You can nitpick The Banner Saga to death, but despite its flaws the game is a joy to play. People who are looking for a fantasy world with weight and depth will fall in love with Stoic's tale of man and varl pushed to the brink. This studios first attempt at a full single player campaign has demonstrated their skill, leaving me hoping there is more in store.
I wish there was more to do in Night in the Woods, but that doesn't stop it from being a delight. I love that it addresses something relevant and honest. It's a slice of life that speaks to a generation and explores a world with unusual depth.
It may not be the deepest experience around, but in terms of pure gameplay quality, Cuphead is a must-play for those seeking a challenge thanks to excellent controls and a unique visual presentation.
Until Dawn is a fascinating horror experience, using the creativity of its gameplay to approach the genre in a new and surprising way. It's well-paced and the blending of horror with choice-based gameplay is a fantastic union.
Fantasia: Music Evolved breathes new life into the genre, showing that it can be as much fun to create music as it is to play it. It could use a few more songs and can be a little easy, but its game you'll want to share with friends and family.
There's no arguing Mortal Kombat's timeless design, but the newest entry doesn't attempt to evolve the fighting genre or even the franchise itself. And yet, Mortal Kombat X is a competent fighting game, and it bears the marks of an experienced team that knows how to give their fans what they want.
I am Setsuna may not blow you away - it’s simple and understated, but there’s a lot of charm in that. This quiet JRPG is a solicitous throwback that makes its case through thoughtful moments instead of flashy cutscenes.
Celeste has a couple of hiccups in its aesthetics and tech, but the core of what Matt Thorson and his team have made contains a wonderful story of endurance and resilience for both the characters and the player, that begs not to be missed.
The stealth mechanics and fun world traversal in Shadow of the Tomb Raider make it a great game. Whether Lara is smothering herself in mud to shank enemies and return to the shadows, rappelling down into gloomy caves, or blasting creatures with her powerful shotgun, this game has a grimy edge that makes it well worth playing.
Beyond Blue is a beautiful and enchanting journey. The attention to detail and devotion to its creation, along with the companion documentary segments, show a love for the ocean. It's a little on the short side, but there's still so much to enjoy in this gorgeously crafted game.
Superhot: Mind Control Delete feels like the fulfillment of the promise so many saw in the game when it was just a browser-based demo. With expanded mechanics, this takes an already smart concept and turns it into a powerhouse of design work. Part puzzler and part shooter - whatever it is, it's a truly unique experience worth checking it out.
Even with some downsides, I really enjoyed NBA2k15. It really tries to capture sports in way that goes beyond numbers and statistics. It's something I appreciate, and something I think a lot of sports games could learn from.
Resident Evil 7 doesn’t have much in common with the rest of the franchise, but when the game is this good, it’s hard to complain. Definitely worthwhile for any survival horror fans.
The overall changes in MLB The Show 17 may not be as impressive as those from last year, but this is still yet another solid entry from the powerhouse baseball simulation franchise.
What Remains of Edith Finch is a good game, but it fails to arrive at a satisfying conclusion, or build on its gameplay and narrative themes in any satisfying way. Thus, it never elevates itself to be something more than a series of interesting distractions, tied to a mystery that never resolves itself.
Destiny 2 is a really solid game from a studio that feels like it's far more confident in what they have created for the sequel. While not always fun solo, it boasts well-crafted multiplayer gameplay with an addictive shoot-and-loot core loop. The end result is much closer to the original vision that the first Destiny was unable to grasp.
Persona Dancing: Endless Night Collection isn't going to change your life, nor be an experience to carry with you forever, but it is a charming and entertaining distraction that will almost certainly win you over while playing. If you're a Persona fan, it's a must-play, but even if you're not, this could still be a fun game to pull out when you need a pick-me-up.
Wide Ocean Big Jacket is a game about what happens in between the life-changing moments. About how everyday interactions and conversations are interesting in their own way. It's a memorable experience built around relatable characters, fun dialogue, and clever gameplay moments.
The core gameplay mechanics of Loop Hero are exceptional. There's something that is devilishly interesting about it, drawing you back into every run. It's the kind of game that you always want to play again. However, the grind can get tiresome and playing on PC is not an ideal setting for the late campaign marathon sessions.
Dragonfall is limited by the mediocre game it was an expansion of, but still manages to build a more interesting narrative with better characters. The overarching missions structure has improved, the way you complete these missions has become more varied. Dragonfall may wear the skin of Shadowrun Returns, but underneath it's a far superior game.