Tetris Effect is a beautiful journey to the rhythm of blocks falling that provides the ultimate means of escapism.

NBA Playgrounds is a really fun and quirky title. The lack of online play at launch is a big omission and although the game lacks replayability, the arcade aesthetics, easy to use controls and whirlwind gameplay make this game extremely enjoyable in short bursts. I found the game better on handheld rather than playing off a TV, due to its ‘on the move’ vibe, and in that respect, it's undoubtedly a nice game to just unwind with and enjoy for what it is.

Super Mega Baseball 2 brings out the best in what baseball games have to offer. An over-the-top, fun sports title that focuses on entertaining rather than realism, this is one is definitely worth checking out.

Evertried is a 2D isometric roguelike strategy game that challenges your brain every step of the way. It can definitely get frustrating, but you get a great sense of accomplishment when you make progress and reach a new floor.

Faraday Protocol is an interesting first-person puzzle game that has an intriguing storyline and puzzles to challenge your brain. The unique combination of futuristic visuals and Egyptian themed elements creates a mysterious and unique world for you to explore.

Despite the rocky start from its initial release in 2011, it looks like Bulletstorm is back on track with an overall decent remastering that fixes a lot, but leaves a little something to be desired. Still, this is definitely a title I had fun going back to and indeed, will have fun replaying again.

World's Fastest Pizza is a game that manages to balance quirky humour with solid gameplay, to provide a truly unique roguelike experience. Without certain upgrades the gameplay can sometimes prove frustrating, but this never happened enough to make me turn the game off. If you want something that is high in energy and humour, World's Fastest Pizza is for you.

A stealth apocalypse game that stays takes some liberties with its setting, but brings it all together with strong mechanics that keep the player feeling vulnerable.

Whilst Kill it With Fire is a short experience, there’s still enough here to justify the budget asking price. It’s the kind of game that you’re unlikely to return to after having completed it, but you probably already expected that. It might not have the legs to be an epic saga, but if you want a few hours of silly enjoyment then you could do a lot worse than picking up this game.

Astervoid 2000 takes the classic Asteroids game and adds a solid twist to the gameplay that turns it into a fast paced, reflexive arcade game that is a blast to play on the couch with a group of friends.

There are some minor issues, but Voidtrain is an adventure that you should experience.

GRIDbeat! is a rhythm-puzzle game where you must match the beat of the music to escape the system you are trapped in and overcome obstacles in your way.

A really nice stop gap title until Chronic Blunt Punch arrives and decent use of an old system. A few fiddly controls, but nothing that can't be forgiven.

Pixel Cafe is a heartwarming game that will not only challenge you but also feels rewarding. With a great pixel look and soundtrack, this is a fun title to check out!

Overall, Team Sonic Racing is a fun and inventive racing game that puts a nice spin on it with focus on team cooperation. Cooperate with your teammates, blaze through the tracks, and work together to gear up and speed up.

Certainly a title for Final Fantasy fans to dive into, even if it’s just to experience the story and read up on the lore, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin has something for many gamers to enjoy.

Hero Survival is a worthy addition to the rogue-like shoot-em-up genre that has a lot of unique touches to make it feel different and addictive to play.

If you are looking for a fun experience with a charming narrative and presentation then Skeletal Dance party is the title for you.

Whilst the story isn’t as strong as the previous title, the endearing, well-written characters and exciting battle systems make this a Trails game that’s well worth it for long-time fans of the franchise.

A staggering amount of content makes Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous an easy choice to recommend for those who have a lot of time to invest. An interesting narrative and player choices that define the outcome, this is a tale that is well worth experiencing.

Aliens Go Home Run is a cracking little arcade inspired title. Mixing elements of Breakout, Galaxian and Baseball, it provides a familiar concept, but one that does something a little bit different. It’s a game that you can pick up and play right away, but will take forever to become an expert in.

A challenging, sometimes punishing platformer that blends a unique hook and fun movement with clever level design that is well worth a look. Don’t let the innocent appearance fool you.

This title is fun and encourages you to replay tracks and get the best scores, it misses a huge opportunity with multiplayer, and while players may not care in the short run, in the long run, this could have an affect on the game and the player base.

Ultimately, this is a game which will not be for everyone. That high level of complexity will be a barrier to a lot of players. But if you have the patience and desire to spend a lot of time picking through the intricacies of the game, then it’s a very rewarding experience and one which I heartily recommend.

Security: The Horrible Nights is a fun experience, but each run can take some time to get going which can make it a bit dull.

AK-xolotl is a twin-stick shooter full of action and personality. What bad can happen from giving cute creatures deadly weapons? It’s amazing how guilty this game made me feel for thinking about sacrificing my baby's happiness to power my character up!

A nostalgia filled throwback to the Game Boy and awesome 2D platformers featuring super cute characters and a great soundtrack! If you love classic games or pixel graphics this is a must play!

Ashina: The Red Witch is a short and simple game that is full of fetch quests, but the memorable characters, great story, and beautiful whimsical visuals more than make up for it! I’m hoping for a sequel!

An excellent expansion of one of history’s most prestigious franchises. Capcom have addressed the weaknesses and redesigned the combat for the next generation, and introduced a small cast of new characters who should quickly become as memorable as your Blankas and your E.Hondas of old...Street Fighter V is the best fighting game available on the PlayStation 4 and the PC, and easily surpasses what the Xbox One has to offer. Street Fighter is back on top.

Although the first title grabbed my attention more than the second, Danganronpa 1.2 Reload are a pair of games that engulf you quite effectively into their worlds. These two titles come highly recommended.

Lacuna is a beautiful looking futuristic noir detective story with a great soundtrack that really makes you realise how much your decisions matter. Be prepared to do a lot of reading and research in-game so you make informed choices, because if you don’t a bad ending is waiting for you!

Don’t Touch the Snail is a surprisingly intense game for something that seems so simple! A nuanced and adrenaline-filled take on an unassuming genre.

Being rather positive of the game, it manages to stick the landing thereabouts with the narrative told and its escape room like puzzles. Even with the complaints of spoon force feeding, it gives the player enough leeway to think about world. With the abstract take working well, just not as fully realised as some might expect.

Unto the End is a scenic, lonely 2D side-scroller that sets its primary focus on a fixed number of intense battles with its unique combat system that is difficult to learn, but satisfying to master. There is no hand-holding here, though sometimes you might wish there was.

Despite Minoria not being in my typical realm of games, I was pleasantly surprised by its entertainment value. The attention to detail was terrific, especially in the background. I appreciated the challenge my mind had in combat, especially when facing the bosses. I would greatly recommend it for gamers looking for voyages of this fashion.

The story is forgettable because of its generic nature and the visuals aren’t incredible, but Police Stories is about the tactical gameplay and having to make those split-second decisions as a police officer would. You’ll have a newfound respect for your local law enforcement once you realize how life and death their jobs can be.

The Surge 2 is a sequel done right. With fluid combat, creative level design, and solid performance you would be hard pressed to not enjoy this title.

A unique premise and heavy interplay of gameplay and narrative elevates Black The Fall above its rather stock standard game mechanics.

Space Adventure Cobra — The Awakening is a fun action platforming game that does a great job of recreating the original series that everyone can enjoy.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series is a fun game that doesn’t stray from Telltale’s normal formula but is strong when viewed within that category. If you like the show or the books, you’ll get a kick out of it.

This is a very strange game that will require some lateral thinking and a lot of hunting around. The nature of the surreal world makes some of the puzzles harder than they ought to be, and you might find yourself playing “hunt the object” more than you’d like, but nonetheless, this is an enjoyable game and if you want something a bit off-the-wall then I’d recommend giving it a try.

Although short, the longevity is in its replayability to offer a greater challenge. If you’re a fan of Portal and want another quirky test-chamber 3D-platformer that tests your skills, reflexes and patience, you can’t go wrong with Impulsion.

Serial Cleaner is a fun top down experience that will give you a good fun few hours, collecting all the collectibles and completing all the bonus levels. For anyone that was a fan of Hotline Miami but would have preferred it to be a stealth game this title is for you.

Gal*Gun Returns is a return to form for the series and a shining example of refined on-rail shooter, arcade action, albeit with a bit of lewdness thrown into the mix.

Running around, shooting people, stealing cars and shoving grenades down throats. That’s what you want from a Saints Row game. Newcomers to the franchise will enjoy the heck out of it, but longtime fans won’t find anything new. Pretty, but not new.

If you’re a fan of My Hero Academia, I still highly recommend this game, and if you’re not, this one might change your mind, if the tiniest bit. After all, what game doesn’t have its quirks?

Beast Breaker manages to mix RPG elements and engaging characters with the simple gameplay loop of Super Breakout. Offering a variety of approaches to combat and skilful, bouncy battling, the game is worth a look for RPG and Breakout fans alike!

Though repetitive and a bit slow at times, I am enamoured by Tequila Works’ Song of Nunu and their capability to bring so much love and passion to an otherwise overlooked — and often underrated — champion from its source.

Devil May Cry 3 may be getting on a bit 15 years later but it nonetheless remains one of the most technically hardcore action games out there, and devout devil hunters will make great use of the additional features for the Switch port.

Observation is a smart, atmospheric and creepy sci-fi thriller that subverts the AI-gone-rogue trope by making you think about what it means to be the AI.

Bloodthief knows what it wants to be and does it very well. However, those looking for a deeper world or lore will be disappointed.

A fun but not relaxing trip to the fancy parts of L.A, Dead Island 2 is a major improvement over the previous franchise entries, with accurate goriness for the player's situation.

Despite issues with the controls, Cats and the Other Lives is a brilliantly paced story about the unusual Mason family, with a fantastically atmospheric aesthetic.

There are issues with odd choices or explanation of game mechanics, but overall this is a great sequel to a cult classic. If you like the original then it’s highly likely you’ll be able to overlook the slight foibles like I did and have a great time with Evil Genius 2.

Kamikaze Lassplanes is a great mix between an ecchi-filled visual novel and shoot ‘em up with a branching story where your choices make a difference and can change the ending.

It’s hard to completely escape the translation issues, but KONOSUBA - God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World! Love For These Clothes Of Desire! is the visual novel for you if you want a light-hearted romp with plenty of charm. Just be ready for kinky stuff.

Restore Your Island is a nice, simple, and short experience with fun secrets to discover and a fairly enjoyable gameplay loop.

Kitty Powers’ Matchmaker is a quirky, light-hearted game that has transitioned well from mobile to console. I do feel it's better suited to being a mobile game, but this doesn't detract too much from the experience of playing the game on a console. The nice visuals, great humour and quirky gameplay all add up to create a supremely enjoyable game.

Whilst feeling more like an upgrade than a true sequel, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is nonetheless a deep, engaging fighter that is widely accessible for all skill levels.

Another solid chapter with a lot to keep you invested, the only real complaint is that it’s more of the same. An interesting cast of supporting characters and the core mystery keeps the campaign engaging.

A decent eroge game with survival elements and pixel art, though with challenging combat and relationship meters.

Beating up blobs is everything you’ve ever dreamed it to be. Not much is unique about Plasma Puncher, but that’s fine when just about everything else is done right.

Overall, I loved my time that I spent with Iron Harvest and I can’t wait to convince some friends to get it too so we can have some skirmish battles.

DOOMBLADE is a fast-paced metroidvania title that blends twin-stick shooter mechanics. With tons of enemies and challenging boss battles, it puts your skills to the test. If you enjoy games with minimal hand-holding, this is the perfect choice for you!

Savant - Ascent REMIX is a challenging twin-stick shooter with a great soundtrack and beautiful visuals. If you love bullet-hell games, this is a title that you will want to try!

It’s anime based characters appearance, and the game’s overall look, are par for the course when it comes to games by Compile Heart and Idea Factory. Scratch the surface, however, and you’ll find a gem of a game that’s both enjoyable in terms of story and gameplay.

This game is fun and addictive, but damn, it can be frustrating when you have a great weapon and items and then die, making you have to start from the beginning with nothing.

While The Thaumaturge has a slow start there is a wealth of lore and tactics here to suck in players and a challenging combat to get to grips with.

Despite its difficulty not fitting the soulslike expectation, Asterigos: Curse of the Stars manages to be a phenomenal entry, as long as you don't come in expecting challenging gameplay.

Bots Are Stupid is a 2D precision platformer with innovative controls and gameplay. Solving its puzzles can be tedious, but overcoming the challenges is highly satisfying. Ultimately, it’s great for players interested in coding, level creation, and speedrunning.

Amnesia: The Bunker is excellent, offering the dread and terror you’d expect along with engaging new mechanics. Some technical issues occasionally break the immersion, but Frictional’s approach to frightening and challenging you still offers its best thrills.

An enjoyable visual novel that really benefits from being in VR.

Time on Frog Island is very fun, and the puzzle element was done smoothly for a game with no dialogue. Plus, who doesn't love frogs?

Untitled Goose Game is a short and sweet village sandbox of chaos, with probably the most laughs you’ll have in a videogame this year. Goose tier.

A fun little roguelike which is willing to give you everything, if you’re willing to put in the time.

GlitchSPANKR is a lot of fun, with a simple and entertaining plot. However, some might be put off by the minimal use of AI or the humour.

Despite a few rough edges, WW2 Rebuilder has an addictive gameplay loop with new mechanics added in almost every level. A fun, stress-free simulator that is sure to delight fans of the genre.

Overall, it’s great to see a new top-down racer that isn’t just a re-hashed mobile game, and one that handles well to boot. It can be a blast with a few mates on the couch and has a fully fledged campaign that doesn’t resort to just getting three stars per race for when your mates are off doing less fun things.

Tanuki Sunset is a vibrant, arcade-style longboarding game that has you playing as an extreme raccoon with a love of speed. It's a simple game that takes practise to master, but sure to get your heart pounding as you fly down winding roads!

Dead Finger Dice is a tense and brutal yet satisfying game that will make you a better poker dice player, along with mysteries that will test your puzzle-solving skills.

Hunt the Night is a beautiful retro-inspired game with a haunting soundtrack and great controls. It is incredibly hard, so if you aren’t a fan of difficult games that have you challenging the same section, or boss for hours, this may not be a title you will enjoy.

It’s A Wrap! is a unique puzzle platforming game that has you playing as both the star of a movie and the director. It can get frustrating at times, but the added hint system helps you progress and complete the film.

In a genre of some truly fantastic games, Roguebook stands up there with the best of them. Whilst the story is minimalistic and the lack of world variety is disappointing , the engaging combat makes this easily one of the most polished deckbuilders I’ve played.

Cattails: Wildwood Story is a cute cosy game featuring adorable cats trying to survive on their own in the wilderness. Channel your inner cat to ensure your clan thrives!

I was genuinely impressed with Angels of Deception Part One. I really liked the plot and how it thickened, and I liked the variations in puzzles – although they weren’t always straightforward.

Breakers Collection is a colourful pixelated 2D fighter that has only four attack buttons to use so it's good for players looking for a brawler that is more simple than other fighting games out there. The second game offers online crossplay for people looking to take on other players around the world, though sometimes it’s hard to find matches to play in.

Mr Shifty is a hectic brawler that is enjoyable in short bursts. You can happily power through a few stages and feel like a badass while you’re doing it. It is, however, a short experience, but there are enough challenges, variety and enjoyment to be had. In contrast to Hotline Miami’s brutal difficulty, you’d think Mr Shifty would be Hotline-lite, but you’d be far from wrong as it can stand tall as being one of best top-down brawlers.

Mystic Gate is a fun roguelite bullet hell game that will challenge your reflexes and that has a huge assortment of weapons and skills that you acquire to use on your runs. It’s a challenging game, but feels addictive and not incredibly frustrating!

Contra: Operation Galuga is a worthy entry in the Contra series. The run-’n’-gun action is addictive; combined with great visuals and music, this is a game to check out and replay.

Puyo Puyo 2 is an invaluable piece of gaming history for the niche but dedicated competitive puzzling community and, provided you don’t already have Nintendo Switch Online, the most affordable entry point to the Puyo Puyo series.

RPG Tycoon is a fun experience offering deep and rich customization that even the most hardened tycoon veterans will be enamored by what's on offer.

A huge roster of very different characters, and not even poor soundbites can detract from the overall package. Fans of Marvel and LEGO alike will enjoy the heck out of everything this has to offer.

If you're looking for a game to get your creative juices flowing, then definitely check this out. If you're looking purely for single or co-op gaming, then probably wait for a sale.

Dash & Swing may seem simple based on its title, but requires a lot of skill and practice to really master.

Despite some glitches and bugs, and a useless drone, this really is the definitive modern day sniper experience, and definitely recommended.

A fun match-3 game featuring your favourite SEGA characters - and some other SEGA characters, too. At the moment there are no ads and it doesn’t try to trick you into spending money.

Through excellent dialogue choices, interesting item usage, and an immersive story, The Pillars of the Earth keeps the player interested from beginning to end. Becoming invested in the game's multiple protagonists is rewarded with a complex narrative that twists and turns to play with expectations.

Botany Manor is a charming puzzle game with a lovely setting, a relaxed mood, and fun puzzles you can spend an afternoon with! While recommended for fans of both puzzles and botany, the three-hour runtime may be steep for the price point.