With old-school visuals and audio, simple controls and some devilishly tricky levels, Penarium is a heap of fun.

Overall, Bookwalker is an engaging game that takes an interesting premise and uses it to tell a story full of mystery and creativity. I enjoyed the meta-ness of me controlling a fictional character as he wrestles with how and if to control other characters that are fictional to him. World-building, puzzle-solving, and quality visuals and writing make Bookwalker a satisfyingly complete package well worth checking out.

Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes is without a doubt the best Elemental game to date.

The Gap is so much more than a gorgeous puzzle game, layered mystery thriller, or a walking simulator, it's a trip through a life upended. It resonated with me on several emotional levels because it's a well-built world, housing a finely-crafted narrative, conveyed by some stellar voice acting. This isn't some "gotcha" mystery; it's not going for some home run twist. The Gap has a story to tell, and it does so with urgency. I honestly wish it was about twice as long, so that it had more time to sink into its philosophy or show more of Joshua's life, or that it simply had more depth inside to give me a reason to play again, outside of a branched ending that is easy to experience both ways. But to think this is the developers' first official outing brings me great joy, as I'm left itching for more. What I thought was going to be an interesting story turned out to be one of my favourite games of the year, one that I'll be thinking about for a while: each time I remind myself not to take what I've got for granted.

You will probably only get a few hours out of it before you start to feel like you are repeating yourself, but those hours will grip you fully.

Catherine Classic is a fun puzzler, with a great art-style and a fairly catchy narrative. But Vincent lacks appeal as a protagonist, he’s just so bumbling and incompetent and irritatingly unsure of himself. If nothing else hooks you, the puzzles will — but I’m questioning why this game is a classic, I just don’t think I got it.

Shotgun Cop Man knows that it's a precision platformer, but that doesn't stop it from having a great sense of self-aware absurdist humour. It's not story rich or dense at all, but it understands perfectly that it doesn't need to be because it knows itself as a game. Your name is Shotgun Cop Man, you are here to arrest Satan, and you are going through the nine circles of hell to do so. You look like an untextured Blender asset, Satan is wearing a fishnet top, you are always dual wielding a shotgun with another weapon, and every time you try to arrest him all he ever says to you is "Fuck you, Shotgun Cop Man". This is tremendously fantastic minimalist worldbuilding that in and of itself is enjoyable because of how it's delivered and because it's just fun tongue-in-cheek escapism.

Once you have maybe 10 hours of gameplay under your belt, you will start to appreciate the subtle changes that the upgradable heroes and combat mechanics bring, and thus the equally subtle innovations that Triumph Studios has made throughout the game.

Despite the immense annoyance at the decision to include hidden platforms as a requirement for progression, I loved Candle. Introducing point-and-click adventure game elements into platformers is sure to benefit both genres and as a point-and-click adventure geek, I have rarely enjoyed a platformer more than I did this one. It’s by no means perfect, but I can’t wait for the sequel. Please, Teku Studios, just make sure I can see where I’m going.

iNK Stories Studio has raised the bar in real-world based narrative, and it will be exciting to see what they deliver next.

Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon is a bizarre and fascinating blend of classic high-fantasy trappings and Giger-inspired architecture that feels like a living death metal album. From presentation to mechanics, it wears its Elder Scrolls inspiration on its sleeve, but it does enough with its story and artistic direction to stand alone as a compelling package. Some of the glitches are frustrating given how long the game spent in Early Access, but they never elevated beyond annoyances and don't stop this from being an easy game to recommend for fans of the genre.

With a large amount of skill paths, plenty of stash space for all of the loot you'll be picking up, and a lot more features that can make a player feel more than welcome venturing forth into this new world, Last Epoch may mean 'Final Age', but it can be the start of an adventure for many a player.

The additions and tweaks to Total War: Attila definitely makes it a little simpler to navigate for Total War veterans. But newcomers may struggle with coming to terms with all the features of the game and it will take a fair investment of time to learn the ins and outs.

A vast world, mechanics to sink your teeth into, and interspersed moments of light-heartedness as well as incredible stakes of an extraplanar threat, Oblivion Remastered is a perfect opportunity for new fans to become the Hero of Kvatch, and for old fans to reignite their love of a game that defined RPGs in the mid 2000s.

The Walking Dead Table reflects the physical evolution of Pinball. The game's journey from mechanical, to electric, and then digital form causes things to look cluttered and jumbled – but there's still a great mechanical predictability to the game.

Folks, the new WWE 2K23 is such a massive yearly game enterprise that has brought the goods yet again for 2023. This is a great game franchise and Visual Concepts and 2K Sports have delivered. I hate to admit that even though I played the PC version, my game pad expertise wasn't up to par to begin with and I struggled to perform all of the many required finishes and special moves. However, as I slowly got used to the controls by using the great included tutorial that is narrated by Xavier Woods, it became easier. Being able to deliver John Cena's smashing "Attitude Adjustment" finishing move or Triple H's trademark "Pedigree" is something that every WWE game wrestler should strive to accomplish. Practice does make perfect and the same holds true for real wrestlers along with in-game make-believe ones too.

In all Fairy Tail: Dungeons is an entertaining ride, particularly for fans of either the roguelite genre, the Fairy Tail series, or both. With an accessible price point and an enjoyable gameplay loop as well as art style, players can certainly enjoy diving into the labyrinth for quite some time- the repetitive music and limited progression forward aren’t enough to put a damper on the fun this game provides!

Folks, there is a lot to this game; it might not be a pure railroad / train management simulator, but it has a lot to offer, especially if you like puzzles. Everything runs very smoothly, and I didn't find any bugs. Some of the missions will require you to start from scratch where you need to locate resources, build or rather place the appropriate resource gathering buildings, assign the necessary workers and lay down rails, place stations, set the switches while adding the needed trains and its cars. Other missions might provide a jumbled-up mishmash collection of broken rails that need to be fixed and improved. Every mission will be different from the previous ones.

Terra Nil is the ultimate Zen experience when it comes to city builders and the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

The Director's Cut of Conscript is more than just a historical curiosity; it is a mechanical triumph. By stripping away the supernatural and focusing on the very real horrors of 1916, Jordan Mochi has created a survival horror game that feels more grounded and terrifying than many of its peers. With its focus on inventory management, tactical combat, and a hauntingly beautiful presentation, it is a game that respects the player's intelligence and rewards their grit. If you missed it the first time around, there is no longer any excuse to stay out of the trenches. This is a definitive survival horror experience.

Late Shift is a unique experience that I probably wouldn’t have given much attention too had I seen it pop up on Steam or elsewhere, but I’m very glad that our paths did cross. The few issues that it does have are easily outweighed by what it does right, providing a compelling experience that engaged me, and has me wanting more. Both endings I experienced left me with a completely different opinion on the story’s purveying themes, and I fully expect to watch through the story at least a handful more times to see what else I can change.

Windjammers 2 is definitely a worthwhile game and it's a lot of fun. As I went along in the game my Windjammer playing skills improved. I didn't give up because the game does bring the satisfaction of playing a retro style sports and action arcade game that we all might have loved in days gone by. After mastering all of the tactics and game moves the option to go on line and play against extremely experienced human players is there and it should be taken advantage of. With that said, we wholeheartedly endorse the new Windjammers 2 game and give it a two thumbs up rating. Windjammers was worth the money and game playing effort some twenty seven odd years ago in 1994 and its just as viable and fun to play today in 2022.

I’m not the biggest fan of point-and-click games, but I really dug Bad Dream: Coma and its brand of tonal, moody horror not reliant on cheap scares and jumps. While it has some issue with some of its puzzles and doesn’t quite commit to some of its plot points as much as I’d like it to, its relatively short run-time makes it the perfect title to sit down with and run through on a dark, rainy weekend evening right before drifting off to sleep...

Overall, Pathologic 3 is a thoughtful, stressful, exciting, and depressing adventure that is well worth playing through, though it's probably not one I'll want to revisit again in the future. That's not really a bad thing, though. The beauty really is in the journey here, not the destination. Though some mechanics can feel a bit too unforgiving or tedious, they're at least all interesting.

Overall, Jotun is a very visual game with a very memorable art style that offers a well rounded combat system in a setting that does its best to stay true to its real-life inspirations but finds itself lacking in the plot department which is a genuine shame because it's clear that Thunder Lotus Games put a lot of time and passion into this kick-starter funded project.

There is a real sense of togetherness when playing KarmaZoo. Players help each other out, using their skills (both natural gaming skills and that of their chosen character) to work their way through the puzzles provided by the levels. And it is this co-operative nature that allows KarmaZoo to be an entertaining title, whether you’re one of the more experienced players or those who have just started playing. And with the reasonably short levels, it means that players can jump in and out whenever they have a spare 15-20 minutes. But with all the different characters to collect, the fun co-operative nature of the game and the cute visuals, players will no doubt be coming back for more.

Yes, I think Pirate Outlaws is a worth while experience. It has a good storyline, there are alot of activities to partake in, and it's entertaining with a replayability factor that's enhanced by the card building system. The game is in early access, but it's close enough to completion that with a tweak here and there Fabled Game is basically reading to release Pirate Outlaws fully. It certainly didn't leave me disappointed.

Wobbledogs is meant to be a passive observation, watching the mutant pups wobble around and interact with their environment, but it can be pretty engaging to actively play with the pets. The music adds to the general pleasant but strange nature of the game, as do the bright colours. And the odd movements of the Dogs, from being flung by hamster tubes to creating shockingly large dens out of dirt, digging up toys or generally making a mess of their terrarium is oddly satisfying to behold.

Altogether, Dicefolk is a successful amalgamation of multiple concepts layered on top of each other in a satisfying way. The only real issue this reviewer could really bring to the table is the game loop feels a bit more repetitive than it does satisfying, but that could just be this particular reviewer's thoughts on roguelikes and as such may not be a reliable view on the loop. Along with this the story and music feel a bit lacking in scale, but again this was likely more of an expectation of an RPG type game rather than a roguelike one. But with that being said If gamers are fans of any of the concepts that Dicefolk is made up of, from deck building to roguelikes to creature collecting, it is certainly worth a look, if not an outright pickup!

Overall, PayDay 2 is an easy experience to recommend. The controls are familiar and, more importantly, tight. Make no mistake, Payday 2 is a tough game and demands that its players work together, but when coordinating with a good team, it provides one of the best cooperative experiences this year.

Valiant Hearts isn't perfect...but it's still pretty great. It may not be completely tear-jerking, but it's still touching. The story may not be one I'll remember in detail decades from now, but it's still strong. The message may occasionally get lost in the gameplay, but it still rings true in the end.

There are about 300 other games that have come out in November that I need to play, but I haven’t loaded up a single one of them since I first launched Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions.

At the end, I found something extremely memorable, with some visuals that are easily some of my favorites of the year, in a package that is good as-is, but would be great if only expanded in scope.

Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves is a brilliant game, peppered with original ideas, a unique setting, and an interesting premise. It is a clever amalgamation of asynchronous tower defense and synchronous brawling. It teems with pride and gusto, and should be lauded for attempting something bold, fresh and inimitable. It just needed a little more love, a little more time, and much better visuals.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is the best representation of being a pure Shinobi since probably 2005, and will probably remain that way for a while.

Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is essentially a shooter, but it is a good shooter for any fan of the Wild West. The story is enjoyable and the little twists and turns along the way keep it interesting and even funny even though you are basically doing the same thing over and over again: shooting at minions until you get to the final encounter of each scene.

I have to admit, I haven’t been this invested in a sentient device since I watched Wall-E. Although the game has us following the journey of Rumu, it is the story that is going on around him that kept me engaged throughout. The puzzles are not overly difficult, allowing for the story to flow wonderfully well. The interaction between Rumu and Sabrina allow for the perfect blend of robotic and human emotions which become more human-like as the story unfolds. And the voice acting of Sabrina perfectly complements the dramatic nature of the narrative. Hints of humour also sneak into the game to lighten the mood in the game that provides some wonderful insights into family and getting a work/life balance evenly proportioned.

I don't know whether Chris will be our main character, but I am super excited to see a brand new perspective in the Life is Strange universe, plus to see how much of a mechanical/gameplay factor Chris’ imagination will be in the main game (hopefully significant.) If you liked Life is Strange, hell, even if you didn’t, get this (it’s free, after all) and you might find something in this installment that you thought was missing from the first.

All in all SMT III is a tricky game to review, particularly without comparing it to the Persona series that gamers may be more acquainted with, especially on Steam. The concepts and designs of demons are very clearly the same, but the combat and story play out in such different ways, not even including the lack of the social sim portion that Persona is known for. If you’re a fan of JRPGS or played SMT III on the PS2, then this reviewer recommends looking into the dark story of the Demifiend and what becomes of the world around him.

This game that could've gone so wrong, so easily, is already off to a great start with more content both free and paid set to come over the next year.

Sniper Elite 5 is a perfectly competent fresh instalment in the longstanding series. It succeeds in carrying over much of what most people loved about the previous games. However, its near-exclusive focus on iterating rather than reiterating often works against it. If you loved past instalments, you’ll probably enjoy this one. However, for those put off by previous Sniper Elite games, Sniper Elite 5 won't be the game to draw you back in. Sniper Elite 5 feels less like a sequel to Sniper Elite 4, and instead more akin to a rather large expansion DLC for said predecessor.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is a multiplayer experience that is challenging but satisfying. Solo play is possible, but it is clear that the game is built and balanced for a multiplayer party. Along with this, at times it can feel like progress is either luck based or time consuming, even for From Software. Nightreign is an interesting experience, and while the emphasis on multiplayer and the roguelike elements may not be for everyone that enjoyed Elden Ring or other From Software games, it makes for an enjoyable variation on a concept that this company has polished to a shine.

While the game is a pleasure to play, it pales in comparison to its predecessor in feel. For some reason, I’m not feeling the same emotional bond with Robert and the mystery of the world fails to tickle my fancy. The voice acting could have been better directed and it would have been nice to be able to interrupt actions after having clicked on something instead of having to watch the character walk all the way to the object just to click through the ensuing VO to get out of it faster. If you didn’t feel you got enough of Asposia from The Inner World or are just aching to reconnect with Robert and Laura, get The Last Wind Monk. If not, let the original stand on its own.

It’s been simplified and given a distinctive Ubisoft sheen, but Trackmania Turbo keeps the franchise at the peak of racing silliness.

I wasn’t sure about episode one, but Rules for me has solidified Life is Strange 2 as an independent gaming body, and one, that so far, I think I might end up preferring to the first. Though, just as a side note, DONTNOD should go back to selling episodes individually as well, considering the games ongoing episodic format.

Zoink! has produced a game which is both smart and funny, one which both challenges convention and embraces it.

UnderMine is an addicting adventure that you can't put down. You could die time and time again but still load up for another run. Despite combat being repetitive over time, and relics not doing much to change the gameplay loop, we are still left with a fun roguelike experience. The progression system and it's permanent unlocks go along way to make things fun. Even when losing items after death, not having to restart completely keeps things refreshing. Boss battles are unique but require careful planning and patience because of challenging combat. With beautiful pixel art and a charming soundtrack, UnderMine is an enjoyable game.

That said, I can't get too upset about anything in this translation. It is obviously the work of someone passionate about the story they were telling and wanted to share it with the largest possible audience they could. It's also someone with a degree of reverence for the story, as I've seen the translator respond to numerous bad reviews across the English apologizing for his work if it has caused them to misread the story. In a world where games and anime are often mistranslated to include irrelevant political messages or jokes about Gamergate, I cannot hold the rough but faithful work of this translator in much contempt.

Homeworld: Deserts Kharak not only sets a new standard for RTS games, it proves that there is a lot more the genre has to offer yet.

It’s a very enjoyable and at times challenging experience that never feels unfair. At times, you’ll be faced with a puzzle that looks impossible, but as soon as you figure out its design, you’ll think yourself silly for not having seen it immediately.

While Observation isn’t perfect, developer No Code has managed to create something truly unique. It’s a word that’s used way too often, but I’ve never played anything quite like it. Some will find the gameplay a little restrictive or the lack of handholding frustrating, but the challenging puzzles and compelling narrative create an unforgettable experience. If you favor a good thrilling story with replay value then you shouldn’t miss out on Observation.

If you're looking for a serious, story-driven shooter, look elsewhere. But if you want a hilarious, action-packed experience that lets you channel your inner rage through the power of your foot, then Anger Foot is the perfect game to kick back and relax with (by which I mean unleash a torrent of destruction, but you get the idea). The range of enemies, the collection of shoes with their various special abilities and the speedrun component of Anger Foot will keep players heading back for more stomping fun.

Ultimately Redie provides a quality enough experience to warrant its own existence. It is an extremely challenging and fun experience. The lack of varying difficulty levels and overall level of challenge may put off some people, but if you have a masochistic streak or enjoy games that employ an almost old-school level of difficulty then Redie is sure to scratch that itch.

The Metronomicon comes together in a neat package which rhythm game fans will certainly get a deal of enjoyment out of. The soundtrack is varied, with highlights being songs from the likes of Perturbator, however it’s likely you will dislike just as many songs as you do like. Bringing in the RPG elements makes this game stand out from other rhythm games, and there’s enough here to keep you going through the end of the game and beyond.

The gadgets and the fully destructible environments allow for a non-linear experience, giving the gamers a chance to plan their movements prior to rushing – often slowly - into combat. And although I found the multiplayer modes often finished in a flurry of bullets, the fact that teams benefit from working together is to be encouraged.

I don’t think Valley is the strongest of the three games which make up Trackmania 2 but you will still have fun if you play it. I certainly did, and will continue to do so. Now, if you’ll let me, I’m going to go and conquer that wall ride that’s been bugging me.

You get more than a simple head-basher. Instead, you have action, stealth, roleplaying, and even some light strategy that brings out the simulation in survival-sim. Your choices have weight. Zombies are deadly. The good guys don’t always win.

Even for an experienced Civ player, Civilization VII brings a range of new mechanics that are fun to experience. The introduction of Ages results in Civilization VII basically being three separate games, with the first two causing a hive of activity as the Ages come to a close. The Army Commanders bring troop stacks back into the series, reducing the dreaded micromanagement through the latter stages of each Age. If you're contemplating world domination for the first time, then Civilization VII does have a learning curve, but has enough helpful hints along the way to guide newbies through the game. It won’t be too long they too will be playing just ‘one more turn’ well into the night.

After the many big bads we have fought along the way, it's good to take some time to remember that we're supposed to be fighting each other, too. So whether you rep the Alliance or the Horde, Battle for Azeroth has something for everyone. But if you were missing world PVP, it especially feels like a love note from Blizzard to the gamers.

Moving Out is a light-hearted approach to the art of furniture removal, and with the cute visuals, hilarious dialogue and story, and simple control scheme, Moving Out is a game that is accessible for anyone. The bonus level achievements and the Gold Medal collection will mean that each level has a certain amount of replayability as gamers chase down each of the achievements on offer. And with up to four players locally, the whole family can get into the fun-filled action (especially during a period of isolation). Moving furniture has never been so entertaining.

The gameplay is hectic, the boss battles are challenging, and the mini-games are enjoyable and allow for some respite in an enjoyable game that pokes fun at itself and other games of the genre.

There are recent games that have better mechanics, visuals, and audio than Mafia: Definitive Edition. But the team at Hanger 13 have done an amazing job in bringing Mafia up to today’s standard. The dialogue and telling of the story are much improved from the original, and although I encountered the graphical glitches, the visuals feel as though they fit in the contemporary. Mafia II is still my favourite of the trilogy, but Mafia: Definitive Edition has been a fun ride with Tommy Angelo in his shiny new vehicle. If you didn't get the chance with the original, or want to relive Tommy's tale, you should hop in too.

Playing Shadow Warrior 2 was like hand-delivering a gift to 14-year-old self. Maybe I should think that’s a bad thing, but I don’t. Despite a few flaws with pacing and level design, there are few games that have made me feel as much of an unstoppable god of death as I did in my time here.

There’s nothing particularly new about the concept, but the realisation is very good. The controls could have used some extra work and the story might have been a bit more complex, but these are minor complaints in a game like this.

Taken on its own, “All That Remains” is somewhat problematic, but its flaws are easy to look past if you remember that it is only the first of five episodes.

I don’t think anyone is going to call BattleTech a perfect game, but it is a fun one that brings the IP back into the spotlight with a game that does justice to the lore, atmosphere, and tactical depth that the tabletop and video games were build on. Though its pace might be a bit slow for some, and the RNG can be frustrating in the worst ways, the game has too much going right for it to let those issues hold it back.

Obliteracers is meant to be played with friends, and it's meant to be played from the comfort of home. If you're looking for a single player or online experience, you're not going to find much of it there. But if you're looking for something perfect for a gathering of friends, maybe even something to inspire a few drinking games, Obliteracers is a great option to look to.

Exploring the island of Xanadu is engaging in many ways. When you’re not finding loot or battling enemies, the cartoony visuals bring the island to life. For the intimate setting the locations are surprisingly varied, and considering this is a 2005 game it holds up pretty well. The aesthetic lends to the game’s sense of humor, whimsy and charm. It’s not every game where you have an adorable young sidekick pack you a lunch before you leave the village.

After playing the Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga for several hours, we concluded that this is undoubtedly the best Lego Star Wars video game so far. Some might argue that this is the leading title of the entire Lego series. First, you should expect a very long game that can take up to 90 hours to finish. The best part is that these hours will not be filled with repetitive tasks and boring missions. There are excellent action-packed scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you’re a fan of Borderlands, then playing Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands will be a no-brainer. The main storyline does feel shorter than previous Borderlands games, and this is probably indicated by the fact that players top out at level 40. Gamers will still get in excess of 20 hours gameplay for a single character, but the fact that players have six classes to try out and loads of exploration means that this can be multiplied. The humorous banter between characters keeps the mood light as do the vibrant colours in the wonderfully designed medieval lands. The spellcraft fits in wonderfully well within the setting and accentuates the enjoyment of the gunplay and all the looting that is customary for a Borderlands title. Dungeons and Dragon (Lords) has never been so much fun.

Right now, Stellaris is a very good space-based strategy game, but a few months down the road, it could evolve into a fantastic one.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 should be an instant buy for long time fans of the series, and warrants a deep look from everyone else. I’d love to see a bit longer of a gap between this and the (hopefully) inevitable Xenoverse 3 than the year between the first and second titles to really hammer out some of the game’s issues, but until then we’ve still been left with a fighting game that does enough well, and enough different from its competitors, to stand worthy as it is.

The fact that Creative Assembly has brought these back and added to them tells us a great deal about the creative license they are allowed to take with the source material. We might start seeing races that were never given full unit rosters or complete lore, suddenly given entire campaigns and story-arcs. This only fills me with anticipation for what rarely seen races and rosters the future DLCs might cover. But on the whole, as we move towards the second game and its combined campaign, this is the perfect swan-song for the first game and all those campaign memories.

There are of course the problems with AI, plus the fact that this is a DLC for a game from 2013 that most Total War fans have already pumped at least hundred hour into. But if you want some Total War play, some refreshing mechanics and a bit of education about the Roman conquest of Italy, then I would certainly recommend.

Metro Awakening is one of the best VR experiences I've had so far, and may even be my Game Of The Year. If you are willing to get scared a few times, I could not recommend this game more to you. If It wasn't for the lack of a knife, I think this would have been a 10/10, but because of this, I avoided experiencing a majority of the stealth options. I hope Vertigo Games keeps up with this momentum because they are one of the best in the business so far.

With how important the story is to the depth of Scarlet Nexus, this reviewer is reluctant to say too much other than that there is more than meets the eye in this strange brain-punk world, both in regards to characters motivations and the way the world became how it is. The powers people wield, the monstrous Others, the mysteries of Red Strings and the deep motivations behind Yuito and Kasane choosing to join the psy-ops in the first place, all these and more await players within Scarlet Nexus.

Despite the dismal showing of Call of Duty: Ghosts, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare shows that it’s not quite time to write off this series yet, and I just may be back next year to see if the improvements continue or if this game turned out to be just a fluke.

My overall thoughts about Draw Chilly are quite positive with the graphics, sounds and gameplay all working seamlessly together. However, replayability might be a bit limited if additional levels or another sequel aren't on the menu.

The original Superhot was a truly unique experience, masterful in its execution of a simple concept. Mind Control Delete loses some of the novelty of the original but succeeds in exploring new ways to make the game fun. It's a great example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and while some will lament the loss of hand-crafted levels, most should be happy with the endlessly-replayable collection of content now in their hands.

Werewolf: The Apocalypse-Heart of the Forest is an easy choice for me as far as text based games go. It ticks the boxes of a setting that I love, a plot that I enjoy, and most importantly I felt like my choices mattered even if some of them seemed more subtle and took a while to pay off. Is it a game for casual World of Darkness fans? Probably not. It’s not difficult by any means, but without the action that draws a lot of gamers this may not be for casual players. You’re probably better off waiting for 2021’s Werewolf: The Apocalypse-Earthblood and Vampire: The Masquerade- Bloodlines 2. But for those who are really finding themselves pulled into this universe, you should definitely check out Heart of the Forest.

If you know what you’re signing up for - incredibly hard gameplay followed by a lot of repetition - then you will definitely enjoy it.

There really isn’t too much to say about Project Warlock because it’s really quite a simple game. There aren’t a ton of bells or whistles, but runnin’ and gunnin’ both feel solid.

Overall, Warhammer: 40,000 Mechanicus is a solid entry into the 40k universe for fans of the franchise and accessible enough for those who aren't into Warhammer, but are looking for a good strategy title to kill time with.

Advertised as a cyberpunk horror, I do feel that >observer_ falls short of that aim considering I only jumped three times throughout. What it did right is more than enough reason for any fans of the cyberpunk genre, fans of works centered around dystopias, and fans of vintage sci-fi to at least give it a shot. From the setting to diving into others’ minds, and then watching the lines between real and unreal begin to blur, it’s an unsettling walk through madness I’m happy I took.

I'm surprised that it has taken so long for an Assassin's Creed game to finally be released on a VR platform. After all, the original game takes place in a virtual world based on the memories of the descendant of Desmond Miles. And Assassin's Creed Nexus does an amazing job of placing gamers in the shoes of several notable characters and locations from within the Assassin’s Creed series. Although the story is not as detailed as that of previous Assassin's Creed titles, it still does a more than adequate job of keeping the player entertained over the course of the journey. But the developers have made full use of the VR controls to ensure that players feel immersed and like they are part of the action. Hopefully, Assassin's Creed Nexus be the first of many in a series of VR games from Ubisoft.

If you’re looking for to scratch that dogfighting itch in a beautiful looking game featuring a sci-fi setting that’ll throw unknown challenges in your path, look no further than Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. If, however, you’re looking for realistic combat simulation and a down-to-earth relatable story, you’re better off looking elsewhere.

Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth is a fairly unique experience. While some may take issue with the slow pace and dour subject matter, it’s already a journey filled with beautiful moments when the visuals, music, and narration come together to create some truly affecting moments. With no knowledge of the source material it’s too early to tell if the story will end up with worthwhile payoff in the two installments to come, but to me the first is engaging enough to warrant the time and attention of anyone looking for a tonal change of pace.

As pretty as Nightwar is, the need to continually grind within the game creates an experience that is difficult to force yourself through. This is in spite of the truly engaging battle system, which offers layers of strategic combat that make it stand out from similar turn-based RPG’s. There’s a great world to explore in this game; if only it didn’t take so much grinding to properly enjoy it.

The Procession to Cavalry is a weird, wild ride from start to finish. Even if the ride isn’t that long, there are plenty of laughs to be had here, and I quite enjoyed my time spent playing.

Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a good time and deserves to be checked out by fans of the genre. It isn’t something most will be able to jump right into with immediate success, but it’s a game that has a lot to offer for those willing to take the time to learn its ins and outs.

In reality, Dead Space 3 could almost be regarded as a stand-alone expansion pack for Dead Space 2. The single player gameplay is largely identical to the previous instalment. But, since I found Dead Space 2 an enjoyable experience, I find no fault with that at all.

OlliOlli is a fun, even exhilarating, game. As a long-time fan of the skateboard genre, I stand in awe at how well Roll-7 has been able to translate the experience.

Hearing the stories/getting to know the new characters who also work on the farm is nice, and there are a lot of parallels to Sean and Daniel’s situation. But it doesn’t feel like much happens, more that the episode is building for something that is going to happen later.

Aside from a few instances where your landings become hard to calculate, this platformer that relies on jumping and movement puzzles largely comes together. I almost expected a game steeped in the depths of hell to be a bit more devilish to its players, but the parts of the game that work as intended are minimally challenging. That’s probably Hell Pie's biggest fault: it doesn't do enough to stand out. This genre of game is having quite the resurgence, and I'm afraid it won't stand the test of time. At the end of my experience, I enjoyed the game as a whole, but a large part of that depended on my need to finish it for review. I doubt it ends up on many game of the year lists come December, but Hell Pie puts forth a solid effort to rekindle the golden age of platformers.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden delivers satisfactorily with all its gameplay mechanics and narrative elements. Whether you are a gameplay-first, or story-first, type of player, there will likely be more than enough on both fronts to keep you interested all the way to the very end. While it still has a few technical hiccups and oddly implemented game mechanics, it still manages to rise well above what we have normally come to expect from most modern AAA and AA games. If you have $50 to spare, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is well worth a go anytime.

Whether you're a long time Tales Of fan or just a fan of RPGs in general, Tales of Xillia Remastered promises to engage its players in music, story, characters, and a combat system that takes a bit of getting used to but is very satisfying to pull off as you weave multiple Artes into each other - it very much feels like learning fighting game combos once you adapt to them. Tales of Xillia Remastered comes very recommended.

Remnant: From the Ashes is more than just a Dark Souls clone or a simple third-person shooter. It’s the lovechild of the many games, mixed with aspects of Gears of War, Fallout, The Division, and its own brand of weird. The number of games I’ve kept playing after my time with it for a review can probably be counted on two hands, and I’m happy that Remnant is going to be joining their ranks. Despite a shallow store, some repetitive environments, and a few occasionally frustrating glitches, this is a game well worth your time.

Return to Grace won't win over anyone that isn't interested in the slow and pensive pace that this genre delivers, but those that are will find a wonderfully crafted adventure that balances familiar tropes with insightful themes, memorable dialogue, and beautiful environments. At about 2.5 hours in length, the game is a quick play, but it doesn't overstay its welcome and feels like it's exactly as long as it should be. Return to Grace is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a single-sitting adventure that'll stay in mind far longer.