Naturally, this list isn't final and shouldn't be taken as the only sci-fi games coming out in 2018. These are merely some of those we think have at least the potential to become hits either due to their setting, gameplay, and/or story.

Some of these might not even be released this year, but since the developers haven't explicitly stated otherwise ... fingers crossed.

Are there any sci-fi games you think should be on the list? Let us know in the comment section below.

Star Citizen

Developer: Cloud Imperium Games
Platforms: PC
Release date: TBA

Even if you're not a fan of space flight simulators, chances are you've heard of Star Citizen because of the insanely successful crowdfunding campaign. To date, the developers have raised a whooping $178 million dollars. To give you an idea, vanilla World of Warcraft cost about $80 million adjusted to today's inflation.

There are two reasons why you would want to keep an eye on this game. First, the ambition, vastness, and ridiculous amount of features that are being developed. The game will feature both space and FPS combat; will have a single-player component (Squadron 42) that will be voiced with celebrities such as Mark Hamill; and will include a persistent online multiplayer mode like that of an MMO.

The second reason is the same as the first, but if it goes wrong. If Star Citizen fails to deliver, it's going to become one of, if not the, major stories of game development failures in all the history of video games. After all, how many developers get their hands on 178 million dollars without corporate and publishers' strings attached? Hopefully, though, it'll be a success and will deliver one of the most impressive and vast games ever made.

A feature trailer, released just a few weeks ago, can be seen below:

Consortium: The Tower

Developer: Interdimensional Games
Platforms: PC
Release date: 2018

Probably the easiest way to captivate your interest in Consortium: The Tower is to think of it as a blend between Die Hard and Deus Ex. Think of another FPS with RPG mechanics, like System Shock, only instead of being surrounded by a spooky space station and mutants, you start by freefalling onto a tower in the year 2042.

The tower is occupied by different mercenary factions with whom your relationship will vary depending on the actions and decisions you make throughout the game. As part of the RPG experience, you'll have the options of deciding how to proceed, allowing you to blast your way through, sneak around, or simply charm the NPCs through sweet talk.

The game is already in an Early Access stage on Steam.

System Shock Remastered

Developer: Night Dive Studios
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Mac, Linux
Release date: Q2 2018

Unlike some of the other titles on this list, System Shock Remastered is not a sequel to any game nor a new IP. It is instead a complete remake of the original title bearing the same name. The original game, along with its sequel, System Shock 2, became renowned for their original storyline, futuristic setting, and gameplay mechanics that combined FPS and RPG elements.

Set aboard a space station controlled by a rogue AI, the player (a hacker who played a part in contributing to the present situation), awakes from being in a coma and must battle mutants, cyborgs, and the AI itself to find a way out and survive.

The studio working on it already has experience with the franchise by having contributed to the development of System Shock: Enhanced Edition and has already acquired IP rights for System Shock 3. The remake is being done with Unreal Engine 4, and you can see some of their work in the video below:

Metro Exodus

Developer: 4A Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release date: Q4 2018

The Metro series puts you in the shoes of post-nuclear-stricken Russian Federation citizens that survived the initial massacre by finding refuge in the subway system of Moscow. Set in the near future, the games are based on a combination of survival, stealth, and FPS mechanics.

After two games of almost exclusively closed quarters and dark rooms, Metro Exodus will take us to a more habitable part of Russia while continuing the plot of the main character, Artyom. The game's story will cover a time span of a whole year, feature weather and daily life cycles, and combine a mix of linear and sandbox levels.

The gameplay trailer, featuring the 28 Days Later soundtrack, was released in June of 2017 and can be seen below.

MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries

Developer: Piranha Games
Platforms: PC
Release date: December 2018

MechWarrior is one of those franchises that most probably wouldn't have heard of aside from the most veteran players. As the name indicates, the central theme of these titles is centered on mech-versus-mech combat.

Set 1,000 years in the future, Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries will put you in the boots of a mercenary mech pilot who will travel star systems and take contracts from the various political entities embroiled with one another in a conflict known as the Third Succession War.

Unlike the predecessor in the franchise, Mechwarrior Online, Mechwarrior 5 is the first game in 16 years that will feature a single-player campaign as its centerpiece. Along with this, it has also been confirmed to feature four-player co-op gameplay.

Check out the gameplay teaser below.

Cyberpunk 2077

Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platforms: PC, possibly PS4 and Xbox One
Release date: TBA

The developers of The Witcher series, one of the most acclaimed series in the PC industry, have been relatively quiet about the development of Cyberpunk 2077 since it was first announced in May of 2012. The most recent information, posted about a month ago, came from the game's official twitter account that contained a mere *beep*.

The piece of "information," if it can even be called that, gained a lot of traction within a short amount of time, and there is no surprise as to why. The high expectations are fueled both by the quality of CD Projekt Red's titles and by the user-friendly commercial practices of the company. The Witcher series has seen a steady improvement in quality, while at the same time the developers have abstained from shadowy commercial products like lootboxes and microtransactions.

The game takes place in a futuristic, cyberpunk open world that bears a resemblance to the world of Blade Runner. Cyberpunk 2077 will also feature a multiplayer component, though not much else has been announced,

You can check out the trailer below.

There are still many months to go in 2018, and that gives us plenty of time to think about those upcoming sci-fi games that both look promising and have at least the possibility of being released in 2018. From much-anticipated titles to lesser-known franchise entries, here we've compiled a list of six upcoming sci-fi games that we can't wait to get our hands on.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

“First-person shooter” probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "Resident Evil." However, the seventh main title is, in fact, played from a first-person perspective, and it does, in fact, involve shooting guns.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is actually a very competent FPS in its own right, and the switch from third-person to first-person enhances the truly frightening atmosphere that the series is so well known for (and it does make you wonder why Capcom hadn’t made a first-person Resident Evil game sooner). Unlike most conventional first-person shooters, you won’t be unloading your gun’s magazine every chance you get in Resident Evil 7. In fact, you’ll probably find yourself praying for fewer enemies to fight.

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That wraps up our list of seven of the best first-person shooters released in 2017. If there are any games that you think should've been on this list, let us know with a comment!

Quake Champions

Platform: PC

While hero shooters are becoming more and more popular, arena shooters are something of a rarity these days. Quake Champions combines the two, pitting a fairly varied cast of unique characters against one another in an intense, arena-based bloodsport with lightning guns and rocket launchers.

With so few arena shooters on the market, most players will probably have to get their fix from Quake Champions if they want a more modern experience. However, even if it’s not perfect, Quake Champions does deliver as an excellent arena FPS experience, and players interested in the genre should definitely check the latest entry in the Quake series out. And veterans need not fear the hero aspects of Quake Champions, as the game feels nothing at all like Overwatch.

Destiny 2

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Destiny 2 is kind of a mixed bag at the moment -- the whole loot box controversy happening alongside the game’s current content drought certainly isn’t doing the game any favors. However, at its core you’ll find an incredibly polished game with some of the most satisfying FPS gameplay and one of the most unique multiplayer PvE experiences the genre has to offer.

It’s a shame that Destiny 2 is currently in the shape that it is, but if all you’re looking for is a short, exciting FPS experience, then this is your game. Otherwise, it’s a game to keep your eye on during the next year, as the upcoming DLC could very well make or break Destiny 2.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG)

Platforms: PC & Xbox One

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is a little unusual compared to the rest of the games on this list in that it’s a battle royale survival game, so the majority of your time won’t actually be spent in shootouts with other players. You’d think that having 99 other players in the game would lead to an all-out bloodbath, but you’re going to have to pick your fights carefully if you want to be the last man (or squad) standing. At the same time, this gives each firefight that much more weight, as the long average life expectancy in PUBG (as opposed to other FPS games) means you’ve got that much more to lose.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch (in 2018)

I probably wasn’t the only one skeptical of Bethesda’s ability to put out a great Wolfenstein game when The First Order was announced in 2013, but a year later, the game was released and subsequently nominated for Golden Joystick’s 2014 Game of the Year award! It may not have won, but it’s obvious how well the game was received.

Well, it's a few years later, and we’ve got the sequel, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus ... which was awarded Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2017.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus packages that frantic, fast-paced FPS gameplay that the series is so well known for into a spectacularly imaginative story -- and it’s actually a pretty good story to boot. If you’re looking for a Nazi-killing simulator, you can’t really go wrong with any of the Wolfenstein games, but The New Colossus is the latest, and certainly one of the greatest, entries in the series.

Prey (2017)

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Arkane Studios’s Prey reboot is an immersive simulator with some incredibly open-ended gameplay. Prey may not have the most robust shooting mechanics (they are sufficient, at the very least), but it brings a whole lot more to the table than most of the other games on this list.

As an immersive sim, Prey gives the player tons of opportunities to get creative and experiment with the environment. While exploring the Talos 1 space station, players will find a a vast array of tools, ranging from grenades that deconstruct everything caught in their blast to pyschic powers that will let you shapeshift into coffee mugs or mind control enemies.

Also, Prey is a really solid horror game if you’re into that.

Day of Infamy

Platform: PC

Day of Infamy is, in a lot of ways, the successor to Insurgency -- it’s a hardcore, tactical FPS that pits two sides (the Axis and Allies in this case) against each other in a 16v16 battle with limited, wave-based respawns.

Like Insurgency, Day of Infamy does away with a lot of traditional FPS UI elements in order to promote a more realistic style of gameplay -- ammo trackers and minimaps are notably absent. Not only will you have to personally keep track of the ammo in your current magazine, you’ll also have to keep track of the ammo in your old magazines, as ammo is not shared between your magazines. Furthermore, you’ll have to rely on good communication if you want to tactically outwit the opposing team, as you won’t have a radar or HUD trackers to show the enemy’s positions.

If you’ve been looking for a game to scratch your hardcore FPS itch, then New World Interactive has got you covered with Day of Infamy.

The first-person shooter has always been a pretty popular genre, which means that we typically get a good number of really solid shooters each year, regardless of whatever the flavor of the month (or year) is.

However, 2017 has thrown us a couple of oddballs, and many of the games on this list are a little unusual for the genre. On the bright side, this did lead to a varied list of games, and regardless of what kind of gamer you are, you're sure to find an FPS here that'll suit your interests.

Across a whole lot of genres and console generations, we just can't get enough of this oddball series that loves to fuse dating sims, monster raising, real life high school simulations, and JPRG combat.

With all these titles, you could lose yourself in Persona for countless hours before even diving into the other spin-off series!

What did you think of our listing, and how would you rank your favorite Persona games from best to worst?

Worst: Persona 4 Arena

Like the previously mentioned Ultimax, this is a fighting game spin-off, but it's not quite as polished or interesting as its sequel. It is notable for more of a heavy rock soundtrack than the other games in the series, whoever.

Frankly, other than the bigger focus on story and the presence of Persona characters, this isn't really ground breaking as a fighting game and can probably be safely skipped.

if you don't want to play a fighting game but want to know how this tale fits into the Persona universe, you can easily find all the story segments strung together at YouTube.

Persona Q

Persona goes chibi on this lone DS entry (for a look that I'm not crazy about) where the series managed to break away from Playstation to hit a Nintendo handheld for no apparent reason.

It also fuses characters from P3 and P4 into an alternate dimension taking place between those games, offering a new take on those familiar storylines and NPCs. How much you are going to dig this one depends on how much you like the handheld RPGs, as this is very much Etrian Odyssey meets Persona. 

Personally, it felt a little too familiar for me, and I'd have rather seen a completely different game with totally new characters, but if you can't get enough of the Persona 3 / 4 crews, then this may be worth it for you.

Persona 4: Dancing All Night

Wait, what the hell, there's a dancing rhythm game spin-off as well? Eh, after the fighting game, I guess why not just go with it?

Like with Arena and Ultimax, the bizarre PS Vita entry Dancing All Night has way more story than you'd expect from something in the same category as Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution.

This one takes a minor character from Persona 4 and spins off in a new direction, taking the series into the world of J-Pop. Its more fun than you'd expect, but honestly I have a hard time taking this one seriously.

Revelations: Persona

I fully came into this list expecting to put this entry all the way at the top, having very fond memories of playing this as a kid. The totally different setting from your typical fantasy RPG set Persona drastically apart from the pack.

This was also definitely the first game I played where negotiating with demons before fighting was an option, with violence completely avoidable in many random battles.

Between the game starting with a bunch of kids messing around with summoning demons, and one character's fondness for explaining the flaws in Western religion's theology, I had to play this one on the down low when my religious parents were around -- which of course just increased its mystique.

While ranking these games I went back to the original PS1 edition and a sad realization dawned on me: this game has not aged well.

Though groundbreaking at the time, It's kind of difficult to play at this point due to the clunky controls, and some of the graphics (particularly when navigating outside or through the labyrinthine hallways of high school dungeons) are sort of spectacularly bad.

Some of those kinks are worked out with the '09 PSP port, although going that route also loses some of the charm of the original sounds and cut scenes.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

Wait a minute, this is... a fighting game? Unlike the super ill-fated D&D fighting game spin off, this one is actually worth playing for beat 'em up fans, although maybe less so for the Persona die hards who prefer a JRPG experience.

Oddly enough, this is actually the SECOND fighting game in the series, following the previous Persona 4 Arena. What sets Ultimax apart from anything else in the genre is that there's a whole lot more story going on here than you'd expect from a Street Fighter style game.

That could be good or bad depending -- good for Persona fans who want to see these characters, but probably bad for fighting game fans who don't want to read screen after screen of text.

This one's better than its predecessor, but at the end of the day anyone playing is going to have to  ask themselves: just who is the target audience here?

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

This forgotten classic of the series was released at the very tail end of the PS1's life cycle as the PS2 was coming to dominance, so Eternal Punishment didn't make as big an impact as it could have were it released earlier in prime PS1 RPG time.

Eternal Punishment was still figuring out its various systems and hadn't perfected them yet, but was a big jump up from the original game. Its also interesting to note that it wasn't actually the second Persona game -- it was the third.

Previous game Innocent Sin didn't make it to the U.S. on the PS1 at all and in fact didn't arrive for North American audiences until 2011 on the PSP. Obviously, the story of Eternal Punishment could be confusing at times, since none of us had ever played its predecessor.

While it may have been a bit baffling at points, it was also incredibly dark (like Rule Of Rose dark) and will always remain with those who played through as kids and had no idea what they were in for. Horror fans will particularly note elements taken from the Cthulhu mythos, like a character named Nyarlathotep.

Persona 4

The position this game takes is really a matter of personal preference, and I suspect may have something to do with which game you played first and where you started in the series.

Some fans will fight to the death over their preference of Persona 4 to Persona 3 -- and vice versa. I'm more in that second camp that prefers the earlier game. Not that there's anything particularly wrong with this entry (note its high ranking in this list), but the characters, music, and style of 3 just edge this one out.

This one had a bit of a different tone than the previous games, being more of a murder mystery. It's also notable for taking the social link system from the previous game and expanding it even further.

While Persona 4 originally came out for the PS2 all the way back in '08, a remake titled Persona 4 Golden was released on the PS Vita in 2012, bringing the series back to the forefront in the long, long wait for Persona 5.

Persona 3 FES

This entry is when the North American audiences really started to take notice of the series, which had a cult following prior but really wasn't on the same level as anything like Final Fantasy.

Persona 3 is where the series hit its stride with managing relationships to increase rankings in various abilities and in splitting your time between monster raising, battling enemies, and being a high school student in the day. While more accessible than the earlier PS1 entries, Persona 3 is also notable for being quite difficult if you were trying to do everything.

Some of those requests from Elizabeth were incredibly hard, and there were a few boss fights that could easily wipe you out if you weren't holding a guidebook in your hands letting you know which specific Persona to be fusing ahead of time.

What always strikes me most about this entry is the incredibly memorable music that bucked the trend of what you'd hear in a typical JPRG. From the "baby, baby, baby, baby" of the combat music to the operatic take on the Velvet Room, you won't ever forget these tunes. Even the high school hallway theme had an electronic beat you can't get out of your head.

It wasn't all sunshine and gumdrops when Persona 3 was first released however, as the title caused some controversy. Characters point a gun at their foreheads and pull the trigger in a representation of the death of self to release a secondary inner persona. Needless to say, parents weren't stoked about imagery of teenagers repeatedly shooting themselves.

Best: Persona 5

The latest (and many are saying greatest) entry in the series was bestowed on Western fans a full half year after the Japanese market got ahold of it. It's been a tense six months for those of us longing for more Persona, but now that it's here, the wait was worth it.

We've covered the game extensively, and for good reason: Persona 5 takes everything that made the earlier games memorable and fun to play and cranked that all up to the next level.

This entry is incredibly stylized, and every single element of the game - from conversation to crafting to battles -- just constantly keeps that style front and center, with the themes of the story constantly woven into absolutely everything the protagonist does.

Part 5 is also easily the best instance of the time management aspect of the series, where you are trying to both be a successful student with interpersonal relationships, jobs, study time, etc. and a Phantom Thief hero battling Shadows at night. Blessedly, the game also doesn't take 40 hours to give you a story like Persona 3.

For those not familiar, Persona is a totally different beast altogether than other prominent JRPG series like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest.

Frequently focusing on high schoolers on Earth rather than knights in fantasy worlds, the series is known for button-pushing dark themes and stories that delve into the metaphysical and the philosophical. Throw in monster raising and some light dating sim elements, and you've got the Persona franchise.

Here we're going to cover all the games from best to worst to let you know which titles are worth your time and which can be played later after getting to the good stuff first. "Worst" may be a bit of a misnomer however, as there really aren't any actively bad Persona games, even if some are clearly better than others.

We're trying to be as complete as possible in this list, but a few spin offs are getting left out, like the defunct browser game or several Japanese-only mobile titles. Although they are closely connected, we're covering exclusively Persona branded games here and not any of the Shin Megami Tensei or Devil Summoner titles.

If you go all the way back to the series beginning in the late '80s on the Famicom, there are just way, way, way too many to cover, and many of them never got English translations. For those who ever played them though, please feel free to comment with your favorites!

The final day of 2017's EGX Rezzed was undoubtedly the busiest out of the long weekend. There were plenty of families attending, and things were a little bit manic. Even though there were queues to play games, I managed to get my hands on some fantastic adventure games, and even had some time to relax and do my own thing.

Here are some of the highlights from what I saw on this last day:

Knights & Bikes

It is always great to find games that remind you of your childhood -- and Knights & Bikes by London-based indie devs Foam Sword does exactly that. It reminds you of carefree days going around your neighborhood on your bikes and letting your imagination run wild. This action-adventure co-op combines a unique hand-drawn style with a charming story turning it into a truly endearing game.

The game takes place during the late 1980s, and players join sisters Nessa and Demelza as they explore a British island on their bikes. Something evil is turning all the adults bad, and you are the ones to rescue them and save the island from ruin. The game features some great combat mechanics such as having to use water balloons, frisbees, and puddle jumping to kill nasties -- and also allows you to customize your bikes with things like frisbee shields and flags.

A trip to the carnival proves a bit more dangerous than normal

The island before the troubles hit. Even the librarian was kind of nice... kinda.

Development of Knights & Bikes has been funded via a Kickstarter campaign which ended in March 2016, but there is currently no estimated release date for the finished game.

AereA

I like it when music is the main feature of a game. And while there are many adventure games that have things like music-themed puzzles in, none that I've come across have actually used musical instruments as the main focus of the game. That is...until I was introduced to a game called AereA, developed by Triangle Studios from the Netherlands.

AereA is a music-themed action RPG packed full of musical puzzles and set in the mystical land of Aezir. A mysterious evil has stolen the Nine Primordial Instruments, and you're burdened with the odious task of retrieving them. There are four characters to choose from, and each is based on a particular musical instrument.

In the demo I played, I chose to play as Claude who is a gunner. Instead of normal guns, though, Claude's guns are actually trumpets. The other character I liked the look of was Jacques, the Cello-Knight, whose shield is shaped like the body of a cello and whose sword is like a bow. There is also a Lute-Mage and a Harp-Archer.

You can play co-op and form a formidable band of adventurers

Even the enemies are themed on musical instruments

The games release date is still to be confirmed, but the developer says it should launch around Summer 2017.

Augmented Empire

I finally got to try Augmented Empire from Sunderland-based indie developers Coatsink. I've demoed and reviewed other games developed by this studio, so I was keen to check this new one out.

Augmented Empire is a story-driven tactical RPG set in a neo-noir city on a fictional island called New Savannah. You are put into a society that is split into different factions depending on your class. While the richer citizens live a life of luxury, the every day poorer folk struggle to survive -- always facing violence and undesirable conditions. The society is on the brink of revolution, and you are one of the masterminds behind it.

You must interact with everyone to find all the information you need

The police are out to get you!

Augmented Empire will be an exclusive Samsung Gear VR title and will be available at some point during 2017, though an exact date is yet to be confirmed.

Insane Robots

I spent a good amount of time speaking with the guys from London-based developer Playniac about their game Insane Robots. I was instantly drawn in by the bright and cartoony graphics, and the game made me immediately think of playing it with my family.

Insane Robots falls into many categories. It has been described as a 2D "rogue-lite" strategy game with elements of a turn-based card-battler in which you play a robot that has been thrown into an arena due to a malfunction. Your simple aim is to defeat all other robots in the arena and get out! You have to build up your attack and defense stats by playing a series of cards in order to gain the highest combo you can. There are also cards which allow you to hack your opponent but you want to be careful with those because the hacks can go against your favor as well as for.

Pick the cards you want to play from the bottom display

Be careful where you step in the arena because they are out to get you!

There is currently no confirmed date for the release of Insane Robots aside from "mid-2017". Whenever it's finally released, it will be available on PC, Mac, PS4, and Xbox One.

So, that was EGX Rezzed for another year. There were so many more games I could write about but you would seriously be here all evening so I hope these few highlights whet your appetite for more. Check out my other EGX Rezzed articles for find out about some other great games from the weekend!

There are plenty of other wonderful games we could have listed here. In truth, both the Wii and Wii U were home to a number of excellent titles, and some of the best ones -- including Mario Kart 8 and Rayman Origins -- will be getting a deserved re-release on the Switch.

However, we're hoping that Nintendo's new console fares better than the last one, and that third-party developers get on board early. The dearth of software that sounded the Wii U's death knell is completely avoidable. Nintendo know the mistakes that were made, so there's really no excuse to repeat them on the Switch. But in the interim, take a look at the last decade of releases -- you'll be surprised at how many gems you'll find.

What were your favorite Wii and Wii U games? Do you think the Switch will become home to similar classics? Let us know in the comments!

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

One of the darkest entries in Link's canon, Twilight Princess HD took the original Wii game and gave it a coat of high-def paint for Nintendo's follow-up console. Along with the graphical upgrade, the Wii U version added extra support for Amiibo, a new dungeon, and a super tough Hero mode.

However, the real benefit came from the gameplay tweaks, as Nintendo addressed many of the criticisms of the original, such as fast-switching to the Wolf version of Link, increasing your wallet, and streamlining a couple of the tougher side quests to make them easier.

For fans, it remains as divisive as ever, but for those looking for a more mature vision of Hyrule, Twilight Princess HD is hard to beat.

Super Smash Bros. (Wii U)

Following up a critically acclaimed game like Super Smash Bros. Brawl was never going to be an easy task. Yet the Wii U was the perfect console to host this party brawler, doubling the amount of possible players to eight, and offering up a staggering 51 characters to pick from (with another seven available to download). The eight-player Smash could have been a disaster but it actually worked perfectly, with the screen panning out to ensure that none of the mayhem was lost.

What could have presented itself as an incoherent mass of characters actually turned into a tactical triumph of mini-battles, each player working singly or with others to pick off potentially weak fighters, before turning on each other. Ferocious, colorful and always manic, it was also released on 3DS, but the Wii U version remains the one to pick up.

Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

The plumber had a number of fantastic outings across both consoles, but Mario's first 3D foray on the Wii remains one of the best in the series, as well as one of the best 3D platform games ever created. Super Mario Galaxy took everything you knew about the characters and the world they inhabited, and ported them into space. The result was a dizzying and spectacularly well-designed platformer, spanning 42 galaxies, with no fewer than nine different power suits to aid you in your task (collecting stars, obviously).

The level design was near perfect, the pacing sublime, and the graphics stretched the capabilities of the Wii, but without any loss of fidelity or frame rate. The use of gravity added a new dimension which bolstered everything great about its mechanics, but without making it confusing. A technical triumph, which the sequel built on even further.

Bayonetta 2 (Wii U)

While the Wii U spent much of its life churning out iterations of classic Nintendo franchises, it also managed to score a few great exclusives. Bayonetta 2 was one such title, and PlatinumGames followed up their wacky original with a hack 'n' slash that cranked everything up to frenetic levels of madness.

Better still, they addressed the criticisms of the first game, resulting in a seamless mesh of slick fighting, ridiculous combos, and a combat system that needed significant mastering to fully appreciate the attention to detail on show. It didn't shift the number of units needed to help the Wii U, but that didn't stop Bayonetta 2 from becoming one of the best reasons to own the console.

Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)

It was a toss-up between the 2011 original and its Wii U follow-up, but Xenoblade Chronicles edged it thanks to its sheer wow factor -- no-one was expecting the open world extravaganza that arrived on the Wii in its ailing years.

That it was a JRPG which proved to be huge and accessible took gamers by surprise, and while its graphics paled somewhat in comparison to the other consoles at the time, it was still lovely to look at and also boasted a killer soundtrack. It proved that the Wii was capable of more than just party games, but it unfortunately came too late in the console's life to cause a surge of similar titles. It was re-released on the 3DS in 2015.

We're less than a fortnight away from the Switch release, and a new generation of Nintendo games. But before we say farewell to the Wii and the much-maligned Wii U, it's worth looking back at their respective catalogs and reminding ourselves that, yes, there were actually a number of decent games on both systems.

So, dust off your consoles, and take a look at the games we'd really recommend playing before you move into the Switch era.

And that's it! 2016 really was something fantastic for me in gaming. These games are ones that I feel will stick with me for some time and I can't wait to sink more hours into each of them. It's going to be interesting to see what 2017 is going to hold for us.

What games did you love this year? Am I wrong for loving any of the games here? Let me know in the comments!

Dark Souls III

Developer: From Software

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

It's sad to think that I won't be getting another Dark Souls game. While I was late to the SoulsBorne bandwagon, I have absolutely adored my time with Dark Souls III. I've talked before about how I am definitely not the best gamer you are going to find. I'm not the biggest fan of games that market themselves about being extremely difficult. For this reason, I thought I would never be a fan of the SoulsBorne series. But boy, was I wrong.

I started late with Bloodborne, but I immediately fell in love with the game and was hooked. When Dark Souls III came out earlier this year, I couldn't press the purchase button fast enough on Steam so I could finally get into the game.

Everything about this game is something to behold. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous. Every place you travel to in the game is just screenshot fodder (especially the first time you see Irithyll of the Boreal Valley). I was constantly being wowed by the look of this game. The way the game teaches you how to slow down and think through your attacks is one of the most interesting things I've seen in gaming in a while.

We live in a world where games that have quick kill times are the kings of the industry, but this game about slowing down and taking your time has been an absolute hit for years. It really is refreshing.

I think my favorite thing about the game, though, is that there is no obstacle that can't be overcome. Yes, it may take you more time than you thought, but you will always overcome that challenge. It's hands down one of the most satisfying games I've ever played, and I can't wait to see what From Software produces next.

DOOM

Developer: id Software

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

I'm going to get this out of the way now. I have never played the original Doom games. I respect the position they have in the gaming community and recognize the trends that they really started for our industry, but I still haven't gotten around to playing them. That being said, 2016's DOOM may be one of the best games I've played in years.

There is just so much to love here. The fast paced action, the gruesome glory kills, the personality of this silent Doom Slayer, the soundtrack (my god the soundtrack), the variety of weapons, the extremely well designed levels, the list goes on and on. I have just loved my time with this game and I was even late to the party. I started really playing this game around Christmas, but even then I knew I was getting into something special. Every moment I played I realized more and more why id is the juggernaut that it is. 

If you haven't gotten the chance to rip and tear your way through DOOM yet, drop everything you're doing and go get this game. You most definitely won't regret it.

The Jackbox Party Pack 3

Developer: Jackbox Games

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC/Mac, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV

A few years ago I learned about a collection of party games called The Jackbox Party Pack. The collection contained a series of 5 different party games that were played on whatever device you bought the game on. The catch was that you controlled the game with any mobile device you hooked into the website. The games always brought laughter to my living room and gave me and my friends a real good time.

This year, the fine folks brought out the third iteration of the collection adding 4 new games along with a sequel to the previous collection's game Quiplash. I truly believe that this is the finest collection of games they've released yet.

With the previous collections, there were always a couple games that really had my attention but the other games could have been left to the side for me. This new collection, though, has a series of games that I have yet to get tired of. All of them are huge hits whenever I gather my friends over. Whether it's trying to escape from a gameshow loving serial killer, or just trying to make the group laugh with different quips, I have had a hell of a lot of fun with these games this year. The next time you get some friends together and are searching for things to do, The Jackbox Party Pack 3 can definitely liven up that gathering.

Sid Meier's Civilization VI

Developer: Firaxis Games

Platform: PC

Civilization V is my most played game on Steam. As of this writing, I have sunk 120 hours into the game. When Civilization: Beyond Earth came out, I was looking forward to continue my Civilization experience beyond the stars. Unfortunately, that game just doesn't click with me, so I was ready for a new Civilization game that could bring my attention back to the series that had taken up a lot of my time. Enter Civilization VI.

Civilization VI is hands down the most polished base Civilization game to date. It's clear that Firaxis learned from their missteps with Civ V and Beyond Earth.

This new game just feels polished in just about every way (save for the AI. Hoo boy does that need some work). I have already found myself saying, "just one more turn," and then looking over three hours later to find myself still playing. Civilization VI is definitely worth your time if you've been a fan of the series for a long time or are just now looking to get in on the fun.

Titanfall 2

Developer: Respawn Entertainment

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

I never played much of the original Titanfall so I wasn't on the bandwagon of wanting this. After picking the game up when it was on sale earlier this year, I can safely say that I wish I would have played the original.

Titanfall 2 has done so many things right. It's campaign is one of the best first-person shooter campaigns I've ever played. Each level had some unique elements that it introduced that kept me wanting more. On top of this, the multiplayer is one of the best multiplayer experiences I've had in a very long time. I haven't this heavily into the fast paced shooter action since my days with Modern Warfare 2. What makes it so good? I think it's the relationship between the fast paced pilot combat and the slower, more strategic, Titan combat. This relationship is just fantastic to watch play out in any match in multiplayer.

I have had an absolute blast with this game and it's sad to think that more people aren't playing it. Sure, the game came out in a really poor time between the latest Call of Duty and Battlefield 1 but I really think that this is the title worth your time.

Overwatch

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

I've been watching people play Overwatch since Blizzard started letting streamers and YouTubers play it early. With every person I saw playing it, my desire to play this game grew and grew. Finally this year, I got to experience what may be my new favorite shooter.

Overwatch is a game that I find myself coming back to time and time again. The team based combat really is something that I found that I really got on with. Being able to coordinate with your teammates to get that victory feels absolutely fantastic. The colorful cast of characters bring something desperately needed after years of drab military shooters. These characters feel like a lot of time, love, and effort were put into crafting them. The competitive scene is actually one of my favorite things I've gotten into this year. This is surprising for me as I am definitely not someone who was about the heavily competitive gaming scene. Now I can't wait to get my rank up and climb the ladder in the competitive mode.

On top of all this, we get the world class support of Blizzard behind it releasing free content in the way of new characters, game modes, and new maps. This game is truly something special and something that I genuinely look forward to playing for quite some time.

Pony Island

Developer: Daniel Mullins

Platform: PC

Last year, I was completely blown away by Undertale and was introduced to the concept of the meta game. These are games that play with your mind and bring the person behind the keyboard or controller into the game in a very real way.

This year, Pony Island was able to capture a lot of the same feelings I had while playing Undertale and really show what this new genre can do. This game takes a basic runner game and adds some extremely interesting mechanics and some fantastic storytelling elements to make you question what is truly going on in the game.

If you haven't had the chance to play this game, you owe it to yourself to head over to Steam and pick it up. You definitely won't be disappointed.

Last week I posted an article listing the top games of 2016 as reviewed by us here at GameSkinny. There were some great games on that list, but I wanted to take some time to talk about other games from 2016 that didn't make the list (but I personally love), as well as expound on some of the games on that list and why I thought they were some of the best-reviewed games of 2016.

As I said in that article, I explored many new worlds that have stuck with me as I gamed my way through the year, and there were titles that I got into that I would have never expected myself to even touch. On top of that, some of those games have quickly become some of my favorite games ever played.

So while this list isn't in any particular order, it's a list of games that meant the most to me last year. Let's get into it.

Unlike the general gaming public, my tastes are a little different. In short, I lean very much on niche and indie titles -- not that there's anything wrong with mainstream games.

After all, they drive the market at large and set consumer trends. So, like any other year 2016 saw the release of many games. I made sure to keep my focus under the radar if you will. Here's my list of the ten best games I had the pleasure of playing.

Titanfall 2

Full disclosure; this is the only triple A title on my list. Now that's not to say the game wasn't fun or failed. The only real knock to is that not enough people have experienced it. The narrative is everything you want in a better than decent sci-fi anime. A regular soldier secretly trains to be an elite pilot, things hit the fan, you end up saving your planet, and maybe even time itself?

Throughout Jack and BT's journey they form a bond behind man and machine. Time and time again both are placed into deadly situations. You have the ability to conquer these situations with skills of both individuals. For example, there's a moment in the game where the enemy uses numbers against you. Through fast and well thought out planning you can turn the tides. 

The game also features interesting sections where you can display great feats of parkour. Also the robot fights are grandiose and dramatic. If there's something wrong with enjoying robots blowing up, I don't want to be right! And not the mention the multiplayer being a lot of fun too.

Let It Die

Grasshopper Manufacturer is back with what they do best. The title is punk, obscure, niche, and one of a kind. The game is a free to play dungeon crawler where you ascend a massive tower. The game takes place in a strange dystopia where you're a dime a dozen explorer... in a very realistic videogame. Oh and a skateboarding, retro game loving grim reaper is your fan.

Let it Die, much like other Suda 51 games, slowly opens up all its details to you. The more you progress in the tower the more rewards and benefits come. The tile shares a lot of similarities with Dark Souls. Death is very likely and you have to keep in mind it can come at any minute.

Although it's single player, it's also a constant PvP title as well. Let It Die is also part survival action game, where you have to defend your base. Now all these facets of the game can seem overwhelming, however, the fun is a constant challenge.

The game also has a soundtrack backed by 100 rock bands. Yeah, 100 my friends.

Kirby Planet Robobot

Kirby has made a comeback and he lands on the Nintendo 3DS. Planet Robobot is a head nod to the pink powderpuff's roots. It's a fast and challenging platformer spanning a number of 7 stages. Let me tell you, Nintendo makes some worthwhile platformers.

Planet present collectibles that you must collect to move one. When you find all collectibles, you're able to unlock a secret level. These secret levels serve as extra challenge stages. Its very worthwhile to test your mettle from start to finish. Boss fights much like meta knight really do require you to be at your best.

When you add in the clever puzzles that involves your powers, skills and robot it gets better. Oh yeah, you can use robots and your robot can get powers too. Kirby may not be one of the most popular of Nintendo's platforming franchises. His games are still some of the best for the genre. Pink never looked so good.

In Extremis

So one of the best indie titles I've played was also one of the most artsy as well. In Extremis is a shmup where you explore the universe. Throughout the journey things get trippy and very symbolic.

I've played my fair share of titles this year and none have come close as to how aesthetically aware as this. You can play the game for hours worrying about your score. You may ignore all the art and messages dripping across the screen. If you're at all like me, you spend those same hours trying to make sense of the imagery.

This shmup was built with a focus on art and the theme of aesthetics. From the ship, stages, and the bosses everything has a symbolic meaning. Also the game has an awesome soundtrack selection. Honestly speaking you're committing a crime by not playing this.

King of Fighters XIV

A good fighter is many things and they have to constantly outdo themselves to stay relevant. KOFXIV is a standard for what fighters should be. It has a large cast of fighters whom each have their own unique play style. A fighter should also have a good number of content; a story mode, unlockables, art and etc.

In a year where more high profile fighters promised to be more, KOFXIV didn't disappoint. It felt like a complete package mainly because SNK recognized what fans have been clamoring for. The game also feature a robust tutorial mode for all of its cast. The game can also help players become better for competition's sake as well.

The next factor is competent netplay. Let me tell you that is often a toss up but KOFXIV does ok. If you missed out on this you passed on one of the best fighters.

Stories: The Path of Destinies 

Now imagine an action RPG starring an anthropomorphic cast and story that spans time, space and everything in between.

Confused? Well, in Stories you help Reynardo discover the truth as you play multiple paths based off your decision. The hero (mostly) becomes aware that he is reliving his life over and over. Each time you unlocking more details in the events surrounding the truth.

Each path will lead you more danger or avoid completely. These paths also reveal more about the hero, his friends and more. Some of these choices include betraying an ally or being killed by a love interest. The game also has numerous spells to unlock and weapons to wield. The game expands on the whole concept of replayability and makes it the strongest feature.

Stories is also a very beautiful adventure game. Also the narrator is amazing.

Guilty Gear Xrd: Revelator

The best fighter of 2016 was not Street Fighter V friends. This award goes to Guilty Gear. It maybe niche but it has the best visuals, involves the most strategy, the best tutorial, and etc.

Where KOFXIV served at the standard for fighters, Guilty Gear is exceptionally better. No game in recent years has been designed with the same level of detail. The game features multiple levels of detail even among it's players as well. So it simply isn't a matter to just win. Certain characters like Sin have their own special gauge where if ignored is completely useless.

Arc System Works also took the time to build an impressive netplay as well. Matches online are practically lag free. I know I mentioned the game was also designed to match the flair of it's characters. The best fighter again is the one you never heard of or played.

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight

Momodora is one of my favorite indie titles mainly because nothing is similar to it. A pixelated head nod to games of yesteryear. It also stars nearly an all female cast of heroines and villains a like.

This action platformer has you take command of highly capable priestess armed with a magical leaf. Yes I said a leaf. You then traverse a cursed city as you challenge demons, witches and warriors alike. From forest, ruined garden, rundown cathedral and etc. there's danger everywhere.

Momodora maybe cute but it's rather cut throat. A lapse of judgement will result in game over. Boss fights themselves can be pretty stress inducing. For example, you'll fight a giant witch as you try to survive disappearing platforms. This is also just one of the "easier" encounters.

It's also a wonderfully challenging and creepy game at the same time.

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

It's hard to describe this game sans spoilers but here goes. This was one of my favorite titles because how the game bucks RPG trends. The main character is essentially the pawn of a god. You are then charged to fight demon and angel alike in a power struggle.

You are able to amass a party of powerful fiends and holy deities. The game features a plot where you will fight against various figures of respective folklore and religions. Strategically speaking you are encouraged to recruit and fuse these beings whenever you can. You can also make bosses allies after their defeat. The end game is to have numerous spells at your disposal to handle any situation or respond to them as necessary.

The game is challenging and requires you to be perpetually on guard. Did I mention getting gameover is relatively easy? If a foe within a random battle attacks your weakness you will welcome an inevitable death. Oh and the story is pretty heavy with the whole universe being on the line all and stuff. This game is a welcome addition to the franchise.

Hyper Light Drifter

So my favorite game of the 2016 is a game inspired by the 1990s. Heart Machine created a title that has more than delivered on all its initial goals. The game is haunting, lonely, unforgiving, and leaves the player in control. Outside of very brief opening scenes the game doesn't directly provide the story, which is hinted at through dialogue -- you are also left to proceed without any clues, just a few subtle hints.

Videogames in general are large productions that involve a lot of money -- this is a billion dollar industry after all. However, a game doesn't need a movie budget to be worthwhile.

HLD zeroes in on what games really need to succeed. A few things a game needs to succeed: a seemingly simple goal, an environment, music, and gameplay that reinforces its mood. The game is sad and this was made clear with just the drifter and no Hollywood magic.

Another thing as well is that this game serves as a breath of air for modern difficulty. Games hold our hands and our easier than the past. Obviously that decision was made to appeal to a larger market. So, yes HLD is thoroughly difficult but overcoming the overwhelming opposition feels fantastic. The game respects the skills of the player and makes no compromises. Side note: To the game's credit it's the most aesthetically pleasing pixelated adventure game to date as well -- the game from beginning to end delivers in all these facets.

Play this game friends, trust me. It's an experience

So there is my top ten for 2016. Looking back, I don't see any shortcomings with any of these games really. The audience for each of them maybe small but they are worth the attention. Thankfully, the smaller market of focus will continue to be there for games. I just hope to stay there and not miss out on the gems along the way --  I look forward to 2017 as well because every year with games is an opportunity for more discoveries. I wonder what awaits us.

Did you play any these games? Disagree with the list? What was your top 10 for 2016? Let us known in the comments section alone.

And there we have it -- 10 weird but wonderful games for the PS Vita. They may appear strange on the surface, but they also offer compelling, fun, and sometimes suprisingly deep gameplay under the strange exterior.

What do you think of this list? Are there other strange Vita games out there that you think deserve a mention? Let me know in the comments!

Orgarhythm

This is a rhythm and strategy game where players tap their Vita in order to issue commands in battle -- quite literally great beats mixed with tactical action.

Players roleplay as a god who commands their army, moving through the world on a predestined path. You must combine rhythm and quick thinking to take on whatever enemies come at you -- and they come quickly, which means they can land right on top of you and force split-second decisions and reactions. That makes for one crazy game!

Enemies come in three colors, each with the ability to counteract the other. So you must move your troops, tap specific colors to a beat, and then tell your troops where to go. To battle bosses, you must utilize the best of your troops and quickly swap between close or ranged combat to be successful. Every action you take will be rated, and you only get to move forward when you've earned an "excellent" or better. 

This is a combination of great tunes and quick thinking action that should get Vita owners scrambling for their consoles. You can buy Orgarhythm for $9.99 on the PS Store.

Octodad: Dadliest Catch

This is a game about a father who is actually an octopus in disguise. It is a hilarious romp through everyday human occurrences, such as going shopping. Octodad is a crazy marriage between an invertebrate and the sim genre -- one which GameSkinny thought was "downright hilarious."

The controls in the game are almost as strange as the concept itself. An octopus is naturally a wobbly and aquatic creature, so Octodad must overcome his lack of vertebrae in order to maintain the ruse. So sometimes it’s funnier to fail at a task that you're trying to complete in a very uncontrolled and floppy manner.

The game is divided into several levels, with a number of tasks required to progress in a level -- for example, collecting certain grocery items in a store.

As the game continues, it becomes more about stealth and action and gets a little more serious, as Octodad continues to hide his true identity.

All in all, this is a really strange and unique game to be played for fun. You can buy Octodad: Dadliest Catch for $14.99 on the PS Store.

Murasaki Baby

For something developed by Massimo Guarini (of Shadows of the Damned fame), this game was always going to be weird. It's about an abandoned baby who is searching for her mother and is very fearful. Players are tasked with guiding this baby through an eccentric world, holding her hand and protecting her from dangers.

But more than that, it's a look into how children rationalize the world around them and work through their fears of being alone. 

With a Tim Burton style artistic style, it is the player’s role to prevent the life balloon from popping. But when baby meets other people, sometimes the balloon needs to be popped. This is never explained, but simply experienced.

The game works great on the Vita touch screen too. You swipe through to move the baby or complete puzzles -- and dexterity is very much required to undertake different tasks at the same time, such as moving baby whilst killing flying baby pins.

A perfect choice for Vita that is strange but works well. You can buy Murasaki Baby for $14.99 on the PS Store.

Hatoful Boyfriend

This is a pigeon dating sim with a wonderfully weird post-apocalyptic tale. (Read our full review here.) Even if this game is bought for a laugh, players might find themselves surprised by its compelling narrative.

You play as a second year student at St. PigeoNation’s Institute and progress through this visual novel-style game by clicking your way around. The catch here is that you're a human character....surrounded by pigeons who are intended to be your romantic interests. The usual stereotypical high school romance story is replaced by the deeply personal and strange stories gleaned from these pigeons.

The game has a lot of replayability, as you have to play out eight different paths to reach alternate endings with all the dateable birds. These birds are photo-realistic and a quirky disguise that hides emotionally repressed characters.

The game rises above its ridiculous concept and interweaves several stories that last -- begging you to play and keep playing. 

You can buy Hatoful Boyfriend for $9.99 on the PS Store.

Get Off My Lawn

This game stars a grumpy old man who, armed with a shotgun, repels aliens that have landed in his yard.  Shoot first and ask questions later in this endless arcade style shooter, and keep the nefarious aliens off Murray’s perfectly manicured lawn.

Clearly, first contact for the aliens did not go exactly as planned. Pulling the trigger has drawn Murray into full scale war with his alien visitors, and they will stop at nothing to destroy him. Armed with his musket and inconsolable rage, Murray must defend his home against all odds. Why are the aliens attacking only this one house? Nobody knows!

Collect valuable alien orbs to upgrade your weaponry, and use power ups to gain the upper hand in the most desperate of times. The longer Murray holds the lawn, the stronger the aliens get. However, there is plenty of firepower waiting to be used in The Shed.

Players must lock and load and get ready to tell aliens: "get off my lawn"!

You can pick up Get Off My Lawn for free on the PS Store.

Earth Defence Force 2: Invaders From Outer Space

This game allows player to battle as many giant insects as they want! It’s pretty much a B-movie turned into an infectious and weird game.

The voice acting is unashamedly cheesy and an assault on the eardrums, with voice actors being as hokey as possible. The commanders declare their constant shock and horror at the increasingly absurd horde of kaiju and mecha. The soldiers scream in terror as they are mauled and eaten. There are also lots of intentionally trope-ish phrases, such as "we have no choice but to destroy it". 

This is a mindless shoot ‘em up at its absolute purest, with emphasis on the non-diplomatic option at every given opportunity. Whether you're playing alone or with friends, you won't be able to help but laugh at the absolute absurdity of it all.

You can buy Earth Defence Force 2: Invaders From Outer Space for $19.99 on the PS Store.

Doki Doki Universe

Doki-Doki Universe is an adventure game designed around taking a really in-depth personality quiz. If this isn’t strange enough, players play as a lovable robot who has to visit alien planets filled with even stranger characters.

Players take on the role of QT3, a robot who has waited 30 years for his master to return. One day he meets Jeff the alien, who teaches him about humanity. The game appears to be extremely childlike, but hidden underneath there is a lot of depth.

You can question the locals to learn more about them, or respond to them as they ask for things like money. In between your actions, there are a number of quizzes with strange questions that range from "which movie would you rather see" to "what do you think this cat is thinking in this picture". Players can also decorate their home planet, or even change their character's appearance.

You can even collect noble steeds and ride into battle as a lumberjack on top of a pile of poop!

It's a fun, if unusual, game for your Vita. You can buy Doki Doki Universe for $14.99 on the PS Store.

Divekick

Divekick pays homage to the fighting game community, and there is a lot of strange behavior in this game. There are tons of inside jokes, such as a character with a large head. There are also crossover characters from Nidhogg, which makes this the best and strangest fighting game for the Vita.

It’s a two-button fighting game, where the player can either jump or kick. It is that simple. As such, it is competitive and easy to pick up too. There are a few more advanced characters that offer a little more gameplay, making a full roster of 13 characters.

Plus, we can teach you special moves in Divekick. Score. 

Though its unusual for a console, this game allows two players to simultaneously control characters, with each player controlling two actions and then fighting on one screen on the Vita.

For players that  a fun, introduction to fighting games, this one is an interesting choice. You can buy Divekick for $4.99 on the PS Store.

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

The game is full of characters with personality and individual quirks. One only has to have a few conversations with Hifumi Yamada to realize that his love of 2D girls is a bit much!

If a person was in an enclosed environment with 15 strangers, who could be trusted? And would it change the player’s view if murder was encouraged within the group? The game’s goofy appearance juxtaposes with a play experience that's about deceit, betrayal, and despair.

You play as a high school student who goes on a school trip to a tropical island -- a trip that turns into a deadly fight for survival. A talking stuffed bear describes the trip as a killing school trip, pitting students against each other so they must fight to leave the island. 

Overall, this makes the game into a murder mystery, where players gather evidence to uncover the murderer...but with a dark malevolent twist.

You can buy Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc for $39.99 on the PS Store.

Conception 2: Children of the Seven Stars

The plot of this game sounds like a cheesy pick-up line -- the game’s protagonist must create star children with female students in order to fight monsters and save the world. Given that childbirth is a long process, they have sped up the process using a Matryoshka doll. Ignore the science and just enjoy the JRPG wackiness instead.

The game is technically a dungeon crawler, where players require extra help to defeat monsters....so they procreate using magical energy and softcore psychic pornography. From these rituals, cute RPG characters are born.

The agreement for ladies to meet, become friends, and serve the protagonist is a little strange, but it does allow players to speed up combat and unlock features.

You can buy Conception 2: Children of the Seven Stars for $29.99 on the PS Store.

Video games are a fantastic medium that doesn’t shy away from letting players experience new things -- and they're equally unafraid of getting weird occasionally on a variety of platforms.

In particular, the PS Vita has quite a few different styles of game, and offers titles which may be considered strange -- but are equally addictive and compelling. Whilst the PS Vita library might be lacking in quantity, it can provide something a bit more unique than just generic soldiers.

Here are 10 strange, but compelling games for the PS Vita that are worth playing.

I have waited a long time to write a review for my all time favorite game The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. Not because it would be difficult, but because there was so much to say about this wonderful game. I wasn't sure, how to properly express how truly amazing this game is. For those of you have fallen in love with this amazing world and with Geralt of Rivia, this article is for you.

Geralt of Rivia AKA The White Wolf, is a skilled warrior and deadly Witcher, renowned throughout the lands for his skills with the blade against both man and monster. His recognizable mane of white hair is a side effect of the Mutagens flowing through his veins. These give him unnatural speed, reflexes, and eyesight that has yet to be matched by any foe he has ever faced. Geralt of Rivia is truly a one of kind hero, not because he is perfect in any sense of the word, but because he has flaws like any man from this cruel, dark world. Flaws that lead him down dark roads to shine a light into the dark recesses of the world.

But that is not the only reason we love him. We love playing him, because in a world full of darkness, where everything is not as it seems or should be, a place where evil is residing around every corner, in the hearts of monsters, humans, dwarves and elves. We see Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher neither a human or monster caught in the middle of it, and like a small candle blowing in the wind his blade could help destroy or save.

Your choices, your decisions, your actions will affect the world around you. Whether it be stopping humans from taking advantage of elven maidens, or killing self-righteous Scoia'tael who have been slaughtering innocent peasants to feed themselves. Your blade will decide the fate of thousands. That kind of power and control over the fates of so many, makes this game unbelievably addictive.

Added to it are the amazing voice actors that were cast for each role, and the extraordinary cinematic sequences throughout the game that have been consistently amazing and enthralling. Like the scene with the Ladies of the Wood, where we got to see the three witches for the first time and I gotta say, I did not see that coming at all. The way they looked, the way they acted and the way they talked was all so perfectly choreographed that it made me want to say, "what the fuck?"

Oh, and let's not forget the background music. The music in this game is insane! Whether its pumping you up for a fight or creating this creepy, dark mood. The music they used throughout the game has this quality, that just made you want to keep listening to it, even after you're finished playing the game. My favorite music has to be the one in the cloak and dagger quest, the music had me bopping my head up and down as I played. I also enjoyed listening to the Gwent music, which in my opinion is an awesome card game that should definitely be made into an full game -- oh wait, it is.

Then we have the quests! Let's not forget about the quests! The quests in this game are of the highest quality. There was none of that nonsense of go fetch me a sheep, or go kill as many bandits as you can, or go clear a place of monsters. Every single quest was well crafted and more than a few had direct consequences leading to the completion of each quest.

Most importantly each of the quests made sense. There were no ridiculous side quests that would be completely out of character for Geralt to complete. Every single quest was designed to help immerse yourself within this unique world.

I am not even halfway done yet, there is still so much I want to talk about, but I'll end it here as I feel these are the most important aspects of The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. But what did you love most about The Witcher 3?

Good gameplay, interesting storylines, quests which offer choices, deep companion characterization, and innovative ideas all play a key role in making you enjoy any game you play. These are my top six aspects of gaming, and that will most likely change as games become more advanced. But what are some of your ideas for what makes a great game? Or what would make a game even better for you?

6. Innovative Ideas

Too many games are getting caught up in imitating other games. Now while that can lead to better quality versions of that particular game, it can also lead to overuse of those mechanics. Most people, while they like a certain kind of game and will usually buy similar games, will usually stop buying them once they realize they are pretty much buying the same games again.

Games need to be freshened up every once in a while, otherwise as gamers grow older many will drop off the radar, because they have seen it all and played it all. If the gaming industry is to increase in growth and expand, they need to hold onto every single gamer and attract more with innovative ideas that keep those older generation excited and hungry for more.

Two games that stand out, and deserve some type of award for having achieved that very goal is Fallout 4 with its Settlement System, where you can build a settlement, and Dying Light for its extremely fun parkour mechanics. These two games have transformed their relatively simple and average gaming experience, into something truly epic, simply by adding two complex innovations. Building settlements and watching people come in to fill them up, although quite time consuming it can be quite fascinating. I can usually spend hours building a settlement, just so I can have a base in the area to get supplies, and have some sort of safe house from the wasteland. Which can be very useful, when playing survival mode.

The Parkour system is the same way, you find yourself stomping, killing, jumping, and running all the time because it is so much fun to watch your character do it. It's even more thrilling when you have Night Hunters chasing after you. Nothing gets your blood pumping like the sound of Night Hunters detecting you in the middle of the night, and being chased through a zombie infested city.

5. Interesting Companions

Companions and great voice actors are another important tool in making a decent game, into an epic game. While some people might undervalue this aspect in comparison to graphics and other areas of gaming, it does play an essential role in drawing people into their world. By having unique and interesting companions with you, makes you look forward to every piece of dialogue or conversation in the game, it makes you want to learn more about them and in doing so learn more about the world around you. Having characters that act like your wing (wo)man just generally makes you want to play the game just that little bit longer, especially if you're able to level them up and watch them gain new abilities. 

But what would really take games to a whole new level of amazing, would be to see games break the restrictions on romance options, get rid of companions that give long tedious explanations about their lives, give companions actual dialogue that relates to each main quest so that you can engage them throughout the game, design companion side quests that will have a genuine impact on the results of the main quest, and be able to befriend anyone you meet on the road, not just companions you have to use because they're part of some main quest or side quest. I think by doing all that, games could become a lot more immersive.

Lastly having voice actors that are good at what they do, by conveying emotion through their voices or bringing the characters words to life can play an important role as well. A good example of this is Ezio in Assassin's Creed Series, his voice is constantly being adapted to show his age and his maturity. Now while you might not be able to notice the subtle difference, the way it gets deeper and gritter in each Ezio game in the series does affect the way you perceive your character.

4. Choices with Consequences

I have recently begun to notice a growing trend of games providing choices that can have immediate or future consequences. This, by far, is the most exciting development in gaming history. Having choices that matter, makes you truly think about, and weigh up, each decision you make. It adds that extra spice to every single action you make, and forces you to question every single decision you make -- in a futile attempt to get some type of foresight into what is about to happen next.

But the absolute greatest thing about having choices is replayability. This allows for a whole new side of the story each time you play, and that makes you far more likely to start the game again. Plus it's nice to see, after hours of game time, the impact you have left upon the world -- whether it be good or evil.

3. Quests that matter

I cannot stress enough how important quests are in making an average game extraordinary. To do that games need to follow four simple pieces of criteria I always find myself using.

1. The side quests have to play a relevant role in supporting the main quest, whether that is subjugating rebel tribes in order for you to ascend to the throne, or simply helping you to build your reputation in the provinces. In either case those side quests have to impact the main quest in someway to give it meaning. Otherwise completing those side quests can become a tedious chore, which most people will only do because their either completionists like me or want to gain some extra experience.

2. All quests have to fit in line with what the character's role is in the game. A bad example of this is Fallout 4's Minutemen quest line, where you become a General, a rank where you would assume all you would have to do is dictate what needs to be done and assign duties. But instead we have repeat quests of you rushing to defend a settlement, rescue hostages, and clear settlements. Which would make sense for the first few settlements, because you're rebuilding, but once you have three fully functioning settlements, you should be able to use to some type of map to have your followers do some work for you. I mean what's the point of being a leader, if a lot of your time is spent doing the same stuff you already do everywhere else in the game?

You see the same problem appear in Dragon Age Inquisition, you're the inquisitor, a person with great power, and yet you are constantly reduced to a mere servant. Collecting and killing a certain amount in nearly every single side quest, except for friend quests. While the map is an excellent addition to the game, which I hope future BioWare games use, why are there only three people to assign tasks to?Surely the Spy, Commander, and Adviser all have hundreds of people under their command, yet we never get to use more than three. Why?

3. Make every side quest unique and interesting. In all honesty I would prefer to have fifteen good long side quests, rather than having hundreds of filler quests, where the only purpose is to waste your time and keep you occupied. Witcher 3 again is an excellent example of side quests that are not only useful for experience but excellent to play. It's the only game where I actively go around searching for side quests, because I don't want to miss out on anything they have in store for me.

4. The last, and most important, rule for all quests is the pacing. I hate it when a ton of quests are dropped on top of me in the first few minutes of the game. Way to make me feel the weight of the entire world resting on my shoulders! It would make so much more sense for those games with only a few good side quests to spread out the quests to places the main questline will eventually take us too. There's no need to be immediately inundated with quests that make us feel like we are being steam rolled.

2. Thrilling Storyline

The best games I have ever played, like the The Last of Us, have this incredible storyline that makes you feel every moment of it. Every heartache, every moment of joy, and every close call to death. There is no other game in my opinion that comes close enough to eclipse The Last Of Us by Naughty Dog. The story truly entrenches you in their world and makes you a part of it. You feel the pain of their loss, you feel their growing affection for other characters. You practically feel everything; the fear, the panic, and the excitement of delving through an apocalyptic world.

If the story is that good, you don't care where the story is leading you, all you can think about is how you want to see more of this world, you want to know what happens next. That's what really makes a game truly immersive and enjoyable to play.

1. Awesome Gameplay

The best games in the world have amazing gameplay that challenges gamers to devise new strategies to defeat their opponents. They also give you dozens of ways to complete a single objective. A great example of this has to be Witcher 3, where you can take out enemies with melee weapons,spells, potions, track down enemies using your senses, and you can even bewitch people and bribe them. It makes playing Witcher 3 so much more exciting knowing that you have so many options to choose from. Not to mention the quests in this game are unique and extremely well crafted, you don't get a ton of repetitive quests asking you to go and kill someone or collect an object. There are only two things that are repeated and they are contracts and quests to find armor pieces, both are optional and both change slightly each time.

But coming back to my original point that gameplay is important, you only have to compare Witcher 3 to Dragon Age Inquisition's immensely boring world to realise how important it is to be able to choose the way you complete your objectives, and the way you fight each battle. Doing the same thing over and over again can get old very quickly.

This slideshow is going to dive into what makes a game great. There are six main aspects which join together to achieve the best games, things like gameplay, interesting storylines, diverse quests with lots of choices, engaging characters, and innovative ideas. But, how do these make games great? Read on to find out!

*Beware this slideshow will contain some spoilers*

Demo Disc

While not really a single game, PlayStation has announced that it will be including a demo disc for those who buy the virtual reality headset regardless if it is the full launch bundle or just the headset. For consumers, you will have nearly 20 demos to enjoy:

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• Allumette (Penrose)
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• Battlezone (Rebellion)
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• DriveClub VR (SIE WWS)
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• Eve: Valkyrie (CCP Games)
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• Gnog (KO_OP)
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• Harmonix Music VR (Harmonix Music Systems)
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• Headmaster (Frame Interactive)
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• Here They Lie (SIE WWS)
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• Job Simulator (Owlchemy Labs)
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• PlayStation VR Worlds (SIE WWS)
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• Resident Evil 7: Biohazard — Kitchen Teaser (Capcom CO., LTD.)
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• Rez Infinite (Enhance Games)
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• Rigs Mechanized Combat League (SIE WWS)
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• Thumper (Drool)
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• Tumble VR (SIE WWS)
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• Until Dawn: Rush of Blood (SIE WWS)
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• Wayward Sky (Uber Entertainment)
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• Within (Within)
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It's a large list of games to enjoy, and is a promising sign to see from Sony. It'll offer tons of VR gameplay without having to spend more money right off the bat after digging into your pockets for the headset and required additional accessories. There will be tons of games supporting VR as we finish 2016 and even more to follow throughout next year, but this is all a great start during launch in October.

The Playroom VR

Just as the current Playroom is free, Playroom VR will be as well, giving everyone with VR headsets something to enjoy immediately after purchase. While it does look a little cheesy, it also looks like a ton of fun when playing with a few friends with a handful of mini games.

Hunt ghosts in Ghostbusters inspired fashion, play a Tom and Jerry cat-and-mouse mini game, Godzilla-like chasing and destruction, or a wild west shootout in a saloon. The full PlayStation game page for Playroom VR has a lot of pictures and added descriptions for you to learn more about.

Job Simulator: The 2050 Archives

If you think coming home from your job to play a job simulator sounds ridiculously lame and miserable, you'll think twice when you see the gameplay of this VR title. While I'm not entirely sure about how the game will implement any kind of story or objectives, the complete randomness of interacting with things at your desk looks to be pretty hilarious and fun, even if just for a little while.

Nothing is off limits with this game, and it could prove to be a good anger management simulator. Throw that cup of hot coffee over the cubical in the video game and still keep your day job in the real world. There's a few different 'jobs' to do, allowing for diverse gameplay and fun. Don't forget to check out the full PlayStation game page for more of these details.

Until Dawn: Rush of Blood

If you've already played Until Dawn, you're well aware that the foundations of this young franchise are decision-making and tons of jump-scares. Rush of Blood is focusing on the same aspects from before, but changing up the gameplay this time around.

It plays out as a rail shooter in a nightmare rollercoaster. Dual-wield 6 different types of weapons and progress through several different levels while also competing for global leaderboard positions. The full PlayStation game page will go into slightly more detail, but also provides a few extra images.

Battlezone

Reviving the classic tank warfare experience, the updated version of the VR franchise Battlezone brings innovation and combat to life like never before. Developed by Rebellion, you'll be able to wage heavy metal ground war in multiplayer as well as single player campaign (co-op optional). It takes place in a retro-futuristic world and yields great attention to detail and stunning graphics. You can check out its official PlayStation game page for more images and details.

EVE: Valkyrie

The backstory of the game is raising debate in a great story. A man known as Fatal is stealing the consciousness of fallen pilots to work for him by means of illegal technology, and placing them into clones. The game is a space-based combat shooter with a focus on multiplayer action, but includes a more than interesting looking single player campaign.

The official PlayStation game page has a lot of interesting information about the game, including deeper story details, as well as this overview description: 

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"Live out the fantasy and thrill of being an elite spaceship pilot in the sprawling sci-fi universe of EVE.

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Join the Valkyrie, an outlaw band of galactic pirates, and take up arms to claim what's yours. Trade cannon fire for cash as you chase wealth and notoriety on the edge of space.

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With a wide variety of ships, customization options, weapon loadouts, and combat styles, EVE: Valkyrie™ gives you the ultimate freedom to fly. Virtual reality space dogfighting is here."

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World War Toons

If Battlefield 1 was an animated cartoon game for kids (and VR supported) it would look exactly like this. A fun light-hearted take on historic warfare, but one that I'm sure will still allow for great competition. You change classes with pick-ups located around the map, and there's even tanks that players can become.

The interesting part is how those two ideas mesh together. Which class of infantry you are playing as when you become the tank will determine which specialty of tank you'll play as. The game will also be playable without the VR headset, extending the potential player base for it right out the gate. Don't forget to check out the full PlayStation game page for more info.

PlayStation VR Worlds

Arguably the most anticipated VR game that will be available on launch day; this title has 5 different experiences in one: The London Heist, Ocean Descent, Scavengers Odyssey, VR Luge, and Danger Ball. These will take you on journeys of epic proportions.

Find the official PlayStation descriptions below that are featured on the game's page, as well as the trailer.

The London Heist:

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"Step into the shoes of an East-end gangster in London’s gritty underworld. Tool up for a dramatic heist, survive a thrilling high-speed getaway and then withstand a brutal interrogation that ends with an impossible choice…"

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Ocean Descent:

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"Dive into an ocean adventure, plunging the depths within a suspended shark cage and marvelling at the incredible marine life as you descend. As you journey, witness amazing sights, discover a lost secret and face extreme danger."

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Scavenger's Odyssey:

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"Board your dynamic all-terrain alien craft and explore a treacherous nebula as you hunt for a highly coveted ancient artifact. Leap canyons, crawl over vast space hulks and fire up your cannons as you battle hostile creatures on your journey towards the mysterious treasure."

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VR Luge:

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"Feel the exhilaration of illegal street racing just inches from the asphalt. Weave in and out of oncoming traffic; avoid hazardous landslides and scrape under big-rig trucks as you speed towards the finish line."

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Danger Ball:

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"Enter THE competitive sporting event of the future where victory is everything. Master your skills, destroy your rivals and survive to win the tournament. Win… or be destroyed."

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RIGS Mechanized Combat League

Developed by Guerrilla Cambridge, and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the game features arena combat in team vs. team fashion. It's depicting a futuristic sport where pilots control mechs and battle it out in front of stadiums packed to the top with fans.

Dive into the single-player campaign, buy the best teammates available, and upgrade your mech with weapons and abilities or simply upgrade to completely new mechs. Perfect your combat craft and take your skills to the online arenas, where you will battle it out with other aspiring champions. You can check out the official PlayStation game page for more information.

Batman: Arkham VR

Developed by Rocksteady Studios, and Published by Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment, players will put on the infamous Dark Knight mask and step into the world of Gotham. The game focuses on of the investigation aspects of Bruce Wayne's adventures and nestled under the action/puzzle genre. The official PlayStation game page describes it as follows:

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"Experience Gotham City through the eyes of the World’s Greatest Detective in an all new Arkham mystery.

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Think like Batman. [Utilize] his legendary gadgets in Virtual Reality to unravel a plot that threatens the lives of Batman’s closest allies."

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PlayStation VR, formerly known as Project Morpheus throughout development, is set to release October 13, 2016 with ambitions to change the landscape of videogaming for all. It'll open a new way to experience some of the craziest events imaginable -- from the most horrifying realities we never want to be in, to joyful competitions, and more.

Its price will be set at $399.99 right out the gate, with additional costs for the PS Camera and PS Move Controllers, and will have a handful of games launching alongside it. Whether you are looking for hype on the upcoming games, or trying to decide which VR game to by first, this slideshow will prove to be a great start. Check out 10 of the exciting games that will be releasing day one of the PS VR launch.

And That's The List!

Thank you all very much for reading we hope you enjoyed it. If you have a superhero game that you felt belonged in the list, or could help to fill out a potential list in the future, feel free to tell us in the comments!

We know there were a fair few other games we could have mentioned, but we couldn't fit them all into one list. So recommend some more and we may do a follow-up in the future!

The Wonderful 101 (Wii U)

The Wonderful 101 is a like a childhood dream of being a superhero brought to life. While it isn't the most tightly designed title from action game experts Platinum Games, it is one of the most fun they've made, and without a shadow of a doubt the most impressive and ambitious. 

The Wonderful 101 takes Hideki Kamiya's trademarked style of character-action gameplay displayed in impressive past titles like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta. It simplifies it slightly, lightens the tone a bit -- It makes up for it's lessened depth by cramming the game with more color and organic variety than a farmer's market. 

You play as The Wonderful 100, a group of colorful masked heroes all armed with super-powered suits. Their task is to defend the Earth in the wake of it's third invasion by the evil alien organization, Geathjerk. You must control them all at once in an isometric environment as you hack, slash, punch and more through the alien menace. 

The gameplay of The Wonderul 101 is what truly sets it apart, as it is consistently fun and extremely creative.

It's unlike any other game out there, and that starts with it's very controls. Using either control scheme, you must draw specific shapes in order to have large numbers of Wonderful 100 members join up to form giant objects. Ranging from fists, whips, bombs, and more each object has its own unique property.

Fists can be set on fire and be used to throw fireballs, swords can conduct electricity and deflect laser attacks, and whips can rip spiked armor off of enemies, these are a few of many dynamic options within the title. 

These objects are also used for intense combat against savage alien forces that only get bigger and more impressive as the game goes on. Alongside battle, there's also creative puzzles which involve the use of several different powers, which keeps the pace constant.

In addition, the game also manages to include many different 2D shooter segments, all of high quality, and even a boss fight modeled after an NES classic, which I dare not spoil -- There is creativity and variety at every single turn.

With all that said, however, the game is far from flawless. The fixed camera and perspective can make combat and platforming frustrating and confusing at times, which is unfortunate in a game so heavy in both.

The combat and spectacle of the game also doesn't get truly interesting until after a few hours. This is after you've gotten used to the unorthodox controls and have purchased a few key upgrades. 

Most of all, the sections where the main focus is on the game pad screen, while creative and mostly functional, can be pretty finicky. Here, the camera is at it's absolute worst but it can be adjusted. 

But despite all the negatives, do not let that stop you from trying this game out if you can, because the positives far outweigh the negatives. The game is worth it for it's uniqueness and constant jaw-dropping high-points alone.

There just isn't any other game quite like The Wonderful 101. It has its flaws like all games, and if they stop some people from giving it a shot, that's totally understandable, if unfortunate.

There is no game that makes you feel more like a proper, tight-wearing, crime-fighting, and good-natured superhero. If you own a Wii U, you owe it to yourself to buy this game or, at the very least, try the free demo on the Wii U eShop.

Without the player, there is only a Wonderful 100, and the last one, is you. If the director's cut trailer below doesn't convince you, then nothing will: 

Viewtiful Joe (1&2) (Gamecube/PS2)

We live in an age where many video games are trying to be more cinematic, and attempt to evoke the feeling of a tightly-directed film. Unfortunately this occasional comes at the cost of gameplay. There have been few games in recent memory that have succeeded in making themselves feel cinematic without heavily compromising their gameplay. Among those few is Viewtiful Joe, and its one of the best. 

Viewtiful Joe's unique presentation is reminiscent of both American comic books as well as Japanese sentai heroes. With the combination of its fluid combat and unique time-manipulation mechanics it resulted in a game like no other. This game loves slow-mo sequences in action movies, as well as any shot that makes the good guy look cool. It succeeds at implementing shots like this into both its narrative and gameplay.

Viewtiful Joe does have a story and characters in addition to it's great gameplay. Now, while neither are by any means deep, the characters are all distinct and memorable. The story is also surprisingly poignant in a simple yet effective way.

Joe himself is one of the best kinds of heroes in gaming, and one that is all too rare today -- being the kind of protagonist that loves being a hero more than anything.  

Viewtiful Joe is a game that proudly trumpets the moral that old-fashioned heroes will never go out of style and manages to reflect this in both it's gameplay and plot. It is a classic cheesy action flick in playable form and it loves being what it is.

Hey, if you don't believe us, just ask Tom from Toonami:

Saints Row IV (Various Platforms)

Saints Row IV bids farewell to whatever remaining sense of restraint that the series had after Saints Row the Third, and gives way completely to scattershot, ridiculous, video-gamey fun.

Saints Row IV takes the player through the destruction of Earth and the extinction of most of humanity, and the leader of the Saints -- the now president of the former United States -- must stop the evil Zin empire and their foppish leader Zinyak.

The story is over-the-top and full of surprises, all of them good, and it's topped off by a surprisingly strong character focus and witty, often intelligent dialogue. It's a game that does a great job of looking childish and stupid when it's actually pretty smart.

Throughout the course of it's robust campaign, Saints Row IV gives the player piles of creative guns, effective superpowers, and kooky appearance customization options to mess around with.  The sandbox city, while reused from Saints Row the Third, feels new and fresh. This is thanks to new content accessible via the new super-speedy running and jumping somewhat similar to Prototype, but done with more fluid and smoother controls.

The story is comedic and loaded with memorable moments, high-quality comedic banter, and a truckload of fantastic gameplay set-pieces. Some set-pieces are so fleshed-out that they could have come from a completely different game. 

With all of these different mechanics coming and going, some may say that the game lacks discipline, and that's somewhat true -- but that's a big part of the game's main appeal and charm.

To quote Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw in reference to the game:

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It's a mess, but it's a fun mess.

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Saints Row IV is the epitome of power fantasy.

It's bite-sized sort-of-sequel Saints Row: Gat out of Hell is also a blast, and built directly on the foundation of IV, so if you end up liking four, jump straight onto Gat out of Hell and enjoy another couple of hours on the fun-train. 

Prototype Series (Various Platforms)

Both Prototype and it's sequel Prototype 2 gave their players excellent murder playgrounds to frolic around in. Which isn't that surprising, as you'd probably expect the same developer as The Simpsons: Hit & Run, to understand chaotic gameplay pretty well.

There isn't much to say about the gameplay of the Prototype series, as the two games are very similar, and the gameplay is pretty simple, but just deep enough to be involving and challenging.

Both Prototype games are highly visceral murder-centric sandboxes that guide the player through a sinister conspiracy plot unfolding in New York City. The protagonist becomes unwillingly involved and is turned into a super-powered mutant with killer superpowers.

The story isn't the best in either installment, although that isn't for a lack of trying. It's mostly because it's too difficult to rationalize all of the horrible things that the protagonists do to really call them heroes.

Both Alex Mercer and James Heller are more villains or anti-heroes than traditional heroes. But if this was necessary in order to allow the player the previously mentioned freedom in gameplay, I'd call it a fair sacrifice.

You are free to kill, maim, and cause property damage in a number of wonderfully creative, and most importantly -DESTRUCTIVE ways- Everything from disguising yourself as a soldier by eating one alive, to hijacking tanks and helicopters with your tentacle arm, to even turning human enemies into bombs and throwing them into a huge crowd to watch everything get pulled into them before exploding.

Prototype 2 improved on a lot of the minor flaws found in the first game, by improving on the slightly frustrating controls, changing the upgrade system, and making the sandbox a great deal larger with much more colorful and high-end graphics. Despite these obvious improvements, both games are different enough from each other to be worth playing, and are both easily recommendable.

It's a true shame that Activision closed Radical Entertainment's doors even after Prototype 2's excellent sales, but if nothing else, Prototype 2 was a great game and a great swan song for an overall great developer.

Take a peek below at how fun it can be to murder your maker:  

Batman Arkham Series (Various Platforms)

Alright, let's get the really obvious one out of the way.

Yes, the Batman Arkham games are almost all excellent. In an industry full of competitors, they stand out as grand examples of both how to handle a license. They're also great examples of how to immerse a player in a fictional world, and really get inside the head of the main character.

From the original Arkham Asylum to the fairly recent Arkham Knight, everything in these games allow you to really feel like Batman. From the colorful rogue's gallery, the utility belt, and to the Batmobile itself.

Each Installment in the series is similar in gameplay and controls, but all distinct enough from each other to be sold on their own merits. All of the titles (except possibly Arkham Origins) can be easily recommended. 

Video games allow us to make believe in so many different ways. There are video games that let us escape from reality to become; space marines, cartoon animals, and even futuristic bartenders serving drinks to robots.

But of all the escapist alter egos that gaming provides us with, none are quite as popular, or immediately gratifying, as the superhero.

There are loads of classic superhero comics and graphic novels, and we're now in the middle of a renaissance for superhero films.

But video games actually let you become a superhero. Watching Spider-Man swing between buildings and smack The Green Goblin around is all well and good, but it can't compare to actually getting the chance to do it yourself.

There have been a number of good games where you can be a superhero. Unfortunately, most fall victim to be tie-in shovel-ware. This list is dedicated to those few games that go above and beyond and actually manage to make the player believe-- even if just for a moment -- that they are a true hero themselves.

Also, for the sake of representing some more original games, the number of games with licensed superheroes like Spider-Man or Superman (pfft, yeah right) has been kept low. With all that said, let's put on our tights and capes, and answer the cry for justice!

Battle Chef Brigade

Trinket Studios

Battle Chef Brigade was truly one of the most original games present at PAX. It is a bold combination of genres that was clearly made from a desire to create a game that the developers themselves wanted to play. Mainly because it just didn't exist already. It combines elements and mechanics from classic beat-em ups, hunting games, shape-matching puzzle games, RPGs, and of course, cooking games.

What truly sets Battle Chef Brigade apart from other cooking games, and most other games with any sort of crafting system, is the ability to go off recipe. Every cooking battle does have a theme ingredient, as well often a particular element that the judge wants highlighted, but other than that, the player is completely free to use whatever available ingredients they want. You can end up with many different-looking dishes by the time that you complete cooking battle, and there are dozens of different ways to get to those different results, and it's all up to what the player chooses to do. Surrounding this freedom of choice is solid core gameplay packed with a swath of different mechanics.

Battle Chef Brigade is set in a world of fantasy, where its cast of playable characters are all competing in an Iron Chef inspired cooking competition, and all the ingredients are collected from plants and monsters surrounding the kitchen arena that the player themselves must kill with beat-em-up style combat. In order too actually cook the ingredients, the player must then play match-three puzzle game in order to make more room in the pot and rack up a higher score on each dish to impress the judge(s). In between matches there are NPCs to talk to, cooking and combat upgrades to buy, and story to take in; so the game offers just a little bit of everything.

The game is expected to have a five hour campaign on average for each playable chef, and with four different chefs with different storylines and play-styles, the game is expected to have a robust playtime at around 20 total hours. Add on top of all of this storylines for each chef which occasionally overlap, a gorgeously animated anime artstyle, and a great soundtrack, Battle Chef Brigade could very well end up being one of the best games released next year. 

What were some of the most interesting games you saw at PAX this year? Let me know in the comments below!

Night In The Woods

Infinite Fall

They could have called this game "Chilling with Your Friends Simulator" and it would have been just as accurate of a title. Night in the Woods is a game which intends to prioritize narrative and characters over gameplay, much like games such as Gone Home and The Stanley Parable. However, among other games that emphasize story over everything else, Night in the Woods still has more gameplay than most of its contemporaries.

What gameplay is there is pretty scattershot, and exists in a vast minority to walking around and talking to people. But it is all fun to do, and much more traditional in nature compared to the average walking simulator type game. In the hour of Night in the Woods that was shown off at PAX there was a Guitar Hero style band practice with your pals, breaking flying light fixtures with a baseball bat, and even a shoplifting stealth section, all with plot relevance and different, intuitive control schemes.

When you aren't being a college dropout, you're exploring your home town by platforming across mailboxes and power-lines in order to find secrets and talk to people in order to build up the world around you. It is possible that the target audience for this game is somewhat limited by the modern-ish teenage mindset of the principal cast of characters, but it if you do fit into that same age group, you're likely to see a lot of your friends and possibly yourself in the protagonist Mae and her group of friends.

The real plot of the game didn't show itself very much in the demo, but there will be an overarching plot involving strange paranormal happenings involving the disappearance of people in the slowly shrinking town of Possum Springs, and Mae and her friends getting caught up in it. While the premise is admittedly very old-hat sounding and definitely been done before, there is a great deal of strength of writing shown in the very humorous and human dialogue -- so perhaps Night in the Woods could still re-invent the wheel on this one. 

Only time will tell how challenging or important the actual gameplay will be to the final product. But as it stands, Night in the Woods has a relateable cast, hilarious and well-written dialogue, gorgeous graphics, an intriguing if tiredly familiar setup, and simple, novel gameplay. 

ClusterTruck

LandFall Games

ClusterTruck is an intense, toe-curling, teeth-clenching, truly challenging, and stupidly fun first-person 3D platformer. The basic premise is that you are jumping across an endless onslaught of freight trucks, and doing your best to make it to the end of each level without touching the ground once, like an insane parkour version of "The Floor is Lava". The game has no story, or any context for what is going on, but it doesn't need any in order to be gripping and fun.

The behavior of the trucks is affected very slightly by how you land on them, as their momentum and trajectory is altered slightly, so memorizing patterns and forming a consistent winning strategy isn't a viable option. Add on top of this the fact that the trucks are always moving, often quickly, as well as in different directions, and you have a gaming experience that is based entirely on twitch instincts -- fast thinking, and quick reaction times. The levels are also usually on the short side, and the player can also restart the level immediately upon death, which keeps the game's flow consistently fast-paced. 

The game is planned to have 9 different worlds with 10 levels each, all with different visual themes and gameplay mechanics, both related and unrelated to the surrounding environment. These hazards range from giant hammers, to rotating lasers, to the classic standby of huge walls. The player will also acquire new abilities over the course of the game that will naturally enhance the simple mechanics that the game establishes at its start. These include a helpful double-jump and the ability briefly slow down time in order to more accurately position a landing.

ClusterTruck is shaping up to be a rare example of first-person platformer that doesn't just succeed, but actually does well. 

100ft Robot Golf

No Goblin

Sometimes a game doesn't need to be the prettiest belle of the ball or the most technically advanced to be good. Sometimes all a game needs to do is know what it wants to be, and then succeed at being that thing. 100ft Robot Golf knows exactly what it is. It is silly, it is stupid, and it loves it.

100ft Robot Golf is a multiplayer golf game that can support up to four players. But there aren't turns like in normal golf, but rather, a chaotic frenzy where all four players have their own ball that they need to get to hole. Each mech has different skills and abilities, which they must use in addition to flying around and destroying buildings, in order to essentially race their opponents to the hole. Everything about the game's premise, presentation, and writing is tongue-in-cheek and comedic in tone. From the corny anime trope characters to the dry humor narrations of the commentator brothers, it is all done for the sake of getting a laugh out of you.

It's a game that is fairly simple to understand and is it is immediately satisfying. We played this game with a group of complete strangers, and we were all having a blast; laughing and cracking jokes as we knocked down buildings and watched as our mechs danced at the end of each hole. It's dumb fun in the best way.

If you want absolute proof that the developers know what kind of ridiculous game they're making, then check out this tweet:  

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Bonus PAX Surprise! @SaintsRow's Pierce Washington has joined the 100ft Robot Golf pilot roster! pic.twitter.com/PLSSr541OF

\n— 100ft Robot Golf (@100ftrobotgolf) September 2, 2016

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

WayForward Technologies

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero looks and feels like a very, very solid 2D platformer. The PAX demo showcased the typical on-point humor, fluid animation, and tight controls that the Shantae series has always been known for, but it also showed off bits and pieces of what promises to be the biggest and most content rich game in the series thus far.

With a lengthy base campaign for Shantae herself coming, supposedly meant to be longer than any previous game in the series, as well as four additional campaigns with different characters all with their own stories and play-styles coming as DLC, this game promises to be packed to the gills with excellent platforming content. There will also be costumes meant to change Shantae's gameplay ever so slightly, and minigames and challenges thrown in here and there to add some variety to the jumping and whipping.

The demo also showcased a number of staples from previous Shantae titles returning, such as the animal transformations, as well as a handful of enemies and set-pieces, making it a treat for both newcomers as well as nostalgic fans. The magic system also returns from Shantae: Risky's Revenge, which includes both new and old defensive and offensive abilities, which adds a bit more to the potential strategy used in combat. The hand-drawn characters and enemies are very detailed, and they blend very well with the equally detailed 3D environements -- all of which is complemented by yet another impressive soundtrack from series veteran composer Jake Kaufman.   

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero looks fantastic for platforming enthusiasts as well as other gamers; and won't be long until the people of the world can get their hands on it. 

Diluvion

Arachnid Games

There have been many other oceanic or undersea exploration games before, but Diluvion still seems like a somewhat unique take on the concept. It combines real-time exploration in a 3D environment somewhat similar to Skies of Arcadia or No Man's Sky, with real-time ship and crew management in a 2D style similar to FTL, and then adds on a number of interesting additional mechanics on top this.

You can salvage parts from downed ships, recruit new crew members from scattered underwater colonies, and you must manage the oxygen and other resources of your submarine while exploring a tale taking place in the ruins of a now sunken civilization, all while making sure that your crew doesn't die.

In a market where most underwater exploration is bright and crystal blue, Diluvion opts for a slightly darker and foggier underwater landscape, which makes anticipating the unexpected a frequent feeling. This leaves you to resort on the sub's sonar ping system in order to get a idea as to if what you're looking at it just a wall, or a gigantic cyborg spider getting ready to laser scuttle you to death.

Diluvion isn't the most unique looking game in the world, but its mechanics seem very solid, and the exploration and art-style are both enjoyable. So keep an eye out for its release if you're looking to plunder undersea treasure later this year.

Flinthook

Tribute Games

Flinthook is a light rouguelike (a rougelite) based around shooting, looting, solving time manipulation and switch puzzles, and grappling everywhere you go while you do all of these things. It's a game with consistently engaging gameplay, as the combat and puzzles both encourage and necessitate balancing grappling-hook platforming with shooting and using your other abilities.

It's also a game that, while challenging at times, is much less difficult than most other quality roguelikes available, which makes it a great entry point into this sub-genre for both younger and inexperienced players. Its pixelated artwork is both very detailed and colorful, and creates a cartoon-y and expressive style that helps convey the game's adventurous and lighthearted tone as you plunder various procedurally generated pirate ships in space. 

Klang

Tinimations

In a market where most rhythm games sell based on their unique soundtracks and visuals, Klang stands out by having a distinct soundtrack, visuals, AND gameplay. Klang strives to be more than a typical rhythm/music game by combining familiar directional-input-rhythm-matching gameplay with active platforming and combat simultaneously. This means that you will, at times, have to run and jump back and forth while also paying attention to the input innstructions.

The difficulty curves very naturally, the visuals are stark and expressive, and the musical motif carries well through the background and character design. With tightly designed, unique gameplay built around a head-banging soundtrack; Klang is a rhythm game you should keep an ear to the ground for.

Invisigun Heroes

Sombr Studio

Invisigun Heroes is a multiplayer focused 2D arena shooter built around a unique hook -- your character is completely invisible until you shoot or use your special ability. This requires all players to remember where other players are when they briefly appear, and then watch how the environment reacts and listen for their footsteps whenever they aren't attacking and visible. There are also power-ups a handful of different game modes in order to add some spice to the gameplay, which will span 50 arenas on 5 different planets, all with different hazards. 

This game has a STRONG focus on multiplayer. There is a single player mode with AI opponents, but the game also features 2-4 player local multiplayer, as well as online play, AND cross-platform play. With all this multiplayer content and the mind games involved in every single match; Invisigun Heroes should be a great game to break out at parties.

The title says it all!

PAX West 2016 was loaded with great games, and these are some of the most interesting and fun that we encountered while we were there. We couldn't play every game that was there, but we played as many as we could -- and these are some of the biggest standouts from the show. 

Kotaku writer Mark Serrels made an article the other day titled 'Tetris is Not the Best Game of All Time' in an opinionated response to Time Magazine's placement of Tetris in number one of their Top 50 games of all time.

Serrels goes into explaining how Tetris is the obvious choice, it doesn't change anything, it doesn't show what games can be, it is "the safe choice that puts video games in the cultural corner with a dunce cap on, where it belongs." This made me, like most other readers, question what the best game of all time really was, but it also made me think about whether one truly exists.

At the end of last year, GameFAQs allowed users to vote for their best game ever, whichever game got the most votes came out on top, a pretty simple way of creating a general consensus on a favourite game.

As anyone could have foreseen, the final result aggravated people that didn't vote for it. However, in this case I feel that they might have been justified.

You see, the winner this year was Undertale, the immensely popular indie title that came out a couple of weeks before the GameFAQs vote.

And that's precisely the problem

Now obviously a bunch of people were annoyed because they wanted their favourite game on top, but others were frustrated for a different reason, and that's that the game had just come out.

Undertale is a great game, don't get me wrong, but who's to say that it can be the best game of all time, within a couple weeks of its release?

There's two reasons for this, the first is that some people might not have even been done with the game at the time of voting, some people might have just voted for it because they hadn't have time to digest what they had just experienced; they were still riding the waves of excitement the game generated.

But what's even more important, is that how can we compare Undertale to games like Ocarina of Time, Dark Souls, or Symphony of the Night? Games that have a legacy, have stood the test of time. Games that innovated the genres they belong to and changed the way we think about them.

It's impossible to say whether or not Undertale has done this, in fact I would go so far to say that it probably hasn't. Because of the nature of Undertale, it probably won't inspire any more games like it, because if it did, Undertale fans would probably put it down as a trying too hard to replicate the game they love.

It's also debatable whether Undertale is a perfect game, it's definitely an amazing experience, with superbly written characters and events, and that's what it's true focus is on. Whether or not Undertale is a truly great game is up to opinion, whether or not you think plot is a massive priority in games, but that's a story for another time.

This, however, questions are idea of what determines the 'Best Game Ever'

The obvious choice would be a game that plays perfectly, solid gameplay, perfectly executed, and perhaps has an immersive and engrossing story, but above all it should be better than any other game before it.

But what game does that? A lot of people seem to think Mass Effect 2, but in my opinion the first game has better gameplay, sure the story isn't as good, but I myself focus more on how fun the game itself is. But then again if we're talking gameplay, I would probably prefer something like Bloodborne, not as much story, but certainly deeper combat, and faster to boot.

But if we're talking story, well I'd say I prefer Persona 4, it's got incredibly deep and well written characters, and a plot that's all about looking into those characters and finding more about them.

Hang on though, because I've spent so much time on Super Smash Bros. Melee, more than any other game, plus it's given me so many fun experiences, and I've made a lot of friends through it's community, doesn't that make it the best game ever?

In fact I can't think of a game I would say is the best

The thing is, no one can say for sure what the best game ever is in that retrospect, (which is where I actually agree with Mark Serrels' article) because so much is up to opinion. A lot of people prefer shooter gameplay over gameplay like Bloodborne's, or The Last of Us' story over Persona 4's, or Smash 4 over Melee.

If anyone said any one game was the best, there would be at least a thousand people who preferred another game over it, and at least a hundred who didn't even enjoy that game at all.

I'd say, it's impossible to determine the best game ever this way, unless a game came out that every single person unanimously loved and thought was the best, considering everyone's differing tastes, that game seems like a fantasy.

However, we could still determine 'the best', we just need to look at games differently.

Some ways we can measure the best

The way in which you look for the 'best game of all time' is also up to opinion.

For instance, you could look at games that still hold up today, games like Mario 3, Super Metroid, or Megaman X. Games like these are so well developed in areas like graphics and design that they are still challenging, deep and visually appealing today, and will most likely be so in the future. Even if people don't particularly like some of these games, it's hard to deny that they play a lot better than most games of the time.

However, I would say that the best game would be one of those games I mentioned before, those with a legacy that provided innovative mechanics to pave the way for those to be improved and utilised in other games, or those that inspired other games in the future. Games that have indirectly provided millions of people with fun experiences, simply by providing the mechanics that other great games have used.

Consider Ocarina of Time, which provided Z-Targeting to allow combat in a 3D space, or even the original Zelda which arguably 'created' open world games. There's also genre-creating games like Castlevania and Metroid, providing the metroidvania formula used in games like Dark Souls, or even the Batman Arkham games (best shown in Asylum).

These games aren't particularly the best, they may not have aged well. It could be argued that some games have done what they did but better, but that's the point.

It's hard to deny that the game that inspired the most games -- especially if those turned out to be some of the greatest -- would be the 'The Best Game of All Time.' A true pioneer for the medium, a master class of game design that many great games could be traced back to. One that games could not have been as great without.

And what game is this? Well I don't really know. To be honest it would require a lot of data and calculation that I'm not capable for doing.

One More Try

But let's reel it back a bit. If we wanted to choose a game simply on how fun it is to play in this day and age, could we do that? Possibly.

To choose a game this way, we need to think about it like this: it doesn't need to be a game that everybody loves, but one that nobody hates. We need to focus on that final result, when people see that number one spot, we need as many people as possible to look at it and go "sure, I can get down with that."

A game with no obvious flaws, that succeeds at exactly what it tries to do, but doesn't try to do too much. Perhaps even one that has encompassed everything that I've said so far. Does that game exist? I think so.

And that game: is Tetris.

You see, no one hates Tetris, it's no one's favourite game, but no one can say there's anything wrong with it. I haven't seen a single person play Tetris and not enjoy it even a little. Maybe they won't play it for hours on end, but they'll still enjoy the time they had on it. Add the fact that even people who don't play many games enjoy Tetris, it succeeds where many games don't.

As Serrels explains, it's a game you play every now and then for five minutes, on the bus or when there's nothing else. But isn't that great? A game that 3 decades later people are still enjoying. It sits on our phones, our computers, our handheld consoles even to this day, and when there's nothing else, Tetris is still there. It's reliable.

If Tetris were anything more, if it were any deeper or had any additions, it would begin to move into a territory of genres in which some people might like, but others won't. It's in an area of simplicity that it appeals to casual gamers, but it is done so well that it appeals to the mainstream as well.

It may not show what games can be, it doesn't have an immersive plot or deep gameplay, but it is a perfect lesson in design. It relies on a single, simple idea, but it's addictive and fun without anything else. It puts games like Candy Crush, that rely on other methods than gameplay to addict, to shame. It doesn't try as hard, or have the same budget as many triple A games today, but it doesn't need constant sequels to still be relevant -- even though EA seems to think it does.

I can definitely understand Serrels' frustration with where Tetris was placed in Time Magazine, it's in a position where it is a representation of what games can be to a demographic of people who usually dismiss them. Where a game like Mass Effect or Dark souls could prove games to be a respectable medium, or even an art, Tetris just confirms their views on games as a pastime. But when considering a game that appeals to the most people, stands the test of time -- even with massive technological advances --, and is just an enjoyable experience, Tetris might just be worthy of that title.

Sometimes the obvious choice, is the right choice.

Last week’s post gave you the hardware. Today’s post will give you the must-have games for your Super Nintendo. The best SNES games don’t come cheap, but these tried and true titles are worth it. Part three of this series includes the best SNES games of all time.

Part One: SNES games under $50.

Part Two: SNES games under $100.

Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen

Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen - from $104.98 to $139.00

Reportedly one of the best strategy RPGs for SNES. Only 25,000 copies were released for North America so this is a higher ticket title.

Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger - from $65.00 to $155.50

If you already own this game, consider yourself a lucky, lucky human. Chrono Trigger has been called “one of the best video games of all time”.

EarthBound

EarthBound - from $49.00 to $260.43

If you’ve never played EarthBound, you need to. EarthBound is an all-time favorite with great replayability. The character, Ness, who you may know from Super Smash Bros, originated in this series. This particular title is known as Mother 2 in Japan, and was the first in the series to release in North America. Definitely one for the retro enthusiast. Fun fact: Former Nintendo President and CEO, Satoru Iwata, worked on this game.

This article concludes the "Best retro gaming buys: SNES games" series. Stay tuned for more great gaming articles!

I’m always looking for new awesome products, so please send me your favorites at commerce@LaunchMediaNetwork.com.

Multiplayer iOS games come in all shapes and sizes. They can range from word games to flight simulations, and more. And there are a lot of great games available in the App Store.

What the games in this list have in common are that they are ones you can play with your friends or people you've never met. The list isn't extensive or obscure, but it is a varied collection.

1. Clash of Clans

Image Source

Clash of Clans is one of the better known massive multiplayer online games for mobile, let alone iOS. Even though it was first released in 2012 for iOS, the game still seems to garner as much attention now as it did then. For players of the game, building communities and facing other players to collect gold and elixirs can be used to defend against attacks from other players.  In 2016, Friendly Challenges were introduced to the game, allowing players to compete against members of their clans. Clash of Clans can be downloaded for iOS here.

2. Words with Friends

Image Source

This game may seem out-of-place in the list of great iOS games. Some might label Word with Friends a nuisance at best. Regardless, one cannot disagree that this game garnered wide acclaim and took its spot as a pop culture phenomenon. The premise of the game is laughably simple, really. It's virtual Scrabble that allows you to play against strangers or friends. The app, although first released in 2009, introduced the chat feature in 2011, which added a new facet to the multiplayer experience. Words with Friends can be downloaded here.

3. Metal Storm

Image Source

What multiplayer iOS game list would be complete without a combat aircraft game like Metal Storm? Like most multiplayer games, the game allows you to battle your friends in multiplayer. Modes within the game include Campaign, Versus Mode and Survival Mode. Players can even communicate with each other through an in-game voice chat system, enhancing the multiplayer experience even more. Metal Storm can be downloaded for iOS here.

4. Spaceteam

Image Source

Once described as a "cooperative shouting game for phones and tablets," Spaceteam is a game that gives the responsibility of piloting a ship to a group of people, by connecting smartphones and tablets over wifi. In the game, each player is responsible for a different panel of the ship's cockpit. They're then is given differing instructions to keep the ship in flight. The only catch is that players must shout their instructions to their teammates in order to find out who those instructions apply to. Download Spaceteam for iOS here.

What are your favorite iOS games? Let me know down in the comments!

Rocket League

Rev up your engines and take to the skies in the game that surprised everyone and set itself among the best game of 2015. Introduced onto the PS4 through PS Plus, it grabbed gamers with its frantic paced, adrenaline-filled battles. Easy to pick up but difficult to master, Rocket League is an intensely layered competitive game that veterans have sunk days in, perfecting their aerial hits and goal line clearances.

The games can be chaotic, as players duke it out 4v4 in a game mode aptly titled Chaos. Or it can be calculated and cooperative in 2v2, sussing out your opponents and striking a winning partnership with your teammate.

With an ever growing community and developers always looking to give back to their strong fanbase, Rocket League is updated regularly with new maps, new cars, and new game modes like Basketball and Ice Hockey. Even if you weren't fortunate enough to grab this when it was free, it is undoubtedly worthy of a purchase. 

These are just a handful of the great games PS Plus has to offer, and they are just my personal favorites. Games like Magicka 2, Zombi, NBA 2K16 have also been available for free, covering plenty of different genres. So no matter what games you love playing, PS Plus will have one for you.

Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition

A child of the Metroidvania era of gaming, Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition is a game that doesn't take itself seriously, which is all part of its charm. Littered with references from one of its founders in Metroid to modern games like Journey, Guacamelee! is a game made by developers with a passion for the games they love. In an all-too-familiar story line of rescuing a female love interest from the clutches of a villain, a silent protagonist sets off on a journey to rescue his love and stop the evil forces.

What sets this game apart from the games it parodies is its brilliant dimension-hopping ability that adds a fresh twist on puzzle solving as well as combat. A clever unlockables system creates shortcuts and new pathways to previously trodden on areas, and each of these unlockables increase your luchador's fighting skills, adding layers of depth as the player explores further into the game.

For lovers of Metroid and 2D adventure games, Guacamelee is the game for you.

The Unfinished Swan

Experience the beautiful world of The Unfinished Swan on PS4. The player enters a book and begins in a blank page, white filling the screen. Firing ink pellets create edges to the world, uncovering corridors, statues, walkways, trees, benches -- a fantastic premise that must be explored. 

The gameplay changes with each of its four chapters and keeps things fresh. The player begins growing vines to climb on, exploring the darkness, manipulating light as they traverse, constructing shapes within a blueprint, and then exploring a dream world.

This is another relaxing game to unwind with and an experience not to be passed up. The Unfinished Swan is a must-buy exclusive on the PS4.

Telltale's The Walking Dead

Return to the post-apocalypse as Clementine while she continues to survive, though this time without the paternal figure of Lee to protect her. It's a dead-rubber if you haven't played Season One, but those who started Clementine's story on PS3 can continue it on PS4 for free. 

Filled with the difficult choices and the subsequent serious consequences, The Walking Dead is a Telltale game that always leaves you second guessing your actions.

Valiant Hearts: The Great War

Step back in time and into the shoes of the heroes from The Great War and experience it for yourself. Valiant Hearts goes back in time and explores the heroes in one of humanity's darkest times. The game tells the story of people from five different nations helping others and trying to reunite with their loved ones.  

This is a fun game to unwind with or to play on the side of more hardcore games. It's simple side-scrolling adventure/puzzle game cramped with entertaining characters, brimming with humor and personality. 

The game is a much-needed reminder of the services and sacrifices this brave generation endured to ensure victory, and the game provides information about the war for keen gamers wanting to learn more.

We all love free stuff. And with PlayStation Plus, each month gamers are given 2-3 games free of charge. The program was a huge success on the PS3, with titles such as Demon's Souls, Bioshock Infinite, Borderlands 2, leading the impressive backlog of games.

On the surface, the PS4's collection is lackluster in comparison. A severe lack of AAA titles and a vast amount of PS3 cross-buy games have left users underwhelmed with their PS Plus offerings.

However, Sony has not actually disappointed with the roster on PS4 -- there's just a lot of solid games offered that have been quickly dismissed. Here are some of the best PS Plus titles available for PlayStation 4. If you don't have some of these, I implore you to pick them up. 

We Happy Few

Release Date: July 26

We Happy Few got its start with a successful Kickstarter campaign. Set in an alternative, war-ravaged version of 1960s England, the game’s objective is survival. Characters must blend in among the “delusionally happy people” of an eerie, dystopian city called Wellington Wells.

Playable characters are designed to be morally ambiguous -- and if you die, you must start the game over in an entirely new, procedurally generated version of the city. On July 26, the game will see an Xbox game preview and will also launch on Steam Early Access.

What other games are you excited for in July? Let me know down in the comments!

Batman: Return to Arkham

Release Date: July 26

Return to Arkham combines the remastered versions of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, along with all the old downloadable content from the original games. The new bundle has improved graphics and changed environments and models. It will release for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The Banner Saga 2

Release Date: July 26

Although the PC and Mac versions of The Banner Saga 2 were released on April 19, July 26 will see a release for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. So far, the tactical RPG has garnered an 82% on Metacritic and some stellar reviews.

The 2D hand-drawn Viking saga boasts a new race called the Horseborn and improved combat. Those who played Banner Saga will find the second installment influenced by their past game choices. If you did not play the first game, the second will start out with automatic choices made for you.

I Am Setsuna

Release Date: July 19

Square Enix’s new Japanese role playing game has been called a “return to the golden era of JRPGs.” I Am Setsuna contains an air of nostalgia to older JRPGs.

It follows Setsuna, a girl who has been named a sacrifice by her people in order to protect them. The battle system is inspired by Chrono Trigger, and the game boasts some truly beautiful visuals. It will be available on PlayStation 4, PS Vita, and Windows.

Song of the Deep

Release Date: July 12

A Metroidvania-style game, Song of the Deep follows the story of a girl who crafts a submarine to seek out her missing fisherman father. Inspired by Irish mythology, the game emphasizes puzzles and exploration as opposed to combat, though it does contain some of the latter.

The game will include storybook inserts designed to make it look like a children’s book -- and there are plans to release a children’s book alongside it, as well. The game's developers are collaborating with GameStop to release physical copies alongside digital ones for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

After all the excitement from June's E3 conferences, July is going to be a relatively quiet month for gaming. But that doesn't mean there isn't anything worth playing. There are a few titles that warrant anticipation. Let’s take a look at some interesting releases coming up next month.

Fallout 4 DLC Nuka World

Release Date: August 2016

Ok, the thing I am most excited about isn't a game but a DLC pack. This DLC for Fallout 4 looks so amazing that I couldn't put it anywhere but the number one spot. Nuka World is something that fans have been wanting for a long time.

Of course, not many details have been released yet but it looks pretty cool so far. The DLC will feature a whole new map area just like Far Harbor did. There's also an opportunity to play as a raider. The DLC will be $19.99 -- which is pretty steep, so I hope there is a lot of content included. This will be the sixth and final DLC for Fallout 4.

Gears of War 4

Release Date: 10/11/16

"Oh Gears, how I love you". Gears of War has been one of my favorite franchises since I was at GameStop back in 2007 and randomly picked up the first game. Ever since then I have been hooked. The story is amazing and rich, and the world the game it set in is dark. Gears is the first game to make me truly connect with a character. Dom is my favorite character in all of gaming. He's Marcus's rock and his best friend -- and without Dom, I honestly feel like Marcus would have just given up and died in the first game. 

Gears of War 4 looks like it will carry on the same great storytelling and great characters. I think that this game is going to turn out great, and I can see it being my game of the year. The gameplay footage looks like a blast. I am also excited to see what new enemies they bring to the game and what kind of role the characters from Gears 1-3 will play. 

Outlast 2

Release Date: Fall 2016

Outlast 2 looks so good to me. The story seems great, and having to run and hide to crazy hillbilly looking people seems fun. The game definitely has the same creepy tone that the first game had, and I'm glad that this sequel seems to be keeping true to the first game. I will for sure be getting this game day one. I hope that the game is good, because I feel that horror games have really been lacking lately. 

We Happy Few

Early Access begins: 7/26/16

Final Release 2016

This is a game that I am excited and not excited for at the same time. The game does look promising from the few trailers and the little bit of gameplay we have seen. But, In my opinion, it can be really easy to mess up a  survival horror game. I don't think that they will honestly, but you never know.

The game does give off a creepy vibe. Just look at that part in the trailer with the pinata (towards the end). That was messed up. On the whole, We Happy Few has a very Bioshock feel to me. I have high hopes for this game and I plan on getting it during Early Access. 

Dishonored 2

Release date: 11/11/16 

I am a big fan of the original Dishonored, and when Dishonored 2 was announced last year I freaked out. I honestly didn't think we would get another Dishonored game anytime soon. Dishonored 2 looks like it will be just as fun and exciting at the first game. With the option to play as both Corvo and Emily, it gives players a reason to play through the game twice. I am really excited to see the new abilities that each character will have as well. 

The last few days have been full of new game announcements, new gameplay videos and even new consoles being shown off at E3 2016. There are so many great games coming out this year, and it looks like it is going to be a great year for gaming in 2016-2017. After watching all the announcements, these are the five games that I am most excited to get my hands on. 

I also want to mention two other WH40K games before closing. Total War: Warhammer launched in May 2016, but, sadly, I have not yet played it. Everything I’ve seen and heard about it has me thinking it will definitely make this list. Same goes for Dawn of War III, whenever the powers that be decide it’s ready for release. I anticipate I'll be spending many hours in each of these games.

So if you’re looking to get into the best Warhammer 40,000 video games available, take my list of suggestions here and play them all. And tell us which WH40K video games are your favorites in the comments section below!

Warhammer 40,000: Regicide (2015)

Regicide is my final pick for this list. If you love WH40K, and you also love chess, then this game is your bag. For me, it takes me back to the 80s when I spent countless hours sneak-playing Archon: The Light and the Dark on school computers. Except these chess matches take place in the grimdark of WH40K, which means some exceptionally brutal combat.

Regicide is of course available on Steam.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Retribution

Retribution (Relic Entertainment / THQ) is the last DoWII expansion, and is also another standalone expansion, playable all on its own. You’ll choose which faction to play at the start, and you’ll have to play each faction through to completion in order to experience all the different endings. Retribution has new units and new upgrades to old units, and the Last Stand mode gets upgrades, as well.

Retribution is available on Steam. 

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Rising (2010)

Chaos Rising (Relic Entertainment / THQ), the first DoWII expansion, continues the intricate storyline from that game and takes it to a deeper and darker level. As expected, CR adds new units and upgrades to each faction. The big addition here is called the Corruption System, which tracks how close your forces are to giving in to Chaos depending on the choices you make in certain in game events. Your choices also lead to you having one of the multiple endings play out at end game. Really, you’ll want to play through again and again to see all the endings.

Chaos Rising is available on Steam.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II (2009)

Just less than a year after the release of Soulstorm, Relic Entertainment and THQ released Dawn of War II. DoWII kept its RTS and RPG roots, but also drastically changed the gameplay to a much more strategic direction, influenced by hardcore wargames such as Company of Heroes. Base building was done away with, the AI and physics engine improved, and Skirmish and Last Stand modes added. As far as story goes, the arc through DoWII and its expansions is my favorite -- not to take anything away from the previous story arcs.

Dawn of War II is available on Steam.   

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Soulstorm (2008)

Iron Lore Entertainment (Titan Quest) took on the development of the third Dawn of War expansion, Soulstorm, published by THQ. Soulstorm also doesn’t require the base Dawn of War in order to play it. Soulstorm’s gameplay is the same non-linear style as Dark Crusade, and involves an interstellar conflict over the sudden appearance of a Warp Storm. This expansion adds two new armies (Sisters of Battle, Dark Eldar), and adds new flying units to each faction.

Soulstorm is available on Steam. 

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Dark Crusade (2006)

The second Dawn of War expansion, Dark Crusade (Relic Entertainment / THQ) is unique in that it is playable as a standalone game, and not dependent on having Dawn of War to play. DC bumps up the playable factions to seven, and breaks away from the previous standard campaign paths to opt for a non-linear single-player campaign. Similar to Sid Meier’s Civilization series, you’ll pick which faction you want to play at the start of the game, then set about building up your forces while methodically destroying the others in classic RTS fashion.

Dark Crusade is available on Steam. 

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Winter Assault (2005)

Winter Assault is the first expansion for Dawn of War, and is also from the Relic Entertainment / THQ team. Winter Assault will have you take charge of the same factions as in DoW in two single-player campaigns to discover the location of an Imperial Titan, a colossal ancient war machine capable of dealing massive damage. It’s also notable for having a few different game endings available, each depending on your path through the single-player missions.

Winter Assault is available on Steam.  

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (2004)

Dawn of War was developed by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ, and was the first huge WH40K hit video game, spawning three also very successful expansions. DoW plays out in real-time strategy mode, and instead of controlling one Marine at a time, you’ll move whole squads as one unit. You’ll control a company of Blood Ravens Space Marines in the short 11-mission single-player campaign, but get to expand into playing as Chaos Marines, Orks, and Eldar factions in multiplayer.

The Dawn of War GOTY edition is available on Steam. 

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate (1998)

Developed by Random Games and published by the magnificent Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI), Chaos Gate is a turn-based strategy RPG that looks and plays similar to XCOM. As Captain Kruger, you’ll lead Ultramarine Tactical, Assault, Devastator, and Terminator squads against the Chaos forces lead by Lord Zymran as you both search for the Concordat Chaosium.

Chaos Gate is available at GOG.com for Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8).

The Warhammer 40,000 space fantasy setting, launched way back in 1987, has been and continues to be a favorite amongst gamers. WH40K was created by Rick Priestley and produced by Games Workshop as a companion piece to the classic Warhammer Fantasy Battles tabletop wargame. Since then, its dystopian universe has been adapted into various entertainment genres, including books, a movie, a collectible card game, and video games.

Fans of WH40K video games have long enjoyed the dismal perpetual war environment that began with 1992’s Space Crusade. That’s a fact not lost on Games Workshop. They have plans for about a dozen more WH40K-based video games in the foreseeable future, not including the recently released Total War: Warhammer.

But before we drift any deeper into the grim darkness of the Warhammer universe, let’s take a Devilfish transport for a look at my recommendations of the best WH40K video games so far. The games here are listed in order of release, not ranked in any preferred order. These are the games I think you absolutely should play for the immersive WH40K video game experience.