Simon the Sorcerer Origins is a brilliant prequel to a much-loved series! It is colourful, witty, and great fun to play. The story is well told and I enjoyed every moment. A must-play game!

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!

Rollerdrome is visually wonderful. Comic book-styled cel-shaded art paired with punchy vibrant colours. Everything from the character art to the environments and enemies on the course is superb. You can’t help but feel slightly uneasy, however. While everything is bright and fun the underlying story is one that is intrinsically dark and dystopian in nature. Sadly, you never get enough of the story (it’s just not that kind of game) and I would love it if this world could be fleshed out in some way.

Yes, it may feel a tad bit slow at times but with a little push, any true appreacter of games, will easily spend hours in this wonderful little game. It is quite evident from the get go that a lot of effort went in. As the game proceeds, this feeling only becomes better and the loop more enticing.

Alluring, charming adaptation of the well-known, award-winning Quilts & Cats of Calico board game.

Perennial Order is a tough souls-like that has an incredible lore-riddled plot. This boss rush experience will push your buttons. Moreover, the creepy environment and hulking beasts are captivating. Accordingly, this is a dark game that begs to be played.

A slower, more calculated era of Frostpunk. Frostpunk 2 preserves the storyteller aspect, though the lean into more classical city building may put off those looking for drama. Personally, I enjoyed the glimpse into what happens when people conquer extinction.

The story is ordinary and acceptable and strong in some final parts. The gameplay is extremely smooth, varied and fun, the camera movement is a bit difficult and the loadings are annoying. Great level design makes the game never repetitive. The visuals are beautiful and the art is charming, but it doesn’t run at 4k60fps. The soundtracks are very catchy.

For long-time fans, this is a satisfying conclusion. For newcomers, it is a reminder that horror does not need excess to be effective. Sometimes all it needs is a broken cartoon, a flickering screen, and the feeling that you should not be watching this.

From the opening gambit, I knew this would be a special game. Yet, it was the sheer layers of complexity and the never-ending content that took me by surprise. Furthermore, the story is a wonderful blend of parody and tongue-in-cheek humour. As such, this will make you chuckle even though every mission can be demanding of your time and attention. If you want a brilliantly casual title that is amusing and addictive, then look no further.

Newfound Courage is a fantastic adventure title that blends an array of genres. It will be a hit with the LBGTQ community, but it should resonate with every gamer that plays it. The characters are charming and the story is touching and heartwarming. As such, you'll adore it from the beginning to the end as you undertake a surreal journey of discovery.

Space Marine 2 is a triumphant return to this beloved chapter of the 40K franchise. Superb combat and weighty game and gun play help raise the stakes for a enjoyable if not ground-breaking story that sometimes takes itself a little bit too seriously. Great customization options and great PvE and PvP modes further this strong package that is just a blast to play. This game is not revolutionary in what it is trying to achieve and it doesn’t care. It wants you to have a good time and boy did I! Superb visuals and strong sound design and music also help you truly feel like an Ultramarine.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is an addictive and emotional JRPG. Everything about this game is exceptional. However, the JRPG elements may frustrate you. Furthermore, the combat can feel repetitive. Yet, if you can overlook these minor points, you will adore every moment.

As smooth as butter, MainFrames is an excellent little platformer with adorable art, a unique concept and well laid out difficulty curve.

Without going on for too long, I could talk about this game forever. This coming from someone who is a longtime fan of the Digimon franchise. Though for those who are new and want to try out a different style of a monster-taming game, I cannot recommend Digimon Story Time Stranger enough. Much of the discussion online of this game comes down to the comparison of this to Pokemon. It’s been over 25 years since these franchises began and there is still discourse about the two. A favorable comparison I would give to Time Stranger is the Shin Megami Tensei series solely based on the gameplay. Regardless, this is a solid monster-taming RPG with a diverse variety of Digimon to Digivolve and fight with.

Bootleg Steamer is a fun-filled rogue-lite title that will test your skills and tactical nuance. With plenty of captains to select and a hearty array of vessels to sail, there are plenty of ways to skin a cat. Moreover, the incredible stage design and challenging obstacles will push your buttons. Consequently, it is an excellent indie title that will keep you coming back for more.

If you’re debating getting back on the hype for Monster Hunter Rise, then the Sunbreak expansion is exactly what will sway your decision. Facing a challenge has never been so enchanting, and I cannot recommend the experience enough.

HELLDIVERS 2 is a fast, fun and funny way to obliterate hordes of bugs. The shooting feels excellent, enemies are varied and challenging, and the simple core loop allows for both tension and hilarity.

I would certainly recommend Indika to any fans of platformers or story-driven adventures. It doesn’t take long at all to connect with these characters and the story. One warning is the game is quite short, it currently sits with an average of a four-hour playtime on Howlongtobeat.com. It’s also not the most replayable experience, there isn’t much outside of the story to do. So if you’re looking for something to keep you entertained for a longer time frame, this might not be for you. For me personally, I think it was an appropriate length for the story it was telling and I wasn’t at all bothered by its short length. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what Odd Meter produce next.

DAVE THE DIVER is a fantastic adventure RPG. Can you take to the water and solve the mystery of the "Blue Hole"? Explore new locations, complete each quest, and help in the restaurant. I loved the aesthetics, the evolving gameplay, and never-ending content. Furthermore, it is great on Steam Deck.

The Outlast Trials is a masterpiece in blending cooperative gameplay with the disgusting outrageous horror of the iconic series. Gameplay feels both exhilarating and terrifying, creating unique moments for me and my friends that I will remember for a long time. Whilst the game doesn’t have a memorable story to tell, its characters and enemies are truly unforgettable. Stunning presentation and design help to keep me coming back for more and a fairly robust progression helps to create longevity. I just wish I could experience the trials again for the first time. See you in the madhouse.

Throughly unsettling in all the right ways, World of Horror is a callback to 80s adventures of old, with heavy doses of Junji Ito and Lovecraft. With grotesque art, excellent music and many mysteries and encounters to explore, it's sure to enthrall you.

South of Midnight represents everything gaming is about. Gaming at its core is a true amalgamation of all major art-forms. Music, visuals, story, art-style. The ability to take all of those and make something that stands out is no easy feat. South of Midnight not only accomplishes it, it excels at it. Compulsion poured their hearts into making something they were truly passionate about. You feel it every second of it you play.

I do wish that there was a bit more to this game, perhaps some more unlockable levels. It was almost too short. Otherwise, the basic nature of Toree Saturn gives off a specific charm. It is easily digestible, fun to play, cheap, and satisfying all the while. This title is definitely one of the stronger entries in Siactro’s Toree series!

LEGO Party is a fun-filled mini-game experience that is better than Mario Party! It is childish, amusing, easy to understand and brilliantly addictive. This is the perfect title to waste some time with friends and strangers online.

Overall, I really enjoyed Scott Pilgrim EX and think that Tribute Games Inc. did an amazing job! It may not be the same team that developed the first game, but I hope that fans of the franchise enjoy it nonetheless. There’s mayhem, multiplayer, and a whole lot of enemies to brawl. I don’t have much to complain about, and the game genuinely surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. Typically, I don’t go for side scrolling beat ’em ups. This one takes that genre and does so much more with it.

Skábma – Snowfall makes tranquil, puzzle-based exploration compelling. For that reason, despite a few bugs, it’s a game I recommend.

In conclusion, Like a Dragon is much more than just an RPG. It is a story with themes that go far beyond fighting, with memorable characters and epic scenes for all fans of the franchise. The turn-based gameplay is practically flawless, as it manages to bring elements of strategy and positioning without making the experience to demanding. Yes, the beginning can be slow, but what is “on the other side of the curtain” is an experience that deserves everyone’s attention, from casual gamers to the most demanding. It’s still early in the year, but Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is undoubtedly one of the best games of 2024 so far.