Fading Serenades is a charming delivery game you can finish in an evening, leaving you wanting more. By the time you get to the end, it feels abrupt, and a little rushed, as the quests also become slightly repetitive. You're left wondering more about the neighbors you spent the game delivering for. Still, for a solo-developed game, it's very impressive. If you're looking for something short, cozy, and enjoy the delivery gameplay loop, Fading Serenades serves it well.

As Long As You're Here is an emotional journey to take if a loved one has ever experienced dementia. Navigating life as someone with Alzheimer’s is a difficult thing, but also something that results in what can only be described as an important, poignant video game. While I might wish some ripple effects on the main character's family were dug into a bit more, and some extremely small dev team limitations are present in minor ways, this is a wonderful, and unfortunately all too relatable title. The subject matter is presented in creative, respectful, and effective ways, resulting in an ultimately cathartic experience, as challenging as it sometimes may be on a personal level.

I honestly didn't know what to expect when first jumping into NASCAR 25. To say that it blew me away is an understatement; NASCAR 25 scratches the Forza Motorsport itch I've been missing for so long, even if it's nowhere near as deep as the iconic Xbox sim-racing franchise. With the game finally coming to PC, there's so much potential here for an online community to thrive. There's a lot I hope to see improved over the years, including a more fleshed-out career mode and improved presentation, but there are some solid bones here that have me excited for the future of the series. NASCAR 25 is one of the best racing and sports games of the year and is well worth your time. Boogity, Boogity, Boogity! Let's go racin', boys!

Hunter's Moon: A Sovereign Syndicate Adventure is a deckbuilder that I absolutely loved early on. The presentation is fantastic, and the Slay The Spire-esque gameplay is top-tier. Unfortunately, the more I played, the more I'd encounter substantial performance issues and an overall feeling of imbalance. Give this one some more time to be optimized, and it'll be one of the best titles in the genre. Until then, it's still a good time, but hasn't yet reached its full potential.

Cloudheim is, by all accounts, a good game, but it is marred by uncertainty about its direction. A sort of jack of all trades but master of none issue. It is very important to remember this game is still in its early days and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, in a few months, I think many of the issues I have with this game will either be solved or be on the way to being solved. Right now, though, Cloudheim struggles with its identity a little too much. If you can craft such a fun world to move about in, why punish me by giving me manual labor to do when I finally go home? The combat, when it works, is ludicrously fun. Using mobs like bowling balls and pins has never been better. The progression systems are a bit overwhelming, and there are probably a few too many in the game as a whole. Becoming a Nordic legend to save the world sounds amazing until you have to stop everything and deal with your overabundance of items in your inventory. [Early Access Provisional Score = 70]

Time passes equally for everyone on this planet, but it feels like ages have passed since we got a good, encyclopaedic antiquity simulator for PC. Strategos looks and feels like a finished product that can deliver engaging, realistic battles for you to flex that armchair general muscle on. The minuscule budget is on display at times, but Hannibal was primarily concerned with winning his battles instead of smelling the flowers. Strategos delivers where it matters most and has all the hallmarks of a real-time strategy classic.

Blightstone has a solid, strong foundation in terms of its combat and battle mechanics. The use of environmental hazards and interactive battle arenas is what helps the game stand out. The rest of the game feels like something of a slog, however, with some harsh RNG and an inconsistent pace that makes Blightstone feel like it can't get out of the blocks. There's something fun hidden here, but it is sadly overshadowed by a game that feels more interested in punishing you for simple things than allowing you to learn. [Early Access Score = 60]

The early access release of Task Force Admiral makes a loud entrance, with an all-encompassing depiction of naval warfare and carrier operations. This obsession with realism is followed to a fault, and the game suffers from the clunky interface endemic to most deep-dive strategy titles. None of that was on my mind as the sirens blared and torpedoes homed in on my carrier. War may be hell, but this is strategy heaven. [Early Access Provisional Score = 90]

Like most of the Sherman tanks exposed to the elements in underfunded museums, Sherman Commander is a work of art that could really use another finishing pass. The game accurately captures the role of a tank commander in World War 2, and the individual units are exciting to lead, but the amount of micromanagement required means you spend more time staring at the map than inside your tank. Still, there are moments where it all comes together, and you get to see why this is a game like no other.

MLB The Show 26 is still one of the best sports games in town, but it's starting to show its flaws. Despite all the advancements and positive additions, it's getting harder to ignore some of its issues. For the first time in recent years, I'm not sure if MLB The Show is worth the money. For all the good the game does, I can't keep ignoring all of the mounting issues.

MARVEL MaXimum Collection brings together some heavy hitters from the 1990s in terms of comic book video games. Featuring six titles across thirteen total versions, this superheroic collection is a wave of nostalgia that is well worth the price of admission if you've ever been a fan of Marvel Comics. The games are a blast, and it also features some excellent bonus content. Online appears to be rather dead, unfortunately, so keep that in mind before you jump in.

ShantyTown is a cozy game that can easily make you lose track of time as you set up each location however you like. It isn't this big game that you'll play for hours on end, but it is a game that you'll feel really honors the time you spend with it. This is a game you can play in one evening, or for hours if you want to dive that deep. It's fun, well-made, and gorgeous when you finish a location. ShantyTown is a cozy town builder you can enjoy at your own pace, and that's something incredible.

Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch is a mediocre beat 'em up that tries its hardest to capture the spirit of Kevin Smith's filmography. In many ways, it does do that, and has elements that feel like they are right out of a View Askewniverse movie. Sadly, the combat in Chronic Blunt Punch is so bland and lifeless, and is an absolute technical nightmare. Fans of View Askewniverse will likely crack a smile at the game's absurd story, but that's where the good times come to an end.

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is a superb entry into the series and brings the game back to what works. While the complex gameplay might not be for everyone, it offers a lot of freedom in how you go about making your playstyle for each scenario. The games are long, but there are also plenty of other modes to hone your skills, which is greatly appreciated. It's still in development, so there are a few kinks to work out, but whatever the future holds for Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era will undoubtedly be incredible.