When working, Hitman 3 hits new heights for the franchise. Every map is perfectly designed and is fodder for photo modes. Gameplay remains tight and stealth focused, benefiting from the impressive new hardware of the current-generation consoles and high-end PCs. With this said, my enjoyment was constantly staled by persistent server disconnections. As an individual game, Hitman 3 is the best in the franchise. Played as a trilogy, this is one of the best deals in gaming if you can sustain a server connection.

The first part of a duology that promises to be unforgettable, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Tape 1 lays the foundations for an even more intriguing sequel, Tape 2. By the end of this first part, you'll be left with just one question: what really happened that summer? What really happened that summer in 1995? And above all, what happens next?

Yakuza: Like A Dragon is different, but is one of the better Yakuza titles out there. Despite the new combat system, it still maintains that Yakuza style flare that made the series a cult success. There are a few expected missteps, but Ryu Ga Gotoku just about manages to stick the landing to deliver an experience you don't want to miss.

There is a good reason that Darkest Dungeon won a ton of awards and sold over 2 million copies - in portraying the dark underbelly of fantasy adventuring it touched on subjects rarely addressed in games before it. Its amazing sound, comic-like graphics, and intense, perpetual Ironman difficulty create a title that was addictive to those wanting Lovecraftian horror with a side of near Dark Souls difficulty. If you have never experienced it before, now is a great time to make its acquaintance, to be prepared for the release of Darkest Dungeon 2. And, if you were a previous visitor, make sure you take another look to experience the new DLC that has been added since your departure. Hours of broken peripherals and rage quits await.

Deathless. Tales of Old Rus is a genuinely fun roguelike deckbuilder that encourages strategic thinking with its combat. You must carefully plan how you play your cards and what cards you add to your deck. Four characters provides variety but flaws keep the game from truly shining. If you want a roguelike deckbuilder that can take hours of your time, you can't go wrong with this game.

Hogwarts Legacy provides an expansive world of magic and mystery. With a main story that is both whimsical and gritty, and over a hundred side quests, there are countless reasons to ply out an enchanting life in the game. Occasional graphical issues are noticeable but overall negligible to the abundant sense of wonder. Hogwarts Legacy is a spellbinding and enchanting experience not to be missed.

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.

Resident Evil Village never reaches the highs set by its older sibling, but it is far more consistent throughout while also delivering far more content. It does not overstay its welcome and delivers a quality experience that values its time. It is both a beautiful and thrilling game that is a must-play for any fan or newcomer.

Door Kickers 2 brings a tactical experience like no other game and challenges you to consider many factors. Keeping everyone alive while you achieve your objectives is no easy feat but it is rewarding. The difficulty is high though and trial-and-error can be tiring since you often repeat the same tactical exercises. But if you stick with the game and enjoy the challenge, it's a tactical experience like nothing you've ever experienced.

This game is a masterpiece. It feels good to play, looks absolutely gorgeous and runs like a dream. The setting and story are similarly top tier, and I would have to dig deep to fault CONTROL: Ultimate Edition. It hasn't won a boatload of awards for nothing.

NeverAwake is a simple scrolling arcade twin-stick shooter. It is nothing new, but it does not need to be, as it does what it tries to pretty well. The game is fun with its good gameplay and art style. The powerups are well-paced alongside the game's difficulty, naturally ramping up in a way that felt challenging but never frustrating. The story acts as an emotional backdrop that creatively drives the gameplay.

Jusant is a welcome and new experience: an action/adventure game without combat and a platformer without death-inducing falls. Still, Jusant captures the intensity of high-elevation rock climbing and the wonder of exploring a strange world. The gameplay, sound design, and aesthetic will capture you for the brisk 6 hour runtime and will leave you wanting more.

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.

The Super Mario RPG remake goes beyond nostalgia and captivates the player from the first playthrough. Overflowing with humor yet masterful in every aspect, the game reaffirms its status as a cult classic among the best SNES JRPGs, showcasing the genuine Mario spirit beyond platforming. Its triumph is not solely in updating the original's visuals and gameplay but in unequivocally bringing these features to Nintendo Switch players. Nintendo not just remade the game for aesthetics; it made it accessible to everyone: new Mario fans, long-time players, and even those wary about the "RPG" label could find an exciting gaming piece this time.

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.

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.

Total War: Warhammer III: Thrones of Decay is a meaty update that easily eclipses its predecessor at launch. With a host of new units and features for each of the updated factions it makes each of them feel decently feature complete. And whilst I still feel that the Maggot Host faction is the lesser of the updated factions there is still a lot to enjoy regardless of which of the packs you decide to buy.

A smattering of small niggles ultimately prevents Ghost of Tsushima from reaching the upper echelons of PS4 folklore, but it's still an absolute must for your game collection, and a fitting end to the PS4's line of exclusives. Ghost of Tsushima is a fantastic journey through the trouble and strife of 13th Century Japan and is complimented perfectly by a set of great characters, a likable main character, and a loathsome villain. Some repetition in the game's side-missions and a lack of polish in some areas just bring the score down a tad, but these issues can be overlooked in favor of the jaw-dropping visual dessert that will keep you coming back for more.

Astro’s Playroom may be the most consequential proof of concept launch title since Wii Sports. It masterfully highlights everything that’s unique and special about the PS5 by looking great, running even better, and proving why the DualSense controller is the next evolution in games immersion. However, none of that would matter if the core game was poorly designed, and thankfully Astro’s Playroom ensures that PS5 owners have a highly entertaining gameplay experience waiting for them when they turn on their shiny new console.

Laika: Aged Through Blood is a experience that every gamer should try. The hand drawn visuals and classical guitar bring the wasteland to life, while the unique controls and progressive difficulty keep the pace of the game from stalling out. The motorbike combat and exploration is fun and approachable, but takes time to master as you explore what's left of the world. While there are a few minor annoyances with the bosses and systems, Laika: Aged Through Blood is a stand-out title and I highly recommend it.

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.

Splatoon 3 remixes and refines what makes Splatoon so fun and wraps it all in a style infused lavish of color and creativity. Many shooters these days lack the spirit that is shown so well. Even comparing to Splatoon 2 this entry blows it out of the water with how much more it has going for it, from entertaining to fresh there's no shortage here! No matter how much content is not new, what the game does to mix things up really makes the game feel unique. With plenty of Splatfests and updates to come I am excited for even more content for this already Inkredible game. Splatoon 3 manages to continue to show that Splatoon is one of Nintendo's best new IPs, and it's shining rainbow of colors will only get brighter and better going forward!

I really enjoyed playing Strange Horticulture. Although at times the puzzles were a little too challenging, it’s certainly a game I would—one—play again, and—two—absolutely recommend to others. It’s not simply filled with puzzles, but the educational aspect is really entertaining, as you learn useful facts about the many different plants. I may not have a green thumb, but this game certainly makes me want to get one—even if only virtual!

Yoku’s Island is worth exploring. There is the odd critique (dying at pinball?) - but the charming atmosphere and a well implemented mix of gameplay styles provide a very good time. The island of Mokumana has plenty of exploration, coupled with a few cool upgrades for Yoku to make it easier. Taking into consideration the right amount of collectibles and a story mode which doesn’t overstay its welcome and you’ve got a breezy, enjoyable adventure on your hands.

All in all, it's playable and enjoyable; however, the game will need some more content and definitely more bug fixes in future updates. In other words, it's not entirely polished. Although it may not be polished, it's highly recommended for arcade racers, no doubt about that. If you've been on Forza Motorsport or Project CARS 3 before, then this might be something for you. Great track layout and astonishing graphics makes the game special. Dirt veterans may also recognise the similarities between this and the older games.

Unpacking is not a game for everyone, but the people it appeals to will fall in love with it. The game has its own unique charm, and players will find themselves breezing through the whole thing before they know it. However, that does mean the game is way shorter than it should be. With only 8 levels, they definitely could have made it to at least 13-15. The beautiful pixel art enhances the game's aesthetic, though certain items don't translate as well, leading to some confusion.

Forgive Me Father 2 is an amazing experience for anyone looking to get into the horror first person shooter genre. Being a take on world war one's traumas, you'll be thrown into the depths of asylums, trenches, and strange manors uncovering the horrors of yourself. As a sequel title it improves greatly on the graphics and gunplay of the previous game while offering new and unique weapons for your person enjoyment! Make sure to keep your audio on, as the killer soundtrack will have you coming back time and time again!

Stray is a true ode to both adventure games and cats. The game is expertly crafted with satisfying gameplay, a brilliant art style, and an even better story. A strong contender for indie game of the year, Stray will dig it’s claws into you from the very beginning and it wont let go.

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.

Betrayal At Club Low does a great job at providing a new take in the point-and-click adventure genre. Being able to choose your own methods of resolving the situation is fun and gives the player a sense of control. Failure is rarely permanent, and you can always keep trying until you succeed. There isn’t much in terms of replay value unless you are someone who aims for 100% completion. It’s a nice game for 2-3 hours, but you are likely not revisiting the game for anything remarkable later.

Whilst very brief and slightly obsolete in its gameplay, Sunlight provides an ambitious and rich narrative experiment, offering keen insight into concepts of impermanence, sensation and mortality.

V Rising is an incredibly solid RPG that is set within a gothic world where we must battle through against mankind and the sunlight through the lenses of a vampire, trying to restore the glory that once was theirs. The combat and environment within V Rising are highly addicting and satisfying that roaming around the map will always yield positive results. V Rising has almost everything that I want within an RPG game, and those who seek a game to spend their summer this year might want to take a look at V Rising.

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.

Total War: Warhammer III: Forge of the Chaos Dwarfs is a great expansion on the base game. Adding a long-requested faction to the title in a near-perfect way. With many new and brilliantly designed units, a fine selection of lords, and some cool new features there is a lot to enjoy with this new content. However, the extra levels of economic micro-management that the DLC adds may be too much for some.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a well-needed breath of fresh air into the Pokémon franchise. It's exciting and entirely brand new, and has introduced several elements players will want to see in future releases. There's enough content to see you through until the next big title, and a large enough world to find yourself not getting bored easily. It's a stunning game and stays true to everything gamers love about Pokémon.

The easiest way of summarising how well Beacon Pines works is by saying that it is abundantly clear in every frame that the developers cared. The story is sad, and funny, and intriguing, and the art style is unforgettable. The gameplay, while simple, introduces such a unique concept to facilitate its story that it doesn’t matter the entire thing can be played with a grand total of five buttons. This game is dripping with heart, and if you’ve any interest in mystery stories, I cannot recommend it more highly.

Mortal Kombat 1 takes the original formula of a tournament between realms and enriches every step. As a hard reset to the universe, the game goes back to the beginning and re-establishes the beloved story and pieces of lore in exciting new ways. With only a few flaws, the gameplay is intuitive and enjoyable. All of this is further heightened with masterful graphics and audio design.

Sam & Max The Devil's Playhouse is an almost perfect last adventure for the comedic duo that combines a thrilling narrative with hilarious and smart dialogue. The puzzles feel more accessible, the new cast are entertaining, and the psychic abilities are fun to play with. Though there's definitely some absence in different forms of gameplay, it doesn't take away too much for The Devil's Playhouse to become boring. Overall, my journey through this trilogy is something I'll never forget and will cherish the memories I made with Sam & Max. Now that Skunkape Games are done with the remasters, I think its time for the duo to make a comeback.

Post Void is an acid trip disguised as a boomer shooter. When the trippy visuals aren't messing with your mind, the twitch-based gameplay kicks your butt six ways from Sunday. Post Void's roguelike mechanics provide depth and variety to each playthrough. It's an adrenaline rush like no other, one where its surrealism hides a challenging but rewarding old-school FPS.

Pine Hearts is a good choice if you want to play a cozy game that incorporates a little adventure, exploring, and storytelling. The storytelling side is surprisingly heart-tugging and told very well. Adventuring isn't too frustrating or difficult; there's enough to be action-packed while at the same time relaxing and easy-going. Exploring the Pine Hearts Caravan Park is also good fun, thanks to how beautifully crafted the world is and how alive it feels. The cutesy graphics and perfectly complementing music complete this charming cozy game.

This triple pack of Atelier games will offer any fans of the series exactly what they're looking for, though they aren't the best starting point for a newcomer. In the time since their original release, the games have only gotten older, and poor load times and occasional framerate issues are something they really shouldn't suffer from. Still, these are cosy, quiet, heartfelt, and imaginative games, and it is nice to see them back.

I have to admit, this is amazing value for money. I'm slightly dismayed by the bugs that are present, and I feel they should have updated some of the mechanics of the original games, but ultimately, Command and Conquer Remastered sets the bar against which future remaster projects will be measured. If you need one line to sum up this entire article, here it is. Mission Accomplished.

As an interactive album, Sayonara Wild Hearts excels. Simplistic gameplay, paired with the amazing music from Daniel Olsén Jonathan Eng, creates a memorable experience. As a game, though, the story didn't resonate with me, and the sometimes overly busy visuals bring it down a notch.

A great port of an even better game. No More Heroes is an extremely unique character action game with an amazing cast of characters whose dialogue is as entertaining as it is cheesy. While the combat system lacks the depth of its peers in the genre I enjoyed every second of it. This combined with a rock-solid port to the Nintendo Switch, with a new button control scheme and great motion controls, makes this a must-play before the release of No More Heroes 3.

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.

Exo One, be it on the PC, Xbox, or now PS4/5, is a must for gamers that appreciate a quiet, meditative experience with finely crafted audio and graphics, as long as you can forego of a detailed story, since you won't find any here. The game is essentially the same awesome experience I had in 2021, with the amazing addition of the DualSense capabilities for immersion. Based on that alone, this entry would have received a higher score than my original 9, but the occasional stutter right when you hit the highest velocities or impacts forces me to dock some points off.

Not For Broadcast is a great experience of a game. While some may be bored by the lack of action and the fact that you're mostly watching TV, the engaging story and characters are more than enough to boost the game into being a true hidden gem in the large sea of indie games.

PowerWash Simulator 2 doesn’t pretend to be epic — and that is its greatest strength. It recognizes that there is a quiet joy in the repetitive, in the ritual of cleaning. By polishing its tools, refining its pacing, and offering cooperative progression, it builds a cozy, rewarding sandbox for anyone who appreciates calm, tactile satisfaction over high-octane thrills.

Sam & Max Save The World is a fantastically realised remaster with a razor sharp script, brilliant soundtrack, and decent graphics. Some puzzles can be a little too convoluted and absurd for their own good, and being presented in this package does make the game feel more repetitious than it otherwise would have. But at its heart it is a must by for fans of Adventure games.

FAR: Lone Sail could have been great. The game nails the emotional attachment to your vessel, creating a neat gameplay loop, combined with lovely art design and a beautiful soundtrack. However, the constant need to stop, combined with simple puzzles and conveying a dying world we can’t interact with created a dissonance which meant that attachment doesn’t extend to the world itself. It was enjoyable but not overly memorable.

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.

Overall, it sometimes feels like just moving on from each area to the next, with not much else in-between. Tales of Arise is a beautiful game to look at, but the game goes by too quickly due to the relatively limited side-questing. The last release in the Tales series, Tales of Berseria, offered a lot of gameplay in terms of extra content, and the story was enough to wrench your heart out. Tales of Arise offers a very compelling story but not much else in terms of extra gameplay.

Kudos to SEGA! The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog really shows what the developers are capable of. This inspired and creative game has already captured the hearts of many fans, and it captured mine alike. With its vibrant and immersive gameplay, this adventure is perfect to fill an afternoon with. Here's to hoping that SEGA sees the positive reception and makes more Sonic content like this. I already can't wait.

This game blew me away. I have never played a visual novel, but now I want more. Every single choice is meaningful, often having rippling effects that you could not anticipate. I was constantly kept on my toes, having to truly think about my choices. Very few video games achieve this, but The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante absolutely knock it out of the park in this regard.

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.

Batbarian was a delightful trip through the deep dark abyss. A huge effort that could have had a lot more problems, it stuck the landing beautifully. With obvious influence from classics of the genre, it does more than just copy what made them great, it continues on their spirit of exploration and puzzle-solving to bring us a unique adventure.

As a whole Sky: Children of the Light is an extremely wonderful experience. Without having to pour any money into it, it is a very enjoyable game and is cleverly executed by thatgamecompany. It's charming in all the right ways and there are few faults on it. If you're searching for a new open world adventure for you and your friends to go on, then I highly recommend Sky: Children of the Light.

The Ramp achieves exactly what it promises: a simple experience that scratches your skateboarding itch. The ease of use and minimal effort required to drop in and execute some skate tricks is a testament to effective game design: if your core mechanic is perfect, you don't need fluff. Hyperparadise has crafted a masterpiece that improves your day in 15-minute increments, allowing players to turn off their brains and shred.

In an era filled with walking sims, animatronics and remakes, Crow Country is a humble and unique entry into the world of survival horror. Paying respects to its inspirations with pride, the art style and soundtrack fabricate the feeling of a PS1 classic, evoking nostalgia from a first time experience. Crow Country's story is well-paced, and despite a slightly anti-climatic ending the writing is thoughtful and humourous. A short run time with new game modes/weapons unlocked upon completion encourages another playthrough. SFB Games have also found a good balance between retro and modern controls, which makes Crow Country perfect for both genre veterans and beginners.

As far as visual novels go, Iwakura Aria is very impressive. It's immersive, addictive, and mystifying. Each character stands out on their own without overshadowing anyone, not even the titular Aria, and Ichiko serves as an excellent protagonist and storyteller. At 10-15 hours, the length of Iwakura Aria sits comfortably without feeling as if it's cut anything important out, while also not dragging its feet and feeling unnecessarily padded out. Although the story can get dark at times, it doesn't dip too far into being too uncomfortable, while still being grippingly suspenseful. Iwakura Aria feels like one of those stories that clings onto you, and you onto it, not wanting it to end and desperate to find out how it all plays out.

The Vale: Shadow of the Crown is an incredibly well-made experience for all kinds of players itching for a different kind of adventure. The writing of the world as you traverse it through Alex's shoes is fleshed-out and atmospheric. While the plot itself isn't unique, the design touches still allowed the world to become alive. The audio-based combat is challenging enough to make you use your brain as you listen for cues, without frustration. This is a game for those who want a new kind of narrative role-playing adventure and challenge, where you rely on your hearing, perception, and wits.

Mobius Digital has once again proven that they are masters of their craft. Echoes of the Eye carries on the legacy of Outer Wilds by delivering a riveting narrative told in a beautiful new world, paired with an excellent use of the main game's mechanics to deliver its story. While some parts of the DLC are frustrating in their implentation of horror elements, the option to make these parts easier, as well as the other parts of the game, make them worth going through.

While a great addition to the We Were Here Series, Expeditions: The FriendShip is not likely to blow your mind. If you are ok with a slower-paced, purely puzzle-based game that runs on the shorter side when you have an hour or two to kill with your friend online, this is a worthy title to look at. It's also a great way to introduce yourself into the series as a whole and help you decide if you want to sink your teeth into one of the other, longer, games. While I do personally prefer couch co-op, this is one title I'm sure to get back into time and time again for my online co-op needs, which are more and more common these days.

Streets of Rage 4 is a terrific return to form for one of the best beat-em' up franchises of all-time. It's beautifully managed to transition the features that made it so desirable back in the 90's. Whilst its mechanics haven't aged too well, and the difficulty hands you a caveat late-game; it's still a very accessible title to play that can be enjoyed by multiple people for a long time to come.

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.

Roots of Pacha expertly builds upon foundations from other farming and life sim games while adding its own creative ideas in the process. The fun minigames and quality of life improvements make it a joy to play, and the relaxed atmosphere is perfect for unwinding. Along with the beautiful artwork and music, it's easy to spend hours building out your farm, exploring the caves, or improving your clan relationships.

NEO: The World Ends with You hits the highest of highs, but has its fair share of lows. At its best, it's a worthy follow-up to one of the 2000's most beloved RPGs. With style to spare, engaging gameplay, huge replayability and a strong plot, there's plenty to love with Rindo's trip to the Reaper's Game. Yet, we can't ignore the sheer tedium the game constantly displays, especially towards its back half. Repetitive missions, damage sponge enemies that are often stronger than bosses and an obnoxious time travel mechanic all bog down what could have been one of the best games of the year. If you're a longtime fan of the original, playing this is a no brainer. If this is your first time in Shibuya, you're better off catching up and keeping your expectations tempered.

Counter-Strike 2 brings many new things to the franchise that both veterans and newcomers alike can enjoy, especially the updated graphics on the Maps and guns. Moreover, numerous systems are straight-up an upgrade from CS: GO, such as the Loadout and Smoke Grenade, which makes Counter-Strike 2 more enjoyable and fair. However, many things are still not in the game, which might deter many players from trying the game just yet, though the ones that are now available are more than enough to enjoy a good Counter-Strike match.

The Sims 4 Growing Together Expansion brings exactly what you expect to the game. It's perfect for players who love family gameplay, and it's also great if you enjoy your Sims growing and developing at any age. San Sequoia is another amazing world to play in, ideal for families but great for anyone. I especially love the new Recreation Center. I wish there were more Lots though. Regardless of the few flaws, this is a great new Expansion Pack and one you should definitely consider getting.

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.

Simply put, Undusted: Letters from the Past is one of those games that feels close to perfection. It has a beautiful story that sucks you into the life of Adora and her parents, addictive gameplay that feels satisfying, a realistic art style that oozes nostalgia, and a haunting soundtrack to soothe your soul. Although this game only takes a few short hours to complete, there's no doubt it will touch your heart strings and make you feel nostalgic yourself - and want to go through your own old stuff to see what stories and memories they uncover.

WWE 2K23 took everything that filled 2K22 with promise and expanded on it, making them better than before. The time and effort put into things like MyGM and WarGames are evident. And the quality of MyRise can not be understated. Interesting stories filled with self-aware jokes and storylines directed toward 2K and WWE in a refreshing manner that hasn't been seen before. Though there are still issues and kinks to be worked out that prevent the game from being as great as its potential.

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.

Umurangi Generation is fantastic gamification of photography and a unique narrative experience. Tauranga Aotearoa is like a palpable memory after sweeping through its points of interest and history. It feels like a game made for the Switch - but while the port successfully emulates photography action, issues with image quality and controls would leave certain players to prefer the PC version.

In conclusion, Fuser is more a musical toolbox than it is an actual game. While Harmonix's previous games were about playing songs that already existed, this title actually lets you create something unique. It almost feels like magic when you combine two songs that you know shouldn't work together, but Fuser somehow makes them sound incredible. While I am still enjoying booting it up and thinking about songs I would like to have added to the library, I worry that if new music is not released frequently, then interest in the title may wane.

Overall, WWE 2K24 is a step-up from the previous year, taking everything that made WWE 2K23 great and further adding to it. However, there is still much to be desired as it feels as though they could have pushed the boundaries of creativity even further and took a few risks. Ultimately, playing it safe worked out in their favor because the game is polished for the most part and simply improves on last year's already good title.

Svoboda 1945: Liberation is an excellent learning tool, but unfortunately isn't a very good game. That doesn't mean you should skip experiencing it, as the way it tells Czech history through small 'minigames' is excellent, as is its beautiful black and white animations. As a collection of key historical World War 2 moments in the Czech Republic's history, it's a triumph - but if you're looking for meaningful character exploration and a fulfilling main story, then you'll be disappointed. Still, I recommend Svoboda 1945: Liberation to anybody with an interest in history who wants a better way to learn outside of stuffy classrooms and textbooks.

I'm going to go so far as to say that Paradise Killer is a masterpiece. This isn't to say it's perfect. The music is top-tier, the mystery is deep and twisted, the world is exciting and interesting to explore with some lovely visuals. The characters are all well designed and compelling. What's not to like?

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.

F1 23 is a remarkable racing experience that surpasses its predecessor in nearly every aspect. The improved physics and AI, along with new features such as the red flag and 35% race distance, Breaking Point narrative mode akin to Drive To Survive, and the Precision Drive Technology, which takes the driveability to a whole new level, all contribute to making F1 23 the greatest Formula 1 simulation game in the franchise's history. If you're into racing games, race culture, and the excitement of Drive to Survive, then you absolutely can't miss out on F1 23 - it's a must-have for any racing game fans!

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.

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!

Life is Strange: True Colors is a must-play for anyone with even the vaguest interest in the series. It takes everything that has made the franchise good and elevates it to new heights. This is Life is Strange at its most confident, its most sentimental, and its most engrossing.

Silicon Dreams is a game that gives and takes. As you poke and prod at your hapless subjects, the game also intrigues and motivates you to move forward and make choices that matter. Even with its familiar storyline, the game provides fresh perspective with a genuinely challenging game of interrogation and deduction that slowly unravels an engrossing narrative. Silicon Dreams is a compelling experience that fans of the cyberpunk genre will definitely enjoy.

Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective presents players with a world worth exploring. The whimsy and charm of the children's books translates from page to screen almost effortlessly. While the mazes are easy to navigate for adults, the target demographic of children will feel at home in this puzzling adventure.

All in all, I really enjoyed playing Venba. I just wish it was a bit longer. Saying this, I was pleased with what I was offered. Venba isn't like other cooking games I have played. If you make a mistake, you have to start again, but you don't feel frustrated or embarrassed. I also liked the puzzle element thrown into the cooking gameplay. The story of Venba and her family helped me to be further engaged in the game. I also enjoyed learning about Indian culture and cuisine, and loved how the story explored keeping hold of the cultures of your homeland while in a new country.

Alisa: Developer's Cut is an amazing homage to the roots of the Resident Evil franchise. Recreating the feeling to a near-perfect T. However, emulating a game from the '90s so closely means it comes with all the problems from games of the time. Big fans of the genre will definitely enjoy their time, but casual horror fans may struggle to get invested.

Back to the Dawn is a smart, content-rich RPG that encourages creative problem-solving and experimentation. With two distinct protagonists, an open structure, and a wide cast of characters, it’s a great fit for players who love choice-driven gameplay and tactical planning. While some areas (like the combat system or portrayal of female characters) could use further depth, the overall experience is thoughtful, challenging, and highly rewarding. It’s easy to get hooked on the game’s daily rhythm of planning, reacting, and discovering new paths.

Darkest Dungeon II is a game that no one needed. The impact of the original Darkest Dungeon is still palpable and still holds to this day, but Red Hook set out to take the soul and essence of the original game, and polish it and polish it until they came up with this beauty of a game. The changes in gameplay mechanics are enough to make it feel more like a different game with the same core, rather than an actual sequel, and it's unfortunately fighting against its bigger brother, but Darkest Dungeon II brings enough to the fight to make it a compelling and well-worth experience for grim, Lovecraftian Roguelite fans.

If you're a die-hard Fate fan or are looking for a good point to jump into the series, Fate/Samurai Remnant is a must-play experience which meaningfully expands the Fate lore, introduces some compelling new Masters and Servants and let's you harness the catastrophic power of the Heroic Spirits like never before while still housing many helpful onboarding features to help with Fate's infamously complex lore and terminology. However, if you're just looking for a good clean action game, Fate/Samurai Remnant is going to disappoint, largely due to its messy mix of combat systems and extremely large focus on narrative above all else.

Rollerdrome is a ton of fun and is undoubtably worth the asking price at launch. To see Roll7 go from developing the more simplistic OlliOlli games to producing something on this level is amazing. The engaging mechanics and stunning visuals come together to create something truly special. It is just a real shame that there is no multiplayer functionality currently present in the game.

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.

With its strong pedigree and personality, Jagged Alliance 3 is a difficult yet entertaining strategy experience. It presents players with seemingly unlimited choices, and offers a huge amount of agency in how to approach each situation. While it does suffer from a handful of annoyances, a clunky user interface, and mechanics that aren't quite explained, it is a fun and challenging addition that is sure to be a hit or fans of strategy RPGs.

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred is a decent expansion to enhance the existing Diablo IV's systems. It is lacking elements of excellence, but it mostly gets the job done. If you were a fan of the base game, there's definitely stuff that's going to make this game more appealing to play in the long run.

If you love a good story or you’re curious about the criminally under-explored world of Slavic mythology and folklore, definitely give Black Book a look. The card-battling elements aren’t the most enthralling, but compelling writing and an engaging, choice-driven narrative will keep you hooked for its surprisingly substantial duration.

Robobeat provides impeccable FPS gameplay within a context that's particularly exciting for musicians. Aiming, shooting, dodging, everything flows so seamlessly when being done to a beat. The rogue-lite makes it punishing but also so hard to put down.

The Legend of Tian Ding has its imperfections, especially in some story aspects and its difficulty. But overall, it provides a perfect insight into the history of Taiwan during the colonial period, while also providing incredible combat and platforming to make you feel like a true kung fu master. The legend of this game will surely be told in the generations to come.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a slice of gaming history, so being able to revisit it ten years later is an enjoyable experience for everyone. Whether you are familiar with the franchise, or this is your first experience - it will definitely make for a pleasant one.