AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative is a superior game compared to its predecessor in almost every aspect. While some of the puzzle segments are a bit long-winded and can be quite complicated, the experiences they provide alone are incredibly worth it, and the characters make the game so fun to play.

An homage to Darkstalkers more than anything, Capcom Fighter Collection is well packaged, presented and executed. There’s not a lot of title diversity, but a few make their first overdue appearance outside of Japan and arcades.

Fundamentally, this story is not really about Lazarus, the characters of his family or even the events, but rather just a mystery to solve, steeped in the struggle of good versus evil. The Last Days of Lazarus is a very professional entry by a small developer and the story is worth checking out if this genre is of interest.

The Wonder Boy Collection is a solid retro collection that finally puts some respect on old Tom-Tom’s name.

Overall Cotton Fantasy may be a short game with average playthroughs lasting about 30-40 minutes. But with 7 characters to play as and added difficulty it definitely adds a lot of replayability and if this a taste of what the Cotton franchise will continue as then fans of this series have every right to be excited to see what comes next.

Hardspace Shipbreaker is not just a game, it is a call to action to put an end to the tyranny of mega-corporations and every gamer who is interested in such an idea will enjoy it.

Even as a shorter game and with limited character leveling, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is arguably the best beat-em-up and TMNT experience ages. If you have a buddy or several to tackle the forces of foot clan evil with, jump on this one.

Sniper Elite 5 does everything the previous installations did, except it does them better, in new and updated graphics. What are you waiting for? Get sniping!

I really enjoyed Out There: Oceans Of Time and would recommend it, it’s not overly challenging (it’s pretty easy to maintain the ship once you get the hang of it) and planetary threats are fairly easily managed… so if you prefer a tougher challenge it might not be your thing, but if you enjoy a good cosmic adventure this could be worth a look.

If you have an interest in paleontology yourself or perhaps some young family members with an interest, I would certainly recommend grabbing a copy. Once you have your specimens you can even learn more about them with some quick factoids, adding that extra bit of fun and learning.

A nostalgic trip down memory lane marred with aiming issues and a very short play time.

More a fighting game than sport experience, a solid presentation somewhat compensates for its limited modes and roster.

I believe Supermassive Games did a great job with The Quarry. While it doesn't offer much in terms of gameplay, the story and characters are by far the best it's been in some of the developer's recent titles and provide an experience that can even rival the spiritual predecessor, Until Dawn.

An ambitious game that punches above its weight with unique RPG systems, survival mechanics and co-op support - and a lot of heart.

A wonderfully difficult beat-'em-up that puts the player at the forefront of their very own martial arts epic.

Kao the Kangaroo is a fun jump through memory lane that delivers an enjoyable (albeit slightly repetitive) experience in classic arcade 3D platforming fashion. However the character, graphics and worlds lends itself well on the Xbox Series X with a very smooth control system.

Arise: A Simple Story is a fantastic indie game from Piccolo Studio’s, demonstrating incredible talent. The platforming is fun and engaging, allowing anyone to dive right in without too high of a skill gap. Each world is wonderful and vibrant, with each offering a unique and interesting platforming puzzle to make every level stand out in its own way. If you’re a fan of games like Journey or Last Day of June, this game will definitely scratch that itch.

Eternal Threads fails to deliver anything worth the player’s time, money, or efforts. The main vague plot is surrounded by dull subplots and lacks a decent closure. The story-driven gameplay is repetitive and devoid of any mental or physical challenge except for exhaustion. The characters are badly written and their actions add little to no emotional content to the game. The only good thing about this game was the idea behind it but the lack of a good execution has turned the Eternal Threads into a “nightmare of a world” just like the future it portrays.

So despite starting this whole experience thinking I was finally getting my hands on Bloodlines 2, I am not disappointed with what I in fact do have. Swansong is an intriguing addition to the Vampire mythology and the new characters are interesting enough to make playing with them and learning their stories an engaging experience. There are a few little quirks (again, most notably the lip syncing, occasionally the movement looks a little stilted too)… but overall it’s an impressive package and should sate your hunger till you can dig your teeth into Bloodlines 2.

Overall though, it’s been a lot of fun diving back into the Arthurian legend and this darker take on it. It’s a fun game with a decent amount of polish to it. Grab it if you love Arthurian mythology or just decent turn based RPGs.

Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles is a game that everyone in the family can enjoy, that’s a pretty big bonus for those of us with young ones in the family and certainly make a difference from all the more mature themed games that we have to wait till the little ones are asleep or at school to enjoy. The controls are simple enough to pick up and use without much thought… ie they are quite intuitive. It’s a pretty decent price and considering I could just sit and watch the beautiful colours dance across the screen whether I’m trying to complete the level or just chill for a while, you can get a decent bit of play time out of it. Grab a copy if you like a bit of puzzle gaming or if you just like some pretty visuals, either way Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles is likely to put a grin on your face.

Nintendo Switch Sports is a silly and lighthearted option for game night, but with a limited roster of sports, its appeal and longevity is restricted. Rather than games such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario Party Superstars, and Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, which game nights are usually built around, Nintendo Switch Sports feels more like an intermittent game to play with friends while transitioning to the stronger multiplayer experiences the Switch has to offer.

A unique and engaging story-based roguelike with a multitude of memorable characters and moments.

Paradise Killer offers a highly unique experience with interesting characters and a heavily detailed mystery to follow. However, its needlessly convoluted story and writing may deter some players from diving in.

Trek to Yomi is Flying Wild Hog’s best game. Unlike Shadow Warrior 3, the studio’s first title in 2022 that was a huge step backward, Trek to Yomi is aimed at a niche audience. It’s short, violent, and poetic. The one-hit kill Kensei mode that’s unlocked after finishing the game for the first time also adds more replay value for the game while creating the potential for attracting hardcore gamers and speedrunners. The game can be enjoyed by many, but a very small group of people will hold on to it for a very long time. That’s why Trek to Yomi has the chance to become a cult title.

Chrono Cross is a strange, wonderful game that was not afraid to take big risks. The port doesn’t exactly cover it in glory but considering the game has been languishing in purgatory for so long it’s nice that it sees the light of day at all. There is little here for people who aren’t already fans of the genre to recommend. But for JRPG fans this is a fascinating time capsule, especially for PAL gamers who didn’t get to experience it first time round.

Should you buy it? Well if you like the idea of challenging your ethics with hypothetical scenarios then absolutely. If you are or were a philosophy student you may well get a sense of nostalgia and for me that is arguably enough of a reason to grab it. It’s a decent price for what it is, if you aren’t sure, maybe wait for a sale… but really for a chance to play something a bit more intellectual for a change I think it’s a great buy!

Martha is Dead, despite struggling to hold my attention at times, is a well crafted game, with incredibly detailed visuals and models, an interesting cast of characters, and an unsettling but highly intriguing story to tell. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers and horrors, then Martha is Dead will undoubtedly be your cup of tea.