Maquette has a strong narrative bolstered by top-tier voice performances and honest, relatable writing. The puzzle mechanics are unique and exciting, but the game is let down by signposting issues and obtuse design choices.

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.

Breathedge has a lot going for it in its well-loved Early Access sandbox portion. But when it becomes more of a walking simulator, things take a turn. Regardless, it's a funny game that's still worth playing for anyone who enjoys the concept and the humor. But I can't help but think that many will be disappointed by the later parts of the game.

As long as you go into the experience knowing what to expect, Altdeus: Beyond Chronos has the potential to be genuinely entertaining. However, on the scale of interactivity, this really doesn't qualify a game. Their inability to take full advantage of the VR platform ultimately seals it's fate as nothing more than an acquired taste that will prove to be off-putting to many.

Curse of the Dead Gods' combat system is extremely rewarding, and the challenge will keep you on your toes. Unfortunately, it lacks a lot in terms of content and it can be repetitive within a few hours. It's worth playing in bursts, but it doesn't have enough to satisfy long-term engagement.

The Shore is short and has some truly questionable design choices, but its strong visuals and unsettling atmosphere will possibly make it worth a look for horror fans who don't mind being annoyed.

Mutropolis is a charming throwback to old school point-and-click adventure games. While it doesn't do anything wrong, it doesn't stand out either. I would have loved to see more of the world and the characters and less backtracking and obtuse puzzles.

Simultaneously engrossing while desperately in need of focus and polish, Shattered is a hard game to recommend in its current state. But its strengths will make it worth a look for fans of Souls-likes when more of its issues are ironed out.

It feels like Monkey Barrels has all of the components necessary to succeed, yet they miss the target ever so slightly. The repetitive stage structure, weapons, and enemies undermine what could have been special, but helps to prolong the overall experience. This isn't going to win any awards for innovation, but at least you will get a lengthy campaign to sink your teeth into.

Despite a couple of hurdles, Little Nightmares II remains true to the eerie, terrifying foundation built by its predecessor. It can't completely avoid comparison, but its expanded world and NPC co-op features are well implemented and make the journey worth taking.

No fusion accidents here: the merging of Persona 5 and the Musou games has resulted in a very strong Persona indeed.

Even though Kinetic Edge is by no means spectacular, it does achieve what it sets out to do. This is a platformer that is easy to get in to, which can be great fun with some friends. Its striking visuals also help differentiate it. Despite its shortcomings, there are more positives than negatives on display. All in all, it is a good game that comfortably justifies its price tag.

Games like Nuts don't come along very often. A compelling storyline and intriguing puzzles combine to create my favorite gaming experience of 2021, so far. Don't let it's simple demeaner fool you. There is far more going on under the hood than meets the eye. This is an investigation that deserves your attention, as soon as possible.

As great as it is frustrating, Nioh 2 will resonate more with people who like the thrill of constantly dying suddenly. The game is brutal, the camera kind of sucks, and a lot of the enemies get old fast. But it's also got extraordinary depth and a bevy of complicated systems that offers players plenty to dig into.

Bland, boring, repetitive, tedious, and totally forgettable, Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood is a game that should go back to the doghouse.

Blue Fire is a game I wanted to like, but couldn't due to its poor focus and loads of ill-considered design issues. Between the balance issues, bugs, and creeping frustrations, there's a lot stacked against the game.

It's been a long time since a shmup has felt this modern, while still preserving the roots of the genre. As long as you can get past a little bit of grinding, Habroxia 2 is the sort of experience that we've been missing on PC for far too long. Man your battle stations, because it's time to take a trip deep into bullet hell.

Despite a sliding scale of difficulty and cheap boss tactics, Gods Will Fall has the improbable ability to endear itself to those it hurts most. Both masochists and newcomers alike will find something to love in this short, but challenging, Celtic ass-kicker.

This trio of games still creak a bit even with this fresh coat of paint and support for both higher resolutions and 60 fps gameplay, but they're still easily worth a play, particularly at this bargain bundle price.

Olija is a unique, intriguing adventure that brings players to a strange land. It isn't long but its length is enough. The visuals and atmosphere are first-rate, as are the combat and level design. All of that makes it an easy game to recommend.

Although it has demanding system requirements, The Medium is still a marvelous offering when it comes to its visuals and gameplay. Its locations will haunt and horrify you, and its dual-reality system will provide refreshing ways to complete your objectives. Unfortunately, it also suffers from a few technical hiccups, and its bizarrely abrupt conclusion leaves a lot to be desired.

While there is plenty to like about Redout: Space Assault, it just doesn't do enough to distinguish itself from the iOS outing. Mechanics issues, not to mention sporadic difficulty spikes, plague the progression through the campaign and rob players of what could've otherwise been a memorable experience. Buckle up, because it's coming in for an extremely bumpy landing.

Atelier Ryza 2 has great crafting and combat. But that's because it mostly copies and pastes them from the last game. There's still some new stuff to see and the game is enjoyable regardless, but don't expect them to reinvent the wheel. Mostly, expect the same wheel.

Its immense creativity is what helps set Shot in the Dark apart from its peers. While some may find its platforming a bit more difficult to master, it's almost as stratifying mechanically as it it artistically. Rest assured that this hellaciously challenging trip to the corral is a Hamilton well spent.

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.

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.

After a six year absence, Scott Pilgrim is once again back for blood. Aside from a few technical issues that will hopefully be ironed out soon, there is no reason to ignore the siren's call for a second time. It's high time to suit up and kick some bass.

Although there are a few issues (namely with its save system and soon-to-be-fixed progress carry-over function), Hitman 3's mission stories, level design, and creative assassinations provide the franchise's "greatest hits" record. It's the perfect way to cap off Agent 47's journey.