With Pit People, Behemoth tried something new and was only partially successful. It has excellent art design, unique world-building and some truly funny moments, but the problems with its combat and structure hinder what could be a hit. Understandably, the game’s weakest parts are those that the studio doesn’t have much experience with.

As it stands Sea of Thieves feels like a title that gets the ideas in place for an amazing game, yet fails to capitalize on them. There simply isn’t enough content to keep me coming back. I love Rare and I hope this builds into something amazing at some point, but for now this game is hard to recommend sinking a serious amount of time into.

The biggest take away from Far Cry 5 was the fact that it was just pure fun. The missions were both fun and entertaining, the visuals are fantastic, and the shooting is refined and on point. Fans of the series have more than likely already picked this up, but if you remotely enjoy first person shooters, this is a must own. It’s not perfect, but it tries its best to be and you know what? It got close.

For those that have never played it, they may either love it or hate it depending on how well they adapt to the grid-based movement. Fans of the original 2006 release who are looking to try the game out again will have a fun time here. While it’s not the best port of a PC action RPG, it has the makings of a fun time with up to five buddies online. Granted, local co-op should have been in there, but this is still a very competent RPG that I think any fans of Diablo will enjoy at a great price.

Burnout Paradise is as divisive as it has ever been, but now for other reasons as well. Still going back to this game brought back so many memories of playing with friends and the sense of speed is simply unmatched. I really enjoyed revisiting the world and think anyone who has fond memories will find more than enough here to warrant the price tag. Newcomers who never played the original are in for a treat though. There is nothing quite like Burnout Paradise and I hope the series makes a full return with a proper sequel in the near future.

It is nice to have these three games to complete the entire DMC anthology on my shiny new console. I enjoyed revisiting all three games as they are definitely memorable parts of my past. For $30 it is hard not to recommend for those with fondness and want to revisit them. For newcomers I can see plenty of people wondering why these games are so cherished among the community.

Building on the strength of the original, it presents a meticulously crafted world, brought to life by a team of visionaries who deserve every praise they’ve received over their long, illustrious careers. With a much improved combat engine and a myriad of entertaining new gameplay elements, it comes two steps closer to achieving the true potential of a title that can rightfully be recognized as the result of a dream collaboration.

When it focuses more on being a game than an interactive movie, I think there’s a lot to enjoy. While I personally had technical hiccups, I don’t need to talk about those as this game has enough faults in its gameplay pacing and story that can’t be fixed with a small technical patch. It’s not a bad game, but it’s mostly forgettable.

de Blob 2 is a solid game that I am glad has made a return. While the remaster portion is a little of a misnomer, it is nice to see the game back. Now with these two remasters out of the way hopefully THQ Nordic can get on crafting the final chapter in the Blob trilogy. Bring it back, and make it beautiful. Colorful platformers are always welcome in my world.

Way of the Passive Fist is a clever play on words and a unique take on the genre. Sadly, the problem it attempts to solve with its unique combat starts to suffer from the same problems the games it draws inspiration from are plagued with. Still, it is a neat diversion from the norm and worth checking out on a decent discount.

Ultimately, Tesla vs. Lovecraft isn’t particularly innovative but is, nonetheless, extremely enjoyable and easy to pick up and play. Milestone challenges and higher difficulty levels will encourage players to come back for more. However, a woefully underdeveloped story contributes to an overall lack of personality depth, which leaves this game feeling less memorable than its solid gameplay perhaps deserves.

Nine Parchments is a pretty game with some wonderful presentation. While it may lack much depth in the combat and story department, I still had some fun times while playing co-op. Some design choices are also questionable, but in the end, I found the overall package contained a decent amount of content and had some fun collecting new spells and unlocks with some people online.

Fear Effect Sedna is a bad game.

What Yakuza 6 meant to me as someone who has followed the series from the very beginning is a true culmination of 12 years worth of characters and story. It’s an absolute emotional rollercoaster ride, packaged together with some of the best content the series has offered to date and polished to an absolute shine. “The Song of Life” may very well represent the final chapter in the legendary chronicles of the Dragon of Dojima. However, as is the case with every great legend, his story will live on, having left an indelible mark in gaming history as one of the most memorable and important characters to have ever graced the medium.

Fatal Bullet isn’t going to light any charts on fire, but for those looking for a different take on the genre, it accomplishes what it sets out to do well.

If the idea was to preserve the original experience as much as possible while bringing the visuals up to modern standards, Secret of Mana fails with its slew of technical issues and unimpressive graphic design. If the intent was to forge a brand new experience based on the original, Secret of Mana fails as the dated combat engine challenged me in all the wrong ways and the added elements like voice acting fell flat with poor performances all around.

Gravel is a fun game that I siphoned a lot of enjoyment out of during its brief stint. I wish online was more populated and I wish the single player was a bit more meaty, especially at full asking price. Still when it hits a deep sale Gravel is worth a look for those that enjoy the off-road arcade racing we used to be flooded with on consoles.

It’s difficult to play a game like this in isolation. Sooner or later, the mind wanders back to the present – the truth is, the genre has come on in leaps and bounds since Age of Empires came on the scene all those years ago and this is one remaster that feels like it doesn’t really belong.

Overall, Fe is a decent little game. While there’s not much to do except solve a puzzle, travel to the next puzzle, solve it, it still has some interesting things going for it. I just really wish the camera and platforming was a bit better, and while I understand what the developers were going for with the minimalist tutorial and explanation in both gameplay and story, I could have used a bit more just to help out in some instances. It’s not a bad game, but it’s not a very memorable one either.

Yes these games are products of their time, but I adore seeing them return in 2018. For those that have fond memories these are a no-brainer. My one gripe is that the price of $20 feels a bit much. I would have liked to see them both bundled for that price. Still I can’t stay away. Returning to Turok feels so good. Now if only we could get a remaster of Shadow of Oblivion, or even better, a brand new game in the franchise.

Yes these games are products of their time, but I adore seeing them return in 2018. For those that have fond memories these are a no-brainer. My one gripe is that the price of $20 feels a bit much. I would have liked to see them both bundled for that price. Still I can’t stay away. Returning to Turok feels so good. Now if only we could get a remaster of Shadow of Oblivion, or even better, a brand new game in the franchise.

Rad Rodgers struggles to find its groove through most of the game, but it does spark that nostalgia I grew up with. I wanted to love it more than I did, but never actually hated playing the game. There are bright spots when the design or poor writing isn’t dragging it down.

Mulaka continues to show the prowess of developer Lienzo. They are slowly honing their craft and I expect it to continue. I look forward to their next game, but for now anyone who enjoys games such as Zelda or Okami would do well to check this title out. It is available on virtually everything and worth the investment even with its shortcomings.

The Station is a decent outing that falls short in some key areas. I wanted more back story, more intrigue, and more interesting puzzles. Still, I had fun with the short romp and the ending, while predictable, is still fun. I would love to see this team craft a bigger sequel with a proper budget.

To those unfamiliar with this hidden gem, Perfect Chronology represents a new chapter in your very own White Chronicle where you can return to the past with all your new experiences and finally learn that Radiant Historia is one the best JRPGs you’ve never played.

There are a ton of problems with this game. While some will find enjoyment in its dedication to realistic combat, I found the majority of the massive adventure to lack lasting appeal. Had I not been reviewing the game, I would have quit after only a couple hours and counted my losses. I respect new ideas and takes on genres, lord knows we need some fresh blood, but not at the cost of actual enjoyment. There are a billion other fantasy RPGs out there, and most of them I found much more enjoyable than Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

There is a lot of content in Dynasty Warriors 9 and the ideas are sound, but the execution is just atrocious. I hope they continue to iterate and spruce up the genre. I love seeing new takes on familiar formulas. Sadly though this outing feels like a half-baked idea that no one on the team was really behind.

There are a lot of fighting games currently in gamers’ minds, and Dissidia does little to steal any of that mindshare. Without the Final Fantasy characters it would just be considered a mess. The fights are overly long and just not that enjoyable to play. The single player content is sparse at best, and playing online requires constant communication and teamwork that doesn’t feel as rewarding as it should. I tried and tried to love this game, but it kept fighting me at every turn. There are too many great fighting games out there currently to recommend sinking time and resources into this one.

All in all, Strikers Edge is a moderately fun game with limited long-term appeal. It’s sincere enough but, ultimately, rather forgettable.

When it’s all said and done Under Night as a whole is a great fighting game. Although, I d have a small issues with the $49.99 price tag when the previous version was only half of that. With the [st] version out with new fighters, new mechanics, and a much needed full tutorial with challenge modes it makes this the best version yet. I highly suggest checking this game out for hardcore fans of the fighting game genre. It’s fast, fun, complex, and very stylish. If you’re not that big into fighting games, you may want to look elsewhere. This has the potential to be an easy to learn game, but it will take a lot of patience and practice to hold your own online.

The art style is fantastic. It reminds me of both Metal Slug and Scott Pilgrim and the original soundtrack is superb with 8-bit sounds mixed in with a refined and catchy set up that even after all these years still has me whistling the tunes. The presentation is top notch here and really gives off that old school SNES feel. This is actually a pretty easy game to talk about. Many people got it for free on PS4 and get the new and improved update for free as well. Even if you didn’t, this is still a great game to get into for a pretty cheap price on Switch, Xbox One, and Vita. I highly suggest picking it up.

Despite my reservations about whether or not Shadow of the Colossus needed a remake, I came to a realization during the course of my playthrough that I was simply asking the wrong question. As I toppled one colossus after another, I often found myself stopping in my tracks, awe-stricken by what was on display. I felt the rush- the exhilaration that came in those moments where I was clinging desperately to the colossus and as the sweeping melody washed over me like a wave, I knew that if I could have an experience like this on my fourth playthrough of a game, this was a masterpiece that did not need but rather, deserved a remake as expertly and loving crafted as this one.

Once again, being a fighting game fan really helped me get into this game a lot more than what I originally thought. It is a competent fighting game where I feel the standing game is still a better experience then the ground and submission game. The kickboxing is still really great and the combo system is intricate and entertaining. On top of all that Joe Rogan yelling at the top of his lungs when I made a bone crushing hit land is always fun, and with the career mode being simplified and still robust, players of both fighting games and sports games will have a pretty decent time here.

Dragon Ball FighterZ is simply a marvel. For Dragon Ball fans it is a no-brainer, for fighting game fans it is a must-have, even for those like me who know next to nothing about the series. It is extremely easy to get into, a blast to play, and it looks outstanding. This is a sleeper of 2018 for me, and I cannot recommend it enough.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a solid experience that I really enjoyed taking. It could have benefitted from a little more structure and fleshing out the characters a bit more. Still, it is great to finally have the game come to Xbox, and I am happy to have experienced it.

Mutant Football League is a nice throwback to those games. The problems lie in that it feels sorely lacking in the presentation department. I would love to see it do well enough to improve upon the foundation, but for $20 it is hard not to recommend for fans that have nostalgia for those classic titles.

Future War: Reborn is a mindless game that suffers from its roots. There is fun to be had, but the clunky menus and brief missions make it feel lacking. Those wanting something mindless will be in for a treat, all others might want to steer clear of this purchase.

I feel like I’m just scratching the surface of what Monster Hunter World has to offer. The sublime combat against a variety of awe inspiring monsters- the meaningful sense of progression where every little thing that I did felt like it mattered- it all culminated to the thrill of the hunt in those moments where with only a single life left, I fought against the odds, shoulder to shoulder with a group of strangers who became my brothers in-arms and when it was all said and done, I waved goodbye knowing that we had shared an unforgettable moment of triumph… until the next hunt.

Iconoclasts is a pretty fantastic game. The story is fun and interesting, the controls are tight and near perfect, the art and animation is beautiful, and many of the puzzles and traversal are both fun and challenging at the same time. If you’re into the Metroidvania style games and don’t mind a bit of backtracking, this is the game for you. I can’t suggest it enough to fans of the classic SNES side scrolling shooters and action puzzle fans.

Ranging from the simplistic to the absurd, the Escapist 2 offers a great variety of ways one could escape from prison. Scoping out a new prison for its vulnerabilities and formulating a plan to carry out is a great time, but getting to those thrilling moments of misadventures are often plagued with days of scavenging, looking for those one or two materials I desperately needed and as the tedium began to set in, I wasn’t looking for a way to escape from the prison but rather from this cycle of boring, repetitive gameplay.

Blossom Tales scratches an itch I have of wanting to venture through Link to the Past once a year. It is well-designed if not a bit cliché in its approach. Still for those with the same nostalgia for Link’s SNES adventure, there are few games that capture it as well as this one.

Bridge Constructor Portal is not the Portal game many would have been expecting, but with the reassuring presence of GLaDOS and the Companion Cubes (also, coincidently, the name of my new band), it’s nevertheless enough to scratch that ‘fun with portals’ itch left in the wake of Portal 2.

All in all, Romancing SaGa 2 is a decent RPG with some very interesting mechanics that were revolutionary for its time. There’s some issues here and there with the old style of game play where players aren’t told where to go or what to do. Then on top of all that, the game is not going to go easy on you. This one is for the fans of this style of game and for people looking for a bit of nostalgia. For those, you’ll find a finely crafted RPG with some interesting mechanics. At the same time, the price is a bit steep for a 25 year old game at this point. I would still wait for a slight sale.

If you’re a Nintendo fan desperate for a Smash clone to pass the time you may have some fun with Brawlout. Just be prepared to deal with the grind and have a couple local friends that you can battle with, but If you go into the game expecting it to live up to Nintendo’s multi-franchise powerhouse though you’ll be sorely disappointed.

Even though there aren’t too many new features to justice this re-release, Ammy’s quest to defeat Orochi and cleanse the world of corruption is still every bit as compelling as it was a decade ago, and to those unfamiliar, this is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the most adorable wolf goddess you’ve never heard of. So how about that sequel, eh, Capcom?

It’s been an extremely long time since I’ve played an RPG that’s scratched an adventure itch in a classic sense. Even the other two Chronicles games didn’t capture me the same way this one does. It could be the setup, the character, the world, or some odd combination of a world in the clouds, but regardless it works for me. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 feels like a classic RPG from days past, when the original PlayStation seemed to spew one out every other week, and that’s a good thing.

A Hat in Time is probably the best platformer released this year that doesn’t star that one plumber guy. Anyone who still has fond memories of classic N64 platformers owe it to themselves to check it out. Also for PS4 and XB1 owners this is about as good as it gets without Italian influence. For the price it is more than worth your time. Don’t sleep on this charming title.

Bush Hockey League is a game that seems perfect on the surface. Bring back simplistic hockey games that focused on arcade-style play. The bumbling story mode and lack of online play really hurt it. This game is best enjoyed in small doses with friends on a couch, which is not the ideal form of play anymore. Hitting Xbox One so late after it released on PC and during the busiest time of the year means most people will likely not even notice it came and went. Still, there is fun to be had.

There’s a lot to see and do here in this full DLC game. There’s multiple modes to play, a lengthy story mode, ridiculous characters, and for the most part, a pretty fun time. It has its issues, but honestly, every Dead Rising game I have played has had them. I still like them all the same, and when getting into it, it can be a really fun time. To top it all off, Frank’s Big Package is only 50 bucks, and with everything that comes with it, there’s a lot of content here for what you’re paying for. Dead Rising fans should most certainly pick this one up, and people looking for a fun zombie killing game will find it here too whether it’s with a sledgehammer with a cement blade strapped to it or kicking them to death as Cammy from Street Fighter, you’re going to have a pretty fun time.

Soma is still as enthralling for me as I remember, even two years later. It’s burned its story and themes into my brain, ironically enough, and while I forgot little bits here and there, I was shocked at just how much the game has stayed with me all this time later. I could go on and more in depth but our other review has readers covered. Like re-opening and reading a great book, or re-watching a fantastic movie, Soma retains its strong story driven focus and themes it transpired through videogame format and I still have just as much admiration for it as I did on release, and it still gets the same score it originally earned.

I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed my time with Doom VFR. Skyrim VR had soured me a little and I wasn’t really looking forward to playing. But this shows that rethinking how a game will work in VR, instead of just shoehorning a game into VR wholesale, can make the world of difference. It also helps that the game has a price tag to match.

I’ve always enjoyed the genre, and everything in Sky Force Reloaded is solid enough. From a visual, gameplay, and soundtrack standpoint, I’m more than happy. I just can’t shake this feeling that the game was designed to kill hours on the phone, and for me it just doesn’t translate into a great home console experience. I like replaying shooters like this, but I prefer to go through the entire campaign over and over again. Here I’m so burned out on each stage by the time I finish or unlock the next that I don’t want to play anymore, which is never a good sign. Though for the low price, there are much worse things to spend $9.99 on.

L.A. Noire was a unique game that deserved a second chance. My biggest hurdle in recommending this version though is the price. Sitting at $40 on XB1 and PS4, and a whopping $50 on Switch, that is a financial pill that is hard to swallow, especially when I can snag the 360 or PS3 versions for under $5 at any local used retailer.

The Sims 4 is not a bad game. In fact, I had a great time with the gameplay of watching my Sim learn, grow, and find love in all the goofiest ways I could imagine. It really felt both simple and deep at the same time, and either way you play it, you’ll find something to keep your attention. Unfortunately, the controls are going to be a chore to use more times than not,and even after getting the hang of them, you may still dislike them. I know I did. If only the controls were as good as the game, I would recommend it in a heartbeat to players looking for that simulation game with some goofiness, but with the controls the way they are, I would suggest sticking with the PC version if you can. If you do decide on getting the console version, be warned, you will need to get used to the controls and even when you get used to them, you will still find them difficult to use.

It is very difficult for me to recommend this version of the game. We all know that Skyrim is amazing, but many people have played it for hundreds of hours at this point and the massive price tag just doesn’t seem worth it to experience it in VR. I also can’t see anyone wanting to spend the kind of time that this game demands with a headset strapped to their face. The time I’ve spent using my PlayStation VR has mostly been with smaller games and experiences; ones that can be played for short bursts. Skyrim is not one of those games, demanding long and intense play sessions. As such, I feel that this would have been better served as a low cost add-on, with the ability to transfer saves to the standard version of the game.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is a pure dose of fan service to Marvel enthusiasts, with its long list of characters, recognizable locations and its nods to storylines and in-jokes, but I feel that these games have lost their way over time. It isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy my time with it, but I certainly won’t be going back to it time and again, trying to achieve that 100% completion stat.

Even with the inflated price tag, Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack features two highly underrated games well worth playing which many have missed. While it might be a bit a tough sell to those who have completed both games on the 3DS, to newcomers, it’s a golden opportunity to check out the series which I’ve dubbed the unofficial spiritual successor of Megaman.

Hyakki Castle is a game with some clever ideas but falters in execution and implementation- leading to an experience that feels serviceable but decidedly bittersweet as I’m left wondering what could have been.

For 20 bucks, you get a halfway decent fighting game that does very well at trying something a bit different. It has some flaws with its combat, but I still found some combos and strategies to be fun to execute. If only there were some people playing the online, it would have made the game much more enjoyable, but until it gathers a following, solo players will finish its offerings within a few hours. It’s a hard sell currently, but for those looking for a different take on the fighting game genre, there’s much worse games out there to play.

Hidden Agenda is a hard recommendation, because the game feels like a natural fit to share with non-gamers, but we had one playthrough that ended so abruptly and unsatisfyingly I thought we had somehow skipped a section, and had I brought this game out at a party I would have felt like we totally wasted two hours. With the right group (like people who understand that if you don’t do well at a game you lose) it’s enjoyable, provided you have the time available to finish it in one sitting. Ultimately the game rests more on a few short action sequences than it does on the decisions made, which undercuts the experience and contributes to Hidden Agenda falling short of its potential.

This package is solid but has some glaring drawbacks. The retail price is a bit steep, but I saw plenty of sales over the holidays that make it much more appealing. Still for those craving that classic game show experience it is now available on the new consoles. Let’s just get Trebek back for the next iteration. Jeopardy is not Jeopardy without his snarky responses.

It’s still a fun Pokémon game, and the Pokémon formula has been tried and true for years as a very competent RPG. Players that have exhausted the first versions of this game can still find some new things to see and do even early on in the story, and players that skipped out on the first games can most certainly have a great time catching them all. I would suggest picking it up either way. It’s still a great game and with this version, there enough new to keep things fresh for all the players.

Gear.Club Unlimited could have been yet another gem on the Switch, but ultimately feels like exactly what it is. The price tag is shocking and the changes from the mobile game don’t fit the pace of the core experience. While there are moments of fun to be had, this racing game rarely ends up feeling worth the investment.

Stuttering, freezing at times, and just lacking any smooth feeling whatsoever really dampened my entire play through. I enjoyed my time with the game and the story it tells, but I can’t help feel like it could have used a few more months of polish or perhaps just a longer development time. The Black Mirror is ripe for being that classic creepy haunted manor mystery type setting, but everything surrounding its tale makes it hard to get pulled into and constantly pulls players out of the experience with its follies. This mirror is still worth looking into, but its cracks definitely show.

Mario Party Top 100 is a great look back on the history of mini games from the franchise, and I can’t fault it for that. It really brought back a lot of great memories and I appreciate that. Those that never played the games prior can have an interesting look at some of the more fun and insane mini games Nintendo has concocted over the years, but it’s a really obscure view of what made the Mario Party games fun overall. Even though the mini games were a blast, the other half is missing, and it’s just not a party without them.

Rev 1 is better than it was on the 3DS, and REV 2, even with its issues is a huge jump in quality compared to the Vita release. I’d love to see more Resident Evil games on the Switch so this seems like a no brainer. It’s a bit disappointing they couldn’t put both games on the cartridge, requiring Rev 2 to be downloaded separately, but it is what it is, and more Resident Evil is never a bad thing in my eyes.

Apollo Justice for the 3DS isn’t leaps and bounds better than the original with only a handful of meaningful updates to justify its re-release, but it stands as the definitive way to experience the classic misadventures of Apollo and Trucy.

Star Wars Battlefront II stumbles out of the gate with its progression system. I hope it gets ironed out because the underlying multiplayer is extremely fun. The campaign is short and sweet, but a little too fan-servic-y for me. As it stands this is a solid sequel with some highly noticeable blemishes. I will continue to play because of my love for Star Wars, but I do hope it gets ironed out before players lose interest.

Ben10 is a decent little game. It’s not going to blow anyone away, but it’s definitely not a horrible time either. In fact, I enjoyed some of the alien powers a lot and I think a fan of this franchise can have some fun here. Not to mention, it’s at a budget price that I think is just right for this game. Did this game make me a Ben10 fan? Not particularly, but when the next game comes out featuring Ben Tennyson, I might actually pay attention to it.

De Blob is a solid title that feels good to return to. Why they remastered the original as opposed to the sequel seems like a weird choice, but for those that never had a Wii it is a good pickup. It might get swallowed during this time of year, but I recommend giving it a look once things settle down a bit.

Perhaps this is due to my less than favorable inclination for puzzle/platformer action games as I seldom search out for games of this genre, but Hob felt lacking an identity- a clear element to call its own that really makes it standout amongst the rest of the games in the genre. While it most certainly looks pleasing to the eyes and feels competently made, I never felt excited to get back into the world of Hob after picking up a controller for another play session. As much as I would love to say that Runic Games went out after creating their best work yet, I cannot in good conscious as Hob is a solid, albeit unremarkable game.

At the end of the day the most important aspect of any game is fun. Assault Android Cactus (awesome name by the way) is the epitome of that. Every level is a blast, the mechanics are solid, and playing with friends is pure frenetic fun. Even with the slew of awesome games in 2017, players who have yet to take the plunge need to check out this title. It is more than worth the price of admission, and I am glad to see it hitting more and more platforms for more players to experience the pure joy it has to offer.

There aren’t many negatives to the entire Skyrim experience on Switch. While it doesn’t offer the recent mod support the other versions got, it still offers tons of content to experience and enjoy. The motion controls are a bit of a mixed bag, but not required at all. The game looks and runs great, and while animations are starting to show their age, there is still plenty of beauty to be found in Skyrim. As a fan of the Elder Scrolls franchise, if someone told me 6 years ago this game would go portable and with no loss to the original vision, I’d have a hard time believing it, yet here we are. If Skyrim has grown stale or doesn’t hold interest to certain players anymore, the Switch version most likely won’t do anything to win players back. Though for newcomers and fans that want to return, Skyrim is here, as a great as remembered, and grand scale adventure now in the palm of your hands.

Call of Duty WWII is a return to its roots. The campaign feels clichéd and the MP still feels like a CoD game, even without technical enhancements. Zombies delivers a visceral and fun experience, granted you have solid teammates. I feel like I go through so many motions year-in and year-out with these games, but one thing is for sure – I always enjoy myself by the end of them, and CoD WWII is no exception.

I hate to be overtly negative about any videogame, but Road Rage is a classic example of a game that just disappoints on almost every level. I can’t recommend this game to anyone, not even for a cheap price because it just feels like a game that was made back in 1994, and that’s even a disservice to some of the great games released back then. I just see no redeeming factors for Road Rage unless silly ragdoll physics is a preference. Otherwise, I’d avoid at all cost.

I could go on and on about how much I’ve fallen in love with the setting, the improvements to the core gameplay, and the way it feels like Ubisoft have breathed new life into the franchise. The year off and restructure of the game has done wonders for it, almost bringing Assassin’s Creed into the RPG territory rather than just being and action adventure game. While I can see some being disappointed in that aspect, I love role playing games, loot, and exploration, and Assassin’s Creed nails these new elements while still feeling like an Assassin’s Creed game at its core. Combat is the biggest hurdle getting used to, and when the camera doesn’t work in tandem, feels a bit messy. Otherwise, aside from some odd visual glitches that randomly occurred in my game, or some rather typical AI follies, I have little issues with Origins. It’s one of the best Assassin’s Creeds games I’ve played, and probably one of my all-time favorites right after Black Flag and the controversial AC III. This one was worth the wait. Now time to get back to exploring another ancient tomb!

Need for Speed Payback is a victim of both progression issues and design choice. The driving and actual gameplay is still fun and well done. There’s actually a very good open world racing game in here, it’s just bogged down by level progression and needless grinding that is only there to extend the gameplay time and to get people to spend real money to potentially get upgrades for the cars. I enjoyed some aspects of Payback, but ultimately, I found myself overburdened with grinding, that I kept saying to myself I really don’t feel like doing this. After it’s all said and done, I would wait for a price drop at the very least before picking this one up.

It’s hard to recommend Doom to those that have played it unless they fit certain criteria. If playing Doom on the go is a huge factor, it gets no better than this. It doesn’t look the clearest or run the smoothest, but 90% of the time players can still enjoy one hell of a game. Folks that never played this and are looking for their Doom experience, playing this first and then the other systems could be the way to go to see the differences. Lastly, if players just want to see how the little Switch that could performs and how much Doom pushes their console from a purely tech perspective, look no further. It’s super impressive, a technical marvel, and the port team Panic Buttons should be proud of what they accomplished. It’s just nuts!

Spelunker Party seems completely at odds with the type of game it is trying to be. Frustrating controls and poor gameplay design are the things you want to try and avoid when making a platformer. But it is the slow pace of both the game and the progression that feels most out of place and one that makes this game the kind you want to avoid.

Knights of Azure 2 was not an awful experience, just a thoroughly mediocre one. Combat is dull and simplistic; game performance lacks; many of its systems never amount to much and – its visuals are likely held back by the Vita, a device that westerners forgot about 5 years ago.

There are endless joys to discuss with Super Mario Odyssey. Being a huge fan of Mario 64, this game is a love letter for me. I enjoyed every minute I was playing it and cannot wait until I get some free time to return and continue collecting moons. Switch owners need this game, players without a Switch need to go buy one to play it. Nintendo knocks another one out of the park, and this may very well be their best year of games since the Super Nintendo.

Hand of Fate 2 is a well done sequel. It adds a lot more to the game while keeping things both familiar and fresh at the same time. The choose your own adventure aspects of it and the ability to tailor make your experience really add a lot to the overall package, and while repetitiveness can set in, it most certainly doesn’t happen until later on in the game. Even then, the quests’ objectives and the different ways they can be completed offer up more variety than the first game ever showed. Fans of the first game should definitely pick this sequel up and RPG and adventure fans should shy away from it either. It’s a really fun and unique experience.

The games are well done, and still look and sound nice. Sure they’re 8-bit, but they offer up some catchy tunes and some pretty nice 8-bit visuals. I would say this is a very good port of the games that convey how they were back in the late 80’s. It really all boils down to if you have nostalgia for these games or have a genuine interest in checking out the early days of point and click adventure games. Either way, you get three full games that are still fun in some instances even if some of the mechanics don’t hold up. Even then, there’s plenty of walkthroughs that have been made throughout the years that can help if you’re stuck. And all of this for the low price of eight bucks. If you have any interest at all, give this collection a shot.

Visually the game looks bland. Level design is uninspired and the enemies are repetitive. Hitting bosses causes them to flash and nothing feels satisfying. Bubsy does utter a lot of quips, and there is even a verbosity slider to turn his one-liners up or down in frequency, but honestly you should just turn them off. The return of Bubsy is a travesty. He was a remnant of a forgotten age that should have stayed in the past. Nothing about this reboot feels good and the criminally short play time is the final nail in the coffin. Very few people asked for the resurrection of Bubsy, and after his comeback, even less will want him to return again.

The release of .hack//G.U. Last Recode is a celebration of what I consider to be CyberConnect2’s greatest achievement in gaming thus far. It’s an excellent way for newcomers to experience one of the most underrated JRPGs in the lengthy and excellent catalogue of PS2 games. As for those like myself who loved the original- a chance to say hello to some old friends and finally erase that last bit of regret that’s been lingering all these years.

The Frozen Wild is a great DLC that takes the core game, makes some new additions, and gives player a reason to return to the world in great form. There isn’t much here to really persuade anyone that wasn’t hugely into Horizon, but that’s usually not the case for DLC additional content. While it might not have the same initial wow impact as the first time, it makes returning here much more incentive and is a nice reminder towards the end of the year, just how much I enjoyed my time with Horizon in March and now once again in November.

There just isn’t much else to say about 99Vidas. It is a solid, if not uninspired beat ‘em up that delivers exactly what it promises. I would have loved to see online co-op and better paced levels. As it sits though this is a solid purchase for anyone who grew up with games like Streets of Rage or Final Fight.

Spintires: Mudrunner is an interesting game in a genre nobody knew existed. Believe it or not, there has been previous games in this series. It is a niche title landing at an inopportune time. Released when the flow of Fall releases are not flooding the market might have helped its chances. However, anyone who digs in is sure to find a gem buried underneath the mud.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is a game about moments. Encountering a brand new monster, obtaining a powerful weapon or when a Drake crashes your goblin slaying party with a storm of hellfire- all moments that are memorable and fun to experience. The issue is that getting to those moments are oftentimes an absolute slog of tedious stamina and weight management, battling the same group of wolves and bandits for the thirtieth time.

The idea of a superhero FPS sounds great on paper, but an intriguing story and a cool concept cannot save Megaton Rainfall from being a subpar action shooter; one that fails to realise the potential of the genre.

Fire Emblem Warriors continues the excellent port of Nintendo’s franchises into the world of musou. The little additives from the franchise translate well into the genre. The art style is outstanding and the combat is just as fun (if not repetitive) as it has always been. This is another solid entry for Nintendo’s latest machine.

In the end, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is a fun first person shooter with some issues here and there that was just enough to get on my nerves. It doesn’t shy away from the hard subjects, in both the story and the gameplay, and I think that anyone who enjoys a good FPS should pick this one up. It’s well worth the time and money even with the issues it has.

This might be the first time I think the license here might actually be doing the game harm then the game itself. I just can’t see most people seeing the movie and saying “You know, I really want a game from this” but here we are. What we are left with is a really fun take on the Metroidvania side scrolling genre that has quality all around. Its gameplay, graphics, and especially its soundtrack, all work together in making this something I would have loved to discover back in the SNES era. I know there is a ton of games being released and The Mummy Demastered is most likely the farthest on anyone’s lists of games to play right now, but if players find themselves craving 2D side scrolling action game this fall season, this one is definitely worth looking into.

Echo truly surprised me in ways I didn’t expect. It’s very serious in its setting, absolutely nailing this mishmash of sci-fi horror and tension perfectly combined with stealth and A.I. elements that push the narrative further and extend to its moment to moment gameplay. I haven’t heard many people talking about Echo, and I surely hope that changes. If a sequel ever comes or a new setting with similar style ideas on gameplay emerge, count me in. Echo nails exactly what it’s going for. P.S. it has one of the most creative and cool looking start menus.

Axiom Verge is a real homage to a time gone by. But instead of feeling old and tired, it injects new life into an old genre by coming up with inventive ways to push you forward. It is also the kind of game that works great on the Switch. Its simple design means it plays well on the go and also doesn’t kill the battery. If you are looking for something to dip in and out of during the busy Fall period, then look no further.

I really enjoyed my time with Mages of Mystralia. It’s a neat little game that has a lot of heart. There are a few issues here and there, but nothing that really bogged down the experience for me. The presentation is stellar, and me being a video game music fan I found the soundtrack alone worth the price of admission. It helps out a lot that the puzzles and abilities feel rewarding and fun to use. I would suggest picking this game up for anyone that enjoys an action adventure game with some puzzle solving thrown in. It’s a pretty great time.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole is the epitome of a sequel. Almost to its detriment the game delivers more of what we loved about the first one. There is plenty of content, excellent writing, I just wish it took more risks in the game play and pacing department. Otherwise this is yet another stellar game in the already crowded 2017 lineup.

Rogue Trooper Redux is an ok game. It has some interesting ideas with its mechanics, and while the story was bland, I was never bored with it. I wish I could have gotten into a full co-op game, but I don’t know how many people actually have the game. Even then, the campaign can last players a decently long time, and there is some fun to be had even if it does show it is a product of its time, and for the $25 price tag, it’s not a big hit to the wallet. If you enjoy 3rd person shooters and are looking to check out some games from the past, you can most certainly do a lot worse than Rouge Trooper. Just keep in mind, it is stuck in 2006.