The Surge is a nice addition to the genre. The combat feels great even when the story and mechanics start to sputter out. The claustrophobic nature of the level design adds to the tension, and it feels good to have a game in this genre that isn’t chock full of gothic horror themes. It brings new ideas to the familiar mechanics and executes on them well.

Disney Infinity is a huge gamble that could pay off over time. As of now it is a massive money sink that can be hard to recommend, especially to those already so invested in that “other” toy game. Still, having the stable of characters and licenses Disney has, it has the potential to be something special.

While Steelrising has some of the trademark ‘jank’ that is in all Spider games, it is that very thing that makes this developer so special. All their games have something that just feels off (but in a good way), but all of their games I loved more than the next and true to form Steelrising is their best game to date.

Grow Up is a lot more of the same and with little fanfare I feel most have already forgotten the original, let alone know the sequel even exist.

If you liked Atelier Rorona and are looking for a similar experience with a few upgrades, you will really enjoy this game, especially if you enjoyed the characters in Rorona...Keep in mind, if fetch quests are not your thing, or if you can't stand bubbly characters, you may want to steer clear of this game.

Regardless of your preference it is also impossible to deny the addictiveness of this simplistic game of logic.

With so many options to choose from baseball fans will no doubt find something to love here.

I firmly believe Life is Strange is an amazing series, and I stick by this statement. This episode kicks it into overdrive and now makes the next month and a half wait for the finale that much longer.

The most appealing factor in SC is that I can do nothing at all to progress the story..there are so many side quests, recipes, general stuff to collect, go on dates, and daily activities that you really need never finish the story line and SC would still be a lot of fun.

Snake Pass is a unique experience and a throwback to classic puzzle/platform games of yesteryear. It is a genre lost in time, and I am thrilled to be seeing a resurgence this year. For the price it is hard not to recommend Snake Pass. It is unique, fun, colorful, and challenging. Definitely worth checking out, even in this blizzard of awesome games hitting already in 2017.

SVR 2008 is definitely a step ahead for the series from a gameplay standpoint. The new controls, fighting styles, and ECW content really take the series to the next level in terms of in ring action. However, the disappointing 24/7 mode and the return of some nagging problems keeps this title from being the truly great experience it could be.

While serious gear heads will hate the lack of customization and the sim freaks will scoff at the outrageous handling there is a certain charm that comes packed with RR6.

SBK X Superbike World Championship is overall just a pretty average game. Yes, it will appeal to the diehard fans of these types of games, and I am sure they will sink quite a few hours into it. The problem lies again with what I said about spreading out their game modes.

It’s an excellent title to introduce those unfamiliar with roguelikes to the genre, and those already a fan will find much to like here.

The Xbox One version feels just as good as on the other platformers with no noticeable issues of concern in comparison. If there are still players that haven’t had a chance to check out Saturday Morning RPG, for the price and quality, this can’t be beat.

Any fan of Zen Pinball should not hesitate to pick this one up. It really is one of the standout tables in the library. I highly suggest it.

Super Cloudbuilt is a game I thought I would enjoy playing and ignore the story. The reverse ended up happening. The narrative is interesting and the one thing that kept me playing. The game surrounding it fell flat for me on so many levels. I wanted to love it more than I did, but in the end it never clicked with me.

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.

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

In a lot of ways Skydrift Infinity feels like the airborne version of the old Hydro Thunder racing games. The sense of speed, the lens flare and power ups are all present in Skydrift, and it really took me down memory lane. Skydrift Infinity is a really fun game that needs more content, more tracks and maybe more events would be nice. Local multiplayer is nice if you have friends in the same house but without an audience in multiplayer I can’t recommend this game as someone who is looking for online only racing. However, if you want a solid arcade flying racer and you feel the need…. the need for speed; then this could be the game for you.

With so many games aiming for the gamer dollar it is nice to see one that could have been an easy cash-in spend so much time paying attention to the finer details. Games aimed at younger players don’t need to forget the fundamentals of what makes people fall in love with gaming. Think back to titles like Mario Bros. and how they were accessible, yet finely tuned and how it hooked an entire generation on the hobby. Kids are smarter than some developers give them credit for and I am thrilled to say that Marsupilama: Hoobadventure is one of the best attempts at the genre I have seen this year. Definitely recommend checking it out on whatever platform you own.

Conan Chop Chop pleasantly surprised me, while I was drawn to it solely based on the Conan brand it really turned out to be a quite enjoyable, co-op romp through the lands of Hyboria. I mean for $20 this is a game that is complete, offers lots of replay ability and has tons of unlockables to chase by way of completing the collection of weapons, armor and runes. The family friendly approach is another great move in my opinion as it will surely help to attract a new audience, in fact after playing it my daughter has asked questions about Conan. I smiled at her and told her we can talk about when she’s older, but for now we can play some more Conan Chop Chop.

Loot River is not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination; it, like many new IP’s just needs some tweaking to iron out some of its technical issues and I have no doubt that with its truly unique blend of traditional roguelikes with a dash of a block puzzler, that Loot River will quickly carve out a place for it on the ever-growing roguelike mountain.

As I said I don’t know what cricket is, and to be honest this game helped me expand my knowledge of the sport. Knowing things like the fact the Queen got involved at one point and demanded a rule change about it being boring to try and hit the goal post. And they even took cricket to outer space and would play in zero gravity. It was fascinating to see how much the game of cricket has intertwined with human history. While Cricket thru the Ages isn’t a long game, it is quite a fun one, made even more so if players can find a player 2. And with its simple one button controls literally anyone can play.

Graven does a lot of good things, it’s a dark fantasy old-school, FPS for starters. Adding in bits of classics like Hexen was a great way to go here. But mixing in elements of RPG’s is what really set Graven apart, the ability to interact with the environment with magic and other things for puzzle solving was a lot of fun. But the puzzles are time consuming and will require a lot of backtracking and searching and then there is the soulslike stuff…ugh. But even with all of that, welding magic, swords and crossbows in this adventure was a solid good time.

There’s a strong identity here, a clear vision, and a combat system that has depth if you’re willing to invest the time. As a newcomer to the series though, I was constantly bombarded with terms, weird items and new systems that felt overwhelming, especially since there is no pause in the game. And then there is the story; if I was asked to explain this game I would have nothing other than “it’s hard, and has anime vampire girl” Code Vein 2 is stylish, punishing, and unapologetically dense. It just might also be a little too closed-off for its own good, and I think a lot of returning fans will be upset with some of the changes, especially the removal of co-op.

The PS4 version is very serviceable and really makes me wish we saw other games in the genre actually hit consoles.

Still the game re-ignited my love for the genre and I have already shredded far more hours into this one than I had planned to invest.

At the time of this writing a few patches have gone out that have corrected most of the larger bugs, but there are still issues with spawning too many special infected at a time and other little issues. While these things can be frustrating, they don’t destroy the fun of Back 4 Blood when playing the game as it’s meant to be. That is playing multiplayer with a group of friends smartly navigating a nightmare filled world. Those looking to have a single player experience on the other hand may not find as much here to love, while Turtle Rock is working to fix the progression and reward issue for single players at the time of this writing there isn’t an ETA for those fixes. So, for that reason I wouldn’t recommend this for solo’s just yet, however for those folks who have been waiting for Left 4 Dead 3, or heard about how fun the original ones were and never tried them and have a team ready to face the undead… then what are you waiting for cleaner? Get out there and kill some ridden!

At the end of the day UFC Undisputed 2010 is certainly not a bad game, it just lacks a lot of what makes the console version so special.

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

For fans of not just the three games in this series but the lore behind them, this DLC is almost a must play for the story alone.

SingStar Queen is a great addition to the band-specific discs that Sony continues to release. If you are a fan the 25 songs on the disc are more than enough to warrant a purchase.

As someone thoroughly tired and uninterested in anything Musou, I can say without hesitation that Spirit of Sanada did very little in changing my opinion on the genre. Having said that, the focus on telling a tighter, more involved story along with the addition of a variety of RPG elements is a step in the right direction and deserves praise- hopefully pointing towards a renaissance for the genre.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is hands down Illfonic’s best game to date and by and large probably the most approachable asymmetrical multiplayer game on the market. Having OG Ghostbusters on board with some new blood is an awesome way to get people into the lore and making it so that player can create their own character was a super smart move as well. I’m excited to see what the team will add into the game, perhaps Dr. Venkman will show up down the line, maybe a playable mini Stay-Puft ghost; whatever it is I am excited to get more. I hope that this game sees a longer lifespan than the developers’ previous games, with all of the polish and the obvious love for the license this is one scare fest that everyone should experience.

The combat system, amazing fan service and thought out presentation make this arena fighting game something both Naruto fans and fighting game entusiasts will highly enjoy.

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.

Tachyon Project seems to take a lot of inspiration from Geometry Wars but puts its own spin on things. Taking cues from one of the best twin stick shooters ever made, isn’t a bad thing in the slightest.

I can see that there is a game to be enjoyed in Phantom Doctrine. I really want to enjoy it, I can’t though until the issue with combat is fixed. So far the best solution has been what Mario + Rabbids has done with its cover system, but even that isn’t a perfect response to a clear problem with turn based strategy games. There’s some unique aspects that I hope are observed by other developers but there are better strategy titles out there like Invisible Inc. that do the core basics better.

The action is about as tight as in World at War, but the hub town kills the momentum.

At the end of the day, I still enjoyed my time with House of Ashes. It is the best story so far in the series and even with the issues I had with both the glitches and gameplay, this was a decent time overall. If you have played the series this far, you know what you’re getting into. If you want to give this one a shot to see what The Dark Pictures is all about, you can’t be this one’s story and premise. Just keep in mind, there will be some really strange bugs that come along with it.

With all the improvements, Godfall Ultimate Edition feels like just that; with all the previously released DLC and expansions this is truly the ultimate experience for anyone who desires to take down a would-be God.

IREM and ININ continue to deliver classic arcade games to modern consoles, and I am here for it. While this collection doesn’t have a marquee title to boast, the games included here are definitely fun. I enjoyed revisiting these as well as playing something I had missed when it came out. I love these old collections and hope we continue to see more of them. Bring on Volume 4 and let’s get even weirder with it.

This is a beefed-up version of the original game, and still stands as one of the most impressive co-op shooters available. If you have a friend to play with this is one of the best experiences you can have with this type of game. But if you intend to fly solo this is definitely not the game for you. The campaign is short, the helper AI seriously has some faults and the game just wasn't designed to be played alone.

GG is complex and difficult to master for those who want to, but is also flashy and exciting enough to appeal to beginners or perpetually low level players like myself

LEGO Batman 3 is a solid entry in the series.

All the years waiting have certainly paid off in presentation and gameplay, but a lack of certain standard features is likely to disappoint some. Still if you love the series, don't mind losing some of the core aspects and are in need of a great sim racer for your PSP you will be hard pressed to find a better offering.

I have no doubt that these will be fixed in time but when are WE as gamers/consumers going to stop allowing this to be the norm. I feel like I say this on far too many reviews, fact of the matter is the game should have launched without these technical issues but I won’t start preaching here… we have a podcast for that. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is coming to Xbox at a later date and my hope is that all of its extremely rough edges are grind down to perfection by then, the moment to moment in battles is a blast to play but the pitiful rewards and technical issues just turns it into more of a chore than a joy to serve the Emperor.

Luigi’s Mansion on 3DS is strictly a remake for people who either no longer have a copy of Luigi’s Mansion or have never played it before. To anyone who still has their original Gamecube copy, just play that; the additions are not worth $40. It’s still a great game by all accounts because the design of the game is fun and it is completely playable, but the controls in this version are just awful and with Dark Moon on the same console there’s absolutely no excuse for that.

As a whole, Zeno Clash is a decent game. There are some hitches here and there, and sometimes the game can get frustrating and downright boring. But, if you stick with it you will find a unique experience that was well crafted by the developers.

Romeo is a Dead Man is experimental in all the right ways when it comes to its aesthetic and visuals but forgets to try anything new when it comes to its gameplay.

Shining Resonance Refrain is a good, albeit predictable JRPG. There are a few neat mechanics stored within its walls, but for the most part it simply exists. While PS4 (and even Switch owners) are used to these types of games though, Xbox One owners simply are not. So this is a solid entry for that console. It is also cool that Sega is bringing a game that was lost in time to the US back from the dead. I enjoyed my time with this game, warts and all, and I think anyone who is a fan of the genre will too.

Wild Guns Reloaded is a great trip down nostalgia lane with some bad decisions regarding price and lack of online. I had a lot of fun with it, but felt it was a bit too pricey for what it offers. Fans of the original will undoubtedly find plenty to love, but the steep price and lack of online make this hard to recommend for anyone who doesn’t have the fondest of memories for the original game.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja: Storm 2 is proof as to how far we have come when it comes to creating worlds of gaming. Even if you're not verse in the ways of the ninja, but still enjoy Japanese animation, this game will amaze you.

For fans of MegaTen games, this is a must play. RPG fans should really check out Soul Hackers as well. Even if you have never played a game in this series, I can safely say that after some time with the game, everything will be explained and understood. That speaks volumes considering how complex it really can be. There is a ton of content in this package and RPG fans will find it worth every penny.

Roundabout is a weird game. I found myself struggling to play it at times, but always willing to go back. The cut scenes are truly worth the price of admission, but the game play left me a bit cold at times.

Attack on Titan 2 is definitely a better game than the first. I just wish it was more new than retread. Still for those that skipped the first game it is easy to recommend. You can basically skip the first game as it is almost entirely recreated here, with plenty of quality of life improvements. Add in the co-op and competitive online modes and it is definitely the better package. An action-packed romp that shows Omega Force has chops outside of the normal Dynasty Warriors formula.

Has enough of what we love about the series to keep it familiar, tosses in a new battle system and original story line to keep fans happy and perhaps gain some new fans to the series.

Comic Jumper is definitely the game that should put Twisted Pixel on the map. Their first two efforts were tremendous games, but nothing compared to what they have crafted with this masterpiece. I literally could not stop playing the first time I booted up the game, and I talked to every single NPC just to experience all of the hilarious dialogue.

In the end, the Zen Classic Table pack offers up a good variety of tables, but they really feel dated and less exciting when compared to the cleaner, more recent offerings. If they go on sale, I'd recommend scooping them up, but for your hard earned $2.50 each (only available as a pack), there is better virtual silverball to be played.

HyperParasite has a wonderful look and feel, but is marred by its “rogue” elements. It doesn’t do anything to push the genre forward and feels like yet another game that I would likely never finish due to tedium.

I understand the point of these collections is to make these games available on modern platforms, so I am not always as hard on the lack of features, but I would have loved to see a few more additions. At $29.99 this isn’t a cheap package. I would have loved to have seen some interviews, old commercials, or something like that. Also not being able to remap controls is always a crime on these types of games. All that said, this is still a solid collection. The first game is a must-play, the others, not so much, but still neat. I love these collections, but I would prefer to see them on every platform and perhaps a little cheaper considering the additions are not fully fledged out.

Croc: Legend of the Gobbos is a winner on two levels for me. It is a game that is very near and dear to me, and the team came back to really make this remaster worth revisiting outside of nostalgia. They reworked the controls, made it look fantastic, and packed it with so many extras it is hard not to love it. This was one of my most anticipated remasters and it did not disappoint.

The real star of the presentation, though, is the sound design.

I would throw a red flag but unfortunately I do not have that option, in reality or in the game.

The gameplay is fun and mixes it up at the right moments, giving it great pacing, and as a whole all of the parts come together for a solid experience. It may not be perfect, and there may be some technical aspects that aren't up to par, but Mafia II is a game worthy of your time and attention.

Fans of the original should definitely not miss this, and those who still love the twitch feel of old-school PC FPS should definitely give it a whirl.

Atelier Firis is an ambitious entry in the long running series, with many new mechanics and a larger than ever world map to explore. Unfortunately, the inconsistent performance and a poorly implemented alchemy system hinder the overall experience greatly.

Fatal Frame II Remake is a solid update to one of, if not the scariest game ever created. The new features are a welcome addition, even with its drawbacks. I still want the same treatment for the first and third games respectively, but this is a good start. Just make sure to tone down the reaching mechanic and please make them 60fps out of the gate. This series was the best sleeper horror series during the PS2 era, and I would love for players today to experience the original trilogy in all of its glory.

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.

BIT.TRIP FATE is best suited to shooter fans who enjoy the challenge of besting their high score by repeating the same levels multiple times. It does provide plenty of challenge, and even on the default difficulty I had my hands full simultaneously watching my character and firing reticle.

The single player is short, but offers up a decent little take on futuristic corporate espionage. The multiplayer is where the game really shines. If you have some friends to play with, you'll have a blast.

Even if the side stuff has been there done that written all over it, you will be hard-pressed to find a better hockey game this year.

Both a throwback and an innovation. It takes a formula pioneered decades ago, puts a fantasy story and theme over it, and perfects the concept with clever and challenging level design.

It’s dark, gritty, 80’s style vibe goes extremely well with the parkour elements and questing. All these elements add up to take the zombie genre to a new level, one I just can’t seem to get enough of.

I cannot recommend this collection at this price. M2 definitely brought their museum quality curation to this collection with how many versions of Darius have been included in this including the extremely rare, maybe not released Sagaia (Version 2) but compared to M2’s other releases this is no more than their Castlevania Collection or their SEGA Ages releases. It’s hard to justify this price other than the fact that all home releases of Darius seem to be a bit pricey. This is made worse by the fact that this collection only has the arcade games: there’s another separate purchase for the console releases and when they are both purchased, they come close to $100. Do not get me wrong, this is a very good collection, but it is very hard to justify a purchase at full price for what is essentially 3 unique games and 4 variations.

Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac on Xbox Series X is not a flawless remake—but it’s a surprisingly heartwarming one. It enhances visuals, smooths out rough edges in control, and layers in replay value without losing the core DNA of the original.

If you prefer your games with a little more grey matter, then Hamilton will be right up your street. The game's niggles are far outweighed by the joy that gave be gained by finally working out a tough level, and couch co-op is something not often seen, but works well here, even if you do end up screaming at each other!

It is great for players who enjoy a solid character-action game, and of course the Metroid-style so many games have adopted over the year.-Combine that with likable characters and a colorful, gorgeously pixelated visual style, and this game is a must own.

I really can't recommend this game enough. It is definitely fresh and interesting, making it yet another notch in Sony's stellar downloadable lineup. It runs smoothly with minimal glitches, and the controls are simple enough that even a casual gamer can pick them up quickly. It's great to play by yourself or with a friend, and the game is quite addicting with the amount of content to unlock, keeping you coming back for more and more.

There is no doubt that NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition was designed with casual players in mind. The limited options and focus will not entice gamers who already own the full version, but at fifteen bucks this is extremely hard not to recommend to casual fans of the sport.

SBK X Superbike World Championship is overall just a pretty average game. Yes, it will appeal to the diehard fans of these types of games, and I am sure they will sink quite a few hours into it. The problem lies again with what I said about spreading out their game modes.

Dead in Vinland is a survival game I really appreciated, and I will dive into it again. My only wish is that the developers had a randomization option that focused strictly on how long I can survive rather than focusing on a story as well as the campaign, but for what it is, Dead in Vinland is a great survival management game for those who panic at seeing hunger meters rapidly increase in real time.

Full of heart, charm, atmosphere, and survival, it’s one river trip worth taking.

With a ridiculous and genuinely funny storyline, some challenging enemies, and a brand new set of environments to roam in, players will find plenty of new content to sink their teeth (or more accurately, a crap-ton of bullets) into.

As a fan of the series, I hope that they can get the visual issues ironed out for the next 3D trip through Transylvania, so I can marvel at the gloomy interior of a haunted castle instead of wondering how the in hell in ended back up in this room again.

Shadow Warrior is great for both fans of the original and anyone looking for something fresh in the genre. There isn’t much else out there quite like Lo Wang and his sword.

Swords of Ditto is a unique take on a tried and true formula. What it brings is interesting, even if it is a bit flawed. I really had a good time after coming to grips with its systems. I definitely recommend it to those who enjoy the Zelda loop. This game’s colorful world and charming aesthetic makeup for its shortcomings.

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

Creatures of Ava is a fantastic game and I really like the pacifist approach to game play. It was a refreshing change to be collecting creatures in order to save them instead of trying to be the very best there ever was. The narrative in Creatures of Ava is also a strong highpoint which comes as no surprise since the story was co-written by Rhianna Pratchett; who has written stories like Heavenly Sword and Rise of Tomb Raider. With a gorgeous world, fun and addictive gameplay and a great story, Creatures of Ava is a really fun experience and one that offers something very different from the other creature collectors on the market.

All in all I don't hate The Forgotten Sands, I just feel like this game was put out to capitalize on the release of the movie. I know that Ubisoft said the game was in the making before they launched the 2008 PoP, but I don't buy it.

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.

Minecraft Dungeons is a solid game that is not only cheap, but accessible. It also helps that it came out on everything and Game Pass owners get to check it out for free. It is great seeing Microsoft expand the series out to more genres. The recognizable fidelity aids in it reaching a larger audience and the price tag makes it an impulse purchase. It also helps that the quality is there. I think anyone who takes a dive into Minecraft Dungeons will have a great time.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Neverwinter is most certainly a fun game to play, standing proudly amongst the other F2P MMOs as one of the front liners. However, the suspect use of the F2P model along with a linear, unimaginative quest progression and a lack of good end game content make me feel it still has much to grow before I can proclaim it to be the F2P that completely wiped away the stigma they hold in today’s game market.

Ultimately Mega Coin Squad isn’t a bad game, nor is it a memorable game. It’s something to pass the time on for a few minutes.

Sonic Colors Ultimate is definitely conjuring up memories of the 3D Sonic era in its execution. This game was considered a hidden gem back in the day, but really is just one of the better 3D Sonic games. It still doesn’t come close to matching the excitement of the classic style or even the more recent Sonic Mania. Sonic just works best in 2D and while Colors does some interesting things with its game play, it still only serves as the best of a worse situation.

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny more than likely won’t compete with the likes of Diablo or Path of Exile, but it doesn’t need to. Its goal is smaller and more focused: to give Nickelodeon characters a new stage to play on while delivering a lighthearted RPG that works for both kids and nostalgic adults. On that front, it rolls a nat’ 20!

Even if you have the first game, you will be laughing out loud due to the awesome comedy that this game employs.