Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss is one of those games that’s best played blind. It’s a grounded yet enthralling mystery that uses its light clue-combining mechanics to convey an emotional journey of closure and grief. Its puzzles get you thinking without ever being too hard, allowing the story to naturally play out in the lonely ruins of this sunken ship.

Modern Warfare II is exactly what it says on the tin, but this time around it’s a different mixture inside said tin. While the game could be accused of continuing series tradition, I believe this game out of all the most recent Call of Duty titles is the most honest of its inspirations and its intention. This is the Call of Duty that tries and succeeds to recapture the spark that lit the gargantuan fire that is the Call of Duty franchise we know today. The original Modern Warfare trilogy started an empire. MW2 has ensured that its fall won’t happen for a good while longer, thanks to unparalleled multiplayer action and pure campaign spectacle. While there is always room for improvement and a desire from some sections of the fanbase to try something completely different; Modern Warefare II proves itself to be a spiritual sequel and a rebirth for the series moving forward into this new and exciting console generation.

For game preservation reasons, it’s important that Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is available to play on current-gen hardware. However, this remake does little to address the original title’s core gameplay issues, which have only grown more egregious with time. Its janky controls, lackluster visual updates, and frustratingly repetitive busywork detract from an otherwise charming Halloween adventure. There’s a quirky, silly little game somewhere in here that has unfortunately not been given the attention it needs to be very much fun. Ever the forgotten brother, Luigi isn’t likely to win any fans with this spooky escapade.

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.

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.

Gloomy Eyes is a cute game about forbidden companions on a quest to find the sun. The visual aesthetic is clear from the jump, with creative character models and some smart accessibility options. However, a lack of camera controls, unskippable cutscenes, and an underdeveloped story leave quite a bit to be desired. With plenty of passion driving the game’s design and narration, you’ll no doubt have a decent time with Gloomy Eyes, but perhaps consider checking out the VR movie first.

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.

Promise Mascot Agency is bizarre, hilarious, stylish, and incredibly fun. It gets its hooks into you with its brilliant world-building, wicked sense of humour, and thrilling narrative, then delivers a blend of gameplay systems that combine into something truly unique. There are a few quality-of-life bugbears, but these pale in comparison to the wealth of content that this game has to offer.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code is an easy recommendation for fans of the Danganronpa series. It’s got the same dark humor and an unapologetically weird premise, and it features a slightly different take on the contradiction-smashing gameplay that made the former series stand out. There’s some room for improvement in what’s been added, but if you can stand some stale anime tropes and imperfect graphics, Rain Code is a crazy enjoyable ride full of twists and turns.

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

Undoubtedly, parts of the mechanics need further explanation and plenty of bugs need addressing. Players who want a shiny coat of polish will not find it here. Regardless, it’s amazing the depth and quality this indie studio has ardently delivered. Solasta: Crown of the Magister is a sure critical hit.

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is an excellent follow-up to the first game, and a great game in its own right. The addition of elemental spells and overall rebalancing of a few features feels like an intuitive expansion of the original, and the new locations and characters introduced in this sequel were great additions, buoyed by Doug Cockle’s iconic narration. That said, it still doesn’t feel quite as good as it could be, with its preponderance of annoying flying bosses and Arlo’s disappointingly limited moveset. That said, Odd Bug Studio has a good thing going so far with the Tails of Iron series, and I look forward to what they have planned for the future.

Hell is Us is an impressive milestone for a small team of developers, with the player-plattering design resulting in a strong vision. Whilst simple combat and mechanically shallow traversal hold the title back, there’s an undeniable clarity of vision that creates an overall cohesive package. Each of the game’s many elements feeds into one another to elevate the true star of Hell is Us, Hadea. The way themes are handled with such care should also be applauded. Few places in all of video games feel so present and fully realised, especially in a debut entry. So despite Hadea’s ongoing problems, I would highly recommend you consider crossing the border and staying a while.

Overall, Tales of Berseria Remastered keeps the flaws of the original and struggles to justify its existence as a remaster, but those feel like nitpicks when compared to the solid core of its gameplay and narrative. While the game’s high-octane, skill-based combat system makes up for its lack of interesting dungeons and average soundtrack, Berseria’s gripping story of betrayal, revenge, and self-discovery captivates the player from beginning to end thanks to its cast of compelling, fleshed-out characters.

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.

The Lonesome Guild is one of those games that completely sneaks up on you. It’s a heartfelt journey wrapped in charming art and great writing. Even when combat drags and abilities feel underdeveloped, its sincere core shines through, doing well to make up for its shortcomings. It’s just so easy to fall in love with its characters, their backstories and the way their personalities come alive in conversations. Watching them rely on each other and tackle their feelings together felt genuinely meaningful. It’s a touching reflection on the strength found in friendship, even when things feel bleak. At the end of the day, maybe it was exactly the kind of cosy game I needed.

LEGO Party is a great idea executed really well. It delivers a Mario Party-style experience with its own unique game board mechanics, inventive mini-games, and wonderful presentation. Younger players will love what’s on offer, but there’s plenty of solid fun to be had by all ages and skill levels. It doesn’t shine when played single player, but with a few friends on board, it’s a fantastic addition to your party game nights.

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.

The new and improved Yooka-Re-Playlee takes cues from other modern platform games like Mario Odyssey, successfully turning a janky and awkwardly designed platformer into a bingeable collectathon that feels more packed with platforming challenges. A full overhaul to the graphics, controls, and UI modernises Yooka-Laylee and makes it appealing to more than just classic Rareware fans, but it comes at the expense of the game’s identity as a spiritual successor to Banjo Kazooie, something that was so central to the game’s original pitch. However, taken as it is, this remake transforms Yooka-Laylee into, if not a masterpiece, at least much less of a mixed bag.

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.

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

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

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

The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is a great game hurt only by its length and occasionally convoluted mystery mechanics. I’ve been around the block and then some with the FMV genre. This particular experience has certainly climbed up there in the ranks for me. With ambition and potential reached avidly, this is frankly a type of foray I haven’t played before. Provided are mesmerising set and costume designs, along with excellent character working and acting. Topping it all off is an enticing mystery and gorgeous cinematography to immerse you further. This is one for the books and a case worth investigating indeed.

Melatonin is a great entry in the rhythm genre. A good mix of 20 high and low concept levels makes for a tight-knit experience that is short-lived but also doesn’t outstay its welcome. The music is undeniably very catchy, with the beats still lingering in my brain following the completion of the game. A better tutorialisation of the custom level creator and easier level section method would’ve aided the experience just that little bit more but ultimately it doesn’t matter. Melatonin is a well-presented rhythm game, featuring concise and gorgeous pastel art and smooth gameplay that will never tire or injure the player. Accessibility options only bolster this further. If subsequent rhythm games follow suit, then the rhythm genre remains in very good and very passionate hands.

Despite some rough edges, Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One has its heart in the right place. Frogwares is taking the classic Sherlock mythos and spinning off some impressive original work here. The story is well-presented, with the partnership between Sherlock and Jon particularly pleasant. Other cases show some interesting new puzzle types that I have not yet seen before. Whilst the two strengths of this title are separate, which annoys me somewhat, it’s the annoyance I feel when a game is a few decisions short of me showering it in unqualified praise. As it stands, Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One is a standard-setter for open-world mystery games.

FixFox is a delightful title that manages to be a comfortable experience despite the at-times heavy themes. The self-fulfilling loop of repairing machines is the highlight, and it’s what you’ll be doing most, outside simple puzzles. Occasional unclear objectives, however, drag the experience down during specific moments. But once you get past FixFox’s quirks, it confidently takes you through a gentle, emotional ride.

Crimson Desert is clearly a labour of love whose developers filled it to the brim. While many central mechanical systems work well, they are accompanied by numerous side systems that never quite earn their place in the wider world of Pywel. There is plenty to enjoy here, but you can’t help shake the feeling that if Pearl Abyss had focused on fewer systems and a more grounded narrative, Crimson Desert could have been truly special.