What could have been a perfect sports game instead becomes a begging little brother that always seems to need more money.

If you like a calmer and more strategic approach, small bugs don't bother you, and you have enough patience when handling a lot of stuff, the console version of Baldur's Gate 3 is worth of every penny.

Frozenbyte doesn't take many chances with Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy. It's another game based on the now familiar Trine script - there are a few new puzzles, new properties and the like, but basically it's much the same as before.

Enchanted Portals has some superficial features that make you raise your eyebrows but what really counts; what's there under the surface, it doesn't measure up at all.

I do think Synced has potential. Its premise is unique and interesting, its characters are fun to play as and the gunplay remains solid for the most part. However, as of right now it does appear to be quite bare bones. You are getting the game for free, so there's bonus points for that, but those points are immediately countered by the rampant monetisation that hits you right off the bat.

Lies of P brings some exciting new ideas to the table and is well worth checking out for Souls-like fans looking to scratch that Bloodborne itch.

This is definitely a game to check out if you've ever wondered what it would be like to cross anthropomorphic dinosaurs with that of a Netflix high school drama TV series.

Having lived on the ocean floor in the extraordinarily atmospheric Subnautica, I hadn't thought that this game would trump that underwater experience in terms of beauty, atmosphere and variety, but it has, despite its modest playtime of only four hours.

It's nothing we haven't seen before, but what it is is a well thought-out and complete experience with plenty of depth, and one that fans of this sub-genre will no doubt fall in love with very quickly.

There are simply few games that offer this huge quantity of content, but also back it up with quality. Timeless classics like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4 feel downright limited by comparison, yet share that wonderful sense of adventure waiting around every corner. Trust me when I say you don't want to miss this.

That "make or break" statement from the developers really made it seem like we were going to see something very special, which we haven't. Some prettier animations and smarter quarterbacks don't save this from being an okay game at best.

There's no way to dislike this, Red Dead Redemption was a fantastic game and still is today, but this is a shameless cash grab like no other.

Ride 5 is a step forward for the series and it is currently the best game on the current console generation in the motorcycle racing sports sub-genre.

Ascendant Studios' debut title is filled with greatness. Gorgeous visuals, a fun and intriguing story with memorable characters, engaging and thrilling combat and well balanced puzzles make up what's easily a must-play game.

Fort Solis is an atmospheric experience with impressive graphics and a slow, but interesting central narrative. But as a game it falls short on many parameters, with low interactivity, shoddy quick time events and exploration that rarely feels rewarding.

Armored Core VI is stunning and entertaining mecha action. Those familiar with FromSoftware know to expect a hard level of difficulty, but still the uneven difficulty curve becomes the worst part of the game. If you can live with it, it's hard to resist the charm of big robots.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is a really exciting experience, full of great ideas and atmosphere, but unfortunately is held back by the limited resources available to the developers.

Among other roguelikes, I can't say that Dust & Neon stands out in any way, as it relies on its charming theme and aesthetics while unfortunately never being particularly entertaining to actually play.

You have to hand it to Sabotage, Sea of Stars is an immensely precise gaming experience from start to finish, whether it's progression, challenge, combat or the surprisingly fun Wheels minigame. It's all polished, honed and checked to make sure it all works together.

As it stands, Fort Solis is an atmospheric experience with impressive graphics and a slow, but interesting central narrative. But as a game it falls short on many parameters, with low interactivity, shoddy quick time events and exploration that rarely feels rewarding. I can only imagine that the actual game parts were added mostly as an afterthought, and that's too bad, for what ultimately could have been pretty special just ends up being rather bland.

For the most part, The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is an absolutely wonderful interactive fiction adventure game. It's compelling, features genuine humour and emotion, has unique and ingenious mechanics, and importantly, is beautifully animated.

I applaud the insistent focus on combat, but En Garde! deserves more; a plot, environments waiting to be explored, real progression. None of that is here, so while the game's core is well-designed and robust, it's a bit too slim an experience to get a wholehearted recommendation from me.

If you're a fan of the genre, I'd say this is the best Metroidvania 2023 will see, and I also think it's a must for fans of the first one and a redemption for those who thought it was too stiff.

As with Evil Dead: The Game, this feels, to me, like wasted potential and an iconic film licence used in the wrong way, for the wrong kind of game.

Full 4K/120Hz support, crossplay, co-op, split screen multiplayer as well as online multiplayer, N64 maps, restored midi music... Everything is included here in a package that feels polished and clean in a way that today's games very rarely do.

Overall, it's a charming adventure and a good port of a couple of years old PlayStation 5 game. It fits well into the PC market and delivers brilliant technical graphics on the format.

Lisa: Definitive Edition is the best way to enjoy this tough story that engages and judges you as a player in a way that few games could offer, even among the big budget ones.

It's a story that will give you a few hours of fun, but won't be too memorable either.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is a bit of a mixed bag for me. On one hand it has interesting and compelling characters and plenty of dialogue options to explore, but on the other hand, it isn't the most immersive or engaging game.

Baldur's Gate III impresses with strong stories, inviting personality, beautiful and varied environments, and an encouragement to experiment with the total freedom the game offers.

Jagged Alliance 3 pays homage to its predecessor and is one of the stronger turn-based titles of the year. It's intense, difficult and manages to enchant with its addictive gameplay. If you are completely new to the genre, it tries very hard to dissuade you to keep playing, but if you get comfortable with the set-up, everything changes.

Super Space Club is the perfect game for anyone looking to fill 30 minutes here and there. It's very easy to get into, it's entertaining and fun, and has enough variety so that it doesn't feel repetitive.

WrestleQuest is definitely the most unique game of the year for me. But I would also like to highlight it a little extra because it succeeds so well in everything it does. In true role-playing spirit, there is a lot to see and discover, and in true wrestling spirit, you take what happens in and outside the ring and make it feel like a natural part of the experience. There is certainly no shortage of well-crafted indie games, and even if WrestleQuest doesn't quite measure up to the very best, its humour, charm and above all unique concept is something that should really be rewarded.

Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara might look like a game aimed at children, but it's not - the difficulty level is simply too high. It's more a game for those who are big fans of the first Crash Bandicoot and of Pandemonium and Klonoa, in which case Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara might be some light summer entertainment for you.

Synapse has very nice game mechanics that are the basis for everything, but since everything only breathes "glorified tech demo", it is difficult for me to really spew out any real praise.

Venba is an interesting, thought-provoking, and emotional tale that is worth checking out. The cooking gameplay and the engaging narrative, matched up with the eye-catching and colourful South Indian cuisine-inspired colour palette make for an experience that is well worth the 1-2 hours it will take to complete it.

The Expanse shines as an alternative to the sleek space-age dream of franchises such as Star Trek, with its scrappy, survival sci-fi setting pairing perfectly with the gritty art-style and choice-driven narrative of Telltale Games.

This year's game is really, really good from a simulator point of view. Sure, the computer-controlled drivers can act like knuckleheads from time to time and visually the game is a bit hit or miss. But if, like me, you love F1 and dream of experiencing what it's like to pull the strings behind the scenes at one of the ten teams, then this is your best bet.

Dr. Fetus' sadistic antics still feel like a decent version of the Puyo Puyo games and it's also quite fun that they still manage to make their own version of a classic puzzle concept.

While Disney Illusion Island isn't a particularly long game, it is one that feels instantly memorable. Dlala Studios has captured the charm that Disney has been missing for years and offered it up in an interactive medium that never fails to be fun and overflowing with charisma.

I think of Remnant II as more Remnant for better or worse. It's still a very compelling series with tight and engaging gameplay, but there's no denying that it has its kinks too. It's flashier, prettier, has tons of depth, and if you loved the first game, you will have a blast with this follow-up as well.

Pikmin 4 is simply a delight to play. Its world is effortlessly charming and its core gameplay is more than enough to keep you invested for hours on end. Combine that with the extras such as the Night Expeditions, and Nintendo has crafted another big winner in what is already an incredible 2023 for the company.

If you're already hooked on this type of game and feel the need for something new and challenging to sink your teeth into, there's a lot to discover in Sea Horizon, but it won't attract any new fans to the genre.

This is a truly fantastic puzzle game, one that stands out in a saturated genre and leaves the player with a sense of wonder and amazement after every level.

Exoprimal is by no means a terrible game, but it just doesn't reach the heights that you'd expect when you hear about its premise. It's a mixed bag, but if you are looking for a new multiplayer experience and can withstand the Dino Survival mode, perhaps it's the game for you.

Only Up is a great example of the creativity that lies within the depths of Steam. This isn't a hugely ingenious title that is doing something we've never seen before. It just offers demanding and intricate platforming in such a rudimentary and well thought out manner that it stands out among the rest.

Despite the disappointment that this didn't reach higher heights, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is still okay, but doesn't reach past that except for a few points. It's mainly my personal experience with the game's story and how it's presented that is the biggest obstacle for this to reach the same kind of feeling I got from the adventure I took part in seven years ago. The predecessor simply felt much more memorable than this, which can be seen as a small failure.

After just three or four sessions with Everybody 1-2 Switch, I'd seen it all and didn't want to go back. I don't know how this happened, but I do know that there are far, far better ways to entertain friends and family on Switch than this.

Even though it isn't flawless in any sense, the concept is unique enough and the gameplay engaging enough for the most part that I found The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales to be a really interesting indie title.

Army of Ruin is an incredibly pleasant surprise, and along with Dredge is one of the best indie games of the year for me. While it can be argued that this is more like Vampire Survivors in a revamped guise, the visuals do wonders to keep the playability fresh, and with a superb focus on the game mechanics, it offers an adventure that can stand alongside its competitors without shame.

I have mixed feelings about AEW: Fight Forever. It's really fun to play and it's top-notch arcade wrestling when everything works in the ring, but unfortunately that doesn't always mean it's not pretty devoid of content.

Park Beyond isn't a genre-changing game, but it's a fun sideshow that isn't as serious as other games. You can tell it's designed to be fun and a little bit silly in a good way.

Dave the Diver knows from the very first scene what it wants to be, and from the get-go it's firing on all its available cylinders. You get a fantastically complex gaming experience here, with a self-awareness that would suit many major studios.

Just as The Legend of Zelda and God of War have recently done, Final Fantasy wins by throwing the rulebook out the window and rethinking what the series can be in a modern age. Where both XIII and XV felt trapped between worlds, Final Fantasy XVI definitely goes down the action game path. But it doesn't forget the essence of the series. Yes, the tone is dark and sombre and the style more realistic, but the sense of community and epic journey is fully present.

The core of Crash Team Rumble is a lot of fun with an engaging concept, cool-looking levels, thrilling score-chases and heart-pounding chaos unfolding on the screen. The problem is that this isn't enough when there's no depth or variety in there to keep it engaging for more than an hour or two.

Aliens: Dark Descent is first and foremost a good idea, and there's undoubtedly talent behind it, although this is a clear example of how a potential sequel that can optimise, raise production values and perhaps approach each mission more critically to ensure crucial variety would be ideal.

If you like this kind of entertainment, Layers of Fear is one of the best of its kind. I can't remember the last time I've experienced a game with such an intense atmosphere and that was as unpleasant to play as {Layers of Fear}. And in this context, that should be understood in the most positive way.

There is no doubt that F1 23 is an absolutely brilliant game. It sounds fantastic, looks spectacular and has rarely offered such an entertaining, accessible experience. Regardless of whether you're an already devoted fan or a curious newbie. F1 has rarely been better.

Star Trek in game format has often not been synonymous with quality and unfortunately this time it is not a hit either. The story is interesting and the characters are generally colourful and well written. However, it is hard to give these characters more life and we have to deal with the stiff animations and the weak voice acting unfortunately.

MotoGP 23 continues to keep the series at a steady and good quality. The new dynamic weather system and career mode provide good improvements from last year, but it still feels like there are more steps to take.

If you're into adventure and puzzle games, Killer Frequency is a nice and slightly different take on a game in that genre. But it's not a game for everyone.

Cassette Beasts is an example of what a more mature and difficult Pokémon could be. The new additions to combat, exploration, and quest design all make the world thrilling to explore, and the sprite/pixel combination shows that there's still plenty of potential for monster-catching in this art style.

One thing is for sure, and that is that the strategy-minded gamer will find many hours of gameplay in Company of Heroes 3, and if you don't have access to a PC to play on, the console version is a fine second choice.

Convergence: A League of Legends Story is a really solid platformer, and an even better story. There are some minor annoyances throughout, and the game peaks fairly quickly with a slow middle section, but the end payoff certainly makes it worth sitting through in its entirety.

Although time has not been kind to the original, the remake manages to blow away several of the problems I have with 1994's System Shock. It may not revolutionize our gaming world, but it can create exciting discussions around AI.

Miasma Chronicles is a solid tactical-RPG that offers good-quality combat encounters, alongside a story that is enthralling to follow, and all set in a world you want to explore.

Diablo IV is a great, truly enjoyable game every fan should play. The core story, highlighted by the superb cinematics and excellent voice acting, leads you through a highly detailed and fascinating world.

Once the single player is done and you get used to the awkward presentation, we still have a very solid fighting game and a phenomenal foundation to build on. And at the end of the day, that's by far the most important thing in a game like this. As long as it's genuinely fun to punch your friends in the face, there's no way I'm going to get bored.

I've spent the past few days completely hooked on Do Not Feed the Monkeys 2099, and I think part of the reason is that, much like the game's protagonist, we all spend most of our day glued to a screen and working remotely.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is shocking at times. The gameplay is flat and repetitive, the stealth poorly implemented, the narrative dull, the progression nonexistent, the character models ugly, the bugs plentiful, the list goes on. This is a game that feels like it belongs in the 2000s with how its super linear design and limited gameplay mechanics work in practice.

Ravenlok is a short, but highly enjoyable adventure to spend time with, and if you have children, this can be a great title to discover together. The challenge is minimal, but the atmosphere is great, and even if there are some flaws in the presentation, the short playing time ensures that the bad never overshadows the positive.

I would actually like to be able to recommend Strayed Lights, but it's a bit difficult to do so, unless you really enjoy games that are just a little bit like Journey. And that's a bit of a shame, because there are some really good ideas here that, given a little more time in the oven, could have helped create a really exciting and different adventure.

Humanity is a fine puzzler that brings some unique challenges to a rather saturated genre. The puzzling and platforming mechanics keep the gameplay feeling fresh level after level, and the UGC focus means that you'll never tire of levels and challenges to overcome.

I rarely had a dull moment in the open world, which is brilliantly designed right down to the smallest 1x1 Lego piece. The activities are varied and thanks to the precise controls, exploring every nook and cranny of Bricklandia is a pure joy. On the other hand, the actual races was a disappointing affair, which more than anything else made me long for the almost 25-year-old Lego Racers.

For those who want an easy-to-play, entertaining and Contra-like action game, Wild Dogs feels like a natural choice. The game is as classic as it gets, both in appearance and game mechanics.

On one hand it has an excellent appearance and overall ambience, but then lacks narrative development and compelling gameplay.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a game that hits hard. It has you feeling like the most badass thing in the galaxy in one minute, before reminding you the universe is a terrifying and deadly place the next.

In its open world, narrative, combat, and traversal, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom proves itself to be a triumph, a game that will be remembered not only as a phenomenal sandbox experience but an outstanding achievement as a game.

It's not particularly immersive or hard to put down, and it's not overly pretty, either. But that said, it's an enjoyable and light-hearted Hades copy for up to four players that nicely frames and captures the right kind of Turtles atmosphere and is just challenging enough for those who like the roguelike approach.

Dimfrost Studio has managed the feat of making one of the cosiest games I've ever played, only to completely change its character and become one of the most creepy I've ever experienced.

One issue that Minabo may face is that, beyond its amusing names based on spanish jokes, and what I'm sure has been the most effective marketing campaign in the history of Spanish game development, people may not take it seriously.

I find it hard to see Mia and the Dragon Princess as one of Wales Interactive's best works. Compared to the simpler and more well thought out Ten Dates, this game feels like a step in the wrong direction in a multitude of ways.

Seeker My Shadow lacks direction and general focus, which cripples the fun core idea into a confusing game that quickly turns uninteresting.

The Last Case of Benedict Fox is a better detective-exploration-puzzle-adventure than it is a Metroidvania and if you've decided to give it a go, it must be because you love exploring the environment, finding clues and solving puzzles.

Puzzling Places executes its simple idea successfully. The clear appearance and calm atmosphere supports light puzzle solving, and handling those snazzy jigsaw pieces makes time fly easily.

Darkest Dungeon II is still promising, but lacks meat around its bones. The 3D art style has been a success, but many changes to core mechanics are either underbaked or too plain, and the user interface needs more love.

Redfall is a humongous disappointment, as there are parts of this game that still feature semblances of that Arkane brilliance. The map has potential, there's just nothing to do in it, and the story delivers intrigue at times and shows that the small town America-meets-vampire concept is still very much alive and well. But, this game is an unmitigated disaster at times. It does very little to make you want to keep playing, and even if you do find something to enjoy, the horrible and outright disgraceful performance does everything it can to kill that passion in you.

I would have liked to see Afterimage get at least six more months in the oven before being released to the world and my recommendation is to wait and see what the developers decide to do with the title. Because more work is clearly needed here to really do the game's potential justice and bring it to the finish line.

There's so much inside Age of Wonders 4 that it's hard to give a good overview in the space of this review. What's clear is that Age of Wonders 4 is a very solid 4X turn-based strategy game with so much customisation that the potential for replayability is nearly endless.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a great continuation of this series. It's overflowing with references and other minor beats that each paint a wonderful and thorough picture of A Galaxy Far, Far Away, and the gameplay is simply an improvement of Fallen Order's outstanding formula.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining title, suitable for both League of Legends fans and newcomers. The Mageseeker stands out perfectly as its own unique game.

Everspace 2 offers great graphics, awesome music, brilliant sounds, and a fantastically fun gameplay cycle. I didn't anticipate that this easy-to-play, intense action setup would last for an entire game, but I'm not dissatisfied or bored after 50 hours with the title.

This is soulless, unimaginative and stupid in its design and just a way for Gameloft and Disney to try to make a quick buck on an ever-growing sub-genre.

I feel well equipped to state that Mighty Doom is a stain on the series' reputation. Not only that, it reminds us that the mobile market remains a toxic swamp filled with ghosts pretending to be something completely different than they really are.

Curse of the Sea Rats has many fine qualities that make it a good game and if only some of its shortcomings had been cleaned up, it could definitely be a game that should not be missed.

WayForward have done great work in restoring a tactical cartoonish classic to make it incredibly fitting to the Nintendo Switch as a platform, both on TV and in handheld.

Dead Island 2 is an entertaining adventure, especially if you have someone to play co-op with. It's meaty, it's long, and at times it's really neat. A sort of odd and digital Los Angeles vacation, if you will. But it's also so faithful to the original that it's almost completely void of surprises and feels structurally old.

I love the concept of this game and I think it has potential for the future, there are just simply too many areas that all work against each other for God of Rock to be able to stand tall on its own right now.