Toby: The Secret Mine isn't a bad game because it's so similar to other titles. It's bad because it can't even come close to matching the strength of releases from five years ago.
Colorful, gorgeous visuals and refined mechanics help Shantae: Half-Genie Hero not only reach franchise highs, but also establishes the series as one of the genre's best.
Whether you're speeding across the Monte Rosa in a wing-suit, or casually riding down the Ortles, Steep is an enjoyable winter playground. And, with a few tweaks and fixes, both minor and major, from Ubisoft Annecy, it could eventually develop into a great one.
Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection is a great introduction to Ubisoft's popular franchise, but for those already familiar with the series, the lacklustre remaster treatment given here makes it hard to recommend.
Small Radios Big Televisions has visual style to spare, but the lack of depth in both narrative and gameplay make this oddball experience worth skipping.
Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers is the worst type of licensed dreck, soullessly designed with absolutely none of the charm or creativity of the shows it depicts.
The combination of tired "retro" design choices and brief length make Exile's End a tough game to recommend, even before recognizing that the Metroidvania genre is full of better options.
The "charms" of Duke Nukem might not be as potent as they were in 1996, but the frenetic gameplay and clever level design make Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary Edition a worthy celebration.
Top-notch presentation and stellar, realistic gameplay drive NBA 2K17 to All-Star status, even if the sometimes overbearing microtransactions set a dangerous precedent.
The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel II is a content-rich adventure that mixes excellent JRPG mechanics with wonderfully scripted character relationships. For those unfamiliar with the series, though, it may be best to start with the original.
While it may not be the most difficult, or lengthy, title ever, Hue is a deft combination of nimble platforming and shrewd puzzle solving. Don't sleep on this colorful gem.
The tale of love and loss in Alone With You is certainly memorable, but the tedious and simple gameplay begins to grate before you reach the end.
While it may not provide the same seismic shifts as last year's iteration did, Madden NFL 17 continues to to evolve and innovate, even as the series approaches its 30th anniversary.
Brut@l has visual style to spare, but like a dull book with a beautiful cover, the actual game itself is nothing more than a standard dungeon crawler with divisive rougelike elements.
Double Fine Productions has managed to craft an experience in Headlander that successfully combines the retro style of 1970's science fiction with excellent modern gaming trappings. Don't let the absurd premise sway you, there's more than just zaniness here.
Shaky conclusion aside, Song of the Deep is a narrative rich adventure that successfully pairs Metroidvania gameplay with a dynamic underwater setting.
The Bug's Life meets Contra premise of MilitAnt is promising, but unfortunately the experience is marred by questionable design decisions and an unreliable targeting system.
Novices need not apply: MXGP 2 is designed for only the most dedicated of motocross fans. Those that are interested, and willing to look past poor performance issues, though, will find a treasure trove of content that will satisfy their needs.
Mighty No. 9 has all of the annoying traits that buried the Mega Man franchise, but none of the personality or charm that made it so beloved in the first place.
Fenix Furia is the type of aneurysm inducing platformer that only appeals to a certain subsect of gamers. For those that are seeking a challenge, you'll find it here. For everyone else, though, I suggest you look elsewhere for your kicks.