I enjoyed Hot Wheels Unleashed a lot more than I expected to, and it'll likely be my go-to pick-up-and-play racer for the foreseeable future. The game plays well, looks great, and has enough customization options to keep things fresh.

While the Scale User Interface is the true hero of this release, it would not exist if it weren’t in the service of Baldur’s Gate II and its expansion. If there was ever a good time to replay Shadows of Amn or to sink your teeth into its considerable flesh for the very first time, then it is now.

I can’t imagine it being an easy task for a studio to take on a new game in a much loved franchise and build it from the ground up, but Limbic did a terrific job. I feel like Tropico 6 is a bit like what Civ 5 was for the Civilization series - a fresh start that does away with some of the things that have held the franchise back, while adding some new mechanics that refresh the experience.

GRID Autosport is definitely a fun game to play. It is one that anyone can pick up and play without having a working knowledge of the intricacies of a motor vehicle.

Telltale's episodic adventure game series The Walking Dead is nearing the end of its second season, with the penultimate episode, Amid the Ruins, paving the way for what's sure to be a brutal season finale.

I enjoyed my time playing The Textorcist a lot more than I thought I would. Its unique mash-up of genres scratches an itch that I didn’t know I had.

If you are a devoted fan of racing simulations, MotoGP25 will undoubtedly be right up your alley. Its commitment to a realistic two-wheeled racing experience, coupled with its stunning visuals and authentic audio, makes it a compelling package. While the introduction of the arcade handling mode does make it a more accessible entry point for newcomers to the series, it remains a game with a reasonably steep learning curve. However, for those willing to invest the time to master its intricacies, MotoGP25 offers a deeply rewarding and exhilarating racing experience.

The Sojourn is a great game - its puzzles are challenging, yet rarely frustrate, creating a layered experience which builds upon the central mechanics of the light and dark states. Its environments also offer you something gorgeous to look at while you’re contemplating a solution. It does less well in terms of the narrative, which is a little too simplistic in terms of its themes. Also, the puzzles/environment don’t really feel heavily related to the plot at all. But the narrative isn’t in your face, and is quite easy to disregard if you’re not interested. In the end, puzzles are what matter most in these games, and I would definitely recommend The Sojourn to any puzzler fans out there.

Far Cry 5 is a great game, but it’s also very much the same game we’ve played before. When Far Cry tried to re-imagine itself with Far Cry Primal, Ubisoft took a lazy approach. With Far Cry 5, they went back to what they know works for certain, they played it safe from a gameplay perspective while adding just enough to call it new and improved.

In all, Going Under is the type of game to go above and beyond in its quirky mannerisms, being unafraid to poke fun at both the real world it parodies and even itself. This is a game I highly recommend if any gamer has an appreciation for dungeon crawling, bright colors, or humor in sheer parody fashion.

In all, Pepper Grinder is a very fun time with a creative way to stand out from other retro-styled platformers thanks to the drill at the very centre of the gameplay. Add in enjoyable level design that encourages replayability, challenging but satisfying boss fights, and you have a very enjoyable and short retro platformer that is sure to delight fans of the genre!

While fans of fantasy adventure will enjoy the beautiful telling of Lone Wolf's journey, it's hamstrung by an over-emphasis on unappealing combat and a reluctance to let the narrative do its job.

So AR-K: The Great Escape is an interesting one. Despite its lackluster opening and questionable delivery, it manages to grow on you.

Its outer layer may appear light and fluffy, but its innards are serious and in-depth, and anyone who enjoys exploration and adventure with a light smattering of combat should definitely investigate this game.

Roadcraft right now seems to be more focused on mud and rough terrain driving physics while perhaps neglecting the small things that make games great fun. Needing to drive all over creation just to move a few rocks off the road is definitely fun in the beginning but it can become a chore later on, especially if the need to re-spawn occurs. When I think about Roadcraft I see a great game in the making. It's good right now but I think Saber will keep working on it and make it greater in the future.

There is a good measure of fun to be had with Offworld Trading Company, but it’s a bit like ordering a vanilla ice cream dessert and being served pistachio instead – it will be enjoyable but it’s not quite what you wanted.

There's a lot of content here, particularly if you're interested in playing something fun, relaxing and not serious. I really appreciated the optional Content Aware option, where Skylar will come out and let the player know that the character they're interacting with might talk about sensitive subject matter that the player may not want to engage with. Date Everything is very self-aware, and if you're interested in voice acting or voice actors, then I think you're going to have a lovely time with it. For me personally, the gameplay loop did get a little old, and playing for anything more than an hour or two at a time was a bit draining.

For JRPG fans, Shadows of Adam is comfort food. It’s simple, to the point, and does a great job of distilling what made many of us connect with the genre in the first place. The story is not particularly compelling and it may be a bit bland at times, but its firm roots in nostalgia create a pleasant experience that I do not regret playing.

Sumire is a short, straightforward game that knows what it wants to do and doesn’t weigh itself down with fluff or filler. While those looking for more involved or complicated gameplay mechanics will want to look elsewhere, Sumire rewards those interested in a more relaxed experience with an emotional, well-written game that’s not afraid to approach emotionally mature subject matter.

In all, Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is a fun and nostalgic beat'em up with a pleasant amount of replayability, before even mentioning the local co-op to allow for even more of that good old arcade feeling. The only real issue this reviewer found while playing is that players may feel railroaded by whichever route through levels they find the easiest. That being said, if you're a fan of Double Dragon, beat‘em ups, or roguelike games that toy with a different genre, then Rise of the Dragons comes highly recommended!

If you like tower defence, you'll enjoy this fresh take on it. If you're an ARPG fan, you might be disappointed by some of the design decisions, but you might also be pleasantly surprised by the novel gameplay.

Probably the best thing about République is its evolution and the improvements made in the later episodes.

Tower of Time isn’t a massively ground-breaking game, but is a solid addition to the RPG genre, consistent with itself and impressive for a first time development. So if you’re looking for a new RPG, don’t mind reading or point and click dungeon crawling, then Artara might just be for you.

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments is hands down the best detective game I've ever played and one of the most enjoyable experiences of the 2014 gaming year so far.

While it may not entirely hit as a whole, Amnesia: The Bunker marks a high point for the series in many ways. It continues to feature impressive graphics and sound design, and a few of the mechanics here should join other constants. It falters a bit in its story, which is suitably mysterious and mystical, but at least partially predictable from a very early stage. It doesn't drag the experience down too much, but just enough. Still, it feels like a best-in-class dread simulator that doesn't overload you with a series of ever changing objectives, keeping your mission tight and focused throughout, allowing that sense of dread to be its main propellant.

While a fighting game isn’t exactly what one might expect for a sequel of a game like Persona 4 Golden, this reviewer finds it to be a fun fighting game with a compelling story that expands the world of Persona by introducing the Investigation Team to another team that once saved the world from a mysterious threat with the power of Personas.

For the patient gamer willing to spend time with a game and learn its quirks, Expeditions: Conquistador is a definite boon. The branching storyline, seeing the long-term consequences of your actions and the already-mentioned people and equipment management will assuredly entertain those who used to play Sid Meier’s Pirates! and new fans alike. For me personally, this is one of the best and most unique games that I’ve played this year.

There is fun to be had here, but aside from a few moments of joyous parkour, it's the sort of fun you can have in dozens of other open-world games. There is certainly some added fun in co-op with a couple of friends, but in a world where we get another open-world game every week, I just cannot recommend anyone go out and buy Dying Light 2 at full price. Especially not when it came out right before Horizon: Forbidden West and Elden Ring, both of which look far more promising.

As noted, this kind of experience isn't going to be for everyone. If you're looking for a more hands-on title with a more significant level of challenge, you may be best served elsewhere. If you enjoy a more narrative experience built around exploration without combat or demanding mechanics, you'll find a lot to love. As someone firmly in the latter camp, it's easy for me to recommend Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss as a welcome and high-quality addition to its genre.

If you enjoy classic-style point-and-click adventures that make you think – which is the reason we play them, I know, but I mean more so than usually – then Whispers of a Machine is a must-buy for you. You’ll probably have to look into a walkthrough at some points, but when you do, you’ll bash your head against a wall thinking “how did I miss that!?”

Element4l is founded on solid mechanics, fresh gameplay, and a undeniable sense of style.

Problems such as fairly samey missions: getting a base, building a base, building a mega army, to then overwhelm their base, and there are a fair few missions like that in this game. But, all in all, Ancestors adds enough of a twist to that classic formula to keep most RTS fans on their toes, while giving them a decent level of enjoyment.

While the inventory system is problematic, it’s not damning, especially considering that it is my only complaint about an otherwise great game. Every other aspect of Shadows: Awakening plays great. I’ve had more fun than I have had with similar titles in years, simply because most Action RPGs have started to look alike. Shadows: Awakening, on the other hand, is a truly unique title that scratches an itch that hasn’t been scratched in ages.

A gore-laden feast for the most barbaric among us, Blasphemous truly is a punishing game in the best possible way. I just wish it had a more gripping story to go with it.

It was the surprises that kept me invested throughout, and I'm certainly not going to spoil them here. What I can say is it left me with a refreshing RPG that may not revolutionize the genre, but I think starts the year off right for either or both RPG and One Piece fans.

Van Helsing II eclipses its predecessor in almost every way.

However, I still wholeheartedly believe that Teslagrad is worth playing: Rain Games has made a fun twitch-puzzle platformer that both hits the right nostalgic notes while also carving out its own unique identity. There aren't enough games like this these days and despite its moments of extreme frustration, the game's beauty and charm were always enough to keep me playing.

Ultimately, this ant colony simulator offers a unique and engaging experience, but it's one that could benefit from some streamlining and refinement. The core mechanics are solid, but the frustrating micro-management of the science system and the somewhat disjointed island exploration prevent it from truly shining. It's a game with a lot of potential, but it needs a bit more polish to truly capture the magic of a thriving, interconnected ant empire.

Between the lovely aesthetics And the brilliant combat system It becomes a thing of true beauty Full of joy and true wisdom

Taken as a whole, Stadium presents the best Trackmania 2 experience. It offers every feature found in last year’s Canyon and for half the price. More importantly, Stadium has adopted the bulk of the community, so new players would be advised to choose this better, cheaper option.

Don’t be fooled by its obvious influences. Stealth Inc 2 is a great little game that stands out on its own.

In all Persona 5 Tactica is more of a good thing. While the art style shift may cause some hesitancy, the game is built as a great introduction to its playstyle and has plenty of player friendly design implementations that make it welcoming even to those who only want to experience seeing the Phantom Thieves in action again even if the gameplay style isn’t one that they usually play. If you're a fan of the Phantom Thieves, or a fan of strategy RPGs, this revolution themed game is one to keep an eye on!

Neurodiver held my interest thoroughly for it's short 5 hours, and charmed me with its new characters and exciting story, but it didn't really leave a similar impact as the first one. It needed more time to really sell its ideas. If you're a fan of 2064: Read Only Memories, approach this more like another story in the world rather than a full fledged sequel. If you're new to this series altogether and you like cyberpunk anime from the 80's and don't mind simple gameplay, then give Neurodiver a shot, it's worth it for the characters and story; if it sticks in your memory, only time can tell.

It's clear to me that Still Wakes the Deep is about the journey and not the destination, and I do think that journey is thrilling and worth your time.

Roughly 15 years since the release of Tales of Graces f, it's still well worth the journey. The story, although familiar for the JRPG genre, is well told with enjoyable characters. When Graces f originally came out it was well received but swallowed up in the passage of time, so it's great that it's getting another go around with the remaster. It may not be perfect, but I think it's worth being remembered as a great game.

Magic: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2014 isn’t a substitute for the real game, but it’s clear that it’s not trying to be. Its narrower scope of cards and options work well to introduce new players to the game, as well as give veterans a quick fix.

Ghostwire: Tokyo is not a bad game by any standard. It's pretty, it's fun, and it follows a formula that has proven to be successful even if it's overdone by this point. As I played through it for this review I found myself alternating between enjoying myself and being frustrated with its shortcomings. There is a potentially brilliant horror/detective game buried under all the superfluous side quests and pointless collectibles, and each time I caught a glimpse of it, I find myself wondering about what could have been.

Just like the zombies that the Resident Evil brand was built on, Revelations proves that there might be life after death (or at least severe downward spiral) after all.

Battlefleet: Gothic Armada is a competent if slightly laborious first foray into the realms of Warhammer 40,000’s space battles, but there is potential here. As Dawn of War II changed almost all the elements of its precursor for the better, it will be interesting to see what Tindalos would do next were it to return to this franchise.

In all, Big Helmet Heroes is a very fun game that is simple and silly in all the best and most charming ways. It can be a bit laggy at times, but with over thirty characters with four main fighting styles, it's a very satisfying romp especially with a friend. For any players that love a wacky beat 'em up, games to play with friends, or both, Big Helmet Heroes is certainly one to take a look at!

People that play and love Mount & Blade probably don't care as much about politics or the economy. For most, it will be all about being a knight on a horse that matters, and Bannerlord comes through once again. Any shortcomings or features that weren't thought of by the developers will no doubt be modded by fans. In fact, mods are already appearing and that will only add to the longevity of the game. Even though there are still some minor bugs such as an underperforming AI, I still can't recommend Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord enough. Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is a highly addictive game that has me wanting to ride around Calradia upon my trusty steed until I become king of the medieval land.

When XCOM: Chimera Squad was announced somewhat out of the blue, and then with a budget price I was hesitant. But XCOM: Chimera Squad is a fully fleshed out game that brings loads of replayability thanks to the multitude of missions and variables within each, as well as squad combinations. Sure, the combat phases are less expansive than one would expect from an XCOM title, but the shorter missions still require some tactical nose if you want your squad to come through relatively unscathed. With nice cartoon style visuals, great voice acting and the ability to play as some cool alien characters, XCOM: Chimera Squad is a worthy entrant into the XCOM franchise.

In all Crimson Desert is a fun experience, with engaging combat, a gigantic world to explore, and a ton of side activities that can keep a player playing for hours and hours on end. There are some issues like long loading times, janky camera angles, and a story that struggles to get its footing. If a gamer enjoys Action RPGs, then Crimson Desert very well might be on the list of games to check out, ready to pour ages into exploring, fighting, and finding things to do.

Its story and some characters might not feel as fleshed out as they could be, but its main character has a surprising depth and the world here is certainly immersive. Put that alongside some solid puzzling, voice acting and a great style and you’ve got a great little point and click adventure that is not to be missed.

I want to make it clear that overall, I love this remake. In so many ways it hits the high notes of just what a Resident Evil remake should be, following last years remake of Resident Evil 2 and the nearly two-decade old remake of Resident Evil. It has horror, action, a refinement of the story, but along the way the things that have changed for the worse or been abandoned hurts the overall flavor. Missing a section in the campaign, removal of the Mercenaries mode and choice-scenes, and putting to rest a long debate about the canon ending of Resident Evil 3 by making only one ending this time around definitely work against it. It’s a game I can play time and time again, but unlike last year's Resident Evil 2 remake it’s more of a rough gem than a diamond.

I really wanted to enjoy Fabledom. It certainly has a certain appeal when you first jump in and immerse yourself in its most fundamental mechanics as well as its beautiful aesthetics. Unfortunately, at present, the actual gameplay loop stops being entertaining after the first hour or two. If you're at that point now and see that you're just under the two-hour mark, take my advice and throw yourself at the mercy of Steam's mostly-automated refund process. There's a great game to be found somewhere here in Fabledom's DNA, but its current plethora of bugs and odd gameplay decisions make it an extremely hard sell as is.

If you’re looking for something different from your run-of the mill shooters, Evolve is probably just what you are looking for.

Crusader Kings II is definitely the deepest, and hardest to understand of all the games of its type, but there’s nothing else out there quite like it. The additions brought to the game by Sons of Abraham are plentiful, and probably stretch further than I encountered. It’s a good reason to jump back into the game if you enjoyed the original or any of the prior expansions. For new players though, it’s just as daunting as ever.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers feels like a fresh take, forgoing staples like overencumbrance and a reliance on parrying for faster, more aggressive action and stunning set pieces.

For a game designed to introduce people to the genre, Little Big Workshop mostly succeeds. It proves more complicated in places than you’d expect for a beginner friendly title and the smaller scope of the game does constrict its potential. But what we have here is a solid introduction to the simulation genre - one that’s a lot of fun and proves to be quite addictive. It’s a labour of love from Mirage Games and an experience that comes highly recommended.

Outlaws encapsulates Star Wars as a whole at the moment, trying to be something for everybody but at times missing it's mark. I honestly want to see Ubisoft take another crack at the galaxy far far away, because with a more refined scope this can easily be the Uncharted: Drake's Fortune to it's better sequel. Or, to put it in Ubisoft terms, it's Assassins Creed to Assassins Creed II. There's so much potential here, it'd be a real shame for this to be Kay Vess's last hurrah.

KARMA: The Dark World is some of the most fun I've had with a game this year. It takes a potentially tired setting and injects artistry and life into it, delivering a compelling package that's thrilling, terrifying, emotive, and satisfying. For these reasons, it's an easy game to recommend not only for those inherently interested in the genre but for anyone looking for an enthralling jaunt.

Grey Goo might not be as complex or intricately balanced as “that other strategy game”, but it’s still enjoyable and imaginative where so few games within the genre are.

Taking everything into consideration, it's safe to say that Xenonauts is a must play for any fan of turn based strategy games, as it is one that I'll be playing for some time to come.

I was also impressed to see a game made on RPG Maker VX Ace that was so enjoyable - often the products of the RPG Maker series serve as a way for a creative mind to explore ideas, rather than making it to a level where it can actually capture an audience.

Three Fourths Home is not for everyone. But it is an experience that, as short as it may be, is worthwhile to play. Through the options it presents you and it’s wonderful aesthetic, Three Fourths Home is a game that I would recommend to anyone who wants to try something new.

Overall, Red is for Anguish is a great visual novel.

Overall I appreciate Lovecraft’s Untold Stories for being a procedurally generated roguelike that stands out from others in its genre with a unique atmosphere and spooky tone. Being more concerned with resource management and exploration than twitch bullet-hell gameplay was a smart move, even if that falls apart a bit when the combat does come around. While it has its flaws, this is a game I won’t have a hard time recommending to those interested in the genre- a perfect little game to fire up know and again late at night with the lights turned off.

It feels good to be back in the base building, hard hitting, cool looking world of Warhammer 40,000. Winning early skirmishes before slowly building up your armies for a single massive engagement is still exciting, and very rewarding when you win. The single player campaign is good, if a little stale at times, and multiplayer has mostly gone back to what made it great in the first place. There are some issues to be found, but if you’re looking for a modern game akin to the popular origins of Dawn of War, this is certainly a good attempt.

Baby Steps succeeds at everything it tries to do, and does so with very few blemishes. Foddy, Cuzzillo, and Boch were able to expand upon previous games like QWOP by bringing the subtext forward, creating an intriguing world, and giving us a flawed character that is more relatable the further into his journey you get. It's not easy, but the rules are made clear, so tackling and overcoming these challenges results in pure joy from beginning to end. It may end up being a footnote in the "walking simulator" and "puzzle platformer" genres, but I'll never think about walking the same way again.

In all Chrono Cross is an intriguing cult classic brought back for fans old and new alike. Even despite the touch ups the graphics are clearly that of an older game thanks to the specific style that they chose when originally making Cross, and it isn’t a perfect remaster, some issues do appear in performance (FPS drops occur occasionally). It has an intriguing story and concept that provides a fascinating spin on the classic time travel tropes of ‘saving yourself’ since in Cross, it's already far too late, and you don’t even know why.

Although a single playthrough is rather short, the fact that the range of choices and their consequences will result in different endings, means that multiple playthroughs are a legitimate option. And with some wonderful storytelling and voice acting, Before the Storm will give players an emotional ride, one that I look forward to continuing with Episode 2: Brave New World.

Folks, there is so much to this game. There is a time limit given for each bus stop but it's not a problem to meet once you become a proficient bus driver and follow the speed limit. Every aspect of the game from the buses to the bus stops to the districts the stops are in need to be unlocked. You need to plan out your routes and then gain the experience necessary to continue unlocking everything. Each bus and stop needs to be levelled up in order to be able to unlock the perks and modifiers contained in each. The unlocked bus items can be both perks and additional customization possibilities such as colors and designs that can be applied to busses. After saying all of that, the city council will be so happy after each district is levelled up that they will provide you with a new bus to drive along with an opportunity to take a special drive through the newly enhanced district in the new bus. The beautiful and expansive city of Emberville loves the fact that you personally provided great bus service to the cities various districts that the city council beautifies each city district right after it is upgraded. Everything certainly is bound to look beautiful!

Once you have figured out what the game expects of you, it is hugely addictive. Toki Tori 2+ is a brilliant, charming puzzle platformer that will keep you entertained (though frustrated) for hours. And without the hand-holding, solving those tough puzzles is all the more rewarding.

The most obvious and most visible addition is that of fixed stationary guns, sentry guns, tanks, helicopters, mechs and rocket league race cars on the map.

LawBreakers is a fun game, lacking in content certainly and no way near worth a full price tag, but good and even innovative in its own minor way. Hopefully with time players and content will come, because otherwise like Brink, it will just become another failed shooter you half remember.

Overall, We Were Here Forever is a compelling atmospheric puzzle game with a moderately high production value. However, its strong reliance specifically on cooperative gameplay all but necessitates multiplayer participation, including voice chat communication, so if you don’t have a buddy to play with and communicate with via Steam voice chat or a third-party app like Discord, you won’t be getting the full value out of this game. Its many minor technical performance issues might very well prove to be a distraction at times to players, but none of it reaches that invisible point of no return. Whether you’re an existing fan of the series, or a relative newcomer like myself, We Were Here Forever will likely draw you in with its atmosphere, and keep you immersed with its creative puzzle mechanics and accompanying ongoing narrative.

Dig or Die isn’t going to revolutionize the genre, and I don’t think it’ll turn into an indie darling the way games like Terraria have. That being said, it’s a fun game that’s worth sinking a few lazy nights into. The largely procedurally generated nature of the (surprisingly big) playable map keeps things fresh for multiple playthroughs after death, which is good, because you’ll quickly find Dig or Die living up to the second half of its name.

Mortal Kombat X is ridiculous amount of fun, maintaining the core of what’s made the franchise successful while evolving enough to stay relevant.

Project Songbird gives up a must-see story, for anyone who wants to understand the negatives of the creative process, or who can relate, with or without Dakota's level of tangible fame. Just because the game initiates a dialogue about creating against expectations doesn't mean it needs to be given credit for doing so when the end result just simply doesn't work, though. Both the actual combat and the stealth options lack satisfaction, and look much worse in contrast to the rest. In hindsight, while the ambition was clearly there, the stripped back version would have been better, and still would have had enough for a complete experience.

Samurai Shodown is another worthy entrant into the PC world of beat’em ups. The reasonably short story that plays out is lacklustre, but the action - particularly when playing against others – more than makes up for it. The playing poster isn’t huge, but it does allow for more familiarity with each of the combatants and their skills. With a simple control scheme, some wonderfully vibrant settings and an array of game modes, Samurai Shodown does most things right. Now, if you will excuse me, I’m heading back to the dojo to kick some more ass.

The narrative is over the top in its environmentalist messages that are laid out in text form and hit you over the head like a frying pan. The soundtrack doesn't quite know its place, and the art is passing, but fails when there's nothing to look at but the backgrounds. These sorts of things interrupt the tone, but in situations where the game's parts all work together - which is most of the time - The Aquatic Adventures of the Last Human is a subtle and solemn exploration of a new, but old world.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is a wonderful return to what made the original a fan favourite. The stealth mechanics work remarkably well, and although players can go with a more attacking style if they so choose, Mirage has been developed in a way that encourages the slower methodical approach to each scenario. And then as players acquire the extra tools and increased abilities, this leads to different methods of completing the missions. With a gorgeous setting that rivals Assassin's Creed Origins and a wonderful soundtrack that sets the middle eastern tone, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a must play for fans of the series.

Escape Goat 2 is joyfully old-school, feeling very much like a lost NES title. Its soundtrack is even reminiscent of Castlevania’s. It’s also comparable to the recent puzzler Teslagrad, but it’s not quite as frustrating.

If you just like to blow stuff up with high-powered lasers and rockets, this might not be your bag of tea and you may not get a lot out of it. If you get the most satisfaction from playing the market, maximising profit, and running SWOT analyses on potential targets, it won't revolutionise your game. But if you're into storytelling and are willing to read stuff to get the most out of it – which I assume you are since you're reading this – then Legend of the Kestrel Lancers might just be worth a purchase.

The single player mission is a tad on the short side (although I have recently played Borderlands 2 and that has a lengthy main story in comparison) and as was the case with the original Crysis, sort of peters out near the end, but the multiplayer modes make up for it.

Death is forgiving in Hob in that progress isn’t lost in the way of items collected or enemies defeated. However, respawning in Hob takes a long time and the checkpoints can sometimes be inconveniently far away from where you died. Backtracking is usually easy enough since most enemies don’t respawn and sometimes there are shortcuts that can be opened to quickly reach where you had been before. But running through the parts I had already done felt like a chore, especially if my death was less my fault and more to do with Hob’s wonky platforming mechanics.

When they've sorted everything out, Total War: Rome 2 could well be regarded as the best of the series, as when the game plays as intended, the grand scale campaigns and the battles within, are a joy to experience. The simple interface belies the depth of the game as you control your chosen nation in both a civic capacity and as a general on the battlefield.

Some might say that Wolfenstein: The Old Blood doesn’t add enough new to the series given the amount of time between it and the base game, but it’s important to remember that this is an expansion, not a sequel.

If you're someone who likes building a city from the bottom up, being in control of every aspect of the citizens life, then Pharaoh: A New Era will definitely be up your alley, more so if you have an affinity for Ancient Egypt. With more than fifty campaign maps and the sandbox mode, this is a game that will have you playing for days, with each of the missions providing a different challenge. In the end, watching your cities expand to become a flourishing ancient metropolis is enjoyable and rather relaxing, with all your cartoon citizens scampering around the city like tiny worker ants. It can be hard work keeping them and the gods satisfied, but it is well worth it.

Overall Bleach: Rebirth of Souls is exactly what people might expect. A 3D arena fighter with over 30 of Tite Kubo's iconic characters. With an engaging style of combat as well as a great adaptation of the art style into 3D, the only negatives can be some feelings of repetitiveness, and that the game can be a bit resource intensive even for a modern release. If you're a fan of Bleach, of shonen in general, or even just of 3D arena fighters with a ranged cast, then Rebirth of Souls is a fantastic pick-up.

I did have some issues with the game servers early on, but they seem to have been ironed out. And as mentioned, the voice acting and the story mode could have fleshed out a little better. But if you look past those issues, For Honor is a wonderful title. The variation in game modes makes sure that there is something for everyone, and the maps are rotated enough to keep things fresh. The character classes allow you to choose a play style that suits you, whether it is the strength of the Heavy or the speed of the Assassin class. And with controls that are so smooth and optimised, it never seems as though any class or enemy is overpowered. So, if you excuse me, I’m going to don my armour, collect my shield and blade, and head back out to the battlefield... my team needs me.

It adds up to a good game with a few shortcomings. For something with such a high level of customization and management, it's almost difficult to believe that things are as good as they are. A few more missteps would have had this game begging for a UI overhaul, but it's not quite that severe in its current state. Other strategic elements such as the power system end up being little more than busy work, and ultimately add little value to the experience. While I wish there were more themes, or a greater distinction between those themes, I will allow them the opportunity to make additions before judging how that strategy turns out. Most importantly for a simulation with hundreds of tiny people on screen: I didn't run into any performance issues, which surely helped me overcome the negatives. I can only imagine it is like starting an actual theme park, a bit of a grind, a ton of complexity, a large amount of choice, but a good pay off if you nail it.

The Fall is a great story, well told, and it's thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

It would have been easy for quite a few things to go wrong with a game like Aegis Defenders, from Kickstarter problems to difficulties mashing together its two types of gameplay, but, with the exception of some small hiccups, everything turned out pretty darned smooth. It’s a game I wouldn’t have a hard time recommending to most, but one that is a must for anyone with the opportunity to play through with a friend.

In all Persona 5 Strikers is a fantastic game that is clearly made with heart, and isn’t just a reskin of the Dynasty Warriors series with Persona characters. This reviewer would look at other examples of this genre shift such as Hyrule Warriors or Fire Emblem Warriors and say that Persona 5 Strikers definitely went above and beyond to tell a Persona story with a fantastic blend of JRPG and Muso game styles that suits it, if not perfectly, pretty close!

Weird West is a gem of a game with a dark, well-crafted world and an intriguing story featuring choices that carry actual weight. It's not perfect – no indie game is – and I've experienced my fair share of bugs while playing it (nothing game-breaking, though). I will definitely be revisiting it in the near future... right after I finish Planescape Torment again.

There’s no story, and no other modes to speak of. Thankfully, the action makes up for it in most places.