Revelations really knocks it out of the park when it comes to bringing that classic Resident Evil feel but a bit more modernized.

Recommend only for the most hardcore of space simulation fans and patience is a must

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time is a love-letter to fans of the series. For those of us clamoring for Sly’s return for the past eight years, we finally have something to fill the void.

For those that have never played it, it is a fantastic experience that no gamer should miss.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a fantastic game even if it leans heavily on its Far Cry roots. Graphically, Pandora is simply stunning to behold, whether running on the land and jumping from vines or soaring through the flying mountains; the visuals are just breathtaking at almost every angle. And while it has solid combat gameplay when it comes to the native weapons, I still can’t tell if the awkwardness of the human weapons is on purpose or not. Not to mention the awful objective markers, hunter vision and hunger system. Oh, I didn’t even tell you that you have to keep your Ikran feed as well. It’s all rather frustrating because I enjoy my time with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and it would be a fantastic game but for those issues above. It all adds up and just amounts to being frustrated with the game which is devastating because there is a fantastic game buried under all these mechanics.

Probably the most fun I have had playing an XBLA game, so far. With its simple to learn and use controls to the ton of levels you can play, I can see why this game was so talked about when it made its first run on the XNA.

The fundamentals of Echoes of Time’s gameplay make it an enjoyable experience. I much prefer slashing my way through an RPG with real-time action — it’s an addictive combination, and one that we don’t see very often these days.

As long as you are willing to roll with the dialog and narrative quirks, it's a fun ride. It isn't perfect, but it does capture the magic of the genre with entertaining characters, interesting puzzles, and a current of humor that runs throughout the game.

Visually, Hector has a hand drawn look that is an attractive contrast to the foul language. The juxtaposition works. The dialog is entirely captioned within the frame, rather than beneath it, giving the game a storybook feel that sets it apart from the rest of Telltale's library.

Still, it’s a necessary stepping stone to finally reach the summit that we’ve all been waiting for, and with the conclusion looming just over the horizon I can’t wait to see how it all ends for the denizens of FableTown.

Screamer is one of Milestone’s most interesting games for sure, but it has a laundry list of issues that hold it back. These could all be addressed with patches, and some have shortly after launch. I just wonder if players will stick around long enough to see them all. I will definitely keep my eye on it over time, as I do adore a great arcade racing game. Where it stands, Screamer is an interesting game with a few setbacks. Definitely recommend waiting for a sale before diving in.

Watching the unlocked videos was nice, but not enough to make me care about this game as much as I wanted to.

Road Not Taken is a beautifully presented game of small acts, survival and humanity.

All in all, Chime Sharp is still a great puzzle game that is simple to play and fun to learn. Those in the zone moments are great, and the constant feel of “just one more try” is here and just as addicting as the previous games. Any puzzle fan out there should add this one to their library.

the majority of my time with the game was stimulating and enjoyable. Hours flew by and it was hard at times to find a stopping place – there was always some project that I needed, and wanted to get done. Prison Architect allows for freedom and creativity with its deep simulation systems and the multitude of player options. Players may become surprisingly invested in their prison and in their prisoners, something that can only be achieved by letting them mess with every small detail.

The game still has that frantic feel that the main game had, and the lighting is still some of the most amazing effects I have seen in a game, especially during the lockdown parts when everything goes dark and only your flashlight and gunfire light up the surrounding area.

The exclusion of Global Conquest mode from the PC does not help the idea of choosing this version over its Windows counterpart, but if you enjoyed Tiberium Wars on 360 than you will likely find the same satisfaction here.

No More Heroes III is a wild ride though a psychedelic warzone that begs to be experienced. The technical issues and slog of an open world drag it down at times, but it never stopped me from wanting to see it through. I really wish the game had been released on more powerful hardware as it is clear the team had bigger ambitions than the Switch could handle. Still if you have enjoyed previous entries then this is a no-brainer. Definitely a solid end to the trilogy and one of the most unique games you will play ever.

Rematch is the kind of sports game that throws out the fluff and dares you to bring the skill. It doesn’t want to hold your hand. It wants to cross you up, score on you, and ask politely if you’d like a rematch. It’s not for everyone though, even with it being on Game Pass. There’s no single-player campaign, no casual local couch mode, and no elaborate progression system to dress up your player like a walking peacock. But what’s here is focused, fast, and infuriatingly fun. It’s soccer by way of the fighting game genre: twitchy, intense, and one mistake away from disaster. For me, someone who isn’t a soccer fan, I can appreciate what this game is doing but for fans of this form of football I know you will vibe with Rematch.

If you are a fan of classic arcade brawling action than King of Fighters XI is a no brainer, especially with a price tag criminally below twenty bucks.

Even with its notable flaws, my time with Beatbuddy was mostly positive. When I was in the groove, bobbing my head and solving puzzles the time seemed to fade away… to the beat of the music.

Your inner kid wants you to play this game. Do it for them. You will not be disappointed.

Shenmue is part of gaming history and there is a reason that it has continued to be revered all this time. But please remember what you are getting in to when buying this game. Yes, it looks a little shinier and it is of course the first time the two games have been available as a collection on a console that isn’t the Dreamcast (Shenmue II was ported to the original Xbox) but if you have never played these games before, expect a little resistance. It may also be worth holding on a little while and picking it up in an inevitable future sale.

While it may be on the short side, I still highly recommend picking up Unmechanical Extended. Like me, you may have a really fun time with it.

At $40 it has a lot to offer. I never found myself angry or bored revisiting previous levels. There’s a fair bit of content for that $40, it’s just that it isn’t perfect and one should know that going into Battle Through Time. Fans of Samurai Jack however will most likely love this game as it canonically takes place during the final season as Jack is trapped in time. I also think Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is great for both adults and kids (whilemost action games nowadays definitely leans to a predominately adult audience). Definitely check it out in that downtime between big releases as there’s plenty here to be impressed by.

The harder boss fights, longer levels, destructible environments, and the on-foot levels add to the already amazingly fun to play and, in my opinion, one of the best XBLA games making it a must buy if you were a fan of the original and have some points to spare.

Everything I loved about Hydro Thunder has returned with Hurricane and more. The fun and addicting gameplay, the huge selection of boats and courses, and the speed all make for a great day of racing. Throw in some new single player and multiplayer modes, Hydro Thunder Hurricane will keep you racing until your fingers fall off.

Sorcerer King is a game that should appeal to both fans of 4X and turn-based strategy games, and those with an open mind looking to experience something new in the genre. It can take a while to get to grips with everything it has to offer, in particular the doomsday scenario, but it pulls through with aplomb and should keep players coming back for more.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is not a game for everyone; you have to have a strong stomach, you have to like hack and slash games and you have to know the story of Wolverine to fully appreciate it.

Sadly the end result is that when its put up against the tower defense titles on the PC it really can't compete.

EA Sports NBA Jam is a great revival of a classic franchise. If you were a fan then there is no reason to pass up on this offering as it brings just enough to the table to make it worth your while.

Event[0] is an interesting game with a very interesting concept. Think of it like HAL 9000, but much more limited in scope and threat. The novelty wore off for me within the first 30 minutes of playing, and unfortunately, then began to look at it more like a game to complete rather than an experience that needed to be seen.

Easy to pick up and play, CARRION is original, absorbing and entertaining.It also has an excellent soundtrack – it’s cinematic horror vibe is the perfect accompaniment for the bloodbath that ensues.

Evil West is a strong game that simply lacks enough diversity to make it a classic. It is visceral with fun characters that never takes itself too seriously. I had a blast playing it, but definitely could have done with a little more variety. Still it is an unapologetic romp that is a blast to play. There are not a lot of games willing to focus on strictly game play and I respect that. Combine that with the setting that is also highly underused and this is a game definitely worth checking out.

Boring missions aside I feel that #BLUD successfully captures the essence of classic animated cartoons from the early aughts with its simply stunning graphics and animations to its zany characters and situations. #BLUD stands out as a must-play indie game that delivers on both style and substance. #BLUD developer Exit 73 Games earns high marks for its captivating art style, nostalgic appeal, and well-crafted gameplay but the repetitive nature of various quests types keeps this one from true greatness.

The Legacy of Kain series is still one of the richest worlds in all of gaming. It is great to have it back, and for the price of admission, this remaster is worth diving in for fans. Newcomers will balk at the archaic game play, but no one can deny the impact of the narrative. Here is hoping we can get the original Blood Omen remake/remaster at some point. This series deserves to return, and I am all for the resurrection of Kain.

Evolve accomplished what it set out to do, and I am having a blast learning all the concepts it delivers. As long as I have friends to play with, it will continue to be in my rotation of games to play. My only concern is fatigue setting in with some players, and the base dwindling. This will kill the game, as playing solo is simply not the route to go.

Some may say that there is no place for Sonic in 2010 and that that the game is dated and boring by today's standards. But I say Sonic should be given a chance, and that there are plenty of people out there who have never played a Sonic game the way it was meant to be played.

With a massive 55 mission storyline, tons of combatants and plenty of unlockables UN3 is another great addition to the franchise. Fans of the show will likely find plenty to love here.

In theory, combining two of my favorite games into one sounds like a foolproof way to make one of the best games of all time. Unfortunately, the reality is not quite so grand as the mixture of the two elements has diluted the unique flavors to something that feels lacking but not entirely unpalatable.

Forestrike’s ability to turn mechanical knowledge into meta progression creates a very addictive and enjoyable gameplay loop, allowing you to slowly get better at solving each encounter with grace rather than through brute force. While it does unfortunately fail to provide much when it comes to randomization, the combat system does a great job at carrying the experience, even if the game is overly punishing at points. There are still a couple of rough spots that need to be polished, like the hitstop being way too long, something that can completely throw off your timing when parrying, as well as the RNG for techniques being rough, but Forestrike is bound to please those interested in brutally difficult titles.

For $15, hardcore strategy fans should take a look at Anomaly 2, but be warned, it can get messy in there and when it does, you’re going to need a cool head if you want to survive.

A really fun game. It plays like Shuffle Board but uses the Sorry state of mind.

Ivy the Kiwi is not your normal platform adventure game that it might appear to be. Its unique blend of puzzle and action really set it apart from the normal shovelware found on the Wii.

Ghost ‘n Goblins Resurrection is a great modernization of one of Capcom’s cult classic titles. Being a fan of the originals, it was a treat to ride down memory lane. Especially since I revisit this series multiple times a year and we haven’t had a true 2D entry in quite some time. I do wish the game would come to more consoles and PC as it is currently only available on Switch, but perhaps that is a future plan. As it stands Switch owners who grew up with the originals should definitely check this out, if you don’t have nostalgia for the series though, this game might just feel like yet another difficult platformer that has yet to get with the times.

Droplitz is a simple and addictive puzzle game that will keep even the most avid puzzle gamer occupied for some time. The online leaderboards are a welcome addition, but a lack of head-to-head challenges really hurts some of the replay value.

A great little sequel to an amazing franchise.

If you're into RPGs or action RPGs you really need to check this out, especially if you never played the first game.

Games like Costume Quest are a breath of fresh air in a sea of FPS's and hardcore RPG's. I welcome any more games like this.

If you played the first episode, you'll definitely like this one. I can't recommend this episode, as well as the full package, enough.

Prototype 2 is just what the doctor ordered for a lot of gamers, myself included. It is big, dumb and tons of fun. Think of it as one of those Summer Hollywood movies that you go see simply for the special effects and you'll get the idea. There is nothing overly special, but I had a blast while playing the game.

If there is a guide on how to make a sequel, Pandemic read every chapter a dozen times. Taking everything that made the first game good, taking out everything that held it back, and adding just enough to make it fresh is certainly a recipe for success.

Sadly, The Outlast Trials just didn’t live up to the hype for me. With monsters that didn’t really feel scary, and maps and objectives that just start to feel repetitive really quickly, I can really only recommend this one for the real Outlast fans.

As a whole, Medal of Honor is not a horrible game; it just needed some more time for it to truly shine.

Even with all these features though I still feel the price point is a bit too high. It feels like this should have been both games packed together for $30 or separately at $15, it just feels a little above its value. Still there is a lot to love here if you have nostalgia for the original games. This isn’t going to convert any newcomers to the church of Tomba, but if you grew up in the PSOne era and have good memories of this quirky platformer, this package will likely satisfy.

El Shaddai is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. If you never had a chance to check it out, it is now available on Switch and PC, or you can dig up a copy on 360 or PS3, but the main point is, you should play it. It just oozes creativity and some of the best art design in a game. I was excited for each new area, the combat, while repetitive, is fun, and it has a story that remains interesting throughout. Find a way to play this game, it is more than worth the price of admission.

It is a lengthy adventure with a wonderful story that will keep you entertained through most of the game.

I’m so glad that Top Spin has made a return after such a long hiatus, but I wish it had come back in a more polished and rounded-out form. The game feels rushed to market and comes up short of its full $70 price tag (up to $120 for the Grand Slam edition that includes the Centre Court passes and some other cosmetics). It’s saved by its excellent on-court gameplay that stands among the peak sim tennis games and the amount of fun you can have playing local multiplayer with friends. If you’re a huge tennis fan, you’re going to have a blast smacking backhand winners and lobbing shots over charging players’ heads. A solid foundation has been laid here for a future release that expands the mode selections and puts some more meat on the bone. As it stands, all but the most hardcore should probably wait for a sale.

For $9.99, there’s a ton of things to see and do in CastleStorm, but as they say, too much of something can be a bad thing.

After my playthrough, I can safely say that while this is certainly no souls game, it’s one worthy of the time of anyone who seeks a truly rewarding challenge.

ith a solid start for MyPlayer mode, and a strong big picture batting and pitching mechanic in place, I'm quite optimistic for the 11th iteration of MLB 2k.

The straight-to-the-point levels and the four different dimensions bring a whole new level of gameplay to the Spider-Man franchise that is a breath of fresh air that it needed.

The main game is still undeniably fun, and anyone who enjoyed the first (or likes a good challenge) should check it out. Just be warned, it’s an occasionally bumpy ride.

If there is one thing Army of Two can brag about though its presentation. Visually this game is a monster, sporting some nicely detailed environments and great looking character models.

Starlink is a game I expected to groan and roll my eyes at. Instead I found myself enjoying it on multiple levels. The StarFox content makes it a must-own on Switch though. It feels like a chapter in his journey. Nintendo has done well to partner with Ubisoft on their projects, and it is paying off. While the toys are unnecessary this game is heaps better than it has any right to be.

Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns appeals more to the younger audience with its simplified mechanics, but it clearly falters in adding enough depth and satisfying progression to make the repetitive day to day cycle feel worthwhile.

All definitions of ‘game’ aside, Alone With You is an impressive affair that I recommend to anyone who has an affinity for science fiction narratives and/or interactive storytelling. Its tale is both haunting and human, incisively reflective and extremely well told.

A game that is a cookie cutter RPG for guys like me, to ease them back into the JRPG genre if they have been out for a while. It has a good battle system, interesting story, and a sense of wonder that will drive you to keep playing even after you say "I will play just to the next save point".

Regardless of the faults that game may have, Moonlighter is a fantastic game, both in mechanics and in execution. The carrot-on-a-stick nature of the progression is superb, and the dungeon parts are both challenging and rewarding. That, along with the wonderful soundtrack and nice pixel art, make for a beautiful aesthetic that is both fun and nice to see in action. Any fan of action RPGs should pick this one up. It can last players a nice long time and never once get boring.

Ultimately, Knock on the Coffin Lid is a solid rogue-like deckbuilding game with some nice additions and twist from the norm. The art style and audio shine throughout the game and there are lots of great deck possibilities. However, it’s held back by the steep learning curve, difficulty and the overly grindy nature that is required to acquire the many unlockable. Fans of the genre will find lots to enjoy here though, there is plenty of room for replay ability just be prepared to grind for new rewards.

The new Reflex controls are great once you get used to them, but they also alienate the casual audience by making the game a bit more demanding than some gamers are willing to put up with. Still if you have enjoyed the series you know what to expect here.

For a downloadable title this is one polished experience.

Rainbow Six Siege is a nice return for the series, but know about its caveats before diving in. This is a team game. Communication is necessary, and it is not a twitch shooter. If those things sound appealing, then Siege is definitely worth the time.

The single player component will only satisfy the lonely and serve as a tutorial backdrop for the more robust multi-player options. A properly accessible downloadable title, Age of Booty is a joy to hop into with some friends, though with the current sound difficulties and insubstantial single-player not quite worth the $9.99 price tag.

Blackguards 2 is not a perfect game and, unfortunately, not the reinvention of its predecessor it could have been. However, the game does ultimately reward a little (well, a lot of) patience, developing into a relatively enjoyable campaign once the player has progressed past the early stages.

Those tired of the main stream Michael Bay FPS offerings can try Insurgency in confidence, with the knowledge they’re about to play a different brand of FPS.

The question you should be asking yourself isn’t “should I play Disgaea D2” but rather, “do I have the balls and time to play such a crazy game?”. The answer may surprise you.

Omensight is a very enjoyable game. The combat is simple, yet thought out, the story is compelling and kept me playing, and the overall package is well done and really fun to see played out. There are a few little hiccups here and there, but I enjoyed this as much as Stories and can’t wait to see what Spearhead Games comes up with next. Any action adventure fan will have a great time with Omensight. I can’t suggest it enough.

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

I Am Setsuna desperately tries to pull us back in time, but just feels old and worn out, no matter how good the fresh new lick of paint looks.

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.

From what I’ve played of Divine Knockout I think its going to be a lot of fun while it lasts. I am always wary of getting behind Hi-Rez games because they have a habit of going hard on this project when they are popular but then support will peter off and eventually die thus killing the game. Outside of Smite I think their other two big franchises Paladin’s and Rogue Company are on life support. I am rooting for them with Divine Knockout though, its easy to pick up nature and attractive art style will hopefully help it to garner an audience that will allow it to stand the test of time, or at the very least until they can put my man Zeus in the game, once I can get him they can do what they want.

For fans of the series, there’s a lot more Hotline Miami to play here and it still has its moments. For newcomers or people that didn’t get into the first game, it may be a difficult one to get on board with. Review copy of game provided by publisher.

I don’t think anything is gained by playing either Famicom Detective Club that can’t be gained by watching a playthrough because the puzzles are at best throwaway and at worst barely present. These are inherently flawed games, but if somehow the idea of slogging through menus isn’t a turn off there are absolutely two great, down to Earth murder mysteries to be experienced here.

Guns, Gore and Cannoli might only last a couple of hours, bit it can be picked up for a low price of $9.99, and I’d highly recommend any fan of the genre to check this game out immediately. Godfather + Metal Slug + Zombies = Guns, Gore, and Cannoli.

Visually the game has moments of brilliance, especially when levels are designed for one-on-one combat.

The small number of simple level elements like attractors and force fields are deployed so well that delightful things happen.

Perhaps a bigger emphasis on characters or story could even go a long way to give players the incentive to continue or get more involved. It’s very possible the game simply isn’t for me, and this will become a niche title. But in my eyes, this is one prison I will simply not be returning to.

Smurfs Dreams was truly a surprise. Comparing yourself to the king of platform games usually ends in tragedy, but here it actually feels warranted. Licensed games are rarely as good as the titles they impersonate. Smurfs Dreams manages to do this while bringing a little bit of its own flavor. If you have any love for that genre, I highly recommend this title. It is better than it has any right to be, and I had fun spending some time with childhood friends.

The first episode of “The Raven” stumbles out of the gate slightly due to its archaic design and somewhat weak puzzles. Fortunately, it manages to compose itself and stands tall thanks to its strong story and an interesting cast of characters. While it’s definitely doesn’t have the mass appeal of “The Walking Dead”, I’m sure it will find an audience among the lovers of all things mystery.

I find myself in an odd situation where I felt miserable playing Nobunaga’s Ambition, mostly because it’s just not the kind of game that I enjoy. However, at the same time, I couldn’t help but be impressed at the level of depth and polish in the overall experience. Still, it remains that this game did nothing to make me want to delve deeper into the genre of Grand Strategy.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is a solid successor to the original game, but not one that feels like it was three years in the making. Anyone who enjoyed the original will find enough content and fan service to keep them busy for quite some time, but anyone who grew tired of the original will likely call it quits long before the credits roll.

Arkham Origins is not a bad game, in fact, it is really well made. The problem is that it feels like a lateral move for the series.

Magrunner: Dark Pulse may be derivative in nature, but that doesn’t stop it from being a lot of fun.

Masters of Anima is a frustrating game. The mechanics seem to work against the player creating more chore and less fun. With some tweaks this game could be a sleeper hit for sure. As it stands though it ends up being more of a hard pass.

The biggest problem is CoD: Vanguard feels like the least innovative Call of Duty in years. I think a lot of that has to do with Warzone, and the fact that developers HAVE to ensure that their game can be compatible with that battle royale. The fact that so much has to go into making sure it all works together; I just feel like it has to be hampering the developer’s creativity. In my opinion Call of Duty as a whole need to take a year off and regroup, come back with something as memorable as the original Modern Warfare was when it launched. If it’s a matter of money (and I doubt that it is) developers could lean into Warzone, they already are making a killing on all the microtransactions but just update Warzone like Epic does for Fortnite. Then after a year surprise people with something fantastic… I know this will never happen, but a man can dream.

Even with the small targeting issues, and the lackluster multiplayer Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. is an excellent newcomer to the air combat/shooter genre that has been dominated by Ace Combat, I for one hope that they continue to build on the wonderful ideas that this game has shown, if only to make H.A.W.X. 2 an even better.

Thunder Blade is well done arcade port with lots of options that help to modernize the experience. Like most other old arcade games, personal interest is really what drives the game’s value. For players who either remember the arcade original or simply enjoy the style, it’s definitely worth checking out.