The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- is a fun turn-based strategy RPG with a large entertaining cast and an intriguing story. If it featured more variety in its enemies and locales and fleshed out its characters' motivations a bit more, it would be a must-have.

Shovel Knight Dig may not be as fine-tuned as the original but it's still a ton of fun to dig deeper and deeper in its roguelike campaign. I definitely recommend it but try not to be disappointed if the fun is over within only a few hours like it was for me.

Enjoying Outer Wilds depends on your willingness to read guides and discuss the game online. Otherwise, you'll probably feel like you're regularly hitting your head on a brick wall as you try to make just an inch of progress.

If you're looking for a highly enjoyable experience that's undoubtedly something different, Desperados III will provide hours of gunslinging good times. Plus, those who enjoy perfecting their strategies as they take a trial and error approach will absolutely love it.

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology is a massive RPG for a handheld console with a serious and involving story that'll keep you hooked as you travel back and forth in time to unlock each new event only to finally reach the plot's satisfying climax.

No matter how you slice it, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time marks the return of a gaming icon in a masterful way as it manages to take risks while offering familiar gameplay. I love its high degree of challenge and hope to one day achieve 100% completion which may be quite a tall order but the fact that I'm compelled to do so just goes to show how much fun this long-awaited sequel is.

Level-5 has done it again as they delivered another thoroughly enjoyable JRPG thus proving that the genre isn't going anywhere. If you're not too disheartened by the lack of the slower-paced turn-based battle system and the monster collecting that was featured in the original then you'll have a ton of fun building your very own kingdom and traversing the stunning world of Ni no Kuni II.

Hitman 3 follows in the footsteps of its predecessors by adding 6 new beautiful locations and some smaller additions and improvements. On the downside, it lacks any sort of multiplayer mode. Regardless, it's a must-buy for any fan of the series.

AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is a worthy sequel with a gripping story and an expanded cast of loveable characters. Plus, the new re-enactment mode adds an extra layer of gameplay to help keep things fresh and interesting but it still suffers from a lack of a hint system that can make progressing through the otherwise intriguing story occasionally feel like a chore.

Playing Thank Goodness You're Here! made me laugh so many times throughout its oddball adventure that I easily recommend playing it.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a solid evolution of the series with updated graphics and a thoroughly enjoyable overworld traversal system that rewards exploration although the battle system and monster recruiting remain a little too familiar.

Being able to play Valkyria Chronicles on-the-go is such a treat and the overall experience holds up beautifully a decade after its debut. If you still haven't played this SRPG classic then you should definitely give it a try.

Rolling Gunner features classic arcade shoot 'em up gameplay that's as tight and challenging as its visuals are flashy.

UNSIGHTED does a lot of things and it does them extremely well. So, if you enjoy the classic Zelda formula, Metroidvania exploration, twin-stick shooting, and reaction-based combat then you'll love your time with this gem of an indie.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a supremely fun one-on-many fighting experience with familiar grand scale battles combining with freshly challenging elements that can really put your skills and reflexes to the test and it works wonderfully on Nintendo Switch 2.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon is a massive game with oodles of familiar and fresh characters, locales, mechanics, and quests. It can actually be a bit too much at times yet it all comes together to form one of the best-crafted modern RPGs.

BlazBlue Entropy Effect X is one of the best roguelikes thanks to its action-packed combat, strategic upgrades, huge variety of characters, superb animation, and constant sense of reward. If you love 2D action games then you'll have a wonderful time with this impressive package.

Toodee and Topdee is a brilliant puzzle platformer that joins Tandem: A Tale of Shadows in a unique genre that I'd like to see more of.

Gears 5 is the best Gears of War game so far as it features one thrilling campaign and plenty of exciting online multiplayer modes. In fact, it's so much fun that I highly recommend playing it if you're not already a Gears fan so you can see what the series is capable of.

Agent 47 is still killing it and he now has more ways to look stylish with three exclusive Definitive Edition outfits. However, if you already own the Game of the Year version then there really isn't much new to see here.

If you enjoy quirky indie games as much as I do then you'll have an absolute blast while mastering every zany level in What the Golf.

Dark Souls is one of the greatest video games of all time and my personal favourite Soulsborne game to date. Thankfully, this Remastered version helps make it even better; if only in an arguably marginal way.

Forza Motorsport is a superb racing sim that marks a welcome return to the genre. If you're a gearhead or simply enjoy a more realistic approach to racing then I highly recommend checking it out although those averse to the genre will likely remain unswayed.

If you enjoy Metroidvania games even a little bit then picking up Castlevania Advance Collection should be a no-brainer. The included titles have held up beautifully and they're each jam-packed with monster-slaying good times. Here's hoping for Castlevania DS Collection.

Blasphemous 2 is a streamlined sequel that any genre fan can enjoy, especially with its creepy cast of characters and superb bosses.

Gears of War 4 is an impressive return to form.

The amount of characters in SNK Vs. Capcom: Card Fighters' Clash is absurd and when you consider just how fun its battles are, you're left with a winning formula. Some aspects are a bit rough nowadays such as the cumbersome interface but it's still a good time.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is one of the best games of the year. From its clever gameplay concoction to its gorgeous presentation, excellent sense of humour, and rewarding character abilities; this is one outstanding seafaring adventure.