I really enjoyed my time with Tails of Iron, it had a very mature story to tell wrapped up in a charming yet dark world. The clever use of communication between the creatures while using ‘Geralt’ for narration duties is definitely one of my highlights from this game. While I am not a fan of the ridiculously named ‘Souls-Borne’ genre, there was so much to love about Tails of Iron that it was easy to overlook. Sure, the combat was very difficult but who doesn’t like a challenge; I just hope we get to see more from Redgi and his brothers in the future.

There is a lot going for Etrian Odyssey IV. It is both an achievement in retro gaming while also an evolution to the series as a whole. For those unafraid of an intense RPG challenge, a rewarding experience awaits you.

If you can’t tell, I loved Cat Quest 3; as I said I was already a fan of the series and this entry is its best. The Gentlebros is a small team of 8 developers but playing Cat Quest 3 you wouldn’t know it, there is even a local co-op option available to players. (I wasn’t able to test this but I have played the past games in co-op with my kids and it was a great time). The greatest thing about Cat Quest 3 is its simplicity, any level of gamer is able to pick this game up and jump in as its combat systems and exploration are easy to grasp and once you get sailing it’s extremely hard to put this one back in drydock.

DJ Hero is almost a breath of fresh air in an already overcrowded genre. The rhythm game is becoming too much of a business and this really feels like it was designed with a lot of passion for the music.

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.

With the addition of true online play, content download, and some creative touch screen use this is certainly one of the better games available right now for Nintendo’s handheld wonder.

There is a lot of fun to be had. I just want to convey all that I had experienced with the game. It's left up to you to decide if you want to drop the money on it.

The Vessel of Hatred expansion is a must-have for Diablo 4 fans. It offers a wealth of new content, a compelling story that is going places that I didn’t see coming, a beautiful new region and a powerful new class, Vessel of Hatred is a more than worthy addition to the Diablo series, and I cannot wait to see where the team goes from here.

Xenoblade Chronicles X has a lot going for it. The incredible world, in-depth combat engine and an amazing soundtrack sets up the foundation for something that could’ve been an absolute classic. However, due to the missteps in quest design and overall progression, it’s a game that can only truly be enjoyed despite itself.

Fans of the first title will be thrilled that there’s more Guacamelee in the world, and there’s new mechanics and challenges to play with. New players should go back and experience the first Guacamelee and enjoy that, but there’s definitely enough backstory and tutorial in Guacamelee 2 to make any player comfortable with playing. With the only downside being that this may be one of the harder platforming experiences in recent years and therefore not for everyone, Guacamelee 2 stands out as one of the finest, and funniest titles of 2018. Don’t let this one skip by.

One of the best sci-fi stories I’ve ever experienced in a videogame and one that can get under your skin.

Ghost Rider is, by far, my favorite table in the pack.

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

An incredibly fun experience that fans of the series will have a blast with. The new diversions and ridiculousness like Professor Genki's stuff just appeals to the crowd. Never once will you take this game seriously, and you shouldn't, but when it grabs you it never lets go until you are simply done having fun. I was never frustrated at the game. If I failed a mission I simply went back in and did something more bizarre, which is the beauty of Saints Row. As long as you know that going in, you will have a blast. I can't recommend this game enough, though. It simply defines what it means to have fun playing games.

The game prides itself on simplistic controls and a focus on skating rather than performing inane tasks and worrying too much about a tacked-on narrative. Skate 2 continues to up the ante for genre forcing Activision to really step up for the next chapter of Tony Hawk.

While I was able to complete some matches, I was disconnected in the lobby more times than I can count, and the awful wait time doesn’t help things. The latter being more an issue of sales than technical prowess, but it is notable if you want to play multiplayer but just don’t have friends who are interested. Bravery and Greed is a good time and for the price tag of $19.99 its low cost of entry is welcoming in this new age of the commonplace $79.99 games.

Ravenswatch is a lot of fun to play, I unlocked all of the playable characters and played with each and had a good time with all of them. The randomly generated nature of each level is nice but the truth of the matter is this game is very short. And while I recommend that players play multiplayer, the game does offer the option to play single-player but it’s hard as balls. I am sure some of you who love these brutal difficulty games will enjoy, but for those of us who have yet to ascend that difficulty mountain, dis tew much. All that being said though, I like Ravenswatch quite a bit. While my time with it is short, it was still a pretty enjoyable experience.

The game sounds great as well. All of the characters are well voiced, and the background music, whether light ballad or mournful cello works very well. The clashing of weapons and the sound of scythe meeting bone really add to the combat, making it that much more fun to take down your enemies.

This game has single-handedly stolen my soul since it arrived at my doorstep and I find myself needing to level up once a night, much like my wife and her World of Warcraft addiction.

If you are looking for an easy RPG the game is definitely for you, but if you want something a little more challenging I would stay away from this one. I feel there are a lot better games the PSP has to offer, that are out or on the way out.

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.

Madden NFL 11 is a must own for all football fans, and now it is even more accessible to the masses.

At the end of the day the most important aspect of any game is fun. Assault Android Cactus (awesome name by the way) is the epitome of that. Every level is a blast, the mechanics are solid, and playing with friends is pure frenetic fun. Even with the slew of awesome games in 2017, players who have yet to take the plunge need to check out this title. It is more than worth the price of admission, and I am glad to see it hitting more and more platforms for more players to experience the pure joy it has to offer.

It's a little sad not to see something overarching to work towards, like achievements or RPG elements, but the joy of simply exploring SpellTower's depth goes a long way toward easing that concern.

Exactly what fans of the genre want. A solid SRPG that takes everything the original did right, tweak it, and throw in enough subtle nuances to make it feel fresh.

Anyone who enjoys puzzle games owes it to themselves to check out this series.

Once again Madden comes highly recommended for fans of the pigskin, and as always, kicks off the best time of year to be a gamer.

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.