Petit Island is a wholesome family-friendly game that is wonderful to play. The slow action may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you like to relax and explore, this should be on your radar. It is easy to play and children will need little guidance to enjoy the story.

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.

Him and Her Collection is a minimalist puzzle title about separation and loss. You must rotate each world to create new paths and overcome obstacles. With 3 chapters and plenty of drip-fed mechanics, this will keep you busy.

Care Bears: To The Rescue is a safe, colourful, and fun family-friendly game. Moreover, the simple approach makes it the perfect game for inexperienced players. Though the action is rudimentary, young children will adore the colourful world and the lack of violence.

Music Drive: Chase the Beat is a short but sweet indie experience. The casual action can be confusing, but once you understand the core premise, you'll adore every pixelated moment.

Riftbound tries some new things within the lane defense genre and succeeds with most of them. As someone who isn’t a big fan of lane defense games, I enjoyed myself for the most of it. If you can look past the mediocre graphics and sound as well as stereotypical story, I can easily recommend this game to anyone who likes strategic lane defense games.

Spellcaster University is a niche magical experience. Can you build a university and work with every faction? Though the tutorial could have been better, trial and error and an excellent UI keep you on track.

Hitman: World of Assassination on Nintendo Switch 2 delivers an impressive stealth experience, bringing the complete trilogy to handheld and docked play without relying on cloud streaming. With strong performance, expansive replay value, and well-optimized controls, it's a solid port with only minor visual compromises. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this version offers a satisfying way to experience Agent 47’s globe-trotting missions on the go.

Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The London Case is a fun but simple detective adventure title. With colourful characters and an interesting and faithful story, this is great for fans of Christie's work. However, it is far too easy and that holds it back.

Quintus And The Absent Truth is a strange first-person horror adventure title. With loss and companionship at its core, it is emotive and haunting. Explore each chapter and solve puzzles with the help of your mouse friend Quintus. However, you may want to steer clear of the supernatural forces at play.

Truck and Logistics Simulator is a fun simulation experience. However, its lack of depth holds it back. Accordingly, this won't grab you like its peers. Instead, online action is where it excels. As such, if you have a great group of friends, you'll have a fantastic time.

Alter Age is an odd old-school RPG. Though the story is interesting and fun, the age changing mechanic is a little strange. Moreover, the combat is easy and this will disappoint hardcore gamers.

Grit and Valor is an admirable effort for the underserved, if incredibly niche, console RTS market. Unit customization and teambuilding grabbed my attention more than the moment-to-moment action itself, though some diehards may chalk that up to traditional genre conventions. If you’re a fan of the roguelite formula and willing to dabble in alternate gameplay types, this is certainly worth a look.

LONESTAR had potential, but it burns out fast. Once the novelty fades, you’re left with a shallow loop, forgettable unlocks, and no real reason to keep playing. It’s not broken, just hollow — and not worth the effort.

An entertaining amuse-bouche, with a good sense of humour and some decent horror-themed gunplay. A nice little teaser for the main event.

Splash Cars is a hectic arcade title that'll keep you playing for hours. With solo and cooperative options, plenty of cars to unlock, and many levels to complete, this is a great value title.

One of the most approachable and enjoyable 2D fighters I’ve ever played, Phantom Breaker: Omnia has the potential to be great, but nullifies the effectiveness of its battle mechanics by trying to be too accessible, which ultimately restricts the best action to the multiplayer modes.

Kick’n Hell is a wildly simple game that focuses on gameplay only. The game has a finish rate of 2-5 hours, and the in-game leaderboards are already stacked with absurd speedrun times. Kick’n Hell doesn’t want you to succeed or be happy. The game won’t even let you kick Satan! Truly, there is no reward in this game. I feel comfortable saying that it can sit on the same shelf as Sexy Hiking, and players can expect the same kind of experience.

Overall, Ys X: Nordics balances the familiar and the new, delivering an enjoyable experience for fans despite a few missteps. The land-based combat and character interactions are a hit, while the naval exploration and combat could benefit from refinement. It’s a game that brings excitement for long-time Ys fans and offers a good starting point for newcomers, albeit with the caveat that it may not be the series’ best effort at sea.

Rooten is a slow-paced and sinister horror-adventure title. With creepy NPCs, a lack of guidance, and an ominous atmosphere, this game will make your skin crawl.

Crown Wars: The black prince offers a compelling blend of tactical depth and medieval atmosphere. With future updates addressing the concerns raised by players, it has the potential to ascend to the ranks of gaming greatness and become a must-play title for strategy enthusiasts everywhere.

The Gap is a brave and mostly effective stab at a deep, emotional story. The non-linear way the story is told is an effective use of the medium but its otherwise uninspired gameplay and short length do drag it down a touch.

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.

Unfortunately, this isn’t long enough. Around 5 hours will get you through the body of the game and that was disappointing. Yes, there are collectables to find, but these add little to the action. What was great, though, were the interesting puzzles and riddles. These slower elements added some difficulty while breaking up the never-ending fights.

While it may seem as though technical and design snags have trampled my former compliments towards Tainted Grail, that is far from the case. Even if the experience doesn’t measure up to its idolized peers in terms of pure content, presentation, or popularity, the game’s efforts in occupying a similar philosophy to all-time greats is an aspiration often avoided by smaller studios. Not only this, but the unique storytelling, tone, and writing of Tainted Grail invested me in ways that many RPG staples never have. Even if bugs bound me to a choppy, imperfect experience, I more often than not found myself lost in the world of Avalon and what it had to offer me. Above all else, rolling the credits left me excited to see what is next for Questline.

“The Dark Cave” successfully merges deck-building and roguelite elements with rhythmic movement mechanics, delivering a challenging and rewarding experience. While the game’s environments can become repetitive and some translations need improvement, its strategic depth, character variety, and engaging mechanics make it a compelling choice for fans of the genre. With ongoing updates and potential for future content, “The Dark Cave” promises to keep players entertained and strategizing for many runs to come.

Bore Blasters is an amazing 8bits ship exploring game. The game concept is simple to grasp. The gameplay is amazing and always attracts you to explore more. Although the game lacks a bit some feature and the environment's procedural generation might need a tweak or two. It still fit to be a game that offers something for players after a busy workday.

Fitness Boxing Feat. Hatsune Miku is held back by a few practical problems that come with using Switch controllers, but it has enough charm to keep you off the sofa. Oddly fun, and a treat for anyone into Vocaloids.

Sands of Aura is an interesting and challenging indie title that is dark and sombre. With unique weapon mechanics and plenty of monsters to tackle, there is plenty to keep you busy. However, it has a few minor issues and that causes problems.

The Ruined King is varied enough that it kept me entertained throughout the majority of my playthrough, but combat fatigue eventually left me feeling a little exhausted by the end of it. While the story is fairly simplistic, the charming characters, mixed with the sublime art style, made it a fun jaunt overall. If you are a fan of League of Legends and turn-based RPGs, then this is the game for you. Otherwise, I’d recommend waiting until this goes on sale before picking it up for yourself.

Snezhinka overall ends up being a truly mixed bag. It has a muddling story that tries to make things emotional and serious but fails to achieve this, but it also has some fantastic gameplay that keeps you invested enough to see out the short tale. Coupled with fantastic visual design, and truly superb sound design and score, there’s enough here for the player to sink their teeth into for a few hours. I’m just left wondering what truly could have been if everything had come together. See you on the battlefield!

Bloodhound is a classic FPS with an old-school appeal. Furthermore, it is gory, brutal, and unbelievably loud. I adored the soundtrack and the mindless action. However, a lack of replay value and the clunky controls may drive you mad.

If you’re looking for a brief, no-pressure game for kids or just want a quick trip down memory lane, Frips and Froops offer that. But beyond that, there’s not much else to sink your teeth into. So, while it’s not groundbreaking, it’s still a harmless, if brief, experience.

A pocket-sized piece of interactive fiction, Quantum Witch does a lot of interesting things with its writing, but its abrupt length and love of quips stop it fully hitting home.

DarkStar One holds up remarkably well in 2024, with entry-level - but fun - space sim combat, and an air of deepness around its systems. The voice acting, plot and general repetitive feel drag it down a bit but I enjoyed my time with it.

There really aren’t many negative aspects to this simple, short game. It’s fun to play as close to a simulated-style game, doing as you like. There is no wrong or right, just humorous fun, and creative play! So I think the only thing that the game has me feeling is the need for more! It’s clearly a simple and a great game, and reminds me of a few well-designed games that required doodling; Scribblenauts or Drawn to Life. Despite the simplicity of the graphics and lackluster colors or character design, I’m just hooked to the charm of the freedom on how you play, I just can’t wait for another book to open and a new epic journey to begin.

Tales of Arise - Beyond the Dawn is a bit of a strange DLC. The developer waits nearly 2 years to revive its game. However, they have done a great job with the additional content. You get great value for money even though there are some minor shortcomings.

Tales from Candleforth is a dark and testing puzzle experience. However, its story is too short, and the controls are unfortunately sluggish. Thankfully, though, the aesthetics are interesting and I loved each small arena. Accordingly, though this game divides my opinion, I recommend buying it.

If you grew up in the PS1 era, this game will feel like coming home. The grind, the repetition, the slightly janky presentation, they’re all part of the package, for better or worse. And while those elements may frustrate newcomers, for me it only amplified the nostalgia. It really does feel like a lost classic dusted off and somehow still works. At its asking price, you’ll want to consider how much patience you have for repetition and how much value you place on nostalgia. But for players like me, who remember sneaking in rally sessions on my dad’s PlayStation, Rally Arcade Classics is more an addicting warm feeling.

Autopsy Simulator is a grim experience. This simulation title lets you run wild in a morgue. Furthermore, there is an uncomfortable horror edge that keeps you on your toes. However, too much hand-holding and not enough freedom prevent it from truly excelling. If the upcoming "autopsy-only" mode allows more freedom, then this will excel.

Kingdom's Dungeon Rage is a wonderfully simple but often cruel platform experience. 180+ levels stand before you and freedom. Each of these stages differs slightly, and it is this eye for detail and mundane approach that makes and breaks this title. If you love to have your buttons pushed, you'll adore every moment. However, if you hate repetitive and harsh action, this will really annoy you.

Zenless Zone Zero feels like a fresh take on a genre that Hoyoverse has done already. Its setting feels unique, and its combo-centric combat allows players to experiment and express their playstyles through team compositions and combo theory. All while maintaining what makes a Hoyoverse game unique: its cast of fun characters and stellar combat. The learning curve for this game is steeper, and the roster is thin out of the gate. For those looking for an action game to stick with for a while, Zenless Zone Zero is worth checking out.

Lunacy: Saint Rhodes is a strange horror experience. This supernatural title is tense and will make your heart race. However the strange plot may not be everyone's cup of tea. I liked the setting and eerie creatures. Yet, the lack of clear guidance was frustrating.

Last Days of Lazarus is a bizarre but wonderful story that is captivating and creepy. However, the action is held back by bugs and a short story. What's more, the heavy reliance on religious images may be off-putting.

Phantom Squad, is a bold and uncompromising tactical shooter that rewards planning, precision, and communication above all else. If you’re someone who thrives on cooperative tension, enjoys coordinating breaches, and can laugh off repeated failures, you’ll find something special here. That said, if you’re looking for streamlined solo play or gradual difficulty, Phantom Squad may be too steep.

It’s nothing, but a beautiful and well-designed game.

If you’re a fan of arcade-style shooters, roguelikes, or simply enjoy blasting your way through waves of enemies in space, Interstellar Plunderer is a game worth checking out. It offers a polished gameplay experience with a charming retro aesthetic and a strong focus on loot-driven progression. However, be prepared for some repetition.

Blackberry Honey is a delightful visual novel title about a blooming romance. Society frowns upon their love, but Lorina and Taohua cannot fight their desires. It is beautifully written and is captivating from the first line.

Jumanji: Wild Adventures is a child-friendly title that utilises some classic mechanics. However, it is a little tedious for older gamers. Consequently, don't expect too much depth. As such, my kids adored every straightforward moment.

If you have the money to spare or see the game on sale I would highly recommend experiencing what this title has to offer.

NASCAR 25 is a good simulation, including multiple modes that, while similar in some aspects, let players experience the breadth of the racing experience. It’s not the most beginner-friendly product in the world, and I doubt that it will catch on with those outside the sport’s sphere of influence, but longtime fans should be satisfied with the offer on display.

Trident's Tale is a fun, cheeky, and enjoyable pirate adventure. However, it lacks originality because of the well-trodden mechanics. If you can overlook that issue, you'll lose yourself in a vibrant world filled with colourful characters.

Timberman: The Big Adventure is a nostalgia-infused experience that made me smile. This rudimentary title may be too easy for genre veterans. However, I loved the garish colours and interesting stage design. Moreover, the mini-games were addictive.

It’s not a combination of what I usually like but it does the basics well enough that many will like it. I give it a 7/10. Its negatives mostly lie in the fact that the gameplay can get dull and tiring after long hours. And how much of the game only pulls off average and not exceeding beyond that.

Harvest Hunt has a great foundation: a deep and twisted story and enthralling gameplay. It has so much going for it, and yet, it’s just not quite there. There’s obviously a lot of love in this project, and that passion is clear when you read the compendium and sift through the hand-drawn art. But I fear that novelty may just wear off too quickly with a lot of players. We need variation, new settings, and a change of pace. Maybe add these and a touch of polish, and you’d be looking at a stunning title that would attract horror fans across the world. Harvest Hunt is a truly promising game and one I would recommend to anyone looking for a bit of a thrill. But in this state, it just feels a little… lacking. Like the people living in the gloomy town of Luna Nova, Harvest Hunt needs a little more meat on its bones.

Wuthering Waves is a free-to-play gatcha game. They want you to spend your time in their world and hopefully spend money on it. So, is Wuthering Waves worth playing? I think long-term, it is. Its combat is very solid, and the exploration aspect is also fun. Its biggest faults are the story, which is very weak, and the voice acting of some characters is subpar. To Kuro Games’ credit, they are working to address these issues. The game has been patched constantly since I started playing, and they are working to address the voice acting. If you’re looking for a fast-paced action game and a deep, open world, I recommend Wuthering Waves. If you’re more of a story person, maybe wait to see if the story improves.

AEW: Fight Forever is a sports simulation title that will appease a massive fan base. This excellent wrestling game has a deep career with excellent customisation options. Moreover, it can be enjoyed casually off and online.

Overpass 2 is a challenging racing title that won't be for everyone. However, if you like to push yourself to the limit then this is the game for you. Yet, a tough learning will put off many would-be gamers.

Hopdodge is a challenging retro grid-based puzzle title. With interesting stages, tough mechanics, and a strange viewpoint, this isn't a game for the faint of heart. However, if you love an old-school title that'll test you, then look no further.

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

Darkwood is a dark, suspenseful top-down horror game that will test your nerve as you try to find a way out.

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.

Mortal Sin is the first dungeon crawler I have ever played, and I now have very high expectations for the rest. This was because of Its fun and addictive combat, appealing graphics and well designed enemies and areas, just to name a few. There aren't many games that I review which I want to go back and put more hours in, however with Mortal Sin I can't help myself but want to experience more of the fast-paced and bloody combat.

Defend the Rook is a tough rogue-lite turn-based tower defence title. With multiple classes to pick from, many enemies to thwart, and some challenging levels to overcome, this isn't for the faint of heart. I adored every moment, but sluggish controls let it down. Other than this, it is a great game that should be on your radar.

The Sisters 2 - Road to Fame is an action-packed child-friendly adventure title. However, it is tedious and repetitive if you are an adult. With colourful but flawed graphics and cringeworthy sound bites, this will drive you insane. Yet, your kids will cherish the adorable gameplay and the never-ending content.

Despite some of the flaws of this game, I enjoyed my time with Daimon Blades. The combat felt great and fast-paced and I enjoyed the progress system. Much of my complaints about this game are things that I hope will get fixed on future updates to the early access version or the full game release. The is currently listed at $34.99 USD on Steam, so I’d understand if most would want to hold off on it till full release or sale. Regardless, if what I described sounded like it was up your alley, then show the devs some support and give this game a shot. If you’ve got a friend you could convince to get this game, it has multiplayer. All-in-all, I hope that this game continues to polish a lot of its rough edges till full release.

Ultimately, this game is a mixed bag. Its combat is addictive and well-designed, offering plenty of content, secrets, and mechanics to keep players engaged. However, the lack luster graphics, at times frustrating enemy design, and odd gameplay choices hold it back from reaching its full potential. It’s a game worth playing, but perhaps one best picked up during a sale.

Blacksad: Under the Skin is a great fantasy detective experience. The grim and gritty plot is captivating, and I loved how much of the action was based on the comic book. The mind map was fascinating, and I loved the combination of slow exploration and QTEs. Unfortunately, some graphical issues and sluggish controls hold it back.

Ancient Phantasma feels like a missed opportunity for KEMCO to push their boundaries. It’s business as usual with a few tweaks, but it won’t be the game that hooks you in for the long haul.

The Inquisitor is a dark and grim adventure title. Moreover, it seamlessly blends 2 unique realms. As such, it is an enjoyable investigatory game that combines puzzles, exploration, and combat. Yet, the latter of those elements is its Achilles Heel.

Color Pals is a colourful 2D maze-like adventure puzzle title. This straightforward concept is easy to understand and thoroughly enjoyable to experience. Furthermore, it is addictive, annoying, and worth every penny.

After Light Fades was a nice reminder to slow down and blow up the rocks. Its unique take on puzzles, extensive level selection, and care-free approach invites everyone willing to be challenged. The beautiful graphics help players stay longer. But rest assured, it is challenging. The difficulty arises quickly within the first few levels. I spent an hour on one puzzle in the first world, and it didn’t get better once I knew what I was doing. I’ll say it, “It’s the Dark Souls of puzzle games,”.

Firewall: ultra is not an exceptional game like the first version and the most important game of the platform it was released on. But it’s definitely entertaining and fun (especially with friends) and you can spend a lot of time in it.

Trinity Trigger will certainly endear itself to fans of 90s JRPGs with its aesthetic and world-building for sure but do bear in mind that emulating the 90s isn’t always a good thing in video-game land.

In an era of an overwhelming amount of fantasy open world games, The Knightling tries its best to stand out with its solid story, charming visuals, unique dialogue and musical score. In a world of far too many bloated open worlds, it’s refreshing to see a compact and brisk story, set in a vast world. Whilst combat can become far too repetitive and platforming can be tedious, I truly admire the developers’ attempts to think outside the box with some of their design philosophies. Sadly, performance issues may sour your experience but overall, this is a tale worth being told!

After a few missions, the novelty wears thin. The clunky controls, the repetitive grind, the constant rebuilding… it starts to feel more like a chore than a challenge. And in a world full of polished strategy games and tightly tuned shooters, going back to Block Fortress 2 just doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s good. Not great. Not bad. Just good. And sometimes, good isn’t enough to earn a second playthrough.

Kudzu is a non-linear adventure game for the Game Boy, inspired by old-school Zelda and "Metroidvania" titles. Play as apprentice gardener Max and find Master Zoen, who has mysteriously gone missing in the Kudzu Fields.

Mystic Gate is a cruel and harsh rogue-lite title. You'll die, respawn, and die again. This simple gameplay loop won't be enough for some, but I enjoyed its sinister and often unfair ways.

Melee combat and parkour remain an entertaining pairing, but Dying Light is beginning to feel like it's just going through the motions.

If you can look past the clunkiness in the presentation, you'll find some deep and interesting mechanics in Men of War II. The gruelling grind of its combat makes it great for generating stories, though there is a distinct lack of polish.

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is a challenging soulslike title. What's more, its death mechanics are cruel, there is a distinct lack of guidance, and a day/night cycle makes things tougher still. Yet, stunning graphics and interesting audio keep you going. Furthermore, "The Ritual" is interesting, often unfair, but worthy of your time. Moreover, a range of colourful and interesting characters help to keep you on your toes.

When you get the game to work Red Ego have made significant improvements on the franchise’s first outing. The voice acting, storyline and artwork are all wonderful. Just be careful of the bugs… and monsters.

Give this title some time for it to resolve all of its bugs and glitches, and with that I think Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom can transform into something more.

Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy is a tough rogue-like fantasy adventure title. With vivid graphics, lush audio, and interesting ideas, it has mountains of potential. However, its combat elements and NPC interactions undermine much of the action. Consequently, it could have been amazing, but it isn't as great as it should have been.

Though I despise losing hours of hard work, there is a part of me that adores the high risk. The genre pushes you from start to end and Vagante will test you because of its solid and tough mechanics. It’s a gem of an indie title that stands out from the crowd. Disappointingly, its graphics weren’t as strong as I’d have liked, but this is a minor complaint.

Unusual Findings is a point-and-click adventure title that is filled with nostalgia. With old-school references and wonderfully pixelated graphics, this is one crazy story that shouldn't be missed.

Fae Farm is a magical life-sim that ticks many boxes. However, its time restricted approach may drive people mad. The story-driven quests, magic, and pleasant relationships make this a wholesome and enjoyable casual experience.

Pogo Stick Champion is a challenging platform experience. However, its brutality is complemented by the stunning and relaxing aesthetic. Can you tackle each of the 60 levels whilst overcoming saws, lasers, chasms, and other dangers? My only complaint is it is far too tough for casual gamers.

It’s not such a bad game. Simple, quick, and easy with its challenging features, trying to hit each beat on time. Though with full honesty, I’m not a big fan of music genres when it comes to gaming, but this wasn’t too bad. It’s all about perfect timing, with each little activity and it gets a little challenging, but can be a bit boring for me. However if music games are things you love that is fine too, don’t let me push you away from this game.

Nick Jr Party Adventure is a simple puzzle experience for younger gamers. The familiar characters and colourful settings will appeal to primary school children. Additionally, you can play this together if your child struggles with the larger and more complex stages. Unfortunately, the pre-release version has some issues. However, I have been assured that these will be resolved. Accordingly, my score is based on this understanding.

While the story may be a little short, and the menus somewhat basic, the style is simple but very effective. Though it may not be a game that you play forever, it’s a great way to spend half an hour if you need a little competitive action. If you’re looking for a cheap party game to play with a couple of friends then look no further, Nyaaaanvy is the perfect pick.

With six hours of gameplay to hand, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles is occasionally a very engaging game. With an incredibly story-telling nature and a Rolodex of enemies to face, if you’re new to Demon Slayer then this may be a foot in the door. However, if you are familiar and consider yourself a fan of the franchise then I think there are just a few too many holes in the mechanics and story to sell this game to you. But, if you’re willing, then I would recommend it for a fun hands-on approach to a much-loved title. It won’t be that detrimental to your love for the franchise, but be prepared to question certain elements.

Unplugged is a solid VR rhythm game that delivers a fun and accessible way to unleash your inner rockstar. The intuitive controls, diverse soundtrack, and engaging visuals make it a compelling experience for VR enthusiasts and casual music game fans. However, the absence of hand-tracking technology on PSVR2 might leave more experienced musicians wanting more.

With an interesting story and some decent puzzle mechanics, System of Souls has all the ingredients for a good sci-fi puzzler, but with its best parts rarely firing in tandem, it only shows flashes of its real potential. Being a little rough around the edges, however, shouldn’t keep away fans of the genre though as there are a few thought-provoking hours for those willing to give it a shot.

Mafia: The Old Country is the kind of game that a true fan can respect. It’s a strike of lightning back to the soul of Mafia, quiet, violent, ritualistic, and weighed down by tradition. The visuals, the writing, the performances, they all deliver that rare feeling of authenticity and mood that modern open worlds often sacrifice. But, as someone who still chafes at regimented stealth, repetitive knife duels, and there-but-not-there worlds, the nostalgia wears thin when mechanics don’t evolve. I understand going back to the roots, but games still need to evolve and unfortunately The Old Country plays mostly on nostalgia. if you want to close your eyes and step into a moody, beautifully staged Sicilian crime saga, this is it. Just don’t be surprised if once the credits roll, you’re left craving more depth, more unpredictability, and maybe a little more life outside the script.

The Serpent Rogue is a tough, no-nonsense action-adventure title. You must explore, experiment, and battle whatever blocks your path. You'll die repeatedly as you fumble your way to victory. It's hard work, but oh so rewarding.

I really enjoyed my time with Bred and Fred, but the single player mode really makes it a more frustrating experience than it needs to be. This is a title that I can highly recommend if you have someone who wouldn’t mind sitting down and putting a couple of hours into it with you. Otherwise, I highly recommend that you prepare yourself for a frustrating time as you throw a rock around in efforts to achieve the same results as someone else who has a competent partner with them.

Boti: Byteland Overclocked is an adorable adventure for anyone looking to play through it alone or with a friend.