I could not get enough of this game while I was playing it. I played for hours every day trying to get everything done. When I accomplished everything I could, I searched for more information on the third protagonist that hasn’t been released yet. It’s the first game in a long time that I couldn’t put down, and when it was time to, I had a hard time doing so. I couldn’t even cover half of what I wanted to in the review. There’s crafting, lockpicking, sneaking, extorting, TV night, poker, and the list goes on. There are so many great moments to experience, and many people will want to do every escape method and bond with every single character. The new game plus works perfectly, and with so much to do, you may spend as much time as I did while being incarcerated.

Vermintide 2 is easily worth your time and money to play. People have long awaited another Left 4 Dead, but Vermintide will fill its shoes nicely. While Vermintide 2 isn’t considered an AAA game, it sure feels like one.

Ashen subverts expectations. It manages to take the Souls genre, deconstruct it and make it feel originally its own. From the art style to the lovingly-crafted areas you venture through, you can tell that this was a passion project for the development team at A44. Slight performance issues aside, Ashen is a wonderful action role-playing game that respects the player’s desire to explore. It’s some of the most fun I’ve had with my Xbox One this year and well worth the time of anyone who is a fan of the genre, as well as a great entry point for those who are curious – a true independent gem.

If you’re already a strategy fan or enjoy the ever growing breed of roguelikes that seem to be springing up everywhere, you’ll almost certainly enjoy Kingdom: New Lands. On the other hand if you’re new to either then I can’t think of a better place to start.

Overall Celeste is a phenomenal game. While the game delivers on all fronts, the relatable story and soundtrack stand out as two of the most memorable aspects. The challenging platforming helps to keep the player motivated to push forward. The discussions between Madeline and side characters to the game help the world around you feel alive, and their guidance helps Madeline to continue pushing forward. Celeste is not a game for everyone. The difficulty alone is something to easily turn players away. To those who are looking for a challenging platformer with a rewarding story, Celeste is definitely a one of a kind diamond in the rough.

What Remains of Edith Finch is an absolutely beautiful and emotionally complex game. Despite a certain sense of morbidity in telling so many tales of death, the game is truly about the celebration of life. Despite all their differences, each family member is remembered more for who they were than how they were lost. This is a wonderful little tale that uses every second to the fullest, and truly should not be missed.

Besides a few things I didn’t think were done right, I can’t argue the fact I kept going back every night to enjoy gathering items and healing what appears to be a very unhealthy group of citizens.

Nidhogg has always felt like the promise most fighting games make but set the bar way too high to actually deliver: two highly skilled combatants that have not only mastered their technique, but can read their opponent and counter accordingly. No memorization of strange combos or endless character variations, just simple controls with a highly balanced set of rules that make for a learning curve so smooth it’s practically nonexistent. Nidhogg 2 adds some small but mighty innovations to the gameplay, making it feel fresh without ruining what made it so special in the first place.

The Banner Saga 3 is a truly wonderful interactive story and a solid tactical role-playing game. While this entry can stand on its own in the trilogy, The Banner Saga should be experienced as one cohesive work across the three games. It’s a fitting end to a harrowing journey. It’s not often that games are developed as such a complete package, from the art and gameplay to the narrative and score – everything comes together in harmony as an incredibly unique experience.

This game is a beautiful experience from beginning to end and something that is not only unique but can be a fantastic introduction into the rogue-lite genre for those that have never ventured in or even those that felt the genre was maybe not for them.

If someone asked me right now, what my favorite game of the year was it would be Bloodstained, hands down. Even after completing it, I still felt an addiction to find every single item and upgrade all abilities. I can play for hours and not get bored. It has everything you could imagine a platformer to have. I played on normal and have a feeling I’ll start a new game plus on a harder difficulty. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is easily going to be a favorite for many people. I am beyond impressed with the production value as well as the combat and excellent story. I can’t express how much I recommend this to everyone. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

The game’s presentation is like a kid’s book that came to life, and you get to control the heroes, which is a stark contract in some ways to the deep nature of the plot. The story is based as a loose allegory for World War II. They obviously made a lot of changes, such as the robotic enemies; however, they handled an incredibly complex and dark theme well. I am very glad I got the opportunity to experience it. I had no clue what the game was when I fired it up on my Xbox. It was a pleasant surprise, and I hope more people get the chance to play and appreciate this work of art.

Overcooked 2 is a perfect example of how to make a great sequel to a smash hit. It takes everything we knew and loved in the first game and cranks it up to 11.

It’s a fairly simple game, but it does everything so well it almost feels effortless. Controls are easy for anyone to grasp, new concepts and increased difficulty unfold so naturally, you may not even notice. The narrative may be cliché but comes across sincere, brought to life with a charming interpretation of childhood imagination. It’s the gaming equivalent of a warm, cozy blanket – a relaxing and welcoming experience built for anyone to enjoy.

10 Second Ninja X is a near perfect execution of a challenging platformer. While it's certainly never easy, it is accessible and rewarding to players of any skill level. Its short levels make it endlessly addicting, especially when you're only a few milliseconds off from that three-star victory.

It’s a spectacular and beautiful experience you should not pass up. This is easily one of the best releases of the year, and if you have read this far, you already know it’s something you need to try for yourself.

As a game, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is the cross between a puzzle-lite walking simulator and a brutal action-adventure. Despite some mild design and middling technical flaws, it balances both aspects rather well. As a narrative, this is one fantastic experience. It’s an honest, challenging look at battling mental illness that will stick with you long after the credits roll. It’s as beautiful as it is soul-crushing, making it a must play for anyone who still has a soul to crush.

The story is an absolute blast and the dialogue is interesting to read. The only time I was not enjoying myself was while grinding out the last collectibles because the map could use a few features. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t planned to be this way, as some people do like discovering everything without hints. But yes, basically if you’re a Metroidvania platforming fan, you cannot go wrong with any of the Shantae games.

Omega Strike is that game that you go in thinking you know what to expect, but with the overall game design, it comes together into something more special than you could have possibly imagined. The controls are simplistic, the game offers a challenge even on its base difficulty and the story is funny and interesting.

Yooka-Laylee is a fantastic introduction to both gaming and this particular genre as the joy this game creates is unbelievable. I've avoided getting too specific because Yooka-Laylee is an experience that is best served in a state of constant wonder. Needless to say, anyone with a proclivity towards collectibles, seeing pretty sights and solving neat puzzles in games should not miss this one.

I’ve played a few Sherlock games before and really enjoyed them. Chapter One has exceeded all expectations and made the bar very high for all future installments. It’s one of the best games I played this year! Being in an open world and solving cases is pure bliss. At least for people who like crime and solving cases. Don’t let the price fool you, this is a full game with tons of awesome content. It’s just a bonus that it costs less than the average AAA title. When it’s called Chapter One, it gives the impression there are more installments planned. But because technically it’s more of a prequel of sorts, it very well could be by itself and the name could just represent the timeline. I would be thrilled if there are more chapters, especially with the last scene of the game being so exciting. If there’s any indication this version of Sherlock will continue, count me in.

This game is completely in my wheelhouse, as the saying goes. It’s great if you have a few minutes to wait for something (such as a game update finishing up), but it’s equally superb at getting you to play it just one more time. Therefore, you won’t be returning to your planned activity until you start yet another race you know without a doubt you will lose … and you’re quite okay with that. Race the Sun is a fantastic game at a bargain price that deserves a portion of your Xbox One’s hard drive space.

Everything about Timespinner is excellent. There are only a few very minor things I personally didn’t care for, but they have no bearing on actually being negative. With an assortment of firepower, you’ll love trying out all of the orbs and jewlrey. The time to complete everything is perfect, being right around the 15-hour mark. You can keep doing new-game-plus if you can’t get enough action and become addicted to leveling up everything, which have a cap of level 999. I really would enjoy some DLC or even a sequel. It’s one of the few games of recent times that I can say that I adore.

The Touryst is an absolutely great game with a lot to do during its playtime. The mini games are diverse and fun enough that I would come take the challenge again. The story, while barebones, is quirky enough to hold my interest with a twist that I can say I didn’t expect. This will be a game I make a return visit to.

While there is some room for minor adjustments and polish, the overall enjoyment can overshadow any small negatives. The only thing stopping someone from liking it is their own taste. I played it all in one sitting and had zero issues. Even the loading times were quite fast. At a technical level, it’s smooth and is impressive in quality. After playing the demo I knew it would be something I needed to finish. I would suggest this to any fans of the genre, especially for those who enjoyed (and remember) Monkey Island.

The first playthrough of Ghost 1.0 took around 10 hours to complete playing on classic mode. Players can expect a longer playthrough for higher difficulties, especially if you plan to collect everything. The $9.99 asking price is a blessing. Do yourself a favor and play this game! You won’t regret it.

The way the game infuses its roguelike elements with a deliberate linear design is brilliant, creating a sense of consistent forward momentum that you rarely see in its peers. This isn’t an experience which mostly relies on RNG for a good run, as you’re always in the driver’s seat building your character and navigating the interconnected world. Its moment-to-moment gameplay is pure gold, but the way the overarching game remains compelling after so many hours is its greatest feat.

A Hat in Time is the kind of game you don't see very often anymore: an incredible fun-for-all-ages romp that isn't exclusive to Nintendo. It's ceaseless dedication to making every moment feel fresh and exciting is admirable – even if a few technical hiccups slipped through the cracks. It's an incredibly fun platformer that never stops surprising. It's the kind of game that just makes you happy. Heck, the game is making me smile right now, and all I'm doing is writing its review.

I'm far from a puzzle enthusiast, but I loved my time with Slayaway Camp: Butcher's Cut. The puzzles are short and addictive, and the ridiculous slasher movie setting really lifted the mood on what can often be a fairly somber game genre. Difficult enough for puzzle fans but equally accessible to everyone else and likely a real eye-opener for those unfamiliar with this type of game. With heaps of content and genuinely fun gameplay, I can't think of anyone who shouldn't pick this up.

Mr. Shifty is an incredibly fun send-up of superhero comics and action movies, complete with bright colors and cheesy dialogue. Its unique gameplay hooks are a blast, delivering a solid mix of fast combat and creative navigation. If it weren't for the technical issues that plagued its final levels, this game would easily be a must buy. Hopefully, it will get patched in the future so these problems can stop bogging down a great game.

While it’s labeled a horror game and does have creepy moments, it seems the fun lies in actually playing detective; browsing through a life that isn’t yours, trying to piece together what could have transpired. I’ve never played this genre, which is new to me but has been around for a few years. I am pleasantly surprised and enthralled with it. If you love psychology, technology, horror, and playing detective, then you will be happy to hear that this snooping adventure has it all. I absolutely loved it.

Little Nightmares is dark, eerie, startling, gross and sinister – all without resorting to M-rated content or a first-person camera. It's a great puzzle-platformer that is amazingly atmospheric, where the scariest parts are a fun gameplay experience rather than a game-halting fright. In many ways, it reminded me of Inside, but I have, to be honest: despite being a little more rough around the edges, I like Little Nightmares more.

Even for those who haven’t gotten the chance to experience the original game, Q.U.B.E. 2 does a great job of filling the player in on the important details that lead up to this point. If you’re in the mood to test your brain against some exciting puzzles all while experiencing an interesting and phenomenal story, then look no further.

I was quite surprised by how good of a title this was. While seemingly simple, Hive Jump gives all the tools for you to have a great time doing the repetitive missions. Each idea created was well done, and I found myself wondering what really could have made it better. The one thing I felt truly missing was the online cooperative. I just never got a chance to play it how it was probably meant to be played. Luckily, as a singleplayer experience it still holds its own and doesn’t leave you wondering how you’ve ended up having no real-life gamer friends. Hive Jump won’t astonish you but it will be something you can enjoy spending a lot of time on.

While far from perfect, the package delivered is one you’ll love opening and exploring. You can play for hours on end and still have an addiction to open every drawer or checking every waste basket for precious supplies. While there are design choices that don’t make much sense, you can look past them and enjoy it for what it is: a playground for madness. We Happy Few will be a joy to most who decide to take the pill. Anyone who doesn’t like it is a real downer. Lovely day for it!

This game is amazing for what it strives to be. It’s an escape room-like horror game where an evil puppet chases you and is filled with cheesy dialogue. The experience was so entertaining and I didn’t mind replaying some of it to get achievements I missed. Most people won’t even have to follow any walkthrough, which is a nice change of pace for games with puzzles. Overall, I did not go into it expecting it to be that great. There are tons of horror games out there that are sub-par and all seem very similar. Some monster or ghost is chasing you and it’s all very dark. Puppet House is different, and that is what I liked about it. While the story wasn’t all that special, it also didn’t take itself too seriously. It’s meant to pay homage to the older stuff, attempting to give you nostalgia (if you’re old enough). It was also paced very well, with a few little jump scares and a satisfying ending.

Death Squared is a smooth, simple and challenging puzzle game that focuses on bringing playful humor to what could have easily become a repetitive experience. The dialogue and included "glitches" in the program almost completely mask any sense of tedium with each of the many levels. If you are normally on the fence about puzzle games, this just might be the one to convince you. Whether you want an entertaining solo challenge or a fun new game to play with friends on the couch, you won't need to look further than this.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with The Sexy Brutale. It’s been a long time since I felt the desire to replay a game past completion to find every collectible and every secret, but the game is so intriguing it’s almost addictive. With gorgeous graphics, a jaunty soundtrack and some seriously spicy murders to solve you’d be crazy not to want to take a peep at the action. It’s perhaps a bit early to be talking about Game of The Year contenders, but certainly, The Sexy Brutale just raised the bar for 2017.

Cities: Skylines – Xbox One Edition is an important release. Not just because it's a great game. And it is. But also because it shows that strategy games really do have a place on consoles. The game has amazing depth, probably more than any other game I've seen on the console, and is almost a match for the PC version without any control issues to speak of. It also looks amazing on a large TV screen, suck it up master race! Cities: Skylines – Xbox One Edition is the sort of game you can get lost in for hours, creating your own stories and worlds to admire. It may take you a few attempts to get the city of your dreams, but once you get the hang of things you're in for a treat.

After the final scene, I wanted to experience more of the world with Ted. It was short but very pleasant. I laughed at a lot of scenes and I think the characters are great. Flint made a nice counter personality to Ted, being extremely nice but also sarcastic and could keep up with the banter. While not being overly challenging, you’re allowed to enjoy the story. The pacing is near perfect, allowing you to easily backtrack to areas that are still relevant. I don’t have anything negative to say about the game. It’s well worth playing through until the end. I was never bored and loved clicking on everything to see what outrageous dialogue would be spoken next.

The graphics are enhanced but still feel old school. I can’t believe I missed this growing up. It’s simply outstanding. I couldn’t list many things I disliked because there really weren’t any. I got over not being able to skip scenes and got used to the wacky camera changes. It’s no wonder this was critically acclaimed so long ago. I didn’t mention it before, but the presentation was high level and the music was spectacular. If you’ve played it before, you’ll enjoy reliving (or re-dying) it. Never played it before? You’re in for a real treat. I can’t recommend Onimusha: Warlords enough.

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition is definitely a bundle that holds weight with content and replay value for the decent price. Other bundles of this kind normally cost double the money and offer less in value.

A fresh breath of air, Nine Witches has whacky charm. There were only a few things that could have used a tune-up but even those don’t deter from a great time. I finished it in around five hours and loved every minute. An even longer adventure would have been awesome. The mixture of combat and talking to ghosts really set it aside as a unique gem among the genre. Sometimes the story was a little hard to follow but the pacing was still perfect. I never felt anything was rushed or too slow. The writing and humor were incredible. My hope is that more content with the same characters will be created. It’s franchise-worthy in my opinion!

This is a great game. It’s simple yet challenging. There’s an actual desire to get the maximum score (maybe for me because achievements are tied to it). There is just enough challenge without being a lost cause. If you’re a sucker for time management games, you will not be disappointed! Well, at least I wasn’t. But I also loved a phone game called Sally’s Salon. If you want to sweat at the same time you’re smiling, then this is for you.

While a minute may not seem like a long time, Minit shows just how big or small those 60 seconds can feel. Some may be busy and eventful, others may feel like they amount to nothing, but every single one is an important stepping stone. This is a fantastic game that appreciates your time and makes you appreciate it as well.

I’ll stop short of calling it a masterpiece but it is certainly exceptional. It plays out almost like a movie or a book. There seems to be an underlying message about family, loyalty, and that strength can be found in morality. I often got lost in the game for hours without ever feeling bored. Each week is like a mini-episode leading up the finale. I would not hesitate to play a sequel if there ever is one.

The game is both playful and challenging, encouraging you to overcome the obstacles before you and keep the story moving. The franchise may have been overshadowed back in the day, but Monster Boy deserves to be up in the rarefied air primarily populated by Italian plumbers with a fondness for the color red.

Playing through Manifold Garden is a lot like examining an MC Escher work, admiring its beautifully impossible architecture while parsing the complexity of the world. It’s undoubtedly confusing at first, but look close enough and you’ll get a grasp of the mechanics holding this reality together. I’ve played my fair share of first-person puzzle games, and I can’t remember the last time I played something this unique, intelligent and downright beautiful.

Sky Force Reloaded is everything that I wanted it to be and more. The replay value that every unique level offers up, as well as the four difficulty levels that each level has to offer assures there is always a challenge waiting to be tried and conquered. If you are looking for a game that keeps its overall design simple but still offers a fair challenge, Sky Force Reloaded may just be what you’re looking for!

The prospect of not playing this game is far scarier than whatever Inside's ominous bad guys have planned for that poor little boy.

Whether it’s because you grew up with these games, love these characters or just enjoy good games, The Disney Afternoon Collection is well worth a playthrough.

On a pure gameplay level, Ruiner is almost perfect. It strikes the perfect balance between challenge and fun. The game feels incredible to play, and every ability feels satisfying and powerful, but that means nothing if you don't have the skills to use them well. The story and world may not be fleshed out enough, but at least it's a sight to behold. The game may be called Ruiner, but it can only improve your game library.

Thimbleweed Park is so much more than a nostalgic throwback. It's a distillation of everything that makes point-and-click adventures great, and a modern perfection of a classical type of game design. It's an absolute must if you are or ever were a fan of the genre. While it may be a bit too niche to bring in new fans, I'd still say it's worth a recommendation to even the most puzzle-adverse among us.

The combat, skills, and crafting system are all so well done that I never felt like I was just grinding and wasting my time. Every fight was enjoyable regardless of how often I had seen a specific enemy or even if it was my third time doing a mission.

I am in love with Livelock. It is one of the most feature rich and professional independently developed games I've ever played, whether on Xbox One or elsewhere. At only $19.99, Livelock is worth every penny, punching well above its weight and contending strongly against a lot of retail titles that offer much less and cost a lot more.

After 20 plus hours of gameplay, I am still enjoying slicing and dicing my way through the levels to reach 100%. That may not seem like much of an endorsement to you, but for a dad of three who works 60 hours a week, that's saying more than you may know. My time is precious to me, and when I can find a game that stays fun and enjoyable and helps me bring both my kids and friends closer, I'm all onboard. The few downfalls Zombie Vikings has are in no way enough to hold this game back from being a jewel amongst indie games.

This game is $14.99, but it should be $30, or even $40. The game is vast, detailed and nearly impeccable in every way, with perhaps only the social element lagging behind the rest. It is every bit as feature packed as the AAA rated games that it is similar to, such as Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing. I'll be playing Stardew Valley for a long time to come, and I genuinely hope that this review inspires you to pick it up and do the same, because this is one of the finest examples of passionate, empowered independent video game making I've ever come across.

A thrilling adventure game that is sure to please, Strange Brigade does almost everything right. There were too many things I liked about the game to mention (graphics and sound are also top notch). This isn’t Rebellion’s first third-person shooter, and the growth of quality has increased with maturity. The Egyptian theme is everywhere, from the menu system to the excellent narration. It’s as if you were playing an action movie, with the brigade seeming to have their own personal agendas that happen to coincide with saving the world. After the credits roll, you’re more than likely going to go back to the menu and continue playing.

An absolutely essential purchase for any fan of management simulators or strategy games.

Besides being a fun puzzler, The Missing provides a look into depression and psychological torment. It’s grotesque yet elegant. I would even go to claim that it’s a borderline masterpiece. It leads you in one direction then turns out you were wrong the entire time. When it ends, it clicks all at once, and you suddenly want to read all the message conversations over again and play through to see everything in a different light. I couldn’t stop playing and actually spent seven hours straight playing until it was finished. I even kept replaying chapters afterward to collect what I missed. Overall, I think bold design choices were made, and we are rewarded with one of the best platformers available.

To go for the lazy metaphor, Donut County is like a delicious pastry. It’s baked with the kind of care you’d only get from a homemade dessert. Maybe they could have been a little more liberal with the jelly filling, but it’s a fantastic treat regardless. Modest yet satisfying, it’s the perfect go-to if you’re craving something sweet.

Being a fan of horror and not a huge fan of rouge-like, I can attest that there’s something special about The Persistence. It’s a weird combination of genres. Sci-fi horror, virtual reality, and rogue-like. However it’s blended extremely well, even without being able to experience it in VR. It’s something you really have to play enough to enjoy. You might not like the first hour or two, but eventually it will grow on you as your character grows in power. After that it’s always “just one more try”. Overall the whole experience might take you around 15 or so hours to complete. With futuristic technology, scary mutants, and sound effects that will raise the hair on your neck, one can’t ask for much more.

While most of the game wasn’t too difficult, there were some challenging puzzles that might make you run to a guide on the internet. The story is pretty good, and the reading of journals was welcome. I really liked not having to worry about fighting things or jump scares. It lets you become engrossed in what’s going on and gives you the freedom to do the puzzles without too much stress. They took the game’s death to a step further by playing them out as a mini cut-scene. While I have some gripes with navigation and the ability to skip dialogues, most of the experience was great. If you’re a fan of point-and-click adventures with a love for sci-fi and horror, you won’t want to pass on this!

An unlikely mix of survival horror and cartoons work smoothly together. Bendy and the Ink Machine succeeds in combining two very different genres into one. It’s as if you were playing inside a child’s nightmare. The game suffers a little when it comes to the combat but, luckily that is a minor focus in the game. Even though it’s a pretty short game with little to no replay value, you can expect to have a memorable time.

I’ve been wanting River City Ransom to have some kind of re-release or remake for a very long time. While this isn’t it, it’s as close as we’re going to get. Everything I would want in a new River game has been delivered, and there are even some improvements. The only thing I didn’t care for was the way recruits were handled and not getting experience for beating enemies that appear after the initial fight.

I wouldn’t consider Superliminal to be a super challenging puzzle game yet it left me dumbfounded on a regular basis. Every couple of minutes it throws out a little trick, stopping me in my tracks for a second just for my brain process and re-calibrate. It’s only a few hours long but it’s densely packed with mind-bending goodness.

It seems a bit paradoxical that SUPERHOT simultaneously plays exactly like every other shooter you’ve ever played and nothing like them at all, and yet, this is the case. Its inspired use of time makes for something that is as much a strategy or puzzle game as it is a shooter. And even though, you’ll only bring a few hours of your life to a standstill to be entertainment by SUPERHOT, those are a few hours well spent.

The Little Acre offers a great all around experience for everyone. It's one of those games that you should pop some popcorn and gather the family for a fun enjoyable game night. Pewter Games manages to keep you enthralled the whole time, offering a happy yet emotional story with enjoyable puzzles, simple controls and good humor. I know point-n-click games aren't for everyone, but if you are a fan of them or don't mind them as long as you have a good time, then don't hesitate to pick up TheLittleAcrfe.

If you love the idea of arresting people as a police sim, while having the action of an arcade sandbox experience, you won’t regret giving your time to the precinct.

Sometimes it’s fun to be the one making all of the decisions for a business. There are a lot of items you can order and place where you’d like. Besides running the store, there are a few side things to do, and they’re all going to fill your day. I had a lot of fun ringing people up and making sure I ordered the right items. However, there were some issues I had with ordering, specifically that it did not display how many items I had total, but what I had in the back (not on the floor). There was also the issue of attracting customers to the specific items I wanted, but I guess in the end that wasn’t too big of a deal. No pun intended. Besides a few flaws, there’s a lot to enjoy about the simple mechanics and the small town of people that make sure you know when they’re not happy customers. But that’s common when it comes to consumerism.

I can't help but recommend Enigmatis 2 for its interesting narrative, its highly accessible gameplay and its low price that together create a package that is very appealing. It may be on the short side, but with the extra campaign included, there is much less to complain about. I know that Enigmatis 2 won't be for everyone, but it is a charming package that deserves a serious look.

I'm glad we have another good Portal-adjacent title. Bridge Constructor Portal perfectly combines aspects of both games to create something uniquely challenging. It's obviously a pick-up-and-play casual game that's not quite at home on consoles, but the gameplay at its core is great nonetheless. It would still be a great game without the Portal aesthetic, but it wouldn't have made me smile nearly as much.

No matter if I'm playing with my kids or having a few drinks with my buddies, throwing a sphere with a wand has proven to be way more fun than it honestly should be, that's part of its charm. I love local multiplayer, it's what I grew up on and Wand Wars reminds me why it is such a great way to spend my time with the people I love.

Dauntless can be extremely addicting. Needing a part to upgrade or craft a weapon will make you want to “do one more hunt” before turning it off. The sheer amount of gear options and mastery levels will give you a seemingly endless objective that’s based entirely on your OCD for completion. I’m excited to see what the future holds for such an amazing concept.

I am simply gushing over this game. Awesomenauts Assemble! takes everything I love about action platformers and mashes it up almost perfectly with the MOBA genre.

Flinthook is a roguelike that actually wants you to win. It's definitely a challenge, and it will throw everything it's got at you, but it makes sure you'll have a fighting chance. It's always giving you new opportunities to better yourself, both through practice and upgrades, and always has a little bit of health to offer when you when it's most needed. Once this game has its hooks in you, you'll always be coming back for more.

Zen Studios has taken a lot of time to think each stage through and try to bring as much of the feeling of that game and its world as they could. Each table felt 100% like a pinball representation of its triple-A counterpart and not only was the table enjoyable to play but it sparked great memories of the original games.

The story here is eerie, and the atmosphere is nightmarish. You get plenty of scares, and it’s a joy to play through the entire game to figure out where everything went wrong. While the game has some hangups with footsteps, interactions, and washed out brightness, it’s still a gratifying experience. There are so many more positives than negatives, and I highly suggest trying this one out.

By going back and looking at what made everyone fall in love with the series in the first place, Sega was able to deliver the best Sonic game in ages. It's a long-lost relic from an alternate history where the franchise got one more great Genesis game. While a bit too caught up in its past, it's undeniably amazing how well the core gameplay still holds up today. Sonic Mania is a fast and fun platformer that should not be missed by any fan of the series or anyone who just enjoys a good side scroller.

Its gameplay is refreshingly different, it has great graphics and a groovy soundtrack and the entertaining story mode is a real hit. Whilst the campaign mode is fairly short, if you have a couch buddy or two or even a whole family of them, Stikbold is a fun party game that could have you laughing for hours.

Valley is a fun and enjoyable game that will keep you engaged for the majority of the five to six hour journey.

While seeming like just another shmup, Final Star excels in being entertaining while still being a challenge. It’s not overly difficult and you can enjoy multiple playthroughs. It’s pretty short, but you can replay missions as well as the entire game while maintaining your precious upgrades. There are a few negatives in certain enemies and useless feeling powers, but the positives outweigh them. Choosing what upgrades and what ship you play as is a delight. Mini-games provide a nice break when some missions are tough. The graphics look fine and the story is easy to follow and satisfactory. If this game ever gets a sequel, I will be looking forward to it.

Whether this is your first exposure to Ys, or you are long familiar with the franchise, Ys Origin is a challenging adventure that combines an enjoyable narrative with plenty of action, even if it seems dated from time to time. So when people ask me if I recommend the game, my response is an emphatic Ys … I mean yes.

The Banner Saga 2 builds on the foundation of its predecessor while forging a path for the future. This sequel introduces new ways to play but, unfortunately, keeps some of the troubles that plagued the first game. It’s a good sequel to what’s turning out to be a great series, though: the banner still flies high with a story worth being told weaved into it.

Those Who Remain, in particular, is about self-reflection in forgiveness and makes you realize you can judge someone on their mistakes yet never seem to consider the sins you’ve carried out. Don’t like all that psychology? The good news is, that ideology is placed in the background and at the core is a great creepy adventure with interesting monsters and clever puzzles.

Human Fall Flat made me laugh the hardest I've laughed all year. In playing co-op with my sister, I discovered we are both complete idiots, and should never be allowed around heavy machinery. We beat each other up, pulled each other to safety, threw each other to our deaths and worked together on overly complex solutions to simple problems. While the game has some glaring flaws, it's the most fun gaming experience I've had all year, which should come across as a stronger accolade than my attempt at an objective final score.

Its cutesy presentation will put some players off and its concept, in general, is probably best suited to a younger audience, but to be fair, it can get challenging in places with some fast-paced resource management required as the game progresses.

An all-around average platformer which has a heavy focus on a story that can be somewhat confusing and leave you wondering what happens. What may set it apart is the voice acting that plays out most of the game. There is constant chatter and it is a pleasant back-and-forth conversation. Some of the puzzles can be pretty fun, especially while in the shadow form. While it’s average, what really gives it high marks is that it’s extremely well done: being able to rewind time; chapter selection; somewhat difficult collectibles; and no glitches to be found; I think it’s a very solid game.

Tennis in the Face is a great game with hardly any noticeable flaws. It is a great way to kill an hour or a whole day. Playing for the crowns or the high scores keeps it engaging and worth playing more than once.

The campaign was enjoyable with smooth story progression. Puzzles were clever though sometimes hard to pull off because of the awkward controls. The setting is awesome, who doesn’t like a chaotic explosion in a museum? With a unique setting as well as a cool 3D printing mechanism, I think this game is fine how it is, but could use a little improvement in controls and graphics. It seemed kind of blocky with little detail. Yet I did enjoy what I played and it was nothing short of unique, which made me like it. Though I wouldn’t play it a second time, I would love some DLC to be added.

I liked Guacamelee 2 more than I did its predecessor, though being a few years removed from that experience it’s hard to pinpoint why. I remember the original left me unimpressed and occasionally frustrated; here those feelings were lessened but not completely mitigated. It’s the same game but better, backed by a team that’s gained a lot of experience since they’re first go-round. If you loved the first you’ll love this; if you didn’t love the first this still may not win you over, but it’s a definite step in the right direction.

This world is a dark place, and Martha is Dead is a reminder of how fragile mental health is.

No Man’s Sky’s most interesting aspect is how the game that seemingly failed in gamers eyes almost two years ago, has risen from the ashes and has been reborn as something spectacular.

For what it is, it’s an extremely well-done game. You won’t be bragging about your perfect mows to anyone but it’s not about the adrenaline rush, it’s about the learning experience you can bring to you in your own life’s decisions. You’ll know more about mowing and a little more about running your own small business. Well, at least I think it helps. I could be wrong, but it will look good on my resume!

Somehow the game doesn’t get boring even when repeating the same levels (because they are never actually the same, they’re random). If you’re after the usual horror games for Halloween this will not give you that craving. However, if you’d rather just have some casual fun within the spirit of ghosts, then you can at least play this on the side.

Whilst Anima isn't perfect, it is a huge, honest and generally very good game that should appeal to fans of third-person action games.

The best analogue I can come up with for this game is the arcade first-person light-gun shooter, like The House of the Dead or Time Crisis. When taken in that context, Time Carnage makes a lot of sense. It’s playable in small bites, it’s pretty good fun and it offers multiple ways to play. The asking price is just right, and low-risk/high-reward combinations are a winner in my eyes. The complaints I do have should not keep genre fans away from this time-hopping adventure, so leave the DeLorean in the garage and start up your Xbox One instead.

Yoku’s Island Express is a highly compelling mix of genres. Its pinball is fantastic, and its world is full of fun things to do. Through brilliant game design, this odd combo is merged into an inseparable, cohesive whole. The blend is not perfect, off-balanced in a way that will likely appeal more to pinball aficionados than fans of more classic Metroidvania fare, but still does justice to both genres. For the first shot at this unique idea, it definitely hits the mark; Yoku’s Island Express is so fun and charming it’s impossible not to have a blast.