Dragon Marked for Death is a fantastic experience when played with friends - but, only when played with friends. The lack of balance absolutely buries the experience, making single player a horribly flawed one. That could easily have been addressed, or could still be addressed, in a post-release patch. Should this happen, the game would improve massively, and easily stand out as one of the most impressive 2D scrollers in some time. Unless that happens though, this will remain a slog, a wonderful game, horribly marred by foolish design decisions. There are a few DLC chapters in the works, giving an ideal opportunity to make Dragon Marked for Death the best it can be.

Darius Cozmic Collection Console is, like Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade; a great collection, no doubt. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with it as it is, since all games included are good and worth checking out - but the same issue of price is there. Different game versions aside, only four games are included this time, and if anyone already owns the arcade collection then only two of those are actually properly exclusive to it, since two are console ports of arcade games. This one is therefore, despite being just as good, even harder to recommend at its launching price. If the price ever goes down, or if it gets freely updated with the missing extra games, then that would be a different matter.

Younger players might get a kick out seeing their favourite Pokemon in a new light, but others should probably stick to 'purer' roguelikes like Shiren, or more standard RPGs like the core Pokemon titles.

Balan Wonderworld deserved to be far more than average, as the final game is a marked improvement over the demo. It's beautiful a lot of the time, character designs are mostly wonderful, the unique ideas that appear in each level are great fun… however the overall execution is simply lacking something important. The repetitive bouts, rough edges, and the sometimes awful physics make this a much harder title to recommend. It is full of bubbly unique charm, and is mostly heart-warmingly fun, but many will be put off by the slow, restrictive design, despite this being designed around it. Hopefully, the game will get some traction.

At a cheaper price this could be recommended for a quick Sunday afternoon stroll, especially for anyone nostalgic of the original title. A nifty touch would have been to include the original game as an unlockable, which would at least help sweeten the fact that this can be completed within an hour or two. Despite its abundant and underwhelming flaws, Panzer Dragoon: Remake is still a piece of gaming history that deserves to be played, and shooting down waves of enemies does still prove to be satisfying.

A disappointing effort from the series veterans and creators - it feels as if the Wii version was considered last, with faulty controls and a blatant lack of planning when it came to motion control. There are plenty of features to dig your teeth into, but the lack of care makes it difficult to tackle without many compromises. Worth trying if you're a fan of the sport or Virtua Tennis, but only worth buying if you can become accustomed to the controls.

Within about two hours one can see almost everything Super Box Delivery: Beyond the Horizon has to offer, which is a shame as, even with its severe lack of content, it manages to be quite the tasty snack - one that could easily turn into a big meal with a little more time in the oven. A wasted opportunity, really.

If it was not for the amusing script, well realised Minecraft setting, likeable characters, and moderately engaging storyline(s), then this would have been an unmitigated disaster as Telltale continues to take the point-and-click genre in a direction that no point-and-click fan wants, removing all the enjoyable elements from the classics and awkwardly wedging in action elements instead. Minecraft: Story Mode - The Complete Adventure, thankfully, has enough engaging story content to keep gamers satisfied, some fantastic production values on the voice acting front, and heaps of content packed in thanks to all eight episodes being included. Hopes are high for Season Two to improve upon the shortcomings here.

Cute Monster Girls Photographer simulator Boo Party is one of the safest… NSFW titles out there, and that combined with its overall feel-good vibe, quirky sense of humour, and casual-friendly approach to gameplay makes it a rather fun experience. Just be prepared for something that's also repetitive, and way too open-ended, which can be frustrating at times.

All in all, it’s not a bad game, and certainly is a better catch than other fishing games in the market.

Family Fishing is, simply put, empty fun. Nothing too challenging, and a somewhat random combat system, make an experience that's as easy to pick up as it is to forget. While it may strike the nerve of someone who wants a lite-RPG action fishing experience, it's really best at giving players a quick sense of gratification, before it becomes obvious they really didn't do anything.

Kirby Fighters 2 gets a recommendation for die-hard fans of Kirby in particular and to parents looking for a game that's not too expensive and easy enough to get a grasp on for younger kids who won't mind that this is all about Kirby and no other character. There is nothing intrinsically bad about it and it is a fun experience in multiplayer, no doubt, but strip it out of the Kirby license and this falls short in terms of actual content variation. Hardcore fans of brawlers with deep gameplay mechanics like Smash Bros. will find this one somewhat lacking.

Steep: Road to the Olympics is a separate expansion, meaning it's not included as part of the season pass. That's a shame because, if it was, it would be easier to recommend. For a game all about freedom of choice and spontaneous activity, with quite an arcade-centric physics engine, it was clearly going to struggle to convey the technical side of the Winter Olympic Games. The 'Be a Legend' story-mode seems rushed and ill-devised. The footage of athletes is poorly integrated and the narrating and tutoring is all too intense, especially when the experience is so fragmented and dull. Japan, on the other hand, is a beautiful and large region, which really does expand the Steep world with a new aesthetic, new event types, and new challenges. Hence, Steep fans who persevere with the first segment, will eventually receive an impressive content injection. Fans of the Winter Olympics, however, will probably find this one quite underwhelming.

As much as there is to love in Star Fox Zero, sadly the awkward controls of various vehicles, and the horrendous forced second viewpoint and gyroscope targeting of regular Arwing and Landmaster stages almost ruin the entire experience.

Biomutant is very far from a bad game and getting something of this scope ported to the Nintendo Switch in a very playable state - as seen from other ports over the years - is credit to the technical knowhow and adaptiveness of the development team at Experiment 101. There are a lot of interesting mechanics going on, from the focus on an entirely customisable character and the crafting and loot system, to the exploration in this unique setting. While performance is generally acceptable however, the graphics are undoubtedly rough round the edges and things like shadows, pop-in and inconsistent textures spoil what is otherwise a decent enough presentation. Adding to this, while the world is varied in its locales, the emptiness of the setting does much to break immersion and despite the illusion of choice many of the quests ultimately boil down to the mundane.

Unholy Heights, though well-crafted and humorous, is far from perfect. The combination of the two genres may seem like a fantastic idea on paper (and it does indeed lead to some enjoyable moments of gameplay), but there's far too much empty space for extended play sessions to be consistently fun. That said, it fills a hole left open for two of the most starved genres on the eShop, and fans of either tower defence or simulation could do far worse than to spend a few hours in the devil's shoes.

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is a disappointing entry in the long-running series.

Sparklite is a colourful rogue-like that yearns for the pixel-based games on the original NES. By removing most of the challenges generally found in rogue-likes, this puts itself at the top of the list for newcomers who want to dip their toes into the water. Aged fans of the genre won't find any surprises or challenges here, and the lack of a real contest or a risk-versus-reward system can be a turn off. Ada's journey can be a short one, as it can be completed in less than five hours, and it provides enjoyment due to an addictive gameplay loop, catchy music, and the ability to relive the pixelated days of old.

For all its DLC problems and lacklustre content, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is still a fun fighting game to play both online and offline. It is a much more simplified and newbie-friendly BlazBlue game than any in the main series, but that doesn't prevent it from having anything going for it. These franchises deserved better, though; this should have been a bigger celebration of Arc System Works' characters, and it's a real pity that more love wasn't put into it. With any luck, a complete package will release in the future - hopefully with some extra modes that do the BlazBlue name some justice.

The original 7 Wonders was addictive as it was, but its sequel manages to surpass it, giving fans of the genre another pleasing piece of puzzle pie for a very wallet-friendly price.

In the end, Schildmaid MX is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be—and a little more. It’s a tightly focused, mechanically sound shooter that caters to players who enjoy precision, repetition, and self-imposed challenges. At the same time, its limited presentation, uneven difficulty spikes, and lack of variety prevent it from standing out in an increasingly crowded indie scene. For those seeking a quick-hit arcade experience to play between larger titles, Schildmaid MX offers moments of genuine satisfaction. Just don’t expect it to linger in your memory long after the final stage is cleared.

Aether & Iron is a very promising title that tells a highly compelling story of power and class, and is crowned with one of the most clever SRPG battle systems on the market. However, it is full of disruptive glitches and bugs that rear their heads far too frequently, which prevent the mind from fully engaging with the wonderful story. Signs indicate that the developers are quick to fix issues as they arise, so there is reason to believe they will get fixed over time. However, at the moment of writing, the flaws are too numerous to overlook. This makes it difficult to fully recommend the game to a wider audience than hardcore SRPG and aetherpunk dystopia fans. For those that love these aspects, though, there are few titles on the market that will scratch that itch as well as Aether & Iron.

When Kaku: Ancient Seal is at its best, it shows the potential of a great sandbox adventure. Many of the design choices are spot on. Great examples are the choices to focus more on horizontal progression than vertical, and to fill the world with rewarding respawning items. However, at its worst, it is filled with some of the genre's worst design choices. The main offenders are cruel invisible walls and non-existent enemy progression. In between, Kaku: Ancient Seal is depressingly textbook good. Sure, the game works, but nothing stands out, and the polish to make it memorable is lacking. However, it does leave curiosity about what future titles Bingobell will deliver with more experience under its belt.

There are some truly great parts in this game. Some of the exploration parts were really well done with the backgrounds and environment. The problem with the game overall is each system is fine enough on its own, but does not tie together in a coherent fashion. The alchemy is a little too involved for every single item, the exploration gives far too many items to actually want to sort through, and the battle system has too many small nit-picks to stop it from being great. The story is weighed down by too many trivial plots and it just lacks that 'cool' aspect others of the series like Dusk or Mana Khemia had.

As a port of the original, Katamari Damacy REROLL is definitely a great way for people to try this bundle of rolling wackiness for the first time. Just note that it can get very repetitive very soon, and that it clearly comes from that awkward phase where 3D games weren't that refined.

Cranium Kabookii is definitely a fun little product for Wii, with lots of variety involved and clever puzzles. Sadly there are a few niggles that prevent this from being a must-buy, especially given how the board game itself is a much cheaper alternative.

Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit is a mammoth robotic beast to put together, taking a heap of effort, discovery, and a sprinkle of Nintendo magic to assemble. Through unique software, there's a sense of enjoyment and challenge, presented in an innovative way. Don that finished robot suit and there's a true sense of control and immersion. It's satisfying and ultimately rewarding for the hours poured into its virtual creation. There's potential for more mini-games beyond what's included, but the game does - for now - lack that longevity to hold interest beyond the initial wow moment.

An immersive journey with plenty of immersion-breaking flaws, Above Snakes is a survival/crafting game that dares to slow things down, trading adrenaline for atmosphere and complexity for calm…though it may have gone too far. For those tired of dying repeatedly in brutal roguelikes or grinding endlessly in barren sandboxes, this is a welcome alternative. If you’re looking for a chill experience with a unique world-building mechanic, then this is worth trying - especially on sale. If after something that will test your skills, however, this isn’t it.

At $99.99, this is a hefty sum for the only way to get Persona 4 Dancing on PS4, but considering the entire package as a whole, the three rhythm games do provide a good deal of content...even if the entire track selection and remixes aren't top tier. There is some good stuff here if you can deal with the poorly-designed gameplay interface, but only the most enthusiastic of Persona fans will want to fork out for this collection.

Cruis'n Blast for Nintendo Switch has been developed by a very small team, and for what it has achieved it is very admirable. It is an incredibly fun title for the first couple of hours, but it is lacking in any real depth to make it anything more than a fun weekend. Grabbing friends locally for a few races can be an absolute blast, but lacking any online modes whatsoever somewhat dampens the mood. The lack of modes is one thing, but the course variety is also another issue with most tracks being direct derivatives of the original five arcade ones. However, if a simple, easy to handle racer that has some astounding set pieces and outlandish vehicle choices is your type of thing, then Cruis'n Blast will definitely satisfy the urge.

Pokémon Scarlet is as fun as the franchise has always been, no one can deny that. The new Pokémon creatures are endearing and the series still manages to create new and fun ways to get the player invested in their Pokémon training and catching sessions. As with Pokémon Legends Arceus before it however, this is all marred by a level of technical mastery that is downright inexcusable. Not only is the game still not quite up to the level of something like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild released over five years ago on the same system, but it is, at least at time of writing, riddled with visual glitches and performance issues. It looks downright unfinished at times. This is simply intolerable. Therefore, it is impossible to give this a better score in good conscience as a point has to be made once and for all that things need to change going forward.

It is easy to want to like Simon the Sorcerer Origins at first glance. The artwork is beautiful, and the puzzles are clever and creative. However, Simon sadly comes off as a murder-hobo rather than a charming rogue. Also, while the game's comedy is quite fun in itself, it needs more palate cleansers. As is, this feels like a six-hour-long slapstick show, a genre best served in 30-minute portions.

It is fun whilst it lasts and is definitely deserving of a play through. This is Sonic, just not quite as he was previously known.

Dark Deity is rough around the edges, but has a great structure to its core experience. The sprites look pretty good, and the class changes are one of the highlights to the experience. A weird weapon system, random little problems/glitches and stunted character interaction, all detract from what is fairly solid otherwise. This is the type of strategy game that with a few core patches and overhauls could really become something to look out for.

Graphically, some of the areas look great, and the story is interesting at points. The biggest problem that really drags down the experience is that combat is basic, repetitive, and ultimately uninspiring. The slot system is far more annoying than anything, and for how often players are in combat, it burns out quickly. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion feels more like a game that would be better to watch for the story, while skipping the gameplay. Zack deserved better than this.

Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth is a very difficult game to score. Its high price-tag and emphasis on staying faithful to the original - poor translations included - suggest it's a must for fans of the original game and series. Everyone else will likely find the compressed and invasive sound effects and the jarring, often nonsensical text prompts, a little too much, but those who stick with it are likely to find a solid, deep action RPG with a unique setting and story to accompany it.

River City: Rival Showdown's best qualities are its unique method of progression and well-executed storyline. Admittedly, this critic was not expecting this to be the case. The appeal of this franchise has always been its simplistic but satisfying fighting; not to mention the depth and creativity that comes from having so many fun abilities to play around with. While these hallmarks are present in this 3DS brawler, they are buried under the relentless quest for higher numbers. The final result is a game that just isn't as accessible and endearing as it could be, but there's still entertainment to be had.

By no means a bad game, Project Warlock can definitely be fun, but its many rough edges mar the experience, and fun soon gives way to annoyance. While the ultra-retro style is neat, and the gunplay is great, in the end these alone can't help much with the repetitive and simplistic level design, or how often bullets tend to hit thin air, and how unnecessary a permadeath system feels for such a game. Here's hoping the developer team understands what made titles like Doom so darn enjoyable, and create a much better sequel.

Pure Chess is a solid way to play the popular board game offline and features a great presentation, but unfortunately, its online component is very inconsistent.

Whilst some of the fundamentals that make a Wadjet Eye Game so special are included here, and there is a level of enjoyment to be had, Old Skies fails to hit the mark in more ways than expected. Long-term fans will likely persevere to the end because there is indeed enough of a hook and there are plenty of little in-jokes/references included. Old Skies should have been the most open escapade yet from the team. However - convoluted gameplay, unsatisfactory puzzle mechanics, frustrating new inclusions, a plot with unnecessary elements, and a surprising amount of linearity all leave this feeling rather anticlimactic overall. Bring back the days of Blackwell.

Any fan of puzzle games would be well advised to pick up Ninja Usagimaru: The Gem of Blessings, but moving blocks around can only provide so much entertainment, even with a variety of movement options and tools available.

Unfortunately, The Fall 2: Unbound does not hit the highs of the first game in the trilogy, as the puzzles seem a little bit more like random luck this time. Answers must be stumbled upon due to the illogical solutions, as the applications to these puzzles could have been better. The story is darker than the first, though, and the gripping journey brings Arid more questions than answers, as Over the Moon Games prepares to bring this trilogy to a close.

Fire Emblem DLC rarely comes in at a cheap price, and this is no different, and, disappointingly, this recycles existing maps, has very little in the customisation department, and removes many of the features that made Three Houses popular in the first place. There doesn't seem to be enough substance in this eight-to-ten-hour journey to really strongly recommend this as a must have, but for those itching to add to their Fire Emblem experience, will manage to enjoy this, even if it is a bit pricey.

It doesn't tarnish the first two books all that much, but it is sad to see this story go out on such a low note. Still, the time spent with the series is definitely a treat and, overall, the entire series is one of the best adventure games to come out in some time.

Bare minimum ports with performance issues they may be, but Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is a most welcome release that hopefully fuels the flame for a fourth in the 3D series. The lack of polish or any real noteworthy adjustments or additional content, as well as the third game losing its way following the first two great entries, put a dampener on the package, but there is still good value for money here that fans of challenging games will do well to check out.

Pokémon Friends offers a charming set of puzzles that do ramp up nicely in difficulty. It's a hop-on game that's ideal for younger players and compelling enough to grip the older lot. There is a good variety of challenges in the base release, but a shame that extras are tied to fairly expensive DLC.

Much like Halcyon 6 before it, this has tremendous potential, but is simply lost in its own slog. As such, it remains tough to recommend on a higher level, as battles just take too long, with too much punishment for straying from an ideal strategy. If there was an expansion of story, streamlining of combat, upgrading character pixels, and overall improving some of the aspects touched on, would go a very long way. In a game that felt like it could have been a awesome Edge of Tomorrow kind of deal, it feels more like being an accountant with a glitchy spreadsheet piece of software.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is a mixed bag. On one hand, its simplicity in its pick up and play race-to-race gameplay style can suit those who enjoy "back to basics" game modes. Anyone seeking an experience that can be fun to play with limited options will find Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered a joy to play, especially given its relatively budget price. Petrol heads and those looking for a bit of nostalgia will be satisfied with the car selection and arcade gameplay. However, Hot Pursuit Remastered's game modes both inside and outside of career mode are fairly scant, and fall short of standards set by other racing games in the modern landscape - even those upheld historically within the Need for Speed franchise itself.

Never mind the fact that Thea: The Awakening can frequently feel like a needlessly complicated 4X stategy/survival rogue-like/card battler. If that was its only issue, this would be an easy recommendation. Regrettably, the inconvenience that is its user interface mars what could be something really awesome.

Qix meets the Pretty Girls "universe," in an arcade-style, casual-friendly title that's pretty enjoyable, although it won't win any awards for its originality. As for the titular cuties, there's a nice enough number of them to unlock, as well as a few costumes, but other entries in the series have been much better in terms of variety.

LOVE is a simple but fun game, with simple but relatively nice, ultra-retro visuals, a neat, yet simple respawn mechanic, and a decent replay value due to its simple score-chasing mindset, and its equally simple level editor. Simply put: it's ok… and that's all there is to say about it.

Pikuniku's minimalistic visuals, wacky humour, overall happy vibe, light collect-athon mindset, and simple gameplay mechanics, make it a good pick for those who just want to kill an evening or two with something that's fun, but not that demanding. Sadly, there's a severe lack of content at hand, which is surprising given the length of it all.

Röki is a lovely game with strong characters and a fun, whimsical story. It shakes up its genres enough to be unique, but doesn't try to fix what isn't broken, and doesn't push itself past what it sets out to accomplish. Environment and creature designs are superb, while their human counterparts (of which there are very few anyway) leave a little more to be desired. It's a game just about anybody can pick up, play, and be immersed in a world they're likely not too familiar with, unless they grew up with the folklore this draws inspiration from. A few graphical glitches crop up here and there, but otherwise this is a solid and a fun adventure filled with puzzles, action, and intrigue.

Takoway is a unique puzzler with a fun soundtrack and colourful visuals that rival any of today's major children's films, and the use of so many silent protagonists was an interesting choice that pays off. The way the characters look and interact helps to carry the story, which is fitting for a game that's all about watching, learning, and perspective. The way the perspective slider alters the graphics and music was a stroke of genius, and all told, this is a laid-back, well-polished, but also somewhat forgettable, puzzle game.

When it comes down to brass tacks, what you put in here is what you get out. Going in with a pessimistic attitude is most likely going to breed hatred for the bright bold presentation and what Nintendo perceives to be fun activities. Take everything with a pinch of salt and plan a night around making a fool out of yourself and others however, and you might find yourself discussing 'the night we played Everybody 1-2 Switch!' for years to come. Unfortunately, with limited replay appeal, a night may just be all you get before the diminishing returns.

Having Ulala back is a welcome return and, Space Channel 5 VR manages to capture the world perfectly, and tug at all the correct nostalgia related heartstrings. It would be great to get lost in the cosy bosom of that feeling... if there was just more to offer. The promise of new characters, songs, and DLC, should rectify some of these issues, but with the already high price tag it's hard to imagine anyone outside the already committed fanbase to take a punt. As nice as it is to see a return to the news desk, hold out for a possible GOTY edition.

The start of Windbound feels very promising - the world looks beautiful, the sailing wonderful, and the development of the crafting system well done. However, after the first few hours, things start to fall apart. The repetitive nature and lack of growth of the core mechanics really hold it back from what it could have been. There's still an enjoyable experience here, but it is obvious it could be so much more, and ultimately feels a little unfinished. This is only the second game to come from indie developer 5 Lives Studios, and it's exciting to see what the team comes up with next.

While there's nothing fundamentally wrong with Psychic Specters - it is, after all, the most compre-hensive entry in the series, and Level-5's signature polish emanates throughout - yet it is also more than a little disappointing to see a fully-priced release add so little to the base game. Hardcore fans intent on purchasing should be aware that the new content is a little on the thin side, although it does make for a decent place for newbies to start their YO-KAI collection.

The premature conclusion to Lapin is disappointing, as the combination of an appealing art style, fluid gameplay, and rabbits with unique skills who solve puzzles made it a near excellent title for PlayStation 5. One can only hope the game-freezing error gets fixed in later updates, allowing discovery of what happens in the end rather than the lettuce lovers remaining in limbo for eternity.

Is this a bad DLC? Fortunately, no. You'll definitely enjoy it, but a feeling of disappointment will constantly keep you company during this adventure, as it could be something a lot better than simply "more of a good thing" kind of deal. In other words, Peril on Gorgon is just one more quest line to complete - one that's fun, but not any different than what came before it.

While The Drifter mostly succeeds as an immersive interactive novel, the experience, although solid and well paced, never quite evolves into something more than a moody two-evening adventure. What’s really a shame with Powerhoof’s creation is that while it’s a finely crafted point-and-click with great art direction and dark atmosphere, its shift from noir character drama and tense thriller to sprawling sci-fi conspiracy pulp is ultimately a disservice to the emotional potential of its arresting opening chapters.

Disappointing is the word that perfectly describes Kvark, the very enjoyable Soviet-flavoured FPS that’s like the less charismatic offspring of Half-Life and Hrot. Sadly, it has numerous problems, and while some, like its linear structure and repetitive gameplay, are easy to accept due to its deeply atmospheric world and enjoyable combat and exploration, there’s an irritating lack of polish, making it a hard recommendation to anyone but those few passionate indie game aficionados that can appreciate a hidden gem even if it happens to be placed inside a rusted, stinky, cracked box. Again, disappointing.

Hotel Transylvania is a tightly woven platform adventure full of accurate jumps, clever abilities, and brings the characters from the amusing movie to life. However, constant back-tracking and uninventive fetch missions mar the experience somewhat.

For better or worse, Assassin's Creed III Remastered introduces the polarising Connor Kenway to current generation consoles. Aside from some impressive graphical reworking, it is in many ways a simple port: bugs and issues with the original remain largely the same outside of some much-appreciated quality of life improvements and a handful of minor tweaks. Those who enjoyed the original, as well as Assassin's Creed fans who haven't yet played it, will likely appreciate this remaster for what it is, as long as nothing revolutionary is expected of it.

As is very common in video games, what the press hailed as one of "The Best Games of the Year!!1" was forgotten a few months after its release. No, Divine Divinity is far from one of the best the ARPG genre has to offer. The good news? If you can stomach its flaws, you’ll receive a 70+ hour, immersive and occasionally funny experience. An old-school classic, though? Nope.

Although dull platforming and a forgettable script hold it back, button-mashing action that feel fresh with each level, characters and bosses that would fit in any cartoon's Halloween special and a world that is filled with collectables to find and creepy things to see, proves that Pumpkin Jack has the foundation built for what could be an awesome Halloween franchise.

The blatant repetition, the largely pointless narrative, the unlikeable cast; if even one of these elements were out of place, then the adventure would probably fall apart. Frankly, this is a baffling conclusion to arrive at, but few titles are designed to own up to their bad qualities. This one knows it has poor ideas, and runs with them anyway. It's actually kind of admirable, but still really hard to recommend on a whim.

Younger players might get a kick out seeing their favourite Pokemon in a new light, but others should probably stick to 'purer' roguelikes like Shiren, or more standard RPGs like the core Pokemon titles.

Maxima provides a good reason for players to return to World of Final Fantasy, but only really because of its extra bosses and dungeon. The rest is really just minor nostalgia-driven content, which does fit in well given that's what the game is built around. The avatar change system is neat if only to use fan-favourite characters in battle now, and might provide some new set-ups for bosses, but don't expect much in the way of cut-scenes and major roles for the new champions. Taken as a whole, still one of the better Final Fantasy games in many years, but Maxima as an upgrade is only worth it for the title's biggest fans.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a mixed bag. While it's great to see the series return, the fresh coat of paint isn't enough to hide the myriad fundamental flaws with it that have since been addressed in later entries. It is fun in short bursts, the new style looks lovely, and Poké-fans will be happy just to step back into the world. Best of all, this may point towards the other entries receiving Switch upscales, and perhaps even a whole new entry.

Poncho is a short adventure with excellent storytelling and amusing aspects, but far from being a flawless game, because of its technical issues, lack of challenge and altogether limited gameplay potential. An unexceptional game, but with enough personality and redeeming features that prevent it from being immediately forgotten.

Anyone who wants a quality Zelda-style action adventure game on their Switch is going to be better off with Okami HD. Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is a polished and shiny bronze medal. Fighting monsters is as standard can be, and what keeps things stimulating is the variety of the environment, puzzle solving, spectacle, and the exploration to be had. It is satisfying to stumble on a hidden chest and find some upgrade that War could use as it is in most adventures. Often entertaining but not exactly emotionally engaging, Darksiders takes itself too seriously.

Enjoyment for Hazumi will very much depend on the player's determination. A solid core idea is let down by the repetition necessary to succeed, ensuring for many people much of the content will never be seen.

The genuinely thought-provoking Ring Battle system, engaging puzzle design, and care given to Olivia's characterisation all make The Origami King the best Paper Mario since the series' Wii outing, but that wasn't a high bar to begin with and the series is still struggling to come up with an engaging gameplay loop in light of the lessened RPG elements. Without experience or levelling, random battles lose their lustre fast.

Part culmination of old-school classics, part a simplistic form of them all, Shantae: Risky's Revenge is not exactly the best title in WayForward's, otherwise charming, line of platformers. If a fan of Shantae do check it out, but you won't miss much by skipping it, and simply trying any other instalment - 2002 original included.

With a surprisingly strong voice cast, coupled with an appropriately moody atmosphere, with a jazzy soundtrack and cartoony visuals, the point-and-click adventure is able to craft an identity all of its own, even if it isn't particularly unique in regards to its genre. The adventure does fall on the short side with puzzles that are not always particularly engaging, but Detective Gallo nonetheless makes for an interesting playthrough even if it does ultimately fail to live up to its potential.

Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town has the potential to be the best entry in the Story of Seasons series. Sadly, the combination of major and minor bugs, including frame rate dips on the farm itself, severely decreases gameplay enjoyment. There has been one pre-launch update and further updates are on the way. This will hopefully address some of the issues encountered and maybe even allow active participation in more of the events. It is still a fun experience so long as the noted problems can be tolerated. There is a huge variety of animals and crops to tend to, fantastic range in character customisation, and the usual aspects of a Story of Seasons title that long-time fans have come to love.

For the most part, all three Oppaidius entries are pretty much the same deal. Oppaidius Desert Island!, however, is probably the weakest link in the chain of this brassiere. Still an enjoyably titillating, pleasantly silly sex comedy, this is far from a bad Visual Novel, just one with a few more issues than the rest of the trilogy, with a much smaller emphasis in boobie-jokes, and a much lower replay value. Unless that's just oppai fatigue speaking…

Monster Energy Supercross 2 is a mostly fluid and enjoyable two-wheeler experience, which hasn't been reinvented, but has been polished just enough to be a decent follow-up. The standard cynicism of incessant iterative cycles still applies here, because if Milestone gave themselves two years for this follow-up, it would be drastically better, rather than the usual half-step. However, at least the studio's commitment to the Unreal Engine 4, and their policy of providing an accessible driving experiences for all skill-levels, ensures Monster Energy Supercross 2 is still fun and engrossing for fans of Supercross, as well as those of the genre at large.

Unfortunately, once the story mode has been completed, there is very little replay value, outside of unlocking a boss rush and 'classic mode'. There is definitely a hardcore challenge there for those who play without the helping hand of infinite lives, but those who don't should be able to get through the story mode in under an hour or so. Certainly, a great trip down memory lane for those old enough to remember the original, but newer players may find it somewhat frustratingly difficult and lacking compared to more modern 2D platformers.

Wave Break has so many redeemable qualities, but for every positive there is a negative. Large diverse levels are hampered by the fact there are only six of them, fun fluid game play marred by jarring camera angles and frequent clipping, a rocking soundtrack only to be let down by performance issues such as frame drops. Underneath these issues is a fun homage to the Tony Hawks series, and fans will most certainly look past them while others would expect better.

Cooking Mama 3 is a nice progression for the culinary mini-game series that has become a roaring success around the world.

It looked promising, but The Crew 2 falls wide of the mark, in infuriating fashion. It tries to grab people's attention with its technically impressive map, its instant vehicle-switching, and with even flashier motors, yet all of this is just a deluded sales pitch for a seriously lacking package. It doesn't address any of the fundamental flaws of the original, such as repetitive races and too many bland open spaces.

Robox tries to be a good Metroid-esque game, but it falls short in the fact that, for the average gamer, it can get frustratingly hard.

LEGO The Incredibles does exactly what fans of Tt's games will expect at this point. It delivers a fun distraction that is great to play through in couch co-op, with plenty of extras to keep the game enjoyable for a long time to come. However, like Telltale, it has done little to expand or innovate here and the source material feels a little thin for this type of affair.

Townsmen: A Kingdom Rebuilt is a fine experience to check out for those who wish to dabble in the fun and thoughtful process of setting up supply lines. While completing and overseeing a thriving supply line is quite a fulfilling process, and resource production becomes an automatic system, this is all that this seems to have going for it. Beyond ensuring that the cogs keep turning, there is a real lack of drive or motivation to keep progressing beyond keeping bandits and avalanches at bay. Despite the deep system that underlies the kingdom-building aspects, it's still missing a few ingredients that could've elevated this experience. However, for those searching for a new resource-management city-builder set in the medieval ages, this title is worth considering.

At the end of the day, it's hard to recommend to anyone but fans that want to know how the story ends, but they should keep their expectations in check in order to get to the good parts through the messy parts and still have a good time out of it. Indeed, it's tough, after two great games that ended in a cliff-hanger, to simply ignore the finale, despite its flaws.

It's really sad that the learning curve is so massive that it acts like a wall that keeps most players from enjoying this. It's sad, because those who'll persevere, and manage to reach that 'Zen' level of razor-sharp precision, are the only ones who can really understand how exciting Absolute Drift can be. That being said, when a game is all about drifting, the fun factor won't last for long.

The Nintendo Switch 2 features go a long way to make the Subnautica games more playable and better looking, but the core foundation is still built on a grind of repetitive tasks.

A decent enough addition to the series, but ultimately, one that fails to bring anything new or special.

What one buys here is a collection of mediocre-to-decent, but also unknown arcade games; a collection that… well, runs ok, and that's all there is to say about it. VISCO Collection isn't bad, but it's hardly must-have material either.

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II is basically the first Dark Alliance instalment all over again. A super-simple, but at the same time fun hack 'n' slash ride through a D&D realm. Not exactly a classic, but something that retro fans (and maybe only them) will appreciate. Unless it gets a really good discount, however, there's no point in trying this out, as there are far better alternatives available, both old and new.

By speedrunners, for speedrunners, Bloodthief is a mostly fun, adrenaline-pumping game tailored almost exclusively to those who take pleasure in trying a level a hundred times just so they can decrease their time by about five seconds. It offers a punishing, high-speed experience that demands precision and quick reflexes, packaged in a nice and simple, retro-looking, dark medieval fantasy wrapping. The lack of accessibility for non-speedrunners, combined with the slightly inconsistent mechanics and a somewhat tedious level design, makes it a tough sell to a broader audience.

Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters on 3DS is a bit on the easy side, and there are some shortcomings such as occasional slowdown, especially within combat. If you're a fan of Metroid-style exploration, though, or the Green Lantern series itself, and are prepared to accept some flaws, this is not a bad buy.

Contra: Rogue Corps is not a complete failure. Misguided? Yes. Awful? Absolutely not. The control issues are remedied by loading up the options and adjusting stick sensitivity. Why they didn't put them at max sensitivity from the get go? It's the same reason this has a cold opening and giving no chance to change settings until after the first stage leaves a horrible taste impression with how unresponsive it is. The only true misses are the lack of a continuous soundtrack that doesn't sound like a Metal Gear Solid rip-off. Why wasn't this at 60FPS on Xbox One X? A solid game, with some absolutely baffling design decisions.

The low price tag helps, but overall this just feels forgettable.

While West of Dead makes only a fleeting pass at innovation, it is still enjoyable for a time and does a great job of nailing a sense of personality that will resonate with fans of the good ol' Western. It's only avid rogue-like players, though, that will find much here to keep themselves invested. The repetition in the core gameplay quickly saps it of its charm, in turn requiring a concerted effort to see this title through to the bitter end.

If it may not succeed at making the now-classic and well-known story of Dragon Ball Z very interesting through its artistic choices, Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden does succeed at making players feel in control of the action and giving a good sense of thrill to whoever plays it in the actual battles.