Not perfect by any means, but PandaBall is a pretty solid arcade-style soccer game. It’s missing a few things I wish it had, and some things like the text size are less than ideal, but overall, it’s an enjoyable take on quick and simple soccer matches.

Pro Basketball Manager 2022 is a promising management game that still has room to improve. However, it will absolutely scratch the basketball management itch, and options are plentiful.

The Assassin’s Creed crossover DLC for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey are decent on their own, but make for a strong reminder together of how great Assassin’s Creed’s storytelling has been for more than a decade.

There is still a lot that Blacksmith Legends is hoping to add in the future, and there is no way to tell how that content will shape up. However, what is being included in its early access launch is impressive, and gives a lot of confidence to those behind it. Even in early access, the game is worth checking out for fans of management sims, and it seems as though it will only get better going forward.

Playing tends to mostly involve just going around the same loop repeatedly while crossing one’s fingers hoping to land on the few spots needed to progress while combat is usually just an excuse to put the phone down and pay attention to a show on the TV.

What surprised me more than anything was how polished Deflector feels. Even though it’s clear there is a lot more coming down the pike, what launches in Early Access doesn’t feel disjointed or unplayable at all. I have plenty of questions about what is going to come next, including the hope for some clarity on what the overall objective is. Still, even without that, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Deflector so far. While there is plenty of room to grow, Arrowfirst has a potential superstar hit on their hands. The only question now is how far they are able to go with the potential that has been laid out. [Early Access Review]

Castle Morihisa delivers a solid entry in the card-based roguelike genre. The numerous styles of deck you can construct provide a robust variety of play, and the challenges the player is faced with are just as creative and varied. While some losses felt a bit cheap, the triumph of victory always feels sweet.

Battle Bands is a truly interesting deckbuilder that accomplishes everything it sets out to do. There is an excellent variety, and the gameplay is both challenging and rewarding. For an Early Access game, Battle Bands already feels completely playable and enjoyable right from the start. I’m extremely excited to see what gets added in the future and can’t wait to gather some friends to put a truly legendary band together. [Early Access Review]

A strong DLC in its own right, “Seeds of Change” lays a solid foundation for the final DLC of Season 4 coming in Late 2022, “New World Rising.” This DLC will close out the Anno 1800 season by adding a brand-new population tier and more islands to the New World. As players who have been desperately wanting more reasons to be very involved with planning out New World islands, “Seeds of Change” is a perfect start to Anno 1800 Season 4.

When all is said and done, I have enjoyed the many microdecisions and challenging battles Oaken has tested me with. I think its small, but complex battlefields offer a lot of rewarding challenges for those who are prepared for a long and unforgiving journey. [Early Access review]

Sonority is a beautiful tale that will take you on an emotional ride as you discover the importance of music. While players with musical backgrounds will have a special love for the game, it has a broad appeal that will make it a blast for anyone interested in the premise.

Undeniably, Arcadegeddon is a fun experience, especially with friends. The music is phenomenal, and the game offers a good challenge…But the enemies do become stale the more you play, and there are only so many objectives to go around…Nevertheless, for the price, Arcadegeddon has so much to offer.

As Dusk Falls is a memorable experience. The generation-spanning story is intriguing with its many twists and turns and too-human characters.

While Lost Epic sports nice visuals, a great soundtrack and engaging, challenging gameplay, it’s also incredibly tedious to progress with many of its mechanics left unexplained, and a story that is incredibly dull and forgettable.

Negatives aside, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is a wonderful remaster with great visuals and aesthetics, smooth gameplay, and tons of content that JoJo fans will especially appreciate. And while the game is mainly tailored toward series fans, I believe it still offers an experience most fighting game fans will enjoy as long as they don’t play online or expect any cohesive narrative or story mode based on the franchise.

Kitsune Zero is hitting the market just before its sequel, Kitsune Tails. The DLC is a blatant attempt at marketing its characters prior to a larger release and mostly fails in the process. Despite the thoughtless dialogue, frustrating controls, and lack of originality, the developers have at least put consideration into their art direction.

Nobody Saves The World’s “Frozen Hearth” DLC ups the absurdity to a new level. It adds one of my favorite parts of a Drinkbox game—the challenge rooms—with new clever restrictions and missions. While it’s not as difficult as past challenge rooms, each one finds a way to make you think more outside the box using the zany toolbox from the base game while also throwing in some wilder tools into the mix which feel right at home with the 20+ roster of forms. Overall, “Frozen Hearth” adds an extra hour or two of fun to an already entertaining package.

SpiderHeck is a fun, chaotic new addition to the action indie lineup. It works as both a single-player and multiplayer experience and is certainly unlike any other games of its type in how it uses the gravity of swinging from spiderwebs and sticking to surfaces for great 360-degree action.

Harmony’s Odyssey is simple, and if you’re looking for a difficult puzzle game that will take a lot of time to work through, this isn’t it. But, if you’re looking for a cozy puzzle game with visual beauty and wonder in spades, then this is it. With appeal for a wide range of ages, a great score, and a fantastic and intelligent method of visualizing instructions Harmony’s Odyssey is a great buy, especially on the Nintendo Switch. The perfect handheld puzzler, I’m so happy it came into my life.

Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising struggles mightily to match what makes Cobra Kai so appealing, largely because of how poorly the game itself actually performs. I was really hoping to get more out of my time with the game, and I hope future patches can help improve playability. Even if the bugs get squashed, a lack of innovative choices or new stories will still make Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising a disappointing release that couldn’t live up to its potential.

There is still plenty for 22 Racing Series to do to be a complete racing game, but the basic structure is there to make it a truly revolutionary racing game. The community’s ability to create custom tracks combined with an amazing physics system that incorporates legitimately intriguing strategy options has me excited to see what 22 Racing Series can become once it leaves early access. While it’s not a complete game yet, 22 Racing Series is absolutely a game to keep your eye on if you’re a fan of challenging racing games. [Early Access Review]

Finish this final mission pair if you want to put a bow on your experience, but don’t expect enduring rewards or any real challenge.

This means the only reason for someone to play the DLC is that they want an excuse to shoot more bad guys in Far Cry 6, but it struggles to deliver that with its small enemy count and lack of player choice in encounters. It isn’t like the game’s previous DLCs or the base game, where players have enough room in the world to take different approaches or experiment with their gear. It is effectively a shooting gallery with pretty colors for players to watch out for, and I don’t think that will be enough to motivate most players to check it out. 

I could see the vision of Hello Neighbor 2. The premise was promising, and the puzzles offered some fun, but the game is very unpolished. Between the frequent crashes, visual and AI bugs, and no reason to sneak around whatsoever, I really can’t recommend this game as it currently stands, even if you are a fan of this series.

River City Girls 2 is a solid beat ’em up on account of both its aesthetic and its gameplay. While it’s hampered by some elements of its combat not being as clear or precise as I’d hoped, the overall atmosphere and experience of playing the game are quite fun.

Neon Souls is a great platformer with a nice difficulty spike. Its core gimmick doesn’t get old, instead really making the whole game. It gets quite tough after a while, but it always feels fair and creative as you go along.

One Step After Fall managed to bring a strong first impression that quickly fizzled under the weight of its many glaring failures. If you are looking for games that deliver deep emotional stories coupled with simplistic gameplay, there are far better options out there than this.

The Pioneers: Surviving Desolation has a really neat premise and a steep challenge curve, but a lack of mechanics and a plethora of bugs this early on make it one to hold off on picking up just yet. That said, fans of challenging survival simulators should keep an eye out to see if Supercube can effectively use early access to polish a very intriguing game. [Early Access Review]

I was immediately intrigued by Plan B: Terraform before I had even launched the game, and yet I was still pleasantly surprised at how relaxing an experience it was. Even at this early stage, it feels like a polished game that anyone can enjoy. It would be nice to see some different modes and challenges added in the future, but even now it is well worth taking the time to check out. [Early Access Review]

With so many Metroidvania games on the market, Clunky Hero will be drowned out by a multitude of far superior titles. Even if it has its moments, there is absolutely nothing that makes it stand out against similar, better-crafted titles like Hollow Knight or Monster Sanctuary. If anything, it’s worth picking up for a cheap laugh due to its lack of purpose.

Even in light of the issues that Superfuse may have, it is a fascinating game with care put into its presentation. The environments and animations are engaging and atmospheric, and its story is original and intriguing. The concepts and settings are fully realized and fleshed out, but anyone averse to repetitive exploration may want to skip it. Despite this, Superfuse is still a title that I would highly recommend. [Early Access Score = 80]

World Championship Boxing Manager 2 is not a complex game, but it sure is an entertaining one…Fans of management sims or boxing fans looking for a game that represents their fandom are in for a treat here.

The PowerWash Simulator Midgar Special Pack is a great way to bring in new players or get older players back in the cleaning action. It doesn’t seek to rewrite the formula that makes PowerWash Simulator, so fun to play but instead transports that fun to a new world.

Tiny Troopers: Global Ops is a classic twin-stick third-person shooter that, while not offering anything unique, does offer plenty of entertainment for executing its genre completely spot on.

While I wish there were more to the story and a few puzzles don’t quite hit the mark, Papetura absolutely achieves what it was made to be: an atmospheric experience.

Tchia was a grand adventure that I couldn’t put down. Exploring these islands renewed my love of deep and well-realized open-world exploration games, all thanks to Soul-Jumping. Exploring the numerous land, sky, and sea creatures made what could be a long hike a joyous adventure.

Adding a challenge mode to Sifu is a no-brainer, and Sifu Arenas absolutely delivers. There is enough variance in challenge types, modifiers, enemies, and locations to keep things feeling fresh throughout.

Plasma still has a ways to go in terms of core game content, but given that it is releasing in early access that will be coming down the road. For now, the main focus is on developing the systems that allow players to be creative and they have truly nailed that from the start. I can’t wait to see what wild creations the community comes up with. [Early Access Review]

Kana Quest feels like a great game for the right kind of gamer. If puzzle-based challenges like Sudoku are things that engage you I think this game will have a lot to offer.

While Smile For Me had me grinning for its off-beat visuals and world, ultimately, I could only offer a half-quirked smile by the end.

While the exposition was forgettable, and the combat wasn’t nearly as tight as it needed to be, the art and traversal of Itorah make up for it.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is a good expansion and continues the tradition of giving players a lot for their money. With events, free DLC and monsters that will get added over the game’s life, players won’t ever feel cheated when it comes to spending money on this game.

Honkai: Star Rail provides some fun characters and gameplay, despite layering them under lots of unnecessary elements.

Space Gladiators is the epitome of simple yet satisfying. It’s easy to get going but very hard to master with its rapidly increasing difficulty and plethora of difficulty options to mix things up.

I thoroughly enjoyed my hours going through Seolhwa’s story as I helped him find love from another world. While I enjoyed the bulk of what I played through, the story certainly has its bumps. While many of these can be ignored in favor of the parts I enjoyed, their presence nonetheless diminishes a strong overall experience.

The Spider of Lanka builds off an already amazing base game to give players a deeper look at such an intriguing world. It is full of political intrigue, shady characters, and countless mysteries waiting to be uncovered. While I might have liked to see a few more cases, that is only because what was presented was just that good.

Since this DLC is also priced at $14.99, it makes that all a hard pill to swallow. While Voice of the People is very lacking, it does, however, set up new things for Victoria 3 that hopefully can be taken full advantage of later in the game’s cycle.

If you love playing Age of Wonders 4 and are looking to try a new way to forge empires, or you just really like dragons, then the Dragon Dawn content pack is worth it.

So, while Shuyan Saga delivers a fairly fulfilling narrative that allows the player a reasonable amount of control in crafting their version of Shuyan, the active elements of the game hold it back from being a truly enjoyable experience.

Age of Wonders 4: Empires and Ashes gives players plenty of new content to dive into. This DLC is larger than the previous one and it feels that way while playing…If you love playing Age of Wonders 4 and are looking to try a new way to forge empires then “Empires and Ashes” really showcases that.

With a variety of new friends and new ways to interact with them, “A Rift in Time” provides more of what made Disney Dreamlight Valley enjoyable: fun quests, the chance to befriend beloved Disney characters, and the chance to test your design skills.

Rollerdrome beautifully meshes two very different genres and defies all expectations coming into it. The style practically drips out of the screen as Roll7 delivers one of the most unique and exciting games in recent memory.

One of the refreshing and less talked about features is how these heroes we’ve grown with begin to step out of the shadows from their former selves in Darkest Dungeon. Their idle sways and combat movements add an overlooked, unspoken narrative to these heroes not easily expressed through words. Darkest Dungeon II continues to distinguish itself by understanding how body language holds importance just as much as its mechanics. Undoubtedly, “The Binding Blade” is an exciting first DLC for Darkest Dungeon II that had me along for every wobbly stagecoach ride.

Enshrouded may only be entering early access, but there is already so much to see and do in the wonderful world of Embervale. Keen Games did not cut any corners when creating this excellent sandbox. Players will surely enjoy it as it evolves during the early access period. [Early Access Review]

Whether you’re a seasoned fighter fan or just looking for some lighthearted fun, Fight Crab 2 delivers on its promise of shellfish shenanigans in spades.

Nightingale is starting off in an okay place as an early-access title. With time and some polish, Nightingale could capitalize on its unique setting and strong core mechanics to stand out from its peers. In its current state, however, Nightingale is a tough sell. For players who love its aesthetic or the genre overall, Nightingale likely has enough on offer that is worth exploring. For others, though, it is likely better to wait for the developer’s planned updates and improvements to be released. [Early Access Review]

Age of Wonders 4: Primal Fury gives players new content that is the same but different to dive into. This is the third DLC, and while these DLCs all add the same type of items, such as new Tomes, cultures, races, and more, Triumph Studios has done a great job of making each one feel unique.

It’s easy to say that Open Roads is cozy and simple. Truthfully, though, its simplicity is its strength… Everything you do feels personal, especially as a daughter who still has endless questions for her mother.

No Rest for the Wicked is off to a promising start. With great combat, a gorgeous world, and an intriguing story, there’s much to dive into, even in its Early Access form. Ironing out the performance issues and having a good flow of content will be critical to the game’s long-term survival. I’m excited for the adventure to come with future updates. [Early Access Review]

Venture To The Vile is clearly a Metroidvania built with a deep knowledge of its genre. More importantly, it’s an indie game that embodies passion, creativity, and a special kind of whimsical weirdness that will stay with you past rolling credits.

Eldritch Realms is a game-changer.

Victoria 3: Sphere of Influence is a big leap forward compared to the content packs that have been released since launch… As a player who enjoys building up the neighboring nations instead of conquering them, these new additions felt like great upgrades to the diplomatic system that keeps the game from going stale.

Alan Wake 2: The Lake House refines the Remedy-verse by pushing Alan Wake and Control’s story together in one tight DLC package. Its new enemy is terrifying. The latest weapon is impactful and fun. And Janina Gavankar does a fantastic job of showing what it’s like to be a Control agent living in this messed-up world of cleaning up Altered World Events. Even though its mechanics are a simplified version of Alan Wake 2, it uses simplicity in its favor by focusing more on the story and the world-building Remedy does best. After wrapping everything up, The Lake House leaves you wanting more of the story Remedy is connecting across its various properties.

If you are looking for a truly punishing challenge, even if it sometimes feels unfair, Telebbit may provide some enjoyment. For most, however, overstuffed platforming puzzles will bring far too much frustration to enjoy.

Path of Exile 2‘s difficulty, combat, art, and map designs are something that keep pulling you in. No matter how many times you die, or how many times you have to adjust your build, you just keep coming right back. This is a game that is firing on absolutely all cylinders and shows no signs of slowing down. [Early Access Score = 95]

Aloft is an ambitious undertaking of a game. There is a lot here with one to eight-person co-op, an island editor (which I could not use in the current build), a vast world, and a really engrossing building system with over 600 parts to play with. However, with technical issues, a repetitive game loop, and too much empty space, early access feels like missing essential elements that help create longevity. That said, if the team can smooth out the jagged edges, Aloft can reach its potential. [Early Access Review]

Tokyo Xtreme Racer is a modern arcade racer, for better or worse. Even with its unique depiction of races with its SP system, and Tokyo highway setting, the monotony quickly sinks in. Regardless, there is the promise of a fun racing game that is reminiscent of PS2-era grunge racing games. That potential can be reached with refinement and by valuing the player’s time. [Early Access Review]

With its whimsical art, fun mechanics, and the ever-lovely voice of Laura Bailey bringing the story to life, Worlds of Aria is a great addition to any Switch owner’s library. Just make sure your Joy-Cons are up to the task—or grab that Pro Controller—and get ready to roll the dice on a new kind of adventure.

Sure, it’s not perfect yet. But with its gorgeous landscapes, detailed systems, and a roadmap full of potential, Manor Lords has all the makings of a future classic. [Early Access Score = 70]

The weapons already in the game are solid, although not all of their systems work as well as they could. But thanks to early access, there is potential for the future. Possible updates that can expand what is already there and improve some of the game’s weaker aspects. Hopefully, it can leverage its position and early strengths to ascend to a special place within the genre. [Early Access Review]

Backyard Baseball ’97 should join your growing arsenal of phone games. It’s a great quick hit of nostalgia whenever you need it in your pocket. The lack of commitment helps even further because you don’t need to remember any major story beats.

Steel Hunters nails its PvP fights so well that its lackluster looting and PvE encounters are all the more disappointing, especially as they take up most of each match’s time. There is still some fun to be found here, especially if you can bring a friend along to strategize with, but eschewing stakes in exchange for simplicity leaves little reason to come back after a few play sessions. Why keep trudging through boring piles of loot and boring fights to find kernels of fun when the rewards that don’t offer much in return? [Early Access Review]

Unfortunately, the Sacre Bleu experience is too uneven. Technical issues, bland design choices, and a lackluster story make it a chore to play.

Sunderfolk pulls off a balance of depth and accessibility that few titles do. With its responsive and intuitive smartphone controls and fun co-op strategy, Sunderfolk offers something special, well worth adventuring through.

Dunk City Dynasty is an enjoyable arcade game, and it is easy to lose track of time in the fast-paced game sessions. There is plenty to enjoy for NBA fans and those new to the game, even if it doesn’t offer the most in-depth experience.

Lies of P Overture is an excellent DLC that adds more brevity and complexity to an already great game. With its new environments, Arms, and weapon changes, once beloved builds will be put to the test.

Ultimately, I can see what DEADCAM is trying to accomplish with this early access. It lays out a great horror foundation through its setting and presentation, but playing the game falls short of the bar this groundwork initially creates. However, if you are a die-hard horror fan looking for something new, the low price point and potential for improvements and more stories as the game continues its development may be worth it to you. [Early Access Review]

Dragon Ball Z Kakarot DAIMA Part 1 delivers enough fun and enjoyment that fans interested in returning to Kakarot will find plenty to experience for the handful of hours it lasts.

If you enjoyed the previous game, you’ll love Grounded 2, it’s a big leap ahead for the series. [Early Access Score = 85]

Age of Wonders 4: Archon Prophecy shows that Triumph Studios and Paradox Interactive still have creativity when it comes to expanding the long-running world of this 4X strategy game.

LEGO Voyagers is whimsical, charming, and honestly, the perfect game to play when you need to relax and connect with someone else.

Surviving Mars: Relaunched is a must-play for any city-builder fan. There is plenty of depth and creativity from collecting resources to building and managing your colony to full-on terraforming a planet.

GIGASWORD is a fresh 2D metroidvania that balances puzzles and action quite well. Yet similar to the massive sword Ezra wields, the game at times weighs itself down.

Egging On is a delightfully challenging but patient game. Its strong level design is matched only by the kindness it shows when you fail.

The Forsaken Hollows is a great excuse to jump back into Limveld and fight gnarly bosses in beautiful arenas and feel cool doing it.

Age of Wonders 4: Rise from Ruin expands even further on the base game, adding some new challenges and flavor for players to try out. Players who really like sand or the desert can rejoice as this expansion is for them. This includes worm.

Ninja Gaiden 4: The Two Masters is a good DLC that offers a decent amount of content, despite its incredibly short length and lackluster narrative.

KASSO GAIDEN Escape from the Skaterverse bucks expectations by having engaging gameplay, some catchy tunes, and a pretty reasonable price for additional perks.

Mongil Star Dive misses far more than it hits. Obnoxious characters weigh down a passable story, while decent gameplay is curtailed by an oppressive leveling system that feels too inhibitive to the experience.

In 007 First Light, IO Interactive has taken their signature Creative approach to level design, their talent for making the best suits in games, and imbued it with a James Bond DNA to craft something cinematic and fresh. [3-Hour Hands-On Impressions]

The Europa Universalis V: Fate of the Phoenix immersion pack adds distinctive new features and flavor to the Byzantine Empire, making a challenging, undesirable empire more enticing for players to explore. However, for anyone not up to the substantial challenge, there isn’t much left to hold onto.