Hyper Light Drifter is unique, it highlights the issues of a real person in an abstract way. This game plays very smoothly, and offers stunning visuals and rigid difficulty. Hyper Light Drifter is a lot of fun, and it's beautiful too. It’s a memorable experience, and can keep you interested the whole way through.

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.

Little Nightmares is unique and engaging, there is no doubt about it. It stays with you long after you switch it off. It’s definitely an effective horror experience, but it’s an undercooked horror game. If atmosphere and story are enough to keep you pushing through lacklustre gameplay, this is a must-have. If you’re a veteran of the puzzle platformer and purely after a satisfying gameplay experience, best to steer clear.

The Crow’s Eye is excellent platform puzzler with an intriguing story. I can’t consider it being an actual horror title, especially as a psychological terror that the developers, 3D2 Entertainment describes, but as an atmospheric first-person adventure, it has a lot going for it. It can be easily recommended for fans of puzzle-adventure titles shrouded in mystery.

For a port of an older Wii U title, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe feels like a brand new game that everyone can enjoy. Whether this is your first Mario Kart or your eighth, there's enough here to satisfy your thirst for racing.

An amazing emotional experience that trips and stumbles, but shows what Telltale is capable off.

An amazing emotional experience that trips and stumbles, but shows what Telltale is capable off.

A very simple game with little variety in gameplay. Can be decent to kill a few hours.

All in all BULLET SOUL is a great little shooter, it’s challenging and the ghost bullet gimmick indirectly changes how you need to play to earn high scores. The game is solidly put together and any fan of bullet hell shooters will definitely want this in their collection.

A great point and click game on a console, only mildly let down by it’s slightly frustrating control scheme. Full of charm, wit and plenty of humour along the way; The Inner World delivers a fun and interesting story to keep you going.

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.

This DLC continues to deserve the high praise I gave the main game, with a good script, fun characters and interesting missions. I had a lot of fun with it, even though some of the objectives can be difficult.

Nier: Automata is an absolute masterclass in game design. It surpasses expectations time and time again resulting in an experience not to be missed by fans of action titles.

Out of the Park Baseball 18 is a game that is a must for hardcore baseball fans, there’s no doubt about that. But, the most pleasantly surprising aspect of this game is how it can make a fan out of someone who knows very little about baseball like myself. It feels like the ultimate simulator, with immense levels of detail, great matchday visuals, and statistics to make any tactical statistician scream with joy. This game is so immersive that it makes you wonder how they can improve on the game next year - but something makes me think they’ll manage it just fine.

Despite solid fundamental mechanics and satisfying controls, Blue-Collar Astronaut isn’t worth your time or money. While a few of the mission designs are inspired, most are either bland or frustrating, and the game’s attempts at comedy are smirk-worthy at best.

For the price you get a decently designed dating simulator with some witty moments and a good amount of choice. Don’t go in expecting more than that and you’ll be rewarded well.

The game is a fantastic love letter to the genre and offers gamers a trip down memory lane. What will surprise you, though, is how it’s so much more than a cash-grab throwback to a bygone era.

Outlast 2 could well be the scariest horror game I have played to date. There were a few very minor gripes, but the isolation, desolation, and desperation were noticeable throughout. The sense of fear was more impactful than in the first game, and there were parts where I played hiding behind anything I could get my hands on. I went to Temple Gate, and I did not enjoy my stay. And by that statement alone, I have to applaud Red Barrels for creating such a brilliant game.

A unique, technically impressive and mechanically sound addition to the metroidvania subgenre. Hollow Knight is a great challenge, not lacking in any of the quality expected of similar, yet higher profile titles.

Urban Trial Freestyle 2 is a very good game, with very few negatives, only minor gripes. The graphics look high end for the Nintendo 3DS, and the gameplay and depth to the game was more than I had expected. The ragdoll physics were as amusing as you'd expect, and the track creator was a fantastic addition. When you merge all that together, you get Urban Trial Freestyle 2 - a game that got me using my 3DS again!

While the story is a fun and an interactive cinema experience, there are a few issues with the game such as being a little short. But there is a genuine story here that makes up for all the issues, the story makes you think, feel and love. With the story being so great I wish that they would have had something to persuade players to replay the game, but there is no rewards to make the story worth playing through a few times. I hope that there is plans to introduce some kind of DLC that gives us further insight into the story of Scarlett and Finn. My first playthrough will always have a special place in my memories and this title is a highly successful one in my mind.

Whilst Kamio Recoil isn’t broken, the game fundamentally lacks any form of core mechanic that feels polished or gameplay loop that will bring the player into any form of flow. With partly stunted game physics and level design, this is a game that’s passable at best.

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.

A reliance on meta-jokes and pop-culture references, alongside irrational puzzle design leave this point and click adventure falling short of its true potential. Fans of the genre will likely find enjoyment here though, if only due to the obvious inspirations behind the game.

TheHunter: Call of the Wild is a game that will appeal to those who have a genuine passion for hunting, but due to the general lack of content, a poor UI and the horrendous movement speed, I don't think those outside of the hunting world will enjoy it.

Relying too much on nostalgia, StarCore does nothing new, interesting or out of the ordinary. Most will probably be bored but there will be a few players that’ll get a kick out of the game.

Lion Quest’s ingenuity isn’t enough to garner a gold medal, but varied gameplay provides a few hours of challenging entertainment.

With miserable gameplay, terrible story, and utterly unfunny jokes, Narco Road’s idiotic antics destroy everything the main game managed to accomplish.

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.

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.

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.

Overall, a solid and enjoyable game with somewhat a somewhat interesting art style. Which, at the same time, is nothing to scream about. Simple but effective, just what I like. For those who like a challenge or looking to experience a few dozen hours suffering quietly as you watch all your well laid plans come to fruition (before shortly failing), then this is most certainly worth a buy.

Overall, the game is a tough and harsh grind. I am not entirely sure who would enjoy this game more, or what type of player would sink the most hours into this title. I suppose the game is worth a 7/10! Nothing special but nothing bad either!

The Dragon’s Trap: Wonder Boy is an excellent remake of a beloved classic. The enhanced visuals and superb audio really bring the game into the modern age complementing the excellent design of the original. Unfortunately, inherited design flaws such as some obscure puzzles, imprecise hit detection, and the lack of a hints system do hold the game back. However, these issues do not detract too much from the overall experience. This modern version of a classic game will appeal to a new generation of gamers and also remind longtime fans why they fell in love with the original.

A wonderfully executed arcade game, slow yet quick paced, keeps you on your toes. An enjoyable point and click.

Kona is a story based game worth telling, combining aspects such as narrative world-building and free-flowing gameplay. This title cannot be overlooked.

Somewhere in there, is a decent game. I am a massive fan of this style of game despite what I had to say about Hatred. I just hope you can find the diamond that’s hiding in this particular goat anus.

Trulon: The Shadow Engine, made by Kyy Games and published by Headup Games, is a single player casually paced RPG. For those new to the genre as well as those with loads of experience, this is a game that has interesting lore and simple game mechanics. Being laid back gives it an edge on some other RPGs currently on the market, as it is easily approachable. Perhaps Trulon: The Shadow Engine will be my gateway game of sorts to exploring other card-based RPG games.

A nice little real time tactical game that takes cues from The Lost Vikings and brings it up to date, let down by a frustrating control scheme and some odd choices that have made their way to the final game.

They Shall Not Pass is a good start to making that season pass feel like it was worth the money, though I doubt it will pull many people into buying the full game.

Styx: Shards of Darkness is a surprisingly old-school and well-crafted stealth game, providing a welcome sneaky outlet in a world so often focused on open combat. With good gameplay, great production values, and a plot that never gets in the way of the action, Styx: Shards of Darkness should definitely be part of every stealth fan’s library.

Dystoria is a great love letter to retro videogames and sci-fi movies from the 1980s. Its six-axis controls are easy to learn yet hard to master, while it’s physics-bending levels are a great way to reinvigorate a classic puzzler.

Some slight technical issues occasionally hamper what is a solid Mass Effect entry. Fun, dynamic combat, some great missions and an interesting new setting provide an enjoyable place to get lost and spend some time in. It does sometimes feel like a “Mass Effect Greatest Hits” but there are worse things to be.

Nitro is a challenging and fun motorcycle game that doesn’t really do much wrong, the difficulty curve and lack of bike customization being the main standouts. It’s a really solid title that is well worth considering.

At its best, Yooka-Laylee reminds me why I fell in love with colourful platformers, it's a love letter to childhood nostalgia. At its worst, Yooka-Laylee reminds me why we moved away from platforming games: odd design choices and occasional bugs sour the experience.

Overall, it may be a pain to have to collect each type of brick that you want to use, but you’ll learn things. I do like this game, and I’m not big on open sandboxes. Or, perhaps I like it because of that.

FlatOut 4 is a well-made and well-presented racing game that does a lot to escape the level of 'mediocre' that falls among other racers. With modes like beer pong, survival and time trail to choose from, FlatOut 4 is a great experience from start to finish.

A simple-on-the-surface, yet tough to master puzzle platformer that will keep you coming back time and time again to obtain the best medals that you can.

Another masterpiece from Ron Gilbert. The game is a joy to play and provides the perfect mix of humour, challenge and engaging storyline. I genuinely have nothing but praise for the game and I can’t recommend it enough.

There really isn’t anything else for me to tell you, except to please go and play this game. It’s cheap, and won’t take much of your time, and will hopefully give you something to think about. Come the end of the year, I’ll come to bat for this game to receive an honorable mention for Game of the Year, because while Evangeline might not deserve that accolade it deserves to be played, and it has earned Raconteur a big fan in myself.

A game that I really like and wish was better, but is let down somewhat by frustrating mechanics and confusing information dumps.

Overall Forma.8 is a good, if slightly flawed take on the Metroidvania genre. Its barebones story is divisive as it depends almost entirely on players’ interpretations. The gameplay is satisfying at times and thrilling at others though its inconsistency is what holds the game back. For those wanting to explore seriously stylish and striking environments, you could do much worse than Forma.8.

Weighing in at over 100 hours of gameplay, Persona 5 is one that you will want to spend time with. Brilliant voice work, a decent translation and solid gameplay mechanics make this one of the best RPGs I’ve played in a long time.

Dying: Reborn is an interesting enough puzzle game that falls short of making any kind of impact at all. A cash-in game for the VR age, skipping this title would be recommended.

In an industry that likes to hold the player’s hand at every opportunity, telling them when and where to press certain buttons and use certain skills, a game not treating you like an idiot is a breath of fresh air. Some may want a little more from Circles, but the game has set out to accomplish a certain style and it does so with aplomb.

A gorgeous, funny and well-thought out concept falls down when it comes to the meat and bones of combat, enemy AI and gameplay flow. Similarly, some may feel cheated that the game contains scant few levels, despite how fleshed-out they may be.

Ghost Recon: Wildlands is a bugged and flawed game, but it is capable of bringing huge amounts of fun.

If you like Streets of Rage, there’s a good chance you’ll like this. It doesn’t bring anything revolutionary to the table but Qubyte has done a fine job of capturing the essence of the classic beat-em-ups of the ‘90s, and although there’s a little bit of repetitiveness in it, this is a title that’s worth playing.

Criminal Past is a great finale for Mankind Divided, and only makes the desire for more Deus Ex stronger. The ending is pretty open, and with faces new and old it does a great job of giving us something different while being faithful to the franchise.

Fun in short bursts and thoroughly enjoyable when played cooperatively, it’s a great time sink for the gamer who likes to play in short bursts or have friends over for party games. Just don’t expect to be playing it well into the future.

Torment: Tides of Numenera is certainly not for everyone, and its reliance on world interaction and a quirky, abstract but grounded world gives it a distinct feel. If you want a thought provoking, interesting world to spend some time in then you can do far worse.

The execution and delivery whilst not matching the predecessor, still maintains the momentum whilst giving the main campaign memorable moments with the snap shots of narrative bringing the best and cutting the worst. Road to Boruto does this and more, easily rivaling Full Burst. A fitting end and purchase for fans of the franchise.

Those who are looking to add some pointy-ears to their game will find a faction with a high skill ceiling and impressive design. At £14 for just one faction, however, you might want to wait until it’s on sale.

A simple game, but amazingly funny and fun to play alone or with a friend. If you enjoy RPGs and a good laugh you need to be playing Pit People!

If you were the kind of child who has sat knee deep in Lego making spaceships and buildings or were found surrounded by the guts of a clock looking up at bewildered parents. Crazy Machines 3 will engage you for a long time to come, if for no other reason than so you can work out new and interesting ways to shoot pigs on skis into space!

Perhaps the greatest shortcoming is the game’s stubbornness to shove Javi’s family as the player’s raison d’etre, when it’s clear that Clementine is a much more relatable and less frustrating character. The classic Telltale trap of unavoidable events is still there, but by now you should know what you’re getting into. If judged by what it attempts to do, rather than by what some sceptic players want it to be, A New Frontier’s harrowing first episodes smoothen most rough edges found in other games in the series in terms of storytelling. It just about manages to shake off the notion of being a rehashed concept, and become a beast that can stand on its own two feet, built upon the foundations laid by Lee and Clementine. Hopefully the rest of the season manages to sustain this level of quality.

Perhaps the greatest shortcoming is the game’s stubbornness to shove Javi’s family as the player’s raison d’etre, when it’s clear that Clementine is a much more relatable and less frustrating character. The classic Telltale trap of unavoidable events is still there, but by now you should know what you’re getting into. If judged by what it attempts to do, rather than by what some sceptic players want it to be, A New Frontier’s harrowing first episodes smoothen most rough edges found in other games in the series in terms of storytelling. It just about manages to shake off the notion of being a rehashed concept, and become a beast that can stand on its own two feet, built upon the foundations laid by Lee and Clementine. Hopefully the rest of the season manages to sustain this level of quality.

Pineview Drive is an atmospheric horror game that does little else to engulf the player. Long stretches of half-baked scares and tedious key hunts make this title a lacking experience.

She Remembered Caterpillars is a good puzzle game with the right amount of complexity and difficulty, but it is dragged down by it's undeserved grief and emotionally shallow overtones.

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.

Causality bludgeons freedom into a pulp and annihilates any semblance of player choice, denying any puzzle experimentation and making for one extremely unappealing game.

The smooth textured environments do not make up for the game play issues and infuriating dialogue.

Sniper Elite 4 takes everything that worked on previous games and bumps it up a notch, deepening the gameplay and widening the distance while keeping the core of the franchise intact. It's an example of how to evolve a franchise over time.

I don’t dislike this game because I feel morally outraged by its content or because I’m offended by its depiction of women, I dislike it because it’s just poor and lazy in almost every way.

ManaVoid Entertainment have created a game that combines two genres together surprisingly well, yet there are some areas that leave it wanting. In trying to be be the best of both worlds, the game doesn’t really manage to excel in either.

The Flame in the Flood is a tough, yet very rewarding survival game that is infectious in its design, tempting players to keep going until their flame eventually dies out.

If there is one game you decide to take a chance on this year, please let it be Yakuza 0 - a game that is as fun and intelligent as it is silly and violent.

It’s not bad as such, just not particularly challenging. Adam Wolfe does some interesting things to keep the player involved, but fails to stimulate in the way that this kind of fiction really should.

Rogue One is a brilliantly designed pinball machine and I enjoyed it so much that I'm likely to be a late arrival to the Zen Pinball series fandom. There was plenty of action on offer and I didn't find myself getting bored at any time. And I'm sorry but I have to… The force is strong with this one!

Pacing issues, unnecessary backtracking and some frustratingly complex puzzles mar a title that is well-written and holds a lot of charm. A competent game but one that isn't quite as good as its predecessor.

Objectively, I don't really see much of a flaw with this game at all. It was actually put together beautifully, but, personally, it wasn't the most gripping or entertaining game I've ever played. This is entirely down to preference and I encourage anyone to give it a go. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. If you like claymation, and indie games, and RPGs.

Basic, boring, ugly mess that is glitch city. The game has no plot, no motivation and there is zero reason for anyone to play this game. Complete sewer poop!

The best thing that Robot Squad Simulator has going for it is its uniqueness - you’ll probably not find another simulator title like it out there. Its variety of missions, interesting concept and bug-free execution gloss over what at times feels like an average game. If you like your simulators, give this one a try.

Kick Ass Commandos is a strong game that is full of action from the off. I really enjoyed the pace and flow of the game and it’s a game you can just pick up and play with ease. The game could have had more longevity but overall Kick Ass Commandos is far too impressive to let that put you off. If you are a fan of twin stick shooters then Kick Ass Commandos is almost definitely for you!

Brilliant art design, lovely script, and great production values make ICEY one of the best indie titles I have ever reviewed.

A combination of complex characters and gameplay makes this one as satisfying as it is enjoyable. Even if you haven’t played any of its predecessors, Tales of Berseria is more than worth your time.

Knee Deep is a game that certainly tries to bring its world to life, but overall, doesn't make it past the first hurdle. A narrative focused title that isn't gripping nor riveting, Knee Deep shows us the negative side of storytelling.

Xmas Shooting - Scramble!! has come off rather well: it is a very competent and enjoyable shmup with bullet hell elements that has casual visual novel elements and a fantastic soundtrack.

A short and simple game with good art but seemingly inconsistent and punishing collision detection.

As a whole package, all the praise should be going toward the single player experience, and I'd never thought I'd say that about a Call of Duty game in a long time. But in all honestly, it’s true. As for the multiplayer, it makes for an incredibly mundane and subpar experience that almost parodies itself. Completely making it very difficult to recommend the game as a whole.

The story isn’t quite a reboot but is not quite a sequel. I won’t spoil anything, but I will say that it’s not just a familiar horror story that we’ve seen in plenty of films and games over the years. I was thoroughly engaged in the story the deeper in I got. It’s a great jumping-on point for newcomers to the series while catering well to Resi fans.

Perfect for those who like their gaming to be in frantic 10-15 minute windows and oozing with style, PAKO is a title everyone who enjoys indie games should pick up.

For now, I would strongly recommend this game for those that enjoyed Cities: Skylines and other similar simulators such as Tropico. For the almost £30 asking price however? You are better off getting Cities: Skylines if you wish to simply focus on a producing a productive and interactive city. In a few more patches this game could be something great.

Decidedly average attempt at a reboot of the franchise, with controls that just aren’t fun and load times that sap what was left of any real enjoyment from the title.

Terrible controls and poor progression - with story threads left hanging with no sign of resolution and no variation in level design - spoil a game I was immensely enjoying playing.

Aside from the repetitive gameplay, this is a game that Fate fans will absolutely enjoy playing and exploring in an officially released Fate game, since the Stay Night visual novels don’t seem to be coming out anytime soon, including the several other games that spawned from this franchise. From a gaming perspective is a flawless execution of what a Servant would do against an army, but is mechanically challenging.

All the plot points needed are resolved, however can feel rushed, with characters not really getting the development they deserve. At an hour and a half to play this could leave you wanting more, but will probably just leave you wondering what could have been.

My final thoughts are that I appreciate the effort and difficulty of breaking into such a new area. I did not enjoy playing the game, however, and were it not for my desire to support aspiring artists, I would not spend money on this game. With all of this in mind, I still believe the developers should keep trying, as I see some promise in their concepts, but if this was their first try, which I believe to be the case, then it's not that surprising that it didn't land.