Anyone who enjoyed Super Meat Boy is likely to have a good time with The End is Nigh. Both games are very similar, with the latter being a somewhat more mature and thought-provoking platformer. Ed McMillen knows how to make his games hard and addictive and that has not changed here. Sometimes the unrelenting challenge can lead to fatigue, yet at the same time that sensation of being worn out and battered is extremely fitting considering the portentous atmosphere in the later sections. There really is no other talent like McMillen working in the industry. The man crafts simple and easy to pick up games that are extremely difficult, yet at the same time combine sardonic wit, dark humour, and a foreboding solemness.

SteamWorld Dig holds up tremendously well considering it originated on 3DS back in 2013. All these years later, despite its sequel surpassing it, this original has so much to offer that it should not be overlooked. If having never tried it before, Nintendo Switch fans owe it themselves to dig deep, unearth their hard-earned coin, explore Image & Form's treasure, and definitely make this gem of a game their own.

Piczle Lines DX isn't a bad game. In fact, it does what it wants to do almost perfectly. There are a ton of puzzles here to solve, from the small bite-sized ones that can be solved in minutes to big, sprawling challenges that can take hours. Unfortunately, it is simply that the underlying concept here simply is not that interesting. This is a boring kind of puzzler, and feels a bit like putting together an actual puzzle over and over… and over again. There is probably a niche for this, a certain kind of puzzle enthusiast that likes these slower, more plodding experiences. A vast majority of gamers, however, are going to lose interest fast because it only really has one trick that it does repeatedly. Piczle Lines DX is a perfectly adequate experience.

For the price tag attached to it, Sky Force Reloaded is the perfect antidote for Nintendo Switch fans that love this genre. As long as you came here in order to experience a pretty basic, and grind-heavy (but immensely addictive) vertical shoot 'em up, where the only modern thing about it is its graphical update, then you simply cannot go wrong!

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.

Teslagrad is a fun puzzling experience from Rain Games and one that seems perfect for on-the-go play thanks to the numerous puzzles and the regular auto-saving checkpoints, meaning it's perfect for pick up and put down style play. The graphical style has transitioned fantastically to Switch, too, looking absolutely stunning in portable mode. This is definitely a pleasing addition to the Switch's extensive port library.

An interesting premise, a striking visual style, and a mysterious game world that's bound to keep the gaming community pondering on what's going on in here, Hello Neighbor had the potential to be an iconic classic. Instead, the final release is nothing more than an overpriced, clunky, and incomplete mess of an experience. It's a shame, really.

Given how addictive the free base game is, hopes are high for CROSSNIQ+. The best puzzle titles are those that keep things simple, removing overly complicated instructions and getting straight into the action, whilst carefully building up complexity at an appropriate pace. CROSSNIQ gets the balance just right, easing gamers in, and then gradually introducing extra elements to bring great levels of depth to proceedings. Excellent in its current form, it has the potential to be a memorable great in its expanded version.

There is nothing appealing about Out of Ammo. It has no character to it at all and even less polish to its name. This is a huge shame since the idea of an RTS that has a gameplay shift to first-person action does have potential. This is not how it should have been, though. This current build of Out of Ammo is not an Early Access version or an alpha or beta, (even though it plays like it); this is version 1.0. This is a monumentally rough and broken product that had several instances of controls failing to respond and even a crash in the span of only 90 minutes. Out of Ammo is an unplayable disaster.

Picross S is a fully recommended title for anyone who doesn't own a Nintendo 3DS after some puzzling action to play on the go, which is the preferred way to play this type of game. Whilst lacking the superior touch controls of the 3DS versions, this one does add an array of great assist options and throws a multiplayer twist into the format. Compared to what the long-running Picross e games provide, though, offering just two modes and Mega Picross being slightly adjusted Picross puzzles is unfortunate. For the budget price, 300 puzzles is excellent value, especially if this is one of your first dabbles into the series, but there is no question that more could have been added here. If you have a 3DS, it would be better to stick to the Picross fun on that system.

The Inpatient is one of the most disappointing games ever made. Even when detached from the excellent Until Dawn, on its own it's a shallow walking sim with glossy production values. This might be okay for a one and done play-through, if acquired for free, and even then it is hard to justify the cost of the time spent playing this husk of a game. This is at best a glorified and expensive demo reel for talented 3D artists and VR programmers - not really a game worth playing at all.

Unepic is deliciously old-school and thoroughly addictive, but it feels like a snapshot of an earlier time and, as such, those who have never experienced the games that this is a love-letter to may find it hard to get on with. The writing is very hit and miss - mostly miss - but it tells a decent enough story, until its final act and the horrible endings… Ultimately, a fun but flawed experience.

Tallowmere can be fun, challenging, addictive, silly, irritating, and boring at the same time, but, thankfully, it's neither a bad, nor a mediocre game amongst rogue-likes. Just don't go in expecting one of the best either.

Some interesting things happen in Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 4: What Ails You, and it is better than previous efforts, but they are the kind of things that should have happened a long time ago, as they don't really have the necessary power to make you as eager to experience the end of this journey as it should.

This is the Police is basically a visual novel disguised as a strategy videogame. Apart from a lack of any depth in its mechanics, choices don't really matter, as almost everything happens no matter what you do. The story section is a lot better, and the audio-visuals even more so, but these won't be enough to satisfy strategy enthusiasts.

An iffy camera system and questionable design decisions only slightly mar what is otherwise an enjoyable battle system and notably engaging narrative in Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon for Nintendo Switch. Veterans of the first game will find a snug fit, with new players quickly welcomed in.

It may have taken its time arriving on the 3DS, but Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is just as engaging as it was over ten years ago. Franchise veterans may be a little disappointed by the lack of positive changes in this new version, but those who didn't get to experience franchise's most exciting leap forward in its original incarnation are ensured a fantastic time here, and it's a great way to contemplate the classic series' genius before its brave leap onto the Nintendo Switch in the coming year.

Tachyon Project is not bad and is a fine fit for anyone looking to kill an hour or two with arcade-like gameplay, but it comes off as disjointed. The story is presented far bigger than it actually is, the marketing tries more to sell the idea of an old shoot 'em up than a new game, and Ada's movements are stiff for the wrong reasons. That said, the missions are structured well; there's a lot to customise in Ada, and it is engaging enough to warrant a playthrough. There's a good game hiding inside Tachyon Project and hopefully a sequel can iron out the kinks to bring it out.

Nine Parchments can be enjoyable in small doses with others. Playing alone can feel depressing as the grind of pressing on feels strongly palpable. There really isn't anything wrong with the mechanics since it controls nicely and feedback is satisfying. The art direction is top-notch and fantasy atmosphere has a much more colourful Magic the Gathering vibe going on. It is the sheer unimaginative level design and pedestrian scenarios that will bore most people. There is very little variation from the first stages to the end game stages and there is desperately a need for something to mix up the action.

One Piece: Unlimited World Red Deluxe Edition is that rare licensed game with enough lasting power to please both fans and newcomers alike. Prior knowledge of the series certainly bolsters the experience, but the core mechanics are strong enough on their own where newcomers can hop in and enjoy themselves. The gameplay itself can feel repetitive during longer play sessions, but the mechanics aren't so simple to the point where they aren't at least somewhat engaging. At its core, One Piece: Unlimited World Red's MO is to be an easy to play adventure game set in the One Piece universe and, at that, it succeeds rather well.

While by no means revolutionary or necessary, the Fun Pack is a strong enough foundation to start a season pass on. Two new tracks and eight new vehicles add a hefty amount of freshness to the experience, and the Rallycross focus is a nice way of giving the pack a central theme. The new cars may not be a big enough grab for casual drivers, but more hardcore fans will certainly find themselves pleased with the additions. Time will tell if Project CARS 2's season pass will be a worthwhile investment, but the Fun Pack sets the stage quite nicely with plenty of content and focus to go around.

One third bullet hell, one third shoot 'em up, and one third roguelike, Enter the Gungeon is a magnificent blend of three genres that go together impressively well. The wide variety of guns keeps each playthrough feeling fresh, regardless of the character chosen, and the diverse enemy design is sure to keep players on their toes as they force their way through the Gungeon. There are some issues that rise from the randomness of it all, par for the course for a roguelike, but the fluid gameplay, massive weapon cache, and bullet-heavy atmosphere make Enter the Gungeon one incredibly endearing experience.

Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 1: The Enigma is easily the best episode of Telltale's Batman story so far. While Season One put the wheels in motion, The Riddler's return to Gotham invites The Agency into town to make its presence felt, while Lucius Fox, Alfred, and Bruce Wayne are still trying to fully come to terms with the events of the first season. The story is a lot tighter, and the animations are well-polished and cleaner, setting the expectation for what to expect throughout the second season.

Nightmare Boy is an admirable first attempt by a two-person studio, with a compelling artistic vision backed up by wild and unexpected creativity. However, strict adherence to outdated gameplay tropes and questionable narrative pacing make this a difficult game to recommend to everyone, especially with the abundance of other high quality Metroidvanias on the market.

It's clear that Beholder: Complete Edition is trying to tell a story about oppression, coercion, and state observation, but its heavy handedness and console controls dilutes the message it's trying to produce. Other games have achieved much more with so much less, yet that shouldn't distract from what is a management game with a delightful twist. It's fun to be the bad guy and hauling out a tenant because you spied them eating fish can be strangely compelling. Sometimes admin can be fun and Beholder exploits the subservient and rebel in us all.

Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two - Episode 5: Above and Beyond reaches its epic conclusion as the great battle between Jesse and the evil Admin, Romeo, threatens to tear Beacontown apart. Featuring a shorter experience than previous episodes, this is also the most finely tuned one in terms of pacing, as the excitement ramps up from the opening credits right through to the eventual ending. While the decision-making in earlier episodes seems very watered down in retrospect, the final few choices mean that the next Minecraft season will need to answer plenty of questions, if Telltale does indeed go down that path.

Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two - Episode 4: Below the Bedrock heightens the sense of urgency, thanks to Romeo's shape-shifting powers that have granted him complete control of Beacontown. Traversing the Underneath is an exciting but equally thrilling journey that grants inside access into the minds of each of the Admins. Learning more about Romeo, Xara, and Fred forces the group to look inward at times, adding yet another layer to what is becoming an intricate story. Since the "filler" portion of this episode can simply be skipped by just losing the trivia contest, it is a wonder why there was even a point in this sequence anyway.

Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two - Episode 3: Jailhouse Block throws the gang into its mid-season low point, as the group embark on a prison-breakout with the help of the mysterious inmate, Prisoner X. While Prisoner X adds a great new complexity to the overall adventure, and drops important exposition, she is a welcome addition to the gang. Unfortunately, most of the good stuff does not occur until beyond the midpoint of this episode, as the beginning stages suffer due to a warden and prison hierarchy that makes no sense.