I have always been a massive fan of Super Stardust HD, but I never thought Housemarque would be able to reach those dizzying heights again. I was wrong. Nex Machina takes all that was good about SSHD and turns the dial up, making this game my new favorite Housemarque game and one that I urge each and every one of your to go out and buy. Be warned however, it’s going to make your thumbs sore.

Nioh is a culmination of some of my favorite mechanics in video games. The incredibly fast paced, twitch based reflex combat of Ninja Gaiden. The meticulous strategy and sense of discovery of Souls and the loot/equipment upgrade system of Diablo. It’s as though this was a game made specifically for me. If that wasn’t enough, Nioh manages to become more than the sum of its parts as something truly exceptional with an identity of its own – one that I simply can’t put down and it has secured a spot as the top contender in my game of the year list thus far.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is arguably the best in the series so far and is a welcome addition to anyone’s 3DS library.

Hellblade is an amazing achievement in game design. It is something I think everyone should play. Again, I cannot stress enough to do it with headphones on and immerse yourself into its world. It is games like this that really showcase what talented developers can achieve. It is also worth mentioning that proceeds from the Xbox One sales are going to mental health research, so yeah, buy this amazing title already.

I really enjoyed unraveling the mystery that is The Forgotten City. The setting is beautifully displayed graphically but the real cherry on the top is the narrative itself. Talking to all of the characters, and figuring out the order in which to do things ala Groundhog Day is one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have this year. Even those fans of the old mod will find a fresh experience here, as the development team has expanded and even changed things from the original. I really can’t recommend this game enough, even with the lackluster facial animations this is an experience that shouldn’t be missed if you value narrative; in particular mysteries.

Fans of the series will no doubt hate the lack of traditional modes from previous games and consider it a crime that Crash Mode was omitted altogether. However, everything about Paradise screams quality and in turn delivers one of the best driving games released in quite a while.

It has some big difficulty spikes, but overall Guacamelee is still a very fun time.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an impressive first effort by Sega to re-ignite their classic franchises. The year of the ninja has delivered, and if the rest of their lineup is this good, we are in for a treat. The campaign is short enough to digest, long enough to keep players coming back, and overall is just a blast to play. Even if you don’t have nostalgia for the original games, this is worth checking out. Now bring back Eternal Champions cowards!

GRID is the type of game that straddles the line between sim and arcade so well that it actually works on both levels.

Devil May Cry 5 is a return to the series in its truest form. Capcom has been a massive hot streak lately and I cannot wait to see what they do next. I loved DmC and thought it was a solid reboot, but I feel like continuing the original series was the right move. The combat feels great, the game looks outstanding, and the nostalgia is strong with this one. Capcom already has two game of the year contenders on its hands and it is only March.

Halo 4 is a great return to form for the series.

It’s great to see some new areas and bosses for Bloodborne, but as it stands I don’t find it necessary. Most that love Bloodborne will eat this new content up with a silver spoon wanting more. I’m content with what the base game offered, and find it almost unnecessary, but I do appreciate what is offered for those wanting more reasons to jump back into the world of monsters and hunters.

Despite the less than stellar final mission and instability of the servers, Hitman 3 is a worthy entry to bring the World of Assassination trilogy to a close. While it’s uncertain where Agent 47 will go from here, I feel the series is in good hands and I’ll be sure to have my Fiber Wire handy for the next contract.

HD Remix is a superb edition of a timeless game complete with nearly flawless online gameplay.

Iki Island is a nice addition to an already amazing game. For anyone who hasn’t experienced Ghost of Tsushima you are in for a treat. For players like me returning to the world it is worthy content. The expansion can last anywhere from 5-10 hours depending on your completion mentality. It is a worthy expansion worth the price of admission and as good of an excuse as any to revisit one of the best games of last generation.

If you have any interest in logic puzzles and want to explore a pretty interesting world, the Witness is a must own.

Doom is exactly what I wanted from a modern take on one of my favorite franchises. There is more than enough meat here to satisfy even the most jaded player.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is the type of game fans usually get only once a generation. The sheer amount of passion and care that was taken to ensure balance, accessibility, and enjoyment is nearly unmatched.

Battlefield 1 might seem like a step backward, but it moves the genre forward in several areas. Mostly the campaign, which is the most polished, and enjoyable campaign I have played in years. I cannot recommend it enough.

It feels like we waited a lifetime to finally play this game, and even now it has only just begun. There is so much more of the original game to come. The problem is we have no idea when it will land and how many more times we will have to pay for a chapter, but if they are as quality as this entry I am all for it. Final Fantasy 7 was the first in the series that really grabbed me. It has its nostalgic hooks into me and I will be here for every entry. I hope they clean up the pacing issues and continue to wow me as they go along. For now this is one of the best games of the year, and still gives me chills with its presentation and music.

In all, Rockstar struck gold by releasing Undead Nightmare.

Overall, if you own a DS and have ever played or are interested in a JRPG, you need to own this game.

Fans of Pokémon will be in familiar territory while newcomers will have a great time learning the ropes. It never deviates from the norm too much, but what X and Y does and does brilliantly, is the improvements to connectivity and game progression.

With all of its improvements FIFA Soccer 09 is by far the most impressive upgrade to any sports title this year. If you are even remotely a fan of the sport FIFA 09 is a must-buy.

The game is really amazing, the destruction adds a great level of immersion and gameplay, everything feels polished, and the attention and respect the PC version has gotten has been a hit for Dice as they reported that the PC version of the game is the highest seller right now beating out the 360 and PS3.

With all of its improvements FIFA Soccer 09 is by far the most impressive upgrade to any sports title this year. If you are even remotely a fan of the sport FIFA 09 is a must-buy.

Despite the hardware limitations and a handful of odd design choices, Astral Chain is one of the best new IPs to hit in recent years and one deserving the attention of every Switch owner.

Monster Train 2 is a truly enjoyable experience that feels like the developers have successfully built upon it upon its predecessor’s foundation. Even though it took me a few runs to really get a handle on all the systems at play, once I did I was ‘full-steam ahead’ (these train puns doing it for you?). The new clans, strategic depth, and progression system are all a reason for any fan of the rogue-like deck-builders to try this game. Not to mention the banging soundtrack, some bright and colorful art for the cards and enemies and Monster Train 2 feels like a perfectly blended match made in heaven.

There’s never a dull moment: Brace Yourself Games have created an experience where there is a lot to think about in terms of strategy, movement, enemies, traps and maintaining multipliers. However, the constant pull of Baranowsky’s compelling soundtrack always keeps things moving, encouraging the player to think on their toes and adapt to the situation at hand.

Despite a rocky development cycle amongst a series of open and closed betas that had the FGC divided in their impressions of the game, Strive has released in its best state so far and presents itself as a solid foundation to build upon for many iterations to come in the future.

Perhaps the best part of the new Legacy mode is the sheer volume of stat tracking.

While this is a pretty great RPG, it’s still not for everyone.

This collection goes above and beyond any other to date. Digital Eclipse continues to outdo themselves with these classic compilations each time. This one sets a bar though that will be nigh impossible to outdo. Not sure what is next on their docket, but I cannot wait to play it. As it stands this collection is a must for anyone who calls video games their hobby. It is absolutely incredible on every level and I spent hours just absorbing all the content here. Sure I would love some DLC (Ultra Vortek anyone?) but what is here is more than worth the price of admission.

Sound is a mixed bag. The soundtrack is absolutely stunning. The tempo of the music picks up at just the right time and the score is so well constructed it feels like a blockbuster movie soundtrack. The voice work on the other hand suffers as much as it succeeds.

I went from liking Pikmin to loving Pikmin with Pikmin 4. It’s just one of those games that I think is near flawless. It may have lost some of its difficulty, but I think all the things we gained in exchange are worth it.

A must have for anyone that missed the PS4 Uncharted games and a solid reason to dive back in for those that have already played them.

As a whole, Lair of the Shadow Broker is amazing. They mix up the pace and give the game a fresh feel, while still holding true to what makes it one of my top choices for my game of the year.

Dirt 3 is the best in the long running series and a must for any fan, but there is fun to be had regardless of your experience with the genre. Codemasters have taken everything that was great about the previous games and improved upon it.

Overall, Saros is a fantastic experience that should not be missed. Housemarque has taken what worked for them previously and made it better. More importantly, they’ve taken the negatives from previous releases and assessed them honestly, allowing them to turn said negatives into positives.

The controls are damn near flawless, the visuals are stunning, and the multi-player will have you coming back for months on end. If you only buy one PSP game this year, make sure it contains Gabe Logan and company; I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Link’s Awakening is yet another outstanding addition to the Switch library. Anyone who says that Nintendo isn’t killing it with first-party games this year is delusional. They seem to pump out a classic almost monthly. Being able to revisit one of the most obscure and delightful Zelda games from the past is just another reason why the Switch is so magical. I cannot recommend this title enough. It transcends history and feels like a game that would pass as a current title.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a game that is worth its price tag and so much more. It will take gamers months to finish all it has to offer. Pick up the season pass and likely have dozens of more hours to play. It is a massive game and something that feels like a swan song before another two-year hiatus for the series. I feel like they threw too much into the mix this time though. I could literally wonder around for 1-2 hours and do absolutely nothing, while I could also spend two hours just navigating through menus to upgrade and plan. There is a lot here, so for those that love the new direction of Assassin’s Creed, this is the game you need to buy this holiday season.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is hands down the best Metroidvania that I have played in a long time. My gold standard has always been Castlevania: Symphony of the Night but Ubisoft has really knocked this out of the park.

Batman: Arkham Knight may mark the end of Rocksteady’s trilogy, but it goes out with a bang. There is so much to love about it, it is easily in contention for one of the best of 2015.

In all, Rockstar struck gold by releasing Undead Nightmare.

Spider-Man is yet another outstanding title in Sony’s first party library. PS4 owners should not hesitate to snag it when it drops. The quality they put into these titles is impressive and Insomniac continues to prove they can deliver on big-budget titles. Even with its minor gripes I still thoroughly enjoyed my time with Spidey and the gang. Perhaps we will see another one in the years to come, but for now this is the best our web-slinger has been since the early days of the PS2 era.

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

While this is a pretty great RPG, it’s still not for everyone.

I love the sound of music blasting into my duo earlobes in the morning, and the soundtrack to this game is super.

DJ Hero is almost a breath of fresh air in an already overcrowded genre. The rhythm game is becoming too much of a business and this really feels like it was designed with a lot of passion for the music.

Forza Motorsport is a game I rarely get excited about playing, but almost every time I dive in, it gets better.

Fans of classic 2D games, or the original DKC games, owe it to themselves to pick up this amazing return to the franchise. The difficulty is the one area that may throw some gamers for a loop, but with the ability to let the game play itself it becomes a non-issue.

Black Ops is a solid addition to the Call of Duty franchise that really puts Treyarch on the map. You won't get anything original out of it, but if you liked what came before, then you will have a blast.

At the same time, this series is one of the best strategy RPGs I have ever played and while not as enjoyable as Awakening, it’s still a great title and worthy of the Fire Emblem name.

It’s a must have if you own a Vita and a reason to own a Vita if you don’t.

Rocket League lives up to the hype surrounding it. For Xbox One players who have been envious of PS4 and PC players, your moment is here. Everything works even when it shouldn’t, and the game provides hours of entertainment. Solo it is fun, with friends it is a blast. This is not a title to miss.

Portable Ops is by far the best reason to own a PSP so far. For fans of the series this game is a must own simply because of the story tie-ins and the incredible production values.

It would be easy for Sony to rest on their laurels with this franchise, especially considering the downward spiral (and expiring contract) of their only competitor. Instead, they’ve continued to take pride in making sure that The Show is always at the top of its game.

Psychonauts 2 is a masterclass in design. Some of the levels in the game will stick with me for another 16 years easily. I hate that it took this long for Tim Schafer and his team to get the chance to make this sequel, but it was truly worth the wait.

Hotline Miami is truly a unique experience packaged in a bloody mess of human skin and entrails. It’s a title that grips the player with its sharp, visceral game play and asks uncomfortable questions which there aren’t clear answers to.

If you loved the original there is enough here to replace your copy of the first game, and if you passed the first time around there has never been a better time to dive in.

DiRT 2 is about as good of a sequel as you can ask for. It took everything that made the original so good and amplified it, while still managing to address all of the criticisms.

It has enough new content to appeal to owners of HoD, and enough depth to keep even the most skilled SRPG player busy for weeks.

Pragmata is an interesting game that sometimes overcomplicates or oversimplifies its mechanics and setting. I really enjoyed my time with the game, but I’m not sure it will stick with me over time. There were moments where I thought it was outstanding, while other times it was just another space shooter. That is probably its biggest flaw. The pacing of the fun is too uneven and could have benefitted from better pacing.

Dragon Age: Origins has sucked me in more than most other games this year. I find myself thinking about the game when not playing it, imagining other scenarios and different ways that situations could play out.

Bionic Commando Rearmed is the epitome of how to remake a game for the next generation. If you were a fan of the original you will love the attention to detail and classically epic soundtrack. If you are new to the series you will grow to love the swinging mechanic, once you get the hang of it.

The Nonary Games is a fantastic bundle with games that are both fun to play and very entertaining in the story department. Any fan of puzzles games and visual novels should pick this bundle up without a doubt. Even people looking for a great story should give this a look. It has the makings of a good “starter” visual novel. I can’t suggest it enough. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go play Zero Time Dilemma.

Of course, the most impressive aspect (and most addictive) is the couch multiplayer with friends. Think New Super Mario Bros., and you get the idea.

While the game stands leagues ahead of its competition, there are some needed changes that I hope make their way into next year's version. Updated presentation, a new commentary team and some rudimentary facelifts to RTTS would go a long way towards refreshing the franchise and ensuring its continued success for years to come.

Death’s Door is a wonderful experience that should not be missed. Don’t be scared off by the comparison to the Souls games. Sure it shares a few mechanics from those, but it feels more like a macabre interpretation of Zelda with some Souls twists. I simply adore this title and cannot wait for others to experience it. It is one of the best games I have played this year and it will likely be top of mind when the awards of 2021 come up. Do not sleep on this title.

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

Odin Sphere Leifthrasir is a masterpiece of game design, and one of the forgotten gems of the PS2 era. I can’t recommend it enough, and it stands head and shoulders above other remakes on how to get the job done. For those that never experienced the original it is a must buy, but even for those with fond memories of the glorious Vanillaware classic, this package is more than worth a second dip.

Just in time for the 35th anniversary of Final Fantasy, THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE impresses with its wealth of content and feels like a true celebration of its timeless legacy. Whether you are a beginner who has never played a rhythm game before or a veteran of the genre, if you like Final Fantasy music, this is one title you don’t want to miss.

This is easily my vote for best downloadable game of the year.

If classic run and gun games are something that piques the interest, Huntdown is a must buy. I am glad the amazing trailer was for a fantastic game. A throwback that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but works out some of the finer kinks of the genre.

There is a lot packed in here, with over 20 hours of brain-bending content, it is definitely worth checking out for both newcomers and returning fans. The upgrades are worthwhile, and the new expansion is extremely fun. I had a blast revisiting this game and it is just as memorable as it was back in 2014. This is a must-play for those that enjoy these types of puzzle games. It really carves out its own niche and executes it extremely well. Hard to believe this game came from the same guys who created Serious Sam.

The 3D really does work very well with the game. Still, I only suggest this for the hardcore 3DS players and Out Run fans.

DiRT 2 is about as good of a sequel as you can ask for. It took everything that made the original so good and amplified it, while still managing to address all of the criticisms.

Sin and Punishment: Star Successor is a nice follow-up to the cult classic from the N64 days. If you are an old-school Treasure fan you may be turned off by some of the casual changes to the core experience, but it still retains that classic feel.

FuturLab took the familiar concept of a shoot 'em up, gave it some new life and threw in some unique mechanics that really make the game shine.

Fans of torture games such as Super Meat Boy and Trials will undoubtedly find a lot to love about Spelunky. It is brutally difficult, but never unfair. You will spend so much time replaying the first set of levels that, in theory, it sounds like it would get boring. But after hundreds of deaths I am still coming back for more. That speaks volumes about the game's design. If you want a challenge and enjoy the harsh consequences for your actions, then Spelunky is your game.

What really brings these to life is the attention to detail. Zen worked closely with Lucasfilm to capture all the essence of the Star Wars universe. Whenever new dialogue was needed, the studio created it for Zen. This was a collaborative effort that heightens the experience. The layout of each table is recognizable, and the care packed in will bring a smile to Star Wars fans young and old.

I had taken a long break from Monster Hunter altogether and when I booted up Iceborne for this review, I fell back in love with the game. This is how you do an expansion. For me, Iceborne will go down in gaming history as one of those great expansions like The Shivering Isles, Undead Nightmare, and Blood and Wine. If you are remotely a Monster Hunter fan, this is a must have. If you have been interested in Monster Hunter but have yet to try it, do yourself a favor and pick up Monster Hunter World and this expansion. It’s the most accessible Monster Hunter to date and a fantastic entry into the series.

The small issues aside, Shredder’s Revenge was the fan service I needed. The music feels like it came straight out of a 1994 arcade machine, the visuals look like it too, but with some great design choices, and the gameplay is just as smooth and fun as it always was all those years ago. If you’re a fan of TMNT, this is a no-brainer. If you enjoy a good beat ’em up or have had the itch to try out something like Streets of Rage 4 after beating it, you won’t find a better game to dive into. This is one for the books, guys.

Resistance 2 is an excellent game with fantastic art direction, but there is no longer that special hint of something greater. Without that golden touch, Resistance 2 plays like an accomplished shooter in which you progress through a straightforward campaign with fellow grunting tough guys in a battle against an impossible foe.

INSIDE is a fantastic experience.

The captivating Flower manages to be both uncomplicated and deep. While many games fail to truly engage the player this highly conceptual title succeeds, and is more immersive than many feature-driven titles dare to dream.

Diablo III is a fantastic game that gets even better on consoles. This is something I never thought I would say.

Despite tripping over the finish line with a somewhat rushed ending, Dispatch still feels like a good adaptation of the Telltale format, winning me over with its genuinely fantastic voice acting and lovable cast of characters. It’s undeniable that the game relies on quite a bit of padding to hit its 8-hour runtime, but what is there is extremely engaging and well-made, scratching the itch for episodic gaming much better than Deck Nine or Supermassive could, although players used to the standard Telltale formula will most likely be disappointed by the infrequency of dialogue options, as well as the lack of more bombastic choices. Regardless, I firmly believe that the developers at AdHoc are pretty much only competing with their past work at Telltale, as bigger studios like Quantic Dream still fail to match their writing quality despite having ten times the budget. I’m quite excited to see what a season 2 for the game will look like, alongside any other titles AdHoc creates in the future, hopefully suffering from fewer growing pains and with a much higher budget considering how well Dispatch has been received.

Visually, XCOM 2 looks good, better than the last game, but it still doesn’t look amazing.

As it stands 2K is still a definite buy for basketball fans in general and especially for would be GM’s or owners.

I seriously surprised myself at how much I love Monster Hunter Rise. With a campaign that doesn’t last long, just enough to train players up and then being the real game. The endgame is where it’s at and going after those high-level monsters is such a delight with or without friends playing. Even after all the time I have invested I have yet to see all of the monsters and I can’t wait to continue to discover more and the upcoming Sunbreak expansion coming summer 2023. Yep, seems there has never been a better time for Monster Hunter fans new and old and I am happy to now count myself among them.

Pikmin 3 is a fantastic game that oozes with charm. The levels are short enough that they scream “just one more day”. It also helps that game play is so tight, and the design feels so good. While it may not be my most anticipated franchise from the Nintendo stables, I cannot help but fall in love with the quirky Koppites and their quest for food. Pikmin 3 is one of the best reasons to own a Wii U so far.

Spelunky 2 is likely to delight those who revere its predecessor. As for newcomers, a whole new world of curiosity, frustration, rage quitting, perseverance and reward awaits. This is a game that may be a challenge to get into for some, but sooner rather than later determination to succeed will likely evolve into devotion. This will be a game that will always encourage players to come back for more.

Most players know whether they are interested in this collection. The fans have been begging for it for years. We finally have it, and as of this writing they managed to sort out the issues with the Xbox version, so it is coming to that console next year, so it will be available on literally everything. It is impossible not to recommend this package if you have any sort of interest in fighting games. There is a reason these games are still so well revered, and this collection gives a whole new generation of players a chance to find out why.

This was a genuinely touching story and there is a ton of payoff for players who are caught up with the series; especially the ending, while I have not played all the latest games, I am aware of the things that occurred in the last two games. I honestly can’t recommend this game enough for newcomers and longtime fans alike.

In the end, Velocity Ultra stands as one of my favorite 2D scrolling shooters and a pleasant surprise that harkened back to the day where I was eagerly looking forward to each new release in the genre.

LittleBigPlanet remains one of Sony's most endearing franchises and the PSP version is definitely on par with the quality of the series.