A few small issues and some bugs aside, Dungeons of Hinterberg is a solid action-RPG. At its core though is some fantastic, sharp writing that asks interesting questions of its player and protagonist, all wrapped up in a cozy setting. Here's my review of Dungeons of Hinterberg.

A tough as nails puzzler that in some ways blows Portal out of the airlock for its brain-bending antics. Those familiar with Pneuma: Breath of Life will find The Turing Test very much in the same vein. You'll explore and you'll work out puzzles in order to progress, all with some kind of social or humanistic undertone such as the meaning of life — or whether AIs will one day overthrow humankind and we will all be fleshy meat-slaves to our new robotic overlords.

Knockout City is a simple concept that feels great to play, both alone and with friends. It's the kind of live service game you dream of — one that's fun and fair, packed to the gills with unlockables, and thanks to its dedicated team, will only get better over time.

Ubisoft hasn't built a title like this before, and the inexperience clearly shows – The Division seems to be a victim of its ambitions. The good news is that now, games can be updated, and the flaws in the system aren't so thick that they're beyond repair. With proper attention, Ubisoft could easily pivot the game towards the vision it represents. We can only hope that The Division's long-term story is just beginning.

While WWE 2K26 brings one of the biggest rosters in WWE gaming history, with more being added with the Ringside Passes, quantity over quality is not always the answer. The game offers many modes, yes, but it is impossible for them not to feel half-baked and rushed. However, if you are playing for the core wrestling match types, you will have a great time thanks to the new gameplay additions and arenas like the Scrapyard Brawl.

Through excellent gameplay mechanics, phenomenal presentation, and a touching atmosphere, FAR: Lone Sails is the best indie game of 2018 thus far.

After a fairly great entry in UFC 4, EA Sports returns with another stellar entry in its fighting series. The addition of a deeper impact system, changes to the submission system, and new striking mechanics make UFC 5 not only more fun to play, but just as thrilling as its predecessors have been.

Lost Judgment is a great mystery game with the signature Yakuza flair. If you're a fan, or even if you're not, you'll have a fun time with this game despite its dark subject matter.

The campaign production values are amazing as always, with excellent acting and motion capture, huge set pieces, and a fair bit of variety. And of course, WWII shows serious dedication to multiplayer with the new headquarters social hub, the excellent new war mode, and a gritty co-op Zombies mode. Whether you're interested in campaign or multiplayer, Call of Duty: WWII is the complete package and a must-play first-person shooter this holiday season.

Keeper isn't likely to become Xbox's next mainstream hit, but it is a marvelous achievement in art direction, game design, and unspoken storytelling. Keeper is the result of giving a passionate, highly creative team the time and resources they need to create their masterpiece, and it begs to be played with as little knowledge as possible going in.

Far Cry 6 is like Far Cry 5, 4, and 3. Despite an incredible performance from Giancarlo Esposito of Breaking Bad fame, there's very little new or fresh about this latest sandbox shooter.

Ultimately, that's what this game is. The online gameplay has always been the focus, from the moment it was first advertised to us. It's a thrilling space combat game, rivaling many of the experiences I've had in Elite: Dangerous with the bonus of being set in one of the most iconic science fiction franchises of all time. If space combat is your thing, you need to own this game.

Aside from a few voice acting mishaps, A Way Out is one of the best cooperative experiences on the Xbox One and anyone who is looking for a game to play with a friend should immediately check this one out for themselves.

Little Nightmares II builds on its predecessor as a sequel should, expanding the scope of the universe both in terms of lore and mechanics. Little Nightmares II is one of 2021's first must-play titles.

It's a wickedly fun arcade shooter that is very reminiscent of retro arcade games, which should be up the alley of plenty of people.

New and old fans alike will find something to love in Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution. Featuring several generations of the iconic series and over 150 duels from the show, there's plenty of content to keep you occupied. It's not the perfect replacement for a physical deck of cards, but it sure comes close.

Though rough around the edges overall due to some performance issues, the first episode of The Council has laid a strong foundation for this intriguing story and fun gameplay to continue down the line.

It's not the fanciest collection, but you'll get plenty of puzzles, intrigue, and nostalgia here for a very low price.

The Call of Duty franchise needed a buffer between its past and its future, but Infinity Ward may have bitten off more than they could chew. Ultimately, Modern Warfare 2 has extremely promising multiplayer and co-op gameplay that feels good to play on the surface but woefully underbaked due to a lack of features and overall content in general. The campaign shines the brightest for those with a bit of nostalgia for the characters.

Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath adds a handful of popular fighters, but the story falls short in comparison to the base game.

House Flipper 2 builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, taking notable leaps in graphics and gameplay. The stories behind the quests are charming enough, and some include genuinely amusing pop culture references. The expansions to the in-game decor store are impressive, and I have a particular soft spot for including accessibility and mobility aids. I would find myself sitting down to do one quick quest, and then, before I knew it, an entire evening would be lost, flipping houses.

Metal: Hellsinger delivers engrossing rhythm-based shooting fun alongside a genuinely fantastic metal soundtrack. The game is short and lacks environmental variety, but the allure of a bigger high score should keep players returning for more.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is the fastest and flashiest game from Team Ninja yet, featuring awesome offense-focused melee combat with some distinctive twists. I'd have liked some slower storytelling and more unique pieces of loot, but overall, this is a must-play for any Soulslike fan.

If you like tough cooperative experiences, it really is a joy. The game naturally encourages everyone to stick together in large or small groups, watching each other's backs and using class abilities to help the team. The 15 levels are all excellent and memorable (despite the lack of environmental interactivity), providing the sense of variety that the bosses do not. With tons of classes to level and weapons to wield, Killing Floor 2 has some serious staying power. Tripwire has announced Xbox One X enhancements, too, which will keep the game going even longer.

Nobody Saves the World is a humorous romp through a 2D world where the hero is little more than a pale, pantsless shell that players can magically transform into a colorful cast of characters. RPG elements let players customize the experience even further as they rack up a body count of baddies.

The Quarry elevates the blueprint popularized by previous titles like Until Dawn while showcasing gorgeous visuals, fantastic character performances, and an engaging overarching narrative. This is a well-crafted modern love letter to classic campy horror.

Sniper Elite 5 takes the foundation of the of the familiar franchise and builds upon it with improvements to world design, historical accuracy, and accessibility.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a bold co-op roguelike offshoot from FromSoftware that creatively and satisfyingly brings Soulsborne gameplay to a new genre of RPG — even if issues with map and enemy variety hold it back from true greatness.

Skin Deep cleverly utilizes dozens upon dozens of different gameplay systems and interactions to build a fun, immersive sim that feels great to play. The art and visuals are suited to the comical tone, and there's always more secrets to find. Crashing and instability is a problem, though, especially toward the end of the story.

While the core gameplay of the latest episode is almost unchanged, the content introduced in Hitman's second episode is the best to date. Sapienza's level design is a commendable effort, improving upon the game's Paris level in almost every way. If you're still unimpressed by the new direction of the Hitman series, Sapienza is a perfect chance to revisit the world of assassination.

ROUTINE is a wonderful addition to the survival-horror genre, debuting on Xbox Game Pass with a meticulously realized retro-futuristic world set on the moon. ROUTINE's gameplay can feel clunky and your objectives can feel nebulous, but Lunar Software has absolutely nailed the art direction, audio design, and horrifying atmosphere.

Though the game can get boring after long periods, and the abundance of crude jokes can be annoying, Pit People is nevertheless a great strategy game that's at its best when played with others, but a lot of fun when played solo, too.

I absolutely adore the game, and I feel that modern roleplaying fans who also enjoy narrative-heavy games like Life is Strange will find a lot to love about Torment: Tides of Numenera. Modern RPGs from blockbuster-budget studios could learn a lot from InXile with regards to "choice and consequence," and the true value of a branching narrative. If you're looking for a story-focused game where your choices truly matter, set in a rich, nuanced world absolutely crammed with sci-fi obscurities, fantastical beasts, and mind-warping trans-dimensional phenomena, you will adore Torment: Tides of Numenera.

his is a tight platforming adventure that overflows with whimsy and charm, never overstaying its welcome. Fans of the genre (and Sega platformers of old) will find Belle and her world bewitching.

Though there are some glaring flaws in the gameplay systems, it's still a fun title, and the enjoyable visuals and music help make it worth your time.

One thing is for certain, though. Between Multiplayer, Blitz Mode, and Halo Wars 2's stellar 2-player co-op campaign, there's truly something for everyone in this wonderfully polished package. This is the best RTS on Xbox One today, by far. And it's a stunning entry in the Halo pantheon.

An intermission from the main entries in the series that's worth visiting. Especially at a price point that comes in well below the next title. Kazuma Kiryu strikes with maximum strength in the return of the Dragon of Dojima.

Overall, A Walk in the Park is a good expansion which offers more gameplay hours but that's all it does. You'll gawk at the visuals but its existence doesn't add anything extraordinary to the game unless you care deeply about the character. The audiologs are the best part by far because they give Warren a layer of complexity which was lacking in the original.

The slightly uninspiring name belies a huge action-RPG with great combat, clever platforming, and a welcome sense of humor. These games are usually great for zoning out and relaxing while you play, but Victor Vran's depth and wealth of challenges provide a greater level of engagement if you want it.

The port of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is a good one, although it does suffer from some problems that will bother players.

Spellbound is a fun battle royale game that substitutes guns for elemental powers and magic. You'll want to think strategically to pair the best gauntlets with the best runes. Take on other enemies in a squad of three to prove you are the best battlemages out there.

F1 Manager 23 is another great F1 experience and does so many things right, but its lack of multiplayer causes it to fall short of being one of the greats.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is an enjoyable JRPG that old-school and new JRPG fans alike will enjoy. It has dozens of playable heroes to recruit and sidequests to complete, the combat system is intuitive and satisfying and the 2D-HD graphics are pleasing to look at. While the storyline, characters, and mini-games are relatively simplistic and there’s lots of micro-management required, these issues do not deter from the game’s positive qualities.

Overwatch 2 represents the arrival of the foundational changes Blizzard's hero shooter needed in order to return to its former glory. While it's not perfect — few things ever are — the changes that the game makes to Overwatch's gameplay structure, progression systems, content release schedule, and presentation are absolutely stellar.

Civilization 7's biggest changes fix mid- and end-game pacing, clean up clutter on the map, and open up more strategic avenues than ever before. Victory and unit balancing will no doubt be tweaked as developers receive feedback and data, but otherwise, the game is in a great state (something that's becoming increasingly rare in AAA games). Pricing and DLC gripes aside, Civilization 7 should prove to be the best playground for world domination for years to come.

Powerful characters, nuanced story-telling, and stunning visuals make Mafia: Definitive Edition one of the best story-driven games of the year.

BattleTech's actual content is superb, but it's impossible to ignore the fact that trying to make it play well on my high-end PC was an absolute chore. If the game was more polished, I would give BattleTech a full point higher in my score. You may want to wait for some patches to come out before picking it up.

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands takes the classic Borderlands formula and puts its own spin on it in a mostly successful attempt to blend fantasy and sci-fi. Though the ending didn't land as well as it could have, the entire journey is well worth playing.

Torchlight II may not have the best story, but its gameplay is amazing.

3-5 hours may not seem long for a game, but the quality of those few short hours is really worth it. With a reasonably low price tag of around $20, I think you'd be missing out on a very intriguing and very exciting game. While deep down yes, it is your bog standard psychological horror scare tactic jamboree, its executed in such a way that it blows others like Slender or SCP-187-b clean out of the water.

Matchmaking issues aside, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is a must-play for fighting game enthusiasts and Marvel fans. The $24.99 price tag doesn't hurt, either.

Though a few aspects of the Turok series' design haven't aged well since original release, these two games nevertheless deliver on an incredibly fun and satisfying experience that all fans of casual shooters should try out.

Tell Me Why respectfully deals with sensitive topics and tells a meaningful story about grief and trauma. The performance and dialogue can be janky at times, but that shouldn't deter you from this experience.

I never thought we'd return to a time when we got so much from a $10 DLC, but here we are. Not only does The Forgotten King deliver what fans have come to expect, but it's a terrific entry point for newcomers as well.

This is a tough but addictive installment for the third SUPERHOT follow-on. This game includes multi-level stages, a variety of new enemies, and a roguelike element that puts a fresh twist on the beloved original. Mind Control Delete is also free to those who already own SUPERHOT.

Lost in Random is all about randomness, and while that idea doesn't go far enough in some cases, the game is still a great coming-of-age tale with tons of laughs and tension.

Lone Echo II is a pristine example of how a sequel can be better than the original in every way. More mature and varied gameplay elements, impressive graphics, and a story that wouldn't feel out of the place in a novel make this the must-have swan song of the Rift platform.

The Surge 2 is full of surprises, but not the ones you'd expect.

Whether you're a returning Skylanders fan or a new player, Imaginators is one of the best family-friendly games available this holiday season. Grab it to play with your kids or for solo adventures. All you need is a love of toys and a little imagination.

FIFA 22 adds some big improvements to the way the game functions, and better yet, makes the game feel even better as you play. Add to that some big changes to modes like Career Mode, and FIFA 22 is a huge improvement from past entries.

The narrative genre often takes a closer look at human emotions, something we don't often see in other genres. Blackwood Crossing takes a bold leap into examining emotions and family dynamics, tackling subjects such as love and grief, separation and moving on. It's a topic that lends itself well to the genre, as the minimalistic gameplay places a magnifying glass over the narrative the game competently weaves.

The lack of polish in some of the systems will get improved with patches, but the missed opportunities with the campaign content frustrate the full package. But ultimately, this is one of the best multiplayer shooters you will play this year, and maybe the best until the next Battlefield. So if you love competitive FPS games, yes, you have to buy this.

The inelegant blend of serious themes and wacky comedy, and the use of what I feel are dated strategy game aiming mechanics prevent Mutant Year Zero from being truly perfect, but it's still an incredible experience that you can't miss.

Despite a few downsides, I thoroughly enjoyed my time playing Another Crab's Treasure. The game's humor was a standout feature that had me laughing out loud on several occasions. As a fan of soulslike experiences, I can confidently say that it's one of the few AA games that's truly worth playing through. What's more, it's incredibly accessible to play, making it a great entry point for newcomers to the genre.

Ashen could have done more to make itself stand out, and also could have been optimized better for the Xbox One, but at the end of the day, it's still a great game.

Green Planet is an awesome addition to Surviving Mars, but it puts a spotlight on some vanilla features that could use some love.

WWE 2K22 adds some big improvements to core functions like gameplay and combat, while also introducing new modes like MyGM that make the game feel much fresher. Add to that a big graphical overhaul, and WWE 2K22 is a major step forward for this franchise.

The marriage of historical context, politics, intrigue, and tight adventure mechanics make The Pillars of the Earth an easy recommendation for fans of narrative-based games. It might even make you want to read the book.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a fun RPG with stellar writing that truly captures the dark future of eternal war. Choices and options aplenty never detract from or feel ill-suited to the setting, and a clever layout makes this a solid entry point for any Warhammer newcomers. There are a number of bugs to be wary of, with progression issues popping up from time to time.

Kunai bears the classic signs of a metroidvania with a ninja, retro-futuristic flair. Find upgrades and secret treasure stashes, fight robots, and well-designed bosses, all while having a ton of fun doing so.

Satisfying gameplay, a great mysterious narrative and amazing presentation come together to create one of Xbox One's best puzzle experiences yet.

This version received a bump up to 1080p resolution, just as you'd expect from a remastered classic. It also sports an improved frame rate, increased environmental detail, and refined creature movement. That's not to say it looks perfect; some of the textures are noticeably low resolution. But all told, this is the best that Revelations has ever looked, and series fans won't be disappointed.

Immortal Redneck does a great job of blending dungeon crawling with a first-person shooter, but the game's lack of enemy variation and presentation issues make enjoying it difficult after awhile.

The multiple-reality puzzle mechanic keeps fetch quests from getting stale, and you will certainly have to do some thinking to get to the end. There's a ton of detail, the artwork is beautiful, and the narrator does a perfect job of setting the tone.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I went into Tropico 6, but I came out in love. It's truly one of the best city building games of all time, and it has an excellent amount of polish, depth, and satire that all help it feel like a unique experience. The cluttered interface is a downside, but it's hardly one that impacts the overall gameplay much.

Trials of Mana gives modern features to a lesser-known classic. Combat tends to be overly simple, and the story is really basic, but it's still a fun, colorful adventure for JRPG fans to experience.

A game that will leave you feeling furiously stupid and a genius of brobdingagian proportions simultaneously. Hue very much reminds me of Limbo, only far less sinister and almost no spider leg removal at all. Hue is a heart-warming and an enjoyable experience.

Some minor glitches aside, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition is a fun 2D beat 'em up with stellar presentation that still rocks — just not as hard as it did over 10 years ago.

While it may not be incredibly in-depth, PGA Tour 2K21 is a great first attempt for 2K as they get into the golf game, and the future looks incredibly bright.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is the perfect way to keep the Call of Duty franchise fresh. This series can't just stick with modern warfare and past wars every single year. Moving to the far future allows for the introduction of new mechanics, equipment, and especially environments that couldn't be done in other time periods. Not only do series followers get something new here, but science fiction fans who've never touched a Call of Duty will find much to like as well.

An impressive experience. It's a shame that the story and limited exploration options hold the title back. The game could've rivaled some of the best space exploration games out there, but its need to appeal to a younger crowd undoubtedly takes away from the package.

There are some flaws to it, but EA Sports FC 24 is one of the best soccer titles EA Sports has released in many years. The addition of HyperMotionV makes for some great gameplay changes, even if some modes like Career Mode and Ultimate Team remain quite stale.

The final DLC for Doom Eternal was worth the wait, providing some gorgeous new locations and challenging fights worthy of concluding the Slayer's saga. However, they won't let you pilot the big mechs, and that's disappointing.

Though it often showcases excellent characters that go through well-written development, The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series Collection is held back by some narrative flaws and dull quick-time events. The world is filled with secrets to find and places to explore, and the presentation of it through art, music and great cinematography is a positive. Despite this, the issues with the story and gameplay prevent it from truly achieving its maximum potential.

While the strategy side of things hasn't really improved with this DLC, everything else that it adds is awesome. It builds on the things that made the base game great, building on that foundation with some new ideas and the great new Anomaly site mechanic.

Everything you remember and love about Job Simulator and Rick and Morty: Virtual Rickality with a massive host of new puzzles and experiences.

A good game which should appeal to newcomers more than seasoned veterans of the genre.

The fighting can occasionally feel unfair and the plot is average, but the engaging combat as well as the humorous tone of the narrative combine together to create a solid and entertaining JRPG experience.

Letter Quest's Xbox One Achievements actually make it a better game by providing so many goals to work toward. If you want to play on the big screen, you can't do better than the Xbox version.

Adventure game fans should grab this one up. Clunky controls aside, you'll have a great time visiting The Inner World. With the sequel arriving in July, the wait for the next installment will be far less painful for console gamers than it was for PC players!

Bridge Constructor Portal will not blow you away, but it's a fun puzzle title that makes good use of portals and puts a new twist on a classic formula. For Portal fans, it's an excellent opportunity to revisit the classic world of Portal with a slightly different approach.

Assassin's Creed Mirage provides a fun time for fans of stealth and city climbing, even if it doesn't really add anything new to the series. The game only takes about 20 hours to beat rather than stretching on far too long. The world of ancient Baghdad is a beautiful place to explore, filled with puzzles, upgrade options, and historical areas.

Primal is not just a brilliant game, it dramatically and triumphantly reinvigorates the Far Cry franchise.

Livelock succeeds as a story-based co-op shooter. It just needs some tweaks and a little more content to sit with the best in the genre.

Today's gamer generally needs concrete objectives to work towards. Sky Force Anniversary hits the mark because it has a fun upgrade system and loads of objectives to complete on every level. You can still play for score, doing your best on the highest difficulty levels and/or participating in the weekly tournaments. Whatever the case, you won't find many shmups with more universal staying power than Sky Force.

Aven Colony is a capable sci-fi city-builder with great visuals and satisfying gameplay systems. The different alien landscapes do provide some welcome variety, but you'll exhaust Aven Colony's gameplay mechanics fairly quickly, but considering the game costs only $30, I think it's a fair price for the overall package.

The game looks gorgeous and runs like a dream on Xbox One X at 4K 60 FPS.

The Escapists 2 wraps superb gameplay up with a retro art style and energetic soundtrack to deliver an addicting, tense, and challenging prison escape simulator that unfortunately is marred by a lack of polish and some overwhelming tendencies in the latter stages of levels. Nevertheless, for $19.99, it's one of the best new indie games on the market.