With Thronebreaker, CD Projekt Red has succeeded in making a fun, single-player experience about a simplified card game. It's a polished, story-driven experience that has a lot going for it. It's not a masterpiece, and there are some minor gripes, such as the difficulty (or lack thereof) and the absence of meaningful decision-making, but it is still an incredibly entertaining game. If you're into The Witcher and on the lookout for another story in the same universe, you can't go wrong with Thronebreaker.

Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition for the Switch is the definitive version of arguably the best Devil May Cry game. Freestyle mode is a revelation that makes a great game even better, and the rest of the port is similarly top-notch. If you're a fan of the game or the franchise, then DMC3 for the Switch is absolutely worth the money. The party is really getting started now.

The title occasionally feels derivative and lacks a tightness in the controls, but generally, Arise is largely filled with strengths that result in exactly what it promises to deliver: a simple narrative that also happens to be incredibly moving.

After all is said and done, EarthNight is an incredibly intriguing game. With in-depth art, consistently good music, and plenty of in-game systems to keep the player asking for more, it's hard to not want to give it a try. The follies of the title largely boil down to buy-in from the player. One could easily see a player losing interest early on due to the too delayed gratification of grinding through levels to collect all of the pieces needed for a power-up to progress. After seeing how the game evolves, I have to say that it's worth the time investment. EarthNight scrapes against greatness in its concept but falls slightly short in execution — not with the space dragons, though. I fully plan to execute all of the space dragons that I can get my hands on.

The main hook in Black Future '88 is enough to recommend it to roguelike fans who want something a little different from the norm. There's a nice balance between trying to be thorough about collecting everything and rushing to make the most of your time, which is good enough to push most players out of their comfort zone. Those wanting something quick and different in the genre will find some joy in this title.

In terms of gameplay, the new boss fights are a huge chunk of the challenging content, and they're a ton of fun to play. If you enjoyed Kingdom Hearts III's combat enough to want to see it at its best, then Re Mind is for you. The Organization XIII fights alone are worth the price of admission in this case. If not, then $30 is difficult to justify for what amounts to a couple of add-ons to cut scenes that you've seen before and boss fights that you might not be able to beat.

It's by no means a perfect game, but it excels at almost everything it sets out to do. It has an incredibly detailed and faithful presentation and is a unique attempt to capture the essence of the franchise in an interactive experience. If you're a fan of horror and haven't played Isolation yet, this is still one of the more interesting and tense horror games out there. Even if you have already played it, this is the best way to jump back into a game that has aged incredibly well, both visually and in terms of gameplay mechanics.

Darksiders Genesis is a great game. I feel like the developers masterfully ticked every box on their design sheets, so they should be proud of this one. Unless the genre really turns you off or the occasional puzzle is a deal-breaker for you, Darksiders Genesis is definitely worth your money.

At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. It's a pretty inexpensive offering that gives some good thrills for a short time. If the developer released Demon Pit 2 that featured a campaign and some co-op action, I'd definitely check it out, as they have a solid foundation here. The current offering is extremely niche, so if competing on a scoreboard doesn't strike you as terribly appealing, there may be better places to spend your money.

Newcomers won't find any flash or forgiveness in the story or difficulty; this is a hardcore strategy game through and through. None of those points deter from my overall enjoyment of Phoenix Point, though. It's a fantastic game, and I'm excited to see what Gollup has in mind for DLC. I certainly plan to play more of this game and improve my tactics. At the moment, my only Phoenix-like revival skills lie in save scumming.

All in all, Patapon 2 Remastered is as bare-bones of a remaster as you can get of a fun game. It has nothing in the way of new features, and the lack of compensation for input lag means that like many older rhythm games, it can be borderline unplayable on some modern televisions. If you can get past that, you can find a lot to like in this adorable and surprisingly difficult little game. Just don't blame us if you hear "pon pon pata pon" in your sleep.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War is a solid, workmanlike zombie shooting game. It's quite fun to play and makes for an enjoyable co-op experience as you and a friend team up to buzzsaw your way through Hitler's legions. That's basically the beginning and end of it. If you want a game where you kill a lot of Nazi zombies, then Zombie War 4 provides. If you're looking for something more, then it doesn't. It's still a fun co-op experience and worth picking up if you're looking for something new to add to your gaming library.

Although this game consists of quite a lot of reading, the story and overall feel of the title should keep VTM fans and newbies alike entertained from start to finish. It is a shame that there is no time to experience each and every storyline, and the inability to save multiple games is a bit of a deterrent. Overall, this indie RPG is a pretty good distraction for vampire fanatics to delve into as they anxiously await the upcoming releases this year.

Overall, there isn't much that one can fault in Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD on the Switch. It runs and looks improved on all fronts, and it features a game that is interesting and fun to play. It's quite dated in some respects, such as the audio, controls, and overall design. While this is unlikely to scare away fans of the series, newcomers should probably be aware that this is a diamond in the rough with more than a few sharp edges. Just like 15 years ago, though, this is still a trip worth taking.

Journey to the Savage Planet an unexpected pleasant surprise that you don't expect in the typically dead month of January. The humor can be an acquired taste for some, but the focus on levity doesn't feel forced and actually enhances the overall experience. The focus on exploration also helps make this a lighthearted jaunt, as the exploration is enjoyable and the combat is light but capable. Combined with the game's classically inspired art design, Journey to the Savage Planet is a title that adventure fans should pay attention to, especially with so many other higher-profile titles getting delayed recently.

For good or ill, Tokyo Mirage Session #FE: Encore's biggest strength and biggest weakness is that it's pretty much the same game you may have played on the Wii U. It runs better, it looks better, and it has some nice quality-of-life improvements, but it's basically the same game. Is that worth $60? It depends on how much you enjoyed the game in the first place, or if you missed it due to it being a Wii U title. Anyone who is a fan of Persona-style games will almost certainly enjoy it. JRPG fans hoping for something to tide them over until Persona 5 Royale should find a comfortable home in the weird world of Tokyo Mirage Sessions.

It's very difficult to recommend Disney Tsum Tsum Festival. The best minigame happens to be the one originally made for mobile platforms, and the second best is the coin-pushing game. The other minigames have various control and design issues, and they range in quality from OK to bland, so even the great presentation can't compensate for those shortcomings.

Skullgirls 2nd Encore is another welcome addition to the Switch's fighting game library — if the tiny online community is acceptable to you. While it would've been nice to get something extra for the game's late arrival, all of the previous modes are intact, and the fighting remains as solid and deep as ever. Unless you've already had your fill of the game on other platforms, Skullgirls 2nd Encore on the Switch is well worth a purchase.

Dark Quest II isn't half-bad. The upgrade system is easy to understand, the game does a pretty good job of explaining all of the odds to you, and it wastes no time in presenting you with interesting scenarios. The difficulty is slightly challenging, but its short overall length and threadbare story means that experienced genre players will scoff at it. If you're just starting out, Dark Quest II works as a quick throwaway game; it's something to consider if you can find it at a good sale before you settle on another title with some more depth.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a solid Dragon Ball Z game that is dragged down largely by a lack of polish in some areas. The combat system is probably too repetitive, and the content is too shallow to be of much interest to non-fans, but it's the Dragon Ball Z game that fans have dreamed of as kids. It doesn't matter if it's punching Frieza or playing baseball; the game captures the spirit of Dragon Ball extremely well, even if the gameplay doesn't always keep up.

Even if you were to look at this title without comparing it to other arcade racers, Rise: Race the Future would simply be fine. The track designs are good, and the Challenge mode offers up something in lieu of multiplayer. However, with a limited selection of tracks and cars when compared to other games, Rise feels rather limited in terms of what the player can do before boredom sets in. Ultimately, the game does well as a quick snack, but it's doesn't need to be a permanent part of one's racing library.

Interrogation: You Will Be Deceived is a politically driven and intelligently pieced-together game, and that kept the story moving in a positive direction despite my misgivings. I was genuinely engaged in where the tale would take me, who was involved, and what the outcome would be. Rather than flat-out telling you the story, the game invites you to participate, question your own beliefs and biases, consider the possibility that the usual suspects may be innocent, and that not all criminal or political activity is as clear-cut as it initially seems. Do the ends justify the means? Hey, you're the one asking the questions here. You decide.

All in all, I think that Shortest Trip to Earth has a niche appeal. It's extremely detailed and management-heavy, so if that sounds good, you may enjoy it. There are tons of modules to experiment with, a variety of resources to trade and manage, so many crew members with different skills, and what seems to be a longer campaign than FTL featured. They have certainly added a lot of stuff to the basic format, but it feels rather unpolished. Too much of what was added feels like busy work instead of interesting decisions, or it creates so many choices that the game can slow to a crawl as you sort through the options. The game begs for better ways to manage the management and display options to the player.

While I am incredibly fascinated with the roots of American folklore and media in general, it would be difficult to suggest this to someone lacking the same fascination. This title oozes Americana at every turn, which is beautiful and fascinating, but it's not for everyone. This game isn't worth a deal with a devil, but it could be worth it for you if there's a good deal. Just don't put up your soul as collateral.

All these years later, Resident Evil remains an excellent survival-horror game. The puzzles are still good, the brief bouts of action are still tense, and the scares still deliver even if you know about them beforehand. The appeal of this port is the fact that the game can now be portable, so the benefits of the smaller screen really come into play. It might have slightly longer load times in some areas, but if you want to play the remade classic on the go, this is a well-done port.

There are some good ideas in Pride Run, but none of it really comes together to create an experience that's tough to put down. The music may be good, but the rhythm game is too easy unless you bump it up to the highest difficulty. The strategy game, although novel, doesn't do enough to get people interested. If you're willing to take the time to figure out the game, the strategy portion might be worth looking at, but for everyone else, the rhythm game would be a good warm-up title before you try something meatier.

The Contra Anniversary Collection isn't perfect — the omission of Contra 4 and Contra ReBirth is a disappointment, and more save states per game would have been nice — but it is a solid collection of quality games at an attractive $20 price point to boot.

The biggest issue with MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is that it hits you with all of its shortcomings at once. Keep playing, though, and the game establishes itself as a fun title that's worthy of the MechWarrior moniker. Play it with friends, and it becomes even more entertaining. Dated aspects of its presentation aside, the combat remains fun mission after mission, and it continues to test you as you become more powerful. Start blowing apart enemy mechs with a small array of PPC cannons and make a few big pay days, and you'll appreciate the game for what it is.