Strange Brigade brought me the most laughs of any game I’ve played in a long time and really packs the fun to boot. The narrator’s wit brings so much personality to a premise that we’ve seen before that it feels like an entirely new experience. The style and aesthetic of the game reflects the layer of polish that can be felt in the level design and combat (barring the bizarre snap-to melee) and adds to the player’s lighthearted destruction of the undead masses.

Overall, Rebirth is a deeper game than Dark Descent, which had a more visceral impact because it was a new experience and relied much more on jump scares. Still, because the questions being asked of Tasi require more thought from the player, the decisions made linger and their consequences will haunt you long after finishing the game.

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree doesn’t veer off well-traveled paths, but that doesn’t mean its familiar combination of mechanics isn’t fun. Though it doesn’t necessarily stand out in any one area, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is still a substantial, visually impressive and generally engaging experience.

Admittedly my expectations for Deadpool going into it weren’t exceptionally high. Considering the overall lack of hype gearing up to release day I half expected a rush job that had the odd shining moment but not much more than that. I’m more than happy to report that I was wrong and that High Moon gave Deadpool the treatment he deserved.

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition perfectly translates the simple gameplay of the 8-bit era into a competitive-focused release that adds a fresh spin on retro titles. The UI is well designed making it quick and easy to replay challenges, incentivizing you to improve on your last attempt. Each game remains in its original format and due to this, newcomers may struggle to get to grips with the more rigid movement of certain games. With a wealth of online options on its way and chaotic multiplayer, this could be a standout title for retro enthusiasts and become a staple in the speedrunning community.

Overall, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is a fantastic game and should make many puzzle game aficionados happy with this crazy combination. Excellent tutorials help newcomers and old fans refresh their memory, and as a game on its own, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 does not fail to entertain players for hours. While the concept may not be exactly new anymore, there is no denying that this second installment still provides great Puyo-popping and Tetrimino-clearing action.

I had an absolute blast playing through Aven. It’s as absorbing as it is relaxing, and it does a good job at bringing its own to the table whilst still retaining what makes city builders fun and challenging. The challenges it brings are unique and fun, and though there might be a few changes I’d personally like to see added, not having them doesn’t deduct much at all from the gameplay.

Shadow Generations feels like a sequel. This is a pretty neat trick for an add-on bundled with a remaster. The controls are better, the graphics are crisp, and the level design is great. While the Sonic section looks awesome, it still feels like the original release. Which is normally fine for a remaster. But it pales a bit compared to the new content. On the other hand, both halves have that incredible corny energy that I love. Sonic (and Shadow) are synonymous with edgy nonsense for me, and this game truly delivers on that front. Whether you played the original or not, Sonic X Shadow Generations is a delightful double dose of high-speed fun.

I’ve touched on the art style, but it really is gorgeous and unique, with paper outlines and great visuals. This, combined with the Flexisphere, which understands the limitations of modern gamers’ time better than any game I’ve seen, and with its streamlined mechanics and entertaining deck-building system, Book of Demons is definitely worth checking out. It’s got a few issues to work on, sure, but that’s what the next six games in the Paperverse are for, right?

For what it is, instead of what it was, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is an enjoyable team-based brawler for those interested in a seamless online experience and fanservice with your favorite Final Fantasy characters.

I loved playing through all three episodes of SLOP and the way I see it a game shouldn’t be any less fun if the graphics or animations aren’t exactly on point. If you’re looking for a side game, or a couple cheap laughs at the expense of Melvin’s remarks, I recommend this game. It’s charming and it’s got a lot of great things going for it.

It does have its ups and downs but taken as a whole, Resident Evil 4 is an example of excellent game design, one that many developers of today should take notes from… or maybe not, because last time they did that, I was seeing quick time events in a Need for Speed game.

By borrowing solid mechanics from the best of the genre, Iron Harvest has the makings of a pretty good RTS. What pushes it across the finish line is a well-realized setting, a wonderful aesthetic, and a solid grounding in what sort of story it wants to tell. I personally wish it could have had more fun with the world, but that’s just me. If you want crazy cool mechs and partisan soldiers with bear companions to be played totally seriously, you’ll love Iron Harvest. And if you want an RTS that’s a little bit different well, that’ll work out for you too.

While it has some flaws in the sound department and issues with the touchscreen pad usage, Klaus challenges players with each level.

I really enjoyed Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3. The combat and narrative are great. This was a satisfying conclusion to the tale of the children of the Taranis. The writing has also gotten better as the Fuga games progressed. There’s an excellent focus on character, and the heavier narrative moments hit hard. It’s strange to play a JRPG with no world exploration elements, but Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 offers the most options and replayability of the trilogy. The Fuga games have continually improved, while keeping the same core mechanics. This final game is the best of the trilogy, just don’t play it until you’ve beaten the other two.

Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow captures the spirit of the franchise and implements it into the VR realm. While smaller in scale, the tight, intricate design makes use of the platform to create an exhilarating stealth adventure. The interactivity anchors you in the world; however, small bugs can quickly break the immersion. While the franchise has stepped away from its origins, it’s found new life in VR.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a well-designed, albeit conventional, Metroidvania. Combat encounters are enthralling, especially as the game progresses and enemies unleash varied attacks that demand specific methods of evasion. New abilities expand your offensive arsenal, adding further layers to each encounter. While the platforming and puzzles benefit from tight, thoughtful design, the art direction is competent but uninspiring. Although a strong outing for Kratos, this entry doesn’t quite reach the mythic heights of the series.

Overall, the new port is solid in execution and the indie title is perfectly suited for the Switch. The frame rates are speedy, the loading screens are quicker than a blink of an eye, and the controls are intuitive. Though the narrative and direction of Hob can be unclear at times, unraveling the mysteries of its charming world on a handheld console is a true delight.

The Banner Saga 2 is a mesmerizing and beautiful turn-based RPG with a deep and layered combat system while also delivering a strong narrative jammed with plenty of tough player decisions.

Aftergrinder is an incredibly simple arcade runner, but it uses that simplicity to its advantage. It focuses on a core set of mechanics and controls, as well as supremely responsive movements, to keep the player going level after level. It’s quick load-times and short levels feed into its overall approach. It’s great to play a game lie Aftergrinder that knows what it is instead of trying to be a jack of all trades.

While not everything could be easily used for some builds, the Blooming Rooms kit is a wonderful addition. The items are well thought out, and we can’t forget just how many fabulous swatches we got with each item. You can’t go wrong with livening up your spaces with some plants, and at $4.99, you may as well take the plunge.

Silver Lining didn’t surprise me much but it was a fun enough time overall.

Not perfect, but still a shining example of a stellar RPG and one that fans of the genre should readily seek out.

Biped is well worth a look, especially if you like cute, lovable little robots (and who doesn’t?). Grab your buddy, your sibling, or maybe get lucky and find someone online, and get ready for some crazy, chaotic co-op fun. This is one time where two legs are definitely better than four.

There’s little doubt as to your opponent’s loyalties but the different possible combinations really added a much-appreciated level of complexity to the game. Bow to Blood is a solid game elevated by the procedurally generated levels and the morality system.

Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond, if nothing else, represents a symbolic step forward for VR game platforms like the Oculus Quest 2. It’s the closest thing to a AAA title I’ve played on my headset yet. I don’t know if its nearly-50GB file size is warranted given the so-so visuals, but I did have a lot of fun with the Campaign missions. I’ll still wait a while for the multiplayer to work out its kinks, but I can see myself enjoying that eventually, too. All in all, I’m not sure if Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond would do Grandpa proud, but if you own an Oculus Quest 2, it’s a fun experience and worthy of your time.

Windjammers 2 is a pretty simple game, but it's also a fun one. Once you climb that short, steep learning curve, every match is a blast. Even when you're getting creamed, it's something of a teachable moment. Plus, there's also some new technique or strategy you can employ next round. Everything looks and sounds extremely 90's, while the characters themselves all use distinct play styles. This was a huge boon for me, as I could just switch players whenever I hit a wall. Even if the game is quite straightforward, the well-rounded multiplayer will ensure you're never actually bored. If you're looking for an extreme, vibrant, 90's style sports game, you've come to the right place. Windjammers 2 is a neon-drenched, disc-flinging good time. ‎

The original Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is one of the greatest indie games of all time. With its poignant story, varied gameplay and unique mechanics, it is truly a special title. The Remake perfectly captures these aspects and faithfully modernizes the aesthetics. Although the core experience is preserved, there aren’t enough improvements or extras to encourage returning players, however, it is a must for anyone who missed the initial release.