As realistic, historically accurate, unrelenting, casual-unfriendly, open-word RPG games go, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is probably the best on offer right now. It's only worthy of the bronze medal, though, as it's very far from perfect, and the amount of flaws at hand mean that this is quite the dirty kind of bronze medal.

Spelunker Party! offers a rather meaty package that will certainly provide dozens of hours of gameplay to the right audience, those able to stand the controls and difficulty or are looking for that sort of experience. Such people certainly exist out there and, while of course the unfairness certainly doesn't reach the levels of the NES or 8-Bit computer versions, the stiffness and accuracy required when playing still feels like something from a different age that won't necessarily appeal to everybody. With that in mind, however, Spelunker Party!, like other Spelunker games, chooses that approach on purpose so as to appeal to its fan-base and certainly does succeed in that regard! It is, therefore, a fairly good rendition of the series on Nintendo Switch that should lend itself well to multiplayer Spelunker parties amongst fans both online and locally, on the go.

It is hard to dislike the comical Rabbids, and the antics of Rabbids Land goes to show that there is still plenty of fun to be had with crazy mini-games that can be played with a few friends. It may not have the same level of longevity as something like Nintendo Land but it does indeed prove to be a great time consumer for anyone hoping for an enjoyable experience that makes great use of the Wii U GamePad.

YumeCore is one of those rarities where if a single aspect wasn't quite right, then it would fall apart entirely. There isn't a deep and complicated battle system to figure out, nor are there a wealth of level-ups and rare drops to hide behind. Even though progress can be saved, it's highly unlikely that anyone will get more than an hour or two worth of play-time. Still, even if it doesn't stick around for long, at least it's sure to leave behind a happy memory. This endearing adventure serves as a respite from the painful video games that most usually put themselves through. Give it a shot.

Admittedly, the Neptunia franchise has always been a bit of a hard sell. The main characters, particularly Neptune herself, are an acquired taste. Also, if someone doesn't have the stomach for fanservice, then they're going to have a very bad time. Still, there are endearing qualities. Super Neptunia RPG does a fine job of making them palatable to a wider audience. The interesting plot is backed by a unique assortment of villains. Then there's the battle system, which presents an impressive spin on familiar concepts. Aesthetically, this RPG isn't quite the same as before. Maybe that's a good thing for some, but it might not gel with others. Regardless, don't let such a minor nitpick deter you from taking on this quest.

While it doesn't quite stick the landing, Tesla vs Lovecraft is still well worth checking out. This twin-stick shooter captures the heart of what makes the genre work, and is designed to appeal to every level of skill. It's just such a natural and fun game that anyone will be happy to give up their weekend for it. The only other complaint worth noting is the blaring foghorn. Inception is a fine movie, but the horn it popularised has been a nuisance to this critic's eardrums for quite a long time. Hearing BWWAAAHH every couple minutes is akin to being trapped in the depths of Cthulhu's madness.

Like the previous games, Haydee 3 is an old-school tough, highly atmospheric, enjoyably perplexing metroidvania-style action-adventure (yes, one with a super-curvy protagonist), but it doesn’t really feel like a new product that builds on previously laid foundations. In other words, it’s more like an expansion, than a continuation. Do keep an eye at it, but better wait for decent price. You can always (re)play the previous games while waiting for that to happen…

For a low-budget indie 3D platformer on the original Nintendo Switch, Crosak impresses with its visuals and style. If it were a real Nintendo 64 platformer, its controls and gameplay would fall short of classics like Banjo-Kazooie and Super Mario 64, but it would still outperform most of the weaker 3D platformers on the system. It's less of a hassle to play than the vanilla release of Yooka-Laylee, but not as polished as Replaylee. It’s way better than Tail of the Sun, and when it comes to caveman 3D platformers, nothing tops Crosak.

Nightdive Studios did the best they could with a mediocre game. The Thing was never a good game and the original developers often lamented over the final product. They had much grander ambitions that could have made it a genuine classic. While the remaster's technical execution is commendable, the source material's was questionable. Despite this, the remaster may serve as an impetus for future adaptations of John Carpenter's film. The film's core concept remains a compelling narrative foundation and has potential for more successful interpretations in the right hands.

Bzzzt is a solid bite-sized action platformer that is elevated thanks to its incredible pixel art and music. The generic story won't be the reason why anyone plays it and might make the game forgettable, but the gameplay and challenge leave a lingering impression. For its price, there is no going wrong with it, and fans of the genre will be engaged by its tight mechanics.

Forza: Motorsport 2023 is both a fantastic racing experience and an example of everything wrong in the genre at the moment. the driving is better than ever and the visual design is fantastic but the soundtrack, lack of local play and the small number of bugs did detract from the overall experience. It's got a ton of amazing content that makes up for the issues, however, so it is a hearty recommendation to all motor nuts.

Whether it is to try to appeal to a broader audience or to bolster a game whose level design doesn’t match up to the original trilogy, the focus on elements that are unusual for the series leaves Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in the awkward position of being an enjoyable adventure that doesn’t stack up as a top Metroid game. There are the makings of a solid title featuring classic Prime traits, and for that reason alone Beyond can be worth experiencing, but longtime fans may need to brace themselves…and then wash away the taste by replaying Metroid Prime Remastered while praying for the same treatment for Prime 2 and 3.

Finally, Telltale seems to be getting onto the right track with this property, but it may be too little, too late.

Does Huntdown pass the test of capturing the spirit of the ‘80s, or is it just another neon-coated imposter? It passes - with flying colours, and probably a slow-motion explosion behind it. It has all the necessary ingredients: the excess, the attitude, the willingness to be completely ridiculous while still delivering something genuinely entertaining beyond the wonderful pixel art that dresses it all. It won’t eat up more than a week of your life (and that’s being generous), but some action games are just better as snacks rather than full meals.

Tales of Graces f Remastered's most compelling feature is its combat system. It's a serviceable JRPG experience, potentially appealing to younger players disinclined towards turn-based systems. While its emphasis on "the power of friendship" may resonate with this demographic, older gamers will find the narrative lame and its character motivations underdeveloped. Although the writing occasionally exhibits weaknesses, the narrative does offer moments of genuine emotional impact.

For a kid's game, Ufouria: The Saga 2 is certainly going to capture the imaginations of its target audience. Fans of the original Ufouria are likely in their late 30s to early 40s and will likely find this to be a very safe and by-the-numbers languid platformer. Anyone who enjoys the likes of Kirby will feel right at home with this surreal and charming Metroidvania, but those that have grown tired of the genre will be better off looking elsewhere for thrills.

The gameplay isn't overhauled here, but it doesn't need to be. Cities: Skylines - Green Cities adds new content and refreshes current content, making for a more whole and diverse gaming experience, which is just about everything a good add-on needs to do. It might not be a must-have, but it does add to the Cities: Skylines experience, which is one the development team at Colossal Order has kept running strong since launch.

Like a good heist film, episode five gradually builds tension until even the smallest actions seem to have tremendous ramifications if done wrong. The idea of deliberately failing QTEs to see if they really matter fades away, because everything seems to matter. However, like a bad heist film, the stakes are occasionally undermined by showing just how far the odds have been swung in the hero's favour. As a conclusion (possibly for good) to Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two - Episode 5 is still strong, never becoming close to a chore to play. It's just a shame that it ended up being one of the weaker points of the season.

From a gameplay standpoint, Wide Ocean Big Jacket is an extremely simple game - with 'game' put between the biggest quote marks imaginable. As an experience, though, this is something else entirely. Turnfollow's tiny adventure is basically a funny, and occasionally very sweet, slice-of-life tale of four people enjoying themselves in the woods, while also dealing with some serious matters, but not in a very serious way. It's not a narrative-driven game. It is vacation in video game form - and only the good parts are included.

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!

Electronic Arts has marginally improved FIFA 13 to the point where it can safely be said that it is a better game than the series' debut on Nintendo 3DS, but there is still a lot of work to do in order to become the supreme football experience in the portable realm.

A revival of a classic comes to Switch 2 looking slightly worse for wear, although the hit to visual quality is a sacrifice worth having to ensure a smooth docked and portable experience for Virtua Fighter 5 REVO World Stage. The new solo mode is on the grindy side and unfortunately doesn’t add any story scenes that would appeal to offline players, but it serves as a solid alternative to the arcade, and unlocking cosmetics along the way keeps reasons to persist with it high. The focus is on the online portion, which has great long-term potential with rollback and crossplay at the core.

With Coffee Talk however, as with similar experiences such as Neo Cab, taxing gameplay couldn't be further away from a selling point. The real joy is the feeling of interaction and intimate knowledge of every NPC that crosses the threshold. It's very easy to become embroiled in their lives and feel comforted knowing that the small amount of ingredients bundled together has made a difference to them, and might lead to even more forthcoming titbits. A charming and relaxing experience from start to finish, milk it for all its worth.

If gamers are looking for a super challenging, rage inducing but fair game, they will be quite happy with their purchase. If what they are looking for is an easy going, charming platformer, it is highly advised to look elsewhere.

Short, sweet, and essentially a Sega Mega Drive shoot 'em up developed for modern audiences, Sky Racket is a fantastic throwback to 16-bit gaming. Emphasising mechanical mastery and pattern memorisation, the core design is philosophically in-line with the era it's throwing back to - a sight for sore eyes, considering so many indies never take their inspiration beyond the surface level. The main campaign admittedly could have benefited from more stages, but optional challenges and multiplayer do add replay value. With a title as strong as Sky Racket opening its gameography, Double Dash Studios has a bright future ahead of it.

Space Lift Danger Panic! is a solid port of the iOS original, capitalising on the touch-screen controls for the 3DS, with colourful retro graphics and a solid soundtrack to boot.

Operencia: The Stolen Sun is an extremely solid dungeon-crawler. Each labyrinth runs the gamut of ferocious monsters and confounding puzzles that fans of the genre crave. Fights tend to be repetitious and suffer from rough pacing, but the battle system is clearly thought-out and enjoyable to master. The array of options, from party-building to difficulty customization, allows for someone to carve out their own identity. It's also nice that the cast is quirky and endearing. Even the avatar will commentate on the situation, rather than stew in silence like so many other blank slates. This makes for an adventure that's amusing in every respect.

Kona VR falls under the rather unflattering title of Walking Simulator - a title that detracts from what each game has to offer. Kona VR tries to break out of this label by focusing on the survival elements, and it works. Mostly. The environment, atmosphere, and dread make Kona memorable and the new VR features make it even better.