Cultured Vultures

Vertex Pop are a small team, so a lot of the issues with Super Crush KO could be attributed to a lack of resources, and ultimately, the game offers plenty of enjoyment for fans of the beat ‘em up genre. That said, Super Crush KO’s issues are prevalent enough to dampen the overall package.

The game is also Big Ant’s most competent release yet. While many of their other titles have been very rough around the edges, this game has more polish and fewer problems to contend with. With some post-launch love to improve some of the more lacking areas, AO Tennis 2 could be a real winner. For now, though, it is likely a game that only dedicated tennis fans will truly enjoy.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is an essential purchase to experience the series as a more complete package. This is a game that does not give up its secrets easily, but offers players a wealth of options to succeed - with enough perseverance.

Vampire: the Masquerade - Coteries of New York holds a lot of depth in its world and melds in some small mechanics to help add an element of strategy. Better suited to players who are already familiar to the world, but easy enough for fledgling vampires to embrace it.

AVICII Invector is a fitting tribute to both the DJ and the man, Tim Bergling, with a heartfelt story and excellent gameplay.

Modern Warfare has become one of the most successful entries in the series, though the overall package isn’t indicative of that. While the campaign is top-notch, the multiplayer has plenty of flaws and the Spec Ops mode leaves a lot to be desired. The updates have improved the experience somewhat, but the microtransactions that have emerged only served to leave a sour taste in your mouth.

SuperEpic: The Entertainment War is a service to the Metroidvania genre, as it offers enough creativity and satirical humour to really stand out from the crowd. There are one of two niggles along the way, but nothing that will pull you out of the experience. It looks great, plays smoothly and is quite frankly tremendous and addictive fun from start to finish.

I ended my time with War and Strife pleasantly surprised that the switch to an isometric view didn’t make Genesis less of a Darksiders game. What I expected to be a run-of-the-mill Diablo clone managed to win me over with its adherence to the same core gameplay design that the mainline games have employed to great effect in three previous outings. If you can overlook the banal dialogue and corny voice acting, you’ll find an incredible game very worthy of its namesake.

Phoenix Point successfully introduces a slew of new features and mechanics that sufficiently evolve the XCOM-inspired genre of strategy games, though is brought down by some buggy, wonky, and unbalanced implementation of some mechanics.

Death Stranding is a beautiful and unique game that deserves praise for trying something a bit different. However, your enjoyment of it really will hinge on your tolerance for the game's core delivery gameplay of “move item from A to B” and Kojima's episode-length cutscenes.

Profane is a top-down shmup experience where you use time as a resource and as currency. Despite the lack of mouse support, it will clock up the hours for those looking for their next bullet-riddled hit.

An experience for those focused and patient snipers, but the performance issues may hamper the immersion and fun in a world with a structure that only has so much to offer.

For Terminator fans, Resistance feels like a must, probably the best video game based on the IP in many years. For everyone else, it might win you over if you can forgive its failings. Terminator: Resistance doesn't do much new, and it doesn't do much well, either. It's lagging in almost every department, yet when you put it all together, it's a charming relic that may just surprise you.

At its best, the gameplay can be fantastic and great fun, and I don’t doubt that had Black Future ’88 been released two or three years ago, we would remember it fondly and perhaps even throw a few awards at it. As it is now, it’s merely one in a sea of hundreds of similar titles. It’s a very competent game, but nothing new or revolutionary. Unfortunately, it means the few new things Black Future does bring to the table lose a lot of their impact. That said, roguelikes have a tendency to improve over time, so perhaps the same will be true for Black Future as well.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order suffers from some annoying pacing issues, but the attention to detail and fundamentally solid gameplay makes it the best Star Wars game in over a decade.

Despite the odd issue, Planet Zoo is easily the best modern zoo management title available today.

The cute graphics and almost cartoon-like voice acting are also well suited to a younger audience. Add in the fact that you cannot be killed while exploring and this is as close to a relaxing and gentle experience as you can get in a video game. But, adults picking this up expecting something akin to Goat Simulator or Untitled Goose Game are going to be bitterly disappointed.

Need For Speed Heat is the beginning of a new upwards turn for the long-ailing franchise. While it doesn’t get everything right, Heat focuses on the right elements needed to be a successful series once again. For the first time in a long time, I have a need for Need For Speed.

Even considering these critiques, Unity of Command 2 is an amazing turn-based historical strategy game worthy of anyone’s attention, especially considering all the beginner-friendly elements. For anyone looking for a game that would be an entry point into the series or wargaming in general, this is the one to pick up. Unity of Command 2 successfully builds upon all core design elements of its predecessor, which to this day still holds up.

New Super Lucky’s Tale takes what was originally a great platforming game and improves it exponentially to make it one of the most enthralling games currently available for the Switch.

As far as Skybolt Zack’s experience is concerned, it is a solid offering that will appeal to players looking for something they can play over and over again to perfect their best time or score. For those of you looking for a more casual experience, approach with caution. Skybolt Zack may look like harmless platforming fun, but it makes you sweat for it.

Afterparty is like a Godfather cocktail: devilishly sweet and won’t leave you with a remorseful hangover. Night School Studio can toast to creating a funny and endearing tale.

An unremarkable story is outshined by engaging, if difficult, puzzles, and a persistently creepy atmosphere.

Though Skullgirls: 2nd Encore might not have the biggest online community on the Nintendo Switch, that’s subject to change once more people purchase the game, and they really should. With a fantastic style and superlative gameplay, supported by the best netcode in the business, Skullgirls: 2nd Encore is right at home on the Nintendo Switch.

Disco Elysium is an absolute triumph of character, narrative, and player choice. One of the most intoxicating and dazzlingly dense RPGs of its generation that deserves to be in the GOTY conversation.