The challenge level of the puzzles is quite low at times. But the design as well as the atmosphere and especially the dialogue between Ava and the AI will keep you going. If you think Portal is too difficult for you, give this one a chance.

This is definitely not what the fans wanted nor what they expected from a new Metroid game. But as a coop shooter it is fairly decent nonetheless.

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.

It gives you everything you need to feel like a Monster Hunter if you don’t own a Nintendo System. Unfortunately the mobile origins of the series shine through at all ends, while I have to think long and hard to remember a game that would have benefited from a better tutorial more so than Rage Burst.

Although you’ll find just a few fresh touches within the proven formula, they lead to a few interesting new tactics to take your opponents’ worms down. You want Worms? You’ll get Worms.

It starts very promising. But eventually Blue Isle lost a grip on the direction this had to go. And at the latest when you experience that the life-and-death mechanics are superficial all that is left is to experience the interesting story and the sometimes beautiful visuals.

A clever digital board game in which the various elements connect quite well.

Although you’ll find just a few fresh touches within the proven formula, they lead to a few interesting new tactics to take your opponents’ worms down. You want Worms? You’ll get Worms!

The full extent of the brilliant driving physics can just be experienced with proper hardware. If you don’t own a racing wheel, the fun you’ll have with Assetto will be limited – not only by the clumsy pad controls but also by the seemingly overwhelming and sometimes even unfair AI.

Considering last years’ improvements this years’ focus on the ground game feels underwhelming – but definitely delivers a welcome layer of new choices at the players’ disposal. The new commentary moves it into regions held by NBA2K up to now, but even though there are some improvements in the franchise, the mode selection in general isn’t that much different than in Madden NFL 16.

This is a big step for Codemasters – well maybe not that big after last years’ weird “in-between” racing experience. But that aside the strong comeback of the career, the presentation and the good driving physics make this the best Formula 1 game in quite some time.

Don’t get fooled by the cheesy description “Sci-Fi Romance”. This is an intelligent adventure novel. Unfortunately the puzzles can’t live up to the storytelling.

Yes, the pathfinding can be disastrous at times, while the mission variety leaves room improvement. But the fighting system is intuitive, while reminding me of the classic Baldur’s Gate in its best moments – as rare as they might be.

On one hand Obduction follows the adventure traditions of Myst, while on the other it adds modern storytelling layers that remind you of games like Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture – just don’t expect a puzzle density like in The Witness.

While the fighting mechanics are as deep as easily accessible and the roster is filled to the rim, I just can’t warm up to the visuals. Leaving the sprites behind doesn’t do it for me, since in this version the well-known as well as the new characters can hardly keep up with their colleagues in the Tekken or DoA franchises.

On the surface there is nothing that Master of Orion does wrong – considering it is a new interpretation of a classic. But if you are looking for deeper gaming systems, more implications due to the various factions or any creativity, look somewhere else. In the end this is traditional 4X strategy – albeit looking awesome most of the time.

This is a beautiful example that “experiencing” a game is more important than the sum of its mechanical parts. While challenge and basic mechanics are merely average, the exquisite animations and the stylish backdrops turn this interactive ballet into an effective projection screen for your own emotions.

Even though the acrobatic slay-em-all gets dreary after a while, this is a solid action game set in the unforgiven Attack on Titan universe.

Quotation forthcoming.

With all its little problems like logic holes, AI mistakes etc. it would be all too easy to dismiss Mankind Divided as a good, yet unpolished project. But that wouldn’t do justice to the core. Dugas and DeMarle created an interactive novel, in which game and storytelling are combined in a mature way. A captivating cyberpunk thriller.

I still think that Monster Hunter belongs on a big screen. Having said that, even without a lot of innovation and relying on well-known mechanics this hunt still manages to entertain.

So this is what you get if you mix Castle Crashers, Guardian Heroes and Odin Sphere. But even though you feel right at home with its Golden-Axe’ish feel this in the end is as forgettable as the story.

It always has another trick or another joke up its sleeve. This is a gem with the neglected rolling ball games.

After quite a few systems, dozens of planets and hundreds of scans you don’t feel like a conqueror, but rather like Haviland Tuf from George R.R.Martins novel “Tuf Voyaging”: You’re a collector and explorer. But you can experience truly magic moments in this interstellar Terra Incognita. Nonetheless the fascination fades eventually and is replaced by frustration about the frequent crashes that in the end are effectively killing your motivation to continue.

A routine Telltale game based on the proven formula that slowly gets stale even with the Dark Knight as a protagonist.

It might be short, but Inheritance adds a new layer of drama to an already well conceived story, while giving the madness that you encountered in the original a fresh touch.

With its permadeath concept Necropolis is able to generate tension, while each fight could be your last. But progress is limited, regardless if you’re playing alone or cooperatively, so after a few hours it slowly becomes hard work.

What could have been an interesting mash-up of Streets of Rage and Dead Island, is nothing more than a bland zombie variation of runner mechanics – with a captivating artdesign, though.