In spite of an ending that leaves much to be desired, Ys: Memories of Celceta is a great action-RPG that re-contextualizes a decades-old franchise for a modern audience. Adol's adventure mapping out the Great Forest of Celceta is an excellent introduction for newcomers, and a competent re-release for series veterans. Complete with dual audio and 60fps gameplay, the PS4 release is the definitive version. On a design level, the opening hours aren't as strong as they should be, but after the halfway point this finds its groove. An emphasis on exploration, layered dungeon design, excellent boss fights, and a generous amount of customisation, keep combat gripping throughout. The title might not be the series best, but Ys: Memories of Celceta is a love letter to one of the RPG genre's premiere franchises.

Considering how mindless and tailor-fit for mobile audiences the substanceless gameplay loop of Shop Titans is, one has to wonder why Kabam saw fit to pursue a PC release. Of course, the "why" is made painfully clear the moment players hit their first wall. Progression is very blatantly designed around micro-transactions. Anyone who doesn't want to spend a dime will need to contend with a very long grind. Even then, the game actively withholds items and content from players who don't want to spend real money. Worse yet is the monthly subscription service, which Kabam fully expects anyone who wants to play Shop Titans in earnest to purchase. Already aggressively mediocre experience by design, jumping from mobile to PC has done Kabam's shopkeeping "simulator" no favours. Shop Titans is worse than video game junk food; it's slop.

Ion Fury blows the Build Engine's dust off, and manages to offer something that seems to hit all the right - nostalgic - notes, but it sort of misses the most crucial ones. Gunfights feel awesome, but the level design is anything but, leading to the many quitter moments being dull as hell. Plus, Voidpoint's creation lacks character, and plays its "comedic" card a bit too safe for something that's meant to be a return to the days of Duke Nukem's political incorrectness. As for the Switch port, while currently the only way to enjoy this on the go, this is definitely something that plays a lot better on the PC.

So much information, and so many possibilities that it can be almost scary. On the other hand, players are given the opportunity to design a whole new period of life for their Sims. While not always easy to navigate, Discover University definitely adds a lot to gameplay.

While not revolutionary by any stretch, Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath breathes new life into the experience in smart and welcome ways. With the exception of the average Robocop, the new characters are unique and brimming with potential, and the story content is a short but sweet trip through the world of Mortal Kombat post-MK11 - hefty price-tag aside.

The definition of niche visual novels. It's easy to see that there is probably a demographic for this story and its geeky exploration of trains, but the slow pacing feels wrong. The exploitation of its childlike characters, mixed with a lack of a choice system means that this is very hard to recommend, even though the technology and artwork is commendable.

While far from the definitive version of the 25+ year-old classic, realMyst: Masterpiece Edition remains a highly atmospheric, and immersive first-person adventure. It's a shame that it lacks some of the features that the PC instalment has, like for example the ability to go back to the old-school visuals with a flick of a button, but, thankfully, that's not enough to mar the experience. If you consider yourself a fan of adventure games, be sure to check it out.

Streets of Rage 4 does a textbook job of balancing between the new and the old. It will appease veterans as a solid update for the series that doesn't skip on fan service either. It's quite admirable how the direction for almost every element, from presentation, animation, music, and story, all adhere to a consistency and aim for a high watermark. For newcomers it's an easy one to recommend as well, as it is easy to understand, and is built upon core mechanics that engage continually when in play, all wrapped up in a modern looking package. It is unfettered by the du jour ideals that can often belie the essence of or memory of the originals. One could even argue that it supersedes them, though time will tell if this is the case.

Frostpunk is quite simply one of the best city-building experiences on the PlayStation 4 with a highly detailed narrative written for four huge campaigns. The sadness in there only being four campaigns is a true testament to the team at 11 Bit Studios, as they have crafted such a memorable experience, with gut-wrenching decisions at every turn. The savagery of the game can have long-lasting effects that can carry into the subsequent play-throughs, as the memories of what arose from making previous decisions can sway future decisions down other pathways. For those who wish to experience a more laid-back 'Sim City' like experience, then this title may not be the right title to jump into. However after experiencing this, it will be easy to feel anxious to see whatever the team behind it has in store next.

This can stand tall knowing that it compiles a number of brilliantly addictive games that can be fun to play alone or with friends. Almost all can be played in a quick pick-up and play fashion, which can be handy for those looking to play in short bursts, whether on a short commute, or in a party scenario. Online matchmaking should perhaps be refined so that people match players first, and select games after, but this aside, 51 Worldwide Games is a fantastic budget title that all Nintendo Switch owners should buy.

Picking up Guard Duty is going to be massively dependent on whether you were around in the heyday of classic point-and-click adventures, or holding onto some morbid fascination for this type of puzzle-filled journey. This a really enjoyable experience that does require that certain way of '90s thinking to complete. What would look like a pocketful of junk, quickly becomes a series of intricate contraptions in the mind of a seasoned adventurer. Length-wise this is short and sweet, if you know what you are doing, but could easily become much longer without proper guidance. Savour it, get lost in the humour and characterisation of each of the common folk, and enjoy a great, nostalgic experience... then petition for another Discworld when you complete it.

Thunder Force AC is a fantastic classic shoot 'em up, and its inclusion on Switch, along with some added bonuses, is a welcome addition to the SEGA AGES line-up. It is only held back by the lack of the original version, Thunder Force III, of which this one is but a slightly remixed version. Seems like a lost opportunity, but here's hoping the developer won't dare releasing it separately.

Missile Command: Recharged on the Switch eShop, is a cheap release that doesn't do much… but does everything right. It's about just as straightforward as the 1980 coin-op, and it can be had for a little stack of quarters. It is therefore hard to complain at the simplicity, as what is available plays well, at least in handheld mode, and the experience does prove surprisingly addictive. Well, no, it's not so surprising, really - it already was addictive 40 years ago, even on Atari 2600, so it would be hard for it to not be so on the Switch. It may be simple and repetitive, but this is one which, installed on the system, can make a short bus ride or car trip much less dull.

It's the sort of immersive, feel-good experience that gels well with a modern quarantined life. It begs to be lost in, and boasts a phenomenal story, memorable characters, and a beautiful world to explore. Not even the periodically clunky combat can get in the way of that.

Dull visuals, repetitive, amateurish electronic tunes, simplistic level design, and a control scheme that simply feels wrong here, make Avoid - Sensory Overload an arcade title that should be… well, avoided.

Tomb Towers is a fun puzzle-platformer; one that's well made, easy to learn, and perfect to kill a couple of hours with, especially since its challenge is as high enough as it needs to be in order to make you feel good about yourself, but never really create any major problems - and it's retro vibes it gives are great too. Sadly, this is one of those titles that won't last for long, and the relatively low level of difficulty makes it a tough recommendation for those who want something that will put their skills to the test.

While it's nice to see more and more things get ported to the Switch, there are things that belong on the platform and things that do not. This would be an example of something that does not. A truly tedious experience, after just a few hours. The best thing about The Elder Scrolls: Blades is that it's a fantastic advertisement for playing Skyrim on the Switch.

Available on pretty much all of the virtual reality headsets, there is not really any excuse not to pick up this addictive and exhilarating rhythm game. Polished now to a truly premium product, it stands proud alongside other competitors in the genre, and is a compelling opportunity to lift up that headset and go for a dance. The shipped tracks combine a diverse and perfectly curated blend of synth and electronic music (with a bit of rock thrown in there) from the likes of Parov Stelar and Jamie Berry. A game for fitness, a game for fun, Synth Riders is worth picking up for any VR owner.

Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Videogame 3 does indeed capture the sport down to a tee, and has incredibly flexible, and deep customisation tools, that are able to thrust a player into the AMA Supercross universe. Its unforgiving difficulty and steep price point is probably the stumbling block to making this a renowned and accessible racer, but at the same time the purists who love a good challenge will absolutely adore the subtle tweaks that can be made to player setups. Anyone who adores the sport will love this, but those hoping for a leisurely, easy racer to play through, will be sorely surprised.

Moving Out is an incredibly funny and light-hearted experience. Especially the local co-op option promises tons of fun for a small group of friends, or for playing with the family. This title is definitely recommended for those wanting to be entertained and frustrated at the same time.

It's great to see a developer so early in its life step out and experiment with new genres, and 505 games has taken its signature art style to create a stunning, original world. The battle system and depth of the roster make for an experience worth replaying and experimenting with, and is complemented by the platforming sequences between the combat. While the linearity of the metroidvania aspects leaves a lot to be desired, the fundamentals of the platforming are wonderfully realised.

The visual style may not appeal to everyone, but Milo's Quest is an indie title worth checking out, with its shorter length reflected in the price. Replayability is dependent more on the ability to appreciate something that's cute, because there are no worthwhile goals once the game is complete - but that in itself is not a negative point for some people. Speed runs are encouraged, yet again are dependent on what a gamer enjoys doing.

A great rhythm game doesn't necessarily mean a great Hatsune Miku game. Yes, the songs are brilliant and varied, and the gameplay is unbeatable in the genre. A hundred songs sounds amazing on paper, too, but it's just a fraction of the game Mega Mix is ported from, and the conversion hasn't fared too well when looking at handheld visual quality. The number of tracks cut out and sold back as DLC is unforgivable, too - just because it is the norm doesn't mean it shouldn't be called out. Future Tone players can pass on this, but this still comes highly recommended to Switch owners and anyone desperate for portable Miku. Just be sure to wait and buy at a discount.

This DLC is not limited to just aesthetic changes, but brings in a lot of mechanical changes, ranging from transport to citizen care, and even a whole industry. Sunset Harbor offers the means to make your city one that stands out from the rest, and delivers more for the environment and your citizens. If you want to take your city building to the next level, this is a must-have DLC pack.

In the few hours that Not The Robots will last, it will provide almost equal measures of enjoyment and frustration, with Lady Luck usually deciding what it's going to be each time one gives the randomly-generated levels of the campaign a shot. In the end, though, its main problem is exactly the fact that it will last for only a few hours.

Tharsis is a time-waster. Nonetheless it is a time-waster that's thoroughly recommended wasting time on - particularly good for fans of strategy and decision-based titles. The difficulty will occasionally peak unfairly, as chance dice requirements can cripple a play-through, even on the lowest difficulty setting, often, though, and probably intentionally, requiring one to make a lose-lose decision to progress. Dice physics may also seem to be working against the player on re-rolls, though it's a small niggle. Whether it's despite or because of this, Tharsis kept this reviewer coming back for more. It is compelling attempting to make it to week 10 and the planet Mars - with just enough variance and those difficult choices that it doesn't get boring seeing the same story beats over and over. It's probable that this will stay loaded, on console, for return visits for quite some time to come.

Words of encouragement on screen do a lot to help players to keep on going in Super Phantom Cat Remake, which is balanced well with a variety of characters to love, and special moves to enjoy. Certain enemies who are hated in earlier levels, end up likeable for their usefulness in puzzles. Even the hardest of puzzles seems fun because of the novel ways they are solved, and not all are mandatory to move forward in the story, making this cute cat game a must have for all platformer lovers.

Trials of Mana is the best entry in the franchise since 1999's Legend of Mana. More than adapting Seiken Densetsu 3 as it was for a modern audience, the remake consistently expands upon the mechanics and core design of the Super Famicom RPG. Flat but engaging level design now has a layer of verticality, with plenty of secrets to uncover; combat strikes a sweet balance between skill-based gameplay, with even stronger party customisation than the original; and the plot, while simple, never compromises its integrity for modern narrative conventions, resulting in a story that's as classic in tone as it is theatrical in scope. The remake is only held back by issues exclusive to the Switch port - lower frame rate and resolution in comparison to the PS4 build - but even that isn't enough to sour the experience. With an attention to detail that honours its source material as much as it elevates it, this is a new gold standard for video game remakes.

ARVORE has done the impossible here, and has taken one of the best VR experiences on the PSVR, and managed to make it even better in almost every respect. Full to the bring with nostalgia, and not resting on that simple premise to sell, Pixel Ripped 1995 races through the finishing line with tight gameplay, excellent use of the VR system, and fully developed characters framing the era perfectly with their dialogues and observations. Get it, finish it, and then wait patiently for the next jump in technology to be turned into a title as fantastic as this one. Pixel Ripped 2000 anyone?

The few performance issues aren't enough to keep Lonely Mountains: Downhill from being a must-have for Switch owners, whether a racing fan or not. The result of this masterful mix of the beauty and serenity of nature, and the gripping challenge of extreme mountain biking, is a genuine classic, one with an insane replay value hidden behind its simple concept.

Few retro handheld fighting games hold up today, but SNK had already done a good job getting the gameplay of The King of Fighters functioning well on the Neo Geo Pocket Color, and SNK Gals' Fighters still proves fun for some casual bouts in this Nintendo Switch port. A lack of gameplay depth, inability to convert some moves to unused buttons, and confusion in how to unlock characters is a shame, but the additional options introduced, including the excellent multiplayer setup to allow for instant local fights on the go, really make this more enticing, and much more tempting given the price.

There is everything here to make a great game. The only thing it really needed was a few more months testing things out. Notably, the graphics need some upgrading, and combat devolves into repetition very soon. Smoothing some of these problems out would easily push this into a very high recommendation. As it stands now it acts as a novel throwback if nothing else.

Though the difficulty is going to put off a lot of newcomers to the genre, the truth is that most of the love for this title is still going to come from gamers who grew up, not only with a yearning for an age where the achievement was simply completing a tough brawler, but for the age itself; when stoner humour was prevalent, and where, with just a little scratching of the surface, you could find real emotional depth and good feeling in movies such as Mallrats. Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl doesn't rest on its laurels, though, and provides as much depth in its combat as any Smith vehicle. The health regen through character switching also makes it far more tactical and rewarding than expected. Fun as a solo adventure, and a riot with a hat wearing friend, settle in with a chocolate covered pretzel, and tell them and as many others to check this one out.

50+ hours of addicting, fun, fast, and easy-to-understand gameplay awaits fans of roguelikes in Pirates Outlaws - plus some simple, yet beautiful, and varied visuals, and hundreds of unlockables (and achievements, for those who care about those). The thing is that the whole thing is a roll-of-the-dice kind of deal, not a turn-based strategy that's mainly about skill. Luck always played a big role in the genre, sure, but here it probably plays the only role. Again, this is fun… but it takes a very specific kind of mind-set to enjoy.

The saving grace for Thunder Paw is that generally sprites are cute, and music hits the mark for driving progress forward without being too repetitive. Whether or not that's enough to entice is up to the individual to decide. There's conceivably a compulsion to play on and best the unfair challenge, particularly with an early monkey boss level, which required keeping up with an increasing pattern speed in spite of a gimped weapon range. One hopes it might be a worthy first attempt, and it is if that's the case, but otherwise it is just a bit "rough." An oddity indeed.

In less than an hour, you'll shoot at Aztec zombies in the face with your shotgun, crush-stomp acid-spitting bugs, lob freezing grenades at cyber-Nazis, blow giant, fire-peeing robots to smithereens, and laser-blast the behinds of alien invaders. You lost? Fury is now stronger, so enter the fray once again - and again, and again, and again. If a fan of over-the-top action, Fury Unleashed is an easy recommendation.

In a sea of mediocre, mobile-born, turn-based tactical RPGs, it's easy to find something even more lifeless than Dread Nautical, but that doesn't say much. Zen Studios' creation lacks the depth usually expected from the genre, is way too repetitive, and even seems uncertain of what kind of atmosphere it wants to have. The only dread players will feel here is from the lengthy loading times.

Fun but limited combat, punctuates a fantastic, character-driven drama about putting on shows and pulling a once beloved group and theatre out of its rut, and into the spotlight on an international level. It's a rip-roaring good time that has such faith in its world and style, that the love of the developers, writers, artists, and composers comes through at all points during the journey. This is a definite recommendation to those who like games that focus on narrative, and who can overlook the fairly uninspiring (yet enjoyable) combat, or who love to explore characters and motivations through dialogue. Also, for those new to the series: fear not. It's in line with the old series canon, but this one is self-contained and expands into a new era of the story.

While it falls a bit short in terms of content and variation of gameplay, EGA Ages: G-LOC Air Battle is still pleasant enough to play today, albeit in short bursts - just like in the arcades. Furthermore, by virtue of being one of the very few entries in the SEGA Ages to have only rarely or even never received a proper faithful conversion to console, this is an important type of release that SEGA should feel encouraged to pursue. There is much to be loved about its back catalogue, but there should be more to the SEGA Ages line than mostly Master System and Mega Drive ports or the sempiternal Super Scaler titles that people have seen ported numerous times already. This is an additional step in the right direction SEGA!

The surreal atmosphere of renaissance art, finds its unlikely partner in the unconventional comedy style of the Monty Pythons, and the result is… different. Gameplay-wise, this doesn't reinvent the wheel. Far from it. While very well-made and enjoyable, this is just another point-and-click adventure game - but it doesn't matter, because it's not the gameplay the thing about which you should definitely give The Procession of Calvary a go.

Ask anyone who has played DiRT Rally 2.0, and they'll probably mention how great this is. They are right. This is one of the greatest rally games one can enjoy right now, with the Game of the Year edition being the best way to do so, as it includes every DLC that has been released. The problem with it, is that a great deal of the content on offer requires being online, yet this is plagued by some severe connectivity issues.

Nothing is wrong here. Mediocre Bri… err, Amazing Brick Breaker works as intended, and can definitely be fun, and even addicting, while it lasts. Therefore… it's fun for about 30 minutes. Too simple, easy, and repetitive, why was this released with a price tagged on it exactly?

The most enjoyable sessions when indulging in VR have been hidden gems like this. The medium has been out long enough now that the big showy set pieces aren't going to cut the mustard anymore. Gamers are looking for memorable, thought out experiences, and The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets sticks the landing. Titles like this are thought provoking, delightful experiences that live long in the memory. Although gameplay is simple, and once all aspects have been completed is unlikely to be revisited as a solo effort, this is going to be the VR benchmark for introducing a younger, as well as quirkier audience to what the little black headset can achieve with enough love and care behind it.

As a novice car gamer, perhaps this critic simply wasn't aware of a hidden option, which held the key to making the camera stay roughly where it was told. Regardless it was a great disappointment to what had been a game promising exploration of the Alaskan wild, which looked great. Frustration at not being able to play it rapidly dispersed any enjoyment from the beautiful, rugged terrain.

Unfrozen's Iratus: Lord of the Dead is one of the greatest tactical rogue-likes one can enjoy right now; one that surpasses the titles it pays homage to in almost every way. The road to getting rid of anything that breaths with your necromancer is filled with a series of challenging battles, with an enormous amount of depth in the mechanics on offer, and with a heavy dose of resource management thrown in as well. The challenge will test your mettle, as mistakes are rarely accepted, and failure is part of the recipe. It suffers a bit from a lack of content, and a slight dose of repetitiveness, yet the gameplay is so much fun that you'll keep coming back to it no matter what - not to mention that the visuals are so beautiful that it makes staring at corpses and apparitions quite the enjoyable pastime.

Bleeding Edge has almost nothing to offer. What potential it has in it is woefully stuck in a product that is so meagre and void of content. It is like taking a single slice of cheese, and trying to cover an entire pizza pie; there just not enough here to make this work passed a few hours, and that's all. There are not enough modes, not enough interest in the community to keep it going, and the combat is way too simplistic for high level play.

Below is a niche title if there ever was one. Beautiful, haunting, and downright demanding of the player, it's a game of little victories. Explore mode is only moderately easier, but it does make this a bit easier to grasp for those who aren't particularly adept at dungeon crawlers. However, the price of death feels too steep, and it's hard to recommend Below to anyone who isn't a diehard fan of the genre. It's very good, but definitely not a good first dungeon crawler.

If an experienced fan of rogue-likes, there is a lot to enjoy in this package. Well written text creates a fascinating world worth exploring, and each port offers fresh stories that really flesh out the overall experience. Add to this the new Zubmariner expansion, and it's easy to get lost in the lore and spectacle of it all. Its greatest strength however is also its greatest weakness. Without a real commitment to the genre, and a willingness to embrace the text-soaked ports and islands, sinking in a sea of information overload is inevitable. With simple combat and navigation being the only outlet from the narrative, settle in for a quiet, but ultimately rewarding journey.

For all the scathing comments about FUT's predatory and disgusting practices, it cannot be denied that FIFA 20 is still a great game. If micro-transactions are a concern then, avoid them - it is pretty easy to do with the sheer number of available options, which are next to none in this genre, with Volta and House Rules being incredibly fun additions to FIFA's on-going repertoire of modes. The subtle evolution of player skill moves might be inaccessible to the casual player, but the experts that can take advantage of these changes will definitely be able to test their skills. FIFA 20 is an evolution to the series, which has surprised with its diversity of options, and should only continue to grow as the decade goes on.

Nostalgia for games played in the past adds to the positive atmosphere that Antiquia Lost holds, albeit with a shorter gameplay than some past epics, but not with any less substance in what is included in the plot and battle system. The unusual characters keep the story moving forward, even when the main party occasionally appears to hit a dead end. The plentiful quests and range in difficulty levels mean that the replay value is great, as is the engaging story.

The depth of emotion that the story dips into is remarkable considering the game style, with the music and sound effects combining to create a specific atmosphere within it. There is little to fault in here, other than how its saves possibly could be made clearer from the start to avoid needing to replay the first part more than once. A sequel wouldn't make sense for the story, but it would be fantastic if other stories are told in a similar way to AER: Memories of Old, with its unique ways of getting information across. Nothing new seems to be added post game, but the moving story is reason enough to replay it and get lost in its skies once more.

Fixing an internet connection or returning stone boulders to their correct place in a zen garden will provide hours of fun in either single player mode, or by inviting friends to maximise the range of destruction in the chaotic multiplayer mode. The jaunty tunes accompanying each level blend well with every single aspect of a business fully explored, which many will relate to from their own work experience, only without the additional damages. Good Job is an excellent "job" for any game collection.

Bloodroots is madness in all the best ways… and in one of the worst. Difficulty is well balanced, and even when combat gets truly maddening, the experimentation the title offers is so much fun, it's hard to complain. However, when trying to platform through the many perilous environments, it becomes obvious where its faults lie. The camera and controls in these sections work against what's otherwise a very fun brawler, and drag the experience back from true excellence.

Wearing its influences on its sleeve, Gogen Soft's psychological thriller, is an ode to the visual novel scene of the '90s - and more than a fine read. Sure, it won't win any awards for its original, long, multi-branching story, or high replayability, yet Bios Ex - Yami no Wakusei's strong atmosphere, well-written characters, and great writing, manage to save the day. Oh, and there's a lady with a mighty impressive décolleté here. What's there not to like?!

Mediocre world design, poor pacing, and plotting that fails to fully capture what made the original so special, it's hard not to walk away feeling like this isn't a disappointment across the board. At the same time, the franchise's combat has never been better, and Materia offers an incredibly rewarding amount of party customisation alongside weapon levelling. While the story on a whole might not hit all the right notes, the script is extremely well written and the dialogue has never been better. More importantly, the depth present within the battle system pairs wonderfully with a challenging, but very fair difficulty curve, making for some truly spectacular boss fights. Final Fantasy VII Remake will never be held in the same esteem as Final Fantasy VII - and for good reason - but damn good combat will keep action fans coming back to this RPG for years to come.

Hunt: Showdown is a great blend of battle royale and survival horror; one that is an enjoyable, but also unbelievably tense, and merciless gaming experience. Apart from being quite rough around the edges, its unrelenting nature (courtesy of its surprisingly cruel permadeath mechanic), and almost awful matchmaking logic, make this a game for only a few - a few who must put hundreds of work on it, if they don't won't to spend most of their time staring at the words "You're Dead!"

One Piece fans rejoice, there's a ton here to enjoy. The prospect of getting hands-on as Big Mom, Kaido, and Katakuri then smashing through armies of Samurai on Wano is wonderful. The characters play fantastically, each distinct and diverse, with fantastic realisations of their moves and abilities. The cleaned-up combat system makes for a smoother experience, and many issues have been addressed. That being said, there are some little annoyances that hold it back, such as the key absentees of the roster, and the constantly frustrating camera. For all of its flaws, though, this is a solid Musou title, and a significant step forward beyond Pirate Warriors 3. A must buy for Musou fans. A must buy for One Piece fans. For fans of both an absolute joy.

Hell Warders won't even be remembered as the sloppy low-budget experiment that it is. It won't be remembered at all. It is much too rough to meet the standards of average gamers, and not weird enough to be interesting. It certainly is a huge hassle to play for more than four hours, but those first few moments before the balancing gets out of hand are actually enjoyable.

Katana Kami: A Way of the Samurai Story is likely going to still be a cult classic like its predecessors. This experiment has proven to be a huge success. Even gamers who are turned off by the words 'procedurally-generated' and 'roguelike,' might actually enjoy this new take on ronin simulation. It is mostly elevated thanks to the combat, and the attention to detail of choices that can be made to tip the scales in one's favour. Don't expect something like Ninja Gaiden 2, since the combat here is more methodical and gritty.

This compilation has seemingly endless replayability, thanks to it having the potential for user-created content for those who are dedicated enough to figure it out. Even without all of that, the mixed bag of campaigns on offer take over one hundred hours to experience. It is an ugly and frustrating RPG to play; one that is woefully poorly designed, and very rough, with some glimmers of gold speckled throughout the DLC campaigns. Only those who grew up playing Neverwinter Nights, or are die-hard RPG fans will have the resolve to enjoy this package of 2000-era BioWare. This truly requires historical understanding of the limitations of the time it was made, and that many RPG developers were just barely coming to grips with 3D engines. Everyone else would be better off replaying Skyrim.

Shenmue 3 is a tough recommendation for general audiences. It won't please the die-hard fans of the originals due the step backwards in terms of game design. Neophytes who are curious about it will be confused and bored by the sleep-inducing pace, plus the how the voice acting has not changed since the early '00s. The visuals may have improved, and the loading times are a thing of the past, but this is still has the soul of a Dreamcast title. It won't live up to the expectations that fans have, nor will it excite interest in the franchise. Nothing of substance gets solved by the conclusion, and there's a lack of a pay-off to playing such an intentionally slow experience. The highs in Shenmue 3 involve doing what amounts to nothing; that is just taking in the atmosphere and exploring.

As always, M2 has done a commendable job at preserving a piece of gaming history. Shinobi was an early and influential action title that set things in motion for greater things to come. The amazing Mega Drive sequels would cement the franchise as a legitimate action platformer franchise that gave SEGA an edge over Nintendo. Even the two highly underrated PlayStation 2 releases could give Capcom a run for its money with their take on 3D character action. Only the most die-hard of retro game enthusiasts will get something out of SEGA AGES Shinobi. Everyone else would find a much more enjoyable experience with the other Shinobi instalments found in the SEGA Mega Drive Classics compilation, or by just downloading Shinobi (2002) onto a PlayStation 3 off of PSN.

Yakuza 0 is already one of the greatest experiences on PlayStation 4, and now it is one of the best on Xbox One too. It may not have many enhancements for gamers who play on X, but it was already a looker, with a high frame rate to begin with. This is one of the glitziest and brightest games out there, and not relying on the most advanced technology meant the team could push an older engine to new heights. Dropping 40 hours means not even seeing half of what Yakuza 0 has to offer. It is a huge package of value that seemingly never stops giving.

Simple, yet satisfying. Skies of Fury DX is a mobile title that belongs on the Nintendo Switch. A quick pick-up-and-play experience that has appealing audio-visuals, can be enjoyed in short bursts, and has flexible multiplayer options. The only downside is the lack of variety in the types of stages and missions that are on offer, particularly for the current, £14.59 price tag.

Although nothing revolutionary, Duck Souls+ is a game that successfully manages to create a small and fun puzzle-platforming experience. From the visually appealing retro aesthetic, to the tight controls and focused gameplay, this is a title that is well worth the price of admission, and is a great jumping on point for those who may find the likes of Super Meat Boy and Celeste to be too much of a challenge. While it may not be a standout product in its genre, it's still a fun time to be had, and is a worthy predecessor to its bigger brothers.

For the quality included in Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle, it feels as if Arc System Works isn't onto a winner here. In fact, when giving it a little thought, it's hard to understand why this collection is needed at all. Any Switcher with access to the Nintendo Online service already has access to some of the best titles available here. Double Dragon and Double Dragon II, as well as River City Ransom[/], and [i]Volleyball are available for the small yearly subscription, and are probably the best titles on offer. It's a major barrier to warrant a purchase, and the question will always rear its ugly head: why buy the gaming cow when you are getting the milk for free? One for the fans, and diehard retro collectors only…

There's no point in trying Moonchild out. Not because it was made in RPG Maker, as there are good games created with it. There's no point in playing this because there's nothing here to enjoy. From the poorly-handled storyline, and subpar characters, to the badly-implemented battle mechanics and boring level design, there's no reason not to avoid this, and simply spend the same amount of money to purchase an actual JRPG classic.

Team Maniax has delivered on creating a cute, but frenzied party title that simplifies the act of dodging bullets, and making it look cool while doing so. With easy controls to learn, and only having one focus, the barrier for entry in Retimed is low. Whether engaging in team battle with some friends, or taking part in a 'free for all,' there's a ton of energy and excitement to be had. The main issues is the lack of characters, stages, or variety of weapons to choose from, plus the lacklustre single-player experience. However, considering the small development team that worked on this, what Retimed has become is an enjoyable blast to play, and at the very least, it most certainly should be checked out in time for the next couch party.

Bow to Blood: Last Captain Standing is a great concept that could've used with a bit more time in the oven to knuckle down the controls a little better. The slow and cumbersome movements don't make for an excitingly adventure. However, the idea of playing a futuristic version of Survivor, by competing against opponents, forming alliances, and then double-crossing other captains to vote them out of the game, makes for an enthralling few hours. For those who are in need of a bit of time to kill with a different type of a video game, then Bow to Blood: Last Captain Standing may be worth checking out.

Take away all the disturbing and horrific imagery, and Tamashii becomes a run-of-the-mill, trial-by-error indie platformer. It will test one's patience and frustrate to no end, thanks to its design and structure. It is much too rigid to allow anyone to get immersed in, and the tedium of having to memorize a new level only fills the soul with regret. The horror flourishes are what save this otherwise subpar title.

Paradox Soul is a fine experience that retells a typical story centered around an empty facility, with dead scientists and killer robots. There's nothing original here, however the controls are tight and Dr. Rose plays well. For those looking to kill a few hours on a short metroidvania title, then Paradox Soul is one title worth checking out. While it's not as engaging as others in the genre, nor does it offer any new interesting innovations, it's still one worth adding to the list for short-lived titles to smash out over a weekend, or to knock out another easy platinum to add to the digital trophy cabinet.

There is little to recommend about this game. The gameplay is not engaging, with mindless clicking in boring gameplay loops, and the story feels like an endless scolding for something no one alive today even did, accompanied by an undercurrent of shame for supposed parallels to modern politics. Some interesting art is overshadowed by how outright simple and stupid most of the characters look. The not-so-hidden political agenda and modern criticisms to the game are so ham-fisted, it is very tough to recommend this unless one is in the mood for a moralizing diatribe.

Stellaris is going in a dangerous direction, even though this DLC adds some pretty cool things to its current state. The Origins are a fun addition, and federations are cool with their bonuses. The problem is the game is very quickly starting to become bloated, and with various changes, patches and more DLC, the "core"' of it all is rapidly being lost. It is losing its 4x status and slowly morphing into a type of MMO/RPR-type game that many of its original fans will likely not be a fan of.

For a RTS where you do not attack the other player with units, there is a lot going on here. The raw amount of things to keep track of and options available, are in some ways overwhelming. The core of it all is great fun, and it is completely novel for a RTS to avoid just massing units and rolling out. The amount of stuff happening takes away some of the enjoyment, as playthroughs quickly get away from players if they are not using every option available to them. Finally, the pace is so fast that there is no enjoyment about surviving on these hostile planets.

There is nothing surprising here about MouseCraft. What you see is what you get, and unless the simplistic gameplay appeals to you, it is unlikely that there will be much here that the average gamer is interested in. Some of the puzzles are nice and all for a while, but ultimately, there are no true clever ideas or anything beyond just dropping varied blocks into holes and waiting for the mice to hopefully make it.

Jackbox Party 6 has some great mini-games, and some decent ones. Far more adult oriented, its major downside is the higher degree of involvement and lesser payoff for some of the games. That being said, every single one in here is good, and some of them get some serious group laughs. Not as beginner friendly as some others, even a moderately committed group of people will find great fun somewhere in the five different games here.

Invisigun succeeds in providing a good party, as well as single player experience. The gimmick of being invisible is not as important or prevalent as it might seem and given the nature of this, leads to a potential huge skill difference that takes away from a casual game it might otherwise provide. Graphically a little weak, it also does not have the same simple magic a game like Mario Party or Bomberman would have in drawing in casual players. With a group dedicated to learning its intricacies, it could be great fun, but it's a little too... out there for some plain fun.

Hardcore Mecha is completely surprising, coming from someone not a fan of mech stuff in general. The graphics are good throughout, with the portraits being very well done. The action is largely serviceable minus some feeling of stiffness. The ability to upgrade and modify various playstyles will go a long way for RPG type players. Overall though, the thing that really just sticks out is a feeling of 'coolness.' From the cool enemies and the hot girls on your team, to the epic boss encounters, there were plenty of times playing this game that this reviewer caught himself thinking: "ok this is actually pretty cool."

The veteran series has sadly been outgunned by newer rivals such as Total War, which breathes greater personality and more engaging gameplay into this time period. This one suffers badly from poor game design choices, and a visually dull style, which will put many potential buyers off. While the scenarios are detailed and historically accurate, sadly there is little in the way of control in the overall gameplay loop. Battles are disappointing and confusing affairs, while the turn-based chore of filling up hexes to conquer areas gets old very quickly. With a raft of DLC already available, when there are some basic features missing on release, it is a hard title to recommend to fans of the genre or time period. The best word to describe this? Lacking.

Football Manager is still the ultimate football simulation series, and this latest addition makes enough positive changes to keep the gameplay fresh, and improve on some of the minor frustrations of previous entries. With a better UI, enhanced match engine, and some high-quality decisions around player motivations, it is easier than ever to get sucked into hundreds of hours of addictive gameplay. Football Manager 2020 is the perfect game for spending long days in quarantine, as the time will fly by.

The Complex is a decent story that feels bigger than it could be. While some choices feel very weighty, they are few and far between, leaving a lot of inconsequential decisions in between. Honestly, it may have worked if the experience was a bit shorter - sure, a common complaint has been it is too short, but maybe it would actually benefit from being trimmed a bit. As it stands, it feels like whatever ending you got the first time through, everything else is just "what if" scenarios that don't really matter.

It's pretty obvious that this wasn't created by the confident, and steady hand that designed Resident Evil 2. Nevertheless, while nowhere near the quality of its predecessor, it remains a great survival horror game, worthy of the franchise it belongs to, with the only two flaws that are hard to stomach being how, the undisputed heart of the original, the pursuer known as Nemesis, is a bit of a major disappointment, and how you have to pay full price for something that feels more like an expansion.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a welcome addition to the Switch's ever-expanding repertoire, and a great adventure set in the Star Wars universe. Its seldom dull thanks to its enjoyable lightsaber combat, even if it's not terrific by modern standards. Fans of Star Wars and those looking for an action game with good variety will enjoy this. Aspyr has done a great job with the port, further cementing their reputation as one of the best developers for bringing fan favourite titles to Nintendo's flagship system.

Looks can be deceiving, and while In Other Waters does look too simple for its own good, it's a title overflowing with depth. Between a well written script, intensely atmospheric sound design that begs for headphone use, and methodically slow pacing, it's hard not to think of Ellery Vas' expedition through the depths of Gliese 677Cc long after all is said and done. Moody and sombre, In Other Waters is a must read… and must play.

It's unlikely that Bouncy Bullets was designed to be a time sink, and rather it merely exists to provide a few hours of fun for a low price. It features simple stages that requires fast reflexes to navigate through a series of platforms, while gunning down any enemies or obstacles, with the sole aim to score the fastest completion times for the maximum three-star accomplishment. Bouncy Bullets is fun in short-bursts but it won't last any longer than a couple of hours and it probably won't be an experience worth going back to after the initial run, due to its lack of depth. If anything, the easy-to-get platinum trophy may be the only redeeming factor to make this experience one worth thrashing out for a couple of hours.

It's understandable that Totally Reliable Delivery Service doesn't aim to be a typical video game, where your purpose is just to deliver goods. The island the tipsy protagonist will explore is a gargantuan playground, where players are supposed to have fun with the over-amplified physics and cumbersome way it all controls. They are supposed to. They won't.

Two decades after the release of the original trip into the biohazardous universe of Resident Evil, Capcom delivers the best instalment yet. The world you'll be thrown in is a dangerous one, and it doesn't just look the part, but also makes you feel the thrill of being a survivor like never before, as each bullet shot, each item found, and each decision taken, can make the difference between life and death. Simply put, remake or not, this is survival horror at its best.

The series on the whole is a great throwback to the older Mana Khemia series. Ayesha is the weakest entry, graphically, story and gameplay wise, but things improve drastically with Escha and Logy, with a serious, "cool" factor to Logy, with the series coming to a very refined closure with Shallie. For JRPG fans that have any interest in those, they are a great pickup together. While not quite "traditional" RPG quests, they are very similar to the JRPGs that really first started getting popular in the West many years ago.

Zombie Army Trilogy on the Nintendo Switch is a good fit ultimately. No, this is not the most complex or revolutionary one on the market. At its core, in fact, it is very much a linear action title that wears its heart on its sleeve. There is plenty of bombastic action and very little substance. That is not a criticism, however. This is a game that knows what it is, and does it well. It is definitely a downgrade graphically, and it takes until the third chapter to really hit its stride in terms of complexity. However, the experience comes into its own as a co-op adventure with friends, and there is certainly an awfully lot of fun to be had here.

Great ideas and some outright fun is far too often marred by technical glitches, a maddening GUI, and simply overwhelming amounts of numbers and terms with very little information as to what any of it does. The originality of the game is cool but there are too many ideas were packed in without actually making sure they all work together coherently.

Total War: Three Kingdoms - A World Betrayed is another fascinating addition to the main campaign for those who are still obsessed with this wonderful strategy title. Adding an important part of the story, and introducing some fan-favourite characters and scenarios, The Creative Assembly has once again vindicated this DLC approach. The new faction mechanics for Lu Bu and Sun Ce give an additional strategic dimension, and as with the previous DLC, the existing characters have new situations in this warring China, meaning there is an added incentive to replay the campaign with them numerous times over. This is a no brainer for owners of the game to buy this addition.

Wanking Simulator is just another bottom-of-the-barrel Steam game, and one that isn't as silly as its name suggests. Not a speck of humour can be found within, and the gameplay is unbelievably boring, as the sandbox world is almost devoid of things to do. You are better off doing the real thing. The best things in life don't cost £9.99, after all.

While the idea of Big Pharma is interesting, and could have the potential to engage some players in many hours of gameplay, the implementation causes this to be not enjoyable. Text that is so small that it is hard to read, alongside with information disappearing and reappearing, are somewhat annoying, so much so that some may decide to give up before even exploring the title's full potential. That along with confusing tutorial instructions, make for a disappointing gameplay overall.

Arc of Alchemist feels so very dated, it could easily be confused for an early Idea Factory title getting its remaster on Switch… without anything actually remastered. Unremarkable and uninspired, it's a quintessential mindless dungeon-crawling RPG, with no real hook to set it apart. There are a million games out there that do exactly what Arc of Alchemist does, but better in every way.

A true spiritual successor and sequel in one. Every little element is instilled with the same wit and comedy as the original, and the mechanics are polished to perfection. The constantly evolving needs of each stage, and the regular requests that pop up as little memos mean this never gets dull, and continually keeps players on their toes. There's easily 20 hours here, and plenty more on replays Anyone who loved Theme Hospital will find their new obsession here.

The Yakuza series has finally started to receive some of the acclaim and audience it has long been due. It deserves even more, however. These are some of the finest video games ever made, with no hyperbole. The storytelling is absolutely masterful, gripping and enthralling, filled with characters that the audience will fall in love with.

Despite its age, obvious budget limitations, and, yeah, lack of popularity, CHAOS CODE -NEW SIGN OF CATASTROPHE- is a surprisingly fun fighter, with a pretty varied (albeit typical) roster of characters that will to everyone needs. Content, as well as mechanics-wise, it's nothing special… but that's not the issue here. The biggest flaw of this port is, without any doubt, the lack of an online mode. Hard to understand why this wasn't included, as it's the one thing that the vast majority of genre aficionados can't live without…

DISTRAINT certainly seems to understand that the things that go bump in the night are less scary than the deep-rooted horrors that you can inflict on yourselves. This surreal-meets-the-mundane short story about a man's descent to metaphorical - and maybe literal - hell will keep you invested in the two and a half hours that the journey will last. Just don't expect any decent gameplay.