It doesn't live up to the admittedly high expectations, lacks in presentation and feels more like an expansion than a standalone game. Yet what it does do, is deliver fun by the bucketload.

It is elegant gameplay combined with a nice social commentary on the side which makes it unique, and I can’t recall the number of times I smiled as I performed a perfect combo.

With how short Pine Hearts is, players should be able to make the trip to the summit after only about three or so hours, give or take a little bit for exploring the environs or potentially tracking down the last few items to complete a quest. With no time limit, health, or other stakes that could endanger Tyke's trek up the mountain, Pine Hearts makes for an enjoyable and short experience that players may find themselves revisiting in order to take in the delightful sound design and beautiful art. The only complaints this reviewer had during his time up the mountain were only minor inconveniences at worst, and don't take away from the enjoyable experience of this game. If you're a gamer that enjoys short but enjoyable journeys, then you may be interested in climbing to the peak of Pine Hearts.

While the Scale User Interface is the true hero of this release, it would not exist if it weren’t in the service of Baldur’s Gate II and its expansion. If there was ever a good time to replay Shadows of Amn or to sink your teeth into its considerable flesh for the very first time, then it is now.

I'm surprised that it has taken so long for an Assassin's Creed game to finally be released on a VR platform. After all, the original game takes place in a virtual world based on the memories of the descendant of Desmond Miles. And Assassin's Creed Nexus does an amazing job of placing gamers in the shoes of several notable characters and locations from within the Assassin’s Creed series. Although the story is not as detailed as that of previous Assassin's Creed titles, it still does a more than adequate job of keeping the player entertained over the course of the journey. But the developers have made full use of the VR controls to ensure that players feel immersed and like they are part of the action. Hopefully, Assassin's Creed Nexus be the first of many in a series of VR games from Ubisoft.

Injustice 2 is a big, bold, expansive love letter to fans of DC comics and fighting games in general, and its sequel improves on the original in most every way. A deep roster ripe for customization and enough quality game modes worth spending time with will ensure you’ve got enough to keep you busy for quite some time. Though a few issues hold NetherRealms’ latest back from being truly exemplary, there are enough positives here to keep the whole experience feeling pretty super.

The first game was an unsung hero of 2014 for me, but now with a little more kick behind its sequel Styx: Shards of Darkness has set itself up to be noticed by more eager gamers looking for a challenging stealth experience. With a more optimized experience, more freedom to the players and more of that sarcastic and vulgar goblin goodness, Styx has found his way once more back into the heart of this gamer - with a sharp dagger and sarcastic commentary.

All in all, Ageless is a very enjoyable game with clearly creative mechanics that allow fresh air to be breathed into the world that is puzzle based platforming. The necessary precision to accomplish some tasks is about the only real flaw I can find in the game. The pros to the game far outweigh the cons, with the pixel designs and gorgeous backdrops, the unique mechanics, a story that feels very relatable, and a consistently shifting style where each world of the game feels fresh and new, I can honestly say that Ageless feels timeless, and proves that fooling around with time is a concept that won’t grow old anytime soon if done right.

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

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.

It’s a very enjoyable and at times challenging experience that never feels unfair. At times, you’ll be faced with a puzzle that looks impossible, but as soon as you figure out its design, you’ll think yourself silly for not having seen it immediately.

Regardless of its length, Guacamelee is a fine platformer that is lighthearted and entertaining, with plenty of things to fight and laugh about along the way.

Yoku's Island Express is a game that's full of surprises and charm. It kept me on my toes with its unique mechanics and visuals, and I'm very happy that the pinball aspects never became taxing. If pinball isn't quite your thing but you love casual adventure or metroidvania games, I think you'll enjoy Yoku's Island Express immensely.

Sixty Four will serve to satisfy the many manufacturing enthusiasts out there. It is an in-depth simulation that provides a mysterious and very complex gaming environment. Developer Oleg Danilov has done an excellent job figuring out all of the intricacies of Sixty Four and when the factory is running automatically it is a wonder to behold! I have made some comments about being able to move things around but in the grand scheme of things that really doesn't matter much. This game is a keeper and it should be on your list of games to play because it requires the game player to think ahead and to plan instead of willy-nilly placing things all over the map like I tend to do!

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.

People that play and love Mount & Blade probably don't care as much about politics or the economy. For most, it will be all about being a knight on a horse that matters, and Bannerlord comes through once again. Any shortcomings or features that weren't thought of by the developers will no doubt be modded by fans. In fact, mods are already appearing and that will only add to the longevity of the game. Even though there are still some minor bugs such as an underperforming AI, I still can't recommend Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord enough. Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is a highly addictive game that has me wanting to ride around Calradia upon my trusty steed until I become king of the medieval land.

This reviewer can't go into too much detail about the story of Stan and Under the Waves - some things are best experienced by the player first hand after all, and the story that is spun along the seafloor is definitely one of those. Players will learn more about Stan through his isolation, all the while exploring the beautiful ocean. If you're a fan of oceanic visage, emotional stories, crafting mechanics, wide ranging exploration, or some combination of them all, Under the Waves might just be the game for you.

Despite the occasional control annoyance and underdeveloped trait system, this is a fantastic game that I am going to spend many more hours with to continue building my legacy.

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.

There are some similarities to other pirate themed games but in reality how many different ways are there to sail the Caribbean fighting pirates? This pirate says not many. I would have liked to see the option to use a third person perspective while in battle but the first person works fine. In all, Buccaneers lets players having fun playing a pirate, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

There seems to be enough updates to make Football Manager 2024 a worthwhile sports manager franchise game to have, and I give it two thumbs up!

With a good balance of a quality campaign, multiplayer, and cooperative modes, there’s something for just about everyone to enjoy.

If you are a seasoned turn-based strategy gamer, you can really sink your teeth into this one and get a run for your money. If you are not, you will still get both that run for your money and a crash course in applied survivor tactics.

The game uses the golf word par to give a number of how many shots a hole has to be completed in. In reality using the word par in place of number of shots allowed is a misnomer because completing a hole under par carries no benefit. That might just be the developers way of making the game be more golf like. However, even though Cursed to Golf really isn't a sports game or a game of real golf, it does hold a whole lot of value when it comes to fun. The graphics aren't the latest and greatest but the feeling of accomplishment of actually negotiating your way past each level is worth the price of admission. It's also worth a bunch of satisfaction knowing that you indeed did escape purgatory, finally!

Ultimately, Max Mustard is a delightful VR platformer that successfully captures the spirit of classic platformers. Its beautiful visuals, intuitive controls, and engaging level design make it a must-play for VR enthusiasts. While the VR experience can sometimes be a double-edged sword, the game's strengths far outweigh its limitations. If you're looking for a fun and accessible VR adventure, Max Mustard is a fantastic choice.

Tekken 7 is almost perfect as a fighting game. The story is so-so, but let's be honest...it is a fighting game, does there really need to be a story? The game play and controls are practically flawless, and that is of utmost importance when you're attempting to knock out your opponent. The basic combos are simple to learn, whilst if you take the time to learn the more complex combos, they can pay off big time. The visuals are clear and crisp with some wonderful locales. Going through the images, there has been a marked improvement in visual quality since the last game in the series and the music sets the mood wonderfully. My excitement at being able to once again perform in the Iron Fist Tournament has definitely been fulfilled with Tekken 7.

Terra Nil is the ultimate Zen experience when it comes to city builders and the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Despite the immense annoyance at the decision to include hidden platforms as a requirement for progression, I loved Candle. Introducing point-and-click adventure game elements into platformers is sure to benefit both genres and as a point-and-click adventure geek, I have rarely enjoyed a platformer more than I did this one. It’s by no means perfect, but I can’t wait for the sequel. Please, Teku Studios, just make sure I can see where I’m going.