Jump into Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception expecting a traditional Japanese visual novel experience, and you’ll no doubt be a little disappointed… but look past its intermittent battle sections and there’s a fulfilling character-driven tale just waiting to be uncovered.

Easy to play but far harder to master, Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2‘s cast of ridiculous characters, improbable moves, heavy rock soundtrack and accessible fight mechanics will keep you engaged and challenged.

The Caligula Effect is a difficult game to review, mainly because of how contradictory it can be at times. Its writing can make it seem leagues above most other JRPGs despite its low production value, yet many of its systems are too complicated to recommend, despite however deep they may be.

While there are hints of fun to be had if you search hard enough, I don’t think Strafe ever makes the small moments in between worth scavenging.

Carves out its own unique place in the metroidvania genre, largely thanks to its whimsical take on presentation, puzzle-solving, and narrative.

A safe bet for anyone looking to scratch an old tactical JRPG itch. It may not reinvent any part of the wheel, but it reconstructs it in a way that is quite admirable.

As horror games go, Narcosis is a triumph, managing to get under your skin and stay there long after you’ve put the pad down.

The Dream Machine is a flawed, yet stunningly gorgeous game. The time and effort that went into it from such a small studio is mind-boggling, and every minute of it was well worth it from an aesthetic point of view.

Akiba Beat’s biggest failure is, undoubtedly, its disconnect with what makes Akihabara so enticing. It is missing the heart of what you’d expect a game of its kind to have.

This grim, pixellated gorefest successfully channels the spirit of 8 and 16 bit shoot-’em-ups but doesn’t stand up to sustained play; spend too long with Butcher in one sitting and it starts feeling like an infuriating grind.

Prey expertly blends a compelling narrative with open level design, a fear-inducing mechanic and near-unparalleled player freedom to deliver an appealing, atmospheric and aesthetically pleasing chunk of sci-fi that will get sink its spiky teeth into you and never let go.

Expertly designed with a brilliant and unique concept, Super Rude Bear Resurrection kept me hooked even in its latter stages, where the game’s flaws started to become more irritating.

Hilarious and empowering, even if it is frustrating at times, Human: Fall Flat is definitely worth at least one play through.

GNOG is an artistic fever dream that oozes imagination; it is equal parts delightful and bizarre.

By the end of my time with Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3, I was left very much disappointed. Not because of the poor story and acting, but because of the technical issues that kept the game from being anything more than mediocre. It’s a shame too; it’s a good – if not amazing – looking game, with some really fun mechanics. With either a little bit more time and/or money, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 could have been a sleeper hit. In its current state, it’s simply a sleeper miss.

I’m tempted to describe the entirety of Birthdays the Beginning as ‘bittersweet’, actually; it’s equal parts massively addictive yet horrendously frustrating, but it somehow manages to always provide an enjoyable challenge. Despite the exasperation that comes with seeing a species become extinct, the game never feels impossible, and when you do reach your goals it’s pretty satisfying. It’s just a shame several minor issues hold it back from being more than just “good”. Whether it’s trying to find a lost save, figuring out an unclear objective or to getting to grips with the controls, it feels like there’s always something standing in the way of your enjoyment. Sure, I had fun evolving hundreds of species of plants and animals, but having to play the same sections over and over became tiresome. Still, for its mid price point, there’s a lot to enjoy thanks to its unique concept. If you’re heavily into sims or enjoy games that try new things, Birthdays the Beginning is worthy of your attention.

Baboon! isn’t a bad game per se, but because of its flaws I can only really recommend it to the most die-hard of platform fans looking for a new quirky challenge.

Cosmic Star Heroine’s excellent combat system and well-executed retro stylings make it a must for those who hold the classic JRPGs of the past close to their hearts.

In short bursts, it could be a fun diversion, but in the annals of history, Age of Rivals may be a short-lived one.

A well-crafted RTS that eschews some of the tired old tropes for a faster pace and a tighter experience.

Statik does what any good puzzle game should: it challenges you. No puzzle felt unfair or insurmountable. The game itself, and the way in which it is played, is arguably the best use of the PSVR yet.

In any way you look at it, the story of Syberia 3 cannot be described as anything other than heart-breaking. Not only for the player or the characters themselves – if ever they were capable of realising the technical mess they were a part of – but for developer Microids. So long have they been working on this game with an ambitious attitude hoping to satisfy long-time Syberia fans after an excruciating 13 year wait. There is a great adventure game here just begging to be broken out, however for now as Syberia 3 stands, Kate Walker’s story is one best left washed ashore.

Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap sets the bar incredibly high for future recreations of classic games. Not only does it pay reverence to the source material in nearly every conceivable way, it also manages to modernise the original game through an astounding level of quality in presentation.

In all seriousness, Little Nightmares does a fantastic job of pulling off “childish horror”. It strikes a good balance in introducing horror without ever being too scary; anyone who loves a little bit of the macabre without the intense dread of true terror will love this indie title. It is a bit on the short side, taking me only a little over four hours to beat – and that was with me getting stuck twice – but what it lacks in length in makes up for in brilliant content. If you enjoyed the likes of Limbo or Inside, you’ll be sure to fall in love with the world featured in Little Nightmares. With its brilliant setting, wonderfully whimsical characters and clever puzzles, it’s hard not to recommend it as yet another essential title from what’s shaping up to be an incredibly stellar year of gaming.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with Lost Grimoires: Stolen Kingdom, per se. Had I not played any Artifex Mundi game before, I’d probably be pretty satisfied with what’s on offer. It looks nice, it plays well, and the puzzles are fine. But there’s nothing particularly outstanding about it, either.

Aside from the framerate issues, The Disney Afternoon Collection is overall a very pleasant experience and a worthwhile purchase for anyone looking for a taste of nostalgia.

A story like no other; both very grounded in reality, yet at times other-worldly beyond imagination. It’s touching and thought-provoking; daring to explore dark subject matters rarely delved into by video games. It may only take a few short hours to complete, but every moment is so packed with significance that it hardly matters.

Offering you more freedom to explore and customise your characters, Dragon Quest Heroes 2 is undoubtedly a commendable follow-up to its predecessor even though it feels more than a little bit samey at times.