It is a surprisingly competent shooter that breaks the mold, both stylistically and thematically from other titles in the genre. The added single player components and all around improvements make this a worthy sequel that no one should miss.

Unconventional and beautiful, Valkyria Chronicles delivers a game that is both deep and whimsical.

The tactics and strategies devised are simply amazing, and truly speak to the balance for which the series has become known. Heart of the Swarm delivers plenty to give players a swift kick in the pants, especially thanks to the nuances delivered by the new units.

If you’re into fighting games and have a PS4, this is a no-brainer. It is a must have.

3DS owners looking for a new RPG to dig into will find a fantastic one here.

Even though I still want Capcom to go the distance and really take the remastered Ace Attorney games to the next level by adding some level of VOs, the effort put into this remaster impressed me more than their previous attempts. As the games have aged very well, I’m just glad that all those that skipped Ace Attorney Investigations games or missed out of its sequel due to lack of official localization will now have the chance to experience a wonderful story that deserves to be remembered.

For the most part, version 2 is as good as version 1.

For only $9 on Steam, there is a fun, charming and thought out game to be had in Go Home Dinosaurs. Tower defense fans should not miss it, and it’s so simplistic that almost anyone can pick the game and have a blast with it. I strongly suggest picking this game up. After all, there’s barbeque to be saved.

If you’re still holding out for season two, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It’s a tragic, surprising and entertaining ride.

While I wouldn’t consider the game play to top the one present in the excellent EO 4, the addition of the Story Mode with some streamlining of the mapping process in the form of floor jumps makes this the most accessible, easily recommendable EO game release thus far.

The side missions may be repetitive, but the story is interesting, the characters are great, and the atmosphere is encompassing. Brütal Legend is definitely one of the better games I have played this year, and I look forward to seeing what the guys at Double Fine come up with next.

Monolith has done a great job making a MOBA game work very well with a controller. Will I say after putting the time I have into GoME have I become good at MOBA games? No. Will I say I had a fun time with the fast game play, deep customization and online play? Absolutely. MOBA players should look into this game, and interested in the genre should absolutely check Guardians of Middle-Earth out. It is well worth the $15 pricetag.

All in all, Image & Form have once again knocked it out of the park with Steamworld Heist. Fun, addictive and comical, it has everything in needs to become another success for the Icelandic studio.

Rainbow Billy took me by surprise. The art style was cutesy, the combat was simple, the puzzles never overly challenging, and the story content was very warm and fuzzy and they were perfect for me. It was a breath of fresh air I didn’t know I needed, and this is easily one of those perfect games that a parent and child can sit down together and have a great time while learning some of the great golden rules of friendship and acceptance. It’s crazy to think this game hooked me the way it did, but I really can’t suggest it enough. Even if you’re like me, a 35-year-old childless husband, you may very well find yourself have a good time with it.

Sound is a mixed bag. The soundtrack is absolutely stunning. The tempo of the music picks up at just the right time and the score is so well constructed it feels like a blockbuster movie soundtrack. The voice work on the other hand suffers as much as it succeeds.

It’s a really unique game that I think plays best in this release, particularly because of how good it looks. If puzzle games with good stories and colorful art styles sound interesting, then this is probably a game you should pick up.

Atomic Heart is a game I was excited to finally play, but went in with low expectations considering how long it was in the oven. The end result is easily one of the best games I have played this year and an experience I recommend everyone dig into. It won’t be for everyone, but for those that it is for it will be an amazing experience. There is just so much to this world and I had a blast exploring the world of Facility 3826. I am still digging into the side content and hope they continue to iron out its issues as time goes on. I cannot wait to see what is next from Mundfish, I just hope I don’t have to wait another decade to see it.

It’s an odd feeling to be back in Kamurocho after wishing a bittersweet farewell to the Dragon of Dojima. Even though Kiwami 2 doesn’t quite achieve the emotional highs of the Song of Life, the polished gameplay as well as one of the finest antagonists the series has to offer makes it a must play for Yakuza fans, whether they played the original on the PS2 or not.

Regardless of the mistakes in the translation, Steins;Gate 0 is a worthy follow up to one of my favorite stories in all of fiction, and enhances the original by further expanding its narrative scope and filling in the gaps that were left open-ended. Those who have played Steins;Gate or watched the anime should already know well enough to pick up zero, so I’ll take this opportunity to firmly recommend the original again and again and again and again and again.

Enter the Gungeon is a roguelike game that works for players who usually find the genre frustrating. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, and while it might be long after the PC/PS4 release, Xbox One owners finally have a chance to see what the fuss is about. Don’t sleep on this game, it mixes the old with the new for a quality package worth shelling out the bullets for.

This map pack isn't just the best pack for Black Ops; it's the best pack for Call of Duty yet. With the exception of Hotel, all the MP maps are fantastic and the zombie map is the best so far. Keep up the good work Treyarch.

The episode will last you around two hours, and even with the problems I had, the story, voice acting and overall tone of the game hold true throughout. Players of the first episode should not miss this one, and players that have yet to pick up the series should play this game (in order, of course). If you're looking for a great continuation of the first episode, you just found it

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time isn’t trying to dazzle you. It’s trying to make you feel comfortable. And in that regard, it mostly succeeds. The job system is satisfying, the world is charming, and the story, while simple, has enough emotional payoff to keep you invested. But it also stumbles a bit with the grind that can be exhausting after a while. It’s not a game for everyone but for those willing to settle into its rhythms and forgive a few rough edges, there’s something special here. It’s the kind of game you come back to on quiet evenings not because it demands your attention, but because it earns your time.

A continuation of an intriguing storyline, retaining all that made the first game great while adding changes to gameplay for newness and challenge.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is truly an immaculate experience that fans of the genre should not miss.

Trillion: God of Destruction is a game with a unique concept, expertly executed with clever mechanics and solid writing. It’s easily the best I’ve seen come from Idea Factory/Compile Heart, and an experience that reaffirmed some of my own personal traits not just as a gamer, but as a human being. If you fancy yourself brave enough to face Trillion, be wary – you too might not be prepared for what’s in store.

GoldenEye 007 is a wonderful re-imagining of a classic game that some have held onto for far too long.

The new content makes the game feel fresh once again, and the size and scope are absolutely amazing when you consider this is a download-only expansion. It is sad that this may in fact be the final DLC for the game, but if it is, what an incredible way to go out.