t's been over a decade since Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective came out, and the game remains as charming and delightful as the day it was released. The HD remake does a fantastic job of updating the title for modern displays without losing the style that made it so engrossing in the first place. When the biggest flaw is that I wish there was more of it, that says a lot about its quality. It's weird, it's silly, and it has the best darn Pomeranian in video games. If you like the Ace Attorney games or colorful puzzle titles, you owe it to yourself to give Ghost Trick a try. Now if we could just get a sequel ....

The Last of Us: Part II - Remastered is a fine but pointless upgrade. In a vacuum, it's a straight boost to the PS4 version in every way, and the $10 upgrade cost is probably worth it if just for No Return. For all of its glories and failures, Part II is still the same game, even more so than The Last of Us: Part I. It's the best version of the game but probably not something that players need to rush out to get.

Limbo is one-third a fantastic masterpiece and two-thirds a solid, if unexceptional, game.

It isn't perfect, but God of War: Ragnarok remains a very good adventure game. The main story might meander for a good chunk of time, but the tale in the DLC makes up for that nicely. The action remains solid from beginning to end, and the usual additions made to the PC version and the disabling of hints almost makes up for the questionable decision to make a PSN login mandatory. If that last part isn't a deal-breaker, then you'll have a great time with Ragnarok on the PC.

Whereas Shank and Shank 2 seemed to succeed on brute force, Mark of the Ninja feels like a more nuanced affair. All of the Klei hallmarks are here, and the polish has been turned up to 11. A few minor issues aside, there is much to like here.

Even if all of the platform-specific flourishes weren't there, Bayonetta would remain a superb action title. The familiar story is buoyed by the absurd cut scenes, the action amplifies that ridiculousness, and the gameplay is still considered tight after the introduction of numerous fast action games in recent years. It's also a lengthy title by today's standards, and the constant grading of every fight will get perfectionists going. The PC version enhances everything and makes this the definitive version of the title, as long as you don't mind losing the Nintendo-themed costumes from the Wii U version. Unless you hate fast action games, you absolutely have to pick up Bayonetta.

The final verdict is that Okami for the Wii is an excellent offering and a fine addition to your library if you don't already own the PlayStation 2 version. The small complaints are a small price to pay for such an exquisite adventure, a title that really proves that quality third-party support for Nintendo is much more than a dream at this point.

Chinatown Wars on the PSP is definitely worth picking up.

Dead Space 2 hits every base that matters with the precision of a well-aimed plasma cutter. It's also a sharp testament to Visceral Games' hard work in proving again how a single-player experience can still be beautifully relevant in a hobby where online multiplayer can sometimes come off as an entitlement.

A wholly enjoyable follow-up to the original and manages to keep things fun for a long, long time with its lengthier single-player adventure, host of streamlined gameplay additions, and extensive multi-player modes.

At $20, Okami HD is one of the greatest gaming values of 2012, representing the greatest and largest Zelda-like adventure to not come from Nintendo. It's been updated beautifully and features strong, complementary use of the Move technology.

A nearly perfect experience for a very select crowd. It might even be convincing enough to convert a few non-believers, but it's not perfect.

The Firaxis team has proven that change is good when it's done right. Sid Meier's Civilization V takes core game assumptions that have persisted for as long as two decades and replaces them wholesale - almost invariably for the better.

Super Mario 3D Land is easy to recommend as a must-have game for any 3DS owner's library.

Even with a low difficulty level, lackluster story and flawed unlockables, Metroid Prime 3 is certainly a must-play for Wii owners.

Monster Hunter: World sets itself apart from the competition in so many ways. It's a deep and rewarding RPG title that lives up to the franchise name and pushes some boundaries. It will be a contestant for Game of the Year, so get in and enjoy some monster hunting.

At $60, Guild Wars 2 is easily one of the best MMO values in the pay realm this year, and it's superior to every free-to-play in the genre.

Thanks to the driving aid system, it offers a racing experience that can be modified to suit any player's desire and skill level.

It has its rough edges and may not be as polished as it could've been. If you're a gung-ho shooter fanatic, it might not be as intense as you had hoped it might be. But I was too busy crawling through vents, picking through networks, and slipping unseen against the background to notice.

Despite some missing pieces, Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection is a good value for fans of the series and those who like stealth games.

FIFA '13 provides some great AI, a fair challenge if you go for a difficulty beyond Amateur, and a lot of content if you're willing to delve into the various modes.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 remains a masterpiece of a remake. The spirit of the first two games is kept alive here, while the presentation puts it at the higher echelon of remakes that have been released thus far. If you never owned the PS4 iteration, then the PS5 version is the perfect way to jump in. If you have a 4K set or a screen with high refresh rates, then the upgrade might also be worth it — more so than the additions of the controller triggers and vibration. If you're going physical on this one, be on the lookout for the Deluxe Edition, as the PS5-only disc is the same price minus the extra cosmetics.

Into the Breach presses all the right buttons to keep tactical strategy fans hooked, and many will come back over and over again despite any shortcomings they may perceive. I, for one, plan to waste away many more afternoons saving the world from an infestation of bugs. Then, once I finish spraying my house and yard, I plan to play some more Into the Breach.

It challenges, punishes, and brings a warm feeling of joy with every mastered encounter. It's not for everyone, and it isn't absolutely perfect, but Sekiro is the best game I've played in a very long time.

A game that has a superb soundtrack and audio effects library, is ultra-realistic, visually attractive, and boasts a stunning amount of depth and replayability.

The entire game has a feeling of misdirected effort, as if Rockstar sat down to rejuvenate the franchise without knowing particularly how and simply stuck every idea, gimmick and cliché they could think of into one big ball, like some sort of Katamari of game elements with the old GTA feeling at the core.

Without having to fight every single battle, finishing one campaign of world domination easily clocks in at over 30 hours. Repeat that with every other playable side, add in the difficulty levels, choose whether to overthrow the crown to declare your empire a republic, replace the AI with multiplayer minds across the world, and your thirst to rewrite the 18th century may prove to be insatiable.

On the whole, NBA 2K12 not only improves on last year's game with tighter controls and other incremental improvements, but 2K Sports has also delivered enhancements and revisions that matter.