Visiting the sadistic circus is definitely not what it seems. You will find yourself enjoying the majority of your time at Penarium. The graphics and controls draw you in and make it easy to play. The charm and difficulty is what makes you stay.

MotoGP 26 is a very good motorcycle racing game that stops just short of being a great one. The riding feels better than it ever has, the presentation is strong, and the sheer amount of official content — every rider, team, bike, and circuit from the 2026 season — makes it the only real option if you want authentic MotoGP action. But Milestone’s reluctance to take bigger swings in career depth, online infrastructure, and structural innovation means the game moves forward in first gear when it has the engine for fourth. If you’re already a MotoGP fan, this is an easy recommendation. If you’re on the fence, it might not be the game that converts you — but it’ll absolutely get you thinking about it.

If Guerrilla Games hopes to maintain a grasp on its prospective fanbase’s attention, they’ll need to put a hefty amount of work into Horizon: Zero Dawn PC. The journey itself is as incredible as ever. And if you’ve got a computer that can run the damn thing, you’re in for the pinnacle of the series. But for everyone else, I’m not altogether convinced that in its current state, spending the extra money on the PC edition is wholly justified. For now, I’d quietly keep my distance and anticipate further updates.

All in all, Heartworm is a lovely journey into classic survival horror fun. Just be prepared for your heart to ache as well as freeze in fear.

Supremacy won’t blow the fan base away and many may be a little miffed they didn’t get a new weapon this time around. At its core “Supremacy” is more of the same but its attention to detail has not gone unnoticed, the new maps succeed and the addition of Bruce Campbell is a treat.

Anno 1800 is a beautiful game. The water is gorgeous, the landscape is fresh and lush, and the animations are simple but delightful. The narrative of the campaign is unique and a story worth following, and the various tech-trees that unlock as your population grows are straightforward and logical. The use of a class system is what sets this apart from most city building games but the general lack of advanced mechanic tutorials leaves players at a disadvantage if they haven’t played economic city builders before. Anno 1800 takes time to learn, but it’s time well spent.

All told, Crying Suns is a slick reinterpretation of FTL’s core design. While it looks great and the story holds up throughout (despite some exposition bombs), it loses just a little on the mechanics that made FTL so addictive and repetitive. If you’re craving a neat sci-fi yarn and can appreciate the visual treats on deck, it’s still definitely worth checking out. The replayability is abound with tons of ships to unlock for future playthroughs and new officers for you to try out, giving plenty of reasons to come back to this one.

If there is one annoying characteristic… it is the complexity of combinations you have to pull off.

Sure, there are some technical bugs now and then, the Play Set missions can be mundane at times, and it may be expensive to ‘buy-it-all-to-collect-it-all’ giving you a bit of “sticker price shock”, but in the end how can one not enjoy what is offered here. The ability to create your own Disney-esque world in the Toy Box is truly amazing, the figurines are very well done, and the thought of future Play Sets is exciting (HELLO…Star Wars, Marvel, or classic Disney worlds).

WWE 2K14 seems to have stumbled this year presenting a title with graphics that appear somewhat worse then last year, the ever present predictable AI is back, and some historical discrepancies exist. Fans may be able to overlook these issues as the game still boasts a rich story, stellar voice acting and provides an amazing history lesson/reminder for fans, but to the average gamer not emotionally invested in this series I would pass on this title and wait for next year in hopes the game will bring a bit more new offerings to the table.

Although I do consider the price of $14.99 a bit steep (editors note: at time of posting this review it is on sale for $9.99 until Jan. 4, 2013), it is unlike anything I've ever played before; such a unique, enjoyable experience, one that will leave you thinking about it days after playing. I can't help but recommend it to any Wii U owner.

DESYNC requires a special blend of patience and precision. It’s a raw power buried way in your guts that this game just might awaken in you anew.

Claws of Awaji provides a more satisfying conclusion to Naoe’s narrative than players got in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, though it clearly suggests that Shadows was really her story all along. Awaji is a beautifully designed playground, filled with content. The new enemies and bosses are an appropriate challenge for the high-level players that the DLC demands. It’s a bit disappointing that Yasuke gets no new weapons and that the basic mission design remains relatively unchanged. It’s also a shame that Awaji Island and its enemies are gated from all but endgame players. However, for anyone frustrated by Shadows’ inconclusive finale, Claws of Awaji will bring some much-needed closure in DLC that rewards committed players.

All in all, CODE VEIN is great for those who enjoy RPGs and want to feel like they’ve earned the win. Even though I died a lot and there were slight quality issues, CODE VEIN is a game I definitely see myself going back to again and again.

As repetitive as it is to keep saying for remasters, this is the definitive version and best way to play Resident Evil Revelations.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War doesn’t innovate in any big way. It merely gives Call of Duty fans more of what they have been accustomed to playing year after year. At the same time, Cold War is truly an enjoyable experience delivering over 100gigs of content that’ll get ongoing support and free content long after this review is posted. In short, better days ahead. Cold War will once again be considered the must-have shooter this holiday season. Deservedly so. Just don’t expect anything incredibly groundbreaking.

Nano Shift VR is an enjoyable, albeit short, room-scale VR mystery puzzler with lots of perfectly-balanced puzzles in its first chapter.

If you’re a Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast that demands slavish adherence to licensed and familiar content, then Solasta: Crown of the Magister may disappoint you. If, on the other hand, your concept of D&D is more defined by the mechanics of character and party creation and the flow of exploration and combat defined by rolls of the dice, then Solasta will deliver a very authentic experience. It often doesn’t look pretty and it still has a few ugly bugs to iron out, but the inclusion of an excellent level creator and a superlative UI put Solasta: Crown of the Magister in the must-play column for both fans of the Fifth Edition rules and CRPGs in general.

Although the narrative was lacking and required some knowledge of the French Revolution in order for players to be fully immersed in the game, Banner of the Maid presented such a thoughtful strategy RPG that I looked forward to every single battle. The characters and visuals were excellent, the girls were cute, the guys were handsome, and being able to play as a powerful female lead was a great experience. Despite the weak storytelling and lengthy drawn-out battles, Banner of the Maid proved to be an excellent challenge and remains a game I struggle to put down at night.

Headlander is an enjoyable experience that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially if you like the Metroidvania style of games.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows does not revolutionize the formula that has both served and undermined the franchise for a very long time. It does shake things up a bit by bringing back the twin protagonist mechanic in a new way and making some tentative progress with mission design, stealth, and combat. Shadows’ world and attention to Japanese history and culture are genuinely impressive. Naoe is not the ultimate assassin and Yesuke is not the most refined ARPG hero. However, their different strengths add creativity to combat and narrative complexity. I don’t think Assassin’s Creed Shadows will disappoint many fans, nor pull in the uninitiated in great numbers. It’s a solid AC game with just enough new ideas to make it stand apart from the recent titles.

Back 4 Blood is one that I’ll be playing for a long time to come. Turtle Rock Studios has committed to improving the game, both through new content and patches. And I trust that they’ll right most of the wrongs with their latest zombie-slaying simulator. It may feel light on content, and you’ll need a team of people if you want to make any actual progress, but hop on board now, and you still be pleasantly surprised at just how fun Back 4 Blood can be.

Shape of Dreams does many things very well. It counters the roguelike problem of early game frustration by giving players lots of powerful and impressive tools right from the start. The flow of combat and the variety of builds have a lot of depth. The bite-sized battles are perfectly paced, though probably more satisfying for a group than a solo player. Shape of Dreams definitely has that compulsive, “just one more run” element at its core, and it’s a great scaffold for more content down the line.

I deeply believe that there are the bones of a good game buried here. And the fixes might be easy. Or they may never come. As it stands now, I had quite a lot of fun with Empire of Sin, but I couldn’t get a groove going. It’s hard to recommend before a bit of an overhaul. But stranger things have happened in gaming! And in real life. Remember when alcohol was illegal in the United States? That feels pretty crazy right now.

I found some of the MegaMech abilities felt a bit cheap – bullets shouldn’t be able to travel through hard surfaces. There are over a dozen boss fights in Mechstermination Force, and we logged in over 5 hours playtime, which is a pretty decent value. If you’re looking for a challenge and a solid co-op game, then I can easily recommend Mechstermination Force.

Though the game still can feel repetitive, it is much easier to get involved with the main story than in the original game. New characters and storylines keep the game refreshing, but it is essentially more of the same. Perhaps the main reason to give Reigns: Her Majesty a fair shot is the increased social commentary aspects of the title, which I found intriguing and humorous at times.

I feel like in many ways we’ve entered an era of meta-design, where entire games are built around challenging or redefining tried-and-true mechanics. I see Iron Danger falling into that legacy and, in such context, I think it’s a game that is easier to appreciate for veteran players of the genre. I don’t mean to say that this game is inaccessible to newer gamers. Certainly, the low-stakes nature of it can accommodate them quite well. However, if you are a lover of RPG games such as Divinity: Original Sin 2, and are a frequent abuser of the quick-save button like me, you’ll find Iron Danger quite fun and refreshing.

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is a glorious blast from the past that takes no prisoners. If you thrive under pressure and enjoy memorizing level layouts, this is the game for you. And if you don’t, give it a try anyway. It’s merciless, but incredibly engaging.

Expeditions: Viking finds an excellent balance between historical realism and RPG mechanics.

It wasn’t my favorite Tales of experience, but it certainly wasn’t the worst, and to its credit it was really all I could ask of a sequel.

Overall, VR Skater offers a unique skateboard experience, despite not taking full advantage of the power of the PSVR 2 and the PS5. If you are a big fan of Tony Hawk Skateboard videogames, VR Skater is definitely worth checking out.

The characters Regalia are colourful, and each has their own unique personality, so spending time with them doesn’t turn into a mindless chore just to get some better stats.

Overall, Gloomy Eyes is an engaging, enchanting experience. The complementary abilities of its two protagonists allow for interesting puzzles, and its story has a lot of heart despite the gloom. I liked the VR film, but the game is an equally enjoyable take on a haunting little tale.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 looks and plays exactly the same as Fuga: Melodies of Steel. Though there are few changes, they are all key changes that improve the game. They give a it lot more longevity for completionists. I highly recommend playing the original game first, as the second game is a direct sequel. This series is for fans of turn-based JRPGs only, but is well worth playing if you’re at all curious.

Although there are many interesting non-combat portions of the series that do not appear in Attack on Titan, the game proves itself to be a titan in the anime tie-in genre of video games.

Time will tell if FIFA 19’s new gameplay additions serve to lift the franchise above the arcade-sim hybrid that it’s turned into in recent years, but its stunning lack of game mode changes is disappointing. The decision to completely overhaul the Kick-Off mode while having mostly ignored Pro Clubs and Career Mode for years will have me scratching my head for some time. But having said that, EA Sports has got the most important bit right: the game feels drastically different. This isn’t a FIFA 18.5, and that’s more than can be said about many other yearly titles even outside the sports genre – a reality that EA Sports should be commended for.

Pode does a good job of being adorable, puzzling in all the right ways, and fun, all in the span of a few hours and while it’s worth mentioning the game seems a tad too short, the consistent pacing throughout makes it feel like a bit of a longer journey than it actually is. Despite camera issues that made the platforming and gameplay mechanics a bit more challenging than it needed to be, and although it could have used a more engaging storyline, the environments and the bond Glo and Bulder share bring an enchanted feel to the entire game that’s hard not to find charming all the way to the very last moment.

With a fantastic soundtrack and challenging addictive gameplay, it is pretty much a must own title for those Vita owners who are RTS and rhythm game fans as you won't find another game like it.

Overall, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is in-depth and complex enough for intermediate players whilst still being just easy enough for beginners to get into.

Overall, NBA 2K23 has some of the best gameplay in an NBA 2K game. While the MyPlayer mode is a bit of a shadow of its former self, the various additions and changes to MyTeam and MyNBA make up for it overall. Despite being on point in most areas, the Virtual Currency situation will definitely affect players’ enjoyment of the game. While the term “pay to win” does come to mind, NBA2K23’s gameplay and various modes are still very well done.

A mysterious Halo-esque narrative and the surprisingly fun multiplayer additions alongside some new areas to explore make Rise of Iron easy to recommend as more updates and patches are sure to make for an even better experience.

It still does what it does incredibly well, and every new campaign in a Civilization game brings originality and variety on its own. I thought the extra-terrestrial setting was badly wasted, but even without any real innovation it’s still a very solid game, just not one that’s much different from Civilization: V.

Simplistic and easy to pick up, the pure fun that results make this a great game for people of all ages and gamers of all skill levels.

It’s a badass strategy simulator, one with deep gameplay and that glorifies what is maybe one of the most gnarly periods of human history. It makes for a wonderfully executed strategy experience. But I still long for the day that we leave behind this whole “historical accuracy” fallacy and devote our fantastic game development resources to something more deeply imaginative.

My only real gripe with the game is the lack of saving and respawning options. I am one of those players that tends to die a lot, so it can be a bit frustrating. Not to mention the mini-map is quite small, so it can be easy to miss something important before moving onto the next level. Other than that, RemiLore: Lost Girl in the Lands of Lore is an incredibly fun title. With beautiful graphics and fluid hack ’n’ slash action, not to mention the back and forth hilarious banter from our heroes, this title is an easy pick whether you are playing it at home or on the go.

When it’s all said and done though, Dodgeball Academia is much better than I was expecting. I enjoyed the style, the zaniness, the characters, and only got frustrated by the gameplay a couple of times. Given my childhood history with the sport and my general anger over not being able to win in every game, a couple of times of frustration is a MASSIVE win. While the RPG elements to it are a little on the light side, the open-ish world and all of the side quests/daily challenges you get to tackle on top of the story have you 3 hours deep into dodgeball games before you know it. The fun and light hearted aspects of the game outweigh the negatives, making Dodgeball Academia a good pick up if you’re looking to hear that SPLAT once more.

If you’re a fan of the Sniper Elite franchise, Sniper Elite 4 on Nintendo Switch is definitely worth checking out. It’s a new campaign in the series with necessary improvements from the last installment, while fans from other platforms can enjoy their favorite Sniper Elite Italian campaign from the comfort of their bed or on their commute to work. Sniper Elite 4 brings snipers into new locations featuring ruined castles, bayside watchtowers, vast orchards, underground tunnels, occupied cities, and far more.

As far as first person vehicular shooter multiplayer games go, Ravaged for the PC is very enjoyable and it was difficult to put down. Granted Ravaged is not the most polished PC shooter available but the price is right, it is entertaining and offers up hours of mindless fun.

On its own, Snipperclips is a charming indie puzzle game, but its quality is magnified due to the size of the Nintendo Switch’s launch list. Snipperclips is a fun, charming title that players will enjoy, and is a great start to the “Nindie” movement that Nintendo is embracing for the Switch.

While Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight doesn’t hit the highs of recent genre entries such as Ori and the Blind Forest it certainly offers fans of “Metroidvania” adventures a worthwhile and fun experience with great combat, solid world design and a wonderfully charming aesthetic that manages to feel fresh in spite of its pixel veneer.

What stands out to me in this case, is that between how terrible the initial release was, and how the folks at Wolf Brew had to literally crawl out of the abyss to turn Slain into a competent title. Slain: Back From Hell is truly metal in very sense of the word.

As a spiritual successor, the game adopts many traits that are similar to Dead Space. The HUD is implemented within the design, the limbs of your opponent can be blown away and the tight camera obscures your view. While comparisons are expected, The Callisto Protocol does differ. The melee-focused combat cranks up the intensity of encounters but ultimately stumbles when facing numerous enemies. Some may not like the linearity but I felt that this helped with the pacing of the game and the effectiveness of scares. Although it never reaches the heights of its predecessor’s first two outings, it still offers a trembling trek through a terrifying detention center.

It’s has an interesting story, a plethora of puzzles that need to be solved (regardless of either being too easy or difficult at times), and is simply fun all the way to the closing credits.

If you are a fan of superheroes and/or a fan of the Lego franchise of games, Lego Batman 2 will attract you for sure, if you don't find yourself in this category though, feel free to take a look at this game anyhow, as you might just find yourself surprised at what is offered.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes is a unique tale from the crypt of Supermassive Games. The intriguing premise and methodical pacing help to build an overwhelming sense of trepidation, making you question what lies in the myriad of breathing shadows. Although the final third lacks the ambition and ingenuity of its early segments, it’s another great example and celebration of the horror genre.

All in all, Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg is still a classic worth taking a look at. This game is challenging, but it’s not unfair. And frankly, the challenge is half the appeal. The other half of the appeal is the crafting and the cute girls, of course.

They don’t come around as often anymore, but Mantis Burn Racing shows that the topdown racer is still alive and kicking. It excels in being a casual and accessible racer for newcomers with excellent and responsive controls while offering a robust and challenging career mode for the hardcore. While the load times can sometimes get annoying between races, the actual gameplay is fun whether you’re playing solo or with your buddies.

I had bigger hopes for this one. But still Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom is a fun VR adventure game that you’ll enjoy. You don’t have to be a fan of the TV series to enjoy the game, but it helps. Either way, there’s a solid narrative to experience, first-person. And the gameplay is fun and varied, even if the world feels like a beautiful animatronic amusement park ride at times. If you’re a bloke who fancies a good wallop and a bust up at the local boozer, give Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom a look.

While the gameplay might be repetitive and clunky at times, the game encourages players to return, and the town building aspects are quite addicting.

A quick thrill ride.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 seems to favour fixing most of what was there instead of changing the make-up of the game. While these smaller additions are all well and good, there is a feeling in the football sim community that both Pro Evo and FIFA are due for a generational leap in years to come. However, that starts with getting what’s already there right – and in that regard, PES 2019 passes with flying colors.

Despite my initial reactions, I finally start to enjoy Life is Feudal. After getting over the initial learning curve and skill grind. There is something liberating about being able to terraform any piece of land and cut down any tree I find.

While a few typos and grammar issues throughout hint that the game still needs a little polish, The Horror at Highrook is a great time for anyone who loves a little Lovecraft with their card games.

Zombie Army VR is a fun arcade shooter. Killing zombies never gets old, and the World War II setting is an entertaining mash with the undead genre. The game really gives off a Castle Wolfenstein vibe. However, some may find that the gameplay loop will wear out its welcome. The VR implementation is top-notch, with manual VR weapon loading mechanics that add to the challenge. If zombies are your thing, along with the X-Ray sniper rifle replays, Zombie Army VR will be right up your alley.

For best results, pick up Islanders: Console Edition for shorter sessions; calm yourself down and escape from the stress of life. Don’t look for it to satisfy your Napoleonic yearnings for military glory. And if you’ve been looking for the next “Civ-on-the-go,” keep looking. Islanders: Console Edition is a small game that knows what it is — and isn’t. And that’s just fine.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is a step in the right direction. Game Freak successfully reimagines the formula in an open-world format and improves on its previous experiments with this design. The ability to tackle any gym is refreshing and the three distinct story paths give more reason to explore. Unfortunately, the number of performance issues cannot be overlooked and these hinder what could have been a highlight of the series.

In the end, I think Harold Halibut ought to be experienced for its amazing technical achievement, if nothing else. While its gameplay doesn’t always engage, its narrative, characters, and themes are coherent in the manner of good speculative fiction. Both Harold the character and Harold Halibut the game are weird, wonderful, and quite unlike anything we’ve seen this year.

NBA 2K18 is a solid title but does little to improve overall, featuring relatively the same experience as years past.

Golf With Your Friends is easy to pick up but difficult to master, like all the best party games. As someone who struggles to find putters big enough for me at mini-golf courses and who has a nagging injury, Golf With Your Friends is an excellent alternative to the real thing. With the heavy focus of online multiplayer and the title being available day one on Game Pass, it’s a great way for Team17 and Blacklight Interactive to bring more people together during these pressing times.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is a step in the right direction. Game Freak successfully reimagines the formula in an open-world format and improves on its previous experiments with this design. The ability to tackle any gym is refreshing and the three distinct story paths give more reason to explore. Unfortunately, the number of performance issues cannot be overlooked and these hinder what could have been a highlight of the series.

Generally speaking, Styx: Blades of Greed’s move to a more open world is a good choice and plays to the title character’s strengths. Intricate level design and challenging stealth are matched by Styx’s new and returning toys. Apart from some technical misfires and my personal gripes with a few mechanics, Styx: Blades of Greed is not quite an open-armed introduction to the loveable green guy, but it should absolutely please fans of the series.

The original game charmed people with its characters and premise but fell through on delivering a satisfying story. This game feels like it’s been mapped out from beginning to end, and this strength carries me through its weaker moments so I can experience events like the climax of Wastelands. I have faith in Life is Strange 2 that it understands where it’s going and what it wants to do, and I’m here for the long haul.

This expansion is a great buy for players of either the Vampire or Empire factions. It is a more modest price then the last piece of DLC for almost the same amount of content. While the additions favor the Vampires, both sides get some cool new toys to play with. It’s a great expansion that is sure to tide players over until the next race is introduced.

Overall, if you’re looking for a more open world experience or a narrative that takes one of many paths based on your various choices, you might be a bit disappointed by Silence. It is a linear experience, a straight narrative path with puzzle-gates to go through to continue on — much like other point-and-click games like Deponia, Monkey Island or Broken Age. Having said that, the writing is very good and I enjoyed the narrative very much even if it did feel like a visual novel at times. Added to that are the gorgeous visuals, haunting musical score and solid puzzle elements and you have a fun and entertaining package that feels right at home on the Switch.

At the core of the game is your relationship with the ship’s AI – Kaizen. If you treat it with the proper respect and try to foster a friendly relationship, the game narrative will resonate with you more and by extension, make your journey through the game all that more engrossing.

Breached melds together a plethora of mechanics and systems to build a unique experience. The more I played it, that impressive effect was not as astounding as was first introduced but it’s still there.

Still, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town gets it right in all the important areas. The characters are definitely serviceable and are full of personality. I’m still absolutely in love with the aesthetic, and I can admit that I’ve definitely stayed up too long playing this game. It is missing any online functionality though, but if you are looking for a new solo farming game, definitely take a look at this one.

VR is obviously at its best when it creates an experience that is unique to the medium. By this definition, Bounce Arcade is a definite success. It has an original concept that’s well executed and lots of fun. Often in VR, novelty is a game’s only selling point. I don’t think that’s true with Bounce Arcade, and hopefully the game will continue to be supported by new tables and additional modes or incentives to keep playing.

Metal Eden is free of mission creep, focusing on refined movement, breakneck speed and punchy combat. It does those things well, embedded in an interesting fiction and shiny cyberpunk environments. A few objectives and systems aren’t always clear, and the game’s linear design and rigid mission structure could use some breathing room, as it starts to feel a bit repetitive. All in all, Metal Eden is a fun, fast and furious sci-fi shooter and will definitely appeal to fans of the genre.

Bard’s Gold, while simple in theory, plays with a bit more difficulty, and though you may want to turn your TV down to avoid the uninspiring soundtrack, it is well worth its price of $4.99.

Silt is a unique game that perfectly blends the themes of horror and isolation. Due to the abominations that manifest within, unease spreads throughout and you will second-guess every narrow path. The wonderful puzzles offer a suitable level of challenge which will you keep you content. Even though the movement is a little rigid and it is relatively short, it’s a brilliant experience that taps into the darkest, depths of thalassophobia.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney still cleverly presents itself as one of the most memorable adventures to reside in the Ace Attorney series. Having it available on the 3DS allows returning fans as well as new players to experience the series at its best in this day and age. While nothing revolutionary is present, it simply retouches the visuals, audio, and added features that will help players experience the game in a way similar to its original launch.

New Pokémon Snap takes everything the original game did right and only adds onto the original, successful formula. It is beautiful and relaxing while being frantic and fun. There is an almost overload of things to see and do on each stage with plenty of challenges to complete. Seeing your favorite Pokémon come to life is an absolute treat, but making the game bigger and better while adding certain limitations feels like a recipe for artificial longevity. With so much going on at any given time and imperfect means of interacting with the Pokémon – coupled with the ability to submit only one photo per outing per Pokémon at a time – New Pokémon Snap is asking you to complete dozens of perfect runs per stage to fill the Photodex. While the repetitive nature might be just fine for kids, this game may be better in short bursts for adults and perfectionists.

Despite these easily fixable flaws, I haven’t had this much fun in an arcade racer in a long time. It’s a beautiful and smooth experience with clever level design, cheeky humor, and the ability to make some truly spectacular vehicles. With split-screen and online multiplayer, LEGO 2K Drive is a great choice for some late-night gaming shenanigans.

It may seem like there is no end in sight, no happy ending for those who survive, but with its fantastic presentation and no-nonsense attitude, Frostpunk is an exemplary game to learn from and with so many paths to go down, the replay value is through the roof, especially for gamers who happen to be a glutton for punishment.

Atari Mania is an absolute blast. The world includes a number of puzzles that adds variety to the speedy microgames formula. While the company lacks the same number of mainstream icons as Nintendo, the implementation of popular IPs is masterful. The controls are a little stiff and performance did falter at times, however, the love and admiration for the classics are palpable. With its imaginative mashups, nostalgia-filled collectibles and extremely addictive gameplay loop, Ataria Mania is a must for retro enthusiasts.

There’s definitely a Frankenstein’s Half-Genie of ideas at play here though; as much as the game does right none of it is original or groundbreaking. Still, I did enjoy playing through it a whole lot, its light and fanciful approach offering a nice break than some of the heavier games of late. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is more than the sum of its parts, but I just wish a few of those parts were original concepts.

Every aspect of this game is steeped in strategy. The choice system, the combat, and the core narrative all reinforce this idea. Especially the story, which maintains a desperate intensity throughout. Your every move is carefully considered, and each response carries serious weight. Between this intensity and the measured pace, my focus occasionally suffered. My tendency to level grind also backfired on me, adding extra strain to the runtime. On the other hand, the battles were all addictive and compelling. So much so that you resent the other sections a little. While the pressures of running a High House may seem oppressive, don’t despair! Each struggle comes with its own rich rewards. If you’ve got the patience for it, Triangle Strategy will get its hooks deep in your brain.

I don’t feel like I earned the ending I got, and I believe fans who traversed all three games are going to feel a bit shortchanged by the final cutscene. Despite captivating set pieces and a sentimental journey with Lara, my engagement took a dive at several intervals, and my pendulum of investment too often fell on the fringe of excitement. A few missing puzzle pieces leave a good experience in the place of greatness.

I review a lot of games and I’ll admit that diving into another roguelike isn’t always immediately appealing. But Ravenswatch does enough clever things with its mechanics, art, character design, and premise that I was intrigued and engaged. Ravenswatch demonstrates again that in the hands of talented developers, there’s still a lot of untapped potential in the roguelike genre.

If you get mad at touchy jumps that require perfection, you might want to stay away.

I really enjoyed Shuten Order. The narrative kept me excited to find out the identity of The Founder’s killer. I really enjoyed the structure of every investigation being a different style of visual novel. But the game suffers from many of the issues that plague the visual novel genre. The writing is long-winded, and can be lazy at times. There are lots of bad anime tropes that are going to turn away anyone who isn’t already a visual novel fan. But if you love the genre, Shuten Order is one of my favorite new visual novels in quite a while.

All in all, there’s enough happening in Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! that can keep you entertained for a long time. If you’re looking for a challenge, you can try filling out all the Bingo cards, beating your own high scores, and playing with friends and strangers online. There are fun rewards and lots of familiar songs that make this game feel nostalgic yet new at the same time. While there was opportunity missed by not having the drum controller available here, Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! is still enjoyable by itself.

The best thing about Super Animal Royale, aside from its lighthearted art style, is that is reasonably satisfying to play without requiring the kind of time commitment that those other battle royale games assume you’re willing to make. Matches are fun, fast and the dopamine won’t even have time to leave your system before you’re in the next round again. It might not be the most complex or graphically impressive game in the genre, but Super Animal Royale accomplishes its goals of being accessible, adorable and addictive.

Ride 2 is definitely a game for racing fans, designed from the ground up with customization and realism as the foundational pillars. It’s hard to recommend if you aren’t a fan of the genre, but I would consider it a must have enthusiasts.

With over 9,000 cards at our disposal as well as being able to relive the anime, Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution is everything I could have hoped for. Sure, there are some elements and annoyances that hold the experience back but overall there’s a ton of content and fans should be plenty satisfied.

Bravely Default is a fantastic RPG, one that’s easily worth your time and attention. The job and combat systems alone are worth the price of entry. Everything else, the charming graphics, the clever dialogue, and the catchy music, is icing on a delicious cake. I wish the visuals felt more worthy of the Nintendo Switch 2, but they still look better than ever before. If you’ve played the original, I’m not sure if you want the remaster. But if you haven’t, you simply can’t miss Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster.

Tinkering around in Free Mode is much the same chill and fun way to spend some time as in other building sims. The game allows for the player to design some fairly complex and impressive structures, even if the tools aren’t always entirely cooperative. Anyone designing a dream home or business could certainly use Architect Life to make a first pass at realizing their vision.