In Bloodborne, things are going to be tough, you're going to die, and, most importantly, you're going to have one hell of a good time.
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions takes twin-stick point-hoarding action to a whole new dimension.
The Talos Principles manages to be both a great game and a contemplative piece of art, and the world is a richer place for it.
If you own a Wii U, you absolutely owe it to yourself to pick up Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker.
If you own a Wii U, you have no reason not to pick up Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Its challenges are numerous and demanding, but not without leeway, its secrets are nigh-infinite and most importantly, it brings with it that classic Nintendo sense of fun. DKC: TF is meant to be a challenge, but it's a challenge that excites you with the joy of triumph, not one that frustrates you with failure.
In a genre full of dour shootymans using realistic guns to shoot at realistic people, Overwatch polishes off the grit to reveal a game that's optimistic and eager to be explored.
With Dragon Age: Inquisition, BioWare worked hard to make up for the sins of their past, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.
With its top-notch aesthetics, richly flowing action, and uniquely personal ecosystem of foes, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is one game you'll be happy to go there and back again with.
Even the most hardened kart-racing veterans would be hard-pressed not to consider Mario Kart 8 as one of the best, if not the best, entry in this phenomenal series. Mario Kart has long been known for bringing players of all size and skill together. This newest iteration, with its tightly balanced gameplay, giant content offering and lush visuals and audio, will have you and yours screaming, cursing and cheering through countless hours of play.
Whether you're a casual marine-medivac dropper or the most hardcore, Idra-level max APM player in the world, Legacy of the Void offers a rich, varied experience. With an amazing campaign, phenomenal multiplayer, numerous gameplay options, satisfying story, nigh-infinite unlockables, and tons of nooks and crannies to explore, Legacy of the Void stands as one of the proudest entries in the Starcraft legacy.
Bravely Second continues in the footsteps of its predecessor, trying again to find that magic oasis of fun which balances out the old and the new.
World of Warcraft: Legion brings a new transformation to WoW, making it into something smaller, sleeker; a creature far more befitting the modern gamer.
Nier: Automata is a kickin' rad action game that's also a twin-stick shoot-’em-up and a 2.5D platformer and role-playing game, and anything else it might need to be at any given moment.
If you enjoy SimCity, any of the previous Tropico games, or city-building games in general, you'll probably find a lot to like here— unless you get it for PC, in which case you may not be able to play it until its developers get their coding under control.
Stick It to the Man is so much more than random insanity— it's also a delightful point-and-click-style adventure game draped in the wrappings of a platformer.
Whether you're a lifelong fan of tower defense games or have no idea what "mazing" means, Defense Grid 2's smart gameplay, strong level design, and great writing make it a strong contender for any strategically-minder gamer's library.
Gamers hungry for a bit of creative/critical thinking should most definitely put out the cheese and let this mouse come out to play.
The Lego Movie Video Game should be looked to as a shining example of a movie game done right. It's fast, it's fun, and it feels like a well-polished, video game, version of the movie. Traveller's Tales mastered the format of these Lego games and can pretty much set things to cruise control from here. The Lego Movie Game may not be the most original or complex title out there, but it's an enthusiastic, uncynical bit of fun, filled with brightness, cheer and awesome.
Serious server woes aside, whether you're returning to WoW for the first time in years or have never stepped foot in Stormwind, Warlords of Draenor makes for a great way to whittle away the hours. World of Warcraft's new zones are huge and full of adventure, the story's grand, and the new garrison feature is soul-suckingly addictive, all of which make for a triumphant return to form for this gaming giant.
Galactic Civilizations III stays the course on the strong path laid by Galactic Civilization II— at times to a fault. The tactical, political wheeling-and-dealing action is more streamlined than ever before, but outside of a few relatively small changes the core gameplay is essentially the same.