Interface issues aside, Shadowverse Champion's Battle offers a fresh new spin on the card-battling genre (unless you've been playing the base game on PC). Its mechanics are an interesting amalgam of all that came before, but timing an evolution effect to clear a path to victory remains exciting every time.

While the game is definitely hopeful and joyful overall, parting is such sweet sorrow, and you’ll have to do it time and time again as you play through the story. It’s a tough thing to balance, and yet Spiritfarer does so masterfully. It’s the kind of game that’s going to enrapture people, and already has too. It’s never too late to change, and it’s also never too late to jump into such a wonderful indie game.

So what we're left with is a slightly uneven collection. The core material is still brilliant, made exponentially more so with the stellar soundtracks and built-in music player, but you'll be a bit disappointed if you were hoping for anything other than the core material.

So what we're left with is a slightly uneven collection. The core material is still brilliant, made exponentially more so with the stellar soundtracks and built-in music player, but you'll be a bit disappointed if you were hoping for anything other than the core material.

So what we're left with is a slightly uneven collection. The core material is still brilliant, made exponentially more so with the stellar soundtracks and built-in music player, but you'll be a bit disappointed if you were hoping for anything other than the core material.

The Ascent's interconnected world, world-building, and exciting combat make it a pleasant surprise, and one of our favourite titles of 2021 so far.

If musou titles haven't been your bag in the past, it's unlikely Samurai Warriors 5 will break new ground. It's still, by its nature, a button-mashing battler. If you've been looking for a little more depth, though, then you'll be pleased to know that you'll have more fun carving through hordes of enemies than you have in any prior game in the series.

Playing Mini Motorways is as much a chance to enjoy the game’s puzzles as it is an opportunity to unwind and refocus. I went into Mini Motorways expecting a fun and quirky puzzle game and ended up finding so much more. The Steam release is definitely not one to ignore.

Death’s Door is definitely good. The problems it has are not dealbreakers and the places it excels - namely gameplay and atmosphere - more than suffice for a robust experience. Sure, it is short, but it’s also no longer than it needs to be, a lesson that a lot of games still need to learn. Enjoy it across a weekend or a week at most, and try not to burst a blood vessel on some of the later bosses.

While Last Stop doesn’t give a lot of freedom to its players it creates a compelling enough story that can be enjoyed over a short playthrough. Fans of dialogue-heavy adventure games like Life Is Strange or anything from TellTale will find something here to enjoy.

In short, NEO The World Ends With You is massive. It’s a grand, modern epic with impeccable writing and almost as impeccable style that’s got as much heart as it does twists and turns in the plot. This is easily one of the year’s finest RPGs.

Ultimately, Hell Let Loose is a hardcore shooter in every sense of the word. Though it’s very easy to get discouraged at the beginning, those committed to seeing it through will likely have a great time. Though the niche focus won’t appeal universally, providing you know what you’re getting in for, anyone after a tougher World War II shooter would do well to take a look.

If you’re a series newcomer, I’d suggest starting the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy first to see where it all began, but either way, Chronicles presents a truly exceptional experience within, one that was worth the wait. Between the new gameplay additions, thrilling story and added accessibility, this is without question my favourite entry so far and for that, I cannot recommend The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles enough.

Cris Tales might not be perfect, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great game. It’s stellar art style, unique setting, compelling characters, and engaging combat make it a must play for all fans of turn-based RPGs.

Minecraft is a better sandbox, nearly every other game does combat in a more engaging and rewarding way, and while the freedom is certainly there, it all feels a little superfluous.

BPM: Bullets Per Minute is a fun shooter with a banging soundtrack, but its roguelike elements feel a tad undercooked. Still, where else can you dance around like a demon slayer while tearing through the hordes of hell, shooting on the beat and keeping the party going?

F1 2021 delivers the high-octane racing everyone is used to but mixes in greater multiplayer options through two-player career and the new social online lobbies and the addition of a compelling and well-structured story mode.

Staying in motion and lining up shots feels great, and the rare moments where jump pads, explosives and saw blades coalesce into bloody murder highlight just how much fun Radio Viscera's take on shooting is. It can definitely feel like the game is fighting you at times, and there's little to keep you coming back to the small selection of levels available currently. It's definitely worth checking out if rag dolling enemies and cartoon violence are your bag.

Ultimately, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin marks an excellent sequel to its 3DS predecessor. By offering a vibrant setting, open-ended gameplay, an engaging story and mostly entertaining combat, this is one entry that’ll suit both established series veterans and Monster Hunter newcomers alike. If you consider yourself a fan of RPGs, you won’t want to miss it.

Mario Golf Super Rush is a fun way to spend a few hours with friends on the course, but it struggles to maintain any momentum after that. Adventure mode is short and a little dull, and while Speed Golf (and to a lesser extent, its Battle-based sibling) are fun, I found myself wishing there was more to see and do here.

With an excellent story, tight mechanics, and tons of customization available for players, Dark Deity is a game that any SRPG fan should have in their library. It is unfortunate that outdated and over-sexualized depictions of women slightly tarnish such an otherwise beautiful gem.

While Impulse Gear has laid the groundwork for a solid 6v6 shooter, several design choices hold it back from greatness and having to unlock the entire specialist roster is unnecessarily limiting. There’s room for improvement but ultimately, Larcenauts offers an enjoyable arena shooter with friends that makes you strategize. While it’s not exactly Overwatch in VR, shooter fans willing to grind it out will find an entertaining experience within, one that I’d argue is worth a look.

Disgaea 6 gets as deep as you want it to be, rewarding those that stick with its complex systems, but allowing those looking to experience its story to get through the game relatively easily. The game is by no means perfect, with rocky framerates and many unimpressive cutscenes making a lack of polish evident. Loveable characters and an addicting gameplay loop, however, make Disgaea 6 perfect for newcomers and longtime fans alike.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is that rare example of a game that melds classic game design with modern narrative sensibilities. It's at once a slice of platforming, exploration and combat that'll feel familiar to all, while also tacking mature themes with every beat. It's a treat to play, a sight to behold, and well worth your time.

Ultimately, Bandai Namco’s done a fine job with Scarlet Nexus and there’s an entertaining action RPG within. There are small flaws like a lacking side quest system and those minor story issues, but thanks to in-depth combat and an engaging story, it kept me invested until the end. It’s a step up from Code Vein and whichever playthrough you end up choosing (if not both), Scarlet Nexus comes highly recommended.

Super Magbot is a fiendishly difficult game that builds upon its simple premise with layers upon layers of new variables to manage and timings to master. It relies on your becoming flustered and messing up, rather than making the levels all that difficult. It never asks you to do anything more than time your button presses and use the correct magnet, but that never stops it from breaking you. It's a delight, but it's also not going to be for anyone who's not interested in taking a break every ten minutes to scream at the sun.

Wildermyth is an exemplary achievement of how to integrate story and gameplay, each enhancing the other and backed by an attractive, storybook art style and stirring soundtrack. I hope to god there are more campaigns coming from the developers in the future because though there’s quite a few in there already, I don’t think I’ll be satiated on Wildermyth for a long time. After all, you never really want the best stories to end.

As warm and refreshing as it is earnest and rejuvenating, Chicory is genuinely a game like few others and a joy to play. Even if, ironically, it sometimes limits the same creative capacity it encourages, Chicory also lets you know that’s fine. Whatever anyone else might think, the adventure you play and choose to create is what matters.