'Diaries' is an oddly jolly game portraying the endless grind of the marginalized working poor, conveying frustration and discouragement but also the joy of small victories.

'Life is Strange's unique rewind mechanic perfectly complements the choice-based episodic format. Between that and its mostly female cast of richly-drawn characters, it's my favorite in the genre.

One of the most thematically complex works in gaming, 'The Beginner's Guide' tells a deeply multi-layered story about the relationship between the player, the author, and the work.

Its gorgeous contemporary pixel art draws you in, but the real highlight of 'Hyper Light Drifter' is its difficult and deeply satisfying combat. I've spent dozens of hours replaying this game.

'SUPERHOT' breathes new life into the FPS genre with its signature twist: time moves only when you do. It's not a gimmick: the mechanic remains interesting and satisfying throughout the entire game.

'Firewatch' is remarkably unlike most games of this production value; it's a down-to-earth, emotionally mature story about relationships and solitude.

The assembly programming game you never asked for! While many puzzle games test your sequential logic skills, 'TIS-100' brings you much closer to real-world programming than others have.

Travel the globe in this Jules Verne-inspired adventure. Its fully non-linear structure provides unparalleled replay value for a story-driven game.

The Astronauts' groundbreaking use of photogrammetry creates a stunningly immersive environment, something you'll remember long after the game's forgettable story and mechanics have faded from memory.

Polished mechanics, Lovecraftian visuals, and an unconventional soundtrack come together in this remarkably cohesive action platformer.