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.

Detention might not be garnering a ton of talk about its release on the PS4, which is a shame. Looking at the PC release, the reception then seemed to show a lot of critics agreeing, Detention does a lot with what’s there on a smaller scale. An extremely well done story crafted inside a psychological horror game that nails its terrifying atmosphere. It might not be the longest game or even the best horror game, but it truly got under my skin at times, and that’s one of the highest accolades I can give any title in the genre. Independent horror games continue to shine and bring forth some of the most interesting experiences when least expected. Here we have one that mixes history with fiction creating an ultimately trippy, twisted journey.

Wulverblade is a blast to play, it looks and runs well, and it has rolling heads and slow motion death kills. It’s colorful yet dark, it’s a game yet it offers an educational aspect. It can feel hard at times, but the checkpoint system helped elevate that most moments. Grab a friend, a joycon, and do some split screen skull bashing because Wulverblade is a fun nostalgia romp and worth the price of admission.

I have to give props to Light Tracer for attempting to take a classic genre and flipping it on its head to fit in VR. In some areas it shines, but it is where it counts the most, in the controls, that the game just falls short on. If you have a PSVR collecting dust, then there is value in picking Light Tracer up and giving it a try, if only to experience a platformer in VR. But I would recommend maybe holding off for an inevitable sale.

Elex is a game that I like on a core and fundamental level. The exploration is fantastic and the world they created is this place that truly feels like a mixture of so many other games before it, yet it still stands out on its own to do its own thing. The mythology is interesting here but I tended not to care for any characters I met or myself, I had fun with the gameplay mechanics and world. This is still for the hardcore open world RPG fans that have been fans of PB before or able to accept games of this caliber knowing the plethora of issues that can occur. We know what to expect at this point, I just hope one day they can go past those expectations, keeping what makes their games great, and fixing more of what hold their games back.

All in all, it’s a decent ride of a game and done really well, but I find that because of the high price point, only the shump veterans should look into getting it. Casual fans will find themselves done with the game way before they get their money’s worth out of it. If you can find this at a discount, I would say grab it for the game play alone, but for $35, I’d hold off for now.

Shadow of War improves on almost every aspect of the original game. There is so much to do and the systems in place are truly special. The story missions fall flat and the loot boxes are kind of gross, but otherwise this is one spectacular game. Those that enjoyed the original will find even more to love here. I just feel like this game is marred by controversy and a poor release window.

Evil Within 2 is how a sequel should be constructed. Everything about it feels like an improvement upon its predecessor. I had more fun digging into this 15-20 hour adventure, and would even consider replaying if not for so many other titles vying for my precious time. The genre is still poorly represented in the gaming community, so when a solid survival horror game emerges, it is best not to miss the opportunity to check it out.

Coming kind of out of nowhere, A Hat in Time should be played by anyone who enjoyed 3D platformers like Mario 64. If you enjoyed Mario 64, you’re going to enjoy this. It is a nice homage to the king of platformers and one that I highly recommend checking out. There’s a lot to see and do here, and the platforming is well done with level design being thought out and intricate. I really enjoyed my time with it and any platforming fan will too.

Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth continues the proud tradition of the franchise with its stellar character customization and level designs as it poses a daunting challenge, well worth conquering- one tile at a time.

Loot boxes feel like a small blemish on an otherwise outstanding game. Forza continues to deliver year-in and year-out. This outing will also be a showcase for Microsoft’s upcoming 4K console. Turn 10 continues to deliver, and if nothing else Microsoft has this genre on lockdown for the time being. Glad to see the team not get complacent. Forza Motorsport 7 is yet another must-own for racing game fans.

In the end, Mystik Belle is a decently fun game that has a few issues when it comes to the action more than anything. Luckily, the puzzles and item trading are the main focus of the game, and it is the best part of the entire experience. Fans of old school Dizzy games and puzzle games in general will enjoy this title. If you’re coming here for the action parts of a Metroidvania game, beware. It’s not the best in that department, but for fifteen bucks, you can most certainly do a lot worse.

NHL 18 will satisfy hockey fans; that goes without saying. Its real achievement though is in its design, which will seamlessly teach and assist a player who knows nothing about hockey. They’re likely to stick around too, because as it turns out, hockey is a blast in videogame form.

The second outing feels like the balance the game should have had, and it is a lot more fun. For players willing to suffer through it once, it almost makes up for the tedium. The problem arises once again in that there are so many games out there that work on the first try. Maybe the developers will patch out the issues, and if so Ruiner is a great idea with some truly questionable mechanics that make it a chore to play more often than it should.

My time with Superstar Saga has been a joy – filled with hearty laughs and exciting boss encounters. Even though I can’t say whether it’s a remake worth revisiting to those who finished the original back on the GBA, I can say with confidence that those who missed it the first time around are in certainly in for a good time.

Once again Image & Form continue to pour heart, soul and quality into their games. Steamworld Dig 2 is another near perfect entry in the Steamworld universe, and the enhanced art design makes me wish that they go back to both the original Dig and Heist and update them and release them on the Switch. I would be the first in line to buy them again.

Thankfully, the game is adamant about auto-saving constantly, so it helps circumvent some of the frustration. Even with all these issues, I still persisted in playing because beneath the technical problems that hopefully get ironed out over time, this is a gem of a turn based RPG and I recommend, even with its faults, fans of the genre need to give some attention to Battle Chasers. It might come from a small development team, it might be rough around the edges, but it’s could be one of 2017 most unexpected RPG hits that more people should be aware of.

One Piece: Unlimited World Red certainly looks and sounds the part of a solid One Piece game but it drops the booty with its stiff controls and unsatisfying combat engine.

Cuphead is a rare case where the long development cycle didn’t ruin the final product. This game matches its incredible look with stellar game play. In the sea of games releasing this year Cuphead stands tall as one of the best. There is little reason to skip this gem, it even comes with an outstanding value price and plenty of replay. Don’t sleep on Cuphead. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to listen to the soundtrack one more time.

Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing, and this game has it in abundance. In a way, it saddens me to think that I have likely already missed numerous small-yet-endearing side quests; that I’ve passed characters by without ever knowing the stories they have to tell. This game is magical, and magically intense – it is an experience that has been passionately and painstakingly realised by developer Larian. How to sum it all up? I’ll (finally) be succinct and simply say this: Divinity: Original Sin 2 is one of the best RPGs I have ever played.

Tricky Towers is a party game first and foremost, best played with friends. Grab some extra controllers and have hours of fun trying to knock the bricks out of your mates. The ease in which your friends will be able to grasp the mechanics is Tricky Tower’s greatest asset, and it is worth the asking price alone.

In the end, I feel like Blue Reflection had some good things going for it. I didn’t mind the story even if it was a bit melodramatic more times than not, and the combat was in the right place, I just wish it would have offered up more of a challenge. Obviously, this is not a game for everybody, and the game knows its audience and caters to it the best way it can. Still, many fans of this style of game will find it overly simplistic and not difficult at all. While I enjoyed my time with it for the most part, there were still a few times I rolled my eyes at the things on screen. That’s going to happen with me in these games. Still, the target audience for Blue Reflection will enjoy it for the most part, although it may very well be too simple for their tastes.

Caveman Warriors takes on the cartoon style similar to the games it draws inspiration from. Over-the-top characters and animations look good, and as I mentioned the diversity in levels and enemies goes a long way to keep things fresh. While it is likely already forgotten, Caveman Warriors is a solid, if not overly challenging game set to a backdrop rarely used. I loved the idea behind it, even if its execution fell flat sometimes.

The final game in the series is the most refined. It also benefits from being the first game on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, so the fidelity is the best by far. The conclusion to the series continues to refine what makes it appealing. The fighting still feels great, if not a bit shallow. It was fun seeing the evolution of the franchise in one package. It is hard to argue the value here. I have always enjoyed the Ultimate Ninja Storm games even without knowledge of the source material. The fighting is fun and the stories are always over-the-top madness. This package delivers hours of fun and a solid look into the lore of Naruto.

Project Cars 2 is the definition of what a sequel should be, taking everything great from the original game, bringing it back, and introducing new and interesting features. Everything feels finely tuned and the options are unparalleled. This is a dream for racing fans and a treat for anyone who even slightly enjoys the genre. Don’t sleep on this one, there are few racing games that offer this much in one package.

The tutorial here had me extremely impressed and brought the entire package and themes of the game to the forefront. Now if the multiplayer continued that or there was a single player story to keep this momentum going, this would have been an overall good package that takes advantage of its best elements. The driving is solid, the combat is ok, but the theme is excellent and it’s all surrounded by a game that just feels lacking. I love what the developers are going for here, but it feels like a huge squandered opportunity.

Death of the Outsider is a fun, bite sized Dishonored game that opened my eyes to the series once again. I enjoyed the open-endedness of the entire experience, and while I didn’t get a lot of details of the story, it was still enjoyable and fun to see. Dishonored fans will love this one as well, and people that may have been turned off from the first game may find this one much more enjoyable. There’s still some issues with stealth and difficulty, but in the end, it’s a fun experience overall with some great options.

Hidden Dragon Legend is the classic example of a game trying to be bigger than it’s potential budget or development. There is a great idea here marred by too many issues for me to really recommend this to anyone except the hardcore action or indie supporters. There is fun to be had, but it comes with serious caveats.

Marvel vs Capcom Infinite makes a poor first impression with its lackluster visual style and a roster of characters that are missing many fan favorites. Even though it’s impossible to completely look past the issues in the presentation, the combat engine is solid and the addition of the Infinity stones is a boon to the series as a whole. While those who only enjoy playing fighting game for the story mode can safely steer clear of this title, those interested in a deep, flexible and entertaining fighting game will find much to like here.

Pokken Tournament is a game that deserved a second chance. A Pokémon fighting game is still one of the best concepts out there. I wish it was more fleshed out, and perhaps a sequel will do just that, but DX marks yet another solid first-party title to add to the Switch’s already stellar year one of games.

I pretty much dreaded returning to this game for review after the first go, but I still persisted. The theme of wet t-shirts, water guns, and silly antics is something that I could overlook regardless of how much it just made me uncomfortable at times, but the core gameplay mechanics here just didn’t do it for me. Who could I recommend this game to then? Players that are fans of the storyline and banter between the girls, and the overall visual design of the game might be pleased, but anyone looking for anything past the busting babes or wet shirts are bound to be disappointed.

Many aspects of Time Recoil show potential, but the only part that is actualized is its gameplay. The typically confusing time-travel plot impedes enjoyment as does the randomness in levels, which nearly diminishes that stellar gameplay.

With a price tag of $39.99, it is really hard for me to recommend this game in 2017. Although there aren’t that many 1-on-1 shooter/fighters on the market, I do believe that your money would be better spent elsewhere. Maybe wait for a price drop before picking this up, if you really think that this will interest you.

As a game, The Last Day of June is repetitive, slow going, and at times absolutely depressing. Getting stuck trying to solve a puzzle can make that process feel even slower. The repeating story and nature of the themes at play lead to having to experience a lot of the same scenes again and again with seemingly no way to skip them. A blemish on an otherwise solid story telling experience. As a game, there isn’t all that much to it and can easily be played by many, but as a story telling emotional experience, it doesn’t get much better that this. I began the game thinking this was something completely different than my expectation lead me to believe. Shortly after the intro moments, when I realized that The Last Day of June wasn’t a title about the end of summer but the last day of a person’s life, the reality set in that this was going to be an emotional rollercoaster, and it surely is.

There’s a lot to enjoy here both solo and as a co-op experience. Any fan of Destiny 1 should take a look at this game, and anyone that has had interest in it but hasn’t pulled the trigger on it just yet should rest easy knowing that while it has a few issues here and there, Destiny 2 is a great game that champions over the first game in so many ways. I highly suggest it to both FPS and RPG fans alike.

Visually Blacksea Odyssey has a look all its own. Sharped edges mixed with retro effects actually work. It doesn’t show well in screenshots, but the game feels good in motion. There are issues with some enemies as they are large and the screen doesn’t scale properly, but for the most part the game looks good. Blacksea Odyssey feels unique in a sea of games in the same vein. There is enough here to keep players interested while not frustrating too much with its roguelike elements.

This is just the first episode in a 3 part arc and it left me wanting more. While there is no time element here to mess with, the backtalk is interesting enough. Though story wise, there might be something going on, more than meets the eye if the end moments are any indication. Deck Nine has taken the franchise and totally captured what fans of the first game loved about it. The dialog, story, and drama that comes with it all. While there were a few moments of framerate stutter on the Xbox One, it was very few and far between. Otherwise, this was a solid first episode and if the quality keeps up, the entire prequel will be a nice companion pieces to the original game. Hopefully not taken anything away from it, but only adding more.

It’s difficult to say if Danganronpa V3 met my nearly unrealistic expectations, as even though much of the gameplay and story beats felt familiar, the true vision of V3 and how it ends has left me feeling conflicted in a way I have yet to fully digest. It’s an unforgettable journey full of love and betrayal- one that steps past the point of no return and bravely takes another leap forward to a world without hope or despair.

Baja: Edge of Control is anything but special, but at $29.99 it is hard to fault it too much. I had fun. I love off-road racing games and this one just scratched that itch. The track diversity is nice, I just wish it didn’t turn into such a grind as the game went on.

Aside from a few very rare moments of fun, that’s ultimately the problem with Drive Girls. It has a unique premise but nothing else stands out, and what is left is a game that is neither very fun, very memorable, nor even interesting. It’s a game that I could only recommend to the utmost hardcore fans of niche games, and that’s knowing all the caveats. It’s just a title I couldn’t get into, I couldn’t enjoy, and ultimately felt like barely any effort was put into to make it engaging or stand out. The premise alone sounds so interesting, so its makes the final results hurt even more. This is one flat tire.

Despite the flaws with its pacing, Metroid: Samus Returns feels like true classic reborn- with all the polish expected of a modern release and stands proudly among the other fantastic 2D entries to the series.

We’re currently at a time where remasters of classic games are becoming rather commonplace. Contrary to the practices of developers that make adjustments to the original experience to make it more palatable for the current generation, Blizzard played the role of an art restorer, being careful with their strokes to preserve the original and touching up the masterpiece known as Starcraft: Brood War in a way that is sure to garner the attention and appreciation of new fans all across the world.

Knack 2 is the proper way to do a sequel. The ideas are solid and platform games of this quality are few and far between. I really did not like the first game, and was ready to write this one off as well. After spending some time with it though, it shocked me. It is also quite lengthy. The campaign clocks in at around a meaty 12 hours with the option to return for treasures, challenge mode, and of course co-op. This game is much better than it has any right to be.

Feral Fury plays it safe in many ways, but it also plays well, runs well, and does enough to satisfy the roguelike enthusiast. It isn’t crazy enough or unique enough to recommend to anyone who isn’t already a fan of the genre, though. The laziness in the world-building was also a key disappointment.

Redout doesn’t do much new for the genre aside from an interesting twist with the redout feature. Though it doesn’t have to re-invent the wheel but simply give use their take on the ultimate speed test. The online issue is a shame, and the only other issue I ran into was on some tracks and depending on how many racers are on screen, the framerate would falter before getting back to its smooth performance. In a game like this that’s a big blunder and extremely noticeable, but it doesn’t break the game and it’s workable. It just sticks out like a complete sore thumb in an otherwise solid package. For the price of entry, Redout sticks out as a great entry in the futuristic racing genre.

Killing Floor 2 is a lot of mindless fun. I say mindless, but it really does take some strategy to be successful. That’s what makes it the most fun. The only thing I must warn people about is the fact that if you’re thinking of going into this game solo, it’s going to be an uphill battle that will quickly get old. This game is best experienced in co-op with some friends. Even if you don’t have friends to play with, the game’s matchmaking system is strong and works well and people are generally decent to play with. People looking for some co-op fun will find a great time here and I believe it is well worth the price.

The core premise behind Songbringer had my attention, and the gameplay does a decent enough job of making me enjoy that…most of the time. Getting lost happened to me often, aimlessly wandering around occurring and frustrated me. Yet I’d persist and eventually find my way to a new location, story element, or ability and then continue on my way. The pixel art looks good, if not a bit blurry up close, and the soundtrack, while matching the aesthetics seemed a little too ear grinding for my tastes. Still, I enjoyed myself and I will return to Songbringer. It’s zany and a great idea for an adventure game even if a few things could be tweaked. I’d love to see more of Roq and that’s saying something. An adventure dungeon crawler with a wacky and funny heart.

Everybody’s Golf was exactly what I was looking for in a relaxing, yet fun game. It has the makings of a great arcade golf game and some pretty nice longevity with the online mode. The single player is no slouch either even when it does get slightly grindy. The customization is giant, and the way the game teaches the player the simple mechanics of golf and slowly discusses the more complicated aspects of the game and how to do certain shots really makes the game accessible to pretty much anyone. I highly suggest this one to anyone remotely interested in it or the game of golf. There’s a lot of content here, and for the most part, it’s all good.

Despite my many grievances, once I actually learned how to play the game, I did have fun. However, getting to that level of competence was certainly not helped by the game in any way, shape or form and as it becomes more and more difficult to find matches online as the weeks go by, I can’t help but wonder if it’s even worth it to take a risk boarding what may very well be a sinking ship.

Warriors All-Stars does have a degree of depth when it comes to the various interrelated systems that support what is, on the surface, rather simple gameplay when it comes to actual battles. There are plenty of endings for hardcore fans to pursue, and the game is likely to reward players who take the time to understand all the underlying mechanics. Sadly, the overall lack of polish, the game’s repetitive nature and the completely dysfunctional way in which information is presented to the player is a real let down. As a result, I don’t think Warriors All-Stars is a game that is going to win over many new fans. The combat is accessible but everything else is a bit of a chore.

Coming into this without the nostalgia glasses is always an interesting perspective. Will a game that people have loved and wanted to see again resonate with a completely new player? In this case I believe due to the ease of play and how much simple fun the game can be, along with how intense the matches can ultimately get, this is a no brainer. It might be a relic of old arcade fun, but there must be a reason so many people love it, and it seems truly good gameplay mechanics don’t age if Windjammers is anything to go by.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is easily the most ambitious entry in series to date, with an expansive world map and a greater emphasis on storytelling. It carries the proud tradition of a skillfully satisfying and lightning fast combat engine, paired with a soundtrack that could only have been composed by the legends at Team JDK. It makes a strong case, not only as one of the best Ys games ever made, but also as a contender for game of the year.

Uncharted: Lost Legacy is another Uncharted game, for better or worse. I loved its length and characters. I would love to see more spin-offs now that Nathan Drake’s journey has come to an end. I feel like we don’t get enough of these action adventure style titles and am always up for another one. I might say we don’t need another Uncharted game once again, but if the series returns, you know I will be first in line to eat my words.

Absolver is a great and interesting game as a whole, but the biggest part of the game, actually playing it, is both frustrating and unbalanced. The combat works and is very customizable, the pacing and level progression is nice, and the world is interesting and looks great, but in the end, it has all these great things about it, and I honestly don’t feel like playing it due to the fights turning into frustrating encounters. Now, that’s not to say everyone is going to feel that way and I’m sure there’s going to be at least one person saying I’m playing the game wrong, and I may very well be doing that, but in my time with it, I have given it my best shot and found it to be a great game in many ways that I just don’t want to play.

When Mario + Rabbids was announced, I was excited, if a little nervous. Nintendo farming out Mario to Ubisoft, a developer that hasn’t always hit the mark, was slightly concerning. But after playing this game I can honestly say that aside from the odd camera bug or two, I would have never of guessed that this game was not made by Nintendo themselves. It looks, sounds and feels like a Mario game. Clearly the developers have a great love of Mario and an even greater understanding as to what makes a Mario game special. All of the nods to the Mario universe, how many staples of said universe feature in how the gameplay works with this unique title and the attention to every little detail makes this not only a fresh take on a classic character, but possibly my favorite Mario game ever.

On the outside, Thumper looks bizarre with its strange design and nightmarish visuals. But don’t let that fool you, Thumper has it where it counts. Behind the game lies an incredibly deep rhythm game that invigorates the genre and will push and punish you in equal measure. Pair that with extremely quick load times and a game that flawlessly runs at a smooth 60fps, and Thumper will be music to your ears.

I’ve always thought thinking of the future could be scary, but Observer takes it to the next level. The story should keep players on edge, and the constant assault of visual and audio overload go a long way to truly make this not only a game but an experience. From excellent world building, to fantastic sound, I was pulled into the game from the moment I hit start and the white words scrolling on black began. It’s bleak, dark, depressing, and twisted. The gameplay elements are typical of the genre, but never felt annoying to me, and require a bit more thought then most others in the genre.

Where the game does really shine is in its presentation. At no point did I feel like I was playing anything other than a classic 8-bit game. The look, the sounds, and even the crazy storyline about a boy and his frog, the game is steeped in nostalgia, and remains faithful to the games of that era, but I cannot comment on how this stacks up as a remake of the original, having never played it. But that is where one of my problems I had with the game surfaced. Due to it being so retro in its style, the game story and dialogue just felt daft. At no point was I invested in the story of Jason and Fred, and had no interest in reading all of the text that was presented to me. Some people may actually take that as being true to the original, but for me it felt like a disconnect. But at the end of the day, as long as the gameplay is enjoyable, that is all that matters.

In the end, Ys Seven is an ok game. It does get monotonous as far as the combat goes, but the story and level progressions are decently paced. For those looking to get into the series for the first time, this is a decent jumping on point. Sure, some characters act like they know each other, but it feels like each Ys game has its own standalone story. For the RPG players looking for a simple, yet fun time and isn’t bothered by some mindless hack ‘n slash, Ys Seven is a good one for you.

Really, for those that have already played Revelations, there isn’t any huge reason to run out and grab this again unless A. It’s never been played before B. Love to collect or purchase anything with Resident Evil in the title, or C. Just simply want to replay it again on the new consoles. There’s nothing really wrong with the game as far as coming over to the PS4, and mileage will vary on the repeated issues the game does have, like handheld design roots, scope, and limited animations. Though I will say, getting this for $19.99 is a solid deal, and I’ll be taking choice B in adding this to my collection as I’m a long time Resident Evil fan.

For all of its surface gimmicks and complex management systems, F1 2017 excels by maintaining a real sense of accessibility for players who aren’t true F1 aficionados. Racing players will find this an enjoyable experience, albeit that experience probably won’t offer a great deal of longevity once the novelty wears off.

The Xbox One version seemed to perform decent enough, though there are times when smoke effects or other graphical elements kick into play that causes some system performance issues. Luckily, with the type of game this is, it was never a huge hindrance. Pillars of Eternity is a great RPG experience by Obsidian, and my time with the port was a very good experience. The excellent music and voice acting, the wonderful writing, and the multitude of ways quests can play out just add up to Pillars being a wonderful RPG to add to the collection. PC players have known this for a while, but console owners can now experience this for themselves. Now if everyone will excuse me, I still have plenty more adventures to partake in the world of Eora.

For the most part, Kiwami is a good retelling of the very first game and arguably has the best story out of the entire series. The visual upgrades are nice, and the addition to the modern combat engine is most certainly welcome, but original fans as well as people who jumped into the series later on need to keep in mind this is a remake of a 2005 game that didn’t have as much content as the later entries. Still, I have to recommend this game to both fans of the series as well as people wanting to get into it. It’s a fantastic jumping in point for the story, and while the boss fights are annoying, it tells a fun tale while still being very entertaining gameplay wise, and at the price point of 30 bucks, you really can’t go wrong.

Madden NFL 18 makes steps forward, but also lacks any meaningful changes to my favorite mode, which is Franchise. Longshot fell short for me, and I would really love to see a more defined Be A Player mode. Even with that said I will still sink another 60+ hours into this game because of my love of the sport. The refinements are enough to keep me interested, and the new engine makes the game look glorious. I really hope franchise sees a major overhaul next year, but for now I am happy to be plowing through defenses with Marshawn Lynch and dropping dimes with Derek Carr.

Zero Time Dilemma is a nice bow on top of the Zero Escape trilogy, and one that I think many will enjoy if they liked the previous games. It can get a bit complicated both in puzzles and in story, but the mystery and discovery that is involved is what really brings the player back to the game. This one has it in spades. There’s a few choice decisions here and there that made me scratch my head, but those were few and far between, and never took away from the overall experience. This is a must have for fans of the series, and only if you have fully played through the first two games. When you do that, you’ll enjoy your time with Zero Time Dilemma.

It’s some decent fun, especially with some friends, but one that players can spend a decent amount of time into but ultimately, get sick of the gameplay loop. Now, that may still be 15-20 hours in, and in many instances, that would be plenty of time for a game you didn’t pay anything for, but for people wanting something deep, they can get it here especially when it comes to the RPG elements. It’s a fun time, and one that you don’t really have to spend money on in order to have fun, but if you want to go a bit deeper than the surface, get ready to grind.

Chromagun is videogame love letter to Portal, with an entirely different and unique puzzle mechanic. It may have made a bad first impression in its pre-release version, but eventually won me over. It’s a game I have a lot of confidence in recommending to puzzle game fans.

Overall the game can still be completed rather quickly, and the experience is definitely shallow as far as depth goes, but it’s charming and a great piece of videogame history. Now that I’ve played it to completion, I will say I think Double Switch, another game in the same genre, is a much more elaborate version of this type of game and still my favorite. Night Trap seemed like a great first attempt at a retail title such as this, and I’m glad to see it make a return to the gaming scene all these years later.

Sine Mora EX is a port of game no one played that will likely not get played again. The genre is niche and the timing was bad. However, for those that do pick it up you are in for a treat. This is truly one of the finest shooters of the last two generations. I would love to see a follow-up next time though. This generation of remasters is starting to get out of hand.

Sure the price is cheap and for a few minutes most might be entertained but the level of repetition, dull gameplay, and boring visuals do nothing to make players want to continue the Flip Wars, and it’s ultimately a failure in almost every sense. The game works and doesn’t seem to have any huge issues, but that’s about the best I can say.

Sonic Mania is the Sonic game fans have been wanting. It hits all the notes (and problems) the originals had. But it is also why the series has remained relevant for so long. It delivers speed, fun, and chaos (no pun intended) all in one package. It also finally removes the stigma that all Sonic games are terrible. Let’s hope Forces is as well polished and enjoyable as Mania is.

All in all, I feel like Sundered had a great idea in place, but due to the procedurally generated rooms mixed with the nonstop enemy encounters, I felt like I wasn’t able to progress enough in a span of time to make me want to keep going. The game wants me to die and because of that, it felt like it didn’t matter if I was skillful enough to make it through, they wanted me to bang my head against a wall for about 30 minutes so I would gain enough shards to level up a few things then take it on using their progression system rather than my skills as a player. It ends up being a frustrating endeavor after a while. Now, that’s not to say there isn’t some enjoyable things to be had here, but I would be weary on spending the full price tag for now. After a little price drop or a sweet digital sale, give it a shot then.

Clocking in at around 6 hours, there isn’t any real replay value unless you’re someone like me who likes to go back to see how the experience changes after I’ve been enlightened with the full picture. While some may claim that it is far too short of a game, I would argue that it is the perfect length for this particular title, and as it retails at half the cost of a typical triple A game at $29.99, it more than justifies its asking price. After all, I certainly don’t think this would have been a better game if it was double the length at twice the cost.

Mighty Gunvolt Burst is exactly what I wanted it to be. A proper clone of a genre I still love to this day, with enough new to make it feel modern. The platforming is tight, the challenge is solid, and everything just feels good. I grew up loving these games, and while I am not quite as skilled as I used to be, I still enjoy the challenge they deliver.

Aven Colony is a unique take on the genre. It is also one that works surprisingly well on consoles. For those with the itch to build some cities and don’t mind the alien landscape I definitely recommend it.