Helix is a simple game that can be a lot of fun if you don’t mind looking bizarre while playing.

While I have a lot of issues with the core game I am happy to see the series return. I really want to see the original trilogy get an update it deserves. Would love to play those games again as they are genuinely some of the creepiest games I have ever played, and not for the wrong reasons. Maiden of Black Water just feels like something thrown together to gauge interest in the series return. I wanted to love it, I forced myself to finish it, but I just want the series to return to its roots.

The town of light does some really unique and innovative things for the horror genre but its adventure game aspects are simultaneously mundane and confusing. Still, its real-life horrors stick with you longer than the more fantastical and gruesome images that are commonly seen in other games.

Ryse is a title that should be played when you have nothing else to play or are bored with what you do have. But I do not recommend sitting down and playing this from start to finish in one swoop – which you can do, it is only about nine hours – as you will get bored relatively quickly and often.

The Secret Saturdays: Beasts of the 5th Sun is a good licensed game with some minor problems that keep it from reaching must-own status.

SkateBIRD has the skeleton of a great skateboarding game, but with the collision issues and the movement being as spotty as it is, it just brings down the entire experience. There were times in my play sessions I was having a blast pulling off combos and tricks and would come crashing down when I would hit a grind that didn’t work, or I would tap on the edge of a wall and fall off. Then on resetting my character would have the camera facing the wrong way and would be moving forward right back into the wall I just hit. It’s a sad truth, because under that, there’s a great skateboarding game here. Players looking for a new skateboarding game may get some enjoyment out of this, but keep in mind you most certainly will find issues with the movement. If you’re willing to put up with some frustrations, there’s something here for you, but if you’re easily bothered, maybe wait for a sale.

It is one of those games you can pick up at your local rental place, play for a couple days and completely forget about. It can be fun at times, but can be tedious and frustrating at others.

Firefall has its problems. There’s no denying that, but after spending a little time with it, I found myself having a pretty decent time. Sure, it does feel wonky at times, but I couldn’t help but keep playing.

Most of the maps can be completed in under a minute and almost all of them in fewer than two.

All Zombies Must Die is not a bad romp, just a mind-numbing one after a while. You know what to expect after the first 20 minutes, and it never deviates from the formula.

Zack Zero is a rather entertaining game. Even with the combat and platforming problems, I can't help but like the game. The powers are really nice and the overall feel of the game is fun. The game just has so much heart.

The controls and graphics have not aged well, but underneath it all, it is still fun to earn some crazy money.

Alien Cab is definitely enough to divert your attention for an afternoon, but don't expect to be coming back to it after the initial run.

Overall, this collection is not bad; I just feel if you have wanted to play these games, you have already done so. If you haven't, and you want to play some old school hack and slash with a friend, or you are the leaderboard chasing kind of person, there is a decent amount of content here for the ten dollar price of admission. They could have botched this re-release, but this time SEGA has released a more standout update that it has done in the past, and we can certainly thank them for that.

For the big fans of Sonic, you may still get some enjoyment out of this HD remake. The Sonic and Shadow levels still hold up pretty well, and the small objectives you can play after beating the story mode will keep you entertained for a while. The Chao Garden is addicting and fun, but almost everything else is a bit of a let down. For ten dollars, it's a decent game, but many parts are frustrating. I highly suggest you keep in mind that this game is for nostalgia purposes only. If you're looking for a great Sonic game, pick up Sonic Generations instead.

While it is a decent idea and concept, I still feel that Beyond Eyes is far too slow and unsatisfying when it comes down to the end.

I look at Skylar and Plux as the Little Engine that Could, but it ends up being the one that just couldn’t. I really wanted to like it, but with the glaring issues, it’s hard to recommend without a significant price drop. The platforming and jumping works and is actually very tight. That’s what kept me going. It’s bland in most aspects, but there is something there behind the surface. If you can find it, you may get some enjoyment out of it. Even then, I would still wait for a price cut.

Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 is yet another game in the genre that will be forgotten. Rainbow Studios has been one of the most prolific in mud-based racing games for a long time. They have crafted some of the best off-road endeavors I have ever played. This is sadly not one of them. It feels like a second thought as far as execution goes. Like they had a license and a chance to make a sequel and just pumped it out with little fanfare. I wanted to love it, but sadly it will be relegated to just a memory in a few weeks’ time.

Enclave is a quirky game that has some moments and I enjoyed revisiting it. I love this era where any game can come back and it is great for nostalgia. If you don’t have any fond memories of this game you might want to steer clear. This is not going to impress anyone in today’s world, but for those looking for a trip down memory lane of this obscure title, this version achieves what it set out to do.

Sadly, as it stands right now there is too much missing to make it feel like a complete package.

For a single play through of the story, it’s alright, but for lasting appeal, it really doesn’t have it.

Crackdown 3 is exactly what I wanted. That is most glowing praise I can give it. I loved the original game, I really despised the second one, and this entry brings me back to what made that original so special. It never attempts to stray from being the big stupid sandbox it sets out to be. While not pushing the series further it does great at respecting the source material. For those that have Gamepass this is a treat. Download it and play it. For $60 though I feel like the price tag might be a touch much.

If the game had shipped through Microsoft’s Arcade service for perhaps 800 pts (ten bucks) then I could easily recommend a purchase. As it stands selling this game at the full price tag of $60 and not even offering it as a budget title for $40 or better yet $20 this game simply isn’t worth your time or your money.

If you’re a Nintendo fan desperate for a Smash clone to pass the time you may have some fun with Brawlout. Just be prepared to deal with the grind and have a couple local friends that you can battle with, but If you go into the game expecting it to live up to Nintendo’s multi-franchise powerhouse though you’ll be sorely disappointed.

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is the kind of shooter that will garner a cult following and be loved by all who take the time to learn all of what it has to offer.

Unfortunately, non-fans of the North Star will find very little in this waste-land of below average gameplay mechanics.

From the simplified difficulty to a lack of online play it is clear the game was not designed for the hardcore. But what it does do is take a recognizable franchise and make it fun for the whole family, and in that it succeeds remarkably.

While not exactly the swan song to send this tragedy off to the ever after in satisfaction, fans that have kept up with this cult favorite will be pleased to see how it all plays out.

SNK Heroines is a game that attempts to appeal to a very specific audience, but it is not even a good “one of those” games. It mishandles the aspects it is attempting to nail and is just not a lot of fun to play. With titles like Blade Strangers and Fighting Layer EX doing a better job at just about every aspect of the genre, there are better options available for players. I would avoid this one at all costs.

Fans of the series will be happy to know that there is a serious amount of content to be found in DW 6. Outside of the lengthy single-player modes players can also return to previous levels with different scenarios in the challenge mode.

Shinobi Striker could have had some decent material if the combat and camera wasn’t so clunky. The issue is that because of this mixed with the overly dull mission structure and chaotic multiplayer makes for just a bad experience overall. If only there was some redeeming quality to it, I would suggest it to maybe hardcore Naruto fans, but aside from the visuals looking pretty good, that’s all I can say. My time with Shinobi Striker was a boring, frustrating grind that I really don’t think is worth your time. Even for the hardcore Naruto fans, I would say at least wait for a major price drop.

A true gem of a game buried in some questionable menus and a sloppy interface.

Resistance: Burning Skies is a competent game that simply falls flat in just about every category. The shooting is mechanically sound, but never really interesting. The presentation is simply broken at times, and the cut scenes are downright embarrassingly low-resolution. The online is dismissive and the campaign is short and flat. It really feels like this is more of an example of what can be done with a shooter on the Vita, than a thought-out experience.

Glam’s is a game that is hard to recommend. Players and fans of twitch platformers can most certainly find some challenge here but in the precise jumping and puzzle solving of each level. The problem is, I feel like because of the control scheme and the way it feels, it makes it even more difficult to get into. Still, people looking for that challenge and having patience can find something here. Anyone who gets frustrated easily or does not like the sound of a trial-and-error style game should avoid this one.

Time Crisis 4 is an exceptionally well-designed game that only suffers the crime of being an out-of-date genre.

The crafting and battle system alone are worth the price of admission and the multi-player really seals the deal. While the storyline and character development are certainly below average Blade Dancer is still worth picking up if you are a huge fan of the genre.

There is so much content on the disc that it is hard not to recommend the game to DBZ fans. Sure the combat can be frustrating at times, but once you get past that this is one collection of fan service that should not be missed.

Jeremy McGrath's Offroad is a tight package that serves its purpose. There isn't an endless well of content, but what is here is really fun. You can see all it has to offer in a day, but perfecting races and upgrading vehicles will keep you coming back for a while. If you are like me and enjoy a good offroad racer, this is a solid purchase. The price tag is perfect, and the fun is genuine. Now back to dreaming about a true Rally Cross successor.

The frustrating enemies and cumbersome upgrade system will wear on your nerves, and the bland level design will not give you much reason to push forward. There are much better shooters currently available, which is a shame given this one's promise of ingenuity.

There is fun to be had in Gangs of Sherwood but it is really only found playing multiplayer either with friends or strangers. Not only does this make each act not feel as long, since there will be more people to pummel enemies but when players fall in combat it is better to have a friend pick you up than lose half your gold that you need to upgrade your character’s attributes. The entire game just feels like a mix-mash of ideas and things and while some things work, others are done better in other games.

Bubsy is a weird character. So many old school gamers know and love him but will freely admit they are bad games. Yet here we are in the year of our lord 2025 and getting one of the best compilations created for a collection of games that so many people do not enjoy. I love it. We need to preserve all games, and I only wish we could get collections like this for every series that has been forgotten by time. This won’t make you love Bubsy, but if you have even an ounce of nostalgia, this is a no-brainer.

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.

Need for Speed Undercover is a solid if not predictable step for the series. The lack of difficulty and frame rate issues are at the top of the list of its problems, but if you are a fan it is worth checking out.

The controls and graphics have not aged well, but underneath it all, it is still fun to earn some crazy money.

Its feels more suitable to be a game you’d play on your phone or on a tablet versus consoles, but it’s still enjoyable while it lasts.

The tutorial here had me extremely impressed and brought the entire package and themes of the game to the forefront. Now if the multiplayer continued that or there was a single player story to keep this momentum going, this would have been an overall good package that takes advantage of its best elements. The driving is solid, the combat is ok, but the theme is excellent and it’s all surrounded by a game that just feels lacking. I love what the developers are going for here, but it feels like a huge squandered opportunity.

Okabu will certainly hold some appeal to those of you who have young children; it would be a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with them. However, for everyone else, the game just doesn't do enough to keep you hooked, and even a pretty smile and a lovely tune cannot avert your attention away from that fact.

If you aren’t absolutely desperate for a new JRPG, you can safely skip this one and perhaps replay P4G instead.

It has issues, but ones that I can easily overlook, not just to throw caution to the wind but because it just didn’t affect my overall thoughts and feelings while playing the game.

I wanted there to be more to How to Survive. It plays well, has some cool ideas and the combat is satisfying, but none of it ever evolves beyond that.

If you enjoy word puzzles there are certainly cheaper alternatives, and without a solid online community or any multi-player to speak of, it falls flat.

Mario Party Top 100 is a great look back on the history of mini games from the franchise, and I can’t fault it for that. It really brought back a lot of great memories and I appreciate that. Those that never played the games prior can have an interesting look at some of the more fun and insane mini games Nintendo has concocted over the years, but it’s a really obscure view of what made the Mario Party games fun overall. Even though the mini games were a blast, the other half is missing, and it’s just not a party without them.

Most people won’t even know what this game is, but as an on the go Vita player, it’s a title you just might want check out.

In the end, Saint Seiya: Soldier’s Soul is really for the fans of the series.

Angry Birds is fun, and there is a reason so many people love the franchise.

Lost Sea is a fun diversion, it’s colorful and beautiful in a cute way and offers some fun moments. It just seems better played in shorter spurts than longer durations and unfortunately the game punishes those that prefer that play-style.

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.

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.

The premise is fantastic and the visuals really do draw you into the dark world this game presents; it’s just a shame that so many vital aspects of it are broken or Rule of Rose could have easily given Silent Hill a strong run for its money.

Only the hardcore of players will get into it, and even then they will have controller breaking thoughts while playing it.

Cars 3: Driven to Win is an excellent title that simply feels underappreciated. Especially for XB1 and PS4 owners who don’t have access to the king of the genre. Even on Switch this is a solid purchase for fans young and old. Avalanche continues to prove they have the chops to make great games, sadly they never seem to get the recognition, or chance to really shine. Don’t skip this game. It is more than worth the price of admission.

Splatterhouse is the kind of game that simply falls victim to its troubled development cycle.

Mars: War Logs has flashes of brilliance, mostly stemming from its combat system. I really wanted to love the game more than I did, but it continuously disappointed me with simple flaws.

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.

This was a title that was built to be played on the Vita, and it needed a lot more attention in the way the controls and display resolution were handled, but it felt like very little care went into porting this title.

The Deer God mostly stumbles over its random nature and lack of explanation. It is the kind of game that is best enjoyed with a FAQ explaining all the systems and how to progress. Still, even with that the random nature really drags down some of the quests.

As a party game it's cheery, accessible, clear in its objectives and pretty much appropriate for young and old alike (unless, of course, you object to using the Squeeballs as test subjects in your sadistic games).

Tetris hasn’t changed much over the years, but it is always a sign that a generation has started when an iteration finally lands on that console.

Problems aside though Blacksad: Under the Skin is an interesting tale of murder and corruption that presents in one of the best takes on the adventure game formula-multiple endings, choices that really matter, and a cast of characters that are extremely engaging. I never felt like the story was coming out of left field with its ideas, and was shocked when I started figuring out what was happening. I love this game and if the Life Is Strange or one of the many Telltale series has ever been enjoyable, I think there’s a lot of enjoy in Blacksad.

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.

Two Tribes has done an awesome job with this fun platformer, not dumbing it down for a younger audience, however developing a cute, appealing, and fun addition to anyone’s DS platformer collection.

Even with its rickety presentation Bolt is a highly entertaining and truly enjoyable experience that fans of the movie will enjoy.

If you were just looking for a fun palette cleanser after Saints Row or Skyrim, then you got Boba Fett with long hair and a dumb looking vest. Either way, there are better games out there in this style, but if you have already played Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, for $10 Wanted Corp is not a bad choice.

Even though the bargain price point justifies its rather short length, the sequel bait ending and lack of variety in the gameplay leaves much to be desired. However, a visual novel lives and dies by its story and this one’s well worth reading. It just remains to be seen where the series goes from here.

As it stands, UB will provide a solid distraction for less discerning younger gamers and their Wii Sports loving parents, but it's inconsistency in the realm of control will turn off a large portion of its potential audience.

Simply a weak attempt to cash in on the popular Sonic brand with a bare bones racer that simply does everything to the "average" degree.

Sonic fans will have a great time and 3DS owners should take a look at this ambitious title.

Unfortunately, non-fans of the North Star will find very little in this waste-land of below average gameplay mechanics.

I hope the narrative goes deeper as each episode progresses but if episode one is anything to go by, it should be an exciting and engrossing ride.

Foreclosed feels like its on a swinging pendulum where the extremes are “Frustrating” and “Mediocre” and it constantly swings in these directions within minutes of each play session. It’s all style and no substance, unfortunately. If the aiming was so haphazardly programmed and maybe an extra animation or two to make it feel like I wasn’t shooting the same person over and over, or maybe if the cover in the cover-based shooter would actually work, then maybe I could give it a pass, but the way Foreclosed is currently, I would say pass on this one. Even at deep discount, you’re just going to end up frustrated or bored.

The exasperating continue system and abundance of cheap deaths will siphon most of the enjoyment away from casual players who; let’s be honest, seem like the target audience.

Epic Mickey 2 is disappointing. There is no other way to put it. For a game I was genuinely excited to play, I found myself constantly forcing play sessions.

I wanted to love this game, especially when I heard that Matt and Trey wanted this as an avenue to have a sort of metaverse with the show. So, events can happen in the show on one night and the next it picking up in the game. The premise is very cool, but sadly this game ain’t it. Its going to take a lot of patches and things to get this up to snuff, which is sad because it does some neat things. The different cards in game that work as powers for one, players can choose one ‘bullshit’ card to use which is some uber power like making someone vampires, or giving super strength. All of it with the vibe that these are still kids playing outside. Sadly, it’s all just wasted in its current state, I really hope the developers can turn this around because I want to go on down to South Park and meet some friends of mine.

I can’t overlook all the issues for the console versions of this game. It feels like very little was done to make it a more streamlined console version. From menus, to font size, controls, and more. It looks extremely dated, like something that somehow got shelved in the early 90’s. It’s got a lot of depth, at least more than expected for a game of this visual style and setting. Just everything that tries to shine is muddied with everything else.

The song list is great if you love classic Eddie and the guest bands while not relevant, offer a solid mix. Not being able to export the songs into GH 5 or download any new tracks really hurts, but the lackluster presentation hurts even more.

Fans of the series will be happy to know that there is a serious amount of content to be found in DW 6. Outside of the lengthy single-player modes players can also return to previous levels with different scenarios in the challenge mode.

I feel confident in saying that Subject 13 is adequate and passable to those who enjoy the more open and complicated variety of adventure games, especially for the asking price. For me, the back half’s frustration far outweighed all the other things that it had going for it.

There is a lot to love about SuperMash, and I had a blast making new games. I still pop it in even now to see what it will throw at me. I really hope the DLC delivers and it will continue to earn a spot on my hard drive. I definitely recommend this for fans of classic Nintendo and those like me who want quick and bite-sized experiences.

After some digging, I found that the indie developers at Weird Beluga focused on three design pillars for Clid the Snail “methodical and challenging combat, exploration and puzzles, and an emphasis on narrative.” The team found success with two of these three pillars, the exploration in Clid is quite enjoyable. Made even more so by the absence of a radar like system, I rather enjoyed the very old school approach. Even the story in Clid the Snail hit all the notes of comedy, tragedy and action on queue. But that combat… they absolutely NAILED the challenging part. It’s just a shame that it isn’t much fun and instead just feels like an exercise in futility at parts.

I have been waiting two decades for a new game in the series, and this is what we got. Combat is just devoid of fun, the levels are uninspired and repetitive, and the story, while supremely voiced, just doesn’t land like the previous games. Kain deserves more, and I hope this doesn’t deter them from revisiting it. Give the game to an established team with a larger budget and restore the legacy the series left behind. For now, I simply cannot recommend this game, even to hardest of hardcore fans.

While the simplistic controls and lack of any real challenge ultimately hurt the game, it still manages to be fun if only in small doses.

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.

For a game, Murdered: Soul Suspect feels far too simplistic. There’s not much of a challenge as far as puzzles go in both the investigations and in the demon stalking sections.

Blade Kitten is far from an abomination. In fact it packs enough charm to make it worthy of a purchase for fans of the series, or action fans that enjoy the eccentric platformer.

From the simplified difficulty to a lack of online play it is clear the game was not designed for the hardcore. But what it does do is take a recognizable franchise and make it fun for the whole family, and in that it succeeds remarkably.

MXGP2 takes itself way too seriously in a genre that doesn’t require it in games. The realism is commendable, but also limiting to the appeal of the game. The lackluster visuals and goofy animations also stand out, and the lack of anyone playing online completely nullifies the need for that mode.

GunWorld 2 does a decent job of grabbing that nostalgic feel of the older NES games while still keeping it difficult as hell.

Midway brought back Tim Kitzrow and Jimmy Shorts to do commentary this year, and they do an admirable job. Most of the jokes are pretty funny, although they can get old over time, and they definitely do a solid job in the booth.