If you like a bit of spy action and political intrigue then for the price this is a pretty good option. If you want a long form game and something you can really dig your teeth into, it might not be quite your cup of tea.

For the price it is… I wouldn’t even say wait for a sale, I’d just say buy this game… it will challenge you, it will pull at your heart strings… but I think, especially in this day and age, we need games like this to remind us to care for one another and to point out what is really important.

A great port of a great game. Civilization VI offers so much to do, and with two expansion packs bundled in, now is the perfect time to experience it on a console.

A middle of the road game, out of fashion, and twenty years late. Nevertheless, Shenmue 3 will please players that enjoyed its prequels.

Syberia offers a chance to play a series of relatively undiscovered gems from the 2000s. However a high price point and a terrible third entry prevent a full endorsement.

The overall experience is limited and pretty shallow, however, as mentioned at the start, it has points for originality and educational purposes. This game would be perfect for those who are interested in the topic area of Christianity, but for everyone else, you may want to pass on this one.

Don’t mistake this for a dance game, it is not really meant to be played competitively, but instead it is a fitness experience. For fans of Zumba, or those who want to try it, this offers a great exercise and the opportunity to work up a sweat in an enjoyable way in the comfort of your own lounge room. This professionally package workout game is nicely presented and offers a fun fitness motivator and is a solid alternative to heading to a gym, provided you have the space.

Without sounding cynical, ‘Narcos: Rise of the Cartels’ suffers from the same curse that looms over most video games that derive from TV shows and movies. Say what you will, but I’ve seen way too many games like Kung-Fu Panda, Spider-Man 3, and even Transformers all miss the mark. Unfortunately, ‘Narcos: Rise of the Cartels’ is no exception and while a few changes to the HUD and combat system would make this game fantastic, I can only review the game I have in front of me and not the game I know it could be. However, all is not lost. The game does offer a decent amount of replay value and the controls are simple enough that even a non-gamer can easily pick up this game and play it.

Sparklite is a surprisingly fun game considering that it utilizes simple game mechanics to make it more targeted to young gamers. Older gamers will also find this quite enjoyable as it offers some resemblance to those beloved top-down games played on hand-held systems such as the Game Boy and Nintendo DS. Sparklite offers an enormous amount of replay value and is very much ideal for playing as a group despite been predominately a single player game. Co-op is available but I recommend sharing the controller for the most enjoyment.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is the single-player of the franchise that while sorely needed just missed out on being spectacular. Nonetheless it was still a very enjoyable immersive experience in the amazing universe of Star Wars!

Overall, Death Stranding is a good game but not quite something that I’d really recommend. Yet, at the same time, Death Stranding is still an incredibly unique game and worth having a go at if you’re looking for something a bit out of the ordinary.

A whimsical, nostalgic journey that explores family, loyalty, isolation, and community.

The bottom line is this is kind of a variation of Job Simulator with an attempted franchise skin. Stick to Job Simulator would be my recommendation.

Certainly worth a look if you like detective or adventure games, with a lot of depth and character to them!

The bottom line? I would heartily recommend this game to any Western Enthusiast or just anyone who would like to play some G.T.E. (Grand Theft Equus).

Planet Zoo is an excellent zoo management sim with an impressive campaign and terrific graphics.

We really enjoyed Bubble Bobble 4 Friends on the Nintendo Switch and like the 1986 original, it is definitely a far superior game if played with others. As a result, it ramps up the fun factor as gamers with their friends and family are once again returned to the loveable characters of Bub and Bob with its tweaked gameplay and equally cute graphics. It’s the perfect 2019 reimagining of an arcade classic and is also fun to play solo as well!

NFS Heat is a great attempt to return to ye old form of previous titles. A strong foundation to build upon.

The game is solid, fun, and easy to use. If you enjoy older games than i recommend this game highly. If you enjoy a game with incredible graphics, and a story-line than this is not for you.

The game in a whole is great for any seasoned VR gamer and new VR gamers as well. I gave my wife a spin at the game and even though she doesn’t game much, she had a blast with it. The creators really did a good job in the creation of this game and even though I am not up to date with everything involving Doctor Who, I think it is a good tribute to the growing audience the series has.

The Universal Monster Pack is an arguable must buy for Pinball FX3 fans. Monster Bash is one of its best tables, period, and Creature from the Black Lagoon not far behind. Be prepared, however, for some graphical downgrade on the Switch version.

Override: Mech City Brawl may look like the anime mech fighter you've been waiting for, but the gameplay just doesn't cut it.

It is pretty pricey… so perhaps wait for a special… but if you like fishing and don’t get out to do it in the real world as much as you would like… this might just be a good substitute.

Although not quite the return to greatness that many fans were hoping for, this reboot of the Modern Warfare series manages to hold its own against the glut of online shooters currently available and offers enough tweaks and revisions to the core gameplay to justify dipping into yet another annual instalment.

It’s a hard game to recommend, due to being just too darn faithful to the original for its own good; if you’re a diehard fan of the original game and can contend with the issues outlined above, then by all means give Medievil a shot, but with a wealth of excellent platforming and adventure titles available on the PS4, it’s hard to see a reason to play this over one of its contemporaries aside from the nostalgia factor.

The Outer Worlds is one of the most enjoyable games of 2019 and if you love RPG’s, this game ticks all the right boxes. Excellent gameplay, albeit slightly repetitive, brilliant world-building and graphics/audio to die for, The Outer Worlds should definitely be on your gaming radar!

Unfortunately, it seems that Tokyo 2020 did not live up to my expectations. The Event selection is fine, if not a bit lacking, but there’s no flare in the game itself. Tokyo 2020 is bested by every Mario & Sonic game that came before it, and that’s disappointing to see from a game that could have, and should have been the best game yet. All I can hope is that maybe Paris 2024 will be better.

The developers of Ring Fit Adventure have really thought outside the square and have delivered an enjoyable yet interesting fitness game that actually works. It’s not clichéd or forced like some other console fitness games but one that uses the Ring to truly immerse you into the game that tracks your movement and in essence, turns it into real-world exercises… but more enjoyable! It’s gaming meets exercising!

Overall it’s a decent little game, not bad for the price and there’s a decent chance your young ones will enjoy it… it’s not a terrible pick up and play for us older gamers too… but it’s definitely more geared towards the younger crowd.

A solid strategy-builder game, suitable for entry and advanced players with some knowledge of fish. It is also one better suited for other platforms.

Witcher 3 for the Switch is a technological masterpiece but at a serious graphical cost. Still, the ability to play a solid, portable version of one of the best games of the modern era is worth the sacrifice.

If you are a fan of racing games or the GRID franchise, this would be a great addition to your library!

Overall this game was good fun and quite light-hearted to play whenever you need to get away from the stresses of life.

I’d say buy if you love your WWII RTS games regardless of uniqueness. If you need something new in the genre… this might not meet your desires.

In a field that is already packed with options, the Cold War take seems like a nice attempt to carve out a lesser explored theatre, only to result in a nearly empty audience.

I’ve tried my hardest to avoid saying that Stranded Sails: Explorer’s of the Cursed Islands is a survival game for kids, but I think it’s probably true. The lack of motivation to stray from the immediate quest objective and the narrow scope of the gameplay is likely to be too simple for anyone reading this review. Yet the colourful, fun graphics, simplified control scheme and guided progression structure seems perfect for players that aren’t quite ready for the quests in Minecraft or the vast, open world of Stardew Valley. Pick this one up for someone that is just getting into games or someone that finds other survival/crafting games to be too overwhelming.

Overwatch is a rare case of a Switch port that works well mechanically, but is hard to justify a purchase. If you plan on playing on console, you’d best stick to PS4 or Xbox. Portable play is desirable, but it’s not always practical when you consider the internet requirement. This port is for a specific audience of Nintendo fans who’ve never played Overwatch and want to know what the big deal is. On the other hand, you can also consider this an all-in-one version of Overwatch. You get console play, handheld play, and motion controls that provide the accuracy of a PC. The value of this port rests on your own personal needs.

This title is a PS4 exclusive and meant to be a big deal, aka a AAA title for the team who made it. It is certainly not unfortunately and in my opinion cannot possibly command a full price point. Fans of the movie should be happy with some of the content but for the rest of us it is very much hit and miss. I do hope this does at least well enough that they can produce another, more well produced game as it did show promise but simply didn’t deliver.

It’s not going to convert anyone who didn’t enjoy the previous titles but for those seeking a hectic and family friendly take on the online shooter genre, there’s a lot to like here.

Shadowkeep isn’t cheap however and how much you put into it will determine how much you want to and will get out of it. The base game is $54.95 which for a stand alone expansion isn’t exactly cheap. The most value for money, based on what you can get out of it is actually the digital deluxe edition at $99.95. I think Destiny 2 is on the right path now that they’ve split from Activision. And I’ll be keenly watching their progress.

Ugly, unplayable, and filled with glitches, not even the biggest wrestling fan should pick up WWE 2K20 in its current state.

There are plenty of choices to be made, meaning you could complete this game several times and see many different narratives and outcomes. All in all, the game feels fresh, unique, and is compelling enough to keep someone with an attention span as short as mine entertained for hours at a time.

The new Volta mode is loads of fun, especially with some mates. But the overall FIFA experience is starting to creak, despite an impressive array of bells and whistles.

Despite the relative simplicity of Trine 4’s early puzzles, I really enjoyed my time with the 7-hour adventure. The game looks absolutely gorgeous with a fantastic variety of interesting environments to explore that are absolutely bursting with life. The story won’t be remembered this time next year, but it’s a fun, light-hearted tale that really brings the whole adventure together. The physics-based puzzle-platforming is better than ever and it still feels fun to shoot, swing and levitate your way through lengthy levels filled with puzzles. Trine 4 is worth your time and if you’ve never played a game in the series before, this is the perfect point to jump in.

I know that the year isn’t done yet, and it might be a little early to start naming games the best of the year, but for me, I’m hooked beyond belief to Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. I adore this game, and can’t shake the feeling that it was made for people just like me: those who grew up with platformers, and want to revisit that joyous nostalgia of running and jumping on perfect level designs. I love this game completely and cannot see anything topping it.

Luigi's Mansion 3 is the high point of the series, simply because it polishes the Luigi's Mansion formula to a shine.

Concrete Genie is creative and beautiful, but at the same time it is not all that spectacular. The story clearly tries to add an emotional extra layer to the painting arts, but it is all too predictable to really make an impact.

80 Days was released on Android and iOS platforms in 2014, and then PC in 2015, but this new release on the Nintendo Switch feels just right. I didn’t play the previous versions, but in handheld mode on the Switch, with haptic feedback in the controllers responding to each decision you make, I found myself lost in this wonderfully vibrant world. You’d do well to add this to your ‘on the go’ library.

Untitled Goose Game is fantastic. The absurd premise is executed to near perfection to deliver a truly unique experience that goes beyond the silly gag of watching a pesky goose cause havoc. The gorgeous, minimalist visuals and the sporadic audio cues combine to create a rich, colourful world that’s just fun to mess around with. Granted, the game is a bit of a cakewalk, but the experience is so utterly delightful and silly that you’ll be more than happy to show it off to friends or play through it all over again in a few months.

I would recommend ‘Breakpoint’ to gamers but not just yet. ‘Breakpoint’ has a lot of potential but still just needs a bit more tweaking before it’s perfect. That said, it is still very enjoyable for anyone who loves a story driven game with a deep back-story as its foundation.

A below average port of an average game, Darksiders II's camera and graphics make for a mundane experience that did not age well.

An entertaining story, extensive character customisation and stylish anime presentation elevates Code Vein above just another Souls-like.

In summary, great DLC, can’t wait for more! Oh and if you haven’t already? Go get the season pass already! It’s pretty cheap and if you’re a true fan, you’ll love the simplicity of what it adds.

A trash game that had promise. Looks like a games executive got his kid to make a game in his spare time and published it.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition is the ultimate JRPG package, jam-packed with dozens of hours of content and new quality of life improvements made even better with the Nintendo Switch’s portability factor. The game simultaneously celebrates its past and indulges in the old-school roots of the genre while simultaneously modernising it for the current generation, resulting in one of the best JRPGs of this generation. The Switch port is a labour of love with impressive visuals, rock-solid performance and ample fan-service that should be experienced by anyone looking for the perfect role-playing game experience on-the-go.

Lego Jurassic World is a perfect port of the 2015 title with all DLC included. It does not, however, offer anything new either in the Lego game space and/or from the original. For Jurassic Park movie buffs (and/or those with little ones who are), however, this is a solid experience if this the first foray into the title. Otherwise, take a pass.

Everything about Daemon X Machina works to make you feel like a central character in your own mecha anime. The visuals and the soundtrack immediately immerse you into the world, while the frantic gameplay and mechanics make you feel like a genuine mech pilot. The story is absurdly serious and undeniably cheesy, which is likely to polarise players – as will the intensely crowded HUD and somewhat unwieldy control scheme. Some players will take one look at the screenshots and begin to tremble at the thought of keeping track of all those stats and meters, while others will relish the experience of customising and piloting their own mech. Either way, Daemon X Machina is worth checking out and with a free demo available on the eShop, you’ve got nothing to lose.

For anyone interested in a rough idea of what our early ancestors went through as they slowly evolved over time… this game does offer an effective look and feel for that. It has some pretty irritating issues… but for the most part it is likely to draw you in and see you exploring your environment trying to unlock that next ability that will unlock the next branch on the family tree. Evolutionary denialists… well I assume they are not even considering this title anyway, for everyone else… if you can get past the hangups… Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey actually manages to mix a bit of education with an interesting game that may well find you absorbed for hours on end.

I do believe that new players will not only enjoy Borderlands 3 but will want to go back and play previous titles in the series. Borderlands 3 has only pushed the bar higher and I can only commend the entire development team on creating yet another fantastic game.

Konami once again delivers a beautiful game of football surrounded by some of the ugliest, laziest trappings possible.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake is undeniably impressive. Despite some frame rate issues, the graphical overhaul is absolutely spectacular and the soundtrack has been brought to life in a truly remarkable way. Yet at the end of the day, this is a remake of a Zelda game from a different time. Plenty of additional gameplay features have been added to make the gameplay experience more palatable by modern standards, but it may not be enough for some players – particularly if you don’t care for the older 2D Zelda games. I will still easily recommend this to anyone that owns a Switch, even if the game can be a little frustrating at times.

There is a decent game here… but certain aspects are broken. If you don’t mind the merciless push to microtransactions, or you can just look past it… then perhaps you will enjoy the gaming experience. Personally I can’t recommend the game on moral grounds, it feels like 2K took the criticism of previous years microtransactions and decided to just stick their finger up to the players and (pun intended) doubled down on their money making.

This game is great, absolute masterpiece in a genre that hasn’t really been popular in the scene. There’s great voice acting, a beautiful soundtrack and tons of action. If you’re looking for a great storytelling action based role playing game while fighting for good or evil, this is the way to go. Aside from a few frame drops here and there and the random audio drop, this game is a complete masterpiece. A diamond in the rough if you will.

The Sinking City on Nintendo Switch is an excellent port with an intriguing narrative hook and Lovecraftian visual style let down by clunky combat and an empty open-world.

The lack of online features and a few quality of life issues make the value proposition somewhat bitter, but everything else about the game is undeniably enjoyable. Pick this one up if you’re looking for a platforming challenge, or something lighthearted to casually pick up and play as the mood strikes.

Remnant: From the Ashes is one of the only games I feel comfortable using the term ‘Soulsbourne’ in a positive manner. It takes all the crucial lessons learned from From Software’s legacy and brings them to it’s own game world to produce a unique third-person shooting experience that is exceptionally fun. Whether you’re playing on your own or with friends, the gameplay is always thrilling and the allure of the bizarre and fascinating universe begging to be explored is hard to resist. Remnant: From the Ashes is an easy recommend to pretty much everyone.

For children of the 80’s there’s a lot of familiarity here and that does mean there’s a lot to love. It is a roguelike so if you get frustrated by dying and having to restart at the beginning, it’s likely not for you. If you like a challenge and your retinas can stand an onslaught of bright neon colours with 80’s references and an environmental message then this might just be your can of 7up… so don your powerglove, put on your acid wash jeans and get ready for some new retro gaming.

The gameplay while familiar has been tweaked and the level design is easily one of the best created worlds on a console, especially seeing it on 4K on the Xbox One X.

A nice upgrade from WRC 7, there’s finally a legitimate competitor for the Dirt series. Still, WRC 8 is best suited for those with a wheel setup and/or already fans of the rally race concept.

Value-wise, this is a reasonably inexpensive game at only AUD13.95. With that said, this is a game valued accurately – although there isn’t much gameplay itself, who hasn’t paid at least this much just to watch a movie?

Oninaki is brimming with ideas and heavy themes. Unfortunately this is hidden behind some rudimentary, repetitive gameplay.

The Switch port of Torchlight 2 is an impressive product overall. The game looks just as good in both portable and docked mode as it does on the PC, with no technical issues in sight. I can’t help but be disappointed with the restrictions on the local multiplayer, however the online play works well if you can find someone to team up with. The procedurally generated nature of the game also suits the design ethos of the Switch and offers exceptional replayability. Fans of ARPG’s won’t need much convincing to pick this one up, but if you’re new to the genre, then this is the perfect time to jump in.

There is so much to admire with Final Fantasy VIII. It was a game completely unafraid to take chances and that turned more than a few people off. But those who stick with it are rewarded with a wonderfully quirky game. It has a whole card game that will take up hours of your time. For those that already love it, this will be an easy sell. For those that wrote it off initially, or felt like it was a betrayal of the series roots, give it another go. The new features may help introduce a classic game to a whole new audience.

The game is a bit pricey (when I just checked it was around $114AU) but it is a fantastic story that draws you in and drives you on. If you are a fan of The X-Files or similar genre shows, material… I have no doubt you will enjoy this. An exceptional job from the whole team!

Mable & The Wood on PC is really enjoyable at times and very frustrating at others. Furthermore, Mable & The Wood caused a full cycle of emotions while playing through the main story.

Astral Chain also suffers a little from repetitiveness. Every mission is broadly the same thing. Hang out at the Police Headquarters, investigate a crime scene, head into the Astral Plane, repeat. The scenery changes, but not the structure and it would have been nice to see a little more done to break up the sections of the game. Ultimately, these flaws are outweighed by the awesome combat and the stylish world. The game looks gorgeous and makes the most of the Switch hardware. The soundtrack is catchy and the game is just a hell of a lot of fun to play. PlatinumGames and the Nintendo Switch have another hit on their hands.

Contact is an absolute quality DLC release; it is a fully immersive, story-rich and refreshing change from the original game. Also, in comparison to the original single player campaign, is seemingly bug-free with absolutely no crashes to desktop.

Overall, the game offers a great experience that even though I got tired of after a few hours, I came back to multiple times. The game modes give a solid bit of excitement, but the real fun to me came from the online experience and special vehicles you can use to cause real destruction. I would give the game an overall 4 out of 5. I give it this based on its overall gameplay falling a little short in variety to me, but keep in mind that leaves plenty of room for them to eventually improve on the game.

Ancestors Legacy is a fun and content-packed historical RTS with great tactical squad-based combat and engaging single-player campaigns.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan offers up fun frights and a solid choice-based horror experience - especially when played with others on the same couch.

Bear With Me: The Lost Robots is only a short point and click game, with a play time of around 2-3 hours. The lack of introduction and odd character dynamics makes the start a shock to the system, but spend a few minutes in this world and you will want to play it through to its completion. The film-noir style, demonstrated through visual, audio and storytelling methods allows the game to win you over with its humor, drama, and gritty crime tale.

Although Question still have a couple of bugs to iron out, The Blackout Club ultimately makes for a fun and engaging, if slightly clunky, experience.

There is something to be said for a game that can truly be challenging, this is one such example of a game that most people will not be able to finish inside of a week, and likely even a month. The reward would come from the endurance and lateral thinking that this game would require in order to gain ground. In all fairness, this game delivers for those who truly seek this challenge, but the ‘chase’ is likely to be better than the ‘prize’ with respect to the story.

Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a great game. The familiar tactical combat is fun, challenging and offers genuinely thrilling gameplay. The lore of the world is fascinating and the characters are well-written with charming personalities. Plus the exploration and upgrade cycle of the gameplay loop is thoroughly engaging. Unfortunately, for the Nintendo Switch version of the game all of this is spoiled by blurry visuals, ugly textures and various performance issues. I heartily recommend picking up Mutant Year Zero on the PC or your console of choice, however the Switch version just isn’t worth your time.

Age of Wonders: Planetfall is truly an awesome game and is excellent value for money. I can only describe this game as a console love child of the beloved board games Monopoly and Chess. Players, like myself, can easily find themselves spending 15+ hours on a single level, trying to complete all of the optional and story-based objectives. The one drawback of the game is that it’s not something that can be completed quickly and requires a level of planning and patience to play. However, this game does offer something for everyone regardless of experience or age.

The best baseball on the Switch to date...if not on any console. A must-buy for hardball fans.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is very ambitious in scope and delivers in every aspect. The relationships between characters are deep and their stories are well told. The main story features multiple branching paths with twists and turns everywhere, it practically begs a second or third play-through. The new activities perfectly blend Fire Emblem with social simulators. The combat remains as engaging as ever. Fire Emblem: Three Houses sees the franchise make the transition back to a home console, and it couldn’t have done a better job.

Solo: Islands of the Heart is one of the most unique games I’ve played to date. A hybrid between a box puzzle game and a love/relationship personality test, developer Merge Games has done an amazing job to make the collaboration feel very natural. Everything about this game seems to just fit, even though some elements are purely cosmetic or explained in great detail. Two small issues I do have with the game is the controls for the camera and the user interface. Neither is a deal-breaker, but a little bit of tweaking from the developer and a patch could quite easily improve these minor issues.

The overall price of Washington is arguably pretty high, but it can be had in bundle packs (which is probably the best way to go to add a few states). The forest machinery DLC is also a little pricey for what it adds… but having said that, it does feel nice having access to all the bells and whistles as you drive across the landscapes of America. Wait for a special or enjoy a bundle… either way a new state is always welcome.

At the current price I would not recommend purchasing. It’s a bit of fun but it’s really more like a bonus you’d get with the main Wolfenstein game rather than a separate product you need to pay a pretty hefty price for. If it goes on deep discount or if they decide to add a lot more missions it will be more appealing… but for now… maybe seek your cyberpiloting thrills elsewhere.

All in all- my thoughts on Kill la Kill IF are a bit mixed. The game plays best in one-on-one matches, which is what you’ll be playing most of the time. Stick to versus mode and you’ll be fine, but playing through the Story Mode is required to unlock certain characters, and it is a little annoying to get through unless you play on the lowest difficulty. I doubt Kill la Kill IF will appeal to anyone who’s not already a fan of the series but there’s fun to be had here.

This game does not really break new ground, but it is a good meat and potatoes shooter and has been well designed and promises to be an enjoyable game to play with friends.

A brilliant top down brawler, Redeemer Enhanced Edition is sure to please every fan of over the top violence and gore with satisfying gameplay to boot.

With a quirky premise, Automachef provides a unique take on the puzzle genre for gamers. For the stubborn puzzle lovers among us this unique puzzle experience is great. With a thin tutorial you are quickly left with only your brain to solve each challenge, and I loved that. You will click, rotate, add, delete, move and work your way through the ever increasing difficulty of each programming and creation challenge, to finally created automated nirvana. Just don’t forget your smart robot arm.

A unique journey through the history of the French Revolution, filled with important decision making, schemes and machinations. Eliminate your enemies and keep your head!

There is little doubt that at some point the story would offer some unique content; it was just too excruciating to continue playing to get to that point. It is sad, because the stories offered by the game are no doubt well written, but it feels like a bit of a cheat to offer 3 stories that utilise the same dialog, without so much as a twist or hook to recapture the audience.

With such an expansive land to explore divided into isles, a fantastic building component, and genuine feeling of warmth and accomplishment, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is utterly fun and adorable at the same time. Whether you play for a little or hours at a time, there is always something to do that will add to your gaming experience. This game is utterly charming to look at and plays like a really well tuned machine. I am pressed to fault it to be honest. It achieves everything it promises and then some. I had a good time with it and am sure you will as well regardless of your age.

A great idea...but one hampered by a poor camera and formulaic gameplay.