Sam Prell
Dead or Alive 5: Last Round amounts to the definitive version of a game released back in 2012, which is both a good and a bad thing.
Resident Evil Revelations 2 is a paint-by-the-numbers exercise in survival horror lacking in bite strength
Mortal Kombat X is bloody well done
A challenging game with a colossal chip on its shoulder
A solid shooter standing atop fan service and nostalgia
Splatoon is a beautiful new twist on the shooting genre, but lacks team chat and other modern norms.
Littered with bugs, excruciating load times, and a severely padded ending, ReCore is a great example of good ideas, flawed execution.
Not always thrilling, but Dead Rising 4 feels like the series getting its sense of fun back. And that's a great thing.
While it's certainly not perfect, Nier: Automata is nonetheless a breath of fresh air that will challenge your thumbs as well as your thinking - a game with hydrocarbon heart and silicon soul that will stay with you long after you've set the controller down.
At times mechanically clumsy, but artistically sound, Little Nightmares might get on your nerves every once in awhile, but its imagery will burrow into your brain and never leave.
Injustice 2 isn't the most original fighting game on the block, but it might be the most balanced and thoroughly entertaining one - gear system notwithstanding.
An intoxicating, memorable journey, with smart puzzles and a resonant story.
Stormblood tells an intriguing tale of resistance and rebellion, with well-defined characters, exciting dungeons, and awe-inspiring new classes, but leans just a bit too heavy on the grind.
Absolver feels like a (difficult, sometimes frustrating) step into a larger world, and if you can hang with it, it'll leave you hungry for more.
Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite has a solid core and Infinity Stones make fights tactical. If only it didn't have to live up to the expectations set by its excellent predecessors.
South Park balances ample fan service with gameplay that stands on its own merits and an engaging story. It won't make you a fan if you weren't one already, but it's hard to imagine a better-realized adaptation.
Beast-hunting will test your reflexes while cooking them up will tease your brain, and Battle Chef Brigade's upbeat attitude and stylish looks will have you smiling the whole way through.
Dragon Ball FighterZ is not only true to its source material, but ranks among the best as a 2D fighting game. How long you stick with it might be entirely dependent on how much you love the series, though.
An enticing (if sometimes uneven) action-adventure that will surprise you with an intriguing mystery and surprisingly deep characters.
Spyro Reignited may not be as true to your memories of the PS1 trilogy as you'd like, but it holds up well and hasn't let go of its unique, kid-friendly charm.