In the end, Monster Train 2 is a ride that promises hellfire and havoc but mostly delivers a slot machine in disguise. Beneath the bold aesthetics, catchy animations, and endless streams of demonic jargon lies a game that seems more interested in flipping coins than rewarding planning or skill. Sure, there are moments when the cards line up, your units hold their ground, and the monster library gets a new dusty entry. Strategy might give you the illusion of control, but don’t be fooled, this train doesn’t run on tactics, it runs on dice rolls. Maybe that’s enough. Maybe the spectacle, the lore, and the familiar mechanics still hold some spark. But for newcomers like me, Monster Train 2 isn’t a calculated journey through the underworld.

Even as a newcomer to the series, I think SNK VS. CAPCOM: CARD FIGHTERS’ CLASH is a pretty solid game. Other than a few annoyances here and there, I can say I enjoyed this classic title. If you’re an SNK or Capcom fan, or a card trading game fanatic, I’d say this retro goodie is worth adding to your collection.

Overall, both Dragon Quest games are a blast to play. The remakes give both a visual upgrade with more characters and brilliant soundtracks. Both games have beautiful open worlds, while offering challenging fights. The first Dragon Quest is hindered a bit by not having a party system but is still fun to play. Both games also stumble in the story department but the exploration, combat and open world are too good to ignore. If you want to check out these classics, the remakes are the best way to do it right now.

The Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a stunning tribute to one of the most influential RPGs of all time. While not without its flaws, it successfully captures the heart of the original while offering a polished, modern experience. Fans of the series and newcomers with an appreciation for retro-inspired games will likely find this remake a worthy addition. However, for those seeking a more action-packed or dynamically animated experience, the game may not fully meet expectations. With its rich legacy and careful modernization, this remake strikes a delicate balance between honouring the past and embracing the present.

A lot has changed in the roguelike genre since Shiren’s last adventure. Many of those evolutions in the genre make playing this game feel a little dated. I wish there were more to do in the hub world. I wish I could build my character in the dungeons rather than rely on items to survive. Despite not having those things, learning how the game works is still fun. For those looking for a challenging roguelike, Shiren The Wanderer offers a dungeon crawler that makes players think about how they move. While there is strategic depth, its clunky movement, unengaging combat, and generic fantasy plot keep this game from being a great roguelike.

While Dawnfolk may have stripped away too much in the pursuit of minimalism, it's still a fun and strangely absorbing mix of city-builder and puzzle game.

For me, Not Tonight 2 is a great bouncer simulator with a sprinkle of political issues that adds a little spice to the stew. If this sounds like your cup of tea, then give it a go, but don’t dive in expecting challenging politics. It’s witty, satirical, charming and maybe just a little food for thought.

If you fancy an evening of blood, madness and handsome anime men, give Virche Evermore a whirl. The lack of player input remains a sore spot for me, but this is an excellent example of the genre, especially if you're a lover of horror.

Death Howl will undoubtedly attract more players in the future and retain its positive reviews It's a fun, unique and somewhat addictive deckbuilder with appealing artwork, multiple different card combinations, along with some vibrant locations. Whilst the difficulty and constant grinding put me off of it, I still think there's a great game to be found amongst the enemies you'll constantly have to overcome to progress further.

Despite its shortcomings, FAR: Changing Tides is stunning and is an atmospheric triumph. I loved the developer’s vision for a doomed future, and the array of environments you explore.

The Lullaby of Life is a cozy, sound-based puzzle game tackling the complexities of creation and evolution with the simplest of gameplay.

Undeniably charming, with an interesting and inventive plot, even if the writing is a bit wonky at times. However, it poorly connects its plot and gameplay, leading to horrendous pacing that ends up dragging both sides down.

The latest installment of the Jurassic World Evolution series proved to be the best one yet, with the biggest roster of dinosaurs, a wide variety of attractions and buildings to place around the sites, along with some beautiful locations at the very heart of your parks.

Overall, Dragon Quest Treasures is a charming spin-off to the mainline series that satisfies the DQ itch but does leave me wanting more as the grand scope of the campaign isn’t quite there for me. That might be the point, a smaller, more intimate story, but it’s not my cup of tea. Hopefully, Monsters later this year is good, but I yearn for Dragon Quest XII but given the complete radio silence on that since 2017 I don’t expect much soon.

Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga is a fabulously fun tactical RPG. The squad-based gameplay and management mechanics co-exist incredibly well, and there is a surprising amount of complexity in each of the systems. While the expanded lore has had a lot of thought put into it, the games narrative does feel rather rushed and uninteresting. If you’re a fan of management RPGs, and are looking for something that will scratch the Ogre Battle itch, then this is a game worth checking out.

Sumerian Six is a wonderfully weird blend of Nazi Germany and ancient Sumeria. Its characters are unique, if a little underbaked, and its gameplay rewards strategic thinking well. Its skills are a little much - and the AI is not enough - but it's a decent entry in the stealth-strategy genre.

Wonderfully pretty, with decent world and character design, Momodara: Moonlit Farewell is held back by some balance issues and genre specific bugbears.

A nice world, boss designs and mini-puzzles are drowned by sticky, one-note combat and blunted exploration mechanics.

Desktop Dungeons: Rewind, is an enjoyable game with a lot of puzzle-based gameplay and a variety of different modes. Unfortunately, the game has faults like the cheesy dialogue and the intrusive UI. However, the amazing character designs, amount of content, and great puzzle gameplay far outweigh the bad. Although the game can be frustratingly difficult, the game is still overall an entertaining experience. I recommend giving this game a chance if you are interested in trying out this unique hybrid of rouge-like and puzzle gameplay.

ZERO Sievert is an enjoyable game with its deep world-building, fun gameplay, and great presentation. However, it struggles with some aspects of its presentation and its teaching tools. Although, this game is still in early access and might have changes in the future that fix these problems. Overall, ZERO Sievert is still a very fun time. If you are a fan of the Survival genre of games I recommend giving it a go.

An ambitious RTS that attempts to shoulder the legacy of its predecessors. The skirmish combat remains fun and the campaign map has potential, but it's let down by wonky AI and a confusing difficulty curve.

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy is a funny 2.5D puzzle platformer. What's more, it can be enjoyed alone or played with 2 friends. As such, you'll argue, scream, and laugh repeatedly. However, there is a serious lack of lore, and this disappointed me.

Pretty and full of interesting people, My Time At Sandrock is a jack of all trades, master of none. It has a lot to do but is quite thinly spread. Still, it won't fail to put a smile on your face.

ChromaGun 2 is a little overstuffed at times, but the central puzzle mechanic is good fun and mostly results in well-thought-out puzzles.

King Arthur: Knight's Tale is an interesting hybrid title that has some unusual elements. However, the bland level design and repetitive overworld hold it back. Had these layers been improved, this would have held my attention throughout. As it is, I recommend it as I know others will forgive these shortcomings.

Despite its shortcomings, Atelier Yumia still offers a fun and engaging experience, especially for fans of the series and alchemy mechanics. The story, UI, and animations are definite highlights, and the synthesis system remains a strong point. I will recommend this to anyone that wants to chill, gather, craft and switch off for a while. However, the poor world design, redundant mechanics, and unbalanced progression prevent it from reaching the heights of its predecessors.

In summary, Super Alloy Ranger is a short, yet passionate love letter to the Mega Man series. The gameplay, remaining simplistic in its approach, is unbelievably engaging and accessible. Although the narrative direction is mostly forgettable and lacklustre, the visual and audio departments more than make up for it through their superb presentation. I can easily recommend Super Alloy Ranger to retro 2D platforming fans, especially those who enjoyed Mega Man X, or the Metal Slug series.

Deadlink is a relentless arena-based FPS with rogue-lite elements. You must jump, dive, and shoot your way to victory. However, death is guaranteed, and failure is all but assured. Yet, this matters not as you become stronger, faster, and wiser with each passing playthrough.