There’s a sense of sadness in Luigi’s form as this is uttered. Sure, his brother gets all the glory, but Luigi is clearing out huge collections of ghosts, getting knocked back on his butt by rambunctious ghouls, and facing his fears. I’d argue that he’s a great hero, and his adventures here are equally as brilliant as any Mario has had over the years.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a fun game to play on your lonesome or with friends, even for an hour or so here and there. Just don't expect it to be a game-changer for the series because in truth, if that moment was ever going to happen, it would have happened many years before now.

Despite being better for having experienced it, like when I finish any good book, I pine for its narrative long after reading.

All in all, Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree is a fitting conclusion to FromSoftware’s biggest, and most-successful title to date. It guides the player by the hand into a brand-new world of mystery and intrigue, treats them to some of the most memorable fights in the series, and rounds things off the only way FromSoftware knows how, leaving you wondering what the hell just happened.

What should be championed here is Bungie being Bungie and them leaning into what made Destiny so special in the first place. Throughout the story beats of The Final Shape there’s a greater sense of community as we meet characters and journey along with them. These are NPCs we’ve been with for many years and we’re seeing them at their very best. I’m not ashamed to say I cheered at points, I got choked up several times, and a couple of moments had me grinning from ear to ear. Bungie has saved the best for last.

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge wasn’t what I’d hoped for, nor did it scratch that cosy games itch I’ve felt since finishing Pine Hearts. Still, I find it hard to deny its charm however superficial it may be. Maybe we’ve become too conditioned in expecting more from farming sims, and thus the issue rests with us – with me – rather than the game itself. Whatever the reason, the adorable frogs of Kamaeru aren’t enough to have me wading back into the wetlands I’ve so lovingly tended to. Nevertheless, those hoppy little cuties have left an impression all the same.

All I can really say about Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip is that for the few hours I spent with it nothing else mattered. I wandered around sometimes focusing on exploration, sometimes switching up and concentrating on furthering the upgrade of the taxi. I chuckled a lot, I explored because I wanted to see and collect as much as possible, and it felt like a nice detour. It was a pleasant diversion in my gaming this week, where I didn’t have to fight big monsters or sit through extended cutscenes. All I had to do was live in the moment, mooching around this bright, colourful and wonky town that constantly delivered humour. I can’t recommend it enough.

So far this year, I’ve played several cosy games, each of which brings their own nuances and unique traits. However, few have captured my attention like Pine Hearts. I didn’t just enjoy it, I felt it. I had tears in my eyes as Tyke’s emotions resonated with my own, the language of loss and grief palpable yet free of foreboding.

I’d still recommend waddling down the streets of this world, but with the caveat that it’s the briefest of journeys over far too soon for such a big personality as the Duck Detective.

The Land Beneath Us is a great, if slightly niche, roguelike. I say niche as it’s not all action, which some would prefer. While some rooms you enter will be defeated swiftly, larger crowds and bosses will slow down the tempo, so it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. As I said above, I’ve been playing little else on my Switch and I always tend to find I get in the groove of unlocking new options and it becomes a playful obsession, trying to get everything done so I can batter the bosses. I’m still finding my way - I was never a great Chess player - but this will be a game I keep returning to over time.

Hellblade II is the absolute pinnacle of visual and audio design which in some part makes up for the lack of gameplay evolution. Depending on how you approach games, like me, you could easily spend 10 hours being fully immersed in its story and tracking down hidden collectibles. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II knows what it is and that’s a cinematic experience with a rich story that will keep you engaged throughout that strives to not outdo its welcome and it will have you thinking about Senua’s journey long after its completion.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door accomplishes what it sets out to do: remake and revamp a beloved Nintendo classic for a new audience on the Nintendo Switch. If you were a fan of last year’s Super Mario RPG, this is undoubtedly the next step in your Mario role-playing journey, and it’s accessible to a wide variety of gamers. It’s a must-play adventure from start to finish, and one I couldn’t have been happier to embark on again.

I find myself totally blown away by what Paper Trail offers. It’s a simple story told via, what appears on the surface to be, a rather simple gameplay mechanic and yet Paper Trail is anything but simple. From relief to joy, this is a game that elicits so many complex human emotions all via the simple art of virtual origami. It’s a charming game that I hope to see on many year-end lists and easily my favourite indie of the year so far.

As David Lynch expanded Twin Peaks it became something bigger than itself; something wholly meta, to the point where it transcended TV and film. Lorelai borrows so much from Twin Peaks and manages to elevate it further than Lynch could possibly imagine by making the teasing mystery an interactive experience and using that interactivity to push and pull the player into a world of confusion that ultimately becomes one of supreme satisfaction.

My time with Read Only Memories: Neurodiver will remain a memorable one. Although I had some issues with the puzzles and the story not being extensive enough, the game’s characters, setting, premise and soundtrack were enough to make up for it.

Baladins is yet another indie experience destined to become beloved, and continues the long-held tradition of indies delivering more heartwarming, satisfying adventures than their AAA counterparts. If you can look past the initial onslaught of information that boarders on overwhelming, you’ll find what I loathe to refer to as a hidden gem. That turn of phrase has become so overused, yet there’s few other ways to aptly describe what Baladins is in such a concise manner.

I don’t see much replay value in Endless Ocean Luminous, nor do I see enough to keep players occupied or interested for the long haul, aside from perhaps the multiplayer offering. If you’re nuts about fish then this is probably a game for you, but if you’re looking for anything more than an artificial aquarium simulator, you might be disappointed by how shallow it is.

There are moments when you’ll take control of another character when the narrators go off the traditional path, and these are welcomed because they add new layers to the gameplay, like melee combat, something that Antar doesn’t rely on. But, because so much of the game is told while you’re in Antar’s shoes, there’s a sense of missed opportunity. Thankfully, the game isn’t very long at all, so while this is a sore point, in the grand scheme of things it’s over relatively quickly and I was left with a fondness for the odd interludes with different characters, set dressing, and accompanying audio design.

Rusty’s Retirement is simplicity done well. Not only does it take a basic concept and make it enjoyable and entertaining, but without being imposing, it also highlights what makes indie devs so invaluable to the games industry. Big name publishers wouldn’t recognise the appeal of such a low participation activity, yet for cosy gamers and dreamers who want their farms only a click away, it delivers everything.

Player exploration is actively encouraged by a gorgeously animated world that’s filled with sights and sounds to keep you engaged, even having that Zelda: Breath Of The Wild feel of ‘Hey, what’s that over there?’ as you get side-tracked for the umpteenth time. While I wish it would have baked its ideas for a little longer under the desert sun, I’d happily recommend this to any and all anime fans, especially those who love the work of Akira Toriyama.

Stellar Blade wasn't initially a game on my radar but it’s ended up being one of my favourite games of 2024 so far. Aside from all of the potentially-polarising outfits, this is an epic action adventure from start to finish that kept me engaged and wanting to come back for more. It doesn't do a great deal to reinvent the wheel but it doesn't need to. This gorgeous and fun game knows exactly what it is. Stellar Blade is an absolute blast and I’ve not had this much fun in the genre since Devil May Cry 5. If for whatever reason Stellar Blade flew under your radar, it needs to be added to your 2024 to-play list right now.

As a diverse story featuring wonder and beauty, I cannot recommend this game enough, but the nuts and bolts need tightening for it to truly soar.

Being able to watch my character nestled in a beanbag by a crackling fire, the static softly hissing from a vinyl spinning in the background while they knit is *chef’s kiss*. That will always be a winning combination for my cosy-at-heart soul. The life that’s depicted in Spirit City: Lofi Sessions is the one I want, and right now, the game is the only way I can (momentarily) realise that wish.

To be a part of Arabella’s green thumbed world is a gift. Sadly, it isn’t a gift we can keep enjoying once its complete, due to the way in which the puzzles are solved; their rigidity makes the game more of a one hit wonder. However, despite its short longevity, Botany Manor is everything you want from a plant-based puzzle game. In fact, I’d argue it exceeds expectations. No, I can’t easily return to re-do the puzzles, at least not if I want a fresh challenge, but simply to bask in the glow of the sun-lit grounds? Oh, I’ll return to Botany Manor in a heartbeat.

Regardless, OTXO is still a fantastic over-the-top action game, and if brutal challenges and unforgiving setbacks are your bread and butter it’ll likely be a game for you. Even when a run doesn’t go your way and you’re booted back to the beginning it’s hard to shake the feeling that you’re an unstoppable badass who just got a little careless but will do even better next time.

I have no doubt in my mind that I’ll return to the synthesised tunes of Beat Slayer, albeit in a sporadic fashion; as compelled as I am to keep playing, I can’t see me spending day after day replaying it. Beat Slayer thrives on being played in short, energetic bursts. But no matter how long I go between another run, I will always be a slave to the rhythm.

My advice before I leave you to mull over whether you’ve got enough moxie for this job, is to pause time as often as you need to. Just make sure you unpause it to fulfil some of the actions you’ve requested, e.g. returning an animal to its habitat. From there, just pray to the conservation gods that you have the fortitude to see this through.

Pepper Grinder is a great example as to why I love indie games as much as I do. They’re odd, and daring, and seem to create these wacky concepts that wouldn’t be found elsewhere. This makes them memorable and I know that come year’s end, I will still be talking about and recommending this game.