A solid game that ticks off everything on the things-you-need-to-have-in-a-twin-stick-shooter list. Doesn't stand out from the crowd though. [October, p.80]

The sense of speed offered by Driveclub reminded me of the brilliant first GRID and I was having a lot of fun until I realized that cars are indestructible. Whether you stroke a wooden fence or smash into another vehicle at 300 km/h your car drives exactly the same afterwards. [Dec 2014, p.66]

Kao the Kangaroo is a solid reboot, but not in the league of Crash Bandicoot. The game is pretty, runs smoothly, offers great level design and fun combat system, and overall has a strong base, but also contains many elements that fail to reach the level we expect from a platformer today.

The strongest point of this fantasy/sci-fi jRPG is definitely its very good turn-based combat capable of surprising you with creative encounters. The narrative has some memorable moments, but be aware that it is entirely linear. However, I do not condemn that decision, because it does suit the road movie-like story. What Edge of Eternity lacks the most is its own identity and the developers’ courage to do things their way instead of copying Final Fantasy and other Square titles. It could also use a better engine, more suitable for such a complex game. [08/2021, p.62]

At first I had to force myself to play Has-Been Heroes, but gradually it convinced me that there’s a decent degree of depth under simple gameplay mechanics. [06/2017, p.61]

Stronghold is one of the best real-time strategies of the turn of the century. The Definitive Edition may be a nice way to revisit this beloved classic, but it can also be disappointing if you expect a polished game that’s free of bugs and imperfections of the original.

It’s not an add-on but rather a Game of the Year edition of Dragon’s Dogma. Exploring the Bitterblack Isle (new content intended for veteran players with a high level party) is basically a dungeon crawler and this face of the game I enjoyed much more than the open world of Gransys. [CD-Action 06/2013, p.76]

New engine’s impact on game’s quality is noticeable, but still rather small. [Dec 2014, p.73]

Despite the cumbersome interface and some weariness that creeps in later on, World of Horror is worth checking out thanks to its art style and well-written, weird, spine-chilling stories. Even though I know how the game ends, for some masochistic reason I want to relive this nightmare over and over again.

Super Mario RPG is a creative and very accessible take on the RPG formula. You’ll traverse many lands and fight tons of battles to save the kingdom, while enjoying a hefty dose of light humor. If you’re looking for unwavering positive vibes, you will definitely find them here.

Compared to the original released on 3DS in 2017, the Switch version of Miitopia looks better and offers a couple of additions, but it is pretty much the same thing. I had a lot of fun with it once again and I can recommend it to anyone looking for a funny (but not necessarily hilarious) game with an extraordinarily enjoyable gameplay loop. [08/2021, p.66]

It’s hard not to notice that free World of Warcraft patches offer you just a bit less content than Rise of the Hutt Cartel. [CD-Action 10/2013, p.71]

The Expanse: A Telltale Series works well as a tie-in, because it recreates the atmosphere of the series and explores the past of a loved character (Cara Gee as Drummer is amazing as always!). However, as a whole, it is a middling game that ends before it really gets going. I also regret that the developers missed the opportunity to delve deeper into The Expanse’s universe, as this setting has a lot to offer.

A pleasant and hard (in a fair way) platformer, but I think authors should have left out the enemies and the means to fight them, because they introduce unwanted chaos and the sense of losing full control over the character. [CD-Action 06/2013, p.78]

A solid game that lacks distinctiveness. I’m not sure I’m going to remember it in a couple months’ time. [Dec 2014, p.78]

It’s not the second coming of Christ, it’s merely another good product in a different wrapping. Ghosts is a great FPS but this time it’s not necessarily a great Call of Duty game. [13/2013, p.46]

One of those mean platformers that exist to poke a masochist’s pleasure center. Physics based gameplay often requires more luck than skill which can be annoying, but I’ve never had so much fun throwing my own head at things. [02/2016, p.47]

A girl the size of an insect searching for her father’s bug-like mech in a forest where nature meets sci-fi is a great concept that makes Stonefly worth checking out. Too bad the developers’ creativity ends pretty much right there. While the game is a clever mix of genres and offers an original twist on hack’n’slash combat, it does next to nothing to evolve the gameplay or the story, so sooner or later monotony will set in. [08/2021, p.70]

On the one hand we have beautiful visuals, distinct melancholic atmosphere, and an interesting backstory to uncover. On the other – mediocre combat, repetitive puzzles, slow pace, and various technical issues. It is definitely an enjoyable game though and I’m looking forward to Orbit Studio’s next title. [08/2021, p.72]

It’s an enjoyable game that will win the hearts of children, but it’s far from breathtaking – it’s short and lacks a spark (e.g. a protagonist that is not only cute but also charismatic) that would make it memorable. [06/2017, p.66]

The way the story branches out depending on your choices is really impressive, but experimenting with it becomes repetitive after a while due to scarcity of levels and too easy (but otherwise enjoyable) combat. [06/2016, p.47]

It was supposed to be an unforgettable experience, but unfortunately I’ve already forgotten a lot of it. [CD-Action 10/2013, p.74]

Phone Destroyer is pure hypocrisy, as it shamelessly ticks all the boxes from Parker and Stone’s guide on preying on susceptible people using mobile titles (episode Freemium Isn’t Free of the TV show). The game looks good though and has the show’s unique vibe, so the fans should enjoy it for a while, until they get tired of shallow, repetitive gameplay. [01/2018, p.51]

Flockers is not an original game (it uses the concept introduced in Lemmings over two decades ago), but it’s a polished one. It’s a cute puzzle game that is also so brutal that it earned a PEGI 16 rating. [Dec 2014, p.80]

Nintendo Switch Sports is a modern retelling of the Wii classic. Despite somewhat less precise motion controls, it’s about as fun as its predecessor, mostly thanks to the emphasis on online play.

A decent PC substitute for the Pikmin series. Its magical land filled with adorable creatures is a joy to explore, rich content will keep you occupied for as long as 20 hours, and a drop of survival mechanics spices up the adventure without making it stressful. The somewhat hazy story is okay at best and even though the game showers you with crafting materials, the crafting itself is pretty much needless, but the game’s biggest problem is the repetitiveness that made me slightly weary. [8/2021, p.74]

I enjoyed the atmosphere, assassination-based combat, enjoyable bow shooting mechanics, varied character classes, and cool maps. The whole concept is great, but Hood needed more work, because numerous minor flaws and a sole game mode make it look like an early access title. I also believe it was possible to squeeze much more out of this darker twist on the Robin Hood setting. It is not an excellent game right now, but it is enjoyable enough to be addictive, and I’m looking forward to future updates, hoping they will unlock Hood’s full potential. [08/2021, p.76]

Omega Force’s crossover between Persona and the Warriors series is a breath of fresh air for both franchises. It’s not a revelation by any means and not a great sequel to Persona 5 in terms of the story, but despite rather uninteresting content in between missions and the scantiness of additional activities, it’s a good, varied game that’s simply enjoyable. [04/2021, p.36]

Strange Horticulture is a puzzle game where you identify plants and mushrooms for the clients of your herbal store and explore the map following the clues. It’s a game for you if you don’t mind staring at one screen or browsing a swelling botanical handbook – especially if you enjoyed Potion Craft.

The story is satisfying, refers to choices made in Inquisition, adds a lot to the lore and wraps up some loose ends. [12/2015, p.57]

I was disappointed to see the return of the old, a bit obscure user interface and the biggest pain in the neck – the inability to attack diagonally in close combat. I was also once more let down by the story which is awkward at times and ends too abruptly. [06/2016, p.52]

On the one hand I know a couple of better shooters that throw pixels the size of a bouillon cubes at you. On the other hand I had tons of fun with Brain Damaged thanks to its fast, challenging gameplay and tons of pop culture references. Plus, if I ever decide to put together a list of the most twisted game levels, some of new Postal’s maps are sure to be on it.

A well-written cyberpunk graphic adventure that tackles some weighty subjects. [03/2016, p.62]

Combat gives you a decent array of options but unfortunately it rarely poses any challenge. The optimization is abysmal and while it does not make the game unplayable, the situation is still unacceptable. Despite that I can recommend this title to everyone who seeks a solid turn-based RPG. The developers put a lot of effort into creating a vivid world and tell a lot of minor stories, many of your decisions matter and in some aspects Expedition: Viking reminds me of classic Fallouts. [06/2017, p.70]

Epistory is a one-trick pony (you interact with the environment by typing in corresponding words) so it becomes repetitive, but it has a pleasant fairy tale atmosphere. [06/2016, p.53]

Disjunction’s gameplay is quite repetitive and there are some annoying flaws, but if you like tech noir and remember the Amiga days fondly, there’s a significant chance you’ll have fun. [04/2021, p.39]

I was disappointed that the HD Edition did not come with some new content. It’s a shame that this pleasant, relaxing adventure last only two hours, because I really grew fond of Leo. [12/2015, p.57]

GG&C is not original in any way but if you simply want to spend a pleasant couple of hours shooting people and burning zombies (preferably in co-op) while enjoying great hand-drawn visuals and unconstrained humor, it’s a really good pick. [02/2016, p.50]

You need to be familiar with the animated series to fully enjoy Battle Through Time, otherwise you’ll find the game to be rather unexceptional and confusing. As a huge Samurai Jack fan, I was delighted with both the nostalgic journey and the story it offered me, even if sometimes the camera was unbearable. [11/2020, p.42]

An interesting and beautiful, but also slow and repetitive board game. [12/2015, p.60]

Retro visuals, chiptune soundtrack, faithfulness to standards set by Metroid. It’s not a game to remember for the years to come, but it is a beautiful example of how some ideas never get old. [01/2018, p.60]

Despite its obvious low budget I’ve already devoted 60 hours to Warhammer Quest – first on iOS, and now on PC. The atmosphere of the Old World recreated by Rodeo Games does not cease to delight me. [03/2014, p.80]

It’s not a title you need to play to stay up to date with gaming trends. It’s a typical representative of the hack’n’slash genre, solid in every aspect but not unique in any. If you enjoy such games, walking the wolves in Midgard will be fun, because the essence of the genre was conveyed proficiently. [06/2017, p.73]

Both parts of Super Mario Galaxy are still phenomenal 3D platformers, worth playing even today. The problem is that the anniversary compilation looks like it was put together in a hurry, and its price is more off-putting than appealing.

After the third expansion Destiny is the same “random loot generator” it has always been, just with some more story in between. [12/2015, p.62]

Ravenous Devils is atmospheric and running and expanding your business is surprisingly addictive (although sometimes the repetitive, hectic gameplay might be overwhelming). I enjoyed the very gory animations and appreciated the fact that the story ends after a couple of hours, so the game doesn’t get a chance to become boring.

Model Builder is time-consuming, rather tedious, sometimes frustrating, but also perversely addictive and relaxing. It offers plenty of models to build both in career and free play modes and provides 20-30 hours of decent fun (if you’re into building models, of course).

Juggling genres is the series’ trademark and the latest game offers much larger variety in that aspect than any of its predecessor. Most of the genres were tackled well enough, but not all ideas are spot-on and almost every part of the game could be improved. It is the best Battletoads game to date though and it would’ve scored higher if it wasn’t for one frustrating and infuriating section towards the end of the campaign. [11/2020, p.55]

Interesting character classes, enticing atmosphere, visual attractiveness, satisfying combat – Lost Ark hit the mark on everything one expects from a good action RPG. I could feel my character’s power from the very first step in this interesting, varied world, and saw potential for one of the best Diablo’s cousins in years. It’s a pity that the MMO aspects of Lost Ark forced some compromises and simply get in the way of enjoying the satisfying Diablo-esque side.

Steel Ocean is a really solid game and I would have spent much more time with it in a universe devoid of World of Warships. [02/2016, p.56]

A really enjoyable, relaxing game reminiscent of old Settlers. [02/2016, p.57]

A runner with a twist – instead of controlling the surfer, you control the waves. [03/2016, p.72]

I approached Death Stranding twice. I spent a couple of hours with the PS4 edition and was fascinated with it. I kinda wish I stopped at that and let the game remain a mystery to me rather than complete it later on PC and be disappointed. There are moments when Death Stranding eludes the traditional 1-10 rating system. There are moments when it sets new standards and becomes a truly special experience. But those are just moments scattered throughout tedious gameplay. Still, it is in my opinion one of those games you simply need to play. [10/2020, p.44]

A simple, lighthearted game about a mean cloud who enjoys spiting people. Some of its 50 levels are genuinely funny and its magic lasts longer than Untitled Goose Game’s or Dinner Date’s. [07/2021, p.48]

God of War returns to the scene suddenly, and in a form that few would have expected. Contrary to first impressions created by the setting, Sons of Sparta turns out to be quite an elaborate metroidvania-lite.

Quotation forthcoming. [02/2016, p.59]

Destroy All Humans! was rebuilt from scratch, but when it comes to the gameplay experience, it is identical to the 15-year-old original game. As a result, the story campaign feels outdated and gets stale after some time even despite the large arsenal of skills and weapons. It still is a fun game though and thanks to new visuals exploring the remade maps is a pleasure. [10/2020, p.52]

It’s still good old Dontnod but Tell Me Why falls short of the studio’s previous achievements. Outdated engine aside, the game lacks interesting interactions or a relationship as powerful as Chloe’s and Max’s friendship in Life is Strange. Its simple story is quite linear and fails to surprise, and supporting characters are rather bland. [11/2020, p.62]

Dredge is a short, humble game full of unrealized potential. The longer I played it, the more I regretted that it offers so little content. Black Salt Games also couldn’t decide whether their debut title should be relaxing or challenging, and as a result it does neither well. However, it is still a fun change from huge RPGs and open worlds that devour weeks.

In terms of its size Dawn of Ragnarok is a full-fledged, traditional expansion we used to see back in the day rather than a typical modern DLC. It offers a surprisingly good story but the mythological setting didn’t bring any substantial changes to the gameplay. It’s just more of Valhalla and while I enjoyed the base game I’ve simply had enough of Vikings by now.

If you enjoy Picross and love Pokémon – get this game. [03/2016, p.73]

Looks good, sounds good and has some cool ideas, especially in the field of level design. [03/2016, p.73]

Godstrike is a well-designed twin-stick shooter, but be aware that it is not just hard, it’s mercilessly brutal. Try it if you dare, but steer clear of it if being butchered is not your idea of an enjoyable evening. [07/2021, p.60]

DungeonTop completely lacks a distinctive style and comes off as amateurish in terms of visuals, but was built around great gameplay mechanics (traditional does not equal boring!) and offers a lot of content, so it’s capable of sucking you in for dozens of hours. [10/2020, p.62]

Looks great, uses motion controls and apart from planes lets you choose a dragon. [12/2015, p.73]

The game is a technological marvel but although David Cage’s storytelling has an ideal pace and the way the story branches out depending on your choices is praiseworthy, his writing is childishly naïve. His vision of Detroit is unconvincing from the ground up and all his characters are merely crude, threadbare archetypes, which made it impossible for me to suspend disbelief. What’s more, the game touches a sensitive problem of discrimination but doesn’t have the courage to take any stand, leaving us with a lukewarm tale about robots, told with clichés and truisms. [07/2018, p.42]

Metro 2033: Wars is unfriendly and does a lot to discourage less determined players but if you can looks past its rough edges it will give you a lot of satisfaction. [02/2016, p.66]

Even if it’s not Daedalic’s greatest work, Anna’s Quest is still a strong entry in their catalogue. [09/2015, p.67]

It doesn’t try to be innovative, but neatly adapts some tried-and-true mechanics. [12/2015, p.74]

A simple but quite enjoyable, fast-paced card game. [02/2016, p.66]

For the first couple of hours City of Brass was lots of fun, mainly thanks to the whip, which is a cool, versatile tool, and the game’s unique setting. Then scarcity of content reared its head and despite the efforts of a very capable procedural generation algorithm repetitiveness became more and more wearisome. [07/2018, p.50]

Worth 15 minutes of your time (that’s how short it is) if you enjoy grotesque. [09/2015, p.68]

Good fighting game poorly ported to PC and suffering from botched netcode. [10/2015, p.69]

R-Type Final 2 is a very enjoyable and pretty shmup, but know that it sticks strictly to recreating “good old times” and don’t expect it to surprise you with anything. As a tribute, it’s a very good game, but in itself it is derivative. [07/2021, p.76]

The biggest flaw of this very enjoyable platformer is that it’s too short. [10/2015, p.71]

Fans of Outriders should be happy with Wordslayer, as it’s still a very enjoyable shooter and the expansion’s story, while silly, does its job of motivating you to push forward. It’s a shame that it ends so quickly and the endgame – while slightly improved over the base game – probably won’t engage you for very long.

Zach Barth (the author of Infinifactory) is back and again creativity – both the developer’s and yours – plays first fiddle. [10/2015, p.71]

This interesting free-to-play shooter set on an intriguing alien planet can be immensely satisfying or (more often) painfully frustrating depending on how you fare and how well you manage your equipment and finances in the face of losing everything you’re carrying upon death.

I adore A Way Out, so I had really high expectations for Hazelight’s new game. Instead of sticking to the proven, perfect formula of AWO, the developers decided to give us more of everything and as a result overdid it in many respects. The levels are too long and there are too many minigames, while the story can’t keep up. It seemed to me the narrative is just a pretext to introduce as many different gameplay mechanics as possible, and as a result the relationship between the protagonists is implausible. [05/2021, p.26]

F1 22 is one of the best racing games on the market, especially when it comes to the career mode. I’m also happy with the VR support, but putting so much emphasis on supercars and cosmetic items is a step in the wrong direction.

Looking at charming, detailed hand-drawn environments is pure pleasure and the game’s simple story about priorities, plans and hopes is truly touching. [07/2017, p.42]

DE2 is a second division title, but for its price it is a surprisingly enjoyable game with cool equipment upgrade system and dozens of hours of content. [03/2017, p.66]

As an RPG with roguelite elements and tactical turn-based combat, The Hand of Merlin doesn’t bring anything new to the table, but is engaging and quite pretty. It’s a shame that its feeble story squanders the potential of Arthurian legend. The game is also surprisingly short and can be completed in 4-6 hours, provided that you’re not forced to start over after losing the entire party. However, randomized elements and the ability to chose your path make The Hand of Merlin replayable.

The only unquestionably valuable new feature in comparison to the previous Dr. Mario is the online mode. [09/2015, p.69]

A pretty, fast-paced, enjoyable runner. [02/2016, p.69]

How you rate Late Shift depends on how you look at it. It has few arguments as a game, but as an interactive live action movie it’s a very interesting phenomenon and it surprised me with how much the story can vary depending on your choices. [07/2017, p.44]

Rainbow Six Siege’s co-op oriented spin-off is an enjoyable alternative that closely resembles its cousin in terms of gameplay but puts more emphasis on action. The game is quite rich in content and offers a distinct change of atmosphere but unfortunately fails to properly reward cooperation between players and has some balancing issues.

Dakka Squadron is a simple yet enjoyable aerial shooter chock-full of rather silly humor. You can give it a try if you’re into Warhammer 40,000, but be warned that its basic gameplay becomes repetitive in longer sessions. [05/2021, p.35]

If you’ve never played Dark Souls, I obviously encourage you to try the new edition. Otherwise this remaster is not worth much and to me the only notable advantage of the PS4 version was that I could finally unplug my PS3. [07/2018, p.64]

A great horror game was turned into a decent co-op shooter. Dead Space 3 is well-made but the uniqueness of the series is gone. Was that really the goal? [CD-Action 04/2013, p.66]

It’s kinda funny that standard AWD vehicles are much better suited for the tracks introduced in this expansion than Hot Wheels toy cars that come with it. [07/2017, p.47]

Nebuchadnezzar is not as great as Pharaoh, the legendary city builder in whose footsteps it follows. However, it’s an interesting game that will satisfy your desire to build ancient cities, even if it relies too much on burdensome micromanagement. [05/2021, p.40]

The developers have made a huge step forward since their previous work, Lust for Darkness, and delivered an ambitious game that is better in every aspect. There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but engaging story and disturbing atmosphere make Lust from Beyond worth your time. If you can stomach an erotic horror with some twisted imagery, that is. [05/2021, p.42]

Simple rules, addictive gameplay, and lots of charm make Krumit’s Tales easy to recommend to anyone, regardless of age. It’s not perfect (could use some more variety in the classes and combat departments), but on the other hand it might be the most stylish deck-building roguelike I’ve encountered. [10/2020, p.84]

Scarygirl's world could have well been born in Tim Burton's mind and gameplay strongly resembles good old Pandemonium. Unfortunately difficulty level is very uneven and some segments virtually play themselves while others may leave you furious. [June 2012, p.57]

The game tells intriguing stories and leaves room for interpretation but is short, linear and devoid of true tension. [07/2017, p.60]

A somewhat flawed port of an excellent XCOM cousin. There are some bugs and performance issues, and the included Heretek expansion disappointed me with the straightforwardness of its battles, but I will always recommend Mechanicus regardless of the platform. [10/2020, p.88]

Immortals of Aveum’s quality is very uneven and for every well-executed element there’s a “but” of some sorts. The combat system is great but not as unique as the developers claimed. We get 60 fps but at the expense of blurry graphics. The game’s intriguing lore deserves attention but is obscured by silly humor.