Shadows: Awakening is a solid game in a genre that is easy to get lost in. The issue is that its high price point and drawbacks make it hard to recommend above something else. It just doesn’t stand enough on its own two legs to be remarkable. That doesn’t take away from the fact that I enjoyed nearly my entire time with it. Those that pick it up will likely not be disappointed; it is just getting someone to take the plunge that could cause problems. This is the kind of game that would have benefitted from being just a bit cheaper at the outset.

It is impossible not to recommend Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle. There is so much joy packed in this compilation. The genre has definitely seen a resurgence as of late, but it is impossible to deny how good these classics are. If only Capcom had been able to figure out the licenses behind some of their more popular titles like Alien vs. Predator. Perhaps in the future, but for now this is the best place to perform jump kicks anywhere.

SNK Heroines is a game that attempts to appeal to a very specific audience, but it is not even a good “one of those” games. It mishandles the aspects it is attempting to nail and is just not a lot of fun to play. With titles like Blade Strangers and Fighting Layer EX doing a better job at just about every aspect of the genre, there are better options available for players. I would avoid this one at all costs.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 weaves an emotionally charged tale about how war changes everything it touches and even through moments where winning felt just as bad as losing, I felt compelled to push forward to the end. As a title that carries the heavy burden of expectations following the original’s pedigree of excellence as well as having to make up for a string of lackluster sequels that followed, Squad E carries on with its head held high, exceeding lofty expectations as it improves on nearly every aspect of the original, proving with utmost certainty that this is one of the finest series the genre has to offer.

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor Martyr (told you the name was ridiculous) is a solid game that I had a lot of fun with…once I got past its blemishes. A patch or two and this game might be a must-own for ARPG fans. Right now though, it is hard to recommend due to its hindrances.

In spite of the wacky and colorful art design, Shikhondo: Soul Eater is a bland and unfulfilling experience. The gameplay is just okay, and there are no hooks that give this Flatline a heartbeat.

Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate earns the “Ultimate” in its moniker with visual and gameplay improvements as well as a wealth of additional content compared to its original counterpart on the 3DS. Whether you were first introduced to the MH series with Worlds or you’re a long time fan that’s kept up from the beginning, there’s a lot to enjoy here. It presents some of the very best of the various generations of MH, sporting a roster of over 90 different monsters to hunt but with that history, it carries the tried and true conventions of the franchise before the fifth fleet made shore on a new world and changed everything. For better or worse, that’s for you to decide.

I can go on and on about how great Original Sin II is and honestly, I’d love to, but I think I have said what needs to be said here. ANY role playing fan needs to pick this game up. It has the options, the story, the look, and the feel of a truly amazing RPG, and it shows. D&D players will love the role playing aspects of it, and tactical fans will fall in love with the turn-based combat. It has damn near everything in it including co-op, so you won’t even have to experience this alone. It’s one of the best RPGs I have played in years and one that no one should pass up.

Blade Strangers is a fine fighting game. It has a simple mindset, but a very complex nature that allows the newcomers to pop in and have a fun time learning the ins and outs while veterans can dive deep into the systems and have just as much fun. It is a fast and nimble fighting game with a lot of flashy combos that fans of the genre can appreciate. I can only hope that this niche fighter will gather a player base. Until then, casual fighting game fans may want to find a deal on this one, but those of you that are looking for a novelty fighting game with some interesting characters will have a fun time here.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a spectacular close to an amazing trilogy. It has been a fantastic ride and I cannot wait to see where the series goes from here. Shadow is a must play game for those that have enjoyed the series up to this point. It continues the trend of excellence set forth by Crystal Dynamics.

Brawlout is pretty much what you would expect it to be, a mediocre attempt at a genre that has its main event as a console exclusive. Playing on your own won’t be much fun and neither will be trying to grind out the coins to unlock the cook stuff. But get some friends together and there is definitely some fun to be had.

Fire Pro Wrestling world has so much to offer that I cannot recommend it enough. From top to bottom the game is a tremendous love letter to the sport and to its fans. Veteran players will find plenty of new content here to justify a purchase and new fans who are willing to commit to the play style the franchise demands will find a wrestling experience deeper than they can get anywhere else. With a host of additional content on the way in the form of DLC and endless combinations of matches through the incredible edit tool this game should be at the top of the purchase list for all wrestling fans.

Death’s Gambit has style, personality and some potentially innovative ideas that takes it well beyond a mere copy-cat Souls game. Unfortunately, the game’s inner demons quickly reduce things to a repetitive grind. That grind doesn’t always feel like it’s worth the time investment, despite the enchanting visual glamour. It’s worth a look because of its unique style, which really is a cut above the rest, and it is clear that White Rabbit have had a good crack at producing a game that tries to be creative with an established formula. However, be prepared for a journey that’s a bit of a slog in more ways than one.

It’s a decent tower defense game with some RPG elements thrown in. While I don’t like the padding the developers thrown in, I can still see past a lot of its faults like the camera not being the best or the occasional slow down that occurs when big waves are hitting. It’s still a fun tower defense game that does a lot of things right and fans of the genre will still enjoy. I would say just wait for a slight price cut.

F1 2018 may not be the next be landmark game in the series, but Codemasters have continued to develop and improve the franchise, making it more involved for those that care and more fun for those that don’t and it is these changes, and their commitment to making these games as appealing as possible, that continue to cement them as one of the best driving game developers out there.

I can see that there is a game to be enjoyed in Phantom Doctrine. I really want to enjoy it, I can’t though until the issue with combat is fixed. So far the best solution has been what Mario + Rabbids has done with its cover system, but even that isn’t a perfect response to a clear problem with turn based strategy games. There’s some unique aspects that I hope are observed by other developers but there are better strategy titles out there like Invisible Inc. that do the core basics better.

I really enjoyed my time with Strange Brigade. It was both fun and exciting to see what the next level had in store for me, and having some buddies to play it with made it even more fun. Even if you don’t have friends to play it with, the random joined player can’t really mess you up and playing solo isn’t a bad deal either. While some of the levels can get a little long in the tooth, it was a fun ride that I think any action shooter fan will enjoy and get a lot out of even for only 8-10 hours. Give it a shot. You may even chuckle at some of the narrator’s jokes.

The Messenger is a horrible name for a game that pays homage to Ninja Gaiden. Don’t let the name stop you, though. This is one of the best of its type and is worth checking out. I do wish it was more widely available across consoles, but Switch and PC owners should certainly not miss this one.

Spider-Man is yet another outstanding title in Sony’s first party library. PS4 owners should not hesitate to snag it when it drops. The quality they put into these titles is impressive and Insomniac continues to prove they can deliver on big-budget titles. Even with its minor gripes I still thoroughly enjoyed my time with Spidey and the gang. Perhaps we will see another one in the years to come, but for now this is the best our web-slinger has been since the early days of the PS2 era.

Madden NFL 19 is a solid outing this year, but again it is more a refinement than anything else. It feels like a game targeted at the usual players and not bringing in anyone new. I hope that the series ups their game next year and really brings back the thunder it can certainly have. I still have issues with some of the AI, and the commentary really makes me feel like I am playing last year’s game at times.

With its odd and yet striking visual style, State of Mind presents an intriguing world, in the precipice of a revolution. Following the exploits of a deeply flawed and complex character, the journey through the streets of Berlin is a fruitful one that I’m sure to remember. However, a myriad of pacing issues as well as a lack of interesting gameplay elements makes it very unlikely that I’ll be visiting the year of 2048 anytime soon. Perhaps we’ll see in thirty years.

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.

I never played Okami in any of its previous incarnations, and I feel that this was an injustice and I think it is fantastic that Capcom have continued to find ways to bring this game to as many people as possible. It is also great that Okami does not suffer from the dreaded Switch Tax, costing just $19.99, the same price as it is on the other current generation counterparts. Whether you fancy something a little different, or want to revisit a classic then grab yourself Okami and have a howling good time.

Dead Cells is most certainly a difficult game. It’s not going to take it easy on you, and it can get brutal at times, especially when making no progress in runs. While the game pushes for a speed run playthrough for the best possible outcome, it is important to know that rushing into a level can easily ruin a run for you. The fun is in the combat without a doubt, and any action fan will have a great time with this one. Even if you don’t normally enjoy Rogue-like style game, this is one of those you have to pick up.

Fighting EX Layer is a hard sell to casual fighting game fans. Its lack of modes is its biggest downfall. For those who grew up with Arika’s work though it is a pure joy to play. I hope they continue to support the game and add more and more content as it goes on. Perhaps it will be featured at EVO next year instead of just a side option. With the announcements of new characters, stages, and even crossover characters, the future looks bright. I just hope the momentum continues.

It is one heck of a ride, and with the systems in place it can be one of the most rewarding experiences players can have. On top of all that, Capcom has already planned to bring a lot of the missions and special events to the PC version over time, and they’re all free. The PC version holds up very well and even if with its co-op woes still present, this is one game that no one should miss out on, and now that it is everywhere, you have no excuse to not pick it up.

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.

Wario Ware Gold is the best of Wario Ware and more, and a reason to pick up a 3DS again. It’s got a super weird sense of humor that isn’t replicated, it pays loving tribute to Nintendo’s history, and most importantly it’s pure fun. There’s plenty of game here for the price as well, with it all being unlocked the more it’s played. A must own in handheld gaming and a good sign that the 3DS isn’t dead yet.