For its simple premise, its fun characters, and an experience that can be fully enjoyed both online and off, Lethal League has proven to be a delight.
Shovel Knight is everything good about a bygone era, acting as a reminder of why classic platformers were so loved... and hated.
The Yoshi's Island series is one of my favorite gaming series ever, which is why it's so painful to see Yoshi's New Island fall short in so many ways. It's not a bad game and certainly a serviceable one for younger audiences and new players. Unfortunately, for those that have followed Yoshi since his first starring role nearly 20 years ago, this game is a tremendous disappointment.
South Park: The Stick of Truth suffers from overly simplistic RPG mechanics, some iffy design choices, and some major bugs. In spite of all of that, the story nails everything that make Trey Parker and Matt Stone's television series such a joy, making this an ideal choice for South Park fans... and likely South Park fans only.
Bravely Default is a refreshing infusion of modernity into what's otherwise a traditional old-school RPG. It adds some new spice to turn-based battles, while also adding an engaging story, an engrossing Job system, and much-needed customization.
Nidhogg is a fun and simple fencing game that's sure to get your competitive juices flowing, despite an unstable netcode leading to a slew of online issues.
Forza Motorsport 5 simultaneously captures the simulation racing experience and the arcade atmosphere, thanks to its Drivatar system that successfully brings a multiplayer experience to nearly every aspect of the game.
At launch, Killer Instinct serves as a solid foundation for what could eventually become a good fighting game. More characters and stages are coming down the line, but at launch, the game's limited single and multiplayer modes are glaring and will grow stale quickly.
Dead Rising 3 offers more zombie-killing with cool new combo weapons/vehicles and a much bigger world. Unfortunately, a bigger world doesn't necessarily prove to be a better experience.