No two basketball games play out the same, and the same can be said for NBA 2K24‘s variety of modes and features. ProPlay was a welcome addition to the overall feel of the gameplay, adding an extra level of realism. Some modes work extremely well, like The W, and others like the career mode fizzle out, but overall the gameplay itself is great. Unfortunately, having microtransactions at what feels like every corner is a real letdown for something that otherwise has real potential.

It’s great to see a game about a culture that often doesn’t see a lot of focus. A Highland Song has a lot of great concepts, but they just don’t all come together cohesively. Even so, it has a story worth telling and some pretty fantastic music to boot.

I enjoyed my time with Everdeep Aurora, although it could have been better. Nautilus Games very deliberately nails the feel of an old Game Boy game from the mid-1990s, although it may turn off players looking for something more complex or challenging. With its charming art style and gameplay, it’s hard not to have a smile on your face as you drill down into the Everdeep. That said, the lack of clear guidance regarding exactly what the game is asking you to do a lot of the time left me longing for a quest log or objective marker. If you’re looking for a chill platformer with retro stylings and don’t mind a lack of clear direction, Everdeep Aurora is worth checking out.

Hangar 13 did not try to fix TopSpin with this latest entry, but perhaps they should have. With less-than-desirable graphics, a lacking on-release pro player pool, and hard-to-tune difficulty settings which made picking up the game harder than it needed to be, the game is left with much to be desired. Despite that, the bones of TopSpin 2K25 are good, and hopefully, they will be built upon in future games.

Romeo is a Dead Man is a loud and inventive action game that prioritises style and spectacle. Its combat may be basic by today’s standards, and its systems occasionally bloated, but the confidence behind its strangeness may carry it for some. It can feel very dated, but it’s unapologetic and unmistakably Suda51, and for the right player (you know who you are), that’s more than enough.

Shadow Labyrinth is such a fascinating reinvention of PAC-MAN that completely changes the concept of what a PAC-MAN game can be. It’s a completely unapologetic, brutal reimagining that fully commits to this vision. It pays off in its best moments, whether you’re fighting a huge boss or weaving through some difficult platforming, but the punishing early game and confusing design choices really weigh it down. It’s far from the most flawless Metroidvania, but if you can stomach the difficulty, it’s a compelling new PAC-MAN experience.

Crash Team Rumble is a solid foundation to work off of, taking what Toys for Bob built with Crash 4 and creating a new experience that can be a great deal of fun in short bursts, especially with friends, but currently lacks staying power due to a dearth of gameplay content beyond cosmetics that won’t be enough to bring everyone back for more. If the game can expand in the near future and break through the live-service curse, it could very well stand as another classic Crash title, but for now it may well be another piece of lost potential waiting to happen.

Yurukill: The Calumniation Games is a bit of a mess, but it definitely feels like a mess that someone tried really hard to make. While the gameplay elements sometimes feel at odds, it has a lot of charm in its characters and UI design. Even though the game’s plot can feel unfocused and confusing, it does have some really good moments. The characters especially do a great job of keeping the story engaging, even when it loses itself a little. Yurukill definitely has both hits and misses, but it feels very earnest and I hope to see more games by this team soon.

Possessor(s) is hauntingly beautiful. It’s a stunning world that begs to be delved into with curiosity. Luca and Rhem’s dynamic is an absolute standout, with an excellent balance of snark and heart between the two. It’s almost to the game’s detriment, as every other NPC (besides the antagonist and one of the eye holders) falls flat in comparison. Movement feels great, as does combat, for the most part. Some unfair enemy design and stun issues drag the experience down, alongside moments where progression stalls, especially if you miss the unclear whip skill interaction. Despite this, though, Possessor(s) still manages to shine with genuine merit and contains a beautiful story well worth seeing through to the end.

Arcana of Paradise – The Tower is a decent addition to any roguelike deckbuilder fan’s library. With its real-time gameplay adding tension to what is generally a slower, more tactical affair, it’s a refreshing twist on the formula. The inventive combination of card-based gameplay and puzzles also incentivises experimentation in an interesting way. Unfortunately, despite its gameplay strengths and gorgeous presentation, the shallow setting and lack of sufficient encounter variety cause the experience to become repetitive after only a few hours.

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

There’s a decent time to be had in Slitterhead as a blood-wielding badass dealing with some dastardly demons in the striking and grungy concrete jungle of Kowlong. The game finds a satisfying balance of empowerment and challenge as you hijack body after body to topple your foes. Similarly, it’s exciting to use these supernatural powers to traverse the land and uncover mysteries across the city. The game, however, is held back by an obtuse story, a frustrating lack of apt signposting in some missions, and an adventure you never really wrap your head around in its twelve-hour runtime. It may not make a huge mark on the horror action scene, but to the select few that vibe with its freakishness, it’ll be an underrated gem for years to come.

I Hate This Place is a well-constructed game that provides a decent level of entertainment, especially for those who love a creepy cult setting or a ghostly mystery. While the narrative isn’t the most compelling story ever told, and there are certain aspects of the gameplay that could have been improved on, the overall experience is enjoyable enough that players might be able to look past them and enjoy taking in the atmosphere and charming visual style.

Just like any night market, one is never quite sure what will be on offer. Nimeko’s Night Market is a spin on the cosy genre with a sure footing and loads of potential. With such an interesting cast of characters inhabiting the island and a nifty protagonist, the game is definitely a successful narrative life sim. Where Mineko’s Night Market fails to sell itself is in the menial grind. The idea of constantly crafting until you’re onto the next objective falls a little flat even when you are invested in helping Nikko find their way home. If cosy games make your heart swoon, then the time needed on this one will be worth the investment. If you aren’t a fan of the grind, order in and save yourself a trip to Mineko’s Night Market.

Anger Foot is a good shooter but it’s not always a compelling shooter nor the best it should be. I feel it important to give flowers to the unique use of hardstyle music and the fun implementations of new abilities granted by the different pairs of shoes you unlock. Though the polish and sheen are undeniably present with its gorgeous presentation and frenetic and fun gameplay that sees a symphony of flying kicks, bullets and grenades, it’s let up by ways the game could’ve been better refined. The humour found within gets old after a while and it has some of the most dull and uninspired boss designs I’ve seen in a shooter for quite some time. Yes, the minute-to-minute is good but the pitfalls feel like a square, hard kick in the head. Ouch.

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER has a lot to like for fans of 2064: Read Only Memories, but falls far short of the scope and impact of its predecessor. The gorgeous design, intriguing world, and charming characters create a huge amount of promise, but the lack of freedom, extremely simplistic puzzle design, and unsatisfying conclusion make for an experience that feels underwhelming and disappointing. If you’re looking for a short, queer narrative with a cool futuristic setting then there’s still enjoyment to be had, but temper your expectations going in.

Overall, Project Motor Racing feels like it lends more toward an arcade-style experience than the initial hype suggested. Whilst it does feature an impressive curated library of vehicles to drive (and they all sound fantastic by the way) and a decent enough career mode, it lets itself down in several ways. The AI drives on rails and is not friendly; they do not like being put two wide through a corner and will defend their line at all costs. There is also no radar or effective spotter, which makes driving in cockpit or hood view pretty dangerous when things are getting tight on track. Whilst it is a playable game on a controller, it just is not the benchmark simulation racer that it was touted to be.

It’s a shame that the early pacing issues with Forspoken and the slow-burn drip-feeding of abilities will likely put off a lot of players and prevent them from seeing how fun the game can actually be when it’s firing on all cylinders. Bland and boring environments with some awkward visual choices and lifeless character models give an unfortunate first impression that is saved by its enjoyable parkour and versatile combat during the later stages of the game, along with a surprisingly heartfelt story. Forspoken might not be the savior we were all hoping for, but it’s a decent adventure with enough soul that it shouldn’t be cast aside entirely.

It becomes harder and harder as we get older to be astonished by the simple things in life. The way that Miniatures asks the player to slow down and explore four different memories, each so beautifully drawn, made me feel that sense of curiosity and awe in the worlds the game has created, a feeling that doesn’t occur as naturally as it once did. Though the narrative missed an opportunity to discuss deeper themes and make each tale offer some deeper meaning to the audience, there is still a lot for players to get from this short, yet sweet, point-and-click narrative experience.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince’s significant performance issues unfortunately sap a lot of the joy out of the game’s core loop of exploration and grinding, detracting from an otherwise solid monster-collecting experience. However, if you’re able to overlook its painful opening hours and sloppy storytelling, there’s a decent, comforting game lurking under the surface. Hardcore Dragon Quest lovers will find hours of grindy RPG goodness to enjoy and a colourful, varied world to get lost in – though certainly one far less polished than fans of the series would usually expect.

Great God Grove brims with charm and originality, offering a fresh take on word puzzles and gods among people. Its offbeat humour and playful design will draw you in, but clunky mechanics and a fairly straightforward narrative may leave you wanting more cohesion and polish. With a little more divine intervention, Great God Grove’s quirky moments might have ascended to a truly special adventure.

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

Gears of War: Reloaded is the definitive version of Gears 1, but only by default. A faithful remaster of a remaster that keeps the series alive and opens the door to PlayStation players, but doesn’t do enough to feel essential. It’s both dated and timeless, clunky and exhilarating, simple and unforgettable. A solid nostalgia trip, but a missed opportunity to make the original shine for modern audiences.

Curse of the Sea Rats is a competent 2.5D Metroidvania that offers an absolutely delightful style. The story and gameplay are basic at best, with design oversights and shallow combat that unfortunately drive this simple narrative. Still, the small package comes with a fun four-player coop that complements the classic cartoon animation and critters throughout the journey. This platformer won’t rattle the scene, but it’s a great game for families to play.

As much fun as Nintendo Switch Sports games are, it’s hard not to feel as if Nintendo didn’t exactly push the boat out on the game. 6 games might have been enough for a new game in 2006, but not these days, and not for a full-priced game. That and the lack of extra modes and options make it feel like it’s a half-game, something that should have been bundled in with Nintendo Switch Online instead of sold at full price. It’s still a fun distraction, perfect for engaging the non-gamers in your family… as long as you’ve spent enough hours unlocking some accessories first.

Hozy, while a short experience that can be completed in one sitting, is an enjoyable title. With beautiful, realistic graphics, lighting that feels luxurious to bask in and a smooth jazzy soundtrack that helps tie it all together. The attention to detail in the weight of an object, the way the wind blows through an open window, and the ambience that layers when you turn on a fan or a radio, all help build an aesthetically impressive game. Though it lacks in replayability and doesn’t push much farther than a room decorator in its mechanics, Hozy will likely be a hit for fans of titles like Unpacking or any decorative cozy game.

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

Nobody Wants to Die has a lot of smart political and philosophical thoughts that relate to what’s happening today. There’s a lot of intrigue and spotting all the Greek Mythology references is exciting, alluding to the story at hand. However, the crime scene gameplay can get repetitive and frustrating, as the story feels like it’s on rails. It’s nice to be able to play a game you can’t fail, but it feels odd that there’s a heightened sense of danger that just… never comes. Introducing elements like quick-time events late in the game and without accessibility options for them is disappointing. Even still, the game is gorgeous and watching a friendship bloom with the two main characters is great to see.

Though there’s a bit of rockiness and jank under the hood, MY HERO ACADEMIA: All’s Justice is a rock-solid 3D anime arena fighter in a series of incredibly middling ones. There’s some real tacticality and dexterity you pick up with how much you’re cycling characters in and out, countering attacks and building up towards constant finishers. No one fight feels the same; I’ve done battles in and out of the Story Mode or exhibition mode that saw me dominate the competition or pull back a victory by the skin of my teeth after being knocked about for a good while. It’s not without its technical issues and padding in the campaign, but plenty of meaningful additions and lessons brought forward from prior entries make it a fitting enough send-off that stands out well in the crowd. Not quite a Detroit Smash hit, but a punchy good time, regardless.

CraftCraft: Fantasy Merchant Simulator has the bones of a really great game. The delightful, fully voiced characters and the charming, bold art style make the town of Windspell feel like a place you truly want to visit. It’s just unfortunate that the bones don’t have enough meat to carry them through, with messy mechanics and so many bugs that our store might need fumigation. It’s clear there’s a lot of heart and soul behind the world, and the characters are so easy to fall in love with, but it just feels like CraftCraft needed some more time in the forge.

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap takes a now-established idea and gives it new life via a roguelike progression system. Whilst the foundation of the idea is still solid and provides many an hour of fun, the implementation is needlessly grindy and imperfectly scaled. Deathtrap is not the evolution of the series we wanted it to be. It’s still a good amount of fun but falls short of its ultimate potential.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is a fun, nostalgic hit of fast-paced racing goodness that offers players a number of ways to have a good time. However, if you look a little closer, you can see that some of the game’s paint is peeling due to the janky nature of its gameplay elements and its over-reliance on player speed rather than quality tracks. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is full of charm but fans of racing games may feel that this isn’t enough for them to stick around and get turbocharged with Hot Wheels cars.

Dreams of Another is an admirable mess of a game. Its narrative is poorly executed through truly terrible dialogue and performances, it’s incapable of offering a creative alternative to its exploration beyond shooting, and its philosophical musings wouldn’t be out of place on r/im14andthisisdeep. But, for those players who decide to dream this particular dream, Dreams of Another offers an eclectic kaleidoscope of bizarre artistic motifs, a fascinatingly surreal mood and a (possibly entirely unintentional) thematic density that is still worth treasuring amidst the haze of its voxel world.

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons does a reasonable job of bringing back a classic series, but it’s unfortuantely hit and miss. Some imaginative stage design, a fantastic soundtrack, and stages changing dependent on the order you pick are all satisfying additions. But a focus on making money to earn tokens, some nasty difficulty spikes, and what feels like forced replayability detracts from the experience. This is close enough to a classic Double Dragon title that it’ll likely attract some fans of the originals. However, it’s also an example of a game that could have gone a little further and perhaps should have considered taking some inspiration from other successful recent revivals in the genre.

Slime Heroes is a magical kids’ game with a hint of the Soulslike genre sprinkled onto it. While it’s not an exact replica of the genre, there are elements of it that make it a great way to introduce the genre to a younger audience. Even if you try to set the game to easy mode, it will still challenge you regardless of whether that would be the environment or the boss’ move sets. While there is not much to do in the overworld, it’s still such a colourful game with a great story to tell, and your skills will be tested if you’re willing to challenge yourself.

REPLACED feels simultaneously over-scoped yet under-designed. An incredible visual style and rich world immediately catch the eye, but only the former holds up across the entire adventure. Likewise, the gameplay is initially rewarding, but fails to expand its simple foundations over a journey that’s far too bloated. REPLACED’s repetitive gameplay holds back the gorgeous aesthetics, but there’s still a charming core underneath the grime that may just win you over.

SLEEP AWAKE is an experience that doesn’t allow itself enough time to become the piece of art it desperately wants to be. It features all the elements of a beautifully intense and unique audio and visual experience, and has a decent story it’s trying to tell, but feels diluted overall by its short runtime. It almost feels like a game that was playing it a bit too safe, even in its experimental style, and it would have benefited from heavier auditory exploration and more content to properly develop its intriguing narrative.

Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy revamps a classic adventure that’s great fun for puzzle fans who enjoy scouring the environment for clues. It’s easy to get lost in the wonder of Amerzone without feeling too frustrated. However, the experience also brings some flaws from the past that haven’t translated well to the modern gaming environment. This makes the game great for a blast from the past, but a tough recommendation for modern puzzle players.

Maliki: Poison of the Past builds upon a unique concept of the butterfly effect; how one small change can alter the future. The art direction and style of the game are gorgeous, and there’s clear inspiration from JRPGs of the 2000s. But there are a lot of bugs that can make the game frustrating to play, like some enemies being immune to all attacks. Some mechanics aren’t explained well, and the lack of a map could make players disoriented. However, there is clear passion from the team on their love for France (or hatred for Paris), and I enjoyed learning about the more unknown landmarks. Fans of the webcomic will get a greater kick out of this, but non-fans might have to watch a Let’s Play to see if it’s for them.

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

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

Gibbon: Beyond the Trees is a fantastically paced game seemingly designed to be experienced in bite-sized chunks with challenging controls that could be mastered by those willing to put in the effort. With all the thought and care put into representing these beautiful creatures and their heartbreaking lives, the game’s issues appear to stem from a lack of resources, not passion. Despite the repetition and technical struggles, it’s a short, sweet experience whose positive elements are more memorable than its faults.

Blood Bar Tycoon is an overall enjoyable experience which is hindered from being great by small bugs that add up really fast. It’s got a clean and fun art style, and light humour that compliments the darker tone of the game. With the lack of an overall bigger story to pull you in and keep your interest, it falls victim to the ‘tycoon game turned idle game’ where you’re simply waiting for your machines to make stock. There’s not a lot to keep you coming back once you’ve achieved three stars in each bar; while it’s a relatively fun experience while you’re playing, the somewhat repetitive gameplay loop doesn’t offer much incentive for a repeat visit, even if the drinks are bloody delicious.

When the game commits fully to these funnelled environments, it does result in some spectacular set pieces. The mangroves are a charming calm down after a climactic battle, yet still tense thanks to Mangrove Jack. Another frantic escape from flames cemented itself as a highlight of the whole game for me. While I wish the open and linear levels learnt from each other, both still manage to deliver exciting snippets of gameplay.

The Last Alchemist has some good puzzle-solving which immerses you in the life of an alchemist. Experimenting and treating every resource with respect is part of the charm. But it feels like the game relies on padding to extend its length. There aren’t many activities to do in-game and the game length is short. The puzzles are certainly interesting, but there isn’t much to do outside of running around and finding essence ingredients.

The Precinct is a campy love letter to ’80s cop dramas, blending street-level patrols with high-speed chases in an open world. While it nails the tone with stylish set-pieces, exciting car chases, and a synthy soundtrack, the clunky implementation of mechanics and shallow upgrades hold back its more simulated gameplay. The Precinct may not always follow protocol, but it sure knows how to throw a siren-blaring good time.

Raccoin is the newest addition to the ever-growing list of gambling-themed, roguelike, combo-building games, made popular by Balatro’s success. While unique in its use of a coin pusher as its base theme, its other core mechanics feel like a cutesy new coat of paint on top of the same systems the genre has been pumping out for months. Fundamentally sound and with nothing truly wrong with it, Raccoin is a strong contender for one of the better titles in the genre, but it doesn’t provide anything truly new or exciting to help it stand apart from the rest.

Tales of Symphonia Remastered is not the best version of the GameCube original, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad experience. The story still holds up, combat is still exciting, and the characters are some of the best in the series, but all these systems take getting used to compared to newer games. Worst of all is the Switch version, which brings several new technical issues to the game, includes short but repetitive loading screens after you do almost anything outside of menus. It may be a deal breaker for some, but for others it might be a small price to pay to play an RPG classic on modern consoles.

Sushi Ben is an unbelievably vibrant and charming game filled with a creative cast of characters and lovely vibes in the seaside city of Kotobuki Town. It’s got a real sense of place about it as you’re engaging in silly shenanigans and meeting its cast that are well-voiced in both English and Japanese. First and foremost, it is a strong ‘vibes’ game. Still, it’s between a rock and a hard place when it comes to its translation to a flatscreen. The tactility and interactivity aren’t there as much. It’s got a new set of bugs, and it still has a bit of an abrupt, dissatisfying ending. If all else, I’m glad I finally got to experience Sushi Ben and its weird cast of freaks. No one can ever take that away from me.

Blades of Fire offers some compelling and exciting ideas, particularly with its reverence for weaponcrafting and rewarding forge mechanics. But its love of steel and violence can only take it so far; its combat is enjoyable at first, but wears out its welcome across a lengthy campaign that is filled with too-chatty characters and a world that’s very frustrating to get lost in. Even with those caveats, its eye-catching fantasy world and weapons that pack a punch still have enough charm to see it through. Not every one of its big swings lands, but as they say, “you miss all the shots you don’t take”, and Blades of Fire at least gives the action RPG genre a solid crack with a unique point of view.

The Last Oricru is a fun storytelling experience told through the eyes of the Souls-like genre. It’s great to see everyone working for their own ends, and not being able to identify who is good and bad from the start. Focusing purely on what you think is most advantageous creates a story that fits your own personality well. But everything else is a regular Souls-like experience from top to bottom. There are attempts to stand out, but other than the story, they don’t have the impact that really leaves a positive impression in a player’s mind. The Last Oricru takes some risks, some of which pay off and some that don’t. It’s perfect for those who like their Souls-like games to have a good story, but if you’re not a fan of the genre, you’re better off staying away.

Chinatown Detective Agency’s main draw, the real-world investigation, is a great idea that worked very well for the most part. It will be interesting to see if it can survive the internet’s aggressive SEO algorithm, but I still think it’ll be a fun time for any mystery game fan. Unfortunately, multiple bugs and glitches that should have been caught before launch ruined a lot of my experience, along with a truly annoying inability to save mid-mission. The good news is, the developers have already been very active in fixing many issues with the game, so the grievances I have with the game may very well be temporary.

Without a doubt, Born of Bread is a fun game. It is entertaining and charming in its own ways. Though the game mechanics are under the influence of its critically acclaimed senior, it still manages to leave memorable moments for its players with great aesthetics and a vivid world. While Born of Bread does provide a lovely experience for gamers who are seeking simple and casual pleasures, the game would need to polish its combat mechanics and storytelling to enable a more well-rounded experience for other gamers.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet represents the power struggle between innovation and execution. There’s so much promise in the idea of a fully integrated, cooperative Pokémon game, yet the final product I experienced with Pokémon Violet falls short of those aspirations. There’s still a lovable structure found within the game, driven by a more immersive world design and a new generation of adorable mons. Though the polish is lacking, failing to completely realise the ideas put in place and falling short of expectations.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet represents the power struggle between innovation and execution. There’s so much promise in the idea of a fully integrated, cooperative Pokémon game, yet the final product I experienced with Pokémon Violet falls short of those aspirations. There’s still a lovable structure found within the game, driven by a more immersive world design and a new generation of adorable mons. Though the polish is lacking, failing to completely realise the ideas put in place and falling short of expectations.

Akimbot does a successful job at emulating the PlayStation 2 action-platformer era of games. It’s incredibly flashy and movement feels fluid, frenetic and fun. Similarly, gunplay leads to explosive setpieces worth witnessing. Though being true to this era comes with its own faults in frustrating checkpoint systems and performance issues, it’s all made up for in charm. We don’t get games like these often these days and for that alone, it’s worth it. We are so back.

Farmagia is a very interesting concept with a lot of good ideas, great voice acting and an elaborate story. There is a lot to like, especially if you are a fan of tropey anime romps, but it has its fingers in too many pies, ending up feeling unfocused and not as polished as it could have been. There is definitely a very interesting game in Farmagia with lots of moving parts and a story that clearly had lots of effort put in, but it falls short in a few areas with disconnected farming mechanics and framerate issues. This is a shame because there is a lot of heart to be found within. Any big anime fans are likely to have a good time with the story and voice acting, but outside of that, there isn’t much to grab players.

Samba De Amigo: Party Central isn’t quite the revitalisation of the licensed music rhythm game, but it is a decent, weird and charming little title. It’s a big deal that the franchise is returning after fifteen years and to celebrate is a fun enough and grooving adventure that celebrates both a wide range of excellent songs across multiple genres and even the SEGA name as a whole. Playing in multiplayer, competitively or co-operatively makes for dastardly sabotage or harmonious pairing fun. While this lets up somewhat in motion control movements not being as responsive as they should, button prompt inputs make for a rhythmic good time as you work up a finger cramp or two gliding your fingers across the face buttons. The Streamigo campaign mode may offer a nice setting but will test players with its grindy nature and artificially bloated length. Still, for every shortfall, there’s enough whimsy in Party Central that it will be certainly worth picking up those maracas and shaking it all out to a moving, grooving time.

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

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

Life Eater is a game I’m a little sad I can’t rate on concept and premise alone. Snooping through timelines of activities of potential targets and investigating tidbits to try and correctly take down those requested is good on paper, offering the same highs of franchises such as Hitman. However, its execution is a little underbaked. The qualifiers for targets are equally too vague and too simple with little variety, leading to friction and distrust about whether or not you’re on the right track. There is quality design in the way you’re managing meters to avoid suspicion and maximising your time, along with some stellar returning performances from the likes of Xalavier Nelson Jr. However, Life Eater needed a little more time bunkering down, taking notes, and just getting every little thing right. The perfect hunt it is not.

Reverie Knights Tactics is a decent turn-based strategy RPG that fans of the genre will likely enjoy… for the most part. The Order vs Chaos system and optional side-quests provide additional depth to the game’s plot. Furthermore, the strategy gameplay fundamentally works very well, encouraging thoughtful planning and smart use of stage hazards. However, its balance issues, primarily the lack of post-combat recovery and limited character customisation and re-spec options, can lead to Reverie Knights Tactics’ gameplay wearing on you over time. It’s an imperfect game, but there are enough neat ideas to be worth checking out.

I liked Spirit Mancer well enough as an arcadey 2D hack and slasher with a fun monster summoning twist, and you might too. The addition of a monster collection element is a pretty fantastic inclusion, and the simplicity of sealing a weakened monster into my deck and then pulling them out at the opportune moment always felt satisfying. Unfortunately, the boss fights are mostly a bit of a letdown, feeling surprisingly slow-paced and often frustrating, and while the narrative doesn’t take itself too seriously, it doesn’t quite end with the impact that it should. That said, if you just want a fun 2D hack-and-slash game with a unique twist that you can play with a friend, you can do far worse than Spirit Mancer.

Lords of the Fallen may be better than its predecessor in many regards, but it isn’t quite worthy of standing among the genre giants yet. However, this isn’t from a lack of trying. Excellent and varied biomes are on offer that are truly striking and immersive to be beheld to. There are quality improvements to make the experience smoother. Still, balancing for builds, boss fights… the whole gambit is a little all over the place so far. Consider this with some of the bugs currently experienced in-game and it’s not quite smooth sailing yet. Hopefully, before long Lords can be patched into a state where it stands solidly amongst the genre giants.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series feels like a fairly decent return to form for Telltale Games after its temporary closure. As a fan of The Expanse, I can attest that this Telltale series represents the show, and the character of Camina Drummer in particular, very authentically, and it was a joy to return to that setting and explore it from a different perspective. Despite those positives as a fan, the series also suffers from feeling especially short, linear and low-stakes. While The Expanse: A Telltale Series certainly has its high points, diehard fans of The Expanse or Telltale Games’ previous output are likely the only ones who would get much out of the experience.

Tyrant’s Realm charms with its PS1-inspired visuals and creative level design but falls short on challenge and polish. The combat and boss battles show promise, but a lack of difficulty and clunky elements like the HUD hold it back. Fun for a nostalgic dungeon crawl, but not a true Soulslike contender.

Impaler is a good time for shooter fans looking for an instant nostalgia fix. The gameplay, music, and visuals achieve the ideal 90s aesthetic with a gothic twist. While it is limited in content, short, and a little too easy for the genre, the cheap price tag is appropriate if you want to give the game a stab.

A number of cool cephalopod-themed abilities and a focus on stealth set Darwin’s Paradox apart from other linear platformers, though it’s let down by imprecise controls and sluggish loading states between deaths that lead to much of its gameplay feeling frustrating. Its focus on a satirical hyper-capitalist world is engaging, but its bleak environmental design leaves its dystopian world feeling bland rather than enticing to explore. Despite this, some neat puzzles that make clever use of the unique traits of the octopus still make this a decent adventure for mollusc-maniacs.

Destroy All Humans! 2 Reprobed is like a younger, more immature sibling of the original. Gameplay wise, it is bolder and more logically put together, but overall it lacks the comedic intelligence that the original presented. Sure, Destroy All Humans! wasn’t exactly an intellectual experience, but it did offer discussions on social commentary that had a lot to say about society as a whole and problems with 1950s America. It seems as though the developers spent more time on improving gameplay than they did on developing a script and story that would offer the same elements of satire and intellect as the first. Although the original was released in 2006, a very different time socially and politically, this remaster could have ironed out a number of the narrative problematic edges. Unfortunately, by sticking with the “nature and soul” of the original release, the world of Destroy All Humans! 2 Reprobed doesn’t quite feel right in this more progressive world of 2022.

Thanks to the way Suicide Squad – and every game following the live service model – is structured, this review will probably be obsolete a year from now. The current (base?) version of the game is pulling its punches for now, to dole them out seasonally over the coming months and years. Based on player retention, there’s no way to know if it’ll be worth your while in the long term to jump into Suicide Squad at launch. But there’s the kicker, you can get a lot out of it already, just not in the ways live service models are known for. A genuinely compelling narrative, a huge city to play in, and the prospect of playing with friends are a solid foundation to grow from, even if the repeatable mission design needs some work.

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

Varney Lake tries to be a compelling thriller that obviously wants to keep its players guessing. The narrative lacked in its ability to keep me entertained and wanting to know what actually happened during that summer. What kept me interested was the way it looked, sounded and made me feel. It pulls off the “pixel” elements but very much fails to live up to the exciting, suspenseful narrative of the pulp fiction genre. If you’re into game and audio design, or love the pixel artstyle , you may be able to forgive this, but if you’re looking for a narrative that will have you clicking your mouse for more, best look elsewhere.

Dead Reset is a confined, blood-stained, interactive movie with some appealing practical effects and a unique atmosphere. What’s there is a very solid FMV game carried by a story that greatly benefits from its leading characters, as well as its superb sound design. But it suffers from frequent freezes and crashes that drastically ruin its pacing, a lack of weight in player decisions and variations in the story responding to them, and an ensemble cast where half the characters are forgettable, and even worse, forgotten within their own narrative.

Ultimately, Rue Valley is a frustrating experience, with too many loose ends and unresolved arcs at the end of the game. It’s unable to make the most of its excellent setup, faltering in the mid and late game stages as you’re forced between slow montages and extremely specific puzzle sequences. It’s a game with great writing and some truly fantastic ways of exploring depression and mental health, but it mechanically falls flat.

Slender Threads is an easily digestible adventure narrative, featuring great voice acting and a dramatic, spooky story. The sinister dream motivating Harvey’s actions adds some good tension to the unsettling town of Villa Ventana, but the big reveal at the end fails to impress. Seasoned veterans of adventure games may miss the lack of creative, out-of-the-box thinking, though the game’s simple puzzles will probably work for a casual playthrough, or for genre beginners.

Touting a unique brand of offbeat humour and some absolutely beautiful pixel art, Artis Impact is a labour of love that mostly hits the mark. While its combat system lacks depth and it could use a stronger core narrative, it presents a gorgeous world filled with charming character moments that surprise and delight. Despite a few rough edges, this is a bite-sized RPG full of heart.

In moments where you can dive into the mechanics on offer, Ritual of Raven really shines. Tinkering with the automations is fun and rewarding, providing a fresh spin on a well-worn genre. But the game doesn’t encourage these moments, instead pulling you through a narrative in a world that doesn’t feel fully realised. There are some excellent ideas here, but they don’t form a compelling whole.

FAR: Changing Tides is a stunning atmospheric adventure that makes you feel the ups and downs of sailing through a world that has been destroyed by unknown reasons. It excels at making you feel a connection to your vessel as it develops into something bigger, faster, and stronger throughout your time with it. However, opportunities for a deeper narrative and more rewarding exploration weren’t taken, so this intriguing world never felt fully realised. The tranquil atmosphere and art of FAR: Changing Tides is superb, it’s just a shame the somewhat repetitive gameplay loop wasn’t able to match those same standards.

Leaning more into visual novel territory than detective work, Urban Myth Dissolution Center firmly guides you through some of the spookiest stories in contemporary folklore. Its striking pixel art and emphasis on social media as a tool for investigation lend it a unique charm, though it’s let down by repetitive gameplay and awkwardness in its narrative pacing. Worth a look for fans of creepypasta, but those keen on a more fleshed-out investigative experience may be left wanting.

Rooftops & Alleys builds an incredible foundation with its dynamic and exciting parkour & freerunning. Although it can be very difficult to learn and is rife with inconveniences, slowly understanding how to navigate across rooftops becomes such a thrilling time. What holds the game back is how few options the player has to test their new abilities. Despite some solid foundations, a notable lack of interesting missions or enticing exploration makes Rooftops & Alleys feel a bit too empty.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed succeeds when it suits you up as a Ghostbuster for the first time. You relish the thrill of capturing your first ghost and learning how to hunt them down. Playing as a ghost is equally fun, learning how to haunt and scare everyone out of the building. Unfortunately, playing this game by yourself will quickly become boring, as the single-player experience grows dull quickly. With friends or other players, the true fun of the game comes out. But even that will be short-lived if played too often, as a lack of variety and objectives to achieve will dull the fun.

Sonic Superstars is packed with classic sonic charm, gorgeous visuals, and fun, fast-paced levels that we love from all 2D Sonic games. But the two big ticket selling points, the chaos emerald abilities and battle mode, are sadly its weakest links. The story mode is still largely enjoyable, and some better implementations of the new abilities but make a sequel to this game legitimately great. If you’re a fan of classic Sonic, you’ll likely still enjoy this title.

Sonic Origins is a bit of a disappointment. As a massive Sonic fan, it kills me to say it but it’s true. Sure, the games collected here are undeniably great titles in their own right. But they are no better than the originals which can be found for little or no cost elsewhere already. Sonic 3 and Knuckles is considerably worse both in gameplay as well as its new soundtrack and most of the unlockable content in the Museum can be found easily via other means. For gamers that have never played Sonic and are averse to obtaining these titles on other platforms, you likely will not be as disappointed as I was, but I think SEGA and Sonic Team could have gone a little further and given these titles the proper Sonic Mania treatment. In fact, if you are new to Sonic go for the Mania instead.

GRAVEN’s shortcomings will hold you back from really enjoying it. Although the design and atmosphere are great, it’s not enough to overcome the frustrating gameplay loop. Fans of the genre will find plenty to enjoy, but for most, the overall experience is likely to tip more into the frustrating than the exciting.

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

Biomutant is full of creative ideas and unique thoughts that, when combined with such a gorgeous and compelling environment to explore, could have made for a top-tier experience that is easy to recommend. However, the fact that it has so many ideas crammed in that it almost feels like too much, and an open world that can feel very by-the-numbers, makes Biomutant a solid game that misses the mark almost as much as it hits the nail on the head.

There’s a lot to love in Nice Day for Fishing, but it’s marred by repetition. By the time you’ve cast your line a few dozen times or run about the map from end to end to fetch whatever the wizard Baradun needs, the magic fades. What works well in the short NPC Man skits doesn’t entirely hold up across the course of a full-length game. Still, even though it might not be the legendary catch you’re looking for, Nice Day for Fishing is far from a throwaway, especially so if you’re a Viva La Dirt League fan. In short bursts, it’s a very enjoyable time. It is indeed a nice day for fishing… but not a nice week.

Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse is a gorgeous-looking roguelike that presents some fun gameplay elements over different stunning backdrops and challenging platforming locations. Some of its elements, like the possession system, are fun, but the devs needed to put more time into making other gameplay elements work and flow throughout. It leaves Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse as a mixed bag, but it’s a fun experience if you don’t care too much about clunky basebuilding or rich environmental lore.

MLB The Show 26 provides a decent baseball experience, but it’s not easy to learn compared to previous entries. It also doesn’t feel like much has changed since the previous release, giving you an almost identical experience. That makes it harder to recommend since you could just play previous entries and have more fun. Instead, you get a more gruelling and difficult experience that does resemble baseball but isn’t enjoyable to play through.

A few odd design decisions prevent Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield from growing into the action-packed blockbuster it yearns to be. While the title finds its footing once you’ve unlocked its speedier and more difficult game modes, it’s a bit of a slog to get there. For those willing to put in the effort to get to that endless runner’s high, there’s a slick experience to be found here. Although less patient parkourists might want to look elsewhere.

The main problem with Chains of Freedom is that it never stakes its own claim. It doesn’t carve out territory that feels unique and often feels more like an imitator of other games than something with its own personality. While the core mechanics are largely serviceable, without a unique angle, there are far greater entries in the turn-based tactics genre to spend your time with. Ultimately, the predictable narrative delivered by dull characters and the repetitive combat make this a difficult recommendation for all but the most die-hard fans of the genre.

The last of LCB Game Studio’s Pixel Pulps is here! Bahnsen Knights is a short, choose-your-own-adventure about a cult of the same name. Despite focussing on the wrong areas of the plot, the game does have some lovely characterisation where one sentence paints a big picture. The nostalgic feel along with the gorgeous and sometimes downright terrifying pixel art means that Bahnsen Knights offers a lot, despite some rough edges.

Ravenlok is not a bad game, but judged on its gameplay, it feels somewhat insubstantial. Those going into the game looking for an engaging and challenging action experience will likely be turned off by its simple and toothless combat and overreliance on fetch quests. That said, for younger gamers or those seeking a more straightforward adventure through a surreal world filled with memorable and strange characters, it’s a decent time, and is worth checking out on those merits.

SOULVARS may have been a hit when it came out on mobile in 2022, but its PC version has not made enough changes for it to feel like it is meant to be played on other gaming devices. The game had an opportunity to increase its interactivity by including more explicit instructions, adding many more narrative elements and by spicing up the game’s landscape. However, as it stands, I’d be sticking to the mobile version of SOULVARS as the ported version lacks a lot of soul.

Hindsight is an interesting analysis of the ways we can play with memories via the use of objects that symbolise important aspects of our lives. The game’s mechanic that allows players to explore the protagonist’s memories and piece them together will be something that most will connect with as our memories shape the way we see the world. However, it is the pace of these memories that lead to frustration and a disconnect from the story. The narrative, though beautifully written, is constantly repeating itself and becomes tiresome pretty quickly. Hindsight is an aesthetically beautiful game with fun and thought-provoking gameplay that unfortunately lacks in its narrative execution.

Mario Tennis Fever is yet another Mario sports game that gets by on being passingly entertaining, while failing to do anything particularly new or exciting. I think I like it a bit better than 2018’s Mario Tennis Aces, but the two games share so many similarities, both good and bad, that it’s hard to tell for sure. If you love the Mario Tennis series, you’ll probably like this. But for everyone else, I’m hard-pressed to tell you there’s anything special about Mario Tennis Fever.

Hot Wheels Unleashed delivers on what it promises, high octane toy car thrills, drifting and boosting around gravity defying tracks set in high definition great looking environments. It just lets itself down when it comes to the structure of the solo campaign and there aren’t enough unique hazards or variation in the tracks to keep you coming back for more. It would have been nice if they went a step further and thought outside of the box with the designs of the tracks themselves, but at least it delivers a boost of nostalgia for the kid inside all of us.

King’s Bounty II has all the ingredients of a great strategy game but is held back by a counterintuitive UI and generic story elements. While the overworld offers a beautiful open environment to explore, often there’s not enough there to hold your attention as a player, and you’ll find yourself wandering around aimlessly. Added to this is that your character’s travel is particularly slow, the game has a sleepy pace at times that holds the overall experience back. While its strategy battles feature some interesting ideal mechanics that might appeal to die-hard fans of the franchise, if you’re looking for a broad roleplaying strategy experience, King’s Bounty II might not be the best fit for you.