It didn’t succeed in completely killing my enthusiasm for a new game in a forgotten series. No. It just made me want a deeper, more polished experience, and that’s not the worst thing for a game to do.

It’s not so much a deconstruction of the dating sim, but rather a warped version of it. Dialtown applies its unhinged writing to the genre, and it works exceedingly well. There were many times when I’d elbow my husband to look at whatever the heck was on my screen at that moment. I tried to explain the concept of the game to him and he responded with “please stop.” That’s a win in my books.

Sol Cresta isn't just a revival of a classic franchise, it's a fully-fledged shmup that stands on its own two feet.

Guerilla Games has a great handle on the open world genre at this point, and knows how to cater to people who do like certain broader comfort food elements without going overboard.

Given its strict adherence to an ’80s gaming mentality, Team Berzerk’s tough, visceral platform adventure might not be for everyone. But, for those who crave sadomasochistic challenges, doomsday storytelling, and absolute lashings of the red stuff, Infernax offers up a cathartic dose of 8-bit heathenism. Just run through a few FromSoft titles beforehand… You’ll need to warm up, after all.

The King of Fighters XV represents SNK’s strongest efforts to reignite the flames of its most prestigious franchise. With fantastic fighting action, a compelling roster, splendid visuals, and revamped online options, KoF XV is a treat for both series veterans and the fighting game community at large, though newcomers may still find themselves dizzied by its myriad mechanics and steep learning curve.

I wouldn’t argue that Power to the People is well executed in everything it does. It’s aesthetically pleasing, has that horn-heavy soundtrack that almost every city-builder uses to lull you into a trance, and there wasn’t any part of the formula that I didn’t feel was locked solid. I recommend it if you know what you’re getting into. If you want a title about managing a power grid, have at it. If you’re hoping for a wrinkle in that formula, you’re probably not going to find it.

It’s a razor-thin wire to walk in making this feel rewarding. Too far on one side, and it’s masochistic; too far on the other, and it’s not enough of a challenge. Somehow, Sloclap strikes dead center. Sifu is a challenge worth taking on and overcoming. It’s a story of vengeance with a little heart at the end, and though it might not land perfectly, it’s got a lot of style and action to back it up.

From the perspective of someone who always respected but couldn’t penetrate the series, OlliOlli World feels just perfect. I was engrossed for long periods of time and absolutely ate through the title. I’m ready to move on, rather than push for completion, but I think that’s part of the beauty. There’s something for everyone, whether or not you’ve got a competitive edge or just want to reach for Gnarvana.

Dying Light 2 is safe in some respects, and bold in others: like its propensity to lean into some arcadey notions.

You need to buy into the theme to an extent to deal with some of the shortcomings.

Inti Creates can just keep making games throughout my lifetime.

Given that these are single-player experiences first, it makes sense that there wouldn't be a focus on bringing in multiplayer.

If we take our eyes off what the P.E.N.I.S. is suggesting for a minute, Sucker for Love is a wholly enjoyable experience. The writing is hilarious and clever; especially a treat for anyone who has a Necronomicon on their shelf. Its approach to the genre is completely irreverent, and it pulls it off so well it’s flattering. It’s certainly not the longest visual novel you will find, but it’s worth forfeiting your sanity to summon. Just beware of the bugs that crawl beneath its skin.

For what it’s worth, I enjoyed my time with Windjammers 2. It sucked me in for hours as I slaved over a hot arcade stick. The single-player is very challenging, but it can only hold up the overall product for so long. It’s also not as transcendental as something like Streets of Rage 4 was in its revival of an old formula. It is as it says on the box; a sequel. It might as well have come out in 1996 for all it adds. But it’s also $20, which I think is the right price if a sequel is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s also made with a scoop of love for the original title, which comes across in its faithfulness and appearance.

While it doesn't execute fully with its foundation, it does take more risks than I expected, to the point where it's going to be worth a look for some folks.

I was a bit skeptical about Nobody Saves the World pulling off everything it tried to do, but it won me over very quickly.

Firegirl: Hack ’n Splash Rescue is still a work in progress. All of the right elements are here, but they’re not coalescing into what should be the optimal firefighting experience. I truly believe there is a great game buried somewhere within the lines of code that brings it all together. We just got to hold onto hope that Dejima Games will be able to find it.

Unless there are some inherent issues with certain types of machines, God of War is an easy recommendation if you're looking to get in for the first time on PC.

Christmas Massacre is a seasonal treat. It might not have all the fine atmosphere and interesting design as something like Bloodwash, but it’s quick entertainment. It’s a bit of joy to inject into your holidays. And really, even when you’re battling with hit detection, it’s fun to be the slasher. Going around and killing ‘80s teen stereotypes while dressed as Santa is a great way to prepare you for spending time with the family. Just don’t expect anything more than a stocking stuffer. Painting the walls with the festive color of red can be a really good time when everything clicks, but this isn’t Puppet Combo at their finest. It’s quick and messy, like a crime scene. But if you’re already a fan, the tag has your name on it.

Clockwork Aquario is here. 30 years late, but soaked in old-school style. Westone Bit Entertainment’s final release would not win any awards for originality, but offers a short, fun, and attractive journey to the halcyon days of the ’90s arcade renaissance. The package on offer is a little thin, and the price will be a tad high for the average player’s taste, but important work has been done by publishers ININ Games and Strictly Limited — here’s hoping they will be rewarded in kind.

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with The Gunk. It works from a technical standpoint and it isn’t the worst way you can spend about five hours of your time. But I just can’t muster up any sort of authentic excitement about it. If it were funnier or cleverer or more challenging, I could maybe start to see it as a title I could recommend. But as it is, the best I can do is pay it that slightly backhanded compliment of saying it’s perfect for Game Pass.

The core concept of Monopoly Madness is shockingly good, to the point where I can recommend it at the right price. I really dig how fast-paced it is. It’s a worthy party game through and through — with a twist I haven’t quite seen before — and from that lens, I’ve been having a blast. A little more budget could have gone a long way, so I’ll be curious to see if this is a one-and-done project or if Ubisoft will explore a follow-up.

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon might turn some people off with its roguelite framework and randomization, but there's a deep puzzle game at work here.

Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is worth playing through in full if you’re into the story. I still hope that one day — I’m talking a decade-plus from now — Square Enix preserves this tale by any means necessary, even with a single-player rework. It’s timeless, and exceeds the quality of many other mainline games in the series. Whether you stick around for the theme park rides afterward is entirely up to you. The rides I’m going on still have some life left in them.

It’s really hard to say whether or not I recommend The Kids We Were. I don’t hate it. As much as I feel the narrative was sloppy, it’s not a total loss and I’m sure some will readily attach to it. Atmospherically, it’s on point. The music is sparse, but it does well to get you through the five-six hours the game will probably take you.

For as simple as the challenges seem, the stakes sure feel high when you’re racing to get the most points and every wrong answer feels like a tragedy. I didn’t expect to get this swept up in Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain, but it has become an honest-to-goodness competition in our household. These are the bragging rights to end all bragging rights.

Even in the frustrating moments when the controls seem to have it out for you, there’s so much to like about Heavenly Bodies. It’s a wonderful concept for a game, it’s impressively polished, and it’s hyper-focused in the best way. It feels like the devs took their time. While it may be a struggle, it’s a fun struggle.