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

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

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

It’s apparent that this visual novel will become very much ‘of its time’ in the years to come. And whilst novels are a personal favourite of mine amongst literary genres, the ‘visual novels’ like Coffee Talk have never had me quite so enthralled as their print counterparts. Toge Productions creates an attractive and calming world to be wrapped up in – but doesn’t provide much more than a comfort read.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are of course the problems with AI, plus the fact that this is a DLC for a game from 2013 that most Total War fans have already pumped at least hundred hour into. But if you want some Total War play, some refreshing mechanics and a bit of education about the Roman conquest of Italy, then I would certainly recommend.

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

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

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

Though it may not hold your attention for long, whenever it does hold it you'll be enjoying yourself.

Although Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China doesn’t have the same feel to it as recent Assassin’s Creed titles, it does perform well as a platformer.

All in all, it's a rather depressing entry into the series. The storytelling is as good as ever, and players are sure to feel as much regret as they do with any other episode. But the lack of interactivity takes a heavy toll on the experience as a whole.

In all, Arena Renovation has a lot of potential to be a very fun game, especially once the Early Access period is over and the developers have time to make certain that everything is prepared for a full release. The act of witnessing these dilapidated sports centres being brought back to life makes for a particularly satisfying experience, the level up system lets players feel a real sense of progression, and the game provides plenty of options to furnish areas to suit your aesthetic purposes. There are still some kinks to work out, particularly in long load times and clunky feeling controls, but this reviewer feels it's safe to say that Arena Renovation is a game to keep an eye on, especially if you're a player that enjoys the more grounded 'Simulator' games!

Make no mistake, Alien: Isolation is several steps in the right direction for both the Alien franchise, and horror games in general.

Sniper Elite 5 is a perfectly competent fresh instalment in the longstanding series. It succeeds in carrying over much of what most people loved about the previous games. However, its near-exclusive focus on iterating rather than reiterating often works against it. If you loved past instalments, you’ll probably enjoy this one. However, for those put off by previous Sniper Elite games, Sniper Elite 5 won't be the game to draw you back in. Sniper Elite 5 feels less like a sequel to Sniper Elite 4, and instead more akin to a rather large expansion DLC for said predecessor.

Overall I appreciate Lovecraft’s Untold Stories for being a procedurally generated roguelike that stands out from others in its genre with a unique atmosphere and spooky tone. Being more concerned with resource management and exploration than twitch bullet-hell gameplay was a smart move, even if that falls apart a bit when the combat does come around. While it has its flaws, this is a game I won’t have a hard time recommending to those interested in the genre- a perfect little game to fire up know and again late at night with the lights turned off.

Although a single playthrough is rather short, the fact that the range of choices and their consequences will result in different endings, means that multiple playthroughs are a legitimate option. And with some wonderful storytelling and voice acting, Before the Storm will give players an emotional ride, one that I look forward to continuing with Episode 2: Brave New World.

Once you've looked under the hood and see that the farm sim is only the surface of the game, you find a surprisingly addicting dark adventure title. If you're a fan of farming sims but need something to spice it up, try the grim substance matter of Gleaner Heights out. You may find exactly what you're looking for.

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