A truly epic and wildly entertaining story matched with engaging combat, stellar voice acting, and a perfect score. It's action-focused combat system was a divisive change and it lacks the typical RPG elements we've grown accustomed to from the series. Despite those subversions of its formula, Final Fantasy XVI captured me and wouldn't let me go through its entire spectacular ride.

Lies of P completely took me by surprise. In a year where my passion for gaming dwindled in the summer months, finally turning this game on reminded me why I love video games. Lies of P takes everything we love about FromSoftware games from the settings, the challenge, and the combat and then makes each of those things its own. Lies of P has very rightfully earned its place among the top echelon of Soulsborne games.

If Lies of P helped me to remember how much I love games, then Jedi Survivor reminded me how much Star Wars can mean to me. Respawn has honed the combat to a fine edge, the new additions to movement are so fun, and it's the best Star Wars story in a decade.

Hi-Fi Rush is a Saturday morning cartoon the best way possible. The rhythm-action fights had me constantly bouncing and swaying to the music and cheering with every completed combo. The attention to detail in this game remarkable - the environment of every single level moves in sync with the music. Chai is a lovable protagonist and the story is so chock-full of gosh darn heart that you'll feel like your 8 years old on a Saturday morning eating cereal with your favorite show on.

Tchia is absolutely charming. This game pays homage to its inspiration not only in name, but in everything. A modest open world game with a fun possession mechanic, an adorable art style, and the kind of scary story parents used to tell their kids to get them to behave; Tchia might just steal your heart. Also, if you were ever to play a game solely to experience the music, this is one you should consider.