Brad Jones
Yooka-Laylee wears its influences on its sleeve, but gamers with nostalgia for the Nintendo 64 era will find plenty to enjoy — even if others are left cold.
For Honor is a must-play title for anyone that's looking for a fresh take on multiplayer; it's fun, it has plenty of depth, and the new game hits hard.
Resident Evil 7 is the best installment in Capcom's flagship horror series since Resident Evil 4, and an early contender for 2017's game of the year awards.
ReCore will be a welcome blast from the past for some, but others will struggle to come to terms with the more archaic components of the experience.
The remaster of 1993's Day of the Tentacle adds new graphics and a great commentary track to one of the most beloved adventure games from the genre's golden age.
Following on from the massive success of Braid, The Witness is an engrossing and hugely satisfying experience that should solidify Jonathan Blow as one of the very best active game designers.
Fortified is an engaging third-person shooter that mixes gameplay elements from tower defence and strategy games with strong retro-futuristic production design.
This year's Need for Speed reboot feels like a fresh start for the series — and one that will likely be improved upon when its inevitable 2016 sequel rolls around.
Guitar Hero Live rejuvenates a tired franchise from top to bottom, making broad changes to its gameplay and presentation that largely work for the better.
All this being said, Devastation isn't just an '80s throwback in the character designs that it uses. Higher difficulty levels can get punishing, and the focus on core gameplay mechanics might put off some players. It's a rewarding experience for anyone who can get into the groove, but the combat and the franchise are the game's two biggest selling points.
Robomodo's attempt to resurrect the long-dormant Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series is not a success — in fact, fans of previous games will likely see it as a slap in the face.
Forza Motorsport 6 marks the tenth anniversary of the premier Xbox driving sim, and it's perhaps the best game in the series thus far.
Initially conceived as a Sonic fan-game, Freedom Planet is a lovingly made throwback to the 16-bit era — and a game that carves out a personality and appeal all of its own.
'BOXBOY! 'is Nintendo's latest unmissable eShop exclusive, mixing puzzles and platforming to produce a wholly original and entirely compelling experience.
'Infinity Runner' is a valiant attempt to bring endless runner gameplay to consoles, including a unique werewolves-in-space storyline, but it's gameplay is hit-or-miss.
'Tipping Stars', Nintendo's latest installment in the 'Mario vs. Donkey Kong' series, offers up tons of content and compelling central mechanic, but struggles to justify its price point.
'Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number' delivers the same frenzied gameplay and thoughtful approach to plotting, but the overall experience is undeniably bigger in scope.