Altogether, Dicefolk is a successful amalgamation of multiple concepts layered on top of each other in a satisfying way. The only real issue this reviewer could really bring to the table is the game loop feels a bit more repetitive than it does satisfying, but that could just be this particular reviewer's thoughts on roguelikes and as such may not be a reliable view on the loop. Along with this the story and music feel a bit lacking in scale, but again this was likely more of an expectation of an RPG type game rather than a roguelike one. But with that being said If gamers are fans of any of the concepts that Dicefolk is made up of, from deck building to roguelikes to creature collecting, it is certainly worth a look, if not an outright pickup!

As someone who enjoys the high level of frantic chaos that Suicide Squad specializes in, and the ways it encourages you to try different characters and builds, it’s easy for me to look forward to additional content, but for the average player to be able to overcome the same repetitive structure featured in every other game of this ilk, the developers will have to unleash the same creativity they mustered for the movement on the mission design moving forward.

Persona 3 is a famous story from an RPG perspective and is considered to be one of the best in the series, so despite the price point if you're a fan of turn based JRPGs or have previously played other games in the series, then Persona 3 Reload is definitely a game to pick up!

With its minimalist pixel art aesthetic, Anomaly Agent crafts a cyberpunk dystopian world with neon lights and flying cars. It is reminiscent of films like Blade Runner, even to the point where your character is an agent hunting down replicant-like clones. Much like other games in the genre, Anomaly Agent is only as good as you make it. Its catchy synthwave beats and blood splattered chunky pixel violence are akin to other indie darling Hotline Miami, but Anomaly Agent isn't just a, pun intended, clone of previous media, but an intriguing anomaly with a lot of heart that is worth the journey, however brief. If you're looking for a fun action platformer, with a sci-fi story that has fun with the genre, then do yourself a favour and check out this little gem.

The biggest reason to pass on Lost Crown is the price tag. In a world where the greatest Metroidvania of all time (Hollow Knight for those wondering) sold for $15 at launch, charging $50 for a Metroidvania is a bold strategy. While Lost Crown is a solid game, at that price point I would advise most people to wait for a sale and pick up Hollow Knight, Lost Ruins, AfterImage, or Doomblade if you haven't already. Still, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is worth a purchase if you have extra cash sitting around and have already played all the aforementioned titles.

Not really all that puzzling because the main drawback to Boxes: Lost Fragments isn't about its value as a puzzle game, it's about something else. More likely it could be the confusion in how close the game resembles The Room in both look and gameplay. Since the original publisher of the 2012 iOS and android The Room, Fireproof appeared to be "working with limited finances while providing art assets to other publishers" they could have been encouraging other indie developers to continue their work because they couldn't do it themselves. If that is indeed the case, then kudos to all of the people past and present that have worked on this game; because all I can say is that Boxes: Lost Fragments is a winner! At least where boxes with puzzles are concerned it is an excellent experience!

There is plenty of repetition in Reigns: Three Kingdoms and this may deter some gamers from continuing further into the story. Players are posed the similar questions throughout the course of their journey and although answering them in different ways can lead to varied outcomes, it can become grating. That said, the combat portion of the game is highly enjoyable. Although it too is quite basic, the drafting of your characters into battle does allow for a certain level of strategy. The battles are often over quickly and as a result Reigns: Three kingdoms could be a great game to play during your lunch break or during a commute.

Whether you're a newcomer to parkour games, an intermediate, or a longtime expert, Phantom Abyss is more than well-worth a go. The combined low skill floor to entry, vs the far higher skill ceiling one can hope to reach over time, in combination with the replayable nature of each level, gives Phantom Abyss a lot of potential longevity moving forward. Here's hoping the developers continue to flesh out the core experience via new levels and quality-of-life improvements in the months following this transition from Early Access to full release.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a special game in that it's a JRPG that runs over two full-time weeks, has plenty of cutscenes and dialogue, and an expansive area to explore, but it never once felt long. There's a constant pull, a strong one, towards the next piece of story, the next upgrade, the next wild experience, and it always ensures you're not left behind by reiterating story points and providing flashbacks. Each component blends together better than ever before, truly making the transition from Yakuza to Like a Dragon complete, and with it an evolution from an inspired game series to an inspiration to others.

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.

The bugs get worse as the game goes on with frequent crashes and other problems spiking up in the third act and beyond. These are the same kind of issues that Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous had at launch, and fortunately in both cases the games subsequently became more stable and polished with future updates. So you may want to wait a little while before picking up Rogue Trader. However, even with the bugs, Rogue Trader is an excellent CRPG set in one of my favourite sci-fi settings, and I would be remiss not to give it a glowing recommendation.

Gangs of Sherwood is a passable but thoroughly unremarkable cooperative action game, suffering from a tedious gameplay loop, alleviated only in part by its cinematic quality, boss fights, and visual artistic appeal. Unless you're a diehard Robin Hood folklore enthusiast, it's very difficult to recommend this as a must-buy at any price, let alone its current retail offering.

There is a real sense of togetherness when playing KarmaZoo. Players help each other out, using their skills (both natural gaming skills and that of their chosen character) to work their way through the puzzles provided by the levels. And it is this co-operative nature that allows KarmaZoo to be an entertaining title, whether you’re one of the more experienced players or those who have just started playing. And with the reasonably short levels, it means that players can jump in and out whenever they have a spare 15-20 minutes. But with all the different characters to collect, the fun co-operative nature of the game and the cute visuals, players will no doubt be coming back for more.

Baldur's Gate III is an amazing game. While the length can be intimidating and the lore vast - that makes it all the more compelling and the game could easily become one of the biggest time sinks for gamers since the likes of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim or Elden Ring released. If you're a fan of Larian Studios' previous work, DND, strategy RPGs, or any of the above, BG3 is almost certainly the game for you, and comes highly recommended.

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

I ended my time with Realms of Ruin feeling like it was a game stuck between two genres. It has the combat rules, unit counts, and sluggish movement of a pure tactics game, set on a map scaled for an RTS, but it also forgot to bring either tactics or strategy in a meaningful way. In some respect it feels like a strategy game from before they were "figured out" in the 90s. It's a game of rock paper scissors, where each player knows what the other is throwing, and has but a single counter to it. There just isn't enough there, and for a game that is asking a premium price, I think the bar is much more visible, if not higher. And this is without taking into account the other, better, Warhammer strategy games already on the market. Just like its full title, Warhammer: Age of Sigmar - Realms of Ruin is a tad exhausting, a bit confusing, and could benefit from losing about 60% off the top.

It could be easy to take a cursory glance at Alan Wake 2 and think it's little more than a collage of genre staples, but the game is so much more. Like the best works in any medium and genre, these references and familiarities feel like homages and love letters, never like crutches. The promising young FBI agent, a creepy cult in the woods, and the sleepy Northwestern town are incredibly engaging because the tropes are backed up by wonderful writing, a palpable atmosphere, and a narrative that's legitimately engaging. It also makes everything that much more satisfying when it twists and turns in unexpected directions. Alan Wake 2 sets a new bar for Remedy, and I can't wait to see what they follow it up with next.

In all Persona 5 Tactica is more of a good thing. While the art style shift may cause some hesitancy, the game is built as a great introduction to its playstyle and has plenty of player friendly design implementations that make it welcoming even to those who only want to experience seeing the Phantom Thieves in action again even if the gameplay style isn’t one that they usually play. If you're a fan of the Phantom Thieves, or a fan of strategy RPGs, this revolution themed game is one to keep an eye on!

Assassin's Creed Mirage is a wonderful return to what made the original a fan favourite. The stealth mechanics work remarkably well, and although players can go with a more attacking style if they so choose, Mirage has been developed in a way that encourages the slower methodical approach to each scenario. And then as players acquire the extra tools and increased abilities, this leads to different methods of completing the missions. With a gorgeous setting that rivals Assassin's Creed Origins and a wonderful soundtrack that sets the middle eastern tone, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a must play for fans of the series.

As far as detective games go, Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express is one of the best modern offerings on the market. The game's handful of obvious flaws are outweighed tenfold by the many other areas where it goes above and beyond. Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express is not just one of the best detective games of this year. It's a game other similar investigation games should compare themselves against in years to come.

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!

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is a reasonably adequate racing game for beginners. Visually, it sets itself apart from many of its competitors. However, its floaty physics system, unappealing slow speeds, almost non-existent racetrack offerings, and awkward keyboard control scheme make it impossible to recommend in its current state.

The Gap is so much more than a gorgeous puzzle game, layered mystery thriller, or a walking simulator, it's a trip through a life upended. It resonated with me on several emotional levels because it's a well-built world, housing a finely-crafted narrative, conveyed by some stellar voice acting. This isn't some "gotcha" mystery; it's not going for some home run twist. The Gap has a story to tell, and it does so with urgency. I honestly wish it was about twice as long, so that it had more time to sink into its philosophy or show more of Joshua's life, or that it simply had more depth inside to give me a reason to play again, outside of a branched ending that is easy to experience both ways. But to think this is the developers' first official outing brings me great joy, as I'm left itching for more. What I thought was going to be an interesting story turned out to be one of my favourite games of the year, one that I'll be thinking about for a while: each time I remind myself not to take what I've got for granted.

As with other Hearts of Iron DLCs, the price tag seems a bit unreasonable given the amount of content here. If you're a new player there is very little reason to pick this up, especially considering one of the best features (the historical Finish Focus Tree) has been added to the base game already. Sure, there are plenty of nice changes in here for veterans but a new player simply won't get much use out of them when they are already overwhelmed with different systems. For Hearts of Iron veterans though, this is one of the better DLCs overall (though still probably falling a bit short of the high water mark of No Step Back).

Folks, there is a lot to this game; it might not be a pure railroad / train management simulator, but it has a lot to offer, especially if you like puzzles. Everything runs very smoothly, and I didn't find any bugs. Some of the missions will require you to start from scratch where you need to locate resources, build or rather place the appropriate resource gathering buildings, assign the necessary workers and lay down rails, place stations, set the switches while adding the needed trains and its cars. Other missions might provide a jumbled-up mishmash collection of broken rails that need to be fixed and improved. Every mission will be different from the previous ones.

Many players may not be able to wash out the taste of launch, and may not even poke their heads back into the blinding neon or gruesome yet cool cyberware to see how much has changed, but speaking as someone who entered Night City for the first time post launch, the Phantom Liberty DLC adds a lot to a game that has improved drastically since its release, to the point of nearly being unrecognizable to those who played at launch alone.

I walked away from my time with Lords of the Fallen feeling defeated even in my victory. It was a tough road, the toughest of all the souls-and-likes in execution and also, at least partially, gameplay. I lost more levels worth of Vigor than maybe all the other games combined, but I didn't feel like I overcame some finely crafted challenge. Most damning of all, though, despite its attempts to differentiate itself with unique mechanics, I never forgot the games that inspired it through the entire runtime.

Hellboy: Web of Wyrd is a masterful visual representation of Mike Mignola's body of work, clearly created out of passion from the development team. However, the widespread consistent issues with the core game design make it difficult to unreservedly recommend it as a must-buy for either diehard Hellboy fans or for newcomers to the franchise.