For fans of this storied franchise, Sudden Strike 5 is a welcome addition. A solid campaign full of great historic battles, fun multiplayer options and an addictive gameplay loop will satisfy veterans of the RTS genre. Some frustrating issues occur, such as repetitive missions, finnicky controls and a steep learning curve but overall, there is a great game in the chaos. Add in beautiful visuals and strong audio design and you have the recipe for a great war game. War is hell!

Rival Stars Horse Racing was never going to disappoint me. I love the genre and this was a great addition. The racing is fun and I like the different styles. Furthermore, breeding the perfect horse was challenging, but worth the effort.

The Spell Brigade does just enough to elevate the genre, and becomes a fun, challenging roguelike with the bonus element of co-op. The progression system hasn't survived Early Access unscathed, but it remains enjoyable nonetheless.

Beyond Words is a simple but fantastic title. It will test your mind while incorporating some modern mechanics. With simple visuals, calm music, and basic controls, this is a joy to play.

The developers at stillalive studios have achieved their best iteration of a simulation game with the release of Bus Bound. Strong gameplay, great variety in vehicles, a brilliant weather system and a thin, if not endearing, narrative help propel this genre into new heights. I do have some problems with bugs, animations and some lenient gameplay decisions, but overall, this is a great simulator game in a genre that I am rapidly falling in love with. I’m going back to the routes.

Moto Rush Reborn is a hectic, fast-paced, and fun arcade racer. Although it is a little repetitive, it offers enough variety to keep you entertained. I love the clean graphics, hectic audio, and tight controls. Furthermore, it is as casual or hardcore as you like.

Nine Sols is a fantastic Metroidvania with a phenomenal story. The combat is slick, the lore-rich action is amazing, and I loved the exploration elements. Despite its occasionally brutal ways, it was a joy to play.

OPUS: Prism Peak is a narrative adventure game that takes place in a spirit realm known as the Dusklands. Developed by SIGONO INC. and published by SHUEISHA GAMES, Prism Peak is the fourth game as part of the OPUS series, though playing the previous three does not seem required. In OPUS: Prism Peak, players play as Eugene, a 40 year old ex-photojournalist whose had a rough time in life. Along with a unnamed kid—Ren—who is fading and smells of Shade, the two must make their way through the spirit realm to the top of a mountain. Along the way, they'll interact and help a cast of different spirits, and search for a person known as the Seer. Through an emotional and impactful narrative, many puzzles to solve in Firebowls and the field journal, and lots of photography, OPUS: Prism Peak is easily a highly recommendable game. I found only a small handful of 'downsides' and these are really just personal preferences that keep it from a perfect 10 out of 10 score. My review probably doesn't do the game justice, but please trust me when I say that its a pretty good game!

The Day I Became a Bird is a lovely adaptation of the book and film, with some nice gameplay ideas. While I'd have liked those ideas to be pushed a bit further, there's no denying the grin it put on my face.

To sum up, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss has deepened my love and appreciation for Lovecraft and the genre as a whole. A brilliant mysterious story, gorgeous visuals and soundtrack, along with some of the best detective gameplay in games to date, help make this a must play for fans of the genre. Unfortunately, the game stumbles in places, with poor optimisation and performance issues, along with some tedious gameplay design. Still, there is a wonderful game to enjoy if you can get past the choppy waves.

Life is Strange has always been a game which focuses on story and Reunion nails this with an emotional tale of friendship, loss, guilt and death. Coupled with stunning visuals, industry leading facial animations and a killer soundtrack, Deck Nine have done it again. I sincerely hope this is not the end of the series overall. Life is Strange will stay with me forever.

Overall, Project Songbird deserves its very positive Steam rating. The game gets a lot right, particularly its horror and its narrative. The game’s flaws are too minor to outweigh its positives. I can easily recommend this one to anyone who is a fan of psychological horrors with a story. The narrative and deeper message perhaps aren’t life changing, but I do think many creatives will be able to relate in some way—hopefully without the trauma and the monsters. Just remember that your art, whatever that may look like, is for you. Even if there isn’t a whole lot of fans or popularity gained, don’t forget who the artist is—yourself.

Grind Survivors is a fantastic addition to the genre. It is addictive, easy to understand, and filled with twists and turns. Although it could be repetitive, this shouldn't put you off. A must-play game.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach hits the right balance of calm and chaos I was looking for. A fascinating world, with decent gameplay mechanics that, rather annoyingly, it keeps trying to trivialise.

Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition is a great walk down memory lane. I love the gameplay, the dated visuals, and the incredible number of levels. However, the audio overhaul was not necessary.

ICARUS Console Edition isn’t a perfect experience but when it’s on song, it’s a bold, vast, atmospheric and hugely ambitious survival game. It can be rewarding, satisfying and breath taking. Sadly, some players will be put off by a brutal learning curve and terrible UI. If you can get past that, there is a deeply rewarding survival game where you are the story and your adventures fill the page.

BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary is a brilliant walk down memory lane. Furthermore, the 300 plus levels add a modern edge to appease a vast audience. If you love to test your skills, this is the franchise to test your abilities.

Overall, I liked it. I had a fun time and can definitely see myself coming back to this one every so often. One full run took me around 2 hours to complete. For me, I probably won’t ever spend all day playing, but a run or two here and there certainly. Gameplay elements are simple and easy to understand, and therefore easy to pick-up and play any time. ITER-8 isn’t without flaws and could use with some more polishing and content, but I think what is here is pretty good. I’d happily recommend it to fans of the genre, especially to those who have played Dome Keeper before.

MindsEye has gone through a rotten time. The early reviews were fair, but the developer has worked incredibly hard to make their game work. It is now fun, challenging, and the plot is great to witness. Although some will turn up their noses, I think you should give it a go.

Dragon Ruins II is a brilliant old-school experience that takes you back to classic dungeon crawling gameplay. It is dark, pixelated, and amazingly retro.

Thomas and Friends: Wonders of Sodor is a fantastic addition to the genre. It is colourful, fun, and great to play. The slightly refined approach makes it more approachable for younger gamer. Furthermore, the vibrant design, loud and fun audio, and interesting story were amazing to experience. Sadly, it has some minor bugs, but these shouldn't put you off too much.

Hero Seekers delivers a classic RPG experience with a nice twist. VANGUARD offers a nice change of pace despite the old-school approach and familiar mechanics. If you love the genre, you will not be disappointed.

Overall, The Disney Afternoon Friends Collection is a short walk through some of Nintendo’s classics, and while some games show their age, these titles managed to feel engaging even in the modern gaming landscape. For those who grew up with these games, this collection will be a surefire way of reliving those memories with a modern spin. With modern features that make older designs easier to handle, this collection is a solid way for both longtime fans and curious newcomers to revisit these classic Disney adventures.

To put it simply, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is an absolute blast. An over the top, fun filled cooperative shooter, with solid gunplay and great exploration which will have any lover of this genre smiling from ear to ear. Whilst there are some inconsistencies with enemy and bot balancing, and the game is on the short side, it’s still a great time. Add in superb visuals, great sound design and a rip roaring soundtrack and you have a real blast from the past! This is a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously and is just here for a good time! I can’t wait to go back for more.

Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown is a fine hybrid experience. With choose your own adventure elements, team management, exploration, and survival mechanics, this is an impressive addition to the genre. I enjoyed my time in deep space, but the harsh reality of failure will be a sticking point for many.

Sumerian Six is a fantastic addition to the genre. The stealth elements, sci-fi moments, storytelling, and complex missions are fascinating. Despite the annoying sound bites, this is an incredible game.

I have never managed to sink my teeth fully into a realistic simulator, but with Docked, that has dramatically changed. A surprisingly thoughtful story, full of wonderful characters and heart, really breaks the mould of what this genre is used to. Pack in brilliant tight responsive controls and stunning visuals and you have a recipe for success. Whilst some performance issues and repetitive missions may bring down your satisfaction, this is still a wonderful simulator with great business management options! I’m going back to Port Wake!

I had a lot of fun playing this one and the positives easily outweigh any negatives. I happily recommend this one to those who enjoy puzzles, pigeons and light-hearted, simple, cozy fun.