Diplomacy is Not an Option delivers on the ambitious promise of a streamlined RTS city builder that forgoes on the minutia of the more grindy aspects of the city building aspect, while retaining the surface gameplay of planning your city's layout, and letting you focus more heavily on the strategy side, which you'll have to to keep up with the actually really challenging waves of attacks you'll have to defend against. It also remains silly and entertaining despite being so hard and punishing when making mistakes.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is everything that you would expect from an epic fantasy game. There is an intriguing story full of magic and mystery, combat styles for all types of players, and an environment so enchanting it’s impossible not to want to live in it. While the remaster isn’t very different from the original in most aspects, it still makes for an enjoyable game and is a nice throwback to Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.

Overall, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is an exceptional sequel for an already great experience. The new additions to weapons and armour are great, using magic is fun, and who doesn't love a grappling hook. Its story may repeat plot points from the original but it's never an issue. It still provides a good amount of lore to sink your teeth into alongside new and old characters. I look forward to future updates providing more content for an already great game.

BROK the InvestiGator is a wonderful mix of brain and brawn that combines two unlike genres into a fun game like no other. The voice acting and the art style were both executed well and I had a blast playing such an impressive game. Although the puzzles and plot holes can bring the overall experience down a bit, I'll happily grab my magnifying glass regardless and prepare for many more hours ahead with Brok and Graff.

Blasphemous 2 is a fantastic sequel. The smooth gameplay, wonderful world building and awesomely gory and strange art make this a must play for fans of the genre and new acolytes looking to test it out. It improves on the original with some excellent streamlining and platforming to go with the combat. It plays, looks, and sounds great, and is a must play for anyone even slightly intrigued.

In regards to the shooting mechanics, there's a solid core with excellent flow. You unlock traversal options that make moving around fast-paced and hectic while shooting down enemies. There are enough guns to unlock that keep the fighting interesting while maintaining their personality. Literally, the guns are characters in the story. Where High On Life shines is the writing. Every character and scene is hilarious while also telling a compelling story. Fans of Justin Roiland's comedy will love High On Life.

Wandering Sword is a phenomenal 2.5D game that provides tons of unique mechanics to its gameplay. Paired with the equally beautiful soundtracks, Wandering Sword's tile-based combat and exploration feel incredible and mesmerizing. Though lacking a bit in several areas, particularly its stiff combat animations, this game is a great package for those who enjoy ancient Chinese-based martial arts experience.

I rarely fall in love with games at first sight, but The Cruel King and The Great Hero captured my heart from the very first time I laid eyes on this fantasy RPG. Mind you, it does have its flaws (and quite the frustrating ones), but they can be forgiven. Just focus on the enchanting melody and the aesthetically pleasing visuals and you’ll be golden! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to my bedtime story.

For their first outing as a studio, Ironwood Studios has provided a beautifully styled roadlike that captures the thrill of driving in a supernatural setting. With a fantastic cast to support the journey, an addictive gameplay loop, wonderful sights to behold, and creative obstacles to encounter. Pacific Drive has the potential for Indie of the Year.

Roots of Pacha is probably one of the best farming life simulation games I've played in a while. I didn't honestly think I'd get this invested in this game, but it's hard to resist. There's so much to not only do, but discover. It's quite relaxing spending each day working with the clan on new ideas, plus other side activities such as exploring, fishing, gathering, and growing and harvesting crops. So far, I've put a lot of happy hours into Roots of Pacha, and I know for a fact I've barely scratched the surface of everything this game has to offer. I can't wait to see what else I'll experience in this game.

It's safe to say that I think Hoa is an absolutely outstanding game. My childhood self would be shrieking with glee at this game as it is everything you could possibly wish for out of a nature based puzzle platformer. With adorable creatures to befriend and a story to learn, Hoa definitely has it all. Therefore I cannot recommend this game enough.

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land combines exploration, crafting, and combat to deliver a fantastic experience. Journeying through the world of Aladiss is a remarkable experience backed by a decent story and good characters. There is a steeper learning curve than expected and the visual flaws are hard to ignore. But despite its flaws, Atelier Yumia delivers a solid exploration experience that's tough to beat.

Immortality is a story of art and authority and the humans responsible for all the best and worst aspects of moviemaking, and it's also a step forward in the way stories can be told through the interactive movie genre. A hidden mystery under the initial intrigue of trying to find out what happened to missing actress Marissa Marcel, and the way it's discovered, is the gem at the heart of this beautifully shot, acted, and scored production.

Risk of Rain Returns is a faithful and well-made remake of the original game, retaining the original's fun and challenging gameplay as well as adding new content to keep things fresh. The new characters and alternate skills are particularly welcome additions. Whether you've played the original, started with the sequel, or are getting into this series for the first time, Risk of Rain Returns will provide plenty of enjoyment.

Every aspect of the game is fairly simple. Nothing really drags the game down or carries the game alone, though the character stories are a particular strength. What really makes the game shine is that every aspect of the game complements the others. The developers aimed to create a “myth-making tactical RPG”. I'm not sure I knew what that meant going in, but I do now.

Exo One is a notably well-crafted audiovisual journey that is quite enjoyable to simply play through. While the story is lackluster and can even sometimes get in the way of the real joy of actually playing the game, it still adds some degree of depth and direction. Still, the game could do with an option to skip the story all-together and a level selection option after beating it to go back to your favorite planets. Leaving the story aside, flying through the different planets alongside your alien craft is quite an experience on Exo One. Headphones recommended.

I was honestly surprised by The Sims 4 Lovestruck Expansion Pack. I was admittedly sceptical about whether it was worth making a whole Expansion out of the concept of romance, but I'm very glad I was proven wrong. Lovestruck has continued the line of well put-together Expansion Packs in The Sims 4, and every box for a Sims 4 Expansion Pack has been ticked: CAS content, objects, world, and new gameplay. I highly recommend that you get Lovestruck, as I think you will be pleasantly surprised at everything it has to offer.

Overall, When the Past was Around is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, condensed down to only a couple of hours. With its great puzzle design and incredible visuals and music, it leaves you wanting to experience it all over again for the first time. This game is worth every minute you put into it.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a beautiful game that navigates the difficult journey of grief. Abubaker Salim delivers a great story and performance that resonates with anyone going through that process. It’s backed up with stunning visuals and a score that supports this strong story. While this game doesn’t reinvent the Metroidvania, fans of the genre will still be impressed. Hopefully, they’ll fix the bug of having Zau frozen after exiting the menu. Despite that, Tales of Kenzera is an impressive debut from Surgent Studios.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is truly one of the best launch titles to date. With the release of the PlayStation 5, Miles Morales stands as an impressive achievement in visual design, engrossing gameplay, and an unforgettable story about responsibility, culture, and family. It's well worth the price of admission for all the fun, content, and interesting story this game delivers. The neighborhoods of New York are in good hands with this new and improved Spider-Man.

Cyber Shadow is a game that wears its influences on its sleeve and brilliantly weaves together the best elements from the 8-bit era of action-platforming titles. It is able to tell a story with more heart and depth than usually possible through this specific aesthetic. With a soundtrack that sounds like it came out of a lost Nintendo cartridge, following Shadow's journey is a thrilling ride with edge-of-your-seat combat hiding behind every corner. The game's difficulty may turn players away, but that has always been the case with older games such as Castlevania or Master Blaster. You may perish a lot, but the game is so good, you're going to want to keep trying to see how it all plays out.

Gnosia will be a confusing, frustrating, enlightening, but overall rewarding experience. The unique approach to storytelling, as well as the charming cast of characters, engross players in the futuristic horror of the game's universe. A single round provides addicting entertainment; however, the gameplay can become tiring, and the story, long-drawn-out. Overall, Gnosia is an ideal game for people who love flexing their deduction skills and those who enjoy immersing themselves in interesting game worlds.

Battlefield 6 is one of the best FPS games of the current time, and the Devs have taken every step in the right direction to redeem themselves. It has the most in-depth destruction experience that lets you dive right into a chaotic war. The improvements for the class system are good and let you experiment with different traits to lead your team. Moreover, the Kinesthetic Combat system is what brings the most joy and makes the gameplay enjoyable, even for new players. Despite some weapon balance issues and bugs in the campaign mode, Battlefield 6 provides the best war experience in the franchise.

Rustic Defense isn’t perfect, but it is a strong and genuinely rewarding strategy game that understands what makes tower defense compelling. Its procedurally generated maps, meaningful upgrade choices, and roguelite structure work together to create an experience that is challenging without feeling punishing, encouraging players to learn and improve rather than brute-force their way forward. For tower defense fans who value tactical depth, smart planning, and replayability over flashy presentation, Rustic Defense stands out as a thoughtful and engaging title, and one that’s easy to recommend to players looking for a strategy game that respects their time.

I was blown away by Tchia. I'm really glad I got the opportunity to play this incredible game, which has obviously been lovingly put together by an excellent team. There were one or two teething issues when I played Tchia, otherwise it was a flawless experience. Once I got into the game (which didn't take long), I became addicted thanks to the amazing open world gameplay and the story you eagerly get absorbed in. If you like games that has a bit of everything in it, such as exploration, music, collectibles and loads more, then Tchia is a great game to invest in.

King Of The Castle is probably one of, if not my all-time favorite party games. It's easy to learn and play with so many friends. The story is fun and engaging while ever-changing and unique for each playthrough. It plays like a visual novel that meets with the political intrigue of a game like Secret Hitler. I believe the game is best played by having all the players read their character's lines out loud to each other and roleplay it. For the low price, I would put it as a must-have for any party game and a brainer if it goes on sale.

Easy to pick up, easy to master; that's Boomerang X for you. The game teaches you its mechanics step by step, and in so doing you become a boomerang master until the credits roll. It's addictive by its very nature to draw out every last bit of adrenaline within you, and that's not even a complaint. Achieving a perfect state of flow throughout its 2hr base game campaign, Boomerang X will keep your wits twisting long after the final boss is defeated!

The Sims 4 Royalty & Legacy has not only succeeded in being an excellent Expansion Pack, but it also proved me wrong in thinking that it was going to be needlessly complicated and a grind to play. For me, it was the opposite: a joy to play. I had a lot of fun throwing myself into the new features and activities on offer, such as setting up my own Dynasty, getting established in the Noble Career, and engaging in Swordsmanship and Grand Balls. Plus, I was thoroughly impressed with the new world Ondarion. It's simply beautiful. There's not very much to fault with this pack. I honestly don't know if Royalty & Legacy is going to be the last Expansion for The Sims 4, as this could be a false rumor or a simple misunderstanding. I sincerely hope that it isn't the last, but if this is the case, the long run of The Sims 4 Expansion Packs will end on a high note with Royalty & Legacy.

If you'd like to play a horror exploration game about the love-hate relationship between two boys and have an afternoon to kill, this is the perfect game. The game has an interesting twist that makes repeat playthroughs more fun. If you're still in the mood for some toxic yaoi, more content is on the way! An upcoming story expansion, Twilight Railway, is on track for later this year. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be putting myself into cryostasis to await Twilight Railway.

Someday You'll Return is an immersive game with stunning visuals, excellent storytelling and rich gameplay. And what I like most: the developers didn't try to reinvent the wheel. But instead took all the best parts from the genre and actually created something new. I’d go so far as to call it one of the best horror games from the last year.

On the whole, I'm very impressed with the re-releases of MySims and MySims Kingdom. They came rather unexpectedly, but they were a welcome surprise. It's great to play both these games again, and with the promised improvements to the graphics and performance. These two key focuses made this re-release superior to the original Wii releases. The controls on the Switch can be a bit awkward at times, but nothing that I found especially annoying or distracting. There's also the odd hiccup regarding sound playing correctly, but I seem to remember the Wii versions having this issue as well. It's nothing that a patch or two can't fix, or if not, it won't me from enjoying these remasters of two of my childhood games. Now if we get MySims Agents re-released for Nintendo Switch as well, I'll be over the moon.

Scars Above tells an excellent story and provides several mechanics that fans of the genre will enjoy. The landscapes and monsters are designed beautifully, with audio that completes each setting. While character design could use some work, and customization would have been nice, the good heavily outweighs the bad with this one. The combat difficulty will provide plenty of frustration and enjoyment for days on end.

The combat is thrilling, the side content is endless, and the naval battles? Absolutely addictive. I can (and have) lost hours to every fetch quest and minigame Honolulu has to offer, only to turn around and demolish enemy ships in a storm of cannon fire. The sheer variety of activities means I'm never left looking for something fun to do. The characters are fantastic, the story—while as ridiculous as ever—is a blast, and the signature Yakuza madness is cranked up to eleven. Focusing an entire game on Majima is a bit like having just cake for dinner... but honestly? It’s the best damn cake I’ve ever had.

Inkulinati is a terrific addition to the strategy genre. The art style and humor may draw you in, but the vast array of abilities and beasts at your command will keep you strategizing for hours. With an ever-changing Journey mode and an aggressive pace to battle, Inkulnati is a blast battle to battle, beast to beast, ink to ink.

Hunt the Night is a challenging but rewarding game that rewards players with new gear, timing, and skill. It takes place in a world where humans and monsters live in a cycle, where humans come together to stop the cycle. Dialogue in the game is intentionally vague and just enough to set the tone of the world. The story and gameplay of Hunt the Night are well-done, with a mix of melee and ranged combat with dodging.

Once again The Chinese Room have delivered another intriguing story set in the realm of horror. They've stepped up everything from their gorgeous art design to the intense moments in the dark. Disregarding some awkward times swimming, the chase and stealth sections are intense and generally a good time. The monster designs are some of the best I've seen in a while making Still Wakes The Deep a must play for all fans of horror.

Overall, Pikmin 4 is a great and fun time. This is the most beautiful game yet in the series and the best-looking Switch game to date. Plenty of new features elevate the Pikmin formula but also take some steps back in key areas. Being able to create your character is fun, and I love all the charming character conversations. The night mode and new Pikmin are also a welcome addition, adding variety to the series. By far, the best addition is Oatchi and all the abilities you can upgrade.

The elements of this game all work together wonderfully to charm and amuse you through its 3-or-so hours. From the vibrant art design to the charming characterisation, this British town is ready to hate this goose with a passion. This game just holds so much in every inch of its world and the way it comes together makes it so hard to not completely fall in love.

If you are a fan of the newer Xcom series, I highly recommend this game. If you are a fan of Cold War spy thrillers, I highly recommend this game. The mystery of the conspiracy is fantastic and makes me want to uncover everything. The gameplay is brutal, but fair and unlike Xcom you won't miss a with a shotgun at point blank range and a 99% change to hit. This game fulfilled many niches and I hope others will agree.

While the visual grandeur can sometimes overwhelm, Manifold Garden is one of the most mesmerising and jaw-dropping experiences I've had on the Switch. It manages to take well-known puzzle mechanics and galaxy-brain them into worlds and universes; an infinite meditation on infinity. Top-quality puzzles, unique, mind-blowing visuals, and gorgeous ambient music make this a wholistic, meditative experience, one which everyone should try. It is a work of art.

Road to Empress presents a thrilling tale of political intrigue and infighting that keeps you hooked. Every character's acting is top-notch and you feel the emotions that they express. The game's story is slightly hampered by the fact that there is only one viable path despite having multiple choices during events. You shouldn't miss out on this story if you are a fan of FMV games.

All in all, I feel like Academia: School Simulator is a great game. It's very casual and laid back but also delightful. If you're looking for a relaxing atmosphere and a great simulation game, this may just be it for you! It is leaving early access very soon and will be officially launched, so exciting. I've enjoyed this game since it first came to early access in 2017, and I'm thrilled to say Squeaky Wheel has nailed it.

Stellar Blade is nowhere near perfect, however, some of its imperfections help us, the players, to understand and admire the game's strengths while also acknowledging its drawbacks. The combat is awesome, albeit there is a slight discomfort with how the Dodge mechanic works. Another strong point of Stellar Blade is how it incorporates the musical tracks throughout the game, thus giving us a sneak peek of what the developers are capable of when it comes to producing brilliant soundtrack design in their video games. Overall, Stellar Blade is not a game for everyone, however, it largely manages to capture the hearts of souls-like players and newcomers to begin their journey in this genre by mowing down the enemies with grace through the lenses of Eve.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is a dream game for musical lovers. Its usage of songs is perfectly integrated into the story and will get stuck in your head. The replayability is great in more ways than one, as you can replay the song sequences with different outcomes depending on what you choose. On top of that, it's bolstered by an A-List cast stacked with talent and carries this captivating murder mystery. Hopefully this means more musical games will come, but for now, you can't beat Stray Gods.

Death Stranding Director's Cut is an artistic vision fully realized. If the original Death Stranding did not entice you, do not expect to be converted. However, if you resonate with the experience being presented, the game is a must-play and the definitive way to enjoy a one-of-a-kind title.

Gamedec should be an essential play for fans of isometric, story-driven titles. The detective work is paced and executed in a way that makes you feel like you're actually solving crimes, rather than following scripted conversations. The environments are varied and interesting, and the music absolutely slaps. This is a title that deserves your time and attention.

Adios is a quietly emotional little game that will draw you in with a narrative that’s compelling and heartbreaking in equal measure. If walking sims aren’t your usual cup of tea then you might not immediately click with it, but if you’re willing to give the excellent writing and award-worthy voice acting the scant couple of hours it demands of you, it might just surprise you. And even if not, you’ll learn some cool things about American chestnut trees, so there’s that!

Wildfire Swap is a fantastic little puzzle game, with an undeniably charming style to it and a really solid core idea. Whether or not you want to engage with its broader message of the seriousness of wildfires, you’re pretty much guaranteed a challenging and satisfying experience with this red-hot puzzler.

If there was any concept that the card battler genre had completely tapped out with Slay The Spire, Monster Train proves that assumption wrong. Combining scaling difficulty, combo troops and cards, and an amazing amount of replayability under the hood, this is a game that can easily devour hours of your time pursuing "just one more run."

On Your Tail brings you a charming Italian vacation experience you won't forget. The ambience is perfect, the townspeople charming, and the mysteries are fun to solve. Unfortunately this game does have some rough edges which are too hard to ignore, along with potential gamebreaking bugs. Don't let the flaws turn you away, this is still fun to play. Give Borgo Marina a chance and you will see that everything comes together to form a cozy game masterpiece.

Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! is an excellent, family-friendly game that tries hard not to become dull and succeeds. The presentation is smooth and logical. The pacing of the video game is nicely done. Where there are twists and turns, and different situations, the player will encounter throughout their path to greatness. Makes for a great game to pass the time, or to pick it up on the go whenever you feel the itch to play it.

Tunic is truly a masterpiece of game design: a modern day Zelda with all the complexity it needs to thrive with gamers today. If you like running around a beautiful fantasy land, sword fighting fantasy baddies, or translating ancient languages, Tunic will have something for you to sink your teeth into. If you haven't already, I'd highly recommend picking this foxy little gem up.

Escape Simulator is fun. It's just challenging enough to make the puzzles satisfying, without being so obtuse you're certain the creators are just trying to show off their wasted university degrees. With free DLC and player created options, there's a ton of replay value. It feels good to poke at multiple puzzles at once, just for one to unlock the key to one of the others and so on. I lost hours on this game, bingeing it for 7 hours straight in one session! It's fun to pick up, hard to put down.

Thy Creature is a fascinating retelling of the classic Frankenstein story with a twist. The themes of memories and how they make a person is fun. The gameplay is fun with its exploration and relentlessly hard but fun gameplay. The game is brutally hard, and mostly it is fair on how it plays. The game takes almost thirty hours to get through due to its difficulty fully, and it is worth it all the way.

Strayed Lights is a visually stunning game, displaying a highly polished aesthetic paired with a serene soundtrack. The interpretive story, while only a few hours long, resonated with me; exploring the darkness, defeating demons, growing stronger and wiser with each win. However, the narrative wouldn't work as well if it wasn't for the compact combat, which is the shining light of the game. Responsive, fluid, and tightly packed together, the face-on parry system pushes you forward through the dark.

Minishoot' Adventures is a smart, joyful answer to a question most players never thought to ask: What if you fused a top-down action-adventure with a twin-stick bullet hell shooter and wrapped it in a handcrafted metroidvania structure? Its exploration is rewarding, its combat feels precise and satisfying, and its boss fights regularly punch above what you might expect from a tiny-ship indie experiment.

Ghostrunner is one of the most polished, gameplay-focused experiences in the cyberpunk genre. It is more than an enjoyable and decent challenge, especially if you're an avid gamer. If you die, it is 100% your fault, so you must try every single strategy that comes to your mind to break the loop. But once you master all the elements of the game's combat, it becomes very satisfying. And I think that's the peak, priceless moment of this amazing game.

Animal Well takes the Metroidvania model and provides a challenging and satisfying experience while also cutting off all the excess fat. There's basically no story, no upgrades, no flashing fighing mechanics. It proves that you can create a fantastic game with smart puzzle and level design alone, and by giving the player the freedom to figure things out.

"Night Springs" is a great expansion to Alan Wake II that gives players a few hours of entertaining content with the kind of writing and style that Remedy excels at. It shows off the creativity of the studio, and how committed they are to doing things no other studio is doing. Some people may be disappointed that it doesn't explain the main game's confusing story, though.

Mini Motorways is the ultimate blend of city management and arcade mechanics. Much like running a real city, you don't always know what your options will be in a week, but the population continues on. From the minimal art style and controls to the exciting pace of long runs, there is plenty within this seemingly small offering to enjoy. Suddenly identifying a game-ending traffic jam and heading it off before things get bad is satisfying, and there's always fun to be found in beating your own high score.

UMAMI is simply a delightful game to whittle away some time playing. You just feel so chilled out and lost in this world full of beautifully-designed cakes and their matching surroundings. Plus, there's that little extra sweetness with petting the animals on each finished cake and finding a hidden card in each level. UMAMI is sweetly simplistic and a great escapism for puzzle lovers and cozy gamers. I just wish there were more puzzles to do because I was so blown away by the uniqueness and imagination with each one. This is a title I'll definitely be playing again.

Without a shadow of a doubt Kirby And The Forgotten Land is one of the best titles to have released in 2022. And one of the best on the Nintendo Switch. Offering bright, breezy, and downright fun gameplay all wrapped up with some brilliant and characterful levels and characters. However it may be too easy for the more hardcore gamer looking for a challenge.

DNF Duel is the one. It's the game that the hardcore fighting game community has been waiting for years to come and successfully merges casual appeal with hardcore potential. It may be more skewed to beginners than Guilty Gear Strive, but that only makes it more attractive for the new audience. The only apparent downsides reside in the lack of depth in the single-player content and some balancing quirks that can get fixed as time goes on. Looking at its reduced price point in comparison to other AAA fighters, it also offers a lot of bang for your buck if you're willing to play the online ladder.

I was a little worried I wouldn't enjoy Discovery as much as Myths & Magic, but I was wrong. I adored it. Each of the three different levels were engaging, enjoyable and creative, feeling distinguishable from each other while still being the same gameplay. It was honestly great to enjoy more Hidden Through Time levels. I want even more now! I hope they do make more of these games, and I'd love to see what else they come up with regarding themes.

A thrilling ride through the gentle and the macabre. Little Nightmares II is carefully packaged with a heartrending punch, tender flashes and bitter twists – all the while expanding on the already captivating mythos of the series.

There are times when a bundle of titles is a quick cash-in or the mark of an anniversary. In this instance, Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited is a masterfully crafted offering of two incredible dungeon-crawling adventures. This is a series that feels right at home on Nintendo Switch and hopefully is an indication that more titles from the NIS catalog are on the way.

Piofiore: Fated Memories is an action-packed mafia otome with an intriguing storyline, handsome leads, and a mystery to solve. The art is beautiful, though it can become gruesome in the Bad Endings. The soundtrack is a delight and the voice acting is superb. The secret route, though short, is my favorite. Be mindful of content warnings as the game does not shy away from graphic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The misdeeds of the mafia are yours to have if you will accept their hand.

Frictional Games titles are as rare as precious and Amnesia: Rebirth is not an exception. It’s a journey filled with mystery and sensational revelations that the Swedish studio offers us, determined to torment our souls one more time. The game manages to combine genres (adventure in Indiana Jones way, pure horror) while covering extremely human and intimate thematics. Far from just being an enjoyable experience, Amnesia: Rebirth leaves a particular taste of sadness and admiration for a team that decided to reach the end of its desires.

Teyon hit it out the park again with Unfinished Business. While the game can feel extremely linear, they alleviate this with open spaces for downtime or small asides for story perspectives. The story won’t win awards, but it’s propelled forward by a journey which has momentum through excellent combat encounters and enjoyable investigation sections. Fans of immersive sims or Robocop, this is a no-brainer.

Teacup is an undeniably adorable adventure for anyone facing anxieties or looking for a wholesome way to pass the time. It promotes the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone, even when you really don't want to, which is valuable for anyone who needs it. I would highly recommend this game, it even features wonderful recipes for your own herbal remedies!

When it comes down to it, The Sims 4 Life & Death Expansion Pack is one you should seriously consider adding to your collection. Ravenwood is an excellent world to play in, the new Soul's Journey and Bucket List gameplay is ideal if you're into goal-oriented gameplay, features such as Wills and Funerals makes the process of death feel more meaningful, the Reaper career feels like a surreal dream come true, and the Tarot Cards are probably one of the best collectibles in the game. Don't be put off by the initial grim impressions that this pack gives. It's inspiring, encouraging you to get more out of your Sim's lives.

If you like the gang of SpongeBob (such as Patrick, Squidward, Sandy Cheeks, etc.), and the concept of the game solitaire, then this game might be a video game to take a gander at. In all of its card flipping, patty tossing, squared shaped glory!

Not For Broadcast: The Timeloop is a very strong standalone journey through modern sci-fi pop culture tropes. Fans of the main game will certainly enjoy the deeper dive into the absurd humor and creativity of the game. However, it has an even weaker focus on gameplay, which may rub some players the long way. Not everyone wants to watch a movie when they're trying to play a game.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers improves the souls-like formula and adds enough to make the game hard to put down. It's fun investigating different systems and using different builds whenever you want. The learning curve is steep and the story isn't that good compared to other aspects. If you are looking for a new souls-like, pass this game up at your own peril.

A massive improvement over the original, Eiyu*Senki Gold - A New Conquest is an outstanding tactical RPG and a feel-good title all around. Simple yet endearing characters with a plot that just serves as a backdrop for waifu collecting, Eiyu*Senki Gold is well worth it.

Where some expansions expand on the gameplay with core changes and new systems, Ghost of Tsushima's Iki Island acts more like an extension of the main game loved by so many - with only minor yet appreciated tweaks. For the most part, in conjunction with changes to enemy combat skills and exploration, along with turning your horse into a weapon, playing through Iki fits wonderfully into this originally three-act epic as a welcome fourth. Ever so slightly dusted with imperfections, the captivating story, combat, graphics, and soundtrack are all still among the very best PlayStation exclusives have to offer, mostly overshadowing any grievances.

Going Under starts off looking like a goofy, chaotic rogue-lite parodying company culture, and ends looking like one, too. The huge variety in weapons and skills will keep you improvising and adapting on every run. While the story is entirely ridiculous and doesn’t take itself seriously for most of its runtime, the loveable characters - both Jackie and her colleagues - will keep you invested (haha) the whole way through. Couple that with a masterfully crafted finale and you get one of the most satisfying, and overall best, games of 2020.

Pseudoregalia is probably one of the best indie platformers to be released this year. With fantastic controls and a great collection of challenges there is so much that will get you hooked and keep you coming back for more. However the lack of a map can make it easy to get lost and end up going places you don't intend to. However the core gameplay loop and unlockable powers can make the experience far smoother over all.

Star Ocean: The Divine Force is the breath of fresh air Star Ocean fans have been waiting for. The storytelling is satisfying and fun, the gameplay is innovative and exciting, and the visuals are colorful and fantastical! Even further, The Divine Force offers a beautiful soundtrack and a handful of challenging battles that ultimately provide a very rewarding experience! Although there are some imperfections, The Divine Force is a magnificent installment in the Star Ocean series!

Falcon Age is a great example of a narrative game that can work on multiple levels. It works in virtual reality, and it works on a handheld. As a story of liberation, and a story of companionship. The Switch version allows players of all types to explore and enjoy this delightful tale of a girl and her bird.

Planet Coaster: Console Edition brings this already phenomenal game to a new audience on console. Controls are very well translated over to the controller, and the game runs smoothly on PS5 with really fast load times. It is presented in a very accessible way, but there is also an insane amount of depth for the hardcore players.

Mascot horror dominates the video game industry, but this game takes the cake with its unique use of the trend. The game effectively uses its strong points to its advantage to bring fear into players. Instead of using jumpscares to create fear, it builds tension to spook the player. It creates an illusion of being safe when in reality, the danger is still lurking within. As this is the first chapter, it is relatively short, only ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the player. Even with its short time frame, it packs an impressive punch into what's to come into future chapters. Poppy Playtime could easily be one of the best indie games released this year from its production quality and effective use of scares.

Overall, I was very impressed with Collector's Cove and had a great time spending several hours with it. For those who enjoy collecting in video games, this is definitely one to consider. Even if you're not a big farming or fishing gamer, you'll find yourself absorbed in the addictive gameplay that Collector's Cove has to offer. Each of the four regions are wonderful to explore and totally unique, and ultimately discovering a new species of plant or fish makes everything completely worthwhile. It does have that grindy-type gameplay, but if you enjoy all the activities available in Collector's Cove, you'll find it difficult to complain, plus the rewards you get for all your efforts make everything worth it.

Alan Wake Remastered is the definitive version of Alan's story in Bright Falls. It is the exact same game that acquired quiet respect amongst fans and critics following its 2010 release. Only now it boasts 4K visuals and 60FPS gameplay. Along with some welcome bonus features, and packaged-in DLC, the remaster is a must for superfans, and a fantastic starting point for curious newcomers, with only a few small annoyances that stop it just short of reaching perfection.

Life is Strange: Reunion isn’t flawless, but it delivers powerful emotional closure for Max and Chloe. Deck Nine recaptures the intimate storytelling and emotional weight that defined the series, even if the mystery loses some momentum and a few systems feel underdeveloped. For longtime fans, it serves as a heartfelt and respectful finale filled with memorable moments. Emotional, atmospheric, and impactful, it stands as one of the franchise’s most rewarding entries.

Batman: Arkham Shadow succeeds in being an actual game where a lot of other VR experiences are just that: experiences. Arkham Shadow allows you to embody the Dark Knight and have a proper good time fighting and sneaking your way around enemies in a way no other VR title I played has so far. While not a quintessential title in the overall Arkham experience, it is a must play for Quest 3 owners that are also Batman fans. Each gaming session will present you with a good challenge with a decent story and great immersion, leaving wanting more.

The whole point of The Sims 4 High School Years Expansion is to expand your teen Sims' lives - and it does not fail in that mission at all. Before this Expansion came along, teen Sims felt a little overlooked, but High School Years ensures that will never happen again. It's not perfect, there's always room for improvement, but this is certainly an Expansion worth investing in if you want to expand your gameplay, plus the new clothes, objects and world are a great addition.

Spiritfarer was a pleasantly surprising and joyful experience. I highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in other management games, or anyone with a Switch. Apart from not finding enough challenging platforming, there's hardly much to say that I didn't enjoy. Everything from the characters and world, to the mechanics and story was wonderfully crafted. Spiritfarer is a highly underrated indie that I'll never forget.

Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 forgets all about the past to create a new path for itself, which was risky, but it paid off. Kirin is the best protagonist the series ever had, with a playstyle that encourages proactively setting up defenses while attacking relentlessly. Even if the story left a bit to be desired, Gunvolt 3 is a step up from an already strong franchise.

Out of the Park Baseball 24 is truly a joy to play. With its deep mechanics and realistic simulation, baseball fans will love it. Perfect Team may not be something to recommend, but it's only a small part of the overall package. With the level of customization available to you, OOTP 24 is almost like a playground for creating different leagues. This is easily worth the price of admission, even if you aren't a fan of baseball.

Stick to the Plan is an incredibly fun and powerfully adorable game. With a look and feel that makes it a joy to play and a wonderful experience from start to finish. The art style is incredibly charming. It features brilliant looking worlds and levels. And a soothing soundtrack. And the puzzles are fair and aren't overly difficult. Even if some do take a lot of time to figure out. As a whole Stick to the Plan is one of my most favourite games to come out this year.

I loved I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. I assumed it would be something you could play in small bursts to completion, like Growing Up, but each lifetime requires significant time investment. But with how good the story and characters are, I actually like it better this way. The challenges are tough, but fair, the characters are engaging and relatable, and despite being set on an alien planet with a literal dog-boy as one of your potential friends, I can’t help but be dragged back to my high school days as I play. For better or for worse.

Scott Pilgrim EX could have relied entirely on nostalgia but instead, it experiments. Not every experiment feels perfectly tuned. The segmented mission flow may divide purists, and the narrative plays within comfortable boundaries rather than pushing emotional stakes further. Yet these are measured risks in pursuit of evolution rather than stagnation. Scott Pilgrim EX stands as a confident sequel. It respects its legacy, sharpens its mechanics, and dares to expand its scope. For fans of cooperative brawlers and character-driven action games, it represents one of the more compelling genre entries in recent years.

When picking up Super Mario 3D All-Stars, I expected authenticity as well as enhancements worthy of a modern remaster. This collection manages to meet those marks, but not without some unfortunate limitations. The All-Stars collection provides three content-packed Mario games for the price of one, a dream for fans of this series. For those who love challenging platformers, like Celeste or Super Mario Maker 2, I recommend picking this collection up. However, those on the fence might be better off looking elsewhere, as the All-Stars collection is a remaster with few bells and whistles. Though Nintendo could have done more to enhance these titles, they are still fantastic games on their own and definitely worth the purchase.

Pieced Together is a fantastic game. You really feel as if you've been taken on this wonderful journey with these two sparky girls, following their lives and adventures, watching them grow before your eyes, curious to know where their lives will ultimately take them, and whether they'll stay friends forever. I had a great time playing this game. It was honestly much better than I was ever expecting it to be. I thought it would just be a simple scrapbook game, and it is, but it's much more that this. It's just brilliantly creative, and I loved the incorporation of puzzle-solving that avoided being too frustrating so it remained cozy and relaxing. I'm very glad I got to play this and can't wait to play it again sometime near in the future.

Botany Manor is an excellent game and I am very glad I chose to play this title, especially as I've been waiting for its release for a while, hoping it wouldn't disappoint, and it most certainly didn't. The manor and gardens were beautifully designed, the puzzles were fun to solve and well thought-out, Arabella's character was well developed, and the game on a whole was very charming and relaxing. Even though it only took me 4-5 hours to complete this game, it felt long enough and I enjoyed every minute of it. I don't have anything negative to say about it, except one fleeting glitch that thankfully sorted itself out, but otherwise I had a wonderful time playing this.

As far as it goes as a photography game, OPUS: Prism Peak is probably one of the best I've played. In fact, this game is probably up there as one of my favorites so far in 2026. I had a great time playing OPUS: Prism Peak. Even though I missed some information and couldn't get 100% completion in my first playthrough, this didn't really matter as I had fun playing anyway. The level of detail that's gone into making this game is just impressive. I can definitely see myself playing this title again sometime soon in the future, so I can grab those photos and field notes that I missed or got wrong. I'm surprised actually that OPUS: Prism Peak hasn't received more attention, as this is definitely one to consider adding to your collection.

Bayonetta 3 is a fantastically stylish game with invigorating gameplay, empowering music and a narrative that reaches deep to pull on the heart's strings. Despite its understandable graphical affordances and its slightly rushed story, it makes for a show-stopping, action-packed experience that can be enjoyed countless times over.