Necromunda: Hired Gun is a perfect example of a game that does the Warhammer 40k license justice. If it had the time to hammer out the bugs and issues it could have easily been a sleeper hit of 2021. As it stands it remains a forgettable release that launched with too many issues to keep players’ attention. Even well after launch the game remains in a bad state that makes it hard for me to recommend checking it out. I hope the game gets ironed out at some point, but by then it may be far too late to return to.

Overall, there are not too many problems with the game, but it just doesn't come together well. It doesn't really have anything that truly stands out as the problem; it just wasn't fully realized as a good game.

If you are a fan of the series and can handle some of the hang-ups found in this latest chapter then by all means snatch it up, I know I could use more people online to play with. However, most FPS gamers looking for the next best thing will find Payback a bit too much on the derivative side to warrant its full price tag.

The game still has a great style to it. The levels, and what you do in some of them, really make the game. Visually, it is really unique. I just wish the game play was more relaxed like the visual style is. I still have to say, this game is really only for patient players.

It promised an experience quite unlike anything I have played before but in the end, the surrounding pieces around the core began falling apart one after another until all I was left with was that idea itself, buried deep within the rubble of potential.

The premise is solid, but the addition of avatar-forced game play really threw me off. The handling could have been greatly improved without grinding for hours to buy new parts. Still, at 800 pts ($10) it is difficult not to recommend checking out for those who enjoy the genre.

I came into Astor: Blade of the Monolith with all the hope and promise simply because it was NOT a souls game. I still love it for that, but as much as I enjoyed the bright and colorful vistas, the vivid and detailed graphics and the cute characters; I just can’t get past the clunky feeling of the combat. Late game weapons and abilities make things feel better but never perfect. Despite the combat and the forgettable story, I did have some fun in Astor: Blade of the Monolith at the end of the day; the cuteness of the characters won the day.

Panorama Cotton is a little different, the most obvious change is the perspective. This entire game takes place from a third-person perspective that is more akin to a rail shooter than a shooter. The game handles the perspective really well. The original game was released on the Sega Master System, but this version is built on the original. This game looks really good, even all these years later. Games of this type make a really good impression and hold up well over time. Both Cotton games are must plays for shooter fans.

Ben10 is a decent little game. It’s not going to blow anyone away, but it’s definitely not a horrible time either. In fact, I enjoyed some of the alien powers a lot and I think a fan of this franchise can have some fun here. Not to mention, it’s at a budget price that I think is just right for this game. Did this game make me a Ben10 fan? Not particularly, but when the next game comes out featuring Ben Tennyson, I might actually pay attention to it.

Forspoken is a solid action RPG that sadly falls short due to some of its design. The world is just not that interesting to explore and the weird dialogue can detract from an otherwise interesting narrative. I enjoyed my time with the game and if you do dive in, I recommend simply mainlining the core story as it keeps the repetition to a minimum. If you are a sucker for tons of mindless side content though this game has it in spades. I truly wish it was just more interesting though.

When it’s all said and done, Operation Abyss isn’t a bad game but it certainly doesn’t live up to the high standards set by Demon Gaze.

Unless you intend on playing this strictly with friends I recommend passing on Mario's latest sports endeavor. There are much better party games and mascot sports titles available for the system.

The bottom line here is this: if you love the series, you have likely already played it. If you don't own a smartphone, and have never experienced Angry Birds, this collection will fit the bill. The sheer amount of content and quality in the package is undeniable.

Exoprimal isn’t a bad game at all, it’s just one that is currently extremely one note. Not only that, but the experience also feels like it was made for a different time with its inclusion of loot boxes and a battle pass (it does cost $9.99). While everything in game can only be purchased with the in-game currency known as ‘bik-bucks’ it certainly feels like this was maybe a different type of game at one point with all the costumes, emblems and various other things that players will unlock along the way. The developers have a roadmap for at least three seasons of content which is great, but I don’t know if players will stick around that long.

Clearly aimed at the fans of the Rocky/Creed film series, Big Rumble Boxing perfectly emulates the finale scenes in the aforementioned films. Each fight with its flashy moves and animations encapsulates the edge of your seat thrills that one gets from the movies, but in this case the outcome is not predetermined. If you aren’t a huge fan of the films but can get past the egregious decision to only include a sparse amount of playable modes and endure the grind to unlock the other fighters; then Big Rumble Boxing can be a solid and fun fighting game to play.

I wanted to love Hard Reset Redux, especially after coming off Doom, which had scratched that 90s FPS itch I have almost annually. There just isn’t enough here to satisfy. Gunplay feels weak, enemies are boring to kill, and the world wears out its welcome quickly. Nothing about this game is overly offensive to the senses, but it just never stands out from the pack either.

While it certainly won't win any awards for originality or production values, Captain America: Super Soldier is a solid, if predictable, tie-in game that complements the movie well.

As a huge fan of Star Trek I absolutely loved this game, I recommend it to all the fans of the show. Unfortunately I don’t think anyone else will suffer through the endless space combat, and the storyline with characters that they have never heard of.

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.

Mother Russia Bleeds is a great game with some truly oppressive decisions, with the lack of online co-op being the most obvious. Still, those looking for that Streets of Rage itch to scratch, this does it, and does it well. I just wish there was a bit more to it, of and of course online co-op. Not sure I mentioned how much this game suffers from not having that option.

If you have an Xbox, PC, or PS4, just grab it there for half the price and you get Gat out of Hell with it. The only way I could see saying pick this version up is if you have no other avenue to play it. It’s still a fun ride, but the price of admission is steep for something that a) came out seven years ago and b) doesn’t have everything in it but is still charging more for it. The choice is yours, but I would wait until we get a price drop that is equal to the other versions of this game.

I felt there was very little content here to keep me coming back, other than the novel feeling of the bow and arrow, which is absolutely amazing in fact. Aside from this and maybe the visual style, I don’t see a huge reason I’d return to it, especially if other games adopt this bow and arrow feel. Yet at the same time, I can’t complain, it’s a simply game with colorful graphics and is appropriate for players of all ages. Just don’t expect it to kill hours of time.

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

Whilst Bladed Fury was a joy to look at, I feel it was let down slightly where it counts. This isn’t to say it is a bad game, or even an incompetent one. It just felt like a lot of games that came before. It is certainly worth checking out for the gorgeous visuals and atmosphere, and the story is pretty decent as well. Just don’t expect anything too fancy or groundbreaking in the combat.

Hunter’s Legacy is not a bad game by any stretch. In fact, there are a lot of games out there that wishes it could control as tight as this one. It’s just not going to blow anyone away with really anything it does. I never disliked my time with it, but the backtracking and lack of a decent map was a disappointment.

A sad example of a game that has so much going for it, but lacks the content to back it up. The game plays great, is a blast online and contains moments of brilliance, but its lack of any kind of tutorial, career structure and just plain content really drag it down.

There are quite a few problems that hinder the game play of the game that really hurts this game. Once you spend some time with HH, you will find yourself growing bored with it.

A sad example of a game that has so much going for it, but lacks the content to back it up. The game plays great, is a blast online and contains moments of brilliance, but its lack of any kind of tutorial, career structure and just plain content really drag it down.

Alpha Protocol is not a terrible game by any stretch of the imagination. Instead it is a collection of truly next-generation ideas wrapped in a last generation package.

Yonder has some interesting aspects to it, and while they really tried to throw in everything and the kitchen sink into it minus combat, many of them fall flat or shallow. The exploration is the best part of the game by far, and while the other parts of the game may be to shallow for me, others may find enjoyment out of them. Even then, the pacing is well done and players will have a pretty view the entire time. I’d say wait for price drop, but when that happens check it out.

The art design is outstanding, and the fighting is solid, but it really just doesn’t do anything to stand out from the pack. The lack of features and paltry online community mean this game is likely already forgotten about.

Killer is Dead is a Suda51 game. If that makes you smile, there is probably something here you will enjoy. If not, then its mediocre combat and weird direction are not going to carry you through the whole experience.

Chasing Aurora is fun while it lasts, but none of it has a huge shelf life. Each game type feels relatively familiar, and while novel, none of them scream for repeat performances. It might have been easier to swallow at $5 or even as much as $10, but for $15 this game feels overpriced for what you get. The ideas are sound, but the concept simply fails to deliver reasons to come back. I suggest waiting for a sale or price drop before diving into this unique, but limited title.

I’ve talked before about how more isn’t always better, and that sometimes less is more. However, in the case of “The Awakened Fate Ultimatum”, it feels as though much of what made the original compelling and unique has been ripped out, leaving a hollow shell behind.

Angry Birds Star Wars is even more expensive on Xbox One, and that hurts. The extra $10 this version costs is insulting as it really should only be that much for the whole package. The crisper visuals and weekly challenges are nice, but if you already own it elsewhere, there is zero reason to upgrade to the next generation of Angry Birds.

Lords of the Fallen is a marked improvement over the original and the mechanic of traversing between two realms makes it feel unique among its contemporaries. If not for a handful of questionable design choices and an overall lack of polish, this could have been something special.

LA Cops is a neat diversion with some fantastic style. I had a blast in the short time I played it, but feel like it grows stale far too fast. This is the perfect game to snag during a sale, it is fun for the time it lasts, I just wish there was more to come back to once the raiding was over.

Damsel is a solid, if not forgettable title that really stands on its visual presentation and tight game play. I had fun with my time, but never felt the need to boot it back up after a few hours. Still at the low price it is worth checking out if the genre interests you. I certainly had plenty of fun digging into it.

The fast-paced action keeps things from getting too boring, and the medals and high scores actually strive to keep you coming back to improve your performance. The lack of depth and strategy will likely disappoint fans of the genre, but if you take it for what it is, it is actually quite enjoyable.

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.

It’s hard not to recommend SNK Vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS simply because it has so much going for it. An easy to use battle system, classic characters, and a solid visual style however, with the aforementioned glitch and poor translation you can’t help but feel a bit disappointed when you power this one up.

The fast-paced action keeps things from getting too boring, and the medals and high scores actually strive to keep you coming back to improve your performance. The lack of depth and strategy will likely disappoint fans of the genre, but if you take it for what it is, it is actually quite enjoyable.

Ranging from the simplistic to the absurd, the Escapist 2 offers a great variety of ways one could escape from prison. Scoping out a new prison for its vulnerabilities and formulating a plan to carry out is a great time, but getting to those thrilling moments of misadventures are often plagued with days of scavenging, looking for those one or two materials I desperately needed and as the tedium began to set in, I wasn’t looking for a way to escape from the prison but rather from this cycle of boring, repetitive gameplay.

If you can get past the snail pace caused by loading, there is a truly great game here just waiting to be tapped.

Banishers: Ghost of Eden is a unique title that just stumbles along the way. It has some severe pacing issues and clunky combat that really drag down the overall experience. I wanted to love it a lot more than I did. It feels like Dontnod’s usual unique take on a genre that feels just a bit undercooked. Still once it drops in price and perhaps receives a few updates, I think this could easily graduate to the status of hidden gem. There are a lot of cool concepts here that I really enjoyed. I just wish I didn’t have to wait so long to get to them.

The encyclopedia of DC characters though is impressive, and clearly where they spent the bulk of their time in development. I almost could lose myself in that aspect, and never actually play the game itself. That speaks volumes about a $60 title. I just wish there was more focus on the unique boss battles and ideas that could have helped create a better experience.

Digimon World: Next Order is an interesting game. It is honestly is nothing like anything I have ever played before. The unconventional leveling system, the complex raising mechanic, and the passive battle system all take a while to get used to, and the first parts of the game can be a real difficult time for some, but in all, I think there is room for this game for many RPG fans out there. It’s not going to win any awards, but it is different enough to keep players on their toes and if you let the raising become an addiction to you, it can easily last you a very long time. I would say wait for a little price drop unless you’re a hardcore fan of Digimon.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII is most certainly not for everyone.

If you are a fan of the series and can handle some of the hang-ups found in this latest chapter then by all means snatch it up, I know I could use more people online to play with. However, most FPS gamers looking for the next best thing will find Payback a bit too much on the derivative side to warrant its full price tag.

The problem is that the core game tries to be something it was never meant to be and that really drags the overall fun factor well below where it should be.

The lack of depth and strategy will likely disappoint fans of the genre, but if you take it for what it is, it is actually quite enjoyable.

With the removal of two of the most prominent features from the original game and a dramatically shorter campaign, you can't help but feel like the game was rushed to make the movie deadline. It is disappointing to say the least, especially coming from such a huge fan of Hasbro's infamous robots in disguise.

Overall, Fe is a decent little game. While there’s not much to do except solve a puzzle, travel to the next puzzle, solve it, it still has some interesting things going for it. I just really wish the camera and platforming was a bit better, and while I understand what the developers were going for with the minimalist tutorial and explanation in both gameplay and story, I could have used a bit more just to help out in some instances. It’s not a bad game, but it’s not a very memorable one either.

In the end there’s not much to say about The Smurfs 2 because there’s not much to the game. Kids who are young enough will enjoy the storybook and mini-games, but it’s a hard sell for anyone old enough to handle something more challenging. For those with young children who enjoyed the movie it’s not a bad game, but anyone else will find better ways to spend $30.

The wireless multi-player modes are appreciated, but we would have loved to been able to get online with this bad boy, Armored Core has yet to see an true online mode and it seriously would benefit from one.

Brothers in Arms seems to wish they were cool enough to eat lunch with Band of Brothers and ends up taking itself all too seriously. It is an earnest backdrop for a game in which the "fun part" is supposed to be blowing people into tiny bits.

Sons of Sparta should have been a slam dunk, but it just has too much holding it back to be a classic. I loved the idea; it was the execution that disappointed me. I want to know more about the Greek era of Kratos, really looking forward to the remakes, but this origin story falls flat at times and the simplified Metroid aspects are not tailored to the character or the game.

The fact of the matter is the scenarios in the game make it worth playing through alone and the addition of a new type of online play solidify a weekend full of good times. While it won’t wind up on any award lists or personal top ten games of 2007 Kane and Lynch has a certain charm that will entertain fans of the genre long enough to make it a Blockbuster night.

Deadpool is a good game with baggage attached to it. The price is too high and some annoying game play quirks, but it is still a great romp, especially for fans of the character. It is cool that this game got a second chance, but I suspect not many will bother due to the high price for entry. Still if you have never played the game and only own the new consoles, it is definitely worth checking out. Maybe just wait for a sale or a price drop before diving in.

Double Dragon Gaiden continues the trend of the series’ ups and downs. While it has some truly great designs, it has a lot of frustrating choices that hold it back. I was really excited to see a new game in the series, but it feels like they just want to build something new with each entry instead of capitalizing on what made the original so great. With the recent revival of so many classic beat ‘em up franchises, Double Dragon Gaiden just doesn’t impress nearly as much as it should have.

I don’t see this being a huge sell to kids and clearly this game has kids in mind and it’s disappointing because the game is good. The license is just so squandered. It’s a game that I think is fun and is worth a play, but I cannot recommend paying full price. $30 is the sweet spot because it just lacks the character that other karts racers have. It’s simple to pick up and play so if Mario Kart has run its course (heh) give this one a try with some friends.

Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition is a game with a very specific audience – those who are familiar with the inner workings of D&D and/or played the game when it first came out. It’s not that newcomers can’t enjoy it, but the game almost deliberately stacks the deck against them.

The quality of Street Fighter II is unparalleled, and it is still one of the most balanced fighting games ever created. The addition of Violent Ken and Evil Ryu doesn’t do much to the roster, and Way of the Hado is a diversion at best. However, the $40 price tag stings. Yes, we have all heard of Switch tax, but this feels like Switch robbery. This game should have launched at $15-$20 at most. This is a very solid game, just not one worth its current price of admission.

For the most part, Fuel Overdose is a decent game that is hindered by some glaring problems.

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.

Overall Sonic 4.2 is an improvement from 4.1 but there are still issues. Playing the game is very nostalgic, but doesn't bring much new to the table, and for 1200 points you may not feel like it is worth your money. I would recommend this game if you are a Sonic fan, but be wary that there is not much new with respect to the game design.

AWE is a great idea, wrapped up in a bland package. Visually, the game is fine, but it just seems to lack punch. If you are a fan of Tower Defense games, and are looking for something a little different, then it certainly is worth checking out. Ultimately, AWE is missing a certain something and probably has little lasting appeal.

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.

As long as you can overlook the simplicity of the game play, the abundance of cut scenes and its ridiculous amounts of cuteness then there is a lot of fun to be found within.

Globulous isn't bad. It's a decent value. I had an okay time with it. But you can do better than "not bad," "decent" and "okay" on a platform as vibrant as iOS.

The combat is the only real redeeming factor in the game and that's not saying much. The story is forgettable and, more than likely, you'll end up zoning out during the cutscenes, just to get to the next action sequence.

If you are looking for something like Space Invaders, but that isn't Space Invaders then look no further. But seeing as SI is already on the App Store you may want to go for that. This is by no means a bad game, just a completely unoriginal one.

A rhythm game from a time before they were popular. With its bizarreness on show for all to see, it certainly helps carry the game forward. But for all of its charm, the game falls down in the key area of control, making it difficult for you to see the adventure through to the end.

Glitches can be patched, but the bigger problem is that the overall feel of the game just doesn't work. The batting is way too easy, even on higher difficulties. The fielding mechanics seemed tacked on to the right analog stick simply for the sake of being different.

The batting is way too easy, even on higher difficulties. The fielding mechanics seemed tacked on to the right analog stick simply for the sake of being different. There are just too many problems here for a serious baseball fan to ignore. While the game will offer some players a quick burst of hardball heroics, more discerning fans will quickly sour on this year's game.

Elite Forces: Unit 77 is the type of game that you want to like despite its flaws. It brings a genre that is sorely overlooked in the handheld market, and executes it surprisingly well.

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.

While there are a lot of issues with Dream Pinball 3D it is hard not to recommend it to fans of the classic arcade game.

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.

Ultimately, I’d sum up Master Reboot by suggesting that it has, at its core, a great premise – a premise that is undermined by its own sloppiness in terms of graphics and game play mechanics.

Neopets Puzzle Adventure is certainly not going to re-invent the wheel when it comes to puzzle games, but I do have to give the developers credit for trying something new with the license. If you can get past the poor production values and the terrible frame rate there is enjoyable game to be found, granted you are a fan of the aforementioned virtual pets.

King of Clubs feels like yet another "me too" title in a sea of the same.

BBR is a fun game but feels like it is lacking something. With no online multiplayer available, it is not a game with maximum replay value, but if you have willing friends to play with, you could no doubt have lots of fun. It has a decent amount of play time for the 800MSP price tag, but there is nothing in particular drawing me back in to play it.

With a been-there, done-that aesthetic and a middling run time, it's hard to recommend this game at the full $15 price. If you have a co-op partner or can find it on sale, it's probably still worth a run through.

Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013 will service its fanbase, but few others. The one-year subscription to a hunting magazine packaged in the box tells the whole story. This game is not broken, but also far from making any waves. If you enjoyed previous entries, you will likely be satisfied with what is here. The new gun feels good, and the shooting galleries are entertaining, but the rest just feels like it was dialed in for the yearly sequel.

In all, Family Game Night 2 offers five good board games for $40. The problem is, if you already own these classic games, there is no need to buy this. If you don't own these games, I recommend buying the actual board games for they are a lot more fun to play then sitting through a lot of not needed nonsense and using the Wii-mote, which isn't as responsive as it should have been.

Clunky controls and redundant gameplay all point to the guilty party: mediocre game design.

Terminator Salvation is not a terrible game; in fact the cover mechanic alone makes playing through it quite enjoyable at times. However, there simply is no denying that the entire package feels unfinished. From under a three hour playtime to some truly peculiar omissions, Salvation displays all the symptoms of a rushed movie tie-in.

Full Frontal Assault takes the series in a direction that seems fitting. It is just a shame that the pieces didn't come together as well as they could have.

Kick & Fennick is a charming adventure that never realizes its potential. There is something here that feels unique and exciting, but it never manifests. I had fun romping through the short campaign, but it never really challenged me the way it should have.

The Firefly Diary is a title that showed potential but was ultimately done in by its philosophy on implementing a needless level of difficulty to the experience.

The multi-player is still addictive and beefing up your baller is simple enough for anyone to enjoy, but the problems float a bit too close to the surface for fans of the genre to ignore.

Big fans of the original who really want more Hundred Knight will likely enjoy this game, but don’t be surprised that it’s only more of the same. As for anyone who hasn’t tried the original, save some cash and pick up the original if a different take on the hack and slash genre seems interesting. Otherwise, I would say this game is simply too repetitive without enough enjoyable payoff to where I would say playing this over another title.

Cel Damage HD is not going to blow anyone away, but it is a solid weekend romp. It has aged well over the past decade, and for anyone who has never played it, it is a nice change of pace. Still, without online and a severe lack of modes the fun wears thin quickly. This is one to wait for a sale to snatch up.

Arkham Origins: Blackgate is an interesting first entry, but it attempts to mimic its console counterpart a bit too much. Some of these elements simply don’t work in a 2D style game, and it hurts the overall experience too much at times.

Raging Justice is a game that is defined by its screenshots. One look and I knew exactly what I was getting. I wish there was more, I wish it was more fun, but at the end of the day it just felt too limited by its inspirations to stand out and be memorable.

Despite my many grievances, once I actually learned how to play the game, I did have fun. However, getting to that level of competence was certainly not helped by the game in any way, shape or form and as it becomes more and more difficult to find matches online as the weeks go by, I can’t help but wonder if it’s even worth it to take a risk boarding what may very well be a sinking ship.

It is definitely a lot more enjoyable when playing with multiple people. However, be prepared to hear little Johnny scream as he probably will struggle with the controls more often than not.