F1 2012 is truly an example of master craftsmanship in the world of simulation racers.

Even if the side stuff has been there done that written all over it, you will be hard-pressed to find a better hockey game this year.

Regardless of the issues I had, Persona 5 Strikers is still a fantastic sequel, Persona game, and Musou game. It really is impressive the amount of content they jammed into this game, and the fact that they added way more to the mechanics than I thought they would was a great breath of fresh air. Musou fans will get a ton of enjoyment out of this title and fans of Persona 5 have their sequel that is most certainly worthy of the title.

Link’s Awakening is yet another outstanding addition to the Switch library. Anyone who says that Nintendo isn’t killing it with first-party games this year is delusional. They seem to pump out a classic almost monthly. Being able to revisit one of the most obscure and delightful Zelda games from the past is just another reason why the Switch is so magical. I cannot recommend this title enough. It transcends history and feels like a game that would pass as a current title.

DiRT Rally is a tour de force for rally games, and a return to form for Codemasters. It is brutal, unforgiving, and most of all extremely rewarding for those that enjoy true rally games. It is not for everyone, and its simulation aspects will turn off a ton of gamers, but those willing to stick with it will find one of the most finely-crafted racing games of the generation.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided has a firm grasp on what made the original title so iconic- providing some of the best variety in how a player could approach every objective and making each of them feel just as fun and satisfying as the other. If not for the rather lackluster cast of characters and a story that ends abruptly, it could have been a new classic.

The inclusion of Dynamic DNA and NBA Live 365 are two of the most important innovations in sports gaming this year. Combined with all of the other enhancements EA Canada has provided and you are looking at the most feature-rich basketball title to come along in some time.

A fantastic experience that scratches that survival horror itch better than most games. Playing on Ranger mode is probably the most intense experience I have ever encountered, and the gorgeous visuals really drag players into the dark, damp world.

In short, Olli Olli 2 is everything a great sequel should be: across the board improvement that builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor without losing the magic that made it special in the first place.

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix is a solid collection that brings back some of the magic Square-Enix created on the PlayStation 2.

A visceral shooter with a great story, superb visuals, and twitch online gameplay should certainly keep players occupied through the hot days of summer.

The game will certainly not blow you away by any means, but if you dive in year in and year out you won't be disappointed. I can only hope Madden is this improved because that means that I am in for a great year of virtual football.

Titanfall 2 is the product of a developer that took to heart all the criticism that was thrown at the original.

What better way to scale how much fun this game is then to say that without a doubt that the level of enjoyment that you get with Lead and Gold is nearly unrivaled.

The most important thing is that while I wasn’t in as much of a shock when I got to the cliffhanger at the end of this episode, I was left wanting more, and if episode three was installed and ready to go, there is no doubt in my mind that I would’ve happily played on.

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.

The most surprising aspect of Kings Quest episode 5 was just how much damn heart it had to it.

While I can’t say that every game is a winner in this collection, those that are vastly outshine the lesser offerings. This bundle is a must have for any lovers of old side scrolling beat ‘em ups and more arcadey sports games, especially for those who want to play with friends.

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.

Overall I liked this episode much more than the first. It was exciting, I had a moment of shock, I felt angry, I felt hatred, I felt more feelings in this episode then anything the first provided. Maybe that’s how it was planned from the start? Though it feels like it’s building up to a final showdown and the anticipation for the third and final episode in the miniseries is dreadful.

Shadow of War improves on almost every aspect of the original game. There is so much to do and the systems in place are truly special. The story missions fall flat and the loot boxes are kind of gross, but otherwise this is one spectacular game. Those that enjoyed the original will find even more to love here. I just feel like this game is marred by controversy and a poor release window.

A true culmination of an epic journey filled with unforgettable characters in a world that has become as familiar and inviting to me as my own hometown. If not for the lackluster localization effort and continuous implementation of uneven voice acting, this could have been the perfect send off for the members of Class VII, Thors military academy.

There is so much to see and do in NBA 2K14 it can feel overwhelming for someone like me who isn’t a huge fan of the sport. The sheer attention to detail and ease of use though really drew me into the experience. The Lebron story mode is a novel idea, and the presentation is simply awe-inspiring.

After the first hour the initially artful storytelling falls flat. You no longer want to explore or experiment, and why should you? Limbo trains you that curiosity is punished.

It’s hard to recommend Doom to those that have played it unless they fit certain criteria. If playing Doom on the go is a huge factor, it gets no better than this. It doesn’t look the clearest or run the smoothest, but 90% of the time players can still enjoy one hell of a game. Folks that never played this and are looking for their Doom experience, playing this first and then the other systems could be the way to go to see the differences. Lastly, if players just want to see how the little Switch that could performs and how much Doom pushes their console from a purely tech perspective, look no further. It’s super impressive, a technical marvel, and the port team Panic Buttons should be proud of what they accomplished. It’s just nuts!

Despite the drastic change in gameplay styles, Ultra Despair Girls succeeds not only in staying true to the overall tone and feel of the series, but also in providing a fresh experience to the fans that might have grown weary of the visual novel formula.

Helldivers is held back from an even higher score by the fact that it is, ultimately, fairly isolating for the solo player. However, Arrowhead Game Studios have still created a wonderfully entertaining game here; one that performs best when its brilliant cooperative elements are fully embraced.

What makes PGR 4 so good is the fact that the developers have played to the series strengths while adding in just enough to keep things interesting.