Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Genre: RPG, FPS, Stealth
Release date: August 23rd, 2011
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Mac
Score: 9/10
Similar titles: Fallout 3, Mass Effect, System Shock

Adam Jensen, pretty badass for a protagonist.

Deus Ex is a franchise every gamer should try at some point. With a rather unique science fiction plot and the brilliant 'do it how you want' attitude, this series has received high review scores by almost everyone.  Although the younger generation may have missed the first two games, Human Revolution is a prequel ideal for bringing new players into the fold.

The premise of Deus Ex: Human Revolution is set in the near future. With the world being on the brink of a new era, man is evolving beyond the realms of human and developing robotic 'augments' to enhance their capabilities. The plot revolves around Adam Jensen, a security guard at the augmentation company Sarif Industries.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Genre: RPG, Action, Adventure
Release Date: February 12th, 2012
Platforms: PC, PS3
Score: 9/10
Similar Titles: Mass effect, Skyrim, Dragon Age, Witcher

Title cover.

After briefly reading about Kingdoms of Amalur and discovering none of my friends knew anything about it, I decided to take a chance. Big Huge games and 38 Studios didn't let me down. Although Amalur doesn't introduce anything particularly groundbreaking or original, it successfully implements some of the best mechanics of all your favourite RPG games.

Psychonauts

Genre: Platform/Puzzle
Release Date: October 11th 2006
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360
Score: 8/10
Similar: Crash Bandicoot, Mario, Sonic
Worth Playing: While a basic platformer at heart, Psychonauts is the type of wacky & innane that you cannot help but enjoy.

The opening screen has you walking on a giant brain.

As a top contender for my favourite game, Psychonauts is really a great experience. Most critics hold Psychonauts in high esteem, despite its lack of sales. Even though it came out back in 2005, the game has aged wonderfully. Even now I'm rather eager to continue, just writing about it is making me want to play. Psychonauts 2 will possibly be coming to town in the future- and despite the douchebag Notch funding the efforts, let's hope he has nothing further to do with the development.

Torchlight

Genre: Roguelike, RPG, adventure
Release Date: October 27th 2009
Platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox 360
Score: 7/10
Similar Titles: Diablo, Titan Quest, Dungeon Siege

I've always thought of Torchlight as Diablo 2.5, although a few might be a little upset with me besmirching Blizzard so. At any rate, Torchlight is a great singleplayer timesink if you're a fan of Roguelikes.

Looks like a shiny Diablo to me.

What you will find upon purchasing this game (or stealing, for the unscrupulous), is an incredibly polished top down hack and slash. As you derp your way through a few floors of the ember mines of Torchlight, beating down on various goblins, zombies, and whatnot- you will probably wonder if there is much more to the game than this. Not really. But it's hella fun anyway.

Skyrim

Genre: RPG, Adventure
Release Date: November 11th 2011
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Score: 9/10
Similar: Kingdoms of Amalur, Dragon Age 1, Oblivion

Skyrim has had plenty of time to gather awards and circulate the market. You must be aware of this game by now, even if it's only because your kid or friend won't shut the hell up about it. The newest instalment of the Elder Scrolls series has really come a long way since its predecessor, Oblivion. I'd say it's money well spent, after already sinking an unhealthy amount of time into the game myself.

You can purchase a copy on virtually any platform, and if you enjoy playing it will kill your time faster than the internet can kill your faith in humanity. Which is exactly why I believe Skyrim is a brilliant game- even if it means siding with all the mainstream hipsters out there.

Welcome back to wandering around instead of killing stuff.

Grandia 3

Genre: JRPG
Release Date: August 4th 2005
Platforms: PS2
Score: 6/10
Similar: Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest

The graphics aren't bad.

Grandia 3 is the final game in a great but deteriorating series. Although the plot and characters cling to the stereotype and refuse to decease in hitting you with the generic stick; at the end of the day it doesn't stop Grandia from being a JRPG worthy of Square-enix.

The characters are kinda horrible though.