Children of Morta is a solidly built action roguelite, but it's the family struggles and heart within that elevate it above the crowd.

Subnautica: Below Zero presents an exciting adventure as you explore the unknown. Whether you're trekking through the snow or diving down unfathomable depths, there's a feeling of dread as you try to survive, and a sense of wonderment as you discover something new.

Space Marine 2 is a masterful game with a captivating, gorgeous, and action-packed campaign. The multiplayer systems are impressive, expansive, yet slightly disappointing given the disparity between the modes. Regardless, it's a must-play.

A wonderfully crafted Metroidvania that should have genre fans plenty excited. It's blending of combat, platforming, and puzzling keeps the gameplay fresh and varied throughout its entire 20-hour story. It may not be the most revolutionary game ever made, but it does what it set out to do very well.

Archvale is a fun, charming bullet hell with some incredibly enjoyable combat. It's also a satisfying role-playing game on its own, with tons of satisfying progression.

With some major balancing issues that made a majority of its classes unenjoyable, Tainted Grail: Conquest redeemed itself by showing that when the game was balanced, it could be a fantastic experience.

With the responsibility of becoming the next great Mortal Kombat game, Mortal Kombat 1 is a masterclass in gaming achievement. While not perfect, it surely brings the ultimate Mortal Kombat experience to the table.

A deadly combination of challenging puzzles and curiosity-driven exploration, though it’s the puzzle fanatic that’ll walk away most satisfied.

Botany Manor is a colorful exploration game with clever puzzles to solve and an intriguing narrative to back it up. With each problem solved I felt gratified and smart for putting together the right clues and reading between the lines. The environmental storytelling and the relaxing atmosphere made me want to explore every nook and cranny of the manor.

A slick noir mystery with an intoxicating atmosphere and unmatched aesthetics. Combined with its sharp, campy writing and an intriguing storyline, Chicken Police is an indie gem that shouldn't be missed.

While it can get repetitive and you don't have as much control over combat as I'd like, this is undoubtedly a very strong entry in the series on its own merits. If the idea of raising a horde of monsters and having them knock the crap out of others sounds good to you, I can't imagine you won't find anything to enjoy here.

Circuit Superstars glows with polish & attention to detail that should definitely help it stand out in the sea of racers that are out there.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a deep, intriguing game that makes some poor design decisions and fails to clarify itself. The mechanics are interesting and unique but its got a hell of a learning curve.

Arkane’s tale of wrench-wielding, audio log sleuthing, and human hubris wears its videogame heritage on its bright red space suit sleeve. Until such time that System Shock 3 may challenge it, Prey is the worthy follow up to System Shock 2 in everything but name.

Thought it seems simplistic at first, it doesn't take long to see the true depth of Loop Hero. Thanks to its very approachable design and killer gameplay hook, this is the kind of addicting and engrossing experience that can steal whole weeks from your life. Just don't say we didn't warn you!

Cyber Shadow is a truly wonderful game. It's brutal, uncompromising, and insanely enjoyable to a degree that I don't often see. Between its lovingly-crafted visuals, pitch-perfect gameplay, and maddeningly difficult, yet expertly-designed levels, it's a must-play for anyone who enjoys side-scrolling action games.

Ultimately what makes Wreckfest such an enjoyable racer is the destruction and the physics. The cars feel great to drive, the way they take corners, the handbreak turns, the way they handle jumps, it feels fluid and that’s a huge plus. When put together with everything else in the game Wreckfest is a neat destructive racing package.

Victoria 3 is, without a doubt, grand in scale and scope, and it's downright gorgeous, too. Sadly, the countless mechanics mean that there are too many moving parts, which lead to more questions than answers. The automation and streamlining of battle is, likewise, a baffling change. Even as a veteran of Paradox Interactive's games, this is still one series that I can't get behind.

Yuppie Psycho offers up a unique, amusing, and genuinely creepy take on survival horror, with some very clever puzzles and a lovely retro aesthetic. Join Sintracorp. KILL THE WITCH.

Sometimes exceptional, always ambitious, but periodically falling short of its aims, Torment: Tides of Numenera is testament to the tribulations of following a universally established creative triumph. Well worth playing, nonetheless.

Rogue Heroes isn't trying to be extraordinary, but for that very reason it ends up being a fantastic game. By not falling into the trap of doing too much, Heliocentric has delivered one of the best Zelda-inspired action RPGs on the market. And at such a modest price, you'd be doing yourself a disservice to not at least try Rogue Heroes.

While Star Wars Pinball VR has all of the fan service necessary to please any diehard fan, it runs up against a handful of minor technical and polish issues that prevent it from living up to its full potential. That said, it still outclasses every other pinball experience on the platform, so feel free to indulge your inner Jedi.

Grime is a stellar offering that stands ahead of the pack in both the Souls-like and Metroidvania subgenres. Its challenging combat and platforming mechanics add unique quirks that make for a refreshing experience. It does have a few notable flaws, but you'll have a great time in its bizarre world.

This isn't the definitive version of Persona 3 that it could have been, but it's hard to deny that the game is still highly enjoyable all the same.

Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan is a wonderfully crafted 2.5D adventure game that features well-made puzzles and engaging platforming sequences. Its surprisingly intricate confrontation mechanic coupled with the underlying messages about complex social issues ensure that this is a game for all ages, not just kids. It does a fantastic job of encouraging exploration and is overall a game well worth playing regardless of if you fit in with its core target audience or not.

There was a lot riding on the return to Cantha in Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons. It's an iconic location steeped in the franchise's history. Fortunately, the latest expansion delivers an experience worthy of the hype. The end of the Dragon Cycle narrative will challenge you, teach you exciting new skills, and leave you feeling content. The story isn't overly long, but there are plenty of activities to keep you busy for many hours around Cantha.

Solid. Dependable. This edition of Football Manager has set itself up not to concede, and to make occasional expressive forays into new territory. The scattering of innovations (hilarious character creator aside) are worthwhile, but some old, persistent quirks still rankle.

Somehow the team over at Deck Nine has taken the franchise to the next level. Life is Strange: True Colors is an experience that can resonate at an emotional level that's rarely seen nowadays, delivered with both maturity and grace. You'd have to be crazy to miss out on this epic adventure in small town, America.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order certainly tries, but as Yoda pointed out, you either do or do not. For the most part, it does -- but without the grace or precision of a full-fledged Jedi Knight. The apprentice is not yet the master.

Frog Detective 2 makes up for a lack of complexity and length with its dopey, surreal humor and charming visual aesthetic. An evening well spent.

Still one of the best of its kind nearly a decade after its initial release, Rune Factory 4 Special is still thoroughly engrossing when it comes to most of what it attempts.

I enjoyed every moment of playing Stygian: Reign of Old Ones. There may be questionable decisions in including such a wide variety of mythos creatures in a single release, but the decision to set the game basically after the end of the world (as far as Arkham is concerned) is a fresh take. Stygian oozes atmosphere, craft, and effort. I love it, it’s great, and you should play it.

Paradise Killer is an exceptionally enjoyable piece of entertainment. I loved the world and characters and I loved solving the mystery. Anyone who enjoys piecing things together and carefully combing over a digital world for goodies will likely be elated by what's on offer.

Ghostrunner is a very well-made game with excellent graphics and tight controls, but it's often frustrating, with a very uneven difficulty curve and some horribly tedious sections. Plus, once you're done with the campaign, all that's left is to do it again.

F1 22 is a flawed entry that has been tainted by its desperation to seemingly appeal to casual players. Even so, the driving mechanics carry the game, and it still manages to be a fun racing experience. Against all of the odds, F1 22 pulled through and is something worth playing.

The Pedestrian is visually, audibly, and almost completely mechanically sound. Be warned, though, there isn't much in terms of hints along the way. But in the end, you'll be surprised at how far you can make it with drive and a little brainpower.

If you're in the market for a no-nonsense, balls-to-the-wall, frame-accurate movement shooter, then this neon-soaked game from One More Level will hit the spot. However, it isn't without its flaws.

Fantastic gameplay paired with a game structure that resembles a tech demo makes Boomerang X worthwhile, even if it doesn't live up to its potential.

Charming, witty, and very replayable: Overboard flips the whodunnit on its head and proves that it can, indeed, be good to be bad.

Darkest Dungeon 2 doubles down on what made the original so special, presenting a roguelike adventure where swings in mood carry just as much weight as swings of the sword.

Rollerdrome is exciting and fresh, where roller skating and gun shooting come together in perfect harmony to create a special and satisfying gameplay loop.

Great game design wise and play ability wise with a cute story to go along with it. It has the right kind of balance of being both easy to play and challenging at the same time. It really makes you think. The sequel is great for those who want to get into the series and you don't need to have played the first to get into it. Overall a solid solid game.

Halo: Reach has an engaging campaign and numerous multiplayer game modes to keep you pre-occupied. Unfortunately, various issues abound from technical woes and lack of options, to matchmaking problems, and it's hardly what you'd expect from the flagship FPS franchise's arrival on PCs. Like the protagonist's namesake, this effort is more of a "six" unless we see more patches down the line.

Short, but without an ounce of fat, Flynn: Son of Crimson is well worth a playthrough due to its excellent controls and great level design.

Anno 1800 is a return to Blue Byte and Ubisoft's long-running city-building franchise. Sadly, a number of flaws prove to be detrimental to an enjoyable voyage.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is the best entry the series has seen in nearly a decade. A riveting story, beautiful visuals, and addictive multiplayer are bolstered by new features that will keep you coming back for more. Modern Warfare is a must-play for anyone who enjoys the older Call of Duty titles, especially considering the steady flow of free content we've been promised.

Tails of Iron could go deeper on the story and lighter on the backtracking, but if it ever gets a sequel I hope it maintains obvious love seen in the art direction and design.

Signalis borrows concepts that made survival-horror games successful. However, the unique twists, quirky style, and abundance of puzzles make it a mesmerizing romp.

While not packed with content, Shovel Knight Dig is rich in quality. Charming pixel artwork combined with excellent level chunks and tight gameplay make it well worth the hours spent.

Intriguing and startlingly original, Exo One offers a quiet, meditative experience that's both foreign and mysterious.

Age of Empires IV is fun, well executed slice of real-time strategy that doesn't quite bring anything new to the table.

SteamWorld Heist II is a captivating blend of strategy and action that delivers a truly solid experience. The game's turn-based combat is a highlight, offering a satisfying mix of planning and execution, and the job system adds to character progression and customization. Mission rewards and necessary backtracking can detract from the overall enjoyment and pacing, but if you don't mind a bit of a grind, then SteamWorld Heist II is definitely worth checking out.

The Pathless is a lovely game that just begs to be explored. The serenity it can provide and the satisfying feeling of locating rewards make it an experience that can be easily recommended.

Jackbox Party Pack 9 delivers the most powerful single entry since... I don't even know when! With one updated classic and four new games, it's a blast through and through.

The most visually stunning FPS game on the market right now with a thoroughly engaging multiplayer. Sadly, it still remains incomplete.

Visually wondrous and full of logical, fair puzzles and likable characters, this is a worthy entry in the series, despite a jarring conclusion and some rather poor performance.

Regardless of the issues, I still loved my time with My Friend Pedro. It didn’t take long to finish, but it’s still a great little game about a man, and his talking banana, solving his problems with wanton violence. If that’s not friendship, I don’t know what is.

Necrobarista won't be everybody's cuppa coffee, but it's an excellent visual novel with strong writing and visuals.

There’s a fairly familiar (albeit shorter) list of things in FIFA 18 to sigh about and wish EA would use some of their ample resources to fix, even if you ignore my paranoid suspicions about bouts of idiocy from otherwise competent virtual footballers. But I must admit that this installment’s renewed emphasis on tricky defending and darting midfielders getting on the end of crosses makes it a fair bit more engaging than FIFA 17 felt on launch. It’s building on where that game left off at the end of its life-span, so if you’re already appreciative of the FIFA ‘feel’, and can cope with more involved defensive duties, you’ll find it suitably inviting. I complain, but another several hundred hours in FIFA 18 inevitably await.

Company of Heroes 3 retains the gameplay of the predecessors while disappointing with the bizarre campaign decisions and lack of polish.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a really strong platformer with good level design and excellent visuals. Certain aspects of the game don't mix well together, but it's a good time overall.

Although A Plague Tale: Innocence features spectacular artwork and excellent characters, they can't make up for the boring, predictable gameplay.

This new installment from Wargaming is a breath of fresh air. The gameplay may seem slow for newcomers, but in the end you will likely sink hours into this game without even realising it.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is a brutal and mind-bending journey through Senua's eyes and ears once again, but this time through Viking Iceland. With new puzzles, tense combat scenarios, and evocative visuals, Hellblade 2's only downfall is it's occasional slow pacing and its technical problems.

Sifu is a difficult game, requiring you to master its complex combat in order to enact your revenge. But it could have used a bit more training before entering the arena.

A number of flaws such as a disappointing campaign, a rigid tech tree, and a couple of bugs hamper Age of Wonders: Planetfall. However, it more than makes up for these flaws with its refreshing charm, tactical battles, and customization choices for the avid 4X player.

If you want an MMORPG that respects the time of casual players, while also giving hardcore players plenty of content to keep them busy, then Lost Ark is worth considering. It's combat is wonderfully fun. The story is entertaining and packed with epic moments. Plus, there is a wide variety to the endgame content, including equalized arena PvP.

Void Bastards is a terrific game that balances the joy of exploration with the fear of failure in a wonderful way. It could use some more incentives to keep playing, but it's a blast while it lasts.

Something of a return to form after 15, but sooner rather than later EA will need to stop re-arranging pieces of their existing code and actually develop a properly new and substantial FIFA engine.

Gorgeous and aided by satisfying combat mechanics, Young Souls is damaged by inconsistent difficulty, balance issues, bugs, and cheap boss encounters.

Though not without flaws, Gears Tactics meets and exceeds expectations. Fluid and fast-paced action, along with tactical decisions, will keep you on the move. Meanwhile, brutal firefights and executions, as well as battles against massive bosses, punctuate a Gears of War experience for an entirely different genre.

The funniest courtroom game finally comes to PC, and it hasn't lost any of its wit, drama, or mind-bending puzzling in the process.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is another strong Yakuza game that fans won't want to miss, finally localized for English speakers. The improved visuals often put the package in line with more recent fare, but the uneven results prevent it from finding the true greatness that was nearly within its grasp.

Though there are some scuffs in the armor, the campaign of Halo Infinite still shines.

Endless Space 2 bolsters Amplitude’s reputation for superb, unique 4X faction design. The interwoven narrative and management mechanics produce a universe within which its easy to lose yourself, but some lingering bugs suggest the game may have launched prematurely.

Judicial administrator for the Court of an all-powerful Imperial Overlord is one hell of a premise and driving force for an RPG. Tyranny pulls it off, thanks to Obsidian’s reliable attention to world design and a dedication to ambitious, branching choices.

Skul: The Hero Slayer is lovely, action-packed, and full of excellent choices. Repetition can set in rather quickly due to tedious bosses, and a single crash can ruin an entire run, but it's one of the better action rogue-lites I've had the pleasure to dump some time into.

Moonstone Island refreshes my love for games like Stardew Valley and Pokémon, but still exerts its own unique identity. But sometimes with an amalgamation of genres, the details can get a little blurry, and there are certain aspects that sour the experience. Overall though, this was, and continues to be, a very adorable and compelling game.

Can’t fault the professionalism in pumping out one of these every year; but though Football Manager 2017 is up to standard and makes some iterative tweaks of note, it’s getting harder to ignore certain systemic issues which remain unaddressed.

Soulcalibur VI expands the fighting experience with a brief history lesson surrounding the events of the game. While this does take some time to get used to, it offers some great context while introducing a new method to unlock items. There's a noticeable increase in the game's combat, but offers a familiar experience all-around.

Season: A Letter to the Future might not last long, but it's a lovely experience for anyone who enjoys taking their time, piecing together lore, and photographing everything they see.

Dredge delivers fish and fear in equal measure, providing an atmospheric escape, and a world you'll want to thoroughly rinse for all it's worth.

In a lot of ways, it’s a game made for a specific audience. I’m part of that audience, and while there’s a bunch of stuff I wish was different, or better tuned, or more coherent (and maybe was a few chapters shorter, as the real climax of the game takes place a little way before the end) I had a bloody good time. It’s not for everyone – certainly not for those expecting a deep horror experience – but it scratches my Resident Evil 4 itch in a stylish and pleasing way.

With wonderful voice acting and atmospheric presentation that keeps you immersed and on the edge of your seat, Amnesia: Rebirth manages to provide an exciting experience. Of course, there are a few downsides. It's not as scary as previous offerings, the AI can be a little clumsy, and the weak conclusion to the story will leave you wanting more.

While not exempt from some unpolished elements, MLB The Show 24 manages to bring forth a great baseball experience with the potential of bringing new players to the table with addicting gameplay and a variety of modes.

The Entropy Centre is far and away one of the best first-person puzzlers you can play. If the genre does anything for you, you should come away satisfied with what the game has in store.

Civilization VI: Gathering Storm has new leaders, wonders, and mechanics to freshen up your experience. Unfortunately, some of these features occur fairly late, or are non-factors in your playthroughs.

The visuals are great, the controls are exactly what they should be, and there's plenty of satisfying platform action to be had. Bloodstained: Curse of the moon 2 will make fans feel right at home like it's 1989.

Overall, it’s hard for me to find a reason to not recommend this game. Returning fans of the series will find the new direction of Life Is Strange 2 refreshing, but not unfamiliar. This is also a great jump on point for fans of the genre who may have missed other entries in the Life Is Strange series. Personally, I’m looking forward to future episodes.

Despite the palpable chill in the air throughout, there's a cosy fire burning at the heart of Wildfrost. Gather round for a tough-but-rewarding deckbuilding adventure.

If you're searching for a game to play with friends, Remnant 2 can provide an entertaining experience, but you should consider other options if you want a game to play alone. Although the graphics and storyline may not be awe-inspiring, the dynamic generation feature turns Remnant 2 into a game you and your friends can enjoy for an extended period, resulting in one of the most replayable games of the year. Still, I was disappointed with the long-awaited sequel due to frustrating character mechanics, outdated visuals, and lack of a compelling story to connect with.

The Jackbox Party Pack 6 brings excellent new additions to your party game rotation with Push The Button and Dictionarium, but falls flat with Joke Boat.

Total War: Three Kingdoms - The Furious Wild lets you run amok with the Nanman led by Meng Huo and others. The downside is that the campaign can turn into a slog and then a long waiting game. Replayability also suffers due to all leaders starting from the same region and having similar objectives and progression paths. Still, the unique perks, mechanics, and animal units offer refreshing dynamics in tactical battles.

Dandy Ace is a sensational roguelike that can contend with the very best the genre has to offer. Although gameplay can get a little repetitive, its colorful visuals and well-thought-out combat mechanics more than make up for that. This is a challenging yet fun game that is well worth your time.

While slightly let down by the gameplay, it's still nice to see a refreshing take on the genre. If Outerloop can look back and improve its offerings with each release, I’d say this is one studio to watch out for in the future.

If you enjoy competitive tactical shooters, but also wish you could show some flair with spectacular abilities, then Valorant has what you're looking for. It requires precision aim to win duels but allows a lot of room to get creative with the agents' varied skills. Sloppy play gets punished harshly, but when a plan comes together it's immensely satisfying.

On one hand I really like a lot of what Fall Guys has to offer. It's bright, colorful, zany, and it controls well, but some of the round types are simply obnoxious and the RNG makes each game a crapshoot.

Despite having a lengthy campaign and sound gameplay mechanics, a number of technical hiccups, randomized rewards, and egregious repetitiveness hold back Fantasy General 2. It tries to combine a unique fantasy RPG experience with wargaming strategy, but it falls just a little bit short on both counts.