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.

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.

If you enjoy simple gameplay with mechanics that give you the freedom to get creative, there’s a lot to love here. If you like slow-burn storytelling that’s not afraid to be both uplifting and deeply poignant, there’s definitely a lot to love here. And if you find nostalgic references about the cruel, uncaring march of time weirdly comforting… well, you might want to talk to someone. But also—you’re going to love this game. Projected Dreams caught me off guard. For such a simple game, it moved me more than I expected. And I think if you give it even half a chance, it’ll quietly touch your heart, too.

The Lake House was a pretty big letdown overall. It simply did not succeed at anything it set out to do. It was not a thrilling or scary journey through a labyrinth. It wasn't a thrilling expansion of the world of the Remedy Connected Universe. Nor was it an effective teaser for Control 2. Instead, it was a largely boring side chapter that you can easily skim over.

ITT-A good time. Bullet hell is not a hard genre to screw up, but even those versed in this type of gameplay will find some enjoyable qualities to indulge in. If only the focus on the personal aspect of the game's roots had more prominence throughout, which could've pushed this game's impact to rare heights. Nevertheless, the core aspects of ITTA are more than enough to give it the credit it deserves.

Party Animals is a chaotic but hilariously fun experience. Seamless and polished, you'll rarely find a flaw in the gameplay. The devs generously gave us multiple modes and litany of characters to pay as. Punch and kick your opponents as you brawl your way to victory. You're sure to have a ton of laughs whether it's as a single player or with a group of up to 8 friends.

Gaming is at its best when players are met with experiences unique to the medium. With intelligent writing and a thought-provoking handling of themes around death and regret, Before Your Eyes comes through as a concise and rich first-person experience, evoking something in anyone who plays it. Once you accept that its unique selling point is far more optional than originally intended, appreciating the love that undoubtedly went into this story becomes far easier. Put the webcam away, and you'll definitely cherish this short yet unforgettable tale, enough to even revisit in the years to come.

While its main draw may be boring for some, I really enjoyed my time with The Pathless. The graphics and movement are especially brilliant, and the exploration always felt rewarding, even at its repetitive moments. While the writing is nothing to write home about, the connection between the player and the eagle companion keeps the story grounded emotionally.

I didn't expect to like Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty! before I played, or during my initial time with it. But the unique level design, likable main character, and excellent soundtrack turned me around. Delivering Abe through harrowing situations felt like an accomplishment, and the design restraints forced me to face each level with its own particular approach. Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty! is definitely worth your time.

If you're looking for a more casual and story-driven experience, Heaven's Vault will scratch that itch and then some with it's nebulous, well-written narrative and memorable characters. This game fits well on the Nintendo Switch platform and looks great, too, so if you've wanted to slow things down and enjoy an epic story, then what are you waiting for?

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.

In a world where fighting games are associated with intricate combos and complex systems, Samurai Shodown thrives in its simplicity. With its focus on defense, a seemingly simple change makes it stand out in a way that makes it feel like a cut above other fighters on the market. Its biggest shortcomings lie in the lack of modes, some characters that feel too much alike and dead online. But with some brilliant gameplay mechanics and approachable combat, this showdown belongs in your fighting game rotation, especially if you can play with a couple of friends.

Strangeland is both a satisfying mystery and an atmospheric horror journey through a dark nightmare. Humor and tragedy collide to bring a literary experience for its players. Great puzzles, character writing, and multiple possible solutions give credit to its players while personalizing the path to one of the endings. Overall, Strangeland is a complete experience that masterfully balances grotesquerie and relatability.

Crimson Desert is one of the most expansive RPGs I have played. It is a bold open-world experience with rich lore, atmospheric immersion, and dynamic gameplay. Despite the vastness of the world that overshadows the whole story and narrative, it still grips you and keeps you engaged with pursuing new mysteries. It is an addictive game, especially due to its scale. I am still finding new things to this date, and every time I feel amazed. One of the great reasons that I recommend this game to every RPG enjoyer is the care from the Devs. The devs are still hard at work pushing out patches and working on further improvements and features requested by the players.

A lot of love and care was put into the development of Bonfire Peaks, and it shows. It’s an extremely tight puzzler with a classic ‘easy to learn, hard to master’ difficulty curve. The puzzles do get pretty darn hard, and the lack of a hint system won’t sit well with everyone, but it’s definitely worth a look if you have a hankering for well-thought-out puzzle games.

POOLS for a lack of a better term could be called a cozy horror game. Instead of being creepy-cute like other darker games within that category, this game is creepy-cool. Each level flows into a floaty, dream-like experience. The "horror" lies in how the player perceives the environment in spite of the beautiful and sleek visuals. POOLS is a reserve of an almost constant air of unease. Instead of the classic horror elements, POOLS is a nervy, slow-burn that dives deep into your own personal anxieties.

I had a really good time playing Wilmot Works It Out. As someone who likes doing puzzles, I admired this new take on puzzle solving. I also liked the little touches that made the game feel even more significant, like chatting with Sam the post deliverer, as well as unlocking new rooms and decorating them. It's easy to get addicted to a game like this. I would love to see more of Wilmot Works It Out, maybe with future DLC or seasonal additions such as Christmas? This is definitely a game to get if you want to play something easy-going and chilled out, yet with opportunities to challenge yourself.

Sail Forth is a game that knows what it wants to do and does it incredibly well. Its world is charming, its mechanics are well thought out and most importantly its gameplay is fun. From battling pirates to delivering packages, Sail Forth can be as relaxing or intense as you want it to be thanks to the free sailing mode. There's not much else like it on the Switch and even on other platforms where you have more options, it's one of the best.

Whether you're a long-time fan revisiting Nosgoth or a newcomer discovering it for the first time, the new versions of these two classics offer a fascinating experience that honors the legacy of the originals while incorporating modern enhancements. With their captivating storytelling and polished gameplay, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is a shining example of how classic games can be modernized for a new generation.

METAL SUITS: Counter-attack provides a fun fast-paced platforming experience that tests your reflexes. Running through levels with various suits and finding all the collectibles is enjoyable. It doesn't improve or change much of the platforming experience and will mostly appeal to people who want more platforming.

Remnant: From the Ashes is a brilliant game that will undoubtedly satisfy the masochistic urges of all those Souls-Like (really can't apologise enough) fanatics out there that need their next fix of brutal punishment in the form of a video game. The game is let down by a few minor faults and won't provide the same amount of gameplay that the majority of Souls games deliver to players, but the positives of this game far outweigh its negatives and the ability to replay it and take it on with friends negate the admittedly short standard campaign time.

Contraband Police looks like a simple document checking game at the outset. But if you dedicate some time to play it, you will find a decent story and varied gameplay. A good balance of activities prevents the game from feeling boring too quickly, and the story is surprisingly deep. You actually feel like you are a border patrol officer with large responsibilities, managing more than just your welfare. While the game gets harder as time goes on, there’s always something to do that keeps you on your toes.

Overall, Sniper Elite 5 hits its mark. It doesn't reinvent the wheel for this niche genre, nor does it have to. All that Sniper Elite 5 had to do was recapture the formula of Sniper Elite 4 along with some refinements and that is precisely what it does. Sure, the AI could be better and the repetition does slow things down somewhat. However, who really cares about any of that when you can blow off a Nazi's testicles in a glorious high definition x-ray kill-cam? If nothing else, playing Sniper Elite 5 for review only proved to me that it is impossible to get bored of watching digital Nazis die in slow motion.

When it comes to iconic video game franchises, Space Invaders is potentially the most influential on modern culture. With the Invincible Collection, players of all ages and Invaders experience can enjoy 40 years of arcade entertainment, providing more fun for years to come.

SEASON: A Letter to the Future is a beautiful game. If you enjoy an action-free adventure and intricate stories, then you'll thoroughly enjoy exploring the colourful world on offer. The innovative use of the DualSense controller creates a fun sense of immersion as you pedal through the landscapes. Although the interactions with other characters are few and far between, they all come with their own personalities and backstories, which I enjoyed more than the main storyline. Overall, SEASON: A Letter to the Future is a relaxing narrative experience with wonderful art and sound design.

Unto the End is an amazing game. It does miss a few marks when communicating information to the player, and some integrated systems can come off as more tedious than fun. Nonetheless its rich combat, gorgeous visuals, and well-implemented sound effects nail all of the most important aspects. In the end, an individual's experience with the game will most likely come to their view on its extreme difficulty.

As the fourth game in a series, We Were Here Forever is a title that knows what it’s about. The gameplay isn’t particularly flashy, and the story doesn’t feature a series of dramatic set pieces to get your adrenaline up. Instead, the developers have stuck to what they know: building unique and interesting puzzles that demand a kind of teamwork very rarely seen in other games. The game improves on its predecessors in every way, without losing the magic that made the series unique in the first place. If you’re not interested in puzzle solving, then this game is going to be an extremely dull experience; alternatively, if you are, then I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Project Songbird delivers a thoughtful and emotionally driven horror experience that prioritizes atmosphere and storytelling over traditional gameplay complexity. Its focus on personal themes and artistic struggle gives it a unique identity within the genre. Despite minor technical issues and simple mechanics, the game succeeds in offering a memorable journey. It is a strong recommendation for players who enjoy narrative-focused indie games and psychological horror with a slower pace.