Boomerang X doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it gives an underrated weapon the spotlight it deserves. With tight controls, frantic combat, and plenty of options, I had a fantastic time from beginning to end. I’d love to see what else DANG! can do with a boomerang, but this is an adventure worth taking.

While it may not be the most visually appealing experience, and its leveling curve could use a little fine-tuning, its robust deckbuilding and focus on resource management in the form of weiners is strong enough to overcome those shortcomings overall. If you’re tired of the heavyweights of the genre and want something a little quirky that really understands the fundamentals of the genre, Union of Gnomes is a worthy addition to any deckbuilding fan’s collection.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is truly unique. The novel spin-off series of a beloved yet relatively niche franchise that remained half-translated in an official capacity for over a decade, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection should give hope to players holding out for other games seemingly locked forever in the land of the rising sun. With fresh gameplay and an important story to the franchise, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is not to be skipped by any Ace Attorney fan and is a must-play for anyone even remotely interested in the genre.

Red Dead Redemption on Switch is a mostly fine port of a great game. If you’ve been dying to replay it or haven’t checked it out before, you should absolutely do so, but those who have already fully explored the old west won’t find anything new here or much reason to buy it again outside of the handheld factor. For some, though, that will be all the incentive they need.

There isn’t too much to say about Dimension Tripper Neptune: Top Nep outside of what I’ve already said. It’s a short, and incredibly stylish, arcade-style rail shooter that plays almost identically to Space Harrier. I do think, however, that this might be one of the few Neptunia titles which could bring in a larger crowd than normal. It may be entirely rooted in a very fanbase-centered meme, but it’s legitimately a fun and addictive little game—and one which deserves the attention of both arcade shooter fans and Neptunia fans.

Axe Cop isn’t perfect, but I also found it mostly charming. Sure there are additions I’d appreciate, such as items to keep foes away for a period of time. I’d also love an auto-battle option for extensive dungeons. And sure, there’s glitches and some odd design choices. But overall, this is a very solid game, and it reminded me fondly of the stuff developed by Zeboyd Games. It’s a short, linear, funny, and entertaining experience, and one sure to keep fans of the comic happy. In the end, I actually enjoyed the game more than the source material. But even if you’re not a fan and just like classic styled RPGs, I’d give Axe Cop a look.

Edge of Eternity has not only met, but surpassed my expectations in every way imaginable. It goes beyond simply being a "love letter to the classics" and has the potential to eventually become one itself someday, given that it gets a little bit of polish here and there (which I've already heard that it will be receiving, at least in part). In a gaming landscape that seems to have largely given up on many of the more traditional JRPGs, it's nice to see that there are others out there who insist on keeping it alive—and it's encouraging to see that they have the means to see things through.

Despite some frustrations when it came to keyboard controls and repeatedly starting over again with nothing, ScourgeBringer is a surprisingly chill experience considering how difficult it is. Even though I died repeatedly, I never felt like rage-quitting, which is honestly a pretty solid accomplishment. With glorious pixel art, engaging fighting sequences, and plenty of exploration, ScourgeBringer is an absolute treat for veterans of the roguelite genre who want some punishing pixel art play. If you’ve got a controller handy for your PC, I don’t see why you wouldn’t pick up this title; if not, consider getting it on console (or getting a controller) for a more seamless experience.

All things considered, though, I still had a lot of fun playing Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege. It’s a great ode to many classic NES series that plays like it was made during that era, which I suspect is the point. While the hint system is annoying and the bosses were a mixed bag, this is still a great adventure that any fan of retro games should enjoy.

Sprawl is a focused and fun boomer shooter, even though it whets your appetite for more than it ends up giving you. There’s some brilliant ambience and scenery that suggests a much richer, more complex world than you get to see in its straightforward levels, empty of people and things to do other than an army of familiar foes to kill. Nonetheless, the gunplay is top-notch, especially when mixed with some wall-running parkour action. If you’re looking for an entertaining FPS with a satisfyingly cyberpunky flavour then Sprawl is just the right implant to augment your Steam library.

I’ve been waiting for this game for a while now, and I’d say it mostly lived up to my expectations. There’s everything I love about the series here, from the characters to the challenging bosses to the well-organized systems. Sure, it’s mostly a linear experience, but there’s enough variety and sidequests to keep things fresh. And like any good Bravely Default game, there’s a handful of big twists to shock and amaze you.

A Juggler’s Tale is a short, classic storybook side-scroller that asks players if they’d prefer to let fate choose for them or to choose their own destiny. Featuring delightful mechanics set against a dark fantasy world, A Juggler’s Tale will instantly remind fans of the seventh gen era of classics like LittleBigPlanet or Puppeteer in the best possible way. If a twisted fairytale with unique mechanics, captivating aesthetics, and a fantastic story sounds thrilling, don’t sleep on A Juggler’s Tale.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes is yet another excellent offering from the masters of horror at Supermassive Games. While not every facet of its choose-your-own-adventure style narrative works, its compelling cast of characters and immense replayability will keep you coming back for more. I’ve played through the game twice in the past week, and I’m already dying to return to the underground with four friends to experience Movie Night mode. If that’s not a testament to the game’s lasting power, then I don’t know what is.

If you long for a true drop-in, drop-out FPS game and don’t mind the wavey corridors and searing color palette, there’s so much fun to be had with just a semi-procedurally generated corridor maze, some wickedly warped baddies to kill as fast as you can, and a few RNG buffs here and there. POST VOID definitely won’t be a feasible trip for everyone, but if you can stomach the demanding gameplay and get a grip on the PS4 controls, you’ll probably wind up pretty hooked on this digital drug.

Overall, Ash of Gods: The Way is an extremely enjoyable entry into an extremely crowded field, and that holds true whether you view it more as a deckbuilder or as a tactical/strategy game. Gameplay, on the whole, is engaging, challenging, and addicting, the story is fairly deep and does a good job of driving gameplay forward, and the promise of multiple endings is a strong draw for repeated playthroughs.

Episode INTERmission is a consistently fun ride while it lasts, even if much of it doesn’t feel essential. For those who are buying Intergrade on PS5, there’s no reason not to check it out as it’s included. For those playing a PS5 upgrade of the PS4 version, who will have to purchase this episode, things get a bit trickier. I’d recommend it but do keep in mind what you’re getting. Even a completionist will likely blow through this in a few days. As long as you understand what you’re getting, though, I have a hard time imagining anyone who enjoyed Final Fantasy VII Remake not having a great time getting to know Yuffie.

I have my issues with some of the pacing choices in MIO: Memories in Orbit, particularly in the game’s early hours, and I think some of its systems don’t add much to the overall experience, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is a beautifully made Metroidvania which always feels excellent in your hands and which makes a lot of smart design choices. Fans who have finished Silksong and are craving their next fix should absolutely give it a look.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a lot of games quite like Invector: Rhythm Galaxy, and this is the kind of dopamine injection I feel the genre was in need of for a while. The feel of sweeping across alien landscapes with some sick tunes in the backdrop while handling fast and furious rhythm action all flows so well together… once you get the hang of doing it. If you’ve dived into ship-based rhythm romps like Audiosurf and Amplitude, you’ll be happy to know that Invector: Rhythm Galaxy is right up that same alley, and is absolutely just as much of a blast to play, doing exactly what these types of music/rhythm games do best.

An episodic experience made throughout 2020 with the help of audience members, How to Win: Season One picks apart the confluence of events that were responsible for its very existence. It has the ability to hit all players differently, serving as a few hours of entertainment through dark humor or as a wake-up call for those wondering where to start effecting change; with that being said, all players will be able to come away feeling like they participated in a theatre experience in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, which really makes this game one of a kind. If you want some sort of gaming testament to the weird times we’re clawing our way out of or just want something seriously unique, don’t sleep on How to Win: Season One.

Manifold Garden is a serotonin-inducing triumph of a puzzle game that will captivate anyone who loves abstract aesthetics. Every single frame of this game is a screenshot, and every puzzle one that challenges the brain to think of the world in a more incorporeal manner. If M.C. Escher is your favorite MC, Manifold Garden is an absolute must-play, and I cannot envision a better platform for this geometric garden than PC.

New World: Aeternum is a promising action RPG/MMORPG hybrid that offers accessible and flexible combat and progression systems that are a blast to dig into and make those initial hours spent leveling and exploring the island of Aeternum a pure joy.

Stick Fight: The Game is a case study in simplistic but smart game design. It’s an over the top, bombastic, and raucous fight that will leave you laughing and swearing in equal amounts. Who knew a game with stick figures could be so ridiculously fun?

T-Minus 30 has one of the most interesting concepts I’ve seen this year backed up by balanced, frenetic, and fun gameplay. It really is quite the experience to spend 30 minutes building up your city to the tune of tens or even hundreds of thousands of people, only to watch them all jettison themselves off into the cold and desolate vastness of space in the last ten seconds. If you’re looking for a completely different city-builder that will pose a uniquely fast-paced challenge, all T-Minus 30 asks for is ten bucks and half an hour of your time.

Jett: The Far Shore provides a truly otherworldly experience. With a unique look, stunning soundtrack, and a ship that controls like a dream, strap in and fulfill Jao's directive. Late game choices take the wind out of things a bit, but I still recommend taking a journey on the far shore.

Recommending Vigil: The Longest Night is incredibly simple: if you’re a fan of Metroidvanias and you loved Salt and Sanctuary, you can’t afford to pass this one up. With a stunning art style and design that delivers all the right spooky notes and diverse boss battle tactics, Vigil: The Longest Night has my vote for one of the greatest hidden gems of 2020.

Even when it frustrated me at times, though, Jusant consistently had me wanting to keep going up. Whether it was uncovering another bit of lore about this world, seeing what beautiful scenery was over the next ridge, or simply the joy of finding that next handhold, Jusant kept me engaged from start to finish. A sequel that offers a longer experience that better utilizes its abilities could be even better, but anyone wanting to see how compelling a game can be without needing to bring combat into the equation should absolutely check it out.

Boyfriend Dungeon is a good example of a great, unique game that’s an awesome experience in spite of its flaws. It’s by no means a perfect game. Boyfriend Dungeon has incredible character development, tackles difficult subject matter, has absolutely gorgeous artwork and a killer soundtrack, and is more than addicting enough to get you going back for more and more. And that’s in spite of the lackluster, repetitive, and limited dungeon crawling options available to you. It’s quite unlike any game I’ve ever played, in the best of ways.

When The Past Was Around is the lovely bookend to 2020 for me; when coupled with January’s Coffee Talk, I’m reminded that there are plenty of cozy games that provide extreme comfort no matter what their genre. While I do wish I had experienced this game on PC or even the Switch due to the small text on TV, I’m thrilled that I got to experience it at all. As a wise man once said: “It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all, and it is better to play When The Past Was Around on console than to have never played it at all.” Heed those words and be sure to pick up When The Past Was Around on the platform of your choice as soon as possible.