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

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.

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.

I actually haven’t played the first Ori so I can’t compare the two nor do I have a bias based on how much I enjoyed the previous installment. I would wait for some patches before attempting this game. It’s excellent, there’s no doubt about it, but when things don’t work you become robbed of the experience. Still, it’s better than most platformers out there, even with the issues.

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.

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.

N++ may be the definition of too much of a good thing. As much as I enjoy the game, it got tiring after a while, soon finding it more enjoyable in short bursts rather than long marathons. If you're fine with a mountain of content that becomes so difficult, you'll most likely never finish it all; this is a great sequel that kept retained what was good about the last game and made some worthwhile additions. It gets repetitive, but the gameplay is so fun it'll keep pulling you back in for more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Overall Insane Robots is a well presented, fun little card battler. Its simplicity makes it an ideal game to start with if you’re new to card games, and the difficulty curve is spot on meaning you’ll be continuously challenged until the end and beyond. Whilst a multiplayer mode is available, given the lack of player base, you should view this as a single player game. However, the story could have done with some more depth to make the game a true standout; in fact, I would happily waive the multiplayer aspect for some better lore.

I wish I could recommend Cuphead to everyone purely on its amazing animation and the sheer amount of work that was obviously put into it, but I can't. The game behind the cartoony visage is finely tuned, well-rounded and (mostly) fair, but above all, it's incredibly hard. It starts off challenging and gets absolutely relentless by the final act. This is the kind of game that asks for a lot of patience and dedication from the player, but if you're into this type of challenge, you're in for an absolute blast.

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!

Firewatch is one of my favourite walking simulators because of its engaging script and lasting story, but it is by no means the revolutionary, life changing experience that I had built it up to be in my mind. It's actually more of an ordinary, pedestrian experience, and that is kind of what makes it successful.

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.

It's incredibly well-designed, a ton of fun to explore and has its fair share of clever gameplay ideas. If you're a fan of amazing retro titles, this one's worth checking out.

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.

Despite playing for hours on end I never got particularly good at Enter the Gungeon, but that doesn't mean I didn't thoroughly enjoy my time with it. It's great as a top-down shooter, even if it's just average as a roguelike. Pairing the frustration of bullet hell with the frustration of a random number generator doesn't always yield results, but when the stars align there's just something magical about it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the end, Assault Android Cactus didn’t meet my expectations; it exceeded them. The five zones that are offered grant a unique experience with each level and boss you face. Some of the bosses can be a bit overwhelming at first, but even with the different attacks they have, the variety of android heroes available to play as assures the player that there is something for every encounter. The different modes that are offered ensure that there is something more for the player to do after the main story has been completed and for a true competition, the game offers the challenge of earning a S+ rank on every level, requiring the player to complete every level without ever letting their combo end. Good luck on that one.

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.

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.

Crypt of the NecroDancer separates itself from other roguelikes thanks to the rhythmic beat gameplay and the variety of content available for players to mess around with. The games soundtrack will keep you playing and coming back to the game so that you can hear that one particular track again. The level by level exploration of the game is fun once players get used to the beat of the game. There is a lot to like with Crypt of the NecroDancer and most players will find some aspect of the game to get hooked on.

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.

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.

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.

The finest skateboarding experience on Xbox One.

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.

Frictional Games delivers on yet another horror game that leaves us at the edge of our seat and quivering in fear. Even in a new science fiction setting, SOMA still brings to the table the exacting polish that its predecessors have in the past. If Survival horror is the game for you, or if you’re just looking for a game to test your bravery, this is exactly what you’re looking for. If you're still confused about the game, just think Dead Space in a Bioshock setting without all the fancy weaponry, but with all the fantastic atmosphere. You're welcome.

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.

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.

Rime feels like a game that honestly believes itself to be a masterpiece, but it falls a tad short of that lofty goal. It needs to tighten up its pacing, polish its controls, ease up on the tutorials and maybe add a few more puzzles for good measure. While it's not perfect, most of its issues would be fixed with some minor tweaking. It's still a gorgeous, fun, engrossing and powerful experience. From beginning to end, Rime is something incredibly special.

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.

If you like the idea of gathering resources and crafting while playing a metroidvania style game, you will likely really enjoy this. I actually love both genres. There is a decent amount of fighting enemies and a few bosses to find. Sometimes things can be pretty tough. You have infinite lives, but anything you gathered will be on your dead body, and you must go all the way back to where you died, which can at times feel miserable. There is too little space to really customize your base and put everything you want inside, but it’s still a great way to lose time editing and managing it. I didn’t mind that the hero is not much of a hero, but the story felt pretty generic. I completed everything and still felt like I wanted more, maybe because I had already invested a lot into building what I thought was an awesome base. You can really lose track of time while playing, and it’s one of those games that are hard to put down. Also, a fair warning, some of the achievements stop tracking, and so far, there has been no update to fix them.

You get exactly what is advertised, a casual game anyone can pick up and enjoy where you simply find items hidden throughout various levels. With a few shortcomings with the way things are displayed and interacted with, along with bad loading times, the pure joy of taking your time to find items outshines those. You get to sit back and relax, scanning the screen with your eyes and feeling accomplishment when you finally spot what you’re looking for. If you’re someone who likes to create your own levels, the tools you get to make your own will mean you will be playing for a hours after finishing the game. Either because you are busy making your own levels or just like seeing what others have created. This is the first hidden object game I’ve played like this on the console, and now it won’t be my last.

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.

The point-and-click genre is not one I’ve personally been interested in. This one is excellent, both for people who love these types of games and those who don’t usually care about them. The story is one to remember, giving a somewhat educational yet funny look into how communism works. Being set in the Cold War era, it does everything right to keep things fairly accurate, even while being fictional. By accurate I’m talking about the music and culture. I only had an issue with certain interactions and wish there was a chapter select option. Otherwise, I advise anyone to pick this up and play through it.

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.

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.

If you love having choices that alter the course of a story, you’ll enjoy this game. If figuring things out proves too difficult, you can always put it on the easiest mode that provides hints on what to do next. The action works well (most of it) and you’ll feel comfortable with the platforming. I especially liked that after beating the final area, you’re able to replay any day you want in order to see all sides of the story. It’s pretty awesome that it’s a world of animals that are at war but can come to peace for a greater cause. Its cartoony-like graphics are pretty to look at and the stylish hack-n-slash combat never gets old. The only letdowns were janky abilities and the fact that the character you control has no deeper connection to anyone, even you.

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.

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.

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.

While Aragami will be enjoyable, it will start to get dull as you kill enemies (like a blade does). It almost feels like a Batman game where you’re just doing the stealth challenge missions. While it does what it does fine, it feels lacking as an entire game.

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.

Lumines Remastered is still a great pickup for those who enjoy the block-drop sub-genre of puzzle games. So take this chance to play it again, or play it for the first time. Either way, it’s a groovy way to puzzle through the day.

Pac-Man 256 is a game that appeals to those who grew up with the original. It also brings in fresh gameplay ideas to keep things interesting. While the chasing 256 glitch changes the focus from strategic use of the maze and power pellets, this infinite runner-style game element lends itself well to the high score chasing without interrupting from the occasional level interludes of the original Pac-Man.

Darksiders: Warmastered Edition takes a great game and makes it… well, the same. I don't mean to belittle the work done on the remaster; the visual and performance upgrades are really good. It's a great re-release of a great game, but it's a game that still feels rather recent. With nothing additional added to the package, it may not do enough to appeal to fans of the original, but for newcomers, this is the best version of the game.

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.

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.

The lack of online will clearly put off a few people; however, some odd design choices in scoring and the lack of any true single-player gameplay really stops Overcooked from being the game it could be.

I’d question whether Virginia can be described as a game at all and for that reason it is unlikely to appeal to the majority of gamers. There’s not enough gameplay, even for a walking simulator, to be called a game and the whole thing might have functioned better as a two-hour animation, rather than trying to package in the limited player interactions which serve only to distract from the story’s immersion.

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.

Since the Sega Master System didn’t enjoy quite the same level of success as the Nintendo Entertainment System, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap will be new territory for a large number of gamers. Even if you have played it previously, this is a trip that you should take again, just to take in the wonderful cast of characters. It’s not flawless, but there’s nothing here that should prevent platformer fans from helping Wonder Boy return to his normal self.

It may be short for the price, however, I’d say it is an experience is well worth the price of admission. From the hand drawn visuals to some of the crafty puzzles it offers, Gorogoa is one of those games that I’m glad didn’t pass me by.

Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a clever take on the turn-based RPG, blending it with freeform exploration in a way that feels natural and satisfying. It’s unfortunate that the rest of the game can’t match the well-realized concept, giving off the sense of a great execution that wasn’t fully baked. For the genre, it’s a surprisingly bite-size experience that, while may not be the most friendly to newcomers, fans should definitely check out.

The way the game can allow you to interact with the videos works extremely well. It’s not something you play but is an experience. It’s very much an interactive movie that feeds you the information based on how your mind works. Certain keywords will stick out to you but not to others since you have a different history. This is the evolution of a jigsaw puzzle. Yet I still hated it. I would rather have just watched something than have to dig around a fake computer. That’s a lie! I admired almost everything about Telling Lies and, though I wouldn’t play it through again, it’s very much worth your time.

You can’t get much more metal than this. Valfaris Full Metal Mode is a package of brutal action and awesome music, yet still holds a nostalgic retro platforming vibe. While I didn’t play Slain all that much, I might go back to it because I absolutely loved this game. There are but a few downsides, but they are based mostly upon skill level which is why I can’t say it’s going to be for everyone. The weapons are fun and exciting, but not being able to fully upgrade all of them is a bit of a letdown. Other than that, it’s a great game that most people will enjoy. I had a lot of fun playing it and hope to see more titles based on the same themes.

Aaero is a wonderful introduction to the varied world of EDM with each level being a beautiful visual representation of the song being featured. Its greatest misstep is the smaller selections of songs available which prevent the game from being more than an introduction to the genre. Gaining mastery over a song evokes a sense of accomplishment that is unfelt in most other music games, in large part, due to the way Mad Fellows captures the sense of EDM. Unfortunately, the lack of customization options make return trips to the game less likely, but even those with no familiarity with EDM should make at least one trip to check out Aaero.

The character that you play is dull, so if he died no tears were shed. While some games get you hooked with “just completing one more quest” since you have none, there was no desire to continue. I know many people will disagree but I’m just being straightforward. It was hard for me to find anything within Darkwood that I truly admired besides the theme. Just because it’s not for everyone doesn’t mean it’s a bad game. Lots of people will love it. I just think that the majority won’t.

Even despite a few combat issues and no reward for complete perfection, The Adventure Pals is definitely a game worth experiencing!

While the game can be quite a grind to finish everything, I guess as long as you’re having a good time it shouldn’t matter.

Armello is an excellent digital board game for anyone who struggles to get friends around the table for paper board games. It's a real shame that there is no local multiplayer mode included, but the single player is very satisfactory, and the online multiplayer excellent, assuming the standard of players remains as high as it was at the time of writing this review.

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.

From your eight-year-old cousin to your spouse to anyone who can hold an Xbox One controller, everyone can and will have a great time playing Towerfall Ascension.

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.

The story isn’t far beyond decent but the way it’s told is unique. It might not be something you spend a lot of hours in but the time you do spend with it will be quite enjoyable.

Sterdenn is a solid shooter. It's perfectly competent and features a really solid and completely unique randomisation mechanic that's worth exploring. Outside that, it is a little repetitive, and beyond the first couple of hours I doubt it has the longevity to attract casual interest.

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse embodies the spirit of classic platformers while furthering its own identity as a franchise. Though there are some missteps throughout the journey, Shantae shows that she ages like a fine bottle of wine and only gets better with time.

I wasn’t blown away nor obsessed, but I can appreciate a well-made FPS that was enjoyable the whole way through. It’s also set at just the right price.

Those who enjoy both roguelike experiences and adore Mega Man-inspired games will be in heaven. Casual gamers, achievement hunters, and impatient players will be in hell. The vanilla game is already pretty difficult, and all of the extra options the game has only makes it more unforgiving. The daily and weekly challenges only apply to the hardcore, giving little to do for everyone else.

Some of the puzzles were really fun. I enjoyed the Antartica chapter quite a lot and it was the best set of brain teasers in the game. Design is above par and there were no technical issues while playing. I especially loved the blending of genres. It never got boring. However, it ended far too soon. The story was a little messy and the big “surprise ending” was disappointing. A few confusing scenes, specifically during the lab, were a bit over the top. I think overall it’s an average game but without anything else to do after the credits roll, know that you won’t be spending much time with it.

Players who are completely new to roguelike games might appreciate the lighthearted style and relatively forgiving gameplay, but I suspect veterans of games like Binding of Isaac will find Full Mojo Rampage a bit lacking in challenge, even if there is some fun to be had from the inclusion of a fairly rare multiplayer mode.

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.

Mystik Belle may not be very long or have a hidden, mirrored, upside down castle but that doesn't mean it has failed in any way. Of course, I wish it was longer; I feel that way about most games I like. I can't help but want more of a good thing, and that is definitely what this is, a good thing. Sure, it could have been harder or had more rooms to explore or even a more in-depth story, but it doesn't need all that. The folks at Last Dimension did something that is harder than I think most people realize. They delivered a concise, tightly wrapped package that had almost everything you could want from a Metroidvania-like game. I don't think I can ask for much more than that.

Victor Vran is an ok dungeon crawler. There's nothing majorly wrong with it, but the Motorhead add-on shows us glimpses of personality that the main game lacks and the limited customization holds it back from being anything more than average. One of the main draws for these types of games is the loot, but when most of the loot is same or didn't change much, there's not a lot of reason to keep going. Whilst the fighting itself is satisfying, and the co-op (both online and offline) modes kept the game interesting socially, the longevity just isn't there. Unlike The Witcher 3, which I've still to finish. Thanks for the constant reminder Victor.

While somewhat in the same vein as the top down Zelda entries, World to the West doesn't come close to being nearly as good. The interesting use of characters and overall well-done puzzles are hurt by annoying backtracking, a lacking story, and a few smaller issues, that all hold the game back from being a much more fun experience. Even with that said, it still is a solid experience with good elements that some people will get a fair amount of enjoyment out of.

Guns, Gore and Cannoli 2 does well to tell a unique and comedic story all while following suit with the events of the previous game. The game offers a variety of different levels, all which can be completed in a little over three hours on the normal difficulty. Guns, Gore and Cannoli 2 is a game well worth the time invested.

Horizon Chase Turbo is best viewed from the perspective its designers intended. In that sense, it’s a rather fun title, and might actually make a great option for younger drivers who are a bit overwhelmed by the “Forza” franchises. Achievement hunters may be turned off by all the grinding, and driving purists will have issues with the frequent collisions. However, when played as an occasional diversion instead of a campaign – just as one did with its arcade inspirations – this is one horizon that racers certainly won’t mind chasing.

Candleman lights up the night as a unique experience on Xbox One. Its use of light makes even the most basic puzzles and platforming challenges a lot of fun to play through. As I became more and more absorbed into the world of Candleman, I found connections with the protagonist that I never expected to share with a candle. And perhaps the unexpectedness of Candleman is that the time I spent with the game felt refreshing. I never found myself needlessly frustrated at the difficulty, rather; I found myself in a constant state of shock and awe as each new part of the journey offered exciting new opportunities. Candleman is a timeless tale meant for nearly all ages only hindered by a myriad of technical issues.

Blackwood Crossing offers a touching glimpse into the inner workings of a family from the perspective of a young teenage girl. Loss is at the core of the story and watching Scarlett and Finn internalize loss is a heartbreaking look at childhood. Revealing too much of the story takes away from the magic of Blackwood Crossing, but it is a gripping tale that everyone can connect to. Some of the puzzles boil down to disappointing distractions, but other are always engaging which makes the beautiful story the most important aspect of the game. Anyone looking for next tremendous story in gaming should look no further than Blackwood Crossing.

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.

Mages of Mystralia is a decent adventure game. It's also a damn good puzzle game too, keeping you on your toes throughout. Spell creation is well thought out and the pacing is spot on with the difficulty rising at a beginner friendly yet challenging rate. However, whilst the design is great on paper and I found no technical problems, there's no special hook to really wow or truly immerse you enough for a second playthrough. That said if you enjoy adventure, puzzles and a hearty dose of magic, Mages of Mystralia is a solid choice.

Exit the Gungeon is a smart remix of the original, streamlining its approach while offering the same intense shoot-em-up action. While it can feel smaller than its predecessor, in no way is it lacking in level variety, weaponry, or personality. Now that the series has a top-down shooter and a sidescroller under its belt, when will we be getting an Enter the Gungeon first-person shooter?

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.

Headlander is a really fun game for those looking to scratch a Metroidvania itch, however, those looking for a revolutionary new take on the genre should know that they won't quite find what they are after here. Instead, they will find a competent game that excels at the basics and offers a number of laughs and sources of wonder.

If we're not talking about gameplay, Broken Age is great. It presents a fun and detailed world to inhabit filled with silly characters and interesting plot developments. If we are talking about gameplay, Broken Age is just okay. It's a serviceable attempt at a point-and-click game that stumbles more than it should. This isn't the best adventure game to come out this year, but it's still an enjoyable ride.

I went into Nightmare Boy not knowing what to expect. After multiple playthroughs, I can say I’ve really enjoyed everything the game has to offer. If after completing the game you’re looking for something to further the replay value, some of the achievements offered challenge players to complete the game without dying, without saving or even without killing any of the little friendly slime creatures riddled throughout the game. If you’re looking for a solid, challenging Metroidvania game to fill your free time, Nightmare Boy may be just what you’re looking for!

Over the years, 2D platformers have been raising the bars in quality and ingenuity. Double Cross doesn’t add much to the genre but is pretty decent overall. The excitement of solving cases diminishes quickly when you come to realize there is no thinking on your part. It just serves as part of the storyline. If you can focus on the combat and levels, you’ll see why it’s still a very enjoyable game. Each of the various stages offer different challenges to make things feel different as you progress. It’s nice to be able to choose what missions you take on. The story is a bit light and the humor could use a lot of work. It ends up being a fine addition to the platformer genre, but nothing you need to rush to purchase.