Enshrouded is an ambitious open-world survival game. Its large world and freedom make it fun to explore. It has cool features like voxel building that work really well. But too much repetitive travel and dull combat can be frustrating, which doesn't match its great overall design. [Early Access Provisional Score = 78]

No Rest for the Wicked is a game that truly deserves the label 'promising'. There is no denying the exceptional quality of its art and the quality of its action gameplay, but the negative experience caused by errors in numerical balance and system design completely undermine the excellent impression left by its other aspects. [Early Access Provisional Score = 75]

You can sense the real potential and exceptional quality of Manor Lords, but what's more common is the disappointment of the lack of content. It has a unique medieval atmosphere, a first-person perspective that can immerse players, and a distinctive 'backyard economy' system that combines the fun of building supply chains and managing labour in the production process. While warfare isn't at the heart of Manor Lords, it's done quite well and evokes a sense of familiarity with the Total War series. [Early Access Provisional Score = 75]

Soulmask is a game that integrates different gameplay elements within the survival crafting genre, offering a refreshing experience for someone like me who has grown tired of traditional survival crafting games. While it shares the slow and complex nature of the genre, the help of NPC tribesmen and customisable settings allow players to quickly immerse themselves in an addictive survival and exploration loop. You can experience almost all the core pleasures of survival crafting in this game. The current content is already rich enough to support long-term play for Survival Crafting enthusiasts, surpassing many similar games that have been in Early Access for years. [Early Access Provisional Score = 78]

When it comes to character creation, life simulation, building, and interactive storytelling, Inzoi delivers everything The Sims 4 has to offer. Unfortunately, beyond that, the current version struggles to carve out a unique identity or introduce any meaningful innovations. [Early Access Provisional Score = 75]

The Rewinder 2 still offers a decent amount of fun, but it may end up disappointing fans of the original. By significantly scaling back the signature "Rewind" mechanic and failing to make the new Zelda-style combat and puzzle elements truly shine, it loses much of what once made it stand out. Without a strong identity or sharp edges, it struggles to compete with more polished titles in the genre.

Grounded 2 doesn't stray far from its predecessor, and in the crowded survival-crafting genre, it struggles to stand out. Still, for fans of the series, it offers just enough to be worth a look. [Early Access Provisional Score = 75]

HYKE: Northern Light(s) knows exactly what it wants to be, and across its art, story, gameplay, and systems, it consistently works to create a relaxing, soothing experience for players.

Junji Ito Maniac: An Infinite Gaol is a notably strong small-scale horror title, with clever map design, light resource management, and a well-crafted sense of dread. But as an adaptation, many of Junji Ito's signature elements end up feeling awkward, and the story itself is far from satisfying.

Mandate of Heaven stands out as a strong entry in the FMV space. It may not aim for great philosophical weight, but its smooth, complete narrative delivers gripping political intrigue and a genuine sense of loyalty to family and country.

Netherworld Covenant shows plenty of smart ideas in its combat, but for a roguelike, its build variety and environmental diversity fall short. The narrow, repetitive progression quickly leads to fatigue, even when the core loop shows promise.

Star Rupture strikes a smart balance between the sense of order found in factory builders and the constant pressure typical of survival games. It delivers the satisfaction of long-term planning and optimization, watching production lines run smoothly on their own, while periodic solar eruptions, shifting ecological cycles, and the threat of hostile swarms introduce a steady rhythm of exploration and combat. [Early Access Provisional Score = 80]

Building on a well-established framework of territory-control strategy games, WindStop Strategy introduces a number of smart ideas that help breathe new life into a genre that has largely faded from the spotlight. Its streamlined SLG mechanics and classic Jin Yong inspired martial arts system make it very approachable for newcomers, while the solid depth and replay value provide strong motivation to take on higher difficulty challenges.

Slay the Spire 2 can easily feel like a massive DLC expansion, and the current balance is still a bit rough. Even so, the framework and content already on display almost surpass what the original achieved. [Early Access Score = 90]