I had a great time with Cocoon. The world was interesting, showcasing beautiful art design with their environmental storytelling. The journey was engaging throughout, focusing on exploration and orb centric puzzles. Figuring out these conundrums was enjoyable, ramping up the difficulty to be very challenging but satisfying to complete. The game's story culminated in seeing off monstrous foes in simple but entertaining combat. A really good experience all round.

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.

To summarize, Trepang2 is a brilliant fast-paced game filled with non-stop action and allows the players to be creative on how to kill the enemies that stand in their way. However, the story holds back the game's potential, and unfortunately, if you're looking for the horror aspect that reminds you of F.E.A.R, then Trepang2 won't quench that thirst. Still, the game is overall a solid experience for those who seek some quick thrill during their free time.

Frank and Drake is a unique narrative tale which is heavily influenced by the Gothic genre. The hand-drawn art style is mesmerizing and keeps your eyes glued to the intertwining tales of the two men. Cramming a bundle of interactivity into a relatively small game, each path you take will have you asking questions that are begging for answers. It isn't often I take the plunge to discover all endings to a branching narrative, but the excellent writing, eye-catching art and array of puzzles as well as a short run time feeds the urge to replay. This urge is then turned into a necessity upon seeing the endings play out, needing to unveil the mysteries plaguing Frank and Drake.

If you liked the base game for Escape Simulator, there's no reason not to get this. It carries over all the good and adds in even more fun. Each room is unique and asks you to alter your way of thinking. The solutions are satisfying and the rooms are so gorgeous. There's a clear (but legally distinct!) influence from Harry Potter, one that enhances the setting and makes the puzzles that much more fun.

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.

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.

DOOM 64 does have its shortcomings - most notably, unskippable logos, a few less-than-fair traps, and tanky enemies dragging things on in higher skill levels. However, despite standing out, those flaws are undermined by everything else. The creepy atmosphere provides strong immersion, the level designs are well-structured and rewarding, and the action remains satisfying. This is a unique take on DOOM, and it works astonishingly well.

I have to say, I don't often play games like ToI. I don't mean souls-likes, or RPGs or Indie Games. I mean games that I excitedly yell at people about. Tails of Iron wasn't a transcended experience, it won't revolutionize the gaming industry or anything. It is, however, a well-designed, fun and charming game. It's something I simply need you to experience, and if it can make me feel that way, it deserves some praise.

The Darkest Files is a courtroom game where you take on the role of a prosecutor seeking justice for Nazi-era crimes. Its well-designed mechanics include interactive interrogations, strategic case-building, and multiple difficulty settings. Though occasional bugs and lip-sync issues slightly detract from the experience, the stunning cel-shaded visuals, immersive storytelling, and well-crafted gameplay make it a must-play.

WrestleQuest has a nice blend of Professional Wrestling, and RPG, that keeps the player invested in the storyline that is being told. Both Santos and Logan have a reason to want to succeed just like everyone has in the real world. The humor is nicely sprinkled throughout the game, and the match battles are, though intense at times, fun and enjoyable. WrestleQuest is a bold wrestling game that placed elements from the RPG genre of gaming and made it work. I'd give this game a go!

While not suitable for those sensitive to flashing lights and jump scares, Alan Wake 2 is a unique must-play for fans of weird horror and creative flair. The additions and improvements to gameplay are a welcome change, with less focus on the action and more attention paid to narrative. That being said, Alan Wake 2 still excels in all departments, and the slightly frustrating sections can be forgiven when receiving the rewards of more story. I have avoided describing the convoluted story in too much detail - due to the high cinematic standard, Alan Wake 2 is best experienced first-hand.

Deliver Us The Moon is an incredible experience which I would recommend to anyone in its current form. Its story is short and sweet, delivering all the punches it needs to while rarely over-indulging in itself and wasting its players' time. While it suffers from a few minor drawbacks, they don't come anywhere close to bringing this rocket ship back down to Earth.

Olija is an exceptional game with style and substance in heaps. While certain aspects of the combat aren’t necessary, they can make everything you do feel a lot cooler. The story itself is a quiet romance and a dramatic supernatural tale at the same time, even if the ending is a bit flat. The soundtrack is brilliantly weird, nimbly flicking between disparate genres while consistently enhancing every interaction. All these things come together to make a game that is playful, heartfelt, and satisfying. It is a generous game in more ways than one, and I can’t wait to play it again.

ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights is a gorgeous looking game that delivers on all fronts. Not only does it look and sound phenomenal, but the gameplay is smooth and varied, and it contains a moving story that develops the more you play. The game employs unique mechanics that captivate your attention, and it's really fun learning all your new skills. Aside from a few issues with the combat balancing, this game does not disappoint.

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.

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.

Wartales provides many great things and mechanics to differentiate it from other games within the genre. From its wonderful battles, the vibrant world, and the fantastic Camping system, Wartales manages to shine as a strong contender. Although there are some negatives, like resource problems and confusing battle mechanics, Wartales is a solid entry for those who seek to scratch their RPG itch.

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.

Total War: Warhammer III is a fantastic game, with some great factions, brilliant production value, and some much welcome quality of life improvements. However, the game at launch is rather buggy and the main campaign might be too narrative heavy for some.

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.

Echoes of the Fallen is short but sweet, offering a final exciting dungeon with an increased, satisfying difficulty spike. For everyone who absolutely loved the regular combats of Final Fantasy XVI, this DLC is a must-have and just a little taste of what to expect from the next piece of additional content.

Overall, Crown Trick is a thoroughly pleasant entry to the ever-increasing vaults of roguelike games. The tactical element of its turn-based gameplay really makes it stand out as offering something a little different, and the abundant variety in its systems and mechanics makes for an enjoyably replayable little game.

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.

Going Rogue is an incredible experience for those willing to invest in it. Playing the game well requires taking the time to digest the lengthy rules, understand the token economy and getting used to group GMing. However, your efforts are more than rewarded as you are guided through a meaningful collaborative storytelling and get to vicariously fight tyranny in a very cathartic way!

Cyberpunk 2077, within the grand scope of its interesting setting and lore surrounding Night City, is breathtaking. The plethora of missions, side activities, and characters are worth exploring. The vast openness of the game world offers choices and freedoms that have an impact on the story its self as well as personal levels of consciousness. When the game doesn't suffer from its various technical setbacks, it's addictive and fun. More often than not, Night City tells an interesting story that's worth reading to the very end and coming back to. Even with the base game, the amount of content, deep storytelling, and the engrossing environment is well worth the admission price as long as it's on PC or next-gen consoles.

SouthPAW have done a great job of making a really solid roguelike with interesting mechanics, a surprising amount of depth and a ton of visual charm. The balance still needs a little work and the text could use a little more proof-reading, but with plenty more updates planned well into 2021, this is certainly a game to keep an eye on.

Corn Kidz 64 is a charming tribute to early 2000s N64 gaming and Saturday Morning Cartoons of that era. With a sold and easy to learn core gameplay loop, memorable characters, and a fun writing there is a lot to enjoy here. With everything looking and feeling like a lost N64 game in the best way possible. However the game is rather short and feels more like a proof of concept than a fully realised title.