The Artful Escape is a hypnotic journey about legacy and self-discovery. The developers have managed to tell an inspiring story about being yourself no matter what. The journey is the perfect length and often surprised me with its tenderness and soul. Stunning visuals and a catchy soundtrack helped elevate the experience into something I don't think I will forget anytime soon.

Developer Gunfire Games returns with the more polished sequel Remnant II. Players itching for an open world of brutality can take on a randomized campaign for hours of entertainment. Like its predecessor, the plot steps away from the forefront while the gameplay does all the talking. Defend yourself and your teammates against swarms of deadwood, and other massive entities until you conquer The Root. The immersive atmosphere and quick thinking mechanics will be your best distraction this year. In all, this sequel displays Gunfire Games' efforts in listening to their fandom and polishing that feedback. Any gamer can find enjoyment and satisfaction when they tune in unaccompanied, but the real fun begins once your friends join the fight.

WWE 2K25 is far from a perfect game. 2K and Visual Concepts continue to get more ambitious with each passing year. And while that's certainly commendable, WWE 2K25 is a great showcase for the flaws in that mindset. The core of the game they're building on needs serious work, and several modes need a lot more TLC than a few updates a year. However, there is plenty of fun to be had here, and players can definitely make the game last until next March.

Jetpack Joyride 2 is a great and wonderful addition to any gamer's collection. The concept is solid, and the gameplay is a blast to enjoy by those that decide to give this video game a try. Once the player initially gets the hang of it, Jetpack Joyride 2 will fly on by with complete addiction. If you haven't tried this game, then you should.

This Game Pack introduces werewolves to The Sims 4, and they've honestly done a really good job with this supernatural occult. Werewolves are fun to play as and bring a new challenge to the game. The new world Moonwood Mill is a great place to live if you want to play as a werewolf, and there's plenty of great new clothing and objects as well. Some things could be better, with rampage mode not being as impactful as it could have been, plus you can only really make the most of being a werewolf in Moonwood Mill, but otherwise The Sims 4 Werewolves doesn't disappoint.

Blood West is a perfectly standard take on the western horror genre, offering new monsters, takes on firearms, and the aspect of being part of the undead. Will you be able to free the land from the evil curses brought on by the settlers? or will you become just another vengeful spirit roaming these hardened lands, a ghost of the past. Either way its up to you to decide with your knife, bow, and plenty of fire power to settle the wild west!

Should you be looking for a "Best of" collection of Mario Party goodness, Superstars should be your go-to. Though its flaws are pretty apparent, those keen on rose-tinted perceptions will find a lot to like with the newest iteration. Even those simply in need of some fun with a group of friends will have a good time with what's on offer, so long as it's local multiplayer and not online. It's a nice callback to the brighter days of the franchise, complete with a lot of trinkets from the past. May not be kind to solo players, however.

Dry Drowning delivers the right mood in an atmospheric detective visual novel. It highlights nail-biting player choices that brilliantly impact the story and gameplay. Dry Drowning wraps up an interesting story with various elements, pushing art and sound to elevate the mood of the narrative. All these features work hard to deliver, but despite its strong character, a clunky UI and difficult text throw a wrench in this visual novel experience.

Ghostrunner 2 is an upgraded sequel with several gameplay elements that make it deserve that number on the title. It has been increased in difficulty and the new narrative elements are also highly appreciated. For the most part, it has been expanded and improved compared to the first game. Even with the few tweaks the game still needs to stand out from other titles, it is as great and epic than its predecessor.

A game based on a fairy tale like Pinocchio always had room to fail and yet, somehow, Lies of P manages to easily cross that bar. With a focus on relentless aggression in combat that goes toe-to-toe with some of the genre's best entries and a grim narrative and world that successfully engages and enraptures you, Lies of P is a triumph in most ways where it counts. While the second act really drags the game down and introduces a lot of pain points that it never truly recovers from, Lies of P endures to become one of the strongest Souls-like experiences in recent years and a worthy pick for any player looking to step into a bleak yet fascinating fairy tale world.

WRC 9 is a step up from its prequels and it does exactly as advertised. The game has tons of content that you can immerse yourself in. There are tens of cars, dozens of tracks, different countries and championships, giving a huge replayability value. While there are ample positives, there are also some major negatives. The main issue is with the control scheme which seems to favour wheel users over gamepad/keyboard. It's not a deal-breaker but it was definitely a frustrating experience for me to master the mechanics using a controller. But once I was comfortable with WRC 9 on a controller, there was no looking back.

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.

This game is fun. Honestly? I think I had too much fun and that meant I wasn't paying attention to all the little things that built up and kept drowning me. But if you're careful, pay attention, and keep up with the game's demands, it's well worth it. The characters are amazing, the plot is fun, and the gameplay is addictive. It's a little tough if you're not good at multitasking, but if you're a fan of the shopkeeper genre, this is one you can't miss.

UFC 5 officially marks the UFC franchise joining the ranks of every other sports game in 2023. Like a dog that is repeatedly fed the same meal everyday, this game's player base is forced to settle for a play experience that is virtually similar to UFC 4. Using a new graphical engine to release the same game from 3 years ago but with the number 5 on the cover this time feels a lot like putting a hat on a hat. This is a lateral movement for the series, which to be fair, is better than a step back.

Intelligent Systems have come close to perfecting the look and tone of Paper Mario with The Origami King, but at the cost of landing on a gameplay identity that encapsulates the series' legacy while providing fun innovations to the formula. As such, this game falls below the plethora of first-party Switch games that have taken their series to new heights, but that doesn't mean it's a soggy, crumbled piece of paper either. Paper Mario: The Origami King is a hilarious, dazzling joy ride, that frustratingly doesn't solve all of the issues from recent entries.

Oblivion Remastered successfully breathes new life into The Elders Scrolls IV, which is going to be great for the mature gamers that already knew about this title from the original release in 2006. Whether you beat the game back then or not, this remaster is, as of today, the best way to experience Oblivion. We still have Skyblivion to look out for, even if this remaster may have stolen some potential players from that project. However, no amount of make up and re-texturization can mask the classic Bethesda jank, which makes the game just as endearing and frustrating as the original.

Signs of the Sojourner is a unique deck-building experience that is inviting to begin, but depending on your style, is finicky to finish. The overall tight production value is a joy to immerse yourself in, and the heartrending story and gameplay balance to present this reality even further. Perfectionists beware, as this game will have you endure as many failures as there are triumphs – but isn’t that the beauty of traveling and connecting with strangers?

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.

Rat Cliff Games has knocked Among Ashes out of the park with their unique premise and cleverly placed scares. The switch between both games is fantastic and would love to see other games take a similar approach. Among Ashes may have a few loose pieces to its structure but luckily it never fell too deep in the pit of bugs. For anyone wanting a new horror experience, look no further than Among Ashes.... Did I mention it's set around the Christmas season?

With my disappointment in Half-Genie Hero in the foreground, it's a bit easier to enjoy Shantae and the Seven Sirens's good points in relation to its abundantly minor issues. Controls are fantastic, the pacing is solid, and it harkens back (somewhat) to what made Pirate's Curse so beloved. Some may decry its simple difficulty, but for me, so long as the journey is immersive, other aspects can be excused. Neither a perfect game or a perfect Shantae game, Seven Sirens has enough magic to make it a welcome addition to a franchise with a bountiful future ahead of it.

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.

While the original Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons had a charming artstyle, the graphical update is a vast improvement, the attention to detail adding depth to the already mysterious world. The narrative and innovative control system remain in place, making this the perfect on-boarding for new and returning players. The addition of local co-op allows you to team up and play the game together, although I strongly recommend playing the game single player in order to achieve the full impact of the experience. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake sticks close to its roots and remains the pinnacle of game mechanics being used to convey a story.

Ultimately, Time Loader is a beautiful-looking, wonderful-sounding game, with some fun gameplay. It's let down by a story that focuses on a character without making them engaging, the lack of challenge that comes with the puzzles, and everything being in service of the game's least engaging aspect. It is unfortunately quite a short game as well. My initial run-through clocked in at about 2.6 hours. So a recommendation here is really based on what you want for your money. If you're fine with slightly un-challenging, hand-holdy at times gameplay and a story that looks pretty but doesn't go anywhere, pick it up! If you want a little more bang for your buck, maybe wait it out to see if Flazm adds anything interesting. Honestly, this game has a lot of potential to be good, if they just rework the story and maybe add some challenge levels.

Cuisineer doesn't bring anything new to the table, but it blends restaurant management and dungeon exploration well. Balancing both gameplay aspects and seeing your efforts pay off is rewarding. The visuals look great and the food images make your mouth water. There are some gameplay aspects that could use better explanation, but that doesn't detract from the game's strengths too much. You can spend hours making your restaurant better and you wouldn't notice the time go by.

V Rising successfully blends vampire tropes with survival crafting elements and action combat to create an immersive and oddly relaxing experience. Dodging the inconvenience of the sun as you expand your castle places you in the mindset of a young vampire, the atmospheric soundtrack adding to the soothing sense of solitude as you're harvesting resources. While there's a lack of narrative hooks, there is plenty of exploring, crafting and hunting to occupy your nights, and the choice is yours as to whether you traverse the expansive open world as part of a clan or enjoy spooky decorating in peace.

Hadr is a brilliant title that beats most puzzler genre games fair and square. I would definitely love the addition of new levels if possible, maybe as post-launch additions or even a DLC. Overall, Hadr is a masterpiece and an intelligent game which guarantees a really great time for an hour and a few minutes of the storyline it offers. It had a strong impact on me which I normally don't feel with short and/or one-dimensional games. Maybe it is the concept, maybe the execution. Or maybe, it's a bit of both. Regardless, it offers something no other game can offer and I highly recommend everyone to play and finish this game. You will not be disappointed. Now please excuse me while I go recharge my brain cells.

Wreckfest is a promising title from Bugbear, which fills the gap left by dormant vehicular combat franchises such as Burnout. PS5 upgrades mainly come in the form of beautiful visual improvements, including a sharp 4K resolution and creative implementation of the DualSense's features. The game will be a blast for PS5 players who are jumping into it for the first time, but owners of the last-gen version might find the upgrade a little wanting.

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.