Wanted: Dead is a fantastic old-school shooter. This retro title has a brilliant modern finish, smooth controls, and excellent animation. What's more, your foes are tough and each mission is captivating and interesting. However, you may not like the linear gameplay.

Albatroz is a stunning game of self-discovery. Moreover, the story is interesting and the setting is wonderful. Though it won't be for everyone, I fell for its melancholy charms.

Havendock is a cute and addictive base building title. Can you manage yourself, your settlers, and the surrounding world to survive for as long as possible? Build structures, farm, fish, and dive below the waves in this wonderfully deep city-building experience.

Prose & Codes is more than worth its asking price. Still, I’d like to point out the fact that the developers mention that “a portion of every sale goes to Project Gutenberg”, but I was unable to find any concrete information regarding how much a “portion” actually is. Nonetheless, the fact that sales of the game support the Gutenberg Project is just the icing on the cake. If you’re an avid reader and enjoy solving puzzles, this will most surely be a great addition to your digital library.

Lies of P is a fantastic soulslike game with strong homages to Bloodborne. The combat is fun, with the upgradability of the weapon feeling unique in how it impacts gameplay more than simply increasing damage. Resource management can be challenging, and if you can endure the inconsistency in combat, it is worth checking out. Lies of P feels familiar, yet distinctly unique, with a wonderful story and a dark aesthetic.

Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions is a touching and interesting tactical title. Moreover, I loved how it tackled issues of anxiety and separation. Additionally, the combat mechanics and varied combos ensure that each stage is different.

This is a genre that attracts a large but particular audience. Yet, the freedom to do as you wish, and the multiplayer action make it more viable for casual gamers. What’s more, the fascinating character progression, the hidden secrets, the unlockable vendors, and much more make this stand out from its peers.

Noel the Mortal Fate is a fascinating action-adventure title. With incredible aesthetics and a wonderful story, it is easy to adore this game. What's more, its simple approach allows you to revel in every dramatic twist and turn.

Pacific Drive blends peaceful car maintenance with chaotic - and frequently unnerving - surges of anamolies. Impeccable atmosphere and strong writing are coupled with an enjoyable gameplay loop. Both halves suffer from some limitations, but its a very strong showing nonetheless.

Ready, Steady, Ship is a fast-paced and challenging production line simulator. Moreover, it has some weird and wonderful curveballs to keep you on your toes. The high-energy action can be tough to navigate, but if you have a friend, you can enjoy this via Steam Remote Play. It is a tough nut to crack, but it is worth the effort!

Total War: Warhammer III is the perfect finale.

Once Upon a Jester is a phenomenal and hilarious adventure title that'll make your sides hurt. I adored its crazy plot, excellent aesthetics, and original approach. My only complaint is its lack of longevity and replay value.

Dysmantle is a phenomenal survival adventure title. It picks the best elements from each genre and blends them to create a gem of an indie title. You must explore, hunt, kill, and escape the cursed island.

Way of the Hunter is a slow-paced but engrossing hunting simulation title. With beautiful scenery, stunning animals, and plenty of fantastic mechanics, this oozes realism. If you want a fulfilling and deep experience, then look no further.

The Casting of Frank Stone is a dark and twisted horror title that will thrill you. The graphics are fantastic and the audio is chilling. Furthermore, the protagonists add a layer of spice to this brilliant cinematic twist. If you like the freedom to explore, this game may annoy you. The cinematic and linear-focused areas keep you on track. However, the branching storylines and plot twists expand the action repeatedly.

Deadlink delivers a fast-paced, action-packed FPS roguelite experience with a striking cyberpunk aesthetic, though its steep difficulty and intense visual style might not appeal to all players.

Monster Hunter Rise’s combat is excellent, and the PC version is virtually a perfect port of the Switch version. As someone who had never played a Monster Hunter game before, I’m hooked.

It’s a game with so many lovely images that you’d want to capture a photo of. The graphic art is just gorgeous and so are the well-designed characters. I also think the enemies are quite cute and silly in a cartoony way. Lastly, Ary And The Secret Of Seasons is a perfect family-style game for young to old, not too easy or difficult, but just a whole lotta fun.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a reboot of the Shinobi series. This new addition is fast-paced, striking, and a joy to play. Whether you are a veteran or new to the franchise, you'll adore every minute.

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a spectacular remake! If you are a lover of dungeon crawling games, then this remake of an acclaimed 80s title will be right up your street. It is cruel, fun, rewarding, and wonderfully retro.

Noobs are Coming is a fun and silly rogue-like top-down shooter that'll make you scream. Take on the role of the boss as you tackle never-ending waves of noobs. Fun, addictive, and just a little silly!

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is brilliantly addictive. I love the old-school edge, the rapid gameplay, and the step down memory lane. In short, it is fantastic.

No problem is enough to detract from all the things Loop Hero gets right, thankfully. It’s full of ideas, excellent in their implementation and unusual in their concept. It merges different genres successfully and will rule your every thought for some days. The enthusiasm can wane over time, the narrative is a bit sparse, but this is a delightful game, full of heart and character, bursting with originality and excellent mechanics. If Loop Hero sounds even a little fascinating to you, just go for it and you won’t regret it.

F1 Manager 2024 is a thrilling simulation experience that improves on last year's title. I loved the new features and the in-depth information. Moreover, the sponsorship and mentality elements add realism.

I’ve experienced many strategy titles and turn-based games, yet Battle Brothers stands out. It’s unbelievably difficult while being super rewarding. Moreover, no playthrough is ever the same, and this keeps you playing.

Ember Knights excels in practically every element. However, the poor story was disappointing. If you can look past this issue, you'll enjoy one of the best rogue-like titles I've experienced. It is colourful, fast-paced and wonderfully challenging.

Unsolved Case: The Scarlet Hyacinth is a great murder mystery experience. The story, characters, and pacing are well-considered. Moreover, the puzzles are the right side of challenging. Had the hint system been perfectly balanced, this would be a flawless game.

Voyage is a touching and heartfelt cinematic puzzle adventure title. Can you work together to solve the haunting mystery? Explore a bizarre and surreal world and uncover the many secrets it holds. This is one indie title that stands out from its peers, even if it is painfully short.

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.

Rogue Legacy 2 is phenomenal. It’s as amusing as its predecessor, but it evolves past those fantastic foundations. If you love the original or the genre, you’ll adore this.

Sorry We're Closed is strange but great to play. The dated visuals and stiff controls will not appeal to everyone, but I enjoyed a trip down memory lane.

Steve Jackson's Sorcery! is a fantastic text-based RPG adventure. You must pick your path, make multiple decisions, and live with the consequences. Subsequently, it is a massive game that is full of surprises and secrets. Therefore, you'll lose yourself in a wonderful computerised rendition of Steve Jackson's epic world.

Casey Jones and The Junkyard Jam DLC is a great addition to a wonderful game. It utilises every core component while adding a new path to Shredder. You must work alone or with friends as you tackle every enemy and survive. It is tough, harsh, but incredibly fun and rewarding.

Overall, I had a blast and will definitely continue playing this one post-review. I haven’t beaten all the chapters yet and I’ve heard the Old One Cthulhu itself makes an appearance. If you were or still are a fan of boomer shooter games such as Doom, I encourage you to give this one a try! I would also recommend this game to those that enjoy the oddities of the Lovecraftian genre as the attention to details will fully immerse you within a Lovecraftian world. A big bravo to Byte Barrel and I’ll be sure to keep my eyes open for what they do next.

High on Life is one of those games that punches hard with style and character. Once you’ve started playing, you won’t be able to stop. Perhaps some people may find the humor a little much at times, but I had a blast.

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.

Biomutant is a fantastic open-world RPG. What's more, the environment, creatures, crafting, abilities, and plot will blow you away. I loved it, and I'm glad I waited until the next-gen update.

The experience I came out with was more than worth it. It’s fun, weird and unsettling. What more could I ask for? I give it an 8.5/10. The only problems lie in the fact that I wanted more, more puzzles, more story, and also I’d love a bit more creepiness to keep the namesake. Anyways those were my thoughts on Creepy tale: some other place.

I was pleasantly surprised by Strange Horticulture. It sports an extremely satisfying loop of collecting, cataloging, and solving puzzles.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders - Highlands is a stylish addition to the incredible base game. I love the smooth controls, challenging stages, and chilled action. A brilliant DLC.

Beacon Pines is a phenomenal adventure title that is touching and amusing. Control a group of friends who must discover the truth no matter the cost. With visual novel elements and some puzzle mechanics, this is hard to put down. Consequently, it is a great indie title that must be seen to be believed.

Atlas Wept has a strong visual design that helps it touch on its core themes. Pain, loss and the desperate search for identity. It explores them well and has an interesting combat system to boot.

Bahnsen Knights is a fantastic addition to the pixel pulps franchise. The incredible dialogue and grim aesthetic are captivating and tough to swallow. Additionally, the plot twists are unexpected and fascinating to experience.

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.

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!

Deathless. The Hero Quest is a fantastic addition to the roguelite genre with an intriguing narrative, strong gameplay loop and gorgeous visuals. Whilst the level of depth in relation to the deck building may not satisfy some hardcore fans of the genre, it’s still a great experience. Sadly, some animations can affect your enjoyment of the game, but for the most part, this is an absolute blast in a great fantasy setting!

Forspoken is an urban-come-high-fantasy open-world, action-adventure game played in the third person. Combining magic and parkour, you take on the role of Frey as she learns to understand her new abilities in a strange world that needs saving from disaster.

House Flipper 2 is a great life-sim that will impress fans of the franchise. However, its catalogue isn't as impressive at its predecessor. Yet, with some time, this will change. Accordingly, though I wanted more furniture and building materials, I was impressed by the level of details and the fun tasks at hand.

Blood West is a cruel and tough stealth FPS. Moreover, its retro approach and slow-gameplay will appeal to older gamers. However, its brutal learning curve will put off many would-be fans.

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.

Parkitect is a fantastic example of the sim genre. It is fun, challenging, and wonderfully addictive. It has amazing old-school vibes and lovers of Theme Park and Theme Hospital will adore every minute.

Train Sim World VR New York is an immersive train driving experience. Though there are some minor detail issues, I enjoyed the arcade-style gameplay and the sense of realism. This is a great step in the right direction and I can see the VR landscape evolving nicely as a consequence.

The only real negative lies in the fact that I not only wanted more but felt there should be. And also the AI that held me up for a half hour.

Astral Ascent is a tough and cruel rogue-like that'll test your patience and skills. Additionally, it is filled with lore, interesting characters, and fascinating level design. However, it is so tough that it'll defeat many gamers.

New World: Aeternum is a brilliant fantasy MMORPG. The large world is spectacular to explore. Moreover, character progression and the list of never-ending tasks will keep you busy for hours. If you love the genre, you'll adore this PC and console gaming experience.

Warhammer 40,000 Special Pack DLC is a highly detailed fantasy addition to a much-loved franchise. Each of the 5 levels will test your patience, resolve, and eye for detail. Moreover, it is wonderful when playing with a friend. However, word of warning, the large machines take a lot of effort to clean!

Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos is a fantastic addition to a much-loved franchise. With open-world elements and familiar farming mechanics, this is a wonderful game to play. The only negative is the action can be sparse and slow-paced.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a touching and nostalgia-infused musical adventure title. Moreover, it remains faithful to the 90s cartoon and the books. As such, if you love the franchise, you will adore everything you see.

Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition is a phenomenal remaster of the acclaimed 2003 title. The story is excellent, the dialogue is fascinating, and the compact world is a joy to explore. However, poor controls and clunky teamwork occasionally hold it back. Yet, if you can ignore these problems, you'll cherish every dated moment!

A Perfect Day is a captivating visual novel. Moreover, the melancholy plot plods along at a comfortable rate. As such, this is a relaxing albeit repetitive title that surpassed my expectations. However, its laid-back approach will restrict its appeal.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is a strange visual novel that is wonderfully strange. Moreover, it has colourful characters and a phenomenal story. Alongside this, the musical element was powerful, impressive, and extremely bizarre. However, its approach is niche and this will alienate some gamers.

Make Way is a crazy racing game that can be enjoyed alone or with others. Moreover, the insane action doesn't stop until there is a winner. Therefore, you must build a never-ending race course that is filled with stunts, traps, weapons, and brutal corners. It is maddening, challenging, but oh so addictive.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is an exceptional rogue-like that is tough and fun to tackle. Furthermore, it has mountains of replay value and plenty of character builds to work through. You'll have a great time if you play this alone. However, it excels when you take Shredder down with your friends.

Tour de France 2023 is a realistic cycling simulation title. With tactical choices, plenty of races to undertake, and several specialities to master, this is perfect for lovers of the tour. However, dated graphics and repetitive audio hold it back.

The Wandering Village is a brilliant addition to a well-trodden genre. I loved the setting and the interesting twists on familiar gameplay. Moreover, it is included as part of the Game Pass subscription service.

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.

Destroy all Humans! 2 - Reprobed is an amusing smutty title. You must control Crypto and seek revenge against the KGB. En route, you encounter some weird and eclectic people. Befriend some of them, but leave behind the people that hold you back.

RoadCraft is a fantastic open-world sandbox experience. 8 campaigns and plenty of missions stand between you and victory. Moreover, there are loads of vehicles, plenty of scrap, and multiplayer gameplay to keep you entertained.

The Precinct is a fantastic police adventure title. It is grim, gritty, and full of crime. You must rise to the top as you arrest every scumbag and discover the truth behind your dad's death. A must-play indie experience.

Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express is a fantastic whodunnit murder mystery. You must use your investigatory skills and your mind map to find the evidence and piece together the clues. With puzzles and plenty of colourful characters, this will keep you busy.

Mullet Madjack is a tough but enjoyable FPS. Time is not on your side and killing every robot is the only way to survive. The action is cruel, uncomfortable, but brilliantly addictive. It is unusual and a break from the norm. However, this is one title that I absolutely adore!

Reanimal has a dark story, carefully crafted for a deep exploration into the concept of dehumanization using animals as symbols. The gameplay is fully 3D and features improved combat, but falls short in its platforming and puzzles. The visuals are outstanding, creating an eye-catching dark atmosphere and world with high-fidelity graphics and perfect performance. Sound design and soundtracks harmonize with the visuals to further immerse the player in its darkness. Reanimal has both improvements and drawbacks, with enough shortcomings to place it slightly below Little Nightmares 2.

Clawpunk is an excellent rogue-like that'll keep you busy for hours. Although it is often cruel, it'll push your buttons and keep you coming back for more!

Broforce is a tough but enjoyable run 'n-gun title. Moreover, it is wonderfully retro and can be enjoyed solo or with others online. Alongside this, it is included in the Game Pass subscription service.

Stuffed with things to do, Holdfast truly understands how to foster co-ordination, and its community, mostly, fully embraces that.

If I was to sum up my time and thoughts on The Land Beneath Us, I would say it has been addictive and absorbing. With the roguelite mechanics, every time I died my first thought was, ‘I’m going back for more!’ The unique twist on turn-based combat made me love plotting my movements and attacking my foes. It’s a wonderful showcase on innovative combat design. Whilst there are some frustrations with sound design and some issues with movement sensitivity, this game is more than worth your while. Great visuals, character design and a strong soundtrack help see this game home. A great indie game for a steal of a price. See you in the underworld!

Magnificent.

Athanasy is dark, creepy, and sinister. Its dystopian world is unfair, cruel, and depressing. However, you won't be able to put it down. With incredible graphics, interesting characters, and atmospheric audio, this is a great sci-fi read.

ROBOBEAT is a rhythm-based FPS that tests your patience and ability to feel the beat. Moreover, its sci-fi edge is unnerving as neon-infused arenas are filled with projectiles and grim enemies. Consequently, you must utilise the clever stage design and shoot to the beat if you wish to succeed. My only complaint is the familiar gameplay mechanics.

Freedom Planet 2 is a fast-paced old-school platformer that has a Sonic edge. I loved the intricate stage design and the garish colour palette. Additionally, the controls are tight, and the audio is disgustingly upbeat. However, it can be tough to keep on top of everything and this may put off some gamers.

When S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl clicks on all cylinders, the game is an atmospheric tour de force with a mysterious and unique story, haunting environments and enemy design and exhilarating gunplay. Add in industry leading sound design and a beautiful musical score and you’ve got the recipe for a great survival horror game. Unfortunately, erratic AI, some visual and performance issues, uneven voice work and a gruelling campaign length will put some players off. However, if you can look past these deficiencies you’ll fall in love with this truly unique game. I am in awe of how this game exists for developers in circumstances I cannot begin to fathom. Long live the Zone!

OlliOlli World is a fantastic 2.5D adventure sports title. Do you have what it takes to become the next Skate Wizard? Perform tricks, grind rails, leap chasms, and complete every task across 5 unique districts. It's colourful, loud, fun, and will remind you of the 90s.

Grapple Dog is an extremely fun experience. It’s got a solid story and definitely has challenging aspects to keep you coming back.

Phantoms has a lot of potential and can be enjoyable as a short, terrifying experience.

Evil Dead: The Game is a homage to 80s horror and Sam Raimi. It captures the franchise perfectly and you'll grimace and chuckle as the action unfolds. It is excellent as a multiplayer experience. However, solo gamers will find it unfairly harsh and this will frustrate you.

This is a game that gets a wholehearted recommendation for anyone who has even the slightest creative itch, but this game is especially directed towards the younger crowd. It’s a wonderful, relaxing, and endlessly fun experience that proves sometimes, the best games are the ones that let you simply sit back and create.

Those issues aside, Wreckfest provides a strong offering full of content that will appeal to both casuals and fans alike. The gameplay is innately fun and with the addition of unlockables and a wealth of customisation options, there is plenty to keep you interested if somehow the allure of absolute carnage wasn’t enough.

Skewer Squad takes a simple, silly idea and turns it into a smart, addictive strategy experience. It’s fast, charming, and endlessly replayable, with just enough depth to keep you thinking between runs. If you enjoy tower defence games with a charming style and for a very affordable price this title is and extremely easy recommendation.

The video game equivalent of sinking into a nice, warm bath. While it could lean a bit harder into its own coziness, it creates a lovely atmosphere and pairs it with some simple, pleasant puzzles.

TEVI offers up an adorable and fascinating world. The movement feels great, exploration is rewarding and the soundtrack is fantastic. Combat is unfortunately a bit too flat and unbalanced and there are a few tone issues. Still, TEVI is a cracking Metroidvania and the world is a delight to explore.

Roguebook is a fantastic fantasy deck-building title. Its gameplay is easy to understand while still being complex enough to challenge you. Unfortunately, the rogue-lite elements are harsh but they make it oh so moreish.

Live A Live is an excellent set of stories contained within a very polished package. The remastered elements are fantastic, with the music and art a particular highlight. Sadly some elements of 90s video games have not aged well and could’ve done with an update here. Having said that, if you love a nostalgia trip and have the odd masochistic tendency then this will easily be a 10/10 for you as what it does well it knocks out of the park.

Cions of Vega is a slow and atmospheric walking simulator. With interesting puzzles, understated platforming elements, and touching narration, this proves that Bodur is back to his best. However, a lack of replay value and longevity prevents it from excelling.

Despot's Game is a cruel rogue-lite set in a dystopian world. Search the labyrinthine world as you appease a sick voyeuristic monster. Command your army, set their formation, and watch each automated encounter. It is brutal, unfair, and guaranteed to make you scream.

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.

Speed Crew is a fun and challenging solo or multiplayer simulation title. The tight level design and array of obstacles will test your patience, friendships, and skills. If you love this genre, you'll adore everything on offer. However, the solo experience is a little unfair and this holds it back.

DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms is a fantastic family-friendly title. With a generous number of levels to explore, some interesting dragons to control, and a fair learning curve, this will keep you interested while challenging you. Furthermore, there is plenty of longevity and replay value. If you love How to Train a Dragon, you'll adore this game.

Nine Noir Lives is a fantastic contemporary take on the Point and Click genre. It masterfully blends comedy with intrigue, which culminate together in a captivating and suspenseful story. The characters are equally as entertaining, and are expertly performed by a talented array of voice actors. Artistically, the hand painted backdrops are absolutely stunning, and composer Travis Ford DeCastro does an immaculate job of complementing them through his music. For fans old and new to the genre, you owe it to yourself to play this game.