Passion is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you have a spirited, ambitious attempt to create the next sweeping epic the likes people can latch onto and discuss for years to come. On the other, you have a relatively short game that does not afford the story time to develop to get to that emotional boiling point. While a pretty solid Point & Click adventure with intuitive puzzles and a neat I Spy side-hunt, The Sundew will always be marred by its own insistence with telling a five-hour story in two hours. I appreciate the attempt; it just didn't land as intended.

Astria Ascending has all the building blocks of what makes great RPGs, but all these separate parts haven't fit perfectly together in the final product. The story and characters have a lot potential but are let down by encumbered pacing and awkward writing. Still, it's a beautiful RPG for those who crave challenging/engaging turn-based combat and eye-catching visuals.

Mobius Digital has once again proven that they are masters of their craft. Echoes of the Eye carries on the legacy of Outer Wilds by delivering a riveting narrative told in a beautiful new world, paired with an excellent use of the main game's mechanics to deliver its story. While some parts of the DLC are frustrating in their implentation of horror elements, the option to make these parts easier, as well as the other parts of the game, make them worth going through.

There’s something to be said of Sable’s casual, meditative charm and truly enchanting presentation. Unfortunately, however, it can occasionally feel empty and remains fraught with technical errors and performance issues. Hopefully, there'll be a bug-fixing patch on the horizon. Otherwise, Sable's fresh, intriguing world and solid mechanics could be overshadowed by its assortment of glitches.

As a whole, Bonito Days is a great game for anyone looking to ignore reality for a moment or two. It's fun and easy going, and easy for anyone of any age to pick up and enjoy. I definitely plan on playing this both on my own and with some friends whilst the winter rolls in. Who knows, maybe summer will come back before we know it.

Gang Beasts will always be a game I enjoy to play, but the release on Nintendo Switch was definitely disappointing. Although I loved it prior to this, I can't help but feel put off from picking it up for a while. I wish there had been something new and exciting for this brilliant release, but I guess we just have to keep waiting.

Alan Wake Remastered is the definitive version of Alan's story in Bright Falls. It is the exact same game that acquired quiet respect amongst fans and critics following its 2010 release. Only now it boasts 4K visuals and 60FPS gameplay. Along with some welcome bonus features, and packaged-in DLC, the remaster is a must for superfans, and a fantastic starting point for curious newcomers, with only a few small annoyances that stop it just short of reaching perfection.

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.

Metroid has officially returned to its pedestal of greatness among Nintendo's finest. Powerfully efficient in its details and ruthless in its effort to make the player writhe in agony. While not the greatest heights the franchise has ever seen, it's more than polished enough to be a respected and beloved addition to the franchise. While it marks the end of the original timeline, the future is vast and endless, and Dread marks the potential for a markedly improved vision of the genre. While the Switch has more than enough must-buys already, this is yet another. Just be warned that it takes no prisoners.

Teacup is an undeniably adorable adventure for anyone facing anxieties or looking for a wholesome way to pass the time. It promotes the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone, even when you really don't want to, which is valuable for anyone who needs it. I would highly recommend this game, it even features wonderful recipes for your own herbal remedies!

Rogue Lords is a well-built roguelike that can get anyone in an evil Halloween party mood. The game has the style and addictive hook to keep devilish map-crawlers progressing through suspicious sanctuaries and nasty taverns. Lovers of the genre will find a familiar but engaging gameplay loop and new strategies to learn. However, its reliance on punishing difficulty, probably meant to encourage more risk-taking, can take a toll on the player's overall enjoyment of what is a really fun game.

There honestly is a lot to like about Residual, from its decent story to its wonderful pixel-art graphics. Unfortunately, it’s let down by some shallow and unfocused gameplay. With a solid and dedicated developer behind it, though, future patches and tweaks might serve to solve some of those issues, so it’s still worth keeping an eye on.

Life is Strange: True Colors has received DLC in the form of Wavelengths which, as this review reveals, is a calm yet enjoyable slice-of-life experience that focuses on Steph Gringrich. If pretending to be a DJ and finding out more about the folks of Haven intrigues you, Wavelengths is the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon.

A Juggler's Tale might not be a long game, but that by any means doesn't make it a bad one. It's a game with a beautiful story and strong cast of characters that is well worth delving into, and you'll love Abby, routing for her right from the beginning until the very end. The role of the narrator is also powerful and innovative. Puzzles that the game presents are challenging but not impossible to solve, as well as very creative, although some are harder to work out than others. Gameplay is good fun, although some mechanics take time to get the hang of, such as throwing, but you get plenty of opportunities to practice and work on it. Graphics and music help bring the story to life, showcasing the best and worst of the world and any situations you're put in. If you're looking for a game that features a short yet powerful story, A Juggler's Tale is one you should check out, while also pushing your puzzle-solving skills.

As a whole, my time spend with Momolu and his welcoming friends was definitely enjoyable. I can see myself going back to this game in the near future if I need to take a step back from how busy and fast paced day to day life is. It's certainly not going to be every adult's cup of tea, but Momolu for sure has a friend in me.

Gamedec should be an essential play for fans of isometric, story-driven titles. The detective work is paced and executed in a way that makes you feel like you're actually solving crimes, rather than following scripted conversations. The environments are varied and interesting, and the music absolutely slaps. This is a title that deserves your time and attention.

Death Stranding Director's Cut is an artistic vision fully realized. If the original Death Stranding did not entice you, do not expect to be converted. However, if you resonate with the experience being presented, the game is a must-play and the definitive way to enjoy a one-of-a-kind title.

For what it is, SkateBIRD is a fun and interesting title unlike any other. While it may have some flaws, they don't run so deep that they break the game or make it entirely unenjoyable. For those looking for a casual skating experience with a fun soundtrack, this is an easy one to recommend.

Overall, it sometimes feels like just moving on from each area to the next, with not much else in-between. Tales of Arise is a beautiful game to look at, but the game goes by too quickly due to the relatively limited side-questing. The last release in the Tales series, Tales of Berseria, offered a lot of gameplay in terms of extra content, and the story was enough to wrench your heart out. Tales of Arise offers a very compelling story but not much else in terms of extra gameplay.

The follow-up to ATOM RPG has the same quality writing and polish, alongside improvements to the graphics and mechanics. Despite suffering from some of the same issues, this makes ATOM RPG: Trudograd a strict upgrade to its predecessor and a must play for lovers of cRPGs.

The bites may be fresh, but what about the blood that pumps within? As much of a "definitive" edition Fresh Bites may be, BloodRayne Betrayal's 2021 revival doesn't manage to sink itself too deep into the collective necks of a wider player base. With its foot still planted on the pulse of its former hardcore fanbase, it beckons the coming crowd with promises of new additions—more accessible difficulty, voice acting! However, there's nothing about this repackaged version that's enough to entice people not already fond of the franchise or genre. If one was to choose between this and the 2011 original, this would be the better option. Unfortunately, it still doesn't feel like a good branching point for those looking to get into hack n' slashes.

Stranded Deep has a great team of minds behind it, and the game definitely has the potential to excel in its field. But for Nintendo Switch, it just doesn't meet the criteria. Starting a new adventure is exciting, but there isn't really enough to keep me focused or compelled.

Ultra Age is the sort of game that could have benefited from more polish and a stronger narrative. The performance on Nintendo Switch is disappointing, but the largest problems with the title are with the narrative structure and presentation. If there is ever a future for this franchise, the focus needs to be on building the existing combat into a cohesive storyline, because right now, it just doesn't cut it.

Where some expansions expand on the gameplay with core changes and new systems, Ghost of Tsushima's Iki Island acts more like an extension of the main game loved by so many - with only minor yet appreciated tweaks. For the most part, in conjunction with changes to enemy combat skills and exploration, along with turning your horse into a weapon, playing through Iki fits wonderfully into this originally three-act epic as a welcome fourth. Ever so slightly dusted with imperfections, the captivating story, combat, graphics, and soundtrack are all still among the very best PlayStation exclusives have to offer, mostly overshadowing any grievances.

Lake is an impressive cosy experience that condenses the best of rural life into a small package of contentment and melancholy. Fantastic voice acting, writing, and an overall positive message help elevate it past just another title available on the market. Graphical and performance issues are present, but they aren't bad enough to stop me recommending this indie adventure to anybody feeling a little lost, or searching for a peaceful and relaxing game to unwind with.

Life is Strange: True Colors is a must-play for anyone with even the vaguest interest in the series. It takes everything that has made the franchise good and elevates it to new heights. This is Life is Strange at its most confident, its most sentimental, and its most engrossing.

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.

Twelve Minutes has great potential as a high concept thriller with its stellar technical design, critically acclaimed cast and initially organic gameplay, but ultimately its narrative direction and pacing leaves a lot to be desired.