Operation Tango gets the look and feel of being a secret agent team absolutely right, with a cool soundtrack to boot. But it’s held back by its hit-and-miss gameplay, which can range from super cool to frustrating. A longer campaign may have let the gameplay expand and deepen, but with only 6 short missions and little replay value, it ends up feeling a little shallow. The upside is, this makes the game a perfect candidate for some DLC.

Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is an extremely important game that paved the way for the Persona series and other turn-based JRPGs. For that reason, it’s important that we give it credit where credit is due; without it and the SMT franchise as a whole, the genre would look mighty different. Though running around in circles and fighting battle after battle with samey demons can be more yawn than yay, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne is a classic that anyone who values the genre should check out, even if it’s merely to delve into the roots of this complicated, intriguing universe.

Broken Roads is a game that I wish I liked more. The authentic Aussie identity which shines through its dialogue, voice acting, and art is a joy to behold, and its exploration of morality through the application of classical moral frameworks in a post-apocalyptic setting is a terrific idea that brings a unique spin to played-out moral choice systems. Unfortunately, underwhelming combat and loading screen-laden fetch quests definitely hold it back, and the presence of game-breaking bugs make it only a tentative recommendation as long as you keep those aspects in mind.

ESO: Blackwood is familiar territory for fans of the universe. While it provides heaps of armour sets to collect, enemies to defeat, and captivating characters to meet, it won’t be anyone’s favourite. This chapter of the MMO lacks an unseen and astounding setting, like Elsywere and Summerset had before it. The chapter relies on nostalgia, where that hole was filled with the previous Greymoor chapter. Lacking player versus player content, a memorable main story, and environments, Blackwood just isn’t up to scratch. However, as a complete package, The Elder Scrolls Online continues to be one of the best quality MMO experiences.

Have you ever played a game that has so many intriguing ideas that are begging to work but never quite reach that level? Chernobylite is that game for me. Never boring but never keeping me on the edge of my seat. Most of my investment here lies in the potential it shares. Donning your gear and risking your life for precious rarities may very well be worth it if you’re part of the hardcore survival fanbase and waiting on something new. If not, bunkering down and steering clear could undoubtedly do you good.

Kabaret has ambition, but that ambition gets in its own way. It asks tough questions and never shies away from the realities of life. Different perspectives are properly explored which provides depth for each viewpoint. It deftly weaves Southeast Asian culture into the story and it immerses you in the culture. But the story becomes too complicated and loses its best messages towards the end. The lack of stakes for the mini-games also makes them less appealing. Preparing tea is unnecessarily hard and vague, becoming a frustrating activity instead of a relaxing one. It’s a good visual novel with stories that don’t shy away from difficult content, but one you’re unlikely to revisit often because it feels like a lot of work.

Mechanically this is a wonderful first-person shooter that is fun to play with plenty of strategy and room to learn. Unfortunately, it adopts the popular smooth and colourful style, oversaturated by many other shooters already available. Lacking individuality to stand out, a significantly declining player base, and a potentially damaging business model; this game competes in the wrong league. If the developers can quickly reconsider their approach, maybe this shockingly distinct and sensational dimensional combat will get the attention it deserves. As it stands, Quantum League is an impressive shooter with a potentially wave-making time loop mechanic, but its style leaves it only a particle among the rest.

There are just too many amazing Soulslike efforts to justify spending a lot of time with AI Limit, but that doesn’t make it a bad game. It has some unique ideas that switch up combat just enough to be interesting, and its anime art style initially impresses. But for seasoned veterans of the genre, it doesn’t provide much of a challenge and mostly feels like a retread. I’m sure there are people out there who have been scarred by Dark Souls and are looking for an entry-level Soulslike to ease them back in, and that’s the kind of individual I’d recommend AI Limit to. They’ll have fun, but it’s a stepping stone to something far more riveting elsewhere.

With a strong setting, nice visuals and authentic performances, Still Wakes the Deep has all the tools to create a memorable experience, but stumbles in providing anything innovative. Its dishevelled oil rig full of mutants is always creepy but never truly scary, and while it’s not a poorly made game by any means, it’s never really exciting, either. I don’t regret my brief visit to a dangerous 1975 oil rig; but when horror as a genre is moving in some seriously impressive and unique directions, Still Wakes the Deep feels a little bit stuck in the past.

Series fans will enjoy this game no matter what. But if you are a series fan, I’m assuming you’ve already played it on PS4. If you’re looking to buy it on another platform, the evidence stacks up in favour of the PC version because of the Switch’s downgraded graphics and lack of achievements unless you really want that handheld portability. If you’re not a series fan yet, then go back to page 1 and start at the beginning. This game will not make a lick of sense to you.

Rain on Your Parade does what it sets out to do. It’s chaotic, ridiculous and allows you to ruin the day. The lack of cohesion between target market and style does make this slightly confusing to recommend. However, players of all ages will enjoy the simplistic but enjoyable gameplay. It’s a cute indie game with a great visual style but in many ways it also misses the mark just slightly. It lacks immersion with the jarring and seemingly pointless cutscenes and the jumping in and out of load screens. With a few design changes, Rain on Your Parade has the potential to gain better continuity and appeal to a wider audience. There’s something special and engaging here, but in its current state, it leaves me a little frustrated, confused and expecting more.

I really wanted to like Soccer Story more than I did by the end. Its quirky, soccer-filled dialogue and setting is really charming, and I had a blast kicking my soccer ball everywhere to uncover secrets. However, in trying to craft a puzzle-RPG and soccer game hybrid, Soccer Story doesn’t really succeed in either side of that equation. Zelda fans will probably be turned off by the reliance on fetch quests and simplistic puzzles. Soccer Story’s lack of intricate team management or diverse match types probably won’t appeal much to soccer game aficionados either. Soccer Story is a decent enough experience, however it is held back by the lack of a strong gameplay foundation and annoying technical issues, which may at least be ironed out in the future.

Cassette Boy is a quaint and at times interesting in its nostalgic recreations and core mechanical hook, but I just wish it offered more substance beyond pastiche. It’s one thing to faithfully recreate the atmosphere, aesthetics and mechanics of bygone platforms and games, but it’s another to make a cohesive, interesting and thoughtfully designed game in its own right, and it feels like Cassette Boy got its headphone wires tangled at the first step. If you have a gut positive reaction looking at the trailers and screenshots, then by all means, revisit this little Walkman to your heart’s desire, but for anyone looking for slightly more substantial puzzle or adventure systems, it might be worth waiting till this particular boy gets a CD player.

Philna Fantasy is certainly not fantastic, but it’s decent enough. There is plenty of potential, with its deep crafting and customisation system and enjoyably challenging puzzles to make it worth recommending over many other retro-style action RPGs. Unfortunately, its bland narrative and spotty localisation do little to elevate its world and cast, and the game could do more to aid players in making the most of its many systems. You won’t have a bad time with Philna Fantasy, but don’t expect it to light your world on fire.

Tides of Tomorrow is a textbook example of mechanics that would be better served in a stronger game. Its story-link system is compellingly eerie and smartly iterates on the social aspects of choice-based adventure games, and its resource management shapes player choices in clever ways, but neither can fully escape the leaking ship of flat writing, characters and setting. While I hope that games on future tides can better capitalise on these ideas, for now, Tides of Tomorrow doesn’t deserve much more than a day trip to its rusty water park attractions.

Shattered – Tale of the Forgotten King has so many things going for it. It looks absolutely stunning with its protagonist filled with jagged edges, its melancholic soundtrack with its twangy acoustic guitars, and the story behind its creation is super sweet and inspiring. However, this is a game that has been in early access for nearly two years. Steam is full of players offering suggestions in their reviews of what needs improving, but a lot of these repeated suggestions have not been taken on. Shattered needed to be worked on a bit more before it was smashed into pieces and served up to its audience.

On a 3DS, Miitopia is a great and fun delightful integration. On the Switch, it’s only a decent adventure with some laughs and time-killing to be had. I wanted more.

If you’re after a simulation game that’s a bit different than the usual genre mainstays, then chuck Arcade Paradise on the spin cycle. But be warned, despite packing in 35+ arcade games, it’s not going to give you as much depth as other simulators. The early game suffers from a repetitive game loop that is only rescued by the happy grind to unlock new games in the arcade area. A worthy way to spend some coins and kill some time, Arcade Paradise at the very least lives up to half of its name.

Diablo 2: Resurrected is, if anything, a faithful remaster of the original game. The visual overhaul and fantastic cinematics maintain the dark tone of Sanctuary’s horrifying demons and tales. Unfortunately, that alone doesn’t hold up after 20 years of innovation. Annoying gameplay mechanics, constant selling and buying, restrictive controls, regressive character art, and finicky UI poorly date this adventure. More quality of life changes should be here to truly bring the classic back to life. Diablo fans may love this remaster; others will likely not.

There’s nothing quite like wiping sweat off the floorboards in your living room after a thorough workout, and Knockout Home Fitness manages to deliver high-octane thrills with its intense exercise routines. However, an unintuitive user interface with no customisation options, a lack of substantial unlockable content, and imprecision in its motion controls hamper the experience for players seriously committed to getting fit. Time-poor fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the ability to jump into a quick workout, while those looking to replace their regular routines while gyms are closed might be better off elsewhere.

The Sacred 2 Remaster is quite lacklustre, feeling like it could have simply been a toggleable update to the original game. With performance issues being addressed, an overhaul of some unbalanced combat builds, a visual UI change and updated graphics being the main updates, it made me wonder what the point of this remaster actually was. In an attempt to ‘respect the original’, they’ve refused to bring the game into this new world of gaming, alienating a whole group of gamers by not adding any accessibility options, removing multiplayer from the console editions, and with no plans to add any new language translations. Overall, it just doesn’t offer enough to feel more than the original plus a community patch.

I had a lot of fun playing Chrono Cross again; the unique spin on turn-based combat, colourful locales, and dimension-hopping narrative was a joy to re-experience all these years later. However, through a critical eye, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition leaves a lot to be desired. Glaring issues with performance, improvements, and graphical inconsistencies take away from the truly great source material. This lack of care and attention to detail flies in the face of some of Square Enix’s other remaster works, and is a disappointing black-eye on what could have been a truly great remaster package of a still phenomenal classic JRPG.

War never changes; trains are always going to be running late, though. Last Train Home lets players experience the trials of band of soldiers on a 9000km journey home. This management game is no walk in the park and considering the subject matter this is for the best. If you’re familiar with RTS games then this is going to hit that sweet spot just fine. If you aren’t familiar with the genre but find the narrative compelling then be ready to play stealthy and fiddle with the difficulty settings. Last Train Home requires time but if you’re willing to persist and jump on the train, then this ride might find space within your real-time strategy game library.

While Shredders is definitely a great homage to snowboarding, it feels restrained and I can’t decide if it’s the budget, the developers, or the lack of length in missions that are what’s holding it back from entering into truly great territory. The incredibly beautiful snowfields help this world come to life. And while the characters can look a little generic, the voice work from professional snowboarders does help make up for this (sometimes). The developers at FoamPunch have delivered an open world with intuitive controls and a killer soundtrack that will make you want to keep coming back. Shredders is undoubtedly a solid snowboarding simulation. Hopefully the next attempt can clean up the pain points to deliver the whole package.

A lot of love for the survival horror genre has been put into Dead of Darkness, which shows in every aspect of the design. However, repetitive combat, constant inventory management, and frequent backtracking undercut the competent puzzle design and solid narrative. As a game so beholden to genre tropes and classic design, Dead of Darkness feels like it never quite knows how to play into its strengths. If you are a die-hard survival horror fan you might get some enjoyment over the throwback vibes—but otherwise, it may be better left in the dark.

Come with the tribe and stay for the grind if that’s your thing though this isn’t for everyone. Much of the game is spent either gathering or fighting until your weapons break as you beg for more souls to make the necessary upgrades and repairs to the camp. While it does offer a battle pass that’s free I’d still proceed with caution. There is a real challenge here that requires strategy but it falls short with the settings available in Survival mode for those either looking for a more brutal challenge or an easy go instead. Tribes of Midgard is best played with friends but if you’re after a game that rewards persistence then maybe you’ll find the value in solo-play too. It’s got lofty ambitions, but it doesn’t quite manage to meet them – at least not yet.

FOAMSTARS knows what it’s doing following the Splatoon blueprint, but it’s an easy pop that values its in-game economy more than fostering a community during the teething period of its release. I worry for the future of this one in the live service vacuum. While there are aspects that feel fun, this game still needs to prove itself in the market which is no easy feat. Locally, this is a tall ask but with server numbers untenable it really may be the writing on the bathroom wall for such a new multiplayer game – bubbles not included.

Cris Tales isn’t going to blow anyone away, and probably won’t gain a huge following, but I still enjoyed most of my time with the game. There are enough positive points to balance out some of the glaring and more egregious issues present in the game. I particularly loved the art style, voice acting, and implementation of the time travel mechanics across combat, quests, and puzzles. Unfortunately, the constant presence of loading screens and the scripting issues make Cris Tales a flawed experience.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is polished enough to function, familiar enough to feel safe, and dull enough to be skippable. There are a few nice surprises in here with fan-favourite returning maps and an interesting direction the co-op campaign goes into if you’re already invested, but little reason for anyone else to jump in.

Exoprimal makes a fantastic first impression as you enter the world of futuristic dinosaur combat. You have an intriguing mystery, cool exosuits, and several varieties of dinosaurs to fight. Unfortunately, the gameplay quickly becomes stale as you realise its repetitive nature. If you want to enjoy the mystery, you must play a large number of games. Only the most hardcore PvP players will want to continue, as others may tire of the lack of variety. As interesting as the concept is, Exoprimal doesn’t take full advantage of the premise, instead providing a decent multiplayer experience for a few hours.

PAYDAY 3 offers a cooperative gameplay experience with an array of heists and a progression system that has its merits. However, it’s not without its share of issues. AI inconsistencies, unremarkable objectives, and underwhelming audio-visual elements tarnish the experience. While it’s an imperfect addition to the series, it still offers a taste of the criminal underworld. Like any complex caper, it has its moments of brilliance, but also a few unexpected hiccups along the way.

As a puzzle game, Kombinera understands the assignment with ease. Conceptually, it feels familiar, easy to pick up, and perfect for handheld play, but it holds its own on a console as well. Where it falters is in its desperation to be something it isn’t. The game’s story is over the top and if anything takes away from the soul of the game. Similarly, the repetitive music can make the game feel underdone, which is a weird statement considering how polished the puzzles are.

The Last Stand: Aftermath is an engaging zombie-themed roguelike that unfortunately runs out of ideas too fast. The steady voyage across the zombie-infested post-apocalypse whilst scavenging for scarce resources is a tense and fairly enjoyable experience, but only for a while. As a game built around repetition and short playthroughs, The Last Stand: Aftermath recycles enemies and environments too frequently for the amount of time you replay them. The addition of mutations and new player equipment load-outs are a nice touch, but ultimately don’t do enough to mix up the experience. Rewarding progression and an engaging premise mean the game is certainly worth checking out for fans of roguelikes and zombie games, although it might not hold your attention for very long.

While the Iron’s Hot offers diverse gameplay packed with an immersive narrative, innovative ideas, and crafting depth. However, there are some quality-of-life improvements needed, mini-games lack challenge, and you may find yourself with an overflow of work orders without incentives to complete them. Overall, the game delivers a captivating blacksmithing experience with some limitations that may unfortunately impact player satisfaction.

The Invisible Hand is oftentimes more frustrating and confusing than it is fun. It’s definitely made for people who are more knowledgeable or interested in the subject matter of trading stocks. Though, even from the point of view of someone who knows nothing about stock markets, I can see its value to those who do. It’s satirical and well crafted for what it is. Even I could have some fun while playing the game. Ultimately though, this game is not made for everyone, and that’s okay. Those who find themselves in The Invisible Hand’s niche corner will no doubt find some nefarious fun to be had.

With Drag x Drive, Nintendo’s latest multiplayer jaunt is both the things we hoped for and the things we feared. It feels immersive and thrilling in the middle of matches to be giving it your all as you speed across a court and try to sink shots as best you can, being one with the chaos. Similarly, it’s a concept and control scheme that we haven’t seen before in games, one that deserves credit. In the same breath, though, this hyper-specific control scheme and skill ceiling will leave a lot of players, both casual and lesser-abled, behind with how demanding it can be. It doesn’t help that the Nintendo charm isn’t quite there, nor is there enough substantial side content.

Blue Reflection: Second Light is a fresh and emotionally engaging entry into the JRPG genre that shows a lot of promise but doesn’t quite manage to deliver. Gust proves that a game can juggle action, emotion, and story, but that’s not necessarily what Second Light manages to achieve. There are flashes of hope and excitement, and the game does manage to feel distinct in its genre, but it will take a little more polish for it to stand out from the rest.

King Arthur: Legion IX is a decent strategy RPG experience, with an intuitive user interface, as well as cool abilities and gameplay ideas which strategy fans should find appealing. That said, with the game throwing waves of tanky foes at you while restricting the number of allies you can bring along, what starts as a fun and fair challenge begins to feel like an irritating slog before long. Couple that with a fairly unengaging and shallow cast and narrative and you’re left with a fun combat system and some interesting enemy designs, but not a whole lot more to it. If you enjoyed King Arthur: Knight’s Tale, then this Roman-themed additional campaign may be the new content which you have been waiting for. For anyone else, it is more of a tentative recommendation.

The Berlin Apartment is certainly a nice tribute to the history of the titular city. With gorgeous scenery evolving through time that tells the tales of its residents, the apartment is a delight to explore. However, a more intriguing main narrative or engaging gameplay mechanics would’ve been a massive boon for the game. A gorgeous art style and heartwarming sentimentality make The Berlin Apartment an enjoyable experience, albeit one that struggles to stand against the genre’s best.

Gloomy Eyes is a cute game about forbidden companions on a quest to find the sun. The visual aesthetic is clear from the jump, with creative character models and some smart accessibility options. However, a lack of camera controls, unskippable cutscenes, and an underdeveloped story leave quite a bit to be desired. With plenty of passion driving the game’s design and narration, you’ll no doubt have a decent time with Gloomy Eyes, but perhaps consider checking out the VR movie first.

There are some fundamentally great things about Atlas Fallen, like its gorgeous desert landscapes and its super-satisfying sand sliding, plus combat that has a tonne of options and flows well. But its open world of interesting enemies suffers from a rinse-and-repeat approach, where what was exciting in hour two becomes boring and repetitive by hour eight. It’s not that it’s poorly made, but its mission structure and by-the-numbers narrative delivered in a boring way make for an adventure that is more generic than unique. Atlas Fallen is much like a mirage in its sandy desert setting; enticing at first, but a bit disappointing once you look closer and realise it’s not what you’d hoped.

Moros Protocol is a decent roguelike FPS with a cool visual aesthetic, but it could have been better, especially as a solo experience. The moment-to-moment combat is enjoyably fast-paced, with a good variety of weapons and upgrades to customise your loadout. However, the sluggish meta-progression and repetition of taking the experience from the top after each death wear down the experience over time. If you’re looking for a fun roguelike co-op shooter, you can certainly do worse than Moros Protocol, as long as you bring a friend.

The genre of Cyberpunk has been the “in” thing for a while now and I’m not sure why but it seems to get it right. It may be that the world is so complex and filled with so much grey within the black and white that games struggle with adding in the tiny touches that make Cyberpunk worlds really come alive. Gamedec has the lore, but it doesn’t go that extra step further to really incorporate it into the world. Gamedec doesn’t seem to know the benefits of the phrase “less is more” and instead of trusting in the beauty of the world it created, stuck its fingers into too many narrative pies. What is left is a pie full of so many ingredients that it’s hard to tell what the flavour of it actually is; it’s tasty and looks good, but you may be too full to go back for seconds.

Killing Floor 3 delivers the punch and the thrill that you’d expect from this well-renowned franchise. Upgraded with modern audiences in mind, the title could have easily been the next big release from a talented development studio. However, with too little focus on content and polish and too much focus on replicating games-as-a-service design philosophies, Killing Floor 3 falls short of its potential.

Artificer’s Tower is a cozy game for those who don’t want to play yet another farming sim. It has its charm and gives the player a challenge to grow and build their magic school. While you may have to build your tower in a certain order if you want to survive, the game does reward you with the freedom of choice once you’re settled in. Artificer’s Tower does suffer from some issues and glitches (even if you’re playing on a high-end PC), but the game is still quite addictive and will have you trying time and time again to perfect your build.

As a throwback to the old 2D Castlevania games, Chronicles of the Wolf is serviceable and mostly effective. If you’re after a nostalgia trip that doesn’t have many ambitions to forge its own identity or take note of the quality of life improvements that metroidvanias have been honing since the 1990s, Chronicles of the Wolf will be a satisfying romp through the French countryside. However, the game isn’t aspiring to anything more than a simple trip down memory lane, and would be hard to recommend for anyone not already a Castlevania fan or looking for something that evolves on past Metroidvanias rather than simply imitating them.

Mahokenshi is a fun deck-building tactics game that prioritises smart gameplay. Coming up with winning strategies and experimenting on the battlefield is enjoyable, and finding card synergies gives you a real feeling of accomplishment. Great care was taken with the visuals and audio to deliver an experience that really immerses you in the welfare of the Celestial Islands. Unfortunately, the characters aren’t properly balanced and there’s a clear favourite in terms of strategy, with not enough in-built incentives to explore the other characters. But if you are alright with a short adventure and are willing to complete every objective you see, you will have a good time with Mahokenshi while it lasts.

Golf Club: Wasteland is a rather standard golf game bolstered by an experimental narrative approach. This iteration is, have no doubt, an improvement on the niche ideas therein, and for that, I applaud the developers. However, good as these ideas are, they suffer from feeling incompatible with each other. Everything is OK, with the distinct sting of feeling like they could have been great, given the right conditions.

The Lightbringer definitely brings some platforming joy to the surface but stumbles with uneven boss encounters. The game is easy to pick up with a gradual increase in platforming difficulty, though the lack of a checkpoint system may be a drawback for those less tried and tested to the ways of platformers. There is depth here if you’re after a challenge but The Lightbringer may end up leaving you a bit wanting.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is a fun title that harkens back to older console generations whilst taking advantage of today’s technology. It makes for a visually appealing experience but one that may be a tad too shallow for anyone besides the younger side of the sponge’s fanbase. Amusing lines and colourful costumes can only do so much to shore up an ultimately “okay” game, one which does everything it sets out to do surprisingly well, but isn’t really doing enough to be as great as it could be. With all that being said, your kids may end up loving this game to bits, and if that’s who the game is for, then who’s to say they’re wrong?

Bright Memory: Infinite will go down as a largely impressive game held back by glaring shortfalls. The frenetic and uniquely compelling shooter/hack ‘n’ slash combat as well as the breathtakingly realistic visuals make for a worthy experience alone. Unfortunately, that narrative is told in a less than elegant way and the quick sprint to roll credits hold Infinite back from reaching its true potential.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a modern rendition of a certified classic survival horror game, and while I believe it should be praised for building a solid atmosphere with superb sound design, the game itself, as it is on console, is a tough task to recommend. In many ways, this remake is a distant departure from what made the original game so breathtakingly horrifying, sacrificing all the subtlety that made you feel at unease and replacing it with cheap tricks. But ultimately, it undermines the oppressiveness of its story with a repetitive gameplay loop filled with constant backtracking and a lack of challenge in either combat or puzzle solving.

2pt Interactive’s first foray into the console and PC world is astounding for such a small team. Heavenly Bodies’ graphics, aesthetics, and sounds are beautiful. The introduction of different control modes is also great, with a clear and commendable focus on accessibility. The difficult-to-master controls is where players may find a challenge in engaging with the title, with unclear missions adding to the disorderly feeling. While short, the game is replayable enough with different coop partners and challenges. Consider jumping in with a friend, because cooperative fun can help camouflage some of the game’s rougher edges.

Floodland has a lot of great ideas and an addicting gameplay loop, but its Clan mechanics quickly suck any fun out of a game as soon it rears its ugly head. With only one scenario to play and no customisation options for these clans, it’s all too easy to suffer a slow decline for reasons that don’t feel like your fault. With such a major mechanic feeling so flawed, it’s hard not to feel like Floodland has taken a wrong turn at the last minute. For such a solid base, it’s a real shame.

A niche but mostly well-presented experience, Red Solstice 2 attempts to create something entirely new by blending established genres. While its mishmash of strategy mechanics into an action game doesn’t quite hit the mark, it does provide a swathe of tense, tactical moment-to-moment gameplay and absolutely nails its occasional moments of creeping alien horror. It’s far from a strategy game at heart, and struggles to strike a balance between its complex real-time strategy mechanics and action-oriented gameplay – but for sci-fi fans who are prepared to overcome the game’s learning curve and just want to squad up and rip apart some eldritch abominations, there’ll eventually be plenty of gooey green blood to sink your grenades into.

The parts of Where Cards Fall I remember most fondly are when it gets out of its own way. When the game successfully captured my interest, it directed my attention towards a beautiful world with a welcoming atmosphere. I vibe out on the board game aesthetic and enjoy the puzzles. But when the game is running too fast near the start, or too slow at the end, you can see the faults that are being concealed. Beyond the mask lies a story that does not engage and presentation that at times does a disservice to its mechanics.

Atlas Wept does a great job at creating a 2D retro RPG that’s accessible to beginners. Unfortunately, some of its strengths aren’t enough to overshadow its weaknesses. The story can often be unclear with not enough explanation. It’s too easy to get bogged down by combat, which weakens the overall charm. But what Atlas Wept does well is think outside the box, giving you a decent RPG experience to jump into.

Ghost Song is an aesthetic descent into sadness that could’ve been much more, yet stumbles on the final lap. The game explores interesting characters while filling out the game world with melancholia, acting as a love letter to the Metroidvania and Souls genres. The soundtrack brings a resounding presence to the game that really cements that overall vibe for the player, enticing them in for more. There is enjoyment to be had here, but players might find that wonder and mystery replaced with frustration when coming up against bullet sponge enemies and a game narrative that never quite resolves in a satisfying way.

Farming Simulator 22 is a beefy farming game that brings realism at the expense of inexperienced player enjoyment. It’s a machine built on the agricultural industry that forgoes any story in favour of hard work. It’s a simulator game that understands the assignment but isn’t at all intuitive in how it allows players to begin new farms. With proper tutorials and allowances, this game would appeal to players beyond its dedicated niche. Once players are able to tackle the learning curve, they’ll discover enjoyment can be found through persistence.

There are a number of neat ideas in Mirage 7, from its mysterious meta-narrative to its Resident Evil-style exploration and problem-solving. A rich lore and mythological backdrop help draw you into its vibrant desert world. However, it’s unfortunately held back by tedious combat and frustratingly inconsistent puzzle solutions, as well as a pretty unsatisfying narrative conclusion. Under a few layers of cumbersome design, there’s a unique adventure game here to be enjoyed – if only for a little while.

Despite being competent on many levels, FBC: Firebreak is an exceedingly familiar cooperative experience you have likely played before. Remedy’s signature flair for visual design and return to a familiar and beloved video game locale might be enough for absolute die-hard fans, but it is tough to see who the target audience for this entry into the RCU was envisioned for. While not a total misfire, FBC: Firebreak feels destined to be a footnote from the world of Alan Wake.

Chocobo GP could’ve been a simple kart racer that draws players in with beloved characters and tracks from the history of Final Fantasy, but instead, Square Enix boldly chose to make a sequel to an unpopular PS1 game. Bolder still was the choice to gate the promise of a more interesting game behind season passes and premium currencies. Mechanically, Chocobo GP is sound, and has enough ideas and potential to stack up to other franchise racers. However, I’m anxious to see how long this game lasts after release. There’s every chance it’ll develop a loyal playerbase large enough that Square will continue to support it, and maybe even rebalance the game to make that price of entry less steep. But as it stands, I don’t think Chocobo GP offers enough at launch to justify the effort and money required to keep playing it.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III attempts to rekindle the fire but falls short, particularly in its disjointed campaign. The multiplayer, drawing on iconic maps from series history, excels with responsive controls, intense gunfights, and revamped loadouts. Yet, the biggest letdown is the lazy reskin of DMZ into a zombies mode, undermining the essence of what fans loved about it. Modern Warfare III shines in multiplayer but offends with its campaign, zombies, and blatant money-hungry tactics, leaving fans still yearning for the franchise’s former glory.

Toxic Commando is ultimately fine, but there are many better co-operative shooters you could spend your time with. Perfectly competent shooting is brought down by repetitive missions and an absolutely threadbare campaign. If you absolutely must play a new zombie shooter, you might find some fun here, but if you’re looking for something more fulfilling than video game junk food, look elsewhere.

Batora: Lost Haven is a mix of a lot of different ideas, some of which work well, others which don’t. The grand scope of its planet-hopping setting is impressive, but the moral choice aspects and supporting cast feel underdeveloped and shallow. The Nature-switching combat and puzzles also show promise. However, the limited combat options, and puzzles that make use of only a small number of your abilities, cause the experience to become repetitive before its brisk playtime is through. Despite these issues, Batora: Lost Haven is a unique and decent enough experience for sci-fi and action-RPG fans to consider checking it out.

Monark has all of the dot points needed to be a great game, but it just doesn’t go far enough to stand out in any one area. It has a few great nuggets of ideas that would have been great to see expanded upon, but it barely scratches the surface. There are too many areas that were lacking either visual flare or gameplay substance for it to be memorable among titans like Persona and Megami Tensei. Despite that, it still might be worth playing for fans of the genre. It’s like popcorn — it’s not a masterpiece, but it’s easily consumable and will scratch that JRPG itch.

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is enjoyable, but there are several other action-adventure games that simply do it better. If you like what Tomb Raider has offered so far, you should happily jump into this trilogy. Otherwise, better and cheaper alternatives like the first series of remasters, or the Legend trilogy may prove to be smarter options. Despite any flaws, it’s great to see Croft preserved in this way. Hopefully the next three titles also see a collection in future, to finally bring the full series to modern consoles.

For fans of the series, or for players looking for a slightly more involved grind during their commute than the usual mobile fare, Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX offer a heap of monster-rearing pleasure. However, this pair of titles is truly a product of its time: a lack of tutorials, janky graphics, and a set of opaque gameplay systems reliant on heavy grinding might prove too high a barrier for the average creature collector. Pick this up only if you’re prepared for a nostalgic romp through the highs and lows of late nineties game design.

Trinity Trigger is an enjoyable action RPG that successfully calls back to classics like Trials of Mana. Switching between 8 customisable weapons, and the worldbuilding and narrative, are all wonderful concepts executed well. It’s dragged down by inelegant systems, like item management, having to switch characters perhaps more than intended, and those awful barks. But if you’re a fan of 90s RPGs, or if you want to see what they were like, Trinity Trigger is a decent place to start.

Although my time with Regions of Ruin: Runegate was anticlimactic and sometimes turbulent, it had its high points. From its lovely retro art style, satisfying character progression and the enjoyment of rebuilding a gorgeous dwarven keep from a pile of rubble, there are certainly aspects that I enjoyed. However, many of those aspects had downsides, including the rather short and repetitive main quest and very dull resource grinding. If you like 2D hack and slash combat and can tolerate a somewhat simplistic and linear town builder aspect bolted onto it, there is fun to be had with Regions of Ruin: Runegate.

Actraiser Renaissance certainly is a SNES remake for better or worse. The 2D parts of this game have been remade poorly in regards to mechanics and visual fidelity. The gameplay loop of varying between action platformer and city-building sim did get its hooks in me but will be a harder sell for others. While it proves difficult to remain a strong recommendation, there are nuggets of character dialogue gold in there that are worth seeing through. On top of that, the visuals and music that come with these moments are special and remain evident why this is such a cult classic. If all else, I’m glad I got to check out a deeper cut in the Square Enix catalogue. Flaws and all, it’s at the very least got some heart.

Considering the game’s notoriously troubled development, Skull and Bones is definitely not as bad as it could have been. With many of its tweaks to the naval combat pioneered in Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, the game is often fun, particularly with a friend. However, those moments of fun are sometimes hard to find, and are buried under boring travel, glacially-paced harvesting and looting, and a rather shallow world to explore. If you’re a fan of other multiplayer live-service titles and are looking for a new kind of game to check out with friends, Skull and Bones certainly brings something new to the table that Destiny 2 and The Division 2 do not, but it is not all smooth sailing.

Overall, Tiny Bookshop is a fun, cozy game for book lovers where you live that dream of running a bookstore, while also forming friendships with the locals. The use of real books makes it feel personal, especially if you’re someone who reads often, plus it makes recommending titles to others a breeze. While the story isn’t perfect due to its lack of execution, it’s not too big of a deal unless you’re someone who’s invested in the narrative. Regardless, it’s still enjoyable and could introduce you to your next book.

Log Away doesn’t have quite as much to offer as other games in its genre, lacking the sprawling freedom offered in other building games and not making it up enough in other areas to make it worth playing all on its own merit. While Log Away certainly has its moments when the sun hits your cabin just right, the overall experience leaves a lot to be desired, with hardly enough opportunity for creativity to make coming back worth it.

Critter Café takes you to a colourful world that mixes modernity with fantasy. Not only are you operating the magical animal café of your dreams, but you also get to escape reality and go on an adventure to save critters. However, unlike other restaurant-based cozy games, there’s a missed opportunity to offer more interactive opportunities outside the café operation and the exploration of the ruins, making the game feel a bit boring, lifeless, and repetitive.

Blood West takes inspiration from Deus Ex, Thief and Dishonored, yet falls disappointingly short. The level design and some particular mechanics didn’t aid the stealth gameplay very much, though the game’s large arsenal of weapons and tools and helpful UI do give it a decent stealth foundation which fans of the genre can get a lot out of. Unfortunately, the game’s gruelling death mechanics, unclear quest objectives and simple plot create an experience that’s simply exhausting after a while. Fans of stealth-focused immersive sims might enjoy Blood West well enough, but only if they are prepared for many frustrating mechanics holding the experience back.

Mile 0 just isn’t as strong as its predecessor. It somehow feels both like there were too many and not enough changes made to the formula. Maintaining the dialogue options made the story feel diluted and weak, but abandoning the setting of the open road loses a key part of the game’s identity. It’s a hard spot to be in. This isn’t to say that Mile 0 is a failure, just that it doesn’t manage to improve on the shortcomings of the original or capture what made it work in the first place. The music is still very good and the characters interesting, but letting the player control their actions removes any potential agency and kills what could have been a great story.

Between the extreme early game difficulty curve and then the lack of challenge late game, Out There: Oceans of Time is a hard game to place. It provides an intriguing story with a great initial resource management system, however, it at points turns into a chore just to finish the story. The game boasts over 40 hours of gameplay with the ‘choose your own adventure’ style of story allowing for multiple playthroughs. However, knowing that there is a lack of randomly generated content, players might opt to skip the replay. For those looking for a super chill story with an initial challenge, this game might just be for you. If you are looking for a well-rounded sci-fi adventure, maybe check elsewhere.

While updated graphics and a new control scheme are all well and good, Aspyr should have done more to bring Star Wars: Bounty Hunter into the present day. The lives system should have stayed in the early 2000s where it belongs, as all it serves to do is make the game’s already murderous level of difficulty even more aggravating by dragging out the experience and arbitrarily making players replay huge chunks of the game whenever the game serves up enough cheap deaths. The bounty hunting system also could have done with improvements to make it easier and more enjoyable to interact with. While there is some fun to be found with flying through the sky and gunning down your enemies, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is overall too frustrating an experience to be an easy recommend for anyone but the most diehard of Star Wars fans.

After an initially positive impression, Aphelion fails to achieve liftoff. Shallow and outdated climbing mechanics, coupled with an abundance of boring stealth sections, make the narrative the only hope for this mission. However, with a lack of compelling characters or performances, the gravity of two unlikeable leads proves too strong for Aphelion. Despite strong visuals, instead of reaching for the stars, this sci-fi journey ends up falling back to Earth.

Squirrel with a Gun has a janky charm, from its crazy attack animations to occasionally ridiculous physics-based challenges. The concept of a platformer where the player character is so tiny that their gun is used to propel them into the air is a clever one that I wish was used in a more enjoyable game. However, despite some occasionally fun challenges and crazy cutscenes, Squirrel with a Gun feels overstretched across its roughly eight-hour playtime, with an overall lack of technical polish that goes beyond funny and becomes frustrating to play. It isn’t bad overall and certainly has its fun moments (particularly the boss fights), but the bugs and general jankiness of the experience hold it back from reaching its full potential.

The remake treatment of one of Yakuza’s more underrated entries gets marks for its story, world and fan service to the great Kazuma Kiryu, but all of that praise and credit only comes from the original Yakuza 3. What’s within Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a regression in the timeline, as it resets and retcons crucial parts of the world and greater with its new story. Additionally, unoriginal and reskinned minigames that become a bore, along with the messy politics of disastrous recastings, simply make this an inferior version. The dark horse of the series didn’t get its time in the sun here, and that’s a damn shame.

DRAGON BALL: The Breakers is a good idea held back by Pay-to-Win practices and outdated design decisions. While the game could have a bright future ahead of it, it has a long way to go before it can be considered a truly great title, and really ought to sort out it’s current issues before the developers look ahead to Seasons 2 and beyond. The fundamentals are there, and the gameplay is solid; if these can be polished and modernised, then Breakers would easily go from a niche oddity to a raging blast.

Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling ends up being rather unfocused, with both its difficult-to-read UI and the character routes that struggle to find purpose now that the leads are already in committed relationships. It does have its positive moments, with the main character Lynette being one of them, but in the end, it’s messy enough that it can be hard to find something to latch onto.

Red Tape offers a comedic look at a fallen angel’s trip through a corporate version of Hell. It’s filled with silly characters and outside-the-box solutions that will have you chuckling as you navigate the game. Unfortunately, the story is weak and it ends hastily, filling in the remaining questions once you’re done. Other than fetch quest puzzles, there is little variety in the gameplay. Any attempts at variation through jumping activities feel out of place. If you are looking for a psychological horror experience that gets you thinking, you’re better served looking elsewhere. But if you want a funny game that lasts about an hour, Red Tape will do the job well.

Trolley Problem, Inc is a decent exploration of morality and philosophy, culminating in a provocative experience that will likely linger beyond its rather short playtime. It’s cleverly presented, even if it can verge on the side of overly simple. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t maintain the same level of intrigue generated by its opening questions, failing to include real-world politics in a satisfying way. It stumbles one too many times, with moments of brilliance being met in equal measure by disappointing shortcomings.

Survival Kids doesn’t take any big risks in its kid-friendly approach to survival games. Yes, it is technically kid-friendly in mood and scope, but that’s also underselling the maturity and capability of children playing games. Its level-based approach doesn’t evoke a sense of wonder and exciting exploration that its counterparts are known and beloved for. Its tasks are monotonous and very quickly become repetitive, almost as if they’re not trusting you to understand the same thing they’re teaching and showing you every few minutes. With only nine levels, but with rough pacing in those missions, it’s an experience that somehow passes you by in a flash, but also feels like a slog. There’s fun to be had if you’re with friends in the silly and chaotic gameplay moments, also working together as a refined, well-oiled survival production machine. Still, at the end of the day, Survival Kids isn’t all that much of a successful return, remaining hardly a splash in the ocean.

Undoubtedly fun for a fright night with friends or a YouTube reaction video, Choo-Choo Charles will find its place comfortably as a not-so-serious meme game with some good horror ideas. There’s a charm to the whole experience supported by the fact that its short runtime means it never overstays its welcome. However, the game’s shortcomings are simply too obvious to overlook. Requiring more polish, depth, and variety, Choo-Choo Charles doesn’t have the longevity needed to be anything more than a fleeting piece of sharable internet entertainment.

When Arcadegeddon does what it’s supposed to do, it’s a rollicking good time. Experimenting with the zany weapon types, getting my butt kicked in the Battle Modes, and interacting with the vibrant neon world is so inviting. However, all those bright and sparkling qualities didn’t matter when Arcadegeddon’s glitches became too obtrusive to ignore. It’s a shame, as the game has a lot of potential to be a fan favourite for those who love to squad up with their mates and have a laugh whilst being challenged. As it is though, I would wait a bit longer to sink my teeth into this co-op experience.

Alone in the Dark has fumbled once again, with this reimagining circling the drain to a pit of mediocrity. Though the game itself and the environments can be beautiful, it doesn't take advantage of its star-studded cast nor does it tell a story that is remotely sensical or engaging. Always offering just the bare minimum of staples for the survival horror genre and nothing more, it's sad to see the grand daddy of the genre be a shell of its former self. Maybe Alone in the Dark should remain exactly like its namesake.

Taking each piece of Salt and Sacrifice on its own, the game really should be an incredible ride. Taking the Souls-like gameplay loop, injecting Metroidvania style progression and item use, and stirring in some Monster Hunter elements should make for a delicious, challenging experience. Instead, the game unfortunately boils down to a repetitive, grind-inducing slog through samey areas and against predictable bosses. Ska Studios deserve praise for their attention to detail, striking visual achievement, and the game’s lofty ambitions, but that simply is not enough to stand up against some of the other titans of the genre.

I can tell that there was a lot of love put into Clive ‘N’ Wrench, and this is impossible to ignore. It’s an amazing feat to make a game, especially one as complex as this one, but even still, there are many areas where Clive ‘N’ Wrench falls flat. There are moments of greatness, such as in the well-crafted platforming sections, but overall it’s an underwhelming experience with lacklustre animation and a soundtrack that fails to impress.

Urban fantasy which mixes fantastical elements with a recognisable and familiar setting is one of my favourite genres, and Reynatis’ premise definitely ticks a lot of those boxes. However, despite a generally rather fun combat system and memorable soundtrack, Reynatis breaks down as it progresses, with dull environments, forced backtracking, poor technical performance and lengthy boss fights. If you can look past these issues, there is some fun to be had, but it is a highly tentative recommendation at best.

Overall, there is little that Sugardew Island does to make itself stand out. The initial premise is interesting and the art style quite cute, but it fails to create a real identity for itself and the gameplay, while perfectly serviceable, just isn’t interesting.

Toads of the Bayou has so many awesome concepts that I thought it may just be one of my games of 2024. The character and world design are both well-developed and adorable, and the gameplay was fun… before I started dying over and over again. To really let more players appreciate this world they have created, La Grange either needs to put in difficulty settings or provide players with more support, instead making gameplay harder by punishing them with ‘cursed’ cards when they are struggling. Because the way it stands, I won’t be jumpin’ to head back to the bayou anytime soon.

The Last Case of Benedict Fox takes a unique concept but doesn’t quite manage to assemble something memorable out of the sum of its parts. A combination of unsatisfying combat and clunky controls makes for a poor metroidvania, and its narrative and puzzle elements are not enough to make up for it. There is some fun to be had here though, and its graphical style certainly makes it easy on the eyes.

Try as Mirror Forge might, it never reaches the ambition it establishes in the opening moments. Generic and stock-standard horror storytelling provides beats you’ve mostly seen before, leaving players going through the motions. Uninspired and funky-looking characters and monster designs rip away the mystique the game offers. There are some eerie environments, with pulsating fleshy walls amid harsh industrial complexes that feel incredibly Silent Hill. That should be praised as such. However, at the end of the day, Mirror Forge is an unfortunate case of missed potential and raising scope too high. Neither remarkable nor an offensive entry to the horror genre, you might as well let this one pass you by.

Scott Pilgrim EX is nothing more than satisfactory. Brawling through dozens of adversaries can be quite enticing, especially with a friend. However, every other element falls flat with areas, enemies, bosses and levelling ending up a big regression from other contemporary beat ’em ups. Likewise, fans of Scott Pilgrim will be pleased by the plethora of visual tributes. But the narrative and dialogue of EX come across as purely referential and lack a heart of their own.