Steel Division 2 didn't blow me away, even though I did enjoy myself watching my army blow away the enemy. It's a very well put together game, a beautifully detailed game, but it feels a bit basic. There's a lot of potential in there that I'd like to see elaborated on more. I'd like to see more done with the General's Map table, I'd love to see an encouragement of deeper tactics in the actual battles. I think Steel Division 2 is a great way to kill some time in the annual summer gaming drought, but beyond that I'm not sure I'll be picking it up again any time soon.

While some of the quests do contain interesting stories, it’s not quite enough to make up for the weaknesses of the setting. I really wanted to like this game, and perhaps fans more interested in the source materials of Lovecraft or those interested in Frogwares’ evolving mechanics of detection will get a bigger kick out of it than I did.

My Friend Pedro has mastered the art of doing one thing, and doing it well. There’s not an endless sea of content, and if chasing high scores isn’t your bag it doesn’t necessarily lend itself to replayability. Having said this, it is well worth the time spent. Minor presentation quibbles aside, it’s a game that looks, sounds and feels fantastic.

I wanted to get behind Draugen so much, as someone who loves walking simulators, and loves Norway. But I just didn’t find it gripping — while the setting is unique and captures the beauty of Norway, what I experienced of the central mystery felt cliched, and the two central characters, especially Lissie, felt like 1920s caricatures. I think perhaps an opportunity was missed in giving the game Norwegian characters. If you like walking simulators, and mysteries, you may get a kick out of Draugen, worth a look-up in either case.

All in all, World War Z is a pretty fun experience. It’s one that definitely surprised me, as the developers in my opinion didn’t put their best foot forward with the trailers. It still may not appeal to people who weren’t fans of the movie, but if you’re a fan of zombie games, especially co-op experiences like Left 4 Dead, it’s a solid experience at a relatively cheap price for the amount of gameplay and replay value you’re getting. Just make sure you’re playing with friends, as playing with randoms is often as bad as playing with the single player AI.

Yes, fighting higher ranked opponents certainly takes some level of strategy, but for the most part, the developers have made it a fun arcade-style game rather than a realistic boxing simulation. In career mode, gaining the number one ranking and then earning a shot at the World Title is a little too easy, but this makes Boxing Champs a game in which younger players can feel a sense of achievement. Playing against a friend is certainly a tougher challenge but can be a heap of fun. If you’re looking for a boxing game that is simple to play and reminiscent of classic arcade style boxing games, then Boxing Champs is worth a look.

It’s a fine addition to the Warhammer fantasy IP, and you’ll especially enjoy it if you like dungeon-crawlers, or are a Diablo fan. But beyond that, it falls somewhat into the category of genre-clone, no matter how much you might enjoy its setting/lore.

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.

Overall, Vambrace: Cold Soul is a fun game that's brought down by little things that lead into bigger issues over time. I appreciate a good challenge, but there's often a fine line between a challenge which is fun to overcome and a challenge that feels unfair and unrewarding. Where Vambrace shines is in its world building and storytelling which I enjoyed the mystery of. The map, however, can freeze out in the icy ghost towns for all I care.

Ultimately, it’s clear that the design of American Fugitive has taken great inspiration from the likes of Grand Theft Auto, and this offers a nostalgic recreation, for those who want it, of a sandbox series that has had incredible influence on gaming as a whole. However, by focusing too much on the old-school installments, it misses out on the lessons learned in future iterations, and so comes up a little lacking when compared with what modern experiences have to offer.

The story isn’t going blow you away, but I do feel that the voice work deserves special mention. Considering the size of the dev team, it’s of a very high standard and I loved listening to the story unfolding. This level of polish is found throughout MarZ: Tactical Base Defense, suggesting a much bigger development team. It looks like the devs have found and applied outside help where it counted.

I am confident that the game will stabilize over time but I cannot help feeling Rise of Industry should have stayed in Early Access a month or two longer. As it stands, the game is bursting from the seams with unfulfilled potential.

Void Bastards does a lot for such a small game — layered elements building a player experience where approach must always be varied and considered. The formula is simple — the ship computer asks you to procure items, you go find the items. In this sense, I thought I would find the game boring after awhile, but it’s actually surprisingly addictive, each wreck a new excitement-filled run, as you try to grab what you can, improvise on your feet, and most importantly, stay alive! Its simplicity is part of the appeal, but it also packages plenty of dark humour and absurd fun to go along with the ride. If you enjoy indie rogue-likes, or space scavenger hunts, the Void Ark awaits.

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.

I have to say that RAGE 2 is absolutely an improvement over its predecessor but there is still room for improvement. From a gameplay perspective, the combat is on point for both the in and out of car experiences. Specific landmarks within the world are a joy to experience, but it seems like a good portion of the open world suffers from being too lifeless and the plot suffers from being too inconsequential to the overall context of the game. RAGE 2 is nearly there, but the environments could have benefited from a bit of condensing to breathe a bit more variety and a little less wasteland into them. Oh and as a parting note, crank the difficulty up when you start the game to get the most out of the combat experiences.

Fade To Silence is a game that pushes all the right buttons, but it doesn’t push some of them quite hard enough. In a survival game, it’s important for hostile threats to be just as important as the resource gathering, management, and base building. The idea is there, the environment is there, but the mechanics are only half there when one half is a rather addictive base management system and the other half is overly simplistic combat.

Despite criticism, it’s well put together and it has nothing a couple of patches based on feedback can’t improve upon. As it stands now though, it’s just a bit too rough around the edges to really recommend. Especially since it can easily take you a dozen hours or more to finish. Games are often about the journey and not the destination. However, in this case the journey requires a lot of devotion and patience. Perhaps that was the goal all along?

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

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!?”

You must use all your guile and perseverance to traverse this nightmare, holding onto what you can, for as long as you can. I won’t be forgetting this game for a while.

Fell Seal isn't a game that breaks new ground, but it's still enjoyable to play regardless. The story is fun to experience and the gameplay is usually smooth and able to be played with little to no grinding. Character customization is impressively detailed in both aesthetics and creating class strategies. Overall, I enjoyed my time with Fell Seal despite the small issues I had with the difficulty spike and the graphics.

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

In truth, Weedcraft Inc is an enjoyable business management game with some creative ideas as well as decent writing and a thoroughly fitting musical score. If you’ve always wanted to dabble at running a Cannabusiness, it’s a must buy.

Its run-time is just long enough not to wear out its welcome, and the mystery and tension keeps you going through to the end.

In this type of game, you often get disproportionate enjoyment from combat or dialogue. You’ll find yourself suffering though dialogue to get to the next battle or trudging through fights to get to the next piece of story exposition. In Grimshade, both are fine. Regrettably, that is all they are.

There are some janky animations and ugly models. No, the end-of-the-world narrative isn’t emotional or complex. Along with those flaws, though, is a game with a pretty world, nice music, and combat with a decent enough core to engage those not wanting to wrestle with weapon switches, parrying, cooldowns, or any other more advanced combat mechanics commonly found in similar games. While I occasionally found myself frustrated with my time in Windscape, I found myself relaxed and entertained more often than I wasn’t, and that’s all a game like this really needs to achieve.

The Prophet and the Warlock is a stellar piece of content, with wonderful new units and plenty to wrap your teeth around mechanically — it’ll bring joy to any Total War: Warhammer fan. But at the same time, I wish the factions could have had their own campaign goals, and considering this is a rivalry focused DLC, a focal point around which to centre their head-to-head. Ikit and Tehenhauin are both unique legendary lords, but in the end there’s no real reason it’s them and not any other of the Skaven or Lizardmen waging their ancient war.

It is a game that will be more to the taste of Bloodborne players than Dark Souls players, but if you enjoy tough yet rewarding gameplay, and an interesting world exploration, filled with scenery and intermittent boss fights, Sekiro will be for you.

Outward is a tough game to review because I know there are a ton of people that are going to pick this thing up and absolutely detest it, and, as I said, sometimes I felt that way myself. For the right kind of person, though, this game is going to scratch an itch that not many others can. Because of its relatively niche appeal, I don’t see Outward breaking any sales records, but it does seem like a game destined to be revered in the right circles for quite some time.

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.

In the end, Generation Zero is simply too basic and fails to do anything special with its otherwise interesting premise and pretty graphics. The negatives tend to leech into the positives in the game and even some of the smallest issues are magnified when there's nothing more interesting surrounding them. Wrap that all up with some clunky UI and Generation Zero is a beautifully garnished dish that clearly hasn't been left in the oven long enough, if cooked at all.

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

The Stillness of the Wind will not suit everyone. It is a game that is somewhat devoid of excitement. It is probably a closer example of a farming simulator than games such as Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley and their bright colours and fast-growing crops. It is more than that though. It is a game of survival, for both the elderly Talma, and for the animals that she tends. It is a game of loss as well, as we learn about all the family that lived on the farm but have left the nest. The Stillness of the Wind is relaxing though, allowing you to wander about doing your daily tasks however you please, but without goals to aim for, there is often the feel of emptiness which can lead to the game feeling a tad dull.

In general, I wish the story involving Detective Stone was more fun to follow. Following the stories of Chris and Diane was always enjoyable, so I'm sure that the positive elements of the game would still shine through with some tweaks on the typical detective story they're framed around. What was done right kept me playing, and when Rainswept tells its story right it is an interesting and engaging experience.

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.

Known long-time fans of the series have put in far less time playing VI than they did previous titles, and I am no exception. The Rise and Fall expansion did little to improve this and I found it to be among the weakest expansions ever released for the franchise. Gathering Storm, though, sings a different tune and may be one of the best. It introduces possibly the best diplomacy system I’ve seen in any game, and a climate change mechanic that ticks boxes I’ve long wished to be there.

There is a slight underlying frustration in Tech Support — an inability to articulate exactly what you want to say. But a part of me feels like it perhaps adds to the experience. There is an overall feeling of being trapped, whether that’s in the endless cycle of query and response, or in the narrative. It plays on the fact that Tech Support is both a permadeath game and one that relies heavily on decision-making and branching narrative paths. On the whole I’m impressed by how much the game accomplishes using comparatively little, building what amounts to, a fairly full-on gaming experience. In many ways, Tech Support could be a hell metaphor for troubleshooters.

Tannenberg takes what made Verdun fun, and improves upon what made it awesome. The new environments in particular really make the potential of a WWI FPS/Simulator really stand out and stick with memorable moments that last long after a match is over. The developers proved themselves with their support of Verdun over time, which gives me reason to believe that Tannenberg is only going to get better from here.

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

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.

Overall, Unruly Heroes is a blast to play! I enjoyed learning each characters' abilities despite tending to stick to one play style in games that let me switch. Being able to switch characters on the fly is the perfect way to coax players like myself into experiencing fully what Unruly Heroes has to offer, and I'm glad that I did. The game always surprises and makes exploring super enjoyable, but with a bit of a stronger story element I think it would have been tied together just a little better.

The Band of Bastards DLC took me around three to four hours to see through all the way, which is a pretty good chunk of content for the price tag of $7.99. The characters and more of the combat I know and love definitely make this a DLC worthy of being part of Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

Overall, I can see the game appealing to puzzle-loving gamers of about equal level or experience and ability - perhaps even romantically involved couples, as the developers suggest. For gamers looking for a bit more casual fun, some other game might be a better choice.

Re-Legion is a great example of a good idea that is failed by the sum of its parts. It's not a bad game by a long shot, but it's also not what I would call great or even good. It's serviceable, it works (other than two frustrating crashes), it has a beautiful visual aesthetic and a great lead voice actor. But when you make a game centered around building a cult, when you set out with the intent of making player choice matter so that you have a real option of peace or chaos, you have to make it so.

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.

Genesis Alpha One, at its best, is an engaging resource-management sim that gives a good approximation of what I imagine running a ship out in the middle of space would be. However, the first-person perspective seems to have shifted the design towards a combat-oriented game with resource management elements, and unfortunately that is not where the game’s strengths lie. If you can get on board with the lacklustre gunplay, there’s some fun to be had organising your ship and crew, but the combat elements seem at odds with the slow pace of the rest of the game.

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.

Astral isn’t the worst game I’ve played, but it’s a game in which virtually everything that it aims to do is done better elsewhere. Even if you’re looking for something in the niche of horror-esque side-scrolling platformers, you’d probably be best served looking elsewhere.

When my biggest complaint is that an enemy is packing a silly hat, I think that says it all. Fashion sense aside, the game is an absolute must-play for any horror fan.

If you want a cricket game with realism, there are definitely better games. But if you’re after a fun, or a quick and easy game to play with some friends during the lunch break at the cricket, then Big Bash Boom would be just the thing. It is the cricket version of NBA Jam, a game where it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Indeed, upon scoring a six or taking a wicket, gamers can have their players perform one of dozens of crazy victory dances. With loads of colour, some fun power-ups and the simple nature of the controls, Big Bash Boom is a game even non-cricket lovers could get into. And for those who do love the Big Bash, this game is perfect to play during the innings break of an actual match.

At The Gates feels a bit like a flawed gem. It’s far from perfect, but full of intricacies, and it offers a wonderful new take on the 4X genre. Having spent almost 50 hours with the game, every minute has been rewarding. In fact, it’s easily the most refreshing strategy game I have played in years.

As there is no voice-over, all your interaction with the game’s story is text-based, and when the writing is as bad as it is in ATOM RPG, it becomes a chore and all enjoyment of the world is drained out of it. That’s not to say I’m going to stop playing it. As a system it is a genuinely good game, but as a world into which one sinks oneself, it’s viscous.

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.

There’s a lot to love here, and if you’re a fan of the farm-sim RPG you’ll feel right at home in Portia. Sadly, the overall presentation leaves a little to be desired - by easing back on scope and placing a greater focus on polishing what has already been achieved, there could be something great here, but as it stands, it’s a very solid concept built on unsteady ground.

Megacorp is a refreshing expansion, mainly because it shows that economy can be fun and interesting when it is represented by interesting features and not just by numbers and a same-old 4x market and trade system. But much of that seamless simplicity is lost in the convoluted additions of the 2.2 update. Stellaris is still a great game and this is a good expansion, but it unfortunately lands in what seems to have been received as a negative update.

Last Year: The Nightmare is off to a great start. It's a fun team-based horror title that is addictive to play and you can get lost in for hours, whether as the killer or the potential victims. My only real complaint with the game is that three levels is a bit on the slim side, but to their credit the maps are fantastic and exciting to play across the board.

Overall, Bad Dream: Fever, is a beautifully written, beautifully drawn, beautifully designed game that does a tremendous job molding a realistic world with the uncertainty of a nightmare. The characters presented are memorable, even if one of them talks too much, and clearly a lot of time went into their design as they fit perfectly into this world. The backgrounds and clickable sprites are all drawn with utmost care and attention to detail, making them the most impressive aspect of this game. The puzzles, while some were more cumbersome/clunky than others, were enjoyable and satisfying to solve. This game would be perfect for fans of the point-and-click genre as well as fans of a good mystery game.

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.

While not drastic pieces of content, for their price, Celestial Worlds and Harmonic Memories add a valuable boost of replayability, the best friend of any strategy player. I would especially recommend both DLCs for any player who has yet to play one of the Endless Space 2 races, as the new quest-line, music, unique planets and improvements add a slightly richer campaign experience on the whole.

Vermintide 2 has shown us the possibility of what could be for the series, so it’s hard to know what this remaster stands for. Is this a fond farewell to the overdone town setting, as in the new year Fatshark moves into newer and fresher regions of content, with the possibility of a third race perhaps? Or is it, as remasters so often are, a case of substituting for content that is actually ‘new’? I of course hope it’s the former. Back to Ubersreik is a good remaster, certainly a more complete piece of content than Shadows over Bogenhafen, but it still leaves me slightly nervous about the future of Vermintide 2 DLC.

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.

Jagged Alliance: Rage is a fun game when judged on its own merits. It’s certainly not a proper sequel, and perhaps that would be a bit too much to expect from a game that’s selling for a mere 20 bucks. It does have a few whiffs of what made Jagged Alliance great though, and if this would have been sold as a way to whet our appetites for a full sequel coming out next year, I think it would have landed much better with the fans than it did. As it stands, Jagged Alliance: Rage is a cute distraction, a fun-for-a-while-not-quite-Jagged-Alliance that will polarize fans more than it had intended, but should not be dismissed right out of hand.

It can be hard to recommend sidescrolling platform-puzzlers these days with the sheer number of fantastic ones hitting the market every single year for quite some time now, but My Memory of Us is worth your time. With a unique atmosphere, well-told story, quality visuals and voice acting, and a run time short enough to make it perfect for a weekend finish, I think just about everyone will find [their time] and money well spent.

Overall, Lucid Dream is a point and click game that won't wow you over some others like Broken Age or something really experimental like The Neverhood. The game's exploration on the effects of depression and loss are interesting and I really enjoyed the contrast between Lucy's reality and the dream worlds she explores. Lucid Dream's visual representation of this is mostly intriguing and pretty to look at, but it needs some better music to really pull the elements together.

The narrative attempts to hit all the emotional beats, but the execution is fumbled as a result of not being able to control for non-linearity. Series veterans may appreciate the added lore this game brings, but don’t expect much in the way of a satisfying resolution. It’s great to see Gunfire Games refreshing the Darksiders formula — they just haven’t quite nailed the dismount on this one.

Stories, stories, stories. RimWorld sets you up for an ever changing game in which only your engagement remains the same, potentially for hundreds of hours. And when you’re done with the vanilla version of RimWorld, there are thousands of mods that enhance or change the game in such a way that it is all fresh again. I am in awe of RimWorld, and it deserves a Big Fat 10 out of 10.

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.

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

Overall, I did have fun with The Shapeshifting Detective. It’s a very competently made FMV, and one with a unique enough twist to earn a spot among its peers. I do think that there was a lot more potential in the concept than what the final product ended up delivering, but such is the case with many first shots at a new idea. Here’s to hoping we’re in line for a sequel that gives the concept some more room to grow.

I love Surviving Mars, one of my favourite management games this year, but while this expansion adds lots of little things, it doesn’t add anything significantly new, or even successfully realize the ‘race’ it titles itself for — I’m sad to say, it feels like a pricey update.

Fallout 76 is Fallout, and it isn't Fallout at the same time. And for all the hype around the multiplayer, both friend and foe, it seems inconsequential most of the time. Just passer-bys on the street more often than not, it's there but it doesn't matter. It's a fun game, but I don't think it's going to be a timeless classic I return to time and time again years from now once I feel I've had enough.

Despite not particularly caring for Drowning as a complete package, I do want to stress that I think the writing paints an affecting picture of depression without slipping into cliched, manufactured drama. I did enjoy connecting with the protagonist as much as one can enjoy getting into a troubled mind, and I think it does a good job of using personification to make depression as relatable as I can imagine it is for someone like me who’s never experienced it first hand. I just don’t particularly love how it all came together as an interactive experience.

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

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

I think Achtung! will probably bring you some slight joy if you are both a fan of Lovecraft and Isometric tactics games, but it’s hard to feel it fulfils the original IP when it’s so lacking in narrative.

Despite my few complaints, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey truly is an incredibly entertaining game that proves Origins was no fluke. I’m back on the hype train, baby, and I can’t wait to see where the next stop is (even if I wish it’d rest at the same station for another year or two). No longer a simple stealth game, but instead a massive, detailed, sprawling roleplaying game, Odyssey just might be one of my favorite games of 2018 so far.

I just don't get it, how can such a promising idea fall so flat? The Works of Mercy had the potential to be something truly special. But good ideas alone amount to little, when the end result is beautiful, boring, and buggy.

I cannot help but feel there is a 10 out of 10 game on the other side of my issues with Pathfinder: Kingmaker. It still has a way to go before it reaches its full potential but the vision the developers had for the game is starting to come through; A punishingly hard game, quite unlike anything we’ve seen, that satisfies craving for a deep, engaging and well written cRPG.

Despite the shortcomings of the story modes, overall Soul Calibur is exactly what you want out of a fighting game. Solid mechanics, fluid motion, a unique and varied cast of characters, and even a decent character creator thrown on top of everything. If you're into fighting games solely for single player, you may find yourself wanting more out of what you get here. But, if you're in it for online fighting you'd be hard pressed to find a more rewarding experience than trying to best each opponent that comes your way and a more humbling one when you are defeated.

Get it if you’re a huge fan of the stealth/infiltration genre and need to play everything on offer in that niche. Just be aware that there are superior games out there that will undoubtedly serve better to satisfy your assassination fantasies.

All in all, it’s a strong initial start. While a little disorientating and stumbling at points, it’s believable as this player experience mirrors the confusion of Sean and Daniel, trying to find their way. There are lots of decisions to make and the game doesn’t pull punches in terms of asking you to make uncomfortable choices. The narrative also does a very good job of introducing you to the brother based mechanics, showing you how those decisions impact both Sean and Daniel in the long run. I’m excited to see where the road will take them next.

Deep Sky Derelicts makes me happy. I play through a lot of early access titles, and I’ve often had reasonable ideas on how games can improve- only to have them released with little to no changes. That isn’t the case here, with changes to balance and resource availability turning this into a game I don’t have a problem recommending.

It’s a successful game in its own right, super fun with a large variety of weapons, bosses, enemies and areas to experience/explore. The similar layouts and shifting structure of the tower do make it a challenge to navigate, but there is a great sense of accomplishment in the game. It may try to be a little too ‘edgy’ at times, illustrated by Death on a skateboard and 90% of the stuff that comes out of his mouth and the PvP of Tokyo Death Metro feels a poor excuse for Souls-like invasion sometimes, but it does allow you to grind coins if you need them.

Satisfying the OCD urges will only get you so far. A bigger tank is just that - a bigger tank. It’ll fit more fish and more decorations, but I can guarantee your visitors won’t be the only ones that will get bored with those. And that is what this game is all about, filling tanks. Still, there’s fun to be had here. Do fish swimming in pretty environments get your adrenaline pumping like a filter in a million gallon fish tank? Then Megaquarium is destined to be your fix for a few rainy autumn weekends.

The Gardens Between is a beautiful game and combined with the relaxing atmosphere set by the wonderful soundtrack and simple controls make it one worth checking out. The story of the two friends’ adventures is told without the use of any dialogue and although it is a little on the short side, it did leave me wanting more - which is always a good sign. The puzzles are not overly difficult, and the lovely story of friendship told within the environments where their adventures occur, make The Gardens Between a game for all ages, but will be especially nostalgic for those gamers who grew up in the 80's.

Gift of Parthax is a great game to pick up to have some truly difficult battles using different magics and strategies. The pacing is rather slow in the beginning, but I promise that the fights really pick up as the game moves on. Battles are kept fresh with different ways to play, various enemy patterns to learn, and even bosses to battle. Gift of Parthax is a game that's more about strategy and fun gameplay than it is about a plot that'll leave a lasting impression on you for years to come, and that's just fine.

Action Squad also supports local and online co-op so that you and a friend can party up and kick ass. This creates a unique dynamic rather than just playing solo. With a partner, you are able to create new tactics and deal more damage than a single person would. A great combo to try out is the shield and assaulter. The shield can block incoming bullet damage while the assaulter can stand behind them to let off a volley of gunfire. These options in gameplay made it feel exciting and fresh throughout. I never found a dull moment in Door Kickers regardless of the shallow customization.

Unknown Fate could have been a decent game but it is let down by lack of development. A decent level designer would have pointed out that the game’s levels don’t work.

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

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.

While less strong than previous DLCs, Shadows Over Bogenhafen lends the base game a well-needed dose of re-playability and will be an enjoyable booster of content for most rat-killing fans.

Strange Brigade is a sound party shooter, stylish and good to play with friends. It’s a nice romp, but the actual content feels very facile to me, lacking in terms of any meaningful engagement with the player.

Despite a few drawbacks and narrative tangles, State of Mind is a great game that I had a ton of fun playing. The attention that's gone into creating an engaging world results in an experience that has a lot to offer anyone willing to be a more passive participant in the engaging experience. It’s a slow burn, the perfect game to relax with for a few evenings like a season of a good tv show.

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.

While the ever changing aspect of the levels, was probably one of the best times I’ve seen it done, running through the levels over and over, did grow a little tiresome. Especially when there aren’t more NPCs, or things to find (other than chests). But on the whole, if you like rogue-lite (or metroidvania), there is a hell of a lot to enjoy.

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.

Sonic Mania, as well as Sonic Mania Plus Encore, are exactly what the Sonic franchise needed to breathe some life back into it. The ball is in play, and it gives fans hope for the series to improve going forward.

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.