All in all, Röki is one of the most surprising indie experiences I've had on the Nintendo Switch in quite a while. It has all the usual trappings of an indie darling — mainly its consistently wholesome nature — but manages to do more than I ever would have expected. A very special story, imaginative use of folklore, simple but effective game mechanics, and a gorgeous art-style and soundtrack mean that Röki goes far beyond what indie adventure games usually do in terms of polish, but also just never stops being lovely.

Despite some glaring issues with its 100% quest and some unnecessary characters, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is so good that it's almost hard to believe. A true sequel to the 90's classics seemed too hard of a task at first, but Toys for Bob has passed the test and proven that Crash deserves new life in the modern gaming landscape. With fluid animation, excellent level design and eye-popping graphics, Crash 4 is the best Crash game of all time, and perfect for any new or returning fans alike.

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon provides players with a robust RPG that provides ample freedom and combat capabilities, ensuring each playthrough is filled with unique emotions that will satisfy your craving for more Skyrim-like games. Whether you're drawn by its morally grey storytelling, sandbox gameplay, or the eerie Wyrdness that warps reality for worse, this is a dark fantasy RPG every fan of games like Skyrim or The Witcher should have on their radar.

Haiku, the robot might just be one of the best options for first-time Metroidvania players. It is intuitive, has a decent story that will leave you asking for more, and has great, simple but entertaining gameplay. You will definitely feel like a random robot trying to save their homeland from a random virus, and Arcadia will probably care enough to search in every damn corner for every last collectible. Yet, it probably won't be in your best game ever ranking.

There is no denying that Tunche is one of the best Indie titles to be released this year. With a gorgeous art style, great character designs, a rock solid gameplay loop and some sweet action it is a joy to play and easy to learn. However it might prove a little too repetitive for some.

Fall Guys balances frustration and enjoyment perfectly, handing you victory at the expense of someone else whilst snatching it away from you just as much. Despite some irritating, luck-based team games, Fall Guys is a one of a kind experience that will only get better season to season. It's the most fun I've had with a game in years.

All in all, Littlewood is certainly worth picking up if you’re in the market for a peaceful, relaxing and charming game that doesn’t demand too much of you, especially now that it’s available on the ever-portable Switch. You can certainly get out the spreadsheets and graph paper to try and optimise every aspect of your playthrough, but it’s arguably more enjoyable to just take each day as it comes, do a bit here and there, and see how things go. A bit like life, really.

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix shows that the developers cared enough about their work to listen to fans. By increasing the character count, expanding the gameplay mechanics with pit crews, and overall increasing the game quality, this game is a secret favorite that is worthy of your time.

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.

After the Fall performs well in the gameplay department. The guns feel great, enemies are terrifying and diverse, and the 80s Apocalyptic setting of a frozen Los Angeles feels amazing to play around in. Vertigo Games has innovated on their already successful mechanics from Arizona Sunshine, taking a page from Left 4 Dead, while raising all aspects of production quality. Grinding in After the Fall is fun and worthwhile, and the multiplayer aspect works well in VR.

MULLET MADJACK is the perfect culmination of artistic vision, a fantastic soundtrack, a tight gameplay loop, and a surprisingly sharp story. Everything in this game points in the same direction. I got my dopamine. I came back for more. And I am still chasing the leaderboard. That is exactly what this game was built for, and it nails it.

In conclusion, Faerie Afterlight is a great deal if you want to play a Metroidvania game set in a magical fairy world. Although it’s not a perfect game, it will give you a great time exploring all the areas and fighting challenging bosses. Accompanied by a visually stunning art style and soothing music score, Faerie Afterlight is the game that you’re looking for.

This recent iteration of Lords of the Fallen has finally achieved what the original couldn't do back in 2014: it has carved itself a unique place in the Soulslike genre where it can belong, allowing it stand confidently beside its inspirations. By refining the traditional Dark Souls style to a finely honed edge and combining it with some compelling lore, a fascinating world and the absolute marvel that is the Umbral realm system, Lords of the Fallen adds another notch to 2023's superb line-up of games. If you're okay with a somewhat obtuse narrative structure and the fact that it is certainly one of the easier Souslikes, Lords of the Fallen is a must-play title for anybody interested in a great Souslike set in a beautifully grim fantasy land.

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!

Planet of Lana is a great experience, only let down by a few late game puzzles. The set up was great, making Lana confront her fears and the alien invasion. The areas you visit look amazing and Furukawa’s music is sublime. Music was woven into the story, and it did well displaying the world’s backstory to proceedings. A thoroughly enjoyable game with some cool set pieces.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure doesn't offer too much challenge but what it does offer is great level design, fantastic music, and a plethora of objectives for the completionists out there. This all adds up to a level of charm that can rival even the best of Nintendo platformers.

Overall, for a DLC pack that has been requested for a long time, The Sims 4: Cottage Living met a lot of expectations. The animals are fun to care for and not too troublesome. Befriending wild animals such as birds and rabbits prove rewarding and worth the effort. Henford-on-Bagley beautifully captures the rural British lifestyle, completing the immersive living-in-the-countryside feel. The errands system is also good fun and rewarding, but is sadly only limited to Henford-on-Bagley and to certain residents. The competitions felt a little lackluster, as well as the collection of new objects for furnishing homes. Apart from this, Cottage Living is a great new addition to The Sims 4. If you want an authentic farming experience, you won't be let down.

Pumpkin Jack is a comedic and innocently evil game that is perfect for fans of the spooky season. The linear story, the variety of puzzles and the charmingly spooky graphics create a wonderful game that most players will find a lot of enjoyment in. So, what are you waiting for? Halloween fun awaits!

Red Hook Studios have done it again and provided another great experience in a dark and punishing world. Darkest Dungeon II feel new but familiar, providing a fantastic remixed gameplay loop alongside updated visuals. It may provide a different experience from its highly rated predecessor, but it stands on its own as an alternative way of playing a Darkest Dungeon title. I only wish that they'd ventured towards newer content than playing it safe by keeping mostly familiar faces. Hopefully Red Hook have more in store for this Darkest Dungeon adventure.

Overboard! is a bite-sized puzzle adventure at sea. The compelling story and schedule-solving action are tied up into a neat and stylish package. The impeccable puzzle logic will make you feel like you are battling Holmes or Poirot, doing your best to be one step ahead in each playthrough. Overall, Overboard! is a worthy puzzle game, especially if you've ever wanted to play a murder mystery game as the villain!

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.

Song of Nunu takes players on an exciting and magical adventure through Frelijord. Its heartfelt story and genuine characters are bolstered by an vibrant world and an effective soundtrack that heard in every inch of Frelijord. Combat and traversal never goes beyond a very rudimentary approach however. That being said, although simplistic in certain areas and tedious in others, Song of Nunu's music never stops.

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.

I'm glad I decided to check out Where the Music Dies, and I very much doubt this will be the only time I play through it. I'm sure I'll want to experience this story again to see what other options there are, where the story could take me next time, how it would be different. Where the Music Dies may only require your attention for no more than 2 hours, but it's by no means an unmemorable one. It is dark and deep, but it will stay with you. In summary, the story is well written, the dialogue feels natural and fluid, you have freedom with the choices, and the art style and music brings the entire story to life. As this is free and doesn't take long to get through, there's no reason why you shouldn't check Where the Music Dies out.

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.

MADiSON is an excellent psychological horror title bolstered by clever puzzles and a constant atmosphere of dread. It's well-paced giving players just enough of a breath to then take on the next challenge. Some quality of life updates, such as increasing the number of options in the settings and removing the safe could benefit the game. Ultimately however, those are only small issues in an otherwise fantastic game.

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.

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.