In many ways, The Weeping Swan is a much more polished game than its predecessor, and nowhere is this more evident than in the translation. The Hungry Lamb was littered with issues stemming from a rough, amateurish translation. Words were misspelled, sentences were confused, and occasionally the game became downright incomprehensible. There are still occasional flubs, but they are much more minor and less frequent than the issues with The Hungry Lamb, with most of the grammatical issues being related to using the wrong tense of a verb (a quirk of English that is notoriously difficult for Chinese speakers to get the hang of). However, the improved translation seems to have come at the cost of some technical issues. I ran into several instances where the game would repeat passages and seemingly get text out of order. Presumably, this isn't an issue if you're playing the game in Chinese, where there was greater editorial control, but for English speakers, this will prove to be an occasional issue.

Despite the occasional camera hiccup, I found myself completely glued to the screen. There is something immensely satisfying about cracking the code of a complex level and watching your fleet of cars roll perfectly into the exit. Rollick N' Roll is the definition of "easy to pick up, hard to put down". It is a delightful indie gem that captures the magic of childhood play and seasons it with a healthy dose of modern challenge and bite size levels that ensure that it is an ideal Steam Deck game for your morning commute.

Caromble! is a high-octane, polished evolution of a classic genre. While its insistence on mouse controls might alienate those looking for a casual couch experience on the Steam Deck, the precision it affords is necessary for the complex, puzzle-oriented levels found in the later game. If you're looking for a game that respects the history of Arkanoid while pushing the physics and level design into the modern era, Caromble! is an essential addition to your library. Just remember: avoid the red power-ups, and keep your mouse hand steady.

It's a horror game that isn't scary, an adventure game that isn't exciting, and a narrative-driven game that feels more like a glorified tech demo. There's nothing bad to be found here, but nothing worth writing home over either.

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

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

Screamer is a compelling purchase for any racing fan looking to trade technical simulations for pure, stylish speed. Its unique twin-stick drifting mechanics offer a refreshing challenge for those tired of standard controls, while the sheer variety provided by the 32 tracks and character-specific abilities keeps the gameplay from feeling repetitive. With its vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic, a pulse-pounding electronic rock soundtrack, and a wealth of game modes that cater to both solo and social players, it delivers a high-value package that captures the best of the arcade racing spirit.

I hate to say it because there is a good deal of potential in the The Saint, and its obvious that the solo developer has put a great deal of effort into it's spooky atmosphere, but it is not worth playing in its current state.

Ready or Not: Boiling Point is a blast to experience. While there are a few minor gameplay complaints to be had, this newest paid expansion makes a strong comeback for the game compared to its predecessor. Priced at only $9.99, Boiling Point offers pretty good value for both new and existing players. Hopefully the next DLC meets, and hopefully even surpasses, the standard set here by Boiling Point.

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.

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.

Despite its flaws, or perhaps in part because of them, Bladesong is a remarkably charming game. Having put in over a dozen hours, there's still more to discover, more to unlock. Bladesong is definitely not a game that will appeal to everyone, but for those that enjoy a bit of challenge in an otherwise cozy sim game, it definitely has its appeal. [Early Access Score = 80]

Overall, Resident Evil Requiem is one of the series’ best outings in recent years. Delivering on the action and scares, the game shows what makes the franchise so special. It can fall into the trap of fan service, but never falters much in what it sets out to do. Yes, it’s February and, yes, it is cliché, but Requiem is already one of 2026’s best and an experience that fans and newcomers won’t be able to get enough of.

Reigns: The Witcher is a perfect marriage of IP and indie mechanics. By evolving the objective system into the deeper Inspirations mechanic, Nerial has ensured that every "Game Over" feels like a step forward rather than a step back.

Kotama and Academy Citadel is a solid entry into a very crowded genre that struggles to distinguish itself from its numerous peers. It does have above-average combat and tons of sexy anime girls, but really if you have played a Metroidvania in the past few years, this will feel pretty familiar. It's an enjoyable enough way to pass 20 hours if you have an itch for the genre, but if you're expecting the next Hollow Knight or Super Metroid, you're going to come away disappointed.

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 it's nice to have this story accessible for newcomers, the reality is that the original Yakuza 3 was never the series' high point. Kiwami 3 fails to elevate the source material, instead hampering the experience with unfinished-looking cutscenes and a bizarre "chrome" aesthetic. With the original Yakuza 3 delisted from many digital storefronts, your only alternative is the Yakuza Remastered Collection. Given the high price point of that bundle and the lacklustre quality of this remake, there is very little reason to recommend Kiwami 3 as a standalone purchase.

Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is full of everything that fans have adored about the Dragon Quest series since its inception in 1986, from the absolutely iconic intro theme to the charming character design, the easy to get a feel of turn based combat, the witty writing, and the compelling story that runs the full gambit of emotions. The cut content is a shame, but what is there is definitely a delight. For anyone that loves JRPGs, this is an easy pickup as you venture into a world and bring it back from the brink.

If you want an anime souls-like, I think you would be far better served by checking on AI Limit. If you want an open-world souls-like, Elden Ring is far stronger than what's on offer here. I can only recommend Code Vein 2 if you are looking specifically for an open world anime souls-like. Even then, I'd suggest you wait for a sale because $70 is way too much for such an unremarkable game.

All's Justice overall is a solid fighting game with a wide cast and combat that feels rewarding to try and figure out. There are some issues like the scale feeling smaller than intended in the original adaptations, or the presentation being a bit inconsistent, but fans of the My Hero Academia franchise will definitely be excited to both reexperience the events of the Final War and make use of the large array of characters, including several that were not in previous My Hero Academia fighting games.

Nioh 3 does it all. And just when you think it has finished doing things, it does some more. Frequently the combat feels akin to a fighting game, the loot and systems surrounding it are reminiscent of true ARPGs, and, of course, it's a soulslike at its core. Yet even as it is doing the most, it takes great pains to ensure the player has all the information they need. While the open-world formula is a little clunky in execution, it remains strong in so many other areas, so it overshadows those shortcomings quite a bit. And the game wraps all of its systems and mechanics in beautiful recreations of historic Japan that are both visually and audibly enjoyable. It's time for Nioh to come out from under the games that inspired it in the first place, and Nioh 3 is proof of that. It's a combat delight through its worlds, with two fighting styles seamlessly blended together, even as it offers a nearly endless stream of challenges and expectations.

Adaptory is a brilliant, polished simulation that replaces the stress of combat with the stress of logistics and empathy. It's a game that rewards players who pay attention to the small details — like whether or not their employees can inhale. If you want a game that lets you build, thrive, and occasionally feel like a total monster for neglecting your crew's basic biological needs, this is it. It's charming, it's deep, and it's a masterclass in "unintended consequences." [Early Access Score = 74]

Overall, Pathologic 3 is a thoughtful, stressful, exciting, and depressing adventure that is well worth playing through, though it's probably not one I'll want to revisit again in the future. That's not really a bad thing, though. The beauty really is in the journey here, not the destination. Though some mechanics can feel a bit too unforgiving or tedious, they're at least all interesting.

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!

The Director's Cut of Conscript is more than just a historical curiosity; it is a mechanical triumph. By stripping away the supernatural and focusing on the very real horrors of 1916, Jordan Mochi has created a survival horror game that feels more grounded and terrifying than many of its peers. With its focus on inventory management, tactical combat, and a hauntingly beautiful presentation, it is a game that respects the player's intelligence and rewards their grit. If you missed it the first time around, there is no longer any excuse to stay out of the trenches. This is a definitive survival horror experience.

If Hank: Drowning On Dry Land is meant to serve as a (second) proof of concept for this character and game mechanics, it does so pretty well without actually being hamstrung by that fact. It presents a self-contained story with enough information on our characters' backstories and avoids something like a hard cliffhanger that would drag the entire thing down. It may be short, but it also feels like that's part of the design, and that doesn't take away from the things it does accomplish. At the same time I can see a world where a player stumbles into the intended path and ends up completing it in a fraction of the time I did, and without the desire to view the option paths and elements that would naturally feel a little rushed. I don't hold it against it too much, but it's clear to me that the foundation is solid, so wanting an expansion of this world is expected, and likely by design.

Ultimately, the lack of single-player content, such as the boss fights and time challenges found in Transformed, leaves the experience feeling hollow. I don't know what critics are thinking calling this superior to Mario Kart World. At this stage, even Kirby Air Raiders is a better time than this middling pile of mediocrity.

If you can overlook the inherently frustrating endings, Tiny Bunny is a masterwork of coming-of-age horror. I cannot recommend this game highly enough.

Project Motor Racing is a visually stunning title with a lot of potential for hardcore simulation fans who love to tweak gear ratios and suspension settings. However, for the more casual racer or controller user, the experience is marred by uneven difficulty, frustrating AI behavior, and a penalty system that feels unjust. It's a beautiful ride, but one that might leave you spinning your wheels.

With fun characters and an incredibly fun gameplay loop with a good amount of variety and unlockables sprinkled in, I can see Clawpunk being a fun time for lovers of both classic and contemporary titles.

Skate Story isn't particularly difficult or demanding of skill, and that works in its favour. Rather than worrying about completing board rotations in time to get the wheels on the ground, the focus is on the path ahead in a way that feels like our demon skater was something of an expert in their past life. This helps make the animations look tight, the gameplay flows through levels, and the initially-scary timing mechanic becomes second-nature. At a certain point the feel of those trick patterns overtakes the visuals, but even without hitting the sweet spot you're still skating like the best of them. I just wanted more to do with all of it. The existing levels are great, but without the ability to play any one of them on-demand it means sitting through dialogue that goes a tiny bit slower than I would like, pushing and Ollie-ing tutorials, and all the other first-timer experiences again and again. But still I do it. Perhaps as I go through more of the story will continue to break through the obscurity it's baked in, and maybe I'll find those missing collectables, but all of that is supplemental, because Skate Story's unique approach to skateboarding feels, looks, and sounds great.

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.

Dispatch isn't a perfect game, but it's about as perfect a game for me as I've played. AdHoc has crafted a wonderful superhero world that I hope to revisit, but more than that, they've created a remarkable cast of characters filled with nuance, growth, humour, tragedy, and everything else that you want to see in great stories. I cheered. I cried (on the inside). I laughed. What more can I ask for? As a good experience should, I've been left wanting more, and I'll be the first in line to pick up whatever this studio does next - Dispatch or otherwise.

This game is a brilliant callback to the era of beat 'em ups, and should be on the radar of any fan of the era or the Marvel Universe.

Voidtrain offers an incredibly satisfying gameplay loop, rich progression systems, a compelling art style, and a story that, while far from sophisticated is intriguing enough to keep you invested from beginning to end. In many ways, Voidtrain is the quintessential AA game, and players interested in a more casual approach to survival gaming should definitely take the time to step into the void.

Whether you're a long time Tales Of fan or just a fan of RPGs in general, Tales of Xillia Remastered promises to engage its players in music, story, characters, and a combat system that takes a bit of getting used to but is very satisfying to pull off as you weave multiple Artes into each other - it very much feels like learning fighting game combos once you adapt to them. Tales of Xillia Remastered comes very recommended.

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a resounding success. It maintains the dizzying complexity Anno fans crave but packages it within an elegantly streamlined system and a truly mesmerizing aesthetic. The economic juggling act between class needs and production chains is deeply rewarding, and the management of trade routes is an engrossing sub-game in itself. For players seeking a sophisticated, visually stunning simulation that demands strategic patience and logistical prowess, your new empire awaits.

Had it been an early access title, House Fighters: Total Mess might be able to excuse some of its more obvious technical issues and lack of gameplay refinements. However, for something presented to the public as a finished product, House Fighters: Total Mess is anything but. From all appearances, its developer seems to be quite active in responding to community concerns via Steam's discussions forum. It is quite feasible that, in a matter of just a few months, this game might be almost unrecognizable compared to its present state. One can only hope...

Wreckreation wears its influence in its presentation, mechanics, and throughout many other aspects of the gameplay. It retains some of the bad aspects, sticks a bit too close to some of the good, and is missing maybe a little of both, all at the same time. Ultimately, the act of driving and crashing feels pretty good, but the awkward fast-travel and menus, which feel close to carbon copies, are in dire need of modernization. While the large map has enough variety for a bunch of open, mountainous spaces, the lack of a dense city feels like a step backwards in just about every way, and gives the entire world a more empty feeling. There are plenty of tools at each player's disposal to create tracks and events, but relying on a social experience focused directly on friends means that larger scale multiplayer is hamstrung before it has a chance. If Wreckreation has the opportunity to grow, the foundation is solid, but if it can't or won't, it risks feeling like a knock-off of its primary predecessor to some, and simply an awkward experience to others.

I was prepared to give the game a pass at the rough animation and frequently dodgy art direction. That was until I beat the game, and a lovely ending cinematic played that could boast some excellent animation and disturbing visuals that were not present in the game. Where was that the entire game!?

With each successful run taking no longer than twenty minutes, Ball x Pit is perfectly paced. It's ideal for a quick session, making it a dream pairing for a handheld device like the SteamDeck, ready to consume your daily commute. But be warned: the loop is so tight and the rewards so constant that Ball x Pit will inevitably consume far more than just your travel time. It's an exceptionally polished game that understands the fundamental mechanics of player compulsion, delivering a roguelike experience that you simply won't want to put down.

I certainly enjoyed my train ride but I really can't speak to how much better the graphics in game are compared to previous game versions but I can say that the in game environment looked very good to my eyes. It is reported that an older Unreal Graphics Engine 4 was used instead of the much improved Unreal Engine 5; however, my old(er) eyes took great pleasure in what they were viewing as I drove my train along some visually pleasing locations. Over all I would have to say that the new Train Sim World 6 game is a worthwhile purchase for the new and experienced Train driving enthusiast!

Reaching a singular verdict among the HG team is like getting a group of dogs to share a single bone. However, all of us involved conceded that in regards to the game's visuals, destructive environments, and optimization, Battlefield 6 excels all expectations. However, its mediocre story campaign, its bizarre attempt to clog up maps to favor close-range combat while simultaneously awkwardly trying to keep vehicles marginally viable, and its disappointing new multiplayer modes all detract from the experience. We cautiously recommend Battlefield 6 to casual fans, but more fervent diehards might want to think twice, because this may not necessarily be the Battlefield for you...

In Enter the Gungeon, each run felt distinct because you would find different weapons from the game's huge arsenal. In Out of Time, however, your abilities are locked to the gear you bring with you before heading into each mission, so there is no real room to be surprised on each run. That said, there is some fun to be had customizing your equipment and build in between runs. However, even here, it feels like you need to invest a tremendous amount of time into grinding to get better equipment. Ultimately, the game just feels boring and repetitive, and while there's some fun to be had playing it with a group of buddies, you would probably be better off with a more engaging co-op game.

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

As a longtime Killing Floor fan, I was beyond excited at the initial announcement of a new entry. I was more than happy to speak briefly with Tripwire developers at PAX East about what they were most excited for with this newest release. Even with a rough start during the public testing period, the developers' commitment to transparency was laudable, and helped reaffirm the much-needed goodwill. However, the final product simply does not meet either the ideal or minimal standards expected of a Killing Floor game. While this may change over the coming months and years, it is difficult, if not impossible, to recommend this game as it currently stands.

Unyielder is an interesting and somewhat masochistic game. It has a lot of potential, and I experienced a lot of enjoyment and a lot of frustration playing it. I found the difficulty level to be very punishing, just from a reaction time point of view, and frequently got frustrated because the harder bosses seemed almost impossible to counter correctly. When I managed to get some powerful weapons or perks, I could do really well but often couldn't find myself getting through more than six or seven bosses in a row. It feels like with enough tuning and some more development, Unyielder could turn into a really polished gem. Despite that, I did have fun with it, particularly with the movement and feel of weaponry.

King of Meat is more than just a novelty concept. It successfully marries a vibrant, gameshow-inspired aesthetic with a satisfying, dynamic combat. Its blend of fast-paced action, rewarding replay loop, and robust co-op play makes it an entertaining entry that deserves attention from fans of medieval action and platforming alike.

Hotel Architect's developers started out in locations like Gothenburg, Sweden, Santorini, Greece, Paris, France, St. Anton, Austria and it expanded in to an entirely different game atmosphere in Las Vegas. So if you want to be a budding hotel executive and guest, then book a room in this very well done hotel simulation and you won't be disappointed. There is something for everyone in this game which is exactly what any good vacation stay in a real life hotel is made of!

It takes the timeless parkour and fluid combat of the series and injects it with a progression loop that encourages skill, practice, and a constant search for better gear. It’s a game that respects your time even when you fail, ensuring that every run, no matter how short, contributes to your overall strength. The exquisite comic-book art, the fluid controls, and the challenging enemies all come together to create a compelling and addictive experience. While the inherent repetition of the roguelike genre may not appeal to every player, those who embrace the challenge will find a deeply rewarding platformer that pays homage to its roots while confidently forging a new path.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is still a welcome return to one of the greatest games ever made. Unless you specifically want to experience Snake Eater exactly as it was in the early 2000s, this is the version to play. It is the best-looking and best-playing release among all the ports, remasters, and remakes. If you've never played it before, it is an easy recommendation — Snake Eater has aged like fine wine, and Delta makes it taste just a little better.

The combination of the visual design and the story setup make Metal Eden an enticing experience before even booting it up. And while it tries to blend that sci-fi world with fast-paced combat centered around parkour and hot-swapping weapons, the pieces don't fit together tight enough to be enjoyable for a long enough percentage of its short runtime. When the credits roll it feels unfinished, and at times throughout it feels misguided. When you've got significant upgrades, inside of the later levels, it approaches a satisfying shooter experience, it's just a shame that it isn't at least a few levels longer, which would make the package feel more complete. A few issues can be softened with some polish, by tweaking values and cooldowns or fixing the way you sometimes jarringly mantle a ledge to the side that you can't see when you jump, but the largest ones would require an adjustment to the design philosophy overall.

Overall, Borderlands 4 is a masterful continuation of the series. It honors its roots while daring to venture into new territory, both geographically and mechanically. The diverse and compelling new world of Kairos, combined with the most extensive skill trees and a refined sense of humor, makes this a must-play for both long-time fans and newcomers to the franchise. It's the same Borderlands you love, but bigger, bolder, and more beautiful than ever before.

Dawn of War Definitive Edition is a faithful transfer of the original game, warts and all. More of a simple modernization effort to get the game to run on more recent systems than anything else. That said, the game has a few glaring issues that really should have been resolved before this rework hit the shelves.

There's real depth here, and if anything I've described sparks your interest, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try. Lizardcube clearly poured their heart and soul into this project, and it shows in every frame.

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."

Playing through Liminal Exit was occasionally frustrating, often visually interesting, and sometimes inventive. It helps that it's a short experience, whether you're good at finding the usually obvious differences or listening to your television friend’s hints, otherwise it might overstay its welcome. The story was intriguing enough to push me through, and the repetition in anomalies did make finding a new one more exciting, just when I thought I'd seen them all. It's also effectively creepy enough of the time, with some of the visuals alone giving me some nice, unconscious chills, and avoids crossing the line into cheap horror at the same time. While most of the ways it changes the formula of its simple genre don't pan out, it does relatively well at sticking to what works, even if it did make me a borderline conspiracy theorist about its trustworthiness.

Mafia: the Old Country is definitely a return to the series' roots - and it pays off big time. It is a game that focuses on story-telling, one that places gamers firmly in Enzo's shoes with his character developing throughout the course of the story. And although the tight story is linear, I did find myself wandering about the towns from time to time in search of the various collectibles. I particularly enjoyed the nods to previous Mafia titles scattered throughout the game. The gameplay itself works extremely well, with the range of missions ensuring that players don't get continually bogged down in missions of the same type. By focusing on a compelling story, a detailed protagonist, and a gorgeous, immersive world, the game delivers an unforgettable experience that will satisfy longtime fans and newcomers alike. It's a tale of family, betrayal, and ambition, and it stands as a triumphant new chapter in the Mafia legacy.

In all, My Friendly Neighborhood is a fun take on both survival and mascot horror gaming that provides interesting challenges in inventory management, puzzle solving, and finding the best ways to deal with threats as they come. The game does feature a lot of backtracking especially around the middle, but the varied environments based on different sets for the show as well as other portions of the studio make for an altogether enjoyable time, especially for fans of the genre. If you hadn't played My Friendly Neighborhood upon it's original release two years ago, now is a perfect time to join the neighborhood.

A game like this shouldn't be that long anyway, as with action platformers like this I have a preference for a small number of highly distinct and memorable levels. Ragebound delivers on this and gives more than sufficient reason for multiple play-throughs.

Whether Mycopunk can keep its good favour for the true endgame remains to be seen, but getting there is a fun, though slightly arduous, ride. The small, often humorous touches to the mechanics of an established first person shooter genre are definitely welcome, and I'm sure many will be delighted to hear that I wasn't asked for real-world currency once. It's hard to consider anything a sure-fire hit with so many already-established contemporaries, but Mycopunk has as good a shot as any. [Early Access Provisional Score = 80]

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

Pipistrello and The Cursed Yo-Yo is a must-play for anyone who loves Metroidvanias or classic Zelda-style adventures. It's full of heart, brimming with quirk, and clearly made with love. The visuals are gorgeous, the world is rich, and every mechanic feels thoughtfully crafted. It's absolutely time well spent.

Cast n Chill delivers on its promise. It's a delightful and surprisingly deep fishing simulator that strips away the real-world inconveniences of the hobby and leaves behind pure, unadulterated relaxation. With its simple controls, satisfying upgrade system, charming pixel art, and brilliant idle mode, it's the perfect game for unwinding after a long day or for anyone who enjoys the meditative rhythm of a good fishing trip, minus the bait and the mess. If you're looking for a peaceful escape that offers both immediate gratification and long-term progression, Cast n Chill is definitely worth casting your line for.

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..

It's normal to expect less polish when you boot up an indie passion project from a first-time developer. This is something I usually factor into the overall grade of a game, and I try not to let issues like occasional crashes or graphical stuttering weigh too heavily against an otherwise engaging experience. Games are more than their occasional screw-ups. Unfortunately, when a game screws up as much as Vessels of Decay does, it starts to get hard to see the game underneath.

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

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.

The Alters does exactly what great sci-fi stories do: it uses the fantasy of future technology to have conversations that are timeless. It didn't need to be absurd, it didn't need to be existential, but it is at times both, and so much more. The conversations and relationships represent the true experience, but the management aspects hold their weight, too. Even though it stumbles over those heady conversations at times, either as a result of the writing itself or because stitching together disparate pieces in a video game sometimes ends up like that, it's about so much more than those individual moments. Parts of the gameplay don't reach the same heights, particularly when it comes to base building with minimal benefits, but The Alters is satisfying from so many angles when it comes to management and survival that it's difficult not to recommend it. More than that, though, it's forgiving enough with those mechanics that it becomes a must-play for just about anyone. Much like Jan Dolski, I thought I was going to struggle to survive, but I ended up thriving.

In all Fantasy Life i is an incredibly solid game that has a ton of charm to it. The gameplay is simple but addicting, and the quality of life features that were added compared to the 2014 game make The Girl Who Steals Time a very enjoyable experience. The story beats can feel a little repetitive at times, as can the mini-games all bearing out similarly to each other, and real time based events can be a bit of a pain. But all of that aside, Fantasy Life i is a game that this reviewer would gladly recommend to anyone that prefers a more cozy vibe to their fantasy genre.

Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon is a bizarre and fascinating blend of classic high-fantasy trappings and Giger-inspired architecture that feels like a living death metal album. From presentation to mechanics, it wears its Elder Scrolls inspiration on its sleeve, but it does enough with its story and artistic direction to stand alone as a compelling package. Some of the glitches are frustrating given how long the game spent in Early Access, but they never elevated beyond annoyances and don't stop this from being an easy game to recommend for fans of the genre.

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.

Shotgun Cop Man knows that it's a precision platformer, but that doesn't stop it from having a great sense of self-aware absurdist humour. It's not story rich or dense at all, but it understands perfectly that it doesn't need to be because it knows itself as a game. Your name is Shotgun Cop Man, you are here to arrest Satan, and you are going through the nine circles of hell to do so. You look like an untextured Blender asset, Satan is wearing a fishnet top, you are always dual wielding a shotgun with another weapon, and every time you try to arrest him all he ever says to you is "Fuck you, Shotgun Cop Man". This is tremendously fantastic minimalist worldbuilding that in and of itself is enjoyable because of how it's delivered and because it's just fun tongue-in-cheek escapism.

Between the unlocked artwork, dev notes, and over 300 original bangers in the music player, this is a celebration of retro fighting games. A celebration that proves these games will never not be legendary.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is a multiplayer experience that is challenging but satisfying. Solo play is possible, but it is clear that the game is built and balanced for a multiplayer party. Along with this, at times it can feel like progress is either luck based or time consuming, even for From Software. Nightreign is an interesting experience, and while the emphasis on multiplayer and the roguelike elements may not be for everyone that enjoyed Elden Ring or other From Software games, it makes for an enjoyable variation on a concept that this company has polished to a shine.

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.

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

RealPolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond may claim to sate that appetite, but swallowing its current current offering is comparable to prison cafeteria food. It may technically offer something, but nothing that will leave you in any way satisfied. It is unlikely any amount of post-launch patching will make this game enjoyable, but hopefully one day it will at least become marginally playable.

Soulslinger: Evoy of Death is a stylish, fast-paced game that's easy to jump into for some quick action, and there's undeniable fun to be had mixing and matching powers. However, some frustrating design decisions hold it back on the macro level. I do like the world the game sets up, and if developer Elder Games ever makes a follow-up, I'll be there to hopefully check out some new corners of Limbo with some of the rougher edges smoothed out.

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!

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

When Doom: The Dark Ages plays to its strengths, it is the ultimate in destruction. The mechanics of the Shield Saw work amazingly well, bringing something different to the series, and combined with the iconic Doom weaponry, provide for a smooth combat experience. And although the sections with the Atlan mech and the cybernetic dragon aren't as entertaining as the main combat phases, they are still enjoyable. The awesome soundtrack gets the heart pumping and sets the tone perfectly, whilst the visuals look stunning, with the cutscenes doing a wonderful job of continuing the story. A word of warning though, Doom: The Dark Ages does require a decent PC to run even on minimum. Indeed, if you were hoping to play on the go with a Steam Deck you will be disappointed. But if you have the system to play it, and enjoy shooters then Doom: The Dark Ages should definitely be on your must-play list.

From thrilling turn-based combat to incredible artistic direction and a truly engrossing story, this is a hard game not to recommend to players of all preferences, and it has easily cemented itself as a contender for my game of the year.

A vast world, mechanics to sink your teeth into, and interspersed moments of light-heartedness as well as incredible stakes of an extraplanar threat, Oblivion Remastered is a perfect opportunity for new fans to become the Hero of Kvatch, and for old fans to reignite their love of a game that defined RPGs in the mid 2000s.

Moroi has some very rough edges, but despite that it has an extremely unique visual style and artistic design. If you have a dark sense of humour and enjoy the absurd and the macabre, I recommend it, just keep in mind that you may encounter several issues that may hinder your enjoyment of the game as they hindered mine

Which Way Up: Galaxy Games offers a delightful and accessible party game experience that is perfect for families looking for indoor fun, especially when the weather outside is less than inviting. With its simple controls, vibrant visuals, and varied collection of mini-games provide hours of entertainment. While the two-player experience may lack some of the chaotic charm of larger groups, the game truly comes alive with three or more players, making it a stellar addition to any family's game night rotation. So, gather your crew, prepare for launch, and get ready for some gravity-defying fun in the whimsical world of Which Way Up: Galaxy Games.

Like your standard Soulslike, AI Limit is set in a dying world that is on the cusp of being snuffed out altogether. Though, at least it's somewhat original in how this miserable state of affairs came to pass.

Despite the nitpicks, Monster Hunter Wilds is a fantastic game and a fun iteration in the franchise. It's definitely showing it's growing pains, but what it does right, it really does right. It's energetic and exciting and worth the hunt when it's running well. It's quality of life improvements might rattle some, and we'll see how long the stay, but for me they really worked perfectly. Now if only the fix the dang multiplayer!

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

If you're a fan of Supercross, then you'll likely enjoy Monster Energy Supercross 25. However, for casual fans, or those looking at getting into the series, be wary that this is a tough game to master. Slowly improving and gaining followers in the Career Mode is definitely rewarding though. The visuals are great and the soundtrack provides for an atmospheric experience, but the difficulty, even at the lowest level can be tough. The opposition racers are aggressive and competent, even down to the last rider, ensuring that a single mistake can cost you a race. And when some of these errors are no fault of your own, it can be a frustrating experience.

The vast majority of the game's shortcomings came down to glitches that can both end up fixed by the time I finish this sentence, and didn't ruin the experience too much anyway. Possibly the worst part is knowing that there are so many vagaries in the game that you start to wonder if those "glitches" are intentional. It's a heck of a game, a darn good horror game, and one twisted, fantastic experience. So get out of the apartment, make friends with some Lovecraftian monsters, and don't forget to look outside.

The Talos Principle: Reawakened remakes and reanimates the 2014 original for a new generation and a new generation of players. Beyond the extraordinarily deep and dense puzzles, beyond the expertly written story and philosophy, and beyond the beautiful art and audio direction, lies a game that succeeds in bridging people's understanding of what a game can be. It is the kind of game I would recommend to anyone, regardless of if they play videogames or not.

Ultimately, Atomfall is a game that respects the player's intelligence and rewards curiosity. It doesn't hold your hand with a deluge of mandatory objectives, instead offering the freedom to pursue Leads at your own pace and explore the ravaged landscape as you see fit. This player-driven approach ensures that each playthrough feels distinct, shaped by the individual's willingness to delve into the mysteries and dangers of post-nuclear Cumberland. If you're a player who appreciates atmosphere, emergent gameplay, and the satisfaction of uncovering secrets through your own initiative, Atomfall is a journey into a hauntingly beautiful and intellectually engaging world.

Level Devil really does revel in watching the player fail, and fortunately it is often amusing to fall victim to its many hidden traps. The pacing might struggle a few times, with a few of the levels becoming more tedious than entertaining, but there are still plenty of opportunities for the player to find enjoyment in either seeing what the game has to offer with its tricks or trying to solve the puzzle of finishing a level without dying. When all is said and done, even though the game lacks a great degree of challenge, it does keep the fun rolling on a level-to-level basis. There's a demarcated spot for future levels in addition to some secret levels to find and a speedrun mode, so it has legs beyond the first playthrough, too. The game might want the player to hate it, but it's hard not to enjoy this ride.

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.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is the best representation of being a pure Shinobi since probably 2005, and will probably remain that way for a while.

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

Centum is an alienating game to play. It is ugly, confusing, and frequently deeply disturbing. The characters you control will allude to history and relationships you can only guess at, so when selecting your dialogue options you will often have to stop and wonder "Is this a lie?" Fortunately, beneath the surreal imagery, the religious metaphors, and the deliberately obscure plot, Centum is a familiar game. It's your standard point-and-click adventure model where you navigate through a pixel environment collecting key items and using them to solve puzzles. This well-worn gameplay style is a good decision, because were the gameplay as obscure and alienating as the plot, characters, and visuals, I don't think anyone would be able to finish the first chapter.