Atlas Fallen has much going for it, with satisfying combat, lovely visuals within the desolate environment, plenty of collectibles, and the fun sand-sliding mechanic to traverse between quest locales. But it also suffers from a several issues – not the least being the bland storyline and dialogue. Chatting to quest givers is somewhat tedious, but luckily once you head off into the dunes this is easily forgotten.

While it doesn't add too much to the genre, it is easy to get into and makes sure that players who might be new to survival games shouldn’t be too overwhelmed. This makes it a very good entry point into the genre, but it may not do enough to set itself apart for people who spend a lot of time playing survival games. [Easy Access Provisional Score = 78]

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.

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.

Anyone who plays adventure games for deep stories and complex characters should definitely avoid this one, but players looking for a short, surreal point & click will undoubtedly enjoy their time in the Bunker if they can look past the flawed gameplay experience.

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.

Crossing Souls does so many things right. Sure, the story and the dialogue are a bit dull, but the game is fun to play, and had me wanting to move through to the completion of the tale. The mini-games are also fun and none of them feel as if they’ve been added as filler, but flow through nicely into the main game. The cartoon cut-scenes and the nods to 80’s pop-culture add further nostalgia to the pixelated visuals and digitised audio. For some nostalgic fun, don’t let Crossing Souls slip by.

While the gameplay brings nothing new to the RTS slate, and sometimes feels surpassed by games that came out a decade ago, it has just enough to propel you through its reasonably short experience. With any luck, you'll have your fill by then, because that's all there is. Replayability is virtually non-existent. There’s no multiplayer, no skirmish mode (yet), and no reasonable reason to revisit missions. It's a self-contained experience that ultimately accomplishes most of what it sets out to do: provide a fun human mulch simulator that will almost make fans forget about three substandard sequels to a fun film by capturing the old magic. Unfortunately the emphasis there is on "old."

Brigador does a lot of things right, but there are a handful of things which prevent it from being great.

Dead Rising 3 had big shoes to fill, following in the wake of two games that had huge impact on the gaming community. While it is by no means a perfect game, and falls slightly behind the original Dead Rising, it is a welcome breath of fresh air into an otherwise stale zombie genre.

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.

Ultimately, The Siege and the Sandfox is a lovingly crafted 2D platformer that delivers on its promises of exploration and agile gameplay. While the backtracking can occasionally feel a little stretched and a few more fast travel points would be welcome, the intricate level design, satisfying progression through new abilities, and charming pixel art visuals make for a highly engaging and rewarding experience. If you're a fan of classic platforming with a strong emphasis on discovery and nimble traversal, then the The Siege and the Sandfox might just be your next favorite adventure.

StarDrive 2 does not dethrone Master of Orion 2 as the best 4X game in space ever made, but damn it gets close. It is almost as deep, it almost has the same rich atmosphere and almost that same inspired gameplay. That may not sound uplifting, but considering the bar we’re looking at, “almost” is a staggering achievement. No one has ever got - this - close.

Papo & Yo is a unique game. It handles its themes extremely well, and the world is simply amazing to behold. Though the game is not without its faults, chief among them a lack of difficulty and challenge, Papo & Yo should be played at least once. Trust me, the journey will be quite worth it.

Ionball 2: Ionstorm contains about 60 levels to bust your way through, with leaderboards for the more competitive minded folks.

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.

Those good first impressions eventually fall to the wayside however, as the game abandons plot threads on a dime and fails to create any form of logical progression in its puzzles. Which is a shame, because Dead Synchronicity has good ideas; they just don’t sync today.

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.

Primarily marketed as a multiplayer game, I was a little disappointed to see that there are very few people playing online. Granted, I’m more of a single-player gamer and I enjoyed my time with the single-player missions but these are not fleshed out enough for me to want to play them over and over. The real Leviathan: Warships experience is meant to be consumed online where you compete against human players that employ ever changing tactics and unlimited surprises.

A competently silly, physics based puzzler. Its wonderfully simple dreamlike aesthetic and solid physics make it a joy to play for the majority of the time. The longevity of the experience is somewhat lacking and puts it at risk of becoming frustrating over longer play sessions. But taken in bitesize chunks with friends, it stands on it’s own two legs as a wonderfully stupid party game.

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.

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.

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.

The story in Yonder isn’t in the same category of RPG such as The Witcher or The Elder Scrolls - even the inhabitants of Gemea seem generally disinterested in the Murk that has covered much of their lands. However, the game mechanics are generally fun, and one could argue that Yonder would be the perfect introductory RPG, especially for younger gamers. The cute, colourful characters, animals and locations make peaceful exploring rather enjoyable, and the fact that there is no combat and your character cannot really die, makes Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles an easy proposition for those unfamiliar to the more serious role playing games.

Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars is a fun, atmospheric strategy game with enough depth and originality to satisfy most. While the lack of multiplayer options may turn some off, there’s enough content and enough replayability here to make the game well worth the purchase price.

The Golf Club has the potential to be so much more than it is. In my opinion it came out of early access too early, because the full game still feels very beta-y.

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

Vertical Drop Heroes places a new spin on a tried and true genre that has spanned decades. The spin may be simplistic, but it is appreciated nonetheless. The repetitiveness may not be for everyone, but for those who don’t mind falling down again and again, you could do worse than this bright, slightly charming game.

Instead of being mysterious and enigmatic, it’s more of a Rubik’s cube: spatial, memory-based, and unfortunately something I didn’t have the patience for.

Looking at Dungeons, it’s clear as day that we don’t need EA for a true Dungeon Keeper experience. This is it, and then some.

Verdun is a game that should appeal to any FPS fans looking for something different.

Rezrog is a solid idea for a game, taking what would be generic characters and turning them into fun, customizable classes that pair well with the miniature visuals. Yet the repetitive nature of the game, coupled with the absence of a story and the slow introduction, make Rezrog a tedious experience that is difficult to enjoy.

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.

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 Executive: Movie Industry Tycoon is a game sure to put a smile on the faces of folks interested in the movie production industry. New developer Aniki Games in their first plunge into the world of computer game development picked an interesting topic that turned into a very well thought out and playable business simulation. There have been others in this genre in the past but The Executive overall is a solid game that will provide hours of fun for those of us that happen to be movie buffs interested in how films are made.

Overall, Thief is a quality game, particularly if you take the time to explore the side missions. If you go in expecting the game to be a solely stealth game or a remake of the original, you will probably be disappointed.

As it is, there are too many frustrations, and I didn’t feel compelled to keep playing on the merit of the puzzles alone. You will get a lot of hours out of it for your money though, along with an engaging storyline.

All things considered, your enjoyment of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is going to depend wildly on what your experience is with the base game thus far. If you’ve already played the original Amalur, I don’t think any of the changes here are substantial enough to warrant your money. If you’re new, this is definitely the best way to jump into an experience that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Re-Reckoning is underwhelming as a second release, but, with the original game being as much fun as it is, it’s hard to hold much enmity. While I may yearn for a truly modern Amalur title to bring the franchise into more modern times, Re-Reckoning is a solid blast from the past that, if we’re lucky, might give the franchise the demand it needs to keep moving forward.

Between story missions and replayable challenge rooms the game’s longevity certainly has legs, and if those don’t do it for you, it’s got a lot of regular human legs you can spend your time with too.

Dandara isn't a bad game, it's just perhaps not the game for me or for many others. The control choice has made it very niche, and while it's likely to perform much better on the Nintendo Switch, it just feels like it doesn't quite have a home here on the PC. If you're willing to take the leap, you'll be greeted with beautiful pixel art visuals and candy for your eardrums - and that's fantastic. But, it comes at the expense of having to wade through gameplay that never really feels like it fits if you use a keyboard and mouse, and that only improves slightly if you use a gamepad. This game was meant for touchscreen, and most PC gamers don't utilize touch screen controls as there has never been a major reason to do so, and that remains unchanged even after Dandara's arrival.

Democracy 3 is a game for the politically-minded. It favors substance over flair.

It's easy to see Sniper Elite: Resistance as one of the few games extending the life of the "B game" because it really is. It's not completely unpolished, nor does it lack heart. Some of its jankiness can even be amusing, such as the time I sniped an officer 100 feet away, only for his hat to land next to me a few seconds later. Some inconsistencies can nevertheless be as frustrating as the fights against other players can be thrilling. It's a relatively brief experience that's banking on a bevy of modes to maximize replayability, and it does that well, too, as long as the player meshes well with the core gameplay and, more critically, can customize the experience to their liking. Whether or not it's "worth it" is more broad than all of that, though. It's telling that this is the first entry in the series to forgo a number without being an entry in the Nazi Zombie Army spinoff (or VR, if you count that). It does not make any significant advancements in the long-running series, but it also doesn't falter harder than the others, either.

Wailing Heights is a game with a unique idea that quickly falls into the same old adventure game traps.

Most of the options available to you in Starpoint Gemini 2 will relate back in some way to the market and the economy. If there is an escape from its all-encompassing dullness, it can be found in restlessly wandering.

Despite the fact that some art doesn't mesh well, Lost in Harmony: The Musical Odyssey is a beautiful rhythmic adventure that even a rhythm game amateur like myself can enjoy. Both story modes have a short yet satisfying plot with exciting music that really keeps the pace right where it should be. It's a game that was off of my radar initially, but I'm glad to have had the chance to jam out with Kaito and M.I.R.A.I.

Shadow Blade: Reload is a straightforward and satisfying platformer. It doesn't live up to its lofty stealth claims and the clichéd story doesn't do much beyond add some context for the action. But once you get a feel for how it plays and settle into the solid platforming mechanics, there’s a lot of fun to be had here.

The controls, once you get used to them, work well and with the huge range of superstars, multitude of game modes and professional presentation of the bouts, WWE 2K15 is a worthy return to PC.

As my first entry into the series, Sudden Strike 4 is one of those RTS games that I'll actually remember a year from now. One where I'll be sitting there and go, "Jeeze, I think it's about time to play it again." I'm halfway tempted to go back and check out the older games, but Sudden Strike 4's campaign is just something sublime that I'm going to be revisiting frequently when I get the RTS itch. The shame is that I didn't enjoy the multiplayer as much as the single-player, as while the gameplay mechanics stay intact it loses a lot of that luster. A final note: the campaign, being only 21 missions along with the less enjoyable multiplayer, may not be enough for many people to pay out the $49.99 price tag. It's a bit steep, but I still say it's a must play for any RTS fan.

Retrovirus is a functional shooter that suffers from difficulty spikes and a too-small online community. It’s like Tron with its wild conception of what the inside of a computer could be and breathes life into the lifeless. For a setting so well realized, and so much fun to explore, it is worth the cost of admission.

For me, trying to figure out what makes the strange character of Sam Stone tick was enough to keep me interested ever during the slow bits of Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem. Even for those less captivated by the protagonist, I’d still give the game a solid recommendation. It’s a solid shooter with a fair bit of charm. While it’s certainly not the most original or daring work to grace the medium, it’s competent, fun, and priced appropriately.

I can’t believe how much I am gushing over this game. It looks like a simple and relaxing city builder at its surface, but there is so much more to it. Even with its deep skill trees and challenges, I found the game incredibly relaxing. Listening to the whispers of the wind and the dulcet strumming of an acoustic guitar as I guided my pupils to The Eye was a memorable experience. From the beginning to the end of any given run, the pupils would gain personalities in ways that made them feel more alive. I cared about the pupils in this game, I felt connected to the atmosphere and settlements it offers. This, paired with a great blending of theme and mechanic, make this a truly unique game.

Between the lack of balance and the lack of feedback, it feels like Dawn of Andromeda left Early Access too early. The game just doesn’t feel like it is done which is doubly disappointing because I can see its potential. There are some good ideas, like the reputation system that is tied - among other things - into mini quests that keep you entertained when things are peaceful. Still, there is little depth and there are definitely a few rough edges that need to be smoothed out before one could call this a ‘good’ game. If the above gives you the impression that it is a bad game, it is not. It’s playable and there is some fun to be had, but it’s just not where it should be as a full release.

It is commendable the rate at which the developers have been able to craft these individual stories. Considering the widely branching narratives (that seems no less complex here) there's always been a feeling that The Dark Pictures was handled by the B team, while the A team developed the standalone titles. The Devil in Me has the feeling of a C team development (or D team, if the VR titles have their own?). There's enough mistakes to make the whole thing feel like a freshman effort mistakenly placed at the end of a quadrilogy. The story and the setting deserved better than to be absolutely trounced by the poor quality parts, but given how quickly the developers iterate and respond to feedback there's plenty of hope moving forward. As the bookend to their first season of this experiment, though, they left plenty to be desired.

Tron: Catalyst does plenty right. The story of the glitch in the system works well within the Tron environment, and the combat is quite fluid, requiring players to make use of all of Exo’s abilities. However, some of the enjoyable mechanics are underutilised. I only ever used the Glitch loop mechanic when I was specifically asked to do so, and it would have been nice to have donned the Core uniform disguise in more locations to allow a more stealthy game if you wanted. But the game's signature Tron visual styling is breathtaking, making every moment spent in the Arq Grid a feast for the eyes. Fans of the futuristic Disney films will find much to love here, especially if they can overlook some of its missed opportunities..

Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game is wonderfully faithful in its aesthetic ties to the original IP. However as a game on its own merits, it struggles to give players the tools they need to learn and grow from the outset, and the inherently overly-sophisticated nature of its core gameplay loop, along with the limited roster of playable maps, lead to great concern over its potential longevity from here on out. I'm personally rooting for the developers at illFonic, as they seem an extremely passionate and talented team. However, sometimes hard truths need to be said, and Killer Klowns is going to have to work harder to prove that they warrant players' hard-earned money.

Despite recently leaving early access, Clandestine is a game that isn't quite where it needs to be. As it stands, it isn't worth its asking price. The gameplay shows glimpses of what could be, before promptly shattering those glimpses with yet another death caused by glitches, another death caused by being stuck in cover and another death caused by poor gunplay.

Star Overdrive is in all an enjoyable game that only has some minor issues that are not enough to stop Bios' adventure from being an enjoyable trek across a dangerous planet. With a creative and very satisfying traversal mechanic that really helps the game achieve an identity of its own, and puzzles that test the player's capabilities, Star Overdrive is a fun game that players could easily get distracted just hovering around the dunes but there's plenty to do if they want to actually progress the main story or search for upgrades, materials, or the puzzle areas.

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.

Obviously my action platforming game skills have waned over the years, but I admit that I did get a bit frustrated at times by having to restart sequences until I got it right and could move on. Some of the action sequences, especially climbing, doesn't seem to be all that intuitive. Since climbing can take time to complete, maybe having difficulty settings or tips would help to even game play out. Perhaps a training facility where Kathy could go to learn how to be a better climbing astronaut would be helpful? Unfortunately, frustration can take some of the suspense and intrigue away from a great story but luckily, Deliver Us Mars delivers more than just Mars. It delivers a splendid story voiced and acted out by a lot of very talented actors.

In Too Deep does well at introducing Michonne as a mentally unstable, seemingly cold-hearted character, but fails to deliver a wholly compelling opening episode.

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.

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.

Battleborn, despite the simplistic nature of the combat and time limit issues, is still a fun jaunt, and one that has a ton of replayability due to the characters alone.

If you have already played all the other strategy games out there, then checking it out may be worth your time and money. But, if you're looking for the strategy game to hold your heart and mind for years to come, you're looking in the wrong place.

As it stands, 99Vidas is an inspired tribute to beat-em-ups, with its solid aesthetic brought down by gameplay that lacks the diversity or complexity that would otherwise make this a more compelling game.

Rainbow Six Extraction is a bold game for the Tom Clancy brand that jumps head-first into an over-the-top, absurd mix of horror, sci-fi, and military realism. It does at times feel more like a Siege DLC than a stand-alone game, but it’s a solid option for players not interested or intimidated by Siege's intense PvP community. There are several interesting design decisions meant to encourage teamwork and decision making in each missions, though I’m not sure if there will be enough variety without PvP to keep players hooked long-term.

Scars Above seems to have borrowed traits from several games that all combine well to make Scars Above and enjoyable experience. This mixture of simple puzzle-solving and light combat may not suit everyone, but I certainly enjoyed crafting weapons and gadgets that helped bring down the Custodian.

Ain't pretty but plays well.

A perfect mix of humour and intrigue is what separates Broken Sword from other games out there. It's not as foreign and “silly” as Deponia, not as serious as Gabriel Knight and Agatha Christie, not as incredible (in the literal meaning of the word), as The Next Big Thing. Broken Sword is just Broken Sword. There is no comparison.

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.

Ghost Recon: Wildlands isn't perfect. For its strides forward, it takes some backwards in areas I feel should not be sacrificed. As a co-op title, it's awesome. As a single player experience, it's great. If you're looking for a narrative thriller, or even just a basic interesting story, you won't find it here. What you will find is plenty to see, and plenty to shoot along the way to take down the cartel plague of Bolivia.

Magicka 2 is fun when playing alone and much more fun when playing with friends. A few technical and campaign hitches aside, the game maintains the same kind of charm and humour that the original seems to have had in spades.

Everything Outcast does, it does just well enough. That may sound like a knock against it, but I promise you it's not. It's incredibly hard to make a good game with any budget at any studio. What Appeal did is make a good game that does just enough to keep you playing. In a landscape where every game is either highly polished or barely functioning, it's great to see something that sets a goal and delivers. Outcast: A New Beginning is a prime example of why we need 'Double A' games. I have no nostalgia for Outcast as, as stated previously, that ship sailed long ago, but should you, intrepid reader, journey into its wilds? That all comes down to personal taste, but for me, I'm glad I got my chance to travel to Adelpha. It was fun and hopefully someday I get a chance to go back.

Is this newest version of Pro Cycling Manager worth the price of admission? If you haven't experienced Pro Cycling Manager before, or if it has been awhile between laps, or indeed you just want a cycling game with all of the enhancements - then yes, it is worth putting some of your hard-earned dollars down. Previous Pro Cycling Manager titles have been highly mod-able games, and that hasn't change with this iteration. Pro Cycling Manager 2021 could be regarded as a niche title, but there is quite a large fan base for cycling and cycling titles. The large amount of fan created content such as custom team kit, races and so much more says that portraying bike racing in a game can be and is exciting.

In all, Sword of the Necromancer is a fun roguelite with a heartfelt story. The usage of the titular blade adds a whole new layer to the roguelite genre, in that gamers will need to strategize about what enemies to take out first in order to have them fight on their side. If the genre interests you but you need a good story to feel at all invested, then this game is for you.

If circle strafing, weapon switching, and sci-fi monster killing is right up your alley, then Desync is an easy recommendation if you’re willing to deal with some obscure menus and high difficulty. It’s got a lot of style, and the combo kills feel great when you’re in the zone, but resist the temptation to get pulled in if you’re looking for a game to blow off steam. Desync will have you on edge and frustrated for a lot of the time while playing it.

Magicka: Wizard Wars definitely struggles a bit with its steep learning curve and some serious bugs that need to be addressed, but the quick, energetic games are largely worth the struggles.

The visual and audible treats presented by Slave Zero X can only carry it so far, and even the unlockable customization options (overlay filters that range from pleasing CRT-styles to some that are quite painful to look at, and different character colour pallets) do little to increase engagement in those areas. While the combat is fun enough, it's not without its frustrations, and your move set from the first level is the same as your arsenal against the final boss. There's no growth there outside of player skill, and the ceiling isn't so high that the climb lasts even as long as the game's runtime, which came in at a punchy three and a half hours. It's undoubtedly cool that a sequel to Slave Zero exists, if only for the curiosity of it, but it failed to learn lessons from its predecessors in terms of repetitive gameplay and lack of total variety. Fortunately, if you want to see the story through, not a lot is asked of you to do so, but even conquering the game's frustrating points leads to little feeling of satisfaction.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jurassic World Evolved thus far, and the more I play the more I look at my parks and think of ways I can improve upon it. Fickle crowds be damned, I’m here to build a park - I’m here to make Jurassic World work. For dinosaurs in the business world, and in the theme park industry... life finds a way.

If you’re willing to look past the bugs and balancing issues and are intrigued by the minimalistic art style, then give this game a shot. Though if you’re like me, it’s best to keep looking for a shooter that’s got some more depth to it.

TransOcean 2: Rivals is a decent game that is having some trouble leaving the starting blocks.

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.

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.

As is the case with most other players, I genuinely want to see The Outlast Trials improve with time, something I am sure the developers agree with in principle as well. Where they and I must differ is in our priority for said changes. They appear to prefer focusing on cosmetics, new optional challenges, and implementing new social activities, whereas I prefer more core maps and a darker tone, truer of what Outlast has, up until now, been defined by. Whatever the future may hold for The Outlast Trials, one can only hope that they strive to find a more definitive balance between these two disparate directions.

It’s a game for the patient, as you’ll be spending a lot of time paused and micromanaging.

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.

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.

Valhalla Hills is all in all, a strong little RTS, with enough going on under the surface to satisfy most fans of the genre.

Glare is a solid game. It does what it sets out to do, it just doesn’t really do anything more.

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.

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.

Suffice it to say, creating a video game solo is no small feat, and Vincent Adinolfi has delivered a loving tribute to his inspirations - one that still manages to stand on its own. If you have a fondness for PS1-era horror and don't mind a smaller indie experience, Heartworm is well worth your time. I'm excited to see what Mr. Adinolfi creates next - and to quote Palpatine in The Phantom Menace, "We shall watch your career with great interest."

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.

Miasma Chronicles is a perfectly passable game, one with an admittedly long campaign that fairly justifies the modestly-high retail price. The problem is that the campaign in question feels far longer than it ought, because most aspects of its narrative and dialogue fail entirely to bring the player closer to the characters they're playing as, a critical failing for any game calling itself an RPG. Decent performances from the voice cast almost manages to redeem the game's storytelling failings, but never fully. The combat is often excessively repetitive, and the killcam system often seems more interested in capturing footage of the foliage presumably for a nature documentary, than focusing on the far more interesting bleeding and screaming enemy flailing around on the ground. Hopefully Miasma Chronicles does eventually get a sequel, because it does manage to lay down a lot of potentially interesting groundwork, albeit without ever managing to fully capitalize on it.

Megabyte Punch is a decent length for the price, especially if you factor in the tournament mode and custom fight modes outside of the main story.

Frantic gameplay keeps you on the edge of your seat though, and the storyline is engaging enough to give you the motivation to start another mission. The true heroes of the game, however, are the comprehensive boss fights which add flavor where it is needed most.

Maid of Sker doesn’t have terribly complex gameplay, but it’s a tightly-made game that succeeds in more than enough areas to make it worth checking out. The Sker hotel is haunting, filled with detail and character that makes it a joy to explore. The choral soundtrack is absolutely beautiful, befitting both the game’s plot and atmosphere. Horror fans have been absolutely spoiled with high quality games over the last few years, and genre fans would do well to add Maid of Sker to their list of must-plays.

Shelter certainly doesn’t outstay its welcome, clocking in at just over an hour for an entire playthrough. It’s a short game with just a few levels, but given the lack of variety it is probably a good thing it’s not much longer.