If you’re after a puzzle game that you can chill with, Doomsday Vault might just fit the bill. Even better, it has a green message – us humans need to shape up, or this is what might actually become of our Earth. It’s just a shame that the controls can be a little annoying at times. Also, there’s not a massive amount of game for the asking price – unless you really want to be at the top of those challenge leaderboards.

There’s not much to Evil Diary – it’s simple to a fault – but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t somewhat enjoy it while it lasted. It’s less than an hour of action, but shooting your way through apocalyptic enemies is always fun – and it turns out sawing through them as a duck with a chainsaw is even better.

Despite the lack of originality on display, each mode is quite a bit of fun. Bringing a few friends over and throwing on a game of Blade Ballet is far from a bad idea. Actually, I dare say it would be a fine choice.

Ultimately, Ninja or Die: Shadow of the Sun is a stylish and unique roguelite, and for some players the originality it exhibits will be enough to win them over. There’s no getting over the fact that it feels messy at times, though, and that repetition can set in if you sit down to play it for a considerable period of time. Still, anyone after a challenge that involves a lot of jumping may want to check this out.

Treasures of the Aegean is a unique game, blending rewarding exploration, energetic parkour and thoughtful puzzles. It’s also refreshingly devoid of combat. It’s just a shame that the controls aren’t a bit tighter, and the overall game a little more polished. It’s also questionable if the time loop mechanic does the game any favours; with such a sprawling map, it can be frustrating starting in a different place each time and having your progress in various puzzles reset. Ultimately, some players will get a great deal of enjoyment out of Treasures of the Aegean, but many will find it scrappy and repetitive.

Nova Strike isn’t a bad game by any means, but it doesn’t do enough to make it stick in your mind like the best of the genre. The roguelike elements are nice, but there simply needs to be more variety and unpredictability to make the focus on them truly worthwhile. And so what you’re left with is a shoot ’em up that too quickly looks and feels generic, with little reason to keep playing once you’ve bested what it has to offer.

There are no secrets and nothing cool to find, just a frustrating design mechanic of incessantly backtracking through areas you have already completed.

Mainly thanks to its dull combat and floaty controls, Giga Wrecker Alt. isn’t the game it could have been. There’s a great story waiting to be unravelled if you have the patience to work through the game’s issues, but a few hours in, it really will become a slog. Giga Wrecker Alt. is a unique game, for sure, but uniqueness alone doesn’t make something good. The basics have to be there first, and in this case, they’re just not.

Graphically, Digger Dan DX is nothing to write home about. It looks nice enough but was definitely designed with the 2DS in mind. The audio is pretty lacklustre too; there’s certainly nothing memorable, so headphones won’t really be required here. The important part as always though is the gameplay, and Digger Dan does mostly get this right.

If you have an abundance of patience, a high degree of skill and the tenacity to not be defeated, then Slain: Back from Hell is likely to give you hours of fun. For most though, it’s just going to be the cause of extreme levels of anger and frustration.

Liberated: Enhanced Edition is to be commended for trying to do something a bit different. It’s just a shame that the gameplay here isn’t a little deeper and more polished. But ultimately, it’s not really the focus of the experience: that’s the story. If you’re a sucker for tales that draw you into dark, dystopian worlds, chances are you’ll still get a considerable amount of enjoyment out of it.

But at the moment, some frustrating issues mean only the most patient players might see it through, even through it’s not particularly long. Exploring a bleak parallel world is intriguing for sure, but when the controls feel like they’re fighting against you and the save system is overly punishing, much of your drive to proceed is lost.

Its inability to show you the agency you may or may not possess robs the experience of the satisfaction it so desperately wants to give you on its final scene.

Charon’s Staircase doesn’t exactly redefine the horror genre. It looks a bit rough, and its tried-and-tested gameplay doesn’t break any moulds. But the majority of its puzzles will keep you hooked, its story is interesting, and it absolutely nails creating a tense, horrifying atmosphere. That alone makes this a spooky adventure worth stepping into.

Radiantflux: Hyperfractal is an odd package with a solid, but not great, arcade game locked inside.

There’s some good to be found in Mortal Shell; its world is interesting and generally well designed, it looks lovely, and some of its boss fights really are exhilarating. But there are just so many aspects of it that will leave you frustrated, underwhelmed or disappointed. It’s a shorter, more focused Souls-like experience that demands you go toe-to-toe with your aggressors, but its combat and surrounding systems just aren’t good enough for you to feel wholly fulfilled by it all. It’ll no doubt have its fans, but Mortal Shell could have been so much better with more polish and some tweaks here and there.

There’s no doubting that The Silver Case 2425 is a stylish affair, with two unique and mature stories to sink your teeth into. It’s just a shame that it’s sometimes so dull, with unnecessary scenes that don’t really add anything to the story, and dialogue that is at times nonsensical and others impenetrable. If you have enough patience, you’ll likely find yourself eventually rewarded by The Silver Case 2425, but for many it won’t be worth the arduous slog. In any case, thanks to the portability of Switch, this is perhaps the best way to enjoy this duo of crime-fuelled visual novels.

For all its imperfections, Cozy Grove is enjoyable enough, even if it does start to get monotonous after a little while. Its limited daily playtime is suited better to a mobile device, but even on console there’s something nice about having somewhere to visit for a short while each day. There does need to be more to keep players occupied outside of a handful of quests, though. And performance is an issue that really needs to be addressed. Don’t expect a replacement for Animal Crossing, but Cozy Grove will raise a smile or two.

UFO Robot Grendizer: The Feast of the Wolves isn’t a bad game – not at all. But it doesn’t do anything that genuinely impresses. It’s a bog-standard action game for the most part, buoyed by some pretty fun shoot ’em sections that add some nice variety. And it’s further hampered by some technical issues that will hopefully be ironed out post-launch. In any case, fans of the show should get some kicks out of it, and newcomers might have some fun unraveling its story in an interactive fashion.

The presentation of The Magic Circle is simple but striking… I would be lying if I said it wasn’t one of the cleverest uses of a retro aesthetic I’ve ever seen.

You’ve got to temper your expectations for a title like The Uncertain: Light at the End. It might not be particularly innovative or revolutionary, but what it does deliver is a pleasantly surprising short adventure. It may be a little rough around the edges, but it’s graphically competent, and its excellently-designed world leaves you wishing there was more. The story pacing may be all over the place, and the abrupt ending comes too soon, but it’s enjoyable enough while it lasts.

There's definitely fun to be had with Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Party Dash, whether it's via playing its minigames with others, or getting stuck into the unlockable Golshi's Grand Adventure 2. There are some issues, however, and there's just not enough content here to warrant the price tag.

Air Twister isn’t a bad game – far from it – but it does nothing to genuinely impress. It looks quite nice, has a love-it-or-hate-it soundtrack, and a wide variety of modes, but the core gameplay here is disappointingly basic. So, while fans of the genre might get some enjoyment out of it, it’s hard to recommend on the whole.

Solstice Chronicles: MIA is an enjoyable experience. Most of the gameplay is engaging, and when you’re using all its mechanics and systems as intended, it’s fun and gels well.

The post apocalyptic world of Diluvion has a steampunk mixed with sci-fi feel to it, and the story reflects that too. I just wish there was less travelling from A to B, or a busier, more detailed landscape to explore along the way.

All in all, Crazy Strike Bowling EX is what it is: a zany arcade bowling game that eschews realism and depth in favour of simple mechanics, colourful characters and some wacky ideas.

Animality lacks any real substance: this is the type of game you’ll jump into for 10 minutes at a time, while the TV’s on in the background, or while you’re waiting for the microwave to beep. There may be meatier endless runners out there, but this one-button wonder does all you need it to in order to keep you coming back.

Ion Fury is flawed, but there’s plenty of gruesome fun to be had here, more so if you’ve got fond memories of 90s shooters. If Voidpoint/3D Realms can tighten up the game for an expansion pack or a sequel, I’d definitely be up for more Bombshell. Just don’t expect this outing to blow you away all the time.

Brawlout feels like it was perhaps released a little too early on Switch. At the time of writing, it still hasn't left Early Access on PC, and feels like it could still do with some tweaking and perhaps a reassessment of its piñata loot system. Still, if you're desperate for a Super Smash Bros. style brawler on Switch there may be enough here to warrant a purchase as long as you plan to put plenty of hours in with your friends.

Do Not Feed the Monkeys isn’t a bad game by any means. It’s a wholly interesting concept; sneaking a peek into people’s secret lives is darkly exciting, and picking out key pieces of information to pull together a narrative makes you feel like a true vigilante detective. But it’s short-lived, and the unnecessary focus on survival elements takes the fun out of it. A sizeable assortment of camera locations means a second playthrough might show you something new – but it’s debatable whether you’ll be bothered to go through it again.

Praise should be given for Grammarian Ltd for trying to do something different. There’s a lot to be said for games that also happen to be educational, and Grammarian Ltd is so nicely presented that it’s genuinely an appealing prospect for those of us who get a kick out of editing and proofreading. It’s just a shame that most of the documents you’ll be working on are pretty badly written in the first place, making your edits ultimately feel rather fruitless.

A Metroidvania set in a mega-city ruined by demons, Possessor(s) unfortunately fails to fulfil its potential due to clunky combat and general lack of polish.

Clever puzzles, a decent story and beautiful pixel graphics make up Alwa’s Legacy‘s strengths. But there’s little here that makes it stand out from a sea of more superior games in the genre. If you enjoy classic Metroidvania-style platforming, Alwa’s Legacy is worth a play – but don’t expect an experience that will blow you away.

Does Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale fulfil all our piracy-based fantasies? Not really – we’d kill for some sort of additional on-land adventuring. For those who’d like to focus on sailing the seas, however, it’s sure to tick many boxes. Especially so if they gel with its unique turn based battles that really reward thoughtful movement and positioning.

We don’t dislike Dust & Neon: its gunplay is solid, and its more thoughtful approach to twin-stick shooting is refreshing. But its levels quickly get repetitive, with little variety in terms of design and enemies. It’s the sort of thing that’s fun to jump into for short bursts of play, but it’s not going to keep you hooked for hours at a time.

One of the biggest frustrations with Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters [is] its combat is almost completely based on chance.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime - ISEKAI Chronicles is likely to be enjoyed by fans of the franchise, but it won't wow them. It's a basic action RPG with fun 2D hack-and-slash sections that quickly become repetitive, and basic village building elements that feel underdeveloped.

Inviting players to take part in a deadly parkour-based gameshow, Finding Frankie has an interesting premise and fun visuals. It's awfully short, though, and many of its mechanics are either underdeveloped or underused. It's disappointing that it doesn't quite fulfil its potential, but it has enough charm to see you through to the end.

Screamer looks great and has some neat ideas. But this anime-inspired arcade racer is let down by inconsistent and unbalanced competitor AI and controls that can often feel overcomplicated for the sake of it.

It also has no local multiplayer, which seems bizarre as it would really boost the game’s lifespan but hopefully this will come in a future update. Until then, you may as well give it a try while it’s on PlayStation Plus, however, Table Top Racing: World Tour remains an entirely forgettable experience, full of caveats and missed opportunities.

It isn’t a bad game by any means, but Batora: Lost Haven doesn’t excel in any particular area, either. It’s a hodgepodge of tried-and-tested mechanics and ideas put together without any real flair, resulting in a game that can be enjoyable at times, but is often repetitive and dull.

It’s entertaining while it lasts, and developer Mighty Yell has absolutely nailed the 90s cartoon aesthetic. But The Big Con is devoid of much real substance. Had there been more narrative, better character development and more engaging missions, this could have been something special. As it is, it feels like an underdeveloped concept that falls short of its promises.

Marvel MaXimum Collection has the usual features to make it more attractive to retro fans such as save states and rewind, as well as a music player and an archive. It's just a shame that the games included generally aren't all that fun to play.

Hot Rod Mayhem is a strictly offline affair; while up to four players can race locally thanks to split-screen, there's no option to race online. And as kart racers go, it's enjoyable enough, but it's lacking originality and a little excitement.

Similar to a good RPG, any time spent with Riptide GP: Renegade is not wasted, even in defeat.

All things considered, then, Obey Me is… fine. It’s not remarkable in any way, but it’s perfectly playable. Its take-it-or-leave-it story gives way to passable combat, set in a bland world. There are plenty of other games out there offering something similar, and doing a much better job of it. Still, at least here you get the bonus of being accompanied by a doberman from hell.

With a short run time of only around two hours, it’s a shame much of that time is spent flapping about, trying to figure out what to do next. The puzzles are a real downer, taking away from the player’s ability to invest in the world and truly enjoy the atmosphere. Taking everything into consideration, Creepy Tale‘s full asking price on the Nintendo eShop is perhaps a bit steep. But if you can pick it up on sale, it’s probably worth a play through for its atmosphere alone.

It’s a shame that the video game version of Pandemic is disappointing, because the board game itself is a lot of fun. There are tonnes of games that force players to compete against one another, but few require so much teamwork. Heavily focused on strategy, Pandemic encourages players to plan, discuss, maybe argue a little bit, but ultimately combine brain power to solve a big problem.

Rain of Reflections: Episode 1 isn’t perfect, but kicks off what seems like a strong story, offering a tantalising taste of things to come with a mood-setting soundtrack that I’d happily listen to on its own. Even though subsequent chapters promise new characters, I want to see how Wilona’s story ends. But episodes 2 and 3 need to boot the hacking mini-games off a high skyscraper if they want to be worth experiencing.

I have to give credit to Hideo Kojima for trying to make something different. For me it didn’t pay off, but I did feel there were moments of brilliance here and there. Death Stranding is an ambitious game, but it’s also one that’s self-indulgent and overwrought. With better pacing and the excising of some of its less flattering content and features, Death Stranding could have been something special. As it is, however, it’s just a slog that ultimately turns around and spits in your face.

It's beautifully presented, and the puzzle of packing boxes is mildly satisfying. But A Storied Life: Tabitha lets itself down in its storytelling, which is little more than a messy headache of ideas. If you were hoping for something to rival Unpacking, this isn't it.

There's a solid racing sim experience at the heart of Rennsport, but at the moment it fails to truly impress as a package due to a lack of content and a rather sterile single-player campaign.

Its mechanics don’t impress like they used to, but they get the job done. And besides, the story is the focus here, and it still grips you like a vice. It’s just a shame that it’s plagued by technical issues on console, particularly on PS4. If you’re someone who can work though them, Mafia II: Definitive Edition is worth picking up due to its budget price – it even includes all DLC previously released for the game. Those who prefer more polished experiences, however, are better off waiting to see if it gets patched.

MXGP 2019 isn’t a bad game by any stretch of the imagination. But it is a disappointing one.

When Chaos on Deponia works, it's a genuine joy. There are times when you'll be patting yourself on the back for solving one of the game's less nonsensical puzzles, and sometimes the game's humour is so spot-on that it'll have you laughing out loud. But at other times it can be a real slog as you struggle with the game's obtuse logic and Rufus's immensely abrasive manner.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion builds upon its predecessor in a number of ways, and is undoubtedly better as a result. There's still lots of room for further improvement though, with issues such as drab visuals and a dull open world watering down the otherwise engrossing experience of building your dream mech.

For all the eye-rolling curses, however, when a stage comes together with just the right amount of clever construction and fair fights, one can see the promise inside Wind-up Knight 2.

Casting players as a game tester, A.I.L.A presents them with multiple experiences to play through, each with their own setting and enemies. What's worrying, however, is how they bleed into your reality. It's an interesting premise, but ultimately it's let down by poor combat and a general lack of polish.

If you love Hotline Miami and are after an experience that’s similar but faster-paced, by all means give Bloodroots a try. You’ll probably like it. If you have access to a PS4 or PC, however, you should probably pick it up on one of those formats instead.

Don’t expect Lemon Cake to blow you away. Management sims come much better and more sophisticated than this elsewhere. But if you like to keep things simple and have fond memories of playing the likes of Diner Dash, then this will scratch that nostalgic itch deep inside of you. Sure, it’s repetitive, but sometimes a straightforward, goal-oriented game to switch off with is all we need.

It’s objectively not a very good game. But it’s not unplayable, either, and it’s hard to not get swept up by its overall ridiculousness. Like a movie that’s so bad that it’s actually quite good, there’s something about Metal Wolf Chaos XD that makes you fond of it despite its flaws. So, if you like strange curios and want to unravel one of the craziest stories ever committed to video game form, you should maybe give it a go. Everyone else, however, is probably better off giving it a wide berth.

Ultimately, Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel is a bit rough around the edges. Its voice acting isn’t great, which ruins the tension at times, as do its poor enemy animations and sub-par combat. But in an age where new, half-decent survival horror games are few and far between, this isn’t worth writing off completely. Its puzzles are enjoyable, and it does a good job of creating an eerie atmosphere. Particularly if you’re a fan of the classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, it’s worth checking into St. Dinfna Hotel.

Overall, there’s nothing particularly impressive about Last Days of Lazarus. Its story is perhaps the main reason to play it: it lacks real impact, but it’s so corny and unhinged that you can’t help but get drawn into it. Outside of that, the gameplay is mildly entertaining but not really clever or challenging. Add in its middling presentation, and you have a game that can be enjoyed for a few hours but is utterly forgettable.

As a game, its handling and level design redeem it, but the lack of track variety and the disappointing amount of content make it poor value for money.

Deponia is alright, but, all the while I was playing the game, I had this nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

Ultimately, there’s nothing really bad about Trinity Trigger, but there’s also nothing that makes you excited about playing it. Its story is enjoyable but very predictable and clichéd, the combat is solid but very typical of the genre, and it looks and sounds just fine. If you’re after a fairly breezy, light-hearted action RPG to work your way through, it’s worth considering, but the experience is not likely to stick with you.

If you’re in the market for a new challenging roguelike and appreciate colourful pixelated visuals, Chenso Club might be worth checking out. It’s likely to frustrate from time to time though, thanks to one reason or another. And so while you might gleam some fun out of it, it’s hard to whole-heartedly recommend.

There really isn’t much else to discuss about Knot; it’s an okay game in its own right. Ultimately, it is a simple puzzle game with some enjoyable gameplay that never expands beyond its original premise.

By no means is No70: Eye of Basir perfect, but coming from a little-known developer, there’s a lot to be applauded for an ambitious first major project. It looks beautiful for one, with gorgeous lighting effects that bring every area to life, and great audio design that really complements the game’s atmosphere.

If you’re at all lacking in patience then Chaos;Child isn’t the game for you. At its core, it’s a smart murder mystery with a cast of engaging, sympathetic characters, enough shocking, unpredictable twists and a story that will take you to some very dark places. But tackling the game can be like wading through treacle; almost as if the game doesn’t trust you to “get” it unless it explains everything in explicit, unnecessary, faintly patronising detail.

If you’re a fan of tower defence games, then you’ll likely enjoy the fun elements that Rock of Ages 2 injects into an otherwise fairly dry genre. It’s much better as a local co-op experience, but if you do jump into the single player, you’ll at least get a guffaw or two out of the wacky cut-scenes. It’s just a shame that the same amount of character and personality don’t run over into the actual gameplay.

If you’re a fan of 90s adventure games, or a fan of Lovecraft, and are willing to push through Mountains of Madness’ more taxing puzzles, you’ll get a kick out of it. The ending is a satisfying one that sets up a sequel without leaving you hanging. It’s just a shame that the game tries to stretch itself a little too far. As is, Chronicle of Innsmouth: Mountains of Madness is an interesting achievement, just not a great one.

Just a little bit too dated to carve out a place in the modern market. Its aesthetic may still carry some charm, but next to the likes of Super Mario Odyssey, or even the remakes of Crash and Spyro, it just doesn’t hold up.

If you’re a more casual RPG player, there are likely enough issues to be prohibitive. Altogether, though, if Krai Mira looks like something you would enjoy, there’s a good chance that you will. It’s no masterwork, but Krai Mira has a solid foundation, and with continued support and updates, has promise. In its current state, however, its experience still feels unfinished.

For Sonic fans, this is an entertaining adventure, with plenty of variety packed into its 20-hour running time. Chances are you'll encounter plenty of frustrations while making your way through it, but when things are going right you'll see that there's great potential in this formula going forward. 'Inconsistent' is perhaps the best word to describe Sonic Frontiers: it's a grab-bag full of ideas, all pulled off with varying degrees of quality. But there's one thing for certain: it's got a cracking soundtrack.

It has a few enjoyable features, but unless you’ve got the patience of a saint it’s probably only trying if you love the rouge-lite genre and are looking for something unique and new.

The trouble with Hyper Light Drifter is that it’s frequently just too obscure and too difficult to truly enjoy.

Rogue Aces can be an entertaining blast and is sufficiently different from the competition to be worth a look. But its repetitive nature does it no favours and means it’s best taken in small doses.

Sonic Colors: Ultimate is undoubtedly better than the abysmal Sonic Forces, a game that I was strangely compelled to play through again recently. But still, it’s far from being a great Sonic game. There are some nice new additions here, and while the cutscenes are still low quality, the in-game visuals have cleaned up very nicely indeed. It’s just the shame the gameplay is so all over the place – one minute you’ll be having the time of your life, the next, pulling your hair out in frustration. It’s tough being a Sonic fan, and Sonic Colors: Ultimate does little to ease the pain.

With a patch or two, chances are Aragami 2 will turn into a game that’s well worth a stealth fan’s time and money, especially if they like dabbling in multiplayer. Until then though, you might want to think twice before diving in. While it’s initially fun nipping around Aragami 2‘s maps thanks to traversal options such as shadow leap, and later unlockable abilities really empower you, repetition does take its toll on the experience. All the while, frequent bugs and technical issues make you wonder if you’re playing something that was ready to step into the light for all to see.

If you enjoy narrative adventures that are accompanied with laid-back gameplay, then you might want to give Sea of Solitude: The Director’s Cut a go. However, those who like their experiences more complex, both in terms of gameplay and narrative, might want to think otherwise. Sea of Solitude: The Director’s Cut pulls on the heartstrings but does so like a blunt instrument, while the actions you perform getting from A to B rarely entertain like they should.

I enjoyed my time with Oversight, but I’d have liked to see more cohesion in its storytelling, a longer running time, and a concrete idea of what exactly I was working towards.

What was delivered is more of the same in a sharp new overcoat and handsome rugged face which serve to conceal nothing of the vapidness underneath.

Vane is a unique experience and for that in itself Friend & Foe should be applauded. As an artwork, it’s compelling. But as a game, it’s recommended with strings attached: this is a harsh, uncompromising world and you’re going to need to struggle to survive.

If you’re expecting a full follow-up to Enter the Gungeon, with the same degree of depth, you’ll be disappointed. Exit the Gungeon is, at its best, a fun but shallow shooter, which doesn’t really deliver on its appealing premise. But if you’re prepared to take this light and fluffy sidequel for what it is, there’s still joy to be had on your way out of the Gungeon.

Despite being based on an important scientific figure, any weight behind The Forest Cathedral’s story is lost in its gimmicky presentation. It has some good ideas, sure, but what should be a powerful gut-punch of a narrative is instead diluted down to nonsensical dialogue and a hodge-podge of visual ideas that don’t really go together as well as they should. Am I glad I played it, though? Absolutely, even if it has still left me scratching my head.

Ultimately, My Hero One’s Justice will entertain those who it’s made for, but it wont impress them.

For hardcore gamers looking for a solid metroidvania fix, Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is quite possibly worth the asking price despite its issues.

There are those who will enjoy Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus, no doubt; those who revel in a challenge and who have the dexterity to overcome its airborne antics without breaking a sweat. On the whole, though, there’s nothing all that original or exciting here, and many of the obstacles put in your path simply frustrate rather than provide an enjoyable hurdle to get the better of.

Let me reiterate it isn’t a bad game, but it doesn’t do anything to make it stand out as particularly good, either.

With a lovely art style and an entirely intriguing concept, Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is unlike anything you’ll have played before. Its uniqueness makes it worthwhile, but some slow-moving elements, inconsequential mechanics and a few lacklustre stories mean it doesn’t stand out quite as much as it should.

Afterbirth+ completes the package and in that respect, purchasing it will give you the definitive Isaac experience. But I can’t help but feel that it’s overpriced. A safe tack on to a game that’s finally rounded off, yet somewhat exhausted.

There’s a framework for a good multiplayer game here in Hood: Outlaws & Legends, but it needs tweaking and building upon to truly give it legs. A PvE mode that actually awards progression would be welcome, too. As it stands, the clunky close combat, somewhat unbalanced characters, and a single match type results in a game that doesn’t quite meet its potential. Despite its frustrations though, it’s at least fun to play – well, until the action starts to begin feeling repetitive, which doesn’t take all that long unfortunately.

Maid of Sker is certainly a better game now than it was a year ago, no matter what format you play it on. It’s still doesn’t quite achieve its potential though, and while there are some clear improvements on PS5, there are unfortunately more disappointments. While it’s nice to finally be able to play the game with a silky smooth frame rate and responsive controls on console, it’s a shame that to achieve that you have to opt for visuals that don’t really impress. In you’re in the mood for an atmospheric horror you’ll probably eke some enjoyment out of this improved Maid of Sker, but you’ll soon forget the experience.

Those with the patience to traipse back and forth and push themselves through the more frustrating sections of Conscript may well end up having a rewarding experience with it on the whole. It’s certainly got some good ideas, and is altogether rather unique. For many though, these issues are likely to prove to be too much of an obstacle; it’s never good when making headway in a game feels like a chore, after all.

I reached the end of my first playthrough of Void Bastards in around 12 hours, and for at least half of that time it felt like a slog.

As it is, it’s simply okay.

SCHiM looks absolutely fantastic, and its idea is innovative: you're a shadow who has become untethered from its human. But the goal of reuniting the pair is unfortunately more frustrating than it should be: while there are some enjoyable elements here, ultimately we were relieved when it was over.