In the end, CS:GO is CS. There's something to be said for a game that knows what it is and executes that idea well. Between the refined quality of classic CS, and the new tweaks and modes, there is plenty here to warrant a $15 price tag whether you have played CS before or not. The potential value is absurd given the historic and expected persistence of the community. CS:GO is hard, hardcore, and still a blast to play.

A great game for the handheld and can satisfy any hardcore gamers' craving for something more than cooking games and language teachers on their DS.

Metro Exodus is the most ambitious game in the series to date, and also the most impressive.

Iconoclasts is a brilliant game that permeates from the amount of care and time put into it. It is by far one of the best of 2018, and I recommend everyone give it a go. It is now available on almost everything (still waiting on my XB1 version guys!) and even if you are as sick of the tried and true formula of so many other games in this genre, this one stands out. Yes it is worth noting that we are affiliated with the publisher, but I promise that has no bearing on my feelings for this game. It stands out above the crowd and deserves so much more attention than it is currently getting.

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

The learning curve is not very steep, and newcomers to the series shouldn’t have any problems grasping the gameplay, especially if they listen to Anna.

Much of the changes in Civ Rev are of the give and take variety ultimately streamlining gameplay with little sacrifice.

If you’re into pinball, particularly ZEN Pinball, the Iron and Steel pack is yet another great addition to an already solid library.

Truly one of the most impressive years for the monstrous sports studio.

For what it’s worth, The Division 2 is a fine game. It’s finely tuned, looks gorgeous in 4K, plays like I would have hoped, and just takes a great idea and improves on it. Co-op is the way to go, and solo players will still have some fun with it, but it will be a more difficult romp. Massive has shown they listened to their fans and wanted to make a game that the players wanted to see and they did just that. It’s a great shooter, great RPG, and well worth the time for anyone looking for a rewarding adventure.

Thumper is one of my favorite games this year, simple yet challenging, visually stimulating, and excellent sound use. Easy to play, hard to master is the familiar phrase that comes to mind.

Without redefining the foundations of the original, Outlast 2 weaves an intriguing tale- paced expertly through environments that breed a sense of tension and paranoia only the best in the genre can muster.

High on Life is a fantastic experience hindered by some technical shortcomings. The world and characters are simply fantastic and it is genuinely hilarious, which is one of the hardest things in gaming to achieve. This game shot up my list of the best of 2022 from the outset and it didn’t disappoint by the end. I really enjoyed my time with it and look forward to what the team works on next. The fact that it is available on Game Pass is just icing on the cake. I can’t recommend this game enough, it is a wonderful way to end the year and more than worth playing through.

GRAW 2 is the definition of a year-to-year sequel. All of the things great about the original are here and all of the issues have been addressed in some form or fashion.

You'll never feel more like a badass and you'll never have a bigger smile on your face.

At ten bucks it is hard to go wrong, even if it lacks online play, a mission mode and true widescreen support. Soulcalibur is one of those games that everyone needs to play at least once in their lives, and there has never been a better time to jump in.

It isn't full of guns, aliens or even tons of gore and it certainly doesn't have the marketing muscle of some of the other games currently occupying store shelves, but it does have one thing most of them lack: character. The relationship between Elika and the Prince is easily the best duo found in a game yet and the developers have done an outstanding job of forcing you to care for Elika more than even yourself.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing was a fantastic game and the Complete Pack adds all the extras that were released.

Go Home Dinosaurs may seem like a Plants vs. Zombies clone on paper, but is only similar in spirit and shouldn’t play second fiddle.

It remains a perfect game for a mobile platform – something that can be quickly picked up and enjoyed for either a short or long stretch of time. It's still the best game of its kind, and something that will keep puzzle fans happy for a very long time.

Set in a world of wise cracking, battling robots, Robocalypse offers madcap weaponry and uproarious destruction, all embedded in a deep strategy war game.

Need for Speed: Shift is a large step forward for the genre. The balance between arcade and simulation is nearly flawless, not to mention the graphics are jaw-dropping.

Very addicting.

Even when I found myself getting kind of bored doing the same thing, the game still sucked me in because I wanted to solve the very interesting maze puzzles that the game would throw at me.

Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice is the pinnacle of the series and really does cater to the hardcore fans.

I really enjoyed Shank. It was a somewhat short experience of around four hours, but the entire time I was having fun. The combat and the platforming all flow so smoothly throughout the game.

The multiplayer is a blast and the battles just feel so epic. For $15, you really can't go wrong with this action RPG. It will take some patience, but once you understand how the game works, you will be hooked.

For an indie game that was created by Mark and a handful of other people, this is actually really impressive.

The balance between arcade and simulation is nearly flawless, not to mention the graphics are jaw-dropping.

With easy to learn controls, great arcade gameplay and some fantastic catches, this game should be played by any baseball fan.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 is a lot of fun, whether alone or with friends, local or worldwide. While this year’s installment has a lot in common with last year’s, that’s not a bad thing, and minor tweaks, like an icon showing the location of the flag, are nice additions. For those who already own PGA Tour 13, the relatively minor differences may not justify the price, but hardcore golf enthusiasts and folks who haven’t played a Tiger game for a while will find a lot of depth here.

The game may not be perfect, and it may not be particularly easy, but that doesn't mean it isn't a fantastic game that RPG fans of all shapes shouldn't try.

The game is great, the price is right, and the overall package is just too good to pass up.

With easy to learn controls, great arcade gameplay and some fantastic catches, this game should be played by any baseball fan.

It isn't full of guns, aliens or even tons of gore and it certainly doesn't have the marketing muscle of some of the other games currently occupying store shelves, but it does have one thing most of them lack: character. The relationship between Elika and the Prince is easily the best duo found in a game yet and the developers have done an outstanding job of forcing you to care for Elika more than even yourself.

The comedy and presentation is still top notch, and with this series coming to a close pretty soon, the plot twists are pretty intense.

For those seeking an extra challenge there’s the Insane mode, which removes the level checkpoints. It’s a shame that the game doesn’t explain itself better, but it’s a lot of fun, and constantly had me saying “just one more level”.

There are some technical flaws and minor annoyances, but the strength of the game shines through them. It's not an ace, but it's on the green and very close to the hole.

Mars is, without a doubt, the best table so far for FX2. Exciting and immersive, Mars explodes in a shower of neon and silver to overwhelm your eyeballs! Zen now has a new benchmark to develop their future tables against.

It is fun, addictive and will take you hours and hours to finish.

A fantastic game for both the hardcore UFC fan, and the casual fan alike. With its deep gameplay structure and great selection of game modes, Yuke's has laid down the foundation for a really solid series here.

While TT did a fantastic job with this game, there are a few problems that need to be worked out but in all, they set the bar a little bit higher for their next adventure that I can only hope will be a LEGO Marvel game.

Rochard is a thoroughly enjoyable game that I look forward to playing again. Not every part of it won me over, but none of it was bad. It was refreshing to play a game with an everyman main character, and even after finishing the game, I can say I still want to be a space miner.

It’s rather impressive for a couple of arcade games from the 90s. With the extra challenges, multiple paths and endings in place, players can replay several times and still have a great experience. I highly suggest Chronicles of Mystara.

The story is very interesting, and the puzzles, while difficult at times, can be very satisfying. I feel that it was a very refreshing game to play that offers up a good story and some of the most unique game play mechanics I have seen in a very long time.

For the Final Fantasy fans out there, this is a great collection that should be picked up. For newcomers to Final Fantasy or people who may have missed it the first time around, you get a pretty fine RPG with some decent game play, so there’s actually something here for everyone.

Pure doesn’t set any standards in the department of innovation, but it does take everything fun about the genre and cram it into a tight package.

There are a few things here and there that can become nagging at times, but for all intents and purposes, Gran Turismo 6 is a fantastic racing game that fans of both racing and the series should check out.

The game is only $5. If you're a fan of the games or comics these guys are from, you'll have a great laugh while watching the game unfold.

Crysis is an audio delight. From the thundering explosions, to report of sniper rifle shots from across an open area, you can't do better than the effects in this game.

The straight-to-the-point levels and the four different dimensions bring a whole new level of gameplay to the Spider-Man franchise that is a breath of fresh air that it needed.

The straight-to-the-point levels and the four different dimensions bring a whole new level of gameplay to the Spider-Man franchise that is a breath of fresh air that it needed.

A fantastic game for both the hardcore UFC fan, and the casual fan alike. With its deep gameplay structure and great selection of game modes, Yuke's has laid down the foundation for a really solid series here.

Being such a long time fan of the series I can honestly say this is the most fun I have had with a Tony Hawk game since the release of THPS4.

The story is interesting, the combat is well executed and the concept is easy to understand and enjoy. I really wish the game would have branched out a bit more in gameplay and maybe toned down the difficulty a bit so I would have to level grind so much, but those are minor issues.

For ten bucks, pinball fans will get a decent set of tables to add to the addiction. If you enjoy Star Wars or pinball in general, you may want to pick these up.

Pure doesn’t set any standards in the department of innovation, but it does take everything fun about the genre and cram it into a tight package.

There may be some pointless loot drops more times than not, there may be some difficulty issues with single player story missions, and there may be some graphical glitches and texture pop-ins, but none of that takes away from the fact that Borderlands 2 is a solid first-person shooter and a great RPG.

Battlefield 1943 is a prime example of why online gaming is so addictive. The concept is simple, the content is limited, but the fun is nearly endless.

My only other complaint I have with the game is that it doesn't add anything new.

There are enough new and fresh ideas here to make it stand out, and there is certainly plenty of content to keep you playing. Black Ops 2 will easily be the best-selling game this year, but it will also be remembered for changing the way we look at the CoD series.

The PC version of the game is pretty much identical to the console versions. The game offers up controller support, and with an Xbox 360 controller, the game plays just like the 360 version. The only difference is that you can't rename possessed weapons.

Overall, this is a fantastic package for only ten dollars. There is so much to see and do, and with the addition of co-op, you will be able to play online with your friends for hours.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is a fantastic game that should get even better when the aiming and shooting is patched. It's an absolutely worthwhile experience for anyone who loves the series or simply enjoys a heart-pounding adventure. Unfortunately, the pacing, puzzle segments and platforming just aren't quite as good as those found Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

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

With a lack of user-customization being the biggest pitfall Unreal Tournament 3 is still worth your money if you don't already own it. You will be hard pressed to find a faster or more visceral experience on the console.

Don’t Starve is all about trial and error. The first few play throughs often ended quickly; but with each passing game I learned something new and this, in turn, fueled my interest in the game and my desire to get it right the next time.

Battlefield 1943 is a prime example of why online gaming is so addictive. The concept is simple, the content is limited, but the fun is nearly endless.

Rusty Hearts surprised me. It has a good game play mechanic, fantastic atmosphere and art style, and some really good multiplayer modes. What is so surprising to me is not how good the game is, but rather that nothing is being charged for it.

For a $15 game that was essentially made by one guy, Retro City Rampage is an impressive little title.

The character development, pacing and narrative crafting make Resistance 3 a game that shooter fans, even those that weren't in love with Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2, should check out.

Boom Blox Bash Party is the definition of how to take a great game and make it even better.

Unlike a lot of music games, DJ Hero 2 is more than just an extended track pack with a few tweaks; it's a totally new and improved game.

Element4l really surprised me. I was not expecting to find this much enjoyment out of what looked like just another platforming game that has been popping up in droves lately. For only $10 on Steam, Element4l will offer up a good challenge with some unique mechanics and presentation; not to mention a fantastic soundtrack. If you don’t mind a little trial and error, Element4l is a great purchase.

Unlike a lot of music games, DJ Hero 2 is more than just an extended track pack with a few tweaks; it's a totally new and improved game.

If you have the patience, and don't mind some repetitive game play along with very little explanation, this game is for you. Fans of stat-tracking RPGs will eat this game up, and action fans will find a good challenge when trying to strategize situations.

It has tons of nostalgia for the Back to the Future fans, as well as some good entertainment for newcomers. The acting is still top notch and the puzzles are interesting, keeping players on their toes. I can't recommend this series enough.

Sonic CD is a labor of love, and for fans, it is a chance to finally play this often talked-about game. If you enjoy classic Sonic games, this is a must own. The amount of polish that went into it is impressive, especially for the low price tag. Sega may have soiled Sonic's name in previous years, but after Generations and now this, I think he is back on the right track to glory.

For the people out there who like puzzle-solving and a charming story and art style, you owe it to yourself to pick this game up.

For the people out there who like puzzle-solving and a charming story and art style, you owe it to yourself to pick this game up.

a very enjoyable game. The puzzles will keep players on their toes, and the story is interesting and entertaining. The price is totally right and for what you get; it's definitely worth the price.

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

Nothing about it screams revolution of the series, but at the same time, it remains a fairly fantastic experience. If looting and shooting for 30 hours sounds great to you, and you enjoy the shooting mechanics, it is a no-brainer. Playing with friends is a blast, and the humor is outstanding. This is a finely crafted sequel that will likely impress all fans of the original.

Quarrel is a masterful combination of classic tabletop war gaming and wordsmithing. For those that enjoy the domination gameplay of Risk but recoil at the overly random nature of dice rolls, Quarrel is worth a look. If you're a word nerd that is looking for a competitive experience that is fresher than Words with Friends, this is the game you've been waiting for.

Sanctum 2 does a good job of improving on the first game. There are new maps, characters, a fresh perk and upgrade system, enemies; almost everything is new.

Bulletstorm manages to make itself relevant by spending the right amount of time on character development while balancing the adult nature of the content with gameplay and presentation that are likely to have staying power.

Bulletstorm manages to make itself relevant by spending the right amount of time on character development while balancing the adult nature of the content with gameplay and presentation that are likely to have staying power.

Muramasa: The Demon Blade is another example of a developer that truly takes pride in what they do. The sheer visual enjoyment you can take away from this experience is endless, making this one of the best looking game this generation.

The game recaptures the feel of being in an arcade. If you're looking for an old-school top-down shooter, you will find lots of enjoyment in Alpha Mission. It's complexity holds up, even a quarter of a century later.

Overall, this is a fantastic package for only ten dollars. There is so much to see and do, and with the addition of co-op, you will be able to play online with your friends for hours.

Ninja Gaiden II is the type of game that will mollify its fanbase and not much else. There is nothing here to lure in new fans to the series, but what is here is exactly what you would expect from a sequel to the original game.

There is plenty of content here, enough it seems to keep a child entertained from age three all the way through to six.

Singularity is a solid FPS with a working gimmick and a solid narrative.

Red Alert 3 is chock full of charm and deserves to be experienced by anyone who enjoys a good strategy game.

Just about the perfect interpretation of the series in handheld form. I cannot imagine a better way to do it and I would love to see them continue to expand on the idea.

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.

A game with great local and online multiplayer, two versions of the main game and a fun and unique upgrade system, Fable Heroes does a great job of keeping you entertained, whether you are young or old. Just a word to the wise, make sure you play the end credits, the boss battle is awesome.

Even if you think the double dipping of Ultimate was a scam, it is hard to deny the value of being able to play this amazing brawler whenever, and wherever, you want. I cannot recommend this game enough and if you own a Vita, this is easily a must-own in my book.