I’m always keen to dive into an RPG, and open-world RPGs provide a satisfying level of freedom. However, if the storytelling isn’t there, interest can fade quickly. Tainted Grail: The Fall Of Avalon doesn’t just hold that interest; it keeps piquing it. When you build your world upon an established legend, it can be tempting to let the existing elements do all the heavy lifting. Here, that legend is simply the starting point and helps color the world, but the new lore is what truly brings it to life! If you are a fan of the Arthurian legend, you might well enjoy this furthering of the stories. If you enjoy open-world RPG games, then definitely grab a copy!

A pointed satire of the human cost of corporate shenanigans, Revenge is a solid sequel that almost didn't exist but I'm sure glad it does.

Some people enjoy the hard slog of grinding away at combat to progress others like to have a bit of challenge but ultimately be able to progress without feeling like they are just locked in a combat Groundhog day. If you enjoy the tough grind then Empyreal may well be right up your alley. If you believe that the easy setting on a game should mean just that and not seemingly be completely ignored when the game starts perhaps give it a miss.

With 8 varied and worthwhile titles to check out from several of Capcom's best series, this is a proper celebration of a bygone but ever-lasting era of fighting games.

Gorn 2 is a decent sequel that takes the simple fun from the first and evolves the formula with even more traps, power-ups, and a cast of crazy gods to battle against. Fans of the original are bound to eat it up, while those new to the series will find a compelling comedy brawler with buckets of charm and chum to spare.

Overall my impression is that Creature Keeper has a lot of potential, and is an impressive accomplishment for a sole developer – and needs more time. However I was left disappointed by how significantly the bugs I experienced impacted on my gameplay, which is such a pity given how much Fervir has managed to achieve already. I would not recommend this in its current state and instead suggest we all wait and see.

Carmen Sandiego, is a good educational adventure game that targets a younger audience (especially those that have watched the animated tv series on Netflix) but still pays homage to the original version. Especially in regard to the cold case files that have a retro feel in terms of the graphics. The mini puzzles are not hard, but they are repetitive, so it would be nice to see more layers of difficulty and variety. The same goes with the options of cities to travel to. I found myself revisiting the same ones over and over and would have liked more options available to provide more exploration. Having to replay capers or solving the cold cases (just to gain more XP) took some fun out of the game because it felt limiting (and more like a chore), but I liked how it was easy to just pick up and play, then put down when I wanted a break.

Please, Touch The Artwork 2 is a playful and poignant journey through the surreal world of James Ensor, inviting players to explore and interact with iconic paintings in surprising, meaningful ways. With its charming skeleton protagonist and clever object-finding mechanics, the game transforms fine art into an accessible, emotionally resonant experience.

Captain Blood is an action adventure game that fails in its attempt of vindication after already struggling to stay above water. It doesn’t do anything new, exciting, or fun being released in this modern era of gaming and even it’s archaic style and influential takeaways can’t keep it afloat with issues such as audio inconsistencies, bland level structure, vexing enemy A.I., graphical hiccups, and pure negligible combat and upgrade systems. Captain Blood should have been a great comeback story, but has sadly been released with no substance, style, or grace.

A devilishly silly shooter that is the very definition of easy to pick up difficult to master.

SteamWorld Heist 2 doesn’t reinvent itself, but it doesn’t need to as it takes what worked in the original, refines it and adds just enough new elements to make it feel fresh.

FH5 brings stunning Mexico, vast content, and thrilling races to PS5 – a truly rewarding and long-awaited open-world triumph.

In the end, Spirit of the North 2 successfully builds upon its predecessor, offering a more expansive world, deeper mechanics plus a richer narrative. With its visual beauty, atmospheric storytelling and engaging puzzles, this is a must play for fans of the original or for those looking for similar games such as Journey and Abzû, this mystical fox’s journey is one worth embarking on.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a fantastic experience from start to finish. Mixing up the gameplay of its predecessors drastically, while still feeling like DOOM.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a phenomenal game in almost every aspect. It is engaging, exciting, dramatic, emotional, thought-provoking, and incredibly memorable.

A unique Metroidvania with a charming hand drawn art style and a fun body snatching mechanic.

Hitman World of Assassination: VR Access on PSVR2 is well worth the price of admission for both fans of Hitman and those looking for their next VR fix. The shift from third person to VR is a small change that makes a huge difference to the game’s flow and feel, offering a level of immediacy and immersion not seen in the series before. While the PSVR patch for Hitman 3 was little more than a curio, the generational leap in both graphical fidelity and control offered by the PSVR2 makes it not only a legitimately fun alternative way to play, an already superb collection, but a must-have addition to any PSVR2 library.

Though definitely hampered by questionable controls and sometimes obscure puzzles and movement… the overall satisfaction of solving a puzzle and seeing what new contraption was revealed kept me going. If you enjoy puzzle games, certainly give it a look.

Yes, the characters aren’t remarkable, and it treads the same tarmac as The Last of Us, but Days Gone Remastered feels like a complete game that irons out many of the aesthetic kinks, while adding more meat in the process. Nobody should feel dissatisfied with the remastering job done here, especially seeing as you now get more for your money.

Fatal Fury City of the Wolves make a nice albeit non-triumphant return to the fighting game arena. Full crossplay compatibility and robust online modes are best of breed.

A bold update to the physics and move to Unreal Engine 5 in this years title introduces more problems than it solves.

A remaster can only make a 20-year old game so modern without becoming a remake. Oblivion Remastered makes the old game beautiful, far less clunky, but it's still the old game at its core.

The Talos Principle: Reawakened is a triumph. Croteam has successfully revitalized a beloved classic, delivering a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating experience. Whether you’re a newcomer to the series or a seasoned veteran, “Reawakened” offers a compelling and unforgettable journey into the depths of philosophical puzzle-solving. The combination of its excellent puzzle design, it’s deep narrative or it’s graphical updates, make this a must play game for fans of the puzzle genre.

Many Nights a Whisper is a unique and emotionally resonant game that explores themes of pressure, expectation and destiny. With its meditative gameplay, philosophical storytelling, and stunning atmosphere, it promises to be a memorable experience for players who appreciate thoughtful, narrative-driven games. If you’re looking for something different, reflective and beautifully crafted, this is one to keep an eye on but just be warned, it does become intense, particularly with that final shot.

A no nonsense survival game about finding a new home for Humanity. It's a daunting task, with life threatening twists and turns around every corner. But the fate of humanity rests on your shoulders!

I was actually quite surprised by just how sweet some of the interactions and stories are. As mentioned, the story with your BFF is quite engaging and seems lovely and innocent. But for those who like a bit more danger or adventure in their stories… there are options for that as well. If visual novels are your thing… definitely check out Renai Bakudan (but only if you don’t mind some “Adult” content).

Rusty Rabbit is a side-scrolling action-adventure game that follows Stamp, a tough, aging rabbit who uses his mech to dig, fight, and explore a sprawling underground world. While it overall mostly feels watered-down with elements of it's gameplay being underutilized and everything being a bit too simple, the game blends fast-paced combat, customizable mech upgrades, and intriguing storytelling in a successful way, creating a rich experience about family, resilience, and rediscovery.

Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy is a remake of a point-and-click classic that heavily focuses on its intense story through completing environmental puzzles in surreal beautiful landscapes. This version of the game carefully expands and crafts a newly designed world to explore and successfully impresses on all fronts.