At the end of the day, SkyDrift Infinity accomplishes just what it sets out to do. It’s a fast, frenetic, and furiously fun arcade racing experience. With a wide selection of planes to unlock and addicting multiplayer (at least in local play), it’s sure to be a hit at your next gaming get-together. So if you’re a fan of the arcade racers of the 90s or simply missed SkyDrift Infinity when it was first released, there’s never been a better time to earn your wings.

Honestly, I just wish I could have spent more time with SPOOKWARE Episode 1. I managed to roll the credits in just 3 hours, and though I have achievements to unlock still, I’d much rather wait for the next episode. My only question now is whether those subsequent episodes will be free downloads to owners of the game, or whether they’ll each go for a premium. Either way, SPOOKWARE is a game that’s quite entertaining and sure to appeal to fans of WarioWare. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait too much longer for Episode 2.

Anagrams is casual yet strategic, chill yet vibrant, and really, really hard to quit. Who would have thought that mixing matching games with anagrams would work so well together? With 1,400+ levels spread across four different game modes, it doesn’t need to be spelled out that Anagrams will keep word nerds entertained for hours on end. Whether you play it in short spurts before bed or marathon it all day, Anagrams is the word game your brain deserves.

Despite or maybe because of the intense moral choices the game forces on you, it’s hard to stop playing My Lovely Wife. I didn’t get up for at least an hour after starting my first session and reached my first ending a couple of hours later. While the subject material found herein is heavy and dark, the story and setting are nevertheless compelling and downright addictive. Even though I’ve never played the previous game, My Lovely Daughter, I’m sold on My Lovely Wife. If you’re a fan of dark and fascinating Visual Novels, this is your game.

Altogether, I really enjoyed playing Bahnsen Knights, and feel it’s a good way to end this current Pixel Pulps trilogy. Though it’s not perfect, and makes some of the same missteps as previous games, it’s still well written and full of angsty sights and sounds. I highly recommend playing it on Nintendo Switch, since it’s the closest you can get to replicating the feel of holding a book in your hands and choosing your own adventure. A rousing apocalyptic finale well worth your time.

A compelling tale about a psychological breakdown and loss brought to life with a vibrant comic book art style, there’s a lot to like about this debut. For a first release, it’s a pretty fantastic job, despite a few minor hiccups.

Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG is finally emerging from its nearly two year Early Access period and is all the better for its time spent in player-engaged development. Fans of Fallout 1 and 2 and Shadowrun are going to immediately fall in love with what Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG has to offer them, from its impressive character creation to vast world-building, from its ambient aesthetics to its divergent storytelling, and every nook and cranny worth exploring in between. You may be stuck underneath this Dome for the rest of your life, but rest assured you’ll be far too busy living your best post-apocalyptic life to care about anything outside of it anyway.

Despite my gripes with pacing and some insane difficulty spikes when it comes to platforming, Blast Brigade is a true gem and a fantastic addition to the genre. The stellar presentation is a delightful send-up to 80’s action and Saturday morning cartoons, creating a Metroidvania that truly manages to feel unique despite being part of perhaps one of the most saturated genres in gaming. If like me, you’re a fan of tight gunplay, rewarding exploration, and things stuffed with 80’s charm, then you’ll likely consider Blast Brigade to be twenty hours of your time well spent.

A creative and clever experience from start to finish, Dungeons of Dreadrock simply should not be missed. It’s a brilliant little puzzler and an endearing homage to both dungeon crawlers and action-puzzlers. Just be prepared to die, and remember, there’s no shame in getting a hint or two (or five).

As someone that was curious about the first iteration of the game, I’m happy to have reviewed Horgihugh and Friends. It’s easily the definitive edition of the game, a charming and challenging Shmup that is well balanced and forgiving to newer players. While boss battles are the highlight, you’ll still have a lot of fun blasting your way through the Gozarean hordes—a game I can easily recommend to fans of the genre.

Some of the same problems that the original had are still present here. However, with a far stronger story featuring a fantastic tone and better characters, they’re a lot easier to forgive. It definitely works best after playing the original, but if you only want to play one of these titles, jump right to The Girl Who Stands Behind. It’s a story well worth your time, even after all these years.

While I’m a bit surprised by the fact Cross Blitz still has more story to tell, I’d also be lying if I said I wasn’t a fan of the game. I had no real familiarity with the developer, Tako Boy Studios, before playing this game, but now I’m definitely a fan. This is a robust, complex and challenging digital card game, and one I’d be happy to play on consoles. Here’s hoping it finds a satisfying way to end this journey sometime very soon.

Despite some unnecessary padding and a combat system that takes a little too long to get into full swing, F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch is a compelling and thrilling journey from beginning to end. A stunning world, engaging narrative, and rewarding exploration all combine to create one of the most immersive experiences to grace the genre in quite some time.

Much like Tevi herself, the game is a bit of a work in progress. There’s good and there’s bad, but overall I feel the good outweighs the bad. It’s a fun, challenging, original game with amazing art and wonderful characters. Yes, there’s also elements that felt rougher, but none so egregious it held the entire experience back. If you’re willing to put in the time, you’ll find a great adventure here.

This game's impressive just by virtue of it being Massive Work Studios' first. But it wouldn't be fair to only give it credit for that reason. Dolmen is a fun, and exciting cosmic horror-themed soulslike whose unique (and successful!) inclusion of ranged combat helps it to stand out from its peers. If this is just the beginning of what Massive Work Studios have to offer, I can't wait to see what's in store for us down the road.

Hellfire is an incredibly engaging SHMUP with a unique weapon system, exciting environments to traverse, and plenty of challenge. Its fantastic soundtrack and interesting look make it a memorable experience that I would encourage any fan of the genre to check out. Just be prepared to die. A lot.

Svoboda 1945: Liberation is a fascinating deep dive into post-war Czechia that asks players to consider if everything is worth saving or if some things are better left in the past. Its use of mixed media, including FMV, historical footage, comics, and mini-games provides a unique approach to learning that I hope is replicated in many more educational games. Although the sheer amount of information can be a bit to take in for those completely unaware of the topic, it’s an educational experience everyone would be richer for having. If you love history and are ready for an emotionally impactful title that asks tough questions and dives headfirst into controversial conversations, be sure to check out Svoboda 1945: Liberation.

As a love letter to classic PS1 survival horror games, Signalis comes in crystal clear. Its core gameplay loop is tense and immensely satisfying, and the atmosphere and enemy designs make excellent use of the pixellated graphical style. While some errant hit detection and occasionally obtuse puzzles try to muddle this signal, this is one broadcast worth receiving.

Aquanox Deep Descent is a very welcome return for an underrated series. In this era of modern re-imaginings, this game delivers in introducing Aquanox’s world to a new generation of players. The movement may be slightly cumbersome and things may get a bit hard, but it always manages to be engaging and fun. The world and story, combined with the solid multiplayer elements for both PvP and co-op, make this a well-rounded experience and essential purchase for fans of six degrees of freedom-type shooting games. If you’re interesting in dipping your toes in its waters, swim on over here to check it out.

Featuring a visually appealing graphical overhaul and the addition of extra modes to enjoy, there’s absolutely no reason why any farmer worth their salt should overlook Rune Factory 3 Special. The latest installment in the Rune Factory franchise may be a re-release of a 13-year-old game, but don’t let that stop you from diving into this cornucopia of fun.

PAYDAY 3 isn’t the seismic improvement over PAYDAY 2 many might have been hoping for, but it is a refinement of the formula with a few fun new additions. Though the number of heists is currently at a modest number, they have a decent amount of replayability whether you use meticulous stealth or go in guns blazing. Despite a very troubled opening week, there are firm foundations for lots more heisting content to come here. Chains, Dallas, Wolf and Hoxton have come out of their latest heist with some scars to show for it, but with a few bags full of cash nonetheless.

Despite the shallow narrative and somewhat redundant progression systems giving rise to doubts about the overall mass-market appeal, there’s no denying that Behaviour Interactive Inc. has absolutely stuck the landing here with Meet Your Maker. The tension fuelled raiding, accessible base building, and a steady stream of new content coming in via the user-generated levels result in a package that’s fiendishly addictive and incredibly difficult to put down. If you aren’t someone who needs a constantly dangling carrot on a stick to chase, and, like myself, still find gameplay to be king, then this is one trip to the wastelands you certainly won’t want to miss.

Dread Hunger is marketed as far more… well, dreadful… than it actually is; instead of being forced into a psychologically tense situation with 7 other strangers, I found myself laughing at the ridiculous situations we consistently ended up in. White the Northwest Passage may be frigid, players can slowly warm up to Dread Hunger and all it has to offer with addicting gameplay that’ll make it hard to stop even after playing the day away. No longer do Frostpunk and Among Us pass silently through the night; Dread Hunger mixes elements of both together that’ll have even the pickiest of players come aboard.

I’d have loved to see Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven lean into its generational aspects a bit harder. While combat is excellent and exploring this world is rewarding, after the initial chapters, it would have been great to feel more connected to my party. Still, I had a great time going through this Kingdom, taking down the seven one by one, and bringing peace back to the land. RPG fans are almost certainly feeling a time crunch with so many excellent games released in the genre recently, but Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is yet another title worth finding the time for.

As a fan of the Shantae games, I was delighted to play this sports-themed adventure by the same team. It’s not perfect, featuring some occasionally irritating controls and hard-to-read instructions. But with a bit of patience, you’ll find a solid adventure that reminds you not just why WayForward is such a great company, but why the Game Boy Color was such a classic system. If you’re at all a fan of retro or just want to play a simple and fun collection of mini-games, I’d definitely check Xtreme Sports out.

For what it’s trying to accomplish and how it layered the subject matter, CRASH: Autodrive is truly deep for just how short it is. Of course, therein lies the clincher — as it has stated numerous times, it is, indeed, short. There’s plenty to investigate, a few mini-games, a couple of false leads, and tons of flavor text that really flesh out the world of 2027 Philadelphia, but this game is less a full meal and more of a perfectly portioned dish you might order at a Michelin Star restaurant — it’s small, but rich, and those who appreciate the flavors will know when it’s time to stop eating.

Ghostrunner 2 is an example of a model sequel that improves on almost every facet of the first game. Yes, the dark, concrete arenas and rooftops grow stale, and there’s still more room to make the characters and story more substantial, but what’s here is refined and even more badass than what came before. If the first Ghostrunner put you off, you should give this one a slash.

Despite only offering minor updates, I still wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the LUNAR Remastered Collection to any fan of RPGs who hasn’t played these great games. I still absolutely love both of these games. Even after all these years, they are well-paced adventures filled with a lot of heart and excellent characters who are highly memorable. It would have been great to see LUNAR once more get the red-carpet treatment, but just having these games easily accessible to modern audiences is a major win.