Hirogami can be a fun game at times but it can be disappointing in other areas. It is a visually stunning game. The paper changing mechanic where you can transform into other animals is a great mechanic and can keep combat fresh sometimes and offer different ways to play and fight. But a frustrating camera angle which causes more harm than good, disappointing boss fights and story, and some bugs like falling through the map really bring the game down. Hirogami ends up just being fine as a game, which is a shame. The game teases a sequel at the end so hopefully the sequel can build on this.

I’m not familiar enough with the genre to compare its quality in the grand scheme of things. I found its pacing and localisation wonky, but perhaps these are things that VN connoisseurs actually enjoy about the genre, and to each their own. My hottest take is that I honestly would’ve preferred if they ditched the ARPG elements and invested more into the interactive driving the novel sections. I love narratives and choices, and would have liked to feel like a participant in the events of this world.

I love Zelda and I really wanted to love this entry. If you’re looking for an open world sandbox with outstanding physics and mechanics, this is the game for you. Its graphics, controls, sound design and music are absolutely stunning. And despite my grievances, I still put in over 150 hours, even on an adult’s schedule. But I can perhaps see now why I dropped this game shortly after launch, it’s a less cohesive experience than Breath of the Wild, exemplifying not only its best qualities but also some of its weakest. Perhaps open world Zelda has reached its natural peak; will the next entry try to somehow top it, or will it return to the old formula that I seem to be hung up with nostalgia for? Time will tell.

Intriguing and full of body horror, Raining City: Millions Recollections spins a nice tale, once you fight past the shoddy localisation.

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!

Chip ‘N Clawz vs. The Brainioids could have easily been dismissed as a Ratchet & Clank knockoff at first glance, but it manages to carve out its own identity by blending action-platformer aesthetics with surprisingly deep real-time strategy mechanics. It’s accessible without dumbing things down, letting players enjoy both the direct control of a cartoon hero and the broader satisfaction of building, managing, and commanding troops. Solo players get a well-paced campaign that gradually ramps up complexity, but it’s in co-op that the game becomes something special, equal parts tactical and chaotic, often hilarious, and always rewarding when you and your partner finally sync up. The versus mode feels more like a bonus than a centrepiece, but it adds extra replay value with friends or strangers.

A Dream about Parking Lots is a pretty drab affair. It is slow, repetitive, and a little tedious. Furthermore, the gameplay doesn't evolve and it is over in less than 2 hours. Though I like the dream-like design, it becomes stale very quickly!

Lucy Dreaming is a delightful throwback to the golden age of adventure games, but it’s far more than just a nostalgia trip. With witty dialogue, charming characters, and puzzles that strike a smart balance between challenge and accessibility, it manages to feel both familiar and fresh. Its blend of quirky British humor and heartfelt storytelling makes it stand out in a genre that too often leans on clichés. Whether you’re a veteran of the point-and-click classics or someone looking for an accessible entry point into the genre, Lucy Dreaming is worth your time. It’s funny, clever, and occasionally touching—a dream worth getting lost in.

Bendy: Lone Wolf is nostalgia sharpened into something new, and something worth playing.

I don’t want this review to seem like a critique on the simulator game genre as a whole. They can be a lot of fun with the right elements and the right people to play with! If you’re an avid fan of simulators, then this game certainly keeps up with the rest of them! If you’re like me though, the entertainment is fleeting and might only last a weekend at best. Even if you do manage to reach a point where everything is automated by workers, with upgraded machines churning out profits and robots flying all over the place, I might still wonder if the time spent was really worth it in the end.

The Rogue Prince of Persia is a solid 2D action roguelite. It excels in its movement mechanics making for great platforming sections combined with satisfying combat. Much of what I have said that I didn’t feel too strongly about the game were smaller aspects such as the medallions and the limited dialogue variety. Regardless of these small gripes, I would say this a great roguelite to pick up and sink some time into.

As a fan of the series since its inception, it is so good to see the original Gears Of War return in all its glory. In my wildest dreams I never believed this wonderful title would ever end up on PlayStation, but I stand so happily corrected. A superb campaign and brutal, yet brilliant multiplayer will endear itself to a brand new generation of players for years to come. Whilst some returning players may not see enough new additions and balancing issues to warrant returning, this game still absolutely rules! See you on Gridlock!

Thief Simulator: Mastermind edition has a nice enough premise, but it's dragged down by poor AI, ugly graphics and a loop that descends into tedious grind. Feels very much like quantity over quality.

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.

Heading Out is a classy, interesting, and unusual rogue-like that combines multiple genres to great effect. Though the racing is somewhat repetitive, the incredible soundtrack, eye-catching visuals, and fascinating stories keep you hooked.

Astral Takers feels like a deliberate “comfort JRPG” perfect for those 1-3 hour sessions to kill some time. A low-stress, linear romp with a likable party, dependable turn-based fights, and a summoning wrinkle that keeps encounters from going stale. It rarely overreaches and, as a result, rarely dazzles. If you grew up on 16-/32-bit RPGs and want something you can chip away at in short sessions on a weeknight or commute, this scratches that itch. If you’re hunting for bold narrative swings, open-ended builds, or modern design risks (think branching jobs, tactical grid depth, or roguelite-adjacent experimentation), you’ll likely bounce off its safe choices.

What should have been a thoughtful, cosy trek instead feels like wandering in circles, waiting for something interesting to happen. In the end, Out and About isn’t offensively bad. It’s just painfully dull. And in gaming, dull is the hardest sin to forgive.

Birdigo no doubt succeeded in being an enjoyable and addictive experience, on top of that it had some unique power-ups and it was a very calm and peaceful game. However, its difficulty and luck dependent system ruined the gameplay massively. It's no doubt one of the best word games I've ever played but at the same time the hardest and most annoying one too.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a great sequel and ideal for newcomers and lovers of the franchise. The story is captivating and intense and the gameplay is fun, interesting, and well-balanced.

As it stands now, the game is just my cup of tea. The visuals are great with a decent story to back them up. The different builds are fun to explore and try out. The game has the perfect amount of grind that keeps my attention but doesn’t make me rip my hair out. It is not without it’s flaws, but none of its shortcomings detract from my overall experience. To put it simply, I’m just having a ton of fun playing and I feel as if my review does not do the game the justice deserves. If you are a roguelike or ARPG fan, I happily encourage you to give Hell Clock a try!

Ultimately, this game is a refreshing reminder that the most immersive worlds don’t need to be built with complex visuals. Sometimes, all you need are a few well-chosen words and simple illustrations to create a world that lives on in your mind long after you’ve closed the game. If you’re looking for a journey driven purely by your own decisions and imagination, Azmar Quest is an adventure worth embarking on.

Flame Keeper is a fun little game to play. It is a welcome addition to the roguelite genre. The combat is simple but fun and the abilities you can unlock are satisfying to use against enemies. The boss fights are challenging and a fun time. The tower defense type wave where you defend the cauldron for five minutes is also a welcome addition and can help keep things somewhat fresh after completing the other normal waves. Some of the levels can get repetitive over time as it does follow the same formula and waves. The story is also forgettable but the art style can keep player’s attention. The game is only about 5-6 hours long, depending on how many times you may die in the game but it is a reasonable length for this type of game. Flame Keeper is a good time for any interested in roguelite games.

Curse Rounds is a somewhat difficult, repetitive time killer with more in common with the coin gobbling arcade cabinets of yesteryear. It’s very cheap (£3/$4) but on modern store fronts that constantly host much deeper games for a similar price point, it feels like an iPhone game in comparison. There’s a good foundation here, very nice visuals and solid game feel and I can see the retro loving crowd getting more out of it, particularly those on Switch and PC (it played okay on controller, but I feel the aiming mechanics were designed with keyboard and mouse in mind). Maybe I’m too young, maybe I’m too impatient, maybe I’m too much of a wannabe film bro and maybe my astigmatism didn’t agree with how many objects were on screen (I should get my prescription checked). But perhaps the biggest maybe, is that one day I’ll find a rougelike that makes me want to roll the boulder back up the hill.

These old ported Flash games were a great reminder of the old time. Places like Newgrounds and Kongregate still stand and are doing great things, but it’s nice to revisit the old stick figure shows and Stickman Adventure games. New times aren’t completely bad, even SoulGames made a new game for Steam called Neverseen. It has a lot of what they specialized in, and has their signature art as well. But Swords and Souls Legacy Collection is definitely good to playthrough.

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.

For me personally, the lack of technical issues elevated the experience from “worth checking out” to genuinely engrossing. While others may remember their time with Echoes of the End as marred by stutter and frustration, I’ll remember mine as a seamless journey through a beautifully crafted world, one that managed to capture both my eyes and my emotions without ever breaking immersion. So here’s my verdict: if you’re fortunate enough to avoid the technical troubles that others report, you’re in for a rewarding adventure. Echoes of the End may not redefine the genre, but in the right conditions, it proves that sometimes a game doesn’t need to be perfect to leave a lasting impact.

Gatekeeper is a truly fast paced and fun Roguelike. It kept me engaged with its mechanics and aesthetics, even if the replayability and accessibility didn't reach those highs.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is a tour de force in how to bring anime into the gaming space. A compelling faithful retelling of a story fans love, superb combat and stunning visual and audio design make this game a really special experience. Whilst the lack of additions may upset some returning players, along with the weak gear system, there’s still so much fun to be had in this game. You can really feel the love and care the developers have poured into this sequel! See you in the arena!