The quality of Cultist Simulator‘s writing and intriguing setting coupled with its arduous gameplay made me wish I was reading a surrealist novel rather than grasping at some sort of narrative with all these disparate cards. While I can appreciate the game’s own attempt at experimentation with its indefinite gameplay, tabletop format, and fragmented story, I could not find much enjoyment in constantly wondering what I was doing and asking myself why I was still playing.

The game selection menu is a clever throwback that feels steeped in history. The trophies and challenges are a great way to add some more challenge. Being able to fast-forward is perfect for some of the slower RPGs, while the rewind feature is almost too much power for someone as feckless and impatient as myself. While I continue to lament the lack of certain exceptional titles, the wide range of games being offered helps ease that pain.

As a “spiritual successor” to Descent, Overload accomplishes what it sets out to do, bringing it twenty years into the future with new graphics, weapons, and gameplay. However, it seems to have skipped many of the lessons that game developers have learned along the way, failing to adjust the game for modern expectations as it succumbs to the repetitive level designs that so characterized past limitations.

It is basically your favorite retro racing game with enhanced graphics and better sound effects.

Ikaruga remains a treasure in the shoot ‘em up genre due to its tight gameplay, challenge, and overall design. While the game continues to stifle me at multiple points, its smart design and ease of entry keep me coming back for more punishment.

I Hate Running Backwards is a game that offers simple, satisfying fun and colorful, fast-paced action.

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.

The biggest frustration was the lack of indication when a chapter is completed.

Smoke and Sacrifice get a lot of the things we love about this genre right, with the added bonus of playing a protagonist with clear goals and motivations. It also teaches players a lesson with every death. While there are save points, they are far and few between, so ensuring that you choose your battles wisely will also help you on your journey. With beautiful visuals and a thematic ambient soundtrack, Smoke and Sacrifice is a brilliant game you should check out.

Walden, a game turns a gorgeous piece of literary work into an interactive experience where the player can truly live out Thoreau’s vision and experiment. For those seeking excitement and thrill, this title will likely bore you. However, for educators or those looking for a short, calming episode that connects the player to the underappreciated beauty of nature (without actually having to leave the home), Walden is a great little option.

The Banner Saga comes to Nintendo Switch via a fantastic and faithful port, its dire tale of survival and strategy completely intact. It plays well, it looks fantastic, and every battle and dialogue choice is here for the taking.

I’m torn about this collection. On the one hand, I love III and the Alpha series. They’re smooth, gorgeous games with amazing mechanics, cool characters and tons of competitive depth. On the other hand, I’ve got just, no time for the other six games in this collection. They’re slow, clunky and unpleasant. If you’ve got a heavy cache of childhood memories tied up with any version of Street Fighter II, you might get some more mileage out of those games.

Moonlighter is a very solid product overall, but there are parts that feel like they could have done a lot more with. It’s got great graphics, a simple, yet rewarding premise, and combat is satisfying despite its shortcomings. Moonlighter’s no pressure approach and overall design make it feel fresh enough that it is worth looking into, but for me personally, I hope this isn’t all that we get, as I like the product a ton. It just feels like missed potential.

Fast paced, competitive, and strangely addictive, Dodgeball is a simple idea that turned into a pretty fun game to tackle. While most of the appeal is online, there’s still plenty for you to do on your own to hone your skills for the big matches.

Slavish adherents to modern sensibilities may wish to look elsewhere. However, if you’re looking for a blend of fast-paced fun and familiar flaws, you can’t go wrong with this game.

Is it addictive? Yes, but at the same time it could be even more addictive. High speed is always mentioned but for me at least, I wouldn’t mind it being even faster.

Animal Super Squad just isn’t all that interesting to play. Why? It simply feels like it’s manufactured to try and capitalize on what made certain other games successful for streamers and content creators across the internet. Sometimes that very well may work, but in this case, it just feels shallow.

With amazingly realistic graphics, intense music, rich characters, and a dynamic decision scheme, this action adventure title is enthralling from its opening scene to the very end, and if you let it, it will take you on a journey to what feels like an entirely different world.

Both a fun experience for fans of the series as well as a good introduction for others. While the gameplay is a bit repetitive, it is still enjoyable, and both the visuals and audio make it a joy to experience.

Far: Lone Sails allows players to complete the game at their own pace, and some might find it to be relatively brief. As a matter of fact, the short length is the game’s biggest weakness. I wanted more, but what’s there is something I treasured.

It’s classic art-style and gameplay are a tribute to a bygone era, but there is no excuse for the lack of content present in a title being ported to current gen consoles in 2018.

Shio provides you with the tools for success but refrains from any hand-holding. It demands perfection and doesn’t allow for even minor mistakes. Needless to say, no matter how excellent the story and the atmosphere are, the degree of difficulty present ensures this is not a game for everyone. For fans of the genre though, Shio is an adventure that simply begs to be experienced.

Although my own experience with this game has been a profoundly negative one, I can’t completely condemn it. After all, the graphics are delightful and the premise is an engrossing one.

Similar to a classic arcade game but made better, Spacejacked is extremely addicting and delightfully frustrating.

Lake Ridden may not be doing anything new or incredibly exciting, but it still feels unique.

Ultimately, MachiaVillain needs a lot of cleaning up, explanations and balance fixes. Then maybe we can all come together to have a bloody good time.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles does its best to present you with a steady stream of breathtaking vistas, serene escapes and idyllic moments that snap to a picture frame with flawless ease. The core game has all of its slight flaws that came with the other versions, but I found that taking time to frame and save some of what I saw gave me a deeper appreciation of Yonder’s many high points.

Do not expect an evident or strong storyline in the first number of hours, or to be spoon-fed how to play the game through tutorials or directions. Prepare to die in the beginning, a lot. And most of all, prepare to explore a beautiful and diverse landscape with limitless things to discover and create, and to have a lot of fun doing it.