In 2016, I surprised myself. I surprised myself by playing more games than I thought I would, and more games than I probably have in the three years preceding it combined. Some I liked, some I didn't. Here are the ones that held my attention for more than a couple of minutes at a time.

Lifeline is supposed to be the best game for the Apple Watch. Like you, I suspect, I don't own an Apple Watch. I do own an iPhone, though, and Lifeline is a pretty nifty iOS game. So why is Lifeline 2, which was released last week, such a disappointment?

On the most recent episode of Shall We Play a Game?, my podcast with former NPR producer and correspondent JJ Sutherland, we review Lifeline, a game designed for the Apple Watch, and Fallout Shelter. I also talk to Cara Ellison, a game designer and critic, about working on Grand Theft Auto IV and Dishonored 2.