A.J. Maciejewski
It's hard to believe that a sequel to a game from 1998 released so much later but it was worth the wait. Brigandine The Legend of Runersia is an excellent strategic experience that will blow SRPG fans' minds with its immersive level of depth.
Mr. Driller Drill Land is the best game in the series and one of my favourite Switch games in recent memory. If you enjoy action-packed arcade fun with plenty of cheerful humour, you'll thoroughly dig this.
Mafia II tells one of the best character-driven stories in all of gaming and it does so in a masterful way. Its gameplay may not deviate from genre norms yet it remains a wholly immersive and gripping tale that you'll want to see through to its jaw-dropping end.
Although the Gaplus demake isn't as cool as the 8-bit version of Pac-Man Championship Edition, the other 10 games are what make Namco Museum Archives Vol 2 a slightly superior product. I've never seen a niftier treasure trove of NES hidden gems.
Whether you played SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom back in the day or not, there's no denying that this Rehydrated version is something special. Overall, it's a classic 3D platformer that feels fresh and fun in today's gaming scene.
If you're a fan of point and click adventure games with plenty of humour then you need to play Edna & Harvey: The Breakout - Anniversary Edition. Just ensure that you're ready to frequently refer to a guide and witness some truly awkward animations.
Skelattack boasts one of the most unique premises and stories that I've had the pleasure of experiencing in a long time. If it featured tighter controls and better balancing when it came to its platforming challenges then it would be a must-play Metroidvania.
If you have a dark sense of humour then you'll enjoy your time with Little Misfortune's brief and unique campaign. Just don't expect to enjoy any sort of gameplay because aside from the odd interaction, there really isn't anything to do besides watch and laugh.
Railway Empire is an excellent real-time strategy simulation game and this Nintendo Switch Edition retains its rewarding and engaging gameplay. Even with its less than stellar graphical performance, I still recommend checking it out, especially if you only own a Switch.
If you're looking for a highly enjoyable experience that's undoubtedly something different, Desperados III will provide hours of gunslinging good times. Plus, those who enjoy perfecting their strategies as they take a trial and error approach will absolutely love it.
Namco Museum Archives Vol 1 is a solid collection of NES gems. From faithful arcade-at-home ports to a couple of delightful out of the ordinary inclusions, you're bound to have a blast playing through these 8-bit classics.
Darius Cozmic Collection Console includes a handful of solid classic 16-bit shoot 'em ups. Although they're not as enjoyable as their arcade counterparts, you surely can't deny that there's a lot of fun to be had shooting up all sorts of space sea creatures here.
Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade includes 3 of the most underrated and incredible arcade shooters ever created. Although G-Darius is disappointingly absent, what you get is one super-fun collection that features some truly innovative HUD options.
When it comes to Metroidvanias, Outbuddies DX offers a unique and retro-feeling adventure. However, it could still use quite a lot of fine-tuning with its controls, visuals, and guidance to make it truly stand out as a must-have experience.
Rigid Force Redux is simply one of the best shoot 'em ups that I have played in years. If you're a fan of arcade shooters then you need to play this. The amalgamation of game mechanics is phenomenal and its sights and sounds are top-notch, too.
While the end credits rolled, I felt hopeful, inspired, and downright delighted. I can't wait to play through it again. With that being said; there's no denying that what Epic Dumpster Bear 2 accomplishes with its visuals, mood, and gameplay is nothing short of meh.
While the end credits rolled, I felt hollow, hopeless, frustrated, and downright disgusted. I'll never play through it again. With that being said; there's no denying that what The Last of Us Part II accomplishes with its visuals, mood, and gameplay is nothing short of amazing.
Disintegration provides some of the best multiplayer action that I've ever played. At the same time, its single player campaign can be downright tedious and frustrating so I can only recommend it to those who enjoy competing online.
XCOM 2 Collection is bursting with a treasure trove of awesome content that you can enjoy the fantastic SRPG gameplay within. Also, although it suffers from some performance issues, being able to play it portably is a welcome treat.
Ys: Memories of Celceta remains the best that the incredible ARPG series has to offer. Although it hasn't changed much over the years, it's cool that those who missed it on PlayStation Vita can now enjoy it on PS4.