I’m curious to see if Epic Manager is able to find a niche in the market, as I can see more hardcore management enthusiasts being turned off by its cartoony (though charming) visual style and humor, while those more interested in the fantasy elements may be cautious of a game with an emphasis on management instead of exploration or combat. I hope it is able to find its footing though, as it’s great to see developers experimenting with new genres and ideas- especially when they turn out as fun as this one did.

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.

I can certainly list the game’s qualities, but I can also list its flaws. But I think in the end what it comes down to is the fact that this game’s qualities feel individual, whereas I perceive its flaws belonging to the genre as a whole, which, to me, makes them far more forgivable.

I may have had a couple of gripes about some rather minor aspects of gameplay, but that definitely should not be a turn off to playing this game. Everything is very well thought out and as players complete repair missions and acquire advanced repair licenses it will open up a large universe filled with space repairs galore! Who wouldn't love that? Well, probably the guy that isn't all that mechanically inclined, but Space Mechanic Simulator is a niche title after all.

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.

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.

All in all though, The Enchanted Cave 2 does what it says on the tin, and it does it well. It doesn't waste your time with elaborate filler, it gets straight to the point and keeps enticing you on until you forget how much time you’ve spent stuck in the caves.

It’s tough to get into, as many games like this are, but if you are willing to put in the initial work, you are in for a long ride.

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

Tank Operations: European Campaign turned out to be a little difficult to get into, but once you ‘get it’, it gets you. It’s not fancy and it isn’t breaking any new grounds either, but it knows that and isn’t ashamed of it. All it needs to do is offer turn-by-turn strategic decisions that matter, and it does that very well indeed.

For the price, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Ultimate Edition has a huge amount of content and variety, and is certainly worth a look.

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

Despite a few flaws, The Bridge is a very good puzzle game.

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

In all, Mirrored Souls is a very solidly built puzzle game with an interesting mechanic and a very serene art style. The only real issue to be had is the difficulty curve, but the break levels can really help balance out the curve and make it so that players can really enjoy the journey of Ravi and Daru.

Platforming fans will find this game difficult to resist, as Harold draws you in with gorgeous visuals and accessible gameplay. But be warned – once you're in, it turns up the heat.

With the old style platform gameplay, 2D pixellated graphics and some cool retro 8-bit style music (thrown in with some other cool looping tunes), Platformines feels like it should have been released decades ago. But the game is definitely a huge amount of fun to play.

Broken Roads is certainly a tribute to Outback Australia as much as it is to role-playing games of the past, and as an Aussie myself, I found this refreshing.The bleak surrounds and the harshness of many of the characters really set the tone of the post-apocalyptic storyline. The Moral Compass and the ability to level up your character’s abilities in any way you choose ensures that the game feels more personalised as you travel from one location to the next. And although the questing can feel somewhat laborious at times, and the citizens can be somewhat abrupt, there is a story behind every interaction - one that provides hope for those that have struggled to survive the 'wide brown land' they call home.

So should you buy Street Fighter V? It depends how invested you are in the series; if you’re a rabid fan, by all means get this now and master the characters while waiting for the updates. If not, or if you’re a casual player, wait until after March for the additional features to be implemented.

While it may not win any awards in my book, Monster Hunter Stories 3 is a fun way to pass time, and a great game for newcomers to the JRPG genre. The turn based combat mechanics are solid, and there is a lot to unlock. The story and characters are fun to watch and exploring the environments is never boring. Here’s hoping that Capcom can refine this formula, and truly bring their A game with the next instalment.

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.

As a multiplayer game, Star Wars Battlefront works really well, making it simpler to get into than the grittier Battlefield series.

In many ways Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 strays so minimally from the path of its predecessor in both a positive and negative sense. In others, it effectively uses the existing blueprint to build on what went well. It is graphically improved, but that makes the visual shortcomings more glaring. It's more hardcore, but more tedious as a result. It has improved combat overall, but makes some confusing choices in that execution. As a simulation of life in the middle ages, and as a character-focused story, it excels as it flaunts those aspects. As a video game, the successes are fewer, and too often the mechanics and pacing get in the way of actually accomplishing something. If you're a player whose natural pace is steadier, you might be the Titanic bound for an iceberg. But if you enjoy a slow pace, if you are that iceberg, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will reward your dedication in spades. The philosophy of the entire experience is represented well in its cozy moments, like walking through a forest at dusk, as the rain comes down and lightning occasionally lights up the landscape. If you can see that beauty, and appreciate it, you don't want to speed things up.

In all, Party Animals is a pretty fun game, with multiple maps that each have different gimmicks and can be incredibly entertaining. That being said the controls feel clumsy and take a bit of getting used to. In addition, unless you have a group of friends to play with, Party Animals may get old fairly quickly. To be fair, that is rather par for the course for a game whose focus is multiplayer, so it isn't anything outright against Party Animals. If you're a fan of multiplayer shenanigans or adorable creatures, then this is a game to keep an eye on!

In all Persona 3 Portable is an excellent chance for gamers to add to their JRPG collection, and despite its flaws it has a compelling story, fantastic music (Techno and J-Rock compared to P4’s J-Pop and P5’s Jazz), and characters that feel fleshed out and real. For $20 USD on Steam and many hours of content, the game is a bargain worthy of Tanaka, a series spanning salesman that has always got a deal for you.

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.

Conarium is labour of love, for its inability to strike a similar sense of wonder the written work did, it makes up for in sheer presentation; like a wonderful catalogue for enthusiasts to drool over. Horror fans might find it somewhat lacking in the scares department where monster interaction is kept to a minimum, but fortunately it never presents itself as a horror game. Fundamentally it provides a wonderful introduction to the visual themes of H.P. Lovecraft, which hopefully, will encourage many players to pick up the books and delve deeper into this world.

For a somewhat monochromic looking game that only has you moving a pink geometric shape through a series of concentric mazes, Expand is highly addictive.

Ronin has quite a minimalist style, which is fine, but again, some variety between levels would have been nice.

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.

Inquisitor: Martyr is a fun horde killer with a fair amount of variety to boot; also with the promise of more races to come and live events, it’s a good investment for any 40k fan who wants some bang for their buck.

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.

In all Pac-Man World: Re-Pac is a quality coat of paint that allows for gamers to experience an era of Pac-Man's history that was previously only available on the fifth console generation. It's a fun platformer with appealing visuals, smooth gameplay, and a simple but nevertheless charming story.

It offers gameplay which manages to be both novel and infuriating simultaneously. Players who enjoy a more sedate, thoughtful style of play will probably find Miss Take an extremely frustrating experience, but if you can stick with it you'll find something very original indeed.

The short version: if you liked Worms, definitely check this game out. If you’ve never tried Worms, this is a little bit more accessible. And if you didn’t like Worms, this is unlikely to convert you to the genre.

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

It is the quirky puzzles, the fun mini-puzzles and the humorous dialogue and references that make The Book of Unwritten Tales: The Creature Chronicles so enjoyable to play.

Even with the keyboard and mouse control issues I do like this game a lot because game play is right up my alley. It's an interesting subject and there is a very well developed story that includes a great team history for your team along with the other sports establishments that you work on. The game looks and sounds good as well, and all in all Sports: Renovations is a solid entry in to the sports rebuilding genre of PC games. It just might need a few tweaks.

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.

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.

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

In all, The Last Spell is a genuinely enjoyable game that allows for strategic planning and makes use of a dark atmosphere. That being said there are times when the atmosphere feels almost too crushing and difficult - leaving it up to the player to latch onto hope as best they can. The Last Spell is the end of days for this world wreaked by war, and your group of Heroes is all that stands between what remains of humanity and a slow demise as the fog encroaches and the undead approach. The dark atmosphere and challenging gameplay can make for a really satisfying experience however, and it is in the darkest of times that one’s worth as a hero is truly shown.

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.

This game is a welcome addition to the combat racing genre and although it adds nothing new to it, it holds up well against games like Twisted Metal. This genre is severely under-served on the PC and I encourage anyone who enjoyed the likes of Interstate ‘76 to pick this game up. It doesn’t have the story of that classic piece of gaming history, but the action and mayhem are definitely there.

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.

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.

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.

The verdict as far as Ancient Farm is concerned is that the game atmosphere is definitely a desert and Egyptian theme setting. It contains very nice looking graphics which aren't HD in nature but they are sufficient because it sets a nice casual gaming atmosphere. Game play seems to be rather scripted in a step by step manner which isn't a problem in this category of computer gaming. The over all environment can be a bit static in nature and you pick up sticks and stones, chop down trees with the ax and use the pick ax to smash big rocks which provides more of each, but the environment over all is just nice to look at. With all of that said, Ancient Farm does accomplish what it set out to do and that is to provide an enjoyable resource gathering and crafting gaming experience in a historic farming kind of ancient way!

My time with Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence- Ascension may have been confusing at times, and I still don’t feel like I’ve entirely mastered everything it has to offer, but I did have a good deal of fun playing. The game could certainly benefit from a little life being blown into its cold, clinical presentation, but from storming castles to forging alliances and maintaining roads, I always felt like I was part of a larger living picture, and that’s a cool feeling to have.

Pacing issues aside, Rocketbirds 2 provides a fun experience that I wish spent more of its time focusing on the action, instead of mundane and rudimentary puzzling elements. Fans of the original will love this, and those looking for a throw-away action fix could do a lot worse than give Rocketbirds 2: Evolution a shot.

That said, Victor Vran does use all of its parts very well. It has a strong atmosphere, familiar controls, and some interesting moments. It might not be a standout, but it's definitely a solid game.

Might & Magic X Legacy is not only a faithful tribute to one of gaming’s most lauded RPG series but also a solid, time devouring RPG.

Games that allow parents and their children to play together - particularly those that are fun for both – are difficult to find. And although Phogs has a couple of issues that can make the game frustrating, it is one that has some simple controls that allow gamers of any age to play. The bright colourful cartoon style visuals will also please younger gamers. The puzzles are generally on the easier side, but there are some that do provide for a bit of a challenge, making the game more suitable to those experienced gamers. With the holiday season upon us, there will likely be ample opportunity to game as a family, and PHOGS! fits the bill nicely.

In all LEGO: Bricktales is a charming foray into a plastic moulded world. Creativity is encouraged, but players are more than free to blitz through with whatever roughshod constructions that they are able to make, allowing for some hilarity when people either question the quality of a painstakingly built bridge or compliment the artistry in a hastily constructed helicopter. For anyone that is a fan of LEGO, character creation, or questionable engineering, this isn’t a game to miss despite its few flaws.

Lego 2K Drive provides an entertaining setting that will have older players reminiscing about playing with Lego in their backyards, whilst giving younger gamers a chance to experience the same thing in a virtual world. The almost fully destructible Lego environments allow players to drive unimpeded for the most part, cruising around Bricklandia at their own leisure, completing whichever quest they want. The ability to customise your rides in the garage adds to the fun aspect with gamers able to create their own outlandish vehicles. And with the ability to play in split screen co-op, Lego 2K Drive is the perfect opportunity for families to sit on the couch together smashing through Lego towns on their way to winning the Sky Trophy.

You may be wondering if the kingdom that is now called Ellaria was restored? Well, you will have to play yourself to find out. Is LOE a worthwhile endeavor? Yes, I think it is but there are a few detractors which I think the developers will iron out eventually in future updates and versions. My thoughts about Ellaria are that the game has a whole lot of potential but it needs to concentrate on just one genre.

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

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.

As with any good Roguelike, you're as likely to end up entertained as frustrated. Permadeath is, well, permanent, and if you've just invested an hour into a game when it kicks you out, it hurts. I hate losing progress like that, which is why I usually avoid playing Roguelikes.

Redeemer is an excellent game coming out of Moscow and Kalingrad, Russia and I recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced, action packed gore fest that requires a little more thought than your average beat-em-up. Don’t expect much in terms of a story, though. It’s not bad, it’s just not unique enough to be a selling point either.

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.

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.

What is present throughout the game is the obvious passion that has gone into it. Fursan al-Asqa never falls into a comfortable routine and repeats itself. There's always another interesting mission objective or absurd cut-scene. It is far from a perfect game, but it is consistently engaging. Certainly worth checking out, if only for the novelty of it.

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.

Stronghold Kingdoms does deserve the honour of being the world’s first castle building MMO and it does -despite its presentation- do it well. The game’s depth and scope go beyond that of the regular Stronghold games and is guaranteed to keep your mind firmly lodged into medieval times for a long, long time.

Company of Heroes 2 is a wonderful game. The gameplay elements work remarkably well.

Although the fishing mechanics don't change much over the course of the game, I didn't find it a grind. The challenge of catching each and every type of fish, as well as slowly building the town to its former glory kept the game as fresh as Baelin's catch. The comedic dialogue and the pop culture references just add the experience. Nice Day for Fishing is a simple game with a simple premise - one that will keep players entertained for many hours.

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.

Control and stability issues aside, Block’hood is quite a lovely game to play around in. The graphics are simple, yet charming, and the music does a great job of relaxing you as you puzzle through how best you’re going to keep the animals in your neighbourhood happy while also setting up multiple Internet cafes. The sense of progression isn’t as great as in other city building games, but putting together an efficient neighbourhood where everyone lives in harmony is definitely a rewarding experience.

Thunder Wolves is exactly what it promises to be and nothing more, nothing less. If you are in for some action, by all means give this game a try. But if you want more from your games than single-minded shooting and explosions, then look elsewhere.

Beholder is a fairly unique game of spying, decision making, and disaster avoidance. The story of a secret rebellion uprising against an authoritarian government has been told many times before, but at least government controlled property landlord is a fresh perspective on things. It won’t take you that long to complete, but it doesn’t outstay its welcome, and you’ll have a good time balancing all the things that need doing for those few hours.

Although I loved the absurdism and the art, it did lose its charm after a while because EVERYTHING was absurd, and so I found my absurdist baseline shifted while playing.

When you die – and you will, a lot – the frustration is not because you weren’t expecting it, but because you know you can do better.

Overall Trident's Tale is an enjoyable romp through a fantasy ocean, inspired by adventure stories and built around exploration. If you desire a skullduggerous journey that’s easy to sink your teeth into, Trident's Tale might be for you!

Romeo is a Dead Man has so much to offer and introducing some of those genre-splicing mechanics had me grinning ear to ear. Unfortunately, I think the one area where Romeo is a Dead Man stumbles is in the core combat gameplay loop, which you'll be engaging with every mission. I feel if it forwent the hack and slash elements and took on a more strategic style it would've been a lot more enjoyable, and there were several boss fights that I found quite obnoxious and mechanically frustrating. However, do not let the combat dull this blade too much, I am still so impressed with this level of creativity and ingenuity, and I found everything else to be such a joy. The world would be a boring place without Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture.

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.

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.

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

The dialogue is fairly strong and despite some bad accents, it holds its own and gives the player plenty of choice. The heists and their preparation missions are pretty varied and allow for a range of approaches. But most of all, the game is very consistent tonally; that comic art style is on point and the game just generally exudes a sense of criminal classiness. I would definitely recommend this to comic-book turned game fans or to anyone craving a spot of thievery.

The foundations are there and the premise is one of the most original we have seen in recent times, but it’s just not quite fleshed out enough.

With a host of collectibles and simple addictive gameplay, Shooty Skies will have gamers playing ‘just one more turn’ as they try and top their best score. And with loads of colour and fun, upbeat audio, there is no reason why Shooty Skies shouldn’t be in your Steam Library. Especially when it’s free.

Watch Dogs: Legion does most things right. The hacking component works amazingly well, letting players infiltrate locations with minimal attention from guards patrolling the areas when done correctly. Sneaking around and using the available cover works satisfactorily too, giving players the opportunity to take out guards one at a time. The AI does a decent job too, with guards and drones alerted by fallen comrades or the sound of alarms and gunshots. And if you do happen to get into a gunfight, the shooting mechanics do an admirable job.

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

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.

In all Say No! More is a simple but powerful message in a simple but powerful style, that play to the strengths of Studio Fizbin and despite the meaning behind everything, the game knows not to take itself too seriously despite itself, allowing for a short but very well meaning experience that isn’t about never saying yes, or always saying no, but having the courage to just Say No! More.

The cute visuals give the impression that Tentacular is one for the younger gamers. And to an extent it is, with the simple controls and some of the levels being ridiculously easy to complete. But the puzzle element to some of the levels and the exactness required for some of the movements of the two tentacles can mean that there is a requirement of deftness to much of the game. Although the story is somewhat lacking, it doesn’t take away from the gameplay. In essence, each level feels like a mini game that has players using the controllers in different ways. As a result, the gameplay never feels old, and indeed, as I was playing through the levels I was intrigued as to what the next level would bring. And combined with the knowledge that the game fully utilizes the 360-degree capabilities of the VR headset, it makes Tentacular a worthy purchase for those with the hardware.

If you’re a fan of tower defence style game, Defend the Bits will definitely be right up your alley, whilst for other gamers, the game offers a quick break from your usual game. But be warned, that quick break can turn into hours of addictive gameplay.

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

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.

In all, Choo-Choo Charles is an impressively made game for only having one person working on it - and what flaws it has don't get in the way of an overall solid experience. The game leans on its ridiculousness but also manages to keep an entertaining amount of tension due to the seemingly constant presence of the spider-train, heralded only by his horn. There isn't always a lot to see away from the train tracks or specific quests noted on the map, but that isn't a necessity in a game like Choo-Choo Charles - and despite its relatively short length this is one train this reviewer would recommend picking up a ticket.

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

Carmen Sandiego, like the character, has a bit of an identity crisis. The mini-games are very simple and the fact that the game is educational in nature, gives the indication that the game was designed for younger students. But then there are some cryptic clues, particularly those about the identity of the thieves that children will struggle to solve. But in all, the game does a reasonable job in its two main objectives - being entertaining and educational. In the review code, I did spend a lot of time visiting the same cities, so players will become quite familiar with the destinations throughout the course of the game. Of course, this kind of repetition is a valuable educational tool. The puzzles and mini games are fun (even if they're on the simple side), the visuals are bright and colourful and visiting the various cities of the world to track down the VILE henchmen is rewarding. And if you're like me and have kids of your own now, then Carmen Sandiego will bring back a touch of nostalgia, especially when you spot some of the Easter Eggs from the original.

Regardless of how you prefer to play Worms, the potential of this drive for e-sports recognition is sure to add months, if not years, to the longevity of the game's popularity. I, for one, will definitely be adding my roster of worms to the virtual soup of manic mayhem that is Worms: Clan Wars.

For all of the meddling with time Perils of Man focuses on, it feels like time is the one thing it needed more of to really develop itself into another classic adventure game.

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.

Dr. Who: The Lonely Assassins is an enjoyable game that different people are likely to enjoy for different reasons based on their previous experience with the Dr. Who tv series. Those who don't know much will likely find the mystery more engaging than I did, and those who have seen more of the show than me are likely to find more pleasure in easter eggs and returning characters. While I found myself a bit in the gray-area middle, knowledgeable enough to make the mystery fairly obvious but not knowledgeable enough to appreciate the references, I still enjoyed the game for its relatively tight storytelling, good pacing, and slick UI.

Visually, the game opts for personality over photo-realism. It features a bright, colorful, almost cartoon-like aesthetic. The cars themselves have a distinct Micro Machines vibe—slightly stylized, chunky, and full of character. This art style complements the "arcade" feel perfectly, making the whole experience feel like a celebratory toy-box version of professional racing rather than a grey, clinical simulation. iRacing Arcade succeeds because it understands that you don't need to be a mechanic to love racing. It captures the thrill of the chase and the strategy of the pit lane while keeping the barrier to entry low. It is accessible, vibrant, and surprisingly deep where it counts. If you love the idea of the Grand Prix but find "sim-racers" too cold and complex, this is the driver's seat you’ve been looking for.

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