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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Serial Cleaners has taken the monotonous act of cleaning and spun it on its head by placing it in a gritty criminal world with characters that are eccentric and passionate about getting the job done. Though the gameplay can be repetitive and the dialogue may make you wince, the location art and the special abilities of each character makes up for the lack of “action” in this “action crime” game. Instead, the elements of dead bodies, shining pools of blood, and the game’s dark colour palette brings the excitement as you clean up the carnage other games would usually have you create.

Lemnis Gate has some interesting FPS and time loop mechanics that make for engaging strategic gameplay. While it might not come with a thrilling story, it does deliver a unique gameplay experience that will be enjoyable for FPS and strategy fans alike. Some of the game’s modes do start to feel repetitive after a while, but Lemnis Gate comes packed with four modes, different match formats, and several different characters to keep things interesting. If you’re a fan of the casual FPS format typical of games like Overwatch or Apex Legends but are keen for something new, Lemnis Gate will provide plenty of entertainment.

Tempopo is a heartwarming little adventure that brings so much energy with its clever gameplay and charming visuals. Watching the little creatures successfully march as you solve each level is always satisfying. The straightforward mechanics in Tempopo ensure a very approachable experience for younger or inexperienced audiences. However, there are too many areas where it feels too simplistic, and lacks the polish to stand out as an exceptional puzzle 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.

Tandem: A Tale of Shadows marries surreal graphics and unique gameplay to create a truly immersive and visually compelling game. Switching between a top-down and side-scroller view, Tandem is sure to keep you interested with its plethora of interesting ideas and mechanics. If you’re looking for a narrative-driven game, you might want to give Tandem a miss, but if you were after a unique and fresh puzzle platformer that won’t force you into a fit of frustration, then Tandem: A tale of Shadows is perfect for you.

SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada has some neat ideas that separate it from other extraction shooters on the market, but it can’t fully shake off its repetitive nature and half-baked concepts. The fun loop of exploring a dangerous world, gathering resources and trying to survive the numerous threats trying to take you down goes a long way initially but eventually loses steam as monotonous grindy objectives rear their ugly head on maps without much variety. For now, SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada doesn’t quite live up to its ambitions; but with its decent foundations and a bit of time to add, improve and tweak its interesting universe, it could grow into something special down the track.

Black Book is a bewitching combo of deck-building RPG and D&D-esque storytelling, with a bucket load of ideas where some work better than others. With some refinement and editing, Black Book could have been a must-play release. Without it, it’s still an intriguing mix of gameplay systems that is bolstered by its striking visual style and incredible attention to detail with its Northern Slavic mythology and well-thought-out story-telling. It’s definitely like nothing else I’ve played this year, which is worth celebrating. Despite its shortcomings, I couldn’t help but be under Black Book’s unique spell.

Growbot is a wholesome experience with a dash of eerie undertones to it. You will find new ways of solving puzzles you haven’t seen before in similar point and click adventure games and will leave this experience wondering if you were really playing a game, or just dreaming. A shortage of hints can cause irritation, but there is so much whimsy and artistic expression it becomes easy enough to forgive. This is one nature trip you shouldn’t skip.

Sunblaze earns its place as a brutal but mostly fair challenge. It is exciting and fresh in its gameplay in a lot of ways that people should pay attention to. The difficulty will be satisfying for some but frustrating for others. Whilst a lacking story holds it back, clever design mechanics propel it forward. With all that said, when you’re dying every seven seconds, it’s easy for any shining praise to start to dull.

A simple but endearing experience, Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg is a nostalgic adventure that does justice to the satisfying crafting mechanics that have represented the series’ identity for nearly a quarter of a century. While it might lack the complexity and depth of more recent entries, and some of its “classic” elements feel a little dated, it provides a solid core gameplay loop within a charming package. It’s a bite-sized nostalgic RPG romp that feels cosy as heck and never outstays its welcome.

Dogpile is a casual and secretly addictive roguelike deckbuilder that draws you in with dogs and keeps you with its gameplay. You can easily spend hours figuring out the best strategies that help you achieve the highest scores. Some major flaws hold the game back as they significantly disrupt gameplay. Give the game a chance, and you can fall in love with it, but be aware that it’s not perfect.

If you need a hit of nostalgia from a sci-fi shooter, then jump in the cockpit for this one. It packs the challenge but may feel a little too stuck in the arcades of old. This release is a testament to the power of a loyal fanbase. As far as side-scrollers go, it’s definitely on the money. For many, a space-themed game like this might feel like something new and exciting for the genre. Difficulty does require some fine-tuning and there are some levels that will kill you more than the actual enemies if you’re not careful. Returning players will likely see this game as a solid tribute to a franchise they hold dear but it’s worth jumping in even if you are completely new to the side-scroller world of R-Type.

Hoa is one of the only games I’ve recently played where my 70-year-old, non-gamer dad felt comfortable enough to play. It’s because of its simplicity and how approachable it is that makes Hoa the kind of game that anyone can enjoy and feel the calmness wash over them. The platforming can be a little clunky and the game may not challenge seasoned gamers. Although Hoa definitely brings the wholesome content we need right now – a simple story about a little fairy that just wants peace in this crazy world we live in.

Whether you want to take the righteous route or become the true menace of Nottingham, Hood: Outlaws & Legends is certainly one of the best Robin Hood games to play. The art and world design care are impeccable, representing a grim and gory version of the English folklore. It’s empowering to play as legendary vigilantes and decimate the establishment or opposing forces with strategy and stealth. Although, it doesn’t come without its fair share of problems. The winching mechanic, and currently the only objective type in the game, is unmistakeably frustrating and poorly conceived. Without a proper refresh of the goals, the community might take their gold elsewhere. Not forgetting technical bugs that need squashing, Hood: Outlaws & Legends may let you steal from the rich but not without taking a little bit of your patience first.

Craftlings lets you turn a small team into an efficient workforce that constructs amazing things. By guiding your team, you work your long-term planning muscles and see your vision become a reality. It’s not easy to master and you will make several mistakes along the way. But if automated building is something you like, don’t pass this game up.

A lo-fi ocean adventure for those in need of calm, monotonous focus, Endless Ocean: Luminous provides an experience that is entirely low stakes, low risk, and low reward. It’s incredibly soothing to dive in and chase down a huge variety of aquatic creatures through the game’s diverse, atmospheric marine environments, but anyone looking for a deeper narrative will be left high and dry. Check this out if you’ve got the funds and don’t mind fumbling through a bit of jank to reach your zen state of mind.

Ten Dates highlights the unspoken “rules” of dating and discusses what is needed in order for a date to go well. Though it does tend to follow a stereotypical heteronormative rom-com storyline, it gives the player enough autonomy to choose exactly what their character wants and doesn’t want from their love life through each selection of dialogue. It’s disappointing that the devs weren’t forward thinking enough to allow players to decide on their character’s sexuality and therefore force your Misha or Ryan to play as heterosexual. The way the game includes a chance flirty encounter with the same sex isn’t realistic and makes same sex relationships seem lesser than heterosexual relationships, or an afterthought. Overall, Ten Dates is a good adventure to embark on if you like your choices to matter, your dialogue to be witty and your romance to be somewhat predictable.

Hero Seekers adds a twist on the usual hero-Demon King stories to draw you in with something new. Gameplay has many quality-of-life improvements that make your experience smooth. However, you should stick to one save file for the best experience, and you must understand that there’s nothing new in terms of gameplay. Come for the story, enjoy the throwback classic JRPG experience, but don’t expect too much, or the magic disappears.

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.

Chessarama delivers some great puzzle design, with delightful visuals and inventive ways of teaching you chess concepts as you play. It’s missing the attention to detail that could make it really shine, but it’s a charming package that’s easy to recommend for anyone who enjoys chess puzzles or who is interested in learning more about the game. Just don’t expect it to replace your chess.com subscription.

Star Ocean: The Divine Force will likely win back fans unimpressed with Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness. With its fun cast and expansive narrative, I found the game easy to get invested in, despite the predictably tropey JRPG melodrama. The mobility upgrades and combat overhauls make it the most fun Star Ocean game I have played yet. It’s a shame that the awkward character models, ridiculously small text size and sluggish level up mechanics may prove a roadblock for some. If you’re not already a Star Ocean or JRPG fan, Star Ocean: The Divine Force might not be that easy to get into. However, if you are willing to overlook some of its shortcomings, and want a fantasy action-RPG with a sci-fi twist, it is worth checking out.

Park Beyond delivers a captivating theme park adventure with innovative concepts and stunning visual design. The engaging campaign, featuring pitch meetings and diverse themes, will keep you invested and motivated. The impossification mechanic adds a unique twist, allowing you to create mind-bending roller coasters. However, the game is marred by technical issues, including game-crashing bugs and a lack of support for set pieces and decorations. Despite these shortcomings, Park Beyond’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity is commendable. With updates and improvements, it has the potential to become a standout title in the genre, offering an immersive and imaginative experience.

On offer is an absolutely wonderful amount of world, lore and story to digest and fully absorb yourself in. It’s undoubtedly a magical game also, though it’s hard to picture this venture breaking the original out of its niche. NieR is a wonderful, intriguing franchise that a select number are dearly devoted to, and rightly so. The game’s not entirely for me, especially considering all the backtracking, but it’s a weird and wonderful ride nevertheless.

With realism being the focus of MotoGP 21, the enjoyment here comes from the mastery of racing at high speeds. Although unless you’re a returning player to the series or a natural on the virtual bike, you won’t be treated kindly by the game’s difficulty. New players could comfortably get away with trying MotoGP 20 instead as a way of easing themselves into the series with a smaller entry fee. Returning players, conversely, will no doubt feel at home with an updated game featuring stunningly detailed environments and racing options. As for me? The plethora of crashes I experienced in-game may now put me off real-world motorbikes altogether.

Outriders is not a perfect game by any means. Its narrative, while containing some fun characters, feels somewhat underdeveloped. The conflict between the intended aggressive style of play and the omnipresent walls for cover lead to a strange kind of dissonance where the level design feels at odds with the most fun way of playing the game. The server issues are ongoing and can occasionally make the game inaccessible. The endgame is a lot of fun, but only if you’re playing in a group. When the experience is working well, it is a ton of fun shooting your way through hordes of enemies and marvelling at the latest rare gear. However, while the flaws do not ruin the experience, they are notable.

Oddworld: Soulstorm is undoubtedly the best-looking entry in the series yet, with dazzling cutscenes and beautiful environments. However, when it comes to gameplay, Oddworld: Soulstorm comes with a lot of bugs, and clunky and confusing controls. This made the overall gameplay more sluggish and cumbersome than it ought to be, and, in turn, made tricky levels frustrating and tedious rather than pleasantly challenging.

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.

All in all, Wobbly Life is a fun time due to the silly physics creating wacky moments. While you can play solo, it does feel better with friends. There’s variety in job types and missions, though most come timed where it’s either too much or too little. While the graphics are admittedly simple, it does offer unique customisation to make your Wobbly unique. The 1.0 update brings more jobs and missions, this time, in space, which lends to the sci-fi genre. It’ll be exciting to see what RubberBandGames expands on next.

Demon Turf is a good game begging the eyes of those invested in the collectathon niche. Plenty of fun hours are on offer to watch those numbers tick up and pull off some tight and joyful platforming. It may waver in some of its later combat and ability design, also proving unfriendly for younger audiences. Though just as much forgiveness is issued when you consider how devoted the game is to tackling its genre. If you’re looking for a more modest and fun game to wind down the year, this is it.

Road 96 is an emotional character-driven game that is unfortunately marred by heavy-handed attempts to evoke real-world politics. It is still very much an enjoyable experience with fun mini-games, a beautiful visual style and soundtrack, along with the interesting mechanic of having to make the trip to the border multiple times. It’s upsetting that the game loses itself when it tries to tackle politics when it really should have focused more on the relationships between the characters and their journeys on the road. Despite this, it was still great fun to play the whole way through.

Bread & Fred is a delightfully enraging cooperative physics puzzle that combines charming pixel art, adorable animations, and a challenging platformer experience. The game’s world, filled with cute penguins and vibrant environments, will bring smiles to faces. The chaotic gameplay and repeating failure might bring frustration but will be followed by big laughs and lots of fun with your penguin partner. Still, for solo players without someone to play with local co-op, this game won’t be for you.

LEGO 2K Drive is an exciting, colourful romp through the endearing world of BrickLandia where everything is breakable, colourful and the good vibes are turned up to 11. The game shows how LEGO is for everyone no matter your age as I was “oohing” and “ahhing” throughout my playthrough at the care that was put into developing a world not made from LEGO but also interesting to explore and race around in. Though the game does have some issues, such as the not-so-enticing Garage vehicle building mechanics, I had a pretty fun time cruising round’ an open world where everything is awesome.

Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV introduces a collection of fun new rule sets, but is brought down a bit due to the camera and microphone games that, for a title released in 2025, should work better than they do. That said, slapping your live reactions into your Mario Party games adds an undeniable layer of goofy entertainment that the series is known for.

Narita Boy is a surprisingly melancholic experience that puts forth a narrative exploring the power fantasy that video games provide people. Or rather more accurately, it gives the player power over their own journey as well as the skills necessary to overcome obstacles. It contrasts the beautiful and fantastical pixel world it’s created, with a very human story of hardship and grief.

Mighty Goose will likely appeal to you, whether you have played classic 2D run and gun games like Metal Slug or not. From its charming animations and characters, fun weapons and catchy soundtrack, it’s hard to not have a good experience during the game’s short runtime. However, it does start to drag a bit by the end, and it may have been more fun with the addition of co-op. That all said, Mighty Goose is a great little burst of shoot ’em up arcade goodness, and succeeds at bringing that old style of game into the modern era.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is somewhat imperfect, but the flaws don’t quite eclipse its strengths. Despite the annoying party AI and grind, the combat has the right level of tactical depth I would expect from a turn-based Monster Hunter game. With its adorable Monsties and a wide-open world to explore, gamers looking for a new JRPG to dive into can certainly do a lot worse. As long as you are prepared for some irritating supporting cast members and a somewhat repetitive gameplay loop, fans of the monster-collecting genre will get a lot out of this game.

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.

LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a different take on both LEGO and Horizon as a series, with mixed results. The charm of experiencing the epic Horizon Zero Dawn story in this family-friendly brickified way is unmistakable, with strong visuals and a fully voiced cast going a long way in making things feel epic. It’s a shame that the repetitive mission structure and overall short adventure stop it from becoming something truly special, not fully nailing it as either a LEGO game or a Horizon game. Still, as far as family-friendly cooperative gaming romps go, it’s polished, silly and sure to generate some laughs for the more casual or younger gamers in our lives.

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.

Empyreal has a great combat system with lots of opportunities to try something new. Hunting for better equipment is exciting, and developing your character is a rewarding feeling. But there’s not much else to do, and the shine wears off quickly. This is also a game that demands a good PC, or you might run into problems. It’s a great game for fans of varied combat and boss rushes, but not much else.

While it may not appear as glamorous as Scientology, Honey, I Joined a Cult is deceptively addictive. Its alluring capacity to let you micro-manage down to the tiniest detail, its swathe of customisable components, and its cheeky writing will leave you obsessed and indoctrinated (if only for a few hours). It takes a fair amount of grinding to build up a cult worth following, but those with the patience to stick around will find a decent amount of management-sim goodness to worship here.

As an overall package, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition just doesn’t tickle me like the first game does. A less captivating band of characters and an unwillingness to lean as firmly into history as its rivals did both back in the day and at present just make for a tonally too strange entity for me to have truly vibed with. It’s a very fine game, but one that disappointed me. Maybe 20 years of anticipation was just bound to do that.

While I do have a few complaints with Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town, overall I really enjoyed the time that I spent with the game. The actual meat of the gameplay is really satisfying with a lot of more modern gameplay ideas to freshen up the already well-loved franchise. The characters are very sweet and lovely and the cows are so round and adorable.

Revenge of the Savage Planet offers cooperative fun in an alien environment worth exploring. A varied gameplay experience propels you around a dynamic world of wonder, amplified by vibrant visuals and punchy audio. Let down somewhat by its comedic tone and unpolished approach, this title falls short of its full potential but still finds ways to surprise and delight along the way.

EA Sports FC 26 is another confident entry in the long-running series, delivering the essentials with polish and scale. With a staggering amount of licensed teams, players, and global competitions — including women’s leagues — the game remains the definitive virtual football experience. That said, FC26 doesn’t take many risks. Career modes return almost untouched, with some elements even feeling recycled from last year’s release. The absence of a story-driven mode like VOLTA leaves a noticeable gap for players craving something beyond the standard match grind. Still, what FC 26 does, it does very well — and while it may not be a revolution, it’s a finely tuned evolution.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök doesn’t stray far from the Ubisoft formula that has made their games either adored or loathed by gamers. Though some may think that a third expansion for Ragnarök may be overkill, it’s the developers focus on the more mythical origins of Eivor that makes this DLC different enough for lovers of the base game to be excited about exploring the new territory of Svartálfar. Dwarves as new friends and the Muspel as new foes creates opportunities for new stories, new personalities and new gameplay to be introduced, all that make for a worthy addition to the Valhalla lineage.

While PGA Tour 2K25 is definitely a competent golf game, it’s the little touches that elevate a game from good to great. In a genre as established as golf games, it’s surprising that this title doesn’t quite hit the mark. However, for those eager for the latest golfing experience or who haven’t played a new golf game in years, PGA Tour 2K25 is still a good choice.

Despite my problems with some of the storytelling, I enjoyed Root Film a lot. The beautiful anime-style art and relatable characters are more than enough to make up for my temporary frustrations, and I was happy to just be along for the ride. As an avid mystery game fan, I’ll guzzle down as many of these as publishers translate, so the fact that it wasn’t a perfect 10/10 doesn’t bother me, as long as the ending is satisfying – which for Root Film, it is. It gets my recommendation.

Bounty Star: The Morose Tale of Graveyard Clem is deftly written Western, lovingly delivering on the conventions of the genre to weave a tale of judgment and redemption. The mission-based mech combat gameplay loop is supported by interesting and meaningful customisation when it comes to weapons, gadgets and addons for the Desert Raptor MKII, but non-combat systems are somewhat lacking, with limited farming mechanics that don’t feel impactful or necessary to gameplay. Bounty Star is not exceptional, but is thoroughly enjoyable when taken for what it is – a classic Western, as told from the cockpit of a kickass robot dispensing frontier justice.

Sucker for Love: First Date is a really clever melding of both horror and romance that takes a totally different route from other popular genre mashes like Doki Doki Literature Club. A wonderful dash of comedy imbues the game with an extra layer of goodness. The game managed to make me scared and laugh at the same time, so it’s such a shame that glitches are still ever-present because they really drag the experience down. I hope that Sucker for Love: Second Date may come out someday, expanding on the very solid foundation to make something even better. Oh, and to give me more unknowable horrors to kiss, of course.

Maquette is a beautiful puzzle game with a catchy soundtrack that really sets the chill yet heart-breaking vibe of the game. The way it messes around with space and depth keeps things fresh throughout and the game looks damn fine, making it an overall positive experience. However, it had an opportunity to make much stronger links between its puzzle world and its narrative world and it saddens me that this didn’t occur.

Humankind is immediately accessible to anybody familiar with the 4X genre, especially the Civilization series. It strays a little too close to Civilization at times, but its unique take on the advancement of culture and ideology prevents it from feeling like a copycat. The way your culture changes between eras means that no two games will ever be the same, no matter how much you try. It’s not quite as masterful as it could be and needs some fine-tuning in some areas, but it remains a solid addition to Amplitude’s library of strategy games.

Yomawari: Lost in the Dark is perfect for amateur-level horror players wanting to dip their feet into a game scarier than what they’re used to. The dim lighting, disfigured monsters, stealth mechanics, and creepy atmosphere—all wrapped up in a beautiful (but really terrifying) 2D world—will be all the training you need to take on even scarier games. And if horror doesn’t phase you, then the well-crafted and deeply folkloric setting will reel you in. Be warned though, the final act is both monotonous and disappointing.

Despite an eerie similarity to the Rhythm Heaven series, Bits & Bops proves its quality with a small collection of well-crafted and entertaining rhythm games. Easy to understand and quick to jump into, it’s the perfect way to spend a couple of hours clicking along with the game’s bouncy tunes and cute mascot characters. At only about two hours long, it’s only a shame the fun doesn’t last longer.

Near four years since its original release and Doki Doki Literature Club has still stood the test of time thanks to this ‘Plus!’ edition. Where there are some shortcomings in the fact that it takes a little while to get the ball rolling and will be even harder to enter unspoiled, it’s worth it when you consider what’s on offer. Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! is a delight. It’s horrific. It’s heartbreaking. But most of all, it’s a wonderful model of how to take the visual novel formula and absolutely turn it on its head. Just be aware, there’s some sadness behind those anime characters’ eyes.

The Quarry proves to be a worthy successor and a notable release within Supermassive's lineup of branching-path slasher games. A frightful narrative full of tense moments creates a satisfying experience for horror fans, made even better when played alongside others. An ambitious amount of choice proves to be a double-edged sword as the game teeters on the edge of quality and quantity, with one particularly egregious mechanic dampening the experience for those who don't like to replay large chunks of a game. Though, despite its obvious shortcomings, there's a level of campy fun that's undeniable as the game engages from one freaky sequence to the next.

#BLUD is a hack-and-slash game that is overflowing with style. With its colourful cast of characters and gorgeous animation, it would certainly be nice to see more of Becky and her friends, even in another medium, such as what Cuphead received with The Cuphead Show! on Netflix. If you’re the sort of gamer who can look past the release’s occasional lack of polish and simple combat, and values unique and charming aesthetics, then #BLUD is definitely worth checking out.

Mega City Police is a great throwback to the retro top-down shooters of the past. There’s no great story but lots of weapons and combat. You will be spending lots of time learning about each character’s playstyle and what weapons work. The game isn’t perfectly balanced though, as some weapons are clearly better than others. Melee playstyles are unintentionally discouraged and high rarity weapons are must-haves. But if you are willing to spend the time to learn, there’s a good challenge to be had with this game.

SaGa Emerald Beyond provides an engaging RPG that takes you through five different stories and a complex battle system. By replaying stories and carrying over your experience, you can overcome previously insurmountable obstacles and view different endings. However, the emphasis on repetition and lack of information make this a hard game to master. You’ll need to enjoy replaying stories multiple times and learning on the job to get real enjoyment out of the experience.

Sheltered 2 offers players an interesting mix of resourcing, crafting, and combat mechanics. With plenty of stats to keep an eye on throughout a playthrough, you’ll find yourself making complex decisions to keep your faction alive. Through the added feature of expedition parties and combat, Sheltered 2’s gameplay feels varied and engaging overall. While its user interface can be complex and overwhelming at times and its aspects of micromanagement might not be for everyone, if you’re a strategy aficionado who’s not deterred by numbers, there’s plenty to love in Sheltered 2.

Rogue Lords is a fine lead-up to the spooky season, with a genuinely addictive gameplay loop and a satisfying combat system. The ability to mess with the game’s own mechanics as the Devil is an absolutely inspired idea, and the experience is only made less than perfect by a few glitches that need patching out. The game would feel a little more complete if there were more to do in each chapter’s overworld, but what is there is a delightfully challenging roguelike. The inability to lower the difficulty may turn some people away, but other people will relish the challenge.

Copycat shoots for the stars with its narrative ambitions, delivering an emotional, introspective experience that will have you reflecting on your relationship to the animals and people in your life. It goes to some truly unexpected places, some of which are questionable, but all of which are compelling. Despite the pieces not quite coming together in perfect harmony, this is an experience that will stick with you for a long time.

Compared to the original, House Flipper 2 is a more than decent renovation and sale. Built from the ground up it features crisp, clean, better graphics. It features more attention to detail for the little things such as cleaning up, taking out trash and so on. It also features no less than three different environments with houses to match. The client jobs are time well spent, interesting and with decent rewards. After doing my first few ‘flips’ I felt like I did not want to let my creations go. But on the flip side, I miss the assembly and the features added to the original game over time like proper gardening and pets in particular. Those should have been implemented here as standard, but House Flipper 2 still manages to scratch the same satisfying itch as its predecessor.

The Crew Motorfest very much wants to be the next Forza Horizon 5, but in forcing us to compare the two, the blemishes that hold this Hawaii-set racer back are made even more obvious. The Playlist system gives a sense of variety and scale that is exciting initially, with genuinely interesting romps through automotive history and a wide range of vehicles keeping things interesting. But the uninteresting open world that connects them all and limitations around how you unlock more of them could have you putting on the brakes sooner than you might expect. Even so, The Crew Motorfest is visually lovely and has an incredibly solid racing foundation, so it warrants a pit stop at the very least.

Winter Ember presents players with an engaging story and plenty of interesting levels to explore. While its combat can feel repetitive and the voice acting could be polished a lot further, overall the game offers some fun stealth mechanics that will be entertaining to fans of titles like Weird West, Desperados III, and Sherlock Holmes.

KINGDOM of the DEAD is a pretty damned good horror FPS with enough compelling ideas to stand on its own. The monochrome, hand-drawn visuals really sell the game’s Lovecraftian-noir tone, without interfering with gameplay. Plus, its varied additional mission objectives make its difficulty settings feel more multi-layered. Still, with its short play-time, minimal plot, and lack of unlockable content, it won’t be engaging for everyone. However, for those looking for some retro FPS fun, KINGDOM of the DEAD is a unique enough experience to be worth the recommendation.

Go Mecha Ball is great at delivering fast-paced action thanks to its collision combat. You constantly balance rolling into enemies and firing with your weapons while dodging attacks. The enemies you face constantly attack you and the boss battles are challenging. The game isn’t perfect, as it constantly forces the tutorial on you and you sometimes spend too much time chasing enemies. But for a game that gives you a quick action fix, it’s hard to dislike Go Mecha Ball’s frantic pace.

Storyteller makes the player a would-be narrator, with a focus on finding the correct story under the guise of narrative independence. It’s a polished experience that’s very interactive and easy to pick up. The levels pad the game’s length out nicely to create an experience that can be played in a single sitting if you don’t get stuck. It’s just a shame the replayability suffers when the player realises there isn’t room for agency in a prewritten story.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is undeniably endearing, learning from other media forms to present an uplifting adventure with lovable protagonists. With too much dialogue and backtracking implemented within the game’s design, it can run at a pace that feels slow, ballooning what should be a fun jaunt into an overly long adventure. There’s room for further fine-tuning of ideas, meaning Brothership isn’t the flawless seafaring journey we wanted. Though it’s also far from a shipwreck with incredible charm and gameplay offerings carrying this title across picturesque waters.

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.

Letters to Arralla adds the thrill of reading someone else’s mail with the joys of being part of a welcoming community. It’s fun to deliver mail with unconventional puzzles while always having help available. This game does need time to truly show its potential, and it does get repetitive after some time. But you won’t find another cozy game that encourages mail crime, and for that, Letters to Arralla has my support.

Enotria: The Last Song is a compelling little soulslike which has enough of its own identity to be worth a recommendation, even if not all of its elements individually work as well. The emphasis on the game’s melee combat leaves its magic system a little clunky, and despite an impressive amount of flexibility in the game’s RPG mechanics, the ability to swap between different loadouts mid-combat wasn’t all that useful. Despite these minor drawbacks, the challenging boss fights, gorgeous art direction and fun exploration make this a worthwhile addition to any soulslike fan’s library.