The new Reflex controls are great once you get used to them, but they also alienate the casual audience by making the game a bit more demanding than some gamers are willing to put up with. Still if you have enjoyed the series you know what to expect here.

For anyone that missed the original release of Darksiders II, I implore you to give it a go this time around. It is a fantastic game that stands the test of time. I know this is the season for all the new, big games to drop, but if you never got to step into Death’s grimy shoes, I cannot recommend this game enough.

It may not be ground breaking, and it may not be as long as the other DLCs that have been released, but that doesn't stop Big Game Hunt from being a rather jolly good time.

This might be the first time I think the license here might actually be doing the game harm then the game itself. I just can’t see most people seeing the movie and saying “You know, I really want a game from this” but here we are. What we are left with is a really fun take on the Metroidvania side scrolling genre that has quality all around. Its gameplay, graphics, and especially its soundtrack, all work together in making this something I would have loved to discover back in the SNES era. I know there is a ton of games being released and The Mummy Demastered is most likely the farthest on anyone’s lists of games to play right now, but if players find themselves craving 2D side scrolling action game this fall season, this one is definitely worth looking into.

Tales of Despereaux is a surprisingly fun title that takes the basis of what makes these types of game fun and runs with it.

Overall, I think Tiny and Big is a decent little experience. The game play never wears out its welcome, and the presentation is unique. There are some small quips with the game, but for ten dollars, you can get a fun experience with some replay value.

Shantae and the Seven Sirens is a great addition to the series and a return to its more Metroidvania roots. I loved it a lot more than the last iteration and continue to look forward to each new chapter. While the series is not as well-known as other games, I feel like it should be. The quality is there and each version just seems to add enough new to keep it fresh. This is a title that should not be overlooked, and it is available on absolutely everything, so there is no excuse not to give it a go.

PowerWash Simulator is just a comfort game for me and I can see myself playing this for months to come. There is something extremely satisfying about its progression. Playing with friends is a blast and I just love zoning out and making slow progress. These simulation games are getting wild and this is by far the one to click with me. It had me searching prices of power washers in real life, so mission accomplished I supposed developers.

The WWE series is ready for its major heel turn, here’s hoping that a new publishing home and a new generation of consoles will give it the shot in the arm it needs.

Madden on the Wii U definitely has some growing pains, but I am excited to see how it turns out in the years to come. The Gamepad screen definitely enhances the experience ten-fold here. If they can clean up the stutters and toss in the Infinity Engine, this will definitely be the version to beat in the years to come. Still, if you don't have access to the other consoles, and this is your only way to play Madden, you will be perfectly happy with this version. It has almost everything found in the other versions and awesome Gamepad screen support that isn't available on any other console.

It is more of the same, but that same is still very good and very enjoyable.

I highly recommend this game to anyone who enjoys an incredible story, a good brawler, and isn't upset by load times here and there. The story here is topnotch, the direction and presentation of the story is executed superbly.

Without redefining the foundations of the original, Outlast 2 weaves an intriguing tale- paced expertly through environments that breed a sense of tension and paranoia only the best in the genre can muster.

While I enjoyed my time with Song of Nunu, I did have a few small gripes. I wasn’t a fan of the stealth sequences; not that they were inherently bad I just am not a fan of forced stealth in games and wish it would go away. I would have liked some more time with a few of the side characters all of which come from LoL but that’s simply because I am a fan. What I really can’t wait for is the team to make a game on the Noxus Empire, specifically Darius. Oh man, he’s in the forthcoming fighting game but I really want a solo game to use ‘dunkmaster’ Darius. But I digress, as a fan of League of Legends this game is really a no brainer, but for non-fans looking for a fun, action-adventure title then you should look no further than The Song of Nunu.

Phasmophobia on Xbox Series X is a must-play for horror enthusiasts. Playing with people is the most fun one can have; I don’t think anyone should hunt ghost alone. Phasmophobia has lots of levels and lots of spirits to track down, as well as a level system for players to improve their character and gear. The game is made for replayability, if you like spooky games with your friends or if you have always wanted to hunt for ghost but don’t really want to leave the house, well have I got a game for you.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian features a fun combat engine and many fanservice cameos that long term fans of the series will surely appreciate. However, as a direct sequel to a now defunct mobile game, it can’t quite shake the feeling like it was created just to try and salvage some money from the failed predecessor by reusing models, music and boring randomly generated dungeons. For those die-hard fans of the series like myself, there is definitely fun to be had here but for everyone else, perhaps I could recommend another title in the series instead.

Perhaps with a better balanced career mode and some optimized loading times we can finally get the tennis game we have all been dreaming of, for now TS2 will simply have to do.

Wolfenstein: The Old Blood is a fantastic follow-up to last year’s rebirth of the series. I hope a full-fledged sequel is in the works, but for now this definitely satisfies my hunger for more Blazkowicz.

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.

Tempest 4000 is another Tempest game. If you are OK with that and perhaps need an excuse to retire the Vita version, then this package will be worth it. Otherwise this game feels like a relic that didn’t really need the 4K upgrade.

Darwin’s Paradox is a quirky puzzle platformer that harkens back to classic games and I loved it. The goofy cartoon art style is its biggest selling point, and the nods to classic Konami games are fun. The price matches the experience, and it is easy to recommend. I had a great time digging through it and we don’t get a ton of these types of games anymore, so it is always great to see a new one.

I’ve said it on the podcast a few times, I love Fae Farm. Having the 4-player coop is truly icing on the cake as these games are so much more fun with friends, being able to divide and conquer to accomplish tasks is the preferred way to play these cozy games for me. Fae Farm has managed to breach my top 10 list for 2023 which any REAL gamer knows is just an absolutely bananas year for the medium. Not every game has to have realistic graphics, all-star voice casting or even an animal mascot and I think Fae Farm proves that in a year of bangers just being a fun, smart, cozy game can be enough to stand out.

When all is said and done, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is just a delightful game, and a ton of fun to play with friends.

Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space is yet another step forward in the resurrection of the adventure genre. Xbox Live owners should be reveling in the fact that they get to experience these great collections for a fraction of the original cost.

The art style is fantastic. It reminds me of both Metal Slug and Scott Pilgrim and the original soundtrack is superb with 8-bit sounds mixed in with a refined and catchy set up that even after all these years still has me whistling the tunes. The presentation is top notch here and really gives off that old school SNES feel. This is actually a pretty easy game to talk about. Many people got it for free on PS4 and get the new and improved update for free as well. Even if you didn’t, this is still a great game to get into for a pretty cheap price on Switch, Xbox One, and Vita. I highly suggest picking it up.

Mario Tennis Aces is a fine addition to the series and a far cry from the bare-bones offering from the Wii U. The single player mode offers up plenty for solo players while the online and local play will keep me coming back.

The hardcore RPG players that will take their time with the game, and play it how the developers intended, will have a fantastic time with Dragon's Dogma. Impatient players and casual fans will, more than likely, need to steer clear of this hardcore game

For what you get, this is a pretty big deal. The game is not short by any means, and there are always different paths to take on the world map. This game can easily last you into the 15-20 hour mark depending on what you want to do. The combat is still fun, and at times, the puzzle solving is enjoyable when you actually know where you should go. Paper Mario is still not back to what I want it to be, but Sticker Star is a step in the right direction.