Legend of Grimrock II is better than the original in every regard: more freedom, better character progression, better enemies, better puzzles and better environmental variety. Those who liked the first one will definitely love the sequel!

I have enjoyed Starfield and will continue to do so as I clock up the hours, completing my huge list of unfinished quests. But I also enjoyed the various instalments of Fallout, and Starfield feels very much like a Fallout game with a space skin and with space combat. But even then, the space combat can be somewhat diminished with the Fast Travel option. The Fast Travel also reduces the exploration that players often find enjoyable in grand scale RPGs such as this. Starfield does have its minor issues, but it does plenty of things right. The combat is smooth and satisfying, the crafting enables players to improve their equipment in a relatively easy way and the game’s soundtrack is superb, ultimately setting the tone for an enjoyable experience that has you scouring the galaxy for a series of artifacts.

While playing Paradigm, I was having recollections of playing some of my favourite games of yesteryear. The surreal, yet hilarious characters could definitely become memorable pop-culture icons if this was made by a Triple-A development team with their huge marketing budgets. Paradigm does so many of the things that the golden era of point and click adventures did so well and makes it a worthwhile addition to the genre. The puzzles, the humorous storyline and characters, the fully voiced dialogue, the wonderful, somewhat retro visuals all combine to make Paradigm a modern day classic of its own. I sincerely hope that developer Jacob Janerka sees fit to produce a follow up title.

Once I got going, I found it hard to stop running, jumping, sliding and smashing my way through the hundred and twenty levels Runner 2 had to offer. The gorgeous visuals combined with the fantastic soundtrack and addictive gameplay make this an excellent game, and it is great value for money.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Complete Pack really is the ultimate Van Helsing experience. It offers all the attractions of the original game, adding enough new flavor to keep you coming back for more.

When Doom: The Dark Ages plays to its strengths, it is the ultimate in destruction. The mechanics of the Shield Saw work amazingly well, bringing something different to the series, and combined with the iconic Doom weaponry, provide for a smooth combat experience. And although the sections with the Atlan mech and the cybernetic dragon aren't as entertaining as the main combat phases, they are still enjoyable. The awesome soundtrack gets the heart pumping and sets the tone perfectly, whilst the visuals look stunning, with the cutscenes doing a wonderful job of continuing the story. A word of warning though, Doom: The Dark Ages does require a decent PC to run even on minimum. Indeed, if you were hoping to play on the go with a Steam Deck you will be disappointed. But if you have the system to play it, and enjoy shooters then Doom: The Dark Ages should definitely be on your must-play list.

Once you've become accustomed to the pace of play and mechanics, Solium Infernum is a charming and strategic game. If you can get over the slow movement and learn the rules, you'll find an engaging grand strategy game that is rewarding on subsequent playthroughs. And, if you've got a few friends to betray, the overall experience becomes heightened. I struggled with that pacing at times, but after sinking more time into it the hurdles because less and less imposing. The only problem is you have to spend that amount of time over a series of rounds, rather than a long one or two.

It is elegant gameplay combined with a nice social commentary on the side which makes it unique, and I can’t recall the number of times I smiled as I performed a perfect combo.

Gripes with the latter stages aside, Shovel Knight is still a fantastic game.

If you want complex, tactical combat, and a fascinating story told in a unique style, you’ll get a lot from Valkyria Chronicles.

Nioh 3 does it all. And just when you think it has finished doing things, it does some more. Frequently the combat feels akin to a fighting game, the loot and systems surrounding it are reminiscent of true ARPGs, and, of course, it's a soulslike at its core. Yet even as it is doing the most, it takes great pains to ensure the player has all the information they need. While the open-world formula is a little clunky in execution, it remains strong in so many other areas, so it overshadows those shortcomings quite a bit. And the game wraps all of its systems and mechanics in beautiful recreations of historic Japan that are both visually and audibly enjoyable. It's time for Nioh to come out from under the games that inspired it in the first place, and Nioh 3 is proof of that. It's a combat delight through its worlds, with two fighting styles seamlessly blended together, even as it offers a nearly endless stream of challenges and expectations.

As a first entry in a five episode series, The Wolf Among Us: Faith is an exciting game.

It’s silly, but in a way everyone can enjoy, and most importantly, it’s a lot of fun to play with friends. Which is fitting, because that’s what the game is all about: friendship.

Dragon Ball FighterZ is a great game that should be an automatic purchase for any fans of the Dragon Ball franchise, and is worth a hard look from anyone that may be intimidated to jump into their first fighting game. It’s too early to make claims about the game’s longevity, balance, and online community, but the pieces are certainly in place to for the game to have some legs.

I honestly had a blast with Death's Door, with the only major problem I ran into being some save file problems. Admittedly, playing a pre-release version of the game could have had something to do with that. The game is not phenomenally long, sitting at around twelve or so hours, with the chance of it being even less if you have fewer issues with the somewhat unforgiving nature of the game. There’s also no difficulty scaler which may turn off some players who want a slightly less difficult playthrough. If you too like to roll on the darker side of life, or death if you will, give this game a chance!

Skate Story isn't particularly difficult or demanding of skill, and that works in its favour. Rather than worrying about completing board rotations in time to get the wheels on the ground, the focus is on the path ahead in a way that feels like our demon skater was something of an expert in their past life. This helps make the animations look tight, the gameplay flows through levels, and the initially-scary timing mechanic becomes second-nature. At a certain point the feel of those trick patterns overtakes the visuals, but even without hitting the sweet spot you're still skating like the best of them. I just wanted more to do with all of it. The existing levels are great, but without the ability to play any one of them on-demand it means sitting through dialogue that goes a tiny bit slower than I would like, pushing and Ollie-ing tutorials, and all the other first-timer experiences again and again. But still I do it. Perhaps as I go through more of the story will continue to break through the obscurity it's baked in, and maybe I'll find those missing collectables, but all of that is supplemental, because Skate Story's unique approach to skateboarding feels, looks, and sounds great.

The Alters does exactly what great sci-fi stories do: it uses the fantasy of future technology to have conversations that are timeless. It didn't need to be absurd, it didn't need to be existential, but it is at times both, and so much more. The conversations and relationships represent the true experience, but the management aspects hold their weight, too. Even though it stumbles over those heady conversations at times, either as a result of the writing itself or because stitching together disparate pieces in a video game sometimes ends up like that, it's about so much more than those individual moments. Parts of the gameplay don't reach the same heights, particularly when it comes to base building with minimal benefits, but The Alters is satisfying from so many angles when it comes to management and survival that it's difficult not to recommend it. More than that, though, it's forgiving enough with those mechanics that it becomes a must-play for just about anyone. Much like Jan Dolski, I thought I was going to struggle to survive, but I ended up thriving.

Despite the occasional control annoyance and underdeveloped trait system, this is a fantastic game that I am going to spend many more hours with to continue building my legacy.

The old System Shock was not the easiest game to get immersed in and that was mostly due to its controls. The overhaul makes the game infinitely more enjoyable simply by virtue of no longer needing to struggle with these.

Three Kingdoms is the most divergent Total War I’ve seen since Total War: Warhammer. I would in fact call it the first post-Warhammer historical installment, taking what is good in fantasy and using it to compliment the historical components of the game. On top of that, it revamps both diplomacy and spying, two aspects of the series that desperately needed updating.

Thronebreaker is a pretty decent RPG and an interesting exploration into previously unseen parts of the Witcherverse, but to avoid dullness in the long term it needs to introduce more cards and a greater degree of consequence for player choices, especially those who go in head first, trying to bite off more than they can chew. I think The Witcher Tales will have to resolve the disparities caused by being both Witcher Tales the RPG and Witcher Tales the card-game, to truly achieve greatness in future installments.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew doesn't necessarily excel at either its narrative or character-related RPG beats, but it does enough to get by, while its gameplay carries it to safe harbour.

The biggest reason to pass on Lost Crown is the price tag. In a world where the greatest Metroidvania of all time (Hollow Knight for those wondering) sold for $15 at launch, charging $50 for a Metroidvania is a bold strategy. While Lost Crown is a solid game, at that price point I would advise most people to wait for a sale and pick up Hollow Knight, Lost Ruins, AfterImage, or Doomblade if you haven't already. Still, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is worth a purchase if you have extra cash sitting around and have already played all the aforementioned titles.

The only negative I could give is that the game often clips between sound files quite abruptly when you transition between rooms, opting to go without a cross-fade between tracks. This stands out in a game that is otherwise highly polished towards its very focused experience. Though it is brief, with my playthrough taking 3 hours, Manifold Garden has taken root as one of my favourite game experiences this year.

The variety and attention to detail in a game about repetition is quite incredible. At times decisions you make will even influence future gameplay.

DOOM is a must own for veterans of the series, and any FPS fans in general.

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a resounding success. It maintains the dizzying complexity Anno fans crave but packages it within an elegantly streamlined system and a truly mesmerizing aesthetic. The economic juggling act between class needs and production chains is deeply rewarding, and the management of trade routes is an engrossing sub-game in itself. For players seeking a sophisticated, visually stunning simulation that demands strategic patience and logistical prowess, your new empire awaits.

Taking a position on this game has been very difficult, as on one hand I am an unapologetic day one fan of both prior Two Point games, and there is much in this newest entry's foundation that I do appreciate. However, the redoubled severity of the micromanagement required in order to play, in combination with the often-shoddy AI, makes playing a thoroughly unenjoyable experience. I admire the Two Point team's vision for what they likely intended this game to be, while also standing firm in my decision not to recommend it to players at this time. Take the time to instead go back and start a new run of Two Point Campus. It's well worth another go.

It may be a mixed bag of hits and misses, but when all of those misses have nothing to do with the gameplay itself, that's a very good thing.

Pinball FX2 is just good fun if you fancy a quick game of pinball. The ball physics are great, the visuals are top notch and, barring some dodgy voice acting here and there, the audio adds to the experience too.

With each successful run taking no longer than twenty minutes, Ball x Pit is perfectly paced. It's ideal for a quick session, making it a dream pairing for a handheld device like the SteamDeck, ready to consume your daily commute. But be warned: the loop is so tight and the rewards so constant that Ball x Pit will inevitably consume far more than just your travel time. It's an exceptionally polished game that understands the fundamental mechanics of player compulsion, delivering a roguelike experience that you simply won't want to put down.

If you’re looking for a deep sim, this game isn’t going to be quite deep enough to satiate your hunger. If you’re looking for constant guided goals and challenges, you’ll run out soon enough. Where Planet Coaster’s long-term legs are going to reside is with the people like me that simply enjoy the thrill of the build. It’s easy to sink hours into, even if you’re just trying to design a building or tweak some scenery. Quite simply, it’s the sequel that RollerCoaster Tycoon games of yore really deserve.

Red Hook Studios' Darkest Dungeon is one of the most compelling Lovecraftian video games ever made.

I think the Rise of the Tomb Kings DLC is as successful as Norsca; it gives us a race who not only add re-playability to the original campaign, but bring their own flavour. The race-specific mechanics make their campaign feel unique, especially the lack of army upkeep, which pushes the boat out and will necessitate most Total War players rethinking their strategy. This is a good omen for the future of Total War: Warhammer 2. It shows us that even though the Mortal Empires campaign still needs work, that even though Norsca won’t be added till May, CA is still keeping what’s important in sight. They are sticking to their formula of race-specific mechanics, based on lore, to create a distinct playable experience. And I think Rise of the Tomb Kings is another example of that successful formula.

Frostpunk is special, it’s one of a kind in that the game is used as a vehicle to convey a message in a way that most games can’t even aspire to achieve. You’ll switch of your PC after a session and walk off filled with what if’s and that is an amazing experience. Few developers understand how to play the heart strings well, but 11 bit studios are proving themselves to be the orchestra conductor.

This game is mildly different from the previous FM game and that’s because it is very difficult to improve something that is already great. If you love the game of soccer, go out and get a copy of Football Manager 2020. It’s that good.

Streets of Rage 4 has taken a bold step into a new age of gaming and it’s landed well. As a sequel, it carries on the legacy well with a stylish lick of paint to please even the most scrupulous of fans. Its pleasing to know that titles, no matter how old, can be adapted with such care and attention to recreate all of those stirrings it invoked long ago, but for a different audience in a different time. And times most assuredly are different.

There are refinements still to be made but Black Flag is a stunning return to form worthy of any gamer’s time.

A game like this shouldn't be that long anyway, as with action platformers like this I have a preference for a small number of highly distinct and memorable levels. Ragebound delivers on this and gives more than sufficient reason for multiple play-throughs.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge could have been a nostalgic cash grab, but it is instead a wonderful side-scrolling beat-em-up that acts as a love letter to the entire genre. The game is made better by its license and fan-service references, but, beneath all that, it's an excellently crafted game that stands on its own merits. It’s a short game with a lot of replay value, and it’s worth the price of admissions for anyone with even a passing interest in what it offers.

Tales of Arise is a solid entry into the series, yet I would be wary about recommending it to new players. Sure, you get some nice gameplay refinements and flashy graphics (indeed, it’s probably the best-looking game in the series hands down) but it hardly seems worth the $60 price tag, at least not when previous entries regularly go on sale $8 - $15. As I mentioned above, not that much has changed with the Tales series over the years, so there’s no reason to start with the newest and most expensive entry. However, if you’ve played and enjoyed previous entries in past, Tales of Arise becomes an easy recommendation as it showcases much of what makes the franchise so charming.

SOMA may not be the horror game I was hoping for, but what I got was still a very enjoyable experience.

Not really all that puzzling because the main drawback to Boxes: Lost Fragments isn't about its value as a puzzle game, it's about something else. More likely it could be the confusion in how close the game resembles The Room in both look and gameplay. Since the original publisher of the 2012 iOS and android The Room, Fireproof appeared to be "working with limited finances while providing art assets to other publishers" they could have been encouraging other indie developers to continue their work because they couldn't do it themselves. If that is indeed the case, then kudos to all of the people past and present that have worked on this game; because all I can say is that Boxes: Lost Fragments is a winner! At least where boxes with puzzles are concerned it is an excellent experience!

With its minimalist pixel art aesthetic, Anomaly Agent crafts a cyberpunk dystopian world with neon lights and flying cars. It is reminiscent of films like Blade Runner, even to the point where your character is an agent hunting down replicant-like clones. Much like other games in the genre, Anomaly Agent is only as good as you make it. Its catchy synthwave beats and blood splattered chunky pixel violence are akin to other indie darling Hotline Miami, but Anomaly Agent isn't just a, pun intended, clone of previous media, but an intriguing anomaly with a lot of heart that is worth the journey, however brief. If you're looking for a fun action platformer, with a sci-fi story that has fun with the genre, then do yourself a favour and check out this little gem.

I had extremely high expectations for Fallout 4. I was so concerned that Fallout 4 might not live up to them that I nearly ran back to Fallout 3 and forget about the whole thing. Fallout 4 does not just live up to the expectations, it surpasses it.

Not only does Dynasty Warriors: Origins feel like the ultimate realization of an idea hatched more than two decades ago, it does so by exploring outside of its own series roots and evolution, and doesn't make any "let's make it open world" type mistakes. It leverages a ton of modern tech to create great looking battles featuring hundreds of soldiers, all while keeping the performance high.

In terms of sheer number of game modes, FIFA is unmatched, and The Journey alone is enough to warrant a badge of recommendation. Hopefully future iterations of the game won’t just be rehashing the same story told this year. The PC version of the game is having technical issues at the moment, but if these can be ironed out, then the online modes are a great deal of fun too.

In short, Project CARS 2 is the ultimate hardcore racing experience. Be warned though, this game is hard, and to get the most out of it you will probably need to be a racing fan, or at least be knowledgeable about how motorsport works. This is not an arcade game where you will be powersliding around corners. In fact if you’re sliding at all, you will probably be at the back of the pack in no time. If you can stick with it and get really good at it though, you will be rewarded with a very high quality experience.

When I heard that the Assassin’s Creed series was heading to Egypt, I was cautious. My love for the subject matter meant that I would probably scrutinize the game more than if another location in time and space was selected. But the two year wait between games has meant that a well-researched product with smooth controls, interesting quests and a gorgeous visual experience has been delivered. Assassin’s Creed Origins is clearly my new favourite in the series. And, I still have Egypt on my bucket list, but Assassin’s Creed Origins has satisfied my appetite in the meantime.

There seems to be enough updates to make Football Manager 2024 a worthwhile sports manager franchise game to have, and I give it two thumbs up!

Strategy games aren’t normally on the top of my to-play list, but I liked this game. Ultimate General: Gettysburg does a great job of being simple enough for anyone to learn in a short sitting, but deep enough to keep you learning and perfecting your tactics deep into subsequent playthroughs.

Yoku's Island Express is a game that's full of surprises and charm. It kept me on my toes with its unique mechanics and visuals, and I'm very happy that the pinball aspects never became taxing. If pinball isn't quite your thing but you love casual adventure or metroidvania games, I think you'll enjoy Yoku's Island Express immensely.

Two Point Hospital doesn’t change a whole lot, but I don’t think it necessarily had to; the best kind of spiritual successor is often one that channels the original, yet remains fresh and adds just a dash of innovation. Two Point adds that freshness in graphics and art style, as well as a whole host of new illnesses and challenges, but also channels the wackiness that was so prevalent in Theme Hospital. It makes me excited to see what successful Bullfrog re-imaginings we might see in the future of Two Point Studios.

Gunpoint is fun, innovative, simple, engaging and a whole host of adjectives that would take far too much time to write out. So I will say this instead: Play this game because you won’t regret it.

Somehow Treyarch surprised us, and when we all thought we had seen everything Call of Duty had to offer, they brought us something new and exciting, yet familiar. I hope the other studios in the franchise follow their lead and innovate as much as we've been shown here. Forgive me for being a cliché for a moment, but this is the best Call of Duty in a long time, and I'm excited for what Treyarch does next.

Life is Strange 2 is very much what the player makes of it. As you move through the world, trying your best to educate Daniel, you are creating a future to be realised, often painful and bittersweet, but also wonderful.

Blasphemous 2 is built on the back of the insanely funded Kickstarter success of the first game, with improved visuals, an even more cohesive art style that still evokes Francisco Goya and Spanish history, more fluid animations, and an extra step up in the music and voice acting. It really is an improvement in every way, and does so without forgoing what made the introduction special. While intimate knowledge of the original entry is not required, it serves to enhance both the world of Blasphemous and the story of the Penitent One. Throw in The Game Kitchen's house-made documentary for good measure, and you've got an enthralling franchise of mystery, misery, and history, capped off by not only one of the best games of its genre, but a fine entry in all of gaming. Any shortcomings be damned, as its stellar elements do more than repent for them.

Four Last Things is a short, silly, entertaining point-and-click adventure game that pays homage to the genre’s late 80’s roots with a sprinkle of that decade’s funnybone-dust, all wrapped up in a renaissance aesthetic style that makes the experience unique. If you can look past the miniscule production values, and if you’re a big enough Pythonian a heart, you’ll sink right into Four Last Things.

The game mechanics all work remarkably well, from hacking (despite it being a little repetitive after going through the same process dozens of times) to the cover system, to the various forms of combat, resulting in a game that has a poignant narrative whilst still being enjoyable to play.

The Summerset expansion pack brings a lot of quests, an enormous map to explore, and some pretty nifty skills and abilities to the table and I recommend anyone playing ESO pick it up post-haste.

In all, Hogwarts Legacy is exactly the game that Harry Potter fans have been craving since they first experienced the Wizarding World, with a wonderful presentation and a world full of life and magic that encourages exploration. Learn spells, travel the open world, solve puzzles, and perhaps help decide the destiny of the Wizarding World with your peculiar abilities. For anyone that knows and loves the series, Hogwarts Legacy is a dream come true - and even if you aren't as much of a fan the game has plenty to offer and may even make a fan of you yet!

Minor quibbles aside, Horizon Chase 2 is a fantastic arcade racer that delivers exactly what it promises: pure, unadulterated fun. If you're yearning for the days of Outrun or Daytona USA or simply want a fast-paced, pick-up-and-play racing experience, then Horizon Chase 2 is a must-have. With simple controls, the pumping mix of synthwave and electronic beats that play in the background, racing in a variety of locations, and the opportunity to play on the couch with four players locally, ensures that Horizon Chase 2 is a fun party racer for all ages. It might not be the deepest game on the block, but it's enough to keep you coming back for that next adrenaline rush.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is still a welcome return to one of the greatest games ever made. Unless you specifically want to experience Snake Eater exactly as it was in the early 2000s, this is the version to play. It is the best-looking and best-playing release among all the ports, remasters, and remakes. If you've never played it before, it is an easy recommendation — Snake Eater has aged like fine wine, and Delta makes it taste just a little better.

Between the unlocked artwork, dev notes, and over 300 original bangers in the music player, this is a celebration of retro fighting games. A celebration that proves these games will never not be legendary.

Curse of the Vampire Coast has an excellent roster of units, lords and monsters who all fight with a wonderful symbiosis we’ve rarely seen before. But, unfortunately, the campaign leaves something to be desired, and feels far less mechanically focused than previous race-packs.

Divide by Sheep is a fantastically addictive example of modern puzzle gaming.

Revengeance isn’t a perfect game but it sure is a fun one, and it made the jump to PC with ease.

Although frustratingly hard in places, most of the time Monaco is a delight to play. It looks great, has a wonderfully fitting soundtrack, and has simple gameplay while maintaining a high level of precision required to be really successful.

In all, Reunion is a fun way to revisit the universe of Final Fantasy VII and let players experience some of the events that would eventually lead to the main story that gamers have known and loved for over 20 years. Reunion is a fantastic remastering that lets a new generation of players witness more of the stories within Midgar and allows for even more build up throughout the series as the next release looms ever closer. For anyone even somewhat interested in this world, whether they're first time grunts entering Midgar for the first time, or SOLDIER 1st Class who have played either the original or other games in the series of FFVII, this game provides a good way to experience a world of science and magic merging, and starts a tragic tale that has lived in gamer's hearts ever since the initial release in 1997.

If you’re a die-hard strategy fan looking for something different, or if you thought Theme Hospital was fun but lacked shivving and power drill-wielding inmates, then this game is definitely worth a look.

Ape Out is a simple game, but one with the polish and charm to make it work. Perfectly embodying the mantra of “easy to learn, tough to master,” as the game’s significant difficulty attests too. It’s not a game that’ll you’ll want to play for hours straight, but it’s the perfect game to pop into now and again to harness your inner raging beast.

Katana Zero is on the short side, but it uses every minute of its 5-6 hour run-time well, packed to the brim with satisfying carnage and a brain-bending narrative. It’s not often that a game so completely blindsides me, entering my radar and winning me over so quickly, and it’s a wonderful feeling when it happens. In fact, my only gripe, and it’s incredibly minor, is that I wish there was just a little bit more of it to love. I have no hesitations about recommending this game for just about everyone.

With the first week starting to wind down, overall I’m happy with World of Warcraft’s latest expansion. Shadowlands allowing players to dive into the realms beyond life is an incredible adventure, and one I’m eager to watch play out over time. That being said, I have to be incredibly cautious this time around. Warlords of Draenor and Legion felt like incredible rides the whole way through, but Battle for Azeroth hit some serious snags over the course of its lifespan that may have left a sour taste in the mouths of gamers. That being said, at the moment I think World of Warcraft: Shadowlands earns optimistic praise with plenty of room to grow going forward. I do think this will start a trend for me of posting my thoughts about the state of the game going forward as future major patches roll out to give the readers a more accurate representation through Shadowland’s lifespan.

Abzu gives off the feeling that it was originally devised as a way of teaching gamers about marine conservation, but it does so in an enjoyable and relaxing way.

Its simple controls, understated objectives and clear gameplay challenges combined with a lovingly crafted soundtrack make for an almost meditative experience. It’s been a good year for titles with this kind of nice, ambient experience and Disc Room fits neatly into that roster.

The vast majority of the game's shortcomings came down to glitches that can both end up fixed by the time I finish this sentence, and didn't ruin the experience too much anyway. Possibly the worst part is knowing that there are so many vagaries in the game that you start to wonder if those "glitches" are intentional. It's a heck of a game, a darn good horror game, and one twisted, fantastic experience. So get out of the apartment, make friends with some Lovecraftian monsters, and don't forget to look outside.

In all, The Plucky Squire is a very delightful game with a lovely concept, a warm awareness of itself and the tropes it is interacting with, all wrapped in a gorgeous visual design that makes both parts of the game an absolute delight to witness. There is some slowdown in some areas when they are specifically cluttered with people and interactable objects, but even with that in mind, jumping into the pages of The Plucky Squire is sure to be an enjoyable time for many aspiring adventurers.

The sum of Lies of P's parts is grand, but it manages to be even more than that. Despite frustrating "gotcha" moments and a few cheap enemy encounters that feel out of place in something so finely crafted, the whole experience holds a level of polish you'd expect only of seasoned veterans. Truth be told: I wouldn't be surprised to find out that this was a side studio of a certain, well-known developer, and I don't think I can be more glowing than that. Even in the end, after I fawned over the combat system and its dichotomous weaponry, happily sought out bits of information to expand upon the engaging story I was involved in, and felt the ecstasy of conquering a multi-hour boss, I wanted to go back for more. And despite the already unique pitch of "gothic, horrific Pinnochio adaptation," the developers are keen to let you know their future plans are even more ambitious (and tailor-made for me), which somehow elevates Lies of P even further beyond face value.

Marvel's Midnight Suns is an interesting mix of exactly what players expected and some surprising curveballs. Combat is just as tight and tactical as fans of the XCOM series have come to expect from the developer, and the wonderful cast of Marvel heroes are all fantastically fun to play. The game would have benefitted from pulling back a bit on time spent in The Abbey, but, even then, there’s still value for people interested in the Marvel Universe. Midnight Suns is clearly a passion project from Firaxis Games, and that heart comes through in the little things. It's an easy game to recommend, and it stands among few others as a great example of what Marvel games should be moving forward.

Duskers starts out with a unique premise, and despite the grainy old-school visuals, audio and text-based interface, is quite enjoyable.

There are plenty of missing features that may or may not be coming at a later date, but take it for what it is for the time being – a flawed experience, but one that's hugely rewarding when everything goes just right.

A frightening return to gameplay elements that made the series great, terrifying antagonists and monsters, perfect setting for a horror game.

Terrian Saga: KR-17 is simply a must play for anyone looking for a new platformer, or anyone looking to recapture the days of old.

As the description of the plot implies, Doomblade is a delightfully grimdark story and world. Every creature and environment is ugly or disturbing in some way, and whenever you get into any serious combat the soundtrack starts blaring out heavy metal music. In a world of pastel-colored indie games the stress how cozy and none-threatening they are, Doomblade is a welcome change of pace.

17 years have passed since Budokai Tenkaichi 3, three generations of videogame consoles have come and gone, and tons of new plot points and characters have been introduced to the Dragon Ball series, and it is incredibly clear every way you look at it that Spike-Chunsoft took the time they had and created a real labor of love that is Sparking Zero. Enemy AI can feel a bit wonky at times and you can occasionally find destructible environments not cooperating with being blown up, but that's few and far between, with this game being a highlight of the wide variety of characters, forms, and gripping battles that have caused millions of fans to adore the Dragon Ball series since its inception 40 years ago. It’s good to have you back, Sparking. Fans have been waiting to enter the next Martial Arts Tournament.

Threshold is more than just disparate cool ideas, it's the culmination of them. It has enough interactivity to allow the player to inhabit the world and experience a story obtuse enough to allow you to insert your own pieces. The graphics and audio design play an early and constant role in introducing you to the more sinister parts of your new mundane job. It all combines to make something that, despite its flaws, is worth at least one play-through, and probably cult classic status in this niche genre.

Level Devil really does revel in watching the player fail, and fortunately it is often amusing to fall victim to its many hidden traps. The pacing might struggle a few times, with a few of the levels becoming more tedious than entertaining, but there are still plenty of opportunities for the player to find enjoyment in either seeing what the game has to offer with its tricks or trying to solve the puzzle of finishing a level without dying. When all is said and done, even though the game lacks a great degree of challenge, it does keep the fun rolling on a level-to-level basis. There's a demarcated spot for future levels in addition to some secret levels to find and a speedrun mode, so it has legs beyond the first playthrough, too. The game might want the player to hate it, but it's hard not to enjoy this ride.

If Hank: Drowning On Dry Land is meant to serve as a (second) proof of concept for this character and game mechanics, it does so pretty well without actually being hamstrung by that fact. It presents a self-contained story with enough information on our characters' backstories and avoids something like a hard cliffhanger that would drag the entire thing down. It may be short, but it also feels like that's part of the design, and that doesn't take away from the things it does accomplish. At the same time I can see a world where a player stumbles into the intended path and ends up completing it in a fraction of the time I did, and without the desire to view the option paths and elements that would naturally feel a little rushed. I don't hold it against it too much, but it's clear to me that the foundation is solid, so wanting an expansion of this world is expected, and likely by design.

To be honest, Hitman is an eternal, few game franchises have ever used the same set of mechanics as successfully, and the focus on improving them has led them to this revamp, which makes assassination newer and fresher than ever. If you like Hitman, you will love this.

The Banner Saga 2 is a slight improvement on an already excellent game and the wait for the third game in the series is going to be even more painful than it was for the second.

As a shooter, it’s an oddity, a gimmick that may not appeal to people who want to shoot things. As a puzzle game, it’s up there with Portal.

Tekken 7 is almost perfect as a fighting game. The story is so-so, but let's be honest...it is a fighting game, does there really need to be a story? The game play and controls are practically flawless, and that is of utmost importance when you're attempting to knock out your opponent. The basic combos are simple to learn, whilst if you take the time to learn the more complex combos, they can pay off big time. The visuals are clear and crisp with some wonderful locales. Going through the images, there has been a marked improvement in visual quality since the last game in the series and the music sets the mood wonderfully. My excitement at being able to once again perform in the Iron Fist Tournament has definitely been fulfilled with Tekken 7.

Players are free to talk to whoever they choose and can complete tasks in just about any order, giving the game an open world feel, despite the relatively small map. Wylde Flowers has a simplicity that allows gamers of all ages to play and has a visual style that would appeal to most. The bright cartoon visuals are akin to a more realistic Dora the Explorer, whilst the diverse characters are equally adorable, each with their own personality. Wylde Flowers starts out as a farming simulation along the lines of Animal Crossing but ends up being more of a life sim that encourages exploration and communication...oh, and witchcraft.

Antichamber impressed me from start to finish with the variety and complexity of its puzzles. I never felt like I had to repeat the same tasks over and over, and my mind was always being engaged.

Moving Out 2 doesn't take anything too seriously, and that is part of the reason why the game is so fun to play. It is a game that allows players to determine the solution to each location in a variety of ways. It is fun to play on your own, but Moving Out 2 is definitely more fun with a group of friends or family, as you attempt to reach each of the star ratings and secondary goals. With simple controls, enjoyable gameplay, a dash of humour, and bright cartoon style visuals, Moving Out 2 is a great follow up to the original.

In my opinion Exodus is quite easily the best Metro game ever made — with the combination of huge explorable areas, each with unique post-apocalyptic charm, and a wonderful tactility, expressed in the way you interact with the world and in the crafting system. The story, though at first seems somewhat silly, adapts, just as the characters following the narrative do. Metro in the past for me felt like it was never reaching its true potential, too much like a corridor shooter but never really a *true* survival game. But with this installment, the series has truly spread it’s wings. Metro shmetro, I hope they never go back.

The level of detail in Cult of the Lamb is surprisingly deep. The combination of RPG-lite style adventuring and the management of your followers ensure that the game is never stale. With each run through a dungeon different from the previous run, gamers will encounter a range of enemies. Players will no doubt spend differing amounts of time with each depending on their personal preference, but I personally found myself managing my followers more than the hack-and slash portion of the game. Either way, the cute visuals, the awesome soundtrack and sound effects, and the fun simple combat means that Cult of the Lamb is a game that any budding cult leader should pick up.

The rub is that if the combat mechanics didn't quickly devolve into frustration, the extremely short campaign (that is probably best played on Easy: a sad realization) would be an additional negative. I believe strongly that there is still hope on the periphery of Space Marine 2. With proper dedication to the existing roadmap, and beyond, that outlines a focus on PvE content, including an upcoming, proper horde mode, its identity can shift from "gorgeous looking, short single-player experience" to "great game to play with friends," but we're not there yet. And in a gaming landscape that will probably see dozens of games launching to appeal to the latter feeling while Space Marine 2 works its way up to that, on top of the existing ones, it remains a tough game to recommend.