I cannot recommend this game enough if things like Transformers, G.I. Joe, and He-Man make you smile. This game will have you grinning ear-to-ear from start to finish.

For those following the Witcher over the years in the gaming world, it’s a bit of a sad note to see that Geralt will no longer be the focus in future games set in the universe. Who even knows when or if we get another Witcher game, but at the same time it’s fitting to see just how well Witcher 3 and it’s expansions come together to not only offer great improvements and new adventures, but to really put a great and final end cap to a great character and an amazing world.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a great return for the series. Sure, it deviates from the first two entries, but has its own appeal.

As a straight puzzle game The Talos Principle is very solid, but the setting and narrative really elevate it into something special.

Still, at the end of the day, Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair is one of the most fun and exciting visual novel games on the market. While the PlayStation platform may never get their hands on the Ace Attorney series, I believe Danganronpa has reached a similar level of prestige and quality.

Though the 12 maps will become very well-known after spending hours in the game and repetition overall will start to creep in with players, some much sooner than others. It’s a small issue though in my eyes as the core gameplay here feels and looks great and it’s a game that can be enjoyed online with friends and the online community. The harder the difficulty and more waves adding, the crazier it gets. Players looking for a great arcade online shooting experience really need to look no further. Killing Floor 2 is here to please.

RAGE is an excellent game that combines the pedigree of id's amazing gunplay with an open-world style game that focuses on action as opposed to RPG elements.

Diablo III is a fantastic game that gets even better on consoles. This is something I never thought I would say.

I’m still not sure if I should attribute the DLC’s quality to Microsoft’s leadership or the work of a passionate development team; perhaps it is a mixture of both, but Reign of the Warlock is a truly outstanding update for Diablo II. It’s easy to see that the warlock was crafted by people who have a fundamental understanding of the game’s tone and mechanics, allowing for a fun and creative experience that manages to breathe new life into a classic. If Blizzard manages to uphold this standard of quality in the future, then I wish the best of luck to all other ARPG developers.

I have been a big fan of the Assassin’s Creed games since their inception, back when Jade Raymond was shepherding young Desmond’s journey. It’s been a long time since then and the series has seen lots of changes and to me Assassin’s Creed Shadows marks the best this series has ever been. With its destructible environments, fantastic story and excellent characters, Shadows has managed to dethrone Odyssey as my favorite Assassin’s Creed game.

Perhaps the best part of the new Legacy mode is the sheer volume of stat tracking.

Season 2 adds a lot in characters and new updates to the game make it a must own for Xbox fighting game fans. I highly suggest picking up this season’s offerings.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 is one of the best remakes of two of the best video games ever made. For fans like me who grew up playing it, this is what we have wanted since the series started its downward spiral in its later years. It feels like Tony Hawk is back for the first time in a decade. For those not familiar this is the best way to jump into the action. This package is incredible, and I hope Activision expands it with DLC for Tony Hawk 3+4 at some point down the line.

NCAA Football 12 is simply loaded with content, as always, and most of what is here will seem familiar on the surface. Those that really dive into the meat of the game, though, will find so many welcome changes that it is hard not to appreciate what Tiburon has done here.

Full of heart, charm, atmosphere, and survival, it’s one river trip worth taking.

The controls are damn near flawless, the visuals are stunning, and the multi-player will have you coming back for months on end. If you only buy one PSP game this year, make sure it contains Gabe Logan and company; I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Treyarch has done an amazing job with this game and has quite possibly constructed on of the best online experiences currently available anywhere.

There is a lot to love about Anger Foot, the bass-heavy music that blasts in your ears while kicking thugs all around a room really amps up the experience. There are some weird bosses and enemies too, one final form of a boss was literally just a beat-up car. Anger Foot is loud, rude, gross, in your face and most importantly it’s a lot of fun!

Smash is yet another reason to own Nintendo’s machine, and anyone looking for a fun romp would be wise to pick it up, along with some Gamecube controllers for maximum enjoyment.

Fast, frantic and fun, FIFA 11 is a master-class in how to make a sports game. Almost perfect in every aspect, it is difficult to see how EA will improve on it for FIFA 12.

The game is one of the hardest in the series, the bosses are still awesome and the old-school challenges will keep you pulling your hair out for months.

Fast, frantic and fun, FIFA 11 is a master-class in how to make a sports game. Almost perfect in every aspect, it is difficult to see how EA will improve on it for FIFA 12.

Guacamelee is a fantastic, albeit slightly short experience for PS3 and Vita owners. I cannot recommend it enough for anyone who has either system. If you have both, the cross-save/buy mechanic makes it an even greater value being able to take the experience wherever you go. I only wish it would have lasted longer, but for the price there is more than enough here to love.

An example of what every sports simulation game should be. By choosing not to be bound by how people think of the sport, Yukes managed to deliver a product that is both more realistic and enjoyable than both of the previous UFC titles. Any game that can make me a fan of its subject matter overnight is a winner in my book.

Remakes are a much harder thing to pull off than remasters. The original game exists and changing things can be a scary proposition to fans. Motive Studio has done an outstanding job of tweaking what worked and fixing what didn’t. This remake is on the same level as Capcom’s efforts with Resident Evil and will be considered one of the best going forward. This is a gold standard and I truly hope we get to see them continue this work with a new game in the series, or even a remake of the second game. I love this world and hope it is truly back and here to stay.

For someone who’s never been on board with extraction shooters, ARC Raiders didn’t just surprise me; it has fully converted me. It balances tension and reward with a deft touch, makes solo play genuinely compelling, and wraps everything in a world that’s fun to exist in, even when it’s trying to tear you apart. If you’ve bounced off extraction shooters before, this might be the one that clicks. It certainly was for me.

It hits on all the right notes, has interesting variation outcomes from the butterfly effects, it looks great, and it’s the closest we’ve come to being in a horror flick. Sometimes funny, sometimes cheesy, sometimes downright scary and tense as hell, Until Dawn is one wild ride, and while not everyone will think it’s worth the entry price, I couldn’t be happier with the end results. I had such a blast with it, I started it over immediately to complete again, a rare thing these days. They aimed to go for an interactive horror movie experience and they absolutely nailed it.

The game is a joy to behold.