Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden heavily leans into the premise of challenging decisions with dramatic consequences, and manages to pull off an emotional and haunting love story where those choices do feel like they truly matter. Red and Antea feel like fully-fleshed out, interesting characters, forever linked to one another but struggling to let go. New Eden is full of communities plagued by supernatural creatures and dark secrets that make each of them intriguing to explore. An over-reliance on combat and a little too much hand-holding when it comes to solving cases is disappointing, but Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden can still be chalked up as yet another storytelling triumph for DON’T NOD. Life for the living. Death for the dead.

It may seem counterintuitive, but not all games live or die on gameplay. Experientially, games have evolved to be a diverse format, and often the most memorable elements are more esoteric than the raw mechanics. Rarely, however, is this the case for a shooter. But it is true for MOUSE: PI For Hire. A mechanically solid albeit mostly average FPS wrapped in a beautifully realised stylistic package with incredible commitment to the bit. MOUSE is a game that lives and dies on the charm in the art it evokes, and the references it is slavishly committed to. If you want to play a shooter that doesn’t take itself too seriously, you can do far worse.

As is the case with many annual sequels, MLB The Show 21 is an iteration and improvement over its predecessor. Having said that, if you bought The Show 20, I personally can’t see enough of a change to justify getting 21 in my opinion. There are improvements to the game modes that deserve praise, though I don’t know if it will keep me on the hook for a very long time. Having said that, both titles share some fantastic elements, such as the impressive depth of mechanical customisation, which by itself carries the game into high regard.

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

Like A Dragon: Ishin! has a bit of ironing out to do before it becomes the amazing game it deserves to be. Players may notice it is the least polished game in the series in some time, and be tested by a slow start to the narrative and rolling out of mechanics to engage in chaotic fun. It’s worth sticking it out though. It’s one of the better stories to come from the franchise, with gripping inner and political conflict, where steel collides and wounds (both physical and emotional) cut deep. Kyoto too is home to some of the better instances of minigames and sub-stories, getting good mileage out of its feudal Japan setting. Living out your samurai life is palpable and thoroughly enjoyable as you cut down anyone who stands in your way in engaging combat. Like A Dragon: Ishin! may not be an all-timer for the series, but it’s definitely the title with the best vibes.

If you are looking for a new game to chill out with, Cozy Grove is definitely going to scratch that itch. It has enough in common with other life simulation games to make you feel comfortable, whilst still being different enough to have its own identity. I can’t speak to how much longevity this title has, but I do know that every moment for me has been a joy. So put on your Spirit Scout sash and head to the island, you’re going to love it!

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a welcome return to one of the most ambitious JRPGs of its time, refined with visual upgrades, quality-of-life improvements, and new story content. While the core gameplay remains as deep and rewarding as ever, some of its rougher edges, like clunky menus, a steep learning curve, and persistent pop-in, keep it from feeling as polished as Monolith Soft’s later work. Newcomers will find a daunting but fascinating journey, whereas returning fans can enjoy the extra content without reinventing the experience. It might not be the series' classic, but if you can embrace its complexity and occasional frustrations, Mira is still an open-world marvel.

Featuring a fun and slightly silly setting for this genre, Grounded comfortably provides the basics that allow it to create an engrossing and at times horrifying survival experience. Add a good amount of worldbuilding and a narrative that compliments the gameplay nicely and you have a cooperative experience well worth your time, even if a few bugs (and not the good kind!) have stuck around throughout its pre-release period.

Eternal Threads, at its core, is a story of six people sharing a home and experiencing pretty day to day problems. However, with the added element of time travel and the game’s emphasis on nothing being insignificant, you become invested in the way the characters’ lives play out and the choices you make for them. I found myself cringing when the characters made a mistake, feeling bad when I chose a path that hurt them, and rejoicing when they finally found peace. Due to the way these characters are given believable backstories and personalities, I took the power of having their lives in my hands seriously and made sure that my six new friends received the past and future that they rightfully deserved.

Whether it’s your first time shooting zombies or you’re a Left 4 Dead veteran, Back 4 Blood is frantic action that you’ll love. Gameplay is exhilarating, every headshot feeling impactful and explosions are meaty. Running through tight corridors with your friends, Ridden rushing you down from every corner, will put anyone on edge. Although, a terrible PVP mode, weirdly paced campaign missions, neglected single player, and new card mechanics may polarise players. Regardless, Back 4 Blood is thrilling and I’m thirsty for more.

Wander Stars is an incredibly cute love letter to the classic anime series. It takes the extreme style of Dragon Ball’s bombastic combat and playfully turns it into a turn-based RPG, fully embracing the camp hyper-stylised nature of its inspirations. It also tells an unexpectedly emotional tale with diversity in its cast of characters. A delightful treat for the Cheez TV kids (and the furries).

GoodbyeWorld Games have created something incredibly special with Before Your Eyes. It’s a truly great game that explores real human stories through mechanics I’ve never really seen before. It’s a wonderfully crafted indie game that demands to be up there in your must-play list for 2021.

If you miss Dead Cells and are sad that its developers moved on to work on other projects, Dunjungle does a lot to fill that void. The game does plenty to satisfy fans of fast-paced roguelike platformers, with a cathartic and diverse combat and upgrade system bursting with customisation options to mix up each run. While Dunjungle won’t satisfy anyone looking for a deep narrative, its pleasing pixel art did enough to charm me. It may take a while to unlock most of its content, but once you’re past those slow early hours, Dunjungle is a load of fun and brims with variety. I had a great time with Dunjungle, and if you like roguelike platformers, you likely will as well.

It might be unfair of me to make so many comparisons between Ys VIII and IX, but like I said, I absolutely loved VIII. IX does a lot of things well, but many elements are subpar compared to how its predecessor handled them. Still, the Gift abilities make the city of Balduq a delight to explore, and the tried-and-true battle system is as exhilarating as it ever was. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is not as polished or as fulfilling as Ys VIII, but second best is nothing to scoff at. This is a fantastic RPG, and an excellent entry in this long running, underappreciated series.

Evil Genius 2: World Domination proves that exciting strategy games aren’t always super complex and difficult to learn.

Afterlove EP offers a deeply heartfelt and genuine narrative experience, showcasing clear thought and care in its world-building, characters, and storytelling. The rhythm game segments may not provide much of a challenge for the average gamer but do so much to add to the overall vibe, especially with the wonderful music. Though certain early sections may feel a bit too railroaded and lacking in dialogue choices, the journey as a whole is special with a story that is bound to pull at your heartstrings.

I feel it is perfect for newcomers to the genre presenting a fun and cartoony experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

It’s clear that a lot of love has been poured into Company of Heroes 3, and that Relic is passionate about enhancing the core gameplay experience. Even though the game’s Italy campaign can be too big for its boots at times, Company of Heroes 3 still presents an enjoyable game that successfully retains plenty of the series’ classic gameplay elements. With an engaging North African mission, plenty of map variation, four factions, beautiful visuals, and an engaging setting, both veteran strategy fans and newbies are sure to find something that will appeal in Company of Heroes 3.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero captures the fighting experience of the franchise better than the previous fighting games. The graphics are amazing and hold up to the intense movements. Several opportunities to play online and offline mean there's always something to do and an opponent to test your mettle against. There are some combat kinks to work out and some features only appeal to the hardcore fanbase. But for anyone who has an interest in Dragon Ball, this is a game you must have.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins puts you in a unique outsider position to influence Romance of the Three Kingdoms to your liking. It gives nuance to characters and lets you see parts of the story in a new light. The visuals are gorgeous and the experience is more immersive than before. That said, it’s still the familiar musou combat and you shouldn’t encounter many surprises. If you haven’t touched a Dynasty Warriors game before, or haven’t played one for a while, this is the perfect opportunity to jump in.

If you’re new to puzzle or precision platformers as a genre, What Lies in the Multiverse would make a great contender for your first game. The novel puzzles aren’t difficult nor punishing, and there is a lengthy and engrossing story to break up the platforming components, so you aren’t overwhelmed or frustrated by their continuity. As an added bonus, the game is beautiful and has a sprinkle of creepiness to keep you on your toes.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree brings a unique roguelike experience where you can experiment for hours. It’s not easy to learn the new concepts, and it is tough to adjust in the beginning. But give the game a chance and you will discover what it has to offer as a satisfying and solid adventure, as you spend hours figuring out how to make your characters shine.

Though it’s not without some technical issues and frustratingly inaccessible small font in menus you have to squint at, Metal Slug Tactics is a blast of a rogue-lite adventure. It’s a quality return to a long-running franchise and one that has translated its difficulty and style well by offering enticing risk vs reward mechanics at every turn and striking pixel art and visual flourishes to boot. With plenty of experimentation in character abilities and what feels like endless upgrades and unlocks to chase, it’s a rogue-lite venture that is only complimented by the more hours you put into it. You get your money’s worth here. SNK and Leikir Studio have successfully completed their mission of making Metal Slug exciting and relevant once more. Job well done.

With Quartet, Something Classic Games LLC has excellently captured what made the golden age of 16-bit turn-based JRPGs great and produced something that feels both authentic to that era but also comfortably modern. With its large, well-developed cast, captivating narrative and fun combat system, I found myself strongly invested in its world and its gameplay. Quartet does enough to establish its own identity and avoids being merely a simple homage to the likes of the old Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games. If you’re a turn-based RPG fan, Quartet shouldn’t be missed.

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

Gnosia is an eccentric blend of visual novel, Werewolf-style social deduction and RPG mechanics that somehow manages to pull it all together to make one of the most intriguing game releases this year. While some repetitive and frustrating moments mean that the game feels a little bit longer than it should, its cast of quirky, likable characters and quite frankly addictive gameplay loop will keep you just as much on the edge of your seat in Loop 1 as it will in Loop 100. There’s a wild ride to unravel, full of crazy twists and turns, and combined with the sharp writing and clever mashup of different genres, Gnosia truly stands out as a fascinating addition to your Switch library. Just be careful who you trust.

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

Promenade is a cute 2D platformer with heavy inspiration from 3D platformers of yore. It dips into other genres like puzzle, Metroidvania and collectathons and eases players into its varied gameplay ideas. While the game could explain things better, such as what buttons to press for certain mechanics, what it does is create a great and vibrant experience for its players. Considering this is the debut game from the team at Holy Cap, it’s a fantastic achievement.