Homeseek is a colony simulator that frequently puts you in uncomfortable situations. Just as you think everything is going well, it pulls the rug out from under you and forces you to react. You must balance short-term survival with long-term exploration to find new livable areas. Instead of building a self-sustaining civilization, you must move to greener pastures while surviving against the odds. The learning curve is steep as you are expected to make several mistakes. Not everything is explained to you either, forcing you to learn as you go. But if you are willing to stay with the game and adapt, you will find a great challenge that forces you to really think.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an incredibly ambitious RPG venture that soars when all its moving system parts and systems work as they’re meant to. As promised by Warhorse Studios themselves, protagonist Henry can be just about whatever you want him to be, whether that’s a wise diplomat, a mischievous thief or a drunk who finds himself regularly in barfights and down in the dirt. This is bolstered by meaningful skill specialisations, a strong bond between Henry and Hans and a story with exciting twists and turns. However, immersion is broken often with disappointing bugs, odd narrative choices that don’t bear weight and the fact female characters don’t get to do much of anything. A good game that could’ve been amazing had it been given a little longer to cook, Warhorse’s follow-up is a fun time despite all its obstacles but isn’t quite ready to be crowned victor just yet.

As a huge fan of the Tales series, Tales of Graces f Remastered is the ultimate way to experience one of the more thought-provoking and emotionally intriguing stories in the franchise. The quality of life improvements of this remaster not only serve to keep the series relevant, and greatly make up for some of the game’s bigger shortcomings, such as its slow opening act, and a padded-out end-game, but it is also an exciting study into what the franchise’s next remastered project might look like.

Robots at Midnight is a solid enough romp for the action RPG space. The robot infested world of Yob is a curious and colourful place infused with retro nostalgic futurism, dusty droids and bright purple stormy skies. A lot of flowers should be given to Finish Line Games for making a palatable Soulslike that can be played by all, even offering some engaging play in the supercharged MITT abilities that have you soaring around environments or sucker punching bots. Thanks to other elements, such as a lot of stock standard combat pacing and flawed exploration, Robots at Midnight doesn’t necessarily do a lot to significantly distinguish itself in the hugely populated genre crowd, but it is a different flavoured experience for the space if you’re looking for yet another to eat up. It’s not quite a home run, but it’s a damn solid swing and crowd pleaser nevertheless.

Bears in Space has the potential to be a great game, at least for a younger audience. It’s entertaining yet provides a sense of challenge. The story will hook you in and many of the activities will keep you satisfied. For a game that was developed by a small team, Bears in Space provides so much content that will entertain and keep you bear-ry busy. Despite some unfortunate glitches, exploring a vast galaxy with Maxwell and Beartana was definitely a fun adventure.

Everholm succeeds at delivering a cozy farming sim that involves solving a mystery. You have fun configuring your farm while building relationships with the town’s residents and exploring dungeons, but you will spend more time farming and exploring than solving the mystery since it has a slow pace. There aren’t many differences from other popular games in the genre as well. But if you know what you are getting into, Everholm delivers a solid experience.

Lovish is a cute and sweet 8-Bit retro-inspired action game that parodies the hero-saves-the-princess trope. Each puzzle room is filled with challenging obstacles and enemies that are constantly changing and evolving throughout your playthrough. Though there are some issues, such as the game’s stores stocking useless items, there being no way to pause the game and boring boss fights, Lovish makes up for this by including a lot of secret levels to find and explore, meaning that there is a lot for players to discover and experience after the base game is beaten.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an anomaly. It dazzles with stunning visuals, an eerie atmosphere, and gameplay that captures the soul of the original series. Yet, like The Zone itself, it's plagued by technical glitches, inconsistent performance, and design missteps that get in the way of its lofty ambitions. Despite its flaws, STALKER 2 has a strange magnetic force, and once you’re in, it’s hard to look away.

Open Roads is a very well-executed story about the relationship between a grieving mother and daughter. Both characters are incredibly likable and there is so much chemistry between the voice actors that it’s easy to relate to and care about both of them. While it’s a short experience and one that could benefit from further expansion and animation, Open Roads still has a lot to offer. It’s just a shame it finishes a little earlier than expected because the narrative is strong enough to carry beyond its credits.

Simon the Sorcerer Origins is coming out of retirement, and fans couldn’t be happier. There are some great visuals, to the point where the art team truly outdid themselves, and the music is downright fantastic and fits right in with the world. Though the puzzle difficulty isn’t forgiving, and unfortunately, they don’t offer a hint book for those who need it. Chris Barrie, the voice of Simon, voices a bratty kid well, but he’s not believable enough that he could be an eleven-year-old. With all that said, Origins is filled to the brim with a lot of humour and genuine laugh-out-loud moments that made me want to push through the punishing puzzles to find out what Simon would say next. Hopefully, there’s a chance for a remaster of the original two games from Smallthings Studios, and I cannot wait.

Escape Simulator 2 doesn’t carry over the visual charm of its predecessor, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. As a stand-alone game, removed from the first, it’s a solid experience. Each room feels like it was designed with a lot of care, and all of the puzzles are unique. Unfortunately, Escape Simulator 2 doesn’t feel like it was designed with co-op in mind, despite boasting the ability to play with up to 8 players. With a lack of content at launch, all the puzzle rooms can be completed in around 10 hours, though player-designed rooms and DLC are sure to come with time. Hopefully, future content will be geared more towards a more refined multiplayer experience.

Flock is a delightful game that celebrates the joy of flight and discovery, but it doesn’t quite soar to the greatest heights. Its charming narrative, relaxing gameplay, and vibrant style make it a pleasure to play. The whimsical world and serene flying are noteworthy, yet they are occasionally overshadowed by moments of monotonous exploration and occasional gameplay lulls.

While the Croc: Legend of the Gobbos remaster is a love letter to the original, packed with passionate behind-the-scenes features and a beautiful visual update, it’s hard to ignore that platforming has come a long way since 1997. The gameplay is clunky and simplistic compared to the experiences we’ve come to expect today. But for those who remember the days of tail-whipping, saving Gobbos, and hopping around the colourful worlds of Croc, this remaster is pure nostalgia gold.

Echoes of the End has strong puzzle foundations and a good grasp on difficulty, making it the type of challenge that is just right. That said, these puzzles dominate gameplay with action getting less of the spotlight, making for a lack of balance. This is a fantastic pick if you prefer brain-teasers over fisticuffs. But if you were looking for a thrilling escapade, you may be disappointed, as the action in this adventure mostly takes a backseat.

I really, really enjoyed my time with The Gunk; a fleetingly brief experience that left me feeling tranquil and at peace. It is rare a game can have an effect like that on me – what with the smorgasbord of violent games and intensity on offer around every corner. Do not let the quirky name put you off, The Gunk is more than deserving of a play during a lazy summer (or winter for you northern hemisphere dwelling folk) afternoon. Bugs and minor flaws do prove to be an inconvenience, although Image & Form Games have still managed to deliver a solid 3D platformer that’s worth a look.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a valiant third-person shooter in the titular universe, yet still falls somewhat short. As a bite-sized, mindless action game on the surface, blasting away hordes upon hordes of xenomorphs with the M41A Pulse Rifle is excellent. Trying different classes, abilities, and unlockable weapons help keep gameplay refreshing during your first run. However, Fireteam Elite wants to be replayable and what’s on offer simply isn’t that fun to return to. Formulaic level design and often buggy AI make finishing missions a chore rather than a triumph. Series fans will enjoy the package, but Aliens: Fireteam Elite may struggle to survive against other co-op shooters. “Another glorious day in the Corps…” but not much longer than that.

Nioh 3 has thrilling combat, character specialisation and spectacle that are the tried and true staples for both a Team Ninja game and a Nioh game in and of itself. Boss fights are grandiose, and you’ve got plenty of neat kit to feel like a ninja/samurai hybrid badass. You’re not going to be utterly disappointed with the series’ return, but thanks to its open world-ish trappings and overabundance of systems and loot that stops you from getting attached to any one thing, you’re likely not going to be over the moon about it either. It’s Soulslike junk food. It goes down well while you’re in it, but it’s not going to sit or stay well with you for long.

If you’re after a bell-bashing good time with all the style, boss battles, and even cooking, then this game is going to sing the tune you’ll want to hear. Anuchard is a hearty indie game with much to give to those who are looking for an appropriate mix of dungeon donging and puzzle-solving chaos. It might not be a genre cornerstone with some notable shortfalls, but it will still keep you ring-a-ding-dinging as you solve puzzles and traverse its dungeons.

I enjoyed my time with Undisputed. It features a wealth of licensed boxers but also allows you to create your own and take on a career. The Career mode is detailed enough to be exciting but could have used a few tweaks such as letting us hit the gym to practise our moves before the scheduled matches. Without that ability, this title does feel a little empty. Especially given that it has been in Early Access on PC for a while now. That said though, the presentation, overall, is excellent; the characters look great, and battle arenas cover everything from gyms to full-on television with commentators calling the shots as we fight in the ring. Undisputed is an admirable piece of work, but just needed a little more than in-ring action to make it the king of the hill.

A short, sweet romp through a world of dreams, Lost in Play is a joyful celebration of imagination and play. Its gorgeously familiar cartoonish visuals and focus on endearingly absurd scenarios win over the frostiest of hearts. While some of its trickier puzzles may leave younger gamers stumped and even frustrate their parents, it’s impossible not to grin at the wacky antics Lost in Play loves to throw at you. Recommended as a little cosy treat for the young at heart.

Crabmeat is a solid experience overall, nailing the feeling of isolation one might feel while stuck in the open ocean all alone. The unique point-and-click mechanic, while an interesting choice, does leave room for some difficulties navigating in stressful situations. Sound design is nailed in this short, two to three hour experience, and while I enjoyed it for what it was, I think a little more length and some deeper mysteries to uncover would have added a nice layer of depth. Fans of titles such as Iron Lung and Loan Shark will definitely find enjoyment out of Crabmeat.

Orcs Must Die! 3 is definitely a case of “another verse, same as the first”, but fortunately the formula still holds up. The changes to gameplay balance mostly work, as does the implementation of the new Scramble game mode. However, the War mode shows that throwing more orcs into a stage doesn’t necessarily make it more fun, and the level design generally doesn’t feel quite as fresh as it once did. All that said, the visceral pleasure of slicing through a group of orcs with a buzzsaw launcher is as present as ever, and ultimately the experience is still a fun time. For tower defence fans, Orcs Must Die! 3 is worth checking out, particularly if you’re planning on playing co-op.

Subnautica: Below Zero is another masterclass in survival gaming, setting itself apart from the overabundance of survival games on the market with its tranquil ocean setting, addicting exploration, and unique wildlife. If you are a fan of the previous title or survival games in general, this really ticks all the boxes that you are looking for, providing an enthralling world to explore and get lost in, all with gorgeous graphics and sound design. It can at times feel like a retread of the previous game with a few tweaks and additions, but Subnautica was by no means a bad game, so this is still a very well-crafted follow-up in the series. It is a hard title to put down as you are always on the cusp of something new and evolutionary, so players in search of something more fast-paced will need to search elsewhere. In saying that, I still think this is a title that everyone should check out or at least give a go, as it really does represent something unique and captivating that is hard to not recommend.

A fun, cooperative puzzler with some neat ideas that mostly hit their mark, Parallel Experiment is an adventure that tickles your brain and challenges your collaboration skills. While its puzzles don’t always satisfy and its control scheme can be irritating at times, for the most part, this is an engaging teamwork experience with some rad artwork and solid voice acting. Recommended for escape room aficionados and patient puzzle fans.

A fun little party puzzler, Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain gives the ol’ neurons a thorough workout in a jolly, well-presented package. While its single-player mode lacks longevity and will only keep the most dedicated brainiacs engaged, the sheer maddening joy of trying to compete in its frantic multiplayer offering is delightful and sure to keep your grey matter nice and juicy. Between its smooth touchscreen controls, charming presentation, and customisable difficulty options, Big Brain Academy provides a solid party experience for the whole family.

Marathon is a technically brilliant and satisfying shooter that nails the fundamentals but struggles to build beyond them. It delivers incredible moment-to-moment gameplay, yet lacks the depth and long-term pull to match its ambition. Right now, it feels less like a fully realised experience and more like the start of something new waiting to be expanded, a game that will live or die by how Bungie supports it from here.

Windjammers 2 is a great update to a nostalgic arcade wonder that many will welcome with open arms, just like they would a frisbee. Definitely take this one for a spin if you love air hockey-style games but crave that bit of extra button mashing. The characters, arenas, and soundtrack all hit the mark brilliantly. It’s not an easy game to master, allowing dedicated fans to hone their skills and improve. There’s a missed opportunity for better tutorialisation and a lack of a structured tournament/career mode is disappointing, though the game overall still feels like a nostalgic romp.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 brings new ways to view the dinosaurs you bring to life. Crafting your own island and building your park on top of it is an immersive experience that’s hard to match. That said, the constant worry about something going wrong got old after a while. If taking pictures of dinosaurs and creating the perfect exhibits is something you enjoy, this is the game for you. But like every Jurassic movie tells us, something can go wrong when you least expect it.