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.

Yes, Cartman is funny. Kyle is stuck up. Stan is the mediator. And Kenny, is, well, Kenny. You can’t fault the cut scenes which act like clips from the show and are the game’s redeeming feature, but it’s surrounded by recycled and uninspiring gameplay that might have worked on the PlayStation 3, but roguelike battlers, particularly ones involving cards, have come so far. As a South Park fan, I was disappointed. As a roguelike fan, it stung a bit more. The huge potential just falls flat and while it might be redeemed with your mates and a six-pack of beer, it’s unlikely it has legs to keep you returning.

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.

As I watched the credits roll, a series of scenes began to play. Some acted as epilogues, informing me of the latest goings-on of my surviving comrades. Others acted as eulogies for those I’d lost, recounting their final moments. While I don’t claim to understand every decision that Team NINJA made, with Rise of the Ronin in need of some refinement, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t moved by the overall experience, perfectly epitomised in those final few moments.

Nintendo should, by all means, take what it’s learnt from Princess Peach: Showtime! and expand upon it, but it shouldn't fall into the trap of keeping her, or indeed any of its other female characters, confined to dress changing antics only. Peach deserves more backstory – more freedom from Mario – so that she can become as lauded as the likes of Lara Croft, albeit in her own, unique way. Pretty in pink is Princess Peach’s opening number, but for the show to truly go on, she needs to be allowed to broaden her horizons. Princess Peach: Showtime! is a fantastic first step, now all Nintendo needs to do is embrace the era that’s on the cusp of dawning.

Alone In The Dark may not be the shiniest or glossiest game available right now. It doesn’t boast cutting-edge graphics, but, I urge you not to be put off by how a game looks. Sure, I’d be surprised if Alone in the Dark is a game of the year contender (though I think its sound design and acting are worth a shout for a nomination) but if you love old-school horror games, then Alone in the Dark could be your surprise contender for 2024. Despite some flaws, it wholeheartedly gets my seal of approval.

Contra: Operation Galuga is a fine retelling of the game that kicked the run-and-gun formula into mainstream gaming. It retains that arcade feeling along with the bells and whistles you’d expect for a console release, and the introduction of more multiplayer slots would make this a great party game, or one to play late at night when you just want to switch your brain off and talk about life. Where it falters is how memorable it is, as when you’ve rolled credits it’s unlikely you’ll be eager for a second playthrough unless you fancy upgrading the challenge with the difficulty settings.

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]

While it doesn't necessarily add anything new to the game aside from a different point of view, that could definitely be enough for the majority of people. At its core PowerWash Simulator is a simple title that aims to pull you out of reality for a bit and deliver a soothing, chilled-out gameplay experience. Shifting that experience into VR just makes it that much more enjoyable. [Meta Quest 3]

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.

Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel. It does what it does to a decent standard, nothing more, nothing less. It won’t be held in hallowed acclaim by all who play it, but that doesn’t negate the entertainment it offers, nor the power of well executed simplicity.

The Outlast Trials is an example of a beloved series trying something new, and for the most part it works. The trials themselves are enjoyable, with huge maps to explore, memorable psychos to avoid and enough spooks and jumpscares to keep you entertained for a long time. The game is made, and works best, with multiple players in mind, and while that does take away from the overall horror, what replaces it is a barrel full of laughs as you watch your friend get ripped out of a locker and smacked with a big stick, and that’s good enough for me.

Beserk Boy is more than a collection of influences and references thrown together. It has its own, clear sense of identity, and offers up a genuinely challenging and stunning action platformer that rewards replayability and exploration. Modern touches like extra side missions, an upgrade shop, and the added oomph modern hardware can offer a 16-bit game are all cherries atop what is already a delicious sundae.

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.

I'm intrigued to see how or if Visual Concepts attempts to top WWE 2K24 next year because what we have here is essentially a near-perfect pro wrestling game. It looks gorgeous, has a stacked roster, tons of fun modes and so much replay value that it might not even warrant purchasing next year's game. If Visual Concepts somehow achieves that, I would be mightily impressed, to say the least. For now, fans of this Shakespearian sport can rest assured that WWE 2K24 is the most fun and deep pro wrestling game there has ever been.

If you’ve done all there is to do in the multiplayer part of Splatoon 3, have gotten bored of it, or just fancy partaking in some singleplayer content, Side Order has you covered. It packs brilliant story content, stunning visuals and gameplay that’ll keep you hungry for more even when you’ve rolled the credits.

Despite the niggles, Expeditions is a bit of a rugged gem and it offers just as much joy as frustrations, which is a balance that will tip to the former depending on your mileage.

This mileage will vary depending on your skill level, but regardless, it would have been nice for Telmari’s arrows to have a secondary skill, especially as Telmari won’t hurt a creature. It’s a game for the most patient among us and one that will go down well with speedrunners. It’s reminiscent of old-school platformers in both the best ways and the worst - simple to pick up, difficult to master. While I enjoyed my time with Telmari, it isn’t a game that will stand out in memory outside of its genuinely lovely visual design and early levels.

It’s hard not to bring nostalgia into it. I can ignore those quibbles I have because of the countless times this game made me feel something, whether that be anger, joy, sadness, or empathy. As I rolled the credits I realised this was exactly the game I’ve wanted to play since I was 17 years old. It’s playing one of my favourite games all over again, experiencing everything fresh - and loving it just as much as I did over two decades ago.

And I love it so much. Even as I’m writing this review all I want to do is close my laptop and play more Balatro. I want to take down those bosses, earn big banks, and completely destroy this card game. While this isn’t a perfect game, it’s one that will stay in my playing rotation for many months to come.

What you get out of this game will come down to entirely how much you’re willing to put into it. But if you buckle up and brace yourself for the occasional bump in the road, Pacific Drive’s innate style is more than enough to guarantee you one of 2024’s most exciting rides so far.

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.

While the graphics aren’t really anything to write home about, the game oozes with style. Every match feels like it could be its own short film, the genre of which depends on what you’re doing and how well you’re doing it. While the gameplay loop is fairly small and repetitive it takes a long time for a session to get boring, and that time is extended dramatically when you’re playing and chatting with your friends. Playing Helldivers 2 almost makes you feel like you’re back in the golden age of online gaming, it’s pure, silly cooperative fun that offers a tailored experience for all kinds of players, whether you’re looking for something casual or your next big challenge.

What you see is very much what you get, and there are very few surprises throughout the game’s short campaign. It’s far from Mario’s best, but certainly a fun time whether alone or with friends via a new co-op mode. I do wonder whether it would have been better if Nintendo had built a brand-new installment from the ground up, but what we have is an undeniably delightful - if relatively unexciting - addition to the Switch library.

Ultros is a game that, I suspect, not everyone will “get”. It’s unashamedly bizarre, and isn’t afraid to make players work to dig through its squelchy layers to find its shimmering, beating heart. But if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, Ultros is a breath of fresh air for an increasingly crowded genre, and one of 2024’s strangest surprises.

Eastward: Octopia might not be the biggest or most original farming sim you’ll ever play, but as a relatively inexpensive DLC it’s an absolutely essential experience for fans of the base game. For anyone else? Well, pick up Eastward for the wonderful farming game and get one of the best RPGs of the last few years as a tidy bonus.

Lysfanga is quite a special game. With combat that feels solid and impactful, time-hopping abilities that create a very unique set of puzzles; it’s the type of game that doesn’t come along too often - one that feels wholly original and intensely rewarding. A game that, when everything falls into place, can bring impressive levels of delight.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a fine action-RPG and one that takes full advantage of new-gen hardware. While it treads a path we’ve all been down before, the way it sets itself apart is through its world building, characters, a great blend of action and strategy gameplay, and some gorgeous visual detail.