Really, the only people I would hesitate to recommend All You Can Eat to are the ones that have already conquered both games in the series. There isn't quite enough new content to encourage forking out for this double pack. But for everyone else? All You Can Eat is clearly the ultimate Overcooked! experience, and one I would urge anyone who has yet to dive into its delectable series of ingeniously designed challenges to check out. Similarly, if you've just played Overcooked! or Overcooked! 2, this is a must-buy since you won't have seen half of what All You Can Eat has to offer.

Super Arcade Football is the video game equivalent of a catchy pop song. It may feel simple but the more you play it, the more you'll find within. It's simple in the best possible way, and while there's one issue with the story mode that is hard to look beyond, it's a very good game overall.

With the extensive add-on collection and new visual features and routes, Dovetail Games have created the most comprehensive and detailed rail sim yet. Train Sim World 3 is here to stay, and I can’t wait to see what add-ons are introduced down the line. If you loved Train Sim World 2, and are aching for more train sim action, then you should definitely consider the latest instalment. Whilst Train Sim World 3 doesn’t change the game completely, it remains true to the series and is certifiably the best addition yet.

In spite of its flaws, RE:CALL is a really enjoyable time. Its reality-bending gameplay mechanic is distinctive and presented in varied ways throughout the chapters so it never gets overdone, and some of the characters have a surprising amount of depth to them - there’s also some genuinely moving messages about growing from negative experiences. It might not be one of 2023’s most anticipated titles, you shouldn’t let this unique indie pass you by.

My time with Calico left me wanting more, and it’s annoyingly a tale of two halves. I quickly warmed to the delightful characters, but was left feeling shortchanged by the limited storytelling and quests. I had fun running around with a cat on my head, but was underwhelmed by the lack of any needs required to be fulfilled regarding my animal friends. I enjoyed baking sweet treats and decorating my cafe, but quickly discovered I couldn’t expand the premises. I can only hope that devs continue to invest in this world and seize the clear yet missed opportunity for growth.

It’s astonishing how much has been packed into Palworld given its Early Access status. Sure, the developers will probably expand the world, add in more Pals, and grow the story, too. But what we have here is already great, and features so many small details you’ll be amazed at what you discover. It’s a little rough around the edges in places, but the blueprint and starting product are more than enough to keep you going. With a dedicated community, Palworld can only get better. Is it a Pokemon beater? Probably not, but it deserves its place in the conversation. [Early Access Score = 80]

Serve yourself a plate of PlateUp! to prevent the pangs of hunger gnawing at your insides, reminding you you missed out on a meal that’s as delicious as it is tough to swallow. Dish up, my fellow chefs, and bon appétit.

This title so steeped in local folklore makes for an unforgettable experience, though not always for the right reasons. My time with Cat and Ghostly Road wasn’t always pleasant, nor did I feel the satisfaction I’d have liked to upon its completion. Still, seeing a cat reunited with its master after such an onerous journey is worth overcoming such inaccessibility. In this instance, it’s the unique destination we eventually arrive at, not the journey, that makes Cat and Ghostly Road such a memorable game.

There is such potential here, a lot of which is still untapped. We’re in the very early stages of a game that’s on the cusp of becoming an indie darling, so long as the devs listen to feedback while also adhering to their personal vision of what Time to Morp should be. It’s a pot ready to boil over with all its what-ifs of greatness; I just hope we get to see the true depth of this sim realised sooner rather than later. Lest its intrigue be spent, and with it, the Morps lost to space.

It feels like this game could have used a bit longer in the oven, or will benefit from a robust roadmap of future features. It’s not a bad game in the slightest, but it’s not really learning from the growth of the genre over the years - feeling a little dated already. In a year when we’ve already seen several stand-out survival games, I can’t help but think that Lightyear Frontier will be overshadowed. [Early Access Score = 60]

Abriss is enjoyable primarily due to the destruction, rather than the puzzle elements. In its sandbox joy of blowing things up, it’s a satisfying experience that makes you feel like a kid again, and while a challenge is expected, it felt like I was fighting against the UX more than the puzzles.

That’s what this game is: something special. All its potential doesn’t feel like it’s been given enough room to breathe, alas that’s the burden that all indie devs contend with. Still, despite its niggling flaws, it makes for an impressive, interactive illustration of how far your dedication can take your dreams. Uniqueness isn’t black and white. It doesn’t always make sense, nor can you always put your finger on the "x factor" that has you so taken in, yet you’re invested all the same.

With each new discovery, I find myself steadily falling in love with The Garden Path’s approach to cosy gaming; it’s more than just a genre, it’s a way of life. Take your time. Admire your surroundings. Focus on your journey. These are all life lessons we desperately need to listen to and act on, yet we rarely do. The Garden Path won’t magically transform your life, but it’ll sow the seeds of a new way of thinking. Whether they take root is up to you.

I would never wish to slander the good name of Stardew Valley, for it breathed new life into a genre that was unfairly left to decay. Nonetheless, let it be said that Fields of Misteria is now the new standard by which I’ll measure every other experience within the genre. It’s not going to be easy to beat the attention to detail so meticulously thought through here. To those looking to rival this newcomer, I suggest you do your research to make damn sure you have something equally as enjoyable to challenge Fields of Mistria with. [Early Access Score = 90]

Mika And The Witch’s Mountain is as short as it is sweet, and while it might not be the most stunningly original or captivating game released this year, it has so much heart that it’s impossible not to lose yourself in its charming world and cast of characters. [Early Access Score = 70]

At this stage, it feels like I should be certain of my feelings towards Sunset Hills, yet all I feel is conflicted. As much as certain aspects of its gameplay make my cosy loving heart sing, there are too many issues that can’t merely be overlooked or forgiven. As curious as I am to see how the story properly ends, I’m not certain I’m passionate enough to push past the cons of the experience I’ve detailed above. Improvements need to be made for Sunset Hills to come into its own, and I fear that those improvements will come too late, if they even come at all.

While I can’t give a definitive opinion on the game as a whole, I can deliver a verdict on the slice of what will be available on release day. Which is an ARPG of sheer brilliance. One that I know will consume many more hours, will please an already established and eager player base, and evolve over time into something even more special. [Early Access Score = 90]

Despite the hurdles Lawrence and I had to overcome during our time together, I would recommend Little Lighthouse of Horror to anyone, even those who don’t usually play horror. It’s not a hair-raising experience but rather an eerie escapade that erodes at you like waves lashing the shoreline. Similar to a pebble on the beach, it’s imperfect but worthy of admiration all the same.

Leila is a game I fear not enough people will hear about, so I’m taking it upon myself to share the good word. It’s not as long as I’d like and its slice-of-life storytelling isn’t going to suit everybody but that aside, it offers such an incredible examination of not just the female experience, but the human experience. Leila deals with life’s messy emotions and feelings, ones that very few people actually discuss. It brings an emotional truth to video gaming that you simply won’t find in the AAA space. It’s challenging but through confrontation, Leila unearths liberation and happiness; I sense players will do the same.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a perfectly fine entry to the survival genre as it has all the hallmarks of what makes these types of games so enjoyable. However, due to its lack of originality and some frustrating features, Dragonwilds struggles to stand amongst the greats and as a result, could easily be cast aside by fans of the genre. [Early Access Score = 70]

Cattle Country defies the odds and certainly manages to make its mark on the life sim genre. It’s charming, fun, and packed with unexpected surprises and a thrilling sense of adventure that sets it apart from many of its competitors. The only question mark surrounding the title concerns its longevity. Post-launch content is key if Cattle Country is to become a titan of the genre, but if developers deliver on that front, this one could really go the distance.

In many ways, Grounded 2 is more of the same but I don’t think anyone came away from that first outing asking for anything different. Feedback has been taken on board with this sequel offering a larger map, new bugs, a mount system, alongside other refined and retuned features that make for an experience that is more seamless, more immersive, and an undeniable improvement over what came before. Obsidian Entertainment came into this project with great foundations. Grounded 2 may be in early access, but it’s already the definitive way to experience this franchise. [Early Access Score = 90]

With Magic Inn receiving regular patches in an attempt to fix the teething problems that launched with the game, I would still recommend giving it a shot as players will find a cosy, life simulator with that touch of magic. It may not be as polished as others in the genre but, issues aside, it still offers an enjoyable experience with heaps of replayability.

As Long As You’re Here is a heartfelt and emotional reminder of both the fragility and the resilience of the human mind, the importance of family, and the stories we are capable of telling through the medium of art. Coming in at just around an hour of playtime, this is one which you can easily finish in one sitting and yet it will stay with you long afterwards.

Overall, The August Before offers a quick, yet impactful look at the changes that come with teenage life, the pain that comes with heartbreak and moving on, but most importantly, the strength and excitement of moving on.

My gripes with Little Corners are mild. It’s a really simple title but what it sets out to do, it does largely pretty well. I’d have liked some more options when it comes to sticker placement and organisation, and I do feel it suffers slightly from being a game that begins to feel a tad repetitive after a while. Yet despite all of this, I’d say Little Corners is more than worth its meagre asking price of £5.99. It’s the type of game that you can dip in and out of, leaving behind your worldly woes for a whimsical sense of fun.

By the time the game came to its conclusion, I was left with an overwhelming yearning for a better future, and a feeling that that is something wholly achievable. Duskpunk is the kind of game that makes me feel hope.

Starsand Island is exactly what I’ve claimed it to be in previous previews. It’s the very best of Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and The Sims, with a flavouring of Studio Ghibli thrown in, but it’s also something completely original. Starsand Island’s depth of offering places it leagues above its competitors making it, for me, the new poster child of the cosy gaming space. I’ll be championing it until the rest of the world catches on, but I have a feeling that won’t take very long. [Early Access Score = 100]