Its 3D scanned recreation of Chernobyl’s exclusion zone looks absolutely gorgeous, too, being picturesque yet also haunting. [Review in Progress]

Steel Assault is a hell of a lot of fun while it lasts, but unfortunately that’s not likely to be long. After that, there’s not much else to do but play through it again on a harder difficulty or try to tackle arcade mode, but that doesn’t really offer anything new. At least it looks and sounds great while it has you in its grasp. And its price is fairly reasonable.

If you’re looking for a good time, you’ll be pleased to find one in Push Me Pull You, as long as you’ve got friends to share it with.

Despite having its roots firmly set in survival horror, Yomawari: Night Alone is really not all that scary. It’s creepy for sure, but in terms of pure jumps or shivers, these reactions were a no go.

Whether you’re a series fan or a newcomer, there’s a lot to like about Samurai Warriors 5. This is without a doubt the best Samurai Warriors game yet, with a more engaging story, deeper gameplay, and luscious visuals. As ever, there are tens of hours of fun to be had, with repetition staved off that bit longer thanks to the new gameplay additions. And with a friend in tow, everything just becomes more chaotic and fun. Forget about the reduced character roster; if you love Musou games, consider this a must-have.

There's not much here to excite those who enjoy a bit of single-player fighting action, but those who like to play online against others will be in their element. Basically, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is just short of being the definitive version of the game, being streamlined in numerous ways while also benefitting from improved visuals and rollback netcode.

All in all, Trinity Fusion is an engaging roguelike that has plenty to offer to fans of the genre. It doesn’t have the charm of the likes of Dead Cells, but it stands out thanks to its multiple protagonists. It’s also great that you get to choose which worlds to explore in any particular run, adding some variety. Add in a Hyper Mode that allows those who are struggling to make things more manageable, and you have a title that’s well worth a look even for newcomers to the genre.

The wait for Tape 2 is going to be a long one, because Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 has me utterly hooked. It perfectly captures the highs and lows of being a teenage girl, brought to life with a cast of characters that feel as real as your childhood friends. While it's a slow burn, and most of the game's major secrets will (hopefully) unravel in Tape 2, this is still an absolute must-play for any fans of the narrative adventure genre.

It’s safe to say that Prison Architect isn’t a game for everyone; if you’re not a fan of building and management simulation games, then there’s little that will sway your opinion. For those that do enjoy them however, Prison Architect is one of the best.

Put simply, if you enjoyed Chime, then you’ll love Chime Sharp. Anybody who enjoys a block or tangram-type puzzle would be wise to give it a go.

It comes down to the fact that Age of Empires III has never been the best at fundamental RTS gameplay. The Definitive Edition has done a great job of bringing the title into the modern age with beautiful visuals and a new UI – but that core gameplay remains, and it falls flat especially compared to the standard set by last year’s Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition‘s intriguing campaigns are worth a look, but if you value adaptive and fluid multiplayer gameplay, stick with Age of Empires II.

If you’ve ever fancied having a go at being a mechanic but don’t like being covered in oil or having to actually do hard work, Car Mechanic Simulator is easy to recommend. As a game it’s far from being perfect, and it certainly isn’t for the masses, but it’ll prove to be entertaining to those who want to virtually fiddle under car bonnets to their heart’s content. There really is nothing else quite like it.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection bundles up a whole series of action-RPGs and adds some valuable extras and enhancements. But while exisiting fans and those who love the Battle Network series will likely lap it up, newcomers might find it all a little too dated.

Fans of the Layers of Fear series are likely to enjoy this new take on its stories, combined and enhanced with new elements. But at the same time, you’re likely to be disappointed that more hasn’t been done to make everything more consistent and unique. What’s more, it’s not as if these games are so old that they needed remaking; the Writer’s story could have perhaps been its own thing, expanded upon to offer something genuinely new. So, while Layers of Fear (2023) is a solid horror experience, we can’t help but feel like Bloober Team has missed an opportunity to really mix things up and impress.

Even if you’re hugely familiar with the world of Warhammer 40,000, Boltgun is a bit of an old-fashioned treat. Its sprites are wonderfully realised, its environments suitably atmospheric, and its action brutal. Its simplicity is its strength, as well as its sheer disregard for your enemies’ innards as they spill out under your sustained fire, or perhaps an introduction to your chainsword. And so, we’re reminded why retro shooters are all the rage once more: because they’re bloody good fun.

No More Heroes fans will absolutely adore No More Heroes 3 – it’s no doubt the best game in the series so far. And while it’s better to go into it with prior knowledge of the series, Switch gamers looking for an action-packed adventure that offers something entirely unique might also want to consider picking it up. Its open world might be a bit sparse, and the activities within it range in quality, but at least the combat is always brilliant. The ranked battles are the real draw here though, as well as the unpredictable gameplay elements they bring with them and the story scenes they’re sandwiched in between. They’ll suck you in and won’t let you go until the credits roll.

If you missed Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army when it originally released on PlayStation 2, this remaster should prove to be a treat. Featuring a revamped combat system, full voice acting, and more, Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army almost feels like a new game, and its mix of investigation, combat and demon-collecting is both engaging and rewarding.

It’s one of the best fighting games available on Nintendo Switch even with its issues, and it’s yours for a bargain price. If you want a fast-paced fighting game that has got huge amounts of character, you really can’t go wrong.

If you’re after an experience like no other, that will challenge your problem-solving skills in logical and believable ways, you absolutely need to play Observation. It’s one of the most compelling and surprising games I’ve played in recent years. Its biggest achievement, though, is that it didn’t make me feel like I was playing a game; it made me feel like I was genuinely assisting a crew member in distress.

Saviorless is a beautiful game: its 2D art style remains gorgeous throughout. It's just a shame that its gameplay doesn't stay as enjoyable. What starts out as a rather fun puzzle-platformer eventually devolves into an exercise in frustration thanks to one hit kills and too much reliance on trial and error.

Iron Harvest isn’t perfect, but it is an engaging journey into a new world that’s fun to explore. The factions are crazy and their units even crazier, yet the threat of death still feels very real. It’s a shame some of the functionalities of playing let the game down, and its lack of tactical options do hold it back. However, I still found myself having a great time; its mechanics aren’t perfect, but its world is a joy to get lost in.

Ultimately, The Outlast Trials finds itself in a bit of an awkward spot. It doesn’t quite hit the mark as a single player game, though playing alone is where the true horror lies. Play it with others, and while you’re likely to have more fun, it comes at the expense of atmosphere and scares. For many though, repetition is likely to be the biggest issue with The Outlast Trials; sneaking around in the dark is only fun for so long, after all. Still, that’s not to say this experiment is a total failure — it has a lot to offer for those who do find enjoyment in its grotesque endeavors.

If you’re in the market for a new dungeon crawler on Switch and don’t mind rubbing semi-naked anime girls on your screen, chances are you’ll love Moero Crystal H. It ticks all the right boxes for fans of the genre, then adds a bit of naughtiness that will either make you like it even more, or turn your head away in disgust.

It’s just a shame that Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time‘s combat hasn’t been given a little more care and attention to ensure that it flows better. With there being so much of it, its clunky nature drags the game down a fair bit. Still, if you’re a huge Samurai Jack fan who wants to spend some more time with the character, it’s worth a play. But if you have experience with the likes of Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden, you will find its gameplay lacking.

Ultimately, you’ll get most out of Demon Turf if you’re an ardent 3D platforming fan. There’s a lot to like here thanks to the range of skills and interesting upgrades up for grabs, and the levels provide a good amount of challenge. It can get a little repetitive though, so you’re better off keeping your play sessions short and sweet. But lean into its wacky sensibilities, and there’s fun to be had.

It would take ages to explain every element of Gremlins Inc. so I won’t try. My recommendation would be to get it yourself if you’re interested in strategy board games that you can play with your friends.

As good as it has ever been, but if you’ve already played it on one of the numerous formats it’s already available on, it’s probably not a high priority to play again.

If you’re looking for a super casual, story-driven game to play when you feel like lazing around, Root Double is highly recommended.