On the whole, the Arcadia Bay Collection is largely the same game that was released almost eight years ago, but that isn't a bad thing in the slightest. When a great game focused almost entirely on its story, not much needs to be done for a remaster. While the Switch version is undoubtedly the worst version of the game from a visual perspective, those hiccups are more than made up for by the portability offered by Nintendo's console. That portability makes for the worst-looking yet most enjoyable version of these games to date and elevates the entire concept of the genre.

Players experienced in this genre and fans of F-Zero will likely love Redout 2. It's appropriately challenging and adrenaline pumping. When players struggle with control there's little fun to be had.

Due to its numerous technical issues and underwhelming gameplay, it’s difficult to give State of Decay 2 a wide recommendation.

VED is far from a perfect game, but it does have a few redeeming qualities. The hand-drawn art style is wonderful to look at, showcasing how strong this game could be. Additionally, the combat is often thrilling, because if players are not careful, then things can quickly fall apart. However, the story and the dialogue hold the experience back considerably. And ultimately, it leads to a pretty lackluster experience overall.

It contains the charm and strong mix of minigames that fans have come to expect, but much of the game seems stripped down in order to facilitate ease of play. As a result, it feels like Mario Party 10 loses part of the strategy that helped to tie the board game aesthetic together.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is not going to convert anyone that isn't already a fan of these types of games, and honestly, there are better, more polished versions of this already out there. Hardcore fans of the Killer Klowns movie will get the most out of the game adaptation, and it's hard to recommend it to anyone else, really. The game has its moments, but it's unlikely to keep most players entertained for all that long.

Overall, there's a lot here that fans of Vampire: The Masquerade are likely to love, and the wide expanse of skills and choices to make should add a fair amount of replayability to the story. However, newcomers to the franchise would do well to read up on the way the series works as a whole before getting started, especially if they lack experience with tabletop games and the way that experience is rewarded and utilized.

There's some real promise peeking out of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions' surface, and if the game's various kinks can be ironed out, it could become something truly special. But that pitch is long, and those goalposts are high.

The sheer amount of content Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 brings to the table is impressive, even if some of it doesn't live up to expectations. The co-op campaign is a mixed bag, Endgame is a bust, and the game is largely derivative of what came before, but it's a comprehensive, feature-rich package that will keep fans busy until the 2026 Call of Duty game. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is a no-brainer for longtime Call of Duty fans, though it won't win over any haters.

Soundfall’s critical mistake is that it lacks anything new and exciting past the game’s opening hours and too comfortably relies on rhythm mechanics that, while entertaining at first, grow stale in isolation. Drastic Games’ decision to give a Diablo-like spin to the rhythm game genre had potential, but its core loot-based elements are half-baked, and its level design is sorely lacking. While strong in its broad range of music and lovely art style, Soundfall is a game that needs more time to flesh out its gameplay systems before it's ready to hit the stage. Soundfall is a feast for the ears, a treat to the eyes, and an exercise in monotony.

Ultimately, Mineko’s Night Market is a melding of boredom and frustration, and a lot of that frustration stems from the fact that the game could have been good. It had the graphics, music, story, and the makings of a gameplay loop that should have been thoroughly engaging. Instead, it just feels like nothing was pushed to its full potential, leaving both the game and the player wanting more.

Monster Truck Championship's controls are the one thing that stands out from an otherwise repetitive and dull gameplay loop, thin content, and questionable game physics. Many monster truck fans may have been waiting for that "next good monster truck" game that manages to deliver on all fronts, and unfortunately this is not it.

Even if one doesn't experience these technical issues, though, Saints Row is still a disappointment. The mission variety, co-op, and criminal ventures are great, but the game feels like it's at least a console generation behind in every other category. It's not the worst Saints Row game, but it's also far from the best games in the series, and will likely leave most fans of the franchise unimpressed.

A seriously innovative game.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed’s biggest draw is nostalgia with this Switch port. Many have good memories of the game from its original release in 2008, but unfortunately, this port fails to respect this beloved IP. Perhaps the worst thing is that there are plenty of beautiful games on the Switch, and there’s little reason this couldn’t have been one. It could have redeemed the ill-fated Wii version, but instead, it might have worsened its shortcomings.

At its best, Torchlight 3 is a fun and colorful (if mindless) romp through mobs of enemies in the search of loot. At its worse, it's a premium game that feels like an empty, free-to-play MMO, and it becomes clear that the game has an identity crisis. That doesn't mean it's not fun, it just means that "Frontiers" feels like an invisible subtitle to Torchlight 3.

Even with the brief runtime, Road 96: Mile 0 ends just as the narrative becomes interesting, making it difficult to care about what does occur. These are issues that could have been potentially fixed with slight tweaks to the story, but there is enough that works to inspire some curiosity as to how the overall narrative can be expanded in a theoretical sequel. There are reasons to go back and do multiple playthroughs if one wishes to see all potential outcomes, but that can only be recommended for someone who already has an attachment to the characters and would like to spend more time with them.

We’re comfortable recommending this title to gamers looking for a quick fix of solid, 2D beat-’em-up action without many frills.

Golden Force makes too many missteps to recommend it, especially on the Nintendo Switch. It's entirely possible that other versions of the game run better, as was the case with Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night when it first released, but that remains to be seen. But even if the game ran perfectly, Golden Force would still be saddled with an unrewarding progression system and frustrating level design meant to bombard players with cheap deaths. Those looking for their retro gaming fix should look elsewhere.

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is a solid pick for those who are looking for a nostalgia trip as well as anyone that missed out the first time and is needing a fun local co-op game to play. There are many aspects of the game that haven't aged well, but the fun factor trumps a lot of those issues. Plus, the game gives players plenty of bang for their buck, with a ton to do in the main story and some unlockable content, including a Gauntlet mode and fan favorite character Drizzt Do'Urden. Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance was a great game in 2001 and it's still a ton of fun to play 20 years later.

Deathbound won’t be the next Soulslike sensation, but at a time when they’re around every corner, its courage helps it stand out. When there's a story to hear and monsters to fight, Deathbound’s rag-tag gang of alter-egos can hold their own, even as unfulfilled potential continues piling up. Its demo and low asking price should help prospective buyers decide if Deathbound is for them, and promised post-launch DLC could reward those who do stick with it. This is a solid title for Souls enthusiasts between major releases, and the emphasis on weaving disparate play styles together will make Deathbound an experience to remember, despite how hard its flaws are to forget.

It’s a solid driving game, but it’s non-essential. Anyone thirsting for a brisk trip around the block in some souped-up motors will likely come away satisfied, but for the unconvinced, there’s little here that contradicts waiting for a bigger, better installment next year.

The Crow’s Eye is at its best when remaining somewhat static, allowing the user to play out the conflict between the rational solution to puzzles and the irrational fears that the game so cleverly hints at with a breadcrumb trail. It’s full of great ideas, and more than does enough to separate itself out from the crowd. The game’s clunkier moments may put off some users, but those willing to persevere and put atmosphere and plot above pure gameplay could find themselves with an enjoyable game – albeit one that could cause a few sleepless nights.

Mother Machine has a lot of personality and some genuinely good ideas that just aren't implemented well. It would be great to see what Maschinen-Mensch can do with more time and resources, but as it stands, Mother Machine feels more like a demo or proof of concept than a fully fledged game.

When Steel Seed is at its best, it's a blast. Unfortunately, its best moments mostly end up emphasizing what could've been, making the weaker points that much more disappointing. It's not a bad game by any stretch; it's easy to get sucked into and, for the most part, is enjoyable to play. However, it doesn't do enough to stand out from the similar titles that came before it. As much fun as it can be at times, it falls short of being something truly memorable.

The end result is disappointing and frustrating.

Published by Private Division, Piccolo’s platformer set in a post-human world is a solid offering and another reminder that indie games can provide well-rounded, memorable experiences. After Us can be completed in about 10 hours, 20 for thorough explorers, and nearly every minute of it will be enjoyable. The visuals are impressive, the gameplay is fun, the levels are varied, and though the story is rather simplistic and a bit vague, it serves its purpose. After Us probably won’t rise to the top for many people, but it definitely won't sink to the bottom either.

Overall, the idea behind Cloudpunk has the potential to be a great cyberpunk game. Although the game's world is visually appealing and offers a limited opportunities for exploration, minor technical issues disrupt immersion, making it difficult to appreciate the few good elements that the game offers. Cloudpunk is a good game to pick up every once in a while for short sessions, but its lackluster story and monotonous dialogue may put off players from investing long hours into the game. In the end, Cloudpunk is able to capture the essence of a cyberpunk game despite its issues, but gameplay that mostly comprises of fetch quests may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Midnight Murder Club is the kind of game that is dependent entirely on who you play with for it to be fun. The core concept is great and lends itself well to funny moments with friends, but the matchmaking experience is dreadful, the PvE mode is a waste of time, and the bot restrictions are head-scratching. If you can scrounge up five friends to play with, Midnight Murder Club is good for some laughs, but everyone else will be better off playing a different multiplayer game.

Realistic to a fault, with a player’s determination tested throughout the game.

Atlas Fallen had promise, but nothing that this game strives to accomplish ever lands very well or feels fully realized. Between a lackluster story filled with generic and soulless voice acting and a combat system that loses its momentum well before the credits roll, there is rarely a moment where this game feels memorable or worth the time to finish. There is some good stuff on the surface of Deck13’s new IP, with its beautiful vistas and interesting world-building and aesthetic, but digging past the surface of Atlas Fallen shows that it is mostly hollow underneath.

God of War Sons of Sparta is an okay prequel—the problem is that it feels like it was released before the original 2005 game, not just taking place before it. Its safe approach feels like a game made generations ago, not one released in 2026, and makes it a chapter in Kratos' life that is forgettable.

BioMutant is teeming with potential, but a lot of that potential has been squandered. It's not a bad game, but it isn't going to be the standout project THQ Nordic fans were hoping for. Still, even with all of its issues, players may find themself booting up New Game Plus mode once their journey has been finished, despite breathing a sigh of relief when they finally see the credits roll.

Windbound is a pleasant oceanic indie. It does a very fine job of balancing itself between being a calming experience in a deserted island world and a title that is genuinely tense thanks to its survival and permadeath nature. The inventory management is extremely frustrating early on, but eventually, the crafting nature of the game clicks and it becomes enjoyable to create helpful tools and a resourceful boat to explore the world. The objective of the game, unfortunately, becomes repetitive just as the other aspects of the title come into their own. But simply traversing the islands, discovering new materials and recipes, and surviving in the charming world of Windbound is fun enough to outweigh some of the game's shortcomings.

Gotham Knights is a lot of fun, and for someone looking to mindlessly beat criminals as a superhero, it's an easy recommendation. Yet, anyone interested in anything more than that is going to face a lot of disappointment with its story beats, gameplay elements, individual features, and many other elements.

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a bold experiment that really leans into putting players in situations where they have to be creative and resourceful without any hand-holding. Gamers who kick a kick out of the survival genre (like these 10 great survival titles) and love the pressure of finding that next source of food or safe place to sleep will likely get a lot of enjoyment out of Ancestors once they adjust to the controls, but it will likely feel a bit too challenging and aimless for the average gamer.

While the characters in The Sinking City may be more concerned with the murky waters flooding their homes, players will find themselves neck-deep in a flood of technical problems and puzzling game design choices. Anyone looking for a quality Lovecraftian horror game won’t find it here, which is disappointing as The Sinking City was one of the most exciting horror games showcased at E3 2019.

Firebreak may be a bit of a wait-and-see situation: it doesn't feel like it has enough meat on its bones to justify its $40 asking price, not to mention its paid battle passes. Firebreak has the bones of a truly exceptional co-op game, and hopefully, Remedy will get the chance to deliver it.

Nero stays true to its billing as an interactive novel, and while there are plenty of hiccups in nearly every facet of the game, none of them are particularly experience-ruining.

So much of the design of Forspoken takes a starting template and duplicates it ad nauseum to the point the biggest incentive to do anything is to flesh out the magic. By the time the credits rolled after 15 hours of story (and a decent amount of side activities), there weren’t any compelling reasons to keep going and cross items off the checklist. Instead, it felt better to appreciate the things that were enjoyable about Forspoken and leave it at that.

The game is a nightmare to play through, with an unlikable protagonist, a chugging frame rate, and a mountain of bugs. It’s completely and utterly broken, but even when it works (which is almost never), it amounts to nothing more than a below average hack-and-slash with some decent puzzles.

Overall, Murder on Eridanos is a solid addition to The Outer Worlds. Players are in charge of solving a murder and piecing together clues, making it an interesting and fun time. The real issue at this point is the well-documented technical difficulties that have plagued players since the DLC’s release. Hopefully, a patch will be released to fix them soon, along with the other errors that have been pointed out.

Hood: Outlaws and Legends offers players a fun and tense experience but it is oftentimes held back by technical problems, glitches, and other minor issues. When it functions as expected, Sumo Digital's game feels unique, especially when compared to most online experiences. Considering there's no narrative or single-player campaign to fall back on, the game will ultimately live and die based on its community. While many of the game's problems are not game-breaking, the server issues could be the Achilles heel if not addressed.

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India makes some vast improvements over its predecessor in terms of style and gameplay while providing challenging 2D puzzles, but still lacks an engaging narrative.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a welcome addition to co-op looter-shooters, and while its live-service aspects may turn some away, it’s friendly enough, and promising enough, to newcomers to the genre. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League doesn’t have the triumphant flair of the Batman: Arkham series, but the game deserves a fair chance for those who enjoy the worlds of DC Comics and exhilarating gameplay loops because Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League shows what fun a co-op game should be.

Layers of Fear 2 has its flaws but stands out as an improvement over the original, which was still one of the scariest games on PS4 and Xbox One.

Despite its imperfections, this is far from a bad game. It’s not for everyone, but there are certainly players out there who will eat it up.

It's clear by its impressive visuals and polish that the developers truly put a lot of work into The Suicide of Rachel Foster. The game is mostly let down by plot, which robs the entire experience of any sense of tension, in turn making the game simply not effective as a horror experience.

The 2024 Alone in the Dark is a deeply flawed game, but at least it's never boring. The first playthrough is fun despite its issues, mostly thanks to the campy story, and exploring Derceto is rewarding, even with the simplistic puzzles. The second playthrough is where it becomes apparent that there isn't much to the game. At best, it's an incredibly basic and generic survival-horror game that's stuck in the past, and at worst, it's buggy and doesn't justify its $60 price tag.

With a ten dollar price tag for PlayStation Plus members, don’t expect to get a ton of mileage out of Whispering Willows. Unless you get stuck looking for a way to cut through some vines or get lost in a maze of hedges, the horror puzzle game shouldn’t take more than five hours to complete.

Battlefield 2042 isn't just a lackluster Battlefield game, it's a bad FPS in general. It's an overcorrect after Battlefield 5's marketing was criticized for its "out-there" CGI trailers. It isn't clear what Battlefield 2042 is, or even what it wants to be, beyond a bland step back. One can hope for meaningful content updates later down the line, but the ship is sinking before even leaving port.

With a lack of movement options, poor character animations, some truly terrible voice work, and dull gameplay, Ryte: The Eye of Atlantis is something VR enthusiasts should skip. There are far better VR puzzle games available that are more deserving of one's time.

When the player has truly got to grips with the ‘easy to learn, difficult to master’ parallax layer mechanics, together with additional skills Poncho acquires, the player will find themselves with a pretty, interesting, and fun platformer.

Everything in Survival Kids technically works and the co-op support, while not implemented nearly as well as it could have been, is still appreciated. But the game is mind-numbingly boring most of the time and, at a staggering $49.99, it's impossible to recommend it to early Switch 2 adopters. There are far better local co-op experiences on the console at launch, and money is much better spent on those games.

Warsaw is a solid foundation, but the balancing issues may make it difficult for players to love.

Velocibox is a a tremendously hard bit of brilliance. It’s highly replayable and it comes highly recommended.

Out of the gate, Destruction AllStars is shallow and struggles to give players a compelling reason to stick with it for the long-term. But like other live service games, it's possible that Destruction AllStars will improve as the developers address fan feedback and add more meaningful content to the game. The foundation is there for Destruction AllStars to eventually be great, with reliable performance, beautiful graphics, and fun core gameplay, but there's a long way to go if it ever wants to reach that point.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 won't be a game for everyone. If you're looking for the depth and variety of content offered by other leading AAA RPGs, The Chinese Room's relatively modest take on Seattle-at-night might leave you feeling a little underwhelmed. But if you want a story that you can sink your teeth into and gameplay that, while not always given the proper room to breathe, often gets the job done, then you'll likely settle into this relaxed-fit action-adventure quite nicely. In a way, Bloodlines 2 is a fitting continuation of its predecessor's legacy: it's deeply flawed, but masterfully written.

Those looking for definitive Mario sport experiences are best to stick to dedicated games.

Ultimately, Disintegration is good, but it does not deliver on its full potential. $50 is just too steep of an asking price for an interesting game with solid mechanics that lacks depth. To some, the game might be worth checking out for its unique gameplay, but most players will likely be frustrated with the package as is.

Those wanting to roll the dice on Concord will find an excellent FPS full of exciting abilities, intense battles, and eye-popping visuals. The game's character designs, premium price point, and general lack of interest from the public may make it so Concord never really gets a chance, and so potential consumers need to weigh the risks of investing $40 on a game that may be dead before too long. Personally, I am glad to have played Concord and I will continue playing it as much as possible, and will be sad if the day comes when its player count dwindles to the point where it no longer makes sense to support it. Hopefully, Concord defies the odds and becomes one of Sony's long-lasting live service experiments.

As someone that has greatly enjoyed the previous games in the series, Toy Soldiers: War Chest is a disappointing experience. The forced use of Uplay for much of the online content, DLC purchases being locked to the account that purchased it, and a myriad of technical issues hamper the quality of the game.

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia is the third and final installment in the Assassin’s Creed 2.5D spin-off series, and it also happens to be the weakest entry yet.

The game flatout fails to capture the Metal Gear spirit, and while it has some positive qualities, they aren’t enough to redeem it.

There’s a potential for greatness within Etherium, but this isn’t fully realized throughout the game.

While some players may love some of the things Kaiserpunk does with the genre, many may find it is a mostly fine take on the concept. If the publisher's past games are anything to go by, there is a chance that the game will expand with more content to help build out the experience further. But, as of now, players will have to wait and see.

Despite the not very exciting reward, the challenge of getting three star ratings on every level is certain to keep completionists returning to the game hour after hour.

Back to Bed is the worst kind of game: one that flirts with some good ideas, but never commits to doing anything with them. The core apple-dropping mechanic gets old fast, and while the graphics look great, they’d be better served in a different, more interesting game.

Ultimately, Crossfire: Legion is a competent if generic Command and Conquer style game. It will appeal to those who enjoy the nostalgia of C&C, but given its largely forgettable campaign, limited map choice, few buildings, and small unit roster, it likely won’t have the same long-term appeal as other RTS games.

Creature Keeper is in desperate need of an X-factor: something especially unique and hard-hitting that makes it intriguing and memorable. The game's story isn't offensive, it's just bland and unoriginal; its art style isn't terrible, but it's indistinguishable from so many other retro-influenced indies; its music is good, but nothing special; and its action-RPG combat works just fine, but doesn't leave you itching for more. If something about Creature Keeper's premise strongly appeals to you, then perhaps it's worth a few hours of your time—but don't expect any surprises.

The artwork and soundtrack are both delightfully creepy, and the puzzles are punishingly hard, making for a challenging pseudo-horror experience that all players can enjoy.

Tharsis is a game for those who love tabletop gaming and a challenging experience. At its heart Tharsis is as unforgiving as it is entertaining, but it offers very little variety in terms of the overall game.

Into The Stars offers up a slow-paced but atmospheric space-themed survival sim, combining the gameplay elements of The Oregon Trail and Civilization with roguelike mechanics.

Like other looter-style games, Godfall could become a much more appealing prospect in time. Godfall's $70 price tag works against it big time because as it stands, it's difficult to recommend such an expensive game to anyone when it recycles the same content repeatedly throughout the entire experience. Godfall's core combat mechanics are great and it's a visually-impressive experience, but gamers may want to wait and see if the game gets some compelling post-launch content updates first.

The hand-drawn artwork is nice to look at, the turn-based tactical combat can be incredibly challenging and rewarding, and players will feel like they have an impact on the world. Broken Roads is held back a bit by its shortcomings, but those looking for something to sink their teeth into may still want to take it for a spin.

With so few 3D platformers released, some fans of the genre may still be tempted to give Skully a chance, and it's hard to blame them. However, the game is just a frustrating experience from start to finish, with very few redeeming qualities. Those looking for a new 3D platformer to play may be better off just keeping their fingers crossed that the next game in the genre lives up to expectations.

Perception‘s mediocre narrative, annoying art style, and frustrating gameplay mechanics add up to a horror game that most fans should skip.

The campaign is made up of Warzone content, the multiplayer is comprised of maps that are 14 years old, and the Zombies mode uses a map that will be recycled for the battle royale. $70 is a high asking price for what's here, but those that do decide to take the plunge will find the best Call of Duty multiplayer experience in years and an intriguing open world Zombies mode that, while not quite as fun as the classic round-based Zombies maps, can still dish out memorable moments with friends.

When it comes to adaptations, Hellboy hasn't had a ton of luck lately. Hellboy Web of Wyrd certainly isn't on the same disastrous level, but it's underwhelming in its own respects. Hellboy and his world is a potential gold mine of fantastic adaptive potential, as Guillermo del Toro proved with his pair of films in the early 2000s. The character offers so much more, and though Web of Wyrd has some bright spots, it ultimately fails to realize the potential of its source material.

Big Helmet Heroes wears its inspirations on its sleeve and manages to reach the heights of many great beat 'em up adventures. It focuses on the fun of its combat systems and imaginative levels, providing a consistently satisfying experience without ever taking itself too seriously. Its major drawback comes from its limited co-op experience, which could have been one of its greatest strengths, making it a game more readily recommended for solo players than groups of friends. For gamers who love to unlock secrets and replay levels, there's a lot of content being offered, which could provide hours upon hours of enjoyment.

I Am Bread packs a surprising amount of entertainment into a title that’s available for $14.

The complete lack of charm and content in Drag x Drive makes the game difficult to recommend, even at its budget price of $20. It's the best showcase yet of what can be accomplished with Switch 2 mouse controls, but offers little else. There is some fun to be had with Drag x Drive and perhaps future updates will make it a better game, but there isn't enough at launch to keep Switch 2 owners busy for any serious amount of time.

It feels strange to put gameplay at the bottom of the list for any video game, but Fort Solis clearly made performance and visuals a priority. With a cast consisting of two video game A-listers, the game showcases what a difference hiring talented people can have on the impact of a story. Disappointing conclusion aside, the visuals, tone, and the acting are strong enough to satisfy some people. However, the gameplay is rarely fun and occasionally frustrating, even if the mood is tense and the desire to see more is compelling. Fort Solis is a hard game to recommend for a mass audience, but there is a specific subset of gamers who this game will really resonate with.

Hyper Scape's uninteresting map, inability to make progression rewarding, and its painful combat keep it from reaching its full potential. There are definitely some tweaks that Ubisoft Montreal could make to Hyper Scape's combat to make it a far more entertaining experience, and one has to imagine that the game will evolve based on feedback to Season 1. As it stands, however, the game struggles to stake its claim on the genre.

Morkredd looks great and runs well when it isn't being held back by its technical issues, which are simply too severe to ignore. Those looking for a local co-op game to play on Xbox Game Pass may still want to give it a shot, but otherwise, it may be better to wait for some of the problems to be ironed out first.

Despite jarring bugs and inconsistencies, Curse of the Sea Rats is a well-designed game with a clear direction. Petoons Studio succeeded in making an accessible Metroidvania that can be enjoyed by gamers of varied skill levels. Its art, simplicity, and smoothly escalating challenge make it a great way to introduce a younger audience to the genre. If the rough edges are smoothed away, a real gem lies beneath.

One Piece: Burning Blood is an unremarkable adaptation of one of the franchise’s most popular story arcs, and may not even appeal to diehard One Piece fans.

Skull and Bones is an action-adventure title developed by Ubisoft with a heavy focus on piracy and naval combat. Set in an open-world environment inspired by locations in the Indian Ocean, players take control of a customizable pirate captain and ship and undertake missions to collect treasure and raise in rank. Players rely on ship combat with cannons, mortars, and rockets to defeat both NPCs and other player ships.

The lack of freedom in Return to Moria is probably one of its biggest faults. Along with that, the actual gameplay is not really doing anything fascinating with the concept. While the game can be fun, especially with friends, it is not that memorable when compared to other games in the genre. Besides the Lord of the Rings brand, it lacks anything truly special to make it stand out.

Crysis Remastered is not a full-price retail release, instead opting for $29.99 on the Microsoft Store and other retailers. As such, it's best to see this game for what it is: a budget game that won't particularly wow but contains some levels of nostalgia. Even if it's far below what was expected of the original, there is still fun to be had with this remaster.

Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash has all of the basics that can can make a platformer good, but unfortunately, the experience is marred by its basic gameplay and mechanics.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition is a fantastic game that is hindered by some multiplayer hindrances. With a few updates and some additional work, this game could overcome its flaws and relive its glory days. Unfortunately, there's no telling whether or not these changes will be made, or how serious Square Enix is about maintaining the title now that it has been released to the wild. Players should try and take the game at face value, as difficult as it may be to look past its differences from the original.

Although Lost Sea provides fun, laid-back gameplay alongside a colourful, cel-shaded world, a lack of depth and some restrictive design choices may limit the scope of the game.

The premise of a procedurally generated rogue-like experience sounds fun, and it certainly starts off that way – but once things start to get repetitive and the game slows down to a familiar grind, the brittle bones of Necropolis are exposed.

The game isn’t without hiccups—it’s downright frustrating at times due to procedural generation and an inability to escape from some obstacles—but there’s a lot to like, too. The Deer God‘s art and music are beautiful and soothing, painting a striking picture of the natural world.

South Park: Snow Day is a budget game, but instead of something brief but replayable with a lot of South Park humor and bursts of fun, players get something muted, limited, and shallower than even that detail would suggest. It offers some fun across its short runtime, but it's ultimately forgettable for any roguelike or South Park fan.

Tales of the Shire is a perfectly enjoyable life-sim that embraces its Lord of the Rings source material well. But due to some prominent graphical shortcomings (at least on Switch), it's far from a perfect adventure. There's enough content and engaging progression in Tales of the Shire to ensure that Tolkien fans have a good time with it, but those who aren't fans of the IP don't need to look far for a better alternative.

It's a shame that Golem's gameplay falls so short because its graphics, music, and story are quite good. But even with these highlights, the issues with Golem's gameplay makes it impossible to recommend. Golem was once one of our most anticipated virtual reality games, but VR fans would be better off playing basically anything else.