Despite taking clear inspiration from other prominent Soulslike and Metroidvania titles, Moonscars does enough with its unique art direction and gameplay features to stand out from an increasingly populated crowd. Although its lore and plot could have stood to be more clearly communicated, and not all of its additional mechanics feel as enjoyable as the core combat and exploration, Moonscars’ visceral gameplay and gorgeous visuals make it worthwhile to check out for Soulslike fans seeking a new challenge.

Marvelous Inc.’s recent streak of Story of Seasons remakes has so far resulted in serviceable but not amazing experiences, but Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar manages to be a step in the right direction. It takes an already solid farming game with surprisingly complex layers and elevates it with more content and quality-of-life improvements. With its focus on stockpiling produce to sell directly to customers, it’s something different in an era where we are otherwise up to our ears in would-be Stardew Valleys. That said, a restrictive production method and a messy storage system still hold it back.

Despite some very minor bugbears holding back the experience, it’s hard to come away from Hauntii without feeling thoroughly delighted. The game is a testament to how much fluid and detailed art and animation and a great soundtrack can carry an experience. The game’s central haunting mechanic is enjoyable to experiment with, and has plenty of clever implementations as you scour Eternity searching for hidden stars. If you’re seeking a more chill collectathon with gorgeous artwork and musical score, Hauntii is certainly worth seeking out.

The Cub is a fascinating romp through post-apocalyptic Earth. Balancing dark themes with delightful levity, the game finds a way to showcase both the best and worst of humanity with biting wit, vivid visuals, and impeccably implemented audio. It’s all let down somewhat by gameplay sequences that can’t maintain the same quality as the game’s other elements. However, even with that rather big caveat, The Cub still manages to present a lovely package worth opening.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is nothing short of an epic RPG story. It’s not as good an onboarding point for the greater series as its predecessor Trails From Zero was, but that cost just means bigger ambition with the narrative beats and world explored. It’s worth noting it’s not as polished as it should be, showing its age with the lower visual fidelity and framerate dips. However, the priority with NIS America is clearly just getting the game out there. Frankly, what a game it is. Crossbell is as magical as ever and it was a heartfelt joy to experience the second and closing story for the SSS team. You’re not getting many experiences as special as this one. I love and will miss you, Crossbell.

David Gaider and Summerfall Studios have crafted an immersive world of humans and demons in Malys that is easy to get invested in, even if the story’s delivery could benefit from more animation or voice acting. Its unique gameplay, built around sacrificing cards to power up your hand, is intuitive and fun to play around with. While the lengthy runs and lack of meta-progression systems make getting a game over an hour into a run highly frustrating, it was never enough to deter me from further playthroughs to uncover all that Malys had to offer. If you like roguelikes, deckbuilders and/or detailed narratives, you’ll find a lot to love about Malys.

Despite some of the weaker elements, everything combines into one to provide an unpolished journey for sure, but one that I was thankful I experienced. Elex 2 is a rather unique game, with some modern touches and presentation attributes – but at the same time if you played this game without knowing anything about it, you could mistake it for something from over 10 years ago. It has a unique charm, and if you are willing to put up with some janky combat and odd glitches, there is certainly an engaging story to follow with exceptional dialogue and choices that really seem to alter the world around you, taking you on a long journey filled with meaningful engagements and a world teeming with character.

Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is a heartfelt adventure that understands the magic of its storybook world. Jansson’s childhood series is rendered with such love and care that I quickly fell in love with the Moominverse. Hyper Games has very clearly treated the source material with great care and respect, creating an experience that feels made for longtime fans while also remaining warm and welcoming to newcomers. While the gameplay can feel repetitive at times and the firewood grind did sour my experience, it was still good to explore the snow-covered Moominvalley as the adorable Moomintroll to experience a winter that would send any Australian into shock.

ROUTINE is a frightful time on the lunar surface. While the narrative doesn’t entirely hit due to a lack of memorable characters, the sense of immersion and beautiful visuals carry the scares. ROUTINE is a game for horror aficionados who don’t mind basic gameplay and the occasional puzzle, even if some clues might be hidden slightly too well.

Eden Genesis is quite a fun title which fans of 2D platformers and speedrunning in particular are likely to enjoy. While the plot won’t knock your socks off, it’s a reasonably engaging little sci-fi tale while it lasts. The game is let down by its slow-paced mandatory combat levels, of which there are way too many and which feel at odds with the lightning-fast and flowing platforming which makes up the bulk of the rest of the game. However, with plenty of extra content to experience once you have reached the end credits, those looking for an engaging 2D platforming challenge to test your skill and reflexes will have a good time with Eden Genesis.

Despite some simplistic combat and unmemorable boss fights, Steelrising is a satisfying robot action romp that earns bonus points for being one of the most accessible soulslike titles on the market, meaning more gamers will be able to enjoy its haunting vision of alternate history Paris overrun by dastardly machines. Bon travail!

Dead Take is a solid adventure for the FMV genre that provides an eerie and moody atmosphere set in the Hollywood hills. What’s there is an intriguing exploration of the powers that be and the dog-eat-dog nature of the film industry, and how it can consume people. It may not contain the deepest or most complex puzzle, nor does it make replayability easy for optional objectives, but you don’t stay for that. What you’re there for is the stellar performances; the likes of Ben Starr, Neil Newbon, Laura Bailey and more giving it their utmost all to deliver you a sufficiently chilling horror experience. There are horrors in that mansion, and though not all in there may delight, it’s a worthwhile and memorable jaunt behind Hollywood’s closed doors.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble‘s offerings are exactly what you’d expect, a fun and bananas time that is easy to pick up and hard to master. The new gimmick of the spin-dash feels quintessential and juices the experience of working through 200 arcade levels just that little bit more. Though there’s room for improvements with online matchmaking and some levels perhaps being a bit too hard for hard’s sake, there are just as many quality additions in gameplay assistance tools and the ability to doll your monkey up in dozens upon dozens of cute fits. There’s no monkeying around here when it comes to quality— Super Monkey Ball as a franchise remains the belle of the ball.

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.

Relooted turns a fantastic premise into a fun heist game. Putting its weaknesses in writing and plot aside, repatriating African artifacts is fun, swift and captures the emotional spikes and troughs of the heist genre nicely. Relooted also never loses sight of why these artifacts should be repatriated, treating them not as empty collectibles but instead as a way to help players understand their cultural significance and why they should be returned.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven shines when it comes to its story and unique take on character development. Passing down the skills you learned to future generations immerses you in the long battle against evil. This also happens to be one of the harder SaGa entries and you may feel like the game is stacked against you. Persevering is part of the fun but it could get too frustrating.

SAROS delivers Housemarque’s best-in-class gameplay, backed by a genuinely intriguing narrative and a unique world. But it’s lacking polish, with performance and optimisation issues that are impossible to ignore for a game so reliant on precision. Arjun’s story truly gets its hooks into you and refuses to let go, but it’s difficult to give glowing praise in its current state. As it stands, SAROS is an excellent game that’s being held back from greatness.

ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree is a game with lots of love put into it. The story is emotional, the art is beautiful and original, and the soundtrack is outstanding. It’s just unfortunate that the rhythm game portion doesn’t work quite right on Nintendo Switch. I think it would only take a few small changes for it to be greatly improved, and I hope the team at Wildboy Studios may have the time to implement these in future. The game is already good, but it could be even better.

SteamWorld Build sets up a fantastic environment for Wild West robot capitalism to thrive. You must create workers to build enough resources that support your mining operations, which in turn helps develop your city. Expand your operations above and below ground to get more workers and new resources. While there isn’t anything ground-breaking in this game and it can be repetitive, it still offers good fun for people who enjoy city builders. If you are looking for a strategic challenge that makes you balance two types of city building, SteamWorld Build is a great game to try out.

Despite its flaws and hardship, Digimon Survive is an absorbing visual novel. It is a more profound and darker story than generally expected from the Digimon world with captivating characters and storytelling. The exploration and tactical battles provide a break from the immense amount of dialogue, albeit not as fun and the latter feels like a lacklustre last-minute addition. Regardless, Digimon Survive is a great game for fans of the universe.

Fae Farm adds a lot of great quality-of-life improvements to the farming sim genre and makes magic with its soft and comfy art style. It’s unfortunate that it falls short in a few important areas such as the interactions you can have with NPCs, because the rest of the game is incredibly solid. It does also take a long time to get going, and those first days in the game will feel a bit like a slog, but once you start uncovering the more fantastical side of the island there is a lot of amazing stuff to discover. If you are looking for a new farming sim to try, especially one with magical elements, Fae Farm might just scratch that itch.

Eyes in the Dark is a great little roguelike platformer whose clever upgrades system and unique presentation are enough for it to stand out in a crowd. Although the Impediments system can leave your experience a bit too at the mercy of RNG, overall the variety of upgrades and difficulty curve ensured that Eyes in the Dark remained a fair and fun experience. If you are seeking a new roguelike to get invested in, you should definitely consider a trip to Bloom Manor.

Make no mistake, Forza Motorsport is a couch racer designed for a gamepad so people looking for a simulation experience need not apply. Overall, Turn 10 has got the job done, delivering a title that looks fantastic and is an enjoyable play. Unfortunately, Forza Motorsport lets itself down in a few areas, mainly the career mode which is very basic as well as (arguably) a focus on road cars which makes it feel more like a track day rather than a serious racer. Forza Motorsport is pretty good, it’s just not yet at the level of its competitors, nor is it as fun as Forza Horizon which puts it in a very difficult position. It’s just not different enough; even the menus are the same and so are the majority of the cars on offer. The online experience was a highlight, and will probably be the key part of the game that will keep me coming back for more.

CloverPit does what it does well. It’s very clear how much inspiration Panik Arcade has taken from Balatro and Buckshot Roulette, but it’s taken bits and pieces and created its own unique identity. The low-poly art style lends itself very well to creating an eerie atmosphere, and taking the time to put together charm combinations is fun and incredibly satisfying when it pays off. Though the rougelike element and pure RNG might be frustrating at times, and the simple gameplay loop can feel repetitive, taking what you’ve learned from a previous run and seeing it pay off in another feels very rewarding.

For both newcomers and long-time players, The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom is a chapter that stands on its own. While previous knowledge of the game is not necessary to enjoy the self-contained story, it adds depth to the ongoing Shadow Over Morrowind narrative that unfolds throughout 2023 and beyond. The new environments may be a little “samey” and there might be a lack of extra content afterwards, but with the captivating storyline, the introduction of the Arcanist class, and a plethora of content to explore, Necrom is a recommended addition to the MMO.

Ghostrunner II slices through a neon-soaked cyberpunk world, offering blistering parkour and ninja combat. It may stumble mid-combo with changes to gameplay causing disruption to movement flow, as well as performance issues and ambitious yet awkward motorbike sequences. Yet, it remains a fun, if imperfect, action-packed journey, great for speedrunning.

Whether you are a JRPG veteran or a Persona newcomer, Persona 3 Portable is a high-quality example of one of the best eras of the genre. The game is handicapped by a few shortcomings and could have done with some rebalancing and graphical updates, but still Persona 3 Portable reminds us where the series kicked things into high gear, while also showing how far JRPGs have come. An engaging, moody, and confronting experience that has plenty to offer to even the pickiest of players, Persona 3 Portable is a standout roleplaying adventure.

A retro-70s recontextualisation works wonders in Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile, adding a delightful stylistic flair to the classic whodunnit. With a charming cast of bougie suspects, satisfying puzzle-solving, and some thoughtful additions to the narrative, this is a unique and compelling rendition of an iconic tale. Despite some janky controls and the occasional frustrating puzzle, this is a solid mystery adventure for Christie fans and newcomers alike.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is so close to being Mimimi’s best. There are enjoyable diverse skills that make for some of the best stealth tactics gameplay we’ve ever seen. Enjoyable too is the colourful and often humorous side stories, along with plenty of feats to seek after for completionist obsessives. It may not have the most interesting main-story quest structure or be the most stable and bug-free at the moment but when Shadow Gambit gets moving it soars and sails, providing an addictive and fun tactics adventure.

Best Served Cold is a digestif. A perfect palate cleanser to play after a larger more involved experience. Some elements don’t quite compliment one another, and there is certainly work here to improve the recipe. But these characters and world are strong enough to carry those shortcomings. While it isn’t a perfect cocktail, the writing and world elevate a mechanically simple experience into something narratively fulfilling. If you enjoy murder mysteries, and 1920s vibes, pull up a stool at the Nightcap — stay a while, and soak in the ambiance.

Atomic Heart is a compelling and exciting sci-fi action RPG, with a unique and well-developed setting. Although it has its imperfections, from its slow pace to occasionally annoying combat, the exciting mysteries at the heart of, well, Atomic Heart, made it worth powering through. For action-RPG fans with a taste for alternate history settings, Atomic Heart is definitely worth diving into, and I am excited to see what developer Mundfish has to offer in the future.

Destiny 2: The Witch Queen is easily the best expansion since The Taken King. Savathûn and her story are engaging and thrilling to play, each mission putting the always stunning art and design on display. With glaive in hand, new mighty Void powers, and weapon crafting at your arsenal, Guardians will have a terrific time annihilating hordes of Hive in the campaign and raids. Unfortunately, it’s not a newbie-friendly expansion. The complicated narrative and deep history which is partly unplayable due to removed content, as well as awful UI, make it challenging for even previous players to jump back into the journey. If you’ve been playing Destiny 2 and still are, you need to play The Witch Queen.

Proving once more that Strange Scaffold is the indie king of weird, creative titles, Creepy Redneck Mansion 3 is another joyous romp under the studio’s now 10-titles-deep belt. Continuing the current Match 3 renaissance with meaningful turn-based battles with countless implementations of strategy, it’s only let up by the occasional frustrating encounter and not all that fun ending chasing in the game’s last act. Still managing to find the time for topical commentary on the state of game development amongst its kooky world, it’s a venture that’s more than the sum of its parts and with a surprising amount of bite for a puzzle game… just be wary they may very well come from that creepy Pclowntadactyl awaiting you around the next corner.

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a fresh coat of paint for the twisted take on Disney’s forgotten edges, yet it falls short of being a masterpiece. As remakes go, the game breathes new life into the graphics, even adding extra gameplay moves and other quality-of-life improvements. However, a tedious objective system and a lack of voiced dialogue feels like a missed opportunity for Mickey’s return. Despite this, the title shines in its preservation of a unique chapter in Disney’s gaming legacy and offers hope that we might just see more from Mickey and Oswald yet.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a quirky little diversion from the main series. Replacing swift combat with slow-paced exploration and puzzles, it’s quite a different attraction. I love the storybook illustrations and narration, and exploring the atmospheric Avalon Forest with Cheshire’s various abilities was great fun. Issues with the forest’s discouraging mazelike map and the simplistic combat are easily trumped by the oodles of character and charm offered by this whimsical spin-off.

Amnesia: The Bunker packs in all the scares of its lineage and leans into modern survival game tropes. I would’ve liked to see this one rely more on controls and interactive moments that allow the player to feel like they have more agency over the game, including its story. At the end of the day, if you’re here to be spooked, you’ll have fun, but don’t expect to be replaying this one until the next series installment.

Warhammer 40000: Rogue Trader does a great job of putting you in the shoes of space royalty. You travel around galaxies and explore new areas while addressing issues that plague your rule. Combat is strategic and encourages you to use the strengths of your companions. Exploring new galaxies and harvesting resources immerses you in the role of Rogue Trader, encouraging you to be the ruler you want to be. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of information to learn for players new to Warhammer 40K and the maps aren’t very helpful. But if you are willing to spend the time to learn and experiment, there’s a fun strategy RPG waiting to be explored.

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.

Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei has great world-building and complex characters that helps to deliver a powerful story. Being able to shape the personality of the main character and feel invested in their adventure immerses you into the story, and you are tempted to see how everything ties together. The visual novel helps to break up the story and makes it easier to follow along. Replaying for different routes can be difficult since it’s not always clear what your choices affect, and the intensity of the action scenes isn’t helped by the visual novel medium. Despite its flaws, the story remains excellent, and you will be interested in seeing how the characters determine their future.

As I write this review a couple of weeks after Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realm of Ruin’s launch I can’t help but feel sad. It’s a very good game despite its issues and an incredibly strong first RTS from a studio known for their management sims. A sequel that addresses its handful of shortcomings could absolutely be top-tier. Depressingly the writing already appears to be on the wall however, with the studio already announcing that they’re returning to the genre that made them famous after the game’s launch sales were so poor it tanked their stock price. Oh well.

Even though its overarching story world could be fleshed out further, Dicefolk offers a refreshing take on the roguelike formula. Thanks to its combat mechanics, dice system, and variety of chimeras and equipment, gameplay is varied and complex while still being accessible to newcomers. Added to this, the feature of customising different dice allows players to tailor their dice according to their personal tastes and playstyle, making Dicefolk a good fit for both casual and more hard-core roguelike fans.

Even though some of the puzzles outstay their welcome and can throw the pace off a bit, MADiSON doesn’t linger too long overall and the horrific atmosphere makes it a haunted house ride more than worth the price of admission. There’s plenty of moments that had me screaming and then laughing, my heart racing and palms sweating as I dreaded turning another corner, knowing that something awful was likely waiting for me. The soundtrack is particularly effective in making you feel tense at all times, with loud noises blaring at just the right moments, as shadowy figures loom just out the corner of your eye and a puzzle solution lies just out of reach. While MADiSON doesn’t tread a lot of new ground, its creators clearly have a love of horror and know what makes the genre tick, resulting in a solid spook-fest that will haunt your thoughts.

Adore is a rather good game that has a refreshing spin on the creature collection genre. The action-based isometric combat presents a unique take regarding controlling a team of creatures, and mastering when to summon them and customising a team made for a compelling experience. The gorgeous and charming art and soundtrack are also a pleasant inclusion. While the very limited variety in quest objectives starts to become an issue long before the credits roll, you can definitely still have a fun time with Adore’s new interpretation of isometric dungeon crawling and creature collecting.

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club improves on the old-school mystery visual novel mechanics that the 2021 remakes refined, eliminating some of the trial-and-error frustration while keeping things focused on interviews with witnesses. While the mystery of Emio isn’t my favourite of the series, it’s still a mostly well-crafted story with gorgeously animated characters.

Shotgun Cop Man delivers fast-paced, precision platforming that feels excellent once it has its hooks in you. It gets straight to the good stuff and strikes a great balance between approachability and difficulty. A few of the mechanics stand out as weaker than the rest, but the level design brings them together to create some really fun and challenging experiences.

Sniper Elite 5 is a culmination of many years of gameplay systems and development processes being polished to a mirror sheen. Making tremendous strides in both technology and visuals, Sniper Elite 5 can stand amongst the likes of its AAA contemporaries with gorgeous, realistic environments and visuals. Character modelling and animation could still use some refinement and the narrative left something to be desired, though the story thread was enough to provide adequate pacing for the action on screen. If you’re a fan of the series or looking to finally see what all the fuss is about, Sniper Elite 5 is the best the series has ever been.

Coral Island takes cues from the best games in the business to create a mix of farming and lifestyle gameplay, and so it gets most things right. It’s lacking in a bit of unique flavour and the first few seasons play a bit like a Stardew Valley clone, but it comes into its own soon enough. I wish the more interesting ocean gameplay hadn’t been relegated to the 2024 roadmap, but what’s here is just as addicting as any great farming sim. It’s only going to get better, and it’s an easy recommendation for genre fans.

While Song of Nunu tells a story set in a pre-established League of Legends universe, players who have never played the MOBA won’t be lost in this magical journey. There are some issues throughout the game including glitches and framerate, but the musical score and voice acting is superb. A healthy amount of accessibility options also helps to ensure Song of Nunu shines for all gamers. It won’t change the landscape of the League of Legends brand, but it does elevate and diversify, bringing something non-fans and fans alike can enjoy.

You probably already know if you are the target audience for Dread Templar. The game skillfully captures the spirit of classic FPS’, for better and for worse. The challenging gameplay with a large arsenal of crazy weapons is there, along with deep, secret-filled levels. However, it has all been done before, and while Dread Templar is a very competent and enjoyable shooter, it doesn’t do a whole lot to carve out an identity of its own outside of being a homage. Still, if you’re into classic FPS games and want a modern title that strongly evokes the era, you could do a lot worse than Dread Templar.

ANONYMOUS;CODE is a story that requires a solid time investment from you. It’s a difficult story to grasp at first and things only get weirder from there. But if you do put in the time, you will experience a thrilling sci-fi adventure like no other. The concept of reloading previous saves is taken to another level and it’s done well. You really feel like you stepped into a realistic future that we might experience one day. It’s not a perfect story by any means and there are moments where the immersion is broken. But even with the flaws, it’s a visual novel that delivers on its premise and keeps you hooked.

LUNAR Remastered Collection is a warm and welcome return to the important and severely underrated ’90s JRPGs. Within are those iconic anime cutscenes, a charming cast of characters and a magical universe that spans a millennium. Though more could’ve been done to modernise the pair of adventures, including minimising the frustrating difficulty spikes and at times disorienting level design, it’s worth it for how this special and unique collection is enshrined today. The LUNAR games are an endearing and wonderful affair that shouldn’t be lost to time and are begging you to play them. If you make the right decision to do so, the rest will be history.

Overall, The Valiant offers an engaging strategy experience that, while not offering anything ground-breaking, will keep RTS fans entertained. While the single-player campaign is presented in a traditional run-of-the-mill format, its multiplayer modes are sure to delight both old and new strategy fans. For that reason alone, the game is worth picking up.

The King is Watching is a satisfying, if slightly homogeneous, tetris-like roguelite base builder. While it struggles a bit with variety and uneven meta-progression, its gaze mechanic is a simple and clean hook that, alongside a creative setting and range of kings, makes for an almost comforting building manager run after run. The only problem is, that may not be enough to steal player’s gaze away from the wealth of other roguelikes it’s competing with this year.

Fundamentally, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores repeats a lot of the same beats as the main game, and doesn’t explore much new territory in terms of world-building or gameplay. However, the minor gameplay additions are certainly fun and welcome, and if you enjoyed the base game, this expansion is certainly still an enjoyable time, prolonged final boss fight aside. As an epilogue with some fun diversions, which also expands upon Aloy’s character arc from the base game and introduces a great new supporting character, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is definitely worth checking out for anyone wanting a good excuse to return to the game.

A whimsical romp across a colourful world of magic and monsters, Dragon Quest Treasures is a comforting and nostalgia-filled addition to the series. From its recruitable monsters that ooze personality to its collectible trophies, this title is full of charm and is an absolute joy to play – in short sessions. Some frustrating camera issues and a repetitive gameplay loop do get stale when playing for longer periods. Dragon Quest Treasures is best enjoyed in little bites, each of which is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a great title to rescue from the Wii's library, allowing a new generation of gamers to enjoy this masterful platformer. It didn't need a total overhaul, so it makes sense that it's just an HD rerelease rather than a total remake, but the problem is that it's priced the same as a brand-new 2025 title, which doesn't seem fair no matter how HD it is. If you don't mind the cost, you'll have yet another amazing game on Switch, but if you don't want to drop the full price on a 14-year-old game, I wouldn't blame you.

I had a good time with High on Life, but I can’t promise that everyone else will. Although the basic first-person shooter gameplay is hardly a revolution in game design, its certainly more than competent and accomplishes what it needs to, even with its significant lack of variety in the game’s second half. Where High on Life is likely to be polarising is its dialogue and humour, which are prevalent enough that they are hard to ignore. If you’re looking for a decent FPS that doesn’t overstay its welcome and can accept that not every joke is likely to land, then High on Life is certainly worth checking out.

A joyful, unapologetically silly celebration of being different, To a T offers up a chaotic series of adventures that the right player will find absolutely delightful. On top of this, it explores themes of disability inclusion, bullying, and loss in a positive and uniquely accessible way. Despite some moments of tedium and a little too much repetition, To a T is a jolly great time and a perfect treat for younger or cosy gamers.

Dawntrail has the benefit of years of gameplay and graphical improvements, and puts them to great use in designing some of the best dungeons and trials we’ve seen to date. However, its confused story prevents it from reaching its full potential, and will likely bump Dawntrail down to the bottom-to-middle of most player’s tier lists. These issues aren’t enough to ruin the experience though, so it’s still a good time for Final Fantasy XIV players.

A.I.L.A is a solid horror experience with a bunch of great ideas that, unfortunately, falters towards the end as it becomes what it was designed to parody. Though the story may fall short, A.I.L.A provides a strong gameplay experience for fans across the whole horror genre. With direct references to genre classics like Layers of Fear, Silent Hill and Resident Evil, there’s something to enjoy for all.

The Spirit Lift is a fun new take on the rouge-lite deck builder genre with plenty of additions that make it feel full of life. Getting to explore the hotel and making active choices through the terrifying journey up to the penthouse was a great way to put some more meat on the bones of the genre and give The Spirit Lift its own identity.

Layers of Fear is a great finale to a frightful series, tying together all loose ends and scaring you at every turn. The staggered story structure is confusing at first, but pays off when the game finally ends. Unexpected jump scares and a dark environment terrify even the most experienced horror veterans. Learning the backstories of each character and choosing different endings gives you control of the narrative. It’s also easy to replay stories if you want to see different endings. The note-based storytelling and navigation difficulty can turn away players looking for a simpler experience. But for a psychological game that chills you to the bone, it’s hard to find something as good as this.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong has been remade nearly perfectly, and it’s certainly great for any forgotten title to get an update and a facelift. The platforming is still tight, but the simple truth is that puzzle games as a genre have moved on in the twenty years since the original. That means nothing about it really stands out, either as a puzzle game or a Mario game. Still, that doesn’t mean you won’t have fun with it as you wait for Nintendo’s next main-line Mario.

Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 does so much right. It’s gorgeous, it’s fun, and it sounds awesome. It has a lot to offer for fans of classic 2D action platformers with engagement to be found in both its story and gameplay. Not without its faults, Luminous Avenger iX 2 hides its true ending behind an overly punishing hard mode and hides fun mechanics behind a DLC paywall which leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Though with that said, the game still manages to be a funhouse of bullets and chainsaws.

Tinykin delivers a fun-sized chunk of satisfying 3D-platforming joy for all ages. Its charming cartoonish visuals and delightful cast of insectoids are bursting with personality and whimsy. While it doesn’t provide much of a platforming challenge and drags its feet a bit through some repetitive escort missions, it’s impossible not to smile at this joyous mini-world of anxious dung beetles and partying silverfish. A relaxing, cozy little adventure that will entertain the young-at-heart.

Strange Scaffold have done it again and has made another wonderful romp that is well worth your time, this time adapting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles name and world. Dispel any doubt: the indie studio’s writing chops and style transfer well to the universe of the team of amphibian martial artists, bringing over so much charm and pizazz from the IP in its first-ever turn-based affair. With plenty of visual and audio flourishes and delights, you’re transported to the franchise’s heyday and better yet, while you’re at it, you’re engaging in some good old-fashioned tactics fun, using the turtle brother’s skillsets to take down wave after wave of thugs. It might not be the most mechanically deep or hardest of the genre, but it’s all worth it to see those lovable crime-fighting teens back in action.

Circus Electrique is truly a unique experience compared to the range of games on offer today. With a mix of several different genres, it somehow manages to blend them together in a way that makes logical sense and create seamless gameplay. However, the caveat is that there is a lot to learn as it isn’t a simple casual game. Both management and tactical RPG systems require a lot of strategic planning and knowledge which can become overwhelming quite quickly if you aren’t careful in following all the directions. Despite this, Circus Electrique delivers a gorgeous environment to play in alongside a diverse range of performers to pick from. If steampunk is your aesthetic and you enjoy a challenge, Circus Electrique will give you an experience you won’t soon forget.

Football Manager 2024 gives you more control over a football club’s operations than ever before. You’ll talk to players individually, plan game strategies, and snap up talent while retaining your own. Every club is different and it’s up to you to figure out the best path forward. There are a lot of systems to learn which can be intimidating if you aren’t familiar with club management. You also won’t see the outcome of your decisions until a good amount of time has passed. But nothing beats the feeling of everything coming together when your team holds the championship cup.

Rift of the Necrodancer is a solid rhythm game with some fresh and exciting takes on the classic Guitar Hero formula. The different enemy types and health system make this stand out from the crowd, but at higher difficulties, these fade into the background as you memorise your way through the tracks. Still, with killer design, delightful minigames and some absolutely banging tracks, this game delivers foot-tapping goodness that might just have you hooked.

A curious world of delightful wonder, Pikmin will never fail to be a series that invites warmth and joy with its vibrant world and colourful companions. New gameplay ideas are plentiful with Pikmin 4, many of which work towards expanding the game in interesting new directions. Not every new mechanic lands as elegantly as others, with Night Expeditions and co-op mode being two notable disappointments. Though overall, Pikmin 4 still finds a way to bring about that same glee that has lasted within this series since its inception.

Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends is a game that shouldn’t be rushed to be completed. It’s a game that allows you to live vicariously as a wannabe chef in a small town with big dreams. However, the game has the potential to do more and the lack of gameplay features is proof of this. Regardless, it’s a fun restaurant simulator with a story to tell, which allows it to stand out from other restaurant sims like Diner Dash and Overcooked. So if you want to learn more about this small town, as well as serve up some fresh sushi, then grab that controller and put on that apron, you have a restaurant to open.

Return to Monkey Island brings the beloved classic point-and-click series into the modern puzzle adventure genre, and it’s a perfect fit. It’s a fine addition to the Monkey Island series, but it nevertheless seems held back by Monkey Island 2’s strange ending. In its attempt to explain it away, it just hurts its own narrative, which had the potential for more than it achieved. But it is still a fun ride, full of wild, funny, and surprisingly sincere moments. I will be keenly looking forward to the next Monkey Island game from the mind of Gilbert and his team.

Evil West’s gameplay focuses around progression. It loves to introduce new elements like weapons, combat and enemies and then proceed to absolutely smash the player with an assortment of everything they have learnt by the end of each chapter. The constant change in how you play the game is overall satisfying, but its rinse and repeat formula of enemies and mini bosses became annoying the more time I spent with it. The location art and narrative is exciting, but I longed to be given more opportunities to explore and be rewarded for my endeavours based on the enticing nature of each area. Evil West is an exciting ride that will test your reflexes and ability to take on swarms of monsters which will either leave you feeling exhilarated, frustrated or like me, somewhere in between.

If you’re a longtime Final Fantasy fan who greatly appreciates the franchise’s musical legacy, Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line is a game that celebrates that. It holds up as a rhythm game, with complex and engaging gameplay and decent integration of obligatory Final Fantasy RPG mechanics. With its expansive track list, adorable visuals, and large roster of characters to collect, it is a joy to play through the musical history of this classic RPG series, either alone or against others. While it doesn’t really aspire to be much more than that, if you are fine with that, then Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line is certainly worth checking out.

Dead Island 2 is a silly, slaughter-filled take on the zombie apocalypse that is very entertaining without pushing the envelope of game design beyond the expected. HELL-A is the perfect bright setting to soak the streets in blood, and the little visual details ensure that there's always something eye-catching that grabs your attention. Some of the objectives can get repetitive and combat itself could use a little bit more variety, but considering its painfully long development time, Dead Island 2 still makes for a satisfying adventure with a good sense of humour stitching together its various generic zombie parts into something worth celebrating.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the future for Pokémon games. The graphics are disappointing and the combat is very simple, yet it’s undeniably fun to play. Exploring areas with roaming Pokémon has been a distant dream for a long time and it’s finally here. With improvements and tweaks, this is how the mainline series should stay.

Metal Eden is short, sweet and fundamentally quite enjoyable. The plot isn’t much to write home about, and it’s mostly a grey experience as far as the visuals are concerned, but the fun mobility options, innovative Core-ripping gameplay and varied arsenal of weapons make Metal Eden worth checking out for sci-fi shooter fans.

Gotham Knights smartly puts focus on some iconic DC Villains and showcases a new threat with an interesting story full of conspiracies and secrets. It does a good job of establishing this story with underrated heroes, tying in fun action which is enhanced greatly by playing with a friend. Other elements, like boring diversions from the main story, a tacked-on crafting system, and an over-reliance on throwing piles of long, repetitive battles in your path towards the end are less successful, but I still enjoyed my time exploring Gotham City overall. Especially if you have a sidekick, this is a superhero adventure that is well worth suiting up for.

Bramble: The Mountain King finds ways to excel throughout the ~6-hour adventure. With superb audio design and some really satisfying and engaging storytelling centred around Nordic folklore, the game showcases glimpses of greatness and refuses to hold back from depicting the horrifying and grim world around you. It’s a shame that every new enemy’s introduction and build-up is undermined by the inevitable average boss fight. It’s true there’s obvious room for improvement with Bramble’s gameplay, though the overall experience is certainly still worth uncovering, especially as the game goes from strength to strength with some seriously impactful core moments.

Harvestella is a game with a very addictive loop. With each dungeon leading you to a new plot revelation, and each season giving you new crops to grow it’s like the game is begging for “just one more day” and it can be hard to say no. While I wish that there was more depth to the characters, especially in the voice acting department, and the game doesn’t make any major strides, it is still a decently fresh take on the genre. It is important to know that Harvestella really is a JRPG before it is a farming sim; even though farming is a lot of fun, it is not the main thing you will be doing. Even though both farming and combat are simple, the combination of both manages to make Harvestella feel deeper than it actually is. So if you are on the lookout for a new RPG farming adventure to play after finishing Rune Factory 5, this might be it.

Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II is an excellent game, a love letter to gamers obsessed with urban legends and regional gothic lore. Like its Japanese horror counterparts, Death Mark II offers players a unique audio-visual experience with remarkable sound and art designs. However, there appear to be some missteps in exploring the combat and gameplay mechanics in this release. While I wish that developers had retained these aspects from the previous game, I appreciate their ambition in not settling for merely reproducing the same game but instead exploring new avenues.

Misc. A Tiny Tale is a classic ‘we’re going on an adventure’ mixed with ‘little guy in a big world’ type of game, that’s downright adorable. With such personal storytelling, it’s easy to get attached to Buddy and his mate, Bag Boy. The overt themes of environmentalism and reusing items are something that a lot of us know about; these combine well with the more personal themes about obsessive thoughts or depression, which really get to the heart of the story. Some better visual accessibility when picking up rubbish would help, and it’s weird how characters chastise players who ask for help. But all in all, Misc. A Tiny Tale is an adorable romp that fans of Pikmin or Chibi-Robo will get a kick out of. It’ll be exciting to watch what Tinyware Games does next.

There is a lot to love about Magical Delicacy. It is super duper charming and wholesome, with platforming and side-scrolling mechanics that are mostly on the “cozy” side of gameplay. Exploring the very tops and the very bottoms of this world is fun, especially when you manage to uncover new areas of the map. However, the lack of information about some of the cooking methods and navigational hints may leave you a bit adrift in the world of Grat.

Though none of its individual pieces is all that original: a sci-fi setting where a tragedy has befallen a space station, a side content emphasis and a cute young companion aiding you on your journey, Pragmata is still a certifiably damn good time. Though we've seen plenty of hacking in games before, its intrinsic link within the combat makes for some juicy action-packed and tactile fights that feel satisfying to pull off. Diana, while not the deepest of characters, endears the player and is a trusty sidekick with her technological know-how that aids the protagonist's combat prowess. Less of an evolution for Capcom and more of an homage and fusion of their prior works under a new skin, Pragmata may not light the world on fire, but it is still a great success with plenty of promise should they choose to revisit its world in a sequel. A worthy space mission indeed.

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.

Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4 are worth the wait due to the content and story presented. Susie’s character arc is very vulnerable and will bring you to tears, Kris’s mystery thickens, and the world expands meaningfully and emotionally. The humour and heart that made Undertale and early Deltarune chapters special are still here, with more polish, questions, and challenges. And with six chapters still to come, we’re only just getting started.

Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4 are worth the wait due to the content and story presented. Susie’s character arc is very vulnerable and will bring you to tears, Kris’s mystery thickens, and the world expands meaningfully and emotionally. The humour and heart that made Undertale and early Deltarune chapters special are still here, with more polish, questions, and challenges. And with six chapters still to come, we’re only just getting started.

Overall, Weird West dishes up an alluring world that you can explore to your heart’s content. Its story structure and procedurally generated travel encounters will keep players on their toes and ensure that no two playthroughs are the same. Even though there are a few glitches and the game’s camera can feel a little clunky at times, the visual style and depth of Weird West’s world more than make up for it. If you have a soft spot for comic books, interesting stories, and dynamic characters, Weird West will be a great addition to your library.

RoadOut is a fun action RPG that manages to capture a lot of the pleasures of open world games, but on a smaller scale. Despite some tensions at the centre of its combat system between quick-fire reaction and steadier stamina-management that it never quite resolves, there is plenty of fun looting, racing, shooting and thrashing to be found in RoadOut’s Dead Zone of playfully remixed post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk genre tropes.

Best Month Ever! does indeed live up to its title… except with a few pitstops. While there is some clunky dialogue and awkward animations, the game still shines through with its story and themes. Best Month Ever! tells a good story about a dying mother’s wish, with mature themes that are treated with the utmost care, and a beautiful art style. The game is lacking with some accessibility issues and subtitles not always matching up with spoken dialogue. However, with an action-packed adventure, fans of point-and-click games should pick this one up when they can. Overall, it’s a touching story that almost anyone can connect with.

Much like the first game, Slime Rancher 2 is a really grand time. The expansive world is filled with gorgeous vistas and really clever level design. Uncovering the secrets of Rainbow Island while building your ranch remains a highly entertaining experience. In this regard, Slime Rancher 2 is a worthy successor to the original. But a bigger world to explore without equal developments to gameplay makes the cracks shine a little brighter. Ranching can still feel a little too shallow and wears thin without new challenges to overcome. Additionally, a heavy late-game grind shines a spotlight on how tedious collecting resources can become. This series of smaller problems highlights just how much Slime Rancher 2 suffers from refusing to evolve its gameplay. But, if you adored the first game, another ranching adventure with loads of exciting new content will more than make up for any shortcomings.

Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a good remake. It paints an engaging and delightfully horrific world to delve into, with shocking twists and secrets to uncover at every turn. While players will very likely be left picking up the pieces of its narrative largely told through readables, it’s rewarding when it all clicks into place, painting a harrowing picture set in Southern Japan. It may be a remake that is still very of its era, with finicky camera movement and some questionable female character skins that can only come from that of gaming in the 2000s. However, in every other aspect, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse revels in its origins. On offer is wicked, tense and tight combat performed creatively through the Camera Obscura. It’s environmental design and scares are begging to be picked apart in true throwback fashion. Well worth the resurfacing indeed.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a fun, narrative-led stealth game that doesn’t demand too much of you. Stealth game veterans are unlikely to find a challenge in these common mechanics, but the beautiful details built into the world of Rosmark make up for it. The character-driven story is supported by great vocal performances and cutscenes that would fit in alongside any modern triple-A.

Tales of Kenzara: ZAU is a strong debut title for Surgent Studios, offering a short but solid Metroidvania experience. It’s limited by its small scope, and is a little formulaic, but that won’t stop you from enjoying the tight combat and gorgeous visuals. Pick this one up and enjoy the heartfelt, emotional story in a beautifully rendered setting that doesn’t see enough limelight.

Aspyr continues their recent but crucial work of restoring legacy games with Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, and it’s arguably their best work yet. The visual fidelity and style upgrades are meaningful, only touching the fundamentals minimally so the twenty-plus-year-old cult classics remain the historic ventures they always have been. Though the untouched level design will feel at times dated with players, it’s a janky and charming pair of games that are dripping with edge. Nostalgic fans and lovers of 2000s broodiness and creative design won’t want to miss this one.

Knuckle Sandwich is a charmingly absurd and lovingly crafted RPG adventure that delights in surprise. Its wonderfully nostalgic, SNES-like glitchcore visual and audio design constantly shifts style, and its rollercoaster of a plot happily sets up player expectations, subverts them, and then subverts them again. Unfortunately, the game is let down by a frustratingly restrictive inventory and some game balance issues leading to lengthy, repetitive boss encounters. However, Knuckle Sandwich’s charm and dry humour shines through at every step and is sure to leave you chuckling.

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.

Mario Party Superstars is exactly what you'd expect: it's a nostalgia-fest that brings back some of the most beloved boards and minigames from past titles and touches them up for the Nintendo Switch. Each game board has been delightfully updated, and the nostalgic minigame selection is generally pretty good. But beyond that nostalgia factor, Superstars hasn't added anything new to the series. The minigame modes aren't very exciting, and the visuals, while nice, aren't different from any other Mario game from the past few years. It's definitely a great way to experience those classic N64 boards, as long as you don't expect anything more.