In a bid to move the series forward towards a new direction, Atelier Ryza presents a new exciting combat engine and one of the best takes on alchemy yet, but falters with its plodding pace and a cast of forgettable characters.

Stone is a game that looks interesting on the surface. Sadly it falls short on delivering just about every step of the way. Achievement hunters should note that you can grab the full 1000 points in less than two hours and it is pretty effortless. I wanted to like Stone way more than I did. It just feels like it puts little effort into telling the story as interestingly as it is written.

Journey to the Savage Planet is a great freshman effort from Typhoon and one of the early surprises of 2020. I will be thinking about this game as the year goes on as one of the best surprises I had literally no interest in upon kicking it off. If you enjoy exploration games like Metroid Prime I highly suggest giving it a go. The charm, humor, and game loop are just fresh enough to keep players interested in this relatively slow time for releases. The price tag also doesn’t hurt.

Problems aside though Blacksad: Under the Skin is an interesting tale of murder and corruption that presents in one of the best takes on the adventure game formula-multiple endings, choices that really matter, and a cast of characters that are extremely engaging. I never felt like the story was coming out of left field with its ideas, and was shocked when I started figuring out what was happening. I love this game and if the Life Is Strange or one of the many Telltale series has ever been enjoyable, I think there’s a lot of enjoy in Blacksad.

In the end Sparklite feels like a game that could have been great, but ended up just being good. It leaned too heavily into shoehorning in mechanics that did not need to be there. With a little more focus and some expansion on its ideas it could have been something special. As it stands it is yet another pixelated indie game that I will enjoy experiencing, but be hard pressed to remember.

Overall Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a good title that is marred by the expectations that the Modern Warfare name brings with it. The campaign has some really stellar gameplay moments that are brought down by the mediocre plot. Multiplayer was fun but felt a bit like the competition’s output (despite there being no Battlefield release this year) which may be a turn off for some. I don’t think Modern Warfare 2019 has done anything to make me rethink waiting for substantial price drops to play Call of Duty campaigns, because clearly multiplayer is still Activision’s main focus and that’s just not where I get my kicks.

Developers spend so much time trying to recapture that magic of classic pixel-style games and instead forget about what made them special. It wasn’t the look, it was the loop. There are plenty of 8 and 16-bit titles with mundane game play and nowadays it shows why some games stood the test of time. Be challenging, but be interesting. Don’t just punish players and throw lush visuals at them. Make the game play interesting as well. This is something Valfaris lacks, and I wish more indie developers understood when making these games that I very much want to play, I just lose interest in far too soon.

New Super Lucky’s Tale is an extremely polished director’s cut of a solid 3D platformer. I loved seeing its final incarnation finally see the light of day. I am glad more people can experience it now, but I do wish Playful would update the other versions, and perhaps even bring it to PS4 to complete the circle. Still, Switch owners looking for a solid, albeit simple platformer have yet another title worth checking out.

Either catching ‘em all, or taking on the Wild Area and the Gym Leaders, there’s plenty of content here even if some people think the National Pokédex removal is a deal breaker. It’s still a lot of fun and can keep players busy for hours on end. The style and look is great and it controls fantastically. Is it my favorite Pokémon game in the series? I’m not sure, but it still holds the standard for one of the best out there. Any RPG fan will get enjoyment out of this one and Pokémon fans new and old will have a great time exploring the Galar Region.

Ultimately, Need for Speed: Heat is a decent racer. In fact, I would say it is a great playing one. It’s just missing something new. Since Most Wanted on the 360, the formula hasn’t changed much. Payback tried to, but never really came into its own. Heat has everything that is needed to make a fun racing game, and it does so very well. Maybe I’m just looking for something and don’t really know what it is. I enjoyed my time with Heat and I’m sure other arcade racing fans will too. It’s a solid game that plays and looks great, even with the little grind that may come along with it.

Shenmue III feels like a game that would have been revolutionary in 2003. Maybe that is what the fans wanted. This is a game that flopped massively when it released and somehow has garnered a cult following that clearly wants more of what it delivers. Shenmue III delivers just that. A game that feels like it time travelled to 2019 from the Dreamcast era and I think that is just fine with the fans. They got what they wanted and I am thrilled for them, but anyone coming in to see what all the noise is about is likely going to come away confused as to why it took 18 years to create the game in front of them.

Despite some issues that makes it feel like a step below Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, Luminous Avenger iX is still a worthy inclusion in the Gunvolt Chronicles universe.

Jedi Fallen Order is one of the best games in the Star Wars franchise and one of the best games of 2019. It has some sore spots, but the story, characters, worlds, and combat more than make up for its shortcomings. Fans of Star Wars will love it. Fans of action/adventure games will have a fantastic time. It is great to finally see Respawn branch out and get a chance to craft something they clearly have a passion for. This is not a game to be missed and gives me hope for the future of the series.

People who love making model worlds (specifically with trains) and kids will likely get more out of this than I did. The ability to remap controls would go a long way with me though and I would jump back in to give it another shake, if for nothing else it brings back some nostalgia of playing with wooden Thomas the Tank Engine toys. While my score may reflect my current opinion on the game, Tracks is on Game Pass and it is extremely family friendly so there’s nothing to lose with trying it out.

All said this package is definitely a case of what you see is what you get. If you grew up loving these games and have been longing to experience them in multiple facets, this collection is right up your alley. If you never enjoyed them then why are you here? Digital Eclipse should truly be commended for upping the bar on classic game compilations, and if anyone opts not to use them for theirs in the future, I consider it a grave mistake. They take the time and put so much love and care into these things. Let’s keep that trend going. Game preservation so future generations can experience the classics.

There is a lot to like about Doreamon: Story of Seasons; the characters and the world they live in are well defined and a joy to experience. However, the game doesn’t push the genre forward in any way, and even takes the odd step back. But fans of the Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons franchise will definitely have a great time, as will fans of the anime.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is far and away the best entry in the series. It uses a familiar formula with a unique twist to create a single player adventure worthy of the quality we come to expect from Nintendo’s first party lineup. The stellar animation and presentation are unmatched, and the addition of co-op play is a huge bonus. Nintendo continues to deliver exemplary titles for its newest console. It almost feels like they can do no wrong on Switch. Yet another game that Switch owners should not miss out on.

Overall Catherine: Full Body is a great experience built for both new players and veteran players alike. Not settling for a simple remaster, Atlus really pulled out all the stops at making this worth the money. Even as bad as I was, it was still a fun time. With all the different endings I think I’ll return to the game on an easier difficulty to experience it all, because the writing is so good and the gameplay is challenging but when in a good flow it can be highly addictive. Anyone like me who may have skipped over Catherine’s original release should remedy that with Full Body.

This ends up feeling like a project half-baked. The polish to the visuals and presentation are sublime, while the game play remains untouched and frustrating more often than not. I would have loved to see this game make a true comeback. Fortesque is such a lovable character and his world is infinitely interesting and fun to play around in. However, the sloppy combat, punishing game play, and lack of modernization make this a chore to play more often than not. I want to bring back the glory days of PSOne era characters, but not like this. They deserve better.

I didn’t mind Citadel. It was the first of its style that I have ever actually played. I now realize the open world sandbox “do whatever you want” kind of games are not really for me, but I can easily see fans of this genre can have some fun here even with the shallow quest system, some clunky controls and the technical issues.

In the past when I have reviewed these games I have generally come down on the “yeah they are flawed and stale but if you’re a big fan of the product it’s worth checking this new one out”. I genuinely felt like last year’s game was turning a corner for the franchise. Unfortunately the only corner they turned was the corner of the ring and they “turned” it into an unescapable hellmouth where your character clips through the geometry around the stairs. This game is bad- very bad. Even if you’re a huge WWE fan you shouldn’t play it. 2K should take a year off, scrap this engine, and start over from scratch.

Overall, Legrand Legacy is a decent game. It’s never overly difficult and the look and feel of it really does come off like a classic JRPG from yesteryear, for better or for worse. It works, and even if it does get tiresome in spots, the story and lore are engaging enough to keep RPG fans afloat, but keep in mind, you’re going to have to change your mind set a bit before taking this one on. If you can turn your brain back a few years to the early 2000’s you may find yourself an enjoyable RPG.

Despite the hardware limitations and a handful of odd design choices, Astral Chain is one of the best new IPs to hit in recent years and one deserving the attention of every Switch owner.

All in all it’s hard to argue with the value you’re getting in this package. For $50 you get two of the best western RPG’s of all time, along with all of their additional content and the new arena modes. We’re talking hundreds of hours of classic Bioware goodness for just less than the price of a new game off the shelf. I think this package is perfect for gamers who’ve never experienced these games before and want to see what all the fuss is about (and where many RPG staples they see in modern games originated). While I wish the control scheme was more perfectly implemented and that the performance were consistently fantastic, those things don’t overwhelm my opinion that this is a package worth having for any fan of western RPG’s or classic gaming.

These games are always a guilty pleasure and this debut on Switch certainly fits the bill. The addition of the 2D events is by far the highlight of this package. I just wish there were more of them. I love that these games drop every couple of years and deliver almost every time. Anyone looking for yet another great Switch game to play with friends, this is another great addition to the library.

This package is worth the price of admission for Planescape Torment alone. It’s a true classic of the genre and something that every western RPG fan should play at least once. Icewind Dale makes for a worthy counterbalance to the package overall and is certainly worth your time if you’re a fan of the Infinity Engine games, particularly if you enjoy the combat. All in all, I can definitely recommend this package for fans of this genre.

Trine 4 really brings the series back to its roots. It was great jumping back in feeling like I never missed a beat. I knew when to conjure boxes and the physics for the puzzle work just like you expect them to. It reminds me of a 2D Breath of the Wild even though Frozenbyte really paved the way for this type of game years before. It has just been a long time since we got a traditional Trine. I still want to forget the third game ever happened. Trine 4 is the proper sequel to the series and really reinvigorates my love for it. I still highly recommend playing with friends though as that is where it truly stands out.

Death Stranding is a weird game that I could not stop thinking about while reviewing it. It has plenty of sluggishness to it. Sometimes I never wanted to play it again, but once that back half hit I was enthralled. There were times I couldn’t wait to play it. I spent over 50 hours in this game and eventually I want to spend more. Kojima and his team have crafted something that truly feels unique, for better or worse. It is hard to compare it to anything else, but that doesn’t always mean it was fun. Not everyone will adore this game, but I guarantee no one will ever be able to forget it either.

There is not an Ice Age movie out right now, and I have to ask does anyone have nostalgia for the series? Are kids still interested in Ice Age? I asked for this game because it looked like a decent platformer and I guess I got that. Clearly someone cared enough to make this, and I did enjoy my time with it. It just feels half cooked in a lot of its design. I want to say it took me no more than 5 hours to collect most of the collectables and finish the game, and at $40 for something of this quality and length I can’t recommend it. It’s a mistimed, mispriced decent game, and right decent isn’t enough.

In summation, Stranded Sails feels like a lot of potentially interesting combinations of systems and ideas that, in execution, is just too shallow and tedious to be all that much fun. The game certainly feels like it knew it didn’t have enough substance to stretch for their desired run time and thus slowed down and over-repeated the same loops to last longer. That’s really the only excuse I can think of as to some of the decisions made here. The shame of it is with some additional polish and deeper ideas the concept of a farming/exploration/action RPG can work very well, as we’ve seen with several other recent games. In this case though I can’t really recommend the game to anyone other than potentially younger players looking for a first entry into this style of game or huge fans of the farming/exploration genre who are desperate for something else to play.

Despite my complaints I still love Monkey Ball and I hope that if Banana Blitz HD does well that SEGA thinks about remastering Step & Roll, 3D, or Banana Splitz for current consoles. I am just too deeply attached to certain aspects of the series that I’m very critical. At $40 anyone with any love of Monkey Ball would be doing themselves a disservice not picking up a way better version of a game that was hindered by motion control.

I love this game. Playtonic definitely made something special here. It’s going to be hard to look at other platformers without wondering why they didn’t ape more of the concepts from The Impossible Lair. Not to mention the soundtrack by Grant Kirkhope and David Wise – which is probably one of my favorite soundtracks of the year. While I hope they give the 3D platformer another fair shake, I will be more than happy if Playtonic does more sidescrolling platformers in the future because The Impossible Lair is impossibly good.

In the end, it all boils down to the player. If you are looking for a great RPG to sink your teeth into, The Witcher 3 is an automatic recommend. What is not an automatic recommend is if you already own an Xbox One, PlayStation 4, or a PC that can run games well. If you do have one of those, get this game there. It looks way better and can easily be found on the cheap for $20 at any given sale. This version of the game is really only for the Switch only owners or the players really looking for a portable version of The Witcher 3. Sure, there are some of them out there and I can’t recommend this game enough, but just keep in mind, it does have that visual downgrade that can be a hard pill to swallow for some. If you can look past that, you end up with one of the best games to release in the past decade.

It seems like Breakpoint saw the Assassin’s Creeds, the Far Cry’s, and The Divisions and decided it wanted to incorporate that into its own game. The issue is that throwing everything and the kitchen sink into the game isn’t going to make it great. They have a decent frame for Breakpoint and the feel of it is fine, but when trying to navigate the world or even the menus gives you a headache, it may be time to take a step back and think on what you need to do to make it better. The only way to play this game is with co-op friends. Single player people should avoid this one. You will be bored and frustrated within two hours. Even with some friends the issues will become bothersome, but at least you’ll have someone to complain with.

I’m not saying this is a no effort port, but that the effort put in and the price they are asking for a game that is six years old seem disconnected. Right now there are plenty of great RPGs available that are new and with a price tag so high it’s hard to suggest the old game rather than the new one. I can only recommend this to people who have never played it or the hardest of hardcore Ni No Kuni fans because otherwise just wait for a sale to play this one again.

On the surface WRC 8 would look like a game made for rally fans, but it misses the mark by miles and with there being so many other fantastic rally and racing games already out there to choose from, I can only recommend that you go looking elsewhere.

Grid is a decent reboot. Sure, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that some may expect and the number of tracks are a bit lackluster, but what it is missing is made up for with great handling cars and a fun race gameplay. People looking for a good racer have found one here even with the issues it may have.

A Knight’s Quest has moments of brilliance. I wanted to love it a lot more than I did. I feel like this template could truly be something special to fill a void these other consoles have without a proper Zelda clone. Still, it finds ways to annoy me at every turn. Fix the exploration, backtracking, and mechanical glitches and it could be something special. As it is now it is just another title that will get lost in the sea of games hitting this time of year.

I loved this game when I first played the demo a year ago. I am glad players can finally get their hands on it, and truly this is not a game to be missed. It combines two genres perfectly and ends up creating the surprise hit of the year. It will be on my mind when game of the year rolls around and I recommend everyone giving it a look. I know the game world is swamped with releases this year, but this is one experience you do not want to miss.

The Surge 2 has some really satisfying moments. It’s worth an investment based on the wealth of customisation options available, solid progression and genuinely fun combat. These innovations go some way to making up for the lack engrossing story or meaningful characters. However, the overriding sense is that the positive traits of Surge 2 often feel suffocated, mainly by a lack of visual and narrative investment in the world that surrounds its core mechanics.

For a budget priced remaster, it’s still a fun time, especially if you’re a fan of the Ghostbusters. The talent behind the game and story is decent enough even if the jokes aren’t as good as the original film. The gameplay loop can feel outdated, and the missing co-op mode stings, but the promise of it coming for free is still there. I still enjoyed my time with the game and people who have never experienced it, or haven’t seen it in a long time, will still find some enjoyment out of it, and you’re not breaking the bank while you do pick it up.

Galaxy Champions T.V. may not be original or fresh, but it does get most things right and adds enough to make the game more compelling and does a fantastic job of updating a classic game. I had hours of fun with this game and the fact that it costs just $6.99 means that you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck.

After a long, grueling wait, the Legend of Heroes makes its triumphant return and I am more than happy to report that the wait has been worth it as Cold Steel III delivers on all fronts with improved visual fidelity, performance and a slew of meaningful new mechanics. Led by a cast of unforgettable characters and an intriguing story arc that will have you begging for more when the credits roll.

Oninaki is my favorite Tokyo RPG Factory game to date, with its gorgeous art style and melodic music and its more appealing storyline. It may be far from perfect, but it is certainly worth a look if you fancy a slightly different take on a well-established genre.

I think GreedFall may be the sleeper hit of the year. It’s an RPG that captures the best parts of BioWare’s works while adding in their own gameplay elements and a unique setting. The side stories are given just as much importance as the main quests. The world is large despite not being one large open world experience. Combat is the perfect blend of real time action and turn based decision making. After playing Bound by Flame earlier this year I had little expectation for GreedFall. I am happy I was wrong to doubt Spiders, because it is one of my favorite games of the year.

Contra: Rogue Corps is a game a lot of people would consider Konami to make. After seemingly wanting to exit the business even with a string of classic IP, this game feels like it was made for the sake of releasing a new Contra in 2019. It has good ideas hampered with poor implementation. It is not fun to play and that is its biggest crime. I wanted to love Rogue Corps. I tried to love Rogue Corps. I simply cannot find any fun to be had with the latest in this beloved franchise.

Fight ‘N Rage is a fantastic beat ‘em up. It has simple controls, good mechanics, and a lot of diversity to go along with it. Fans of this genre should not hesitate to pick this one up and even if you only play solo, you’ll still have a fun time with it.

Link’s Awakening is yet another outstanding addition to the Switch library. Anyone who says that Nintendo isn’t killing it with first-party games this year is delusional. They seem to pump out a classic almost monthly. Being able to revisit one of the most obscure and delightful Zelda games from the past is just another reason why the Switch is so magical. I cannot recommend this title enough. It transcends history and feels like a game that would pass as a current title.

Concrete Genie is a wonderful experience with a strong message of kindness and forgiveness. Anyone wanting a fairly short, wholesome experience will find a lot to love here.

I really want to like Borderlands 3. I know I will eventually, at least I hope so. As it stands right now, the game is a hard pill to swallow. It has the makings of a great loot driven game, but it’s missing a few key ingredients to make it a great first play through to level up. If they can fix the loot drops, have the performance not fall over dead in areas, and maybe clean up a few bugs, it will be a great entry in an already well done franchise. Until then, for anyone that hasn’t picked it up yet, I say wait until we get a couple of patches.

Blasphemous is an absolutely stunning game everyone should see in motion. I loved it for the first 10 or so hours, but then it just continues to stay the course throughout. With a little more variety this could have been a true classic. Still this developer has some talent and I would love a follow-up with a little more flavor and a lot less bulk. On a purely visual scale this game has few equals and for that I can recommend it easily, just be aware that not much changes as far as game play goes throughout the entire journey.

Not that fans of the NHL have any other choice if they want an up to date representation of their sport of choice, but NHL 20 is a great pickup. Even if you aren’t a huge hockey fan there is a lot to love here, and the ability to simplify the controls ensures that everyone can have fun even if they aren’t all that knowledgeable with respect to the sport. The new multiplayer modes are fun and the customization options added to CHEL make for a pretty good reward for playing. If you’ve ever enjoyed playing a hockey game, it’s worth checking this one out. If you love the sport, it’s pretty much a must buy.

Daemon X Machina might not be Nintendo’s most high-profile title of 2019, but I really enjoyed what it brought to the table. Mixing in nostalgia from the early Armored Core days and mixing it with over-the-top anime style action is a truly great combination. I wish the performance and aesthetic was a little better, but every other facet of its presentation really makes up for it. If you are like me and have fond memories of losing hours in classic Armored Core games this is the next best thing. Especially considering From Software seems like they are never going to revisit their mech franchise again.

There is not a whole lot to talk about with Torchlight II. It is a phenomenal game that has taken far too long to bring to consoles. It came and went with little fanfare, which is a shame. Outside of Diablo III this is probably the best action-RPG currently available anywhere. Do not miss out on this exemplary title. It is a shame that the new Torchlight is not a continuation of the formula, but considering the quality of the first two games I will give anything bearing the namesake a shot.

The biggest compliment I can give is that since the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World game was delisted there has been cries for it to be put back on digital storefronts, and while that has not happened, this is an amazing replacement. It’s not necessarily what I want from a River City game, but it is definitely the direction I want to see beat ‘em ups go in. I would recommend this to anyone who has a friend to play with, but if not I would say boot up the 3DS and give the other River City games a shot (there’s three relatively new games on there). I hope WayForward gets to follow this game up so they can tweak their gameplay a bit and explore their take on the world of River City a bit more.

As the follow up to the best selling game that Capcom has ever made and my personal pick for game of the year, it’s an understatement to say that there was a lot to live up to. Luckily, the masters at Capcom were more than up for the challenge and delivered on an expansion that highlights the unforgettable moments of triumph the series is synonymous for while moving forward with clever new mechanics that enhance the Monster Hunter experience to its finest iteration.

Ultimately, AI: The Somnium Files is a game that has moments of brilliance that are obscured by a disjointed narrative and investigative process. Aside from the Somnium sequences – which are, admittedly, very cool – the game failed to motivate me to truly engage with its overarching story. I just didn’t find it appealing. That said, it may be worth a look for fans of the genre (or detective stories in general), who are likely to feel at home here if not altogether blown away.

This game is simply not very good. I have played worse for sure, but the mistakes made here are purely by design. Players should get the benefit of the doubt on making jumps, or maybe don’t have most jumps lead to instant death. Enemies should be fun to fight, not unwanted encounters that can kill you or at least break all your armor. Inventory this limited in an RPG is absurd. Don’t let the somewhat interesting, Breath of the Wild art style fool either, because the game isn’t all that pretty in gameplay; it comes off lifeless and bland.

Creature in the Well is a unique game the likes of which I have never experienced before. Sure, it steals ideas from here and there, but glues them together in a new way. And while the game is fun for a while and has an interesting world, it cannot escape its repetitive nature and its decision to make every death a chore to walk back from. It is worth playing to at least step in to the world for a little while, but how much mileage you get will be dependent on how long you can tolerate the games frustrations.

Fans of shooters and challenging games will have a lot of fun here. Sure, the boss fights can get a bit annoying with the minions, the randomly generated areas can get repetitive, and the co-op, while it works well, isn’t perfect, but the world, the action, and the feel of Remnant is really what makes it a great playing game and one I think everyone should give a shot, especially at the price point it is at.

In the end, Mable and the Wood isn’t a bad game. It takes a familiar concept and throws in something different with combat and traversal, and it works for the most part. I just think some of the execution and sense of direction was handled poorly. I almost expected after beating a boss that I would have to spend 20 minutes trying to figure out where to go next after getting a new form to use, and that’s not ideal. People looking for something different will find it here, just know that it comes with some issues, but altogether, it is a decent experience.

The Forbidden Arts is a game that feels like a relic from the past. If someone had told me this was a budget title on Gamecube and somehow got the HD treatment, I would believe them. It just lacks polish and interesting content to keep players interested. I doubt many people have heard of this title and even fewer will remember it. It is just a plain adventure title that never steps outside the boundaries of mediocrity.

Man of Medan shows a lot of promise for The Dark Pictures Anthology. I never thought it was too difficult, and the scares really did get me a few times as well as my friends. Some may say it is too short, but I think it was the perfect length for the story and the great thing is, we’re getting a new story and game in less than a year. Fans of horror and adventure games will have a blast here. Any fan of Until Dawn should not worry, this one lives up to the hype.

Gears 5 is incredible, a true renaissance for the series. The changes made to campaign are exactly what I wanted the series to be. The multiplayer suite has something for everyone. This is just an incredible package that deserves its praises.

The Vasara Collection is an unusual choice for a modern game port. A game not many people would have heard of and a genre that is more niche than most. I would certainly recommend turning down the difficulty for most people to ensure that you have a good time. But if you are the sort of person that loves the kind of challenge a bullet hell game provides, well there is certainly some of that in there as well. There is plenty of game for the low price point and I definitely had some fun mixed in with the frustration.

Foam Sword has advertised Knights and Bikes as a Goonies-inspired adventure, but nostalgia is a tricky beast. A game steeped in imagination born from childhood memories requires the player to commit to this vision to get the most out of its story. Foam Sword’s attempt to pitch this vision of nostalgia and childhood as a universal one is not entirely successful – largely because memories and cultural experiences are not universal. Knights and Bikes did entirely not captivate me. That said, its sincere leading characters and exquisite art are certainly aspects to be admired.

Metal Wolf Chaos XD is a ridiculous game and I love that we live in a time where something like this can come back. Players need to know what they are getting into before jumping in though. This is an awkward game from a different time and this remaster adds little outside of some sharper visual flare. It is still a truly interesting piece of gaming history and I am thrilled it can exist for players today to experience.

Just know that Control is one of the best games of 2019, and if you like weird games, third person shooters, exploration, 3D platforming, or just Remedy, you need to pick this game up.

Kill la Kill The Game: IF is a unique title for sure. It lacks depth and breadth but makes up for it in wackiness and style. Fans of the anime will likely enjoy it, but fighting game fans in general will most likely pass this one by. There just isn’t enough here to make it stand out among the crowd. One thing I can say about it though is that nothing is ever likely to be as bonkers as far as fighting games go…oh who am I kidding?

Damsel is a solid, if not forgettable title that really stands on its visual presentation and tight game play. I had fun with my time, but never felt the need to boot it back up after a few hours. Still at the low price it is worth checking out if the genre interests you. I certainly had plenty of fun digging into it.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses stands tall as a true step forward for the franchise both in terms of presentation and gameplay, which I am certain will propel the series to yet another level of relevancy and popularity.

Despite my criticism of the pacing, I actually love this game. It improves upon the first game in all the ways I would want. I only wish there was a way to have the game stop trying to walk me through every step of the game. I would rather fail and have the game tell me I did something incorrectly than having to wait for the game to give me permission to play the game. The inclusion of a first person mode makes building roofs and exploring caves far more pleasurable than the first game as well. Overall, DQ Builders 2 manages to do everything a sequel should do to improve upon the previous game. I fully recommended to anyone wanting to play a more structured Minecraft-like experience to pick this one up.

Madden NFL 20 is a solid entry with plenty of new additions. I enjoyed the new Face of the Franchise mode and game play improvements, but I was really hoping for tweaked Franchise options and some improved commentary. Still, this is the biggest upgrade to the series in years and I will likely sink yet another 60+ hours into it. I fear the next-generation Madden will take some steps back, so for now I will enjoy Madden 20 for what it is. The best the series has been in a while.

Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot feels like something that should be free or included in a bundle for PSVR owners. It doesn’t feel like it warrants its price tag and it is linear and criminally short. Even hardcore fans hoping for more Nazi-killing action should probably avoid this one until it drops way down in price. There just isn’t enough here to warrant the price of admission.

In the end, Youngblood is a budget priced spinoff that works in the gameplay department just like the previous games, but lacks in a lot of other areas. I would suggest it to players that have a co-op partner to play with and with the Deluxe Edition, a co-op pass code is available. Even then, players may find themselves burned out on this one much faster than the mainline games that came before it.

The Sinking City is a fine game that is only brought down by the scale of the world. A smaller, more compact city with more unique assets would have gone a long way to reduce my issues with gameplay and maybe even the technical issues. When the only benefit to exploring an area with monsters and killing them is supplies that I need to shoot more monsters, I question why that is there and why I had to walk four blocks to get there. This is also Frogwares’ first foray into an open world title and maybe their next title will fix these issues. Regardless, The Sinking City is a great game that I am sure will become a cult hit, especially when it makes its way to Steam next year.

There is a lot to be said about the sheer amount of characters and being able to team them up together. Playing with friends is also much more enjoyable than flying solo, when it works properly. The upcoming DLC is exciting, the return of a mindless beat ‘em up feels good, and I just love a solid comic book title. I don’t think the price of admission is worth it in the end, but when this hits $30-$40 I definitely recommend it. There is plenty here for Marvel and non-Marvel fans to enjoy.

I loved my time with this game and it being offered on Game Pass for Xbox owners only sweetens the deal. Even still Switch and PS4 owners should not hesitate. For $20 this is one nostalgia trip worth taking, even for those that didn’t necessarily grow up with the games it attempts to mimic. A good game is still a good game regardless of generation.

Once again Codemasters brings home the cup when it comes to racing simulators. Their years of experience and their access to the many facets of the license are there to be seen on the screen. The latest game in the F1 series is once again a must have for both F1 fans and those that enjoy the deepest of racing sims.

Atelier Lulua is a solid, albeit safe final entry in the Arland quadrilogy that does an admirable job of bidding farewell to a lovable cast of characters.

Lost Orbit: Terminal Velocity is a decent game. The gameplay can get slowed down by the story at times, but when upgrading abilities and hitting that Zen moment while speeding through a level, it feels pretty great. Even if it is just a short time with the game, it’s still a pretty fun time. I would suggest picking it up if you are a fan of the trial and error style games like Velocity, Trials, and others where you don’t mind trying to perfect your time.

Other than feeling bad about my lack of skill with the Contra series, I love this collection. I have zero nostalgia for any of these titles and they are still fantastic (if not incredibly hard). With the update that added the Japanese versions of the games I think this is a crazy bundle to pass up. Co-op, seven unique games, and plenty of challenge wrapped up into one collection. Do not skip.

Super Mario Maker 2 is an outstanding game that is marred by some odd choices familiar with Nintendo games. Their online features still feel like a relic of the past, and with something that relies so much on creation and sharing it sticks out like a sore thumb here. Still, getting past that and knowing updates are on the horizon makes me comfortable in recommending this title. It is a pure blast creating and sharing levels with friends, and of course letting my son’s creativity run wild in creating new levels. The single player content is a welcome addition to an already impressive package. Super Mario Maker 2 is a fine addition to the Switch library, now can we please get that Zelda Maker stat?

Warhammer: Chaosbane has the potential to be a top tier action RPG in the likes of Diablo, Torchlight, and Grim Dawn, but as it stands now, it is a fun 10 hours with the endgame content being watered down. Now, developers EKO Software has stated that their plans are to support this game throughout the rest of the year with updates and new additions, of course, only time will tell on that. Currently, almost a month after release, the newest patch that hit the PC version is still waiting approval for the consoles, so that’s been fun. Until then, you get a decent loot-driven action RPG that is fun all the way up to the level cap, after that, it becomes a bit of a bland grind.

Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled is a beautiful trip back in time. It is also great that PS4 and XB1 owners finally have a truly great kart racer available on their machines. This game is a must-own for anyone that loves these types of games, and for the price it is impossible not to recommend. Just be prepared for the difficulty and remember playing on easy is perfectly fine, and much more enjoyable for that casual romp.

SolSeraph is a love letter to fans of Actraiser and feels like it should somehow contain the name in its title. Sadly, it falls short on several areas that keep it from resurrecting the genre like many hoped it would. Ace Team continues to be a developer I cannot take my eyes off of though. Their creations are unique in and of themselves, and always entertain me even when they fall short of that great status mark.

Samurai Shodown is unlike any other fighting game. I love the deliberate combat and how each fighter feels entirely unique. I wish the online was more active, but even the amount of single player modes and promise of new characters means I will be revisiting this for a while. If things like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter feel overwhelming this might be the game for you. It is simple, yet deep in a different sense. It doesn’t require memorization, just good timing and understanding. It felt more user friendly than long string combos and the visceral attacks feel incredible.

I sunk way too much time into it when I had other games to review. It’s addictive and likely making my top 10 this year. I hope it does well enough that this isn’t the last we see of Bloodstained.

Judgment tells a compelling story of a disgraced defense attorney turned detective and his obsessive search for the truth. Unfortunately, the half baked nature of the investigative mechanics as well as a slew of pacing issues holds it back from escaping from the Dragon’s shadow.

Citizens of Space is a solid follow-up to a truly unique RPG experience. There is little else like it, especially on Xbox One. It is a game that can be played without having to worry about the first title and it is definitely worth the time. I just wish it took a little less of it. It feels padded in the places that make it drag on occasion, however the writing and performances pick up the slack, making this one diamond in the rough that should not be missed.

In my opinion, there are only a handful of games that can be categorised as a system seller for Sony’s headset; something that would make it worthwhile laying down the cost of VR. Games like Beat Saber and Astro Bot have proven themselves at making VR work in its own right, and now you can add Blood & Truth to that list. And if you already own a PSVR you would be doing yourself a disservice by not going out and picking this game up.

My Friend Pedro is as wacky as the name suggests. In a sea of games it is hard to make a splash, but Switch owners would be wise not to skip this fun romp. While it has some issues the pure joy of bouncing a bullet off a frying pan and into the skull of your adversary outweighs that frustration. I wish Devolver would put their games on more systems right out of the gate, as I think this game could easily make a splash with just about every gamer.

Gato Roboto is a great game that is designed well. I just wish there was more. This better not be the last we see of Kiki. I could definitely have spent another three or more hours in the world of this Gato Roboto. I hope if a sequel comes around we get to see some different mech types and some more power ups, but for $8 I have to recommend this game. It’s bite-sized Metroid and that is the highest of compliments I can give.

Puyo Puyo Champions is a fine puzzle game. It leans heavily into the multiplayer aspects of the game, and while it may turn off beginners or people out of practice, for the price, you still get a really good puzzle game.

American Fugitive is a neat take on the top-down crime drama. I like a lot of its ideas, while others hold it back. I would love to see more from this team with these ideas in mind. Clean up the padding and add fast travel and this game could really be something special. Also, give me the option to zoom the camera out a little more, as it stands it feels a little too close to avoid oncoming traffic.

For being handed what I would consider a horribly tainted license, Choice Provisions did well combining their expertise with it to make something pretty good. I would still recommend their own Runner series before recommending Bubsy: Paws on Fire, but any fan of those titles looking for can’t go wrong with this game. Bubsy: Paws on Fire is hands down the best Bubsy game. Anyone with any nostalgia for this despicable bobcat should find enjoyment here, even if in only short bursts.

Instead of a glorious celebration of all things Atelier, Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists comes off more like a misguided attempt at creating a spinoff by toning down all the elements that makes Atelier games enjoyable in the first place.

Sniper Elite V2 Remastered is a nice throwback in the series. While it is more linear than its follow-ups it still packs a visceral punch worth checking out. For those that exhausted the original it might be a tougher sell, but for anyone that passed it up the first time around it is definitely worth a look. Those slow-motion shots still never get old, even to this day.