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.

Minor annoyances aside, Yooka-Laylee is a solid 3D buddy platformer that's full of variety, humour, and a fantastic cast of characters all wrapped in a laid back adventure. Who knew a chameleon and a bat could have so much fun together?

A Rose in the Twilight's dark and atmospheric tone contrasts well with the budding story of friendship between two unlikely individuals but it's the well-crafted and clever puzzles built on just a few simple mechanics that make it a must-play for any puzzle game fan.

Othello is a classic board game that holds up well after all these years. However, this version is so bare-bones that you may as well pick up an 8-bit iteration as it'll probably be more fully-featured.

SkyKeepers is one of those games that gets on your nerves for all the wrong reasons. The amount of glitches hampers the mediocre and irritating gameplay to the point where I can't imagine anyone getting enjoyment out of what SkyKeepers has to offer.

Toukiden 2 manages to stay interesting by providing a wealth of abilities that can be used in exploration and fighting. However, it doesn't do a ton to break apart from its mostly one-note formula of traversing large open lands in order to find and take down oni.

Dark Souls III: The Ringed City is a worthwhile expansion for fans of the series but it also frequently devolves into a controller-throwing nightmare. That being said, it is a fitting final chapter of the Souls franchise but let's just hope that turns out not to be the case.

Brave Dungeon is a fabulous portable RPG set in the delightful world of The Legend of Dark Witch. If you're a fan of the series or just want a simple dungeon exploration game on the go then downloading it should be a no-brainer.

Developer Videocult took a brave chance with Rain World. They've stripped it of almost all the traditional video game tropes, leaving just an aggressively difficult 2D survival platformer. Purists may find a lot to love here but in my eyes, it's simply an interesting concept that fails at being an enjoyable video game.

When it comes to having fun with Kinect, you can't do much better than Air Guitar Warrior. The ridiculous premise combines with satisfying gameplay to craft one unique gem of a game so whip out your axe and get ready to rock!

Snake Pass is a deceptively difficult game that's perfect for gamers who crave challenging new experiences. It may have an ultimately frustrating and unvaried campaign but what's here is still promising and definitely worth checking out.

Simply put, Has-Been Heroes is one of the most engaging strategic gaming experiences on the market. However, getting to the point where it's that enjoyable can be too demanding for casual gamers so make sure you're willing to give it time for the gameplay to click and let it grow on you. Once it does, it's a downright blast to play.

The Inner World is quite a delightful surprise that manages to keep you hooked to the end with its charming personality and best-in-class hint system. I definitely recommend it for fans of 2D point-and-click adventures and casual gamers alike.

Troll and I has the potential to be a must-play adventure but its lack of fine-tuning makes it an often haphazard experience that'll test your patience more than it provides enjoyment. Here's hoping the developers retool it down the road or perhaps learn from their mistakes and create a more refined sequel because they definitely have a winning formula on their hands.

There's no denying that 88 Heroes is an innovative and ultimately enjoyable take on 2D platforming. However, its fun factor relies almost entirely on your willingness to persevere through its often infuriating campaign setup so make sure you have a spare controller.

World of Goo was a phenomenally distinct puzzler when it first debuted and it remains worthwhile nearly a decade after its initial release. If you've never played it before then you owe it to yourself to download it on your brand new Switch.

Little Inferno's minimalist gameplay makes for an incredibly dull dynamic. Although its anti-game premise benefits from this tedium, it still remains an overall short experience that unfortunately fails to bring the heat.

When it comes to action-packed gameplay and breathtaking audio, NieR: Automata goes above and beyond almost every game in existence. It may have its issues with its less than stellar open-world but it remains a wholly phenomenal and memorable experience.

FlatOut 4 could have been a much better experience if its car physics were improved and it had a more varied career mode. As it is, it's an uneven mix of fun and frustration. It brings back some pleasant memories of similar titles but it's unlikely to create any of its own.

Multiple difficulties and optional areas to explore give Momodora a bit of additional replay value after you complete the five to six hour long campaign. Despite being designed with a 4:3 aspect ratio and therefore having black bars on the sides of the screen, those who appreciate retro pixel art visuals should get a kick out of the gorgeous environments and layers of parallax scrolling. Most importantly, almost everyone will enjoy Momodora's smooth combat and fun exploration.

Touhou Double Focus is a solid Metroidvania experience that's held back by its sheer mediocrity. If it had more streamlined gameplay then it would be a notable addition to the genre but at least Touhou fans can find something to love in its charming world.

Styx: Shards of Darkness is a promising stealth experience with massive stages and an interesting blend of genres. However, its frequently frustrating and tedious gameplay make playing it often feel like a chore.

Touhou Genso Wanderer is a capable Mystery Dungeon game but it doesn't quite live up to its contemporaries. That being said, those who crave more classic roguelike fun after last year's phenomenal Shiren release will find a lot to love here.

Lego Worlds is a welcome departure for everyone's favourite brick-based series of adventures. Although it can use some fine-tuning, what's here will provide fans hours of imagination-fueled fun.

Sublevel Zero Redux is one of the most ambitious roguelikes due to its impressive combination of genres and intuitive gameplay. Although a few unfortunate drawbacks make it a less than stellar experience, genre enthusiasts should definitely check this one out.

Snipperclips may be a charming little cooperative puzzler but its lack of content and tendency to be more annoying than fun makes it a difficult game to widely recommend. If you're desperate for another Switch title then it may be worth downloading. Everyone else would be better off waiting for something more cutting-edge.

Despite its paucity of modes, Disc Jam is still incredibly addictive and fun to play. High Horse are promising additional features in the future including characters and arenas so here's hoping they turn Disc Jam into the more complete product that its gameplay deserves.

Blaster Master Zero is the definition of a retro remake done right. Inti Creates did a phenomenal job of improving every aspect of the original to make in an enjoyable experience for existing fans and newcomers alike so hop in your tank and start having a blast.

Loot Rascals is a delightful yet frustrating experience. If it were a TV show then I'd watch it but as a game, it simply doesn't live up to other roguelikes. That being said, I'm looking forward to Hollow Ponds' future titles as they're clearly capable developers.

Atelier Firis tells a heartwarming story of a girl determined to forge her own path in life with the help of her sister and a few friends. Its open world is full of rewarding tasks to master and the battle system will put your alchemy abilities to the test. In the end, it may not be the best game in the series but it's definitely a wonderful start to take Atelier in an entirely new direction.

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is a solid game for series fans although real-time strategy enthusiasts may be put off by its simplistic gameplay formula. In the end, I'm surprised how well it holds up as it's a wholly worthwhile game even eight years after its initial release.

A King's Tale is an interesting tie-in to the popular yet polarizing Final Fantasy XV. Retro fans will probably despise it due to its awful interpretation of classic beat 'em ups but its simple gameplay is easily digestible for casual gamers.

An absolute joy to play with gameplay that's as explosively addictive as ever. Besides a few minor complaints, I couldn't be happier that Bomberman's back in a modern interpretation of the series.

The unnecessarily slow movement speed turns Forma.8 into a bit of a slog at times, especially during long straight passages and when backtracking. The combat, puzzles, and exploration are all quite enjoyable as is the trust in the player to solve problems without putting the answers directly in front of them. Overall, Forma.8 functions as a competent Metroidvania as long as you have plenty of patience.

The frustration with its emphasis on mining gems aside, Story of Seasons is still a lot of fun as a cute and leisurely game. However, this sequel took more steps backwards than forwards and I'm hoping it remedies these poor decisions in the next installment.

Berserk and the Band of the Hawk offers plenty of content for fans of the franchise in an impressively presented package. However, its gameplay falls flat as it fails to pull itself from Musou mediocrity.

Halo Wars 2 is an ambitious game that delivers easily understandable RTS gameplay in an immersive way. Genre enthusiasts may be disappointed but there's no denying the amount of fun to be had strategically taking on Atriox forces.

Ghost Blade HD features incredible classic shoot 'em up gameplay that's as rewarding as the best in the genre. However, its lack of content and disappointingly short campaign makes it fall just a little short of greatness.

Given some work, Trulon can be a worthwhile RPG. As it is, I can't possibly widely recommend it but I do hope to see a reworked version release eventually because there's definitely a lot of potential here.

As a huge fan of Ys ever since the beginning of the franchise, I'm thrilled to be able to enjoy Ys Origin on the big screen. It may not be a perfect entry in the long-running series but it's one that genre fans will definitely find hard to put down.

Shift Happens is an enjoyable cooperative 2D puzzle platformer but it's unfortunately hindered by a limited solo experience as well as many irritating gameplay flaws. All of that being said, it's easy to see that it has a lot of potential to be a worthwhile game.

Chime Sharp retains the addictive gameplay of the original yet there are few innovations that make it a worthy sequel. That being said, it's worth adding to your collection for the brilliant soundtrack alone.

A Pixel Story is a promising retro tale but it fails to live up to the classic games that it's clearly inspired by. You'll likely have fun in its colourful world but don't expect it to last as long as the journey itself.

Typoman: Revised isn't afraid to test your wits and word descrambling abilities as well as your grasp of the English language (I don't think there would be any way for non-English speakers to complete the campaign). It also makes sure you've been paying attention to all of the mechanics by throwing in a few tricky puzzles right at the end. Typoman: Revised is a notable improvement over the original game and will be especially endearing for gamers who have a love of the English language.

I wasn't disappointed by this latest installment in the Hitman franchise. Its awesome graphics, varied gameplay, and tons of content will impress. However, the terrible (and sometimes offensive) writing, confusing menus, and inconsistent AI took me out of the experience enough to warrant a less than stellar score than it would otherwise deserve.

Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World may be lacking in a couple of areas when you compare it to 2015's platforming gem but it more than makes up for these aspects by including a handful of fantastic new additions. Even if you already own and love the Wii U version, Poochy & Yoshi will feel right at home on your 3DS, too.

Vertical Drop Heroes HD is a somewhat addictive yet short-lived roguelike adventure. If it wasn't for its awful AI and glitches then it would be a wholly worthwhile experience. Instead, you'll be better off just playing Rogue Legacy again.

Flywrench is best compared to some of the other games that were developed at the start of the indie gaming boom a decade ago. Unlike titles like Super Meat Boy and VVVVVV, I wasn't able to get the same sort of twitchy satisfaction from Flywrench mostly due to its emphasis on momentum. There's still fun to be had with Flywrench but a lot of it depends on how forgiving you are of its difficult color-changing, momentum-maintaining mechanics.

How to Survive 2 expands on the ideas of its predecessor with mixed results. On one hand, its enlarged scope and addition of base building adds longevity to the experience but on the other, its missions frequently feel monotonous and grindy.

Pix the Cat is one of the most unique and addictive arcade-style indies to ever be released. Its core gameplay will keep any hardcore retro enthusiast delighted for hours.

Semispheres is a clever blend of stealth and polarity-based puzzles but the content is severely lacking. As a result, you may have an enjoyable time with Semispheres but that fun won't last much longer than about an hour.

Plantera is one of the cutest games that I've ever played. If you're in the market to chill out and observe adorable creatures working on a farm then you should ignore my score below and download this immediately.

8DAYS may have a solid premise but the execution of its mechanics isn't well handled. I imagine that if the developers retooled all of its irritating elements, 8DAYS would be an easily recommendable title. As it is, I doubt anyone could thorough enjoy it.

Team Ninja's Nioh is a solid attempt at breathing new life into a formula that gamers just can't seem to get enough of. After all is said and done, Nioh may have its flaws but it remains an ambitious and ultimately satisfying experience for gamers who love a challenge.

This latest Tales title is definitely on my shortlist of the greatest. Watching the story unfold as I travelled the world with a collection of folks from all walks of life was a lot of fun. Thankfully, the developers added some variety in the overworld maps and if the dungeons were more interesting and sidequests played a larger role then I could see this being a contender for one of the best modern RPGs.

In time, you'll come to recognize situations where you should slow down but these unexpected deaths and frustrations will never fully disappear. Whenever they happened, I usually took a few deep breaths or even a short break, but I found myself regularly coming back in hopes of learning from my past experiences to become an even better explorer, looter, and fighter.

A surprisingly addictive game that's full of tacky fun and genuinely amusing scenarios.

The puzzles are challenging but the core gameplay is often disappointing.

Adventure Pop is a lazy Bust-A-Move clone that tries to rope gamers in with its charming visuals but it ultimately fails to live up to its inspirations. Even though it's free, you're better off paying a few bucks for a classic Bust-A-Move title.

Linelight is one of the best indie puzzlers ever made. Its immersive, challenging, and varied gameplay is presented in such an accessible and brilliant way that even after you're done with it, you'll think fondly back at this little light for years to come.

As survival games go, The Flame in the Flood is accessible and a good introduction to the genre. While it has several roguelike elements, it includes checkpoints on its easier "Traveler" difficulty that removes the sting of permadeath. Prepare for an enjoyable trip down-river but count on spending time learning the ins and outs before you start to find success.