For me, OPUS: Echo of Starsong had everything I could possibly want in a game. Rich storylines, interesting characters that genuinely have purpose and have their own motives, wonderful world-building and simply magnificent music. In fact, OPUS: Echo of Starsong holds a very rare accolade of being one of the very few games that have brought me to tears by the end—in a completely good way of course. OPUS: Echo of Starsong taps into your emotions with ease and utilises them exceptionally well to create a story that is not only beautiful but equally as heart-wrenching. OPUS: Echo of Starsong is a phenomenal tale that you simply must experience.

I adore Stormling Studios ambitions, and they very nearly got everything right. Sadly, though, it’s a case of many fingers in many pies. Transient’s potential is plain to see, but its gamble hasn’t paid off. It’s a good game, but it could have been so much more.

Trash Sailors is far from trash but you might want to sail on by this particular ‘simulator’ as a solo player.

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.

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.

This is a very niche game and it is definitely one you’ll enjoy or wont be able to stand. The games humor bodes well most of the time and it was worth replaying to see different dialogue and endings. Class of ’09 feels like a huge satirical piece on romantic simulation games and even stereotypes in general. The price of €12.50 is perhaps a bit much for such a short game with only dialogue. Although, I definitely won’t forget Class of ’09 anytime soon.

Mechajammer is a good idea – a retro styled; pixel-art RPG set in a cyberpunk world. Unfortunately, it’s dreary, full of bugs and a disappointment. Especially when you realise the detailed character creation doesn’t really make much difference.

Bloody Rally Show is a gruesome, frantic-arcade racer. Viewed from a top-down perspective, you must race to win while killing spectators en route. It takes the best of Twisted Metal and Smash TV to create a wonderful casual title.

Aside from a few technical misgivings, Biker Garage Mechanic Simulator does a commendable job in providing an authentic simulation experience, with plenty of depth in gameplay and missions to sink hours into. No, the game didn’t suddenly enact a desire for career change, but it did give me a good insight into the life of a mechanic. Whether the gameplay balances enough fun with being authentic is another debate – and I recognise my personal bias against the gameplay – but as a simulator this is a very solid entry.

Unless you were born in a vat of platforming goo and can only consume platforming games as way of staying alive, this is the kind of experience that you should avoid, as even though this game is ‘cheap as chips’ and entirely functional, you’ll likely want a refund for the precious seconds of your life lost.

If you’re a fan of the souls-like and Metroidvania genre, Watcher Chronicles may be worth checking out if you’re looking for a frustratingly fun title to sink your teeth into. With tonnes of content, bosses to kill and hordes of enemies to rid Purgatory of, you’ll have a lot of hours of content to explore with Watcher Chronicles. Despite the steep learning curve for those newer to the genre, the presentation and style of play would absolutely be a good first stepping-stone into the world of souls-like games.

S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Unexplored is a claustrophobic horror title full of jump scares. It brilliantly blends an emotive location with science fiction madness. Solve every puzzle and explore the top-secret facility while trying to uncover the mystery.

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.

Football Cup 2022 is a terrible example of the genre and very little about this title is memorable. Its saving grace is the Daily Challenges and selection of tournaments. Its graphics are woeful, audio dull and flat, and the controls are terrible. Its lack of licence will make you laugh, but this is a small mercy for an appalling title.

I really feel so much more engaged and excited to continue to play and get a better grade; score!

Encased is a decent RPG with extraordinary worldbuilding. It might not reinvent the wheel, but it certainly brings a worthwhile adventure that deserves to be experienced.

Summertime Madness is a wonderful surreal puzzle adventure title. You must solve many problems as you venture through a selection of bizarre and beautiful paintings. Flip switches, stop cogs, explore never-ending stairs, and more. Will you escape before the time runs out and the Devil traps you?

Probe: A Game Dev Experience! is an interesting educational concept giving an insight into game development. The biggest issues with Probe: A Game Dev Experience! is that it’s a very light look at games development whilst the non PSVR controls are borderline unplayable. You will learn how lighting and digital art are added to games but there is nothing further to keep you playing long enough to get the kind of experience that makes you want to go back and learn more about game development unfortunately.

I may feel a bit confused, but when I play it a few times, even if it’s going back to the first few tutorial levels, I begin to understand the game and even upgrade my character to be stronger for the levels that require you to be a bit powerful. In addition to this, I’m going to say that even if I’m not used to the complexity of the game and don’t have the patience at times to learn so much at a time. Nevertheless, I will keep on proceeding and see if I can unravel the parts that I’m failing and being stumped at.

Demoniaca: Everlasting Night is a fantastic old-school Metroidvania title. Played solo or with a friend, you must explore a maze of interconnecting rooms as you collect items while trying to escape the tower of Babel. With a mixture of elements, this is a tough but fair retro game that will test you throughout.

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.

If you’re a fan of rail shooters and 90’s games this will definitely have some good times in store for you. However, those who aren’t may get tired of its gameplay, be unimpressed by its music, and only have some cool visuals and level design to enjoy.

It’s one of those games that after you complete it, you can still return and experience it over and over, without it ever getting dull or feeling a shortage of brilliance.

Blackwind is a hack n slash Sci-Fi adventure title filled with gratuitous violence. You explore, work together, and gain new abilities to reach previously locked locations. It has a great story but the acting is wooden and tired.

Hidden Deep is an incredibly well created indie horror with all the hallmarks of classic 80s and 90s horror and sci-fi media.

Exo One is a tremendous title that stands out from its peers. Its easy controls and excellent aesthetics make it a joy to play. If the developers had added extra elements to the latter stages, then it would have been perfect.

The game is a joy to play! Even as impressive as Castle on the Coast maybe it isn’t a long game.

Kansei: The Second Turn HD is a fantastic sequel and a wonderful supernatural detective visual novel. With interesting characters, a grand setting, and many red herrings, solving this crime is no mean feat.