Voidling Bound is a great monster taming game. It offers a plethora of different species, and the ability to experiment as you try to make the best, most powerful monsters you can. Additionally, the gameplay is very good, it’s engaging, and you have access to a wide variety of customization options as well. For me, it felt like a creature collector’s dream, and being able to control those creatures during planetary missions is the cherry on the top. Not everything is perfect, though. Getting resources tends to be a grind a lot of the time, and some of the mission structures are repetitive. However, the game’s mechanics and fun planetary gameplay more than makes up for the grind. It’s an excellent game for anyone who wants to chill out and relax as they put on their scientist hat and experiment to create the perfect creature.

Reptilian Rising is a deep tactics experience that’s exciting on a turn-to-turn basis but struggles with its structural approach. Upgrading heroes, picking upgrades, deciding what abilities to use, and then fighting the reptiles is fun and challenging. The over-the-top approach to the narrative works. But the run-driven approach to historical eras feels limiting. The game would have been better if it gave players an option to access the shop between battles, while adding to the number of enemies in future engagements. For players willing to deal with some rough edges, Reptilian Rising is one of the more engaging turn-based experiences of the moment.

NBA THE RUN feels like a modern version of NBA Streets, and I mean that as a compliment. It has a great arcade gameplay, a curated roster of both street legends and NBA stars, but also some impressive courts. The games are short, but intense, and you’ll find yourself trying to attempt some more. It’s also nice to see that all the money you get via playing won’t go to waste. The game’s shop is full of all kinds of accessories and items you can use to fully customize your character. So yes, there’s always a reason beyond how you look, the way you enhance everything, and how it all flows together. Even if you’re not someone who plays NBA 2K or any major basketball game, I think you’ll have a great time here, because the game is very easy to pick up and learn. It’s fun, intense, and it will certainly push your limits, while also being fair.

Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent is a good dungeon crawler that offers interesting hero archetypes and a variety of challenges to deal with. It becomes a great experience if players manage to recruit three friends, so that everyone can control one hero. Given the relatively unknown fictional universe the developers are working with, it would have been nice to inject some extra weirdness into both the narrative and the presentation. Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent delivers on the mechanics front, but it might struggle to bring in fans of the boardgame into the video game space.

As someone who likes dungeon crawlers and survivor-like games, Skull Horde felt like home. It was great to play, with an interesting setting, wonderful 8-bit visuals and a very good gameplay loop. It also adds some complex systems like upgrades which help further enhance the gameplay and make it even more fun. I didn’t know what to expect with Skull Horde, but this game brought a lot of positive things for me. The gameplay is very addictive, and you can easily spend hours in one sitting once you get hooked by it. With that in mind, it will become repetitive at times, especially as you get how the main systems work and try to farm enemies. But the journey is an enjoyable one overall, and that’s what matters to me.

I had a good time with Generation Exile, and I felt it was a great game that seamlessly blends colony management with the idea of exploration and trying to expand. It also integrates some ideas that are close to my heart and very important, while also establishing an interesting visual identity. However, the game’s maps feel cramped, and the interface is not ideal, so it does take a little bit until you get the hand of it. That being said, the visuals are fine overall, and the game successfully conveys the sense of urgency that your missions are bringing to the table. The biomes are beautiful but also feel uninviting at first. It does take a while until you get used to the mechanics, however Generation Exile is a great game that’s well-worth exploring, especially if you are a fan of strategy games and you’re willing to learn as you go along.

Puzzle Parasite might not be a complex game, but it manages to fulfill what it sets out to achieve. It makes you think and figure out solutions to all kinds of puzzles, while still being pretty user-friendly and even allowing you to skip levels that seem too difficult at this time. It’s also not very long, either, since you can finish it in 2-4 hours depending on your puzzle-solving level. I had many moments in Puzzle Parasite that reminded me of Portal 2, which is a clear ode to what this game has to offer. Granted, it’s not as polished, and it’s quite short, but the fact that you get to solve puzzles in a very distinct, unique alien world full of character on its own does set it apart. It’s a great puzzle game for casuals, and even puzzle-solving experts will get a few hours of fun out of it.

Stonemachia is one of those games that a lot of soulslike players will try to pick up automatically, as they want more content in this exciting genre. But I felt that it’s very approachable even for a newcomer to this genre. It’s fun to play, it offers a lot of different ways to experiment, and best of all, it’s just a pleasure to plow through enemies, become stronger and tackle the game’s intense bosses. Yes, it does have some quality-of-life issues, like the lack of fast travel. I also encountered some bugs like getting stuck in a pole or the scenery while attacking enemies. But those are not dealbreakers and they certainly don’t deter the overall experience. Stonemachia is a game that brings a unique touch to the genre, with great bosses, an interesting world and exciting lore. And thankfully, it’s also fair difficulty-wise, so it respects your time as well.

I Hate This Place has some great fundamentals in place, and the game certainly knows how to create an excellent atmosphere. The fact that you can also try to go stealth mode or guns blazing is quite interesting, and it offers plenty of choice to the player. With that in mind, you don’t always feel that survival pressure when you have access to all the resources you need and crafting becomes a second thought. Despite all the issues, I still think that I Hate This Place is worth a shot, especially if you like the genre. It will take some getting used to, but this is definitely a wonderful story, and I want to see more comic books brought to life this way.

Gothic 1 Remake looks great, feels amazing to play, and there are so many great choices you can make here. You can be a mage, a warrior, the ultimate bowman or anything you see fit. Plus, following the game’s story will bring many exciting challenges on its own, from using spells to fighting unexpected enemies. Overall, it’s an excellent adventure that everyone should check out, especially if you never played the original. Gothic 1 Remake is the ultimate version of a cult classic, and being able to relive this genre-defining RPG with all the modern bells and whistles was a delight.

Upon entering Mirage 7, I had no idea what I was getting into, other than the Steam description which made it feel compelling to me. However, after finishing this, I am happy I played the game, even if it has its shortcomings. The deep focus on mythology and some sci-fi elements make it rather distinct from other games in the genre. The fact that it’s short is both a blessing and a curse for Mirage 7, because it feels like it could benefit from a few more chapters and a deeper story. Despite that, what’s there is worth experiencing, if you want a different take on mythology and a story that’s different to what you will see in most modern games. Just be prepared to deal with some technical shortcomings and mid-tier combat.

Hacked The Streamer might be a short game, but it’s an interesting FMV experience that certainly makes you question some of your choices. It’s fun to play, and you can replay it many times, which is a great thing about the title. We’ve never had any game enter the streaming world from this perspective, and it highlights the reality of being a streamer. It’s not all glitz and glamor, there are certainly some tough challenges and moments you have to consider. As a complete package, Hacked: The Streamer is fun to play. Not everyone will like the FMV approach, and it’s natural, since this is a gaming niche on its own. But the performances by the cast are great overall, the story is intriguing, albeit self-contained, and it’s certainly a unique take on streaming. For that alone, it’s worth considering, especially if you are a huge fan of interactive games.

Tides of Tomorrow does a great job at bringing a unique storytelling method to this genre. And I expected nothing less from the developers, knowing their previous work. The cooperative approach is exciting, certainly different, and the game doesn’t shy away from putting you in interesting situations as many times as possible. The idea of restarting the game and following a different player just to see their choices is certainly an upside, and it just shows the uniqueness that Tides of Tomorrow has to offer. On top of that, the story itself is not very long. It certainly encourages replayability, as there are all kinds of choices that you can make. I decided to repay bridges and ladders, knowing that the people after me would benefit. It’s the type of experience I rarely see this in games, and knowing I did something good for others gave me a fuzzy feeling in my heart. Tides of Tomorrow is certainly a different type of experience, but a rather impressive one, and I am eagerly excited to see where these devs will go next.

Ink Inside does a great job at bringing its story to life, although the game is marred by some technical issues and performance problems. However, once you get past those, the gameplay is interesting, memorable and quite immersive. It will take a little while to learn how to play and master the dodgeball sequences, yet once you get there, it feels very rewarding. Is it a game for everyone? Not exactly, especially since its combat is focused on dodgeball. While unique, it certainly takes some getting used to. But everything from the gameplay to the quirky story is worth experiencing here, however it’s important to be aware of the performance problems on some computers, especially older ones. Yet even so, it’s weird and different enough that it warrants your attention, especially if you want a new take on RPGs.

I enjoyed Mio: Memories in Orbit more than I expected. I thought it would be like all the other metroidvania titles out there, and I was wrong. The game has a beautiful story, where you wake up on a ship and try to figure out where to go and what to do on your own. It involves a lot of exploration, and you always need to be on your toes, because you never know what might happen next. The game looks great, it’s fun to play and it has a nice soundtrack to boot. With that in mind, there are some downsides, like design choices such as limited healing options or punishing difficulty at times can end up being frustrating. But that didn’t deter me from having one heck of a time with this game. Platforming is very satisfying, the visuals are excellent, and the progression manages to keep combat fresh, since you always end up swapping between modules and experimenting with them.

Moonsigil Atlas offers a cool new take on some already classic ideas. I love the tactical puzzles the game organically builds out of shapes, runes, effects, and keywords. The three characters play in very different ways, and there’s a ton of cards to discover by climbing through mastery levels. My biggest complaint is that the various card upgrade nodes feel a little underwhelming. Adding just one shield rune to a card shape rarely feels like a game-changer. Moonsigil Atlas will deliver a welcome dose of innovation for anyone who likes card-driven combat, but I wish its tweaks extended to the rogue-lite elements.

I enjoyed my time with Bus Bound, as I was looking forward to becoming a bus driver and this game certainly scratches the itch. It’s not the ultimate simulator, and that’s to its benefit, because it’s more approachable and the larger public can have fun with it. Driving around Emberville is a lot of fun, as the city is detailed, not to mention it brings its fair share of challenges for a bus driver. With that in mind, Bus Bound’s experience becomes repetitive after a while, since the core loop forces you to do the same routes over and over. You know, just like a real bus driver would. If repetition is not a problem for you, then I am sure you will have a ton of fun with Bus Bound. There are many different buses to unlock, plenty of customization options, a good coop experience to be had and a vibrant city to explore. It’s not perfect, but it’s as close as most of us will get to driving a bus in a modern city.

007 First Light surprised me with its interesting story, beautiful locations, but also the Hitman-like gameplay combined with tons of action sequences. Bond’s charisma, resourcefulness and adaptability carry the game, but the other characters like M, Q, Moneypenny or Greenway are just as memorable. You’ll feel plenty of emotions, from fear to disappointment, happiness and even laugh at times. It truly is a Bond movie distilled in a videogame format, and a great one at that.

I enjoyed my time with Above the Snow, and that’s mainly because it has lots of complexity, without feeling overwhelming. The story mode is quite long, and there’s always something to do, so you never feel monotonous. At the same time, the game’s “cause and effect” system rewards your great choices, while also punishing you when you don’t really do the right thing. With that being said, Above the Snow felt very fulfilling from the beginning up until the end. The mountainscape is beautifully created, the gameplay is exciting, and every step forward feels like a reward for all the hard work you did. Although it might seem overwhelming at first, the game does a great job in becoming approachable later on, and its system-driven gameplay is a lot of fun. If you’re into management games, you’ll find Above the Snow to be quite the treat.

Luna Abyss is not an AAA title, nor does it try to be. It’s an indie delight, however, and it manages to seamlessly blend bullet hell gameplay with an FPS. Yes, it has clunky platforming, and it can feel very linear, but you’re coming here for the gameplay. And that’s sublime, very well made and every shot/kill feels very satisfying. The game’s beginning feels weird and it can take a bit until you get to enjoy the gameplay, at least that’s how it went for me. Regardless, the genre combination is excellent, the story is rewarding and weird in its own way, but it pushes you through right until the end. I didn’t expect to like Luna Abyss as much as I did, and even if it has its shortcomings, it’s clearly a labor of love and a solid experience.

Fortune Seller offers a new take on the ideas that made the likes of Balatro a huge success, but its mechanical innovation is limited. The idea of playing a sort of Tetris while finding the right Tarot and spell combinations to rack up huge scores sounds more engaging than it actually is. Fans of the genre will appreciate the variety and the relatively quick runs. Unfortunately, it's hard to make a game shine on mechanical competence alone. The world-building is limited, both in scope and quality, and there’s little to enjoy when it comes to presentation. Fortune Seller is fun in short bursts, but will probably fail to capture most players’ attention in the long term.

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a solid first-person shooter with a great twist that cannot carry the game all the way. I loved the black and white cartoon presentation initially and liked the classic mechanics. But after three or four locations, the presentation is no longer surprising, and the gun battles start to feel repetitive. It doesn’t help that the environments don’t do a lot to keep player interest up and that boss battles are gimmicks rather than tests of skill. Play one or two levels of MOUSE: P.I. For Hire at a time, enjoy the gun fights, and ignore the elements that feel like unnecessary work, including the baseball card game and the safe cracking.

I enjoyed my time with EverSiege: Untold Ages, I think this is an ambitious game that mostly succeeds when it comes to blending roguelite, base defense and hero action gameplay. It thrives with experimentation, although it’s definitely complex and can deter some of the newcomers, especially in the few hours. The game’s core design is still compelling, and they do a very good job at creating a foundation for a new type of game here. I hope future updates will bring even more depth to the gameplay. But even the way it is, the game’s core loop will keep you engaged for quite some time. Yet at some point, repetition becomes an issue, which hopefully gets fixed in future updates.

Invincible VS is a very fast-paced, engaging 3 v 3 fighting game with a lot of heart. While it can be great for newcomers to the Invincible world, it’s certainly geared towards fans of comics or TV series. It has excellent gameplay, outstanding combat, and it relies you on mastering your skills, especially as you play online. On the downside, Invincible VS has a light single-player offering, which is noticeable if you just want to play on your own against AI. There aren’t a lot of game modes here, although you can easily go online and have a much more rewarding experience. As a complete package, it’s a must-have for Invincible comics or TV series fans, but also for those who want a more refined and still really intense fighting game.

Elemental: Reforged is a decent attempt to make a game that was too ambitious for 2010 relevant for a modern audience. It looks better than it did back then, but not by much, and its attempt at world building is hampered by the limited presentation. The core 4X mechanics are strong if a little traditional, and the game features an extensive array of customization and choices, ensuring that no two games will play out the same. Gamers who liked any of the older Elemental titles will be happy with the modern version. There’s enough variety to enjoy hundreds of hours of strategic moves and tactical battles. But Elemental: Reforged doesn’t feature any big innovation and will struggle to keep newcomers interested.

Vultures - Scavengers of Death is a throwback, a game that’s does not shy from telling players that both its universe and its gameplay are inspired by Resident Evil. The shift to a turn-based combat system adds to the complexity, while limited ammo and health create a solid challenge level. The narrative and world-building are forgettable. The presentation plays on nostalgia, but the PlayStation 1 era graphics made it harder for me to enjoy combat. Vultures - Scavengers of Death will deliver great fun for a very specific audience and will struggle to appeal to a wider set of players.

As a complete package, Aphelion mostly lands, especially when it comes to the story. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged, and it’s one of those games whose story cleverly combines a variety of emotions. You will be scared, happy, and also curious to see where everything goes. I enjoyed the game’s ending, but I can see some people will dislike where we leave these characters. The planet Persephone was amazing to explore, although the linearity of the story does bring the game down a little bit. It also doesn’t help that the climbing feels outdated at times, and the stealth parts don’t land, or they just get downright boring towards the end of the game. I still enjoyed my time with the game and felt satisfied with the story and overall experience. Plus, as someone who enjoyed all games from Don’t Nod, especially Vampyr and Banishers, I am excited to see them attempt new things. Yes, not everything sticks, but Aphelion is a journey worth embarking on.

Rhythm Doctor doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but the gameplay that it provides is engaging, fun and very addictive. You will find yourself trying to play one more time, hoping you’ll achieve a great rating for the next level. Plus, the spin they added where you are healing patients with these beats feels very fulfilling. It seems like you’re doing something more than just enjoying your time, you’re also helping people feel better, too. The game is not meant to be difficult, instead it’s continually offering you an innate sense of fun, with a great dose of humor along the way. Rhythm Doctor made me laugh, lose my mind at times, but overall, it’s a great experience for rhythm game lovers, but also those that want to unwind and step away from life’s challenges. It’s a game where every moment is worth it, no matter if you fail and you have to start over. There’s always the satisfaction of trying to save someone, and the happiness that comes from succeeding. That’s why Rhythm Doctor is a game everyone should try, especially if you need a healthy dose of good time.