Todd Rigney
The Sims 4 Seasons introduces your Sims to the joys of spring, summer, fall, and winter -- and the dangers of bees, lightning, thermostats, and devious lawn gnomes. It's as quirky, weird, and funny as it sounds.
This isn't the end-all, be-all of JRPGs, but it's still a damn fine Dragon Quest game, not to mention a great introduction to the genre for newcomers. Think of it as JRPG comfort food and you'll have no trouble whatsoever.
Despite some wonky controls, Sushi Striker's insanely colorful presentation and stable of silly characters make it one of the strongest puzzle games currently available on the Nintendo Switch.
This collection of classic Sega Genesis games features a wide array of great titles at an unbeatable price. Just make sure you have a passion for retro games -- or feel hopelessly nostalgic for the 16-bit era.
Although Digimon: Cyber Sleuth - Hacker's Memory is a blast to play and gives gamers a lot to do, it's essentially just more of the same.
Although this is nothing more than a port of the inferior PC version, Final Fantasy IX feels great on the Switch and will introduce a whole new generation to the game's many charms.
Cat Quest is a lightweight action-RPG that doesn't demand a lot of your precious time yet provides a deep enough experience to scratch a much deeper itch. It's a purrfect addition to the Nintendo Switch lineup.
The latest installment of the Lego Marvel series doesn't deviate too far from the franchise's formula, which means it probably won't draw new gamers into the fold. However, it checks all the right boxes and hits most of the necessary marks, giving fans exactly what they crave.
Biomutant could be the sleeper hit of 2021. Not only is it downright adorable, but it's also an absolute blast to play. Developer Experiment 101 has created a world that you want to explore, and it frequently rewards you for slowing down and taking it all in. Throw in some great combat, robust character creation, and a wonderful crafting system and you've got a game that should please even the most jaded of open-world enthusiasts.
The Yakuza Remastered Collection finally allows PC and Xbox owners to play through the entire Kiryu Kazuma saga on a single platform, and the games have never looked better. And while some of the titles have aged better than others, it's a must-have for those who want the complete Yakuza experience.
A superior sequel in every way, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle takes everything that made the first installment so memorable and gets rid of everything else. It also tells a more focused and mature story, though it doesn't shy away from extreme bloodletting and ridiculous humor. It's truly fantastic from start to finish.
No More Heroes deserves every ounce of love it has received since its release on the Nintendo Wii. From mowing grass to slaying enemies, the game's boundless energy helps you overlook its shortcomings. If you're new to No More Heroes, now's a fantastic time to dive right in.
The latest installment in the Yakuza franchise takes the series in a brave new direction. And while it takes a moment to get used to the new characters, setting, and battle mechanics, you'll soon find yourself sinking into a fully-realized world that's charming, heartfelt, and an outright blast to play - even if you're not a Dragon Quest fan.
Rune Factory 4 Special delivers a wealth of content in a charming and engaging package that should keep newcomers and long-time fans happy for dozens upon dozens of hours.
Outside of some technical hiccups and some boring fetch quests, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot's colorful presentation and over-the-top battles should appeal to hardcore fans and baby-faced newcomers alike.
Nihon Falcom has delivered yet another stellar entry in the Trails of Cold Steel series. If you're a newcomer, you'll need to start at the beginning to genuinely appreciate the whole package. However, if you're a long-time fan of the franchise, then you'll love every thrilling second of it.
As gorgeous to behold at as it is a blast to play, Concrete Genie offers up one of the best, most heartfelt video game experiences of 2019.
Save for the issues with RNG and the procedurally generated environments, Children of Morta delivers an exceptional experience with superior gameplay and a surprising amount of heart.
There's so much to love about My Friend Pedro that it's often hard to find something to complain about, so I'll just end this gushing little review on an extremely high note: Out of all the Nintendo Switch games I've played so far this year, I think I've found my favorite. I have plenty more banana-related adventures to pursue -- and bullets to waste.
Rad delivers a superbly addictive and frequently harsh roguelike experience that stands among the best of them, though you'll sometimes curse the game's randomness for ruining your run.