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.

Vertigo is a fun little title that takes the Marble Madness and Super Monkey Ball concepts into the budget arena. Navigating through the levels is enjoyable, and the motion controls work well enough to not be frustrating.

Ashes of Ariandel is a good time for those looking to give themselves an excuse to boot up Dark Souls 3 again, as if that is even necessary. It has some great new enemies and a cool location to explore. Those looking for new PVP gameplay will find it here, but overall the package is solid and not extraordinary.

LEGO Worlds is a delightful game, and one my son absolutely adores. It is a blast to play, and outside some weird design choices, feels like a solid foundation for them to build upon. Also the price tag is just right, making it an easy game to recommend, especially with those who have kids. There is a ton of content packed in here.

Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli is a solid racing game with a few disappointing omissions that keep it from being great. The graphics are inspiring, the racing is enjoyable and the tutorial meta-game is addictive.

My only gripe is that for how much this game wants to be seen like an RPG it never really does anything of interest with it. If the world is going to be big, fill it with quests. Fill it with more side activities. Even if the main focus is combat, give me a reason to explore the world more than just Dragon Ball flashbacks and collectibles I am required to have to upgrade skills. I think the Yakuza games and more importantly the Fist of the North Star game from the Yakuza team shows that the game can still have heavy emphasis on combat and still be a role playing game. Kakarot unfortunately just doesn’t hit that mark.

The water physics are the star of the show and really help you forget about a lot of the problems the game runs in to.

The Gex Trilogy is a great collection with a few missing pieces. It was a lot of fun to revisit these games as I loved playing them in my youth. The new rewind feature makes the games much more playable, and the updated controls make the second and third game tolerable. Limited Run Games did a great job with this collection, and it is worth it alone for the interviews and extras. Hopefully we can see Gex return in the future, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. He was definitely a product of a certain time.

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

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Battle Destiny Remastered is a weird product. It’s not the best Gundam game on PC (that’s still probably Gundam Breaker 3, if I’m being honest), nor is it the most accessible. But for SEED fans, especially those who remember poring over the original’s menus with a translation guide in hand, this remaster is a nostalgic gift. For everyone else? It’s an old warhorse with a new coat of paint and a reminder that sometimes, the past is best visited with tempered expectations.

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 a budget priced remaster, it’s still a fun time, especially if you’re a fan of the Ghostbusters. The talent behind the game and story is decent enough even if the jokes aren’t as good as the original film. The gameplay loop can feel outdated, and the missing co-op mode stings, but the promise of it coming for free is still there. I still enjoyed my time with the game and people who have never experienced it, or haven’t seen it in a long time, will still find some enjoyment out of it, and you’re not breaking the bank while you do pick it up.

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.

NBA 2K21 is a tough game to review. On the court, the game is mostly very good. The passing and dribbling feels excellent and the My Career mode is certainly well-acted. It could easily be a high 8 or 9 if the whole progression system didn’t feel so broken. If you know how aggressive the microtransactions are going in, and are willing to either stall your progress or spend the money, you’ll find a really good on-court game here. If not however, it’s likely to be a very frustrating experience.

While the addition of a few tweaks and online play will certainly thrill hardcores; anyone interested in taking the plunge for the first time will find themselves overwhelmed with menus and confusing customization options.

Monster Crown: Sin Eater nails the feeling of a more mature and darker, Pokémon game. With its story of revenge for a brother slain it comes out you hard and fast with an evil faction that feels genuinely terrifying instead of just a cartoon threat. The overall story is hit or miss and the overall freeform nature of the game wasn’t really for me, but if you are someone who loves less handholding in your games, well come get revenge with Asur.

While not without its glitches, there was multiple times my minions stood around when I raised the base alarm due to an agent being detected. Or when I gave my henchman a kill command to an agent and instead, he ran to the 3rd floor and back down again which allowed said agent to escape. These things happen but don’t destroy the sheer delight of ‘trying to take over the world’. I am extremely happy that Evil Genius was brought back, and I hope that we can see more and more entries into this zany world of evil scientist and crazy dictators.

The biggest problem Freedom Finger runs into is its lack of variety. The story and humor carry it for a while, but by the ends I grew tired of its monotony. I wish there was just a little more to it. The game looks cool, sounds great, and plays wonderfully, and it looks and runs good to boot. I just felt like it gave little reason to keep coming back for more. Lean into the ridiculous and add more modes or outlandish power-ups to keep things fresh, as it stands this is a game that I picked up once and put down without any intention of coming back. Still, I loved the time I spent with it.

Control and graphic issues aside this game is a must play for anyone who is a Marvel Comic book fan. Not only is the story engrossing, but the huge cast of characters is a comic book fans dream come true. Hopefully Activision will produce a sequel to wrap up the loose ends to this great game.

I enjoyed my time with One Piece Odyssey enough to join my sons in watching the anime. The Straw Hats crew themselves are a great group, I enjoyed the camaraderie and the jokes (even though I didn’t catch all of them). They care for one another just like any good family does and it was a touching story to see. Aside from the combat feeling overly easy for a good portion of the game, and the UI issues I would recommend One Piece Odyssey to fans of the series and non-fans alike. Especially if you are a fan of JRPG’s, this one has it all for you.

Grid Legends is a great game that was simply released at the wrong time. PlayStation owners are more likely to jump on Gran Turismo 7, and Xbox owners are most likely still satisfied with Forza Horizon 5. It is hard to slide between these two franchises and achieve much success. Still there is a trial on EA Play so give it a shot. I had a great time with it, but quickly forgot about it after a week. I do wish the game felt more like a successor as opposed to an upgrade to Grid 2019.

Y’all know me, I am an optimist, I have high hopes for Skull & Bones and I am sure that Sony will step in and get this resolved and we can all get back to fighting for freedom and democracy together. But in the meantime, if you don’t mind maybe not being able to play when you want, or having random crashes and missing rewards then dive into Helldivers 2. These are all growing pains and can be resolved, at the end of the day this game is blast, made more so when you are playing with friends which is evident if you watch any of our gameplay videos. If you all pick this up and happen to be teamed with ZeroTolerance, just watch ya back because he is all about completing the mission, teammates be damned. LOL.

Despite being charming and oftentimes funny with some great set piece moments sprinkled throughout, Paper Mario: The Origami King’s repetitive combat and dull sense of progression hampers an otherwise enjoyable journey.

While Cross of the Dutchman doesn’t offer much innovation in terms of gameplay, Triangle Studios still manages to infuse a great deal of originality and heart into their small but feisty game which, while short, is packed with life.

J-Stars Victory Vs+ accomplishes what it sets out to do. It is pure fan-service for fans of anime, most importantly the series it includes.

A fun and addictive little puzzle game that makes its transition to the PC market well thanks to keyboard/controller support and removal of ads/microtransactions. It’s just unfortunate that the asking price is a bit steep for the content on offer.

The game is obviously aimed at more of a family audience where kids can play on their own or with their parents. In that instance, it works wonderfully with little issue. Those hoping that this might be the motion-controlled adventure the hardcore had be waiting for will find little more than a diversion that works well but doesn't revolutionize the medium.

Kao the Kangaroo is a lot better than I expected considering it was a revival of a game that was even lesser know when it originally launched. I miss these types of platform games and we truly still don’t get enough of them. While the difficulty is nearly non-existent it is still worth checking out for gamers that grew up with the likes of Ty, Tomba, and the Jersey Devil. A simple time when mascot platform games were a dime a dozen, now they are few and far between.

Senran Kagura: Estival Vesus might not do anything extremely different, but it’s apparent the fan base is perfectly happy with that and, ironically, so am I.

If you have four dollars to spend and want a game you can play for fifteen minutes, then it might be a good choice, but there are certainly other PSP Minis that deserve your attention and money elsewhere.

Even with the difficulties that are present, the platforming is never really clunky, and the overall experience is clearly a product of Grasshopper Manufacture. It is a strange ride that can keep players involved for a few hours. Saving frequently and keeping an open mind is a must, but for only ten dollars, you can get some enjoyment out of Black Knight Sword.

Unless innovation is your primary concern, you will get a much prettier game on 360 and PS3 as well as an incredible multiplayer experience.

When I started playing Talent Not Included, I was blown away by its tight controls and stage setting. Towards the end, I was still enjoying it, but my enthusiasm waned considerably compared to where it once was. Still, its unique presentation and complementary design does make for a good time.

A solid, if slightly unneeded, follow-up.

L.A. Noire was a unique game that deserved a second chance. My biggest hurdle in recommending this version though is the price. Sitting at $40 on XB1 and PS4, and a whopping $50 on Switch, that is a financial pill that is hard to swallow, especially when I can snag the 360 or PS3 versions for under $5 at any local used retailer.

Overall, Nights of Azure is a rather unremarkable ARPG that just happens to have a gorgeous art style and a fantastic soundtrack. Even though it’s not likely to become the new flagship franchise for the developers at Gust, it’s a solid attempt at a new genre and a good distraction until the next Atelier title releases later this year.

At the end of the day, Space Cobra Adventure: The Awakening isn’t a bad game, but it’s not the triumphant return fans might have hoped for. It sits squarely in that “middling” territory: fun enough for fans of the character, but lacking the mechanical and narrative polish to recommend widely. For every moment that feels like a love letter to the source material, there’s another that reminds you of its rough edges. If you’re already invested in Cobra’s universe as I am, you’ll find things to enjoy here. If you’re not, this probably isn’t the game that’s going to win you over.

Creature in the Well is a unique game the likes of which I have never experienced before. Sure, it steals ideas from here and there, but glues them together in a new way. And while the game is fun for a while and has an interesting world, it cannot escape its repetitive nature and its decision to make every death a chore to walk back from. It is worth playing to at least step in to the world for a little while, but how much mileage you get will be dependent on how long you can tolerate the games frustrations.

I couldn't help but find myself coming back for the gorgeous animations and characters, as well as the fast-paced combat. Yes, the game is punishing and will likely make you want to throw a controller in anger, but it is still fun.

Shadow of Rose is a neat package with a solid campaign as well as new features for the original game. At $20 this is a solid pick-up. It was great revisiting the main game and the new content really fleshes out Rose’s role in this whole universe.

Star Trek Voyager – Across the Universe isn’t going to win any awards for presentation or technical polish. But what it does do right is capture the feeling of commanding a lone Starfleet ship far from home, help and allies. It makes players struggle with if the needs of the many, do in fact outweigh the needs of the few. And honestly, for a lifelong Star Trek fan who never quite fell head over heels with Voyager… that might be the biggest compliment I can give it.

There are far more approachable entries in the genre with much less complex and more forgiving systems.

While not quite as deep or addictive as Nintendo’s title Hot Brain does a nice job of bringing a quirky niche genre to the PSP and I highly recommend everyone looking for something new a whirl.

This game was made for a target audience in mind, and it does well for the target audience. If you think you'd be into simulation games, particularly train simulators, you won't be able to find a better one than this.

Pandering to the shmup and zombie crowds, there is enough genuinely good game to win a following. Beyond torching the undead, however, there isn't anything truly remarkable in the title. Despite the varying modes and simulated goals, the underlying objectives don't change, which manages to make zombie fires downright pedestrian.

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.

Action RPG fans will have a very good time with Legasista. There's enough hardcore elements with the stat tracking and upgrading to keep any hardcore RPG players busy for a very long time. If you're looking for a quick RPG to play in between different game sessions, you may have just found your game.

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.

In essence Blood Money and Absolution is like watching the series find its footing. I feel like both games really paved the way for the extremely successful reboot of the series. Both seem to bring ideas into the newer games. It was neat to revisit these older games, but $60 for both without the option to purchase them separately feels a bit much. Toss in the fact that Xbox One owners could already own them, or purchase them for a fraction of the price has to be factored in.

For the price and the amount of game play here, highly recommend this to any fan of the genre.

For those that never had a chance to experience the action and zaniness of it, this is a solid package. It’s funny, has interesting combat, and a unique fantasy storyline that feels dark, yet whimsical and fun. Just don’t expect to be blown away. If players are looking for a solid if somewhat convoluted action RPG, this just might do the trick. It’s a game done just a little bit better than the original release.

I want it to catch on, but with the paltry Wii U user base, and a quirky new IP at the helm, my fears are that no one will care about Splatoon in a month’s time.

#Killallzombies is a nice pick up and play experience that works thanks to its design. The developers have promised more content is coming, but right now there is really only one thing to do. It sticks to its namesake for better or worse. Still, I couldn’t help but enjoy every session I logged and I will definitely revisit it once new content arrives.

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

The iffy controls and problematic camera system do hinder the gameplay and the truly unforgiving checkpoint system could easily ruin it for most players, but those willing to look past these will find an enjoyable romp with some old-school flavor that most of today’s games lack ten fold.

This War of Mine: the Little Ones is pretty fully featured. While not for everyone, it offers a decent experience of survival, base building, and time/resource management. The combat can be weak, and the story or at least the one it’s trying to convey is weak. Still, for the fans of survival games like Don’t Starve, there’s something to be had here.

There are a lot of titles that boast what Rampage does, but few have done it with the execution found here. Even if these words scare you, like they scare me, this game is still worth checking out.

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

One Piece: Pirate Warriors may seem like your standard hack n slash game based on an anime, but with the online co-op, it really makes things fun and keeps things fresh in what is, essentially, an automatic "you win" game.

While it is a solid hack and slash action title, Seven Sorrows has to be seen as a disappointment for many fans of the series expecting a deeper, longer experience.

Yoshi’s Crafted World is exactly what I needed, when I needed it. I could turn off my brain and just have a good time. Nintendo excels at that. While it can get repetitive after a while, it never wears out its welcome. I loved collecting everything in the game and the hours I spent with it were joy-infused. The entry price might be a bit steep, but the Nintendo quality never fails to deliver.

The fact that it isn’t a bullet-hell game means things never feel too overwhelming. Instead, XII Zeal delivers a fun and enjoyable experience that’s both accessible and can be enjoyed in short bursts.

NES Remix is a fun time waster that had me reliving the memories of my childhood once again.

TGC2 represents my introduction to this series, as I did not play the original entry. Quite honestly I found this advantageous while writing this review, because I didn’t have any preconceived notions about the series going in. While this created some challenges for my initial onboarding into the game, I feel like it allows me perspective to judge the games merits objectively, without chalking weaknesses up to “well it’s better than the last one”. In general I feel like this is a solid budget title with a fantastic course creator and a lot of options, but it’s hard to recommend it to less hardcore fans of the sport.

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.

The Capcom Arcade Cabinet 1984 pack is solid, featuring three distinctly different games, and some experiences that are fully unique amongst all of Capcom’s arcade offerings. 1942, Pirate Ship Higemaru and SonSon round out the collection nicely, and they’re worth picking up for those who have been following along.

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.

Guerrilla War is an enjoyable game marred by a cumbersome control scheme. If you are interested in an Ikari Warriors clone set on a Caribbean Island, this $2.99 Mini will fit the bill.

Skylanders Giants on the 3DS is what I like to call a nice compliment piece. If you have the console versions it works as a nice way to level up figures while on the go. If this were my only option, though, I can't say I would enjoy it nearly as much. The other versions just do a much better job of extending the addiction.

Dark Alliance is not a perfectly executed game but the fun to be had when everything works is worth enduring the little issues. It delivers a fun D&D adventure with some epic combat moments. Even with the issues that I experienced I think this is a solid game and with a bit more polish via patches will fit quite nicely among its dungeon crawler brethren.

Mafia III is one of the best stories in a video game I have played this year, heck I would go as far as to say this generation. It is wrapped around some pretty standard and repetitive open world game design though, which does do it a disservice. Still, the locales and world resonate with me, and the story kept me coming back for more, and that speaks volumes. This game will certainly be on my mind when it comes time to discuss the best of 2016, and I think it is more than worth looking past its blemishes to check it out.

Zone of the Enders HD Collection is a solid package that truly only suffers from its technical flaws. The frame rate might not have been such an issue if the original hadn't been so smooth. As it stands, being able to finally play both games on Xbox 360 and having them in one nice package is almost worth it, unless of course you still own them on PS2.

Exactly what the developers said it was going to be, a straight-forward shooter with a decent story and unique environment interaction. Sadly the length of the single-player and a lack of any type of multi-player mode really dampen the experience.

If you're looking for a decent RTS with a few hiccups here and there that could easily be fixed with a patch or two, Stronghold 3 is not a bad choice. If you're new to the series or new to RTS games in general, you might want to at least wait for a price cut but still give it a chance when that does happen.

For what the game does, it works relatively well. There are a few hitches here and there, but it was never enough to have me quit playing the game. For a cheaper title, you can definitely do a lot worse than Deep Black. If you're looking for a decent little shooter and don't mind a few inconsistencies here and there, you might want to check this game out.

The presentation promises much and is highly polished but it lies at the surface, working to conceal the more problematic aspects of the actual game itself.

Sure, diehard wrestling fans will enjoy the fluid gameplay and the chance to play as some of their favorite TNA stars, however more casual fans will become quickly dissatisfied with the lack of variety.

The problem here is that the concept wears out its welcome far too quickly and without enough diversity in the gameplay you will find yourself forcing your way through the later levels.

Sure, diehard wrestling fans will enjoy the fluid gameplay and the chance to play as some of their favorite TNA stars, however more casual fans will become quickly dissatisfied with the lack of variety.

Fans of the DC universe will have fun with all of the possibilities, and anyone else willing to overlook some game play snags can have fun here. Ultimately though, the mechanical and presentation issues keep the game from shining as brightly as it could.

I was able to play all 30 hours in under two hours, with little incentive to go back and try to improve my scores. Overall, Puckerz! is an interesting game that provides some enjoyment, but the missteps in the overall design prevent it from competing with the likes of Angry Birds or Cut the Rope.

If you've never tried tower defense and you want a great introduction to the genre, Kingdom Rush is perfect. If you're devoted to the genre and want to play the prominent examples of it, this is absolutely up your street. But if you've played one or two prototypical tower defense games and are looking for something new, Kingdom Rush doesn't have much to offer.

Pid is one of those games that I feel just came out at the wrong time. It does some very nice things but the difficulty in the boss fights and the monotony of the platforming after a while will bog down players. The co-op is a shining point to the game, and the presentation is top notch. For ten dollars, you can still get a little enjoyment out of it as long as you have patience.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is one of the few licensed games that I am not ashamed to recommend, especially to fans of the series.

Overall it’s a good time, although it feels slightly overpriced for a game that has been out on the PC for over a year (and is currently $10 cheaper there). For those looking for some fast, nostalgic action it’s a solid choice, although a price drop would make it a more enticing package.

A decent game. The premise is unique and interesting, and the mission balancing and level progression is handled very nicely.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is one of the few licensed games that I am not ashamed to recommend, especially to fans of the series.

It's a rather enjoyable experience that I think racing fans will enjoy. Of course, the resets and other inconsistencies will rain on your parade to the point of becoming frustrating.

I really wanted to like this game more than I did, but the fact is the more I played it the less I found I was enjoying myself. While it’s only one mechanic, the issues with the hacking cause a ripple effect that creates other issues.

The most shocking thing though is that even though the game fits all the criteria of a quick job, it doesn't feel like it when you play, and that is the most important part. The premise is simple and enjoyable, the soundtrack is fantastic and the amount of content is respectable.

Hysteria Hospital is a fun romp that simply fails to capitalize on its potential.

While it does bring some good things to the table, NHL 2K10 unfortunately stumbles on the most important aspects of a good hockey game. Sluggish game speed, unreliable controls, and bland game modes leave the game several steps behind its competition.

The controls are downright terrible in some instances.

It may not be a game for everyone, and granted it is a little short, but for $5.99 the experience of flOw is a rather relaxing one that people who enjoy a more art style game with minimalist controls may want to look into it. It has a little trouble with the controls, but it’s still a rather enjoyable ride.

It is loud, brash and bizarre; but that's what makes this a Katamari game and goes a long way in making up for some of the minor niggles.

Third-person shooter fans will find some fun, and XCOM fans that don’t mind some real-time action can get their fill as well. Just don’t expect anything revolutionary or mind blowing when playing it.

Tank! Tank! Tank! is a hard game to review. On one hand, I had a blast playing locally in both story and multiplayer mode, but the price tag is painful. I can't honestly say that what you get is worth the full $50 investment. However, if it ever drops in price, I cannot stress enough how much fun Kong mode, and just smashing enemies is with friends. This is a polarizing game, due in large part to its price tag, and that is truly a shame. Check it out when it gets cheaper, until then you might want to steer clear.

Longtime fans of the genre, and especially fans of the Gothic series, will be disappointed in the games lack of depth and emotionless narrative.