With a mechanically flawless flat screen experience, an EDM soundtrack that is packed with bangers and chaotic visuals that emulate the style of your favourite arcade machines, Spin Rhythm XD is a great experience. The VR aspect isn’t as brilliant and the game doesn’t offer much else from the base gameplay but it’s hard not to recommend for rhythm game fans.

Another crazy entry to Devolver’s catalogue, Anger Foot fits right in like a well-worn shoe. It’s violent, it’s daft, it’s challenging and like most others in the stable, it’s so instantly one-more-go-again that it becomes addictive. Lace them up and go kick it. Hard.

An earnest effort at recreating the puzzling contraptions of an escape room mixed with an Outlast-like antagonist, Scholar’s Mate falls victim to the most insipid storytelling, boring gameplay and obtuse puzzles. While it may look the part of a horror game, the only true terror will stem from the fact you could have just gone to a real escape room, and gotten more value for your money.

Expanding on Elden Ring’s already impeccable legacy in meaningful and spectacular ways, Shadow of the Erdtree is another triumph from FromSoftware. Some of the series’ best boss battles, visually stunning vistas and a leaner yet equally deep narrative lend this expansion the right to be considered one of the best pieces of DLC money can buy.

As one of the most unique video games and individually arresting visual styles I’ve come across this year, Chaotic Era comes unstuck thanks to its abstract approach to gameplay systems, poor performance problems and a lack clear, functioning mechanics. In these times of chaos, there’s only so much obscurity that can be tolerated, before it just becomes a dysfunctional era.

SCHiM is the perfect example of pick-up-and-play puzzlers. A neat concept of shadow hopping, paired with the minimal style of Echochrome and Untitled Goose Game, SCHiM fits that genre for those after something cute and progressively challenging.

DROS has honest goals to be a unique duo platforming adventure but adding too many elements has created something varied but not lasting. The world is interesting and the characters have cool designs but anything outside of its presentation is just fine.

A rollercoaster of such highs only to be undone by flying straight off the tracks, Parkitect: Deluxe Edition has too many game-breaking issues to recommend taking a chance on. Its building gameplay, visual and sound design set it to a rip-roaring start, just so the technical performance and save-deletion issues cause this entire ported rollercoaster to derail.

Graven is another slice of the nostalgic pie that Slipgate Ironworks have been dishing out. A fantasy game crafted from the engines of old, it’s functional if you’re craving that old flavour. But its taste may not be alluring enough to new players.

Bloodhound takes inspiration from the Doom’s and Quake’s of the video game pantheon but fails to deliver anything more than lukewarm decency. The fires of hell are muted, dimly lit and unfortunately repetitive, holding back what may have been a more thrilling boomer shooter entry. A cheap and underwhelming way to spend an afternoon, Bloodhound offers something for retro shooter fans, but won’t be achieving true satanic infamy anytime soon.

Visually lacklustre, poorly designed, riddled with bugs and painfully dull, Favela Zombie Shooter is a turgid entry into a genre that’s on the cusp of yet another resurrection. Let this one shuffle quietly into the night.

A cheap clone, Difficult Climbing Game is attempting to cash in on the popularity of a much better game. Short, unfulfilling and lacking complexity, this pale imitation is best left falling down.

Trails Through Daybreak takes the series to new heights of drama without losing any of the series’ strengths or structure, and features a fun double battle system that somehow doesn’t get in the way of itself. It’s also a viable jumping-in point that hasn’t come along in a while for those looking to dip their toe into this long-running series and finding it daunting. The dawn of a new era.

Created by just a single person, Dystopika distills the essence of the visual appeal of cyberpunk worlds into a small but creative package. What’s here is simple and accessible, even if it feels a bit light in terms of content to play around with. Despite this, it’s hard to deny the inherent appeal of erecting the perfect futuristic metropolis as you kick back and take in the sights and sounds.

Upgraded graphics, fast travel, and a slew of quality-of-life upgrades that track items and improve combat flow, make Echo Generation Midnight Edition the definitive version. However, they feel like incremental gains rather than a wholesale re-evaluation, as the base game remains largely unchanged.

Still Wakes The Deep has a hauntingly well-realised setting in its North Sea oil rig, propped up by stellar sound and environmental design. Caz’s story carried some genuinely emotive moments, even if the backstory feels slightly underdeveloped and while the moment-to-moment stealth and navigation lack the depth of an ocean, they’re still deeper than the puddle many in the genre fall into. You’ll come for the nightmare, but stay for the rig.

An aloof Yakuza-sim that rewards those that stick around and pry, Fading Afternoon isn’t without some problems porting over to Switch, namely controls. However, it’s a minor issue in what is an overall unique and inspiring game that’s cinematic and moving if you embrace it.

With an interesting take on the core gameplay of asymmetrical horror and a clear love for the franchise, Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Video Game is dreadfully unbalanced and unforgiving for solo players. Whilst the game has great art direction, the animation and overall movement feels dated. If you like the franchise or indeed Illfonic’s asymmetric outings you can probably dig this, but otherwise it’s not all too memorable.

Baring an incredible set of fangs, V Rising successfully coagulates the blood of multiple genres into a massively compelling, rich and satisfying vampire survival title. Morph into a wolf as you build your gothic fortress, venture out on challenging hunts and team up with or decimate your fellow vampires in a stellar time-sink of a game. Not many vampires can rival Dracula for his throne, but V Rising just might.

Flying into battle with a strong but satisfying difficulty curve, Capes sheds the fluff of more expansive titles to double down on the tactical acumen of an XCOM title. Missions are tough, thrilling and ultimately rewarding. Even if the story behind the carnage is lackluster and the spikes in difficulty can be positively mountainous, Capes proves you don’t need a popular licence to make a grand superhero worthy of acclaim.

Even though Democracy 4: Console Edition is an Excel spreadsheet morphed into a colourful set of menus, it’s tantalisingly engaging. Whether falling foul of commuters for refusing to ban petrol car sales or being ousted from Canadian leadership for attempting to wire-tap homes, democracy is an entertaining beast to tame. The real question is whether outlasting a lettuce as a government is that easy after all.

Contra is back, all jazzed up and offering absolutely nothing new in what it pioneered almost forty years ago. But then, it doesn’t need to, as it’s still a blast for old and new fans alike. Adding four player couch co-op is a nice touch, all the while keeping its retro sensibilities.

The Land Beneath Us has a lot of ideas thrown into the roguelite dungeon crawler that with a bit more fine-tuning could be great. However, for now, it’s just okay. Whether it’s the weapon/perk bloat or lack of executable builds that’ll help you beat the game, it just doesn’t feel fun when mechanics aren’t going your way.

Marred by dysfunctional controls, tired turn-based combat and an abysmal story, Crown Wars: The Black Prince is a dire knight. There are glimmers of the game that could have been within its broken and fractured armour, but this warrior is wounded beyond repair. There are simply too many other games in this genre that are more deserving of your time, and money.

With immediately satisfying, simple yet vast gameplay, a touching story of death and astounding design, Hauntii will be a title you’ll want to take into the afterlife. There are only a couple of minor balancing issues that may be fixed. To some, the gameplay may not develop enough to be fun the whole way through, but Hauntii will stir your soul and is a 2024 highlight.

A short but impressively realised walking simulator that will unnervingly delight many and disappoint some, POOLS is a purely experiential liminal piece of media. Like all of its halls and corridors, you may wonder where the end goal is, or where the purpose lies. But that’s precisely the purpose of the liminal – to focus on emotion and feeling, even if that’s slightly undermined by its structural design.

While Galacticare initially appears to be a mere Two Point clone, it has its own unique and hilarious personality. The gameplay is solid and worthy of merit, even as a more relaxed and forgiving management simulator. It has blemishes in the shape of performance slowdown and occasional completionist bottleneck, but this is a steady surgeon, even if the flailing tentacles suggest otherwise.

System Shock is a classic and Nightdive Studio have not gotten in the way of bringing it to modern hardware. With punishing gameplay, relenting atmosphere and an all-timer villain with SHODAN, it’s an incredible remake. The console experience isn’t the best but it doesn’t totally dampen the grandfather of immersive sims.

Indika tells a story that tests religion in a deeply nuanced fashion and I must confess I just love what Odd Meter was trying to say. However the gameplay, for the most part, is just serviceable, and not even a dedicated prayer button could lead the game to full salvation.

At its heart, Die By The Blade is an addictive and brutal swordplay dueller that will definitely appeal to those that like lightning-fast fights. But without any real narrative and a snail’s pace rewards progression, it falls short in what should feel like a full release title. Let’s hope time proves us wrong on this one.

Swimming in 90s vibes, colour, and charm, Neurodiver is a tasty second helping of this vibrant future, full of characters I enjoyed catching up with. Its trouble lies in the lack of content, expansion to the world, or even meaningful explanations of its plot. It’s fun to neuro-dive in, but you’ll quickly realise this is the shallow end of the pool.

Eloquent in design that never loses its puzzling magic, Paper Trail is a great entry into the puzzle genre. With perfect implementation of the ever-folding world you play through and wonderful visuals to bask in, you won’t mind if the story is by the numbers, as everything else will keep you glued to the page.

Despite not having the production values of some of its contemporaries, Robobeat would have Basshunter himself chasing this drop. Weighty, satisfying combat mix into a hyper-charged melody of excitement, head bops and intense rogue-like runs. A lack of real story and limited variety mean the mixtape slightly tails off, but the core of this setlist can keep you raving long into the night.

Crow Country doesn’t reinvent the genre of survival horror but it represents the best bits whilst also being excellently distinct in its presentation. The puzzles are multifaceted and engaging, the combat is tense and satisfying and the overall design is a retro horror fan’s dream.

King Arthur: Legion IX uses a strong foundation of engaging turn-based combat and a fantastic Rome-inspired setting to craft a compelling journey. Crashes and rough edges mean this is a war-weary Centurion, but it comes through with the hearts of many a lion, likely the ones felled in glorious gladiatorial combat.

Despite being made by only a single developer, Hexguardian proves to be a tower defence title worth its weight in gold. Depth of challenge and excellent randomiser mechanics make this a sturdy, yet deceptively engaging tower to bask in. There’s a slight touch of repetition and the odd interface or visual issue that sight some structural weakpoints, but Hexguardian’s tower is a booming beacon of wanton destruction.

Launching with seven new missions costing a measly £2.49, Valley of the Wolf follows in the footsteps of Swine’s Bay brilliantly. With new tactical challenges for veterans to master and brutal scenarios for newcomers to cut their teeth with, Firefly Studios’ final chapter in the Jewel campaign is excellent. Stronghold: Definitive Edition continues to live up to its title.

Lunar Lander Beyond attempts something of a reboot of the Atari classic with a modern wrapper. But underneath the shiny hood, the gameplay is virtually unchanged, difficult, and dull, and the extras have done nothing to implement a reward system that might keep newcomers trying to develop the skills needed to enjoy it.

TopSpin 2K25 brings the series back in serious style, with plenty of options to enjoy and absolutely superb gameplay mechanics that really brings the sport to life. The new gauge mechanics bring a whole new level of strategy to the game and the huge roster of new and legendary players allows you to create some classic matches between legends you may have never seen before. TopSpin 2K25 is absolutely superb and thirteen years later, reclaims its crown as the pinnacle of the tennis game genre.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU has its heart, setting and story all in the right place. However, the gameplay doesn’t quite facilitate the lofty ambition that it generally goes for. The gameplay is frenetic but not as tight as the game wants you to be and the combat has an unconventional approach to difficulty. However, I had fun in the world and if there are more stories in Kenzera, consider me already there.

Harvest Hunt sows some excellent horror rogue-lite seeds with an interesting folklore background, brilliant card modifiers and a suffocating atmosphere. The growth is unfortunately stunted through lack of variety and some cheaper horror tactics, but with perseverance and post-launch support, I have confidence the devs can harvest a true indie horror classic, once the blood moon reaches its peak.

Finally arriving on Sony’s console, PlayStation players are now blessed with one of 2023’s best games. Dave The Diver is a sprawling, beautiful and immensely fun video game. The rogue-lite and management genres are blended with nigh-on perfection, and the presentation is simply stellar. Serving up what can only be described as a remarkable masterclass, Dave The Diver is a must-play for anyone yet to sample this delectable treat.

Hampered by control and interface issues, Planet Zoo is a neutered and dishevelled version of the graceful beast it is on PC. It has an abundance of content, a wonderfully educational attitude to conservation and the presentation value is top-notch. If it wasn’t for the crippling issues I faced running my zoos, this would be the definitive virtual safari management title.

Ereban: Shadow Legacy attempts a number of ambitious stealth-action components but fails to come out from the shadows with basically any of them intact. A predictable story, underwhelming level design and more bugs than a forest log blunt this assassin’s blade. If Ayana’s journey is the first step in mastering the darkness, I hope a sequel can turn off the blinding lights.

Whilst Highwater starts with some rather lovely visuals and whimsical charm, it soon devolves into a tedious, languid affair that failed to launch. If you can endure the droning voices and hackneyed lyrics in here, you may enjoy this turn-based nautically-induced apocalypse adventure.

Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is a pleasant companion tool for increasing your productivity and fostering a more mindful space to focus. It’s not really a video game in the traditional sense, thanks to the lack of interactivity and gameplay. However, it has a wonderful set of relaxing tracks and a charming aesthetic that makes it a welcoming, peaceful addition to your day-to-day routine, even if it’s not a gaming essential.

Terra Memoria is a quirky little adventure full of anthros and crystals, paying homage to PlayStation-era gems like Breath of Fire IV. It succeeds in rendering cooking and crafting essential by working them into its levelling system and addictive turn-based combat, even if its story and characters are a little too simple to be memorable.

With a vague and unsatisfying story and simple yet frustrating gameplay, Saviorless needed more than an astonishing art style to be the one worth saving. If you’re into the more retro side of 2D platformers than you might get a slight hint of that nostalgia, but it’s otherwise a very one dimensional adventure.

Beat Slayer is Hades meets Hi-Fi Rush and it lives up to its name of slaying some brilliant tunes. A superb art direction blended with intense, frenetic rogue-like action and a pumping techno soundtrack make this a mixtape worth digging out the headphones for. It’s not a perfect record, owing to a lighter story and the odd combat quirk, but it’s one worth having in the collection.

One Last Breath doesn’t wear its influences on it’s sleeves, but rather took the whole shirt as it doesn’t do enough to differentiate it from the games that came before. A short runtime and decent enough gameplay does make it pleasant enough but it ultimately doesn’t push for more.

OTXO doesn’t change the top-down shooter formula that we’ve all become accustomed to, but it does couple some gameplay elements from the best to ever do it, making it an undeniably satisfying game to play.

South Park: Snow Day! is a pale imitation of the series’ previous titles, and falls short of the imagination and hilarity they produced. Whilst it’s certainly fun to run around South Park and interact with your favourite characters, the laughs are few and far between, the gameplay is deeply mediocre and if you were wanting more after the end of The Fractured But Whole, this certainly isn’t up to scratch. But hey, it’s £25. I’ve had worse takeaways that cost more than that.

A Rift In Time allows players to expand their ever continued adventure within Dreamlight Valley. New characters, a new tool and new surroundings – say more? With lots to explore, discover and collect, you won’t be disappointed with what A Rift in Time has to offer.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is true to the spirit of the original in all the ways a sequel should be. Simultaneously obtuse yet immersive, brutal yet rewarding and handsomely engaging yet hands-off. The struggle in the early hours gives way to what is one of this year’s best RPG experiences, with an incredible amount to discover, overcome and master. It’s been a long 12 years, but the Arisen’s return is one of a burning heart, begging for you to get lost in its weird and wonderful world.

Alone in the Dark returns with a refreshing take in terms of its setting and atmosphere. However, it never gets to shake off its nostalgic cobwebs to be a fulfilling game that can go toe-to-toe with survival horror peers. With lacklustre gameplay and uninterested protagonists dampening the experience, you can’t help but feel this game is from a bygone era.

Presented in timeless watercolour, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a beautiful and heartwarming recreation of Moominvalley in videogame form. Being true to its source material throughout while introducing new elements like Sigur Ros’s music, elevates the experience close to definitive. If you want to share Moominvalley with anyone, or simply bask in a world we’ve collectively know for generations, this is now the best way to do it.

The Thaumaturge is a deep, complex and expertly crafted RPG game. Ripe with engaging, layered stories that enthral and disgust in equal measure, this depiction of Warsaw overrun with the flaws of human nature is supremely compelling. It may be slightly too long and has the odd technical flaw, but this is a world worth delving into, a character study of the human condition brimming with intrigue. An excellent video game that may surprise some as a potential game of the year contender.

The Outlast Trials pulls off a great multiplayer horror experience, whilst keeping the spirit of the franchise alive and screaming. There’s not a whole lot to keep you playing after exploring all the levels and the gameplay itself can feel quite repetitive. With that said, there are some brilliant scares and clever ways to keep you on your toes if you so desire to keep going back to therapy.

WWE 2K24 raises the bar again for 2K’s signature franchise, ensuring another cracking year for fans of World Wrestling Entertainment. The Wrestlemania Showcase mode is a major highlight for fans of the old-school era all the way up to now, and the frankly enormous amount of content available throughout will keep any fan satisfied until the inevitable WWE 2K25 arrives. Until then, this is about as definitive as it gets.

Carrying on the success of previous titles, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game is a corker for current gen ramblers. More streamlined in terms of progression, Expeditions welcomes both careful drivers and veterans off-roaders with open arms. With a host of accessibility and in-game tweaks, there’s never been a better time to try climbing a truck uphill… or fall off it trying.

Classified: France ’44 sits comfortably within the XCOM genre, content to replicate a good, solid formula without much deviation. This resistance group suffers from all manner of technical flaws and they don’t present themselves as particularly interesting, but the missions you’ll send them on will keep you engaged right up until the Allied assault of D-Day begins, and you’ll have earned that victory lap.

Taking on the Dark Fate universe with ease, Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance offers a gritty, at times brutal, realistic RTS experience, with a standout campaign mode and wonderful immersion into the Terminator world. However, the skirmish and multiplayer modes are lacking the firepower to ignite a full resistance, coupled with some callous difficulty balancing. Even so, hope for humanity remains even in the darkest moments, and the future isn’t written yet, so let’s hope the developers can make their own fate by building on this excellent foundation.

PopSlinger is ambitiously flawed but endearing nonetheless. The lack of accessibility options paired with awkward and clunky gameplay dampens the otherwise inoffensive experience, but it’s a quick jaunt into nostalgia and has a great albeit small soundtrack.

For a new IP a bit rough round the edges, there’s plenty to like with Penny’s Big Breakaway and her excellent array of platforming Yoyo moves. But hewing too close to the Sonic formula means it rarely feels unique or essential.

Helldivers 2 is the conquering bald eagle of freedom fans of the original have been waiting for. Despite the familiar surroundings and setup, the switch to third-person is an inspired choice. You’ll bask in the cinematic moments of your last stands and celebrate the arrival of liberty via an orbital nuke with reckless abandon. Salute your fellow Helldivers and take on the galaxy, how do you like the taste of freedom, a second time?!

Banishers: Ghost of New Eden is a comprehensive look at loss through the eyes of its two star-crossed lovers, with a world around them to match the quality of its narrative. Don’t Nod continues to be ambitious with the game’s open-world design, combat and RPG systems, and for the most part, they work harmoniously to provide a stellar experience. However, there is still that trademark over extending Don’t Nod games have that hold it back from excellence.

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered has rejuvenated the old and spruced it into the new. The visual rebuild is a stellar job of a series that has stood the test of time. Whilst the camera and modern controls can betray you as the player and may not be suited to a game of this era; the fun and joyous experience of jumping back in is not one to miss.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the series at its absolute best. Everything about the game from combat, story and the world is the most robust and enjoyable it has ever been. The game doesn’t cater as much for newcomers, but the plethora of high-quality moments make it an undeniably incredible RPG.

Legion Tales expands the Last Train Home experience superbly with a set of light-hearted, blustering and challenging missions. With plenty of replayability value thanks to modifiers and unlockable squads, Legion Tales adds a good dozen or so hours to the already value-for-money base game. Be warned of the tank mission and the odd frustration, however, which turn more into nightmares than legends.

Eastward Octopia is a lovely addition to Eastward if you just want to bask in that world again and you are satisfied doing a few farming tasks. At only £4.99 it’s kind of insanely cheap. But if you are coming into this new, Octopia is too sedate for its own good and doesn’t give a good idea of the main game. Play Eastward first, and if you love it, only then consider coming back for a second course.

Inspired by Hades and Peaky Blinders: Mastermind, Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior succeeds in melding two genres into one relatively cohesive whole. The narrative may be stuck in the past and the exploration has little future, but the present moment-to-moment is jampacked with energetic combat, unique mechanics and compelling tactical decision-making. Imë’s journey is only just beginning, why not join her?

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League has an identity crisis. The core gameplay is diverse and addicting. The tonally grim but hilarious story showcases Rocksteady at their best, and the game is technical wizardry. However, anything live service about the game entirely complicates what is otherwise a winning formula that not even Task Force X can save.

The persistent threat of being submerged below the rising tides makes Flooded a tense affair, naturally encouraging efficient and smart city-building thought. Clunky console controls, infrequent yet frustrating glitches and less important peripheral mechanics mean there are holes threatening to capsize this ship, but the hull and crew keep it afloat. If you can handle the relentless pressure of the waves, you may find a lot of satisfaction in enduring this flood.

Tekken 8 is the pinnacle of series progression: it’s not trying to reinvent in the wheel, just make it shinier and a smoother ride. With absolutely gorgeous visuals, punch-perfect fighting and a huge roster to play with, this is GOTY for beat ’em ups already.

Project Downfall’s clunky and contradictive gameplay is the least of its worries when it’s also abysmally copying games that do the same much better. The disingenuous attempt at edginess and lack of originality make this worth nobody’s time.

An intense and fun experience, Granblue Fantasy Relink sits at the short but spectacular end of the JRPG spectrum. Running to some 20 hours all told, and maybe retaining a few too many of its mobile influences, you’ll wonder why it took seven years to release. But hey, with the wind in your hair, the ride is still a sweet one.

Lil’ Guardsman never overextends with its ambition but rather perfects everything the game does. With nuanced and hilarious writing, gorgeous visuals, complete with fun deducing-based puzzle mechanics, the game is a king amongst its own kingdoms.

Proving that even the Grim Reaper can’t catch a break, Have a Nice Death is another rogue filled with snappy combat, gorgeous visuals and slick writing. It’s hard, and sometimes doesn’t feel rewarding, but it’s definitely worth the grind. Feeling like Death never felt so good.

Immortality uses the conventional format of an FMV and tears it apart, only to devour it. And you can’t help but watch it unfold in equal parts horror and awe as the game’s design, plot and acting will consume you too. This is an absolute triumph for Sam Barlow and the team at Half Mermaid and the PS5 is a perfect place to experience it.

Bahnsen Knights delivers on all fronts despite its brisk run time. Pitch-perfect writing, alluring hyper-stylised retro pixel art and multiple quality-of-life improvements make this title the best in the Pixel Pulp series. The ending is still questionable, but the journey is well worth taking as you wade through the filth of a religious cult.

Swapping clubs for running and swinging, The Cub is an okay platformer that rides the coattails of Golf Club Nostalgia’s wonderful aesthetic, soundtrack and satirical ingenuity. The frustrating controls and basic gameplay mean this fledging doesn’t develop as strongly as its forebear did. But, there’s enough still running through this cub’s DNA to make it part of the pack.

Attempting to punch above its serfdom beginnings, Rising Lords serves up a competent yet disappointingly hollow strategy experience. The tutorialisation will ward off many potential banners and despite a charming board game aesthetic, it struggles to consistently demonstrate its knightly qualities. With some time and reinforcements, there’s hope this young lord can achieve their lordly status, but it’s not quite yet.

Loot River can be easily defined by the games it’s inspired by, but the overall execution defies the labels, creating something wholly unique. The game’s not perfect, but what Straka.studios have pulled off is an impressive addition to the action RPG roguelite genre. Innovative gameplay in a visually stunning world makes Loot River a great time.

Positively drowning the player in guilt-ridden moral choices and gameplay-orientated dilemmas, War Hospital is an immersive and intense management title. Its limbs are battered and bruised, owing to significant technical issues and more minor glitches, making it more unstable than the soldiers you desperately try to save. War is hell, and you’ll be lamenting both your choices when losing each soldier and your mind when you lose hours of your time.

Another rogue-like to add to the mix, Trinity Fusion may be a rose by any other name. It doesn’t do anything new, per se, but that it can go toe to toe without needing to is a good sign in itself. Let the future sounds and visuals take you in, but be warned: it’s a toughie.

VI Game Forge have shot for the Heavens and incredibly, almost landed a near-perfect shot. Svarog’s Dream is a game brimming with wonder, brutality and creativity. Clunky systems and ideas that can’t quite reach their potential, unfortunately, mar the beauty of the Gods in places. Yet, this certainly doesn’t detract from what is a brilliantly crafted RPG and an admirably ambitious indie title.

Green Hell Quest Edition is a game that fully utilises the unique options that VR offers. If you can stumble/fluke your way past your first night, this game will keep on giving.

Chessarama converts the tactical and strategic appeal of chess into a charming and brain-teasing puzzler successfully. It loses its Queen thanks to some minor technical hiccups and occasionally widely volatile difficulty curve, but there are more than enough pieces remaining to see it achieve a comfortable victory. Not quite a grandmaster, but an adept newcomer’s spin on the timeless game of chess.

Arizona Sunshine 2 may not have the depths of its neighbouring Grand Canyon, but it’s more than made up for due to the sheer satisfaction of clicking Zombie heads, in what has got to be one of the more immersive shooters on the market. The slapstick charm and snarky protagonist gain a heart as your fantastic canine companion improves the story as well as gameplay.

House Flipper 2 showed me the joy of cleaning, throwing out the trash and donning my paint roller. I thoroughly hate cleaning and interior decor discussions in real life, but there’s an innate satisfaction that comes with doing it virtually the real world just can’t replicate. It has some issues and it might be too chilled for its own good in places, but House Flipper 2 is a DIY project worth taking on.

Bear and Breakfast is an incredibly delightful sim management game. With an engaging story, a wonderful hand-drawn art style and multiple mechanics at play all at once, you’re never overwhelmed but rather in the honey for a great time. There’s no Bear minimum in any aspect for Bear and Breakfast as it’s an easy recommendation for those who love the management genre or are looking for a cosy, witty and enjoyable time – just don’t ask me to cook you anything.

Failing to trigger even a basic form of tension, Anthology of Fear neglects to live up to its name. The exploitative use of mental health themes, boring gameplay and technical frustrations culminate in a case simply not worth wasting your time solving. Exorcise your demons by playing one of the many better predecessors that this title rips so egregiously from.

House Flipper 2 showed me the joy of cleaning, throwing out the trash and donning my paint roller. I thoroughly hate cleaning and interior decor discussions in real life, but there’s an innate satisfaction that comes with doing it virtually the real world just can’t replicate. It has some issues and it might be too chilled for its own good in places, but House Flipper 2 is a DIY project worth taking on.

Born of Bread would grab your attention if it was in the shop window of a bakery. It has all the hallmark elements for a warm and inviting paperlike RPG, though its contents are lacklustre with a basic story, systems that punish your exploration and a combat system that needs a little tinkering. However, the heart of the game and all-around pleasantries do make it at least half a baker’s dozen.

More Shadow Gambit is more than enough reason to dive back in, but Zagan’s Ritual expands the base game’s story with a substantial seven+ hours of extra content and answers a number of questions from the original game. And of course, playing as one of the bad guys makes it a lot of fun.

More Shadow Gambit is more than enough reason to dive back in, but with a substantial seven+ hours of content and a story that brings back a beloved character from Mimimi’s first Shadow game, now cursed with a black pearl, it was a delight from start to finish.

If you’re a fan of AVICII, then this game is a no-brainer. For the rest of us, this AVICII Invector: Encore Edition is still worth strapping your Quest on for and losing yourself in the bass thumping neon.

Let’s Sing 2024 brings new modes and a killer setlist to the stage which gives it wings for another year. This one feels like an evolution of the series, even if the presentation is lacking and the songs are once again a little too easy to cheat your way through. Still, if you want to feel like a rockstar there isn’t much competition out there, so grab the mic, put on the wig and have an absolute blast.