NCAA Football 13 gets so many things right that it is impossible to fault it too much. The problem is that most of the things it fixes and addresses are not things a lot of people will notice. This leaves you feeling like you are paying essentially $60 for last year's game.

BlazBlue Entropy Effect isn’t a bad game at all; the story is confusing and has seemingly no connection at all to the BlazBlue games but its gameplay is what you come for. Overall presentation isn’t bad but like all games of the genre, it gets repetitive in the end. But I must say that I was hooked on its gameplay loop but I still don’t know anything about any of these BlazBlue characters but sometimes a great gameplay loop is all you really need anyway.

At the end of the day, Get Even took me by surprise. I was expecting a standard FPS and what I got was a strange, intriguing psychological thriller that had just as many puzzles and investigation parts as it did shooting and stealth parts. The storytelling is superb and the overall design is something to really take a look at. At $30, I’d say you can’t go wrong with Get Even. It has really jumped up there in my best sleeper hits list and I suggest people really check it out if they’re looking for a good catalyst for storytelling.

Ether One is a sharp, unique game that deals with a tragic subject in an empathetic way, and it’s definitely worth checking out.

Riptide GP Renegade is a solid follow-up. I really wish they would tweak the difficulty though, as it stands it gets far too difficult, far too quickly in career mode. This stunts progression, and makes continuing on a real grind. However, if you are like me and simply love the wave racing genre, this is yet another solid entry in a category we get far too few games in.

Adventures of Pip looks like just another 2D indie platformer on the surface, but from the first level it shows it is so much more. The experience of the team involved shines through, making this one that definitely deserves more attention.

Just like mustaches, not everyone can appreciate what The Order 1886 was trying to accomplish, but if you know what you’re going into, you just might walk away loving it as much as I did flaws and all.

The simplistic mechanics and unique puzzles bring an old-school flavor to the game that should appeal to just about anyone with a love for gaming in general.

While I never played the original, Forgive Me Father 2 is a fantastic game. The game’s ability to blend classic shooter mechanics with Lovecraftian horror creates a unique and memorable experience. Whether you’re a fan of the original or new to the series, Forgive Me Father 2 offers a thrilling journey into madness that is not to be missed.

Lords of the Fallen has a lot going for it. The story is bland and the camera will get you killed if you’re not careful, but fans of this action RPG genre will have a really great time playing it.

A Rose in the Twilight is a title with a dreadfully oppressive atmosphere that stars a tragic heroine whose trials and tribulations are heartbreaking to experience. It features solid, albeit sometimes frustrating puzzles and an abundance of backtracking. It’s a title with a niche appeal, but to those that can appreciate a dark fairy tale and have the stomach to suffer through some disturbing imagery as well as some obtuse puzzle designs, this might be a flower worth cultivating.

The sheer sense of survival and dread at the world are unparalleled.

Sophstar is a fantastic game that feels like it was made by a team that loves shooters. Being someone who will play just about any one released, this one stands out among the pack with its unique teleport mechanic and addictive Cadet School mode. There is a lot here to enjoy and for less than $10 it is a no-brainer for fans of shooters. Don’t sleep on this team’s debut game, cannot wait to see what they deliver next.

SH2 remains a masterpiece and one of the defining moments of the genre. SH3 is not quite as impressive, but retains some of the downright creepiest encounters in a game, even to this day.

Raiden has always been a shooter for the masses and I love that it continues to be around to this day. It won’t test your skills or reach the heights of others in the genre, but it is always a good time. I love seeing more and more releases in this series dropping for more consoles. I had a blast with this and if you have even a remote interest in the genre this is a must own. Now to sit and patiently wait for more Raiden to drop on consoles this summer.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is a solid sequel that is worth checking out for Skill Battle alone. For those that skipped the first game it is a must, for anyone who has exhausted it, it might be wise to give it time to go on sale. Either way the game is a blast and one of the premiere puzzle games currently available. It helps that it is available on everything, so no matter where you play, there is a cute quirky puzzler you can enjoy.

Trine 5 has no reason to exist. I was shocked when the series progressed past the third entry. Still, I get excited whenever a new entry drops. I find the ten-hour campaigns a blast to play solo and even more enjoyable when friends are added to the mix. This is just a game that knows what it is and rarely tries to be anything else. I think they should dial back progression and combat and focus more on the puzzle solving mechanics as they are clearly the highlight of these games every single time. Definitely recommend this one, it was a blast to play in between so many serious open world games.

Despite the lack of innovation, Nioh’s blend of character action and soulslike still manages to entertain, with its combat being undeniably polished to near perfection.

Terminal Velocity is a nice trip down memory lane. I enjoyed revisiting this as much as I did Forsaken when Night Dive Studios remastered it a few years back. These types of games are not as common today and I sometimes forget how much I enjoy them. If you grew up with the likes of Descent this is a must purchase. It holds up surprisingly well in the game play department as long as you can deal with the pixelated polygons plastered all over your fancy high-definition screen.

South of Midnight is by far the best game Compulsion has crafted. I love the story, characters, and world. The unique graphics are gorgeous to look at, and the combat is fun and interesting. Being on Game Pass is just the cherry on top. There is a lot to love here and another great game from Xbox this year. Their cadence finally seems to be in place and Xbox owners are eating well. Definitely recommended for just about anyone who enjoys action-adventure games.

With all that said the biggest question on everyone’s mind is whether this package is worth $40. yes this is not a small download title, it is clocking in at retail, disc and all. $40 may seem steep, but the content justifies the price tag, players should just know if that content is something they want to invest in. The demo gives access to all three types of game play, and if players enjoy that, then a purchase is certainly worth it.

God of War III Remastered feels like an empty shell of a great game. It is fantastic for those that never had a chance to experience it, but the price tag hurts the most.

New Super Luigi U is a fantastic package for the $19.99 price tag. There are a ton of new levels, and the unique mechanics create a whole new experience.

A new direction for the series, and in my opinion, a welcome one. I loved the diversity of missions and the focus on action. I didn't, however, like the drawn out missions and frustrating objectives later on in the game.

All in all the Capcom Arcade Stadium is a lovely little package. Whether you are an old-timer like me who reminisces over their mis-spent youth, or someone who would like to explore the earlier days of gaming, Capcom’s legacy as a maker of fine arcade games is here for all to see.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series is a fantastic companion piece to The Expanse show, telling a prequel story with so many weighty decisions that include the lives of various crew members is “classic” Telltale. Even when players make a seemingly good choice you can’t help but think about what sort of negative connotations its going to yield later down the road. I enjoyed virtually every moment of The Expanse, this is Telltalle at their very best anyone who is a fan of their past work shouldn’t miss this series.

This game just clicked with me and felt like the perfect marriage of stuff like Elder Scrolls and Mass Effect. Great story, great characters, and a world that is fun to explore with combat that never got old. I had a great time in the Living Lands, and I cannot wait to go back to a previous save and explore some more.

The 3rd Birthday is still one of my favorite PSP titles, and playing it again on the Vita just re-enforced my love of the series. Once PSOne titles start working on the Vita I can finally have my Aya Brea trilogy in one place to play at my leisure, and while this new game is a radical departure as far as gameplay is concerned, it still fits right in with the theme of the series as a whole.

The FPS genre is extremely rare on the system which means that the amount of quality titles is even rarer. Dementium sets a new standard on the system for presentation and visuals as well as delivering the first truly engrossing horror title for Nintendo’s micro-console.

Taito Milestones 3 has some of the best games in these collections to date, but I would really love it if they spent some time adding a sort of museum. I would love to learn more about these obscure arcade titles. Still, I have been on board with these since the first game. I do wish they would release them on more platforms and bulk up the extras, but they are hard not to recommend purely for nostalgic purposes.

With up to 32 player matches, the ability to use bots, and the incredible amount of customizable options this game will be played for a long time to come.

Mortal Kombat 1 is a great game that feels like a step back in the extras. They are all here but shoved into one mode that I found more cumbersome than enjoyable. The grind to max character levels needs to be tweaked, but with the promise of support for years to come these are things that can be ironed out. The fighting itself is outstanding and the story mode is the best it has ever been. It is easy to recommend this game, it doesn’t quite hit the mark of best MK game of all-time, but it delivers where it counts the most. I look forward to seeing how the game evolves over time. A new MK game is always an event and this entry is no exception.

There is no doubting that Dante's Inferno owes a lot of what it does right to a certain other franchise, but honestly who cares? The game is an action thrill-ride that will entertain anyone who enjoys action games at all.

While not quite living up to the “Advance” moniker in its title, Advance Wars provides a satisfying SRPG experience with its solid strategic combat and a wealth of content- making it a worthwhile addition to the library of any die-hard SRPG fan.

ilomilo is a wonderfully delightful puzzle game that will capture the imagination of just about anyone who enjoys a good thinking-man's puzzle game. The visuals and music are intoxicating and the level design is incredible.

Episodic games are always a gamble, as the full product can change and alter from the time players get the first episode done to the finale. King’s Quest started off very strong, but left me with a sour taste in chapter 2. Chapter 3 has completely washed that taste out of my mouth.

I have played a lot of the current survival games including Grounded and I got to say that Smalland: Survive the Wilds ranks really high on the list about it. The amount of polish was surprising to see from such a small team and the number of systems and size of the map are just proof that they have wizards over at developer Merge Games. Smalland even simulates the 4 seasons and the storms that come with them and these are some visually impressive parts of the game. I loved every rainstorm, just the peacefulness of it…at least while I was in my base. If you enjoyed Grounded or are just a fan of a good survival game, I highly recommend Smalland: Survive the Wilds.

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.

It is great to get back into the swing of RE5, and I definitely recommend picking this up if you love the series as much as I do. It truly makes you want a remake of the original trilogy with this new engine.

Zombie Army 4 is a fine end to the series. I feel like it could only go so far and while I was skeptical of one more entry, Rebellion has done a great job of making it stand out from its predecessors. It is a mindless shooting gallery that makes a fantastic chatroom game. Find some buddies and strap in to wipe out hordes of zombies. The slow motion kills are still satisfying and the themed levels make the slog more enjoyable. A fine game in a dumb fun series.

There’s a lot in this little 3DS game that can keep you busy for tons of hours. Just keep in mind, it is a difficult game and it doesn’t apologize for it, but if you can get past the learning curve, it becomes a very rewarding experience that dungeon crawling fans will really enjoy – even if the AI can be dumb as bricks at times.

Anima: Gate of Memories is a solid action/RPG that would have easily slipped under my radar. It is longer than I expected, and continuously spices things up with new enemy types and puzzles throughout. I had a blast with this game, and it surprised me at almost every turn. I definitely recommend checking it out; the $20 price tag is more than worth the experience contained within.

The freedom present means that no two missions will play out the same and the tense difficulty will challenge you to constantly improve your tactics. Just make sure you come in with the right expectations, because run and gunners need not apply.

Regardless, this is one solid collection for $10, and if you enjoy these classics, it is worth the investment.

A great step for the series and finally a solid tennis experience for both casual and sim players from the EA Sports line.

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.

Oxenfree needs more polish on Xbox One to prevent the crashing, but otherwise it’s a wonderful hidden gem for me.

Forza Motorsport 5 is a gorgeous racing game that continues the tradition of Turn10’s excellent attention to detail and style. I am not a fan of the way they are handling the progression system, and hope they can tweak it over time to be a bit more realistic.

The N.Sane Trilogy is the epitome of what is right with the gaming industry. Seeing Activision bring back a fan-favorite game, and giving it the proper work it deserves is awesome. The price of $40 for all three games is a bargain, and this isn’t just a quick and dirty port, Vicarious Visions really retained what made these games so special to us all those years ago. I really wish Crash Team Racing was included, but there is always hope it comes later down the line. Now about that Jak and Daxter remaster…

MySims Agents is by far the best of the series so far. The unique detective aspect is something that a lot of family games have not attempted, and it works. Controls are smooth, graphics are eye-catching and the appeal is hard to ignore.

Still, even with all its rather glaring flaws, it’s still well worth checking out. That’s especially so for the fans of the original, who will surely love all the bits of fan service Xilla 2 has to offer.

Shadow Warrior 2 is a fantastic game that meshes what I love about loot games with the ridiculously fast-paced combat of 90s shooters. It is unapologetic, it is ridiculous, but most importantly, it is 12 tons of dumb fun. I couldn’t stop smiling while playing, and that is a sign of a really good game. Get some Wang, you won’t regret it.

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.

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.

Saints Row: The Third Remastered is an impressive return to this title. The developer went out of their way to bring this title back with plenty of upgrades and overhauls to make it feel like we remember. I do wish the game remained locked at 60fps on the newer consoles, even if it sacrificed some of the resolution though. As it stands this is the best version of the game to date and a perfect excuse for me to overrun Steelport once again.

LEGO Harry Potter is a solid entry into a fairly overdone franchise. Anyone who has lost interest in the games will not find a lot to pull them back in, unless you just simply love Harry Potter.

As a collection, both Monster Hunter Stories games have received an excellent glow-up. The visuals both look great with enhanced graphics, and I loved the newly recorded voice lines for the characters. Hardcore series fans may be put off by Monster Hunter Stories’ easier combat that can be mastered quickly but I had a good time with both games. Finding and then training the monsties made me feel like a kid again playing Pokémon for the first time. I think that younger fans will find more to enjoy here, with its simplified combat and less mature story, Monster Hunter Stories’ is a low barrier entry into the larger Monster Hunter Universe. Despite its shortcomings, this one is worthy of the hunt.

The game length could easily be a deterrent for gamers not wanting to invest $60 for a mere five hours of game time, especially if they have no interest in participating in the time trial portion of the game, but I highly recommend everyone at least check out this inventive take on the genre.

At the end of the day, Circus Electrique is still a fun time. The RPG blend of character maintenance, challenging battles, and circus management has a lot here and it can sometimes be overwhelming, but if players take their time and keep up the performers’ devotion, they can explore the mean streets of London by the skin of their teeth. It’s not an easy game, but much like Darkest Dungeon, it can be rather rewarding.

While the trivial difficulty is certainly a glaring flaw of the game, the overall experience of Papo & Yo is a memorable one; touching upon some themes that will hit close to home to many and giving everyone else in between something to think about long after the credits have rolled.

Xenoverse 2 feels more in line with what I wanted the original game to be, with its flexible combat engine, wealth of compelling content and an online component that actually worked properly from day 1. Even with the issues with the frequent crashes and the dumb AI, this is still a wet dream for DBZ fans and comes highly recommended.

All in all, Turok 2 Remastered is a decently done job with some minor improvements here and there that help with a few things. On top of that, the visual upgrade and new control scheme make it feel a bit modern and easier to play. So, anyone who has never actually played a Turok game before could jump right in with no issues. Fans of the series that are looking for that nostalgic feel can get it here and have a decent time with it. Just remember, this is still a 19 year old game.

I really like Fight Crab. It’s something different and I hope the absurd nature of the concept attracts players. I think the somewhat wonky physics mixed with the desire to consistently up the ante throughout the campaign made me excited to see what was in store come the next level in the campaign. I hope maybe some DLC will come to add some more levels and items to make this game even crazier, because as of right now it’s a fairly light package as a single player experience, but I can imagine that this would be a great game to pull out with friends over. Fight Crab is something very different and I hope it pays off for Calappa Games.

Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is a must-play for anyone with nostalgia for the NES era, and likely more than that. The upgraded visuals are outstanding. The music is top-tier, and the game play is exact and precise. The difficulty may turn off some, but it can be beaten with persistence, and it is worth it. Definitely recommended.

Overall 2K19, while certainly not perfect, is the best version of this series that we’ve seen yet. Tons of options and modes, a nearly endless list of creation options, some cool new gameplay changes, and a fantastic career mode add up to a game that long suffering WWE fans can really sink their teeth into. Some glitches and an overall staleness to the style of the gameplay in the game keep it from really getting to it’s potential though in my opinion. At the very least there’s a good base here, but I feel like we say that every year.

A great game; albeit a game in desperate need of a reboot. The series is still fun but it hasn't evolved in such a long time that it is starting to show it's age.

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.

Definitely recommended for those that still enjoy the wackiness that is BlazBlue.

It is easy to pick up, deviously deep with strategy and extremely hard to put down. While it does suffer from some issues such as uninspiring visuals and complex menus nothing can change the fact that once you get sucked into the world hours will pass without you even knowing, which is always a sign of a great experience.

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.

Despite some hiccups here and there, People of Note deliver’s a rockin’ performance. There is a fun and engaging combat system here and a story that has no shortage of musical style puns. But I feel like the game is held back by the performance and rhythm aspects of its gameplay. I would have loved to see the attacks and abilities be more on beat with the background music. But despite those flaws People of Note delivers a solid game that has a lot of heart and soul.

A great hunting experience. I may not be the biggest hunting game fan out there, but I can still see that the game sets out to give the player a realistic hunting game and it does a good job of presenting one.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars is certainly rough around the edges as far as a classic collection is concerned, but there is no denying the impact of all three games. The omission of Galaxy 2 and the questionable ports are certainly head scratchers, but that doesn’t change the fact that this collection will deliver hours of fun for Mario players old and new. Another solid title for the Switch lineup. Now make sure to snag it before Nintendo removes it from sale…at least until they break it up and sell them individually that is.

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.

Observer is still a fascinating game with a compelling story and some really interesting set pieces that both confuse, scare, and bring out emotion. Fans of the adventure genre, especially ones that include investigation and a great cyberpunk coat of paint on it, should pick this one up. Players that already own the original version of Observer may want to think twice if they’re looking for a high-profile visual upgrade. While it’s no slouch in the graphics department, I don’t know if it’s worth double dipping for that.

Shattered Horizon is a great first title for FutureMark Studio and it has a lot of room to grow into a truly one of kind game that you won't be able to find anywhere else. At its price the lack of variety doesn't really hurt the title and their promise of a lot of additional content at no extra charge means that you'll be getting your money's worth.

The entire Scorchers section lasts six levels, and took me between two and three hours to complete, but it also only costs five dollars. That is not a bad deal when you consider comparable DLC packs. What it lacks in direction, it makes up for in sheer content.

There is little to complain about with Spellspire. It’s a jolly little game, with a colorful art style and some nice touches of humor. But this is a word puzzle game; if you’re not great with word games like Boggle or Scrabble, then it may not be the game for you. But at $9.99, if you fancy taking your brain for a workout, instead of your fingers, then Spellspire is the perfect distraction.

If you have ever been a fan of this series or simply a fan of arcade shooters in general; then there is no reason not to buy this compilation. While you could probably blaze through all seven games in a day or two; you will never grow tired of ripping through them over and over with a buddy in the co-op mode.

Job Simulator has a personality of its own, and that’s what sells the experience. Its lighthearted, extremely silly premise works wonders with its presentation and core gameplay. It’s just not something super deep, and that seems to be a fairly common issue with most of the VR games I’ve experienced so far. Yet at the same time, this was one that gave me the most chuckles and it’s one that’s just as much fun playing as it is watching someone else do these menial tasks.

RAAM's Shadow is a solid 3-4 hour romp that Gears fans will definitely enjoy. Whether you simply cannot get enough cover-based action, or you want a small piece of the story that was never told, you cannot go wrong with this content. The price is right for the amount of content, and Season Pass owners can download it for free. I am glad to see Epic creating content not just for online users, as I truly enjoyed tearing through this extension of the single player campaign.

With a lack of downloadable content and a disappointing short set list GH: Aerosmith certainly isn't for everyone.

This game screams multiplayer. But, if you are a shooter fan, single-player will be enough to satisfy your thirst.

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

Overall, Kenka Bancho is a very good but imperfect game. It overflows with urban Japanese charm that rarely ever gets seen in the West. Kenka Bancho is also incredibly funny and has a very good localization from the folks at Atlus.

With a lack of downloadable content and a disappointing short set list GH: Aerosmith certainly isn't for everyone.

Wet is exactly what it claims to be and nothing more. The action is intense, repetitive and predictable, but it is also highly entertaining.

Overall, the second episode of the saga of Sam and Max improves on the first in many ways. It's funnier, more clever and a better paced episode than the first and Telltale is seemingly ramping it up as they go along.

Bit.Trip Core is an excellent addition to the WiiWare library, and a great addition to the rhythm genre.

New Super Mario Brothers 2 is not a bad game – in fact it's a very good 2D platformer that lives up to the Mario name. The game just seems stuck in the middle because the coin collecting isn't integrated in a way that changes the core game; it just sits on top of the standard Mario shell.

Limbo will stay with me for a long time. It's art style and sound design are strong enough to have left a mark. I can guarantee, though, that I will not replay the game. There is nothing to draw me back.

Wet is exactly what it claims to be and nothing more. The action is intense, repetitive and predictable, but it is also highly entertaining.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Testament of Sherlock Holmes. The story was compelling and made me want to continue, despite some clunky controls and elements that didn't translate nicely to using a controller.

Capcom Arcade Cabinet Pack 1 follows a formula similar to the original set of games, with a variety including a shooter, vertically scrolling fighter and a side-scrolling platformer. All three games made me glad for the Arcade Cabinet’s casual mode, which allowed me to dial down the challenge and more easily enjoy the experience. The higher price is disappointing, but if you’re a classic arcade fan then these games are worth it.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted on the Vita is the perfect compliment to its big brother version. If you own both games it almost feels like cross-play when you share points across the board. The omissions are noticeable, but not game breaking, and the experience is just as fun as the console version. If you want Most Wanted on-the-go you are in luck, this is a masterfully crafted version with only a few setbacks. Vita owners take note, this is how racing games are done right on a handheld.

The Sims 3 isn't a bad game, not in slightest, and too a different group of gamers this might be all they wanted, but for me this feels like a sequel that Will Wright had nothing to do with. There is no new magic, or amazing new idea that is going to re-imagine the whole series, it's just more and better stuff that we got in Sims 1.

If you love Trials Evolution, this pack is a no-brainer, even if you have mastered all that has been offered up to this point. No game in history has given me so much satisfaction from frustration at it at every turn.

Even though I find the experience of playing uncomfortable, I was very impressed with the design and expect that most of those who enjoy word games like Scrabble or Spelltower will derive great joy from this addition to the genre.