For fans of games like Gris, or even Undertale, Willow Guard offers a similarly resonant experience—one where the story and atmosphere linger long after the story is wrapped up. It’s a game that rewards patience, contemplation, and empathy. And in a genre often dominated by spectacle, Willow Guard reminds us of the power of subtlety.

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.

Dripping with atmosphere and a wonderful visual style, REPOSE sadly has little time for its own gameplay.

Sephirothic Stories isn't the best RPG, but I enjoyed it regardless. The characters are colourful and the short play time makes it bearable. Consequently, though there are better examples, it is still fun.

If there’s a criticism to be made, it’s that Chains of Freedom leaves little room for error. It’s very difficult to pull back from an encounter if the ambush it set up wrong. Or getting caught while sneaking which results in every enemy in the encounter opening fire while your team stands in the open. This is an issue because poor planning almost always results in a restart instead of a difficult fight. Still, for fans of tactical strategy games with survival elements, Chains of Freedom is a compelling and thoughtful experience. It succeeds creating encounters that give players a sense of pride when finishing them with casualties. It also succeeds in making players think about resources and whether they’re worth the reward. It certainly succeeded in keeping me hooked throughout the whole journey.

Wild Keepers Rising came out of nowhere and completely blindsided me in the best way possible. It’s a smart, stylish spin on the Vampire Survivors formula that cares about story and strategy. If you’ve burned out on bullet heaven clones but still crave that rush, this game is your next fix. Don’t sleep on it, play it!

Like its sprawling mansion, Blue Prince is loaded with secrets, beautifully organic puzzles and hidden emotional depth, making each run a mysterious treat.

Tempopo is a beautiful and inclusive puzzling experience. No matter your age or ability, you can enjoy this title. Furthermore, the music is delightful and each world is a twisting masterpiece.

Caligo is a bizarre walking simulator that tries something new. The morbid and surreal approach is impressive and I enjoyed the colourful and interesting world. However, it is very short and this prevents it from excelling.

All in all, Synergy is a breath of fresh air in the city-building genre. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel entirely, but the way it rethinks environmental interaction and research injects a surprising amount of life into the experience. It’s not just about expanding — it’s about learning, respecting, and coexisting with your environment. The sense of discovery and stewardship that comes from studying the land around you is unlike anything else in the genre right now. If you’re a fan of city builders and looking for something that challenges you to think differently about how you manage your resources and surroundings, Synergy is absolutely worth your time.

Taxi Life - Delivery Driver is a nice addition to the base game. However, the simple mechanics and rudimentary gameplay may disappoint. I enjoyed the first instalment, but expected much more from the DLC.

Overall though, Bionic Bay is a triumph. It’s a masterclass in environmental storytelling, minimalist design, and mechanically rich platforming. It respects your time, rewards your curiosity, and most importantly, it feels incredible to play. Whether you’re here for the art, the puzzles, or just the vibes, there’s something truly special about this game. For fans of Inside, Black The Fall, or Planet of Lana, this is an easy recommendation—but even if you’re new to the genre, Bionic Bay is a great place to start.

To sum up, IXION both fascinated and ultimately truly frustrated me. It’s a mixture of a plot that does nothing to further the sci-fi genre, other than showcase how at odds it is in its portrayal of earth and characters. Then there is a gameplay design that at times works well but then out of nowhere spirals into a frustrating convoluted mess. I wanted to love this game and the visuals tried to lull me into a false sense of security but sadly, the terrible audio and bland musical score helped rip me straight out of that. Some simulation veterans will find some fun but overall, it’s a true shame and a tale of what could have been. Back to earth!

Forever Skies stands as a bold and elegant entry into the survival genre. It doesn’t try to compete with the fast-paced chaos of PvP survival or the crowded silly co-op experiences of similar titles. Instead, it offers something quieter, deeper, and more reflective: a solitary journey through beauty and ruin, driven by discovery and sustained by curiosity. It’s a game that trusts you to take it slow, to get lost, and to find meaning in the silence. For those who love exploration, customizable bases, and stories told through the environment rather than exposition, this is a game that deserves your time. Even if the skies make your knees weak.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection features 14 classic Gameboy-era Yu-Gi-Oh! titles, serving as an incredibly faithful remaster filled with strategy, nostalgia, and card duels.

Monaco 2 is a smart, stylish sequel that evolves the series in meaningful ways. The move to 3D, the dynamic heists, and the emphasis on co-op gameplay make it feel fresh while still capturing the spirit of the original. Whether you’re a returning fan or a newcomer to the world of stylish digital burglary, this is one heist worth pulling off. For the price and the hours of replay-ability I can recommend the game to fans of stealth and pulling of complex plans, as well as those looking for chaos with friends.

Break the Loop is a tough rogue-like that'll break your soul and your balls! The cruel mechanics take some getting used to. However, once you understand the fundamentals, you'll experience a rewarding title.

In conclusion, Koira is a testament to the power of minimalist storytelling, where art and music converge to create a compelling experience. Its engaging gameplay, evocative visuals, and innovative musical interactions make it a standout title in the adventure genre. For those seeking a game that explores the depths of friendship and the beauty of non-verbal communication, Koira offers an unforgettable journey through its enchanted forest.​

What’s perhaps most impressive is how inclusive the game is without being preachy about it. The Vale was built from the ground up to be accessible to blind and low-vision players, but the experience it delivers is powerful for everyone. It demonstrates that great gameplay doesn’t need to rely on visuals—it just needs immersion, purpose, and heart.

Voxile is a fun adventure title that looks spectacular. Voxel games rarely look this good! Furthermore, I loved the creativity and the quests. Unfortunately, it requires some tweaking to maximise its potential.

Finding Frankie is a fun game, but it has obvious shortcomings. It’s a little too easy, fairly short, and there’s not a whole lot of variety in its mechanics or courses. That doesn’t mean that there’s not some good here though. I think for the right price (I am unsure of price. The Xbox store doesn’t have a price listed and I can’t find any info online) you can have a good time with it.

A thoughtful combat RPG that doesn't shy away from the realities of war, both on and off the battlefield.

The Talos Principle: Reawakened updates the acclaimed puzzle classic with impressive visuals, expanded narrative through the new "In the Beginning" expansion, and a robust puzzle editor for community creations. While graphical upgrades significantly enhance immersion, performance issues and uneven visual quality may concern some players. Though debated among original fans, the remaster provides enough fresh content and improvements to justify revisiting or discovering the philosophical puzzle experience anew.

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.

In short, Characters are forgettable, dialogue is sparse, the and world is lifeless. And the only good thing, the gameplay, is very repetitive.

Morkull Ragast's Rage is a tough action-adventure title. This shouldn't be a problem, but too many issues hold it back. Furthermore, the dialogue doesn't hit the intended mark. It was a shame as it could have been great.

Level Devil - Not a Troll Game is tough but enjoyable. This troll game will push your buttons. However, it is brilliantly rewarding and horribly moreish.

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is a sombre and tough survival experience. The zombies are fast, cruel, and hungry. However, survival is just around the corner. Consequently, a little hard work and plenty of danger are the perfect ingredients. [Early Access Score = 85]