'Battlefield: Hardline' puts a clever spin on the 'Battlefield' formula, but a serious identity crisis keeps it from being a solid step forward for the franchise.
The tightly designed 'Axiom Verge' combines the best elements of the 'Metroidvania' genre with throwback visuals, a thumping soundtrack, and clever mechanics.
'Borderlands: The Handsome Collection' packages the best and worst entry of the franchise together, making it a difficult proposition for casual fans.
'Mortal Kombat X' offers fans a diverse roster and tons of variety, but it's the game's ever-changing gameplay modes that are sure to keep players coming back.
'Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China' features a unique art style and fun level design, but the stealth-focused gameplay starts to wear thin after a while.
'Wolfenstein: The Old Blood' succeeds at delivering more of 'The New Order's excellent gunplay, but derivative enemy encounters and the lack of compelling narrative weight it down.
'Toren's artistic approach is marred by finicky controls, a troublesome camera, and gameplay that feels more like small proofs of concept than a cohesive product.
'Nero' may have some rough edges and frame rate problems, but the brief experience offers a genuinely affecting story that lives up to the 'interactive novel' billing.
Batman: Arkham Knight is a fitting end to Rocksteady Studios' trilogy with a mature story and gorgeous visuals, but one flaw holds it back from being perfect
Galak-Z: The Dimensional is a challenging omnidirectional space shooter with a vivid art style that takes pages from 8-bit classics and popular anime.
Until Dawn puts player choice above everything else, and for a horror game that's rather unique. But be warned that the game is more interactive movie than game.
Mega Man Legacy Collection is an easy buy for fans of Capcom's blue bomber, featuring a faithful recreation of the 6 mainline games and some truly clever challenges.
With a greater focus on receivers/cornerbacks and a fantastic new Draft Champions mode, Madden NFL 16 represents a vast improvement over last year's game in nearly every way.
Rock Band 4 offers the same party-focused, addictive experience as its predecessors, but potential song limitations and price point will hold it back for some.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 a familiar experience dressed up in a way that it might feel slightly different at first, but getting into the nuts and bolts reveals not much has changed.
Oxenfree is a mature look at growing up through the lens of a supernatural mystery, but awkward pacing and simplistic interactivity hold it back from excelling.
Coldwood Interactive's Unravel is a moving puzzle platformer bolstered by strong level design, a creative mechanic, and an unbelievably endearing main character.
Uncharted 4 sees Naughty Dog push the bar for excellence to a new height, with stunning visuals, next-level character work, and one of the best games of this generation.
Homefront: The Revolution is a mediocre FPS that squanders an intriguing concept, but worst of all the game is not fun to play and overwrought with repetition.
Mirror's Edge Catalyst has some exciting and refined free-running mechanics, but the missions and modes that support the gameplay are content-thin and generic.