Final Fantasy VII Remake is a massive endeavor that I fear we may never see the end of, but the ride so far has been fun. I really hope the next chapters don’t span years in development as the original is still one of my favorite RPGs of all-time. I would love to see this end before the end of the PS5-era, but I somehow feel like that is asking a lot. Still this free update for owners is a nice tie-over and the DLC is meaty enough to keep me enamored in the world.

Even the cinematics have been redone in full 4K glory. This is one great-looking game, and deserves to be showcased. Especially being a genre that has had its ups and downs over the years. With how easy it is to slap some new packaging and call a game a remaster is these days, it is refreshing to see one treated with such care.

UFO Robot Grendizer: The Feast of the Wolves was a treat for me as a fan of the many genres and music on display. Even not having been familiar with the source material I loved the characters and art style on display here and will be tuning in when the reboot launches in 2024; I am very curious what’s done with the themes and story in the current day. I’ve said this a lot but 2023 has been just crazy for video games, and I am here to tell you that Grendizer is an extremely good game with a few minor blemishes but its more than worth some attention in this overly crowded year.

All in all, I came away impressed with this game, will it make me a convert to ‘bullet hell’ types? No, but it will be a nice change of pace between some of my other games. If you are just looking for some frantic, twin stick action that will test your reflexes as well as your resolve then look no further than the beautiful landscapes and twisty levels of Curved Space.

While it doesn’t have the depth of a Monster Hunter game, it builds a great foundation for a potential sequel and due to its accessibility, it’s well worth checking out whether you’re a fan of the genre or not.

Sonic Mania is the Sonic game fans have been wanting. It hits all the notes (and problems) the originals had. But it is also why the series has remained relevant for so long. It delivers speed, fun, and chaos (no pun intended) all in one package. It also finally removes the stigma that all Sonic games are terrible. Let’s hope Forces is as well polished and enjoyable as Mania is.

Thankfully, the game is adamant about auto-saving constantly, so it helps circumvent some of the frustration. Even with all these issues, I still persisted in playing because beneath the technical problems that hopefully get ironed out over time, this is a gem of a turn based RPG and I recommend, even with its faults, fans of the genre need to give some attention to Battle Chasers. It might come from a small development team, it might be rough around the edges, but it’s could be one of 2017 most unexpected RPG hits that more people should be aware of.

The game length could easily be a deterrent for gamers not wanting to invest $60 for a mere five hours of game time, especially if they have no interest in participating in the time trial portion of the game, but I highly recommend everyone at least check out this inventive take on the genre.

When all is said and done SNK has done a remarkable job of bringing seven of the greatest arcade games ever created into one neatly organized package and made it affordable.

Mechwarrior 5: Clans is a fantastic addition to the Mechwarrior lineage, offering a good mix of an engaging storytelling, deep customization options and some seriously satisfying mech combat. While the PC version has some technical issues and the overall game has a bit of a learning curve, the overall experience is well worth it for fans and newcomers alike. And the fact that Clans is hitting gamepass is sure to garner some new Battletech fans to the fold, which is great so we can get some new games form this legendary mech series.

Battlefield 4 is a solid entry in the series.

Far Cry 4 is a great game that just feels like a lot more of the same.

It retains enough of the classic charm to keep the veterans of the series happy, while adding enough of change to peak the interest of newcomers.

It has the old school feel that made it a classic, but some of what was left in feels a bit too old for a modern take. The pacing is the biggest issue here, and I would say players wanting to understand the game going in need to realize it takes a good 12-15 hours before this game even begins to start, but if you can hold out until it actually begins, you looking at a decently structured, thought out, and fun JRPG. If you’re looking for a more instant gratification game, you may want to look elsewhere.

Amazing Princess Sarah is a solid action platformer that is fun to blast through, and for $5 it is hard not to recommend it to fans of the genre. Low replay value aside this is an enjoyable romp, granted you have the patience and skills to finish these treacherous castles.

Klonoa was a wonderful series that didn’t last very long. It is incredible to see it come back, and more beautiful than ever. These games are truly chill and a joy to play and I am thrilled to see them come back. I hope Bandai Namco decides to give us a truly resurgence of the series, and maybe even DLC to add the portable versions that came out along the way. It is awesome we live in an age where even some of the obscure classics can make a return. Klonoa is still as charming as ever and I don’t want the series to disappear for another handful of years.

The maps range from nice and small, perfect for fast-action affairs, to gigantic affairs that require teamwork on both sides to emerge victorious. All of the online modes are extremely enjoyable and add a nice layer of depth to the overall game. Sadly there is neither a co-op mode nor a split-screen option.

Console owners don't really have much in the way of choices when it comes to realistic tactical shooters. Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising does a great job of filling this niche, despite its flaws.

It would have scored 9+ easy with a fleshed out story and engaging multi-player, but as it stands you get a truly visceral and enjoyable single-player action romp that will satisfy any fan of the genre.

0D Beat Drop is a breath of fresh air in a genre that seems to continue to rest on its laurels. Sure it will not be for everyone, but it offers enough new ideas to make it worth your while.

Overall, I really liked my time with Alien Breed Impact. I did not play the original game back in the day, so I honestly do not have anything to compare it to, but I really had some fun with this fast paced action shooter.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fantastic entry. It takes chances with its mechanics and feels like yet another testing ground for Nintendo to see what works and what doesn’t. It is the best 2D Mario in a long time, but still doesn’t dethrone the kings from the NES and SNES days. I loved every minute of the 10 or so hour campaign and want to revisit stages over time. I cannot wait for the next iteration of the Switch as I feel like we may finally see the next big 3D Mario, but until then Wonder does an outstanding job of satisfying that Mario platformer itch that has been missing since Odyssey.

EA Sports MMA is a definite contender in the arena of mixed martial arts videogames. Once you grasp the control scheme everything becomes much more fun, and you really begin to appreciate what the developers have accomplished.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole is the epitome of a sequel. Almost to its detriment the game delivers more of what we loved about the first one. There is plenty of content, excellent writing, I just wish it took more risks in the game play and pacing department. Otherwise this is yet another stellar game in the already crowded 2017 lineup.

With so many options to choose from baseball fans will no doubt find something to love here.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a big departure from the mainline Bayonetta games usual formula. Instead of leaning on fast paced combat, scantily clad lead, a loud soundtrack and a story with a lot of killing and revenge. Instead, this is a family-friendly story, one that is told like a grand storybook and even has themes of love and friendship throughout. Quite the change of pace for our Umbra witch but quite the welcome one if you have your eyes open as to the type of game this really is; Cereza and the Lost Demon is a delightful adventure that thoroughly surprised me.

Miasma Chronicles isn’t far removed from the studios previous outing with Mutant Year Zero in neither setting or gameplay. That doesn’t mean however that it’s a bad game at all, Miasma feels more polished and nuanced than its predecessor which speaks volumes of the talent at the studio. However, for me the narrative wasn’t as strong as the world itself which wasn’t helped by the feeling of an abrupt ending to the whole affair. But Miasma Chronicles remains a good time due to the mix of tactical strategy and stealth gameplay.

Despite falling a bit short in the story and characters department compared to its predecessors, Bravely Default 2’s satisfying combat encounters, deep job customization and stellar soundtrack makes it a worthy comeback for this fan favorite series.