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.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is Mafia at its best. As the series moved forward with open-worlds, it got less engaging with its gameplay. Going back to the first one is a reminder of the core of the series and what makes it great. The flaws show how out of date some elements are, but none of them are too offensive. This remaster is a shining example of what Hangar 13 can do with the IP moving forward.

All in all, TRS is a fun, in-depth simulator which can be massively improved in terms of story mode and playable scenarios. The developers have confirmed post-launch support and I expect the game to grow in size through DLCs and User Mods.

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.

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.

Plastic Rebellion’s gameplay premise is very promising. It encourages constant player involvement, setting it apart from traditional Tower Defense titles. Unfortunately, it is let down by inexcusably broken core mechanics that will prove immensely frustrating. There’s an undeniable charm to the presentation and gameplay (and jank) that ultimately makes the game reasonably enjoyable for most of the play through, despite its glaring problems.

Crystal Dynamics had an ambitious idea with Marvel's Avengers. It attempts to seduce players into endless sessions of heroic carnage in a bloodthirsty hunt for increasingly satisfying gear. In reality, however, the loot drops are brutally bare, leaving the repetitious core without a shoulder to lean on. Somehow Marvel's Avengers finds itself packed with content but also feeling incomplete. Upcoming DLC characters may revive its fleeting heartbeat, but until then, the experience was a bit too depressing for me to enjoy.

Crusader Kings III is a near perfect sequel that expands upon the elements and gameplay of the previous instalment in a way that offers a challenge for veterans and is more user friendly to newcomers. However the game's A.I. is prone to moments of stupidity which can make or break your conquests and the U.I. can be over cumbersome.

Great Conqueror: Rome isn't for players looking to imitate Fire Emblem or Age of Empires. It's an informative presentation of the military events involving the Roman Empire and presents this through a technically satisfactory gameplay system. The controls can be problematic, and that did ultimately take away from my enjoyment with the game. But if you're looking for a smaller title that will let you take your time and really strategize how best to overtake your enemies, Great Conqueror: Rome is a solid option for you.

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?

All in all, Space Elite Force is a simple and solid arcade shoot 'em up that will scratch the itch for those who infrequently need it. With local co-op, SEF becomes a great way to play with somebody without a laborious setup. Ideal for short play sessions or the odd multiplayer marathon, it's an inexpensive treat that provides a fun play experience without compromising on quality.

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.

Spinch is a uniquely vibrant game with a fast paced first half that turns into a bit of a slog the longer it goes. Unfortunately, the developers decided to skimp on the checkpoints as a cheap trick to make the second half harder. If they released a patch that let you save wherever you wanted, it would raise my score significantly. That said, you are simply not going to find a game that looks like this anywhere else. Just from an aesthetic standpoint, Spinch is worth the price of admission. As it is, I recommend that you play Spinch, but I can't recommend that you finish it.

Overall, Tell Me Why is a wonderful and thoughtful game that values both its characters and story. Every little detail that is scattered across the game works in harmony to create a believable and engaging world. It is a game that is constantly teaching us more about its interesting side characters and rarely gives the player a chance to want to put the controller down. Despite not having a wild and climactic ending, Tell Me Why is one of the best stories to come out of Dontnod studios and a must-play for any fans of the adventure genre.

To Summarize, it's hard to recommend Blazing Sails at its current price point. It isn't a bad game by any means, and it is in early access which hints plans for expansion later. However right now there simply isn't enough content. It'll be interesting to see how it develops in future, but a game of this genre depends on having a large community and that's something Blazing Sails is struggling to acquire. [Early Access Provisional Score = 65]

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."

There aren’t any mechanics that set Peril on Gorgon apart from the rest of the game. If you like The Outer Worlds, you’ll like PoG. While the expansion delivers more world-building, a few meaningful choices and solid gameplay, it does so in a way that’s virtually indistinguishable from what came before. If you absolutely cannot wait to return to Halcyon, Peril on Gorgon will scratch that itch just fine. If you’ve had your fill of The Outer Worlds, PoG doesn’t offer anything new and you’re safe to skip it.

Inmost is a very short puzzle platformer type game and does an absolutely incredible job at story telling through the atmosphere, Players can spend a little time going through a story that while only lasts about 3-5 hours, packs an abstract emotional punch that is going to stick around for so much longer... even if it is simply to figure out just what they just played.

One Line Coloring is a very accessible puzzle game with stunning visuals that would make it appealing to gamers of all ages. Some players may find that the overly simplistic concept for this game makes things feel like a very shallow experience. However, I personally find that the game provides a great deal of escapism from day to day life while keeping my mind occupied on a simple yet satisfying task.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Shadows of New York managed to build a compelling and catchy story, but is lacking some core gameplay element, even by visual novel standards. However, while having few negative points, the title works just as well as a standalone one despite an obvious lack of player choices and the evidence of the main intrigue. The narrative is riding on a highly relatable protagonist and a few other vivid characters, which keep your attention from start to finish. While as a visual novel the game is not perfect, it works just fine for newcomers or anyone who wants to immerse themselves in The World of Darkness universe.

Do it for your mother. Moon Raider has the style and aesthetic of a memorable sci-fi action-adventure. Where it falters is in the department of innovation and experimentation, proving a little too complex for a developer historically known for mobile titles. Nevertheless, there is enough knowledge and polish to make for an entertaining journey to the moon and back, and if playing as a martian treasure hunter with a giant gun sounds appealing, there's little reason not to give this a... shot. Just watch for secret walls.

The dream of a Super Smash Bros. game full of our favourite indie characters is one we will have to keep having. The premise, when announced, sure did pique a lot of interest. But the final product is genuinely one of the most disappointing games I’ve played in a very long time and doesn’t give me any desire to play this game again. Maybe a game can be redeemed as the combat gets tighter, with new characters to add different gameplay elements. But the foundation here is so bad that it seems irredeemable. Clunky, floaty, and shallow battles; poor frame-rates, muggy graphics, unpleasant UX, janky menus, and a complete lack of style mean that there is very little good to say about Bounty Battle, which sure is sad.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 is one of the best examples of a video game remake. Not only has Vicarious Visions retained what made the games so well-crafted to begin with, but it has reminded us why a series with such refined gameplay should not just be left in the past. Though its character creation and multiplayer could do with some more attention, the addictive gameplay, stunning graphics and pitch-perfect sound ensure that the series has been given a new life. I cannot wait to see where it will be taken next, be it a remake of Pro Skater 3 and 4, or an entirely new entry – either way, I’ll be there. Welcome back, Birdman.

3 Out of 10 is an outstanding mixture of cartoon and game, which gives an ironic look at the video game industry. It's a genuinely funny title, which at the same time makes use of all of the power of Unreal Engine 4 and manages to handle serious subjects. The season ends with a huge cliffhanger, which isn't bad at all. But there's a flip side to that coin, though, since I cannot wait a year to see more misadventures of my beloved characters.

What more could you ask for? Minoria is a beautifully realized title that is entertaining throughout. Aside from some minor nitpicks, this game is a masterfully crafted Metroidvania complete with an interesting story, gorgeous level design and a phenomenal soundtrack to tie it all together.

Armored Head is a highly enjoyable romp of non-stop robo-violence that will make for a fun and memorable afternoon or two. It doesn't set the world on fire, but it knows exactly what it wants to be and achieves that goal perfectly.

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED] obviously comes from a place of great passion and love for the games and era that inspires it. Its art style masterfully uses the CGA colour pallet and its animations are smooth and characterful. However the core gameplay whilst solid on its own is often defeated by its art style. Often obscuring key details and progression paths making it overly hard to see where you are supposed to be going or what is hidden in the dark. Plus the game's fonts whilst great to look at can be difficult to read and can rob the play of vital information and backstory the game needs.

There’s no point in finding answers to the question in the title; think of it just as a new beginning of a captivating story. I enjoyed meeting Tyler and Alyson - you don’t meet such vivid characters everyday, but was disappointed by the central intrigue of the game. However, the game merits the attention for setting a new trademark for transgender representation in the video games industry and hopefully it will gain momentum in the future. Tyler and Alyson's journey will not leave you indifferent, and regardless of some issues with the storytelling itself, DONTNOD did a good job and I cannot wait to see other episodes. Life is Strange fans have to get over the past, since the studio’s previous work is nothing compared to Tell Me Why. And it’s totally okay.