Styx: Master of Shadows surprised me. The fluid controls and inventive game play kept me coming back to its lengthy campaign.

Kororinpa is fun, but only in small doses. The lack of more levels, characters, and modes really hurt this otherwise solid game.

People who love making model worlds (specifically with trains) and kids will likely get more out of this than I did. The ability to remap controls would go a long way with me though and I would jump back in to give it another shake, if for nothing else it brings back some nostalgia of playing with wooden Thomas the Tank Engine toys. While my score may reflect my current opinion on the game, Tracks is on Game Pass and it is extremely family friendly so there’s nothing to lose with trying it out.

Overall, Mario Tennis Open is an attractive looking distraction that can be enjoyed by people who aren't in the mood to take a game seriously (both in aesthetic and game play). However, I feel like many people will end up feeling cheated by a game that feels so casual that even a generic mobile-phone game for a buck can feel like a higher quality product.

Thief stumbles in some areas, but purely as a stealth game it does have some shining moments.

It has a few bumps along the way, but as a first attempt in the genre, Insomniac proves they’ve got the talent and heart for a game of this nature and for $15 it’s an absolute steal, totally worth player’s time.

It’s difficult to play a game like this in isolation. Sooner or later, the mind wanders back to the present – the truth is, the genre has come on in leaps and bounds since Age of Empires came on the scene all those years ago and this is one remaster that feels like it doesn’t really belong.

The deep alchemy system and unique grow book are worth the price of admission alone and the collector’s edition is chock full of fan-service.

If you enjoy JRPGs (which this is not), fantasy, manga, and digging up things then this just might be up your alley. The game has a 16-bit era look to it and is just busting with nostalgia for gamers such as myself.

Deadlight is a unique game that boasts a lot of great ideas and atmosphere. This new version does what it needs to have the remaster moniker attached to its name, but I don’t see compelling reasons to revisit it.

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.

I don’t see this being a huge sell to kids and clearly this game has kids in mind and it’s disappointing because the game is good. The license is just so squandered. It’s a game that I think is fun and is worth a play, but I cannot recommend paying full price. $30 is the sweet spot because it just lacks the character that other karts racers have. It’s simple to pick up and play so if Mario Kart has run its course (heh) give this one a try with some friends.

Despite some shortcomings, Process of Elimination weaves an intriguing tale, bolstered by a cast of endearing characters. While it might not topple the giants in the visual novel genre, it is a story worth experiencing all the same.

WSoP: ToC is certainly a step in the right direction for poker games, and with some tweaks to the AI system and improved visuals it could easily stay on top of the genre for years to come.

Clockwork Aquario is a wonderful example of how awesome of a time in games we are truly in. A forgotten gem that likely would have never seen the light of day makes an appearance some 30 years later. I had a blast with its simple mechanics and gorgeous art style. If you are like me and grew up hanging out in arcades far too much, this one will spark that childhood nostalgia we all strive for as we grow old and jaded. Definitely recommended.

For a puzzle game, it’s relatively short, but at times, frustratingly hard.

Section 8 is what it is, a great multi-player experience that will likely suffer more because of the community and less because of the game itself.

A simple port of the popular franchise downsized to fit in the palm of your hand. Granted the core game mechanic is still tons of fun in small doses I believe that was the game’s main goal in the first place and this iteration nails it flawlessly.

As it stands, it will take a very specific type of player to stick with the game long enough to mine its deep-buried enjoyment.

With a decent campaign and a two player versus mode, the game has a lot of content to keep coming back to it.

Scars Above is a solid sci-fi romp with an identity complex. It wants so badly to be a Soulslike and instead feels more like a game that just borrows ideas without understanding what makes them work. I enjoyed my playthrough, but I wish it would have leaned into its own ideas instead of trying to mimic something else. The story is interesting, the game play is fun, but I wish it wouldn’t have taken so much inspiration from other titles.

Silent Hill Origins is a solid entry in the franchise.

Madden NFL 25 has some highs and lows for sure. It is the only game in town, which means as long as it is better than 24, I will continue playing it. I enjoy the on-field action, which is the most important aspect each year. Still it feels on cruise control, which sucks. I want to see some real revelations in the game and presentation. Hopefully we get some true competition in the future as the team here clearly loves the game and knows how to make it fun.

Recommending this game isn’t hard, in fact I can’t think of a reason not to buy this game. With a nice price, fast-paced action, and tons of giant bugs to demolish this is one of the most satisfying experiences on the Xbox 360 to date.

There are two sides to The Nightmare Princess. As a standalone package it is impressive. The original game plus the new additions are more than worth the price. The downside is if players already owned the original, there is no simple way to upgrade. It is all or nothing.

Guns, Gore, and Cannoli is a great, if not short romp. The art style pops and the game play is smooth. Just be aware that it can get frustrating attempting to fly solo. Outside of that I definitely recommend checking it out. It knows what it is from the first level and never tries to be anything else.

The idea of a FPS rogue game where you earn new abilities as you try and make your way to the top sounds ever so promising, but with all the issues I had with it, I’ve already bailed out.

At the end of the day The Long Reach is worth the short time it takes to play, I’m just not sure at full price. Had the ending really stuck the landing on everything the gameplay was delivering I’d say it’s a must, but unfortunately the story is just alright. On sale I think any adventure fan will find enjoyment in The Long Reach.