Even with some minor issues with the puzzles and UI in the game I am impressed by how much Blightbound offers out of the gate. The shared experiences and monster variety make this something I would recommend to anyone familiar with the dungeon crawling genre. That being said, even though random matchmaking worked well, you'll have a lot more fun playing with a dedicated group of three.

Although I did enjoy the nostalgia of Elden: Path of the Forgotten, I was ultimately not immersed in the game. The lack of any real story meant that I was wandering about with no real objective and no real care for the main character. The combat is simple and the magic spells that you learn give a sense of minor achievement, but the small number of enemy types results in bland combat. The game started out as mysterious, and left me just as confused as to what I had spent four hours completing.

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.

Because there is so much to explore, so much back tracking to be done across multiple, confined locations, the player will have to travel across many, many rooms before significantly progressing. This experience breaks up, however small, what is otherwise a seamless experience of movement and momentum. And to a larger extent, these faults break up what is likewise a fantastic gameplay experience. If you ever wanted to play Alien: Isolation from the perspective of the creature, this is the game.

Ratropolis is a side-scrolling tower defense that is presented in a pleasing 2-D manner. The colors and graphics are adequate in that they convey the necessary feeling that war is going on. Enemy attacks take place on both sides of the city and this makes for an even more challenging experience. Game sounds really don't detract from or enhance game play much other than simply being some music playing in the background. All in all, this is a very good entry in to the deck building and strategy genre of computer games. It is especially impressive because school students are the developers and I give them a two thumbs up. This one is definitely worth playing if you enjoy games that provide non-stop action and that can get the adrenaline flowing

In all, Neon Abyss is a beautifully made game that does their chosen genre justice, demonstrating a beautiful atmosphere and a challenging yet rewarding experience, when either the dice rolls in your favor or you manage to do well even despite a bad hand being given to you. If luck is on your side, Neon Abyss is chaotic fun as a run ‘n gun and bullet hell, and if luck took a sick day, well, you can still manage to accomplish a surprising amount. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna try another run...

Part racing game, part destruction derby, and even part tower defense, Rock of Ages 3 is all ridiculous fun. With a variety of gameplay modes and a map editor, there’s a lot of life to this game, too. Rock of Ages 3 is a game that focuses on just being plain ol’ fun and you know something? It really is.

Don’t Be Afraid - The First Toy is difficult to review in the same way I review other titles because it isn’t meant to be a full release. While it’s a self-contained story, it’s very clearly an advertisement for something yet to come, though I was still able to enjoy it for what it is. With an asking price of zero and such a short run time, there really isn’t any excuse for horror fans to give this spooky exploration puzzler a shot.

I love shooters, I love RPGs. I love racers, narrative driven experiences, indie games and AAA smash hits. About the only games I don’t love, are Tetris clones. Death Stranding hits different for me. I love the game, I have had an incredible time with it. I enjoy the simple but addicting gameplay loop, the sprinkled moments of action, and overall I enjoy the long winding narrative that sometimes takes a few too many pit stops along the way. However, it easily ranks among one of the bleakest games I’ve ever played.

I cannot help feeling that this collection was not all that necessary and a greater product could have been achieved had say Anno 1503 been solely remastered or remade, where quality of life changes would have made for a truly unique experience amongst the genre of strategy titles. I don’t regret having played any of these games, after all I’ve discovered another strategy title that I do like from a series I had already written off. But will it keep me interested for months hereon or even years? Probably not.

With simple controls, cute cartoon characters and vibrant kitchen designs, Overcooked! 2 is a great game for the whole family. But be warned, it can get competitive, even when you’re supposed to be working together. There will be people screaming ‘chop the onions’ or ‘I need some milk’, but it is all in good fun. With a range of game modes – story, arcade and versus, there is endless replayability, particularly as you’ll want to collect the allotted three stars (or four stars after completing the story mode) and will keep the family entertained – which is of utmost importance during times of pandemic lockdowns.

Outward is a game that was already vast in scale for such a challenging survival RPG, and The Soroboreans DLC adds a worthwhile amount of content to this somewhat slow and methodical game. If you have spent hours exploring the world of Aurai, then The Soroboreans DLC is highly recommended.

The developers have intertwined the symbology beautifully, allowing gamers to interpret the story differently. Some of the symbology made me think that the scientist that is building the machine could be dreaming about a sexual encounter, which may or may not have actually occurred. The dreaming about eating an ice cream cone and knowing what this dream can be interpreted as meaning further shows the developers brilliance that brings this game to life. Two thumbs up from me to the developers for adding that extra layer to this game other than relying on what could just be the rote action of solving a bunch of puzzles.

In all SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is a welcome return for those entering Bikini Bottom again, and an enjoyable journey for those visiting for the first time. Although there is a touch of nostalgia in revisiting the game for me, the additions that Rehydrated brings makes it a delightful game with plenty of heart and fun.

With some interesting backstories for each of the characters, some cool abilities - particularly with Isabelle, and some lovely settings, Desperados III is an enjoyable, albeit slow, puzzle-solving experience. But it is that same methodical experience that won’t suit all gamers, especially those who want some quick-fire action.

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.

In all, Last Regiment is an enjoyable game that fits the mold of ‘easy to learn, hard to master’, with complex lore that is impressive in scope. The difficulty occasionally spikes in the single player, making certain that gamers pay close attention and don’t get complacent in the midst of the campaign. The several modes on offer allow for no small amount of replayability. And despite the drama of the wars and violence portrayed in Last Regiment, there is a note of humor as well which keeps things somewhat upbeat while fighting fungal hoards or unfeeling machines.

The team at Orange Juice have tried hard to provide a retro feel to Flying Red Barrel, but in the end, it feels like a game that could have been made twenty years ago. The boss battles are enjoyable, but the lack of any upgrades means that each level feels basically the same - but with new opponents. The poor collision detection for enemy fire, the screen that limits your view and a storyline that can only be glimpsed at while you’re frantically fighting the enemy seriously let this game down. If you’re looking for some retro vertical scrolling action, I would suggest Shooty Skies. It does everything Flying Red Barrel does, only much better and with more variation.

The Persistence has turned out to be an excellent blend of genres that I haven't experienced before. There are some terrifying moments and the monsters themselves can be somewhat creepy, but you are given enough weapon choice to get the job done. With the map layout changing after every death, and the number of upgrades to chase after there is tons of replay value as well. While the game may be rough at the start, The Persistence is a terrifyingly fun time that's worth playing through at least once.

Overall there isn’t much more to say about Saints Row: The Third Remastered because, all in all, it’s the same game I loved back in 2011. Underneath a fairly fresh coat of paint is the same adrenaline pumping, juvenile story of a gang-turned-media-sensation trying to rebuild itself. In that regard, assessed purely in a vacuum, this game is a smash hit. In context, though, I can’t help but feel this release is a bit premature. With the original Saints Row: The Third still being recent enough that it looks alright and plays well, I can’t shake the feeling that letting it nap for another few years may have resulted in a more impressive remaster.

Embr demonstrates plenty of potential to be a very enjoyable game to play either alone or with friends when it finally comes out. The developers at Muse Games have warned as more content is added and the game approaches the end of Early Access the price may rise slightly, so you may want to get in on the fire-fighting action before the flames become too large. [Early Access Provisional Score = 75]

My suggestion to improve game movement would be to add the option for a game controller or a joystick or maybe just have different difficulty levels. Using the point and click method with the mouse by placing the cursor on a spot with a click might make the character move to the intended spot be easier. Then the other hand could operate the fire, jump, fan keys and others. However, even with the frustrating key controls, Starena gets two thumbs up because it is a very worthwhile and fun game. Fun is what it is all about.

The Greymoor storyline, as well as many of the other quest lines have immersed me into the deep lore of the ESO world. The gorgeous vistas of snow-capped mountains of the Skyrim region are beautifully presented, scattered with a plethora of inhabitants (both man and beast) that can be interacted with. So much so, that I discovered myself traipsing all over Western Skyrim, enjoying the scenery, and occasionally walking into danger because I wasn’t looking ahead of me. Combined with the ease in which ESO guides you through the initial phase, questing is an enjoyable experience – one that I found I had to keep continuing. Dipping my toes back into the MMO water with the Greymoor expansion of The Elder Scrolls Online was probably a mistake, as now I am up to my neck in it - luckily, I can swim.

Neversong is an absolute gem. It's apparent that a lot of love and time went into making this game brilliant. The story, gameplay, characters, and soundtrack all come together masterfully to create a dark, unsettling, yet whimsically fun experience. For a game roughly 3-4 hours long, the journey through this atmospheric world was nothing short of impressive. I would strongly recommend this title to everyone.

If you have played through the original, this edition adds nothing new apart from the new glossy coating. But if you have not, then the Definitive Edition would be a worthy addition to your collection. There is an R18+ age rating (due to the Playboy Magazine collectibles I believe, and not the violence), which means that it will be inappropriate for many. But Vito’s story as well as the gameplay is as enjoyable and captivating as the original. Driving across town can occasionally be a tad monotonous, but the simple shootouts and fistfight controls make sure that the main story flows smoothly for the entire game. And the music and visuals capture the setting beautifully allowing gamers to be fully immersed into The Family.

Between the three factions to unlock in addition to the two starting ones and the generous number of faction cards available to unlock- not to mention the ability to make and share custom challenges online- this is a game that’s easy to come back to time and time again. And you will want to come back. While it’s easy to cast aside a game that takes inspiration from another as too derivative, it’s hard to complain when the results are this fun. Monster Train proves that, sometimes, it’s good to be bad.

There’s a lot to enjoy with Wavey The Rocket. Bringing us a warm sense of nostalgia, it’s an enjoyable but sadly flawed debut title from UpperRoom Games. Though it certainly holds potential, it is difficult to get around the control issues. But if you can look past them, you’ll find a decently sized campaign, packed with replayability and an interesting cast. It’s worth taking a look at, but comes with a cautious recommendation.

So, the issues I had were just minor nuisances really. But the landscape is gorgeous despite the horrors that can be found within, the soundtrack is amazing, and the stories of those inhabitants that have survived, gives the wasteland and sense of hope. The main story quests are generally enjoyable and there was the feeling that they all had a purpose. There is still a grinding element to the side quests though, as you try and level up, but the goal of finding that treasure pushes you towards the end zone.

Obey Me is a solid debut from Error 404 Game Studios. It certainly has its flaws with its script and playthroughs can become repetitive, but there’s a lot to enjoy here. Combat is satisfying, its darker aesthetic works well and holds a lot of replay value, though it’s a game best experienced in smaller playthroughs. If you can get around its flaws, brawler fans will find a lot to like here and if you can play with a friend, it comes recommended.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cast VR’s technical issues make it difficult to recommend. With a flawed approach to gameplay, numerous bugs, and animation errors that ruin the immersion, its let down by Humble Sage Games’ execution. There’s no denying that the spellcasting proves quite enjoyable and the premise had me intrigued. On its own though, that’s just not enough and its clear Cast VR would’ve benefitted from further refinement.

Andromeda Entertainment may have labelled this a video game but if I had to describe my time with it, it’s intense meditation. There’s no right or wrong way to play it but if you’re expecting traditional gameplay, you’re better off looking elsewhere as the only interactivity comes from speech. As such, it can’t be rated like a normal game so to rate it traditionally would fall flat. It’s best experienced directly to understand but in my opinion, it’s an experience worth having.

The eccentric enemies match the exaggerated abilities of our heroes, and combined with the vibrant anime style visuals, make One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 a fun experience... even if there is distinct lack of talking parrots, plank walking and shivering of timbers.

I do still recommend this game to anyone who has had their curiosity piqued by this title’s setting and enrapturing environment. From what I can see online, I’m in a minority of those who have encountered this game-ending bug. As such, I encourage your own exploration of In Other Waters into the depths that I just couldn’t reach.

As you get richer and more powerful, your options open up, but until then, the game is quite a grind. You’ll spend a long time mining, a long time building and re-building your ship, a long time getting killed in your first encounter with pirates and redesign your ship all over again. But that’s most of Avorion’s charm. The building part. The designing part. And the figuring-out-just-how-terrible-a-designer-you-are part. Despite all of its jagged edges and sharp corners, I will definitely be playing more Avorion for the time being. Its therapeutic music and meditative grind make it perfect for passing the time as we all band together and stay inside for the safety of our elders and others at risk.

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.

Learning a language can be tough, but Kana Quest takes away some of the monotony of learning the Japanese characters and has made it a wonderfully enjoyable educational experience.

With cinemas closed and most everyone hunkered down at home, The Complex’s hybrid interactive movie experience might be just what the doctor ordered to remedy your cabin fever. Whether you play it by yourself or navigate via decision by committee with some friends, there’s something to be enjoyed here by everyone. In my mind, Wales Interactive has earned itself a reputation for being the bar to be measured by in the interactive movie genre, and I can’t wait to see where they go with it next.

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.

What My Hero One’s Justice 2 does right in this context is creating a gloriously epic display of combat on-screen – invigorating gameplay with the same clamour and panache the anime series is known for. Fights erupt with the same sense of danger and intensity when on the small-screen, with individual characters hosting a bevy of unique animations to lay a good smack-down on their opponents.

While it’s unrealistic to say that DOOM Eternal will be the last FPS game you’ll ever play, you’d be hard pressed to convince me that there will ever be one to top it. I’m not even sure another entry to DOOM could push the genre further than DOOM Eternal has. It’s beautiful destruction, a hurricane of violence, a symphony of being a pure, bonafide bada**. It’s a love note to the 90s and a lesson to modern FPS games that vintage and modern can live side by side, and when done correctly makes a legend for the ages. DOOM Eternal is the best first-person shooter and that’s the bottom line.

I really wanted to like Shadows and Dust, but I didn’t. While I find it noble to bring attention to mental illness and attempt to help the audience sympathize with the difficulties and frustrations that many people suffer, it doesn’t come together in a way that I found entertaining, moving, or particularly interesting. With such a short run time (and the game being free-to-play) it might be worth jumping in and checking for yourself, but, for me, the experience just didn’t click.

The cute visuals, funny catchphrases and comical special weapons give the game an entertaining atmosphere. The planes when playing with eight players on the large map can feel a bit small, especially when playing around a smaller screen, but there are the three map sizes to allow for this. The controls are simple, so that even youngsters in the family can play unaided, and the Training mode gives a chance to practise those piloting skills. The only real issue I have with the gameplay in Baron is the lack of a save function on Sheep mode. But you’ll likely be spending most of your time dog-fighting your friends in the Battle Mode anyway.

Nom Nom Apocalypse is not a game I’d recommend. There are plenty of twin-stick shooters out there and most are better technically designed and offer better gameplay. The game’s only redeeming value is that it’s passably fun in casual couch co-op and it offers remote play together (a feature I absolutely adore). But again, you’ll probably find better ones on Steam without much difficulty. This solo project could really have used some more polish before being released into the wild or a helping hand to take care of the not-too-technical stuff like dynamic asset loading and automatic controller detection.

There is absolutely no risk at all after downloading the free-to-play demo with the 20 token per day regeneration rate. Doing that is a nice way to get introduced to Risk. A game of world domination can take hours to complete so only playing once a day isn't a problem. With that said, since I like to support game developers, I would encourage players to go for the premium upgrade. If you really want to get good at the game and advance up the rankings ladder, playing game after game is the only way to do it. I would highly recommend taking this Risk!

It feels more like a quick attempt to make money than a serious game, evidenced by the fact its website was taken down weeks after it launched and no community updates have been provided since. There’s a clear lack of care from Paracosma, putting together a group of loosely related tech demos into a singular package. Avoid at all costs, it’s not worth your time and certainly not worth your money.

If you’re looking for a simple strategy game for your young one or a distraction from your daily life that doesn’t require your full attention, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics is the game for you but just ensure you watch the show first. If you were looking for a complex, intricate turn-based strategy RPG with a lot of nuance, story and character development, your money is better spent elsewhere.

It’s apparent that this visual novel will become very much ‘of its time’ in the years to come. And whilst novels are a personal favourite of mine amongst literary genres, the ‘visual novels’ like Coffee Talk have never had me quite so enthralled as their print counterparts. Toge Productions creates an attractive and calming world to be wrapped up in – but doesn’t provide much more than a comfort read.

Seven Days is an enjoyable visual novel with the polish, writing, and emotional appeal to satisfy those who enjoy the genre. Despite the unnecessary sexualization that stands at odds with the actual content of the game, there are enough positives to make this title worthy of your time. Dim the lights, put on your reading glasses, and get ready to cry over some animated ghosts.

Speaking Simulator is also one of those games that is just as fun to watch someone else play than it is yourself, as you watch our robotic friend fall apart at each stumble. Learning to talk is tougher than I remember it.

I think a few more weapon and ability options would have gone a long way towards giving Riverbond a bit more longevity and wide appeal, but what’s there is still a beautiful little nugget of joy that does what it attempts well.

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.

Typhoon Studios have done a tremendous job with their debut game, bringing us a vibrant adventure. Journey To The Savage Planet comes with plenty of exploration opportunities, refined gameplay mechanics, online co-op and a story that will keep you laughing. It’s hard to find fault here, lack of local co-op aside, and releasing with a mid-range price point, it comes highly recommended.

Despite some minor frustrations with the jump between difficulty levels, and the apparent obsolete nature of injuries within games, AO Tennis 2 is a game that will keep tennis fans happy – not only during the Australian Open, but during the whole tennis season.

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.

KaleidoGames have made a good effort with Vortex Attack EX. It never fully captures the spirit of its predecessors, with levels ending far too quickly whilst also lacking variety. But at the core is a fun shooter that certainly improves on the original. If you already bought Vortex Attack, Neon Campaign isn’t enough to justify the upgrade alone but for players seeking a new Shoot-Em-Up, EX provides a decent alternative.

Although I had some issues with the track laying nuances in Railroad Corporation, I was able to overlook them and enjoy the game for what it is – a relaxing train simulation in the mould of the classic Railroad Tycoon. Small map campaigns allow for reasonably short playthroughs, each with different goals that help gamers gradually familiarise themselves with its gameplay mechanics. The lack of proper instructions or guidance for anything outside the basic mechanics was disappointing but having said that, there is a sense of achievement when your little railroad empire is running like clockwork though, knowing that you’ve done so with minimal assistance.

MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is a big, brash, bulky return to the spotlight for the mainline MechWarrior franchise that delivers on its promise of a more sim-like experience than many of its contemporaries. While it can be frustrating to get caught up in economic repair micromanagement, most of your enmity will be blown away when the robots start to rumble.

Disco manages to represent feelings I’ve only ever had when I’ve been drunk when shivers especially channels unusual, almost out-of-body mental experiences that we’ve all had at one point that relies heavily on the quality of the writing. Disco Elysium is not only the best game of this year in my opinion, but undoubtedly one of the best games of the decade.

Alphaman is a whole lot of fun, plus it's challenging. Even though replayability might be limited, at least we can look forward to more levels in the future. I'll say this and then I need to recharge my flux capacitor and get back to 2019: Alphaman is a good game and lots of fun!

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.

Ski Jumping Pro VR is a good first attempt at virtual reality from Yippee Entertainment overall. It’s an enjoyable, albeit flawed experience with motion controls difficulties and repetition issues, so long playthroughs aren’t advisable. However, anyone looking for a skiing experience on their VR headset will find a suitable candidate here, one that successfully recreates the sport and comes recommended.

There’s little doubt that seasoned foragers will find the survival aspects easier to manage but for those people, there are more satisfying experiences on offer elsewhere with survival components as the main selling point. Despite a story that was beginning to heat up, The Wild Eight ultimately leaves you feeling cold.

Shenmue III is a love letter to its fans, showing an uncompromising commitment to Yu Suzuki’s original vision and giving Ryo new life 18 years on. Though its old-school gameplay may prove off-putting to new players, Ys Net has brought us a fun adventure with an engaging story that’ll hold your attention. Whilst there are some rough edges in need of polishing, Shenmue III is a great experience overall and comes recommended.

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.

As you’d hope it would in a fast-paced game like this, combat is fluid and fun. As you play you’ll unlock access to new characters that come with unique perks, new upgrades, and new weapons that will become available for selection/purchase in subsequent playthroughs. You’ll also be able to pick up equipment and resources that drop from enemies and bosses, but you can only take two weapons with you at a time.

There isn’t much to say with Type Knight, as the game simply doesn’t have much on offer. What Chaikadev have offered is a short but sweet adventure; one where you’ll need to be quick with a keyboard to survive and it proves entertaining with custom mode. With its low price, it’s hard to go wrong if you’re looking for a quick fix but it’s not an experience that’ll keep you coming back.

When the game was released for the major consoles last year, I was annoyed. As a PC user, I was still waiting for Rockstar to release the original Red Dead Redemption on PC. Well, that never happened, and a year after the console versions were released, I was beginning to think that Red Dead Redemption 2 would suffer the same fate. But I’m happy to say that it has finally arrived, and it is a glorious cinematic gaming experience that was well worth the wait.

Overall, Planet Zoo is a decent zoo simulator that gives the impression of being easy and light-hearted, but goes a little bit too deep into micromanaging and bogs the gameplay down much of the time. Slower pacing, clearer instructions and some randomized landscapes for your own zoos would work wonders and make the game more enjoyable to younger gamers as well. Future updates will probably address some of these issues and also fix the tutorials that sometimes miss that you have already done what you were asked to do and fail to move to the next step.

I think this expansion is for Rise of Industry’s current fanbase and those who are already committed to these patterns of gameplay and unfortunately not for those who enjoy the premises of futurism and dystopianism like myself. That’s why I find it hard to be too overly critical of this expansion and what it has brought to its existing community, as it will doubtless be pleasing to those who are far more invested in tycoon style simulators when it gives them the reason to play more of that which they already enjoy. After all, the DLC stands at a fairly inexpensive investment of £8 which for the soundtrack alone is already enough compensation! Play it again, Johnny.

The fun, humorous storyline, some great dialogue and theatrical accents of the diverse characters, beautifully varied locations and the same great gunplay that Borderlands is renowned for, means that Borderlands 3 becomes another must have title in the series.

This is not a game that I’d recommend for someone that wants a quick way to jump in and create something over a weekend, but, by all accounts, it’s an awesome tool for those that understand the program will give back as much as you’re willing to put in.

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.

There’s truly a decent game here with its foundational systems that could be developed into a more well-rounded title. But as it stands this is a £45 game, it is neither fair nor warranted that this game is just okay. Codemaster’s had already promised ahead of its release that Grid (2019) would be receiving a bevy of further racetracks, cars and modes for its player base. Yet with a dwindling interest, this seems too little too late.

Problems aside, Police Stories is fun. It’s not terribly long- the kind of game you could bust out in a weekend if you wanted to- but its bite-sized pieces and simple controls also make it a great game to digest at a more tempered pace.

Rain of Reflections: Chapter 1 proves to be a mixed bag. It’s clear that Lionbite have put a lot of time into the story that holds your interest but this is broken up by dull, immersion-breaking gameplay. With Chapters 2 and 3 still to come, we hope that Lionbite Games will take these points into consideration. As the game stands, however, it’s hard to recommend it above the competition.

Overall, the game provides a fulfilling experience for those wishing to jump into a beautifully designed JRPG world, especially now that it is available for desktop gamers who missed out on its original release. Whilst it doesn’t push the boat out in terms of narrative or its attention to structural design, it rewards those who can appreciate a game for its endearing elements, exploring its roaming hills and bustling towns, as well as laughing alongside its friendly and good-natured companions.

Overall, there’s nothing bad to say about the game as long as your only wish from the series was for more of the same goodness as you had in Trine 1 and Trine 2. Although I feel that I’d like to have learned more about our trio of heroes - how are Amadeus’ triplets turning out, for example? - it is the gameplay, puzzles and atmosphere that drives these games forward. And Trine 4 certainly delivers in that regard! There’s a lot of fun to be had here, especially in the co-op mode, and I cannot recommend it too much.

The decision to make Hex a strategy game was a smart choice, translating John’s famous precision and actions in a way that an FPS game simply couldn’t achieve. Whilst it’s a shame that Bithell Games couldn’t get Keanu Reeves on board with his co-stars, Hex proves to be a fun experience, one which challenges players but is never unfair in its difficulty. It’s a solid adaptation of the franchise and will leave fans satisfied.

Ultimately Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is an excellent throwback to platforming glory years. Despite a few bugs and sound issues present during the earlier sections, the game is simple and stylish, a joy to play. If you are on PC, you owe it to yourself to pick it up — this is the closest you will get to a Nintendo platformer on the system. The level of love Playtonic have squeezed into this game makes Yooka-Laylee stand firmly on its own two feet.

Sword & Souls: Neverseen is a fun RPG-lite game that is simple to play, but the repetition in both the training and the combat makes the game become stale rather quickly. The added challenges to the training do help, but once you get to the highest training level, even that becomes monotonous. It is probably a game that is best played in short bursts, which lends itself to being more of a mobile game. Indeed, the simple nature of the controls, the turn-based combat mechanics, and the animated visuals all point to the same conclusion. But as a PC title, the game is fun but somewhat limited.

You could say that Heave Ho is somewhat visually unappealing, as the scenery and characters have a grainy 1920’s style cinematic look to them (albeit in colour). But this is clearly as intended and works well within the humorous nature of the game. There are birds that fly past and cover you in poop if you’re taking too long, and a llama that walks past and farts, filling the area with a dark fog. Even when players fall to their deaths, an explosion of paint covers their comrades. Heave Ho is a game that doesn’t take itself seriously, and should be played as such, particularly with a group of friends.

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.

Warlocks 2 is a fun but flawed game, one that comes with a good amount of charm and the dialogue will certainly make you laugh. It proves to be a lot more of an enjoyable experience with others, with action elements feeling more balanced across a party of players. Overall it’s not an experience which ever truly pulls you in, and ends up leaving you wanting more. If you’re playing as a group, you could do a lot worse than Warlocks 2 but for anyone playing alone, you’re better off looking elsewhere.

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.

This reviewer cannot deny that despite obvious flaws and frankly boring interludes in Metal Wolf Chaos XD’s gameplay, it is a game that will be remembered fondly.

I happen to be a big fan of FMV games, so I’m always happy to see another entry join the genre’s catalog. It may be unfortunate that too much of the game is focused on its least interesting parts, but the story is able to bring up questions of happiness, work, friendship, and mental health that I give it credit for trying to tackle. Your time is probably best spent elsewhere, but here’s to hoping the crew over at Superstring can learn from their mistakes and come back for a stronger sophomore effort.

For the most part, it was a compelling experience. What made it even more interesting, was knowing that the plot behind the Man of Medan is inspired by a real ship that went missing sometime in the 1940's although a specific date is hard to pin down. It may not be a game for everyone, but for fans of Supermassive's previous work it is definitely worth a look.

‘Faith’ is a great episode, possibly my favourite of Life is Strange 2, and undoubtedly one of the most thematically strong. There are a number of great choices, and the only sequence which felt a little unnecessary, was the hospital section at the beginning, which for me only waylaid getting to the important parts of the episode. But in general the discussion of faith, parenthood, and Christianity is precise, prompting the player as to where they want to place their faith, while at the same time, questioning whether repentance, and forgiveness as a concept, are achievable.

Did I enjoy The Church in the Darkness? I did the first couple playthroughs. By the third, I was starting to feel like I was just going through the motions. I think it's one of those games where if you do a playthrough once every now and then, it can definitely be worth the time. It has a visually appealing art-style that reminds me of a stylistic early 2000's game, and the audio, though it does eventually become repetitive, really does sell the Walkers as convincing cult leaders. It's a fun game, but it's a short ride for individual playthroughs and if you're farming for multiple endings, it's going to show its imperfections really fast.

Winds of Magic is decent, but I feel like it unfortunately represents a step away from what makes the Vermintide series truly special.

The multiplayer focus makes it difficult to form an emotional attachment, detracting from what could have been a uniquely unnerving experience. In the current state this game is worth trying if you’ve got a few friends on board, but I’d love to see a more thorough exploration of the mechanics in a well-crafted, single-player story.

It might have been too much to expect incredibly new and diverse mechanics so soon after the release of the base game. Instead Eight Princes represents a few little changes and a nice dose of added re-playability. I think that in time we will receive DLC that does significantly change things and offer new and incredibly fresh mechanics, but Eight Princes isn’t that. I would however recommend it if you enjoyed the campaign experience of the original game.

I expected better from Wolfenstein: Youngblood. After loving the last three outings, I had every right to assume that, despite being something different, Youngblood was going to be a well made experiment to switch things up. I was expecting a gripping narrative, a likeable cast, and thrilling gameplay. What I got was pure disappointment on every level. The one positive I can give Wolfenstein: Youngblood is that the more open map designs (it is co-developed by Arkane Studios, of Dishonored fame) are a welcome addition to the series. Beyond that, I can only say I'm thankful that this retails at $29.99 instead of full price but even that lessens the disappointment only little.

Night Call is not something to pick up if you’re looking for something actively “game-y,” but it’s one that I’d recommend to anyone willing to spend a few dark nights simply enjoying the ride.