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.