With a few tweaks, Lovely Planet could be fantastic on WiiU, perfect for bite-sized gaming. Unfortunately it veers a little too hard into the difficult a little too quickly and ends up as more of a ‘hardcore’ game as a result. Nothing wrong with that of course, except that it feels like it may not have been the developer’s intent. Instead of a fantastic game, it’s simply a good one.

Although feeling lifeless and stale, Entropy Rising is still a fun game. It was still fun solving the puzzles because they were designed well, with a level of wit to keep your synapses sparking. Entropy Rising is not a very long game, which is a good thing.

Action Henk may lack the visual appeal of the games it aspires to be, but underneath is a surprisingly addictive experience that certainly extends the life of the simple idea it has been built upon. Featuring some decent platforming physics and an inviting world to explore, your frustration will come and go in frequent measures as you mutter to yourself “Just one more go” time and time again.

Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of Legendary Legends is a lot better than I expected it to be, but it still doesn’t offer quite as much depth or polish as Smash Brothers.

Despite offering very little in the way of genuinely new content, God Eater 2: Rage Burst stands comfortably as one of the finest Monster Hunter Clones on the market.

It is not very remarkable in any way. It is fun to play but do not expect anything very unique.

There is fun to be had with Ninja Senki DX and the inclusion of additional game modes adds a lot of replay value for those who enjoy it. However due to the repetitive nature it’s a game I can only really enjoy in short bursts.

Corpse Party: Blood Drive definitely feels more like a survival horror RPG than the first one. Its twisted story and death scenes are something you either love or hate. I found myself enjoying the game right until the end I do not want to ruin the end but it didn’t really deliver all the promise it had. Still this may be the end of the Heavenly host series I am sure Dead patient will at some point refer back to the characters in this one and maybe the questions I still have at the end of the game will be answered in that.

The story may feel a little bit on the weak side but the choices you make and the places you explore are truly interesting and impactful.

Balancing ranged and melee combat is essential to survival in One More Dungeon, but you will also find yourself having to stave off boredom at times.

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!

If there’s one thing I love more than an indie game it’s an indie game with depth and boy-oh-boy does Secret Ponchos have a truck-load of that.

The gameplay in INFRA may be something you’ll never enjoy, but you’ll never know until you give it a try. It’s different, refreshing and original with good graphics and a great soundtrack. The pace depends on your patience for puzzle solving however, and you might find that there’s not much variation on that front.

Those that care about their Gamerscore/Achievements will be in for a treat, with many of the games 42 achievements, worth just 1 point.

A great game that may surprise fans of the previous game, but in a good way. The style and design of the world, characters and combat is fantastic. The turn-based combat is surprisingly fluid and fast-paced and there’s plenty of upgrades and variations to play with.

If you have a New 3DS, I really can’t recommend, Hyrule Warriors Legends enough; it’s gorgeous to look at, runs beautifully and is home to an absolute mountain of content. Yes, its still home to the same core Musou gameplay as always, but it has been refined to within an inch of its life here and the ability to swap between characters on the go really does add an exciting new element to the gameplay. Sadly, if you’ve got a bog standard 3DS/2DS then, well, perhaps you should give this a miss. The content is all there, but it runs poorly and doesn’t look nearly as good.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon isn’t a bad game, but it is a disappointing one. There are better JRPGs out there and unfortunately this one just left me wanting more.

Blackhole is a fantastic 2D platformer with some wickedly difficult puzzles.

It’s combination of rhythm-based gameplay and endless runner-style mechanics is somewhat unique, and while it might initially appear a better fit for handheld gaming, a solid structure and selection of challenges ensures that it works surprisingly well on a home console.

It’s no match for Treasure or Cave’s finest examples of the genre, but judged on its own merits, this is a fine addition to the ever growing library of fantastic indie titles on the PS4 and another great shooter to add to the collection.

The game still manages to have its own unique aspects and it feels well designed. I loved the freedom to explore, uncover and collect items throughout the various environments. The combat feels a little clumsy but I enjoyed the platforming and crafting mechanics.

The game has a very different pacing to modern shooters and that’s not a bad thing.

I give the game sh*t but truth be told I had a lot of fun with Zero Punctuation: Hatfall – Hatters Gonna Hat Edition because, luckily for me, I’m one of the already insane.

This episode has a perfect balance of puzzle solving, decision-making and strong storytelling.

I specifically like the ‘one life’ mode and the ‘timed’ mode which are pretty self-explanatory but just added that extra little challenge into an already fun game.

A decent game. I wouldn’t really describe it as a particularly ‘good’ game in terms of it’s design or anything, which is probably just average, but it’s a really, really fun game and a really good time killer.

What no one can deny is that developers Super Icon have created an original piece that stands out from the crowd. With an endearing 80’s theme, killer soundtrack and considerable amount of modes, Vektor Wars seems like the perfect package. It even has an achievement system! That’s why I was so downhearted to find frame rate slowdown and sporadic bugs that freeze your movement.

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.

Players who enjoyed the older grid-based adventure game will enjoy it for the strategy, environments and replayability. However, those who are new to the genre will find the graphics confusing, the tactics/strategy too complicated, and lack of user friendliness unhelpful as the tutorial ineffectively explains all the game with a series of text boxes.

Anomaly 1729 clearly had real talent and effort put into it. There is a really solid piece for the puzzle genre here. Some of the ideas, like the paced decoding of the language, are downright brilliant. The problem is that the level of technical polish is dismally low, and while none of that is really deal-breaking, the amount of sharp edges is rather trying for a 15$ game.

It’s a tad short on content and the gameplay does have a number of balance and technical issues, but despite these problems, Bullet Ballet is an enjoyable if ultimately short lived experience. Its low rent visuals certainly don’t help, but if you can enjoy it as an arcade-style curio, there is still quite a bit to like here.

I enjoyed Pumped BMX+ because of it fun gameplay and pleasing aesthetics. It’s much like OlliOlli, which is a good thing.

All of the great things about the game, the music, the cutesy indie art design, the concept, and the humor…all overshadowed by a difficulty curve so steep that Lance Armstrong couldn’t bike up it if he was in his blood-doping addled prime.

Adventures of Pip has the possibility to bring home the memory of side-scrolling glory. If you don’t mind being plagued with repetitive levels, non inviting visuals, and a predictable story, this may be worth your time to scratch that platforming itch.

Overall, Rakoo & Friends is game full of vibrant colour, cute characters and nice animations, but unfortunately the gameplay is a bit repetitive and boring after a while.

If you really are into 2D platformers, then it’s a great game and you should definitely pick it up. But if you’re just looking for something to play at a good price, there’s many better options out there that will probably offer you something a bit more original. Solid game overall.

The presentation of the game is probably what I liked most.

Overall 6180 The Moon is a decent game with a unique twist on platforming. The game is pretty short with little story. I enjoyed the style of the game the and sound design suits the game well. It’s not a game that’s going to blow you away, but it’s certainly a game that’s worth checking out if you want to play a platformer that offers something a little bit different.

This is another thing that will put people off giving it ago if you can see past the needless loss of clothes and take humour in it you would enjoy what Senran Kagura Estival versus has to offer. A quick fighting beat em up which takes dynasty warriors and dead or alive and mixes them into an anime fighting game with boobs, lots and lots of boobs and if that isn’t your thing this really isn’t going to be for you.

It isn’t a bad racing game and is pretty decent. It just doesn’t stand out as much as it could have. NASCAR ’15 is a season update with a lot of polish and fixes. But it’s not an all-new simulation game… it’s a polished season update for $20.

Ubisoft definitely took a leap of faith with creating the Chronicles series, one that unfortunately didn’t land them safely in a haystack.

It provides an enjoyable enough experience, but for those looking for a video game adaptation of the show, this simply isn’t it. This is more like the show repurposed and told through static screenshots and a lot of pressing X.

If you’re looking to scratch that hardcore platforming itch, and you’re a fan of Super Meat Boy, Yet Another World may be the game for you. Everyone else, however, will probably find only frustration and constant usage of the F-word.

If you like solving puzzles and never played ‘Lights Out’ before then I would recommend playing this game. Although if you played ‘Lights Out’ before then Super Blackout to you will be a packaged version of ‘Lights Out’ but with trophies.

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.

Bears Can’t Drift!? will not offer a great single player experience. It is clearly designed for multiplayer, which is no bad thing. But the lack of an online option and a reliance on local multiplayer will affect the longevity of an otherwise enjoyable title.

A very creative and original story as well as gameplay. It has a unique style which give it life. A few added controls and some minor graphic and menu changes, and I Believe I could really get into this game.

It is above average, but only just. It misses the mark on several key points, and this is a shame, as Nowhere Studios have made an effort to improve upon the Steam release 2 years ago.

At just under 10 US Dollars to purchase (the game is currently £6.49/$7.50 on PSN), I find it incredibly difficult to recommend MOP: Operation Clean Up. MOP is little more than a cellphone game trying to cover itself up on a big name console. In fact, had the game been released on a more fitting console such as the Vita, my opinion may be slightly different.

A nice, story driven entry in the 2D side scrolling adventure genre. Certain aspects do frustrate, and it can trip itself up in places, but when these are overlooked what lies underneath is an interesting stealth game, built up around a 1930’s story that is helped along by it’s fully voiced cast.

A solid little title and a fun way to kill an hour or two.

The world and stages you play through are vibrant and well designed and the game offers a decent challenge that does increase fairly steadily. It does take some practice to learn the mechanics and what aspects to prioritise, but this is what makes the game fun. I would have liked to have had a bit more of a story but overall it’s a decent game and certainly a great first title for Elefantopia’s first release.

Attractio is a game that has clearly been influenced by Half-Life and Portal but unfortunately doesn’t match up to those superior titles.

A decent platform adventure, but one that struggles with its identity.

I enjoy games with good art style and pretty graphics and even though the art style in Alphadia is nice to look at, I still feel a little unsatisfied with what I’m seeing. Nevertheless, RPG’s are a great, so if you fancy being a hero and begin a new adventure, then Alphadia is ready for a hero like you.

Nova-111 has some good things going for it, especially the vibrant style and enemy variation. I also enjoyed some of the combat elements. I thought that the game wasn’t as strong in terms of level structure or design and I wasn’t keen on the restricted field of vision.

Starbound is coming into a genre that most people either love or hate. I really wonder if there is room in someone’s schedule for yet another crafting game. Starbound is certainly a good one of those, but it doesn’t really stand out among the many challengers.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever return to Breath of Fire III. While the story did intrigue me at times, there’s not much intrigue or wonder in the world and no real urgency in your quest. From the get-go you’re given a pair of ‘pals’ and you’re supposed to like and care about them, but I couldn’t care less.

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.

An enjoyable and surprisingly unique shooter. It might look like Xevious, and in many respects, play like Xevious, but with its distinctive cast of enemies (there are plenty of dinosaurs), its impressive upgrade system and its solid core mechanics, Nichibutsu’s ode to Xevious is a game worth seeking out if you consider yourself a fan of the shooter genre or of 80s arcade gaming in general.

An okay spin-off port of a niche JRPG series. The game is mildly fun for a few hours, but quickly loses any appeal it had due to lack of depth and poor, overdone dialogue.

The game looks alright, but not great and the music in the game is fairly forgettable. The game handles the Kinect controls well enough to be fun for a while but probably won’t be on any Game of the Year lists.

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.

The story is a little on the light side, but it makes up for it with intense battles and well designed environments. You will die a lot in this game, but ultimately it’s a satisfying experience.

Despite its flaws, RymdResa offers a mostly relaxing experience and is something a little different from the norm.

It’s not a work of art, but it doesn’t want to be. It wants to make you feel like an idiot, but to laugh while it happens.

When it comes down to it, the game is enjoyable, if you have a lot of pals willing to buy it too. Playing by yourself is not nearly as enjoyable in a game such as this.

Toki Tori 3D is a fun budget 2D platformer with good level design combined with charming visuals which makes this a must-have for puzzle enthusiasts.

Mutants in Manhattan is not the TMNT video game that we were hoping for, but despite the technical issues, the disappointingly bland and underused open world environments and the criminal lack of local co-op, Mutants in Manhattan remains a solid brawler, one that is undoubtedly at its best when played online.

The most disappointing feature is the promise from the art style and character designs.

Have fun exploding enemies and making your way through the mazes, I know I did.

A decent pirate RPG experience with a good amount of things to see and do. The upgrading and management systems are the highlight and core part of the game and kept me entertained for a good amount of time.

For those players who are in love with the series, and there are many out there, Might & Magic Heroes VII is a perfectly decent addition to the family. It doesn’t really offer anything new, but follows a tried and true formula that’s clearly popular enough to have gained legions of fans worldwide.

A game with some interesting gameplay ideas and unique takes on the classic side-scrolling shooter but unfortunately it doesn’t feel as intuitive as other classic games of this kind.

One thing I really like is the music in the level selector, it sounds weird at first but after some time I started to enjoy the tunes this game was blasting into my ears.

Overall I enjoyed playing Bard’s Gold and the challenging gameplay it had to offer. Its incredibly hard and you will die a lot, which is the idea, as you gather loot, die, upgrade and go again until you are strong enough to progress.

Retsnom is good enough where it counts. It’s very challenging, well written, and has a good soundtrack. I definitely don’t think you will regret buying it if you don’t get stuck and quit. But it’s not the best looking game in the genre and there are several titles in this genre to choose from. If you love level based puzzlers I say give it a go, but if you aren’t big on these types of games there are certainly better ones to try first.

Klaus is a memorable platform game that combines a unique art style with interesting game mechanics, it’s just lacking abit of that soul which would make Klaus a more entertaining title to play.

Grand Prix Rock’n Racing is game at war with itself. Its semi-realistic handling belies its arcade presentation, and its AI and physics are constantly battling the player, almost penalising players for upgrading their vehicle as higher speeds result in more unpredictable and inconsistent physics. It’s a real shame as the game really does have potential, with its nice feeling of progression in its upgrade system and a variety of fun and interesting tracks, but its flaws are too many and too great to fully recommend the game to anyone, regardless of whether they enjoy racing games or not, although it is cheap enough for an impulse buy some day, if you’re desperate enough for a new racer.

Even though this version of ‘Tap & Blast’ uses the PSVita’s control scheme, it feels bad and a little forced to me; if you’re playing the game exclusively with the PSVita’s control scheme.

I was a little disappointed with a few aspects of the game, like the combat and screen loading but in general its fun to play.

It can be an enjoyable experience when played with friends however on your own it just proves to be a very cheap grind with padding through use of a higher difficulty. It looks and sounds fantastic but that alone just isn’t quite enough to leave me feeling this experience was worthwhile.

Better Late Than Dead has some nice ideas, with a clever crafting system, interesting setting and plenty to discover and explore. I really enjoyed the use of environmental storytelling, which helps to give more insight and back story if you wish to find out more. The game does have its fair share of technical issues, like awkward camera angles, stuttering framerate and controlling your character can be frustrating, but as I said these are things that can be worked on and improved if the game receives some much-needed patches.

Arcade Archives: Life Force is probably the only game in the collection I’ve played so far that doesn’t need to be qualified. It’s just a solid game for any type of gamer that doesn’t mind not having modern graphics. I mean it even has voice acting. Everything about it is just well done and you won’t regret buying it.

Even collectors have little use for this particular title. It’s just not worth your time. If you really want to play The King of Fighters, save you money and buy the latest installment which just came out last month. I had more fun playing that demo than this entire game.

The controls are a little difficult to handle, not because there are too many buttons to press but because using 2 analogue sticks to do 2 different functions takes a little time to rap your head around.

The conclusion couldn’t be more underwhelming or disappointing if they’d tried.

If you’re looking for something that pulls a modern spin on classic platforming, Rally Copters could be your ticket. Although if you’re seeking something more, lack of innovation or originality makes this a mediocre recommendation.

Works as a wonderful homage to what some consider to be the ‘golden age’ of horror films, but as a game it finds itself struggling to find its way.

There’s clear influences from it’s predecessors in the genre but it does nothing to really stand out from them. The customisation options have little more than aesthetic value. Having died 491 times on my playthrough I see little reason to allow the long suffering Max to continue a torture of infinite grizzly deaths beyond completion. It’s a fair few hours of a punishing, yet forgiving, retro style platformer fun, if you like that sort of thing.

The game has promise and I feel as though Wales Interactive were on a good train of thought when they designed it. But it does not feel quite finished, and seeing as they have stopped interacting with their fans in their forums, it seems it never will.

It feels like a solid foundation for a decent beat ‘em up game and I hope that it gets some sort of sequel so it can improve on the various shortcomings. I would still recommend this game if you’re a younger gamer or have kids that you like to play games with.

Neocore Games has made a game that is initially fun, once you get past the poor story and voice acting and awkward controls, but balancing issues and over-reliance on throwing hordes of enemies at its players turn the game into a slog in the second half.

Cubikolor was exactly what I wanted it to be when I started it. I’m happy with the gameplay, sound, graphics, and writing. It’s a solid buy for puzzle game enthusiasts. The price is a bit high but otherwise it came out quite well.

It is slightly above average, and has a niche all of its own. A very small one too.

Bedlam is a simplistic game with average shooting, varied levels but bland character and textures. The game needlessly becomes frustratingly difficult at times towards the end and the bosses are uninspired.

Breached is a difficult game to classify. It would be easy to peg it as a “survival game”, but the atmosphere and mechanical simplicity disqualify that somewhat. At the same time, it isn’t just an atmosphere/walking simulator, because of the urgency the mechanics have. What it does offer, however, is impressive visuals, a brooding tone, and some good writing. For 7 US$, that might be enough.

Unfortunately, there are better titles out there and the lack of identity was a real issue for me.