Overall Elrentaros Wanderings doesn’t have much to offer. There are a lot of different elements on display but none of them mesh together in a way that is satisfying and the game itself just comes across as an under-designed mess. Despite some cute character designs, the aesthetic of the game just isn’t pleasing to the eye and on the whole, it leaves a lot to be desired.

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.

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.

Untamed Tactics introduces several elements of strategy that are fun to use in combat. Working with a few allies to defeat large numbers of enemies means taking advantage of your environment. Matching damage types, pushing enemies into each other, and experimenting with character classes is a lot of fun. It’s a pity the combat holds itself back with a number of issues that waste your time, with moves that don’t execute correctly or enemies who unintentionally stall ruin strategies and drag out the combat. It’s a shame because the game can’t fully rise above these issues, ultimately creating a simply decent strategy experience.

I wish I enjoyed Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire more than I do. There is plenty to love, such as its charming visuals, fun narrative and worldbuilding. However, it’s simply hard to look past the clunky gameplay, from the incredibly slow and repetitive animations to the clunky menu navigation, and that’s not even mentioning the bugs. Hopefully, the worst of them will be patched out, but at least at launch, Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire is a turbulent experience, and worth recommending only for those willing to brave the game’s flaws.

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.

STAR WARS: Jedi Power Battles is a galactic disappointment. While some technical updates like faster load times are nice, the force is not strong with its outdated mechanics, frustrating platforming, and missed opportunities to fix core issues. A mediocre game from 2000 with no substantial changes simply doesn’t cut it in 2025. It’s a Womp rat of a re-release that fails to live up to the legacy of the Star Wars saga.

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.

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.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is an interesting package; despite doing a number of things fairly well such as gameplay tweaks and refreshed visuals it’s hard not to feel a little let down. When you consider all of the possibilities or additional improvements that could have been made, it just feels like Rockstar could have gone further and created some truly memorable remakes or high-quality remasters. All of the games here do look better and play better than the originals, which technically does make these versions the definitive ones, but it feels like a missed opportunity at the end of the day. A few patches will likely take care of some of the more obvious issues, but at this point it is hard to recommend to anyone other than the GTA faithful.

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.

In spite of various problems found within Tenebris Pictura, the game still leaves a fairly positive impression by the end. Some of it doesn’t quite work, from its very downplayed narrative to its slightly-annoying combat, but it brings enough novel content to the table to be engaging. If you’re into atmospheric adventure games with clever puzzles and unique ideas, you’re likely to find something rewarding in Tenebris Pictura.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is exactly what it claims to be: an interactive manual with a few bells and whistles. It’s the Wii Sports of the Switch 2 era, helping users understand the console, its features, and how it all fits together. While charging $15 for something that feels like it should’ve been bundled might be a turnoff, the level of detail and interactivity makes the price somewhat justifiable. It’s not a must-have, but if you want a fun way to explore your new console, it’s a decent way to spend a few hours. Just don’t rush through it; enjoy it for its charm.

Without the titular brand figures, there’s nothing that stands out for Funko Fusion. It’s a platformer with collectibles, enemies to fight, and the occasional puzzle to solve. There’s an adventure to be had and an overarching story, but nothing you wouldn’t find in any other adventure game. The experience is ordinary unless you are in awe of the Funko recreations and want to see the figures come to life.

I wish I had more positive points to speak about, but AWAY: The Survival Series just isn’t that fun to play, and being a video game this is one of the most important aspects for the developers to nail. The experience feels unnaturally empty and shallow, and whilst the good intentions are there, the execution makes it a hard title to recommend spending money on, at least in its current state which feels like an early access title, despite it being a proper release. If this title piques your interest, I would suggest waiting to see what the developers end up fixing and tweaking as they have promised to fix multiple issues and provide constant updates to offer a more polished title.

Blackwind presents a sci-fi platforming world that is fun to smash through and fly around its desolate landscapes. However, it sticks with its formula of killing enemies and unlocking areas so tightly that it lacks spontaneity and becomes too predictable too fast. Repetitive music, awkward dialogue and unvaried landscapes all lead to a pretty lackluster experience that even the fun combat can’t fix. Blackwind needs more time taking risks and experimenting with the very versatile genres it encompasses in order for it to stand out amongst the crowded population of action games.

Redfall is an interesting concept with some valid ideas, some cool lore, and some great moments driven by solid visual design and a knack for leaning into the supernatural. But with a vapid and dull open world, excruciating mission design, constant backtracking, and a plethora of performance issues—this release ends up sucking the life out of you one dumb glitch at a time.

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.

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance isn’t a bad game, but it does feel insubstantial at the moment. The lack of character development, plot or world-building will probably turn away hardcore D&D fans. As for the fans of multiplayer action games, while the core of the experience is fairly solid, the lack of technical polish, repetitive structure and unexciting loot system will likely not satisfy for long. Hopefully over time, patches and additional content can flesh out the experience and make it the rollicking fantasy hack and slash multiplayer funfest it has the potential to be. Just make sure you don’t forget to bring a friend or three.

Horse Tales: Emerald Valley Ranch is a sad tale for the much-needed resurgence of equestrian-focused video games. Littered with poor design choices and endless amounts of bugs, every attempt to seep some joy out of the game was hindered. This comes as a shame. The bones of a good game are in there from the exploration of an interconnected world to a good start in both horse gameplay and town management and restoration. Boiling down to more than just a game released too early, Horse Tales also is a game too ambitious for its own good and not what was expected or needed. Take this one out to the pasture, they’re done.

Whilst this Empires title deviates slightly from the standard Dynasty Warriors formula, it is still fun if you’re looking for a hack and slash game with a bit more strategy. There are issues that plague the game, especially with the use of an open world that lacks reasons to explore and the absence of same-sex marriage. Although with that said, Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires still can be interesting during the siege battles and the beautiful character customisation. At least it’s relaxing to tear a new one into the cannon fodder.

While Captain Blood’s development is an engaging tale, the same cannot be said for any aspect of the final product. The game fails to capture what made other hack-and-slashers so fun, nor does it provide any notable innovations. Even as just nostalgia bait, Captain Blood always ends up undermining itself thanks to lacklustre combat, a lifeless world and general glitchiness that pollutes the whole experience.

MX vs ATV Legends has a legacy behind it, but it doesn’t bring anything to the table to bring new concepts to the genre. While it’s fun enough to ride around on bikes and have the driver ragdoll their way down the hill, there are some persistent issues like vehicle performance and video quality. Subtitles are cut off mid-sentence so reading it is awkward, and there is a real lack of accessibility options for those who need it. Music choices are rad, as there’s some more modern-ish music in it, mixed with some older ones. Overall, MX vs ATV Legends is a fun racer to goof off with your friends, but nothing to seriously sink your teeth into.

As a game, it is not up to scratch. While the characters and the story might be good enough for a music video, it’s not good enough for a video game. It is clear these are music video characters, sometimes in great emotional scenes, but often feeling two dimensional. The gameplay is sometimes nice, but often lacking in a discernable thread of logic, and is undercut when you see how little influence you have on what is clearly a prescribed set of events.

From a dismal effort on the front of graphics, user interface, player onboarding, sound design, and essentially every other aspect of game design, Babylon’s Fall is a failure. Games have bounced back from disastrous launches in the past, but in this case, I feel like it may be best to let sleeping dogs lie. The game’s one and only saving grace is that Platinum Games truly are the kings of combat, and while Babylon’s Fall is nowhere near the top of their collection of works, hacking and slashing your way through the Tower of Babel is at least, occasionally, kind of fun. It is just a crying shame that there is very little else to enjoy from the game; there isn’t anything pretty to look at, nice to listen to, or easy to engage with.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a buggy mess, even disregarding the constant crashes. Not only that, but it is a game void of any personality, originality, or bravery. It attempts nothing new and falls back on tropes that started falling out of style years ago, while somehow still managing to replicate them poorly. It disappoints me not just as a fan of the Lord of the Rings, but also as a fan of video games in general.

The Companion presents a compelling premise that just manages to fall short of an engaging experience. While it showcases some beautiful artwork in its visuals and creates a magical atmosphere with its environments and sound design, the actual gameplay becomes repetitive and frustrating over time. Issues with pacing interfere with what could have been a more streamlined walking-sim experience, and arbitrary padding makes the fragmented narrative difficult to appreciate. Those looking for a compelling story might want to wait a few months for some developer updates, while folks keen to lose themselves in a gorgeous fantasy realm might still find joy in The Companion in its current state.

Skate City is a visually stunning game with an incredibly catchy soundtrack. It effortlessly provides the chill gameplay environment that skating games are renowned for, complete with sleek and minimal graphics. The controls with a mouse and keyboard, however, can feel counterintuitive, and if you’re looking for a layered and complex experience like Tony Hawk, Skate City might fall short. However, if you’re looking for a relaxing skating game to help you unwind at the end of a busy day, you’ll find that Skate City does the trick superbly.

Clea 2 ended up being an enjoyable experience. Once you get used to the game’s mechanics, the less-than-perfect proximity sound is no longer such a big issue. After you’re past that point, the rest of the game becomes a fun challenge to complete. It’s definitely a game for those who love skill-based survival experiences. No matter your skill level though, Clea 2 has options to suit you.

It’s fur real: Inspector Waffles is a paw-sitively claw-ssic point-and-click adventure with an atmosphere that’ll leave you feline fine. While its difficulty may be better suited to kittens and the inconsistent artstyle may cat-ch you off guard, there’s a purrfectly charming story to experience here. With hissterical puns and a visual and meowsical design that can only be described as the cat’s pyjamas, Inspector Waffles is far from a catastrophe: as essential as catnip for fans of the point-and-click adventure genre.

Sizeable in the grand scheme of things is a very well-crafted game. There has been a lot of work and effort put in to ensure this small project is packed densely with great ideas. The core mechanic, whilst simple in execution, is used to achieve an impressive array of effects, which make for some entertaining puzzles. The length of the game may disappoint some, but with the game sitting at an equally bite-sized price, I would encourage those interested to absolutely check it out anyway.

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.

Song of Iron is a short and sweet Nordic adventure that tells a simple story which ends up much deeper than it first seems. With a range of gorgeous environments to explore and relatively satisfying combat, it only occasionally frustrates with some tricky boss fights and clunky movement resulting in some platforming pitfalls. Still, these grievances don’t last long, as I found the world created by Resting Relic to be a stunning one to explore and very thoughtful in its style and presentation. Mostly, I’m just astonished with how great it is that a solo developer is capable of creating this wonderful little journey, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

For me, Monster Crown is a competent-yet-stale entry in the monster-collecting genre that fails to impress on any meaningful level. While the opening hour showed some promise, the game falls into tired tropes that have become standard for the genre, and even with the whopping Kickstarter cash, fails to innovate or build upon what came before. I was hopeful going in and relieved going out, and am holding out genuine hope that Studio Aurum continues to work on the game until it is a polished, well-realised example of the vision the team had when starting this game. A dull comparison to the legendary monster-catching games of yore that we know and love, Monster Crown fails to catch ’em all.

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.

Ty the Tasmanian Tiger HD Collection successfully updates the first two games for a new generation of gamers. The endearing characters and story shine through with the beautifully rendered HD world Krome Studios have created, but it really is best played in handheld mode. The voice acting is just as great as it was on its initial release, and completionists will relish in the many collectibles throughout the games. Further fixes to the camera angles and underwater controls would have elevated this game further, and some of its elements feel outdated and a bit too easy, but this is a solid HD update to a collection of classic games that will never go out of style.

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.

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.

Aspire: Ina’s Tale promises an epic journey and re-discovery of Ina’s power, but the game struggles to reach these expectations in its short runtime. Despite the unsatisfying exploration of the themes and setting within the Tower, Aspire: Ina’s Tale still delivers a heartfelt story within a truly exquisite environment. The puzzles are frustrating at times, but their difficulty leaves you feeling quite smart after completing them.

Rescue Party: Live! is a chaotic multiplayer game that allows players of all ages to engage in the childhood fantasy of being an everyday hero. Fight fires, rescue civilians, perform CPR, traverse floods, avoid avalanches, build bridges, and more! Problem-solve with your friends and enjoy some light-hearted but challenging fun. Whether your friends are in the room with you or overseas, the flexible multiplayer system means everyone can join in the fray. Despite the lack of friendly UI and lacklustre storytelling, Rescue Party: Live! is still a great addition to the popular co-op party genre and delivers a unique gameplay experience.

Aery – Dreamscape is an interesting game. But with five Aery games already out, has EpiXR Games already flown too close to the sun? Dreamscape’s storytelling is quirky, by looking into the dreams of those around us, we can understand each other more. With different levels and a unique hub world, it’s clear there’s passion. But considering that subtitles are sometimes missing, objects glitching, and markers not showing at all, maybe it’s best to give Dreamscape a miss.

Gravity Chase is not the most ambitious or creative racing game, but it offers a competent and fast futuristic racer. With a decent variety of tracks that are all easy to unlock, three game modes to pick from, and a satisfactory roster of ships and music to race with—there’s a handful of fun in this package.

RPGolf Legends leans too much into its influences to be really entertaining in itself. As a fan of Sports RPGs, RPGolf Legends demonstrates there is some wiggle room to experiment with the formula. I’d be doing a disservice to not congratulate the developers on the boss fights that succeed at demonstrating how RPG mechanics and golf mechanics can integrate well to make some unique and special gameplay moments. However, it must be said that outside of those boss fights, the game is largely satisfactory, but not exciting. It’s not the worst game I have played in recent memory, and it’s not a bad game to kill time on. Yet, for the ambition on display, I find it hard to get particularly enthusiastic about RPGolf Legends.

KungFu Kickball brings an unexpected amount of joy to the table. Between the simple controls, intuitive gameplay, cute art style, and banging tunes, KungFu Kickball could very well dominate your next house party. Despite the lack of diversity of the characters and stages, KungFu Kickball shakes up the arcade genre with something new and entertaining. Whether you are playing locally at home or playing online, the game has you covered, even for those playing across different platforms. If you are a fan of games such as Smash Bros. or Rocket League, I would highly recommend picking this one up and playing with both friends and family for an enjoyable night in.

RPG Time: The Legend of Wright is a game with the kind of visual presentation that must be revered and venerated by all, despite some weird fundamental gaps in its user-friendliness. Whilst there are absolutely some opportunities for additional polish, it’s ultimately a minor ding in what is otherwise an insanely impressive game. This is an example of the best of what indie games can bring to the table. It is beautiful, it is dumb, it is dorky, and it is constantly tripping over itself to show you its new cool ideas. The Legend of Wright deserves recognition and love for all the amazing stuff it’s bringing to the tabletop.

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 Serpent Rogue is a game that has a lot going on, which unfortunately has led to most of the game’s features feeling rushed and not fully executed. Keeping it simple would have been a good mantra for The Serpent Rogue to live by, but it instead tries to implement too many things with not enough finesse. The game certainly has interesting researching and crafting elements, with some other unique ideas too. However, it falls short with clunky mechanics and a lack of polish.

Loot River is certainly a roguelike unafraid to explore new waters, but what it lacks is a refined loop. Constantly repeating the run, even in different dungeons, isn’t an easy concept to float. However, the game’s unique movement mechanics and visuals do a lot of work to sell the experience. If you’re looking for a roguelike that’s going to punish you, then check this one out, but try not to be too shocked when you realise there are no life jackets provided.

Though Raft may lack content once you’ve reached its closing moments, the lead-up to that point is a surprisingly delightful and novel experience. The basic gameplay loop of collecting and crafting keeps you busy, whilst a set of on-foot areas to explore keeps the gameplay ever-evolving and gleefully varied. An absolute solid co-operative choice, there’s an ocean of content to be found on this humble raft.

Gravitar: Recharged is an arcade staple made fresh for a new generation of fans, re-capturing the essence of what made the original game such a classic. The pixel graphics have been given a modern overhaul that make it look like it fits in the modern gamescape. It’s a pity the controls do not follow this trend, as they are frustrating and feel out of place when compared with their more contemporary counterparts. It will take patience and time to master this game, and while it may not pay off for some, the rewards can definitely be worth your efforts as the accruing score and bonuses make you soar through each planet flawlessly.

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.

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.

I can see LEGO Brawls’ appeal as a free-to-play mobile game, where its simple mechanics and repetitive game modes are more excusable. As a full-priced console game, standing up against feature-rich AAA titles and even free-to-play titles, LEGO Brawls just doesn’t stand out in the slightest. Although a less complex brawler aimed at a younger audience might make sense, in this case it’s TOO simplified, where every character behaves the same and the only strategy is to run at your foes and mash the attack button. Combine that with the lack of additional single-player content and glacial progression system, and it becomes difficult to recommend LEGO Brawls to anyone other than the most devoted LEGO aficionados.

It’s hard not to love the adorable Dusty’s capers in Justice Sucks. It’s a fun arcade game that isn’t afraid to tell a story as well. Each new area brings its own obstacles to face, but in the end, Dusty has all the tools to rise above the bad guys in this sentient robot action romp. Being so replayable works heavily in the game’s favour. It’s a great time for anyone keen to jump into a challenge-orientated arcade game packed full of chaos.

The voxel creations and freedom that Dual Universe offers are pretty impressive. It’s a concept with a lot of potential. However, the failed execution and many bugs leave this game dead on arrival with honestly no reason to play unless it ever receives a resurgence in players and a massive gameplay overhaul.

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.

A fantastic mix of endless runner and racing game, which marries the aesthetics of WipEout with the challenge and difficulty of a hardcore roguelike.

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.

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.

Though Mr. Saitou isn’t a long game, it does pack a lot of punch into its three-hour runtime. It takes the life of a miserable, depleted man and shows him the wonders that he could be experiencing if work wasn’t his main focus. It’s a narrative that seeks to find the light in the darkness of mundane existence when life becomes routine. Mr. Saitou will leave you with a feeling of hope that fun and adventure are around every corner, we’ve just got to look a little closer to find it.

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.

With thoughtful Australian representation, Innchanted is sure to be an incredible experience for all gamers. The puzzles, music, and themes are so enjoyable that it’s hard to put the controller down. There’s something new with every level, making the game increasingly engaging as you progress. Plus, up to four-player multiplayer lets your friends join in on the fun. Throw in a plethora of cute costumes that you can collect and a storyline so intriguing that it won’t leave you disappointed, and you’re left with a recipe for a good time.

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.

Murderous Muses is a bite-sized mystery with an entertaining gimmick and a lush background of lore. It’s a taste of what might be the next frontier for FMV; puzzle exploration. The overarching mystery is enough to keep players engaged for the 10-15 hours it takes to unlock everything, though the simplicity of its puzzles otherwise limits its replayability. The video performances are a bit hit-and-miss, but the camp vibe of the entire experience makes it all part of the show.

Moviehouse – The Film Studio Tycoon is an ambitious attempt at showing the ups and downs of the film industry. You gradually work your way up the ladder and producing great movies feels good. It’s a pity the game suffers from some issues that weren’t foreseen or accounted for. The charm of creating a good movie disappears when you realise you can make more money from buying out other studios. As your studio gets bigger and you hire more people, the user interface struggles to keep track of the relevant details. It’s a fun game at the start, though the long time it takes to produce movies can wear you down. For a simulator that passes some time, this will be great, but it does need some more refining to be a good management experience.

Minecraft Legends is a fresh spin on a classic game that isn’t afraid to boldly try something new. Come for the battles, but stay for the tender storyline that empowers the player with how their actions are affecting the game world as they take down the Piglin forces. This one feels like it’s for Minecraft fans in one way, but in another it’s all about battling and sadly this leads to player imagination jumping in the back seat. Regardless, it’s either a fresh spin that will be your jam, or you’ll be craving the freedom of the original.

Desta: The Memories Between provides a difficult narrative filled with grief and regret. However, through its meditative, albeit unintuitive gameplay, it provides a safe and reflective journey into Desta’s heart. An experience that may have the player remembering back on their own life and relationships. With this relatable and emotionally driven narrative, the game provides a safe space for the player to examine themselves and all it asks is to throw a ball. This all makes Desta: The Memories Between stand out as a great game and an incredible exploration of healing.

With a truly unique concept that’s different from any other horror game out there, Killer Frequency mixes just the right amount of campy thrills to keep its serial killer narrative moving along swiftly. As you’re saving civilians using clues around the radio station while cracking jokes and enjoying some retro-inspired tracks, it’s hard not to get invested in the story and setting, especially as it features such strong performances from its wacky cast. The pace can be slow at times, but the twists and turns kept me eager to speak with every new caller. You can trust me as a seasoned producer and presenter: this is one radio program worth tuning in for.

Heretic’s Fork features devilishly good visuals and a banging soundtrack. Gameplay-wise, it blends deckbuilding mechanics and tower defence in an interesting way, and fans of titles like Ratrapolis, Slay the Spire and Loop Hero are sure to find something to their liking. While the game may need a little grinding when you first start playing, persistence pays off. With plenty of cards and employees to be unlocked, Heretic’s Fork is sure to keep hardcore players engaged as they progress through the 9 circles of hell.

The Crackpet Show: Happy Tree Friends Edition succeeds in being a more immersive rogue-lite than others in the genre. You are encouraged to be strategic, taking risks for greater rewards or playing it safe to survive. It’s also easy to find weapons that work when you match them with the right perk, meaning there are no terrible options. However, longer episodes can make the randomisation aspect more punishing, and a lack of healing makes the game very difficult. It’s a big time investment but there’s a lot of fun to be had if you are willing to spend the hours.

Survivor: Castaway Island takes one of the most popular TV shows in history and turns it into a boring, repetitive video game with very little in the way of redeeming qualities. Trying to strategise with tribe members sucks, challenges are lame, the production values are subpar and the game even goes as far as to make changes from the TV show that make the experience even worse. I’ve kept hoping and praying that one day somebody would capture the feeling of Survivor in a video game. Today is not that day.

Spin Rhythm XD is a groovy good time, seamlessly combining intuitive controls, challenging levels, and an electrifying soundtrack. Visually, it’s a neon-lit spectacle that responds to dynamic beats, incorporating trippy and vibrant aesthetics while still offering accessibility options. Boasting over 60 tracks from dreamy future bass to intense dubstep, it’s a fun, multisensory journey.

Worldless is a captivating 2D platformer with a cosmic aesthetic and seamlessly integrated turn-based battles. Traverse spaces, confront challenging combat, and navigate platforms, all while embracing the joy of exploration. The game’s inbuilt difficulty helps create huge satisfaction once you master the combat and the minimalist design brings a harmonious gaming experience, even if it’s to the sacrifice of detailed guidance. The game won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, though, at its core, Worldless still delivers a thoughtful, consistent, immersive, and enjoyable experience.

True to the tagline of its publisher, UDO is certainly a short yet sweet game. As far as roguelikes go, fans of UDO’s bigger-budget brethren may find the game a little insubstantial, and it is true that within a handful of hours you will have encountered all that the game has to offer. That said, I can’t deny that I had fun bouncing down a big hole and drilling through bugs and big rocks, and some of the unlockable abilities do a lot to mix up what is otherwise a fairly repetitive time. As long as you go in with the expectation of a short, arcade experience and not much more than that, UDO is worth digging into.

Overall, Hellcard offers an engaging deckbuilder with a unique perspective on the classic formula; its combat map and companion system keep things interesting, and the number of cards, artifacts and companions add hugely to its replayability value. While it may not be the best title for newcomers to the genre, considering the game’s UI can feel a little unwieldy and there’s a lot to keep track of, Hellcard is sure to reward persisting players who don’t shy away from a steep learning curve.

INSPIRE could have been great fun but it holds itself back in many ways. Despite having a nice soundtrack, beautiful environments, and a decent shooting experience, the many flaws drag the title down. It’s too easy to get lost, difficult navigation feels like a deliberate design choice, and combat ends up being frustrating. It doesn’t help that the non-existent story is confusing and is quickly thrown out the window. There’s a lot of potential INSPIRE squanders, which is a shame given the promising ideas.

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.

There’s a lot to like in Echoes of the Plum Grove, the art style alone sets it apart from other games in the genre, the farming works very well and the focus on survival elements and lineage is interesting, it’s just a shame that these two parts of the game don’t feed into each other quite right yet. However, if you are just looking for a farming sim with a little bit more spice, Echoes of the Plum Grove might be just what you need, I’ll just be waiting for something even spicier.

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge combines cute frogs and wetland development to create a refuge management experience you will never forget. The frogs are adorable and collecting them all is enjoyable. Customising your frog refuge and the extremely low chance of failure let you pursue your goals as you wish. While the game is not at all challenging and doesn’t have the best UI in late-game areas, it’s still fun to play. By far the cosiest frog simulator you will ever encounter, Kamaeru is perfect if you’re wondering how you can save our planet.

An intensely personal examination of how we can fail those we love and the uncomfortable truths about why, The End of You is a fascinating and strange sophomore effort from Memory of God. Through its brilliant use of analog horror aesthetics and considered writing, it’s the kind of indie experience that reminds us of the power of a weird, little game.

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus wears its inspirations boldly – Hollow Knight in particular – but makes its unique mark in a delightfully crowded modern Metroidvania market. The platforming is difficult but the level design is creative. The boss fights are too long but encourage you to use what you’ve learned. There are UI issues but they don’t occur often enough to ruin the game. The bridge section is brutal but shows an impressive confidence in the level design that persists until the end. The writing, art, and music are sublime. You should play this if you’re a genre fan with more patience than me.

Ascending Inferno may have bested me and kicked my rear relentlessly, but it’s still nothing short of a kickass game. Following the template of difficult climbing games but making the design, platforming and gameplay challenge more purposeful than ever before, Ascending Inferno is the best “one of those” games. I may have been tearing my hair out over my fifth straight plummet but that pain was worth it to spend some time with the incredibly cute and likable Dani and Vincent, marvelling in their sibling banter and taking in the weird and wonderful views of the underworld. It’s a damn hard time but it’s also a great time; with promised quality-of-life additions only later likely going to make the climb all that greater. If you’re a glutton for punishment, Ascending Inferno is well worth the Sisyphean uphill battle that awaits.

Daemon Masquerade’s corkboard mechanic is so simple that I can’t believe it’s not a standard feature of the genre. It’s implemented near flawlessly here, with a compelling narrative that’ll glue your butt to your chair for its runtime. Being just a few hours long, it’s a perfect bite-size mystery.

If you told a past me that 420BLAZEIT 2, the game with many a meme and weed reference, would secretly be an incredibly endearing, competent and even sentimental shooter, I’d have laughed in your face. Yet here we are. A riotous blast from the past, this FPS adventure is far better than it has any right to be, with tactile shooter action and sights and sounds that’ll tickle your brain. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time smoking, blazing, rinsing scrubs and getting rekt in the process. Sure it’s irreverent and far from high art and won’t land for all, but it’s also something special. Find yourself within the weird and wonderful niche it’s catering to, and I promise you damn will enjoy that time too.

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.

Nairi: Rising Tide is a beautiful game. The background art showcases how gorgeous an area is, and it gives so much life to the characters. The writing is hilarious, and it makes the characterisation display every positive and negative trait of everyone. But, even with that, art and writing cannot carry a game alone, as the puzzles become too puzzling, and some of the themes and world-building don’t feel explored enough. Its hint system is mostly unhelpful, causing frustration rather than satisfaction. If Nairi is to have another entry, HomeBearStudio will hopefully learn from its mistakes.

NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD: Typing of The Net is a typing game that actually challenges you. Whilst there is a decent game here for those who love to test their typing skills and enjoy learning internet lingo, it’s a shame the experience doesn’t last very long. However, if you plan to pursue the mini secret section, you better hope that it doesn’t screw you over during a boss fight as there still seems to be a lot of instability and glitches in this build.

Techno Banter is a wild ride that lets you have the power to control the vibe within the vibrating walls of The Green Door. The way that developer Dexai Arts has captured the grittiness of a Berlin party street with their vibrant yet seedy characters shows how much love and respect they have for this world. With fun, unique mini-games and music from real Berlin DJs, the atmosphere is unmistakably stylish. Incorporating a simulation-style game mechanic, and having to walk up and down Rainbow Road before and after your shift really gave me a sense of immersion in this world. For gamers who love the club scene or appreciate techno music, Techno Banter will make you feel like you are in control of the party, and that’s a pretty cool position to be in.

It feels unfair to be so punishing to a studio’s debut game. Clearly, there is some affection for the genres it is playing within here, and the hand-drawn art style is admirable and something I wish more games sought to emulate. However, the sheer lack of polish and mediocrity of Morkull Ragast’s Rage’s game systems, metafictional elements and overall presentation left me raging at the Ragast, and not in the way I suspect the developers intended.

Which Way Up: Galaxy Games is a fun party game with gravity mechanics keeping you on your toes. While there isn’t much to do in the single-player campaign, the multiplayer mode will keep you busy until more levels are released. Either way, the party games are very engaging and require players to use their new surroundings and gravity to complete the challenges. The designs are so cute and fit the game’s theme, the controls are easy to learn, even for those starting out, and overall, it has the potential to be a great game when you have friends coming over.

Dollhouse: Behind The Broken Mirror felt like someone attempted to make a horror game who didn’t know what made them scary to begin with, and then didn’t show it to a single person for feedback before releasing it. The story is all over the place, and any lore you get throughout the game is hard to make sense of or connect to anything you have already learned. The enemies are obnoxious in number and any possible threat or fear goes out the window due to the sheer frustration that they instill. It feels like a bunch of half-baked concepts and locations thrown into a pot and left to boil for way too long. The flaws in the gameplay and overall functionality bleed so far through the experience that it felt like a slog, and the scariest part was the fact it took 8 hours to finish.

Rogue: Genesia is one of the most ambitious bullet heavens out there and is all from one hardworking developer, Ouadi Huard. It combines the best parts of genre titans to create a game with unlimited build potential, deep meta-progression, and a massive power curve. But it’s not perfect. Weapon imbalances and upgrade power mean challenge often takes a backseat to sheer spectacle, and the visual clutter may be overwhelming for some players. If you love min-maxing, insane scaling, and watching enemies evaporate by the thousands, this game is for you.

Squirreled Away is an adorably fun adventure where you get to live out your squirreliest fantasies. It feels very fun and fluid to run through the woods or climb the tallest trees. The building feels smooth and is detailed enough to build extravagant treehouses but easy enough to use that it never feels overwhelming. Squirreled Away hits the nail on the head on what makes a cozy exploration/builder game so fun, which is only amplified when joined by friends for mischievous co-op adventures.

Game Over: A Musical RPG is a passion project which is bleeding heart and soul. The soundtrack is incredible, every encounter is unique and entertaining, with nothing being repeated. All the characters are charming and have their own unique personalities that help the world feel grounded. The dialogue and comedy are perfectly timed and full of wit and there were genuine laughs around every corner. If you’re a fan of Undertale, Earthbound or The Stanley Parable, please do yourself a favour and check out this home-grown Australian indie.

The Fool’s Apprentice is a neat concept that simply needs more time to cook. It has some cool ideas in using magical abilities to augment its management sim gameplay, and its soothing soundtrack complements its tone perfectly. However, a litany of technical issues and critical design flaws make it ultimately unplayable in its current state. Fingers crossed the team at The Planar Danse will be able to support The Fool’s Apprentice with updates and fully realise their vision for the game in time.

Warside is like an old family car (tank?). Familiar, sturdy, with a solid engine that will get you where you need to go, but with no frills and a rusty, barebones exterior. While its core tactical systems and pixel art aesthetics are entertaining and likely to satisfy subgenre fans, they remain underserved by a repetitive campaign, rough story and lack of supporting modes and features.

Too often, video games are set in Western worlds, and protagonists aren’t culturally diverse. We need more games like Detective Dotson that explore different cultures and provide different worlds for gamers to explore, which may also help them gain a deeper understanding of what other cultures look and sound like. Detective Dotson is a super charming puzzle adventure that highlights the vibrancy of India via its interconnected characters, its use of colour and its charming retro pixel art style. Though I did come across a number of bugs and found it hard to piece together some evidence due to how the case logs are managed, I really enjoyed exploring, chatting and learning more about the delightful folk who inhabit Dotson’s wholesome world.

Pecker is a short and sweet 3D platformer that places fun and whimsy at the centre of its experience. Its swathe of delightful mechanics are delightful to discover, though the title’s lack of polish and inconsistent level design does mar an otherwise joyful avian experience. Younger gamers will find plenty of pecky fun here.