It is a real-time strategy gem that is complex enough to make me feel similarly strategically engaged as any title of the Total War series, yet simple enough so I don’t have to read a 40 page manual before I can win my first game in multiplayer. The game does not exceed in any aspect of game development, but combines all the different disciplines of making games so well and so convincingly, that for this, I give my first 10/10 rating.

With poor presentation, horrendously awkward controls and what feels like a generally lazy approach to porting the game from its mobile beginnings, Line of Defence Tactics is a game that is outperformed by games twenty years older.

I have to praise the Bloober team for their execution and real understanding of gamer psychology on a second play of a horror game. After that there’s no reason to play again outside of looking for collectables. It’s argued that video games are a medium of art, if that is the case then this is one of the masterpieces you need in your collection.

The one minor gripe we had with Level 22: Gary’s Misadventures was that the game is over too quickly. We nailed it in less than 8 hours. Perhaps Noego Games might consider offering new levels as a form of DLC in the future. All in all Level 22: Gary’s Misadventures is a great game for anyone who loves the stealth genre or even for fans of puzzle-based titles.

Dreii is a fascinating game that keeps what it promises.

If using superpowers to stick people’s heads in fans is something you deem worth the price of admission then I guess there’s not much I can do to convince you otherwise.

Unravel is beautiful platform that really touches the heart of fans.

It might not have the highest production values, the core gameplay is undeniably repetitive and the world created can’t really compete with the depth and detail of its more illustrious inspiration, but despite these issues, Final Fantasy Explorers remains a resolutely enjoyable interpretation of the genre.

The tragedy is that Crystalline Green had an idea for a game that could have been so much more, but they couldn’t be bothered. You deserve a medal for reading all of this because you won’t feel any sense of reward playing Totem Topple.

Everything about this game feels thought out and sculpted with the player’s enjoyment in mind.

Bob Was Hungry was a horrible experience but I cannot call it a horrible game. It doesn’t really bring anything unique to the platformer genre with basic controls and basic threats but the developers do a lot with very little. They created levels that are easy to understand but provide immense challenge and without getting too stale. Bob Was Hungry is an alright platformer that I hate with a passion.

Amazing Princess Sarah, a decent little game, with some interesting gameplay ideas and character design...The game does get repetitive and frustrating at times and you probably wont want to play through it more than once, despite the added extras.

Fortified! is a good game. The art style is great, and really well done. The enemies are pretty basic but fit the bill nicely, and if you can get together a group to play with, this game could easily be worth it’s budget price.

Many will ultimately be put off by the Naruto name and the big ‘4’ slapped on the front cover, but I can assure you, despite the deep lore and intimidating title, this is the most accessible, beautiful and downright fun Naruto game of all time.

Space Hulk has a good story, great graphics, sound, narration, and missions. What ruins all of that it is overly difficult then what it needs to be, and gameplay.

It has its fair share of rough edges and the multiplayer options are basic at best, but despite signs of Milestone’s ambitions outweighing the games’ relatively limited budget, they have nonetheless created a solid, entertaining, and above all else, incredibly deep rally driving experience.

If you want fast paced action heavy moments, this isn’t for you. What the game does offer is mystery, intrigue and beautiful design. The game isn’t very long, but doesn’t need to be anything more as it feels compact, interesting and felt like a movie.

In some aspects I can see where The Perplexing Orb could have been a challenging, fun, little puzzler. Unfortunately, it never catches it’s stride. Lack of variety and difficulty begin to damper the experience all too quickly. Some good ideas are hidden in the foundation, but overall it feels like it most likely needed a few more months in the development-oven to cook.

A game with a lot of nice qualities and a small smattering of flaws. The co-op / shadow mechanic is a fantastic idea and this is a lovely little game to showcase it. However the puzzles themselves feel a tad dry and could have been expanded upon. I really like the game’s style and atmosphere, however due to the convoluted nature of single player mode I believe you’d probably get the most out of this game if you are playing with a friend.

While Aviary Attorney may not be the most original piece of media on the surface, deep down it is easily one of the most enjoyable games of the year so far. The game itself is a compliment to the assets it uses. Maybe there are a few cringe worthy puns here or there, but ultimately I think this game is worthwhile to anyone who gets a chance to play it.

When I take in to consideration this was developed by one man, I want to like this game. Sometimes I do. But most of the time, I do not. This game is the video game equivalent of marmite, with people both loving and hating it. Nonetheless, I think the price of the game is too high considering what you are being given, so if you are to play it yourself, I recommend catching it on sale.

I really enjoyed Cobalt, mainly due to the slick gameplay. The game feels hectic, fast-paced and it has some funny moments. The levels and enemies are well thought out and designed, and I really enjoyed playing around with various weapons to destroy enemies. It will take a bit of time getting used to the controls and movement, but once you get it, it feels awesome. I would certainly recommend this game if you like a challenge, that feels rewarding.

Nostalgic Software’s latest game may just seem like another endless runner and that’s because at its heart it is. It offers no revolutionary concepts in terms of music and gameplay, yet the familiar concepts that are on offer are honed in on well. With some cracking humour to be had along the way, Kung Fu Fight! is very much like a strong kick to the head. You’ll notice it at first, but ultimately it’s not memorable.

I found Emily Wants to Play to be really enjoyable, and it’s a shame that there wasn’t more to play with (pun intended).

Arcade Archives Super Dodge Ball is an old game and it feels like an old game. It has its fun bits but not enough to justify playing it more than half an hour. If you can get someone else to play with you then you may get some enjoyment out of it but it will be a very limited experience.

Ultimately, Unepic is a solid little RPG with a ton of heart. It’s playful humour is refreshing, it’s filled to the brim with content and there’s a lot of depth beneath it’s deceptively simple veneer. For those looking for a deep RPG adventure a little off the beaten track, Unepic is ready when you are.

Fun for what it is, it has an interesting premise and I really want to recommend it as there very few games like it, the only game akin to it would be Papers Please in my mind. But the length of the game and the lackluster plot as whole makes it difficult for me to recommend.

This War Of Mine: The Little Ones is not a fun experience, but I’ll be damned if it’s not memorable one. Both compelling and harrowing in equal measures, the gameplay might have its quirks, and you could certainly argue that aspects of it are downright boring, but as a realistic representation of the civilian experience during war-time, 11 bit studios’ have pulled no punches. Arduous, horrifying, boring, exciting, depressing.

It’s a shame that certain characters don’t make the cut for legal reasons, but even without the likes of Spiderman and Wolverine, a cast of 200+ is unlikely to leave anyone feeling particularly short-changed.

It doesn’t do enough to make itself stand out among a crowd of side-scrolling beat ’em ups, playing like a multitude of games that have come before it. I can’t emphasise enough that I did enjoy playing ZHEROS, but I did find my attention being drawn to other games waiting to be started that lay on my shelf, as I think this is the main problem ZHEROS has, in that it has released at a time when there are literally stacks of games vying for our hard-earned cash.

If you enjoy a game that offers up some difficult challenges that require time, practice and careful planning then you will enjoy this. The game can be brutal and unforgiving, but once you start to upgrade your team and get into the groove, it can feel extremely satisfying.

Megadimension Neptunia VII breaks away from the formula and crafts a tale that had me laughing quite often, and gameplay that had me on my feet and scratching the back of my head in bewilderment over my next move.

While some of the features may be a little basic from more advanced titles, Baseball Riot is entertaining enough for the features mentioned not to really gave an impact on enjoyment at all.

Despite the range of game modes, this game is very small. When you look at the bigger picture you’re basically doing the same thing over and over again. Running around and hitting things with the same button, and the same can be said for the challenges. On the other hand, the game is fun when played with friends. It probably wont keep you entertained for a whole night of gaming, but you’ll certainly have some funny moments along the way.

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a great game and it can be even more further down the line, it is definitely worth a purchase for all classic Homeworld fans looking for nostalgia or those looking for a new RTS it is a very good option all around.

What you get with Dragon’s wake is a beautiful, compelling story, underlined with good music and expressive artwork. It works flawlessly and will fill out an extended evening of sitting back, relaxing and having coffee.

While I do personally really enjoy the game and all it has to offer, I feel that it just isn’t worth over £10.

It could arguably do with a bit more content and it could certainly do with a handful of licensed tracks, but the songs here are universally solid and the core gameplay remains as impressive and addictive as ever.

Klei Entertainment have obviously put in a decent amount of effort and credit goes to them for not trying to spread the content out over several DLC packs. However for more casual players the additions aren’t as notable and although downloading Contingency Plan does provide the ‘definitive’ version of Invisible Inc. the changes aren’t quite as substantial as they could have been.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is simply a fantastic game. Lara’s latest adventure is bigger and better in nearly every way. The settings and environments are bigger, the tombs are more varied, the combat is exciting and can be approached in many different ways.

It’s grasping for an identity that it sometimes reaches thanks to the original music and sound effects, but is ultimately torn from its goal by uninspired visuals, tedious gameplay and a stubborn reliance on the roots of horror clichés.

My time so far with Elite Dangerous: Horizons has been amazing. I really didn’t know what to expect going into this game and was blown away by the scope of it. I usually like a game to have a strong narrative, but this game is heavily focused on exploration, which it absolutely nails. The game looks amazing, plays well and I’m excited to see how the game develops over the coming months.

This doesn’t even come close.

For all the small irritants contained within Escape from Zombie City, I would be guilty of being over critical considering the small cost to bring this zombie crowd control shooter to the double screen near you. It’s certainly fun to play, the music creates a brilliant atmosphere and the various score attacks will give you plenty to play for.

While it fully deserves a gold star for recreating the classic nineties beat ‘em up, it struggles to appreciate the fact that the genre has moved on in some ways and poor performance behind the scenes lead to some frustrating, but not totally off-putting gameplay faults.

Near Earth Objects is not a bad game, but it doesn’t really offer anything new to the table other than the ability to continue and thus actually complete an Asteroids style game. In the long run it will inevitably sink into the ever-expanding ocean of forgotten indies that we have now gotten so used to.

Stardust Vanguards is one of the few four player local duel games on the PlayStation Network Store. If you enjoyed playing Towerfall Ascension and want a game with a little more depth to it, or if you haven’t and want something to spank and trash talk your friends to whilst in the same room; this is defiantly one to check out. If you’re more of an online gamer or play for the story you should probably pass this one up.

Despite some obvious visual improvements and an ironing out of many of its forbear’s more prominent bugs, 5 Star Wrestling: ReGenesis remains an inherently ugly video game.

PES 2016 is a fantastic game that has clearly sent a message to it’s rival and all around the world that the series has made a comeback. Everything about the game has been tweaked and perfected when you compared this year’s game to it’s predecessor (PES 2015)

Not a Hero is great indie game. Developer Roll7 has done a great job, this game is brash, bombastic and brutal. It’s also really quirky and overall it’s loads of fun to play.

People were yelling, screaming at each other, cheering and laughing, and that made it clear that Move or Die got it right. The biggest shame of this new generation of gaming compared to the 80s and 90s is that, though the graphics are better and the games are still fun, we’ve lost that sense of togetherness when it comes to multiplayer. I don’t mean that in a supportive ‘kum ba yah’ sort of way. I mean when you’ve got a bunch of friends over and you’re knocking their controller out of their hands, throwing cushions at each other across the room, yelling obscenities so violent that it’d make your mum give you a riotous wallop, and laughing until you cry.

If, like us, you love the hidden objects genre, then you’re going to be right at home with Clockwork Tales Of Glass and Ink. If you’re new to puzzle titles then there can be no better introduction than this gem of a game.

To me Pneuma: Breath of Life felt more like a taster of what could have been a huge puzzle game. Not to say the game wasn’t a success, from what we can see the game works very well with new innovative puzzles – I just wish there could have been more!

Excellent Title.

Radiohammer is a great rhythm game on a platform full of them, but its humour, hammers and honest to goodness excellent price make it a must buy.

It’s difficult to judge Stone Shire as its own product since it doesn’t offer a single unique feature. If you do not already own Minecraft and this sort of title appeals to you then Stone Shire may offer you a couple of hours distraction at best, however since Minecraft is now available on WiiU I would strongly advise paying a little extra and buying the real thing.

Amazing Discoveries in Outer Space may not grab your attention at first, it certainly didn’t with me, but something in its simplicity, its pleasant score chasing and basic, pleasing shapes might just open itself up to you. Maybe, like me, you’ll start getting excited about what amazing discoveries might be out there.

A soft pass. It’s good at face value but has a lot of design issues that can and should really be patched. For £12.99 I say no way, but for £5 I’d probably say give it a whirl. It’s definitely a fun experience for the first hour, but eventually it devolves into an ever sinking pit of despair.

While not hitting the heights of Gone Home or Journey in terms of intelligent storytelling or emotional impact, nor reaching the quality of the original Broken Sword’s point and click gameplay and puzzles, Between Me and the Night is a thought-provoking experience nonetheless.

Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is a great quirky little game that newcomers to the franchise will enjoy, and returning fans will respect for the visual upgrade and nostalgic effect. However, the Vita version is by no means the best way to play it, but if you don’t have access to the console versions or if you just fancy a bit of Oddworld on the go, then this is the ticket.

The story is weak, but the gameplay is fun.

For anyone who wants bang for their buck and a JRPG with unique systems, the Atelier series, with E&L+ being the best, is well worth the price tag.

What some may see as archaic, dated design, I personally see as charming and refreshing. The Quest strives to plough its own unique furrow and in an ocean of charmless copycat clones, The Quest stands out as a pretty unique throwback to the old school RPG days of yore; it’s a game very much comfortable in its own orcish skin. Though, some may be perturbed by The Quest‘s old fashioned exterior, there is a deep, addictive and rewarding adventure to embark upon if given the chance.

Momonga Pinball Adventures try’s to be an original, exciting story laid out in a pinball mechanic, however the lack of levels, disappointing difficulty and price when compared to its mobile counterpart all are too much for this little squirrel to handle. Sure there are a few minuscule moments where you actually get some fun, but it is not nearly enough, making this an unnecessary port. Trust me when I say it’s better to let this one roll straight past you.

Despite the 15 minute time limit, Croixleur Sigma is the kind of game I am likely to come back to time and again. It might not have the depth of its genre stablemates, but then, that’s the point isn’t it.

The game isn’t particularly long, and doesn’t offer too much of a challenge, but it has fantastic characters, stunning design and characters that are unique and interesting.

Summon Night 5 is a very enjoyable experience. Even if the story segments can be tedious, I still found myself playing for hours on end. If you have an old PSP, or better yet, a Vita hanging around, you should consider giving Summon Night 5 a try.

With its simple-but-deep control scheme, combined with its complex economy and dynamic factions, Star Nomad 2 is the kind of space exploration sandbox that you may not have realised you needed in your life.

Norn9: Var Commons proves another fine entry into this most obscure of sub-genres and possibly the most approachable yet thanks to its unique setting and themes. This is still a romantic adventure at heart, but this time, there is plenty of sci-fi to go with all of the love and romance that the genre is famous for.

The core gameplay is slick and addictive, and while the additional game modes (however many millions of them there might be), are largely irrelevant in the long run, the core mode and mechanics are more than strong enough to make this a realistic twin stick successor to the long serving Geometry Wars.

Developed with Unreal Engine 4, Ben and Ed has a visually striking appearance that boasts great lighting and effects, and couples superbly with the dark comic strip art style.

With incredible music, awesome story, and intuitive gameplay, this epic journey is one that every fan of RPG should experience. Even with its faults, I wholeheartedly recommend you check this game out.

A fantastic game that had some incredible moments. The world design is awesome, and uses some clever ways of revealing the scope of the worlds you explore. The bosses are the key moments of the game. They are gigantic, interesting and varied. I would have liked to have seen a bit more combat variation and wished that movement felt a bit quicker, but in general it’s a game that’s well worth checking out.

Despite its many, many issues, Island Flight Simulator’s gameplay does have some relaxing qualities and may very well appeal to those wanting a simple flying experience. Its arcade controls and handling belie its title, but the simplicity on offer highlights the potential for a sandbox experience, however limited its scope.

I came out of Tinertia feeling refreshed and revitalized in the 2D platformer genre. Tinertia is easy to pick up and hard to put down.

An addictive, endless platformer with fun aspects. The steep downfall comes when you dig a little deeper to reveal the hollowness. Uninspiring worlds make the main mode become stale all too quick along with the exclusion of online creating a one-dimensional outing.

Pony Island is a fascinating game that really toys with player expectations and consistently surprises and amazes. A game like this, especially in this day and age, is as rare as finding a dodo’s egg – it’s a genuine treasure. Despite its woolly messaging and slightly repetitive gameplay mechanics Pony Island is a truly unique experience like no other.

Perfect Angle was a bit of a disappointment for me. I felt like it had so much potential when I watched the trailer, but ultimately it lacks polish and gets bogged down with gimmicks and a subpar plot.

A game I did thoroughly enjoy playing. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. In a day and age where people regularly spend a small fortune on mobile games and then some more on stupid in-game purchases that mean nothing, Super Party Sports: Football is a game that is well worth a look.

Rock Zombie ironically tries to revitalize a tired gaming genre from the past by throwing hordes of undead into the mix. An interesting premise and a bold palette isn’t enough to stop this gnarly brawler from being booed off stage due to lifeless animations, repetitive gameplay and overall inconsistency of the game.

The presentation of Punch Club is great, with 16-bit like graphics, nostalgic references and chip-tune soundtrack. The colour palette used is vibrant and suits the game perfectly. The story is a bit empty, but I really enjoyed the satisfying progression and management aspects. I would recommend this game, but don’t expect a fighting game. Its more a life simulator, with turn based fights.

The game’s direction is also peerless, and the aesthetic choices are just right: bold enough to be obvious on a small screen for tablets, but creative and consistent, furthering the atmosphere. The game is unique and I wish there was more like it, and I expect that, despite the 80 day limit, I will play it over and over, each time discovering a new way around the world.

It’s not quite in the same league as the first two Resident Evil titles and is a far cry from replicating the quality of Resident Evil 4 (what does?), but judged upon its own merits, this is a solid entry into the survival horror genre, albeit, one with better puzzles than scares.

A grand experiment poorly implemented and severely hamstrung by a lack of actual stuff to do.

The Delusions of Von Sottendorff and his Square Mind is a solid puzzle game at its heart and one which I do recommend that people look into picking up if you’re looking for a new puzzle experience. It’ll have you working your mind multiple times throughout the course of the game as you attempt to progress the levels, however for me it is just a little slow to thoroughly grab me.

Incredibly deep and challenging.

Deadly Tower of Monsters hands you a lot of love in a single package, giving gaming and movie fans plenty of reason for more than one showing.

I loved everything about The Bug Butcher. I have been looking and looking for a fun, simple game that I can play to kill time. Most games that come out nowadays that you can play to kill time blow. Sometimes I don’t want to play a game that is gonna take me hours to get into or is too complicated.

Hyperdrive Massacre is a good game to start a nightlong session. It’s a good way to loosen everyone up or play while waiting for everyone else to arrive.

Even with intergalactic, hyper speed travel feeling like rush hour on the highway at times, Rebel Galaxy has plenty to celebrate.

Just Cause 3 is one of the most satisfying experiences of 2015.

At £1.59 Goodnight Butcher doesn’t break the bank and is an interesting curio if you’re looking for a quick fix, but there are far superior horror games out there that are more deserving of your time and money.

When you complete a puzzle, you feel such a sense of achievement, you keep playing to feel it again. You need this game in your library and, with this remaster, there has never been a better time.

The most inventive seemed to be the BB-8 mini-game which unfortunately was let down by clunky movement and irresponsive controls.

The first game was quirky and so bad it was funny and enjoyable while this sequel just isn’t. It’s repetitive, boring, has dull dialogue and isn’t fun. I found myself using the fast-forward button more than once – and frankly if a game feels the need to include a fast-forward button I think it says a lot about what the developers expect from the players.

Arcade Archives: Shanghai III is just as hard as I remember it being as a kid, but it hasn’t aged well overall.

It might lack the polish, budget and variety found in BioWare’s big budget work, but this group of highly motivated ex-BioWare developers have created something special all the same, something built out of passion and a will to do something new.

There is plenty of content for those who get hooked by G Prime’s addictive puzzle-based gameplay, but be warned, things get tricky very fast, and once the rocket guide is removed, the difficulty and potential for frustration really does increase.