of repetition and a torturous level of challenge but if you're attracted by its over-the-top retro aesthetic, it's definitely worth checking out.

World to the West is an enjoyable overhead adventure featuring a varied cast of characters that are great fun to play as. In the end, the inevitable frustration is alleviated by its lighthearted atmosphere and gentle pacing which results in a wholly worthwhile adventure.

Super Rude Bear Resurrection may be the next great super-tough platformer but it doesn't quite reach the high notes of its predecessors. Also, if these kinds of games irritate you then you'll be better off hibernating for a bit longer this season.

River City Melee: Battle Royal Special contains a ton of characters to battle with in fun gimmick-filled stages. However, it doesn't manage to grow past the fact that it's merely an expanded version of a middle-of-the-road mini-game.

The robust world and intricate combat system are Cosmic Star Heroine's shining stars but neither aspect is without flaws. Still, it's an enjoyable and accessible game that will appeal to both the JRPG faithful and casual genre fans alike.

Bit Dungeon+ is a simplistic and enjoyable little dungeon exploring roguelike with a decent amount of enemy variety. However, its gameplay, graphics, and sound don't do much to make it a wholly worthwhile game.

Blazing Star is a solid classic shmup that doesn't quite stand out in such crowded genre. That being said, the amount of fun to be had with its selection of ships in the gorgeously-presented world more than makes up for its shortcomings.

The Caligula Effect tells an engaging story that has a deep thought-provoking message. However, the gameplay falls flat in almost every way which ends up making it a chore to play. In the end, Mobius is a virtual prison and it's fitting that it sure feels like one.

The Deer God feels like a bit of a chore to play with simple missions and a lack of any interesting or varied level structure. Those who make it to the end may find themselves having a bit of fun in the final hour but I wouldn't fault any gamer who couldn't make it through the grudgingly dull and poorly-paced first couple of hours.

If you can get past the hideous graphics and glitches and don't mind using an online guide every now and then, Syberia 3 is actually quite a fun game. Most of the puzzles are just the right level of challenge and the story stays interesting throughout.

When I first loaded up Outlast 2, I expected an unsettling experience and that's what I got. Unfortunately, it wasn't always for the reasons the developers intended. If you can get through its many frustrating sequences, there are some good scares awaiting you but it's an incredibly flawed affair that will surely come as a disappointment to fans of the original.

What Remains of Edith Finch is an immersive and memorable experience that succeeds at pulling you into its richly detailed and dreamlike world. However, its short length and relatively high price point ultimately make it a questionable value proposition.

Deformers provides some off-the-wall fun with an oddball cast of kooky characters. However, with such a limited selection of available content, you'll be better off waiting for an updated version to arrive before starting your roly-poly combat career.

Even with its flaws, Rolling Bob is such a delightful game to play yet it maintains a level of challenge that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. I can already tell that this is going to be one of the most underrated games of the year.

Puyo Puyo Tetris mixes two classic puzzle formulas into one seamless experience that'll keep you hooked. Although it's far from the complete package, what's here will surely keep any puzzler fan entertained for hours.

Dragon Quest Heroes II takes everything that was amazing about the first game and fixes all of the major gripes that I had with it. I highly recommend it for any Dragon Quest or arena fighting fan and hope this is a sign of more incredible Dragon Quest games to come.

The Disney Afternoon Collection is yet another fantastic six-pack of 8-bit Capcom classics. Playing through these adventures is such great fun that I'm looking forward to seeing what retro gems Capcom puts together for their next compilation.

Lego City Undercover remains a unique game in such a sizable series. Although there's no GamePad accessory to pair with this iteration and some of the videos are of lower quality, it doesn't take away from the great amount of fun to be had in Lego City.

More effort has clearly gone into Waste of Space than some of the previous Goat Simulator add-ons but that can't help the fact that the whole joke of the original premise has long since worn thin. With only a few missions to keep you occupied and lots of dead space between the fun stuff, Waste of Space doesn't take long until it starts living up to its name.

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap may essentially be the same game as the original but its brand new graphics and sound make it worth checking out for existing fans and newcomers alike. The extra challenge areas are nothing to sneeze at either.

I must say, The Phantom Thieves surely stole my heart as I've had a ton of fun with Persona 5. However, a few nagging features and the fact that the dungeons could use a little more complexity means that it doesn't quite top my list of favourite JRPGs.

2017 has been a phenomenal year for gaming so far and I must say that Flinthook is up there with the best. It'll put you on the edge of your seat and keep you wanting more so if it sounds like your kind of game then you owe it to yourself to give it a download.

Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom is a beautiful action RPG full of fantastic and varied gameplay. Although traditional fans of the genre may find its unconventional combat off-putting, there's definitely enough here to enjoy.

At its core, Lichtspeer works as a simplistic arcade experience. Unfortunately, its blatant disregard for the average (and even the hardcore) gamer's enjoyment makes it a very difficult game to recommend.

Mr. Shifty has a promising gimmick but the fact that you can easily exploit it makes it far too easy and tedious. Hopefully the developers retool this and work on a sequel because they definitely have a winning formula here; it's just not well executed.

Urban Trial Freestyle 2 is a mostly enjoyable portable Trials-like game that features plenty of content. Although the formula has been done better before, what you get here is still solid enough to be worth checking out.

As a visual novel in 2017, The Silver Case is a huge disappointment. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to the average fan of the genre. However, if you're a Silver Case fan, the upgraded graphics and nostalgia factor should be enough to make it a worthy download.

As a huge Kirby fan, it pains me to say that I'm very disappointed with Team Kirby Clash Deluxe. From the manipulative freemium model to gameplay that devolves into an annoying exercise of patience; Kirby has definitely seen better days.

As a video game, Blackwood Crossing fails to deliver any sort of worthwhile gameplay. However, as an interactive experience, some may find its emotional story relatable and heartfelt which might just make it a satisfying journey.

I don't anticipate that Kero Blaster will have the kind of staying power that Cave Story has but it's a satisfying and challenging sidescroller that retro gaming fans will definitely appreciate.

Talent Not Included is a delightful platforming experience that'll put your 2D gaming skills to the test. It may be light on content but the gameplay is so much fun that you'll easily sink a few hours in before you take your final bow.

Snow Moto Racing Freedom is a disappointing follow-up to last year's surprisingly enjoyable Aqua Moto Racing Utopia. Although it features interesting open-ended tracks, the gameplay simply doesn't pull itself from racing mediocrity.

Aaero has a solid premise with promising gameplay but the fact that it doesn't evolve much from the start makes it a rather repetitive experience. Then again, if you love bass music then it may be worth downloading for the soundtrack alone.

Bulletstorm was a great game in 2011 and it's just as enjoyable in 2017. The graphical upgrades of the Full Clip Edition are nothing to write home about and the added features aren't terribly significant but the core Bulletstorm experience is still as exciting as ever.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an absolute joy to play as it's an undeniably rewarding adventure set in a deeply immersive world. Although the experience is weighed down by a few minor problems, the overall journey is one that no gamer will soon forget.

Frank Rising offers a new dynamic to the classic Dead Rising gameplay but it also ends up feeling too limited to be thoroughly enjoyable. Either way, it's great to see the story wrap up in such a crazy way so it may be worth downloading for that alone.

The Banner Saga games look and sound great and there has clearly been a lot of effort put into their design and lore but their repetitive battles and profuse, prattling dialogue make their journeys ones of drawn-out tedium rather than exhilarating adventure.

Wonder Boy Returns is a noble effort at modernizing a retro 2D action gem. Although it's not quite as immediately gratifying as the original due to its awkward controls, you'll still be in for an enjoyable adventure that may just put a smile on your face.