Quite short, but beautifully mysterious puzzle-trip into a VR world full of bizarre machines.

This shooting gallery sparks your interest, but gets as generic as its name too fast. It serves as a solid variation of Time Crisis in VR, but leaves too much potential untapped.

The concept of this modern Punch-Out is interesting, the fun you’ll experience in multiplayer is great, but lack of content delivers a gut punch to this brawler.

The explosive revival of Burnout’s crash mode delivers good clean fun. But it seriously lacks content and a convincing damage system.

What a voxelstorm. Nex Machina is a great twinstick shooter that beams you back into the arcades. This explosive experience will dray you into its small but challenging world.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

While the concept is a prime example for a meaningful implementation of VR into otherwise rather dry gameplay mechanics, the lack of content is very harmful. A great virtual experience hidden in a weak game.

I am always appreciative if designers approach a genre from a different angle. And this is exactly what Heamimont did with hack&slay. Infused with action-adventure elements plus two engrossing add-ons (especially the Motörhead homage Through the Ages) this is a serious contender to the throne of Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls.

A nice entry to the block building worlds à la MineCraft that’s perfectly suited for beginners. But don’t expect the complexity of Mojang’s masterpiece nor the roleplaying ingredients of Dragon Quest Builders.

Forget the tacked on VR (dis-)experience. It is just nuances that seperates Tekken 7 from other beat-em-up heavyweights that seem to be released basically simultaneously . If you can look past a few visual shortcomings and a sometimes weird dramatization you’ll be rewarded with one of the deepest combo-filled fighters out there that will give Injustice’s superheroes a run for their money.

With the (long overdue) change from proprietary to Unreal Engine, MXGP 3 improves on every level to its predecessor. Finally Milestone can show the vision they had in mind from the start.

This is a deep sci-fi 4X extravaganza. Loads of beautifully and sometimes very subtle connected game systems make this the most atmospheric and most complex 4X in recent years.

While Injustice 2 and Tekken 7 challenge each other for the title of modern beat-em-up king, Arc System Works focuses on what they can do best: Deliver a retro-infused slugfest with top notch balancing and one of the most intriguing audiovisual designs in a fighting game yet.

Interesting space survival that walks a tightrope between motivation and resignation with its harsh resource shortage.

While the immersion is interesting at first, you’ll soon discover that there is a lack of variety in almost every aspect: track design, visuals, challenge level, content in general.

With all the DLC from the initial PS4-release included from the get-go, this is a content-rich strategy RPG monster that will not let you sleep for months.

An interesting concept that lacks proper execution. In the long run the trains have to take an emergency stop in a cul-de-sac, while the battle system is superficial at best.

I am pleasantly surprised: Seemingly with ease this twinstick-induced strategy-explosion on a postapocalyptic diorama is more immersive that imagined - and fun to play as well.

Being the master over evolution can be entertaining. But it can also be tedious, boring at times and always an exercise in displaying patience.

RiME is an atmospheric adventure where exploration, acrobatics and puzzles are woven together in a very subtle and comfortable way.

As a fan of twinstick-action as well as Tarantino movies I was looking forward to Bloody Days. But while the dualstick heists are mediocre at best, as an enhancement, addition or homage to the modern cult classic this doesn’t work at all.

Entertaining wave shooter with a nice variety of weapons and a colorful comic-design, but also a steep challenge level.

While the basic core mechanics are as good and spot on as they were over 20 years ago, this new iteration of a beat-em-up classic has problems to make its mark.

Like “To the Moon” Rakuen sends you on a bittersweet journey between two worlds, emotionally charged, with clever puzzles and a beautiful soundtrack.

An interesting mixture of visual novel and tactical roleplaying game with a strong focus on the narrative.

Unraveling the mysteries of the game mechanics set in this mystical environment is the main motivation. At least until you are lulled into the tranquil setting and start realizing that you are following a monotonous future unfolding here and there...

While art design and location are the same as in Akiba’s Trip the fighting system as well as the narrative have changed and take their inspiration from Atlus’ Persona-series on one side and Groundhog Day on the other. Unfortunately this mix doesn’t bode well.

If you like games like Limbo or Inside, chances are, you will love Little Nightmares. And even though overall it doesn’t have the emotional impact of the aforementioned (since too many questions are left unanswered), the Tim-Burtonesque art design is beautiful.

Unless you don’t like puzzle games, I can’t give you any good reason to stay away from this mash-up of two classics. Yes, the story in campaign mode is basically non-existent, while the art design might be too colorful for some. But you get plenty of modes, on- and offline, solo and versus, making Puyo Puyo Tetris a prime example for “come on, just one more round”-games.

While the puzzles leave a decent impression, the numerous technical problems as well as the weird changes of perspective make this a frustrating and sluggish experience.

In a nutshell, this is the best storytelling game in recent years and a sure hit for gamers who like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter or Gone Home. The magical sadness reminds you of Ray Bradbury, the morbid flair of Tim Burton.

If you are an oldschool aficionado you’ll get a nice collection of six NES classics with slight enhancements like in-game-saving (once per game) and rewind function to tone down the extreme difficulty. Plus you get a heap of bonus material like artworks and the soundtracks.

If your are looking for a quick shooter fix in VR, this might be it – if you are willing to invest the time needed to wait for online connections as well as unlocking of new equipment.

Lately Telltales Adventures keep losing me. Batman left me unphased and even though I like Starlord, Rocket and Groot it seems to me that Telltale lost their mojo. This is mediocrity I didn’t expect.

Playable Museum with a collection of 100 titles straight out of the pioneering phase of our favorite hobby. Unfortunately some very important classics are missing.

Playable Museum with a collection of 100 titles straight out of the pioneering phase of our favorite hobby. Unfortunately some very important classics are missing.

Charming physics based puzzle experience that gets the maximum out of its simplified visuals and reduced movement options.

Arkane studios don’t just quote System Shock but show in all areas how pleaeantly challenging modern games can be. There are technical shortcomings (mainly on consoles), but in the long run (especially the most intense last third) you will be more surprised than in almost any other game in recent years.

When the parents Quake and Contra choose Marus Fenix as a nanny, this is what their offspring might look like in puberty. Butcher is loud. It is bloody. It is challenging - unless you play on Casual, which definitely is for wussies.

Rain Games has no problems transitioning from the 2D-Teslagrad to the three-dimensional areas of World to the West. Puzzle, exploration and fighting are mixed quite well, while there is even a hint of Lost Vikings infused with the four characters that need to work together to reach their respective goals.

Less is more. While the sniping core is solid and entertaining (if the AI doesn’t show its ugly side) and the drone enhances the choice of options, there are too many unnecessary ingredients that distract you more than it is helpful. With this “featurism” and technical faults this feels rushed and aimless.

In its best moments Outlast 2 is one of the most intensive horror experiences out there – mainly thanks to the excellent design. But mechanically it relies too much on trial and error and redundant elements that tame the terror.

Intelligent escape puzzles that are held back only by the inaccuracy that you encounter here and there with the Move controllers.

Yes, the arenas could be more varied. But nonetheless, this is a challenging high score shooter that induces the infamous “one-more-try” into your system with ease.

With its visuals Echoes might lure you into believing that it is as captivating as Fire Emblem Fates. But in the end this is the weakest and most unnecessary entry of a franchise I played and loved dearly since its humble origins.

Sorry, Introversion. But this is nothing more and rather less than a simple try to fill Dear Esther’s footsteps, while the art design as the only really interesting element is underutilized.

The foundation draws heavily on the classic NBA Jam and tries to deliver a modern rendition of the arcade basketball that started it all. And while Saber added a few interesting elements the mixture is just lukewarm.

Although the core mechanics are deeply rooted in the same soil that grew From Sofftwares Souls franchise, the visceral fighting mechanics with their specific target zones are kinda unique and makes you feel like you are playing a mixture of Transformers and Mortal Kombat. Unfortunately the world and quest design are rather generic.

With little over 2.5 hours it is a tad short, but Skylar & Plux proves that you don’t necessarily need minigames or other bits and pieces to generate 3D platforming fun.

This is just a beat-em-up. This is just a beat-em-up. You can’t say that often enough. But when you look at the carefully constructed cinematic story you tend to forget. Plus: With its tight controls, diverse roster and the equipment focus you will come back again and again. Even more so, when some balancing problems have been addressed.

Farpoint not only looks great, especially with the aim controller, but it plays great too. But the sum of all parts unfortunately isn’t great, since the action itself, with its lack of variation and endless waves, is as generic as anything.

This was a pleasent surprise: While I was expecting something like a cheap Super Meat Boy clone, the creative corpse mechanic keeps this hardcore platformer fresh.

Challenging and an audiovisual gem: While the concept might seem simple this is a proper debut for the fresh team.

Incredibly fast arcade action with a flashy retro design that works surprisingly well in VR.

How this design could move beyond concept phase is beyond me. A lightning fast retro shooter that you have to play slow. Really? This is a boring hamster wheel of procedural synthesis. But it loses its grip on you faster than it can build motivation with its fast electro rock and inventive weaponry.

Thanks to a very clean conversion, LocoRoco on PlayStation 4 still is a gem that will keep you entertained from top to bottom.

Unraveling the mysteries of the game mechanics set in this mystical environment is the main motivation. At least until you are lulled into the tranquil setting and start realizing that you are following a monotonous future unfolding here and then...

In theory, this could be an interesting puzzler. With its simple concept and rewards, like witnessing the results of your efforts as weather phenomena, it is immersive from the start. But it is just as hard to get into, since the control scheme is all over the place.

While the beginning is almost everything you could wish for from a classic horror experience, Wilson’s Heart soon loses itself in uninteresting “explore, pick up, use, repeat”. It still shows how effective subtle horror can be in VR even though it never gets to prove it fully.

While the story is interesting, it doesn’t translate well with its technical glitches and shortcomings as well as sometimes awkward puzzle implementation, that serve only to drag you out of the world instead of immersing you in it.

Inspired by classics like Chrono Trigger, Phantasy Star, or Suikoden, and filled with dynamic turnbased battles, this is a gem for any aficionado of 16-bit-roleplaying.

This is by far the most ambitious and thought through musou game that Omega Force has produced yet. While staying true to the basic formula the action-roleplaying elements as well as the true-to-the-source art design make this an engrossing experience.

A lot of mechanics are mashed: battle tactics, roleplaying, strategic base building, crafting, survival elements and more. Unfortunately they are not merged very well, leaving a feeling that is not a Jack-of-all-trades and even less a master of anything.

Pretty, filled with content and simply ideal for gaming parties. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still lacks some serious solo motivation but packs a powerful multiplayer punch.

It is short. Damn short. But it also is still as immersive as it was half a year ago when it debuted on PlayStation VR. I still hope that Rocksteady goes down this path further and makes this a foundation for an episodic adventure.

Theoretically this is a really good action roleplaying game. But a lot of small and some major issues in basically all areas from visuals over sound design up to puzzles and quest design spoil the fun.

Intelligent and diverse puzzles, a tense and disturbing atmosphere and high immersion. With all this quality it is a shame that it is quite short. I want more.

It is as good and clean fun under the PSVR headset as it was with Rift a few months ago. Thanks to the tactical slow-motion and the sufficient motion tracking this remains a decent shooting gallery with a sci-fi touch.

A solid remake of a solid, albeit short biker adventure that is primarily focused on storytelling and the characters rather than puzzles.

Except for slight deficits in terms of controls and visuals, Cities Skylines is a great console port of an exceptional city-builder. It is harmed by the lack of editors, though.

Intense battles in which heroes and cannon fodder soldiers have to work together to achieve victory. Expect a surprisingly long and entertaining campaign plus brutal multiplayer skirmishes, which are in desperate need of more content.

Strangely compelling art design is not enough – Drawn to Death is proof to this like almost no other game. While the brutal gags grabbed my sympathy the technical flaws made me turn away too often. This simply can’t keep up with Garden Warfare or Overwatch.

You can still feel the mark the original left on the action genre. But with additions to FPS like Doom or Shadow Warrior 2 the niche of exhilarating combo shooting is getting crowded. Nonetheless: If you hadn’t played Bulletstorm yet, strap yourself in for one hell of a ride.

Instead of an open world Big Robot should have worked on variety. But even with the predominantly simple run-and-gun-mechanics it is quite fascinating to unravel Tölva's mysteries.

Take a pinch of Rez, add a helping of Gitaroo-Man, serve with loads of electronic beats and fascinating visuals and you get a quite interesting rhythm game. With more content and better balancing this could easily play in the same league as Amplitude or Thumper.

A really neat puzzler. But be aware: If you play with a friend or partner, get ready to communicate!

Stylistically classy and mechanically elegant adventure about nine murder cases in an interesting time warp.

It took a long time for the Umbra Witch to climax on PC but after seven years she finally arrived. And she didn’t miss a beat. This was and still is a first class action-adventure full of creativity, adrenaline fueled battles and sassiness beyond belief. And unlike Nier Automata this is a decent, albeit option lacking PC port.

While the visuals are sub-par at best, Battle Brothers is an interesting turn based tactics beast with a multi-faceted battle system but also serious balancing issues.

Huge nostalgic jump&run marathon with cleverly integrated abilities and puzzles. But towards the end this old school 3d-platformer lacks fine tuning.

A year ago on PlayStation 4 this was a surprise hit. The simple but thought-through concept still works, though and makes this exhilarating cocktail of dungeon crawler, dualstick-action and bullet hell blast.

I overlooked the franchise for too long, as I am glad that this year I ventured into the Major League ballparks. This is a mode-filled, very entertaining baseball experience that is not quite perfect yet, but nonetheless will eat your time away.

Good idea, tenacious execution. In theory the snaky movement concept with its fluid motions and climbing is a neat addition to platforming, but in the end everything is a tad too sluggish.

Classic Lego’ish action adventure in an open world with bucket loads of Zucker/Abrahams style of humour and the coop mode that was dearly missed in the Wii U original. Unfortunately the Switch version suffers from technical shortcomings like frame rate issues.

The sequel to the rather disappointing Toukiden at its core is a motivating demon hunt with an entertaining story and an open world, that shows a few visuals deficits.

While the user comfort within these exceptionally bizarre anime thrillers is reduced due to lack of touch functionality, technically you can expect faster loading times and crisp visuals.

About a year ago on PC this was one of the most ambitious time management games of the time – and it still is on console. With lots of humour, a fairly deep and tactical turn based fight management, a whodunit for good measure and an inspired 16-bit-retro-fell to it, Punch Club will draw you in. But within all the movie quotes and references you’ll also find a great amount of grind.

It sounds more promising than it really is. With all due respect to the solo development effort of Denis Galanin the picture puzzles become redundant after a while – especially since they are almost void of Kafka’esque elements.

The fight against the robots is not as intense as Superhot VR – but the highscore hunt is catered remarkably well to suit VR needs and a technical masterpiece with accurate roomscale tracking. Content is limited, though.

I like the theme. I like the narrative and I think it is an interesting approach to combine storytelling and management. It is in desperate need of variety, though.

With its focus on lackluster hack&slay fights and an interesting but totally underutilized narrative Gladiolus’ solo adventure doesn’t seem to fit into the big FF15 picture.

Clever puzzlemix based on a fictitious programming language.

This is a beautiful expansion, visually spectacular and challenging – on par with Bloodborne’s “The Old Hunters”.

Even with all the visual enhancements like 60 frames you can feel the age, although the timeless art design still works its magic. But that aside this is an impressive package of action roleplaying classics.

Colorful mix of turn based strategy and card organizing with a steep learning curve, a high challenge level and the typical rogue-like elements, that degrade the motivation over time.

This is like your first love rekindled – if you are fan of classic adventures. Filled to the rim with references to old masterpieces from LucasArts while sporting old-school qualities like beautifully written dialogue, quirky characters and bucket-loads of humour this is on par with the likes of Maniac Mansion, Zak McCracken etc.