Yooka-Laylee is exactly what Playtonic promised, and also exactly what I expected. While some of the levels are not great, the overall package takes me back to a different time where the genre thrived. For better or worse this game recaptures what made those games special, and frankly if it starred a certain bear and bird combo, it could have easily been a sequel to a game from that era. For those that long for collecting endless arrays of useless items, this game is a must play, for everyone else that grew out of that genre long ago, there is nothing here to bring you back. Except maybe for that music, my goodness is it good.

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.

Battlezone is a perfect game to play on the new PS VR to show what it’s capable of and how it can make players feel as if they are really in a tank, blasting enemies. It’s an arcade like experience though, extremely challenging and if this thing required quarters, players would run out fairly quickly.

While the features are non-existent and a lack of online play really bogs down the overall value it is only fifteen bucks. All four of these games are worth that based on nostalgia alone, not to mention having them all in one place for convenience.

Active Life: Extreme Challenge is a nice addition to the series, albeit a predictable one. The control problems accentuate the biggest qualms I had with the game, and some of the mini-games just lack that certain appeal.

With somber filled emotions, a surprise or two, and some intense action moments, I’d absolutely recommend it to franchise fans. Just don’t expect it to totally blow you away in the process.

Ancients of Ooga's winning moments are playful and charming, but its low points will put you to sleep.

It is solid, entertaining, and most importantly fun, if you can get past its issues.

Overall, this DLC is around two hours, which is perfectly reasonable for it's price tag, but that all depends on just how much Darksiders you want. With the main game dropping at least 40-50 hours if you do it all, this extra dungeon doesn't bring nearly enough unique aspects to make it seem worthy of the cost considering how much you already got. As a bonus for pre-ordering the game though, it fits it purpose nicely, adding more content to an already outstanding package.

Longtime players of the NBA 2K series already know what to expect from 2K25. The game has played well for a long time, and this years game is no exception. While there were more glitches and issues than I would have liked, you’re still getting a solid on-court experience from this years edition. With that said, I simply can’t score the game higher than a 7 based on the continued overemphasis on microtransactions to the detriment of what should be the most enjoyable mode in the game. I can’t recommend buying the game at full price, knowing that you’ll need to pay the VC tax if you want to have a shot at being competitive online. I hope for next years game 2K will consider decoupling MyCareer and MyPlayer online and do something more akin to MLB the Show, while making microtransactions much more optional and less intrusive. That feels like wishful thinking however, as the game continues to sell hand over fist. If you plan on taking the dive again this year, just make sure you know what you’re getting into.

Namco Museum Remix is a solid package with a few hiccups here and there. A complete lack of online certainly doesn’t help its cause, but the same-screen multi-player is incredibly addictive if you have the means to enjoy it.

Atelier Firis is an ambitious entry in the long running series, with many new mechanics and a larger than ever world map to explore. Unfortunately, the inconsistent performance and a poorly implemented alchemy system hinder the overall experience greatly.

The combat is sound, the loot is there, and playing with friends is a great time, but it does absolutely nothing to stand out in the crowded genre. It also does very little to stand out from its own predecessors. That is the biggest crime this game commits. There is simply nothing here that screams bigger and better than the last game. Still even with these shortcomings Torchlight III is a solid ARPG that will please anyone who decides to take the plunge. I enjoyed the hours I got from it, and loved playing with friends online. I had a hard time coming back to it regularly like other titles such as Diablo III and Path of Exile, which is not good considering how old those games are.

Stealth kills never get old, and the variety of mission types help to break the same old same old.

Rollercoaster Tycoon Adventure Deluxe is a stripped-down version of the past games for sure, but I had a blast with its minimal limitations. I hate games like this that require hours of investment before I get to the “fun” parts. I had a blast with the campaign and of course the sandbox mode. If these types of games have always made you anxious about playing them thanks to all the micromanagement, then this is the version for you. It really strips away all the barriers and just lets its players have a good time right out of the box.

Rematch is the kind of sports game that throws out the fluff and dares you to bring the skill. It doesn’t want to hold your hand. It wants to cross you up, score on you, and ask politely if you’d like a rematch. It’s not for everyone though, even with it being on Game Pass. There’s no single-player campaign, no casual local couch mode, and no elaborate progression system to dress up your player like a walking peacock. But what’s here is focused, fast, and infuriatingly fun. It’s soccer by way of the fighting game genre: twitchy, intense, and one mistake away from disaster. For me, someone who isn’t a soccer fan, I can appreciate what this game is doing but for fans of this form of football I know you will vibe with Rematch.

Trials Fusion: Awesome Level Max is a solid DLC entry that just feels a bit overpriced. The adventure mode tends to be more frustrating than it should be, and the included tracks are over far too soon.

A solid if not predictable shooter that manages to get the gimmick right. The included gun peripheral is a nice novelty and the shooting is actually quite enjoyable. The repetition will start to wear on you after a while but if you can look past that it should be a good time with the kids. If you love Nerf and are looking for a non-violent shooter to play with your kids I highly recommend checking out this quirky, but entertaining title.

Dreamworks All-Star Kart Racing is the definition of fine. The game plays well and the tracks are fun to traverse, but who was clamoring for a kart racer featuring Shrek and Puss and Boots? This is the hardest sell as Dreamworks has some interesting franchises, but not sure anyone was begging for games built in this universe. Still if you find yourself playing it it is the most non-offensive game I have seen in a while. It does what it sets out to do, it just doesn’t excel at any one particular thing.

I would throw a red flag but unfortunately I do not have that option, in reality or in the game.

Project Spark is a fantastic creation tool with some severe growing pains.

Snow Bros. Wonderland is a solid puzzle game that stays true to the original, while also bringing enough new tricks to make it feel fresh. Not having nostalgia for the series, I still had a great time. The game does enough to keep it interesting. Not sure why it was a classic, I still think Bubble Bobble is the better game, but I can now appreciate what people loved about the original. Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy puzzle games at all.

There are times where you are going to just want to put the controller down and say: "I can find a better game somewhere else". However if you stick with it, you will find something to like underneith it all, and will definetly have some fun with Aliens Versus Predator.

For all intents and purposes, Sacred 3 is a beat ‘em up that can be completed by simply button mashing, and that’s fine to me. Yes, for fans it will feel like a very dumbed down version of their beloved franchise, but I still found myself wanting to complete it even when it did get a bit monotonous.

The songs are catchy and even I found myself humming them days after playing, but it will not replace any of the more mainstream karaoke titles.

City of Brass has a great theme and aesthetic, but falls victim to the same issues most roguelikes have. I feel like a broken record every time I review one saying this would have been a better traditional game as opposed to a run-based one. Still, there are neat ideas and the theme of it is hard not to love.

Its smooth running makes it easy to get lost in the game, not to mention that the graphics are so well done that you feel like you are in the winter season every time you play.

As someone who has never really played turn based strategy games, Legends of War: Patton was initially intimidating, but the tutorials explain things well and I was able to find my bearings pretty quickly. The combat was good, although hardcore strategy fans may find the single player lacking AI depth. Having your troops rank up is cool though, and I actually started to get weirdly attached to some of the guys I had since the beginning. It's not without fault, but as long as you turn most of the audio off it's a solid, enjoyable game.