What we have in Ys: Memories of Celceta is a game that has dated graphics and an okay presentation, but phenomenal music and gameplay. This is one of the finest action JRPGs I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing. Don’t let its immediate blandness fool you, this is a must play that should stand by giants like The Legend Of Zelda and Final Fantasy series. It’s only 2/3 the price of an average game, and comes with a soundtrack and art cards. What more could you ask for?

You can see the growth of InnerspaceVR as a game developer from Fisherman to Maskmaker. Hopefully, with their next project, they will fine-tune their approach and create a game that is both artistically and gameplay-wise, satisfying. If you are patient and OK with playing a slower-paced game, Maskmaker is definitely worth a look.

Donut County is a wholly enjoyable romp that can be powered through in an afternoon, but it’s worth going back to try and find some of it’s hidden or not so hidden secrets, even if there are only a few of them to begin with.

Battle Chasers: Nightwar represents a fascinating blend of comforting tropes and freshly-broken ground. Blistering, brainy combat is tucked into a gorgeous package rife with excitement and fun. Regardless of your spot on the RPG spectrum, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is one game you won’t want to miss.

Labyrinth City: Pierre, the Maze Detective, is an enjoyable experience that combines intelligent-level design and a charming art style. The lovely setting, packed with detail, is a joy to explore even though it lacks any real challenge. With several collectibles in each level, there is some replayability. However, I would be surprised if many revisit the game after completing it. That being said, each moment of the roughly 3-hour story was an absolute joy. Although a little repetitive, I loved perusing the world, inspecting the oddities, and marveling at the landscape. Fans of the franchise will be enamored with this interpretation of the books, and newcomers will fall in love with the world. Due to this, I would recommend getting lost in Labyrinth City.

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.

It really is a jack of all trades, but master of none.

Outlaws is an excellent Star Wars game. It's also aggressively not for me. I felt tangible disappointment whenever a new mission required quietly infiltrating an enemy base. But I also recognize that the systems at work here are well-crafted ones. The enemy AI is fun to learn the limits of. You have multiple ways of quietly taking out guards. Most bases have alternate routes for infiltration. The grenade system is awful, but combat is otherwise tense and engaging. There's all sorts of little activities like speeder racing and gambling. If you're looking to live that scoundrel lifestyle in a galaxy far, far away then this game is made for you.

So far, it all sounds good and it is, but one can’t help feeling a bit disappointed that nothing was done to enhance the game. The Dave Bowman stargate analogy cries out for a VR mode. Rez recently got one. So did Tetris. A VR Tempest experience is a logical progression for the game that wouldn’t fundamentally change the core nature of the game but it sure would enhance its trippiness.

It’s not all perfect — some of the dialogue is a little clunky and not all of the puzzles are super exciting — but it’s a solid game that explores some new ground.

Using time as an enemy in such an ingenious fashion only makes the game more fun and the challenge more dangerous, and I can’t get enough of it.

Cling! has a steep learning curve for the controls, but once you get the hang of it there is some enjoyment to be had, and the game can be addicting as you try “just one more time” to get a better medal.

Gran Turismo Sport is a game that is both very good on the track and incredibly important for the future of the genre and the eSports fascination at large. While I would still love to see a return to a traditional game in the form of Gran Turismo 7, Sport is in a league of its own and makes going back to games even outside its genre, like competitive shooters, that much more difficult because of how forward thinking it’s online suite is. The focus on sport and competition is the game’s most impressive asset, putting it in the category of the greats that came before it.

Far Harbor feels like a classic Bethesda move, where we’re being given a ton of content that is littered with bugs and seemingly half-assed pieces, but contains some seriously fantastic bits as well.

Figment is a beautifully made puzzle-adventure action game that sits among the finest indie games on Switch. The gorgeous storybook art style, sweeping soundtrack, enjoyable puzzles, and the thought-provoking storyline is what makes Figment a must-play experience. The pacing, humour, and creativity are all top notch, and it sets everything up for a hard-hitting and memorable finale.

Beyond Blue is a relaxing, short $20 edutainment game that’ll be a fun time for gamers who are curious about the deep blue sea and its inhabitants. Just don’t go into it expecting gameplay that’s deeper than a puddle.

Although some mechanical elements suggest other games, Under the Waves uses deep sea exploration for its twin themes of personal grief and environmental exploitation in a unique way. There’s a lack of technical refinement here and there, and the messaging gets heavy-handed at times. Under the Waves is actually about something which puts it ahead of many other games in the survival crafting genre.

Blade Strangers is a competent 2D fighter comprised of characters from hit games like Code of Princess and Shovel Knight. While the game does absolutely nothing, beyond the diverse cast, to stand out from other fighters - it's still a game that might be worth your time if you're a huge fan of fighters. My biggest gripe with Blade Strangers was the visuals when presented on TV - they just lack the smooth look that many modern 2D fighters have. For the most part, I was happy with this fighter and I really hope we see some additional post-release content added, such as more characters from Nicalis published titles.

A great experience for mature FPS players and is sure to delight. Non-stop, high-octane combat, colorful characters, and slick graphics make it an experience that gore loving gamers can definitely get behind. It carries plenty of co-op multiplayer options, a highly replayable campaign, and some fantastically slick graphical improvements. Adding the Duke Nukem DLC is icing on the cake to what is already a stellar experience.

Life is Strange holds something unique – a sort of nostalgia and reflection of reality. While at times the stereotypical teen life is overplayed in the dialogue, the characters and Max’s world grew on me. Even in a short span of an episode, I felt the pains, struggles, and happiness of the characters and inevitably wanted to learn more about them.

Wild Hearts S clearly takes inspiration from Capcom’s classic formula, but it puts its own spin on the genre to keep things feeling fresh. Battles are epic in scale, with the Karakuri system allowing you to adapt your approach on the fly. Whether used for offense or defense, this mechanic adds welcome variety to each encounter. However, as enemies grow more aggressive and fights become increasingly chaotic, the frame rate can noticeably dip. Combined with basic textures and a lackluster visual presentation, the presentation underwhelms. Even so, the addictive gameplay loop remains intact. While the ‘S’ version doesn’t offer enough to bring back returning players, it still delivers a compelling monster-hunting experience for newcomers.

Like the best genre fiction, Nobody Wants to Die uses its narrative, character, and world to express some deeper concerns. In this case, the allegory is about the downside of immortality and the specters of power and wealth. Some of the game parts don’t work as effectively as the writing and acting, but Nobody Wants to Die leaves a strong, lasting impression. It’s one of the most original and striking games I’ve played this year.

As great as Grow Home can be, there is a bit of a tedious process in climbing a 2000m beanstalk and not falling.

While Reckoning won’t exactly blow your socks off or introduce anything incredibly innovative, it does enough to satisfy those hardcore fans still playing the game with only three months to go before Black Ops 3 drops.

I could tell that the music wasn’t just a second thought added in at the end of development; there was some deliberate planning and meticulous composing to be able to have a score like this.

In a time where some of the best and worst titles sell for 50 or 60 dollars, this is some of the most fun I’ve had in a while and all for a minimal hit to your wallet.

The story is intriguing and genuinely surprising. The skill trees and RPG elements add a personal touch that other similar games simply do not emulate.

Onrush feels slow to start but once you dive in it can be addictive to play. With fast-paced, high-intensity encounters, a gamers competitive nature will quickly take over in this skill-based game of road rage and crazy tricks.