Everything about Cuphead just feels right, even all these months after its original release. As it stands right now, this game is nearly flawless in its own right, thanks to its responsive controls and signature style.
Easily one of the best releases last year, The Last of Us Remastered has a good chance of winning even more Game of the Year honors with this exceptional improvement. The visuals, sound, gameplay and extras all come together to make this a worthwhile package. Even if you've seen everything it has to offer, you should experience it again.
There is still some question as to whether fans will accept Locke as much as they've accepted Master Chief, as well as how significantly the game will hold up in multiplayer once the public servers go live. But for what I've seen and played for so many hours over the weekend, Halo 5: Guardians has indicated that 343 has not only picked up Bungie's ball, but scored with it on multiple occasions.
The game as a whole is a wonderful experience, even surpassing the original adventure that put Lara back on the map in 2013. It's that kind of sequel that deserves your utmost appreciation – kind of like a treasure in itself.
Even with mild inconsistencies with storytelling and some weird Titan skills, Titanfall 2 is everything we could’ve hoped for a sequel to be. Everything comes together quite beautifully here, from the fluid gameplay to the wonderful presentation, and whether you prefer single or multiplayer, there’s a lot to get through here.
Don't think of Ultra Street Fighter IV as "just another add-on." Ono and his team have put delicate work into this final expansion, with new characters that fit right in, balancing that truly makes sense, YouTube uploading and plenty of fun fighting options to choose from. Enjoy the brawl.
Rocket League fared as one of last year's biggest surprises, a game that grew from the somewhat undiscovered Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle Cars into an eSports phenomenon. It continues the status quo with its Xbox One build, with a polished presentation that doesn't let up, smooth gameplay, and a ton of options for both online and offline play. If you haven't discovered this gem yet, you won't find a better time.
Easily one of Devolver Digital's best releases from last year, Downwell is an old-school delight that won't let you down in the least. It's difficult at times, but still utterly rewarding when it comes to exciting gameplay, plenty of unlockables and a right-at-home presentation for NES fans. Now we just need a console release to seal the deal.
Watch Dogs could've easily been Grand Theft Auto with tech equipment. But Ubisoft Montreal has managed to flesh out this experience as something more, making fantastic use of the technology and applying it just right to deliver a remarkably deep experience. Furthermore, the presentation is quite good on newer game machines, and all the aspects click--albeit with somewhat inconsistent driving controls and AI. This game may have been a long time coming, but it's been worth the wait.
From finishing off a rival Titan by ripping out its pilot, to detonating a Titan to destroy a squad of enemy soldiers, Titanfall is filled with numerous moments of sheer fun.
Easily one of the best fighting games of the year, Guilty Gear Xrd SIGN shows that you can stick with basic fighting concepts while trying something new at the same time. As a result, the PlayStation 4 has yet another benefit to its library – and it's just going to get bigger and better as 2015 rolls around.
Mario Kart 8 feels like a re-definition for the series, without straying from its roots. The gameplay is fantastic, the visual presentation is stunning, and the social features will keep players coming back for more. The Wii U has a killer addition to its line-up that could easily drive sales of the console. Now that's something worthy of a victory lap.
One of the best indie games to surface this year, Runbow is a sheer delight, whether you're running through the game on your own or taking up with a group of friends in a fight to the finish. Make sure you rush to the eShop and give it a download.
For those of you who have been longing to fill your F-Zero void, Fast Racing Neo is it. It's a wonderful futuristic racer with plenty of perks, challenges and joys, whether you prefer going at it alone or cruising with friends in tow. It's one of the year's most surprising games, and a ride you definitely shouldn't miss.
This may be one of the most fulfilling Call of Duty games I've played yet, and as manic as it may be, it certainly backs up everything it promises. Kudos to Treyarch for going the extra mile, and proving that, yes, it's still one of the best developers for this job.
Even though the story isn't always a hit at times, and there are some online issues that could use some looking into, NBA 2K16 remains a slam dunk when it comes to the world of virtual basketball.
I may never figure out what's going on inside the head of Jonathan Blow – or what the deal really was with that "piss jug" picture he posted on Twitter – but there's no denying his savvy when it comes to game development.
Despite its relatively short length (again, about three hours from beginning to end), Abzu does provide the option to go back in again and see what you missed, or simply goof off with the sea life. It's definitely a game that's well worth returning to, especially just to partake in the visuals and calm your nerves a little bit.
It's literally everything you could want in a party game – and for the first time in quite a while, you can bring the kids, too.
While the graphics may not have provided the evolution that fans were hoping for, the rest of Rock Band 4 delivers so abundantly that you simply won't give a damn. Between a great playlist that can easily be built upon, solid gameplay support for old and new peripherals alike, and the kind of multiplayer that's exceptionally jam-worthy, it's a party that you'll easily welcome back with open arms. Indeed, it's time to unleash your inner Slash and get back to jamming.