Life Is Strange drifted away from exciting teenage stories towards serious narratives commenting on our reality. Alex’s ability elevated interactions to a new level but its potential feels unrealized. The game is also short and the story only livens up by the end of it. [12/2021, p.46]

Has everything required to claim the first place in my private ranking of tower defense games. [03/2014, p.73]

Children of the Sun is an insanely addictive puzzle game cleverly pretending to be a shooter. It’s an excellent title for those who prefer solving problems over spectacular action. The developer knew exactly how to build tension by gradually unlocking new mechanics that increase the difficulty, and as a result this indie gem is more fun than many AAA products.

Firewatch is hands down the best, the most engaging first person walker I have ever played. Something doesn’t let me rate it higher though, and I guess it’s my common sense. [04/2016, p.50]

It’s six hours of a diversified gameplay with loads of secrets and good music in the background. And the finale is so delightful I wanted to clap during the credits. [13/2018, p.72]

The perfectly designed moves and combos, including iconic Witch Time, seem to have never aged a day. Apart from the somewhat dated color grading, Bayonetta is an action game classic. [04/2020, p.68]

The N64 classic looks good with revamped visuals and stereoscopic 3D but the only substantial addition is the multiplayer mode – one cartridge is enough to play with 3 of your friends. [October, p.78]

Delighted with the game’s art style and fascinated by its atmosphere, I spent dozens of hours with Darkest Dungeon II and I will probably spend dozens more. It is undeniably a great game with many strengths, but it differs significantly from its superb predecessor and it will never take its place in my heart.

Spirit of Justice does little to refresh the series but it neatly rounds up ideas from previous Phoenix Wright games. [01/2017, p.74]

Chuchel is Amanita’s crown jewel. The game moved me, but it had nothing to do with its story. My emotions arose from the sense of experiencing something pure, true and delightful. [05/2018, p.62]

GT6 might have seemed dead on arrival – it’s built for an 8 years old console and even if it looks great for a PS3 game, it can’t even be compared to Forza Motorsport 5 in terms of visuals. But the key to Gran Turismo’s success is its wonderful driving model. There was no better driving game on Sony’s platforms and there won’t be a better one on PS3 ever. [01/2014, p.54]

Despite some annoying shortcomings and obvious deficiencies, the return of the Sparking! series can be considered a success. With great visual effects, plenty of unlockable content and alternative story paths, every Dragon Ball fan should be satisfied with this game.

Despite a nice 4-player split-screen and enjoyable Playground mode chock-full of cool fan-made courses, Dirt 5 is not worth the full price. Yes, it is very pretty, runs smoothly and sounds great, but it lacks innovation and therefore reminds me of old school racing games. [01/2021, p.68]

A healthy compromise between forcing you to think and mindless shooting. Unfortunately it takes only 4-5 hours to finish Rochard and there's no replay value here. [January 2012, p.56]

Sifu is a soulslike beautifully translated into the language of beat ‘em ups. Yes, the protagonist will die hundreds of times, but remarkably fluent combat system, a multitude of surprises, attractive visuals and terrific music will keep hardcore fans of either genre glued to the screen.

After having played the THPS 1 + 2 remasters, the new package is no longer surprising, but offers loads of great fun for all fans of the series. There are almost 20 excellent skateparks and challenges that can be tackled for hours.

A true Assassin’s Creed Odyssey of driving games. There’s always something to do, something to discover. A huge game and loads of fun for everyone (that enjoys driving very, very slowly, that is). [07/2020, p.52]

I haven’t played such a good arcade game in a long time. Rollerdrome is a great blend of genres with both the shooting and the roller-skating aspects realized very well. Its art style might not be everyone’s cup of tea and the lack of a multiplayer mode is a pity, but you should definitely consider checking Rollerdrome out, especially if you’re a fan of Tony Hawk games.

If it were a book it would be missing its first chapter and every other page. The game’s story is a chaotic patchwork of ideas collected over the years and characters who appear out of the blue and disappear without a word of explanation. On the other hand it’s the first game to imitate road movies so well. The journey has a very satisfying pace, friendship between main characters is depicted splendidly, the views are spectacular and there’s a lot of optional content. [01/2017, p.44]

All Dragon’s Dogma’s drawbacks (i.e. repetitive quests, occasional boring backtracking, poor checkpoint system) become irrelevant when you focus on what this game does well (i.e. truly impressive combat), because it does it better than any other action RPG. [03/2016, p.36]

Heart of Thorns is so good I forgot the flaws that made me lose interest in the original game after my initial delight with it. [13/2015, p.64]

Decent Far Cry 3 mechanics merged with a tongue-in-cheek setting absurd to a point of genius. You either love or hate this homage to the 80s. [CD-Action 06/2013, p.62]

Those of you who played Bravely Default should also play Bravely Second, though you might be disappointed, because in my private opinion the previous game was better. [05/2016, p.74]

Cancel all your plans and fill up the fridge, because once you launch Beyond Earth you will not want to leave your home. [13/2014, p.46]

This year’s edition of PES is a really good game (the PC version is at last on par with the consoles) that has one major problem – it appeals to people already won over by Konami’s series and has almost no chance to convince FIFA’s fans. That doesn’t change the fact that I can honestly recommend it. [12/2017, p.56]

A worthy successor to Jagged Alliance 2. It’s a pretty, long, complex and difficult game where tactical turn-based combat meets tycoon and RPG components. JA3 requires a lot of time and full concentration, and although it can be frustrating sometimes, finishing it is highly rewarding. Give it a try!

Despite some rough edges Deus Ex GO is a definitely recommendable puzzle game. [11/2016, p.72]

For an almost 10-years old grandpa of a game Halo: Reach still stands strong. It’s Bungie’s best Halo and a fitting goodbye with their own franchise. [02/2020, p.64]

Despite good execution Flynn is not very exciting. It’s simply a solid and quite fun but also very familiar and not memorable platformer that tells a story about a fantasy world invaded by hellish forces. [12/2021, p.79]

Instead of employing trivial jump scare tactics, Visage expertly toys with your senses and messes with your head, first causing uneasiness, and then evoking authentic fear. There’s no reason to weep for the cancelled Silent Hills anymore. We’ve got Visage, the best horror game of the year, maybe even the best in years. [13/2020, p.51]

Apparently the devs ran out of money and couldn't polish the game the way it deserves. SoulCalibur V had a big deal of potential – a lot of great characters and a cool fighting system – but simply feels unfinished. [March 2012, p.54]

Project Cars gave me some unforgettable moments and I can imagine it becoming an unrivaled game in the future, but right now it can’t match the titans of the genre in terms of content and there are a lot of bugs and glitches to iron out. [07/2015, p.66]

Daemonhunters is basically XCOM in Warhammer’s clothing. While it has little in common with the original Chaos Gate, it will measure up to the expectations of most fans of turn-based tactics games.

Skyward Sword HD does a good job of reminding us why The Legend of Zelda was a popular series even before the breakthrough that was Breath of the Wild. Its biggest flaw are poor control schemes, not the way the original stuck to the Zelda conventions. [10/2021, p.70]

Fallout 2 still holds the throne of post-apocalyptic RPGs, but despite some flaws Wasteland 2 is a very good game that can provide loads of fun. [Nov 2014, p.64]

New game by the developers of Luftrausers and Nuclear Throne is heavily based on 2D Zeldas and although it does not add much to the formula, it removes a lot of distractions, which makes it a compact and very fun little adventure. [06/2018, p.66]

Its action is more intense than Charlie Sheen's weekend – and this is Jamestown's biggest strength. If words 'Contra' and 'Metal Slug' send shivers down your spine – buy it! [August 2011, p.64]

It’s undeniably well-made albeit controversial part of the series. One that tries to break the mold and open itself to another kind of player. It’s worth of praise, even if just for that. I recommend it especially to Battlefield players – you may be pleasantly surprised. [13/2019, p.50]

The sequel of a Monster Hunter spin-off will greet you with an expansive world to explore, a mechanic of training monsters that hatch from eggs (which resembles Pokémon games a bit), and a disappointing combat system. The combat is primitive, does not evolve in any way and long attack animations make it irritating. What might keep you playing is the game’s light, well-told story and tons of equipment to craft. [09/2021, p.28]

Superb visuals, distinctive atmosphere and a punishing Dark Souls-inspired combat system resulted in an engaging action RPG and one of the best indie games I played in 2021. [12/2021, p.42]

Obsidian has run out of steam when it comes to storytelling, once again delivering a distinctly flat world within The Outer Worlds universe and prioritizing form over substance. Fortunately, the polished gameplay allows you to enjoy the sequel.

Galactic Civilizations III lacks the magic of its outstanding predecessor. The developers promise that it’s just a beginning, that new content is on the way, but right now you’ll be better off playing Sid Meier’s Starships. [08/2015, p.77]

A unique game for connoisseurs that still weep over Fallout’s fate. The Age of Decadence is minimalistic in terms of technology, but its depth in almost every gameplay aspect is astonishing. [03/2016, p.48]

Keeper combines post-apocalyptic and surreal tropes in a coherent way, far from the phantasmagoria of AI. The story of the lighthouse and its bird companion is something worth discovering, regardless of whether we like adventure games or find this genre unfamiliar.

The first of four chapters is remarkable, but the next two are worse and the last one is simply pathetic. [05/2017, p.45]

For me Shovel Knight Dig is the blandest of all games starring the blue knight. It does everything decently as a 2D roguelike platformer but fails to impress in any way and I would only recommend it to those fans of Shovel Knight who have already played all previous entries to the franchise.

I played the game almost non-stop for several days and I feared that after this kind of marathon I will forever hate it but it didn’t happen. Planet Zoo educates and entertains – in marvellous scenery to boot. [01/2020, p.62]

If you need more relaxation and laughter in your life, Slime Rancher is the game to choose. [11/2017, p.54]

The developers of F1 25 have clearly learned from the mistakes of the previous instalment. The game is definitely reminiscent of the golden days of the series - offering Formula 1 fans the most complete and polished instalment in years.

If you haven’t played Fast Racing NEO on Wii U (or you have and you want more of the same, but prettier), if you miss F-Zero, if you can’t wait to get your hands on the new Wipeout, don’t think twice about buying Fast RMX. [05/2017, p.71]

One of the best party games ever made – and I don’t even like cooking. [10/2016, p.65]

Fans of Sony’s mobile platforms have been envious of Nintendo’s Ace Attorney series for years and longed for an equally good whodunit. Now 3DS users will be envious of Danganronpa 2. [13/2014, p.69]

There are not many games out there that make drifting so enjoyable. But bear in mind that Trackmania may throw you off if you're a fan of traditional racing games. It's also a pity that the puzzles from the previous game in the series are now gone. [October, p.60]

Puzzle Quest’s simple mechanics work great along MtG’s tactical complexity. [02/2016, p.68]

Motorsport Manager could definitely use FIA’s license and some polishing here and there but it achieves the goal of every management game – it lets you write your own success story. [01/2017, p.66]

At first, The Pathless seems like many other games due to its bland story. However, give it a chance and it will shine like a diamond in other aspects. The developers of Abzu created a truly compelling world, where exploration and satisfying boss battles are interlaced with ingenious puzzles. Even the simplest activities are engaging and fun. You need to play it. [01/2021, p.40]

It’s far from being ideal but all the glitches and shortcomings don’t ruin the overall fun of Battlefield V’s multiplayer experience. Although the single player portion of the game is not bad at all, I would have been disappointed if I bought the game just for it. [13/2018, p.56]

I strongly felt the presence of late Benoît Sokal in Syberia: The World Before. I saw the Belgian master’s touch in the game’s distinct architecture, enchanting environments, non-obvious characters, and the story that once again takes on the subject of evanescence and longing for something irreversibly lost. The World Before is not the best entry in the series, but it is definitely a huge improvement over Syberia 3.

How do you spend your last hours alive if you can’t visit your loved ones? How do you talk to someone who’s passing away and nothing can change that? Necrobarista is not really a game (you don’t get to make any decisions), but its simple, powerful story about death touched me to tears. [10/2020, p.70]

You can write books about Mortal Kombat, but you can also sum up Komplete Edition with one sentence: it’s the best fighting game available on PC. [CD-Action 09/2013, p.65]

Guys from Harebrained Schemes simply outdid themselves with Dragonfall. It’s one of those games that make loving Kickstarter easy. [06/2014, p.60]

After devoting almost 40 hours to Company of Heroes 3, I’m having serious trouble rating this game, as I could easily justify any score between 6 and 7+ out of 10. Overall, it’s a solid strategy game that provides a lot of content in the form of two campaigns – linear and dynamic. I enjoyed them both but found neither of them outstanding.

Each level is a rainbow firework that captivates with detail, makes laugh with the character design, and amazes with its quality and design. [13/2019, p.66]

Stellar Blade is, above all, a collection of ideas borrowed from other titles, but combined in such an intelligent and fresh way that it turned out to be a full-fledged game undoubtedly worth giving a chance. I had a fantastic time playing it and will probably revisit it one day.

A worthy sequel to one of the best visual novels ever created, although it relies too heavily on your familiarity with the original game. [02/2017, p.56]

Driving a Formula 1 car in F1 2012 is more pleasant than ever. Developers dealt with problems that infested the previous edition two years ago but flaws of various calibers are present and prevented me from rating this game higher. Still it's the most accessible Formula 1 simulation ever. [12/2012, p.44]

A good game that relaxes you with its leisurely gameplay and has a great potential, but is simpler than World of Tanks in terms of tactics and in my opinion was released too soon. [11/2015, p.50]

The developers of Aztez had great inspirations and clearly understand what made them great, but that was not enough for Aztez itself to become great. The game is really solid in terms of gameplay mechanics but at the same time derivative and repetitive. I can only recommend it wholeheartedly to those who enjoy exploring and cracking open complex combat systems. [11/2017, p.74]

Wargame will appeal to those few who enjoyed playing early Combat Mission games more than World in Conflict. [May 2012, p.58]

When at 3 AM I heard my friends calling for support in panic or we quarrelled over tactics, I had fun. But when I had to play with a random group of people the game often became a nuisance. [January 2012, p.58]

Both the single player and online modes are fun but don’t expect to be blown away. Despite a great story and a couple of very enjoyable missions the campaign as a whole is a tad boring. [13/2015, p.50]

Trine is back and it hard to not see it as a success. The developers aren’t really trying to surprise us with anything here but the starved fans should welcome it as a really well made encore of Trine 2. [13/2019, p.82]

It’s been 15 years since one of the most intriguing games of the sixth generation of consoles rolled in, and this remaster proves that the concept behind Katamari hasn’t aged a bit, same as the soundtrack and art direction. [02/2019, p.63]

I can appreciate simplicity, but in this case I would welcome a wider variety of maps, buildings and units. Still when I launched Antihero to check something while writing the review, I got immediately carried away by its addictive asynchronous multiplayer, forgetting why I launched it in the first place. [10/2017, p.53]

Sixty funny characters crammed together on a small area, competing with each other, while avoiding various traps and causing all sorts of unpredictable, amusing situations – what’s not to like here? The rules are simple and the entry threshold is low, so pretty much anyone can pick up Fall Guys and instantly have fun. [10/2020, p.60]

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.

The fact that the Photo Mode is one of the emphasized features tells everything about how necessary this remaster was and how much effort was put into it. Yes, the textures are sharper, the lighting is better, but the difference is not breathtaking, because the game was already stunningly beautiful before. It’s not how I imagined Kratos’ assault on PS4. So why such a high score? Five years later it’s still an exceptional game and I envy everyone who is to experience this grand adventure for the first time. [09/2015, p.43]

Developers managed to achieve a reasonable compromise – there's a number of changes and innovations that noticeably enhanced the game but the core concept that Lego series' fans love is still intact. [September 2012, p.60]

Black Myth: Wukong’s foundations are clearly soulslike, but it is more forgiving than FromSoftware’s titles and its approach to level design is quite different. The game is technical impressive and offers stunning visuals, while its gameplay delights and frustrates at the same time, mainly during numerous encounters with brilliantly designed bosses.

The best kind of remake – it show the game the way you remember it, not the way it really was. [12/2016, p.76]

Hellblade II is a Celtic-Nordic odyssey that focuses on the issue of working through universal human traumas and on a natural depiction of the world as perceived by a person experiencing psychosis. The sequel is an audiovisual masterpiece with a strong message, even if it still seems very limited on a gameplay level.

I felt Northgard’s unintuitive rules of territorial expansion needlessly limit my options but once I got used to them I had fun. Look for this game on Steam sales. [05/2018, p.75]

Ember Lab didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Instead the developers opted for tried and true mechanics that entertained us time and again in many action adventure games, and mixed them in an almost perfect way. The beginning might be a little slow, but when Kena: Bridge of Spirits gains momentum, it becomes truly great. It’s hard for me to point out any significant flaws apart from overall lack of originality. What a debut! [12/2021, p.74]

Eyes in the Dark is a small but feisty mix of a roguelite and a 2D platformer. It’s atmosphere, art style and engaging gameplay make up for the lack of originality and not the best controls (controller highly recommended!).

The sequel revived my faith in point’n’click games by proving that we do not have to settle for run-of-the-mill dialogues and flat characters. King Art is a seriously talented studio that could make a game about a snail crossing the street and still make me laugh regularly. [04/2015, p.54]

It’s an XCOM on steroids, with buckets of blood. The best game in the genre in this century and absolute must-have. [06/2020, p.52]

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, one of the best musou games of recent years, is Omega Force’s return to form and a title that should make Fire Emblem fans nostalgic. If you enjoyed the turn-based original, you’ll probably appreciate Three Hopes too.

I feel sorry for Garden Warfare 2. It’s a great game (right now the best utilizing Frostbite 3 engine) that probably will be dismissed contemptuously by those too “adult” to shoot corn kernels at zombies. [04/2016, p.38]

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 is by no means a leap forward, but it is in every aspect superior to its already excellent predecessor. For me, it’s a perfect battle royale, although it’s a shame that right now, plagued by countless technical issues, it looks more like a prerelease build than a finished game.

A beautiful game that shines in co-op but doesn’t have much to offer to a lone player. [13/2015, p.52]

The latest game by No Man’s Sky developer is not only enjoyable to play, but also pleasant to look at. Despite visual simplicity it will charm you with its style and vibrant colors, bewitch you with its fairy tale atmosphere and sooth your senses with subdued soundtrack. If you’re looking for a puzzle game that won’t overheat your brain but will provide a couple of hours of varied fun, give The Last Campfire a chance. [11/2020, p.59]

Historical fiction served as a game full of swordfights, content and design choices straight from the past. Apart from some shortcomings arising from the fact that we’re dealing with a remake of an almost decade-old title, it’s hard to point out any major flaws of Ryu Ga Gotoku’s latest offering. More than just an engaging action game, Like a Dragon: Ishin! lets you experience an incredibly romantic era and a charming story of a warrior with a heart of gold, who’s always ready to put his quest for vengeance aside to go fishing, cook a dinner, pray at a shrine, help someone write a love letter or show kids how to find Japan on a globe. Although it’s a spin-off, it works great as in introduction to the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series.

I miss some features from the first Company of Heroes, but I also feel that the game is now more realistic and mature. [Sept 2014, p.65]

The remastered edition of a brilliantly designed and masterfully executed action adventure game looks and feels really good on new platforms. [01/2017, p.47]

Spies and religion are back and they are notable additions to the game, even if the latter was treated superficially and is nothing more than just a set of bonuses for your people. [September 2012, p.58]

It’s not as pretty as Hearthstone and its lack of responsiveness is sometimes annoying, but Dire Wolf Digital tackled gameplay mechanics expertly, making The Elder Scrolls Legends Hearthstone’s main rival. [06/2017, p.73]

It’s a bold first step on the new terrain for Ubisoft. The game is enjoyable, offers some interesting mechanics and lasts for long enough, but is bland as a whole. The characters lack personalities, the city could use more distinctness and the story is instantly forgettable. [07/2014, p.46]

Despite some flaws and obvious low budget Youropa is a very solid game that constantly evolves and causes the “one more island” syndrome. [09/2018, p.69]