When the Past Was Around – Prologue might be a demo of things to come, but its obtuse story and busywork gameplay fail to establish a foundation for the full game.

Climb With Wheelbarrow has an interesting premise, but the controls and camera are simply not up to the task. Expect a healthy dose of frustration should you want to make the climb.

Total Party Kill is a short but sweet puzzle platformer with a unique concept. Though stages begin to bleed together after a while, the planning that goes into each level is worth experiencing at least once.

As a fan of the previous games, I enjoyed some of my time with Shenmue III. However, as a modern game that was aiming to encourage new players to get into the franchise, I cannot urge caution more strongly. For hardcore fans of Shenmue, this is an easy choice. It’s the continuation of a story nearly 20 years in the making, with the beloved characters, mechanics, and design that made the original games so popular within that niche. Unfortunately, for everyone else, Shenmue III is archaic in design, limited in content, and flawed throughout.

Treading new ground in the visual novel genre, Arcadia’s fusion of technology and jazz provides an incredibly fresh experience that leaves a lasting impression.

All those hoping to get a taste of Timmy’s Cooking Show will leave with a bad taste in their mouth. The food is bad, the pacing is poor, and the gameplay is nonexistent.

Much like what Arkham Asylum did for Batman games, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order sets the new standard for Star Wars titles. Not only is it a great Star Wars game, it is also the best game of the year.

Need for Speed Heat’s driving is a step in the right direction for a franchise that’s stuck at the back of the pack. However, its poor story, severe balance problems, and complete lack of an online presence stop it from ever reaching top speed.

Death Stranding’s core gameplay mechanics will not appeal to everyone. What I found to be dull and monotonous at times, others will find relaxing and rewarding. It’s rare for a game with such a big push, such a huge marketing presence, to be so niche in its design. However, if you have the patience to trudge through this long journey, you won’t be disappointed.

From Head to Toe does a fair job at setting up an intimate atmosphere, but the lack of context in its script and unpolished design somewhat take away from the title.

While it’s about as scary as a Disney Halloween movie, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is still a joy to play. First-timers and veterans alike will find their time well spent here.

Gorytale might not be a polished affair, but it does offer mindless shooting entertainment. Those that don’t mind turning their brain off can enjoy a shooter than trades aesthetics for sheer mayhem.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is another fantastic shooter from Infinity Ward, but it’s still just a Call of Duty game. If you’re a fan of the heights of the franchise, you’re sure to have a great time. However, for those hoping for a more daring and innovative leap, there’s not much new to see here.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD has a novel concept, but the incredibly fidgety camera puts a ghastly stain on the overall package.

Accel’s flight mechanics hit all the right notes for an arcade title, but it proves to be far too short for the long term. Those looking for a brief respite between longer titles can have fun here, but don’t be surprised if you’re done sooner rather than later.

The Outer Worlds has quickly cemented its place as one of the best RPGs of the current generation. Excellent combat, exploration that never gets stale, characters that never grow old, stories and events that hide endless secrets...The Outer Worlds is simply fantastic.

Though it aims to provide a casual ice skating experience, Pirouette fails to captivate all those who attempt it. A distinct lack of effort went into this title, and the awkward controls will turn players off long before players see everything this game has to offer.

Stranded Sails: Explorers of the Cursed Islands is a solid entry into the farming and exploration space, and a perfect entry level title for younger gamers or those new to the genre. Its simplicity helps it stand out in the crowd, but not always for the best reasons.

Doraemon Story of Seasons is a solid farm sim that isn’t for everyone. If you’re interested in the worlds of Doraemon or Story of Seasons, be sure to check out some trailers first.

Gunkid 99 is a fast, frantic arena shooter with an interesting hook. Putting the focus on the weapons rather than the enemies is an interesting proposition, and its tight platforming mechanics seal the deal.

Those looking for a challenging rhythm game in Pride Run best keep on marching, but RTS fans may get a kick out of its unique management mechanics. Those that can deal with some frustration can experience what is quite possibly the most unique game of the year.

Indivisible is a great game, but it could have been amazing. The lack of weapons, armor, or other collectible items to make exploration worthwhile really makes a lot of the adventure a bit dull, and the repetitive nature of its level design definitely leaves a sour taste. Many of these issues will be off-putting enough for potential players, but if you can look past its seemingly basic design mistakes, Indivisible’s level of charm, passion, and character are rarely seen in the genre.

Frostpunk is not for the faint of heart. However, if you think you can handle the stressful job of being a leader, you can easily lose a couple of nights to the game.

Concrete Genie can be summed up in just one word: charming. It may not be game of the year material, but it does provide an experience that players will look back at fondly.

The Grandmaster is overly simplistic by design, but this clicker proves to be too repetitive for its own good. It serves as a serviceable time waster, but it lacks the staying power to keep people coming back.

Skyrift’s defensive style of play provides fast-paced arcade action, albeit with a few quirks. It’s not the deepest game around, but those looking for a different kind of bullet hell could do far worse than this title.

Neo Cab is a delightful experience that sometimes trips over itself due to certain design choices. Make sure to check out the demo before purchasing.

The idea of dating the figurehead of KFC is a novel one, but I Love You, Colonel Sanders! is a joke with no punchline. Dipping into the absurd is fine, but the lack of follow-through makes this visual novel drier than the fast food chain’s biscuits.