This is a charming adventure mixing elements of platforming, roleplaying and turn based tactics. And as soon as you start to gather companions it almost feels like the Wizard of Oz.

Max's return is worthy of a new Life is Strange. Despite some rough edges in the story and performance, the game's gameplay and atmosphere are sure to impress more than just die-hard series fans.

Blunt, gory, brutal - after ten years of development hell, Dead Island 2 is a good, dull action snack with no pretense or story highlights.

A tense detective story with great characters and a love of archaeology.

Fall of Cybertron didn't manage to surpass Melbourne House's eight year old action-adventure on the PlayStation 2 as my favorite Transformers game. Nonetheless High Moon Studios' interpretation of the conflict between Autobots and Decepticons is definitely worth a look.

After the hectic prologue I wanted to give up, but I am happy I hung in there. Erica's supernatural abilities are the highlight of the puzzle design. It feels fresh to "summon" old evidence or victims to get new information. The start to this series is far from perfect but it definitely sparked my curiosity.

Quotation forthcoming.

The mix of rhythm game and fantasy roleplaying works suprisingly well - mainly thanks to the fact that the basic mechanics don’t stray too much from the Amplitude formula. So in the end it boils down to your musical tolerance. If you don’t mind electronic and and a wide range of indie music, you’ll get a lot of fun out of this one.

Stylistically impressive story about fates and memories. One that lacks a central theme as well as gameplay direction, though.

With its impressive ballistic action (albeit on a 2D plane) and the constant search for better equipment this mixture of games like Drox Operative, VoidExpanse, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag and of course Elite: Dangerous is a pleasant surprise in the overgrowing indie market.

This can be as funny as it can be frustrating. One moment you smile at the successful pun towards The Matrix, Lord of the Rings or Super Mario and the next moment you’re dead. But after cursing the developer, the random generator, god, the world and yourself you’ll find yourself crawling back. Again and again.

Charming mix of action- and puzzle-adventure in an subterranean setting. While it shows off some fresh ideas the platforming needs finetuning.

Soulslite with an immersive world, a foxy companion and a mystical touch – Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn follows a few good approaches that are quite successful for a game of this size.

The story focusing on the next generation on ninjas in the Hidden Leaf Village never gets into second gear. The themes are well chosen, but the execution lacks finesse. But with the proven fight mechanics and the over the top special effects this is a decent add-on that offers a glimpse into the future of the Naruto (or Boruto) tale.

Two years ago Deadpool’s romp was the funniest videogame in years. And in this aspect it still delivers countless sophisticated and countless more brainless jokes. Unfortunately the sometimes very old-fashioned mechanics weren’t polished.

No-frills port of the classical lawyer adventures preserves the original charm.

Charming 2d-platforming with a bizarre design that lacks variety in the long run.

Classic real-time strategy like Command & Conquer with base building – I’ve missed you. Unfortunately when it comes to battles, brawn is favored over brains.

In terms of technical achievement Detention is mediocre at best. Having said that, it is hard not to like the suspense and weird moments you encounter in this surreal horror adventure.

This jump & puzzle-adventure doesn't deliver the variety or charm of Fly'n or Giana Sisters Twisted Dreams, but in its own (quite small) microcosm the puzzles work well.

A true and very solid sequel to the roughly ten year old tower defense action.

More Need for Speed, less FlatOut, more racing, less drifting. And it is simply one of the best looking racers in the AppStore. Unfortunately there is no local multiplayer while online play is still contaminated with lags.

Don’t be fooled: At its core Edge of Nowhere is nothing more (and certainly nothing less) than old school survival horror – unfortunately blended with too much stealth. But it is nonetheless a very good example that you don’t need new concepts to deliver an engrossing VR experience. [Tested with Oculus Rift]

Like Mortal Blitz this rail-shooter is a modern take on arcade shooters like Time Crisis. Piloting a mech that could play a starring role in Pacific Rim you’ll enjoy the tight controls, the challenging encounters and the better-than-expected story.

The visuals are plain beautiful (the occasional clipping aside), but even with slightly changed abilities the Chronicles rely far too early on repeating the established, while adding a few minor problems that were not present in the predecessor.

This is one of the best trading-card games in the AppStore. But you're forced to buy new cards via microtransactions much too early – you can't even finish the campaign without some additional booster packs.

This is the essence of everything Assassin’s Creed – good and not so good. While it is nice to see Ezio again and sneak as well as fight through dozens of hours of proven gameplay elements, you can’t help to think that even back then the progress within the franchise was limited.  


With its impressive ballistic action (albeit on a 2D plane) and the constant search for better equipment this mixture of games like Drox Operative, Starpoint Gemini 2, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag and of course Elite: Dangerous is a pleasant surprise in the crowded niche of Space Operas.

At first glance just another shooting gallery, the clever inclusion of bullet hell elements and the weapon smithing make this an interesting, yet short VR action game.

After a long period of waiting finally a good RTS arrives. While the scenario is great and the campaign is exemplary, the tactical complexity, AI and base building leave room for improvement.

A good Lego adventure that finally takes a playful look at the creative clamping block values.

Visually pleasing and at its core a very decent co-op platform-action it lacks finishing touches.

Giant insects, even bigger robots, dozens of weapons and unlimited ammo – what else do you need? Not much, my friend, not much.

PlayStation VR Worlds is an interesting, but overpriced collection of tech demos showing off the possibilities of VR technology.

With technical issues in mind, Capcom delivers a solid Switch conversion of Resident Evil 5 with all DLCs included and also decent motion controls.

If you like to play solo, please stay away. But cooperatively this is great fun – at least until it becomes too frustrating towards the end.

The surprisingly high share of puzzles and the appeal of exploring the open city and unlocking its' secrets gives you 20+ hours of entertaining horror. And even though the combat system is superficial and the engine shows some frustrating framerate issues this playable nightmare shows a lot of facets between creepy moments and pure terror.

This is only a small puzzle adventure from Norway, but if you’re looking for a decent co-op-experience this might be it.

This puzzle platformer is charming and relaxing, but a bit clunky at the same time.

Pure courage: Matt Gilgenbach confronts his fears publicly, he talks about his disease very openly. But as an interactive experience this is rather superficial.

The battle system as well as the ability mechanics are interesting, but Dragon Star Varnir seriously suffers from a lackluster presentation.

The mini-game puzzles from What the Bat? are not really pretty or sophisticated, but wonderfully crazy in the short term.

Thoroughly entertaining turn-based tactics with visual novel appeal and some weaknesses in terms of storytelling as well as minor mechanical flaws.

The battles and minigames are not very challenging, but you’ll get an very relaxing mix of roleplaying and life sim in an idyllic world with loads of opportunities.

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.

Inspired by classic Zelda games Sparklite’s strengths are its motivating character development as well as the hunt for loot, while the co-op-mode leaves a lot to be desired.

The rules from one of the best tactical fantasy board games have been faithfully translated onto PS3, online play adds depth and replay value. However missing challenges and a lack of story keep it from being a complete package.

Even though the track layout is too similar in the long run this is a great game for all WipEout or F-Zero enthusiasts. The VR implementation needs optimization, though.

You feel like adding a few puzzle elements to your Dark Souls light? Then you should check out this little adventure that adds a creative aging process to the fighting and exploration.

Unfortunately, the story campaign is too linear and dialogue-heavy, but Screamer's gameplay is a blast and satisfies the hunger for classic arcade racing fun.

Hectic, albeit fun retro action that tips its hat to the classic Robotron 2084 with the unmistakable art design of Puppygames.

Marathon is an extraction shooter that truly does its own thing. It is visually unique, yet complex and not easily deciphered. However, those who stick with it are rewarded with fantastic matches and a motivating gameplay loop.

Short, charming, good: Jolly platformer that (unlike its role model Super Meat Boy) appeals beyond hardcore gamers.

Fast katana action with Yokai as collectibles and a hint of Okami. Unfortunately it needs polish - mostly in presentation.

Why is there no release of the complete trilogy for the launch of a new console? That would have been added value. Nonetheless this is basically the same game that you can get on other systems, give or take some interesting additions as well as nagging faults: An entertaining and sometimes tragic ending to a space shooter that doesn't live up to its potential.

Tactically interesting and tense spin-off, that doesn’t reach the main series’ quality, also because of a few bugs and control issues.

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.

As a spin-off this is a neat experience. I liked Michonne on the tv show already and Telltale gives me an opportunity to show me her psyche and motives.

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.

While on paper the very unique adaptive AI as well as the connected challenges are quite interesting, it results in very shallow gameplay.

It is not as terrorizing and suspenseful as the predecessor but A Machine for Pigs still has its moments, while telling a grotesque horror-story.

Fun is what counts in the end. And just like its brother on Xbox One is a fun romp – regardless of the countless shortcomings that just prove that the line between polished trash and plain garbage can be very thin.

Puzzles might not be as engaging as they should be, yet the game does justice to the witty spirit of an Agatha Christie Whodunit.

It works well on consoles. Unfortunately it suffers from mediocre visuals, complicated UI and little content at this point – especially when you compare it to the PC version.

Inventive adventure thriller, that produces a lot of tense moments within the limited scenario. The solution doesn't meet expectations, though.

The ever-changing mechanics lead to interesting puzzle elements, but the fun hits the brakes when you are faced with an annoying motion control.

At its core Assault Horizon offers insane aerial combat action. But too often I get distracted by rail-gun sequences or helicopter missions that don't fit in well. On top of that the PC version suffers from technical problems not evident for console pilots.

Traveller’s Tales could have improved the visuals, while gamers used to recent Lego games will be shocked when they hear the mumbling and grunting that serves as communication. But that aside Harry’s adventures still show off their charm, their humor and especially some of the most beautifully crafted hub areas in the history of Lego adventures.

Arkham City still is one of the prime example of a streamlined open world where everything is tied it to the comic origins, while Arkham Asylum also captures the spirit of the visual novels in a sense that will keep you glued to the screen. Unfortunately both games on both systems suffer from technical shortcomings, mostly framerate issues.

The franchise hybrid works surprisingly well. With the integration of quite a few beloved Aperture elements (including GlaDOS, of course) the construction puzzles gain an edge. But nonetheless they could have been improved with additional challenges.

The game consists of six repeatable boss fights with atmospheric pictures and sounds, while a world and story around it is sorely missed. Nonetheless you get a good amount of entertainment for a fair price.

Blazing Chrome tries to take the identity of Contra 3 and stops just short of getting Konamis lawyers involved. Nonetheless you might consider getting the Contra Anniversary Collection instead, which gives you more bang for your buck.

In its mobile version Child of Light still is a charming adventure, combining elements of platforming, roleplaying and turn based tactics.

A nice and entertaining routine expansion for the world of the Sims. It lacks some depth, though.

The good news: Sanctum 2 is better than its predecessor in almost every aspect. But in the end there is quite some margin to other tower defense hybrids like Orcs must Die or Iron Brigade.

Charming and sensibly improved platformer that lacks challenge and diversity in the long run.

The enchanted scenery could have been bigger, the story longer than roughly five to seven hours, but nonetheless Ashes of Ariandel is a good expansion.

Solid VR puzzler with nice immersion, some control issues and a steep learning curve.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is a feast for fans that delivers visually stunning fights, but is not without a few shortcomings.

Visually attractive remaster of the successful Sonic episode from the Wii era. Mechanically the platforming action is not as appealing as it was more than ten years ago.

Switch Galaxy isn’t a beauty to look at, but the simple mechanics keep you motivated. Too bad that the experience is very short-lived.

Those who are unfamiliar with the first Bloodlines will have a distinct advantage with Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. A compelling storyline, an atmosphere as thick as blood, and brutal action make for an impressive package – although the role-playing aspect has been noticeably reduced.

Apart from its currently shaky state on PS5, Park Beyond is a whimsical and, most importantly, pretty park sim.

Atmospheric, pretty ego trip through a Tokyo full of spooky creatures - with an open game world according to scheme and expandable shooter mechanics.

Quotation forthcoming.

Motivating 3D platformer with appealing open world and cute art design – despite technical shortcomings this is a fun game.

This is an interesting pilot for a season of contract killings. You’ll get a lot of creative freedom when it comes to fulfilling your contracts while the online-missions keep you motivated until the next episode arrives.

LocoCycle is pure honest trash. And the best thing: Twisted Pixel is fully aware of it, takes its game very seriously and feeds it with humour. And the result is mindless fun.

Hyperspeedy adrenaline rush à la Pang (yes, the retro gem), that suffers from missing longevity.

For a quick game this “Blockbattle Royale” is good choice, but after that it becomes too tedious too soon.

Even though the nameless hero can’t keep up with Rayman this is an entertaining straight forward arcade parcours experience.

The mostly gorgeous visuals add to the well captured Jurassic Park atmosphere. In terms of gameplay though, it stays mostly shallow.

If you don’t associate Rock of Ages with a Def Leppard song, you will be happy about this unexpected sequel. It improves on almost every aspect of the quirky original that mixed Super Monkey Ball with Tower Defense while maintaining the superb humor à la Monty Python.

Technically the Switch version of Resident Evil Zero delivers. Mechanically though the co-op focus was and still is a downer.

While the first hour is as im- as depressive (at times), the limitations of the mechanics slowly take over. The moral implications of each decision you make (or have to make) are clearly there and always impactful - up to the very end. But since it is always black or white with no grey areas whatsoever, the concept is reduced to trial and error.

After the gruesome Resident Evil 6 this is a first step to redemption. Atmosphere and exploration move back into the center, but are too often overshadowed by action. It it still a long way back to the old Resident Evil virtues, but you have to start somewhere. So why not here?

Crysis 3 gives you incredibly detailed, beautiful locations. But the core design is not as modern or progressive as the engine and the AI is far away from standards set by Crytek with their first Far Cry.

The mechanical core of the third Saints excursion is still intact, while the visuals are more polished and the framerate on consoles is finally stable. Nonetheless Saints Row: The Third lost some of its mojo in 2020 compared to the impact in 2011.